Chapter Four
Liam
I’m so consumed by my conversation with Jude, for a split second, I have no idea who the hell is kissing me.
Then I recognize Kara’s perfume and the feel of her soft mouth against mine.
I feel guilty as she pulls back from the kiss, her smile warm and trusting.
I’m confused about the flutter of shame that goes through me, as if she caught me cheating on her or something.
That emotion makes no sense. I was just talking with Jude. I wasn’t doing anything wrong.
I become aware of Jude watching us. Something twists uncomfortably in my chest as I meet his gaze. I don’t know why kissing my girlfriend in front of my new partner feels wrong, but it does.
“So you must be the new guy,” Kara says, smiling at Jude. “I’m Kara, Liam’s girlfriend.”
Jude smiles politely. “Nice to meet you.”
“How was your first shift together?” she asks. “Anything exciting happen?”
Jude looks unsure of how to answer, so I jump in. “We arrested a bear.”
Kara laughs. “You did what?”
“There really was a call with a bear,” Jude says. “But we didn’t have to arrest it. Fish and Wildlife took care of everything.”
“That’s good. Bears can be dangerous when they’re hungry.” Kara waves Jim over. “Can I get a dirty martini with extra olives?”
“Of course, beautiful.” Jim winks and moves away to get her drink.
Kara drags a stool over and she slaps my legs. “Make room for me. Geez, you’re practically sitting in Jude’s lap, babe. Give the guy some space.”
My face warms as I look down to where my legs are touching Jude’s. “Oh, sorry.” I quickly move my legs, feeling embarrassed. I hadn’t noticed I was encroaching on his space.
Kara laughs and affectionately runs her fingers through my short hair. “Liam is very touchy feely. Don’t let it bother you, Jude. He’s like that with everyone.”
Jude wrinkles his brow but says nothing.
“So, how do you like it in Golden Peak so far?” Kara asks. “Is everyone being welcoming?”
“Uh, yeah, so far everyone has been great,” Jude says, glancing longingly toward the door.
His mood changed the minute Kara showed up.
It’s frustrating because we were bonding nicely before she arrived.
Obviously it’s not fair to blame Kara, especially considering I invited her, but I can’t help the twinge of irritation I feel at her timing.
It felt like Jude was just starting to really open up when she arrived.
“Do you think you’ll like living up here on the mountain?” Kara asks.
“I think so,” Jude says, once more shooting a look toward the exit.
Kara takes her drink from Jim. “Thanks, Jim. You’re a lifesaver. I’ve been dreaming of this martini all day.”
Jim smiles at her. “Well, I do make the best martini in town.”
“Yes you do.” Kara laughs, swiveling toward Jude and lifting her glass. “Hey, everybody, how about a welcome-to-Golden-Peak toast to Jude!”
Jude’s cheeks flush as everyone turns toward him, lifting their glasses as they shout the cheer. I’m annoyed for him. I just got everyone to stop staring at him, and he’s back in the spotlight again because of Kara.
“Thanks, everyone.” He forces a smile, but I sense he’d like to crawl under the nearest table.
Once the chatter from the toast has quieted, Kara says, “I heard you’re living at the Blue Pine Apartments, Jude. Do you plan on buying a house or staying there long term?”
“I… I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”
“Those apartments are fine short term, but if you like it here you should think about buying a house. There are several great properties up for sale at the moment. There’s a beautiful three bedroom two bath home that you could get for a bargain price.
The seller is very motivated.” She leans toward Jude.
“In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m in real estate. ”
“Oh, that’s great.” Jude laughs awkwardly and then takes a gulp of his beer. Once he’s swallowed, he says, “I’ll let you know if I decide to buy.”
Kara grins. “Please do.”
I clear my throat. “How about we let Jude decide if he even likes living in Golden Peak before we pressure him to put down roots?”
Jude gives me a grateful look.
“Sorry.” Kara sighs. “I love my job. There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping someone find the perfect home.”
“Well, if… if the time comes, I’ll be sure and let you handle the sale,” Jude says.
“Awesome,” Kara says brightly.
Sally and a few others come over to chat with us. Jude responds if they ask him something, but there’s a distance in his expression that wasn’t there before Kara arrived. He’s polite, but he’s retreated into his shell again.
At one point, I get up to use the restroom and when I return, Jude is gone. Disappointment hits me as I look at his empty stool. I turn to Kara who’s laughing at something Sally said.
“Did Jude leave?” I ask.
She glances over at his empty spot. “Oh, I… I guess he did.” She frowns. “He didn’t even say goodbye.”
Sally sighs. “I get the feeling he’s not very sociable. I could barely get a word out of him.”
Kara nods. “He did seem on the quiet side. He was almost kind of cold.”
Something protective surges inside of me. “Hey, he’s my partner. Don’t badmouth him in front of me.”
Kara grimaces. “We’re not badmouthing him…”
“Sure seems like it,” I grumble. “I think he did great, considering. Imagine how tough it must be for him. He just started a new job in a new place. He doesn’t know anyone. Every person he meets is a stranger. You guys would probably feel overwhelmed too in that situation.”
Looking a bit surprised at my reaction, Kara touches my arm. “We weren’t attacking him, babe. I’m sorry if it came off that way.”
I try to rein in my irritation because I know neither Kara or Sally are mean spirited people. “I just hope people give him a chance to acclimate before they start labeling him as antisocial,” I mutter.
Sally winces. “Sorry. You’re right. He’s only been here one day. I’d be freaking out too if everyone in town was trying to talk to me.”
Kara rubs my back. “I’m sorry too. I should be more empathetic. It’s good that you’re protective of him, honey. He probably needs someone like you to have his back right now.”
“He’s a good guy. I want him to succeed here.” I shrug and finish off my beer.
The rest of the evening passes in a blur of more drinks and conversation.
But, if I’m honest, my attention is elsewhere now.
I’m thinking about Jude not the people around me.
I’m a bit confused about why I feel so protective of him, seeing as I hardly know him.
But it really irked me when Kara and Sally started criticizing him.
I also can’t stop thinking about the fact that he also felt like he knew me the first time he saw me.
I’ve never experienced that before with any other wolf.
It was as if, when I set eyes on Jude, something inside me said, “This one matters.” Then, when we met in the chief’s office, Jude’s scent was calming.
Familiar, even without any memory of ever meeting.
I don’t know him, but I trust him. How does that make sense?
Once the clock hits 11:00 p.m. I turn to Kara. “I have an early shift tomorrow. I should get going.”
“Really?” She pushes her lips out in a pout. “Boo. I’m having fun.”
“Sorry. You don’t have to leave just because I’m leaving.” I stand, pulling on my jacket. “Too many late nights in a row catch up to me these days. I’m getting old.”
She laughs and also stands, slipping her arms around me. “You’re not old, babe. How about we both leave and you come to my place? I can’t guarantee we’ll get much sleep, but it’ll be worth staying up late.”
Usually, I’d be all over that. But tonight, the thought of having sex with her and losing sleep doesn’t appeal. I really must be getting old if I’m turning down what I know for a fact would be smokin’ hot sex with Kara. “It was stressful breaking in a new partner.” I smile weakly. “Rain check?”
She looks disappointed. “You don’t want to come over?”
Guilt nudges me. “My birthday is in two days. We can party all night then.”
She gives a resigned sigh. “Okay.”
I smile at her. “Don’t be sad. You can have your way with me on Friday. Maybe I’ll even let you use my cuffs.”
She brightens. “Really? That’s a deal.” She bites her bottom lip and leans in to kiss me.
The kiss is nice, but it doesn’t change my mind. My dick just isn’t interested tonight. I hug her and head out of the bar, saying my goodbyes to my co-workers on the way to the door.
The drive home takes ten minutes. My house is on the edge of town, close enough to be convenient but far enough that I’ve got space and privacy. My home is a modest two-story cabin-style place I bought two years ago, nothing fancy but it’s mine.
Inside, I strip off my jacket and try to settle, but my skin feels too tight, my wolf restless, pacing under the surface and demanding release. I haven’t felt like this in a while. I shift for pack runs, but not on my own so much anymore. Not like when I was younger.
I go into my bedroom, trying to ignore the gnawing need to shift, but eventually it wins.
Yes, I need sleep, but I need to shift more.
I strip out of my clothes and go to the back door of the cabin.
The cold nips at my bare skin as I step onto the porch, but I hardly notice.
My wolf is already coiling under the surface, eager and insistent.
The shift comes over me fast. Bones cracking and reforming, muscles stretching, dark fur piercing up through my skin.
It hurts in the way it always does, but the pain is brief and actually welcome.
Then I’m down on four legs, shaking out my black fur, and the world explodes into scent and sound. All my human worries fall away.
I take off into the woods behind my property, letting my wolf take over. The snow is fresh and deep, muffling sound but carrying scents on the cold air. My nostrils fill with the smell of pine and earth and the remnants of fox trails.