Joining Their Pack [Wolf Packs of Fate 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 9

  “You stay as long as you want, but don’t put off telling them for too long.” Pearl pressed her fingers to her lips, her complexion turning pale. “Okay, like I said, I might hurl. And just so you know, once I get really big, there will be no jokes about whales, either.”

  As she’d known she would, Pearl had made her feel better. “Are you kidding? My mamma didn’t raise no fool.”

  * * * *

  Brogan was the first to wake up. And the first to realize that Heather was gone. “Where the hell she’d go?”

  Garner and Sterling were as thrown as he was. They searched the small apartment not once but twice.

  “She didn’t leave last night. I woke up early this morning before the sun came up and she was sleeping soundly right next to me.” Garner slammed his hands down on the kitchen counter.

  “Hey, guys, don’t get all bent out of shape because she’s not here. Maybe she had to go to work,” urged Sterling.

  Brogan jerked his head toward a large painting resting on an easel. “She doesn’t go anywhere to do her job. She’s an artist, remember?”

  “It still doesn’t mean anything.” Sterling snapped his fingers. “Hey, maybe she went out to get coffee. Or to get us breakfast.”

  “So she’d leave without telling us?” Brogan would’ve liked to go along with his brother’s idea, but it didn’t make sense. And when it didn’t make sense, forcing it to make sense wouldn’t work. “Besides, she’s got a fridge full of food. Nah, she left for another reason.”

  “Then why?”

  He had only to look at Garner for his brother to know what he was thinking.

  “You think she left because of last night? Again, why?”

  “Because I told her we had a secret to tell her.”

  “Fuck, Brogan, why’d you tell her that? Damn, man, you probably scared her off.”

  Brogan snarled at his youngest brother. Any other alpha would’ve taken offence at Sterling’s question as well as his tone. But as brothers, they made allowances for each other. “We were going to tell her last night, remember? Then when we didn’t, I felt like I had to warn her.”

  “You think she noticed our eyes, don’t you?”

  He hated to admit it, but she would’ve had to have gone blind not to notice the amber flecks that came when they got turned on. “Yeah. I do. She didn’t say so at the time, but I bet she would’ve remembered seeing it this morning.”

  “That and your warning sent her running.” Garner headed for the front door. “Where do you think she would’ve gone?”

  “To one of her friends,” answered Sterling. “But which one?”

  “Hold up.”

  His brothers stopped and faced him.

  “Let’s not chase after her. If she needs time, then let’s give it to her.” He was as anxious as they were to talk to her, to make her understand and accept what he and Sterling were, but if they pushed too hard, too fast, it could ruin everything.

  “He’s right.” Garner held the door open. “Instead of tracking down her friends and hoping to find her, let’s give them a call. Ease into asking if they know where she is.”

  Brogan was chomping at the bit to go after her. Yet he doubted she’d leave town. Seeing amber in their eyes wouldn’t send her packing for good. But seeing them as wolves? That could. “We should give her a day or two and then call around. If we get lucky, maybe she’ll come to us.”

  “And if she doesn’t?” asked a pacing Sterling.

  “Then we track her down.” Brogan stalked past his brothers, hating his decision, yet knowing it was the right thing to do.

  * * * *

  Heather toweled off and stepped out of the shower. Staying at Pearl’s house for the past two days had been a big help. She and her friend had talked for hours each day. Although she was still leery about telling the Wilson men about her past, about the son who was out in the world without her, she’d come to a conclusion. If they were the right men for her, then they’d accept her past and not think any less of her. And if they didn’t? Well, then she’d have yet another decision to make. Could she stay in Fate and bear seeing them around town? Or did she pick up again and find another home?

  Either way, she’d find out today.

  She took pains to style her hair and do her makeup just right. Once she was with Sterling, Garner, and Brogan, she wanted to look her best. She’d gotten Brogan’s number from Liam. She’d call today for certain.

  A thump came from the living room. She hurried to check on her friend.

  Pearl turned around as Heather entered the room. “Hi there.” Her gaze slid over Heather. “Damn, girl, you look amazing. If I was into women and not pregnant, I’d bang your ass.”

  “Thanks, but it’s only a skirt and top.” She’d wanted to look nice, but not as though she’d planned on looking nice. “I hope you don’t mind that I took a second shower.” She’d spent a lot of time outdoors and wanted to freshen up.

  “Of course not.” Pearl went into the open-concept kitchen and picked up a pitcher of lemonade. “I had a craving for something sweet. Want a glass?”

  As Pearl turned slightly, Heather couldn’t help but notice the mark on her friend’s neck. “Did you hurt yourself? Did you fall?”

  Pearl’s hand went straight to the mark. “No, no. It’s nothing.”

  But it wasn’t nothing. Heather pushed Pearl’s hand aside and touched her friend’s neck. “Holy shit. Is that a bite mark?”

  Pearl jerked back. “Like I said, it’s nothing.”

  “Like hell it is.” Alarm flashed through Heather. “What bit you? Tell me.”

  Pearl shrugged and kept her gaze on her glass of lemonade. “I’m telling you not to worry about it. Seriously, I’m fine.”

  Heather picked up the underlying edge to her friend’s tone. “Too late. I’m already worried. Did an animal attack you?”

  Pearl blew out a breath and faced her dead-on. “Fine. Yes, it’s a bite, but it’s not an animal bite.” She made a face and averted her gaze. “At least not the way you’re thinking.”

  “Tell me what I’m thinking.” She couldn’t force her friend to tell her, but she wasn’t going to give up without a good, hard try.

  Pearl touched the mark again. “Okay, if you must know, Liam bit me.”

  “What?” Had she missed the signs? Was her friend in an abusive relationship? She couldn’t imagine Liam and Bill being anything but sweet to her friend. As far as she’d seen, they always treated her with nothing but respect and kindness.

  “I told you. Liam bit me.” Pearl acted as though she were embarrassed, pink rising to her cheeks.

  “Liam bit you.” She’d never seen Pearl embarrassed by any situation. If anything, her friend loved pushing the limits and didn’t give a care who thought what. “Please tell me he’s not hurting you in other ways. But don’t worry. If he is, we’ll figure it out together. I’ll help you get away and start some place fresh.”

  “Heather—”

  “Is Bill the same way? Does he know Liam bit you?” Yet how could he not know? “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You’re actually saying Liam bit you.”

  “How many times do I have to say it? Yes. Liam bit me. Damn it, Heather, haven’t you ever had rough sex?”

  Oh shit.

  She hadn’t even considered that the bite was a result of fun. Rough sex was one thing, but biting? Did people really do that?

  “Do you understand now? Liam likes to bite when we’re having sex.”

  Now it was her turn to be embarrassed. “Do you like getting bitten?”

  “Bitten by the right person, yes. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

  “Damn, Pearl, I’m so sorry. I never would’ve asked if I’d had any idea. I mean, shit, how was I supposed to know?”

  “I would’ve thought hearing them howl last night might’ve clued you in.”

  Heat swamped her cheeks. She’d heard what sounded like a dog howling. “I thought that was the neighbor’s dog.”r />
  “The neighbor doesn’t have a dog.” Pearl put on a smirk. “What can I say? My men like to howl.”

  “Oh, hell. I so didn’t want to know that.”

  “Here’s the deal, Heather. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but a lot of the men around these parts are different.”

  “Different how?” Better looking? Sexy? Just plain hot as hell? If that was what Pearl meant, she could agree.

  “They’re more in touch with their primal instincts.”

  “So you’re saying all the men in Fate like to bite?” Somehow the conversation had taken a sharp left turn. “Good to know.” Maybe.

  Did Brogan, Garner, or Sterling like to bite? Would she like it if they bit her? She’d never experienced sex the way they’d done it the other night, but she’d loved it. Was rough sex, including biting, even better?

  “The men around here are like men everywhere else. Sometimes they like it easy, and sometimes they like it rough. A lot of them, like my men, are just plain animals.”

  She wouldn’t have mentioned it, but she could see it in the Wilson men. The way the men had come at her, all dominating and masculine, she could see the animal side of them. And she’d liked it. Hell, she’d liked it a lot. But private things were meant to stay private.

  Heather held up her hands, determined to end the awkward conversation as soon as she could. “Okay, we’re getting way too personal. Forget I ever mentioned it.”

  “I will if you will.”

  “Done.”

  Pearl stuck out her hand.

  Heather was more than happy to shake it. She and Pearl had shared a lot of their histories and backgrounds in the past two days, but finding out about her friend’s sex life was more than she’d ever wanted to know.

  “Okay, so now that we’ve determined I’m not being abused, what’s the plan? Have you called them yet?”

  “I was about to get my phone out of my car when I heard a noise in here.” She glanced around. Once she’d seen the mark, she’d forgotten about the noise.

  “Oh that. It was just me being clumsy and knocking a book off the table. I’m not even big yet, and my pregnancy is already making me lose my balance.”

  Heather was relieved. Not only because her friend was unhurt but relieved to be done with their version of a sex talk.

  “So?” Pearl handed her the cell phone lying on the counter. “Go ahead. Use my phone and put this plan into action.”

  She started to take the phone then hesitated. The old fear, all-too familiar, came rushing back. “You know what? I kind of want to get my thoughts together first.”

  “But you were ready to call them before. You’re not changing your mind, are you?”

  “No. Definitely not. Still, give me a bit more time.”

  Pearl took a grape from the nearby fruit bowl and popped it into her mouth. “No problem. As long as you’re not chickening out. Are you going to your room?”

  “I thought I’d take a walk. Why? Is there something you want me to do for you? Are you feeling all right? Is the baby okay?” Why would Pearl care where she was going?

  “The baby and I are fine. It was only a question.” Her gaze jumped to the backyard. “My men should be home pretty soon.”

  The love in Pearl’s eyes was unmistakable. Before meeting the Wilson men, she’d wondered if she could ever feel that way about any man. Now she knew she could. She already cared for them. Not only for one but for all three men.

  Then it hit her. Pearl wanted time alone with Bill and Liam. Had she overstayed her welcome? “Um, I might walk for a while. You know. Maybe even like an hour?” She paused, lifting her eyebrows in a silent question. Would that be enough time? “To get fresh air and some exercise. And to think, of course.”

  “Okay. Just be careful.” Pearl’s smile dimmed. “All and all, Fate’s a safe place to live, but every town has a few troublemakers.” She glanced outside at the afternoon sun marking shadows on the grass. “I wouldn’t want you to get caught alone outside after dark.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Strange, she’d never thought of Fate as being dangerous, no matter what time of day it was. She grinned, “I promise I won’t be out too late, Mom.”

  “Oh, you’re so damn funny. Do not start calling me that,” warned Pearl.

  She’d give her friend the space she needed. When she came back, she’d be ready to call Brogan and his brothers. If she got lucky, she wouldn’t be staying at Pearl’s that night, anyway.

  “I’ll be back soon.” She slipped out the sliding doors and into the backyard. Following the gravel path that led to the tree line beyond, she started thinking about how she’d tell the men about her son.

  Should she come straight out with it? How about “hey, guys, by the way, I have a son I gave up six years ago”? Or should she take it slower and ease into the conversation? Maybe she should find out if they liked children first. If they didn’t, she’d know they’d have no chance together. Children were a definite must for her future.

  But if they did want kids? Then the future was an open book they could all take turns writing.

  She followed the path leading around the back part of Fate, skirting the wooded areas yet far enough from the town that she hoped she wouldn’t run into any other people. The day was one of those perfect ones that come along only once in a while and she took it as an omen. The men would understand what she’d gone through and not think anything less of her. They had to. If they didn’t, she wasn’t sure she could stand losing them.

  * * * *

  The sun was sinking below the horizon by the time Heather walked down the path and back into Pearl’s backyard. For a moment, she stayed at the edge of the tree line.

  Going into the house from the backdoor might not be her best move. The living room was closer to the bedrooms than to the front door. Plus, if she came in through the front, they’d hear the tingling of the bell Pearl had hung from the doorknob to let her know when her men came home. They’d hear the bell and she wouldn’t catch them off guard.

  She was cutting across the backyard when she changed her mind. If she went in through the sliding doors and heard Pearl and her men engaged in sexual play, she could back out of the house and give them more time alone. She wouldn’t interrupt anything, and they’d never even know she’d come back.

  Instead, she’d call Brogan and arrange to meet them at the Wolf’s Den. Or her apartment.

  Yeah, my apartment. That way, if everything goes well…

  Her smile widened. She felt optimistic.

  She came at the sliding doors from an angle and could see part of the living room. Slamming to a stop, she stared, sure that what she was seeing couldn’t be real.

  What she saw wasn’t only impossible. What she saw was terrifying.

  Pearl stood in the middle of the living room. Liam and Bill stood next to her. Yet they weren’t Liam and Bill. They were something in between human and animal.

  She couldn’t move, couldn’t think to do anything except watch. As she did, they kept changing, their human bodies giving way to fur, fangs, and paws. Long tails and pointed ears. She trembled, shuddering from amazement and fear.

  Before she realized what was happening, Pearl’s men had changed into two very large, black wolves. They stood next to Pearl and leaned their heads against her.

  Pearl, her face beaming, rested her palms on top of their heads. She stroked the animals, yet the gestures weren’t as though she were petting dogs. Instead, they mimicked the affectionate way she stroked Bill’s and Liam’s cheeks. Pearl wasn’t afraid of the beasts. It was obvious that she loved them.

  This isn’t real. It can’t be.

  She must still be in bed and dreaming. Or had she gone for the walk and fallen, hitting her head?

  The fear she’d had for her friend changed. Now it was for herself.

  Backing up, she kept her eyes on the threesome and did her best to get away as quietly as possible. The crack of her stepping on a small twig erupted as though
she’d just stepped on a grenade. She sucked in a hard breath and froze.

  Pearl’s gaze swung toward her. Her eyes widened, surprise filling her face as her gaze met Heather’s. The two wolves turned their heads her way. Amber eyes fixed on her.

  Heather turned and ran around the side of the house.

  “Heather! Wait!”

  Heather heard Pearl calling her name and heard the creak of the front door opening. Growling sounds floated on the air behind her.

  Her heart was in her throat as she threw herself behind the wheel of her car. Thankfully, she’d adopted the habit of leaving her keys in the ignition like everyone in Fate did. She fumbled as she tried to get the key to turn. When she lifted her gaze, she let out a small cry.

  Pearl hurried as fast as she could down the driveway. The wolves were already next to her car.

  “Heather, stop. I can explain. They won’t hurt you. I swear they won’t. Please, don’t go. Let us explain.”

  The wolves were even bigger than she’d thought. Their amber eyes glowed, and although their mouths weren’t stretched back in snarls, she was afraid. One swipe of a paw and she’d be dead.

  The one she thought was Liam jumped up on top of the hood. She yelped again, and without taking her attention off him, she tried the key again. The other wolf lifted up and put his huge paws against the driver’s side window. She lurched to the side, fear taking complete control.

  She almost cried with relief when the car’s engine finally turned over. Looking into the shining eyes of the wolf on top of her car, she stomped on the gas. The car shot forward, blurring the images of the wolves as they fell away. Her tires screeched as the car flew away from the curb and down the middle of the street.

  She sucked in gasps of air as her hands gripped the steering wheel. Telling herself not to look back, she heard her gasps turn into whimpers.

  Don’t look back.

  Don’t look back.

  Please, don’t look back.

  Yet as though her begging proved to be the catalyst, she lifted her gaze to the rearview mirror. Pearl stood between the two wolves again as the sunset cast an eerie glow over them.