Chapter Three
“You have got to be kidding me.” Wolfe shook his head and counted to ten in his mind. “We have to go where?”
“To North Carolina,” Olivia MacLendon smiled sweetly while her mate, the honorable Dragon Guardsman, Angus MacLendon, glared over her shoulder. Then there was the blue dragon’s so-called friend, Grey, laughing like a loon behind Angus, making Wolfe wonder what he’d done wrong in a previous life to deserve this particular mission.
Sighing for the umpteenth time since he’d landed in the hot, muggy, miserable Florida swamp, the young blue dragon forced a smile and asked, “When do we leave?”
“As soon as Ellie, Barbara and Tristan Wolfe – the Wolfe Pack Alphas’ daughter - and her mate get here. They’re acting as the negotiators since Ellie’s parents are in the middle of dealing with rogue wolves invading their territory.” The auburn-haired she-wolf’s smile turned even brighter.
“So, why can’t we all meet here?” Grey asked, having gotten his laughing under control enough to enter the conversation.
“Because the Blue Ridge Pack is also dealing with rogues. It’s a real problem everywhere,” Olivia quickly answered. “I know y’all are tired. Why don’t you come on over to our house? You can shower and rest while Angus grills up a half cow. I would say you could meet my brother and his new mate, but…” The cute she-wolf gave them a coy look and a giggle before adding. “Well, they’re busy ‘honeymooning’.” She made air quotes and winked, making Grey’s shoulders bounce with contained laughter.
Swatting his best friend on the shoulder, Wolfe nodded, “That would be great, Olivia, and thank you very much Angus, for your hospitality.” He made sure to acknowledge the Enforcer, hoping to at least soften the frown on the red dragon’s face.
A single nod and a gruff, “Whatever you need,” was Angus’ only response.
“Alright, y’all grab your bags. We’re the white two-story with black shutters just over there.” Olivia pointed before turning to her mate, laying her hand on his chest and asking, “Honey, do you mind going into town and getting some steaks, potatoes and the stuff to make a salad?”
“Not at all,” Angus responded with a loving smile before pulling his mate against his chest and kissing her soundly. Wolfe actually did a double take to make sure it was still the same man who had just grumbled at him.
Love does crazy things to a man. Thank the Heavens I’ve officially sworn off that crap…
Picking up his pack, the blue dragon followed behind Olivia and Grey as they chatted about the warm, humid weather and the young Guardsman asked if she knew where he could see a real live gator. Climbing the stairs onto the porch of Olivia and Angus’ house, all Wolfe could think about was a hot shower and a nap. The last two weeks of little to no sleep combined with their long flight to Florida had made him more tired than he could ever remember being in his hundred plus years.
Crossing the threshold, Olivia motioned for the Guardsmen to come in then pointed to the stairs, “The guestroom with a full bath is upstairs, first door on the right if you want to take that one Wolfe. It’ll be quieter while we cook, so you can get some rest. I hope you don’t mind me saying it, but you really look beat.”
Nodding his head, appreciating the concern he could feel coming from the she-wolf, the blue dragon thanked her as he headed up the stairs. Of course, he could still hear Grey chattering on as she showed him to the extra bedroom and bath on the ground floor. Shutting the door, Wolfe dropped his bag and shed his clothes as he walked to the bathroom, stopping only to turn on the water.
In and out of the shower in a flash, Wolfe laid back on the bed with his towel wrapped around his waist, presumably to dig fresh clothes out of his pack, and that is exactly where he woke up almost two hours later. Hearing the sounds of laughter, the blue dragon quickly dressed and after having to rewet his hair to get it tamed, made his way down to the kitchen.
“Well, hello there, sleepy head,” Grey teased, pulling out the chair beside him.
Setting a plate in front of him and pouring him a glass of iced tea, Olivia patted Wolfe’s shoulder. “Help yourself, I always cook for an army. Between Angus, Marrok and Finn and any other strays who happen in, it seems like I’m usually feeding at least that many.”
“Did I hear my name?” A tall dark-headed man with dark eyes and an easy smile called out as he walked in the back door.
“See, told you so,” Olivia chuckled. “This is Finn, our Pack’s First Beta,” she introduced the newcomer while hugging him around the neck. “Have a seat, Finn. There’s plenty.”
Shaking the Beta’s hand as he took the seat beside Wolfe, the Guardsman nearly fell out of his seat when Angus handed him the platter of steaks and grinned, “Take two. I tried a new marinade on these.” The Enforcer looked at his mate with a goofy lover’s smile that brightened his whole face. “What did you think of it, darling?”
“You did good, hun, real good,” Olivia winked.
The old man can smile. Well, whoda thought. I’ll be damned…
Leaning over, Finn whispered conspiratorially, “If you think these two are bad, you do not want to meet our Alpha. He and his mate, a mountain lion of all things from the Pride next door, were only mated less than a month or so ago. Between the two, it’s hard to tell who’d give you a toothache quicker. The sweet talkin’ is damn near unbearable.”
Swatting the Beta on the back of the head, Olivia teased, “Don’t make me get out the frying pan.”
As the room erupted into laughter and the doorbell rang, Olivia excused herself, quickly returning with a cute little she-wolf with spiky blond hair and a large brooding male who was obviously an Alpha and more importantly, the female’s mate. Standing behind Angus, Olivia quickly introduced her friends, “This is Ellie and her mate, Caleb.” Then to the wolves, she chuckled, “Ellie and Caleb, this is Wolfe, Finn, and Grey.” She dropped a quick kiss on the top of her mate’s head and snickered, “You know Angus and me. So, have a seat and get something to eat. I know you have to be hungry for some home cooking. You’ve been in the car for nearly three days.” She put plates in front of the two lupines as they took a seat. “I can’t promise it’s as good as your mom’s, but it’ll fill you up.”
“It smells great, Olivia. Thanks so much,” Ellie quickly added while reaching in her purse. Pulling out a huge Ziploc bag full of cookies, the blond she-wolf handed them to Olivia and grinned, “Here’s some oatmeal cookies for the road.”
Grabbing the bag, Olivia rushed over to her friend and wound her arms around her neck, squealing as only an excited woman can do, “You remembered! I just adore you, my friend. Thank you so much.”
“Of course, I remembered. It’s about the only thing we could get you to eat there for a while.”
“Yeah, but then we found Angus and everything made sense,” The auburn-haired she-wolf gushed.
“Oh, good Goddess, I think I’m gonna barf,” Finn teased before quickly ducking to miss a spoon Olivia had picked up off the table as it flew through the air.
“Shut up, Finn,” Angus and Olivia ordered in unison, making the group once again burst out laughing.
After a few minutes, things died down. The women were talking, Caleb and Finn were still eating, and Wolfe was finishing his iced tea. Returning his glass to the table, he asked, “When are we planning to leave for North Carolina?” He nodded to Caleb and Ellie, “I’m not trying to hurry you guys, just wondering what our schedule is.”
“Oh, you’re not hurrying us at all,” Ellie quickly answered. “I want to get up there as soon as we can. Get the lay of the land. I’m worried there’s more to all the hold ups than just rogue attacks.”
“You think they don’t want the treaty?” Olivia asked.
“I’m not sure.” She looked at her mate who continued eating as he nodded. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”
“Then we’ll let you lot eat or rest,” Angus stood. “And I’ll help Olivia clean up the dishes we’ve already piled in the sink.”
“Take your time. We’ve got about a twelve-hour drive from here to Blue Ridge Pack lands,” Olivia smiled, as she began filling the dishwasher.
“I’ve been meaning to ask since we landed,” Wolfe stood up, taking his plate to the sink as he continued, “is this place we’re in right now really called Corkscrew Swamp?”
Speaking up while Olivia and Angus nodded, Finn laughed out loud, “Sure as hell is. Now, you know why we put up our own sign that says Gaelach Lán Pack Lands right in front of the state’s ugly green one with that goofy ass name on it.”
“Daddy used to call it Screwball Swamp,” Olivia chuckled, making the whole group once again erupt into laughter.
“And boy-oh-boy was he right,” Finn agreed, finishing his apple pie with a huge smile before patting his stomach and nodding to Olivia. “Thank you very much. You and Angus sure cook a mean dinner.”
Looking over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow and a barely contained grin, the elder Guardsman teased, “You’ll be getting the bill for your part of the groceries in the mail.”
“Send it on over. It’s worth whatever you charge.” Finn stood and pushed his chair in, grabbed his plate and carried it to the sink. Turning, he headed towards the door, “Now, I’m off. Good luck in the mountains.” Then hugging Olivia, he added, “Holler if you need me.”
“You got it, Finn. Take care of the Pack.”
“You know I will,” the tall wolf called over his shoulder as he walked out the door.
The next hour seemed to fly by as Olivia and Ellie talked about the different aspects of the treaty they were worried about, and Angus talked to Wolfe and Grey about how to contain the rogue wolves. All the while, Caleb sat next to his mate, silent and protective, halfway smiling or nodding when included in the conversation, but always giving off the vibe of barely contained violence.
It wasn’t long after, the two couples and the two blue dragons were piled into two black SUVs and heading towards the highway. Once there, they made great time since they were driving at night and only had to contend with semis and other travelers just as anxious as they were to get to their destination.
Wolfe drove the lead SUV, with Angus riding shotgun and Grey in the back seat chattering away. Caleb drove the other with the ladies talking and ultimately sleeping in the back. Arriving at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains just after eight a.m., the group stopped at iHop, ate nearly everything in their cupboards and then headed into Blue Ridge Pack Lands. It took an extra ninety minutes to find the entrance to what Ellie and Olivia referred to as the Courtyard, an area that contained their Lodge, offices and a few specialty shoppes.
Rolling up to the huge log cabin with a wooden sign that had been expertly carved with BRP and a set of wolf paws, the group got out of their vehicles, stretched their arms and legs and when Olivia and Ellie were ready, walked into the Lodge. Meeting a short, cute young she-wolf with a long brown ponytail hanging out the back of her baseball cap, Ellie grinned and asked, “Are you, Melanie?”
“Yes ma’am, I am.”
The girl’s deep southern accent made Wolfe smile as Grey swatted him in the arm and raised his eyebrows when Ellie chirped, “I’m Ellie Wolfe from the Wolfe Pack. It’s great to finally meet you in person,” while swallowing the girl up in a hug.
“She’s too young, you dirty old man,” Wolfe whispered, using the telepathy he shared with his brethren.
“Wolves age just as slowly as we do, buddy boy. There’s just no telling,” Grey snickered in return.
“She’s chewing bubble gum and has some boy band sticker on her notebook. Back off, Hugh Heffner.”
“Okay, you win this round…”
Whatever else Grey was going to say was cut off when Ellie started introducing them all to the young she-wolf. When she got to Wolfe, the young girl laughed out loud, “No way, a dragon named Wolfe?” Before quickly slapping her hand over her mouth and immediately uttering a muffled, I’m so sorry.”
Laughing to help ease the young one’s distress, Wolfe moved forward, patted her on the arm and teased, “That’s okay. I always figured at least my dad didn’t name me Hound or Fox.”
His friends laughed, helping the situation greatly while Wolfe stood by waiting for someone else to speak. Melanie’s embarrassment turned into giggles that quickly became laughter as she dropped her hand and thanked him for being so understanding.
“Follow me, please. Daire, our Alpha, is expecting you.”
Falling to the back of the group, forever the Protector, Wolfe opened his senses wide, checking for danger and making sure everything was as it should be. Poking into every nook and cranny, the Guardsman was filled with a sense of déjà vu that immediately had his dragon pushing against the confines of his mind and grumbling low in his throat.
Searching his memory, Wolfe was thrown headlong into images from his dreams. He saw the same gorgeous woman and heard the same pleas for help, but this time, the dream changed. The fog cleared and Wolfe realized he wasn’t dreaming at all. There, standing not ten feet away, was the exact woman from his dreams, more beautiful in real life and creating more turmoil within the Guardsman than he’d ever thought possible.
Wolfe’s feet moved of their own volition, slowly closing the distance between them. His hands itched with the need to touch her as his dragon’s persistence to be let free grew stronger. Smiling, the Guardsman’s expression quickly changed as he almost fell face-first onto the floor when his forward motion stopped dead, and he heard her low, raspy voice in his mind, pleading, “Please, please, I beg you, don’t tell anyone.”