Predator's Claim (16 page)

If she knew Bart’s wolf, and she was pretty sure she did, he’d be raging full steam ahead.

* * * *

A couple of hours later, Charlotte found herself at the edge of Lake Gemini. She’d dressed for a casual party, and was woman enough to admit she’d probably dressed for Bart too. Under her coat, she wore tight jeans with sequins on the ass pockets and a soft tunic that barely grazed her bottom. A bit cheeky perhaps, but her ass was her best feature and dammit if she wasn’t going to leave it imprinted in his memory. The sequins should help. Her granny boots completed the ensemble.

And now she stood in front of a huge fire pit, over which sizzled a variety of delicious-smelling meats. The heat from the massive blaze was so strong, and even if she’d been human, she wouldn’t have felt the chill of wintery air around her. So many of the Cairo pack members gathered there, nibbling juicy ribs dripping with barbeque sauce and sipping spiked apple cider. Her keen senses pricked and tingled with hunger, but it had very little to do with saucy meat.

Bart’s parents spotted her first and hurried over, a glass of fragrant cider in their hands for her. She thanked them and took a huge gulp, hoping it would fortify her for the evening ahead.

“Great news about Jason Burns, huh?” she asked them.

“Wonderful news,” Shirley replied, her face lit up by a huge smile of relief. “Now we can get back to enjoying the reunion.”

“So, how does it feel?” she asked Joseph. “Not being Alpha?”

The older man smiled at her. He pretended to shush her. “Fantastic,” he whispered, beaming at his wife. “Shirley and I have so many plans. Before we leave the resort, we want to go snowshoeing by ourselves and maybe even get a little wicked and order room service…”

“A few times,” Shirley said with a cheeky grin.

Charlotte couldn’t help but giggle at their excitement, even though she knew all their former stresses had been transferred to their eldest son.

“How’s my boy holding up?” Joseph asked, as if on the same wavelength.

“Great,” Charlotte said, shrugging. “But I wouldn’t know much.” She sucked back some more cider, ignoring the Cairos’ pointed stares.

“You know, darlin’,” Shirley began. “Bart’s going to be under a lot of stress. He could use a good woman at his side.”

She gulped. “Right. If I meet one, I’ll be sure to point her in his direction.”

Chastised, Shirley and Joseph wandered away and began chatting with a cousin near the fire pit.

It didn’t take long for Bart to find her. She gazed at him as he approached, drawn by the memory of the long, sculpted lines hiding under his North Face jacket. His dark jeans, so taut on his legs, seemed almost inadequate at containing his thigh muscles. He wore his usual Kodiaks, and she grinned at the sight of them. They were as much him as her granny boots were her. He frowned at her, as if not quite sure what to say, and rubbed his scar. As she took in his roguish features, made even more enigmatic by the scar, she remembered how his face had been transformed in ecstasy in bed. Her body reacted in a revolt of rapid-hot quivers, making her feel like a teenaged geek girl adoring the school quarterback from afar. A new sensation for her, she didn’t know what to do with it.

And the whole time he walked toward her, her wolf bowed its head to his wolf.
My Alpha. My mate
.

She didn’t even bother to shoo the damn dog away this time. Not when Bart’s wolf breathed down her neck. She could almost see the great canine, accepting her wolf’s submission.

My mate
, it murmured.

Dammit. Once she got to Toronto, she would have her wolf put down. With a really blunt needle.

“Hey, Charles,” Bart said when he reached her. His hot gaze traveled the length of her body and then back up to her face again. He held up his index finger and motioned for her to twirl around, which she did. As he took in the sequins on her butt, she looked over her shoulder at him and saw his eye twitch with fast-burning lust. “You look…wow.”

You look…wow
. God only knew, she’d been on the receiving end of more elaborate compliments in her time, but she didn’t think any three words had ever touched her more than his. She searched for her vocal cords and forced air past them. “Thanks.”

“Only I need to make a little adjustment.” He reached for the hem of her coat and tugged it lower so it hid her sparkly behind. “There. Much better.”

“What’s the matter, wolf man? Don’t you like my glittery ass?”

“Oh, I like it more than you know. I just don’t want anyone else clapping eyes on it.”

The old Charlotte would have lobbed another smart remark his way and readjusted her coat hem. But this Charlotte, the one who seemed insistent on pining over this man, remained silent and gnawed her lip with delirious satisfaction.

“Come,” he said, taking her arm and sparking a chain reaction of luscious tingles down her spine. “Things have become more relaxed since we heard Burns was found. I want to have a good time tonight. There are still some pack members you haven’t met. Let me introduce you.”

Her head in a muddle, she seemed to lose track of her intention to kibosh this mate malarkey now that she was in his presence. As he introduced her to some new faces, she smiled and nodded, feeling at a loss for words. That was a new one for her. She’d never been rendered speechless before. However, something about the way Bart escorted her around the gathering, his hand always either clenched with hers or on the small of her back, left her at a loss. She’d never felt in need of a man’s guiding hand, had scoffed at the idea, but right now it floored her with how right it seemed.

Because it was him.

My mate
.

And as much as she remained quiet during the interactions, she noticed her chest had expanded with a feeling of nostalgic warmth. Dammit, she liked his family. They all welcomed her with hugs and smiles, clearly good people. A new ease shone from Bart tonight as well. He stood head and shoulders above them all, acknowledging everyone with grace and strength, as if he’d accepted his role. When someone teased him or told a joke about his childhood, he smiled and took the good-hearted jabs well, displaying his own sense of humor. The flickering light from the bonfire illuminated his proud features, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jaw and cheekbones, and she had trouble looking away. She had to hand it to him. The man knew how to work a crowd. He even seemed to enjoy it.

That didn’t stop him from squeezing her hand between one conversation. He threw her another of his famished looks and whispered in her ear, “I want to make you come again. And it’s going to happen soon.”

Her wolf howled and pleaded.
Yes. We’ll smooth our paw over his scar and lick his neck. We’ll hold him and take him inside our mouth. We’ll submit
.

Jesus, she wasn’t sure she knew how to submit and yet she felt suddenly willing to give it a whirl.

The specter of Flynn arose a few times during the evening. Each time someone mentioned Flynn’s banishment, she noticed how Bart bit the inside of his cheek and knew he kept his emotions in check. At the same time, he watched the proceedings with keen eyes, as if rooting out any other non-supporters.

Charlotte surveyed the area and mused about the same thing, feeling anger surge in her system. As fury took hold inside her, fast and unexplainable, she realized she wanted nothing more than to pulverize any of his detractors.

Nothing made sense, especially her own feelings for Bart. With dismay, Charlotte realized each moment in his company was welding her to him, making it harder to walk away.

And walk away, she must. Before it got too late. Better just to disappear soon and let him forget her. Even though she’d never forget their kisses, or his possessive clutches, or the way their bodies glided so perfectly against each other in bed.

Fuckdamnshitpisshell
.
Stop torturing yourself. This has to stop
.

“Charles,” he said, rubbing his thumb on her palm. “Do you want a drink?” His face assumed amused lines that made her heart sing. “I’ll even rustle up a Long Island for you.”

“I’d better not,” she joked. “I might do something I regret.”

“If you did it with me, you wouldn’t regret it. And neither would I.” His eyes flashed with a dark, sensual flame as he brushed his arm against hers.

Fuckety fuck
. Why did he have to keep making it so hard? He didn’t even need to flirt with her to make her hot. The most insignificant glance, his very breath curling in the cold air, made her want to tumble out of her clothes and wrap herself around him. Her pulse sped up. Her skin craved contact with his. It was so much easier when she brushed off his flirty comments with a disdainful wave, but now, every comment seemed to hit home inside her.

Okay, the situation was officially out of control.

She had to make her exit. Now, or she’d never have the fortitude to leave him. She’d look like the worst person in the history of bad people, but it was preferable to running from him later, when things got serious.

“Bartholomew,” she said in a voice which sounded bizarre and shaky. “I have to go.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I…this is wrong…”

“Charlotte,” he began, his voice cracking with ominous undertones.

Right at that moment, a dreadful howl pierced the air. Everyone around them gasped and stopped chatting, staring blankly into the darkness. Within seconds, a big brown wolf leaped into the circle of pack members, wobbling on its long legs, but fangs bared. It dashed forward, saliva dripping from its open mouth, and landed right before Joseph.

His dad stared at the wolf, wary, and Bart was just as alert, his whole body tensed. He let go of Charlotte’s hand and moved in front of his father. Nate and Lena brought up the rear.

She looked back and forth between Bart and the wolf, unsure of what was happening.

Bart pinned his angry gaze on the shifter. “Flynn, this isn’t the time to beg for handouts. And you’re drunk. Now if you’re going to address the Alpha, do it like a man.”

The wolf’s head wove back and forth and he let out another dismal howl.

All of a sudden, Fletcher burst from between a few family members and arrived, out of breath, before Bart. He threw a look of disdain at his brother wolf. “He’s drunk. Bart. He’s not himself.”

Bart turned to Flynn. “Talk to me.”

With a beastly grunt, Flynn shifted back into human form and shook out his limbs. He reached over and put a finger against Bart’s chest. “Why should I talk to you? Fletcher and I spent our lives in your shadow. I don’t wanna talk to you anymore.” He spat the words as if they were the worst of insults.

Charlotte shivered as Bart knocked Flynn’s hand away. The impact almost sent the other man flying, and she worried Bart was about to lose his tenuous control over his rage. Flynn righted himself, and the pack members circled, clearly sensing a confrontation. All around her, she heard huffed breaths and saw nostrils flare.

Bart planted his feet and clenched his fists. “Fine, don’t talk. But don’t think I’ll allow you to address this gathering in the state you’re in. You’ve been banished. Now leave and show some respect.”

“Respect?” Flynn laughed. “Seriously? For you? Oh, you were always so full of yourself. Pretty comfy acting the Alpha already, huh? You disgust me.”

“I’m running out of patience, cousin.”

“Oh! The family golden boy is running out of patience. Quick, everyone. Gather round and sing
‘Kumbaya’
,” Flynn taunted through his stupor.

A tremor went through Bart’s frame, making him tense. He rolled his shoulders, and Charlotte heard the pop in his neck as his spine adjusted. His eyes took on an amber hue, and she expected his wolf to appear.

However, before he could shift, Joseph put a hand on his shoulder and stepped around his son. “Bart, let me talk to Flynn.” He addressed his nephew, each word quieter than the last. “Son, I know you’re disappointed…”

“Don’t call me that. You’re not my father. You never were.” Flynn paced and grabbed someone’s half-empty beer bottle from where it sat on a tree stump. He downed the remainder of the beer in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and stared at Joseph. Within seconds, his angry face disappeared and his features softened, turning down at the corners. His shoulders shuddered as the cold hit him, and his words came out as strangled sobs. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“I know,” Joseph said quietly, stepping toward his naked and shivering nephew. He took his coat off and placed it around Flynn’s shoulders. “Why don’t I take you back to your cabin so you can get dressed and sober up?”

He stared, wide-eyed at Joseph. “I’ll never forgive you, you know. I can’t. First you killed my dad, and because of it, my mother died. And now you rob me of my inheritance!”

Once again, a hush came over the pack members as Flynn’s words hit home.

Bart stepped forward, his aura practically glowing red with rage, and Charlotte’s wolf was right behind him, seeking to calm him. “You sniveling shit,” he threatened. “How many times do you need to be told your father’s death was an accident? How long are you going to hold my dad responsible?”

“As long as it takes for him to realize the role of Alpha should be mine,” Flynn replied, his eyes watering with drunkenness as much as hatred. He wove on his spot, but his strong body remained poised for battle.

Her hackles raised, Charlotte inched closer to Bart and put a hand on his waistband. He turned and acknowledged her with a look.
Stay back, Charles. I mean it. I have a feeling this is going to get ugly
.

I’m not going anywhere
. Her wolf hunkered down and its lips curled, ready to defend Bart.

Fletcher ran forward and stepped between his brother and Bart. “That’s enough. He’s drunk and doesn’t understand what he’s saying. It might as well be gibberish. I’m taking him to my cabin so he can sleep it off.”

Fletcher put a hand on his brother’s shoulder, but Flynn shook it off, charging up to their little group. “Get your hands off me, bro!” He turned to the pack members, wobbling a little less than before. “I hereby challenge Bart Cairo for the role of Alpha. He’s not fit to lead and neither was Joseph. It should be me.” He spun around and faced Joseph. “You lost all credibility for me the day you let my dad die. He was ten times the man you are and his line will rule this pack, not yours.”