“Hang on, Tad, she’s getting a little frisky right now. I think she’s worried you’re having a fit or something over there. Want to talk to her?”
“Of course! Just give me a second…”
Talk about astonishing news. This was better than anything he’d ever imagined. His sister had found her mate. Too cool. He typed a message on the keypad.
Congratz sis, Keil is awesome. I’m so happy for u
U know Keil? U know what he is?
Oh yeah, he knew. Ya. Wolf. U work fast sis
The next message took a few seconds to arrive but he already guessed what she was going to say. It was her favourite threat. U are sooooo dead next time I c u Tad
luv U 2 Robyn
Jerk
Well, that seemed to be it for intelligent conversation from Robyn if she’d digressed into single-word insults. The faint sound of a voice reached Tad’s ears and he lifted the receiver back up to respond.
“Keil? You guys as mates? That is so cool. I mean, really.” Tad was slightly shocked. Robyn had been dropped off only four days ago and they were already mates? Hell, that meant she obviously didn’t have his troubles with—he shook his head. There was no way he was going to even think about his sister having sex.
“Well, thanks. It was a surprise but she’s incredible, Tad. Hey, there is a little thing shaking down this weekend if you’d like to join us. Robyn’s first full moon will be on Saturday.”
Tad froze. He’d forgotten that tidbit. Now that Robyn had mated she’d be able to change into a wolf. The first shift always took place in conjuncture with the full moon to help the newbie out. Hot damn, this was exciting news. Then reality dropped like a lead balloon. “I’d love to be there but I can’t shift. You know I haven’t, well, I don’t want to get anyone upset if it’s not kosher for me to attend.”
“Of course you can come! You’re family, even if you aren’t triggered yet.”
“I mean, it’s not like I don’t want it to happen. I can’t seem to, you know.” His face grew hot, even talking about it on the phone with Keil. Full-blood wolves never seemed to understand his hesitancy to embrace FirstMate tradition.
“I know, Tad. It’ll happen sometime, man. Gotta go. Robyn’s making me pay for this call.”
Yeah, right. Like that was an issue. “Umm, didn’t you tell me you had a trust fund as well as the guiding business?”
Keil’s deep voice echoed back across the line. “I know I can afford it, but why would I want to spend more time talking to you when I can be with my mate?”
Tad snickered. That sounded like Keil. “Got it. Honeymoon. Enjoy and I’ll see you in Haines on Saturday. Give Robyn a kiss from me. Oh, and welcome to the family.”
Missy opened the door of her hotel room and flushed to see Tad extending a single yellow rose.
“Tad, how sweet. Thank you.” Missy took the flower. She debated going back into the room to put it in water or leaving with it in her hand. If she went into the room she might haul Tad to the bed and never let him leave. She didn’t think he was quite ready for that yet. Just because she knew he was a wolf didn’t mean he knew he was a wolf.
Damn hormones.
“I’ll go bring the truck around front. It’s snowing a bit,” Tad said, before winking at her and turning away.
Missy dealt with the rose and made her way to the parking lot. Tad drove a four-wheel drive that was a little older and more beat up than hers but just as high to climb into. She giggled as Tad came to help her.
“I swear they should install elevators on these things.”
Tad’s hands stroked her leg as he lifted her in. “Hmmm, that’s a poor idea. I’d miss getting to help the damsel in distress.”
Missy held her breath while Tad trotted around the vehicle and got behind the wheel. Did he have any idea what he did to her body? Any idea how she reacted to every glance, every touch?
She snuck a quick peek at him. He seemed unaware his scent alone drove her wild. She had to be careful not to do something stupid like kiss him again or let on she was anything other than a good friend from long ago.
Who drooled at the thought of seeing him naked. There was definitely some kind of connection between them. Strong. Magnetic.
Tad concentrated on the snow-blown road. “If it’s too bad out we can call tonight off,” Missy offered.
“You haven’t been driving in the Yukon for a while, have you?” Tad asked, a faint smile on his face. “This is great driving weather. All the tourists will stay home and we just have to look out for Old Man Henry in case he decides to go wandering after closing hours at Klondike Kate’s wearing his bearskin coat. Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.”
Missy returned to staring at his profile as they made their way down the highway to the pub Tad insisted she needed to see. There was something different about Tad. Other than that he was an untriggered wolf. Missy had never reacted to a man like this before. He smelt different too.
Not just the different that made her mouth water, and she wasn’t supposed to keep heading down that particular road. No, he smelt kind of…not like a wolf at all. Like he was hiding it. That was impossible because only Omegas had that ability and only triggered wolves were Omegas. She tried again to access his thoughts. He had a barrier in place that she couldn’t reach behind leaving only the surface emotions readable—Tad and Missy kissing passionately, naked bodies pressed close together, intense lovemaking that left them both covered in sweat—Missy broke the connection and bit back a moan of desire. What he wanted, she wanted.
By the time they pulled into the parking lot Missy was half out of her mind restraining herself from jumping Tad. She popped open her door and leapt into the blowing snow as soon as the truck shimmied to a stop.
Long deep breaths of icy cold air helped until Tad stepped around the cab with a concerned expression on his face.
“You okay, Missy?”
Oh, please don’t look concerned. Concern was one step away from affection, and tonight her body could jump from affection to full sex with no trouble at all.
“I’m fine. Just needed some fresh air. Shall we go?” Missy forced herself to sound bright and cheerful. She hoped the place would be loud, dark and smoke-filled to dull her senses enough to get through the evening with Tad’s virtue intact.
She wondered if he would appreciate the effort she was making. She had every intention of making love with him, but until she could visit the closest wolf pack and arrange for someone to tell Tad about his heritage she couldn’t act.
Tad held the door open for her, and as she stepped past his arms, she knew she was done for. There was music, quiet and jazzy. The only smoke was from BBQ ribs. And the lighting was perfect to see Tad’s eyes widen as he helped remove her coat.
“Fuck. Oops, sorry, but holy cow, you look good. I don’t think I’ve ever…” Tad swallowed hard, his gaze tracing up the length of her legs to where her skirt ended high above her knees.
Fine. It wouldn’t have met the Catholic Girls School Uniform Requirements but Missy was short and she needed help to make her legs look longer. At least that was her excuse and she was sticking to it.
If she’d thought it through more she would have known this evening was going to be a bundle of dynamite waiting to detonate. Then she would have worn her baggy one-piece fleece hoodie that hung past her knees and a sloppy pair of sweat pants.
Liar.