Wolf on the Hunt (18 page)

She decided to go with the flow and stop analyzing each little thing. She’d finished eating her supper, help clean up the dishes and then give Cherise her first drawing lesson. Tomorrow would take care of itself.

* * * * *

Jean Paul Dupointe listened to the group of men all huddled around a table in the corner. He hadn’t expected to be back in the bar again so soon, but he’d had no choice. Pierre was on his way to North Carolina, and everything had to be in place when he arrived. The last thing Jean Paul needed was trouble from the locals.

The men were talking low so as to not be overheard, but Jean Paul was a werewolf with exceptional hearing. And what he was hearing was making him angry. These humans were planning on going over to the artist’s cabin tomorrow night to scare the woman.

He couldn’t have that. It would interfere with his plans.

“What are you going to do?” Robert asked.

Sometimes Jean Paul wished he had someone he could actually talk with, not someone who only wanted to be told what to do. “I’m going to have a little chat with these fellows.”

“We’re not going to kill them?”

Jean Paul could sense his brother’s disappointment and shook his head. “
Non
, we’re not going to kill them. The whole idea is to not draw any more attention than necessary,” he explained for about the tenth time.

Robert nodded. “When are you going to talk to them?”

Just then, the entire group rose and started out the door. It wasn’t dark yet, but Jean Paul figured they were off to do a bit more drinking before finalizing their plans.

“Right now,” he told his brother. “Follow me and say nothing. Do nothing unless I tell you,” he warned. Robert did well when he had definite instructions.

Jean Paul waited until the group was at the door before rising and following them. He ignored one group of three men who went off in one direction and followed the two who’d confronted Gray Everson.

The two men were almost to their truck when they sensed they weren’t alone and turned. “What do you want?” one demanded.

Jean Paul studied Fergus McLennan. He recognized the type well. He was used to bullying others into doing his bidding, but he was a coward at heart.

“I want you to stay out of my business.” Jean Paul kept his voice low and his tone level. “I want you to leave Gray Everson alone.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the man blustered.

Jean Paul cocked his head to one side and studied the man and his companion. Brothers. They were definitely brothers, but like with Jean Paul and Robert, Fergus was the spokesperson for the two of them.

“Then you won’t need to worry about getting yourself killed, since you won’t be in the woods anywhere near her house tonight or any other night.” Jean Paul could tell the matter-of-fact way he spoke about killing took both men aback.

“You threatening us?” Fergus blustered.

Jean Paul shook his head. “
Non
. I don’t threaten. I only make promises.” Having said his piece, he turned and walked away with Robert at his back. He hoped the men would stay away, but that seemed unlikely. They were the stupid type and might need another kind of lesson.

Jean Paul decided it might be time to visit Fergus McLennan’s home.

* * * * *

Elise hurried down the path to her friends’ home. It wasn’t dark, but she didn’t care. Pierre was gone anyway. Yes, there were always those who liked to tell tales to curry favor with their alpha. She had no doubt that if certain people saw her, they’d be carrying tales to her mate as soon as he was back.

She didn’t care. Time was running out. She could feel it in her bones.

Elise raced up to the front door. It opened before she could knock and Joseph Blanchard let her inside. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?” he demanded. In spite of the fact they’d been friends for years, and in all that time he’d never hurt her in any way, she cringed away at his tone. Too many years of living with Pierre had conditioned her to expect the worst.

Joseph was immediately contrite. “Forgive me.” He gently ushered her to a chair in the living room as Corrine hurried out from the bedroom.

“What’s going on?” Corrine asked. “Elise?”

Nerves back under control, she licked her dry lips and gave voice to her fears. “Pierre is gone to Salvation. He left an hour ago and took a dozen men with him.”

Joseph swore and Corrine’s face lost all color.

“He means to kill my boys and your son as well. And their mates. He means to kill all of them.”

“You know this for sure?” Joseph asked.

She nodded. “I heard him talking to the others. Pierre no longer wants to bring them home. He’s lost face with the pack since his sons and the others killed some of his best men. The only one he plans to bring back alive is Sylvie.” Elise shuddered to think about what her poor niece’s life would be like if Pierre managed to return her to this pack.

“We have to do something.” Corrine turned to her husband. “We can’t let them hurt Cole.”

Joseph slowly nodded. “We knew this day would come when the boy left.” He faced Elise. “We’ve done all we can here. It’s time to go and start a new life.”

Leave Louisiana. Leave the only home she’d known for her entire life. Leave the life she’d made here.

She couldn’t wait to see the place in her rearview mirror.

“When do we go?” Elise asked. She was more than ready to join her sons, her pride and joy.

“Gather only what you need to take and no more.” Joseph glanced at his watch. “We’ll need to leave first thing in the morning. If we leave tonight, we’ll only attract more attention and someone will warn Pierre. He’ll take a day or two to look over the situation in Salvation before he acts.”

“I hope you’re right.” Elise wanted to leave now even though she knew they had to practice patience. Caution had always been their friend. Acting rash now might only get her boys killed.

“I’ll drop by your place in an hour to get your bag. I’ll bring it back here and load it aboard the truck. Corrine will come to your home tomorrow morning and the two of you can pretend you’re going to gather berries or plants from the woods.”

Elise nodded. It would work, and Pierre wouldn’t know she’d left until it was too late. “I’ll be ready,” she told him.

“Whatever happens, we can’t come back,” Joseph warned.

Elise nodded. She didn’t care about this place, only the people. And no one was more important to her than her sons.

Corrine hugged her and then Elise hurried back home, always alert and aware of her surroundings. Her stomach was in knots, but she was excited. Her sons. She’d finally get to see and touch her sons again.

Resolve hardened inside her. No way would she allow Pierre to hurt her babies. She’d sacrificed everything for them and didn’t have a single regret. Unlike their father, they were good men. Strong men.

And if she had to die to save them, she was more than ready to do meet her fate.

Chapter Eighteen

Gray sat on the porch and watched the evening close in around them. Even as the sky darkened, she had no problem seeing everything clearly, thanks to her werewolf genetics. She wondered, not for the first time, who her father was and if he was even still alive. Not that it mattered in the long run, she supposed. If Louis was right, he’d probably try to kill her if they met. Or at least his pack probably would.

“What do you think?” Cherise held out the small sketchpad to reveal an acorn drawn in great detail.

Gray took the pad and studied it. She could feel the other woman’s nervous energy. “I think you have a natural ability.”

“Really?”

Gray could tell that Cherise almost didn’t believe her. “Really. You used shading to indicate light and depth. That usually doesn’t come until later, but you do it naturally.” She handed the sketch back to Cherise. “You really captured the essence of the acorn.”

The other woman beamed. There was no other way to put it. Gray was reminded of how she’d felt when her grandmother had praised her early efforts. “I think if you continue to practice, you can become quite good at drawing. You might want to buy some colored pencils and start there rather than with paints.”

“Why?” Cherise ran her fingertips over the edge of the paper, staring at her work.

“Look at the flower you drew first,” Gray instructed. She waited until Cherise had flipped the page of the sketchpad. “It’s almost alive, and I keep expecting a fairy to walk out from behind it.”

Cherise laughed. “You’re right.” She tilted the drawing to one side.

“Start with sketching and with colored pencils. You can always try paints once you’ve become proficient with those.” Gray had never taught anyone before. Not that she’d really had to teach Cherise anything. She wasn’t lying when she said the woman was a natural. She’d been born to draw.

Cherise stood, clasping the book to her chest. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t do much at all, but you’re very welcome. If you have any questions, just ask.”

“I’m going to go inside and do another one.” Cherise glanced out at the yard. “There’s not enough light left out here.”

“I’m going to sit out for a while longer.” Gray wasn’t going in until Louis returned. He’d been gone long enough to be there and back again, and she was starting to worry.

“That is if you don’t mind.” Cherise nibbled on her bottom lip and held out her paper and pencils. “These do belong to you.”

“Keep them,” she told her new friend. “That’s a spare sketchpad, and I have plenty of pencils.” Louis had brought her knapsack up from her SUV before he’d left so she’d have her things close at hand.

“Thank you.” Cherise’s smile warmed Gray’s heart. These really were good people.

“You’re welcome.” Gray knew the moment when Cole joined her. She wondered how long he’d been out there watching them.

The big man stepped up onto the porch. He was wearing only a pair of jeans. That meant he’d been out in his wolf form patrolling. More likely, keeping a watch over his mate. All the men were possessive, but Cole even more so than the others.

He really was intimidating, and his green eyes bore into her like lasers, destroying any barriers she might have to protect herself.

“Thank you.”

She could hear the genuine sincerity in his voice. “It was nothing. Cherise has a gift.” She was getting uncomfortable with all the praise and attention. It was different when people were talking about her instead of her work.

“One she might not have discovered if you hadn’t offered to show her,” he pointed out. Then Cole tilted his head to one side, his shaggy blond hair touching one shoulder. “Louis is back.” With that, the big man went inside and left her alone on the porch.

She scrambled out of her chair but managed to keep from running down to meet him. She wrapped her hands around one of the wooden deck posts and held on. Maybe she should go down to help him? After all, they were her belongings.

Decided, she stepped off the porch and began walking down the path. She heard him turn off the engine and then several doors opened and closed. By the time she stepped out from between the trees to where they parked their vehicles, Louis had hefted a box out of the back and Jacque was nowhere to be seen. The alpha had probably already gone to find Gwen.

Louis’s head jerked up the second he scented her, but he scowled instead of smiling at her. “What are you doing out by yourself?”

She stopped short and put her hands on her hips. “I can go anywhere I damn well please. I’m not a child.” She was also part werewolf and could scent if there was anyone around her.

Louis raked his fingers through his short hair and strode toward her. “I just worry.” He leaned down and dropped a firm kiss on her lips. She flicked out her tongue and teased him. He growled at her. “Keep that up, and we won’t make it back to the house.”

It sounded more like a promise than a threat. He must have seen the look in her eyes, because he groaned and nuzzled the top of her head. “You’re not helping here,” he complained.

She couldn’t help it. Gray laughed.

Instead of looking pissed off with her, he smiled. His eyes twinkled and he winked at her. The sensual warmth deepened into something more, reminding her how quickly this man had come to be important in her life.

“I’ll get my other bags.” Better to keep her hands busy so she didn’t push Louis any further. Unlike a human male, if pushed too far, she had no doubt he would make good on his promise, and she’d find herself naked on the ground.

Of course, it would be more of a deterrent if that didn’t sound like an excellent idea. Only Louis had this effect on her.

Gray hurried to the truck and had just reached in the back to pull out a bag when two strong arms reached around her. “I’ve got that.” She gave a small yelp and jumped back. Armand ignored her fearful display and grabbed both her bags. Gator was right behind him, and he gathered Shadow’s food and dish. There was nothing left for her to carry.

She went over everything in her head and frowned. “Shouldn’t there be another box?”

“Jacque took it with him,” Louis informed her.

Of course he had. She was more distracted than she’d like to believe. Having Louis and the other men surrounding her was enough to throw any woman off her game. They were all so big and strong and just…male.

“Lead the way.” Louis gave a nod of his head. There was nothing left for her to do but head back toward the house empty-handed. “Not that way,” he told her when she automatically began to head back toward where she’d come from. “Home.”

She’d almost forgotten that Louis shared a house with Jacque and Gwen. They’d eaten and spent the evening in the other house. “I need to get Shadow.”

Louis gave a loud, piercing whistle and a few seconds later a door opened and closed in the distance and Shadow came bounding through the woods. Shadow had opted for a nap inside while she’d been out on the porch working with Cherise, and he acted like he hadn’t seen her in weeks, rather than a matter of an hour.

Shadow ran circles around her before jumping up to put his front paws on her shoulders and licking her face. She laughed, grabbed his big head in her hands and kissed him.

“Now I see why Gray is attracted to you, Louis.” Armand turned to his cousin and grinned. “She likes furry critters.”

She couldn’t help it. She started to laugh. Shadow jumped down when she stopped petting him. Louis frowned, but the other men chuckled. Finally, Louis shrugged. “What can I say? I’m irresistible to women.”

That made the men laugh even harder. Louis strode to her side, threw his arm around her shoulders and propelled her toward his home. He balanced the box in his other arm. Jacque was waiting for them outside the house.

“I put her things in the office,” he told the men. Then he turned to her. “I figure you can sort everything out in the morning. Feel free to set up whatever you want in the office.”

“Thanks.” She felt like she was imposing but she could tell Jacque truly didn’t mind her taking up space in his home. She followed Louis inside but could feel Jacque’s eyes on her all the way. Armand took her bags into Louis’s bedroom while Gator took Shadow’s food and dishes into the kitchen. Then both men were gone before she could thank them.

Gray wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself. It didn’t seem right to unpack her clothing. Where was she going to put them? In Louis’s closet? That seemed so intimate and also very final. She might be in love with the man, but it was new and unfamiliar territory. She’d never lived with a man before, even temporarily.

Shadow jumped up onto Louis’s bed and walked around several times before curling up and making himself comfortable. Louis curled his arm around her from behind and kissed her neck. “I’m going to talk to Jacque and then I have to take a turn out on patrol. Why don’t you take a bath and crawl into bed. You must be beat.”

She knew what he was doing. He was giving her space, and she appreciated the gesture. She was used to being alone and had been surrounded by people for hours now. While she liked them all, she did find it draining.

Gray looked around his room. She’d only seen the living area earlier today. His room was tidy with a chocolate-brown comforter and drapes. A wooden dresser sat against the wall adjacent to the closet and an armchair was in the corner by the window. There was no artwork on the walls, no knickknacks around. A wallet rested on the dresser. She knew the keys to the vehicles were hung on a pegboard by the front door. Louis had hung his there on his way in.

The hardwood floors gleamed and there was a carpet at the end of the bed. It was the only softness in the space.

“The bathroom is through there.” He pointed at a door next to the closet. Curious, she padded over for a look. The bathroom was surprisingly spacious. Tiled floor, large tub and separate shower, along with a long vanity. The color scheme was beige and brown and the finishes were top-notch.

He could use some green towels. Maybe burnt orange to give the place a dash of color. As soon as she thought it, she admonished herself to stop. It wasn’t her business what color his towels were or that he preferred to live a monochromatic life.

Louis stroked her hair away from her face. “Don’t look so worried about everything.” The man could read her like a book. Not that it was difficult to figure out what she was feeling at the moment, but the fact that he cared enough to do so helped to settle her.

“The bottom two drawers in the dresser are empty,” he told her. “And there are extra hangers in the closet.” When she started to shake her head, he kissed her, totally distracting her from what she was about to say. “I want you to be comfortable here. Feel free if you want to move my stuff. You can have the top drawers in the dresser. I don’t mind.”

Why was she fighting so hard to stay separate from him? It was cowardly. “I’ll unpack. I promise.”

“Good.” He dragged her against his hard, broad chest and kissed her. She lost herself in his taste, in the pure heat of the caress. He used his lips and tongue to lure her closer to the edge of oblivion. Her hands crept up the front of his shirt and she fisted the material.

She loved the heat of him. The way he kissed her as though there was no tomorrow. Of course, in their case that wasn’t too farfetched. Louis did have enemies that wanted him dead. It was a sobering thought.

He eased back and peered down at her. “What is it?”

“You’ll be careful out on patrol?” She didn’t care what he thought about her question. She needed assurances.

Louis kissed the tip of her nose. “I promise.” He cocked his head to one side and Gray heard the front door closing. “I’ve got to go. Jacque is waiting. Gwen is probably working or reading in their room. If you get hungry, help yourself to anything in the kitchen. I’ll be back later.”

Then he was gone, leaving her and Shadow alone in his room. It seemed larger without him here. Wanting privacy, Gray closed the door and heaved a sigh. Her bags were in the corner. Best to get unpacked and then take a bath. “What have I gotten myself into,” she muttered.

She grabbed one of the bags and lifted it onto the bed beside Shadow. He poked his nose into her things the moment she opened it. His antics lightened the mood while she unpacked. She didn’t move any of Louis’s belongings and used the empty space available.

As she worked, she tried to ignore how right it felt to have their clothes alongside each other in the closet. When she was done, she stored the bag on the closet floor and grabbed her nightgown. “I’m going to take a bath,” she informed the dog. “I’ll leave the door cracked in case you get lonely.”

She got as far as the door before her faithful companion jumped off the bed and padded into the bathroom with her. “Guess you don’t want to be alone either.” She gave him a quick rub and then started the water running.

It was late when the house came into view. Louis had never been so eager to return home before. Usually, he was the one taking the late shift or a longer one. But not tonight.

Gray was waiting for him. She was in his bed.

His cock jerked and his wolf howled inside him. He’d patrolled in his wolf form but he’d been unable to howl and had to be extra cautious. All because they had no idea what those idiot hunters would do. They were always careful during hunting season even though they had all their land posted as private. This situation was different. Those hunters were actively searching for a wolf.

Jacque had gone home an hour ago. Louis knew his brother was concerned about him, but he also supported his relationship with Gray. It didn’t matter that she was a half-breed, only that she made Louis happy.

His talk with his brother had gone well. Louis smiled as he let himself in the front door. It was worth the apology to see his brother’s surprise when he’d admitted he’d been more in love with the idea of Gwen than with the woman. Now that he had Gray, he understood what Jacque had gone through and was sorry he’d tweaked his brother about her.

Jacque had been speechless at first. Then he’d laughed. The two of them had ended up running through the night. Just like old times.