Present

Music, laughter, and the cacophony of too many voices filled the air of the Santa Monica Pier. Her black jeans were too warm for the sunshine-drenched spot. Thankfully, the breeze flowing in from the water carried coolness along with a briny tang. It had been a long time since she last visited the pier. Raking her fingers through her short hair, she studied the passersby as she walked. She paralleled the railing, tempted to lean against it and watch the ebb and flow of the sea.

Over the years, she’d mastered identifying threats before they emerged. She’d chosen the pier for a couple of reasons. The primary being it was very public. Between the cameras posted for security, the regular foot and bike patrols by local law enforcement, and the influx of tourists contributing to the crowd size, the pier made a very public meeting spot.

If necessary, she could vanish into the crowd. The heavy mass would hide her, and it also forced anyone pursuing her to narrow the distance, lest they lose sight of her. Which meant she stood a better chance of identifying those threats. A cotton candy vendor waved a roll of his confection at her. The inviting scent of too much sugar appealed even as her stomach clenched.

Waiting to eat would be a better idea. The hot pretzels beckoned, as did the fish tacos being hawked by other food carts. Awareness rippled over her, as the very real sensation of being watched crawled up her spine.

She was upwind from whomever it was, but she turned to lean with her back against the railing. Tilting her face toward the sun, she scanned the area from behind the relative anonymity of her sunglasses. A very familiar man with longish platinum hair strode toward her.

Julian.

Seeing him in China had been an experience. She’d had time to prepare for that meeting, and she’d had backup in the form of Diesel and the other wolves. Today, she would confront him without the luxury of backup or support.

It would be a blast.

His prompt arrival pleased her, and it really shouldn’t have. He moved with slow, predatory grace. Confusing him for a casual tourist would be a mistake. The fact that he wore loose white pants and a dark blue, short-sleeved shirt gave him the ease of someone vacationing in a tropical spot. His hair was longer than it had been in Russia, and the length suited him. Every inch of him was hard, lean muscle.

“Dallas,” he said, by way of greeting. Though sunglasses hid his cool blue eyes, the weight of his stare zeroed in on her.

“Julian.” Weird. Too weird. Even saying his name sent a coil of discomfort through her. Her wolf had been on point since she’d spoken to Chrystal, and her daughter confirmed she’d sent the message to Julian.

“You want to do this here?” Nothing friendly lived in his cold tone. No emotion cracked through the solid ice sheathing his voice.

“We can start here,” she said, conceding his point. The kind of conversation they needed to have would require privacy—eventually. His scent didn’t betray his mood, either. The hints of snow she could detect were likely due to his nearness.

“I’d prefer we relocate immediately. This area is too open.” Even as he spoke, he angled his stance to allow him a view of anyone passing by them.

“The openness is the point,” she told him, forcing her muscles to relax. Mindful of the threat Julian presented, but trusting he would keep his word didn’t alleviate her tension. She’d spent too many years avoiding the situation she’d voluntarily walked into on this pier. “No one will move on us in this crowd.”

“They don’t have to move on us,” he said, sliding his hands into the pockets of his slacks. No one should look so damn good in casual clothes, but then Julian always managed to look sexy as hell no matter what he wore. “They only need to listen to our discussion. I’d rather we didn’t provide them with more intelligence.”

“Control freak,” she said with a sigh. “You need to lighten your ass up.”

“Wolves are dying, and the invaders are standing at the gate. What would you like me to do? Take a ride on the roller coaster with you?” Fire licked along the icy edge of his snarled words.

Fuck it. She shoved away from the railing. “You know, that sounds like a great idea.” Stalking away from him, she headed for the aforementioned park ride. If he wanted to play Frosty the Dickman, he could follow or not. Though she didn’t turn, she could almost feel him breathing down her neck as he stalked after her.

The line to get on the coaster wasn’t a long one, but she waited patiently for their turn. Julian was a stone statue at her back. His scent might be unreadable, but the implacable expression coupled with his folded arms betrayed his fury. She was going to have to crack through the ice if they had any shot at resolving the tension between them.

Ten minutes she had to endure the burden of discord. Then it was their turn. The moment she slid into the roller coaster car, the folly of provoking him hit her. He followed her in, then sat next to her. The contact of his thigh, his hip, and his shoulder smashed pure energy against her. Not waiting for the guy working the gate, Julian grasped the security bar and hauled it forward.

The clank of it locking into place echoed through her as if it were a shackle yoking her freedom. The snarl of her wolf reverberated within her soul, but she quieted the response before it escaped. Setting her hand on the bar, she closed her fingers around it. The cool metal grounded her temper.

Julian didn’t say a word as the coaster began to climb. Gravity shoved them back in their seats. As roller coasters went, this one was tame. The momentum shifted abruptly as the coaster picked up speed on the downhill. She flexed her hand, then they were careening in circles. The view of the pier, the park, and the ocean interchanging as they whirled around then down and up again. The ride was over in two minutes, but by the time they were ready to disembark, electricity skated over her flesh everywhere Julian’s body touched hers.

The moment the bar released, she climbed out into the press of disembarking passengers. Julian took her arm, and the curl of his fingers against her flesh reminded her of better times and pissed her off at the same time. Cutting a glance over her shoulder, she said in a low, sub-vocal tone, “Let go of me or you can eat pavement.”

Spice flash fried in the air. The decadent scent of him flooded the area and his grip tightened rather than withdrew. “No. We took your ride, now we’re going to talk. It’s crowded, and we need to blend. That means I’ll hold onto you until we’re down the stairs.”

Irked because his was a measured response and hers primal, she gritted her teeth. Still holding her arm, he guided her down the stairs then through the thickening throng of humanity. Suddenly, the loudness present in the swarm of humanity agitated her on every level.

She needed to leave.

Now.

As if reading her response, Julian turned away from the crowds. They left the roller coaster area and headed for the exit of the park. The moment they achieved a clearing in the wave of humanity, she jerked her arm out of his grasp. An impatient sound escaped his throat—another crack in his veneer. Too bad she couldn’t savor it, because she was too busy shoring up her own reactions.

Touching him shouldn’t elicit desire and need. Burying those feelings had taken her years, she would not have it undone so easily. Reasserting her authority, she took lead and found the stairs leading toward the sand. The beach had two-thirds less people, wide open, and nearer the water. The waves would help her soothe her wolf’s unruliness.

Stalking across the sand, she stripped off her leather jacket. Beneath, she wore a simple white shirt. The cool are against her bare arms helped extinguish the fire touching Julian ignited.

Rolling her head from side to side, she slowed as they reached the water line. The waves lapped against the sand, a kiss from the ocean to the earth.

“If you want to keep running, you’ll have to swim.” The cool comment set a match to her temper all over again.

“Not running, just seeking the privacy you wanted earlier.” The argument didn’t hold any weight to her ears. Pivoting, she faced him. “We need to talk.”

“We’ve needed to talk for a very long time. What makes today special?” He didn’t give an inch. Or maybe that wasn’t a fair assessment. They had just ridden the roller coaster.

“You need my help.”

It was his turn to snort. “There are many things I need. Your help?” If he’d been discussing a rotting carcass he couldn’t have been more disdainful. “No, Dallas. I need nothing from you. What I want, however, is completely different.”

Great, now they were going to split hairs over semantics? Fine, they would do it his way. “What do you want, then?”

“Answers.” He pulled off his sunglasses, revealing the icy blue of his eyes which seemed lit by their own incandescent fire. The rage within him surprised her, something she didn’t think he had the power to do anymore. Her wolf responded to the primitive wrath.

Julian’s wolf, not the man, glared at her. The loss of absolute control stunned her. “Answers to what?” she asked.

“Many questions, but we’ll start with the most important one.”

Her gut clenched. They were not going to talk about…

“Why are the Volchitsa hunting for your daughter?”

Protectiveness thundered through her. The hackles on her wolf went up, and Dallas bared her teeth. “What the fuck are you talking about?” If she hadn’t spoken to Chrystal that morning, her reaction might have been far more severe.

Chrystal was safe. She was deep inside Willow Bend with her mate.

“You heard me. The Volchitsa are hunting for an Omega. It’s not Sovvan of Sutter Butte or Johan of Delta Crescent, so that leaves Chrystal. You do remember the child you abandoned, don’t you?”

The control she’d exerted over her temper frayed, and she lashed out. Her fist didn’t connect with his jaw. Instead, he caught the blow against his palm. Not even a twitch changed his expression. Without reaction, he released her when she tugged her fist back.

“Good. Now answer the question, Dallas. Why do they want your daughter?” He paused and canted his head. “Or are they really hunting for you?”

Decades earlier…

Dallas parked her bike in the public area off the beach. Rain spattered her. The light misting was hardly enough to soak her, but the turbulent clouds overhead promised more precipitation. She hadn’t learned the weather patterns in the region yet. Storms still smelled like storms—maybe a little saltier with the ocean’s proximity, but she didn’t mind the rain. The last few weeks had been sun drenched, cool, and damn near idyllic.

Unlocking her new saddlebags, she tugged out the bags holding her dinner. She had a new tent strapped to her backpack—a dome to offer her more room. Putting her first paycheck to use included her fancy dinner. The scent of her hamburgers reminded her she was starving.

Leaving the lot behind, she crossed the low wall onto the sand. The state park beach allowed camping, but the wind and rain seemed to have chased most of her neighbors away. Or perhaps she’d arrived earlier than them. It didn’t matter. She’d left for work before dawn and spent the last ten hours waiting tables. Not an ideal employment, but it brought her into contact with a wide variety of customers—tourists from all over the country, some from the other side of the world.

Fascinated, she’d savored every conversation. It helped quench her endless curiosity and kindled new questions and thoughts. She’d planned to enjoy her roam in California, but now she wanted to travel the world.

First, she needed to set up her tent and eat dinner. Her wolf rubbed against the inside of her skin. Tomorrow, she promised. Over the weekend, she’d scouted some spots where she could shift and go for a long run. Their first attempt had to be aborted the week before when hikers ventured into the range she’d chosen. Finding no hiking friendly land was her priority.

Californians spent a lot of time outdoors. It created new challenges for her. The rain continued to spatter against her as she set her backpack down on the damp sand and freed her newly purchased tent. The beauty of her new purchase made itself known when she freed the last tie—it took two flexible poles she could snap together then slide into it to get it into shape. After, all she had to do was peg it down. Sand wasn’t always friendly to tie downs, and the strong breeze flowing in from the ocean pulled at the tent, but she used a series of metal stakes to make sure it stayed tied down.

After unzipping the opening, she dusted the sand off her backpack then tossed it inside. She tugged off her shoes as soon as she crawled in after her stuff. She’d just unfolded her sleeping bag when the rain opened up and turned it into a real storm. It came down in sheets, occluding her view save for the flashes of lightning. Curling her legs to sit crisscross, she tugged her dinner into her lap and began to work her way through the burgers.

They were still warm and tasted divine. She’d splurged on a dozen, along with an order of fries. No soda, though. She couldn’t figure out how to carry it on the bike. She settled for a thermos of fresh water she’d picked up. Halfway through her dinner, she paused to watch the lightning dance from cloud to cloud—then one arced toward the water, forking as it came down.

Pure magic.

Suddenly, Julian appeared in the opening in front of her. She let out a squeak of surprise and flung her half-eaten hamburger at him. It bounced off his face, then slid down his shirt, leaving a smear of mustard on him. He caught the burger, and eyed it before glancing at her. The rain plastered his pale hair to his head. With her wolf peeking out, the shift of her eyes brought him into sharp relief.

“Not. Groovy.” Her heart refused to relax from the too-rapid cadence. “You scared the hell out of me.”

His quick grin softened the line of his mouth, drew her attention to his lips, and then to hint of scruff on his cheeks. Odd, on his two previous appearances, he’d been clean-shaven and delicious. The hard planes of his cheeks always made her think of carved marble statues at the Met. Maybe not the most flattering of comments on how handsome he was, but what made him attractive wasn’t his looks.

“I’d say I’m sorry, but you should be more wary living out in the open.” The rain continued to pelt him, and she was of half a mind to leave him to soak in the storm. Then her manners kicked in, and she scooted back and nudged her sleeping bag aside. It did not need to get drenched.

When she curled her fingers in invitation, he dropped to his knees and crawled inside. Her new, spacious tent seemed to shrink around them. Without her having to say a word, Julian stripped off his sandals—what the hell was up with those, anyway?—then set them next to her boots. After, damp jeans or not, he mirrored the way she sat and took a bite out of the burger she’d thrown at him.

“Not bad. Could live without the mustard.”

The comment irked her, but she reached into her bag and withdrew another burger She’d purchased enough to eat for dinner, then planned to save what was left for breakfast. Cold meat wasn’t her favorite, but it would do in a pinch. “I didn’t buy them for you.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. Though his expression didn’t change, she could have sworn he laughed at her.

“What are you doing here, anyway?” She took a bite out of her burger and chewed. The guy was her Enforcer, and she was supposed to treat him with a modicum of respect. Showing deference was literally not in her wheelhouse. Her parents insisted she play the game, but not even her grandfather could make her bow and scrape—a quality he used to encourage, until she decided she wanted to roam.

Pushing that unpleasantness aside, she reached over and used a finger to clean his stubbled cheek of the mustard. Surprise filled his eyes as his pupils dilated a fraction. Then, because she had caught him off guard, she sat back and sucked the mustard off her finger. His eyebrows raised, and he rubbed a thumb against the spot, but she’d gotten the worst of it. Water dripped from his hair onto his face, and he swiped it away. “Why did you do that?”

Taking another bite of her burger, she hid a smile at his perplexed frown. She let him stew for a minute since he hadn’t answered her question. After he ceased eating and stared at her, she could almost feel the weight of his wolf breathing down her neck. So, Enforcers weren’t immune to confusion.

Fun.

“I did it because you had mustard on your face and said you didn’t like it.” Amusement curled through her as his frown eased, and the smile he’d flirted with earlier burst free. Even in the dark, with only the lightning to illuminate the interior of the tent, she could appreciate his raw, masculine beauty. The play of shadows added to the devastating effect he had on her senses.

“I didn’t, but you could have just told me.”

“Where would the fun have been in that?” Though she scoffed, she decided to be a little gracious as she drew out another burger and held it out to him.

“Not going to take food out of your mouth.” He waved her off.

“You already did,” she said, shaking the burger at him.

“That one you threw, so you deserved to lose it.” Crinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes, deepening the laugh lines. Was he playing with her? Her wolf sat within her, and her internal debate lasted all of three seconds before she tossed the second burger—this one still wrapped—at him.

It didn’t catch him in the face this time as he snatched it from the air. “So why are you here?” Arguably, it had been longer since his second visit but still far sooner than she’d expected him.

“The storm,” he said with a gesture outside. “Weather reports indicated choppy seas, high winds, and…” A rumble echoed above, like a huge bowling ball rolling through the clouds. The booms carried as though the ball struck celestial pins and the sound vibrated to her bones.

“Far out!” Not bothering to disguise her delight she grinned. “I love real storms. I don’t get these at home that often.”

Twisting, she stared out the opening as the lighting spiked through the sky and down to the water again. The wind lashed at the tent, shivering the walls. The temperature dropped.

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” Interest inhabited his eyes and his voice, a subtle transformation from his stony demeanor.

“I am,” she said in a whisper. “Storms are nature’s beast. She keeps it stuffed down, stifled—then she lets loose and the world hears her growl.” The magic in these moments had always captivated her. Crumpling up the wrapper on her burger, she watched the lightning continue to dance even as another bowling ball ripped across the heavens, releasing Mother Nature’s growl.

“Have you ever heard thunder in a snow storm?” Julian’s quiet question beckoned her attention.

“Once. I was young, though, and Daddy wouldn’t let me go race through the snow and dance in it.” She’d been all of eight or nine. Brett had just been born right in the middle of the snowstorm. The whole family gathered to celebrate the birth of a new cub and the thunder shook the house with nature’s fury even as snow began to blanket the earth. Dallas hadn’t given it a second thought, she’d simply shifted and darted for the door.

Her father caught her before she could escape. No, little one, it’s too dangerous out there for you. Stay here where it’s safe.

“Like you’re so very old now,” he said with a snort. “You’re still a baby.”

“If you say so Methuselah.” Yet, his challenge inspired her. She set aside her food bag and stuck her head out of the tent. The rain continued to pour, and the beach was absolutely deserted. Flaring her nostrils, she checked the wild wind for scents—but all she could smell was the ocean, the storm, and Julian.

Retreating inside, she peeled off her socks and reached for the snaps on her jeans.

“What are you doing?” Julian’s mild tone chided her, but he wasn’t her father, and he wasn’t going to hold her back.

“I’m going to run and play in the storm. You remember how to play, don’t you, Julian? Or have you been alive so long, you forgot how to have fun?” After wiggling out of her jeans, she stripped off her shirt then her bra and panties. The damp air brushed against her skin and her wolf shivered, excitement threaded her.

“Dallas, there are other people who use this beach.” The snap of authority edged his words.

“Not right now. They aren’t here to dance in the rain. She’s growling and waiting for me. So, you stay safe here in the tent.” Her wolf surged within her, answering the wild need beneath her skin. “I wouldn’t want your old bones to get too cold. You could even have another burger, if you like. I’ll be back.”

Her shift rippled over her. Bones cracking and reforming as her skin pulled away, then her fur sprouted and she stretched. Tingles rolled over her and then she and her wolf were free. With a glance over her shoulder, she met the blue fire gleaming in his eyes. Power radiated from him. Like the storm outside, he’d let the leash slip.

Inquisitive or not, she refused to let him distract her. Diving out the opening, she reveled in the thrust of the wind hitting her and the rain soaking her fur. Thunder booming overhead, she threw back her head and rumbled a growl to match the sound. She darted to the edge of the water and back again. Racing along the water’s edge, she and her wolf exulted together. Too long since they’d been able to just frolic.

Dancing into the water, she kicked up into the air then slammed down with a splash. Laughter radiated from within her as the lightning forked through the air. Tracking it, she leapt toward the sand out of the water before it struck the water’s surface. Adrenaline flooding her, she angled away from the water and slammed into another wolf.

Bouncing off him, she stumbled back a few steps then shook before meeting the stunning blue eyes of the monstrous white wolf staring at her.

Julian.

For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. Stunned by his magnificence, she wasn’t prepared for him to dance toward her, tail wagging. When he snapped at her, she bared her teeth and snapped back. The hulk bowled her over, and she ate sand. After he leapt away, she lunged to her feet and went for his legs.

It took her an hour and most of the storm, but she took his big ass down.

By the time the rain abated, she retreated to rocks and found a perch. Julian settled in next to her, and she snapped when he would have rested his head atop hers. His bark of laughter didn’t mollify her, but she did allow him to remain next to her.

When their fur dried enough to return to the tent, she realized he had no intentions of leaving. Curling up on her sleeping bag, she watched him make a spot for himself—across the entrance to her tent.

Men.

He was still there in the morning, every gorgeous inch of him bare for her perusal. They’d both shifted while they slept. Reaching for her shirt, she would have pulled it on, but he caught her hand.

“No,” she said firmly. “That’s not going to happen.”

Would he press the issue? Or accept the answer?

Slowly, he released her wrist. “Breakfast is on me.”

And that was all he said on the matter.

Inside, joy flickered to life, and she began to grin. The scent of him was everywhere in the tent, but like nature’s storm—he stuffed all his power back into whatever bottle he kept it in. More, he accepted her rejection without trying to coax or bully her to change her mind.

“I want waffles,” she told him, and dragged her shirt on even as she tried not to ogle the corded muscles along his arms or the flex of an eight pack on his abdominals. Wolves always possessed magnificent physiques, but Julian’s was something else.

He waited until she’d wiggled into her jeans before he rose to gather his clothes—then without a care, he stepped out into the morning sunshine.

“Oh Julian,” she called, amused as hell.

“Hmm?”

“You do know people use this beach.”

His laughter drifted toward her. “Not right now they’re not. And as entertaining as watching your contortions in there was, that midget tent was not made for someone my size.”

Peeking out, she watched him step into his jeans—without any briefs—then sighed as the denim covered his too fine, tight ass. The vision of him was going to leave a mark.

“I’d have had plenty of room without you in it,” she reminded him, packing up her stuff, then rolling her sleeping bag.

“Maybe,” he told her, turning so she could see him bathed in the sunlight. She’d been wrong.

That was the sight that would leave its mark.

“Then I wouldn’t have seen just how flexible you are.”

He was flirting with her, and anticipation coiled in her belly.

“Like what you saw, did you?” If he wanted to play, he needed to learn she had teeth.

Tugging on his shirt, he hid those gorgeous pecs from her. Clearing his throat, Julian waited a beat till her gaze jerked up to meet his. “Maybe.” The way his lips framed the word radiated a dare.

Psyche. Her wolf taunted her, and she pursed her lips. His eyebrows raised, yes, he was definitely issuing a challenge.

“First view is free,” she said as she slid out of the tent and tugged her backpack on. “You’re going to have to work for the next one.”

She’d never been one to back down from a challenge and she wouldn’t start now.

He studied her, his enigmatic expression in place once more. He dusted his feet off one at a time, then pulled on his rope sandals without looking away from her. Trapped in his gaze, she went still.

She could look away if she wanted.

Too bad neither she nor her wolf did.

Finally, he glanced away and freed her, and she blew out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding.

“Good to know,” he said quietly, his gentle tone a caress. “Hard work should earn a reward.”

A shiver chased along her spine.

Maybe teasing the big, bad wolf wasn’t a good idea. Then she glanced toward him. The wind ruffled his short hair, and tugged at his shirt. He both belonged against the rough landscape with the sea behind him, and dominated it in the same breath.

Then again, how could she not?