Wolf With Benefits (8 page)

“Why should you? Sylvia…you’re great-great grandmother was a lovely woman. I had the pleasure of her company for a few years. She chose the change because of the man she loved and because she wanted to share every aspect of his life. Becoming a wolf empowered her in ways she couldn’t quite describe, yet at the same time…she was happy. She insisted her children would make their own choices.”

“I wish I remembered more about her.” Leaning against the counter, she cradled her coffee cup.

“I will tell you what she would have,” Nana brushed her fingers against her cheek, then smoothed away a lock of hair. “Be who
you
are, Shiloh. Not who your mother thinks you should be or who you think your mother wants you to be…or anyone else for that matter. Be my darling girl, be yourself.”

“What if being me costs me my family?” They all seemed so damn disappointed in her already.

“Love forgives and love will find a way. Be patient with them, let them adjust and you show them love. Sylvia never stopped loving her children, she never let their fear dictate how she treated them or the affection she showed them. Despite their own hang ups, I know they knew they were loved.”

Meeting her grandmother’s gaze, Shiloh found nothing but loving acceptance.

“I do ask for one promise, though.”

“Anything.” She meant it. Whatever Nana wanted.

“If you do decide to do it, to take the bite or be with that young man who’s followed you all your life, I want you to give me every detail.”

Heat scalded her at the image the words conjured. “Nana! Matt and I are just friends.” The denial sounded flimsy to her own ears.

“I meant about being a wolf, darling.” Nana’s tone was so dry. “And yes, I know you and Matthew are friends, but the best lovers are friends. All that said, I am all right with the less salacious details.”

Clapping a hand over her mouth, Shiloh couldn’t suppress her laughter. Damn, who knew her grandmother had it in her?

“What?” Nana asked casually as she took a sip of her coffee. “Did you really think your generation invented sex?”

Choking, Shiloh shook her head. “Not at all, and I promise to make sure you hear every non-
salacious
detail.”

D
inner
with his parents turned out to be only with his parents. Robbie had a shift to work for his rotation as a volunteer firefighter and Mike hadn’t gotten home from Chicago yet. His mom warmed to Shiloh the moment she walked in the door. Though Matt hadn’t been privy to either woman’s conversation with Nana Sullivan, Linda swept Shiloh off to the kitchen to cook with her.

Will spent the first half hour on the phone while Matt paced the living room. Despite his best intentions, he strained to hear the conversation between his mother and Shiloh—but only overheard them discussing food preparation, spice preferences and Margo…

“Your mother is happy Shiloh is here, Matt.” Will pressed a beer in his hand, then motioned him toward the office. “Come take a look at the latest designs we’re working on for the next upgrade.”

In other words,
stop hovering and leave them be
. “She seems more upbeat.”

“She is.” His father clasped his shoulder on their way into the study where he kept his computer. He entered his passcode and brought up some design plans. “I told you to not worry about her.”

Easier said than done. “Dad, she hasn’t been happy since the night Margo came home with Salvatore and even less since Margo announced she was moving to Italy with him.”

Will Montgomery straightened and gave him a long, measuring look. Matt’s dominance far outstripped his father’s. Though, if push were to come to shove, he’d never rely on staring him down. Dropping his gaze out of respect, he waited for the reprimand. “Your mother had a lot of decisions taken away from her where Margo was concerned. She has a right to be angry about it.”

“Dad, you…”

“Matthew.” His father’s tone was steel, and he raised his hand. “Linda is your mother. You love her and want her to be happy, but never forget she is
my
mate. Her issues or problems are mine to solve. What she needs is to vent and to express her displeasure, and I deserve to hear it because I made a decision without consulting her.” Not once could he recall his father taking such terse tone.

“Dad…”

“Be clear, Matthew, as this is the one and only time you and I will have this discussion. You have a mate of your own to win. Courting her will require you make decisions for the two of you and for your children…decisions you will not appreciate any question about. Or would you like to explain to me how you’ve suddenly decided to court a woman from a human-only family as your potential mate? Moved her in? Angled to place yourself between her and the rest of the Sullivans?” Cool challenge reflected in his father’s dark eyes. “Or would you simply like our support in this endeavor?”

“Damn, Dad.” He exhaled the words and raised both of his hands in surrender. New respect for his father kindled in his gut. “I’d appreciate your support, and I’ll stay out of it. I love Mom…love you, too. I just want you two to be happy.”

“I know you do. You’re a good boy.” His father clapped his shoulder. “And I really like Shiloh. She’s a good match for you whether it’s a real courtship or not.” The bland comment should have shocked him, but it didn’t. Not after the way his father smacked him down. “I’m not implying it isn’t real. But be aware of what you’re doing. If you make promises you can’t keep, you run the risk of hurting her more than the pack’s disapproval. Worse…you could hurt yourself. We chase when we want, and when we want, we don’t give up.”

His amusement faded and he folded his arms. “Shiloh’s my priority.” When his dad studied him, Matt refused to lower his eyes.

“Who wants me to mind my business, now?” His easy grin had Matt clenching his teeth. “Be very careful, Matt. You may have tripped onto your mate. The two of you have been close for most of your lives. Value her…value what she means to you.”

“Like I said, she’s my priority. I’ll make sure she’s fine.”

“Excellent.” His father patted his shoulder. “Now, look at the wiring here. We’re going to focus on the power usage…”

His father’s description continued, but Matt didn’t listen.
You may have tripped onto your mate.

Shiloh as his mate.

Damn, that had a nice ring to it. He liked kissing her. More than liked kissing her. Fuck, he missed her like hell when she was gone and relaxed when she was around. She was his best—
not was,
she is the best.

He still mulled the idea when his mother summoned them to dinner. All through the meal, he paid less attention to the food than to Shiloh. She touched him regularly, a hand on his arm, a bump of her leg to his when she laughed and her gaze sought his increasingly whenever she spoke—especially when she told a story. For his part, he soaked up every ounce of contact. Mating wasn’t the same for every wolf. Some knew instantly, others took weeks to figure it out…could one really take years?

A foot hit his shin and he jerked his head to find Shiloh staring at him. Her eyebrows raised, and the corner of her mouth curved in a sexy, if skeptical smile. God, she was beautiful. Her smile faded and her eyes widened. “Earth to Matt, are you with us again?”

At the verbal nudge, he glanced at his parents. His father wore a near smirk, but his mother frowned at him. “Sweetheart, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, sorry. Was thinking about the design Dad and I were talking about.” Ignoring his father’s snort, Matt focused on Shi again. “What did I miss?”

“Uh huh. I think the lack of sleep is catching up with you.” Damn if she didn’t throw him under the bus. Why would she bring up the subject of his sleeping habits with his mother?

“Well, emergency calls and moving your girlfriend in don’t go hand-in-hand,” Linda said, a smile gentling her expression. He’d half-expected her to demand a recounting of all his time, but his mother floored him. “You’ll adapt, though if you plan to go out snowmobiling and running every day, you’re both going to be exhausted.”

“Okay, who are you? And where is my mom?”

“Matt.” Shiloh kicked at him again, but he avoided her sharp little heels and put a hand on her thigh. She went still at the contact.

“It’s all right, Shiloh. I’ve been very moody the last few months,” Linda shrugged. “It’s taken me some time to get used to all our changes.” For the first time, the melancholy note in his mother’s voice seemed absent. “We all adapt, and I’m feeling better today.”

“Margo called,” Matt guessed, because his sister was the only subject which both lifted his mother’s mood and sent it into rapid decline.

“Actually she’s been calling every week. She’s trying and, your father’s right, so is Salvatore. That Italian rake may have annoyed me by stealing your sister away, but he’s good to her.” Her voice warmed another notch.

“Right about what?” What the hell had he missed?

Shiloh covered his hand on her thigh and leaned over to brush a kiss to his cheek then said, “Your mom and Margo are talking every week, trying to build a bridge.”

“Really?” Shocked, and admittedly happy about the idea, he studied his mother. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it was between Margo and myself.” No apology softened her tone. “What happens between a mother and her children is personal, Matthew. I don’t tell Robbie or Margo about my conversations with you.”

“But you’ve been so…you’ve been so down. You were so unhappy when she left. I’ve been worried.” It wasn’t a complaint, yet it was. He wanted his mother to be happy. Shiloh squeezed his hand and he laced his fingers through hers. She didn’t let go.

“Thank you for caring, baby boy. I mean that.” Her expression gentled. “But you can’t fix this for me and neither can your father or Mason…or
Salvatore.
” Her impatience creased on the last name, then she shook her head. “Though…it was his intervention, well, Will’s and his.” She glanced at her mate and the love surging in her eyes was deeply personal and intimate. Matt looked to Shiloh rather than intrude.

“Do you mind if I ask what they did?” Shi’s curiosity saved him from intruding on territory his father already warned him away from.

“My daughter needed me.” His mom spoke with a surprising gentleness, emotion turning her voice husky. “I could put aside my pride, personal demands and be the mom she needed or I could continue to miss her.”

His mom needed Margo, too. She needed to be needed. “That’s great, Mom.”

“It is.” Setting aside her cutlery, she claimed her glass of water. “So, tell me about the two of you.”

Cutting away a piece of steak, he used it to stack his fork with mashed potatoes and vegetables and said, “What do you want to know?” before taking the bite.

“When can I expect my first grandchild?”

Thank God his father was there to help dislodge the steak. His mother and his best friend leaned into each other laughing, and his father gave him a wide smile. Before he could get even, though, his phone buzzed.

Duty called.

Dammit.

M
att wasn’t home
by the time she went to sleep—a fact which left her both sad and relieved. After he exited early to handle the crisis, Shiloh stayed long enough to finish dinner then help his mother clean up afterward. The wind redoubled by the time she crossed to the garage and Will followed her to her door, rather than let her navigate the steps on her own. It was a kind offer.

At her door, Will said, “It looks like we’ve got a big winter storm system about to pound us. It’s been hitting south and west of here and picking up power as it moves north. Stay inside. If we lose power, I’ll come back for you unless Matt’s home. He doesn’t have a fireplace in here but we do.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Though she definitely appreciated the thoughtfulness.

“You will be, because we will make sure of it.” Will nudged her in the door. “Go turn the heat up so you stay warm.”

“Yes, sir.” Matt’s parents were two of the sweetest wolves she knew. Will tugged the door closed after him, leaving her alone in Matt’s apartment. The whole day had been…unbelievable and great and confusing. While she wished Matt wasn’t out there navigating the streets in the sideways blowing snow, she was happy for a few minutes to herself.

After taking the time to straighten his living room and kitchen, she took a long, shower. Her clothes were still packed in a bag, so she dug out clean underwear then stole one of his shirts. It was huge and hung well over her thighs. Obeying Will’s advice, she turned up the heat and covered her feet with thick socks before padding out to the living room. The satellite didn’t offer squat except a severe lack of signal so she hit his DVR button. What was Matt watching these days?

Superhero shows. Supernatural shows. Cooking shows. Do-it-yourself shows.

Soap operas.

Mouth agape, she stared. Yeah they were also known as prime time dramas, but they were still soap operas. Snickering she scrolled through the options and found purchased seasons for one of them dating back nearly ten years.

The timing meant the show had began while they were in high school, no way he’d watched it then unless…his mom. Did Linda like it? Turning on the pilot and cranking the volume, she rummaged through the kitchen to find popcorn and hot cocoa.

Seven hours later, she was still curled on the sofa and on the last episode of the first season. She’d laughed, cried, squealed and gripped the couch cushion in suspense as she waited for the couple to survive. Thankfully, the power held out, it had flickered a couple of times during her favorite couple’s contretemps over whether she would go out with him or not and Shiloh had shut off everything but the television and the coffee pot. She wanted it ready to turn on as soon as he got home. It was after three in the morning and he still wasn’t back. Her phone had zero signal and, when she’d called his cell via the landline, he hadn’t answered.

No reason to worry.
Matt was a tough wolf and he was out doing his job…in a blizzard. The last time she’d peeked out the window, she could barely see his parents’ house.

Ransacking the pantry, she found his secret candy stash—why did he think hiding chocolate in cereal was hiding it?—and a bottle of water from the fridge before she retreated to the sofa. She still had power and he had season two. How could that man not tell his girl he was married? Her heart hurt for the heroine. She just wanted to be loved and, based on what she’d learned about her relationship with her mother, she
needed
to be loved…

Dawn inched higher in the sky according to the clock, but no sun seemed to be in evidence. The snow continued to blast…and Matt
still
wasn’t home.

Crawling out of her blankets, she checked the landline and found a signal. She started to dial his parents, then stopped. If they didn’t know he wasn’t home yet, she didn’t want to worry them. Her cell phone still had zero signal. Winters were why most homes in Willow Bend still kept landlines.

Who do I call?

Her gut clenched, and she dialed her house. Dad would know whom she could reach out to, right? The phone rang three times, then Amelia answered. “Hello?”

“Hey.” The greeting came out huskier than intended. “Everyone all right with the storm over there?”

“We’re fine.” Unfriendly and cool were the only two words which could be applied to Amelia’s tone. “You shouldn’t be calling.”

“Well, maybe not. But I do lots of things I’m not supposed to do. Can I…?” She paused on the word choice. It wasn’t up to Amelia whether she spoke to their parents or not. “Get Dad, please.”

“Look, maybe you don’t totally…”

“Amelia. I get a lot of things. You’re pissed and disapproving and not happy with my choices. Fine. I need to speak to Dad. Please get him.”
Calm.
She kept it calm and in control.

“Fine.” The phone clacked as Amelia set it down and walked away. Time seemed to elongate as she waited. If her sister left her hanging, Shiloh would personally…

“Hello, Shiloh. Give me a moment to hang up the phone in the kitchen.” Her father didn’t wait for her response as he set the phone down again. Another minute passed, then she heard the click of the phone being returned to the cradle and a minute after that, her father said, “I’m here. I had to go into the office. I don’t want to upset your mother. She’s already worried about you with the storm.”

“I’m fine. I’m at Matt’s and I’m safe and sound.” With a sigh, she rubbed her forehead. “Daddy, I’m sorry if I upset her and someday Mom and I can talk about this when we’re both ready to be reasonable on the subject.”

“All right.” The easy acceptance stunned her. When she said nothing at all, unable to find the words, her father chuckled. “You did not corner the market on stubborn, my darling girl. You inherited quite honestly from your mother. She is set in her ways as you are determined in yours. I am glad you are safe, she will be, too.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” The constriction around her heart eased. “I do mean that.”

“I know you do baby girl, you don’t have a mean bone in your body. Filled to the brim with stubborn? Absolutely. I know you too well to think you were ready to capitulate from your stance this soon...if ever…so what’s wrong?”

A shaft of guilt went through her gut. Yeah, she had an ulterior motive for calling. “I’m…I’m worried about Matt. He got pulled out on a call last night during dinner with his parents and the cell signal is non-existent and he isn’t answering his. So I’m worried…”

“Let me call Evan, he coordinates the emergency efforts for the pack. When anyone is sent out to do utility repair or rescue effort, he handles the zone assignments.” The information surprised her.

“I’d have thought Mason…”

“Mason is Alpha and handles appointing the most talented and skilled to the positions they hold. I’m the coordinator for human families within the pack, Evan handles emergency services.”

Huh. “I thought Alphas did everything.”

“Common mistake,” her father chuckled. “One any good Alpha lets slide because they like the interpretation of being God and country.” Despite the hint of sarcasm, her father sounded more amused than disdainful. “I’ll call you back.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes, baby girl?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my darling.” Instead of disconnecting, however, her father said, “Shiloh, are you planning to ask Mason for the bite?”

“I don’t know Daddy, I don’t know what I want right now…except to be home and to…” Matt’s face flashed across her mind’s eye. “And to know Matt’s okay. Everything else is one day at a time.”

“Okay, sit tight. I’ll call you back.” No pushing, no yelling, and no judgment. Why couldn’t her mother be as accepting?

Waiting for her father to call left her restless, so she cleaned. In the thirty minutes it took for the phone to ring, she had the kitchen completely spotless, and Matt’s refrigerator stripped of all the expired or should have been tossed weeks ago takeout food and the red Kool-Aid stain—Matt loved the stuff—erased.

Pouncing on the ringing phone, she said, “Daddy?”

“Not the last time I checked, gorgeous, and if you’re asking, I should never have left you with my parents.” Matt’s words carried every ounce of his smile.

Relief flooded her. “You’re okay.”

“I’m okay. Evan called and said you asked your dad to track me down. I’m on the far side of Tippany, and I’m heading home soon.”

Worry chewed on her relief. “Matt, it’s terrible out there. Almost a complete whiteout. You can’t drive.”

“Not gonna drive. Coming over land.” Which meant he planned to shift. “Before you go all human worry on me, I’m running with a couple of Hunters who are also heading back to Willow Bend, and I’ve done it before.”

Her heart clenched. Panicking wasn’t her normal mode of behavior. While worried, she also understood he couldn’t fix anything from where he was, so if she expressed her concerns it would mess with his head and he needed to be focused. “Human worry?” Snorting, she went for the tease. “I just wanted to know how long it would take since I’m on the second season of Black’s Medicine.”

His bark of laughter made her smile. “You know my dirty little secret.”

“Yes, I do.” She smiled. If she didn’t feign the emotion, he wouldn’t hear it. “I’ll see you when I see you?”

“You will. Stay warm and safe.”

Before she could say
you too
, the call disconnected. Adrenaline twined around the worry surging in her gut. No way she would be sleeping. Glancing around his apartment, she did have one thing she could to keep herself busy. Turning the show back on, she dug in to the dusting, sweeping and cleaning. Depending on how long he took, she could even organize his closet…

I
t was
late afternoon by the time Matt climbed the steps to his garage apartment. Every muscle in his body ached from the cold and strenuous activity. Once they hit the outskirts of Willow Bend, one of the plow trucks gave them a ride the rest of the way in. Evan had deployed the plows around the main town and all the streets with human residents. They’d work their way out from there. The storm hadn’t let up, dumping at least three to five feet of snow, not that he paused to measure it.

He reached out to scratch a paw against it when the door opened and three things hit him a once…the sweet scent of Shiloh, the strength of his Alpha and the unfamiliar scent of a male who did
not
belong in Matt’s home. Exhaustion fled to be replaced by guarded fury and his teeth bared at the male staring down at him.

“You must be Matthew Montgomery,” the male said. “The resemblance to Margo is startling. She glares the same way.”

Who the fuck?

“Matt,” Mason’s voice intruded, and he swung his head to face his Alpha. Better him than Captain Jim Bob the Invader. “Go change. We’ll wait for you.” Mason stood between Jim Bob and Shiloh. Trusting his Alpha, Matt obeyed but paused to rub his side against Shiloh’s leg.

“Cold!” Her yelp lifted his dour mood, but it raised even more when she followed him to the bedroom with a couple of towels. As soon as she was inside, he nudged the door shut, then blocked it so he was between her and the door. He’d rather she stayed with him, even if Mason was out there.

With a yawn, she sat on the edge of the bed, towels in hand. Relief poured off of her and, beneath the sweet scent that was wholly hers, he caught the definitive whiff of anxiety. She was happy to have him home.
Good
. Stretching, he studied her. Pale and a little tired around the eyes, but otherwise safe. Satisfied, he gave into his shift. Had it been up to him, he might have taken a nap after the long run home before shifting but his Alpha was present and, when he leaned on him for strength, Mason offered it freely.

When Matt finally knelt on the carpet, he blew out a breath. His skin ached and burned from the combination of the cold and the change. A whisper of movement brought her closer and he lifted his head. “Hey, pita.” Cupping her cheek, he examined her expression. “Everything all right? Did something happen to the…” He paused. His parents.

“Everyone’s fine,” she assured him, then covered his hand on her cheek with hers. “Mason has some questions for me. They only got here about ten minutes ago. So if you’re good, I’ll go talk to them.”

He didn’t let her go. “Questions about what?” Mason allowed her to return to Willow Bend. What could be so urgent to draw out the alpha in the middle of a blizzard? “Are you in trouble?”

Rocketing to his feet, he had a care with her and then tugged her to hers.

“I’m not in trouble. It’s just some questions. So I’m going to go answer them and get your food ready. I made a stew and…straightened up a little and I can start a fresh pot of coffee.” She was trembling, and her eyes were a little off-focus. Pressing two fingers to her wrist over her racing pulse, he kept her from bolting.

The bedroom was the neatest it had ever been— even the sheets smelled freshly laundered. His girl cleaned when she worried. “Why are you scared?”

“I’m not scared.”
A lie
. When he refused to let her go and raised his eyebrows, she sighed. “Maybe I’ve had a little too much coffee, and I’m tired. I haven’t slept since you left. I was worried about you and I clean when I get…”

“Manic. Freaked. Missing me.” He narrowed the gap between them.

With a finger to his lips, she gave him a narrow-eyed look. “Bored.”
There she is
. “Now, we have company and you need to get dressed.”

“Pity, I thought we could snuggle into those fresh sheets.” Her pupils dilated at the suggestion. Needing to content himself with her reaction would be enough. “Give me a sec to throw on some jeans, and I’ll go out there with you.”

“I’m capable of going by myself.”

Tugging her to him, Matt rested his forehead to hers. “I’m tired. I’m cranky. I’m hungry and there’s a wolf I don’t know in my place. Stay with me and I’ll go out with you. Got it?”

The stubborn set of her chin eased, and she searched his expression. Whatever she looked for she must have found, because she nodded. “Okay.”

“Thank you,” he whispered the words before brushing their lips together. Electricity sizzled in his system from the half-taste of her coffee-scented breath. “Too much coffee.”