Maple
Maple glanced around her aunt’s dusty bookshop, her eyes landed on a paperback near the cash register. A few months ago, Maple sent her the book and bookmark, now resting in the center of the story. Tears stung the corners of her eyes. Another unfinished thing, her aunt would never get to complete, like getting to know Maple better.
She pushed the tears back and glanced around her aunt’s store. Nope, this is my store now, my fresh start. Her father’s angry words rang out in her mind, the night she packed up to leave Florida had been eventful, to say the least. Her Aunt Penny had taken a liking to her even after her father moved Maple to Florida. Her old alpha didn’t care much about Maple’s lack of complete obedience, he had been all too happy to see her leave the pack.
Her wolf paced in the back of her mind, wanting to get out of the stale room. She dragged a finger over one of the wooden shelves, a thin layer of dust covered her finger and almost everything else in the place. There were so many spots not holding any books and the reading area smelled of mildew. Maple scrunched up her nose as she strolled by the old beanbag chairs. She barely managed to keep herself from gagging.
“This place needs a lot of freaking work before it reopens.” Maple sighed heavily. She grabbed the bags and took them to the trash. As she walked back in, she snatched up the book her aunt would never finish, shoved it in her purse, and headed out the front door. A month ago, she had received the heartbreaking news her aunt passed away, then a week later a lawyer named Drake called and told her about the store being transferred to her. Maple locked the front door and looked around the area. The fresh Denver air filled her lungs, settling her wolf. After an hour in the shop, her beast had wanted to get out and run but Maple pushed her down. She had a meeting she needed to get to with Drake, her new pack’s go-to lawyer.
The warm summer air reminded her of Florida, she shook away the memories of her last home as she climbed into her old burgundy pickup truck.
The engine roared to life and she drove to the brown building in downtown Denver. She knew the place had a technical name like plaza or court something or other but she couldn’t freaking remember to save her life. Names of places weren’t always her strong suit. The traffic had been a completely new thing she had to adjust to since her smaller town in Florida didn’t have any. Maple shoved a hand through her long dark hair trying to figure out a plan to save the little bookstore. The fucking strip-store owner was being a royal, prejudiced, pain in her ass.
Maple parked the truck next to a newer black pickup. When she climbed out an earthy alpha aroma filled her nose, every alpha had the masculine tint to their scent. Shit, I’m not ready to see the alpha! She looked down at her black sweatpants and sweatshirt with the Denver Broncos logo splashed across the front. Maple glanced around the packed parking lot but not a soul came out of the large building.
“Shit-freaking-tastic.” Maple let go of a few more curses as she leaned into her truck and searched for her spare set of clothes. The pants she found had tears and looked even worse than her current sweats. Maple dove into the back, her hand wrapped around the shirt she stashed in there months ago. She yanked it up and her hopes of finding a good shirt were dashed when it caught on a screw. The fabric gave, forming a large hole where her right breast would be.
“Dang it.” She tossed it back in and prayed she didn’t come face to face with the alpha. She didn’t want to give a bad first impression and had scheduled a time for tomorrow to go pledge her allegiance to him. Maple had planned on doing it sooner, but the store caused her more headaches than anything else.
She slammed the door closed and locked it. Please don’t be with the lawyer I’m seeing. Maple bit her lip while she crossed the parking lot. With a deep breath, she opened the door and strolled toward the first lady behind a sleek desk. Only a phone and a lone monitor rested off to the right.
“Hello. Who are you here to see?” Sharp nut-brown eyes studied Maple, making her a little too aware of her outfit choice this morning. What on earth was I thinking? Oh, that’s right, I wanted to be comfortable.
“Drake…um.” Maple tried to think of his last name, but it wasn’t coming to her.
“Drake Taylor?” she supplied. Her brown curls bounced as she slid closer to the computer.
“Yes, that’s it.” Maple smiled. She kept her head high not wanting to give the human receptionist the edge over her.
“Do you have an appointment?” She looked at her computer with a frown on her face.
“I don’t think so.” Maple licked her lips and tried to think of what to say.
“He’s currently with someone but you can wait in the room over there with the little girl. I’m sure he could squeeze you in for a consultation on your divorce.” The woman smiled brightly.
“Okay.” Maple didn’t want to correct her and say she wasn’t getting a divorce and get paired with someone she hadn’t heard of. Instead, she turned and entered the glass room where a little girl sniffled. A bubblegum scent mixed with sadness slammed into her. She crossed the room to the little wolf.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” Maple sat next to the pup with long medium-brown hair.
“I miss them.” The girl’s shoulders fell, and she looked up, tears covering her face.
“Come here, sweetheart.” She pulled the little girl into her lap and rubbed her back. “What’s your name?”
“Cora.” She cleared her face of tears, but new ones fell from her sky-blue eyes seconds later.
“I’m Maple.” She pushed back Cora’s hair and held her tight. The pain radiating off the pup made her wolf whimper.
“Is it because your scent is sweet?” Cora pressed against the orange logo and sniffed loudly.
“I think it’s why my mom picked it out.” She smiled. Cora’s tears slowed down, bringing Maple some peace.
“I like it.” She rubbed her cheek against Maple’s chest and her whole body relaxed.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Maple cleared off her face. Her wolf pushed toward the edge.
“Not really. I already had to tell the alpha right after it happened.” Cora shook her head.
“Okay. Don’t worry. You’re safe right here.” Maple couldn’t help but bond with the hurting pup. She rocked her from side to side the way her mother had done before she died. The memories of her mother made her heart tighten.
“Hunters killed my parents. Momma told me to run but I tried to save her instead. Burned my hands trying to help but I couldn’t…” Cora shook her head. Faint red scars covered her tiny fingers. This little pup deserves better.
“I’ll keep you safe, sweetheart.” Maple kissed the top of Cora’s head.
After a few minutes, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. The door opened behind Maple, her wolf surged forward, ready to defend the helpless pup. She turned, and the alpha scent filled her nose. The chestnut brown eyes narrowed in on Maple made her wolf cower but her human side wanted to keep helping Cora.
“Who are you?” he growled, alpha power pulsing from his body. Holy hotness. Maple swallowed the comment while her wolf wagged her tail.
“Maple Fawn. I’m here to see Drake.” She licked her lips trying not to focus on the alpha’s wide shoulders or even his flat stomach. Images of what he might look like naked flashed through her mind making her wolf pant. She adjusted with Cora in her arms which woke the little girl.
“What’s going on, Raymand?” Cora blinked a few times but clung to Maple’s arms.
“You’re coming with me.” Raymand darted around the table right for Cora and Maple.
“Are you taking me to my new home?” Cora rubbed her eyes.
“You don’t have anyone but me right now.” The harshness of the alpha’s voice made Maple want to growl. His attitude toward the pup could definitely use some freaking work. Her wolf still panted wanting everyone else to vanish and for it just be her and the sexy alpha. Horny much? She scolded her wolf but it didn’t seem to matter.
“What?” Cora’s bottom lip trembled.
“Hey, Cora, look at me, sweetheart.” Maple slowly moved Cora’s face to make the pup look at her. “You’re so strong. Your momma knew it and I know it.”
“But I hid, wolves shouldn’t hide.” Cora shook her head. A few tears slipped from her soft blue eyes.
“No, you listened to your momma and stayed safe. She would only want you to be safe and what safer place to be than with the strongest wolf in the pack.” Maple smiled. Cora glanced up at the alpha then turned to Maple.
“But his house is so boring. None of my stuff is there,” she whispered. Maple held back a laugh when the alpha shook his head.
“I bet he can go pick up your stuff if you ask nicely.” Maple met the alpha’s gaze for a second. She had no idea why she felt brave enough to meet his gaze but something in it seemed right. Heat zipped down her spine and her thighs tightened with need.
“I would rather stay with you,” she whispered again. Cora leaned in closer and held on tight. Maple lifted her eyes and again met the alpha’s chestnut gaze.
“Drake, take Cora to get a snack. I need to speak with Maple. Alone.” His eyes narrowed and her breath hitched.