AGThanksgiving_JCSmith (2 page)

“Where’s your car?”

“I don’t have one.” She
shrugged off his hand and started down the steps, but he drew her to a stop
again.

“You can’t walk to the
apartments and back, especially carrying a bag. Wait here.”

He left the door open and she
watched him walk inside and jog up the stairs. When he returned a few minutes
later, he had on clean clothes, motorcycle boots, and had keys clenched in his
hand. Her eyes widened. Did he actually plan to leave the house? As far as
anyone knew, he hadn’t stepped foot outside of the Victorian since his mate
died.

Gabriel stepped out onto the
porch and closed and locked the door. He reached out and took her hand, leading
her down the porch steps and down the walkway. When they stepped around the
corner of the house, she saw an SUV and a motorcycle sitting in the driveway. A
thrill shot through her at the possibility of riding on the bike. She’d always
wanted to go riding, but had never known anyone who wanted her clinging to
their back while they zipped through the city streets.

He stopped beside the bike and
swung his leg over the seat. Autumn watched as he put the key in the ignition
and turned it on. The bike roared to life and she happily climbed on behind
Gabriel. He showed her where to put her feet and grabbed her hands, pulling
them around his waist. Her palms rested over his tight abs and she had to
wonder if it made him uncomfortable, riding with her so close to him.

Gabriel turned the bike and
eased down the driveway. The mechanics across the street filled the bay doors,
all looking surprised to see their alpha out and about. Except one. Michael
Andrews had the biggest grin on his face and waved to them. Autumn wasn’t about
to let go long enough to wave back.

As the bike picked up speed on
the streets, Autumn found herself holding on tighter. Gabriel turned into the
parking lot at the apartments and stopped in the middle of the lot. Autumn slid
off the bike, her legs a little wobbly from the vibrations of the engine.
Gabriel stood and placed a hand on her waist, steadying her.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Fine.” She smiled. “I’ve just
never ridden on a motorcycle before.”

A ghost of a smile crossed his
lips.

“I’m on the second floor,” she
said, walking toward the far end of the building and the very last staircase.
She could feel his presence behind her as she climbed the stairs. Some of her
neighbors had gathered outside and were watching in curiosity.

Autumn twisted her key in the
lock and shoved the door open. After Gabriel stepped over the threshold, she
shut the door in her nosy neighbors’ faces.

“Have a seat,” she said,
motioning to the small loveseat and chair in her living room. “It isn’t much,
but I promise the furniture is comfy.”

“You don’t need my help?”

She shook her head. “I’ll just
be a few minutes if I’m only grabbing a few changes of clothing.”

In the bedroom, Autumn pulled
a tote bag out of her closet and stuffed two pairs of jeans, two sweaters, and
some bras and panties into it. She dug through her sock drawer and picked out a
few pair before tossing them inside too, then snagged a pair of pajamas as an
afterthought. She really wanted to take her laptop with her, but she didn’t
think she could handle a tote bag and a laptop. With a sigh, she dumped the
tote bag and snagged a large backpack out of the closet instead. She rolled her
clothes so there would be enough space left for her precious computer and cord.
As an afterthought, she shoved her e-reader and charger in the bag too.

When she stepped out of the
bedroom, Gabriel was flipping through the magazines on her coffee table. He
stood when he saw her, dropping the magazine back onto the table. Coming around
the loveseat, he held out his hand and took the bag from her.

“This feels awfully heavy for
a few changes of clothes,” he said.

“I had to grab my laptop,
too.”

“You could have used mine.”

She smiled. “Thank you, but I
have special software on mine.”

Gabriel shouldered the bag and
opened the front door, motioning for Autumn to step outside. After he closed
the door, she locked up and followed him down the stairs. She momentarily lost
her balance on the last two steps and he reached out, gripping her waist, and
lifting her off her feet. He set her down next to him on the walkway and took
her hand, leading her back to his bike, oblivious to the looks they were
receiving.

Gabriel strapped the backpack
to his bike, and then swung his leg over. He held his hand out to Autumn and
she climbed on behind him. As the bike glided forward, she glances at the women
gathered outside of the apartment. There was no doubt in her mind word would
spread through the pack before nightfall. No telling what they would say. She
wasn’t sure she wanted to know. Maybe the sooner he introduced her to everyone
has his mate’s cousin, the better off they’d be.

Chapter Three

While Autumn settled into her
room and put her things away, Gabriel went out front to sit on the steps. He
hadn’t realized how much he’d missed getting out in the sun until he’d taken
her for a ride on his bike. The wind on his face had felt incredible, freeing.
He wasn’t sure how he’d handle having someone live with him, but he knew he was
doing the right thing. If Kiera had known her cousin was part of the pack,
she’d have welcomed Autumn into their home. The least he could do was honor her
memory by doing the same thing.

Not to mention, Autumn was a
beautiful woman. The shape of her eyes and nose reminded him of Kiera, but she
was definitely her own person. No way would his mate have stayed with an
abusive asshole just because she was mated to him. Autumn seemed to be more
submissive than her cousin. He wondered if she’d always been that way or if her
independence had been beaten out of her. If her mate weren’t dead, he’d have
paid the bastard a visit and explained things to him. With his fists.

“Oh hell,” he muttered, as he
saw Michael making his way across the street. You leave the house once and
suddenly the family thinks you want company. Although, he supposed in a way he
did have company, since he’d asked Autumn to move in with him.

Michael stopped at the foot of
the stairs, a smile on his face. “It’s good to see you out and about.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Why is Autumn here? I thought
all pack issues were going to Connor right now.”

“Autumn will be staying here.”

Michael couldn’t hide his
shock fast enough and Gabriel arched an eyebrow.

“Do you have a problem with
that?” he asked Michael.

His brother shook his head.
“It’s a little…unexpected. I didn’t realize you even knew Autumn. But if you’re
ready to move on, you know I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

Move on? Oh fuck. A little
late, he realized the whole pack probably thought he was moving her into his
house for personal reasons, and they would be partially right. Except in their
thinking he was romantically interested in her. Not that there was anything
wrong with Autumn, but his heart still belonged to Kiera. When Gabriel looked
to the future, he saw himself puttering around this huge house all by himself.
He doubted there would ever be another woman for him.

“She’s Kiera’s cousin,”
Gabriel said. “I brought her here so I could watch over her.”

Michael’s eyebrows rose.
“Cousin? How come she never said anything?”

“She didn’t know. The fact
that she’s in Ashton Grove is pure luck. Or fate, if you prefer. She didn’t
even know Kiera existed until we talked earlier. Her father was Kiera’s uncle.”

“I didn’t think she was a
shifter.”

“She’s not. They’re related on
Kiera’s mother’s side.”

It took a moment, but Gabriel
knew the moment it dawned on Michael that Autumn was part fae. His brother
lifted his gaze to the house, as if he could see Autumn through the wood
structure.

“Does her family know she’s
here?” Michael asked.

“From what I gathered, her mom
was human and is gone and her father is gone too. It’s just her grandfather.
She didn’t even know she had an aunt so I’m not sure where Kiera’s mother is,
or if she even knows her daughter is gone.”

“Did she say why she sought a
wolf pack? If she’s human, shouldn’t she be off having more little human
babies?”

“She was mated to a wolf
before. A real asshole. I don’t know if she’s just sticking with the familiar,
or if her family ordered her to remain amongst shifters. Whatever the case,
she’s here and I’m going to make sure she stays safe.”

“Does she want a new mate?”
Michael asked.

“We haven’t discussed it, but
if that’s what she wants, I’ll help her get settled. I don’t know the new
wolves so I’m not sure who to trust with her. I don’t want her hooking up with
just anyone. She’s family, Michael. If I’m not with her when she’s out and
about, I fully expect you and the others to watch over her.”

Michael studied him. “You
know, you’re awfully protective of someone you just met. You aren’t getting
that tingly feeling that tells you she’s supposed to mate with someone are
you?”

“She’s pack and she’s family.
That’s enough reason.”

“And she’s a tie to Kiera,”
Michael said softly. “That’s what this is really about isn’t it?”

Gabriel shrugged. “I couldn’t
save my wife. The least I can do is watch over Autumn. Kiera would have wanted
me to take care of her.”

“Kiera would also want you to
have a life. Do you think she would be happy knowing you’ve shut everyone out
and just holed yourself up in this house? The only people you let near you are
Kinley and Adriel.”

“I won’t need them to stop by
every day, not now that Autumn is here.”

“You need to be the one to
tell that squirrely sugar glider that you’re cutting her loose. Not only does
she depend on the income you give her, I think she actually likes hanging out
with your grumpy ass.”

Gabriel rubbed his jaw. He
knew Michael had a point, but it was time for Kinley to move on and find a real
job. She’d been taking care of him for several months. He appreciated
everything she’d done, but if Gabriel was going to start slowly easing his way
back into life again, having Kinley around wouldn’t work. She was a like a
crutch for him.

“Any chance you’re coming back
to work anytime soon? I could seriously use some help with the paperwork. I’m
nowhere near as organized as you and the office is starting to look like a war
zone.” Michael gave him a hopeful look.

“One thing at a time. I have
to admit, I enjoyed getting out of the house today, even if it was for such a
short time. Riding the bike was great.”

Autumn stepped out onto the
porch, looking uncertain. “Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all,” Michael said. “I
was just discussing the garage with Gabriel. Are you all settled in?”

Autumn nodded. “I’m still not
sure this is a good idea though. People are going to talk.”

“Let them.” Gabriel took her
hand and pulled her down onto the step beside him. “It’s no one’s business why
you’re here, but we’ll make sure word spreads that you’re part of the family.”

“I’ll call Chloe when I get
back to the garage,” Michael said. “She can pass it along to the other mates.
Connor may call you to set up some sort of party, family only. We all need to
get to know Autumn better.”

“Let’s just take things one
day at a time, Michael. Maybe the girls could take Autumn out to lunch this
weekend. I don’t think a party is necessary right now.” Gabriel looked at her.
“Unless you want one?”

She shook her head.

“All right,” Michael agreed.
“No party. I’ll leave you two to work out your living arrangement. I’ll be at
the garage until seven tonight if you need me.”

Gabriel frowned. “Why so
late?”

“Payroll. I haven’t gotten the
hang of it yet so I’m still slow. I want the checks ready in the morning when
everyone comes in.”

“Next time, bring it over
here. I think I can handle sorting out the payroll. I’m just not ready to head
into the office yet. If I’m at the garage, people will want to talk, and I’m
not up for a lot of conversation at the moment.”

“Thanks.” Michael smiled. “See
you both later.”

Autumn waved to him as he
walked away and Gabriel realized he was still holding her hand. Oddly, he
wasn’t ready to let go of it just yet. Maybe it was the lack of contact he’d
had over the last several months, or maybe it was the fact that she was a tie
to Kiera…he refused to acknowledge that it could be that he was mildly
attracted to her, in spite of his grief and aching heart. But Michael’s words
about moving on replayed in his mind. Would it be so terrible to take another
mate? Maybe his brother was right. Kiera had been kind-hearted and had always
wanted the best for Gabriel. Would she have wanted him to wander the earth
alone after the loss of his family? Or would she want him to find love again?

“If your kitchen is stocked,”
Autumn said, “I could fix dinner for us. I know it’s early, but I missed lunch
today. I’m afraid I was a little nervous about coming here and meeting you.”

Gabriel frowned. “You
shouldn’t be skipping meals.”

She looked down at her
stomach. “I think I can miss a few and be okay. It isn’t like I’m going to blow
away in strong wind. I’m not even sure a tornado could lift me.”

“Don’t. Don’t belittle
yourself like that. You’re a beautiful woman and I’m sure once you start
mingling with the pack more, you’ll have your choice of wolves to mate with.”

For some reason, he wasn’t as
comfortable with that idea as he’d been earlier. Any wolf that wanted to date
Autumn would have to go through him first. He wouldn’t let her settle for just
anyone, not after everything she’d been through. She deserved a happy life, and
he intended to make sure she got one.

“I think the cupboards are a
bit bare,” he said. “We can either order pizza or maybe grab a burger at the
diner around the corner.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “You’re
willing to go out again? That’s twice in one day. Are you sure you’re up for
it?”

He sighed. “Getting out today
was nice. I haven’t even sat on the front porch like this in the last few
months. The fresh air is good for me and riding the bike was a freeing
experience today. I’m not about to keep you locked away in the house, which
means I’ll be getting out more. Maybe it’s time.”

Autumn squeezed his hand. “If
you’re sure you’re ready, I would love to go to the diner. Then maybe we should
arrange to have my apartment packed and moved? The furniture can stay. I
inherited it from the previous tenant. Amber something or other.”

Gabriel nodded. “Another one
of our fallen from the fight with the demons. Our pack has suffered greatly.”

“It’s growing again though. I
know many who have joined your ranks since the battle. Well, we aren’t friends,
per se, but I’ve met them at least once. I’m afraid I’m something of a loner. I
guess after my husband, I don’t trust as easily as I once did. Not that I think
everyone is out to get me!”

“Why did you leave your old
pack? Your husband was gone; you had a fresh start.”

“But I didn’t. Everyone
believed Perry was this wonderful, caring man. He showed one face to the pack
and another to me. He always kept me locked away if he bruised my face, so no
one knew the real man behind the mask. He acted like a good neighbor, always
helping out when needed, and was an active member of the pack. I tried to tell the
alpha once what was happening, but he didn’t believe me and reported me to
Perry. I nearly went to the hospital that time. I probably should have. If it
weren’t for my fae heritage, I’m not sure I would have pulled through.”

Gabriel growled. “I wish your
mate was still alive so I could kill him myself. No wolf should ever treat his
mate that way.”

“Maybe it was because we
weren’t true mates. Our mating was ordered by the alpha when I joined the pack.
I don’t think Perry cared much for my appearance. He was always trying to make
me diet, not that I ever lost a pound. My mother was a big woman and I guess I
inherited her curves.”

Gabriel wrapped an arm around
her shoulders and tucked her against the side of his body. “He was lucky to
have you, Autumn. Any wolf would be lucky to call you his mate. I know you said
trust doesn’t come easily for you anymore, but I hope you’ll give one of our
wolves a chance. I don’t want to see you alone for the rest of your life.”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to
another mate, but I will definitely be more selective this time. Just knowing
that you won’t force me to mate with someone eases my mind. It’s part of why I
haven’t joined in that much. I figured if I was invisible, maybe Connor
wouldn’t notice me and pair me with someone.”

“No one in this pack would
ever force you to mate a wolf not of your choosing. That’s only happened once
and both parties deserved to be punished for their transgressions. We hoped
pairing them together would mellow them out and get them focused on each other
and not the pair they were trying to tear apart.”

“I guess that means I need to
get to know more people in the pack.”

“Why don’t you start with
family first? I’m sure you’ve met all of them, but maybe you should get to know
them a little better. I have no doubt the women will welcome you with open
arms, and be more than happy to play matchmaker.”

“I haven’t had friends in a
while,” she said softly. “Having another woman to talk to would be nice. Do you
really think they’ll accept me?”

“I have no doubt.”

“And they won’t think I’m
trying to force myself on you by moving into your home?”

Gabriel smiled. “I’ll make
sure they know it was my idea. You have nothing to fear.”

Autumn gave a sigh of relief.
“Then I would love to spend time with your family. Even if they do try to play
matchmaker. They’ll find I’m rather picky.”