The Recruit: Book Two, page 10
She sighed irritably. “You need to understand that I can take care of myself. I know I was weak and afraid when you first met me, but I’m not like that anymore. Why can’t you get that?”
“I do get it, Hannah. I swear. But it doesn’t mean that I won’t worry about you.”
“Why?” She asked abruptly. “If what we had was just a fun distraction for you, why are you so worried about me?”
“So just because we’re not together anymore, I’m not allowed to worry about you? To care about whether you live or die?” Will gave her a stormy look, his hands squeezing the handle of the grocery cart.
“When it interferes with my life, yeah I guess that’s what it means.”
“Interferes with your life?” He gave her a look of exasperation. “Please explain to me how I’m interfering with your life.”
“Are you kidding me? Every time I turn around I practically stumble over you. How am I supposed to move on if you’re following me, acting like a macho asshole and scaring off every guy who comes near me? ”
His face was reddening and his hands were clutching the grocery cart handle so tightly, his knuckles were white. “It doesn’t seem to have stopped Reid.”
She rolled her eyes. “Reid’s a friend.”
“He wants to be more than friends, Hannah. Don’t pretend he doesn’t.”
“So what if he does?” She threw the package of ground beef into the cart and angrily began to grab more, chucking them into the cart. “Why shouldn’t I be more than friends with him? He’s funny and good looking and a pretty good kisser.”
He sucked in his breath and his eyes flashed dangerously at her. “You’re mine,” he began, “if he – “
“I am not yours.” She said through gritted teeth. She threw another package of ground beef into the cart. “You ended it, remember? If I have to hear you say that I’m yours one more time, I swear to God I will run my sword through your leg.”
She glared at him. “I was yours and then you went and fucked it up. That’s on you – not me. Besides, you’re one to talk. I know about you and Constance.”
He gaped at her. “Me and Constance? There is no me and Constance.”
“Oh please,” she said scornfully, “you were in love with her when you were younger. Douglas told me all about it. If you hadn’t left to take revenge for your family, Constance would have become your mate long ago.”
He shook his head. “You’re wrong. You think because you talked to Douglas that you know – “
“I know enough.” She interrupted. “You’re freaking out because I kissed Reid but it’s fine that you can sleep with Constance and – “
“I did not sleep with Constance!” He nearly yelled at her. A woman, lugging a basket overflowing with groceries, let out a soft squeak of surprise and nearly dropped her heavy basket. She made a wide detour around them, watching Will carefully.
Hannah didn’t blame her. Will was puffing up; his chest was straining against his thin t-shirt and she could see the muscles in his thighs bulging against his worn jeans. His eyes were completely yellow now and he was breathing heavily.
“Calm down.” She scolded him fiercely, looking around nervously.
He took a deep breath, willing himself to control his anger. “I am not sleeping with Constance.” He repeated himself quietly. “Who told you I was?”
“No one had to tell me.” She scoffed. “You went hunting with her the night of the full moon. I know your urge to hunt and to – to mate is higher during the full moon. You can’t tell me you didn’t have sex with her that night, not with the way she constantly throws herself at you.”
“I didn’t sleep with her the night of the full moon.” He scowled.
“Whatever, Will.” She muttered. She turned back to the cooler of meat and reached for another package.
He was quick; she had to give him that. Before she had even picked up a package, he was standing behind her, his large body pressed against hers and his hot breath blowing on the back of her neck.
“I am not sleeping with Constance.” He reached around and cupped her face gently, forcing her to turn her head and look at him. “I didn’t sleep with her the night of the full moon, Hannah. We hunted, nothing more. Do you believe me?”
She stared into his eyes. They were fading from yellow to their usual blue and after a moment she nodded. “Yes, I believe you.”
“Good.” He rested his forehead against hers briefly. “I have never slept with Constance. Not when we were younger and not now.”
She licked her lips nervously as he pulled his head back and stared down at her. His eyes roamed her face, taking in the flush in her cheeks and her slightly-parted lips.
“I almost came to you the last full moon.” He confessed hoarsely.
She swallowed, her nostrils flaring a little, and he knew she was remembering the last time he had sought her out on a full moon.
He dipped his head towards her. He could feel her trembling and her mouth parted as he put his arm around her waist. He was just about to kiss her when she whispered, “Why are you doing this to me?”
He hesitated. “Hannah,I – “
“You wanted your fun with the human – I get it.” Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “But you ended it. Why do you keep tormenting me?”
The look of pain and sorrow in her dark eyes made his chest hurt. Feeling ashamed of his behaviour, he let her go and stepped back.
“I’m sorry.” He said roughly. “I never meant to – “
“Good God, how much ground beef do we need?”
Natalie had joined them and she was staring into the cart with a bemused look on her face. “Your school friends have large appetites do they?”
She frowned, staring first at Hannah and then at Will. “Is everything okay?”
Hannah nodded, staring down into the cart, as Will cleared his throat. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot. I need some fresh air.”
He left and Natalie placed a gentle hand on Hannah’s back. “Honey? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Hannah sniffed. Tears were threatening and she blinked them back fiercely. She would be damned if she cried in the middle of the supermarket.
“Are you sure? Both you and Will look upset.”
“Who cares about Will?” Hannah burst out. Her mother blinked in surprise when Hannah started to grab packages of beef from the cart and slam them back down into the cooler.
“I hate him!” She spat.
“My love, stop.” Natalie said quietly. She took Hannah’s shoulder and turned her around. “I know you’re upset but stop taking it out on the ground beef – it’s innocent.”
Hannah snorted as her mother reached out and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Now, why do you hate that tall drink of water? He certainly seems fond of you.”
“He isn’t. He was just using me.” Hannah muttered. She continued to return the packages of meat to the cooler, forcing herself not to throw them.
“I realize I don’t know him very well but trust me honey, Will obviously has a thing for you.”
“Had.” Hannah corrected her. “Turns out that I was just a distraction for him. A way to pass the time until someone better came along.”
Natalie frowned. “The way he looks at you would suggest otherwise.”
Hannah sighed and began to steer the cart towards the front checkout. “Yeah, well he broke up with me. Apparently I was nothing more than a fun time for him. He finally manned up and admitted that Lycans and humans could never have a serious relationship but not before I had fal – “
She paused and shook her head. “He wasn’t even supposed to be here. I specifically requested that he not be sent with us but he joined the hunt anyway. He does whatever he wants and no one has the balls to stand up to him because he’s a Lycan and, deep down, they’re afraid of him.”
“Are you afraid of him?” Her mom asked softly.
“No.” Hannah replied immediately.
They were nearly to the checkout now and Natalie pulled Hannah to a stop. “Honey, can I give you some advice?”
Hannah nodded and her mother smiled at her. “You haven’t had a lot of experience with men but I have. I mean, I pretty much dated the entire football team back in high school.”
“Mom!” Hannah groaned. “I do not need to know that.”
Natalie shrugged. “What can I say? I was very limber.”
“Ugh – stop talking, mom. Please.” Hannah groaned again.
“The point is,” her mother said patiently, “is that I know the difference between a man just looking for a good time and a man who wants something more. Will wants more than just a good time with you, Hannah.”
“Even if that were true,” Hannah replied, “Will doesn’t believe that Lycans and humans could ever have a relationship that isn’t just based on sex. He dumped me when he realized that I wanted more. Only he’s apparently decided that I shouldn’t have a relationship with any other man. He gets some kind of sick thrill out of the little human girl pining away for the big bad wolf. Just, trust me mom - he’s an asshole.”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong. You know Will much better than I do, but sweetheart, he did save your father’s life.” Natalie pointed out gently.
Hannah blinked at her. Her mother was right. Will had saved her father’s life and she had never even said thank you to him for it. She sighed as her mother led her to the cashier. She would have to thank him sooner or later and she was already dreading it.
Chapter 12
“I never asked – do Lycans eat cooked meat?” Natalie looked up at Will as she continued to make the hamburger patties.
Will smiled a little. They were standing in the kitchen, Natalie making the patties as he peeled potatoes for the potato salad. About ten minutes ago, unable to watch Reid flirting with Hannah any longer, he had left the backyard where the others had gathered and joined Natalie in the kitchen. She had accepted his offer to help and started him on the potatoes.
Now, she gave him a curious look. “Should I be leaving some of these um – raw?”
He laughed. “No, ma’am. Lycans will eat cooked meat.”
She stared thoughtfully at him. “I’ll ask Jim to cook your burgers rare.”
He grinned at her. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Natalie.” She reminded him.
“Thank you, Natalie. That’s very kind of you.”
They worked in silence for a while, both of them glancing up when a soft scream came from the backyard. Ryan had found some old water guns in the shed and he, Jeremy and Reid were stalking Selena, Hannah and Danny.
Jeremy had just sprayed Selena in the face and, sputtering and choking, she chased after him. She tackled him to the ground and wrestled the gun away from him, sticking it down his shirt and spraying it repeatedly.
As Hannah’s father and Chen watched from their lawn chairs, Reid and Ryan stalked Danny across the yard. Hannah had disappeared and Natalie and Will grinned at each other when she reappeared with the garden hose.
She crept up behind them and turned it on Ryan and Reid, spraying the backs of their heads. They roared with surprise, turning around and holding their hands up as she sprayed both of them directly in the face.
Hannah laughed loudly and backed up as they started towards her. She sprayed them again, giggling when Ryan slipped on the wet grass and landed on his ass.
Natalie glanced at Will. “It’s good to hear her laugh. She’s usually so solemn, so serious about life.”
Will nodded. “I’ve noticed.”
“She gets that particular trait from her father.” Natalie said.
Will stirred the potatoes in the pot with the wooden spoon Natalie had given him. He looked out the window again and Natalie heard his sharp intake of breath when Reid, hooting and hollering, surged forward and dove towards Hannah. He tackled her around the waist and pulled her to the ground. He used his lean body to pin hers down as he pulled the hose from her hands and sprayed her with it.
Natalie laughed when Hannah punched him hard in the stomach and Reid dropped the hose to the ground beside them, grimacing and holding his lean abdomen. Hannah grinned up at him, her dark hair wet and clinging to her face.
As Reid brushed her hair from her face there was a loud cracking noise and Natalie turned to see Will holding the now-broken wooden spoon. He glanced down at the spoon and grimaced.
“Natalie, I’m sorry. I’ll buy you a new spoon.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry about it, dear.”
He didn’t reply. He was looking out the window again and she followed his gaze as he began to growl deep in his chest. Reid was leaning over Hannah, obviously about to kiss her, but before he could brush his lips against hers, Hannah sneakily grabbed the hose and sprayed him in the face. He fell back, coughing and choking as Hannah laughed and jumped to her feet. She winked at him and strolled over to her father and Chen, sitting beside them and wringing her wet hair out.
Will was still growling softly and Natalie placed a soft hand on his arm. He looked at her and she gasped quietly. His eyes were glowing yellow and his nostrils were flaring angrily. He looked away, breathing deeply and when he looked back at her, his eyes were blue and filled with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged and smiled at him. “How long have you been in love with our Hannah?”
He gave her a careful, considering look. “I’m not in love with Hannah.”
She snickered loudly. “Oh of course you’re not.”
He blushed and looked down at the pieces of wooden spoon as she drained the potatoes of water and set the pot in front of him. She handed him a masher. “Put that anger and those rippling muscles to work would you, Will? These need mashing.”
He nodded and started to mash the steaming potatoes as Natalie stared out the window at her oldest child. “When Jim and I first started dating, his parents hated me. I was – am – such a hippie, and he was so straight-laced. He knew he wanted to be an accountant before he even started school. He ironed his underwear and socks for God’s sake. His parents were horrified when he brought me home to meet them. It didn’t matter to us though. We loved each other and didn’t care what his parents or other people thought of us.”
“It’s not the same, Natalie.” Will said quietly. “Lycans and humans were never meant to mate for life.”
“It is the same.” She insisted. “Hannah loves you.”
Will shook his head. “She doesn’t love me. Once maybe, but not now. I’ve hurt her too badly.”
Natalie placed a gentle hand on his arm. “You’re wrong, dear. I know my Hannah and she loves you. I’ve never seen her so worked up over a boy before.”
Will smiled sadly. “It doesn’t matter. We weren’t meant to be.”
* * *
Hannah sat up straight in bed, gasping loudly and her heart thumping madly in her chest. She looked around wildly for a moment before taking a deep, shuddering breath. She’d had a nightmare about Sara, a bad one, and she wrapped her arms around her torso, trying to shake off the horror and fear. After a moment, she threw the covers back. It was ridiculous and childish but she wanted her mother. It was the first time since Sara died that she could go to her mother for comforting and she didn’t care how old she was, she wanted to feel her mom’s arms around her.
She crossed the room and opened the door. Her breath caught in her throat when the wolf jumped up from its spot on the floor in front of her bedroom door.
“Will?” She breathed.
He whined softly and she dropped to her knees and hugged him. She buried her face in the soft, warm fur of his neck and started to sob weakly.
There was a soft popping noise and suddenly the fur had turned into the warm and familiar skin of Will.
“Hannah? What’s wrong, honey?” His strong hands stroked her back and she pressed herself more firmly against him.
“What are you doing outside of my bedroom?” She asked quietly. Her tears wetted his skin and he made a soft noise of distress.
“I – I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” He replied.
She leaned back and looked at him, her face wet with tears, and he wiped gently at her cheeks. “Did you have a nightmare about Sara?”
She nodded mutely and he sighed heavily before rising to his feet. He picked her up and carried her into her room, closing the door softly behind him.
He tucked her into her bed and pushed her hair back from her face. “I’m sorry. Where were you going?”
“To find my mom.” She whispered.
He started to stand. “I’ll go get her.”
She shook her head and caught his hand. “No, please stay with me.” She had left her bedroom to find comfort with her mom but now, staring up at Will, she realized that it was him she really wanted.
He hesitated and she pushed back the covers, squirming over in her small bed. “Just until I fall asleep, okay?”
He nodded and slipped his naked body into her bed. She molded herself against him, burying her face in his neck and wrapping her arms around his waist.
He stroked her back and kissed the top of her head, murmuring low sounds of comfort until her shivering had stopped.
“Thank you for saving my father’s life, Will.” She said suddenly.
“You’re welcome.” He smiled at her when she lifted her head and stared at him.
“You look tired.” She ran the tips of her fingers over his face as he shifted his lower body away from hers.
Will gritted his teeth. Hannah’s childhood bed was small and it was nearly impossible to keep his body from touching hers. He cursed himself for his lack of control. She’d just had a terrible nightmare and needed comforting. What she didn’t need was his dick pushing into her hip. It had been so long since he had been this close to her, he could barely think straight. Her scent was all around him. After months of only smelling it in his dreams, it was heating his blood, making him long to kiss and touch her until she was moaning with pleasure.
He swallowed thickly. “I’m good.”
