Chapter 27
Saint
My heart dropped.
My blood pressure rose.
The look on Lily’s face said it all.
She was horrified.
How was it that she’d been able to sneak up on us? I should have detected her presence the moment she’d opened the door to Steven’s side of the house. Not only had I not sensed her, I also hadn’t gathered a single whiff.
Not of her sex.
Not of her perfume.
Not even the salad stench we shared.
Her face went absolutely white. She remained silent, narrowing her eyes as she glanced from my brother back to me. Then she turned around military style and walked off.
“Shit,” I wheezed.
“Shit is right. I think your night went from bad to worse.” Steven whistled.
“What the hell am I supposed to say to her?”
He laughed softly and rubbed the scruff on his jaw. “I’m no relationship expert, but I think the truth. She’ll see through you in a heartbeat.”
“The truth. I don’t know how to explain who and what we are.”
Steven headed to a cabinet, pulling out a bottle of whiskey placing it next to me.
With his eyebrows raised, he snagged two glasses from another cabinet, placing them beside the bottle.
“You better figure it out. While I doubt she’s going to shout the news to the world, you can’t allow her to tell anyone without so much as hearing an explanation.
If you two have the connection you appear to have, she’ll understand.
Maybe in ten years or so, but she’ll come around. ”
I gulped the rest of my beer and tossed the bottle in the trash. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but yeah, you’re right. This might be the toughest thing I’ve ever done.” I grabbed the glasses and bottle, dreading facing her.
“Why didn’t we sense her?”
A slight grin crossed my face. “That’s a very good question.”
“Maybe she has some wolf in her.”
We both stared at each other then laughed, although my gut was still churning. “Nah. I’d know. Maybe it’s because she’s my mate.”
“Wow. Just remember I’m your best man at the lavish wedding. You better have lots of booze.”
I waved my hand at him and headed out of the kitchen.
This was not the way I’d seen the night going.
Not by a long shot.
Lily wasn’t inside the second half of the house. I found her outside on the deck, hiding in the dark. She was on a chair, her bare feet propped up on the railing. I didn’t interrupt, taking my time pouring two glasses of whiskey before sitting down next to her.
She didn’t flinch, which was a positive. Nor was she screaming, like most women would be after they found out their fiancé was a red-blooded wolf. Fake or not, our intimacy indicated a closeness neither one of us had anticipated.
I didn’t bother handing her the drink, placing the glass on the small table between us. She was looking up at the stars through the small clearing. Meanwhile, the woods surrounding the house remained enshrouded in shadows.
If I could read her mind, a skill that had faded from our species over time, I’d know she was wondering just how dangerous it was to step foot in the wild.
After a couple of minutes, she grabbed the glass, bringing the rim to her lips. A soft sigh was all she allowed before taking a sip.
I seriously had no idea where to start or how much to tell her. The truth was as wacked out as any sinister tale, only it was very real.
Without looking at me, she asked her first question. “Is it true you’re immune to most human diseases? Not you personally but your… kind?”
Really? She was going to start there? Okay, why not? I cleared my throat, trying to sound authoritative. “The truth is we used to be, but given how long our species has been on this earth, we’re more susceptible to the more aggressive forms of cancer and other illnesses.”
“Is that because you spend so much time in human form?”
“Yes, and because our bloodline is no longer completely pure.”
“Ah,” she said with a lilt to her voice. “Mating with humans has had a caustic effect.”
“Something like that.”
“How often do you shift?”
Her candid questions were giving me hives. No one in my life had asked me straightforward questions of this nature. “Me? Rarely. I don’t find it enjoyable or beneficial any longer.”
“Hmmm… Enjoyable. Racing after small creatures?”
“Yeah, a lot of wolves do for sport and not for killing.”
“And the others?” She finally turned her head in my direction. The conversation was getting more morbid by the minute.
“If you’re asking if they kill for food, that’s also rare. There’s no need.”
“Right. Because you have Costco where you can purchase a much higher quality of meat.” I wasn’t certain if she was making fun or simply making a point.
“How much did you overhear?”
“Enough to know someone should have told me. I take it no one on the Wild Dogs team knows you’re all furry inside.”
Furry inside? I glanced down at myself, amused at her terminology. “Um, no. I’d like to keep it that way if possible.”
“I’m sure you would. Wild Dogs. Isn’t that the most appropriate name?” She started laughing and didn’t stop even after a full minute.
“I didn’t pick it.”
“I know that, Saint. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Now I had to laugh. “How would you have preferred me telling you? Hey, Lily flower. Guess what? I won’t need a Halloween costume this year. I’ll just go as my furry self.”
She laughed with me, which was a huge shock. “Are you dangerous?”
“If you mean my kind, it’s like any group out there. There are good shifters and bad ones. There are those determined to destroy others and those who want nothing more than to live in peace.”
“Which is what this community is about.”
“Yes. I don’t know what Steven said is true about his neighbors, but we are a community of shifters.”
“Interesting. A community association for shifters. I can only imagine your list of rules.”
She was certainly taking this a lot better than I thought she would. “Are you horrified?”
“I don’t know how I feel other than I still don’t know whether to believe you or think this is just some crazy way of keeping publicity going.”
Snorting, I sat back and propped my feet on the railing. “Would you like me to howl for you? Issue a few growls here and there?”
She shot me a look. My guess was that if I could see her beautiful face in the light, she’d be blushing. “I’ve heard both several times.”
“Oh. What then? Do you want me to shift right in front of you?”
When she said nothing, just sat quietly sipping her drink, I knew that’s exactly what she wanted.
“You’re shitting me,” I told her, a little more forceful than I’d intended.
“If I’m going to determine how best to handle the fallout, and there will be fallout, I’ll need to grasp what I’m dealing with.”
“So you’re just worried about fallout. You’re concerned that what, people will believe everything they read or see as gospel?
Let me guess. You’re going to put a spin on everything that I was pranking them on purpose.
Right? Or maybe you’ll use my Halloween idea to your benefit.
I’d not shifting for you, Lily. That’s ridiculous.
I’m a hockey player, a brother, a son, and what from you’ve told me, a pain in the ass. Isn’t that enough for you?”
“The truth is the only thing that will ever be enough.”
“Ask yourself this, Lily. Why are you so attracted to me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
This time when I laughed I wasn’t joking, nor was any of this funny. The instant ache in my heart was like she’d stabbed me with a dull blade. “Then what we shared just hours ago was nothing?”
She wasn’t quick on the return. “I didn’t say that.”
“Then what are you saying? That you can’t be involved with someone like me? A beast in the wild?” I purposely deepened my voice to make an exaggerated point.
“I’m not involved with you, Saint. I’m trying to help you keep your career on track.”
Wait a minute. If she heard everything, then she knew that I did care about her. That didn’t matter at all? A dull ache formed in my stomach. Steven was right. My feelings for her weren’t based solely on the fact she was supposed to belong to me.
Now I was the one who had no idea what to say. “That’s all I’ve been to you? Just a client?”
“Of course. Why would you think otherwise?” She was calmly sipping her drink.
What the hell? “Because I know what we shared.”
“You’re an admitted playboy.”
“But not like you think.” Wow. I was really hurt.
Completely hurt by what she’d said and the way she was acting.
I hadn’t anticipated this in the least. Okay, maybe I hadn’t been prepared for screaming and crying, but being aloof?
There was no way to process her reaction.
My mind drifted to when she’d slathered mayo on my dick.
For God’s sake, she’d sucked on it like my cock was her favorite flavor of lollypop.
“I know who you are and I’m happy to continue helping you.
I’ll figure out a way to counter the photos.
I’m not sure how yet, but I will. It would still be helpful if you’d show me your real state.
If Rocco is some… shifter, then his behavior makes sense.
I can play a little dirty pool with his reputation. ”
“You mean destroy him.”
“If that’s what it takes.” She couldn’t look me in the eyes any longer.
I’d been a ruthless player my entire life.
Cutthroat even. This just didn’t feel right.
“Nah. Just let it go, Lily. If we win, I want it based on merit. Plus, you’re too good for that.
Hell, you’re too good for me. Just be you.
I like the fact you’re such a kind person. Don’t ever allow anyone to change you.”
“I’m surprised, but okay. Maybe I can’t understand wolf politics.”
I was taken aback all over again. “Wolf politics? This is my real state, Lily. I’m a man.
A human. I just have… a different background than you do.
Hockey is my life, or so I thought, but I won’t lower myself to Rocco’s level.
That’s not me.” Hmmm… I wouldn’t have believed that even a week ago.
What had changed? Lily. She’d changed me.
“I want you to ask yourself a question. Dig deep on this one.”
She swallowed another sip before lifting her head toward me again, only this time she wouldn’t look me in the eyes. “Okay.”
“Ask yourself why you’ve felt so close to me. Why our connection has been so strong. And why the electricity could light up the entire city of Chicago. Don’t try and tell me I’m wrong.”
“Let’s just say for the sake of argument that you’re right. What is that supposed to mean?”
I rose to my feet and for the first time in my life, I felt used. By a woman. By the most beautiful woman I’d ever set my eyes on and what she’d said hurt me. Truly hurt me. What the hell was going on? Why were my palms sweaty?
Why did I feel sick inside?
“Then I’d say my father was right,” I said in a voice I no longer recognized.
“Meaning?”
I grabbed the bottle of booze, determined to drink myself into oblivion. “That you’re my intended mate. Human or not, we’re destined to be together.” When she said nothing in retort to my exclamation, I swaggered toward the door leading inside.
“Just so you know, Lily. I do care about you. I meant what I said. That probably doesn’t matter, especially after what you overheard, but I just wanted you to know.”
That was the moment another lightning bolt hit me upside the head.
Saint Masters, the rebellious playboy of the NHL was off the market. Not only was Lily Weathers my mate.
I’d also fallen in love with her.
Well, fuck me.