The drive back to the Estates was excruciating. Not that Rik did anything to alleviate the tension. Nope, he played it for all it was worth. Travis was the epitome of an Alpha werewolf. Pointed, direct stares. Muscles flexing at key moments. Lots of clenching and unclenching of hands. It was always like this with Alphas, regardless of species or race, the whole jockeying to determine who the top dog in the relationship was.
Quite on purpose, Rik avoided initiating or accepting any of the dominance challenges. At least, not yet anyways. A Range Rover driving along I-70 during afternoon traffic was neither the time nor place for it. Instead, Rik kept the conversation to a minimum, and any time a topic veered toward unsafe territory, such as Seahawks versus Broncos, Rik adroitly steered it away.
Travis was young for a shifter Alpha, although he was obviously not the leader of a pack, otherwise he would not have been sent to Colorado. Although shifters didn't have the life expectancy of the Fae or Vampires, their innate physical characteristics allowed them to live for quite a number of centuries. Although his presence was powerful, Travis had barely passed half-a-century in age. Besides that, however, no one played power games like the Fae. No one.
As Rik pulled between the pillars marking the edge of the Estates, he noted Travis's slight sneer at the lions, but chose not to comment. He did note that the sneer quickly turned to an expression of intense interest as the wolf took in the environment around him. "You'll get used to the lions," Rik said, a note of amusement in his voice. You're going to have to, if you're planning on sticking around here and want the Landsmaster position.
Slumping back in his seat, Travis tried to adopt an air of unconcern, but as he shrugged and opened his mouth to make what would no doubt be some dismissive comment, the SUV pulled through the trees and into the clearing, giving the wolf his first view of the Château. "Holy shit," Travis muttered in awe, leaning forward and damn near pressing his nose to the windshield as he gawked up at the castle on the cliff. "I was expecting some kind of fancy hotel or ski resort, not..."
When Travis turned a smile at him that contained all the wonder and joy of a young boy, his mask of Alpha Male Wolf slipped, getting Rik his first true impression of the man. Shit.
Rik just nodded, offering a conciliatory laugh as he said, "Yeah, when my family settled here, they weren't quite ready to give up on what they had left behind. You know us Sidhe, we like our castles."
Travis just nodded with a laugh, turning his attention once more to studying the castle as they drove up the approach, taking the side road that led to the underground parking garage. Rik narrowed his eyes slightly as he noted the black Land Rover pulling out, with Bertie driving and Gen wearing her beloved fancy-wear Stetson. His sister was half-turned in her seat, chatting to someone behind Bertie. Considering he caught a glimpse of Clara's blonde hair behind Gen, he'd be willing to bet that Sam was the fourth person in the vehicle.
"Hunh, they must be heading out to the saloon," Rik muttered to himself, drumming his fingers as he tried not to stare a hole pointlessly through the reflective tinted windows to try and catch Sam's eye. Locking his jaw, he stared fixedly ahead as he pulled past the other car and into his spot in the lot.
"Saloon?" Travis asked as he hopped out of the passenger's side once the car came to a halt.
Rik got out, coming around to help Travis with his bags, when he caught sight of the young wolf standing perfectly still. Blue eyes gone wide, glinting with a distinct amber radiance, Travis's chest swelled as he took in a slow, deep breath. When a slow, nearly feral grin crossed the man's face, Rik had to actually resist the urge to take a step back.
Travis cocked his head to one side, letting his eyes fall shut as he continued to breathe deep. Finally, he seemed to shake himself out of it, turning to give Rik a wide grin. "So, you said something about a saloon? I could go for a drink or two."
I've got a bad feeling about this, Rik thought to himself as he squinted at the young pup. Letting his personal glamour slip just a bit, enough to add some weight to his words, Rik replied with an easy grin, "Sure. Let's get you settled in first. I got a friend coming up tonight, too, so let me give him a call and have him meet us there."
"Sounds good, man," Travis replied easily, once more trying to force a dominance stare-down. Rik met those glinting eyes fully, his easy grin never faltering as he noted the younger man wince slightly. Grudgingly, Rik had to admit he was impressed by the boy's strength of will, the stare didn't waver in the slightest, not until it was broken by Rik flicking the button on his key fob and popping open the trunk. When the trunk briefly broke the stare, both men relaxed and Rik reached in to grab the largest bag, hefting it with ease.
Jerking his head, Rik said, "Follow me, I'll show you to your room." He left the younger man trailing in his wake, struggling beneath the bulk of his remaining luggage. I think Misty deserves a night off, Rik thought to himself with a smug smile as he heard the muttered cursing and shuffling of feet behind him. Pup wants to be a Big Bad Wolf, he's going to have to learn to play with the real Big Bads.
Okay, so maybe he shouldn't have taken the long way to get to the boy's room, but damned if it didn't make Rik feel better about his shitty week. One had to learn to enjoy the little pleasures in life, he decided as he handed over the keys.
"If you want to head out to the saloon, meet me back at the garage in about 30," Rik said, eyeing Travis's expensive suit with a small grin. The wolf looked a little rumpled after the flight from Portland, and the car ride from Denver. "If that's enough time for you to get cleaned up?"
With a determined set of his jaw, Travis gave an abrupt nod, "Yeah, not a problem. See you in 30."
Snickering to himself, Rik jogged back to his own room, fishing out his Bluetooth earpiece and making a quick call. Clay's phone rang through to voicemail, which meant he was probably already on his way. Quickly, Rik thumbed him a text.
Guess what? New guy=pup. Wants 2G2 ASS! CU @ ASS?
Rik quickly changed out of his Polo and slacks, tugging on a pair of button-fly jeans as he heard the pingback text. Checking it as he burrowed through his bags for an appropriate shirt to wear, he grinned at Clay's response.
I do love me some Fresh Meat @ ASS! CU THERE! With, of course, the smiley cat face.
Tucking his phone into his pocket, Rik eyed the large traveling chest in the corner of his room, but shook his head. Tomorrow. Instead, he shrugged into a silk cowboy-cut, long sleeved shirt, complete with mother-of-pearl buttons, and with a grin grabbed his own white Stetson, glad that he had thought to pack it. Tucking the shirt into his dark, pressed jeans, he fastened his belt, the large silver and gold buckle showing a knight riding a bucking stallion. Finally, he pulled on a pair of ivory and cream cowboy boots, complete with spurs. The spurs were old, with the yoke and shank in solid gold, resembling twisting rose vines, thorns and all, while the rowels were silver roses, with the leaves acting as the pricks.
Pocketing his keys, Rik pocket slapped. Yep, wallet in back pocket, keys, cell phone, and just to be on the safe side, a condom. Okay, three condoms. He was nothing if not always prepared. Better safe than sorry, after all. Although the thought of Sam swollen with his child, and the fun times involved in making said child, had his cock twitching against the buttons of his jeans. He glanced down, glaring at his cock.
"Down boy. Soon enough, I promise," Rik assured his appendage.
Once he was satisfied his dick was suitably chastised, Rik headed down to the garage. When he spotted Travis, dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms crossed over his chest, and work boots, Rik had to grudgingly give the smirking young wolf a nod of respect. Beeping open the doors, Rik said, "Let's go."
As Travis hopped into the SUV, Rik felt a sudden chill settle between his shoulders. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?