Logan handed the platter of shish kebabs to Sarandon while Logan carried the rice side dish. “Hopefully, Jenna has told you already, but she was in an accident some years ago with her mate and unborn children and lost all of them. The doctor said she could have more children, but, well, she and her mate had been living in another state when the accident occurred, and we just don’t want to see her living so far away again. It was really hard for her to adjust with moving home and all. It was decades ago, but you understand how we feel.”
“Yes, she told me. I was so sorry to hear of it. The guy who caused the accident should’ve received life.” Sarandon didn’t know what else to say, but he knew the family still had to worry about her. And about their other daughters.
“You just met Jenna, so I’m probably getting way ahead of myself on this.”
“Yes, sir.” Not really.
“Come on. Let’s eat. And then we can go for a wolf run.”
He knew it. The whole family would all run together. One big, happy family.
They walked into the house, and Jenna’s mother had everyone take a seat at the table. Jenna glanced at Sarandon. He reached over and squeezed her hand.
After dinner, they went running as wolves, as a pack. And then the parents stuck together and headed in one direction, the sisters taking off in a different direction, while Jenna stayed close to Sarandon. He was glad he could run with her alone for a while, and he appreciated that the rest of the family understood the need for them to be wolves together.
He thought he saw something moving in the woods quite a distance from them. He swore it was a wolf. He woofed at Jenna to wait for him and ran through the brush to locate whatever it was. He heard something behind him and turned to see Jenna following him. Damn it. He didn’t want her in harm’s way if the animal he thought he’d seen was a male wolf.
She nipped at Sarandon’s cheek, telling him he wouldn’t leave her behind, and started sniffing the area. He was smelling the scents in the area too. A male wolf. Not her father’s scent. Did the family know any other wolves in the area?
Jenna woofed at Sarandon, and he assumed they didn’t know this wolf. He still wanted her to wait for him.
He ran again, searching for the wolf, and saw it moving fast through the brush, a brown wolf, no other markings. Just brown. At least Sarandon knew the wolf’s scent now. The wolf disappeared over a hill.
Sarandon raced through the trees, trying to reach the hill, but when he topped it, he didn’t see any sign of the wolf. He continued searching for him while Jenna searched nearby, the two of them working together to track the wolf. He realized then that they could do this. Work together as a team. He was so used to being with his brothers or cousins, protecting the she-wolves and pups in the pack, that he’d never considered working with a she-wolf who had his back.
They’d lost sight of the wolf, then heard a vehicle’s engine running and raced through the woods to see what it looked like. Maybe they’d get the license plate number. They reached the dirt road and saw the black SUV, with the same license tag they’d learned belonged to Burt Dreyfus.
Now they knew his scent and what he looked like as a wolf. And they knew they hadn’t been wrong about him following them. Why else would he be sniffing around Jenna and her family’s territory?
With Burt gone, Jenna howled, warning her family they’d found trouble.
A male wolf howled, then a female, followed by two more females. Sarandon howled to let them know what his wolf’s voice sounded like. She licked his face, and he licked hers. He loved running with her, and he realized everything he did with her was a test of their friendship and whether they would be suitable wolf mates.
* * *
Jenna and Sarandon headed back to the house. They saw her parents a little way off and her sisters after that. They ran together as a pack of wolves, just as though he were family. He thought he could really fit in. That it wouldn’t hurt her family to have another male wolf in the pack.
Once everyone entered the house, they went off to their respective rooms, shifted and dressed, and then returned to the dining room where Victoria fed them cake and coffee.
“We saw a brown wolf named Burt Dreyfus running on our property,” Jenna said before Sarandon had a chance. “He’s the cameraman for a ghost-hunter show. The TV personalities are wolves and are related to Sarandon’s sister-in-law.” She didn’t know if CJ and Laurel were married. Even though wolves mated for life and didn’t need to prove their fidelity by marrying, many did for the kids in the event they needed it. “He had been following us on the interstate. Mom, you looked up the license plate.”
“Right. A black SUV.”
“Yeah, it was parked on the old dirt road. We lost him before we could reach him,” Jenna said.
“At least you learned what he was driving,” Victoria said.
“I think we need to get ahold of the ghost hunters’ management and learn what is up with this man,” Logan said.
“I agree. I’ll call my brother CJ, who is a deputy sheriff of Silver Town, and let him know what’s going on,” Sarandon said.
“Why would he be running around here? Following you?” Logan asked.
“I think this all has to do with the other guy stealing my ID. I think he was in on it,” Sarandon said.
“He’s a wolf? And the TV show personalities are too?” Logan asked.
“Yes.” Sarandon finished his chocolate cake.
Jenna eyed Crystal and Suzanne and the way they kept smiling at him and offering him more cake and coffee or anything else he wanted.
“Are you sure you don’t want another slice of cake? Another cup of coffee?” Suzanne asked Sarandon again but not anyone else.
“No, thanks. It was great.” Sarandon patted his rock-hard stomach. “I’d have to do a lot more running if I ate any more tonight.”
Jenna wasn’t sure about her sisters’ attentions toward him. Were they being nice because he gave such great presents to them? Or because they thought they had a chance with him? They’d never been interested in her boyfriends before. But Sarandon wasn’t like any wolf she’d ever known. Certainly, none had brought presents for her family.
“Oooh, I like the guy in charge of that TV show,” Suzanne said, finding an episode on a search on her phone. “I watch that show all the time. He’s the cutest. Totally in charge. A real alpha male. I didn’t know they were all wolves.”
“I’ll have to watch the show. I figured it was all a put-on,” Crystal said. “And like you, I had no clue it was run by wolves.”
“Right, well, this Burt Dreyfus needs to be picked up and questioned,” Logan said, getting the subject back to the crux of the matter.
“I agree,” Sarandon said.
“If we’re all finished…” Jenna began carrying plates into the kitchen.
Her sisters helped her with the dirty dishes.
Jenna was ready to take Sarandon home with her. She was annoyed at him for being overly protective and wanting her to return home and stay out of harm’s way when the wolf was running in their territory. Burt. What was he up to?
Yet Sarandon had irked her when he treated her as though she couldn’t defend herself or help him search for the wolf. What did he think she was doing in her line of work? She captured fugitives all the time. Just because she didn’t manage to take one wolf in because he had a whole wolf pack to back him—and besides, he was innocent—didn’t mean she couldn’t take another wolf down.
Especially when Sarandon was there to help.
Sarandon had been quieter than usual, and she hoped her dad hadn’t said something to upset him. She knew her dad well enough to guess he might have told Sarandon something. Then again, what if it was all about her staying with Sarandon to locate the brown wolf? And he was annoyed with her? Maybe, seeing her in action, he didn’t care for the kind of wolf she was. Well, tough.
That’s the way she was. If he didn’t like it, that was his problem.
“Night, all. We need to be ready when the police call about Sarandon’s fingerprint results.”
“Night, Jenna, Sarandon,” everyone said, and after hugs, Jenna and Sarandon got in her car and drove back to the main drive that would take her to her long driveway next door. The properties had ten acres apiece, so nice and spacious.
When they pulled into her garage at her home, she said, “Okay, spill. What did Dad tell you?”
“About this,” Sarandon said, motioning with both hands toward the house. “That you live right next door. That your dad expects you to stay here if you find a mate.”
She groaned and got out of the car. “He’s not supposed to sabotage me courting a wolf like that.”
“Well, isn’t that what you’d want?”
She hesitated. “What I want is what my mate and I mutually agree upon. It’s not a one-sided affair.”
“Uh, yeah, okay. Sorry,” Sarandon said. “I’m getting way ahead of myself on this. I’m not usually this way.”
She slipped her finger into his belt loop and tugged him toward the house. “Apology accepted. I figured you’ve never done this before.”
“He did mention one other thing.”
She closed the door behind him. “What’s that?” She was afraid her father had talked about her mate and losing her unborn children. “Forget it. He told you about Will, right?” She led Sarandon into her living room, and they sat down on the couch. “I know my dad’s heart is in the right place, but still, it was for me to say. And besides, I already told you about it. He didn’t think I would?” She shook her head. “He thinks the reason I haven’t mated again in all this time is because I’m still pining away for them. I still think of them, of course—I loved them dearly—but I’m not giving up on having a mate and a family. I just haven’t found any wolf I was interested in like that. Sure, I’ve dated tons. I don’t know. You threw me for a loop from the beginning. First, from being my suspect, to being someone I could see lasting longer than the other guys.”
“As in a mating.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“I’m sorry about what happened to you. It never should have.”
She nodded. “What was the deal with Burt Dreyfus? I got the distinct impression you wanted me to return home or go to my parents’ place. Or stay put, not help you track the wolf.”
“Jenna…”
She frowned at him.
He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. She couldn’t help liking the way he was trying to make it up to her. Or at least she thought that’s where this was going.
“My brothers and cousins and I have always been there to help out the she-wolves and the kids, the elderly, anyone who needs protecting.”
She raised her brows.
“I know you’re a fugitive recovery agent, well trained in apprehending fugitives, well trained in searching for them. In that instant, I saw a male wolf. An unknown male wolf snooping around your family’s territory. You told me in your way that he wasn’t a wolf you knew. He wasn’t a friend. I acted on instinct. Protect you. Go after the wolf.”
“Okay,” she said, running her finger down his chest, “what if we see the wolf again, or another wolf you don’t know lurking about?”
“Can I help it that my first thought is to protect you? That’s better than me tucking my tail between my legs and running to get behind you, isn’t it?”
She chuckled and pulled him down for a kiss. “I couldn’t even imagine such a thing, but truly? Yes, I much prefer you trying to protect me, only know I will be doing the same for you.”
Then she kissed him long and hard, his hands sliding down her arms, his hot mouth molded to hers.
She realized just how addictive he was and how hard it would be to let him go. How could they really date if he lived so far away? Even though he had invited her to his brother and sister-in-law’s Spring Fling, that was a ten-hour drive.
She knew he didn’t like the idea of her family wanting her to stay here, just as she was certain he’d prefer living with his pack in Silver Town.
So why did she give in to his hot, molten kisses, writhe beneath his fingertips as he molded his large, warm hands to her breasts, cup his face, and close her eyes to soak in every bit of the sexy way he was making her feel? And want even more?
The wolf’s howl on Jenna’s cell phone startled her, and she glanced at the phone, surprised her mom would be calling her after she’d just seen her. Jenna considered ignoring it, but what if her mom had news, good news for Sarandon? She kissed Sarandon’s cheek, then answered the call. “Yes, Mom?”
“Tell Sarandon we retained a lawyer for him. His hearing is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, but the lawyer wants to meet with Sarandon in the morning. He wished Sarandon hadn’t seen the police first, but our lawyer will get this straightened out right away.”
“Ohmigod, that’s great news. You’re talking about Jeb Booker, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. He’s the best. I’ll let Sarandon know, and he can call to make arrangements. Thanks, Mom.”
“Well, we need to get Sarandon’s name cleared so the police are looking for the real suspect. And so you can court the wolf. Your sisters are saying if you don’t want him, they do.”
Jenna laughed. “They’re not getting him.” She watched Sarandon’s dark expression brighten. “Talk to you later.” When she ended the call, she smiled at Sarandon. “Good news. My parents hired the best wolf lawyer in town. Best lawyer, period. He’ll clear your name and—”
“You’ll court me.”
She chuckled. “You have a one-track mind.”
“Only when it comes to you.”
“Good.” She pulled a card out of a drawer in a side table and handed it to Sarandon. “You have a hearing scheduled for the afternoon.”
“Sounds good.” He called the number for the lawyer. “This is Sarandon Silver, the wolf accused… Yeah, that one. All right, sir… Ten? Okay. See you there.” He smiled at Jenna. “Yes, she’s coming with me… No, she didn’t tase me to bring me in, but that had been next on her agenda.” Sarandon laughed. “See you then.”
“What did Jeb say about me attempting to tase you?” Jenna asked Sarandon.
“He said that was your specialty.”
She smiled. “Yeah, and yours is taking down armed assailants…me. Okay, I’ll let you get some sleep. See you in the morning.”
“Night,” Sarandon said, but he pulled her into his arms for a hug and kiss.
She cherished the feel of his hands sweeping down her back, his lips parted, his tongue spearing her mouth, but she knew they had important issues to discuss before they let things go too far.
“Guest bedroom is in there.” She pointed to the room, smiled, patted him on the chest, and hurried to her room before she changed her mind.
Chapter 12
Sarandon felt like he’d made great strides with Jenna on the courtship business. He hadn’t been able to quit thinking about her half the night, wishing they were further along with it and that he’d wake with her in his arms this morning. He hadn’t even been worried about clearing his name.
He was sitting on his bed, slowly waking up, when he finally heard her in the master bathroom. He was glad she hadn’t gone on a run without him—at least, he didn’t think she had. Maybe he was mistaken.
Jenna woofed at Sarandon’s guest-room door. Hot damn. Wearing just his boxer briefs, he opened the door and smiled. “I take it you want to run with me this morning.”
She woofed again and wagged her tail. He ditched his boxers and shifted. She raced off for the wolf door, and he followed her outside.
He loved running with her in her own territory. And claiming it for his own. Again. He couldn’t help himself. He
was going to ensure everyone knew she was off-limits to them and all his. Also, that this was their territory, so beware. He’d enjoyed seeing all the new scenery in this area, realizing he rarely saw anything new in Silver Town. Most of all, he loved just being with Jenna on these runs. Seeing her darting through the trees and brush in a game of hide-and-seek, showing him the creeks, a river, and ponds. He wondered about cross-country skiing in the area, which she said she and her family liked to do. And he thought it would be fun to see the fall colors here and the summer flowers blooming all over.
She had hidden behind some rocks and he came around to find her, but this time, she paused and was smelling the ground, not waiting to nip at him in play.
He joined her to see what she was smelling. Another wolf had passed through here, not scent-marking with a urine trail, but his paw pads had left his scent just the same. Sarandon wondered if Jenna knew who it was. He nudged her to see what she thought—friend or foe—and she growled a little.
Someone’s scent she didn’t recognize, he suspected.
They began following the scent trail and explored a new area of woods—with no human hiking trails, so they should be fairly safe—but they lost the wolf’s scent at a river. They ran for about five miles, one of them on each side of the river, trying to locate where the wolf had crossed, but they didn’t find his scent trail. Maybe in the other direction? They needed to head back to her house so Sarandon could get ready to see the lawyer. He was sure glad Jenna’s parents got him one to expedite things and make sure he didn’t get railroaded.
Jenna had the same idea, and when he crossed the river to join her, she licked his wet cheek, then they loped all the way home together.
When they reached the house and went inside, they raced each other to the bedrooms. He shifted and took a quick shower, then dressed, and was ready to fix them breakfast.
She met him in the kitchen. “Okay, so I didn’t recognize the wolf who’s been in our territory. It wasn’t Burt.”