Predator's Claim (8 page)

She finished making the bed and then grabbed three pillows and whipped them against the floor in frustration.

“Hey, Charlotte, you okay?”

Her head whipped up at the inquiry. Lia Snow stood at the door, a crooked smile on her face as she regarded the poor pillows. Damn. With Lia being Ryland’s mate, she might as well have tossed pillows in front of the boss himself. So much for professionalism.

The bear woman looked around and quietly entered the suite, pulling the door shut behind her. She picked up the throw pillows, fluffed them, and placed them on the bed with a grin. Then she sat there, patted the mattress beside her, and invited Charlotte to sit. “Want to talk?”

She plunked herself down. “Not really.”

“Oh, come on.” Lia wiggled a finger into her ribs, making her giggle. “You know you do.”

She slapped the other woman’s fingers away. “Shouldn’t you be…canoodling with your husband somewhere?”

“Canoodling. Is that what the kids call it now?”

She brought her hands to her face. “Never mind. I don’t want to talk about canoodling.”

Lia leaned in and whispered, “Are you having sex problems?”

She whipped her hands off her face. “Oh my God. You’re my boss’ wife. I’m not having this conversation with you. Besides, I never have sex problems. People come to
me
with their sex problems. Fuck.” Her shoulders sagged. “Oops, sorry. Sometimes the curses just fall out.”

Lia gave her a wide smile. “That’s what I like about you. You let it all hang out.” She grew serious. “Look, Charlotte, we’re all friends here. Family, even. And if you’re troubled, Ry would want you to have an outlet. We all need one. And seeing as your BFF Marci isn’t here, I’ll have to do.”

She stared at the woman, feeling a measure of comfort in her friendly eyes. “I want to…canoodle with someone. A lot.”

Lia nodded and slapped her hands on her thighs, a woman on a mission. “Okay. First thing’s first. Have you told him?”

“No.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because…I’m not the right woman for him.”

Lia wrinkled her nose. “What does that mean?”

Frustrated, feeling hot, Charlotte got up and walked over to the window, and then walked back, feeling no real sense of direction. Her feet just wanted to lead her to Bart anyway, which wasn’t an option. “Just how it sounds. I’m not right for him. He needs…more than me.”

“What crap! You have a lot to offer. You’re smart and funny and, frankly,” she said, her eyes dropping to her boobs and widening, “super-hot. Do we have to enroll you in one of Ryland’s mentoring programs so you can work on your self-esteem?”

“It’s not a self-esteem issue, Lia. It’s just, this man, well, have you ever met someone, and you just knew they were on a different path than you?”

Her eyes warmed over and Charlotte knew Lia thought of her mate. “Sounds like Ryland and I when we first met. But our paths converged.”

“Fine. Let me put it another way. This man I know is destined to do amazing things. He’s a leader and he doesn’t even know it. But I see it in him. Others see it in him.”

Lia’s face crumpled. “And you don’t think you’re good enough for him?”

“That’s not what I mean.” She shook her head. “I know he will one day accept he’s a strong Alpha for his pack, even though he doesn’t see it now. And when he accepts it, he’ll need a strong, like-minded woman at his side, someone who will be there for him in every way and help him fulfill his destiny. I want that for Bart.”

The other woman’s hand flew to her mouth. “Fuck me. It’s Bart? Awesome! Frankly, I gave up on you two.”

“Oh, for shit’s sake. I didn’t mean to say his name. Goddammit.” She sat down next to Lia in a flurry and grabbed her hand. “Please, don’t tell anyone. Not even Ryland. All the dudes in this place hang out together, gossiping like old women.”

“True. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. I promise.” She squeezed her hand. “But what’s with all this
amazing destiny
business? And why don’t you think you’d fit into it? From what I’ve seen, Bart idolizes you.”

“Maybe. I don’t know.” She pulled her hands out of Lia’s and let them fall into her lap. “All I do know is Bart will want a woman just like his mom. Someone nurturing and family-oriented, and I can’t be that woman. I’m…different. I want my career and success, and I don’t want to settle down with someone until I’ve seen everything there is to offer. Maybe I won’t want to settle down at all. I can’t give Bart what he needs.”

“I feel like there might be more to it than that. There’s something else bothering you, isn’t there? What are you really afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” she said quickly. “It’s just what I said. Bart needs someone warm and capable of expressing emotion. I don’t do emotion.”

She ran a hand over Charlotte’s shoulder. “Sweetie, everyone does emotion. You’re selling yourself short.”

“No, like I said, this has nothing to do with self-esteem. We just want different things.” She sucked in a breath and let it fizzle out of her lungs in a slow stream. “There’s only one thing to do.”

“And that is?”

Charlotte stood, decided. “I have to leave Gemini Island. I know I told Ryland I’d work here for a while, but it was a mistake. He’ll have to understand. I need to get away from Bart or I’ll do something I regret. He pushes buttons in me and makes me fire up in a way that can’t be good. I don’t want him to get the wrong message. It’s for the best.”

“Uh, I’m not sure that’s a good plan…”

“Thanks for the chat. You helped a lot.” As Lia started to protest, Charlotte pushed her gently out of the room and closed the door behind her. She turned, eyed the room, and began to clean with a quiet fury.

* * * *

Bart came upon his dad in one of the enclosed porches looking over Lake Gemini, ensconced with Lena and Nate. Even before he’d turned the corner, he’d picked up on their conversation and knew his siblings had joined forces in grilling their parent. Bart held back and listened for a moment before making his presence known, clamping down on his telepathic connection with his brother and sister, so they wouldn’t sense him coming.

“Daddy,” Lena said, her voice sounding bruised. “You didn’t even ask Nate and I how we feel about being Alpha.”

“Yeah,” Nate agreed. “Would it have hurt just to inquire?”

Their father reached a hand out to both of them. “I’m sorry, guys, but your mother and I made this decision a while ago. You’re both still young and need to experience a bit more of the world before you settle down to such responsibilities.”

Lena, always the hot-headed one, pulled away. “You’re always making decisions on our behalf. Just like you did with me and—”

“Let’s not go there, love. You already know how your mom and I feel about him.” He sighed. “I’m sure Bart would agree.”

Bart frowned. He had no idea what they were talking about but wanted to know why his little sister was so upset. He made a point to ask later.

“Oh, Daddy,” Lena all but shouted. “You have such a closed mind. And now you’ve put Bart in charge because he’s just like you. Stubborn and opinionated and…and more macho than the Terminator!”

Now that just hurt. He hated the movie.

Bart decided to join the conversation and entered the porch, but Lena was already running out, Nate hot on her heels. As he turned the corner, his sister crashed into him, her eyes wet with tears. He steadied her and offered her a small smile. She just glared at him and disappeared with their brother. Letting out all the air in his puffed cheeks, Bart entered the porch and approached his dad. “Pardon me for saying so, but being Alpha kind of sucks, Dad.”

His father smiled and picked up his coffee from the table, giving it an absent-minded stir. “It has its moments, but there are lots of good ones, too.”

Bart poured himself a coffee from the pot that stood nearby for guests and walked over to where his dad stared out the window. The porch was one of his favorite places in the whole resort, and he often found himself there, gazing at the pristine lake, on his days off. Only today, the view did nothing for him.

His father elbowed him. “I know I dropped you in it, son, but it really is for the best.” He grinned, as if able to read his mind.

“You really going to China and all those places?”

He smiled. “That’s the plan.”

Bart frowned but couldn’t deny his folks deserved a getaway after all they’d done for everyone. “I hope you and Mom have fun. I really do.” He took a slurp from his coffee cup, swallowed, and Charlotte’s face appeared before his eyes. His body reacted immediately in a number of embarrassing ways, and he was sure he reddened from head to crotch.

“So, aside from being made head of a family that drives you nuts,” his dad said, chuckling, “what’s wrong?”

Oh, nothing, he wanted to say. Just being tortured by the memory of two soft lips and the irresistible body attached to those lips. To say nothing about the annoying woman who owned said lips and body. “It’s not important.”

“I noticed,” his dad said, clearly testing the waters, “Charlotte left early last night…”

“Don’t go there. Please, do not go there.”

“Fine, son, but don’t you think you’ve been harboring your feelings for this woman too long? It’s not healthy. Your wolf must feel desolate.” He sipped his coffee, eyeing him the whole time.

As if in agreement, the wolf stood, turned, and showed its back to Bart.
Dumb dog
. “Yeah, well, my wolf can jump in the lake.”

He laughed. “Let me share a story about your mother.”

Bart put up a hand. “Is this a sex story?”

“Not today. When I met your mom, she was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen. I knew right away I couldn’t live without her, but she drove me crazy.”

“She did?”

“Hell, yes. You’d never seen two such different people. I was a young wolf, eager to take on the world, and she didn’t give me the time of day.”

Bart inclined his head, amazed. He hadn’t heard this tale before.

“Now don’t forget,” his dad continued, “I didn’t own my own shops then. I was just a lowly mechanic changing oil for a living. I had no money to my name. Meanwhile your mother was the daughter of one of the richest shifters in the area. When I asked her out, she had the distinct pleasure of turning me down at least three times before she finally took pity on my poor, sad ass.”

“Why did she turn you down so often? Mom’s never been a snob.”

“She wasn’t. And when she finally said yes, I got up the nerve to ask why she waited so long. She said, ‘Because it took you that long to realize you had something good to offer.’” He poked Bart in the chest. “
You
have something good to offer. Something to offer Charlotte and something to offer the pack.”

“Dad, always with the pack…”

“It’s been my life, Bart. The pack has come before everything else. But at the same time, you need to understand that in becoming Alpha, I didn’t give anything up. I held a job, had a family, did almost everything I wanted to do in life. And I’m so blessed I’ve had your mother every step of the way. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but you won’t be giving anything up either. You’ll find balance and you’ll find love.” He held his gaze for a moment, gave him a fatherly pat on the back, and then stood. “Thanks for the coffee, son.”

As his dad began to walk away, Bart motioned toward him. “Dad. You need to know something. Jason Burns is loose.”

His father stood still, eyes wide, all too familiar with his history with Burns. As his face transformed from that of teasing father to protective Alpha, he asked, “What the hell happened?”

Bart explained how Burns escaped and brought his dad up to speed with the police department’s efforts to recapture him.

“Okay, here’s the deal,” his dad said after hearing the story. “Your mom and I were scheduled to leave a bit early from the reunion to prepare for our trip. Under the circumstances, I think we’ll stay a bit longer, in case you need help. That is, if you don’t mind. You’re the Alpha now.”

“I need to make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone here on the resort. I could use an extra set of eyes and ears.”

“Consider it done. Oh, and Bart, if you’d like, I’ll discreetly tell some of the pack members for you.”

“I don’t want to scare anyone, but I think the stronger wolves should know so they can be prepared. I’d appreciate you telling them. It would save me a lot of time.” He clapped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Thanks, Dad. You drive me insane, but I love you.”

His father offered him a tentative grin. “I love you, too. Now, considering what’s happening, don’t you think you should go claim your mate?” With a wink, he left the porch and walked toward reception.

Mate
.

Hadn’t he told Ryland a short time ago he didn’t believe in the word? So why did it carry so much resonance when his dad spoke it? Why did everything seem to make sense, even though his gut churned in awful confusion?

His wolf prodded him with his nose.
She’s ours. You know it. You’ve always known it. Keep her close
.

“Okay,” he said out loud to the all-knowing mutt. “But how do I convince her?”

The wolf licked its paws, its eyes glowing amber.
I can think of a way
.

* * * *

That evening, after going over possible conversation starters in his head, Bart marched down to the employee cabin area. He crunched his Kodiaks through the freshly-fallen snow, stomping his way toward her as the sun set over the lake. He saw his breath, curling before him in hot tendrils of steam, and realized he must resemble a bull getting ready to charge.

Mates? He wasn’t sure about that, but dammit if he wasn’t going to lay his heart on the line. Charlotte needed to know his feelings. And if she told him to go play in traffic, he’d deal with it then, but he wouldn’t go to his grave one day with regrets.

As he reached her cabin, he readied himself to whip the door open himself, but she did. She stood before him, plush winter coat overtop her Victorian boots, with suitcases at her side.

Suitcases?

“What the fuck?” he whispered.