What This Wolf Wants (17 page)

Scott sent him a smart salute before turning his attention to Jackie.

When Joe passed by him the young soldier sent him a half-shrug. “You know how he is.”

Zan slammed the door. Yeah. Zan knew how Scott was. He was a charmer. Loved women. And was loyal to a fault. Zan could trust Jackie with Scott, or Joe for that matter, and never worry that either one would trespass. But knowing that didn’t make either man or wolf happy. Because their relationship was still too fragile, and his emotions too raw to allow anything or anyone to come between them.

Even if the man loved Jackie, would his wolf fall in line or would it still need the excitement of the hunt. The kill. All the man knew was that his beast roared whenever she was near
and
when she was too far away.

It made Zan think that his father had been right after all. Living and loving his one true mate would be the greatest adventure of all.

Chapter Sixteen

Jackie was feeling confused. Again. Last night had been amazing and a bit frightening. She’d lost herself, totally, irrevocably. Again. Sex had always been pleasant, but nothing like the earth-shattering experiences she’d shared with Zan. She couldn’t help wonder if it was due to the mating heat or not. But if all mates had this kind of wild and wanton physical attraction to one another, how could her uncle ever leave her aunt for such long periods of time? Jackie knew sex wasn’t everything, but dang. Going six months without that? It was like going half a year without chocolate, or ice cream, or a big bowl of ripe fruit mixed with thick, decadent whipping cream.

Totally obscene.

She let out a small sigh and stared out yet another car window as the four of them made the last leg of their journey. The sun was starting to set, sending out a dazzling display of reds, oranges, and golds, mixing with the greens and browns of the large trees in full foliage. She liked Virginia, but she loved her mountain. While she could live here pleasantly enough, and had, she would always miss the clean, crisp air thick with the scent of pine that surrounded Woodcliff.

Zan pressed a button on his sun visor and slowed the SUV down to pass through a large wrought iron gate and onto a long driveway.

According to Scott, one of their team members, a shifter named Todd, had dropped the vehicle off at the airport this afternoon for their convenience before taking off in the opposite direction for his week of required R&R.

No other reason. Just…being nice. It was all starting to mess up her preconceived notions about Zan and his crew of tough, hardened soldiers.

They weren’t hardened at all. They were tough, strong, and stubborn with a kindness and sense of humor that surprised her. They were becoming real, with all the real-life emotions of any human. Or shifter.

The road curved and a large, two-story brick house came into view just behind a circular driveway. It would have reminded her of the Kolter house if not for the black security bars that lined each window.

While Jackie understood the necessity for safety for these men, it made her think of the building as more of a prison rather than a home.

“What’s the general doing here?” Zan asked.

At his words, Jackie’s gaze flew from the house to an immaculate dark blue 1962 Chevy Impala SS. The sight of the restored classic made all the spit in her mouth dry up.

“I called to inform Russell we were bringing home a new friend.” Jackie swiveled around in her seat at Scott’s response. But the kid wasn’t looking at Zan, he was staring right at Jackie. “Russell must have told him.”

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, and the idiot shifter had the nerve to wink. The silent laughter in his eyes only confirmed her fear. Scott knew. Oh God. Had he told Zan?

Oh God.

There went any hope of sneaking into town, getting the bad guy, and sneaking back out again. She thought she’d be home free and clear so to speak, especially after calling her mom yesterday and finding out that her parents were going to the lake for a long weekend.

Jackie flipped back in her seat as Zan parked. He must have felt her nervousness, or heard her racing heart because he laid a hand on her thigh and squeezed encouragingly. “Don’t worry about the general. He might come across tough as nails, but he’d never hurt you.” Oh. Hell. Zan was going to kill her.

Left with no other option, Jackie reluctantly climbed from the SUV. Someone was dancing a jig in her belly, and they were having a grand time. When Zan reached for her hand she grabbed it, pulling him to a stop when he would have marched her to her doom.

“Zan, wait. I have to tell you something.”

His brows drew together and he tilted his head, those eyes so clear and focused on hers that she gulped. “It’s okay, angel. The general’s not going to eat you.”

“The general’s not who I’m afraid of,” she muttered.

He was steadily dragging her closer to the front door, unaware of her inner turmoil. “What?” His confusion only made her feel more guilty.

There were three steps to the stoop and she dug in her heels on the first step. “No. Wait.”

Before she could say anything else, the front door opened to reveal a distinguished gentleman, completely human, in his early seventies.

His thick gray hair that was once as blond as to be white, was cut short, his back and shoulders ramrod straight. Not one whisker showed on his weathered face and his ice blue eyes were clear and bright, and focused directly on her.

Jackie gulped again.

The imposing man spoke before anyone else could. “So this is the little doctor that caught our Zan’s eye.” He harrumphed. “Good looking tidbit. Must be smart if she’s a doctor.”

Jackie felt a familiar smirk curve her lips.

“Sir,” Zan began on her behalf.

“Quiet boy. So, you speak tidbit?”

She felt Zan stiffen with annoyance at her side, knowing he didn’t understand the old man’s odd comments. But Jackie did. After all, he’d always called her tidbit. “I do indeed, General, sir.” He harrumphed again. “General is it?” He sent her that one-eyed stare that she loved so much.

And she lost it. She grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, I do miss you grandpa.” And she ran the rest of the way up the stairs and into his open arms.

“Grandpa?” She heard Zan’s shocked whisper behind her, a grunt of surprise and someone whistling. Then a flash of shear power that caused her skin to prickle. Oh, yeah. Zan was so not pleased.

“What’s this I hear about you tangling with that nasty Shider character?” The general released her after a huge bear hug.

“I’m not tangled with him, Grandpa. He’s tangled with Zan and, well. Um.”

He touched the tip of her nose with a finger. “And you’re tangled with Zan.”

It wasn’t a question. “Um. Maybe.”

“Hmmm.” She could practically see the wheels turning in his head. “You could do worse and God knows that boy couldn’t do better.” Jackie blushed, feeling the love this man never hesitated to show his family. “You’re prejudiced.”

“I’m right.” He looked over her shoulder at the sound of fist meeting flesh. “What’s this?”

Jackie turned, half afraid at what she would see. What she didn’t expect was Zan and Scott grappling. It only took the general a second to understand what was going on. “I figured you hadn’t told Zan about our relationship, but I certainly didn’t expect him to take it out on Scott.” She bit her lip, wincing when Scott’s chin caught the upside of Zan’s fist. “No.”

“Hmmm. Looks to me like Scott checked you out behind Zan’s back, the sneaky little bastard.” Jackie shot her gaze to her grandfather’s, mildly shocked. He peered down at her. “It’s what makes him a good soldier, despite his juvenile ways. Watch this. Report!” Jackie nearly choked as all three men jumped to attention, legs spread, and arms at their backs.

Zan stepped forward, the wild energy easing as he reigned in his beast. “Sir.” He shot her a simmering look before directing his eyes back at the general. Jackie took a step back and behind the older man. Not in fear from Zan but because she could feel a bubble of laughter rise in her throat.

Though she had a feeling Zan couldn’t wait to strangle her the second he got her alone, realizing just how much Zan had emulated her grandfather back on the front porch of Kaylie’s home tickled her to no end.

After Zan’s concise recounting of the past week’s events Jackie peeked over her grandpa’s shoulder and caught the disgruntled shifter’s glare. Yep. He was going to kill her. And while she should be considering running for the hills, a primitive thrill of anticipation skated up her spine.

“I’ve got confirmation that a private chartered plane has left Denver and is scheduled to land in Richmond late this evening.” Jackie turned at the male voice. She’d never heard the shifter come up behind her. Then again she’d been pretty focused on Zan. Or rather, containing her amusement from him.

“This Shider fellow?” General Chavez wanted to know.

“Affirmative.” Jackie sized up the new shifter. While he couldn’t be considered attractive, there was something about his features that drew a woman. Maybe it was the thick blond hair that just edged the collar of his shirt, the dent in his square jaw, or simply the bad-boy attitude. The man had an air of wildness about him, not unlike Zan. She estimated the newcomer to be in his early forties, with the build of a warrior of centuries past.

“Know him too?” Zan’s harsh whisper brushed her ear. Jackie didn’t so much as flinch, having felt the warmth of his body at her back and the unique scent of spice, sex, and forest. The tendrils of hunger grew more demanding. She felt herself lean into his heat, to ease the possessive growl that vibrated in his chest, and to please herself. The hard ridge of his erection pressed into her butt. His hands at her hips were nothing less than proprietary, shouting to everyone in the vicinity that Jackie was his.

Territorial wolf.

She almost wanted to smile. “No.” The deep rumbling eased but Zan didn’t move an inch. In fact he only edged closer, placing one large hand protectively over her exposed belly.

Did he expect this new shifter to take a swipe at her?

“Russell, this is my granddaughter, Jackie. Jackie, this is the incomparable Russel Pittman. Commander of LunaWatch.” Russell turned to her, taking in Zan’s dominant hold less than a second. Surprise— and was that relief?—flashed in his deep gray eyes before he presented her with an outstretched hand and a welcoming grin that morphed his features from almost cruel to almost handsome.

“I’m pleased to finally meet you.”

Her hand was gently enveloped. Surprised, Jackie felt nothing but genuine interest from this man. She just didn’t know if Russell knew of her from General Chavez or Zan. “You too.”

“My wife, Marion, insisted on cooking dinner, much to my concern. She’s seven months pregnant with an independent spirit that makes me crazy at times, but I’m coping. We’ll eat,” his eyes flicked to Zan, then narrowed. “Then we’ll talk.”

“Feider.” Her grandfather barked at Joe. “Take Jackie’s bag to the room next to mine. I’ll be staying the night.” The last statement was directed at Zan with one of his one-eyed stares.

Zan’s lips pressed into a hard, thin line before he dipped his chin in a tight nod.
Guess there wasn’t going to be any hanky-panky tonight. Not
with her grandfather in the next room. Then again. Where did Zan sleep?

Ugh. She gave a mental shake of her head. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have sex with Zan while her grandfather slept on under the same roof. While she was an independent woman living in the twenty-first century, it still seemed tacky.

Before she could follow Russell and her grandfather, Zan snagged her hand. “We’ll be there in a minute.”

Jackie had known this moment would come sooner or later. She was just hoping for later. Even as Zan tugged her toward a room off the foyer she glanced back at her waiting grandfather. “Give us a minute.” The room turned out to be an office, with several built-in shelves along one wall that was stuffed with books of all shapes and sizes. In front of a large black desk sat two leather chairs. A stone fireplace took up a good portion of another wall. Zan didn’t give her time to see much else as he whirled her around to face him. “You lied to me.” Jackie nearly winced at the amber edging the irises of his glowing eyes. It seemed both man and wolf were angry with her. And why not.

Lying to one’s mate was akin to infidelity. It eroded trust. “I didn’t really lie. I evaded.”

His hands were on her arms and he gave her a shake. “You flat out told me General Chavez wasn’t related to you.” She dropped and twisted, yanking free from his grip, smugly pleased by the brief look of annoyance in his eyes. Instead of trying to subdue her with his greater strength, he leaned back against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. Waiting.

Jackie paced in front of the fireplace. “I told you he wasn’t blood-kin to me. And he’s not. He married my grandmother long after my father was born.”

“And that means you didn’t lie? You don’t lie to your mate, Jackie.”

Back to “Jackie”. Guess she wasn’t his “angel” any more. “I didn’t know you,” she snapped at him. “While the tattoo on your shoulder told me you were one of his, I didn’t know
you
.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “And you didn’t want to know me.”

“I knew enough to not want to go there, so yes. Soldiers, wolf soldiers, enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The rush is addictive. Soon they need more of a challenge, more danger to satisfy their beast. Before you know it, they leave behind everything, including their mates, to sate the blood hunger.” She stopped and glared at Zan. “I won’t be a part of that.” Zan was shaking his head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She held out her hand, palm up, when he began to advance on her.

“Yeah, Zan. I do. My uncle did that. He left his mate, my aunt, alone for months on end while he went on his missions and continued to do so long after he could have retired or transferred to a less dangerous position. He had absolutely no qualms about doing it, thinking only of what he wanted and not what she needed. Then he convinced his son that the rush was beyond anything imaginable. Got him hooked on the danger. And then they both died. No matter what you might think, Zan, you are not invincible.