Stealing His Human (Wolves of Stone Ridge #63)

Chapter One

“Hey, Rierdon.” Nedrick Quittor smirked as he answered his phone, greeting his friend. “Running late again?”

His fellow wolf shifter and friend of nearly eighty years always seemed to be running late. It was a good thing the man didn’t have the standard nine-to-five job. He would’ve never been able to hold it down.

Instead, Rierdon was a sculptor, working with metal to turn what Nedrick saw as random pieces of scrap into works of art. Nedrick had no idea how Rierdon did it, but he had to admit, his buddy had a gift. His pieces sold online for hundreds and thousands of dollars, depending on the size and scope of the piece.

Perhaps that’s why he’s always late. His mind’s busy working on his next piece of art.

Being somewhere on time just wasn’t important enough to stick in his brain.

Considering nearly everyone in their wolf shifter pack knew of Rierdon’s inability to be punctual, no one ended up upset about it. Even their alpha, Declan McIntire, would smile indulgently when Rierdon showed up thirty minutes late for a pack barbeque. His friend would grin sheepishly, duck his head, and blush. Then he would rush to the food because, of course, he would be starving.

Guess forgetting to eat landed right in there with being punctual.

“Uh, well, yeah,” Rierdon replied. His voice sounded more stressed than usual, putting Nedrick on alert. “Well, ya see—”

“Hey, don’t sweat it, Rierdon,” Nedrick rumbled, doing his best to soothe his friend. Having been relaxing on his front porch swing with a sweating glass of iced tea while waiting for his friend, he lifted a bare foot to the railing in front of him and began a slow swinging. “There’s no rush, man. Ya get here when ya get here.”

Being a lazy Saturday afternoon, Nedrick had the entire day off. He worked as a mechanic at Kade McGraw’s shop. When the fellow wolf shifter had earned an enforcer position with the pack nearly a decade before, he’d hired a few more people. His duties for the pack often took him away from his work, and with the town growing, Kade had been smart to expand his workforce. His boss’s shop had a fantastic reputation, and people from other nearby towns would come to him, too.

“It’s not that I’m just late,” Rierdon stated with a sigh. “I’m, uh... my truck broke down.”

“Your truck broke down?” Nedrick moved his foot back to the porch planking and straightened. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Rierdon sounded so dejected when he replied, “Yeah, I’m okay. Just... embarrassed.” He groaned out his next words. “You warned me.”

“The tie-rod ends?” Nedrick guessed, doing his best to hide his laughter. He had indeed warned his friend. Nedrick had borrowed Rierdon’s truck to move a sofa just the prior week and had heard the telltale thuds when going over a few potholes in his driveway.

I need to fix those, too, come to think of it.

“Yeah.” Rierdon heaved a put-upon sigh. “At least, I made it into the campground.”

“Which campground?” Nedrick rose to his feet and headed into his cabin. “Maybe I can cobble something together to get you to town and the shop.”

“I really appreciate it, Ned,” Rierdon stated, then told him he was at Tall Timbers Campground. “I know this isn’t how you wanted to spend your Saturday.”

Nedrick grabbed a pair of jeans from his dresser drawer and tossed them on the bed. “No worries, Rier. Life happens, and that’s what friends are for,” he countered. Pulling out socks next, he admitted, “I’ll need a few to get dressed. Then I’ll hit the road. I should be there in twenty.”

“Thanks, Ned.” Rierdon sounded so relieved. “I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. See you soon.”

Nedrick closed the call and tossed his phone on the bed beside his clothes. After shucking his jogging shorts, the only thing he’d had on, he quickly began to dress. Nedrick had been waiting for Rierdon to arrive so they could shift into their wolves and go running through the trees together.

Sensing his wolf’s disappointment, Nedrick soothed his inner animal by promising him a moonlit run instead. Mollified, his beast accepted the change of plans and relaxed within him.

While Nedrick—and most shifters in general—considered them and their animals to be one and the same, they each had slightly different instincts. Keeping both sides of their nature in harmony was a balancing act. Nedrick had watched his mother try to deny her wolf, and she’d almost ended up losing herself to her animal side.

That was when Nedrick had been young, and for a long while, he’d feared his nature. His alpha had uncovered what was going on and helped his mother recover. Declan had also explained to Nedrick what had happened, and he’d taught him their true nature and how to balance both sides of himself.

Nedrick would forever be grateful to Alpha Declan, and he couldn’t imagine living under any other alpha’s leadership.

After grabbing his keys, Nedrick strode out the door, ready to help his friend... and maybe tell him I told you so .

*

Arriving at Tall Timbers Campground, Nedrick turned into the lane. He spotted the small guard shack ahead, but he didn’t see the ranger who was supposed to be manning it. Rolling by slowly, Nedrick searched the area ahead of him.

The road split into three directions. The one to the right had an arrow indicating you could drive in that direction, as did the one straight ahead. The road to the left had an arrow pointing toward him, as well as a no-entrance sign.

Knowing the campgrounds were set up with one-way loops—and surely Rierdon couldn’t have gotten too far—Nedrick veered to the right. He immediately spotted his friend’s truck parked in a camp spot amidst the trees. Not only was Rierdon standing near the back bumper, but so was Wraith Urdman. The man was a fellow wolf shifter and in uniform, which told Nedrick that he was the one on duty.

Wraith had probably helped Rierdon park his truck, too. Even though Rierdon was a wolf shifter, he was on the smaller side, standing five-foot-ten with a lithe build. His black wolf was sleek and swift, but not very large.

On the other hand, the ranger had the more common buff-like build and stood at six-foot-two.

Nedrick knew that he was somewhere in the middle. While he topped six feet, standing six-foot-one, his build was leaner than the large forest ranger. He didn’t mind, though. With his muscular frame, Nedrick had never had any trouble finding companionship for the night on the rare occasion that he went looking.

Parking his Jeep off to the side behind Rierdon’s truck so he didn’t block the flow of traffic, Nedrick greeted the other wolf shifters. “Hey, Rier, Wraith.” He eyed the way the left front tire of the truck veered toward the left. Shaking his head, he recalled how the truck’s other front tire had been positioned straight ahead. “That had to be a beast to park.”

Wraith chuckled, his smile rueful, while Nedrick ducked his head and blushed. “We made do,” Wraith told him, watching Nedrick as he jumped from his vehicle. “He said he called you for a lift or tow.” Eyeing Nedrick’s vehicle speculatively, he told him, “Not sure that’s going to do the job, though.”

“Gonna see if I can jury rig it first,” Nedrick explained as he pulled a jack from the back of his Jeep . As he crossed to the truck, he admitted, “Although, from seeing it now, I doubt I’ll be able to.” Nedrick lowered to his knees. “I’ll probably have to zip over to Kade’s garage and hook up the dolly.”

Wraith nodded, his attention straying to a vehicle that was turning into the entrance. “Good luck, Ned.” He patted him on the shoulder before striding swiftly back to the park’s small office. As Wraith hurried away, the black-haired shifter mumbled, “You’re gonna need it.”

“Thanks,” Nedrick quipped back with a chuckle.

“Thanks again, Ned,” Rierdon murmured, standing at his shoulder with his arms wrapped around his torso. He nibbled his bottom lip and stared at his cock-eyed wheel with an expression of impending doom. “I appreciate you comin’.”

Hating to see his normally happy-go-lucky buddy so down in the dumps, Nedrick patted him on the shin. “Like I said, Rierdon.” He grinned up at the smaller shifter. “That’s what friends are for.” After carefully peering around the tire, Nedrick confirmed his fear. “Yep. This ain’t goin’ nowhere without a tow.” Nedrick lowered the truck tire back to the ground and stood, giving Rierdon a warm smile. “Looks like we’re gonna have to make a trip to Kade’s garage.”

Rierdon sighed heavily. “Sorry for ruining your day.”

“You haven’t ruined my day,” Nedrick countered, resting his hand on the back of Rierdon’s neck and squeezing lightly in reassurance. “This is just a speedbump. We’ll—”

“Hey, guys,” a deep voice called, drawing Nedrick’s attention to the approaching man. “I hate to ask, but could I borrow your jack?” The stranger pointed at the jack Nedrick had left on the ground. The handsome guy appeared rueful as he continued toward them, rubbing the back of his neck in obvious discomfort. “My car’s got a flat, and damned if none of us have a jack on us.”

“Yeah, sure,” Nedrick replied, not minding lending a quick hand. “Where are you”—the man was finally close enough for the guy’s scent to reach him, and Nedrick drew in a sharp gasp as the human’s intoxicating aroma teased his senses, before he softly finished—”parked.”

The stranger’s masculine goodness filled Nedrick’s nostrils, making his mouth water. The hairs on his arms stood on end, and his belly suddenly felt as if it was filled with butterflies. His heart began racing in his chest as the human stopped before him.

Holy shit! My mate is standing in front of me. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!

Sweeping his gaze over the human, Nedrick admired his thick, slightly curly auburn hair. It had been cut in waves, giving him a boyish, windswept look that made Nedrick want to run his fingers through it. The human stood the same height as Nedrick, six-foot-one, and had wider shoulders that would be fantastic for holding onto while he ravished his mouth.

When Rierdon nudged him discreetly, Nedrick blinked, realizing that he’d been staring and hadn’t heard a thing his mate had been saying.

Great first impression, Ned.

Mentally chastising himself, Nedrick cleared his throat and smiled. “Uh, sorry.” He gave his mate another quick once-over, wishing he had time to really check out the man who was the other half of his soul, but the guy was already looking at him as if he were nuts. Nedrick didn’t want to make an even worse first impression. “Did you want to hop in my Jeep ? I can drive us to your campsite?”

Nedrick assumed the guy was there camping, since he was pretty darn certain the human wasn’t from the area.

“Oh, uh, sure,” the man replied, sounding a little uncertain. He seemed to rally quickly, a small smile curving his thin lips. “Sounds good.”

Grabbing his jack, Nedrick opened the back of his Jeep and placed it inside. He couldn’t help continuing to discreetly glance at the human every few seconds— my mate . After shutting the door, Nedrick indicated his vehicle. “Hop in.”

As Nedrick’s mate grabbed a roll bar and athletically hopped into the back, Rierdon grabbed Nedrick’s wrist, stopping him from climbing behind the wheel. “You all right?” he whispered, his brows furrowed in concern.

“I’m great ,” Nedrick murmured back, grinning broadly at his friend. “Best damn day of my life.” Upon seeing the way Rierdon’s brows shot up and scenting his surprise, Nedrick jerked his chin in the human’s direction. “He’s my mate.”

Rierdon gaped for a few seconds before snapping his mouth shut again and hissing, “Brett’s your mate?”

“Brett?” Nedrick repeated softly, his gut warming at the knowledge. “His name is Brett? You know him?”

Rolling his eyes, Rierdon shook his head as he released him. “No, I don’t know him,” he mumbled as he took a step away from Nedrick. “He introduced himself as Brett Robinson.” As Rierdon moved farther away, rounding the hood of the Jeep , only Nedrick’s shifter hearing allowed him to hear his friend’s mumbled, “Damn, you were really zoned out there.”

Nedrick couldn’t argue with that. Hopping behind the wheel, he brought his vehicle to life. “Okay, Brett.” He smiled, enjoying the strong short name as it rolled off his tongue. With a glance over his shoulder, Nedrick put his vehicle into gear. “Let me know where to stop.”

Seeing Brett nod, Nedrick eased off the brake and started them along the one-way loop.

Reaching the end of that one, Brett pointed straight ahead. “We’re on that loop, near the back.”

Nedrick nodded and headed that way. “Out of curiosity,” he began, just because he wanted to hear Brett’s rich tenor once more. “If you’re back here, how’d you see me and my jack?”

Brett shrugged. “I was walking to the guard shack to see if the ranger had a jack in his truck. Spotted you with him.” He pointed again. “That’s us.”

Looking where Brett pointed, Nedrick immediately saw the older GMC Envoy with the rear flat tire. The hatch door was raised, and it was obvious that Brett had been searching the interior. Nedrick barely resisted smirking because, really, why wouldn’t his mate have the jack with him? Especially since he was going into the mountains camping?

I’ll just thank Fate for that little oversight.

As they approached and slowed, Nedrick noticed three other people approaching from around a hatchback Ford Focus —two women and a man. A short-haired brunette had an arm wrapped proprietarily around the blond man’s waist, and he reciprocated with his arm around her shoulders. The second woman, a redhead with her hair piled on the top of her head in an artfully messy bun, looked over the occupants of his Jeep and immediately smiled welcomingly... at Brett.

The woman skip-bounced a couple of steps forward, then slowed as some random thought crossed her pretty features—as if catching herself. “Hey, Brett,” she greeted him, completely ignoring Nedrick and Rierdon as he parked his Jeep . Huh. Her smile could only be called flirty as she continued, “Any luck?”

Oh, hell, no.

Nedrick realized this woman was anything but subtle. If she wasn’t already dating Brett, she was angling to be.

Not going to happen.

Feeling his wolf growl in his mind, Nedrick completely agreed with his beast.

Or if they are dating, I’ll be putting a stop to it quick, fast, and in a hurry. Brett is mine.

“Hey, Karissa,” Brett greeted with a small smile of his own. As Nedrick shut off his Jeep , he couldn’t help but notice the way his mate scented a bit of appreciation as he eyed her—Karissa—while saying, “This is Ned and his friend, Rierdon. Ned has a jack I can borrow.”

“Awesome.” Karissa beamed a smile at Brett as if he were the second coming of Christ. “I knew you’d figure it out,” she gushed. Finally, Karissa turned her attention to Nedrick and Rierdon, her expression immediately changing almost to disinterest. “Thanks, guys. We sure appreciate it.” When Karissa turned her attention back to Brett, she grinned again. “Now we can go on that hike we talked about.”

“Yeah.” Brett rose from his seat and hopped over the side of the Jeep . “That’s the plan.”

Nedrick followed in time to see Karissa latch both hands onto one of Brett’s arms and press her breasts to his chest. “It’ll be so much fun,” she gushed, peering up at him through her lashes. “I hear there’s a great scenic spot for a picnic.” Her voice lowered seductively. “And it’s secluded.”

Brett cleared his throat as he glanced around, looking decidedly uncomfortable.

Good.

“Well, uh.” Brett had to practically peel Karissa’s hands from his arm as he stated, “I better get my tire changed, then.”

Nedrick took that as his cue to head to the back of his Jeep . As he moved, he did his best to keep a muscle from ticking in his jaw.

“Keep your cool, man,” Rierdon urged, gripping his upper arm to get his attention. “We’ll help fix this, but you can’t go off half-cocked on this one.”

Knowing Rierdon was right, Nedrick jerked a nod. “Thanks, man.”

With that thought in mind and knowing his pack would help him, Nedrick began plotting on how to steal his human mate.