Page 39 of Father of the Wolf

He put on the pants she had given him and was pulling on the shirt when Steve stepped through the door. He seemed to struggle for words.

Athair wasn’t sure how Hope wanted him to act around this man. It was possible she and Steve had a relationship. The thought of them together hit his gut like a blow. He finished pulling on the shirt and turned to face the other man. “Hello.”

Steve finally seemed to recover from his surprise at seeing Athair and held out his hand. “Hello. I’m Steve. I’m also sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I didn’t know Hope was seeing anyone.”

That answered Athair’s question. Steve didn’t sound jealous, just curious and maybe a bit concerned. He shook hands with the young man. “We haven’t been seeing each other for very long. I’m Athair. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Hope has mentioned you a few times.” He smiled, thinking Steve reminded him of one of the children. “Do I smell coffee?” He recognized the scent as one of his brother’s favorite drinks.

“Yes, I just put on a pot.” He turned and headed toward the kitchen, where the coffee was almost done. Athair followed. Steve rummaged through the cabinets for mugs while Athair sat down and relaxed at the table.

Why did it bother him that Steve knew where Hope kept her mugs and sugar? He had no reason to be jealous. There was nothing between them, at least not yet. After he sorted out his problems with the Bear Clan, he intended to explore the possibility of a relationship with her.

Steve stared at him strangely. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

“I don’t think so. I am not from around here.”

“Do you know how Hope’s wolf is?” Steve changed topics. “Last night, she told me he was recovering quickly.” He paused. “I’ve been trying to find out where he came from. I don’t think there should be any wolves in this area. He must have escaped from a sanctuary somewhere, but no one seems to be missing a wolf.”

He reached out to Hope, not sure if she could hear him in the other room. “Hope, please hurry. I am not sure what you want me to say to Steve. He is asking about your wolf.”

“I don’t know what you should tell him. Maybe you should just go hang out in the kennel and look wolfy.” She sounded exasperated and her words were accompanied by the image of her stepping naked under the spray of water. That visual left him hard, as well as making it difficult for him to pay attention to Steve.

He was pleased that she not only heard him, but that she had responded in the silent language. “Did I mention I like the idea of being your wolf?” He shared his sensual, possessive emotions with her along with his not so casual comment.

“Just tell Steve the wolf got away, if you have to say anything.” Hope’s mental voice was firm and as smooth as the slick soap he could almost feel sliding over her body.

“I could always just bite him.”

“No! Don’t you dare,” she hissed at him. Minutes later, she came rushing through the door, her blond hair dark and damp. Steve still talked nonstop, even as he shoved a mug of coffee her way.

“Does Steve ever stop talking?”

“Sorry, Steve. We can go as soon as I wake Granny.” She glared at Athair, who was trying to look innocent. “He only does this when he gets nervous. So quit making him nervous.” She sipped her coffee, and then blew across it as if trying to cool it enough to drink.

“I guess I should be happy he can hold his bladder. That is how some animals show submission.” Athair enjoyed their byplay immensely, and the erotic look of Hope’s pursed lips inspired a variety of other desires.

“Don’t hurry too much,” Steve said. “We still have a little time. I was just worried when the door was locked, and you didn’t answer.” He poured two more mugs of coffee, adding a large amount of sugar to his. “I’ll just drink a cup or two while you wake Granny and take care of the animals.” He pushed the other cup closer to Athair.

“I’ll be ready sooner if Athair helps me.” She took a last drink of her coffee before standing up. “You should come with me so I can keep an eye on you.”

“I’ll be glad to help.” Athair tried the coffee and the bitter taste had him pushing it aside. He stood to follow Hope. “I should be sorry I teased you. I would not hurt your friend.”

He nodded at Steve. “Thank you for the coffee.”

Then he turned to Hope. “Do I get to meet Granny too?”

“Well…” Thoughts flashed through Hope’s mind about Little Red and the big bad wolf. “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, but I guess you should meet her.”

She left him to tidy the den while she put out food for Granny’s dog and cats. Taylor would still be with Granny and Hope had no idea where the cats were. Usually, they were all under foot while she fed them in the mornings. When she finished, she met Athair and took him to meet Granny.

They walked down the hall toward the back of the house. “I suppose I can’t avoid introducing you. It would simplify the situation.” She grinned over her shoulder at him. “And you did resist biting Steve.”

“For that I deserve a better reward. That took a lot of restraint.” His head dipped down and he brushed his lips over hers in the lightest of kisses. “There we go. That was a fair trade which I would be willing to repeat.”

His touch was brief, and her fingers rose to her lips to help her memorize the delicious contact. Her gaze locked on his grinning face, and she laughed at his humor. Why had she been worrying? He wouldn’t be a threat to her friends and family. It was a sobering thought for her, to believe that he was a werewolf and yet still trust him to be a good person, after having just met him. What would it all mean after he was gone?

His fingers gently brushed her nape and somehow the connection froze her in place. “What is it that made you become so serious?”

“The ones hunting you.” It wasn’t just the threat, but the more likely possibility that it would lead to them being separated. “I don’t want to leave you here when I go to work.”

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