Chapter Two
Holt
Katie was lying, first of all. Not about breaking down in that truck that looked to be on its last legs. Not about not having a real destination or never driving through this part of the country. Not even about the way she didn’t have a phone.
No.
When she said her name, my wolf picked up a tang in the air, something not quite right about her smell. She was lying, and I wondered why. All I’d done was try to help her.
She was a wolf shifter, like me, so there were not many questions about why I was in the woods at night, running.
But I had tons and tons of questions.
Like why my wolf was determined for me not only to get her somewhere safe but for that safe place be our home. He wanted me to throw the omega over my shoulder and take her home. Feed her. Take care of her. Get her a damned truck that didn’t break down on her in the middle of Nowhere, America.
Nowhere to her. We lived in Pleasant.
“Are you sure he’s coming?” Her voice broke me from my thoughts. She fiddled with her bag and then brought out a thick sweater.
“Are you cold?” I asked. “And yes, I’m sure he’s coming. Darryl is reliable. Best mechanic in the state, actually.”
She laughed, revealing straight, white teeth. Man, she had a killer smile. “It’s going to take one to get this thing going again. I have no clue what’s wrong with it, but smoke coming from the engine can’t be good.”
“Not in my opinion either.” A flash of lights coming down the road caught my attention.
“Let’s move to the side while Darryl pulls in. He’ll need to maneuver around to get your truck loaded, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
She nodded and took my lead while I gently placed my hand on her elbow. As soon as I touched her, it was over. She smelled like mine. And once I touched her, my wolf was 100 percent sure she was my fated mate, which also meant she was our omega, the one who belonged to our pack.
I was getting ahead of myself.
Darryl got her truck hooked up in minutes and opened the door to the tow truck. “Get in if you want a ride.”
I shook my head and looked at wide-eyed Katie. “The best mechanic. He’s a little rough around the edges. You’re safe enough in his truck, and I’ll be right behind you.”
We made our way to the mechanic’s shop where Darryl rumbled something about getting back to bed so he could work in the morning, and shut the garage with Katie’s truck inside it. Once he’d walked home, she turned to me. “I also need some sleep. You said there was a motel?”
Shit. Standing there, looking at this omega and her enticing curves, all while fighting my wolf for control, I’d forgotten the part where we were supposed to take care of her, even if that meant the opposite of what my wolf wanted.
“Yes. Let’s go to Pleasant Lodge. Marla is still awake, I’m sure. She’s a night owl.”
Katie smiled. “Small town, huh?”
“The smallest. But we take care of each other. Right this way. Only a few blocks. Unless you want me to drive you?”
Another smile and wink. Goddess, I was a goner. I knew little about this female, but I wanted her. All that came with her. “I can walk, Sheriff.”
“Okay.”
She pulled her sweater around her tighter and let me take her bag even though the walk was short.
Sure enough, when we approached the Pleasant Lodge, Marla turned on the porch light and opened the front door, likely hoping for a guest. Our busy season was fall and winter when our proximity to Salem and all things Halloween made us a good place to stay.
Out of the hustle and bustle but close enough to visit the touristy places.
“Evenin’, Holt.” I’d known Marla forever. Her husband was my fifth-grade teacher and then was my geometry teacher in high school. He wore many teacher hats.
“Evenin’, Marla. I’m surprised you are up this late.”
She flipped me off. Not a surprise. “Bullcrap. You knew I’d be up, and who is this?”
“This is Katie. Her truck broke down off the 362. Darryl towed the truck, and she needs a room. You’re not booked up, are you?”
Marla put her hands on her hips. “You’re full of shit tonight. Come on in, honey. I’ve got the perfect room for you. Go on in and get some of my freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from the counter. They’re still warm.”
Katie nodded and went inside, turning to look at me over her shoulder. “Thank you, Sheriff.”
“Please, call me Holt.”
Katie waved. “Thank you, Holt.”
The screen door shut behind her, and Marla turned to me. “I’ll take care of her. Go on home now.”
I hesitated. My wolf demanded I shift and sleep at the entrance of the inn and make sure no monsters came after our female.
“I can be here in ten minutes if you need me. If she…”
“I’ve got it. I’ve got her. Go on, now.” Marla clapped me on the shoulder.
At home, I struggled with the question of whether to tell my pack about her. Katie’s scent called to me. My head was clear, now that I wasn’t overwhelmed with her sweet smell.
I needed to learn more. The last thing I wanted to do was get my pack all excited, only to let them down.