Chapter Seven
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The next evening, Ginnie awoke refreshed, the wound in her back gone. She lay in her old bedroom, covered in the quilt her mother had made. She brought the quilt to her nose and breathed in its scent. But she no longer found her mother’s there. It was just a dusty quilt that needed washing. A dull pang struck her chest, realizing she no longer needed the room to ground her or provide her solace. She pushed off the covers and swung her legs over the side of her small bed then surveyed her room.
How had she arrived here? The last thing she remembered from the long night before was Calum, holding her against his body in his bed down the hallway. They hadn’t made love or even kissed. After she’d told him everything she’d learned from Dirk about the night her family died, she’d been overcome with the grief she’d held inside for so long.
Rather than heading straight to Navarro’s with the other vampires for the after-action de-brief, she’d left the warehouse with the wolves, seated on Calum’s lap for the entire journey home while she’d wept.
Today, she felt lighter. Freer. Ready to move on with her life. She needed to find Calum and tell him everything she felt before it was too late. No matter what the future might hold now that she was released from the burden of her family’s revenge, she wanted Calum to know he was loved.
When she stepped outside her room, her home felt different. The air smelled different. The maids had come and cleaned—that much she knew from the antiseptic scent of disinfectants. What was missing was the scent of wolves.
A sharp pain cut inside her chest. She tore down the stairs to find the clutter of bedding and sleeping bags gone from every room. They were gone. Every one of them had departed.
And Calum hadn’t said goodbye. Or maybe he had, but she’d been so lost in her pity-fest she hadn’t heard him.
For the longest moment, she stood still, gazing at nothing. Feeling as empty as the room. Her shoulders slumped. Then her ringtone pealed above, and she sped to her bedroom. Hope flared. Maybe he was calling.
But Viper’s name filled the screen. Swallowing her disappointment, she swiped right. “Ginnie here.”
“You’re invited to dinner at Navarro’s. In one hour.”
“Seriously? I’ll take that much time just to drive there.”
“He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
The call ended, and she stood, staring at the screen. She didn’t want to go. Likely, he was hosting a get-together for the vampires who’d been part of the planning, although she’d never heard of him doing anything like that. But why else was he hosting such an event?
“Fuck.” She squared her shoulders and headed to the bathroom. So, she’d be fashionably late. She wasn’t arriving at the vampire master’s house wearing her usual gear. Tonight, she might have to use some lipstick. And having to move quickly would keep her mind off the numb feeling creeping inside her.
*
Fifty minutes later, she parked in a row of vehicles along Navarro’s circular drive. Before she rang the doorbell, she tugged down her short skirt and tousled her still-damp hair with her fingers. She’d applied makeup on the drive here, so her cheeks were rosy and her eyelids were a lovely pale charcoal with darker gray in the crease. And she’d managed mascara and lipstick, without getting them all over her face.
She’d had to clip off the tags from the little black dress bought months ago, but she’d never worn because she never went anywhere except The Cavern and home. Her dark hose and spiked heels finished the look. So, maybe she was a little Goth-y tonight, but she’d used a pale rose on her lips to soften the dark colors. Mostly because she didn’t want to look like she was in mourning. The worst of her grief was past. The hole in her heart caused by Calum’s sudden defection would no doubt heal as well. She had a very long lifetime to get over him.
Squaring her shoulders, she punched the doorbell.
Inigo opened the door and gave her appearance a glance and a nod, and then led her down the hallway to the dining room where the masters had met previously. “Everyone’s already seated. We’ve been waiting for you.”
She frowned. His disapproving tone made her nervous. What did a master do when an underling kept him waiting? A memory of the red queen waving an arm and shouting, “Off with her head” flashed through her mind. Walking into the room, she kept her gaze lowered until she was inside. When she raised her gaze, her stomach took a dive. It was a couples’ gathering, and she was, decidedly, the odd woman out.
Viper sat beside his pretty wife, Mariah.
The Albermarles were seated together, holding hands on the tabletop. Darcy looked…happy, her face having lost its terrible tension and gravity. Quentin looked equally relaxed, and he gave Ginnie a gentle smile and mouthed, “Thank you.”
The O’Haras sat side by side. Emmy’s hand was probably somewhere in Dylan’s lap, because they appeared to be wrestling beneath the tablecloth. Emmy gave her a wink then waved her free hand toward the chair across from her.
Ginnie took her seat beside Navarro’s wife, Sidney.
The pretty blonde shook her head when she met her glance. “You were so incredibly brave. Thank you for saving Denny.”
“I’m sorry I used that name,” she blurted. “It was—”
“The first thing that came to your mind, wasn’t it?” Viper said. “We’re all sorry for your loss, but really, really grateful you were there last night.”
“And we’d be very grateful if you’d allow us to continue using your brother’s name,” Darcy said, her voice thick with emotion. Her eyes filled as she smiled. “I like it. And I know my son shares it with someone very special.”
Ginnie blew out a breath that billowed her cheeks and looked up at the ceiling. “Of course, tonight I wore mascara,” she said, fanning her eyes. “I’m not going to cry.”
Soft laughter sounded, and she was thankful for it, because the sound broke the tension in the room. She glanced again around the table. “I was hoping Magnus would be here. I need to thank him for saving me.”
Navarro’s mouth curled slightly at the corners. “Magnus and Garron send their regrets. They had other matters to attend to.” His gaze darted to Quentin, who frowned.
Sidney cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s gaze. She glanced from Navarro to Ginnie.
Her husband gave a subtle nod. “One matter remains we have yet to discuss. Forgive the fact my wife cannot wait for us to discuss this issue in private…”
Ginnie gave him a questioning glance, her eyebrows drawing downward. “Is something wrong?” Did I do something wrong?
Navarro’s chest slowly rose and fell. His mouth firmed. “I sent the wolves home to North Carolina; they brought along Dr. Deats. His friends perished yesterday. He was ready for a new challenge.”
Which explained Calum’s abrupt departure. A circumstance that important to his clan couldn’t be delayed. She pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling and forced a smile.
Blowing out a sigh, Sidney rolled her eyes. “Tell her about Calum.”
Ginnie blinked, her attention riveted now at the mention of her handsome wolf.
Navarro arched a brow and held her gaze. “I’ve offered him a job. Here, in Seattle, working with Viper and our security team…as an enforcer. His fighting skills are impressive. I’ve already contacted the clans to let them know his living here won’t be seen as a violation of our treaties.” He glanced around the table. “Over the past months, I’ve come to the conclusion that working with wolves, rather than avoiding all contact, can be…helpful.”
Ginnie leaned forward. “Calum’s coming back?”
“He had use of my jet. Today, he flew Dr. Deats to Asheville. I let him know if he decides to accept the job, all he has to do is pack his things. I’ll make all the arrangements. I asked him not to tell you before he left.”
“But why?” she asked, pushing the words past the lump in her throat.
Viper cleared his throat and leaned over the table. “To let you choose your future, Ginnie. Do you want a wolf for a mate?”
Could this truly be? She blinked at his words. “I don’t know…” Swallowing, she amended, “I don’t know how he feels. This has all happened so fast…”
Around the table, the women smiled.
Sidney placed her hand over Ginnie’s. “From what everyone’s saying, you two have been thick as thieves. Emmy says Calum was beside himself until they reached you last night.”
Embarrassed by the women’s smiles, she shrugged. “He’s naturally protective…” She shook her head and stared at Navarro. “He didn’t accept the job?”
“I didn’t let him. I wanted him to think hard.”
Inigo pushed through the swinging door with a laden cart, and he placed dishes filled with thick, raw steaks on the table, marinated in a heady blend of herbs.
The last thing she wanted was to eat.
“The jet returned this afternoon and has been refueled…” Navarro said softly.
Ginnie’s eyes widened. “You’d let me…”
He nodded. “But you must leave now. A car will be waiting at the airport in Asheville. If you leave within the hour, you can be at his home before dawn…”
Frowning, she glanced down at her dress. “No time to pack?”
“Will you really be needing clothes?” Emmy said, grinning.
A laugh bubbled inside her. “Guess not.” She pushed up from the table. “Is it all right if I leave now?”
Inigo cleared his throat. “Follow me, miss.”
She arrived at Calum’s front porch steps just as light filtered through the forest foliage. His cabin was on the rustic side being made of rough-hewn logs with wood shingles for a roof.
Behind her, the limo pulled away, leaving her stranded in her high heels and pretty little dress, and feeling foolish over her outfit and the fact she’d so eagerly rushed to North Carolina. The entire flight she’d argued with herself over the rashness of her decision and the improbability of a future.
What if he didn’t want her?
Gathering her courage, she climbed the first step, hearing the static sound of her steps in the quiet morning air.
The door moved inward. Calum stood in the opening, shirtless, his jeans unbuttoned at the top. His tattoos stood stark against his skin in the gray light.
Her mouth went dry, but she took another step forward.
He leaned a hip against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze swept her body then met hers again. A dark brow arched.
Yes, she knew she looked silly and so very out of place. No need for him to rub it in. Stiffening, she lifted her chin.
His gaze went to the forest. “You cut it a bit short.”
Her pulse quickened. “You knew I was coming?”
“I hoped.” The corners of his mouth twitched just for a second. “After you went to sleep last night, Navarro called me back to his place. He gave me Deats to deliver to the clan. I didn’t want to go like that, but he said this action was for the best. He told me now you were free to choose how you wanted to live your life. And if you chose me, he’d send you…”
Even though she knew what had transpired, she didn’t interrupt. Instead, she reveled in hearing his deep voice. She took another step and climbed onto the porch. “Maybe this is silly…my being here. We haven’t talked.”
His eyebrows lowered. “Ginnie, I love you.”
The rough, growling quality of his voice made her skin prickle. She tossed back her hair. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“Do you?”
After a long look at his broad chest and curling hair, she locked her gaze with his and slowly shook her head. “No,” she whispered.
In an instant, his hands shot out and gripped her waist. He pulled her inside the door, closed it, and then pushed her against the wooden surface. “Say it,” he said, his voice softer this time.
In a rush, her heart burst, her lips trembled. “I love you, Calum.”
His head lowered, and she rose on her tiptoes to meet his kiss. It was sweeter than she expected and slower. She glided her palms over the thick slabs of muscle cloaking his chest, then moved upward. After tangling her fingers in his beard, she tugged.
When he broke the kiss, she arched a brow. “These clothes are the only ones I have.”
A grin stretched. And then he lifted a finger, letting her watch as a talon extended. He used the sharp tip to rip her dress from the neckline downward. The lacy bra went next. Then the dark hose and underwear.
Blood racing through her body, she kicked away her heels and stood naked as dawn broke through the windows, light penetrating the cabin’s gloom. “And now, I’m stuck here,” she said, her back pressed to the door.
Calum retreated, grabbed a fleece throw from a sofa, and wrapped her inside it. Then he lifted her in his arms and carried her deeper inside the cabin.
Moments later, she landed on a soft bed. His heavy frame settled over hers, and she sighed. “I missed this when I woke up.”
He nuzzled into the corner of her neck. “I hated leaving you. I put you inside your bedroom before I left, because I didn’t want any of my pack walking in while you slept.”
As he kissed a path downward, his lips sucking at her skin, she raked his hair, digging in her nails to scratch his scalp and behind his ears.
“Fuck, I love that.” He latched his mouth around her nipple.
Ginnie moaned and thrust her chest upward, reveling in the strong pulls he gave the hard tip. She raised her knees and hugged his sides, and he moved across to the other and nibbled. “No more foreplay, wolf. Please.”
His growl vibrated through her, and then he eased upward, braced his weight on his hands, and nudged her pussy with the fat tip of his cock.
“Are you sure I’m what you want?” She smoothed her hands over his taut torso then downward to scratch the crisp hairs of his groin. “You’ll never sire a wolf cub.”
“I have brothers who will. That’s enough for me, if I have you.” He pushed between her folds and drove deep, seating himself inside her body.
After a sharp inhalation of breaths, they held still, staring into each other’s eyes.
“You’ll be a city boy,” she drawled, although how her voice sounded so calm she had no idea. Her heart rate doubled.
“You’ll have to live with a wolf.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Do you shed?” His chuckles shook her, rough chest hair sending tingles through her nipples. “I want to sell my house. Find a new place. A place where together we’ll make new memories.”
His smile softened. “If you like, I’ll build it.”
“You can do that?”
He shrugged. “By trade, I’m a carpenter.”
“Then build our home, Calum—when you aren’t flexing your muscle for the vampires.” She cupped a hand on his cheek. “Are you sure you want to take the job?”
“If it means keeping you and your friends safe, then yes.”
Then he stroked inside her, each thrust stronger and more thrilling. As he moved, joy filled her. Her painful past gave way to the hope for a happy future.
Neither of them lasted long.
As Ginnie fell into bliss, she cried out his name. She’d found her home. Calum.
An hour later, Calum gently disentangled himself from Ginnie’s embrace, padded to the front door, and opened it. In wolfskin, he leapt from the porch and headed into the forest. One last chance to drink in the familiar scents of his mountain.
As he stretched his muscles, he never strayed far from the warm cabin and the sweet-smelling woman. He’d keep his ears and nose tuned to any dangers, because there, in a soft bed, lay the one creature he knew to be his mate. With a yip and a howl, his joy impossible to contain, he sped through the trees.