Maple
The door swung open to the bookstore and Cora wrinkled her nose. “This place stinks.” Cora whimpered and shuffled inside. Images of the alpha kept playing in Maple’s head even after the drive from the law office and lunch. Her wolf was all too ready to put her finger on his arm and see if they were mates. Maple barely kept her hands to herself.
“I know, sweetheart. We have to start cleaning. You ready?” Maple marched to the back room and pulled out two dusters. Cora huffed then turned toward the front and pointed.
“Can we throw these bags away first and open a window?” She glanced back and meet Maple’s gaze. She tried to focus on the store but it proved difficult with hints of his scent lingering on her clothes. You spend any time with someone their scent clings. Her wolf pushed sexy images of other ways to get the alpha’s scent on her. Maple shook her head.
“Sounds like a plan.” Maple handed Cora the duster and proceeded to the back to toss out the trash her aunt had left in the alleyway trash. Every time she couldn’t visually see Cora, her wolf lurched forward ready to shift if she screamed. Something about the little pup brought out her mothering instincts. Thankfully nothing happened as they took the next few hours to clean all the dust away, bringing a shine to the store it didn’t have when she took over.
Her mind wandered back to the alpha and his overly attractive body. After her last ex, she had sworn off men until a guy actually sparked her interest. Why does it need to be the alpha to spark my need to be loved? Maple nibbled on her thumbnail and tried to figure out what exactly intrigued her. Her wolf picked that moment to show his eyes, then his chest and even tried to put a mental image of what he might look like naked. Her heart picked up and her core clenched. Yes, he had completely sparked her desire candle and she didn’t know if it could work between her and Raymand.
“Maple?” Cora’s voice sounded from the kid section.
“Yes, sweetheart.” Maple turned to Cora, her hands holding a book.
“Can I borrow this book?” She bounced from foot to foot.
“I think since you did so much for me today you can keep it. Do you think that’s fair?” Maple raised an eyebrow and the little wolf’s face brightened up.
“You’re so cool.” She smiled and looked up at Maple. “Can you read it to me?”
Maple glanced at the clock on her phone. “We better head to Raymand’s house.”
“But…” Cora stopped when Maple shook her head. Her wolf jumped around in her mind, ready to test her theory that Raymand could be their mate. Stop it. Now! She pushed her wolf back but it did nothing to curb her beast’s excitement.
“He gave us a limit and we have to stick to it. Maybe I can read it to you when we get there. It depends on what the alpha says.” Maple didn’t want to push Raymand’s buttons too much but part of her, especially her wolf side, wanted to see how far she could get under his skin. The scent of his arousal had hit her nose earlier and she caught on quickly, he liked someone fighting back.
“Fine.” Cora’s grip tightened on the book and she slipped out of the store. A guy swept into view and halted near Cora. She gave one more glance around the bookstore, she would make this fresh start work. Even if she had to kick the land owner’s ass to get it done.
“Hi, sugar, what are you doing?” The same male headed straight for Cora. Instincts kicked in and Maple raced outside, her hand wrapped around Cora’s shoulder. The guy’s brown eyes narrowed on Maple.
“Cora, get into the car.” Maple kept her hand on the little wolf. His scent held hints of silver, sending her wolf to the edge. Cora’s nose scrunched up with Maple’s. The guy’s clean-cut black shirt buttoned all the way to the top but they didn’t match his dark wash jeans. His attire didn’t freaking match.
“What’s wrong? I’m only talking to her.” A smirk crinkled his face. A silver necklace band caught the sunlight and she wished for fucking x-ray vision. Then she would know if the chain held the hunter symbol under his shirt.
“She’s had a bad day. I would like to get my girl home and fed.” Maple opened the door and half shoved Cora inside. Hunter’s normally didn’t attack during the day, but they normally didn’t kill parents and take children. Maple wasn’t going to take any chances.
“I’m sorry, sugar. Would you liked to-” The man stopped when Maple slammed the door shut. She glared at the man.
“Walk away before I drop you to your knees.” Maple growled low making her intentions clear. He glared back, and his hand twitched at his side near his belt. Maple’s wolf surged forward, ready to shift if her human side couldn’t handle the man. Seconds passed that felt like minutes, but the man finally stopped twitching.
“Have a nice day then.” He stepped back a few paces but stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Her wolf paced at the border of her mind, ready to fight. Maple locked the truck with Cora inside then locked up the shop while keeping her eyes on the guy. He still stood there even after Maple climbed into the truck and drove off. She tried to shake off the creep vibe flowing from the guy.
“Are you okay?” Maple turned to Cora after a few minutes.
“Yes. Thank you,” Cora whispered. Maple glanced in her rear-view mirror checking to see if the man followed them.
“Oh, sweetheart, I told you I would keep you safe.” Maple winked and glanced again at the mirrors. Her wolf wasn’t a fan of the encounter and wanted to get as far away as possible. Cora tapped on Maple’s arm and she stopped at a four-way stop.
“You passed his house.” Cora laughed, it had been the first time Maple heard it which warmed her heart.
“Wait, where?” Maple turned around and found a little road leading to a huge house. “That one?” She pointed then looked at Cora who nodded with a smile.
“Yep. He is the alpha after all. He has the big house.” She shrugged, and the smile slowly slipped from her face.
“Well then.” Maple turned the truck into another driveway before backing up to get to Raymand’s house. The gravel road lasted less than two minutes and she parked next to his pickup. She did one final sweep around the piece of land before she killed the engine. The other houses were still in view toward the road, but nothing sat behind him. How did he manage to get such an interesting piece of land in Denver? “Ready?”
Cora nodded keeping her book close to her chest. They climbed out and ambled toward the large two-story house. Before Maple lifted her hand, the dark wooden door opened. He called for them to come inside. The scent of elk steaks met her nose and her stomach rumble. The cream walls complimented the dark wood flooring which seemed to go everywhere. The steps to the right gave her a peek at the upstairs where more of the same sleek decor continued.
“Cora, you have homework to do after dinner,” Raymand called out from the right but on the same level.
“Am I staying here then?” Cora waved Maple past the stairs. A stainless-steel kitchen came into view and hints of envy filled her gut. She could do some serious damage when it came to her baking skills with a kitchen like his.
“Until we find the hunters who killed your parents you’re stuck with me.” Raymand didn’t seem all too happy about the arrangement. “Tomorrow I’m interviewing pack members about who will take you in after we find the fuckers.”
“Um, someone here has little ears and shouldn’t be hearing that.” Maple stepped forward.
“It’s my house.” He glared at her for a moment before moving his gaze to Cora. “You need someone strong enough to take you now.” His lips lifted before turning back to the five-burner stove.
“What about Maple? Can she take me?” Cora climbed up to the table and turned to Maple with a smile in her eyes.
“Oh me?” She pointed at herself. Her mind scrambled to think of the right answer. Part of her wanted to take Cora home and protect her from harm but she didn’t know if she could take on a bunch of hunters on her own.
“You need a mother and a father figure in your life.” Raymand shook his head and strolled back into the kitchen. Maple walked over to Cora and kneeled before her. She pushed back some of Cora’s hair to get a better view of her soft eyes.
“Sweetheart, you’re an amazing girl but I don’t know if I can care for you like a couple can. I don’t have my mate yet.” Maple glanced at Raymand, her wolf wanted him but her human side wanted to be careful. The memory of his aroused scent filled her mind and she tried to push it away.
“Do you want a mate?” Cora asked.
“Of course, I would love a mate who loves me. When you turn eighteen you will want it to. But it’s not the point.” Maple shook her head. Raymand slipped back out with three plates. “Am I eating here?”
“Of course, you are. We have stuff to talk about when she does her homework.” Raymand placed the plates on the table then glided away. Maple didn’t know what he would need to know from her, but she would stay.
“Do you like the alpha?” Cora hissed and Maple’s eyes turned back to the little girl.
“I…” Maple had no freaking clue what to say. Her wolf liked his strong earthy scent and enjoyed looking at his sexy body. He walked back, and his gaze met hers. Hints of need flittered into her belly. When did I have sex last? She pondered the thought and after going back three months she gave in. Way too long and I want him. Her wolf motioned toward Raymand.
“Time to eat.” He placed a pot of mashed potatoes and the steaming steaks down on the table. Maple took this opportunity to avoid her question and pushed her toward the table. Her wolf picked that moment to put forward ideas of her laying on the hard wood with him on top of her. She let go of a shaky breath and focused on the food.
“Did you forget a vegetable?” Maple resisted the urge to laugh when she caught Raymand’s scrunched up look. “She’s growing and needs her vegetables.”
“But I only like corn.” Cora folded her arms in front of her chest.
“I have a few cans in the kitchen,” Raymand growled. His eyes roamed over her chest causing heat to bloom in her belly.
“I’ll grab them.” Maple turned to go into the kitchen but Raymand blocked her way. She fumbled into his chest and a small zap of electricity raced up fingers and down her body. Her wolf howled in her mind.
“Are you okay, Maple?” Cora asked behind her. Maple met Raymand’s gaze. My mate is the freaking alpha, oh hell!