Chapter 3
Stealth
The ride to where Tressa used to live and Nicole still lives doesn’t take all that long, but any time I can get out on my Harley, and allow the open road to ease what ails me is a good thing. The only thing that tops it is when I’m in my wolf form running through the expanse of our property. Then, whether I’m running by myself or with my brothers, I feel like nothing can stop me. Like I’m invincible. As the miles fly by, my sense of unease grows, which I don’t fully understand. I mean, I’ve seen the connection that Chaos and Tressa now share, but outside of me recognizing that Nicole is my mate, and a brief touch here and there in passing only, we haven’t done anything for the bond to start forming and snap into place.
Maybe I should call Nonna and ask her; she’s got wisdom well beyond her years, that’s for sure. All I know is my wolf wants to take over, which isn’t happening since the fucker doesn’t have the opposable thumbs needed to operate my bike. Shrugging, I hit the throttle and increase my speed slightly so I can get there faster.
Do I know how I’m going to approach her? Fuck no. She’ll wonder why I’m there early, and since the world of shifters is brand new to her, I’d rather her find out about our connection with Tressa nearby to help ease her into it. Regardless, I’m not leaving her unprotected from whatever threat is looming overhead. That’s my job and I take my role as her mate seriously.
* * *
It’s late when I finally arrive. Pulling my bike into a secluded area, I shut it down, then while I still have my faculties about me, do a perimeter check around my mate’s home. When my wolf goes completely apeshit, I realize he’s picking something else up, so I move back to where I’ve put my bike, strip down, and lock my clothes in my saddlebags, then quickly shift and do another sweep, the fur on my haunches now rising and my snout snarling.
I can feel the anger and rage someone has against my mate in the scent they’ve left behind. It’s strongest on the walkway and the small porch attached to the apartment, but I can pick it out in varying degrees at different spots around her place. I don’t remember her mentioning feeling as though she was being watched; but it’s obvious, especially near a tree that looks into a bedroom which I presume is hers, that someone’s been keeping an eye on her from the shadows.
Unbidden, I howl; a promise to whatever is threatening my mate that I’ll find them and end them. For every fear-filled minute she experiences, I’ll give them one filled with dread and torture. When I see the blind flick, I manage to take a step back and out of sight so she doesn’t see me.
While I patrol overnight, keeping my mate safe, I memorize the scent of the person I’m going to maim and kill. Thankfully, there are small prey nearby since I didn’t take the time to stop on my trip down for anything outside of gas or to take a piss. It’ll hold me over until I shift back and go to grab something to eat. When I see Nicole coming out, dressed as though she’s headed to work, I decide to change back to my human form and get some food, then find somewhere to get some rest. I’ll let her know later that I’m in town and willing to help.
* * *
“Are you new in town, or just passing through?” the waitress asks as she sets down a cup of coffee.
“Passing through,” I reply, quickly scanning over the menu. “Can I get the special with my eggs sunny side up, white toast, crispy bacon, and a short stack of pancakes? Oh, and an order of sausage links.”
“Anything else?” she questions with her eyebrow raised at the amount of food I’m ordering, writing everything I told her down. When I shake my head, she smiles. “Sounds like it’s plenty to get you started. Any juice?”
“Orange juice and an ice water to go with the coffee, please,” I request.
“I’ll get that in and have it out to you shortly,” she says, leaving me to my own thoughts.
I’m no closer to any answers when the waitress arrives with my drinks as well as my food. Pushing everything to the back of my mind, I focus on eating so I can get back to Nicole’s place and watch over her. I don’t like that someone’s been sneaking around, possibly watching her every move. Not only that, but the scent I caught gave off waves of rage. If the person decided to direct that rage at Nicole, she could be seriously injured or worse.
Nope, not on my watch. Now to figure out how to tell her that she’s my fated mate. A snicker escapes when I picture her, hands on her hips, toe tapping, as she glares at me with her beautiful chocolate brown eyes. She’s stunning, and I don’t think she’s aware of that fact, but there’s not a thing about her that I’d change. Her curves had me walking around half hard at the clubhouse, and my hand has seen more use than it did when I figured out whacking off felt good, for fuck’s sake.
Thank heavens I never really used the club girls, especially since they live at the clubhouse as well. I shudder thinking about the cat fights avoided thanks to my reluctance to stick my dick where my brothers have been. Granted, we don’t get sick and can’t catch diseases like humans, but still, no woman should have to face their significant other’s past sexual partners on a daily basis as far as I’m concerned.
“Anything else?” the waitress asks.
“No, thanks.”
“Alrighty, I’ll leave the check here. You can leave payment on the table or if you’re using your card, take it up to the register. Have a nice day.”
“Appreciate it,” I reply, pulling out my wallet. I place the money for my meal, along with a sizable tip underneath my coffee cup, then stand to leave.
Only to catch a whiff of the scent that’s burned into the memory bank of my nostrils. As I walk through the diner to head out, I casually look around and spot a nerdy looking guy at one of the counter tables, drinking coffee. Pretending to stumble, I bump into him which causes him to spill his coffee. When he turns, a snarl on his face, I hold my hands up in a placating manner and say, “Sorry, man, sometimes I trip over my own two feet. Let me get your breakfast as an apology.” I then toss down a twenty, which should more than cover anything he orders, and walk out the door to my bike with one question screaming.
“Who the fuck is he and why has he been sneaking around Nicole’s house?”