Howl (Winter Pass Wolves Book 1) (4 page)

He’d just managed to wrestle control from his base impulses when he walked back into the cabin, a load of wood in his arms. When he spotted Penny cowering in the corner by the stove, Paxton glowering down at her, looking like he was about to shift and attack, Harlan saw red.

The firewood tumbled to the ground as Harlan hopped over the couch, ready to go for Pax’s throat. Pax’s hand shot out as he turned on Harlan with a menacing growl.

“Get the fuck away from her,” Harlan warned him, trying to circle and get between Penny and Pax.

Pax didn’t miss a beat, his fists coming up, ready to square off.

“What is she doing here?” Pax fired back. “Did we or did we not just talk about this, you fucking idiot?”

“We’re snowed in, if you haven’t noticed.”

Pax bounced on the balls of his feet, spoiling for a fight.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Harlan. I know you. You’re digging your heels in, man. She’s got to go.”

“Guys—” Penny ventured.

“Shut it,” Pax said.

Harlan lunged at him, tackling him to the floor and rolling across the kitchen, away from Penny. His wolf howled with pleasure even as Harlan felt his shoulder start to bleed again from the impact, anything to get Pax away from Penny.

Pax shoved Harlan off and jumped to his feet, backing toward the front door. Harlan was up like a flash, putting himself in front of Penny.

“If you’re going to be stubborn, I’m going to tell her,” Pax said, looking aggravated. “She probably thinks you’re protecting her, but we both know you’re going to fuck her life up, man.”

“Get out,” Harlan ordered.

Pax looked at Penny.

“Did he tell you he’s a fucking werewolf? Tonight’s the full moon, little girl, and you smell real good. If you had half a brain, you’d be long fucking gone from here before sundown. Unless you want to get fucked and turned by a bunch of animals, that is.”

Harlan watched Penny’s face crumple, saw her curl back into the corner, her eyes flashing to Harlan’s face. He couldn’t even try to hide the truth, not when Pax had thrust it out there like that.

“See? That’s how they all react, man,” Pax told Harlan, shaking his head. “Get her the hell out of here, Harlan, or you know what’s going to happen.”

With that, Pax opened the door and backed out of the cabin, leaving Harlan and Penny staring at each other, speechless.

A
fter a few minutes
of trembling and uncontrolled laughter, Penny managed to get most of her hysteria under control. She thought it was pretty reasonable, since it wasn’t often that one was confronted with a real-life
werewolf
. Let alone someone on which you’d already developed something of a heart-pounding crush.

Even after the initial moment of shock passed, Penny had to laugh. This was exactly the kind of thing that happened to her, after all. One day she absentmindedly wishes for a real man in her life, even if he’s a big sexy werewolf. The next day, of all the wishes she’d made, that was the one that was miraculously granted.

Fangs and all.

Penny sat in Harlan’s armchair, sipping the cup of tea he’d prepared. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, expression brooding. Waiting for her to go berserk and try to run away, perhaps, or to hurl hateful epithets at him?

“You look pale,” Harlan said, a muscle in his jaw tensing.

“I think that’s warranted,” Penny said tartly. “I’m not going to faint or anything, though. Maybe you should sit down and tell me exactly how this all… come about. I confess, I don’t know that much about werewolves outside of what I hear on the radio.”

Harlan shot her a questioning glance, then slowly moved over to sit down across from her. He dominated the seat with his big frame, elbows on his knees, expression grave.

“What do you want to know?” he asked. The openness and simplicity of his question made Penny’s heart do a funny flip in her chest.

“Well… are you the only one here that’s a…” She paused, then forced herself to say it aloud, “Wolf?”

Harlan’s gaze narrowed, but he didn’t miss a beat.

“No. Paxton and Chase are wolves too.”

Penny pursed her lips and nodded, working through her thoughts to find her next question.

“I heard on the radio that werewolves are made, not born. How did you… how did it happen to you?”

“I’m sure you know that it’s passed by a bite during the full moon,” Harlan said. Penny nodded, and he went on. “Chase was turned first. When we were stationed in Germany, he spent a night camping in the Black Forest alone. A couple of weeks later he freaked out and disappeared from the base where we all lived, and next thing I knew he’d signed his discharge papers. He came back stateside without so much as a word to Pax or me, even though we’ve been tighter than brothers for a decade.”

“So… he must have bitten you guys, then,” Penny said, putting another piece of his story in place. “Did you ask him to do that?”

Harlan gave a bark of laughter.

“Fuck no,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean… Push come to shove, I am glad that we’re in this together, but… this is a curse, Penny. I wouldn’t wish this on my enemy.”

Penny wrinkled her nose and bit her lip, not wanting to cross any lines with her questions.

“What?” Harlan prompted after a minute. “Just ask, Penny.”

“How did Chase end up turning you?”

“Pax and I started to worry when he was silent for a few months after his discharge. We got leave together and showed up here. Chase was a wreck, wouldn’t tell us what was wrong. I guess he was afraid we wouldn’t believe him, or maybe that we’d kill him, try to put him out of his misery. Hell, I think he might have asked us to do just that, if the full moon hadn’t been a couple days later. He thought he could control his wolf, but…”

Harlan shrugged, and Penny felt bad for him. Getting bitten and turned into a werewolf by your best friend was not an enviable fate, but…

“It can’t be that bad, right?” she blurted out. “Being a wolf, I mean. It sounds kind of cool.”

“I’m barely aware of things when I shift. I’m definitely not in control of anything.” Harlan rubbed a big hand over the back of his neck, looking uncertain for the first moment since Penny’d met him. “I don’t want to turn anyone else. I had to give up living in the city. I can’t be around anyone but Pax and Chase. I retired from the Marines, took up a job in cyber security. The curse of being a wolf is being alone, I guess.”

Penny sucked in a breath and blew it out, surprised at his eloquence. She’d felt the same way many times in her life, that she was utterly alone, that she’d never be able to find someone who accepted her for herself. Seeing a gorgeous, smart guy like Harlan struggle with the same thing only drew her to him more, despite the fact that they were having a serious conversation about his turning into a wolf and howling at the moon several days a month.

Life was really, really bizarre sometimes.

“What are you thinking?” Harlan asked, cocking his head. “More importantly, why haven’t you turned and run for the hills yet?”

Penny’s lips lifted, his joke breaking up some of her sad thoughts.

“We’re snowbound, remember?” she said, giving Harlan a soft smile.

He laughed again, short and hard like he’d forgotten how. This time, though, his laugh was genuine, lacking the bitterness she’d heard before.

“Speaking of that… I need to get the Triad together, get us moving. We’re running out of daylight, and I want to get as far away from you as I can before the moon comes up.”

“The Triad?” Penny asked, arching a brow. “You guys have a nickname for yourselves?”

Harlan shrugged, and it was Penny’s turn to laugh.

“Okay, okay,” she said, waving away the thought. “What do I need to prepare for tonight?”

The humor drained from Harlan’s face, which made Penny want to eat her words. He was even more handsome when he laughed, and she wanted to see more of it. Too late, though. Harlan was all business now.

He jumped up and went to his bedroom, then returned with a set of keys and a large dark green metal case. He handed Penny the keys, instructing her on their use to open the main lodge, and then opened the case for her inspection. Standing at her side, he watched her closely as she examined the contents.

Two sleek black handguns, accompanied by what could only be row after row of gleaming sterling silver bullets.

“Harlan, no,” Penny said, turning to him a horrified glance.

“Penny, yes,” he said, serious as death. “You are going to take these up to the main house, lock yourself in, and shoot anything that moves. Human or otherwise.”

“I am not going to shoot you guys,” Penny insisted, her stomach churning at the thought.

“You haven’t seen a werewolf yet,” Harlan said, that dark humor surfacing again. “When you see a wolf twice your size, I promise you’ll think differently.”

“Harlan—” Penny started to protest. Harlan shocked her by reaching out and snagging her by the waist. Dragging her flush against the length of his body, he glowered down at her, his gaze hard as steel.

Harlan’s lips caught hers in a brief, searing kiss, leaving Penny with flushed cheeks and lips parted in surprise. Their bodies pressed intimately, burning Penny up from the inside, making her skin crawl with the desire to wrap her arms around Harlan and drag him back down for another kiss.

“Do as I say,” Harlan warned. “Don’t let me turn you, Penny. I don’t want to have to live with that guilt.”

Penny stared up at him, dumbfounded, silly thoughts piling up in her brain.

What if I asked you to do it?

I wouldn’t mind it if I got to be with you.

Neither of us would be lonely anymore…

“Tell me you understand,” Harlan growled, giving Penny’s hip a gentle squeeze.

Penny stared at him, feeling for the first time his true depth, the hopelessly complex man that made Harlan so irresistible. She knew he needed to hear the words, even if she didn’t mean a single one.

“I understand,” she said, her voice a breathy whisper.

“You’ll protect yourself, no matter what?” His gaze was heavy on her face, his touch a heated brand on her skin.

“No matter what,” she said, hoping that he wouldn’t read her lie.

After staring into her eyes for another long moment, Harlan nodded and released her, turning away. Penny was conflicted, glad to be free of his scrutiny but sorry to lose his confident touch.

Her face flamed when she realized just how turned on she was right now, her core damp and wanting. If such a simple embrace excited her this much, what might it be like for Harlan to touch her boldly, seduce her?

“I’ll wait for you,” she said, surprising herself as much as Harlan.

He glanced at her, an unreadable expression flickering over his face. He turned away, shoving his feet into his boots and picking up his coat.

Then he was gone, the door slamming behind him, leaving Penny alone with her own suffocating thoughts.

P
enny rolled onto her side
, the feeling of the hard floor beneath her makeshift pallet waking her from a light doze. She sighed and rolled again, restless, trying to find a comfortable position. It had to be well past midnight by now, though it certainly felt like she’d been barricaded in Winter Pass’s main lodge for decades.

She’d locked herself up tight in one of the empty, dust-covered bedrooms, selecting the biggest fireplace she could find. As soon as the sun dropped behind the horizon, the temperature fell with it… and then the power went out. Of course. Just her luck.

At any rate, Penny was glad she’d brought up a bunch of firewood. She lay before the big fireplace now, all splayed out and cozy. The only things the scene was missing were a bottle of red wine and some good-looking company…

Tone down the hormones a little
, she scolded herself.
Just because you and Harlan have some kind of spark doesn’t mean you need to lie around and think about sex all the time.

The fire had subsided a little, popping and crackling quietly. The sound had helped her fall asleep earlier, but now it was keeping her from falling into a deeper sleep. She squeezed her eyes closed and rolled away from the fire, wiggling out of the pile of sleeping bags she’d used for her nest.

She was all too aware of every sound in the lodge, every sensation in her body, every panicky thought in her head. She did a little deep breathing and managed to get herself to relax…

That’s when she heard a sound. A bang, something like a screen door slamming or a shutter hitting the side of a house. She’d been jumping at every little creak and groan for hours now, but this one was unmistakable. Penny jumped to her feet, uncertain what to do.

She put her shoes on first, then grabbed a huge flashlight she’d brought over from Harlan’s cabin. As an impulse, she picked up one of the handguns she’d convinced herself to load with silver bullets, tucking it in the back of her jeans.

Sucking in a big breath, Penny unlocked the door and snuck out into the long second-floor hallway. Darkness and silence reigned as Penny tiptoed toward the grand staircase that led into the grand entryway downstairs. The heavy beat of her own heart was all she heard as she progressed, and she started to feel silly and paranoid.

Okay, this might be the third time she’d crept down the hallway, sure that a hunter was about to break in and murder her in cold blood.

A faint
scratch scratch
caught her attention, stopped her in her tracks. Penny flicked on the flashlight, surprised at how the beam jittered all over the place. Oh, that was because her hands were shaking.

Without warning, a dark shape came bounding up the staircase. Its distinctive snarl scared her and she dropped the flashlight, which rolled to the side. For the blink of an eye, a massive gray wolf was outlined in the light, cruel white fangs bared as it shot toward Penny.

She gave a shriek and pulled the gun free from her waistband, focusing on the approaching shadow. She fired two shots before she even realized what she was doing. One went way wide, the other resulted in a satisfying yelp.

Then everything was still once more.

Penny held her breath for several long seconds. She was pretty sure she’d hit the wolf. Well, it sounded that way anyway. The chances that she’d taken it down with one shot were slim, but maybe the silver bullets really made a difference.

Heart in her throat, Penny crept over to pick up the flashlight. She shone the light around, catching a massive furry shape in the beam. The oversized wolf lay on its side, unmoving.

A horrible thought bubbled up in Penny’s overloaded brain. What if that wolf was Harlan? He might not have even meant her harm, for all she knew.

Unable to help herself, Penny inched closer and closer until she was only an arm’s length from the wolf. Under the flashlight, she saw the slight rise and fall of its big chest, and she was relieved that she hadn’t shot it dead on sight.

“Harlan?” she whispered. “Is that you?”

Setting down the gun, Penny nibbled her lower lip and reached out a hand, wondering if she should roll the wolf over, see the injury. It seemed so still, maybe it wouldn’t attack…

Fast as lightning, the wolf rolled to its feet, teeth snapping closed a scant inch from Penny’s fingers.

“Agh!” Penny cried, scuttling backward.

The wolf advanced on her, dripping with menace. She saw a dark, glinting patch on the floor, so she had wounded it, but the thing was far from paralyzed. This close, she could see the wolf’s glowing, ice-blue eyes. Not Harlan’s eyes, not even close.

Fear wrapped icy tendrils around her spine. This wolf wasn’t the least bit friendly, and it looked way too interested in Penny.

“No no no,” Penny wheezed, her back slamming into a wall.

It might be her imagination, but she could swear that the wolf had an evil-looking smirk on its lips. Like it wanted to bite her, infect her. Make her like him. She swung the flashlight at him, trying to scare him away, but it didn’t have much effect.

When the wolf was only a couple feet away, it paused and looked toward the staircase. Penny sucked in a ragged breath and watched as a massive, shadowy figure bounded up the stairs. The second the man looked up, Penny saw the green glow of Harlan’s eyes.

He’d come for her. To save her.

Her stomach twisted as she realized he was completely naked, his gorgeous body rippling with each movement as he dove forward to tackle the bristling werewolf. Harlan hit the wolf like a freight truck and their bodies rolled and skidded halfway down the hallway, slamming into a closed door with a sickening thud.

After a heart-pounding moment, Harlan managed to wrap himself around the wolf and subdue it as it thrashed and scrabbled for release.

“Go back to the bedroom,” Harlan growled.

It took Penny far too long to realize that he was actually talking to her. She sprinted past them toward the room where she’d bunked down earlier. She slammed the door behind herself and locked it. Turning the flashlight off and tossing it aside, she pressed her ear to the door to listen to the struggle outside.

It was mercifully brief. She heard Harlan’s muffled voice and the big wolf’s muted whimpers of discomfort. She heard the wolf’s claws find purchase in the hallway’s slick wood floors, heard its big paws thumping as it fled down the hallway and clattered down the staircase.

Then silence. A long, long silence. For a second, Penny thought that Harlan had given chase, followed the wolf to ensure that it did not return.

A tap on the door made her jump, breath catching in her throat. Penny’s hand flew to her chest, covering her heart, which she was certain was about to fly straight out of her chest.

“It’s me.” Harlan’s gruff words raised all the hair on Penny’s neck and arms, but her fingers were already twisting the door’s lock, turning the knob.

When Penny swung the door open, she found Harlan filling up the doorframe, a thin cotton sheet wrapped around his waist. The muscular expanse of his bare torso alone was intimidating, forcing Penny back a few steps.

“I shouldn’t be here,” Harlan said, his voice gone to gravel. Even as he spoke, he followed Penny into the fire-warmed room, pursuing her step for step.

Penny’s eyes widened as the fire chased the shadows from his face. His expression was distinctly feral, those eerie green eyes lit up as they traveled up and down her body. He looked… hungry.

“Thank you for saving me, Harlan,” Penny said, resisting the shiver that eased up her spine.

The backs of her feet hit her makeshift pallet. Penny swallowed and sat down, thinking it might pacify Harlan. It seemed that his animal side was dominant right now, the full moon giving the wolf sway over the man.

Harlan didn’t acknowledge her gratitude. He towered over her for several long moments, staring down at her with the deepest longing. It resonated with Penny, that yearning in him. It was just as strong in her own heart, though she barely knew him.

Fire crackling and warming her skin, moonlight pouring in the windows and casting shadows on the floor, handsome Harlan staring at her with more desire than she’d ever seen in her whole life…

Penny couldn’t think to resist.

Raising her hand, she beckoned to him. She longed for him, longed to comfort and caress him, learn the nuances of his incredible body and the flaws of his heart. Something in her called out for Harlan, wanted him so badly it nearly hurt.

Harlan sunk to his knees, the thin white sheet around his waist threatening to come loose. Penny stared at him, swiping her tongue over her lower lip, anticipation simmering low in her body. When he reached out and tugged at the lower hem of her t-shirt, then pulled it up over her head, Penny’s heart began to pound.

Without speaking, Harlan stripped Penny’s jeans off. Eyes intent on Penny’s face, he unhooked her bra and slid it off, baring her breasts to the firelight. With each breath, her breasts rose and fell, drawing Harlan’s attention.

“Beautiful,” he said, reaching out to cradle one round globe, brushing his thumb over her dusky nipple. He paused, then withdrew his touch. “Penny…”

He seemed uncertain how to ask her permission. Penny rose on her knees and leaned forward, cupping his jaw and pressing her lips to his. He met her with a groan, his lips and tongue seeking hers, stoking the rising flames of her desire.

When Harlan broke the kiss, he pulled back with a wild, desperate look in his bright green eyes.

“There is no going back from this,” Harlan gritted out, looking nothing short of tormented.

“There’s nothing for me to go back to,” Penny said, unrepentant. “I want this, Harlan. I want you.”

“It’s not a fling, Penny. You understand? Wolves mate for life.”

A thrill of excitement trickled over the nape of Penny’s neck.

For life.

Something in her, some darkness seeking light, some old unhealed hurt, cried out for him. For everything his words promised. For a new life, with a man who would protect and cherish her. It wouldn’t solve all of Penny’s problems, but Harlan would be a foundation for her on which to build her new life.

Starting right now, with her lips on his.

“Yes,” was Penny’s only response. She leaned toward Harlan, offering her lips, and he gave a satisfied growl.

Harlan lay down on the pallet before the fire, bringing Penny down to sprawl over his body. Their mouths sought purchase, tongues dancing, breathing quickly growing ragged. Harlan ran his hands over every inch of Penny’s curves, scorching her breasts and hips, exploring the tender curves of her ass.

Penny couldn’t stop touching him, either. She curled one hand around the back of his neck, the other roaming over the sculpted planes of his shoulders and back. She braced the thick curve of his hip, thumbing the thick vee of muscle she found there, trailing down and down until her fingers found the loose cotton sheet that now barely covered his stunningly large erection.

Harlan grabbed her hands and moved them up over her head, his lips stealing her breath as they traced the sensitive shell of her ear, teeth nipping a trail down her neck. He stopped briefly to pull her panties down her legs, closing his lips over her aching nipple. His tongue swirled and worked her flesh as he parted her thighs with his hand, boldly stroking her lower lips, finding and teasing her clit.

Penny burned for him. His touch ruined her, killed her, made her crave release so badly she could hardly breathe. When he slid two long, thick fingers into her core, stretching and filling her roughly, she cried out and clenched, the thread of her hunger growing taut.

Harlan pulled his hand away, sliding his damp fingers into his mouth. His eyes closed for the briefest second and he groaned, his hips rolling as he licked her essence from his skin.

When he was done, he opened his eyes and pinned her with his gaze.

“I wish I could taste you this time, Penny, but I can’t wait. My wolf is too hungry,” he said, his eyes gone dark. He hesitated. “I’m worried I’ll lose control, take you too hard.”

Penny’s lips twitched. She arched a brow, the solution coming to her without a moment’s trouble.

“Let me start, then,” she suggested. “I can handle you, Harlan. All of you.”

Harlan’s face went hard. He snatched the cotton sheet off his body, giving Penny her first view of his massive, rigid cock. It was so long and thick and beautiful, it made her mouth water, her nipples tighten, her core grow even more slick.

“You can take me, huh?” Harlan asked, his amusement clear. A challenge lit his eyes, and Penny felt the need to prove she was very much up to the task. He was big, yes, but she knew that she and Harlan would fit together perfectly, two puzzle pieces made to grip one another.

Penny straddled his hips, kissing him deeply. One of Harlan’s hands gripped her hip, the other teased her breast. Penny didn’t miss a beat, grasping his cock and raising her hips, guiding him to her entrance.

Harlan’s fingers dug into her hip, a faint rattle issuing from his chest as Penny closed her eyes and threw her head back. Biting her lip, she eased down on his cock, taking him inch by slow inch.

Penny moaned as his cock stretched and filled her so full that it bordered on painful. She laid her hands on his chest, leaning forward a little, working her hips until the discomfort eased, leaving nothing but her want.

Ever so slowly, she began to rock forward and back, keeping her movements gentle. Harlan’s grip on her hip grew bruising, his expression close to agony. Every muscle in his body seemed strained as he held himself back, the effort of it obvious.

Penny abandoned her slow pace. Closing her eyes, she rocked her hips hard, taking him deep with every stroke.

“Mmm,” she murmured. He felt so, so good, but something was missing. Harlan was holding himself back. She wanted him to take control, give himself to her fully, pleasure them both.

She slowed and stopped, looking down at Harlan. He arched a questioning brow.

“It’s not enough,” she said.

A wicked smile flashed on Harlan’s face.