Scattered Siblings 3: To Mate a Werewolf (12 page)

The way she emphasized that
former
chilled him. He was the same man, whatever rank he held. The light in her eyes said she enjoyed his discomfort, so he gave up on the tart. “Ellie, is it too late to apologize?”

She froze, then looked him up and down. When he took a step toward her, she dodged back inside. “Much too late. Nothing you can say will make up for the way you used me.”

Joel followed and held out his hand. “Listen, Ellie, whatever my parents said, you don’t have to do this. It’s my fault they’re angry, but let’s go see them together, and let me make things right.”

She stared at him as though he’d sprouted wings and flown around the room. “Last time I was alone with you, you couldn’t get away fast enough. I’m going nowhere with a louse like you. Go away. My cakes are better company than you.”

Not exactly the reaction he’d hoped for. Normally women fell over themselves to attract his attention. Ellie refused to fall for his charm, but he deserved every angry word she threw at him. It rocked him when he realized he’d treated his mate with the same disdain Olivia showed him.

“Ellie, please…” For once Joel didn’t know what to say. He blamed himself for the coldness between them. Before he could find the right words, his pack mates were back, all of them trying to flirt with Ellie. They polished off the first tray of tarts, then jostled to get at the ones Ellie had just taken out of the oven.

His mate, all five foot and a little bit of her, held her own against a gang of predatory wolves. “No way, guys. Those are for tonight, but I’m grateful for your help. Now go away while I finish up in time to get ready for the party.”

Joel waited until the others left, ready to beg or grovel, but Ellie put two hands on his chest and shoved him outside.

“Please, Ellie, give me a chance to—”

She slammed the door in his face. Even as he growled his displeasure, he admired her courage. Not many women would dare rap an alpha’s knuckles or toss him out of their domain. His Ellie was someone special, and at least she hadn’t rubbed cheesecake in his face—yet.

Since she refused to talk to him, he’d find his mother and soothe any misunderstanding between her and Ellie. Those terrible words
“That Elf’s trouble”
would haunt him forever.
“That Elf”
held his heart in her hands, and he’d give anything to see a genuine smile light her face.

His mother loved parties and celebrations, but she hated the preparations. Running a kitchen always left her stressed and flustered. Today he found her back at his childhood home, freshly bathed and curled up with a book.

He lifted the book from her hands. “Mom, I think I gave you the wrong idea about Ellie last night.”

His mother flung her arms around him. “Congratulations on your win. Now listen, young man. Ellie's a treasure, and she knows her way around a wood-burning stove. When she offered to take over the catering, I could have kissed her. Goodness knows how she’ll find the time, but she promised to set up tables and benches too. ”

Joel’s shoulders sagged with relief. His mother always judged people correctly, and his clever Ellie had charmed her.
She’s mine, but she doesn’t know it yet
. A growl rumbled through his throat when he realized she could have any man she chose. One taste of her delicious concoctions, and she had them in the palm of her hand. The only one dumb enough to resist her had been him.

The lush contours of her body and the sweet taste of her lips fascinated him.

His mother’s eyes twinkled as she retrieved her book. “I really hope one of the unmatched males snaps her up. She’d be a real asset to the pack. As the alpha’s mate I had to stay silent, but she won my heart when she warned you about Marcellus this morning.”

Joel wanted to throw back his head and howl at the thought of Ellie with anyone except him. His protective streak—the stupid bit of him that had wanted to be Ellie’s big brother—and his arrogance had driven a huge wedge between them. His instinct was growling,
Mine
. Hers was saying,
Get lost.

* * * *

Ellie leaned on the door and surveyed the kitchen, glad to be back on familiar ground. Her legs shook, and she could barely catch her breath. Joel’s unexpected apology left her weak-willed and exhausted. Not to mention confused. She checked the salads and finished decorating her cakes. That left her time to clean up before she returned to complete the finishing touches. Fortunately, Pamela had offered Ellie the pick of her wardrobe. Her normal jeans and T-shirt wouldn’t cut it at a royal reception.

Still hot and flustered, she decided to take a walk and calm her nerves. She followed the same path she’d seen Joel speed down earlier. Pamela had told her it led to the waterfall, and Ellie was eager to see it.

Across the green, well away from the trestle tables, he kicked a ball around with a group of adolescent wolves.
Okay, he’s a standup guy, but he wants nothing to do with me.

One youngster—maybe about five or six years old—sat on the side with his thumb in his mouth. There was a wistful look in his eye, and whenever the ball came near him, he stood up and started toward it. Each time he stopped dead, and his lower lip trembled.

Apparently, Ellie wasn’t taking a walk after all. She smiled and sat alongside the youngster. “Hi.”

He took his thumb from his mouth and put his sticky hand in Ellie’s. “Hello. Won’t they let you play either? That’s because you’re a girl. They said I was too small and sent me away.”

Ellie grimaced. She wanted to wipe her damp palm on the grass, but the youngster trusted her, and she wouldn’t offend him for the world. “You’ll get bigger, but I’ll always be a girl. I’ll never get to play. Besides, Lykae enjoy the rough and tumble of the game. I’m an Elf. They’d flatten me.”

Her new friend’s cheeks dimpled. “You’re nice. I’m sorry someone messed up your face. Will you play ball with me?”

The appeal in his voice was irresistible. Her hand flew to her cheek.
Gods, I’m a freak
. This little cutie hadn’t meant to wound her, but his words still hurt. Rather than run off and weep, she forced a smile. “I’ll play, but you’ll have to find us a ball. Then a strapping young man like you will have to go easy on me. Remember, I’m half Elf. I’m Ellie. What’s your name?”

The youngster regarded her solemnly, “I’m Sammy, and I promise not to hurt you. Stay here, and I’ll get my ball.”

He half ran, half skipped toward the pile of the footballers' coats and bags. Two minutes later, her raced back with a football held before him. His face lit up, and he chortled. “Ellie the Elf, come play with me.”

Ellie the Elf. Gods, what was Mom thinking when she called me Elaine. She was probably too busy crying over that Herodotus guy or drowning her sorrows in gin to think of a decent name for me.

“Ellie the Elf! Come on!” Sammy demanded impatiently. He kicked the ball toward her, and even for a pup he kicked hard. She only just managed to kick it back.

Across the playing field, Joel smiled at her and touched two fingers to his forehead in salute. Ellie ignored him. Alpha Louse over there could crawl back under his stone for all she cared.

Sammy was good. A few kicks, and when she glanced back at the football match, Joel had vanished. He probably didn’t want to be anywhere near her. At least young Sammy didn’t want to be rid of her. He actually pouted when his big brother left the football game.

“Hey, Sammy, it’s time we went home for tea. Sorry, but you’ll have to leave your lady friend.”

Sammy’s thumb went back in his mouth. As he walked away he called, “Good-bye, Ellie the Elf.”

She waved and prayed that silly nickname didn’t catch on. Too late. Joel stood behind her. When she turned, he flashed that devastating grin that made her knees weak and her pussy damp, but he’d made his feelings clear—right after her best efforts with that blowjob.

His voice held a teasing note that made her heart race. “
Ellie the Elf?
That’s sweet. Come on. After all that hard work in the kitchens I bet you’d love a soak in a hot bath. I know just the place.”

He grabbed her hand and set off toward the icy river. For a moment Ellie thought he meant to throw her in, but the pack might object if he drowned her like an unwanted kitten. At least she hoped they would.

When he turned his dazzling smile on her, she felt her resistance crumble.
How can he go from King Louse to Prince Charming in an instant?
She so wasn’t getting sucked in again.

Chapter Twelve

A shock wave of desire almost took Joel to his knees when he touched Ellie’s hand.
Gods, if I don’t do something about my constant hard-on, I’ll be walking with a limp.

She pulled her hand away and gave him a dirty look. “Let go. I’m surprised you want to be seen with me, what with me being one of your cast-off whores and all. Aren’t you afraid I’ll corrupt your pack? Go torment your fiancée. Oh, I forgot. She spends more time with Lysander than you.”

He reclaimed her hand and kissed her fingers. “And I’m glad of it. Don’t ever dis yourself that way. Nobody calls you a whore and gets away with it, not even you. Do it again, and I’ll put you over my knee. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I know I’ve been a prick, but can’t you trust me on this?”

Ellie pressed her hand over her scarred cheek. “Hello? Baths? I’m done getting naked around you. Been there, done that, been insulted for it.”

Joel hadn’t expected wooing her to be easy, but her narrowed eyes and pursed lips showed the depths of her pain. It broke his heart that he was to blame. He’d give anything to kiss her until her pussy overheated, but he’d come here to apologize not seduce her.

His inner wolves howled to claim her, but if he made a move now, she’d never trust him again. On the other hand if she seemed willing… “Look, I’ve behaved like an ass, but I’m trying to make amends here. Either come with me willingly, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and kidnap you. My primal wolf would enjoy that.”

He pictured her dangling over his shoulder, head down, her hair swinging wildly as he carried her off to his home. He’d plant a playful slap on her butt, then stroke it until she purred. The boner he’d been sporting since he saw her in the kitchen throbbed at the thought.

She said nothing, but she let him lead her toward the trees. Once they were out of sight, he turned to face her. “Will you trust me, Ellie?”

“About as far as I can spit,” she shot back.

“I’m going to turn primal and kidnap you. We need to talk privately, and you need a break after slaving away in our kitchens. Don’t fight me on this.” He’d meant to hold her and flash, but the longer he could cradle her in his arms the better. He shifted and freed his primal beast. Eight and a half of feet of fur, claws, and fangs lifted her gently, and he ran at an incredible pace.

Ellie didn’t scream, but rather than back down, she beat on his mammoth chest.

My mate’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met
. Finally he reached a limestone cliff. He leaped upward, bounding from ledge to ledge.

Ellie snorted. “Figures that the abominable snowman lives in cave.” His shoulders shook as his primal beast chuckled. Halfway up the hillside, he set her back on her own two feet. When he shifted to human form, he expected abuse or a slap. Instead she turned her back and said nothing.

He rested one hand on her shoulder. “I don’t make a habit of carrying off females, and I’ve never brought another here. This is my special place, and I wanted to share it with you. Close your eyes and let me guide you the last few steps.”

She still didn’t look at him, and she spoke without heat. “Trust and spit, remember? News flash, yeti, I’m not playing your stupid trust games. You’ve had your fun, so take me back and let me finish catering tonight’s feast.”

He winced as her words struck home. “Can’t we call a truce for the next couple of days? Look on this as my thank-you for warning me about Marcellus earlier.”

“You heard?”

Joel nodded. “I’ll always hear you, and I’m grateful for the warning. Come on. Let me reward you for it. I swear I won’t do anything you don’t want. Ellie the Elf, just give me a chance. Please.”

He held his breath as she took time to consider his words.

Finally she told him, “Okay, but don’t call me that ridiculous name. We’ll declare a temporary truce, but no touching without my consent.”

“What? Ellie the Elf? Don’t you like it? I think it’s cute. As your new best friend, I want you to close your eyes and let me guide you.” It crucified Joel that she hesitated. Once she’d have gone with him willingly, and if he had his way, she would again. Mate or not, they couldn’t build a relationship without trust.

Finally she nodded and closed her eyes. He stepped nearer, put his arm around her shoulders, and walked her forward. Once they turned a corner, he dropped a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Okay. You can look now.”

Ellie flinched as his lips brushed her scars. She took a hurried step away from him, and for a moment, Joel thought she’d weep. Then she blinked and gasped at the landscape before her. Three limestone pools brimmed with water, the top one filling the second, and the second spilling over into the third. A hot spring flowed from the limestone cliff, constantly refilling the highest pool.

Sun-kissed and open, the water reflected the clear emerald green of the sky, but Joel preferred the green of Ellie’s eyes. He almost pulled her into his arms just to stare into them, but she’d probably slap him if he tried. That, or ram her knee into his groin.

Lykae drill instructors had trained his firecracker of a mate, but he didn’t want her practicing her self-defense techniques on him. Unless she judo flipped him to the floor and threw herself on top of him. His cock twitched at the thought.

“THIS PLACE IS amazing.” Ellie stared at the limestone cascade.

Joel took her hand and led her closer. “Just the place for a soak after a hard day in the kitchen. The top pool’s too hot to be comfortable, but the second one’s perfect. Race you to be the first one in?”

When Joel shucked off his shirt, Ellie caught her breath. She stared at the trail of fine dark blond hair that ran from Joel’s stomach and vanished behind his fly. In her dreams, she opened that zipper and kissed her way lower, following the golden trail down to his cock.
And look at the trouble that got me into last time. That’s one treat I’ve got to resist.