Page 17 of A Howl in One

Eliana’s wolf hated that.

“I would love to,” he replied. “It’s closer anyway.”

Eliana sped up and turned onto the road, not having realized how famished she was as well. Lucas put his notebook into his pocket as headlights streamed by, darkness having swallowed the stunning landscape that captivated tourists during the day.

“Do you interact a lot with the pride on the island?” Lucas asked.

Eliana kept her eyes on the road, not wanting to look at him and be mesmerized by his genuine look.

“Not particularly. Only when it is necessary. It was important to Phil and my father that we keep things harmonious on the island. It’s been that way for decades.”

Lucas nodded in her peripheral vision, crossing his legs awkwardly to turn his big body to face her. She began to sweat, and not due to the Hawaiian heat.

“The information about the overdose,” Lucas spoke cautiously. “I’m assuming that was something you already knew.” Eliana nodded, squeezing the steering wheel. “That kind of situation could cause a stir in an otherwise peaceful town. Is that why the pack is so desperate for an alpha?”

Eliana marveled privately about how perceptive the wolf was. There was no point in deceiving him, especially since they required his help so desperately.

“I would say that it’s more of an undercurrent as to why. No one has said it aloud like that, but yes, I would say it has affected the push.”

Lucas brought his fingers to his lips, pursed out in consideration. Eliana was happy that they weren’t far from the restaurant because she was losing her grip on the desires her wolf pleaded for.

She wanted to devour him, to drive into some abandoned corner of the island and fuck him in the back seat. The need was so strong that her vision blurred. She had never experienced such intense eroticism in her entire life. Thank the gods, she was able to pull into the restaurant lot. She nearly leapt out of the car, leaving Lucas alone to follow behind her as the bell above the door chimed their entrance.

“Ma,” she called out, “we’re back now. Put two orders of ribs on the stove ….”

The restaurant was dim and quiet, which it normally was around this hour. Eliana and her mother would spend the rest of the evening cleaning and eating.

She had yelled her order nonchalantly without noticing the familiar, mountainous-sized back of a customer sitting at a table, facing away from her. When he turned to her, his childlike smile with gleaming teeth made her heart pang with nostalgia.

“Tao?” she said, feeling a surge of emotions rush through her body.

Tao Matson, a former member of the island pack, stood from the table with a smile that made him look like he was twelve years old. His size begged to differ; he was a six-foot-eleven beast with wide, sturdy shoulders and a waist as thick as a tree trunk. He was menacing from a distance, everything about him large and intimidating, but when you drew in closer, it was too easy to notice that the man oozed plush from his insides.

“Eliana.”

Tao held his arms out to her, the smile descending into an expression of grief. She went to him impulsively, wrapping her arms around him where her fingers barely touched, like she had done a thousand times before.

Tao was as kind as they came, thoughtful, and sweet as honey. They had a history, which made Eliana feel immediately comfortable in his arms. At one point, when they dated, Eliana thought that she had been in love with him. But she never felt the mate pull, which planted a massive wedge between them.

Tao had never said she was his mate, which made Eliana even more certain that they weren’t meant to be. He refused to admit it, though, which ultimately led to their separation. Once they’d broken up, Tao left the island and moved to California to pursue other ventures.

It had hurt her heart to see him go, but because she cared so much about him, Eliana had also wanted Tao to find his mate. The feelings that had fooled her into thinking their love was legitimate flooded her body in the quiet restaurant.

That was, of course, until Lucas walked in. The door chimed loudly, and her wolf went wild from their mate’s mere presence.

“I tried to get back as soon as I could,” Tao said, still cradling her in his arms. “I am so sorry to hear about Phil, and I’m sorry I missed the funeral.”

Eliana suddenly felt guilty about hugging someone not her mate, so she pulled herself away from him, letting her hands linger on his forearms. Tao’s eyes were big and black, rimming with a grief only a close pack could comprehend.

“I know, I understand. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Lucas waited behind her, not wanting to intrude. She could feel him, though, and most of all, she could feel herself wanting him. Eliana stepped away from Tao, whose hand briefly lingered on her wrist. She severed the touch and stood next to Lucas, who held out his hand politely.

“This is the alpha Gerri Wilder called in to help us find our own alpha.”

“Hi there, my name is Lucas Doyle.”

Tao held out his hand, ever the friendly, non-jealous type, and smacked his paw into Lucas’s. It made a clamorous echo in the room, shaking the plates that remained on the tables.

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