Page 34 of Country and Clove
“I missed you too, Aunt Tawny. I’m glad to see the pack is in good hands.”
Clove ached for the nearness and familiarity the two of them shared. When Tawny stepped back again, she was grinning widely.
“Our little Aaron Buckthorn has come home for a visit!”
The wolves surrounding them yipped excitedly, running up to rub against Aaron’s legs and bump their noses against his arms. Tawny turned and headed for a large red house.
“Come on, let’s get y’all out of this ungodly heat and then you can introduce me to your friends.”
The wolves ran ahead, chasing each other around as they followed Tawny’s lead. Clove and Graham moved into step beside Aaron as they walked.
“Left a few important details out now didn’t we, ya bastard prick?” Graham grumbled and Clove couldn’t help but crack a smile.
“He’s got a point, little Aaron Buckthorn,” Clove teased and Aaron shot her a glare. “When were you planning on telling us your dad was the Alpha? Or that your aunt challenged him and took over the pack? Because that whole interaction was awkward as hell.”
“Your aunt’s a fuckin’ stunner though,” Graham noted, his eyes trailing Tawny as she jogged up the steps. Aaron sent Graham a warning growl.
“Keep your filthy hands away from my aunt. In fact, try to keep your dick in your pants while we’re here.” Aaron’s tone was undeniably grumpy.
“No can do, boss. I hear the women in Texas are crazy in the sack—”
Aaron’s fist slammed into Graham’s gut without warning. Graham doubled over as his breakfast came spewing out. “Prick.”
Aaron ignored him, but Clove didn’t miss the small smile that tugged at his perfect lips. Her stare stayed on his mouth a moment too long. Aaron’s gaze flicked down to hers and heated. She yanked her eyes away.
The house was a beautiful two-story farmhouse with a long white patio and several wooden rocking chairs. There was something so homey and quaint about this place. Flat land spread out in every direction as far as the eye could see, with a few scattered plots of trees here and there. A large red barn stood to the left and was lined with several fenced-in pastures. Clove spotted an impressive herd of at least a hundred head of cattle. A pasture adjacent to the cows held several dozen horses. They grazed peacefully, seeming unfazed by the overly hot weather. Texas was vastly different from the rising mountains and thick forests of home.
Cool air-conditioning welcomed Clove as the three stepped into the home. Tawny took a seat at a round wooden table and gestured for them to follow. “You’d think fall would bring us a reprieve from the heat but the triple digits just won’t seem to leave.” She fanned herself with her hat as her eyes worked over Clove and Graham. A blond lycan with a lean frame and youthful green eyes handed them each a glass of tea.
“So, Aaron. Who did you bring into my territory?” Tawny cocked an eyebrow at him.
“This is Graham. He’s a recent pack transfer from Scotland.”
Tawny gave Graham an appreciative glance as her eyes slid up and down his burly form. “Remind me to add a trip to Scotland to my list of things to do.” Tawny gave a sly grin. Graham opened his mouth to speak but Aaron went first.
“And this is Clove. She’s…” He cleared his throat. “They’re both under my command as new trainees.”
Tawny’s ocean gaze fixed on Clove and her wolf instinctively bristled. Tawny wasn’t necessarily trying to force submission, but she sure as hell wasn’t sending out any warm, fuzzy feelings. “Beautiful.” The word came across as more of a challenge than a compliment.
Clove fought to hold Tawny’s gaze. When the other woman arched an eyebrow and released a low warning growl, Clove finally broke eye contact.
“Now that the pleasantries are out of the way. Tell me what exactly you think my pack can help you with?”
It was well into the afternoon by the time Aaron finished filling Tawny in. He held nothing back, which made Clove a little nervous. Apparently Aaron trusted Tawny enough to reveal the personal details about the Celestials and mated pack members, including Nova and Darren’s new baby. Tawny took it all in stride. She leaned back, legs kicked up to the edge of the table and arms behind her head.
“Celestials, shadow monsters, and a practical outbreak of fated mates? Things sure sound interesting up in Mountain’s End. Not to mention the teleporter that brought y’all here and then disappeared without a trace.”
Aaron had been noticeably light on the information regarding Lark. Clove had to assume it stemmed from Aaron’s dislike of the unusual lycan.
“There’s never a dull moment,” Aaron agreed. “Now you can understand how dangerous the situation is and why we may need help if there’s a large-scale attack.”
“Hmm.” Tawny pursed her lips. “These creatures have already killed many of your packmates. What guarantee do I have of safety for my pack? Why should we get involved with something so far away from our little slice of paradise? It has nothing to do with us.”
Clove felt a growl building in the back of her throat. Tawny’s words rubbed her all wrong. How dare she dismiss these dangers so easily. Wasn’t she listening to what Aaron said?
“And if the attacks spill over into your neck of the woods, what then?” Clove remarked. “Do you have Celestials? Teleporters? Chosen? How will you defend yourself?” The words were out before she could rethink them.
“You think having all those magical folk makes y’all better than us? Listen here, honey”—Tawny dropped forward, her elbows folding on the table as she leaned into Clove—“my wolves are lethal. They train harder than any pack you’ll ever meet. They know what it’s like to live under the thumb of a tyrant.” She shot Aaron a look. “Isn’t that right, Aaron? Have you told them about your daddy? He beat this pack down until they were nothing more than broken pups. I’ve spent every day since taking his place building them up and making sure that if anyone ever tries to take the pack and treat them the way your father did, they’ll be strong enough to rise up and put them down. After all that, you expect me to just send them off to their deaths fighting some nameless monster from the Veil?”
