Wolf Creek Sheriff (Texas Pack 4) (Prequel) (Wolf Creek Shapeshifters) (3 page)

“
I
could snipe him
,” Ian said. He stood with his hands on his hips, staring at the huge dragon cruising in the sky above him.

“What the hell is he doing in this realm?” Rafe demanded as he watched the circling serpent.

Rafe was pissed; he didn’t need this crap. Nowhere in his job description did it say being the alpha meant he’d have to wrestle a freaking gigantic lizard. He looked at Ian, his brother and enforcer for the pack. “We can’t kill him, at least not until we know if he’s friend or foe.”

Their younger brother joined them, shielding his eyes from the sun. “Hey dude, I think that’s Doan.”

Rafe whipped around to stare at Devlin. “You’re shitting me, right? Doan’s over a thousand years old. He knows better than to expose himself like this in our realm.”

“Ha! Expose himself.” Devlin chuckled.

Ian slapped their younger brother upside his head before Rafe could.

Rafe ignored them both, quite used to his brother’s antics.

“So sniping’s out,” Ian said, dejectedly.

Ian took his job as enforcer seriously. Any threat to his pack or the magical pond was swiftly dealt with.

“Dude, you can’t snipe a dragon anyway. Skins too tough,” Devlin said.

Ian looked away from the sky to stare at his youngest brother in exasperation. “If you say ‘dude’ one more time, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

Devlin straightened, almost matching Ian’s over six and a half foot height. “Dude, you can try.”

Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily. “I’m going down to the pond to call Robert. This is his problem.” His brothers followed.

R
obert tilted his head
, listening to something only he could hear.

“Shite. It’s Rafe. I was hoping we could fix this before he knew anything.” Robert motioned Colin and Stephanie over. “Time to go kids, Dad’s calling.”

Stephanie looked at Robert like he was crazy. He did not have a phone in his hand and she hadn’t heard anyone call for him.

Colin pulled her over to stand next to Robert. “You were conked out when Robert transported us here. Now you get to experience faery travel while conscious.” Colin held her hand tightly as Robert moved them both through space and time.

Stephanie felt her body wink out of existence. She was dead now, she knew it. All this had been a crazy dream or something. She was probably lying on her kitchen floor having some major seizure and chewing her tongue up like it was filet mignon. Except…she felt her body take form with terraferma solid under her feet. She inhaled a great gulp of air, fighting a slight case of nausea. Opening her eyes, she found herself standing in front of a pond with trees draping the edges and flowers blooming everywhere. And an honest to God castle.

“Wow, Heaven really is a beautiful place,” she said.

Robert laughed heartily. “Nae lass, yer not dead.”

Colin had his arm around her waist holding her steady. “Okay? Some people find the Fae’s way of traveling somewhat disorienting.” He looked up to see his alpha standing beside the pond with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Yeah, not my favorite way to get around,” Rafe said before the man hugs and back slapping began.

“Rafe, I’d like you to meet my mate, Stephanie.” Colin gave a differential nod to his alpha. “She knows about us.”

Stephanie was in awe of the three strangers standing in front of her. They were so tall she felt like a child looking up at them. With the same shoulder length brown hair and green eyes, she recognized they were brothers. They looked like triplets, but she could see slight differences. She squeaked as she was passed to each one for a quick hug.

“Since Robert transported her here, I kind of deduced that she knew about us.” Rafe snorted. “Welcome to our pack Stephanie.”

After she was introduced, she moved closer to Colin when Ian sort of grunted at her. That man was scary. Obviously not a people person. She couldn’t decide if Devlin, the youngest brother was an overgrown Labrador or Lothario when he winked at her playfully.

Robert looked up as a large shadow blocked the sun. “We have a wee problem.”

Rafe growled, “Wee my ass. What the hell was he thinking coming here? Of all the realms to choose from, the human plane is not an option.”

Stephanie found herself gripping Colin when the huge beast glided quietly down and shifted right before he hit the ground. She gasped when his form flickered and a man stood where the dragon had been. His auburn hair matched the scales she’d seen on his dragon form. He was just as tall as the other men with icy blue eyes that seemed to drill into her soul. Wearing blue jeans and a dark T-shirt, nothing stood out marking him as a shifter.

Colin had been naked when he shifted back to his human form. That thought had her snickering and wondering how he’d obtained his attire.

“Hey pretty lady, want to go for a ride?” The dragon/man held his hand out to Stephanie. His smile transformed him from scary into striking.

Colin pushed her behind him to challenge his old friend. “Back off, now! She’s my mate.” His chest rumbled as he growled his irritation.

Doan held his hands up in acceptance. “It’s cool man, she’s too old for me anyway.”

Stephanie squeaked in outrage. “I’m only twenty-three!”

Doan nodded. “Yeah, too old man.” He turned to Devlin. “Hey buddy, wanna go down to the high school and pick up some cheerleaders?”

Devlin’s look of confusion was the same as his brother’s. “Man, what’s up with that? Your talking jail bait and the sheriff’s right here.”

Robert gripped Doan’s shoulder as he spoke to him. “You’ve been poisoned lad. Yer nae sixteen, more like a thousand and sixteen.”

Rafe and Ian both dropped the F bomb upon realizing this would not be an easy fix.

Devlin slapped Doan on the back. “You had me worried there for a minute man. Good to know you’re not a sicko.”

They all watched Doan walk down to the waters edge to stare as if mesmerized by pond.

“What’s the plan?” Rafe asked as he stared at the dragon shifters back.

Robert sighed. “We go back to Faery and hope a witch we know will help us.” He heard Colin groan behind him.

Rafe nodded. “And you need Colin to accomplish this?” He wondered why Robert had shown up with Colin and his new mate.

“Aye.” Robert sheepishly spoke to Colin. “She’ll be happy to see you.”

“She?” Stephanie could read the undercurrents. She wasn’t stupid.

Colin growled in frustration. “I knew her many, many years ago when I was a pup. My young and stupid days.” His hair practically stood on end after he ran his hand through it. “We dated, but I knew she wasn’t my mate so we broke up by mutual consent.”

“Uh huh. Sounds like that mutual consent may not have been so mutual,” Stephanie said.

Robert quickly moved the conversation back to their problem. “Anyway, with Colin along she’ll more than likely be willing to help us.”

Stephanie smiled devilishly, “Can’t wait to meet her.”

“No! There’s no need for you to go with us. You can stay here with our pack until I get back. This shouldn’t take too long.” Colin was adamant.

Stephanie was already shaking her head in denial. “You are not taking my quest away from me.”

Devlin looked from one to the other before quietly asking, “What quest is she talking about?”

She turned to the youngest brother. “Dragon, witch, poison, traveling to another realm. Sounds like a quest to me.”

Devlin laughed and slapped Colin’s shoulder. He was a gamer and this was right up his alley. “She’s right, it is a quest. Don’t cheat her out of the opportunity to collect her trophy.”

Colin’s teeth ground together in annoyance. “This will not be fun.”

Devlin grinned, “Maybe not for you but your mate looks delighted.”

“What about him?” Ian pointed at Doan who was now swimming in the pond.

Stephanie gasped. “He’s naked!”

Rafe once again pinched the bridge of his nose. “Nudity is common among shifters.” He waved them off. “Go. We’ll babysit the dragon. Since he thinks he’s sixteen years old, Devlin can keep him occupied with one of his computer games.”

“I think there’s an insult somewhere in there. You forget I’m almost a hundred. Just because I’m a gamer doesn’t make me immature.” Devlin studied his brother and alpha.

Stephanie was shocked. This kid was almost a hundred years old? He looked to be in his middle twenties, with his brothers just a couple years older.

“No insult intended baby bro. You’re the one with the genius I.Q. level. I simply meant you’re the most relatable to a sixteen-year-olds thinking process.” Rafe patted his brothers back.

Devlin groaned. “Relatable? You know, it sucks being the youngest male.”

“I doubt Mom and Dad will have another so suck it up cupcake.” Ian smirked.

Rafe ignored them and spoke seriously to Robert. “Is he a danger to my pack?”

Robert considered his old friend before looking out to the pond. “He shouldn’t be. Doan’s a good man, even at this age. He may flirt with every female in the area, but he has a dragon’s heart. He’s a protector through and through.”

“Colin, you know how time varies in Faery. Ian will make sure your deputies cover any shifts you may miss.” Rafe told him.

Stephanie was watching Doan playfully dive and flip through the water like an Olympic swimmer. She imagined if he were in his dragon form the amount of water displaced would have been huge. She caught the tail end of their conversation.

“Wait. What? Time varies?” she asked.

Colin sighed wearily. “Call your boss and tell him your taking a vacation, or quit if you want. We may be gone a few minutes or a month.” He waited for her to make a decision.

Stephanie chewed on her lip in thought. Was she really ready to change her entire life to follow this man? No, not yet. She shook her head. She had time built up she could use without quitting her job. She wasn’t ready to let go of everything she knew even if she was leaning toward that decision. She knew deep inside she couldn’t turn her back on this fantasy world. Except that word didn’t really fit anymore. Her fantasy world was not a fantasy anymore. She wanted to pull her hair out in frustration and forget the ‘real’ world and go on this journey of a lifetime. How could she turn her back on this opportunity? Be brave, she thought. Nodding her head she reached out for the phone Colin was holding out for her.

Calling her work place was easy, calling her best friend wasn’t. Lisa was not thrilled to learn Stephanie had gone to Colin’s home. Adding one more thing to her over loaded to do list, she moved introducing Lisa to Colin to the top of her list.

C
olin looked
around the field where the three of them landed. He loved coming to Faery with its colorful sky, forest stretching up to the sun and air that smelled of oak. The faery forest was a werewolves dream habitation.

“Did anyone simply ask him to go home?” Stephanie balanced herself by holding on to Colin’s arm as she took in the beautiful landscape.

Robert laughed. “Aye lass, I did. And here I’m quoting him, ‘Too many effing dragons in the sky there. Faery needs an air traffic controller.’”

Colin shook his head. “That’s BS. He’s hiding out from that woman and too chicken shit to face her.”

“Weel my friend, can you blame him?” Robert quirked an eyebrow.

Not liking the comparison, Colin scowled at his friend. “It’s not the same,” he grumbled.

Robert turned toward a well-worn path. “Let’s get this quest started.”

Colin motioned for Stephanie to follow Robert and fell into step behind her, watching their backs out of habit.

His affair with the witch was a very long time ago and maybe she wouldn’t even remember him. His memories were probably inflated by his own conceit when he was young and thought himself such a fine specimen. He scoffed remembering how full of himself he was back then. Young male werewolves were not known for being self-deprecating.

“Are we looking for a gingerbread house?” Stephanie asked. You could hear the laughter in her voice.

Colin smiled as his glum thoughts faded away in light of his mate’s happiness. He could tell she was thoroughly enjoying this quest of theirs.

Robert spoke over his shoulder. “Nae lass. Picture a two-story luxury log cabin like you’d find in the Colorado Rockies.

“Oh,” Stephanie murmured. “Kind of blows away the picture I had in my head.”

S
tephanie found
herself getting more nervous the further they walked. Her insecurities were raising their ugly head. They were going to meet Colin’s old flame who was a bona-fide witch, while she was nothing more than a plain old human. Her shoulders slumped.

She felt Colin’s arm slide around her shoulders. “Hey, you okay?”

Her thoughts slipped from her mind to her mouth. “Why would you want to tie yourself to a plain old human?”

He stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, facing her. “Because you’re my mate and not a plain old anything. You’re caring and kind. Tough and tenacious. And I’ve been blessed with a beautiful person whose empathy knows no bounds.”

She blushed, hoping he wouldn’t notice the heightened color, but of course he did. She knew by the slight grin and deepening dimples.

“We’d better catch up.” She saw Robert waiting for them further up the trail. He continued on when they both started walking again.

She still had more questions and the tranquil surroundings worked well to voice her concerns. “What will our lives be like?”

“Same as any other couple. Work, home, family. We’re not different; we just have different abilities. Your free will doesn’t change. You can work, stay at home, start a circus for all I care.”

Colin slipped his hand into hers. “Work at my office with me as my dispatcher. My deputies answer the phones since we don’t get that many calls, but I could use a full time dispatcher and office clerk. And as an added benefit,” his voice lowered, “I have handcuffs.”

They both heard Robert’s snort even though he was further up the trail.

“Damn Fae hearing,” Colin muttered.

They caught up to Robert. “Aye, like you werewolves have any right to complain.”

Colin smirked and pointed at his own ears. “It’s the protein man. Lots and lots of protein.”

Robert turned serious as he pointed towards a small hill. “Her home is just over the next rise there, built into the hillside. Stephanie, I think you should wait for us here.”

“What? Come on, we’re not going over this again. No! I didn’t come all this way to be left behind.” Her foot crushed the leaves beneath her heel when she stomped.

Both men stood contemplating her without speaking. She felt like a child throwing a temper tantrum, but what right did they have to leave her behind?

“Is she evil or something? Liable to turn me into a slug? You told me your people were the ‘good’ Fae and it was the dark ones to look out for.”

“We’re a race of good and bad, dark and light. Dark can be good and light can be bad, nothings ever black and white, but deep shades of gray. Also, she’s not Fae. Witches’ magic is tied to the earth; it’s nae like Fae magic. Anyway, I doubt she’s homicidal, but witches can be tricky. A small curse, a trap, there are many sneaky things she could do. I was hoping to spare you from any misdeeds she might employ,” Robert told her.

Stephanie gulped as she saw Colin nod in agreement. Maybe she should rethink this. But no! She wanted to see this woman. Good or bad, she was part of Colin’s past. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the two men. Yeah, they were bonded brothers. The whole keep the new girlfriend away from the old one, or in this case, a really, really old one.

She giggled slightly and they both looked a little confused. She wiped the slight grin off her face and put on her tough mom one. She’d learned the ‘tough mom routine’ from one of her friends and found it worked quite well.

“I’m going. I have a Fae warrior and a wolf to protect me. What could go wrong?” she asked.

They sputtered trying to explain all the things that could happen, but gave in when she battled every argument. She would not be persuaded.

As she walked, the ex-girlfriend preyed on her mind. If Colin dated her when he was young, then she would have to be really old now. That thought cheered her a little.

Stepping out into a clearing, Stephanie looked on in awe at the beautiful home built into the mountainside. There were winding stairs leading to a deck that surrounded the front. The glass face was a folding patio door which was wide open to let in the soft breeze.

“Wow!” she said softly, not wanting to disturb the silence.

They moved towards the stairs and Stephanie tugged on their arms, pulling them back. “Wait. Shouldn’t we knock somewhere or ring a doorbell?”

“She kens we’re here lass,” Robert said.

She swallowed audibly. Okay, time to meet the witch.

T
hey crossed
the threshold after being invited in. Stephanie was impressed enough to be a little intimidated by the woman’s extravagant home. It looked like the layout should be featured in a magazine or on HGTV. She had two large, beige sofas facing each other with soft looking pillows inviting you to lay back in comfort. Wingback chairs sat in between as if staged for a queen with hardwood floors covering the entire downstairs area.

“Hello Keela.” Robert nodded respectfully. “Thank you fer allowing us in yer home.”

“Aw Robert, lovely to see you again.” She turned to Colin, ignoring Stephanie altogether.

“Colin! My old friend.” She walked over and hooked her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek when he turned his head to the side.

Colin removed her arms and stepped back. “Keela. I thank you also.” He pulled Stephanie to his side. “My mate, Stephanie.” He watched Keela closely, ready to protect his mate if needed.

Keela smiled. Stephanie was sure the men thought she looked friendly whereas she could see the resentment underneath.

This woman was nowhere near a hundred. Early twenties, maybe.

“Aren’t you pretty? I’m sure Colin is thrilled to have his bitch by his side when he goes running.” Keela patted her arm like she was giving a compliment.

“Bitch?” Stephanie said, outraged.

“Huh?” Keela had the most innocent look of confusion on her face. “Isn’t that what you werewolves call your females?”

Colin tucked Stephanie under his arm, keeping her from launching herself at Keela.

“No, we don’t.” He stated firmly, already tired of the bullshit he knew was coming.

Stephanie seethed, wanting to slap the heifer where she stood. This was not a warm, kind person. This was a she bitch not used to losing. That thought made Stephanie smile and snuggle closer into Colin.

“Oh Colin, she didn’t know honey. So nice of you to educate her.” Stephanie smiled so sweetly at Keela it caused Robert to choke back his laugh.

Keela’s eyes narrowed dangerously, her hand twitching as if waiting to draw her gun like an old west shootout.

Robert moved in front of the couple, wiping the smile from his face. He knew how to work a vain woman and he put on his most charming face to coax her into helping them.

“Keela lass, we need yer help.” He reached for her hand and clasped it between his. “A witch of yer caliber is rare. They’re aren’t verra many that can combine magic and science with yer delicate touch.”

Stephanie wanted to gag on all the sugar pouring from Robert’s mouth. Robert didn’t need Colin, Keela was the kind of woman that would preen whenever a good looking male kissed her ass.

Keela’s eyes gleamed as she turned her attention to Colin. “So that’s why you brought Colin along. An exchange, yes?”

Stephanie shook her head in confusion. She didn’t know what they were talking about. She’d thought Colin came along to charm an old girlfriend.

“Aye. We have a need fer some daisy wine. A friend of mine has been poisoned and needs an antidote,” Robert answered.

She pulled her hand from Robert’s and walked over to a cabinet sitting in the corner. Opening the doors, she inspected the contents while tapping a long, tapered fingernail to her lips.

Stephanie could see several bottles of different sizes and colors. She was curious as to what the different bottles held but didn’t ask. She doubted Keela would willingly share any information as Stephanie knew Keela wasn’t a girly-bonding-gossipy kind of woman. Keela was the kind of female that only wanted male friends.

They watched as Keela took a bottle out and walked over to her ‘queenly chair’ and delicately sat down. Placing the bottle on the end of the coffee table that faced her, she looked to the men.

Keela motioned to the bottle. “This is what you need, but as it sits now, it’s simply a nice bouquet. I need to know what kind of spell I’m counteracting and who it’s for.”

Robert strode forward and picked up the bottle, sniffing at the cork that was stuffed into the opening, enjoying the pleasing aroma. “The spell made an old and wise dragon feel and act like a teenager.”

Keela inhaled sharply while shaking her head. “In that case, this isn’t going to be easy.”

Keela mumbled some archaic words while waving her hand over the bottle before looking back at Robert.

“Take this and go to the Dragon Province and find the Dragon Lord. You’ll need his fire to activate this antidote.” Keela once again shook her head. “I don’t envy you this quest. The Dragon Lord is notoriously stubborn, like all dragons.”

She turned and looked at Colin, one eyebrow raised. “I’ll take a few drops of your blood for payment.”

Stephanie didn’t understand. What good was his blood? Also, she absolutely hated people who could raise one eyebrow. Whenever she tried it she looked like she was having some type of spasm.

Colin went to her cabinet and grabbed a chalice. Reaching into his boot, he pulled out a knife and quickly made a neat slice in his palm. Holding it over the cup, he squeezed out a few drops before the wound started to close.

Stephanie gasped in amazement at his healing abilities. She had a lot to learn.

Colin said one word. “Here.” Holding the cup at arms length, he waited for Keela to take it.

Keela smiled, showing perfect white teeth as she wound both hands around the cup. “Thank you Colin. I’ll use it wisely.”

He harrumphed as he turned away. “Let’s go.”

“Colin,” Keela whispered his name seductively. “Congratulations on your mating. And the same to you, Stephanie,” she said, turning away. “I’m sure you’ll be perfect at breeding a litter full of puppies. Your figure is just made to be a baby factory, know what I mean?”

“You bitch!” Stephanie snarled.

Colin pulled her back before she could go after Keela, putting her over his shoulder and practically running out to the patio and down the stairs. They heard Keela’s laughter as they fled. He didn’t put her down until they were back in the forest, far away from the witch.

Stephanie sputtered indignantly. “She said I have big hips. Let me go, Colin. I need to teach that witch a lesson in manners.” She struggled in his arms but he wouldn’t let go.

Robert stood in front of her, grinning. “Aye, yer a fierce warrior lass.” He stopped grinning. “But you canna fight her magic. It wouldna be a fair fight.”

Stephanie stopped her struggles and sighed. “I can’t stand girls like her. She’s one of those ‘mean girls’, you know?”

“Aye, we do. Although I have to admit, sometimes it takes a knock in the head for us men to see it,” Robert said, nodding to Colin.

Colin groaned. “I know! Again, I was young and stupid. Lesson learned, move on, end of story.”

Stephanie counted to ten, calming herself with each breath. “Okay, hopefully I’ll never make her acquaintance again. We’ve wasted enough time here.”

Robert took hold of them and they vanished, reappearing in the valley of the Dragon Province.