Cat's Howl: A Macconwood Pack Novel (The Macconwood Pack Series Book 2) (14 page)

Closing up the cabin and making sure it was secured took
half the time with both of them working together. The hike back was also short
and direct once Tate no longer suspected they were being followed.

The threat was, for now, over. Relief and exhaustion warred
inside of Cat for top position. She would have like dot give into both except
she didn’t want to be lackadaisical when she returned home.

During the few hours it took to drive back to Macconwood
Manor Tate chatted with Catriona about little things. Movies he liked, books
he’s read. Small talk. She shared details about her life that she had never
told another living soul.

Like how she only used cinnamon toothpaste and never ever
dyed her hair. She watched the Hallmark Channel like a fiend and old MacGyver
reruns were her favorite. Surprisingly enough, he was a fan too.

“I understand more about your job than you think, Tate, I
mean normals are these precious mortal creatures and they hurt each other and
commit crimes all the time for no good reason. I understand the despair you
feel when you have to talk to the family of a new Wolf who just couldn’t take
the pain and didn’t know how to ask for help,” Cat’s voice was soft, but her
words meant a lot to him.

“I know you do Cat. It’s why I asked you to sit with me in
the kitchen a few nights ago. I was feeling raw and I needed peace. You gave it
to me,” Tate squeezed her hand and Cat pulled it up to her lips and kissed it.

“If only there was some place they could go to; you know?
Kids,
normals
,
supernaturals
, doesn’t matter which, could be
both. They all need help and there should be somewhere they could go to get it.
Without judgement, you know?”

“Hmm. That’s a great idea, Cat. A really great idea.”

The rest of the talk on their trip home was not nearly as
serious. They laughed and joked and Cat even nodded out for the length of a
song or two. Then Tate pulled onto one of the private roads leading to the
Manor. The snow had finally stopped, but a fresh blanket of white covered the
long road and the surrounding grounds. It glistened in the moonlight like a
million scattered diamonds. He looked at Cat through the corner of his eye as
she slowly blinked her eyes and woke up. And for a moment Tate felt peaceful.

“Did I fall asleep?”

“Just a Cat-nap.”

“Ha ha. You been saving that one for me?”

“You know it, baby. Hey look, we’re home.”

Randall met them at the first security gate and high-fived
Tate before handing him a new cell and grabbing his old one.

“Number’s the same, but this one has all the new codes and
upgrades. I’ll transfer your personal data tonight. Wassup Cat? All good?”

“Yeah, Randall, all good,” she smiled and then blushed furiously
when he stuck his head in the car and breathed. His head turned first to look
at Tate then back at her and vice versa.

“Oh man! It’s about time, bro! Um, you should know that
there is a sort of surprise waiting for you inside though. Not sure if it’s
good or not,” Randall’s words were muffled as his voice dropped and Cat had a
hard time understanding him over his beard. It was about twelve inches long now
and dark as the rest of his shaggy head.

He was quieter than most of the Wolves. He didn’t go in for
parties and such. Cat had always thought of him as kind of a sad geeky type.

All that software development and gaming had left some
serious gaps in his social life. From what she knew he was a sick kid, before
his Change. Stayed indoors a lot and was glued to the computer.

“Thanks for the heads up, man. Want a ride back to the big
house?,” Tate unlocked the doors to the SUV, but Randall was already shaking
his head no.

“Nah, I’m going for a run. See you two later,” with that he
turned and started jogging towards the woods. Tate waved him off and they
continued to drive down the private road.

Two more unmanned security booths and they were in the
private garage used by Rafe, the Wolf Guard, and Cat.

“You ready?”

Cat sighed and looked at the door that would lead them
inside. She was a little nervous, there was no use denying it. But overall she
was glad to be home.

Tate held out his hand and she took it. Together they
entered one of the main living room areas. Their hearing told them which one to
head to. The boys were sitting around playing cards while Rafe and Charley and
another man sat around a small table in complete silence. They looked as if
they hadn’t heard them enter the room. But Cat knew better.

Rafe’s eyes zeroed in on her immediately. The familiar icy
blue gaze went over her from head to foot before he blinked. She recognized it
as his way of checking her for injury. And when he lingered on her face, she
knew she hadn’t healed as much as she would have liked.

“Rafe? Would you like a full report now?,” Tate’s formal
question almost knocked the confidence right out of Cat. But then she realized
he had one eyebrow raised and no matter how she pulled he would not let go of
her hand.

Rafe stood up from the table. He was easily the largest man
in the room. His face showed no emotion at all. And for a moment Cat thought
they were in big trouble. Then she caught sight of Charley. Rafe’s wife poked
her head out from behind her husband and her cheerful smile was contagious.

“Oh stop it you big oaf!,” Charley nudged her husband in the
ribs with her elbow and he “oomphed” before flashing an appreciative smile at
her backside as she passed him by and grabbed Cat in a welcome back hug. She moved
on to Tate and hugged him the same way. Like a mama welcoming back her
children.

“Uh, Charley? Are you okay?”

“Oh Cat! I am so happy for you both!”

“What, uh, oh, okay so everyone knows?”

“Cat, before you and Tate tell us about what went down out
there. Lt. Larentia here has something he’d like to tell you. In the other room
maybe? Lieutenant?”

“That won’t be necessary. We are all Werewolves, well except
for Mrs. Maccon of course, no offense,” Cat stared at the older man with a
million questions in her eyes.

“None taken, Lieutenant,” Charley’s answer barely registered
with her.

The entire room seemed to fade away. The only things she was
sure of was that Tate was holding string to her hand. And Lieutenant Matt
Larentia was standing in front of her with worry, grief, sadness, and bit of
anxiety exuding form his pores. He ducked his head down. Cat thought he seemed
ashamed, but just as quickly he looked back up at her.

“You know, your eyes are exactly like Claire’s.”

Cat nodded. She knew she took after her mother’s side of the
family. There was none of Zev Maccon in her at all. Rafe had inherited their
father’s black hair and large build. Cat had always assumed her height was from
her father’s side. Her mother was much shorter at five and a half feet tall,
but their eyes were the same.

Rafe tensed and Cat had the feeling he knew something she
didn’t. But she remained silent and waited for Lt. Larentia to continue.

“Claire was always a sweet kid. We, uh, we went to school
together. High school. We were sweethearts. I took her to prom. I wanted to
marry her. But uh, Zev, Zev had a contract, a betrothal contract and demanded
she marry him or be killed as Pack law states. I wanted to fight him for her,
but she begged me not to. She said she’d rather I lived, got married to someone
else, then died at his hands. He was always a tough son of a bitch.”

Cat’s heart thudded in her chest. She moved closer to Tate without
realizing it and he put his arm around her. The heat and solidity of him
standing next to her gave her strength. She had a feeling she’d need it.

“Twenty-seven years ago when Rafe here was in grade school
and I was just an officer, a bunch of kids, normals, stole his bike and kicked
his butt. Your mom called the office and they sent me. When I was taking the
report I guess, well, I guess something happened between us or what had been
there before had never really died. At least not for me it hadn’t. My God, I
loved that woman. You have to know that. I would never have shamed her, never hurt
her. But I loved her so much. One thing led to another. When she told me she
was pregnant with you I told her we’d run away. Leave this place and make a new
life. But she wouldn’t leave her son. I couldn’t make her do that.”

Cat gasped. Her hand was over her mouth and hot tears poured
down her bruised face. It all made so much sense to her. Why her father, no not
her father, why
Zev
had hated her. Why her mother had run away. It was
because she belonged to another in her heart!
Poor mom just couldn’t take it
anymore.

Cat could relate to that. But why, oh why didn’t she take
her and Rafe away too? Cat’s emotions were moving so fast, she hardly noticed
Tate’s hand on her arm in slow soothing strokes.

“Anyway, Zev, he, he visited me. Told me he knew what we had
done. He promised to raise you as his own flesh and blood. He told me he
wouldn’t punish Claire. He would forgive her. That son of a bitch was the
meanest damn thing alive. And I am ashamed that I did not have the power to
stop him. I tried, I did, but he broke me. Both my legs, both my arms. Broke
them and kept me tied up in his barn so that he could re-break them when they
would heal. Months felt like years in there. Little water, kibble to eat,
hardly any light. I was not freed until after you were born. Then he released
me and told me that if I tried to come near either of you again he would do
that to you both. I had no choice. I couldn’t let him do that to you. I am
sorry, I am so sorry. I just thought you needed to know.”  

“But why? Why now? Why not a year ago or five years ago? Or
when that son of a bitch died? How could you not tell me?!,” Cat’s voice grew
louder as she went on.

“I am so sorry. For everything. I already told your brother this,
a few years back, but please, don’t, don’t be angry at him for not telling you.
I made him swear a blood oath to keep my secret as Pack Alpha. He had no
choice.”

“Rafe?”

“I’m sorry, Cat. I couldn’t break my oath.”

“That’s okay, big brother. I understand. Gee, I guess I’m
not a Maccon after all.”

“Actually your mother was the Maccon, Zev took her last
name,” Lt. Larentia interrupted with a sheepish grin on his face.

“Wow. I never knew that. I wouldn’t have looked either, not
after Mom left,-”

“You think your mom left? She didn’t leave. He sent her
away. To be a prisoner at some other Pack. I’ve been trying to find her for
years.”

“What?,” both Cat and Rafe looked at each other then at Lt.
Larentia.

“You mean our mother is alive? And she’s being held somewhere?,”
Rafe roared the last. He looked to Seff who was already on his feet cell phone
in hand.

“We will look into this immediately. Thank you Matt, you are
prime Pack and you will always be welcome here,” Rafe turned around his chest
heaving with emotion. Charley moved to his side. But Cat remained still.

“Dad? Can I call you that?”

“Dammit girl, of course you can. I waited my whole life to
hear you say it,” He opened his arms and Cat slowly went into them. Father and daughter
reunited at last.

“Let me introduce you to Tate, he’s my-”

“Yeah, what exactly is with you two? Spill!,” Liam jumped
over the couch and sat at the small table, hands on his knees waiting rather
impatiently for her to explain.

“Actually, why don’t you start the story from the beginning.”

Rafe’s orders were usually followed to a t, but Cat and Tate
managed to leave out the irrelevant parts.

All that mattered to Cat was that she had finally found her heart.
And it was where she always knew it would be. With Tate.

“So, everything, uh, came together in the end?”

Cat winced as Liam so crudely summed up the events of the
last few days. Seff smacked his brother in the back of the head while the
others looked around trying not to laugh.

Rafe remained stone-faced until his wife squeezed his knee
then he leaned forward to speak.

“Everyone out of the room, except for you two.”

Tate glanced at Cat. She looked worried. He narrowed his
eyes. He loved Rafe. Loved his position in the Pack. Hell, he worked damn hard
to make it that far. But there was no way 0in hell he was giving up Cat. Even
if that meant defying his Alpha.

“Rafe, I-” Cat addressed her brother directly, but was
silenced with a glare.

She heard the other Wolves in the hallway. She knew Liam had
his ear pressed against the door. The damn nosy pup!

“So, the two of you have
matebonded
? Without asking
my permission, my blessing? You, Tate, you just went and had your way with my
baby sister?!,” Rafe growled and put force into his words causing both Cat and
Tate to bow a little.

“Rafe, I’m a grown woman!”

“Silence! I’m the Alpha here and you do not have my
permission to speak!”

“Rafe with all due respect, I am your Wolf Guard, I love and
trust you, but she is my mate. We are bonded, and don’t you ever talk to her
like that,-” Tate struggled to stand upright. It was a fight, but he did and
though he kept his eyes averted he stood tall. Ready to die for his mate.

“Ah, that is what I was looking for. My love, do you have
any words?”

Charley stepped around her husband and took his large hand
in hers.

“Yes, when’s the wedding?”

With that Rafe let go of his Alpha control and broke into a
wide smile. He grabbed his sister in a bear hug and allowed her to swat him for
making them sweat like that.

Tate allowed Charley to kiss his cheek, but when it came
time to shake hands with Rafe he paused.

“So you’ve known? All this time?”

‘What that you were in love with my sister? Dude, I’m the
Alpha. Of course I’ve known!”

“But I thought you didn’t approve?”

“No, that’s what you wanted to think. I just never made it
known. After all, Cat deserves someone who knows his worth. Someone who would
fight for her. You are that someone, Tate. Only now you know it too.”

Later that night Tate and Cat snuggled together in their new
bedroom in one of the guest houses on the manor. A gift from Rafe and Charley.
They chose the one closest to the pool and gym. It had three bedrooms, a full
kitchen, living room, office, and two bathrooms.

Charley offered to help Cat redecorate and she accepted. Her
brother’s wife had a way with colors and textures that could make any house
into a home. Cat was glad she offered.

She stretched in their king sized bed and looked at her
lover,
her mate
, and smiled. A very feline smile, for a Wolf anyway.

“What? Is something wrong?,” his sleepy voice told her their
last bout of lovemaking had left him spent. She was glad of it. Proud to know
she had the ability to satisfy him as much as he did her.

“No, nothing is wrong,” she traced her long fingernails
across the muscles of his bronzed chest and smiled as he leaned into her touch,
“I love you, Tate. I always have.”

“I love you too, Catriona,” his response was immediate. He
took her hand and kissed the fingertips all the while looking into her eyes.
His eyes glowed with his Wolf, with his love, his loyalty to her, the true
communion of their souls, and their unbreakable mate bond as he looked at her.

Cat gasped at the intensity of it all. Her heart sped up. Whatever
the future held she knew they would face it together. Like they would in their
new project. She was glad to have the approval of not only her boss at the
Sheriff’s Department, but of her Alpha as well.

“I can’t wait to start working on the Macconwood-Nighthawk
Teen Outreach Program. It’s such a great idea, Tate, together we are going to do
such great things.”

“Hey, we came up with it together. And yes, we are going to
do great things, Cat. Especially with you as my partner. So, tell me, how does
it feel to be a Wolf Guard?”

“Amazing! But not as amazing as being your mate,” Cat
grinned. She couldn’t believe it herself. Rafe had finally asked her to be part
of his Guard.

“Well, how about it Cat?,” that’s all Rafe had said after
everything had been said and done. She remembered narrowing her eyes and
tackling her brother to the ground in a hug so tight he was almost embarrassed.

He gave her a squeeze and rolled to his feet easily before
sternly commanding her to never tackle her Alpha again. She smiled as she
thought about it now. Tate’s deep voice shook her from her reverie and Cat
perked up.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am that you feel that way, Cat,
because I, uh, was wondering, if maybe you’d like to be my wife too?,” Tate
paused, wanting to gauge Cat’s reaction to his proposal.

For a moment he was worried that she might say no. After
all, she was a modern woman, maybe she didn’t believe in marriage? Tate would
abide by anything she said. She was his mate and traditional marriage or not
that wouldn’t change.

He watched a wide array of emotions play across cat’s
upturned face. Surprise, love, worry, angst, shock, fear, pleasure. And then
she did something only Cat would do. She tackled him and brought her lips down
hard on his, her entire body purring with affection.

“I love you, Tate Nighthawk, and I’d be damn proud to be
your wife!”

“So it’s yes?”

“Of course it’s yes!”

That night Cat howled. Not because she was in danger, but
because she was in love. Forever and always.

The end
.