Bayou Wolf (16 page)

“Your pack does not follow you as well as you’d hoped or they would not be here after you told them to settle.”

Raising her chin, Luciana said, “I am aware.” She swept her gaze over the assembled and they lowered themselves. Shiloh made her way around the wolves.

“I told you,” Shiloh said, speaking to both Luciana and her mate. “Some of them have axes to grind and if you didn’t address those axes we would have these problems.” Tears coated her voice. Violence and death were never easy nor should they be.

Glancing toward them, she looked to him specifically. “You’re one of Mason’s wolves, yes?”

“We are returning to Willow Bend,” Sera answered for him.

“Can I hitch a ride? I think it’s time I went home.”

The human male with her let out a shout. “Shiloh?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head, and holding up her hands. “I’m done, we did what we could and I think what we did was good until now.”

Bumping Sera with his shoulder, he gave a faint nod of his head. Shiloh’s family would be happy to have their daughter back. She might not enjoy the conversation with Mason, but she was pack so they could take her home.

“You are welcome to join us,” Sera said, then switched her attention to Luciana. The Italian Alpha—no, she’d called them Three Rivers—the Three Rivers Alpha followed the girl a couple of steps, then paused.

“We have a lot of work to do, but I am not giving up on them. I would ask that you not give up on me.” The humbleness in the gesture touched his mate. Her posture relaxed, and she tapped him lightly.

“Good luck,” Sera said without malice or insult. “You may need it more than you know—and keep your phone on.”

She led Shiloh to the SUV and Linc remained where he was until the girl was inside, then he trotted over to join them. His back ached when he made the jump, but soon the wolves melted away. The Alpha remaining, nude, in the middle of the road with only her mate at her side as she sent all the wolves from their path.

“So, who are you,
sha
?” Sera asked the girl as she buckled her seatbelt.

“I’m Shiloh.” The younger woman sighed, a soul deep weariness had her slumping in the seat. “Thank you for the ride.”

“Uh huh.” She glanced in the rearview mirror toward him and Linc settled against the air mattress. It seemed eons since they’d played there even though only a few hours had passed. The drive to the airport took longer than the drive out, but the snow hampered their travel.

The pilot and three Hunters awaited them—including Zane. Linc paused as he jumped from the back of the SUV. The Hunter strode toward them, his mentor and a damn good trainer.

Waiting while Zane introduced himself and then eyed Shiloh, he told her she would be staying at the airport and traveling back to Willow Bend with him. Only after he completed all that did he glance at Linc.

“Well, mating an Alpha. I guess you found out your strength isn’t all bad, eh?”

If he’d been in human form, he might have hung his head. As it was he snapped at the Hunter. Zane was a damn good man, and he’d been a great teacher. Though he could have sworn reprisals for Linc’s furious attack during training, he never had. No, Zane had always been supportive. Avoiding the Hunter before had been Linc’s shame. He really owed the wolf a drink.

“Change of clothes for you on the plane. And the next time I’m in New Orleans, I expect a beer.” With only a few words, Zane offered him his forgiveness once again and Linc didn’t refuse.

Sera raised her brows, and Linc promised mentally to explain later. He bobbed his head, sneezed, and then trotted toward the plane. He ached and wanted to change, hold his mate and maybe sleep.

Emphasis on maybe.

Once they were—in Willow Bend.
Not home anymore.
His heart ached at the thought, then Sera stepped into the plane and the pain was a little less. His home and heart were with her.

Everything else would work out.

It had to.

N
either of them
slept on the flight back. Linc’s facial bruises were nearly gone, thanks to his shift, but the injury on his back had taken a little doctoring. She’d cleaned it and layered a swath of bandaging over it before he put on his shirt. When the plane landed in Willow Bend territory, he dragged nearly as much as she. Hand-in-hand, they walked toward where he’d parked the SUV. A new scent warned her of the guest waiting for them.

Linc frowned and moved three steps ahead of her. “Rory?”

The female leaning on the SUV straightened at their arrival. Her posture wasn’t aggressive but authoritative. “Welcome back to Willow Bend,” she said slowly, flicking a faintly apologetic look toward Linc before continuing to address Serafina. “My name is Rory. On behalf of Mason Clayborne, I will be your new liaison and escort while you and your mate continue your stay.”

Sera’s heart fisted in her chest.
Fucking Mason.

Linc didn’t move or say a word. His hollowed expression spoke volumes, however. He glanced from Rory to Sera then blew out a breath. Jaw locking, he withdrew from the Hunter a couple of steps until he was once again at her side.

When he would have taken another step behind her, she took his hand and kept him with her. “Thank you.” Ignoring the Hunter, she focused wholly on Linc, but his expression shuttered. “We should go back to the guesthouse,” she told him. “Get some sleep. Unless you’re hungry. We haven’t eaten.”

Almost wooden-toned, he said, “I know a couple of places along the way. We can pick something up.”

“Or I can call ahead.” She squeezed his hand. “Trish makes great pancakes.”

“Whatever you wish.” No intonation. No emotion. The reality of
visiting
what was once his home combined with Rory’s presence had to leave him aching.

The Hunter’s carefully neutral expression didn’t quite hide her sympathy. A terrifically uncomfortable situation for both of them—not that Sera gave a damn about the Hunter.
Only Linc
. “In the car.” Directing him to the vehicle, she opened the door for him. He glanced at the driver’s seat then at Rory before he climbed into the back.

Once she’d joined Linc, the Hunter slid behind the wheel and started the engine. Linc looked anywhere but at Rory. His gaze fixed on the window and the darkness. Snow began to fall, tiny flakes compared to what she’d seen in Nebraska. Reminded of their coupling in the snow, she glanced at Linc. Nothing moved in his expression, and her chest tightened.

Calling ahead, she roused her Hounds and
Traiteur
. Thankfully, Amy was a night owl. After telling them to get a meal prepared and to wait for her, she disconnected the call and held tight to Linc’s hand. Loss could eat away at a wolf, but losing a pack? Losing his ‘place’ in the world when she couldn’t immediately introduce him to hers?

If Mason were in front of her, she’d likely have punched him in the throat. No wonder he’d sent the Hunter rather than greet them himself. If her taking his wolf displeased him so much, he should have directed his wrath at her—not at Linc.

Packing away her anger, she focused on her mate. Threading her fingers with his, she squeezed his hand, but he seemed a million miles away. Sooner than she’d expected, they pulled through the trees to the guesthouse where it seemed she’d only just arrived and yet it had been too long since she’d seen. Odd how different it looked, the beautiful lodging Linc created for her.

As soon as Rory stopped the vehicle, Sera had her door open. Linc followed, as though on autopilot. Keeping his hand in hers, she guided him toward the door. Without looking back, she said, “I assume we will see you in the morning. Do not bother us again tonight.” The Hunter was most definitely not welcome inside.

Jerome opened the door before she and Linc reached it. Concern shone in his eyes as he took in her mate’s expression, then looked to her.

Clasping Linc’s arm, her Hound said, “It is my honor to welcome you to Delta Crescent, Lincoln.” The grip seemed to penetrate the haze around Linc, and he focused on Jerome. “I just hope you root for the right teams.” The total non sequitur earned a faint smile.

Trish descended the stairs, her wild hair bouncing. As soon as Jerome released Linc, she stepped into him and gave him a fierce hug. “And I welcome you to Delta Crescent, Lincoln.” Then in a lower voice she had to know Sera could hear she said, “And the first time you need dirt on Sera, I have you covered.”

A wealth of affection for the twins filled Serafina. The kindness and welcome they showed her mate did them credit. The last to arrive was Amy. She glanced at Sera and raised her brows.

Mouthing ‘help him,’ she nodded to her
Traiteur
. Trish stepped away and Amy took her place. Linc blinked slowly, as though rousing from whatever dark place he’d wandered away to. Amy cupped his face and rose on her tiptoes. He bowed his head obediently, and she brushed a kiss to each of his cheeks, then pressed her forehead to his.

Energy swirled over him. The tug of Amy pulling power from her joined her in the process. The aches, the pains, and the lacerations to his skin would soon be gone as the
Traiteur
sped his body’s healing process. “Welcome to Delta Crescent, Linc. We adore you for making Sera happy. We will be your family, your new home. You are ours, and we will love you.”

Tears pricked Sera’s eyes as Linc squeezed her hand. He gave Amy a one-armed hug her then pressed a kiss to her forehead. Glancing from the
Traiteur
to the Hounds, he smiled. The bare movement of his lips softened his remote expression. “Thank you all.” The roughness of emotion in his voice threatened to undo Serafina. As Amy withdrew, Sera slid her arm around him. He gave her the greatest gift as he leaned into her.

“Hungry?” She would nag him if necessary, caring for him until he was ready to care for himself once more.

“Starving,” he admitted. “And something smells wonderful.”

“Making crepes.” Sunshine warmed Amy’s smile before she leaned over to brush a kiss to Sera’s cheek. “You picked well. We’ll take care of him.”

“Yes,” she told her
Traiteur
. “We will.”

D
awn came too soon
, and she’d not slept. Linc finally drifted off after a full meal and a long shower. Curling into his arms, she’d luxuriated in listening to the steady beat of his heart. His deep, regular breaths lulled her. Still, when the sun rose, so did she. Dressing quietly, she savored the sight of him sprawled on the bed, one arm thrown out toward where she’d been sleeping.

He really was a beautiful man.

Soon, love,
she promised him silently.
I will spend hours adoring that body and learning all your stories.
Excitement quivered in her belly at the idea. They had years to know one another, to explore every nuance. Though eager to begin their time together, she had to deal with the issues raised by her visit to Three Rivers.

A part of her wanted to let him sleep till he woke on his own, but he would want to go with her—at least as far as dropping her off at the door. Mason may have ended his escort duty, but Sera refused to take any other choices away from him.

Downstairs, Jerome waited with a tall mug of chicory. “I could kiss you,” she told him as she accepted the cup.

“You could, but that brute you mated might take offense if you did. I’ll be honest, Sera—I don’t like my chances against him.”

Chuckling, she headed into the kitchen with her mug and found her phone where she’d left it on the charger. Three messages from Etienne and one from Julian—he’d sent her the phone number she’d requested.

“You want food?” Jerome asked, pouring his own mug. He hadn’t slept. She’d heard him patrolling the house. The challenge had him antsy or maybe it was simply being in Willow Bend. Lord knew, she was ready to go home.

“Not yet. I’ll wake Linc in an hour, then we should have more food for him. You can get some sleep if you like.”

“I’m fine,” he said. “You want me in here for this call, or outside pissing off their Hunters?” The glee in his smile revealed which he preferred.

“Outside, but don’t cause trouble. The Hunters are not at fault for Mason’s decision.”

Jerome scowled. “He shouldn’t have ambushed him with the news upon his arrival.”

As much as she hated to defend Mason, she said, “In some ways, I am just as much at fault as Mason. I pulled Linc from his pack when we mated. Now, do as I said. Don’t borrow more trouble for us. We will have plenty to deal with soon enough.”

With a nod, he left her to the call. After dialing the international number, she took a sip of the chicory and waited. Outside, the day continued to brighten, though the snowfall hid the actual sun.

She wasn’t as enamored of it as she had been when Linc held her in the SUV.

On the third ring, a woman answered. “Margo Mont—Esposito.”

“Hello, Margo.” The Enforcer was one of her favorites, though Serafina would never tell her that. She liked the ballsy, brassy wolf who didn’t pull her punches.

“Serafina. I am honored. You never return my phone calls.” Amused wariness marked her sentence.

“Well, don’t be honored. I’m not returning one now. I am calling to speak to your mate and you, however, if you have a moment.”

“This is about my sister.” A deeply masculine voice heavy with command stated from the background.

“Yes, Signore Esposito, it is. Do you have time for my questions?” Since he was an Alpha and she actually needed his help, a little coaxing never hurt.

“Proceed.”

“You’re on speakerphone,” Margo told her.

Forty minutes later, Serafina disconnected the call. Salvatore had been reluctant to share his impressions about his sister. Though he’d cut Luciana off from his pack, she was still his family and family was everything to a wolf. When Sera explained her concerns about Luciana’s ability to hold her pack and described the incident with Patrick, he grew more receptive to her questions.

A creak on the stairs alerted her to Linc’s descent before he padded barefoot into the kitchen. Setting her phone down, she turned and glided into his arms. The fierceness of his embrace warmed her. “Have I mentioned how much I like your height?”

Stroking her back, he chuckled. A rough and rusty sound, but still a laugh. “No, I don’t think you have.”

“I do.” She looped her arms around his neck and rose on her tiptoes, yet he still had an inch on her. “I love how tall you are. You make me feel petite and delicate.”

Lifting her, he grinned slowly. “You are petite and delicate…and strong, and fierce, and a goddess. You are everything.”

“Oh, talk to me some more.” She could forget about the day and spend it with him.

“You didn’t sleep.” His thoughtful accusation earned another smile.

“I had to take care of some things. I planned to wake you in time to get ready.”

The shutters closed on his expression again. “I’m no longer your escort.”

Threading her fingers into his hair, she tugged him down for a kiss. “You are always my escort. My mate goes where I want him to be. If you escort me, you can see Tyler. Yes?”

Brushing his lips to hers, he kissed her slowly and roused from the void he kept escaping into. With a sigh, he released her mouth and rested his forehead against hers. “I’d like to see him. I almost wish you didn’t have to go to the meeting.”

Better.
“No almost wishing here. I’d much rather spend my time with you.”

He finished the thought she’d left unvoiced. “But this is important.”

“It is.”

Forcing herself to let him go, she pivoted and reclaimed her cup. Refilling hers, and pouring one for him, she followed his progress to the windows. He stared over the snowy landscape.

“Will you miss it?”

“Yes,” he said. “It doesn’t snow much where you are, does it?”

“No.” She passed him his mug then tried to see what he saw in the snow. “But we have other wonders for you. The Quarter, the Gulf, the swamps.”

“Did you say swamp?”

“Hmm, have you ever hunted gator?”

“No,” he said slowly.

“You will enjoy it. They are tough bastards.” She bumped his hip.

“Sera.” Turning, he leaned against the table and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I’ll be sad. I’ll miss what I know here, and I’ll miss my family. But I’m also excited—to see your home, your territory and to learning everything about you and it.”

“Ours.” A small correction, but a vital one. “It will be ours.”

“Only one Alpha, sweetheart.”

“Yes,
sha
, and only one Alpha’s mate. All I have, all I am—you will see, what’s mine is yours. Delta Crescent will love you.”

“Does her Alpha love me?”

“Very much.”

His smile squeezed her heart, and the devotion warming his blue eyes encouraged her. “Then I have all I need. Have patience with me?”

“Forever.” A promise she would take to her grave. She took him from his pack, she’d claimed him, and she would keep him.

“I like the sound of that.” The front door opened and she made a face. “Don’t tell him to go away this time,” he murmured. “It’s pretty cold out there.”

“Fine, but only because you asked.”

“Thank you!” Jerome declared. “Colder than the liquor at The Blue Bottle.”

“Do I want to know what The Blue Bottle is?” Linc’s question lightened her heart, and she kissed him.

“Trust me, I’m sure Jerome and the Hounds will drag you there soon enough.”

And soon enough she would be dealing with the Alphas.

T
wo hours later
, Cassius scowled at her from across the sitting room. “Are you insane?”

“I’ve been accused, but it’s never been proven.” She bared her teeth at him, and he shook his head. Mason and Brett, by contrast, seemed to be pondering her proposal. The relative détente of the day before had declined into stressful silences.

Mason was definitely pissed at her, and Diesel more distracted than ever. Frankly, she didn’t give a damn about any of their personal issues. They’d heard out her description of meeting the Three Rivers Alpha and the subsequent challenge from Patrick.