Chapter 10
Why was Savon so tense?
Jay couldn’t help wondering how her morning started. He scented a hint of Nate on her. Not enough to suggest he took her to bed. She’d left the bar alone. Bran and Nate both stayed another hour before finally leaving.
And now, Savon was pissed.
He pulled alongside the café. Savon climbed off the Harley and handed him the helmet. He clipped both to the seat and nodded to the door. “Thanks for getting me out of trouble with your brother.”
“Yeah, I’m sure I’m going to be hearing about it soon.” She looked away.
“Hey, I’m sorry. About last night, about your brother. Even about Nate. He seems to think—”
Her shoulders heaved in exasperation. “Stop right there. We’re not discussing my brother or Nate. I’m pissed at them both. Now, you promised to explain what’s going on in town. You can do that, or I’ll call for a ride back to town because my tolerance for bullshit is at the blowing point.”
He paused, considering his direction. He understood why she was pissed at Bran, but not Nate. Nate was extra cautious around her, avoiding swaying her decisions. What were Savon’s motives.
“Part of what’s going on in town involves them both.”
Her gaze never wavered with her answer. “All right, then do me a favor. Don’t act as if I’m on their side, or can be swayed. Lay out the facts.”
Dipping his head, he started. “How much do you know about werewolves and our packs?”
A smirk played over her lips. “Enough. Was already told you challenged Killian for the Alpha position, and even though you killed him, you didn’t become Alpha.”
There was no judgment. Every new piece he learned about Savon intrigued Jay.
“Well, there are some older wolves who think that it’s because he found a way to ensure Nate becomes Alpha. I don’t know about that, but he was already back in town at the time of the challenge. I’ve never heard of a pack that could control who became the next Alpha in such a way.”
One brow cocked. “Is it possible he’s not dead?”
“He had an open casket funeral. He’s very dead.”
“Why open casket?”
Jay smirked. “To prove he was dead. The corpse was still a wolf. I tried to take the pack anyway. When my command wouldn’t sway the majority of the wolves, they decided I wasn’t Alpha. Nate hasn’t stepped up. Bran has ensured that all but those loyal to me stay on Nate’s side. The pack can’t continue like this. There’s too much discord.”
“If he doesn’t want the position, why won’t they acknowledge you? Or is someone standing in the pack’s way?”
“There’s only one other who could possibly hold the position, besides Nate and me. Canagan. She’s as old as Killian, but she’s also a Sylvan Fae. She wants me to be Alpha, but she’s losing patience since I haven’t managed to take control of the pack.”
“Maybe dig up Killian. If I understand pack magic right, there is no reason you shouldn’t have become Alpha unless he’s not dead, or you didn’t fight fairly. And I was always told when werewolves die, they shift back to human. Something else must be going on.”
She knew a hell of a lot more than most non-wolves. Hell, more than most wolves.
“We’d have to do it in secret. Nate won’t agree to it.”
Her head cocked. “You’ve asked?”
“Canagan did.”
“And who is Canagan? I don’t recall her.”
“She keeps to herself mostly. Only deals with wolves, and only those of her choosing. She looks young. High school age. But she’s thousands of years old. She happens to be a Sylvan Fae. Not much else is known about her, other than she appears to be a teenager because she was changed early, and often we never fully develop when changed before a certain point.”
“I’ve heard stories about wolves changed too young but never encountered one.”
“I’ve only met a few. I understand you’re half Sylvan, and that’s why Killian hated you.”
“I’m sure there was more behind it.”
“No, there are stories of Sylvan controlling werewolves and other shifters. Only the most powerful. Have any idea what your mother did to him?”
Savon let out a short laugh. “If she could avoid him, she did. Otherwise, she was pleasant. She was friends with his wife most of the way through school. Then Vanessa left. Killian was an asshole, and Nate and Bran were always close. He stayed over a lot.”
Jay bit his tongue. Everyone knew Nate’s first love was Savon. Then he disappeared. She was gone by the time he came back, and he wouldn’t talk about her after.
The pieces were coming together.
Savon leaned forward. “How does a pack without an Alpha work?”
“Doesn’t. Obviously.”
She leaned back and looked out the window. “Find out why someone attempted to drug me?”
He rubbed at his neck. “Yeah. Canagan had two of her loyal werewolves attempt it. They claimed to want to help you land in my bed.” He rubbed at his face. “The potion they used was poison. It strips inhibitions, but within forty-eight hours, you would have bled to death from every orifice. Neither Nolan, nor Cole, lived through the interrogation.”
“Shit, so Canagan wants me out of the way?”
“I don’t know what game Canagan is playing, but she’s certainly not on my side. Maybe she’s attempting to push both Nate and me into a battle. And if I could get Nate to listen to me, I’d talk it out with him, find out what he’s planning, but the bastard wants nothing to do with me. Part of that might be Bran.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I know Nate hates his father. I don’t blame him either. Fucker needed to die. Bran seems to agree, but he hates me.”
“Yeah, but why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“I have to make a trip tonight, out of town. I may be gone a few days. Don’t worry, I’m going to someone who might be able to find answers I won’t here. When I get back, I’ll see what Bran has to say. And if I can forgive Nate, I’ll get him to talk to you. First, I need to let off some steam.”
“Want me to teach Nate a lesson?”
She snorted. “I’m perfectly capable of dealing with him or anyone else.”
“No doubt there. Still, whatever you want help with, simply ask. And if I find out another wolf is trying to harm you in any way, they will die.”
“Don’t keep me in the dark, Jay.” Amusement sparkled through her stunning eyes.
“I won’t. I have a feeling you’re quite capable of taking care of yourself. Doesn’t mean I won’t help if I can.”
* * * *
Jay hadn’t earned her trust yet. Though, he was starting to get under her skin. That smile of his was endearing, when he wasn’t being a cocky ass. And he freely offered answers to all of her questions.
The name Canagan rang a bell. Savon couldn’t figure out why.
She leaned forward, running her fingers along the tabletop while the waiter walked their way. Jay grinned when she ordered sausage and eggs with a side of bacon. He ordered the same.
As soon as they were alone, she asked, “Why did you kill Killian?”
He took a slow breath. “You can’t share this part of the story with your brother or Nate. Please.”
“I’ll never tell a soul.”
“Killian ordered his second to find my pack and destroy us two hundred years ago. His enforcers killed my mate, my family, my small pack. They raped and killed the women, butchered the men and children. I killed the enforcers, but the second escaped. I went after the second a month later and learned Killian was the one to give the order, but he was in hiding after his enforcers all died. I destroyed his second and disappeared until five years ago. I came back to watch and see. I wanted to make sure Killian was the monster I believed. When no one would take the pack from him, I did—or tried. I don’t know why I’m not the Alpha.”
Nodding, she smiled. “Enough about that. Why don’t you tell me about what’s happened in town since you moved to Silvertail Ridge?”
Unfortunately, Jay’s connections were pretty much everyone she wanted to avoid, but it still painted an interesting picture in her head. By the time food came and they were done, she was ready to go home.
The trip back was faster. She climbed off the back, but he wrapped a hand around her hip and drew her closer.
“Hey, you don’t have to run off yet,” he purred.
“I do. An old friend is coming to see my art in person.” She stepped away.
He followed her, swinging his leg off the seat and closing the distance. His hands closed around her waist as he pulled her against his body. Jay leaned down and brushed his lips over her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
He whispered, “Tell me you feel what’s brewing between us.”
Tempting, but she had too much to sort out. She slid her hands up his chest to keep the distance and his muscles jumped under her touch.
“Jay, I’m not ready for a man in my life,” she answered.
He pressed closer, a smile on his lips as his thumbs grazed the skin under the hem of her shirt. “Don’t need serious, but I crave you. Let me make you feel good.”
Desire rushed through her, but it wasn’t enough. She slipped away from him, trying to get a bearing on her screwed up head. “Not ready for that, Jay. I need to sort out too much to add to the mess.”
His eyes never left hers. “You said you wanted fun. We could have a lot of that.”
“Your kind of fun comes with trouble.” She wasn’t ready for any kind of attachment, and one had already started to form.
“Thought you said you like trouble.”
“Need to find answers before that. You said you wouldn’t push.” She stepped toward the street, watching him. The spirits were quiet. Maybe they weren’t warning her about Jay.
The attraction between them grew stronger every time he got close. So did the guilt that she was somehow betraying Nate by entertaining the thought of exploring anything with Jay.
Why was everything so damned messy? She moved to get away from chaos, but things were even more complicated in her hometown than in the city.
He grinned. “Go, but don’t forget I want to know you. Sooner or later you’re going to realize you want me too. I’ll be waiting.”
That sounded like a promise. Cocky bastard.