Page 31 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“Just dress shopping with Molly,” Henry answered.

“Dress shopping? You don’t have to get all dolled up on my account. Just jeans and a nice shirt will do fine.” He chuckled.

“Oh, haha, aren’t you the funny one.” Henry shot back good-naturedly.

“You would look good in anything or nothing. I think I would prefer you in nothing.” Terry started to ramble in that sensual direction until Henry halted him.

“You can’t talk like that, Terry. I’m in the middle of a ladies’ boutique, and you’re at work. Neither location is proper for a hard-on.” Henry started laughing as Terry joined in.

“True, very true.” Terry agreed. “So, hold that thought until I see you tonight.”

“I’ll do that.”

...

Henry skipped dinner at the Ranch in anticipation of a wonderful dinner and conversation with Terry at 7 p.m. He also wanted to avoid the likely warnings and criticisms. They wouldn’t provide any warnings that he wasn’t already aware of, considering he didn’t completely trust Terry to be able to follow through with a relationship. But with that said, he was willing to give him a chance.

He had to give him a chance. He couldn’t deny his mate, and he believed Terry was his mate. Henry lived with shifters after his mother moved home and met her mate. His mother was human, but his stepfather was a shifter. Henry sat down heavily on his bed and recalled the man or rather shifter that had claimed his mother. His name was Clyde, and as much as he appeared to love his mother, he never showed Henry any affection or care. He was a cold, distant man with Henry, and although his mother took care of him, he knew she didn’t love him either.

Henry’s father had been a very successful businessman and had invested very well. When he died, he left everything to Henry. He left tangible things such as home, car, etc., and a few thousand to Henry’s mother, but the bulk of the estate went to Henry. He knew that was the only reason his mother and stepfather kept him around as long as they had.

After turning twenty-one, he fully came into his inheritance, and they no longer acted as guardians. It was then he was shown the door. They never abused him, but they didn’t love him either. He was a financial convenience until he wasn’t.

The wolves here don’t seem like those he was used to. Here they seemed to care about each other and even cared about the humans among them. They were warm and friendly, something his stepfather and his pack never were. Clyde was cold, dismissive, and easily irritated. Henry rarely bothered him for anything unless it was a life or death situation.

Henry’s thoughts strayed back to Terry. Would he overcome his insecurities, and could he be a true mate? Honestly, Henry had his doubts. He’d had a two-year on-and-off relationship with a man that refused to come out of the closet, and he would not be put into such a position again. He absolutely refused to start another so-called relationship under those conditions.

Henry moved to sit on the porch for a while before Terry arrived. He still had strong doubts and hoped that he wasn’t making a big mistake.

“Hey, Henry, come have a cup of coffee with me. I promise not to bring up Terry. I swear.” Ronan called through the screened door. Henry got up from the porch bench where he was trying to relax as he waited for Terry. “You need to clear your head, and a good cup of coffee prepared by me is just the ticket.” Ronan held the door open for him. “I worked as a barista one summer, so I know my stuff.” Henry had to grin at Ronan's effort to cheer him up.

“Thanks. I would enjoy a cup of coffee and your company.” Ronan patted him on the back and led him into the kitchen. “Where’s your mate. I’m surprised he isn’t here with you.” Henry asked as he made himself comfortable at the large kitchen table and watched as Ronan moved about preparing the perfect cup of coffee.

“The detective from Traverse City arrived, and apparently….” He paused and shot a grin over his shoulder at Henry. “The man is a wolf shifter.”

Henry gasped, “Wow, what are the odds? So, the plan of playing Randall off as crazy isn’t going to work.” Henry understood that Randall had falsely accused Ronan and his sister Molly of breaking and entering and tampering with evidence. He did this to force Ronan into a relationship with him. Being the Assistant District Attorney for his county, Randall thought he was above the law.

Fortunately, Ronan and Molly ran, heading to Henry in Washington State. He was more than willing to give them shelter and help in any way that he could. On their way, they broke down here in Montana and were rescued by their mates. Alpha Lance Hendricks was Ronan’s mate, and Beta Aaron Beaumont was Molly’s. They lured Randall here and arrested him for attempted kidnapping and assault.

Randall was now being held in the county jail. During the final rescue, Lance had lost it when Randall physically assaulted Ronan. Lance shifted in front of Randall and attacked him. They’d hoped to pass it off as hallucinations, but with the officer from Michigan being a wolf shifter himself, he would immediately scent the other wolves. He would know that Randall was speaking the truth.

“It won’t be a problem. Lance is meeting with him now to discuss the situation.” Ronan handed him a steaming cup of coffee. Henry thanked him. “The detective will be staying here overnight while they get Randall ready to be transported.”

Henry thought about it for a moment as he drank his coffee. “So, they will go forward with the ‘he’s delusional’ explanation?” He noticed Ronan nod in agreement. “I’m sure the new guy wouldn’t want the truth about shifters to get out to the population at large,” Henry concluded.

“Well, now that I’ve danced around what I really wanted to talk about long enough, here it is. I lied when I said I wasn’t going to discuss Terry.” Ronan locked eyes with Henry and then began. “Don’t take any shit off of Terry tonight. I know you’re older than me and well able to take care of yourself. I just want you to know if Terry proves to be his usual asshole self, call me. I will help you any way that I can, no matter where no matter when.”

Henry was surprised and touched by the kindness Ronan extended. Rather than protest that he wasn’t a shrinking violet and could handle whatever situation arose, he simply said, “Thank you.”

…

Terry was nervous and excited all rolled into one as he watched the clock on the wall of the station click silently towards five o’clock. He planned to go straight home to change and freshen up before heading to the Ranch and his mate. He knew he would be early, but he couldn’t wait till seven to see Henry. Talking to him on the phone had helped, but that had been hours ago. He wanted to see him, put his arms around him, and watch him smile.

Never in his life did he imagine the feelings that his mate would invoke. He had always scoffed at the mated couples, believing their behavior was for the audience and not truly that deeply felt. It was expected so the players would oblige. But it was real, and Terry was beside himself with the constant thought and need to be with this man.

Last night had almost broken him, emotionally speaking. If Henry had walked away and not given him another chance, he would have gone insane for sure. His wolf began to pace and was getting just as anxious as he was, so his thoughts of loss and abandonment needed to end. This was a fresh start, and he would make the most of it. Henry was his, Henry was his mate, and he planned on keeping him.

The Alpha had met with the detective from Michigan and then took him out to the Ranch for the night. He and Randall would be returning to Michigan tomorrow. It would feel good to have that man out of their territory and away from the Alpha and Beta mates. He was an obsessed man with few morals and ethics.

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