A Mate to Share [Wolf Pack Mates 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  The feeling of helplessness was driving her insane. It was right there, like the word a person knew but couldn’t bring to mind. In this case it was a missing piece of information, something key and central, but that she couldn’t see. Eve knew if she could just go for a long walk alone and think about something totally different, it would come to her. But she had no time for that. While the weather was nice they needed to have a craft market every weekend to make enough money to carry them through winter when people would be less likely to come out and visit, and when snow might close down the roads anyway.

  Next year they’d have much longer to prepare a big stock of items to sell over summer, but this year she needed to keep her fingers creating, and her mind on her work. Not on two deliciously handsome men who she’d really like to spend a lot more time with, preferably naked and in bed, but who were keeping a secret from her.

  She was certain it wasn’t an instant deal-breaker like that they were already partnered. Taige would have told her if they were. Plus her ideas that maybe they were involved in crime didn’t really add up, despite a purse full of cash being planted under a table. The police seemed to think it was more of a kids’ prank than anything else. But that wasn’t right. The man had been young, yes, but he was no adolescent. She guessed him to be in his early twenties, quite old enough to be past playing childish games.

  Dammit all to hell! What am I not seeing here?

  She said her goodbyes to Alex and Josie, then followed her men back to the pickup truck. The moment the truck exited the underground parking lot her cell phone rang. Eve didn’t recognize the number and hoped it was another potential client. “Eve Lang, yarn craft.”

  “Ms. Lang, this is Officer Stokes. The money in the purse was the combined proceeds of a number of small petty thefts from around the neighborhood. We assumed all along it was kids committing opportunistic crimes. Presumably another person was supposed to collect the purse during your craft market and replace it with drugs or whatever the young people wanted to buy. Anyway, I’m letting you know the case is closed. I’ll be speaking with Ms. York and Ms. Thomas today to inform them as well.”

  “Thank you, Officer.”

  Eve clicked off the call and put her cell phone back inside her purse. “That’s all very well, but he was too old to be playing that kind of trick. And why in the middle of my craft market? Why not just swap the purse for the drugs on the side of the road or something?”

  “I agree that’s a simplistic explanation. From now on Morgan and I will be at all your craft markets, without fail, to provide security. We’ll take it in turns to walk around outside, patrol the parking lot, check the foyer, check the bathrooms, and act as runners taking the sold goods to Ginnie in the foyer. We should have thought of this sooner. You need our protection.”

  Eve turned to Jett and smiled. “Thank you, Jett. It’s certainly been very busy and we do need an extra helping hand at times. When one of us has to go into the workroom, it’s really too much to have one person alone in the market room. But of course, we can’t afford to pay a helper. We aren’t making that much money yet and we only get ten percent from the food vans. Which is enough for them to have to pay, but it’s only a very small income when divided among the three of us.”

  Jett started driving and Morgan asked her about lunch and the thoughts faded to the back of Eve’s mind. But just like that niggling worry about something she didn’t know, it was still there. Officer Stokes might be happy he’d solved his petty thefts, but she wasn’t convinced that was the complete answer.

  Ted’s was a nice restaurant. The booths were dark wood with the seats padded in red fake leather which gleamed attractively against the dark brown wooden tables. As before, the two men sat opposite her, which she considered spoke volumes about them. They liked to touch her, but they liked to look at her face and notice her emotions as well, which proved they were gentlemen and treated her as a person and not just a sex object. That was really important to Eve.

  She was hungry and they had fun choosing their meals then talked amicably while it was being prepared. She did like being with them. They were always good company and their conversations were never boring. They talked about anything and everything, not just man stuff like cars and sports.

  “How is it you two can just take time off work whenever you want to?” she asked.

  “It’s not quite like that. There’d be times when we would be told no, if some important project was at a critical phase, but mostly our deadlines are pretty flexible. As long as the job is done on time the hours we work are irrelevant,” said Jett.

  Eve just stared at them. “That’s unusual.”

  “Likely it’s because we’re a community. Everyone is important and everyone’s needs are recognized. But if someone is scheduled to harvest a crop and they can’t work that day, someone else will step in and do it. It’s a cooperative society. We all benefit from being helped at times, so it makes sense to help others,” added Morgan.

  Eve liked that. In a way it was how they operated their craft markets. Each of the three women had her own craft and her own work to display and sell, but they all helped each other and worked together. Eve guessed it would be even more impressive on a larger scale, such as the farm where the men lived.

  She relaxed and enjoyed her meal and the company of the men. They really were undeniably wonderful, kind and considerate, thoughtful and caring. Not to mention damn good in bed and even nicer to look at. Eye candy times two. Jett was wearing a white shirt today as he often did, which enhanced his tanned skin and black hair and eyes. Whereas Morgan’s eyes shone so blue they were like jewels. She could just imagine Taige making a necklace or bracelet featuring beads or semi-precious stones in that color.

  When their coffee was served, Jett took one of her hands and Morgan the other.

  “Do you understand how much we love you and want you? You’re the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to us. We can’t imagine a future without you in it,” said Jett.

  “We want you to move in with us, to live with us, to wear our collar, and be committed to us. We promise to always love and cherish you in return. You are our precious treasure and will always be cared for and loved,” said Morgan.

  Eve’s panties flooded with her cream. They were so genuine, so sincere, their hearts were clearly in their eyes and on their faces as they spoke to her. It was plain they meant every word they were saying. They truly loved her. But she’d already guessed that. They were so kind and caring of her, love was the only reason they’d be acting as they did.

  But the question was, did she love them? Was she prepared to commit to them? To wear their collar? A collar truly appealed to her. Well, a collar tying her to these two men. She certainly cared for them and appreciated them. She would never deny the strong attraction they had for her and her need to be in their presence, to touch them and be touched by them. But commitment was a big word. Once that collar was locked around her neck her life would change forever. And there was this strange niggling worry that something was wrong. That there was some vital fact she didn’t know. She couldn’t make a commitment to them until she’d had time to assess all the facts. Facts she didn’t yet know.

  “I do love you both. I do care about you both very much. The idea of wearing your collar appeals to me. But it’s too soon. There’s something I don’t know yet. Something holding me back. Secrets I don’t know. So no. I’m not ready to commit to you. Please take me home.”

  Chapter Six

  Morgan sat in the pickup truck in the barn where Jett had parked it. They’d both been quite silent since they’d kissed Eve goodbye at the old schoolhouse. Morgan felt completely crushed. All his hopes, dreams, ambitions, were held in the hands of the slender blonde who’d just turned her back on them. “Well that went well. Not,” he said sadly.

  “Yeah.”

  They both still sat there in the dim barn, neither of them making any move to get out of the truck. Finally Morgan said, “She said the
re was something she didn’t know. A secret. What do you think she meant?”

  “If we were smart we’d have asked her to explain what she meant at the time. I was too busy trying not to scream with pain, though. It might be just her own thoughts and feelings she needs to work through, I suppose.”

  “Or it might be the fact we’re wolves. Do you think she’s grown so close to us she can sense we’re different from her, but that she doesn’t understand the difference?” Morgan asked, feeling a slight glimmer of hope peek through his gloomy thoughts.

  “The only way we could say anything to her about us being shape-shifters, is with the Alpha’s approval. I suppose he might say yes. After all, he’s about to mate a human as well.”

  “And not just any human. Eve’s colleague,” said Morgan starting to feel this whole situation might be able to be resolved in a good way.

  “We need to talk to Jasper anyway. Josie told us about Sard, remember? We need to discuss the protection of the women with our Alpha. We can ask him about revealing ourselves to Eve at the same time. Let’s go now. Maybe he can even see us today,” said Jett.

  Well at least between them they’d mapped the next step to take, but Morgan still felt as if his entire life had turned dull and dreary, whereas before it’d been filled with the color and vibrancy of the woman he loved. If I truly love her, I should be prepared to fight for her. Morgan felt his steps lengthen, become more purposeful. Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll fight to show her my love.

  Jett tapped on the door to Jasper’s office.

  “Give me two minutes.”

  Morgan looked at Jett. “Does that mean he’s expecting someone else and we’ll be in the way, or that he’ll be able to talk to us?” Morgan spoke very softy.

  Jett just shrugged.

  Well that makes two of us without a clue, which is pretty much how I feel about this entire situation anyway.

  Jasper opened the door wide and invited them inside. Morgan wasn’t game to sit, but Jasper waved him to a chair. “I’ve been expecting you two. Are you ready to propose to your mate?”

  “We just did and she said no,” said Jett.

  Jasper’s eyebrows rose into his hairline. “Made a bit of a mess of it, didn’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.” Morgan felt the crushing weight of worry sitting on his shoulders and stared at the floor.

  “Tell me what happened.” Jasper’s voice was a little softer, more sympathetic, but still the voice of a leader.

  Jett gave him a quick rundown of their lunch with Eve, then added what Josie’d said about Sard.

  “Cornelian and Malachi are watching Sard and his cronies. Let’s get this business about your mate sorted out. Taige is certain Eve would never betray us. Actually, she said Ginnie wouldn’t either, which is all I need to know. It may well be that she’s sensed a paranormal aura about you both. Taige worked it out about Cornelian and me before we told her. Since Eve is artistic she might well have an extra sense that’s telling her about you. She might have other questions you need to address as well, but that’s up to you to handle. Just don’t mess this up and frighten her away when you shift for her the first time.”

  “The pack will permit us to live with Eve here on pack land once we’re mated? My house is well away from everyone else, so we were thinking we’d live there,” said Jett.

  “Yes, that’s no problem. Sard will be dealt with. That crazy trick with the money was such a weak act. How anyone could think that’d get the women in trouble with the police, I fail to see. Likely it’s just as well they’re not very adept at crime, as it makes them easier to overcome.”

  Jasper paused and Morgan stood, thinking the interview had ended.

  “By the way, the plumber is finally coming tomorrow to install the women’s bathroom. He got held up on a major project that overran time and budget, but he’s promised me he’ll be there and it’ll only take two days. The women should be happy about that and it adds to their safety.”

  “That’s great news. I was thinking only the other day the trips to the bathroom are the weakest link in their security,” said Morgan.

  “Thank you, sir,” added Jett.

  “Just get your proposal right next time. I was told the key is flowers and chocolate.” Jasper grinned at them and Morgan found himself smiling in return even though his stomach was still tied in knots of worry and his shoulders ached from the burden of fear weighing him down.

  As they walked across the grassy central compound, Jett smiled at Morgan. “Flowers and chocolate. How difficult can that be? We can do it.”

  * * * *

  Jett paced out the length of his hallway and imagined it with some of Eve’s wall hangings to brighten up the dull brown woodwork. He paced across his living room floor and imagined an even bigger hanging on the wall over the fireplace. Then he paced into the bedroom and shook his head. This room was all wrong for three people to share. It was big enough but the window looked out to the gravel patch where he parked his car and the other wall led into the bathroom. There was nowhere and nothing special for Eve to look at.

  Jett stomped farther down the hall to the second bedroom. It was almost as big as the main bedroom, having been built for farming families with many children. Because it was right at the back of the house, the window overlooked the wild lands, which was much better than staring at a piece of dirt and gravel. The family bathroom was right next door and was bigger than the main bedroom’s en suite, so that was a plus as well.

  The main bedroom could become the guest room, and this bedroom would be theirs. Now, how could he make it attractive so that he and Morgan could romance Eve, get her all nice and relaxed, then display their wolves to her?

  Jett found himself checking drawers and closets, and making himself a long shopping list, but finally he was convinced he could get it all set up. Then he texted Morgan, who was planning the menu. Thank the fates that Morgan was a much better chef than he’d ever be.

  Am ready to shop.

  Almost immediately the reply came.

  I need to check your stove and refrigerator. Will be there soon.

  Refrigerator. Oops. Jett grabbed a trash bag and opened his refrigerator. As he’d suspected the vegetable drawer had half a dozen sad-looking items in it. He dropped them into the trash bag. On the door of the refrigerator were some bottles of cooking ingredients he had no idea about. They went into the trash bag as well. Next he opened the freezer door. Now this section of the refrigerator was well used. He pawed through packets of steak and instant meals, finding just two items past their best-before date. He put them in the trash bag, knotted the top of it, and took it outside to his trash can.

  Whoever was on sanitation duty loaded all the trash cans onto a truck and left them on the outside of the boom gate last thing Monday night for the refuse truck to collect early Tuesday morning. It was much easier than the truck having to drive all around the pack lands visiting each home individually.

  Morgan tooted his horn and pulled his car up beside Jett. “Doing a bit of spring cleaning?”

  “Yeah, I figured likely food poisoning wouldn’t be sexy.”

  “Dead right.”

  Jett leaned against the wall as Morgan opened his refrigerator, stared at his microwave oven, checked the dials on his oven, and muttered over his kitchen counter. “Yes, that’ll all be fine.”

  Jett was relieved. He could cook. Sort of. Enough not to starve. But he knew Morgan was so much better at it than him. He’d much rather clean his house and make the bedroom a welcoming and inviting romantic venue than chop, bake, and grill.

  It took them an hour to find all the things they needed at the store, then another half hour to unload and put everything away. Finally they were ready to go and ask Eve to eat with them.

  “The plumber was supposed to be there today, so likely she’d be glad to get away from all the noise,” Jett said, hoping he was right.

  Tired of locking and unlocking the boom gate, they went by motorcycle to the ol
d schoolhouse, approaching from the wild lands at the back.

  “Who’s here?” asked Morgan, talking straight into his ear to be heard above the noise of riding across leaves and sticks.

  Jett shrugged. He had no idea of the answer to Morgan’s question, but he, too, recognized the motorcycle half hidden under a tree as one belonging to the community. He stopped his bike and turned the engine off, waiting for the noise of their journey to quiet as he looked around.

  Morgan tapped his shoulder and pointed upward. In a tree not far in front of them, high up in the branches, was Malachi. “Wasn’t Malachi supposed to be watching Sard?” whispered Morgan.

  Jett nodded, his heart pounding hard. What was Sard doing at the school? Surely he didn’t have a legitimate reason to be here. Jasper would never allow him to be allocated work that would place him so close to the women they all knew Sard hated.

  Malachi shimmied down the tree and stood beside their motorcycle. “I can’t stop watching for long. Sard’s helping the plumber install the bathroom. I don’t trust him but there was nothing I could do about it. I’m glad you’re here, though. It’d be good to take the plumber aside and make sure he tests everything before he goes. But I mean, what can Sard do? So what if the shower leaks? It won’t exactly be a big deal.”

  Jett had a scary thought. “Remember at the shape-shifter clinic? That crazy cousin of Oscar Thorne’s planted a bomb. Could Sard be planting a bomb to blow up the school?”

  “Oh wow. If it went off during a craft market day dozens of people could be injured even killed. That would be really terrible,” said Morgan.

  “I need to get back to watching. I’ll tell Jasper that idea. You two need to get the plumber inside to check everything, though without arousing anyone’s suspicions.” Malachi swung himself up into the tree and began climbing.