Chapter 17
Caidrik helped Nadia to her feet and finished zipping up her jeans before she could reach for the zipper herself. His movements were brisk and controlled, more about restoring order than modesty. Then he turned and strode out of the sunroom, cutting through the house without looking back.
What in the world was his mother doing there?
He pushed through the front door and stepped onto the porch. Cold air bit at his skin immediately, sharp and clean. Frost dusted the edges of the steps and clung to the railing. He scanned the area, already knowing what he would see.
She stood on the sidewalk looking as beautiful as ever.
“Hi, Mom,” he said.
Helena McGregor waited beneath the bare winter trees, flanked by two enforcers who had not aged a day since his childhood.
She wore a long scarlet gown that brushed the pavement and a heavy coat that looked like fur.
As a wolf shifter, it probably wasn’t real, but with his mother, one never assumed anything.
Her posture was relaxed, shoulders back, chin lifted.
She had never learned how to enter a place quietly.
“Hello, dear,” she said.
Nadia came up beside him without hesitation. Her head tilted as she took in the scene, curiosity written all over her face.
Caidrik sighed. “Nadia Hodge,” he said, “please meet my mother, Helena McGregor. Mother, this is Nadia Hodge from the Nightsom lineage.”
“Hi,” Helena said, her tone bright and energetic.
Her thick dark hair had been piled high on her head in an elegant twist. A few strands had escaped and softened the severity of her face.
Her deep brown eyes sparkled with sharp intelligence and something that looked suspiciously like delight. “It’s so lovely to meet you.”
“You as well.” Nadia hurried down the steps and offered her hand. “Please come inside. It’s cold out here.”
“I’d be delighted.” Helena cut him a glance of approval. She must’ve liked the look of Nadia.
The two women climbed the steps together and entered the house as if they had known each other for years. Caidrik watched them go, then dragged in a slow breath through his nose and fought the very real urge to shift and run straight into the forest. “Frank. Albert.”
Both males nodded. They were ancient by wolf standards and had flanked his mother since his father’s death. Their presence alone had ended more than one confrontation without a word being spoken.
“You two want to come inside?” he asked.
Frank snorted. “No. Hate indoors.”
“That’s what I figured.” Caidrik looked around.
“Don’t kill anybody, all right?” He turned and followed the women back inside.
The living room felt smaller with his mother in it, as if the space itself had adjusted around her.
Nadia had already seated her on the sofa.
Helena politely refused tea and coffee with a wave of her hand.
Caidrik took a chair across from them. “Mom,” he said, “what are you doing here?”
Nadia shifted slightly at his tone.
Helena smiled at him. The grin was familiar. Mischievous. Dangerous. “I heard that you and your brother might fight to the death, so I thought I’d come stop it.”
Nadia lifted a hand to her mouth, then let it fall. Her eyes flicked to Caidrik for help.
He kept his tone as level as he could. “Bulwark threw Nadia, the Nightsom heir, off a cliff. He tried to kill her. I don’t have a choice.”
Helena blinked rapidly. “You must have some sort of choice. Come on. You’re going to be the Alpha, right? Or at least one of you is.”
“Bulwark isn’t,” Nadia cut in quickly. “He violated the rules when he tried to end my life.”
“Well,” Helena said thoughtfully, “it’s probably for the best that Bulwark doesn’t lead a pack this size or with this much strength. He always did have a terrible temper.”
Caidrik closed his eyes for half a second. This was going to be a very long conversation.
“I’m not sure Bulwark is made to be an Alpha,” Helena said thoughtfully. She sat back on the sofa, crossing one elegant ankle over the other, her scarlet skirt pooling neatly around her boots.
Caidrik remained across the room in a hard-backed chair near the window, arms folded, weight forward on his elbows.
He watched everything. Especially Nadia.
Sure, he figured she’d meet his mother someday, if he became the Alpha and mated her.
But right now, everything was up in the air, and he didn’t need one more complication.
Helena tilted her head. “Bulwark would make an excellent enforcer though. Loyal. Ruthless when needed. Do you think he could serve as your enforcer?”
“No,” Caidrik said without hesitation. “He tried to kill Nadia, and he wants me dead. I don’t trust him.”
Nadia glanced at him, then back to Helena. She looked like a new fawn who’d discovered a salt lick. Entranced and wary at the same time.
Helena nodded slowly. “Yes. Bulwark is far more like his father than I ever wanted.” She leaned forward and rested her hand briefly on Nadia’s knee, the touch light and proprietary.
“I didn’t do a good job with either of my mates.
They were brothers, and I fell for Caidrik’s father right after Bulwark’s passed on, and he later died, as well.
It’s important to mate with the right male, dear. Please keep that in mind.”
Nadia blinked. Then she smiled. Just a little. “I’ll remember that.”
Caidrik exhaled through his nose.
Helena continued, unfazed. “McGregors are exciting. Dangerous. Sexy. The entire line comes with a certain appeal.”
Nadia swallowed once. “I’m starting to notice.”
Helena chuckled. “Be careful. I went for excitement instead of stability. I loved their fathers, truly, but they weren’t good males. Although, they were both sexy. Real bad boys.”
“I understand,” Nadia said. She didn’t sound shaken. She sounded thoughtful. “It’s kind of you to come all this way.”
“I’m staying,” Helena replied easily. “I booked a room at the bed-and-breakfast in town.”
Holy crap. Caidrik shook his head.
“That place is lovely,” Nadia said, clearly ignoring him. She looked around the room. “You’re more than welcome to stay here, if you’d like.”
Panic heated through Caidrik, and he moved his weight on the delicate chair, searching for the right words.
Helena waved her off. “Sweetheart, with my sons circling each other, distance is wise. I should stay in more of a neutral area where I can do the most good. It’s a mother’s duty, you know.”
“That makes sense,” Nadia said, nodding, her tone bemused. Her gaze slid toward the front of the house. “I noticed you have enforcers. What pack do you travel with?”
“I’m the Alpha of the Nightvein Pack.” Helena held her head up proudly.
Caidrik nearly groaned out loud.
Nadia’s eyes lit. “You are? I’ve heard of you.”
“Isn’t that delightful?” Helena smiled. “I’m so glad our name is getting around. We work among humans. Carnivals. Festivals.”
“They’re grifters,” Caidrik said dryly.
Nadia turned toward him. “Grifters?”
“They steal,” he said, surprised that rumor hadn’t made its way to Nadia. He needed her to understand his mother and her people. “For money.”
“Oh please,” Helena said. “We don’t hurt anyone. We never take what someone can’t afford to lose.”
Nadia stared at her for a moment. Then she laughed. Quietly. “Well. That’s… impressive.”
Helena smiled, clearly pleased. “However, I’m tired of traveling. If Caidrik becomes the Alpha of this delightful pack,” she went on, “I wouldn’t mind settling down.”
“Mom,” Caidrik warned.
“I’m ready to retire,” Helena said. “I want grandchildren.”
He hadn’t even decided if Nadia truly wanted to stay in the territory, and if she didn’t, he wasn’t going to mate once he became Alpha. Maybe for centuries. But it was good to lay down the law with his mother. “You are not teaching my future kids how to pick pockets,” he said flatly.
Helena laughed outright. “Everyone needs a hobby, Caidrik. I just don’t understand why you’re so serious.”
“You don’t need that hobby any longer, if you ever did,” he said. “I’m serious because I didn’t have a choice.”
For a split second she looked genuinely taken aback. Then she sighed. “All right. Being raised with my lifestyle probably wasn’t easy. I’ll grant you that. But you didn’t both have to run off and become mercenaries.”
“We kind of did,” he said. He loved his mother.
Fiercely. But becoming the adult in the family at six years old had carved grooves into him that never quite smoothed out.
Somebody had needed to be steady. Somebody had needed to watch the edges.
“You’re welcome here,” he said. “But if you break a law, I’ll kick you out. ”
She laughed softly. “Honey, I don’t need to break laws.” She waved a hand. “I’ve got more gold than I could ever spend.” Her gaze slid to Nadia. “I’m happy to contribute to the pack if money’s ever tight.”
Caidrik nearly smiled. The faintest trace of a Southern drawl crept into her voice before she caught it. His mother liked to play worldly. Exotic. Nobody would’ve guessed she’d been raised in southern Georgia.
“Oh, we appreciate that,” Nadia said. She shot Caidrik a look that was half amusement and half disbelief. “But I think we’re okay.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” Caidrik said. “But this pack follows rules. If you steal from anyone here, you’ll be out fast.”
Helena nodded once. “I find it good to know where one stands.”
Solomon appeared in the doorway, carrying that stupid leather grimoire, like always. “Please do forgive my interruption.”
Nadia glanced up at him. “Hi, Solomon. Please meet Helena McGregor, Caidrik’s mother. Helena, this is Solomon Rowland, our pack librarian.”
“Hello,” Helena purred. “The librarian? That’s quite a title for someone so young.”
Solomon blushed a deep crimson and gave a half bow, his eyes wide. “That’s kind of you to say, Mrs. McGregor. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Call me Helena,” she said. “I’m sure an impressive wolf like you is attached?”
He gurgled something.
“Mom,” Caidrik warned, standing. “Stop it. Right now.”
Helena’s eyes widened. “Stop what? I’m single, you know.”
Somehow, Solomon straightened so tightly he looked taller.
Caidrik pivoted to partially face him. “What’s up, Solomon?”
“Oh. Yes.” Solomon looked down at the book. “Nadia, Luca is waiting for you to undertake the next trial with him. You’ll need a jacket and gloves.” He glanced at Caidrik. “I’ll take you to your next challenge. You only have a few to go.”
Caidrik stiffened. “I’m following Nadia on hers.”
“No. Yours is set up, and nobody can interfere with Luca’s path.” Solomon’s lips pressed together in a fine line.
Irritation clacked through Caidrik. “Bulwark killed Isaac and nearly murdered Nadia at the same time during Isaac’s challenge. I don’t trust her safety to anybody but myself.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Helena whispered, standing.
He cut her a harsh look. “I love you, Mom, but I am going to have to kill Bulwark. You shouldn’t be here when I do.” Bulwark hadn’t given him a choice.
Helena paled.
Solomon held the book to his chest, once again wearing a three-piece suit, this one a darker green.
“I have the perimeter of Luca’s trial area covered by pack soldiers on patrol.
Nobody will interfere, and Nadia will be safe.
You should worry about your own challenge.
This one is much tougher than the last one. ”
A knock sounded on the door and Taryn walked inside without waiting for an invitation. “Sorry I’m late.” She moved into the living room. “Helena. Hello.” She hustled across the room to hug Caidrik’s mother. “I didn’t know you were heading here.”
Helena hugged her back. “Yes, well, with the boys fighting, I thought I should intervene.”
Caidrik stared at them. “I take it you two know each other?”
Taryn chuckled. “We’ve crossed paths a few times. Most wandering packs meet up once in a while.” She slipped an arm around Helena’s back. “It’s nice to see you together.” She winked. “I’m running for the Alpha female position, Helena.”
Helena started and then looked from Taryn to Nadia and then to Caidrik. “I didn’t know that was an option.”
Solomon nodded somberly. “Yes, the rules are laid out in the grimoire.” He held the tome out as if it were infinitely precious.
Caidrik had enough. “Why are you here, Taryn?”
Helena snapped her jaw tight. “Be polite, Caidrik.”
He felt like he was six years old again, caught fighting with his brother. “That was polite,” he growled.
Taryn sighed. “He is cranky, isn’t he? I’m here because I requested to join you for today’s trial.” She smiled at Solomon. “Apparently it’s a good one.”
Nadia stood. “You joined him on last night’s trial.”
“There’s no limit,” Solomon said helpfully. “After you join Caidrik in a trial, you can request to participate in the rest of his, if you like.” He glanced from one female to the other. “If you both request, I’m not sure what to do.” Then he tapped the book. “I’m sure there’s an answer in here.”
Helena brushed a strand of hair away from her classic face. “Could I go on a challenge with him?”
“No,” Caidrik said just as Solomon shook his head.
The younger male softened the denial with a smile.
“I’m sorry, but only the challengers to be his mate are allowed to join in for a trial.
I assume the thought behind that was for the female to see what kind of male or leader she was getting.
” He shrugged. “It’s all archaic, I agree.
The next Alpha will hopefully change the laws. ”
Caidrik had every intention of doing so.
“Well,” Helena said, “I should go.” She adjusted her coat. “I met a lovely woman named Ruth while I was scouting town. She invited me to play Mah Jong this afternoon.”
“They don’t play for money,” Caidrik said quickly.
Helena’s face fell. “Oh. Well. Still.” She brightened.
“I do enjoy a good game.” She half-hugged Taryn, patted Nadia’s arm, then stepped close to Caidrik and kissed his cheek.
She smelled of honeysuckle and something exotic.
“It’s good to see you. Please try to find a way where both of my sons live.
” Then she turned and swept out the door.
The house felt quieter the moment she left.
Nadia stared at him. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” he said. “That pretty much covers it.”