Wild (34 page)

“I have no idea.” She felt so stupid admitting that, but it was the truth. “My grandma Memaw said it was a gift. I've accepted it as that. No questions.”

“Probably a very smart decision. Thank you. Cain said you were wasted when you were done. I hope you're better now.”

She laughed. “‘Wasted' is a good way to describe it. I think healing sucks every bit of energy I've got, but a little bit to eat and I'm good to go. I'm really glad I could help you, Trak. I hope those bastards go to jail.”

He nodded. “So do I, Elle. We're telling the authorities that the guy shot me, not a wolf, and Tuck removed the bullet. He's not supposed to operate on humans, but it was an emergency situation done as a field surgery. I hope you're okay with that. We really didn't want to involve you in what's essentially a pack problem.”

“I'm fine with that. Thank you. And Cain? Thank you for bringing me the sandwiches and sports drink. I might have saved Trak, but you saved me, and Tuck, too.” She leaned into his embrace. “I not only feel really weak after healing, I'm super grumpy. You don't want me grumpy.”

Trak turned and focused on Cain. “I understand you weren't the only one who saved my life today, Elle. Thank you, Cain. You were there for me like I've never been there for you. I'm having to rethink a hell of a lot about the way I've treated you for all these years.”

Cain's lips quirked up on one side. “Well, I imagine I deserved most of it. Not all, mind you, but enough.”

“You notice I'm not arguing that point?”

Cain's laughter burst out of him, and then he held his side and groaned. “Well, a little arguing might have been appropriate.”

Tuck reached over and grabbed Trak's hand. Squeezed his fingers. “On that note, Elle and I are going to bail for now. It's been a long day.”

“You're not kidding.” She wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him close. “It's only Tuesday. Trak? Are your vacation packages always this full of excitement? Because if they are, I don't know if I'll survive the entire week!”

*   *   *

Trak watched as Elle and Tuck left. Cain was still with him, but as he turned to go, Trak grabbed his hand. “Cain.” He looked at their clasped fingers, tried to make his voice sound like he wasn't talking around that huge lump in his throat. “I was aware that whole time, when you sat beside me and kept me alive. When you found the moss and packed the wound. Hurt like hell, but I knew it needed to be done. I heard what you said, how you didn't understand why I'm always ridin' your ass. I've been wrong, but I've been too big a coward to admit it.”

“The fact I'm an alpha?” Cain focused on their clasped hands for a moment and then raised his head and looked Trak in the eye. No hesitation, no subservience, either. “Trak, that's foolish. I don't want your pack. I never have. You have my word. I will never challenge you. All I've ever wanted is a place to call home. I challenged my first alpha because I was a dumb shit with more balls than brains. I lost. Badly. I'm lucky to be alive.

“He taught me a couple of good lessons, though. One, that I wasn't nearly as strong as I thought I was, and two, that if I'd beaten him, the pack would have fallen apart because I'm not a leader. By allowing me to live but publicly exiling me, he set an example that will keep him in charge until he voluntarily gives it up. I'm strong enough and smart enough to be a good enforcer, which is the job you gave me, but not to lead this or any other pack. You're a good leader, Trak. A strong leader. Please don't ever see me as a threat.”

Trak nodded. Damn, he was so tired, and not feeling at all like a leader.

“Look, man, you're toast. Do you need help getting to the bathroom? Anything to eat or drink?”

“No. I'm fine. Go hang out with your mates. I'm sure they're curious, probably want to know how we can be in the same room and not be trying to kill each other.”

Cain snorted. “Shit, Trak. I hadn't thought of that. If you want to keep bitching at me for everything, it's okay. Otherwise we might really mess with their heads.”

He didn't even try to hide his smile. “Get outta here. I need my rest.”

“That's better. You sound a lot more like the bastard we all know and love.”

Trak flipped him off, middle finger high.

Cain flipped him back. Still, when he left the room, he left the door partly open in case his alpha needed help during the night.

 

CHAPTER 12

Wednesday morning

Elle rolled over and came nose to nose with Tuck—Tuck the man, not the wolf. “Good morning. Are you serious?”

“'Bout what?” He nuzzled her throat.

“Oh, about waking up like this for many years to come?” He'd said it again last night, that she was his and he wasn't letting her go. She had news for him—she wasn't letting him go, either.

“Hell, yes.” He gave her that sexy grin she loved. “Good assistants are hard to find.”

“And that's all I am to you?” She tried sending a look that should have told him how mortally offended she was, but she couldn't pull it off. She loved him way too much.

“You are so much more, Elle Marcel of the burgundy hair. You have become the air I breathe and the sustenance I need. I love you. I don't need you to leave me for a week to prove that. I don't want to spend another night without you for as long as we both shall live.”

“Works for me, Tuck. You're the one I've been hoping for all my life. I'm not going anywhere.”

Thursday morning

Meg was so nervous Thursday morning she could barely button her blouse. She was bringing Zach home today. Well, not
home
home, but home to Feral Passions. His mind had begun to clear up yesterday, and he'd been mostly back to normal by last night. He wasn't hurting too badly, and he was anxious to get out of the hospital.

Trak had teased her, said he was putting a couple of chairs on the deck at the lodge so he and Zach could oversee the activities. For whatever reason, she was nervous about Zachary and Traker Jakes getting to know each other. In the back of her mind was the memory of that kiss.

The one that hadn't done a thing for her. But she was bringing Zach to her little cabin, and he hadn't kissed her since he'd awakened. Not once. Which meant she'd probably been right and the reason he'd driven all that way was to tell her it was over.

She needed to hear him say it before she'd really believe it, but she figured she wouldn't be at all surprised when he did. She'd play it cool, and she'd survive. Of course, that meant she'd have to find a new job, and she loved that office.

She loved her boss a whole lot more. She looked at the sparkling diamond on her left hand and wondered if she should just take it off now, except she couldn't. She really, really wanted to be wrong.

She heard a light tap on her door. “Come in. I'm decent.”

Brad opened the door. “Well, damn. You're no fun.” He gave her a quick appraisal. “You look really nice. Do you mind going a little early so I can pick up some groceries? I'm out of a couple of things, and with an extra mouth to feed, I need to make sure I impress your guy with the amazing food here.”

“The food is amazing. It's been the best part of our visit. Well, for me, at least. This has been a really odd week.” She grabbed her handbag and a light sweater. “Are we taking the truck?”

“No, the van's a lot more comfortable. And Cherry's going with us.”

“Good. I'm glad.” Actually, she was relieved. Cherry already felt like a good friend. She might be able to figure out what was going on with Zach.

*   *   *

It felt weird to have regular clothes on, after three days in a hospital gown, but Zach was more than ready to get out of this place. One of the paramedics had gone over to the wrecking yard and recovered his backpack from his trashed car, so at least he had his own clothes, though not many extras.

He really hadn't thought this trip out very well, and he still felt out of sync, as if he couldn't connect with Meggie at all. She seemed so sad when she was here with him, and he wasn't sure why. She hadn't kissed him, or hugged him, or acted like she was glad he was here, but the hospital wasn't a good place to figure that out. He wanted to be sure he was thinking clearly if they had stuff to work through.

“Zach! You're dressed!”

“Hey, Meggie.” Damn but he loved her. She was incredible, an island of calm in the storm that was his life. He took a deep breath, forced himself to settle down. “Yeah, they found my backpack with a change of clothes. I was worried I might have to run around town in a hospital gown.” She stood there, looking so awkward, his Meggie who was always so self-assured. What the fuck was wrong? He held his arms out. “I'm not broken. Don't I get a kiss?”

She wrapped her arms around him and held on as if she wasn't ever going to let go. “Meggie? You're trembling. What's wrong?” He kissed her and then leaned back and looked into her expressive gray eyes. Right now, he saw more confusion than anything.

“I've been so worried, Zach. Look, let's get out of here. Brad and Cherry, a couple from the lodge, are waiting out in the parking lot for us. Is there anything you need to do or sign or anything like that?”

“All taken care of. I'll just let them know you're here.” He turned carefully and grabbed his beat-up old backpack, one he'd had since college. “I feel kind of silly now, but I packed at three in the morning and left before four. Didn't even throw in a razor.” He rubbed his jaw. “The nurse shaved my face yesterday.” He raised an eyebrow. “It was actually kind of nice. Think that's something you'd be interested in doing once we're married?”

She laughed and gave him a flirty, dirty look. “Depends. What do I get in return?”

“I'm sure you'll think of something appropriate.” He was afraid if he got started with suggestions, he'd scare her off. She'd been way too careful around him since his wreck.

They stopped by the reception desk, and he made sure they had all his contact info, and then he met Brad and Cherry in the parking lot. Good-looking guy, a really awesome woman, both of them friendly and outgoing.

They were on the road and headed out within a couple of minutes.

“Zach?” Brad glanced over his shoulder. “Anything we can do about your car? Can it be fixed?”

He laughed at that one. “God, I hope not. It's trashed. One of the paramedics stopped by this morning with pictures that he transferred to my phone. Said he was impressed I'm still alive, but the airbags and seat belt did their jobs.”

Meggie grabbed his hand. She held on to it all the way out to the resort.

*   *   *

Manny hunted Jules down right after breakfast. He'd told her to wear her hiking clothes, and she looked great in olive-green rip-stop cargo pants and a black fitted tank top. She'd stuck a safari hat on her head, had a lightweight jacket tied around her waist, and wore sturdy hiking boots.

She looked stunning, and he told her so.

“So. What's your nefarious plan, Mr. Vicario? Why am I dressed like someone out of an REI catalogue?”

She gave him a slant-eyed look, and he laughed. In less than five days, he'd learned her moods, her looks, her wicked sense of humor. The places she liked for him to touch. The places she wanted to touch, and thinking of her touch on those places had him uncomfortably straining the faded jeans he'd decided to wear. “Today, my dear, Drew and I are taking you on a hike. We're showing you some of our favorite places, ones not on the guest map. More private.”

He waggled his eyebrows and leered. She punched his shoulder. “Where's Drew? I'm not going anywhere private unless he's along, too.”

“I'm right here. Sorry.” Drew leaned close and kissed Jules. “Thanks for standing up for me. Trak asked me to move a couple of chairs for him.”

Manny cocked an eyebrow. “What's going on? Trak's supposed to be recuperating.”

“He is. He's doing great, but Meg's on her way back from the hospital with her guy, and Trak's now got a couple of Adirondack chairs positioned on the deck so he and Zach can oversee the guests while the two of them recuperate in comfort close to the bar. His words, not mine.”

Jules laughed at that. “I'm almost sorry to miss that, but I'd rather go with you two.”

Manny wrapped an arm around her shoulders like she was one of the guys. “And why is that?”

“Because I'm on vacation, and you two are the entertainment. Now, where are we going?”

Drew slapped a hand over his heart. “She wounds me.”

Frowning, Jules looped her arm through his. “How so?”

“You're treating us like sex toys. I'm insulted.”

Jules rolled her eyes. “C'mon, big guy. Get over it. Manny, let's move it.”

“Yes, ma'am.” He glanced at Drew. “Remember, my friend. Boyfriends come and go, but a good dildo lasts forever.”

“As long as you don't forget to replace the batteries.” Grumbling dramatically, Drew took Jules's other arm, and they were off.

*   *   *

This had been a strange, magical, sometimes heartrending crazy week, and Jules had never been happier in her life. Tomorrow would be their last day, since they had to leave early Saturday to get all the way back home to Portland. She refused to see this brief romance with creatures who shouldn't even exist as anything beyond a chance to experience a fantasy out of time, a utopian interlude that would have to carry her through the rest of her life. She knew she would never find anyone like Manny and Drew again—two men she'd discovered were beautiful both inside and out.

Manny was a forester who kept the animals on the preserve safe. That's why he'd been out patrolling with Trak when the alpha was shot, but it was an important job, a dangerous one as well, that he said he absolutely loved. He was funny and sweet and sometimes so charming he took her breath. She could love him so easily.