Haunted Wolf, page 2
part #1 of Cedar Creek Shifters Series
Chapter 3 – Cole
Renleigh.
That was the first word that popped in my head because the woman who stood before me was the exact image of my dead fiancé . . . except for the eye color. Curves in all the right places, hips that rounded just the way I liked. Hell, even her light makeup was the way I preferred. Long brown locks hung to her narrow waist and swirled around her sexy body as if by some unseen force.
She was goddamn breathtaking.
Words escaped me as my brain scrambled to understand this wasn’t the love of my life. In shock, I wasn’t able to speak or form a coherent sentence. My cognitive function fucking stuttered and the damn English language flew out of my head so fast I probably looked like a dipshit. In two seconds flat, I was nearly brought to my knees. Luckily, Theo was paying attention and rescued me.
“Cole decided to come back and give us a hand.”
Thanks, bud. I owe you one.
He ticked his head in my direction as our eyes met.
Got your back, bro.
No, we didn’t read minds, but my best friend knew me inside and out and we’d been able to have silent conversations like this as long as I could remember.
Soft brown eyes widened as they searched my face, almost as if she was trying to memorize my features again after so many years apart. “Hey, Briar,” I finally managed to say, nearly choking on the words.
Great job, dumbass. You sound like a fucking idiot.
“Cole,” she repeated, inhaling and exhaling slowly before continuing, “welcome back.”
It was an odd thing to say and both of us were instantly awkward. I could tell because she winced and bit her lower lip, something she used to do often when she was younger. The silence was broken when Theo clapped me on the back with a grin.
“Well, she’s right. Welcome back, you crazy bastard.”
I shot him a glare then turned to Briar. “I need to see that death threat you were sent.” I didn’t mean to sound cold and detached but my voice was curt, and she seemed to notice.
Briar lifted her chin slightly and dug into the front pocket of her jeans, handing me a crumpled piece of paper with faded blue ink.
‘I’m coming for you Briar Lovell.’
“Fuck,” I whispered, resisting the urge to rip the damn thing into a hundred pieces and burn it.
I’ll kill this motherfucker.
“That’s not the newest one, Cole.”
I looked up as Dane Valko sauntered in from the front door, eyes locked on Briar. His long reddish blond hair was swept back by his right hand as he leaned down to press a kiss on Briar’s cheek. She blushed and I wasn’t sure if she liked the attention or not. A low growl nearly escaped my throat and I had to rein in the desire to punch him in the face. My wolf felt restless and wanted to burst free, if no other reason than to protect Briar.
“There’s more than one?” I asked, my tone harsh.
Theo cleared his throat and I knew he meant for me to watch my temper. The guy knew me better than my own father and brother. Chill out, man.
Frowning his way, I nodded.
Briar picked up a box that rested on a small table nearby and placed it in my hands. “There’s seven of them in total. The newest one arrived this morning.”
Our fingers brushed against one another when we touched and both of us jumped slightly from the contact. Strange. I opened the lid and read the others, unable to resist the loud growl that launched from my throat.
“You’re in grave danger, Briar.” I knew I stated the obvious, but the undertone of these notes felt malicious and vindictive. Personal. This was serious and the sender wasn’t messing around. “I don’t want you alone. Period. If you leave the house for any reason, make sure someone is with you.”
She arched a fine brow and opened her mouth to speak but Dane beat her to it.
“Who the fuck are you, Cole? You waltz in here and think you’re immediately in control?”
I snorted in humor, my wolf whining for the chance to rip out his throat. “As a matter of fact, yes. If your alpha asked for me to return and help, that means I’m in charge. Fall in line, Valko.”
Dane took a step in my direction when Theo called out in a loud voice. “Hey Rinnick.”
My brother approached from the doorway with a slow but measured gait, his lips twitching slightly as he assessed the situation. I couldn’t tell if he was amused or annoyed. “Dane, Cole is here at my request. Cut the bullshit.”
Dane immediately lowered his head, a clear sign that he was submissive to his alpha. “Yes, Rinnick.” His glare still made a pointed look in my direction as his chin lifted.
My brother whipped his head in my direction next as his eyes narrowed. “Try not to piss off my pack while you’re here, Cole.” He made the distinction that I wasn’t in his pack anymore on purpose. I didn’t care, but Dane smirked in my direction like he’d won some kind of prize.
Stupid fucker.
“I don’t plan on staying long,” I drawled, “just enough time to catch this rogue shifter before he strikes the pack again.”
Briar cleared her throat and I realized I’d forgotten she was here. “This is as good a time as any to remind you all of the party tonight. I don’t think it’s the best idea with Joe’s attack but if we’re going through with it, we may need extra security. No offense, Theo.”
“None taken, sweetheart.” Theo sighed as we all heard Elena crying softly from the bedroom where she’d retreated when the conversation began. “I’m going to call it off. Elena needs me.”
“What party?” I asked with confusion.
“Mine,” Theo announced, slapping me on the back as he approached. He fought through the worry and sadness for Elena and managed a tight-lipped smile. “You forget my birthday?”
Fuck. I did.
I’d lost all sense of time and never followed a calendar since Renleigh’s death. Cringing, I turned to my best friend. “Dude, I was gonna bring your pussy ass some flowers but now you’ve ruined the surprise.”
Theo laughed loud and hard at my response as Dane scowled and Rinnick shook his head. “Damn, I missed you, Cole.”
My grin faded as I heard Briar’s next words. “If the party is continuing, I’m going to attend. These notes don’t frighten me.”
“Hell no!” I shouted, turning her way. Sometimes my mouth tended to override my good sense. Even so, I didn’t give a shit if I sounded like a dictator. “You need to take these death threats serious, Briar. It’s too risky.”
Rinnick looked apologetic as he caught her gaze. “I agree with Cole. Sorry, Briar.”
Dane moved closer and slid his arm around her slender shoulders as if staking some kind of claim. “I’ll keep you safe all night, honey.”
For about ten seconds, all I saw was bright red. Protecting the Lovell sisters was my job. Always had been, even if I fucked it up in the past. “Briar will be with me. Her safety is my number one priority.”
“Look, Cole. I know you were the beta of this pack in the past, but you left. That task has fallen to me now. The case may be yours to solve but Briar’s protection is my responsibility.”
Cocksucker.
Briar held up her hands. “Theo, I’ve got Elena. You all focus on this shifter. I’ll be attending the party if there is one. End of discussion.” Before any of us could say another word, she spun on her heel and stalked away.
I watched the graceful swing of her hips as my lips curled up at the corners. It took only a second for me to realize she hadn’t rejected the idea of my protection. Even better, she hadn’t accepted Dane’s offer either. Giddy, my chest puffed out as I grinned wider. My wolf preened and pranced like a damn pony. He seemed to like Briar quite a bit.
We left the house and walked into the front yard. The main building of the compound lay straight ahead only about five minutes down the familiar dirt path toward my childhood home. Nostalgia hit as I noticed the cherry blossoms and cedar leaves rippling in the light breeze. Not far away the creek whispered an inviting tune. Memories of the rope swing and summer jumps surfaced. My wolf relaxed as he sensed he was safe among his own kind.
Rinnick’s low chuckle broke the silence as he grabbed me and rubbed his knuckles over my scalp with vicious friction like he used to do when we were boys. The action was so familiar that I laughed and shoved him away, wistful as more memories of the past flooded my thoughts.
Dane disappeared so fast I never saw him walk away and hoped he had the sense not to seek out Briar. I wasn’t above kicking his ass if he got in my way. Only one man would be protecting the last Lovell sister and I felt confident I made that point clear.
Thoughts of Joe and Elena and the other murders took center stage in my mind. Briar’s death threats only added to my unease.
“Are you sure the party is a good idea? After Joe’s death?”
“It’s up for a pack vote. I’ll decide later but I think it’s an option to catch this killer if he decides to show his face. I’m concerned about Elena and want to be sensitive to her feelings, especially with her carrying a cub.” He squared his shoulders, but I knew this weighed heavily upon him. “Dad is expecting you,” Rinnick added as our eyes met.
Theo whistled low. “I think I’ll skip the reunion.”
“Coward,” I taunted as he shrugged and ran off into the woods, no doubt to shift into his wolf so he could hear every detail of the upcoming argument.
My father was the one person in this world who could bring me to my knees.
Even after all this time, I wasn’t ready to face him again.
IT HAD BEEN THREE YEARS since I’d seen my father, but he didn’t look any different than I remembered. Cold gray eyes, disapproving frown, broad shoulders, and a hard edge to the lines next to his eyes. The stern expression he carried accompanied his familiar wrinkles.
“You’re home.”
His gruff voice was unchanged, the timbre deep and rich, full of power and authority.
I lowered to one knee before him, my wolf recognizing his true alpha even when we were considered a loner. Words escaped me.
There was so much to say, so little that would matter. My father didn’t accept excuses.
“Yes.”
“For how long?” He didn’t seem to be happy that I returned.
A part of my heart was crushed with that knowledge. I’d hoped he would be interested to see me after all this time. Maybe even a little happy. Sadly, my father never changed. This just proved again why I wasn’t needed or wanted here in Cedar Creek. My home wasn’t home anymore.
Of course, this was all my own doing. I made my own reckless and foolish choices and I was living out the consequences of my actions now. The bitterness I felt was more from my own failures than my father’s lack of love or acceptance.
I’d never atone for my mistakes, at least not enough for Marrok Baxter.
“As long as it takes to catch this son of a bitch that’s killing wolves.”
He nodded brusquely and stared down into my eyes as I lifted my head, his jaw tight with emotion I couldn’t begin to discern. “You’ll help Rinnick and keep Briar safe.”
“Yes, sir,” I answered immediately.
“Don’t fail me again, Cole.”
I wished I could have replied, stood up, or challenged his blunt and painful words but that wasn’t possible. My father left the room without another glance in my direction or dismissing my presence, leaving me on my knees to make restitution to ghosts who were beyond caring about the youngest Baxter son and his failures. I slowly rose to my feet, feeling more defeated than I had since the day Renleigh died.
Fighting back tears, I didn’t say a word to Rinnick, brushing past him to leave the house as quickly as possible.
Some things never changed.
Chapter 4 – Briar
The bonfires were lit as the flames rose high into the air and illuminated the face of everyone in the pack. Rinnick had gathered all the wolf packs so the entire clan was here. As he began his speech, I couldn’t help but look for Cole. He stood off to his brother’s right, the place reserved for the beta of our pack. That position had been filled by Dane Valko in his absence and I was pretty sure Cole knew that, but he acted like he didn’t care.
Dane flanked him and Cole smirked as Rinnick gave Dane a pointed look and he slunk back off to Rinnick’s left. Dane wasn’t a fool, but he certainly had a bad habit of reacting and giving into his temper before thinking things through – the exact opposite of Cole. Cole was a brooding and powerful man, and he was known for his intimidating presence. Even so, he had a level of control that was downright intense.
Our eyes met and I was snared within that silver tinted gaze until he finally looked away, focusing on Rinnick’s speech. I’d missed a good portion of it as realized I needed to pay attention.
“This isn’t just about the Baxter clan anymore,” Rinnick announced, “Joe was in our brother clan and now Becca Harlow is missing.”
Shocked gasps were heard throughout the group. The crowd silenced with the shocking news.
“Are we sending someone after her?” I asked, certain Rinnick had a plan.
Theo was hugging Elena close to his side, but I didn’t miss the way his jaw locked or the haunted look in his eyes at the mention of Becca’s name. Those two had a long and complicated history. Her disappearance would weigh heavily on him.
“The packs will decide on a course of action. The alphas are meeting during the celebration.” Rinnick cleared his throat. “Elena has decided to continue the festivities to honor both her mate and her cousin. Let this night be one where we focus on the positive and leave our sorrows temporarily behind.”
Murmurs of agreement rose within the crowd as I made my way toward Elena. Hugging her close, I whispered about how strong and brave she was, and that Joe would be proud of her. I wasn’t sure I could be as gracious under the same circumstances.
My friend was torn apart inside but her chin lifted as she addressed the pack. “Joe is,” her voice faltered, “was my mate. I don’t want his memory tainted by sorrow. Let’s celebrate his life and my cousin. We’re a strong pack. No stranger can take that away.”
A few applauded and several others embraced her as everyone dispersed. My attention was focused on Cole as he appeared to be in a serious discussion with Rinnick.
I was caught off guard when Dane appeared in front of me. “Hey, Briar. Want something to drink?”
Definitely. I was wound up tight and needed a temporary reprieve from the stress and anxiety of the last few days. “Sure. Let’s grab a beer.”
One thing about wolves – we like our alcohol. Kegs had been set up around the area and we headed for one, waiting our turn in line. Twenty minutes later I had an excellent buzz going and began to relax. Dane grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the covered picnic shelter. A few of the pack members were strumming guitars and other instruments. The music livened the atmosphere as glass jars full of candles were lit around the makeshift dance floor.
Dane set our cups on a table and swung me around, laughing as we spun out to join the others. Bodies gyrated and bumped into their friends and neighbors as laughter filtered around us. I hadn’t had that much fun in a long time. In truth, since Renleigh died. Thinking of her stole some of my joy and replaced it with a hollow ache. I couldn’t do this and pretend like everything was alright. The change was abrupt, but I couldn’t prevent my reaction. Leaving Dane alone, I didn’t say a word as I left him standing there, a bewildered expression on his face.
As I left the covered shelter, I was entirely too preoccupied with my thoughts. Smacking into the hard-muscled body in front of me, I didn’t realize I’d hit Cole until I bounced backward off his chest and he caught me.
“Enjoy your dance, Briar?” His question was directed at me, but his gaze was fixated on Dane. By the expression on his face, I’d say he was a mixture of frustrated and annoyed.
“Huh?” I asked, thrown off guard. “I didn’t mean to bump into you, Cole. Sorry.”
He finally tore his gaze away and our eyes met, frowning when he saw the tears I tried to hide. “Are you alright?”
“Of course,” I assured him, stepping back. “Never better,” I lied.
“Briar,” he began but I didn’t give him a chance to continue.
Stepping around his tall, bulky frame I moved as quickly as possible out into the darkness. The cool night air helped to subdue the sudden flush in my cheeks. An hour later, I had calmed down and caught Cole’s profile a short distance away. Feeling bad about the way I left him earlier, I decided I should attempt to speak to him about the death threats and notes I’d received.
Little did I know; we wouldn’t get that far before the past chewed us up and spit us out.
“Hey,” I greeted Cole, taking a seat next to him on the wooden bench.
“Briar,” he acknowledged, not lifting his gaze from the flickering flames of the firepit.
“How have you been? We haven’t spoken since . . .”
“The day I left,” he supplied, filling the awkward silence. “I had to leave, Briar. There’s no place for me here, not without Renleigh.”
He said her name with such reverence that it hurt my heart. He’d always had her lifted on some kind of unrealistic pedestal but that was how Cole Baxter saw my sister. I didn’t expect that to change and swallowed hard before replying. “I understand. I really do, Cole.”
He frowned, turning away from the flames for the first time. “Well, I don’t understand why you’re still in Cedar Creek. What happened to college?”
Shrugging, I took a few seconds to gather my thoughts. “Leaving here seemed wrong. I couldn’t run away and force my parents to deal with her loss alone.” I didn’t mean it as accusatory as it sounded but wouldn’t deny it was the truth.
He stiffened, his fists clenching so hard the knuckles turned white. “Is that what you think? That I ran away?”
“Didn’t you?” I asked softly, watching his expression. Cole could hide nothing from me. Three years later and I could still read him like a book. His eyes held such a depth of emotion and self-inflicted torture that I had to tear my gaze away. His pain was so real that I felt the depth of it touch my soul.
