Right Wolf, Right Time

Chapter Three

Sophie smiled at Rafe over the table. The raptor-run restaurant catered to a more discreet, upper-class crowd. Which made her wonder what the heck she was doing there. She’d let Rafe order for her, since he clearly knew his wines better than she did. He paired their venison with an aged Bordeaux. To her surprise, she liked the meal. As much as she liked her companion.

For all that Rafe could be dominant, he’d pulled back on his aggressive tendencies and treated her with a gentle courtesy that had her warming up to the man. Not once did he bully or push her into anything. From walking with her from her house to the nearby restaurant to letting her choose the movie they’d see after dinner, he’d been the perfect partner on this clear, cool evening.

The waiter took away their plates. “Dessert?”

Rafe cocked an eyebrow. “Sophie? Up to you, sweetheart.”

She flushed. Sweetheart. Okay, so she was a sucker for romance. The unbidden thought that the wrong man was calling her pet names intruded, and she brushed it away, annoyed with Monty all over again. “Um, the flan?”

Rafe nodded to the waiter, who left to place the order. “Sophie, thanks for coming out with me tonight.”

“Sure. This has been fun.”

He smiled. Oh, wow. Gabby had called it. Rafe had looks and a presence that screamed sexy. Short black hair framed a face fierce with power. His blue eyes were darker than Monty’s, but just as dangerous. He never looked like less than the predator he was. Odd how on Monty that dangerous mien worked, yet on Rafe, that feral quality scared her.

As if sensing her distress, he relaxed and forced a smile. “I know this probably isn’t the place to say this, but I want you to know how glad I am you joined the order. Your first year in Cougar Falls was a challenge, from what I hear. I would have eased your entry into all this, but I was busy.”

Busy kicking Dylan Seaver out of the alpha position. And good riddance. She’d been scared of her own shadow most of the time, and dealing with the wolves of the old order had made her transition into Cougar Falls even harder. “Thanks to the town council, I didn’t have to rush to join a clan.” In Cougar Falls, an Ac-taw without a clan didn’t belong. He or she could visit but not stay. Sophie’s circumstances had been unusual.

“And I don’t imagine joining Dylan’s gang would have been inviting.” He grimaced. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t here sooner to set things right. The things he’s done to our wolves…”

The look in his eyes had her leaning back, away from all that rage. The second she did it, she felt stupid.

He unclenched his hand on his napkin and let out a breath. “I’m sorry. When I think about how many lives he’s ruined, it enrages my wolf. But I’d never harm you, Sophie. You can believe that.” He reached across the table and put his hand over hers.

The warmth of his palm soothed her brief worry, as did the touch and acceptance of her alpha. For all that Sophie was new to being wolf, the animal spirit residing within her knew how to behave around others of her kind.

The lines around Rafe’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “So tell me how you like living in the house.”

“It’s big.” And drafty. “Homey.”

“It’s haunted.” His eyes twinkled. “Or so we liked to tell everyone when we were growing up there. Anyone who had the fortitude to spend a night over had immediate ‘cool’ status.”

“You grew up there? Theo never mentioned that.”

“Theo doesn’t mention anything unless it’s pulled out of him,” Rafe grumbled.

“He’s been good to me.” He’d never judged her. Not even knowing where she’d come from.

“We’re not here to talk about my brother.” His fingers moved over her knuckles. Her wolf shifted inside her, pacing in confusion. He felt right, but he didn’t smell right. Not exactly.

She wanted to pull her hand away without seeming obvious. She didn’t want to out-and-out reject Rafe in front of the other diners, who continued to watch them with interest. But she didn’t know if allowing him to touch her was wise.

“Well, hey there, Sophie.” Dean Chastell beamed at her as he stood next to her table with his new mate in tow. “You know Stacey, my mate.”

The beautiful blonde raised a brow. “The town isn’t that big, Dean. Of course she knows who I am.” Stacey gave her a genuine grin, one laced with amusement. “Hi, Sophie.” Her smile died when she spotted Rafe. “Sheridan.”

Rafe squeezed Sophie’s hand before he pulled away. “Cats out for a night of fun. How nice.” He didn’t sound pleased.

“How about we join you.” Dean didn’t ask. Before Sophie knew it, he’d pulled up a chair for himself and one for Stacey.

“So. Does this place have anything good?” Stacey asked. “I’ve only eaten at the Fox’s Henhouse. The diner is good, but it’s diner food,” she said with a disdain only someone so pampered and beautiful might master.

Dean leaned back and nodded. “Love that chow. Eggs and bacon. Wonder what we can get here wrapped in pig fat?”

“Dean, really.” Stacey glared at him. “Have a little couth.” She waved over a passing waiter and ordered them rare steaks.

Rafe just stared at them. Sophie felt more and more uncomfortable. Would Rafe make a scene? She hated being the center of attention. Even here, in a place she considered fairly safe, she didn’t want to be noticed.

Their waiter returned with her dessert, flummoxed to see Stacey and Dean. “Here you go.” He put the dessert in front of Sophie and gave her one of the spoons. He held the other in his hand, glancing from Rafe to their new guests. “Should I bring more silverware?”

“Don’t bother.” Rafe frowned at Dean and ignored Stacey. “Shouldn’t you be making amends to one of my wolves? I’m surprised to see you out and about when Ivan still hasn’t had his apology.”

“For what?” Sophie asked, clearly out of the loop.

Stacey answered, “Apparently, Ivan was being an ass. So Dean shaved him bald. A silver fox got him drunk and painted a target on his head. Then the raptors started dropping things on him, betting on who could hit the bull’s eye, and—”

Rafe cut her off while Dean snickered. “He damaged my wolf’s pride and has yet to make restitution. That’s a pretty serious offense.”

Sophie took note of his somber tone.

Dean stiffened. “Yeah? Well the only reason I shaved his stupid head is because he was threatening to come over to the pride and deal with a few of our new members in a way I don’t think they’d appreciate.” He glanced at Stacey.

“He talked about messing with my sisters?” she asked with a scowl she turned on Rafe. “I thought he was just screwing with you guys. But my family? That’s a whole different story.”

Dean held up a hand. “Wait a minute. It’s okay for that idiot to malign my brothers, but not your sisters?”

Sophie looked back and forth from Stacey to Dean as they argued.

Rafe’s anger shimmered into annoyance, the musky scent of his rage now tempered with a light waft of humor. It still amazed Sophie she could understand so much more about other Ac-taw by using more than just her eyes and ears. Rafe didn’t wear an expression, but his scent gave away his mood.

“Sophie and I have plans. But please, you two kids enjoy yourselves.” He stood and she quickly stood with him, not wanting this to turn into a brawl.

“Yeah. In fact, enjoy my flan.” She pushed the dessert to Stacey, who took it without fuss.

The woman tried a bite. “Hey, that’s good,” she said, interrupting Dean in the middle of an argument about his superior genetics. “They have just the right amount of caramel drizzled over the custard.”

Rafe grabbed Sophie’s hand and pulled her with him toward the exit. Once there, he stopped and said to the maitre d’, “The Chastell party kindly offered to pay for our dinner.”

“Very good, sir.” The raptor bowed and moved ahead of them to open the door. “I hope you enjoyed the meal. Have a pleasant evening.”

Sophie followed Rafe outside, amused he’d stuck Dean with the bill. She wondered what Monty would think of his antics.

Stop thinking about him! Her wolf whined deep inside her, and she hushed the foolish animal. She shivered as the wind whipped around them.

“Cold?” Rafe tugged her against his side and shared his heat.

“Wow. You’re warm.”

“I’m even better when clothes aren’t in the way,” he murmured and nuzzled her cheek.

She froze, not having expected anything so forward so fast. Then she remembered what she’d been taking notes on last night. If she wanted to experience the same sexual games she’d dreamed about for months, she’d have to open up to heavy petting and kissing, at the least.

Forcing herself to accept his touch, she snuggled closer and focused on his heat, and not the firm hand caressing her shoulder.

Across the street behind the window in the coffee shop, Monty fought not to tear the curtains framing the large window and jump through glass to rescue Sophie. How the hell could she let that bastard maul her on a public sidewalk?

“Dean apparently struck out.” Grady shook his head and watched as Rafe and Sophie strolled toward the movie theater. “Let’s hope Ty and Burke have better luck.”

“Yeah, let’s hope,” Monty growled, aching to sink his teeth into Sheridan’s throat.

Grady slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, buddy. We have your back. But the rest is up to you. You want to claim her? You better move fast. From what I heard, she’s tired of waiting on your ass.”

And that’s what truly burned him. Monty had been thoughtful, caring, gentle—all for a she-wolf who didn’t seem to appreciate his kindness. Hell, he could have muscled in and had her wet and wanting after their first meeting. He’d sensed their instant connection. But had he? No. He’d been worried about her state of mind, nervous about adding to her fear of wolves and men in particular. And for all his effort, the woman had the nerve to go out with Rafe fucking Sheridan.

He growled again.

“Dude, ease up.” Grady looked over his shoulder and waved at the patrons frowning at them. “Come on. Have the Chastells ever not annoyed the gray wolves?”

Monty drew a few deep breaths to calm down. He tempered his impatience. Hell, if the cats couldn’t shake the leech off Sophie, he’d simply break the man in two. Then he’d deal with the little she-wolf.

“Come on. Time for the next part of Ty’s master plan. Fox thinks he knows best…” Grady continued muttering under his breath.

They left the coffee shop and trailed Sophie until a large pain in Monty’s ass broke from the shadows and blocked their way. Behind him stood four more gray wolves. They certainly had presence. The wolves stood a head taller than most Ac-taw to begin with. Most of his kind were brawny and thick. Dense muscle, sharp teeth and deadly claws, when shifted, kept Cougar Falls safe when the wolves weren’t ripping up the town and its inhabitants in turf wars.

Now they stood between him and Sophie.

The mean grin Axel gave him brought out his wolf, eager for payback. “Fancy meeting you on the street, Monty. Out for a stroll with your boyfriend?”

The other wolves snickered.

Grady laughed as well. “Good one. Didn’t know you dogs had a sense of humor.”

They bristled. Wolves hated to be confused with domesticated canines. Monty didn’t like it either, but he could appreciate the general insult. It certainly scored with Axel.

“Look, Chastell. This is between us and GrayClaw. Move it along before I have to hurt you.” He looked more than up for it.

Grady backed away, his hands in the air. “You won’t get any trouble from me.” He shrugged. “I can’t speak for the others, though. For some odd reason, they seem to like the dumb wolf.”

“Hey.” Monty glared, then grinned as the scent of felines accompanied the shift of the wind. He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Stacey, Dean and two of Stacey’s sisters, Melissa and Amy. Normally one cat could take on a pair of wolves with ease. Male lions were bad enough. But the females didn’t take kindly to anyone messing with what they considered theirs. At all.

“Oh hell. Hiding behind a bunch of women?” Axel sneered at him.

Monty nodded. “You bet your ass. You might have taken me in a fight, but I dare you to tackle any of them.”

Axel cursed him and took a step forward. Then Amy and Melissa were suddenly in front of Monty, nudging him behind them.

He wanted the fight, but he wanted Sophie more. So he left the cats to battle the wolves and entered an alleyway to circle behind the buildings. With the theater taken care of, he’d lie in wait back at Sophie’s. He had to hand it to Grady—the cat had left little to chance. Now if Ty could sabotage Rafe and Sophie’s romance under the big screen, Monty wouldn’t have to break the cat into tiny pieces.

Either way, Monty wasn’t going home tonight without Sophie.

Sophie settled next to Rafe in the crowded theater. There weren’t many seats available, but she and Rafe had been lucky enough to score some toward the middle, with the row behind them only half full. Darkness settled as the advertisements began, and the rest of the Ac-taw milling about took their seats.

Rafe held a box of popcorn out to her, but she was too jittery and nervous to eat, still unsure about him. The woman didn’t know what to make of him, but her wolf was warming to him by degrees. She sniffed and rubbed, constantly moving Sophie’s hands or shoulders to brush against him before Sophie could control herself.

“Sorry,” she repeated for the fifth time, hoping she didn’t look as embarrassed as she felt. Thank goodness for dimmed lighting.

“No problem. I like you touching me,” he rumbled, again inviting her to move closer. He entwined his hand with hers and held them over the arm of the seat—the lone barrier separating them. She thought she’d scented his arousal a time or two. But he’d laid his jacket over his lap, so she couldn’t tell if he truly desired her or just liked the contact.

Wolves needed touch. She’d always been a demonstrative person and now knew why. Her uncle and cousins had abhorred her affection, and she’d spent much of her youth alone and lonely while surrounded by family. Here, with people she was still getting to know, Ac-taw of all shapes and sizes greeted her with warmth. They touched, they shook hands and they hugged. The female cats and foxes in the pride were especially open with their affection, and she wondered again what they might think of her notion to join them.

Not that she minded the wolves, but her good friends lived together at the catamount ranch. They allowed anyone they liked to join the pride, and they seemed to like her. There she’d feel less burdened to mate. Julia had mentioned how the ranch suited her and her family, and how great it would be if Sophie joined them. There she might fit in being herself, with people who knew the real her.

“You okay? You’re awfully tense.” Rafe leaned closer as the previews ended and brushed his lips across her cheek. He whispered, “Want to go somewhere else for a while?”

He nipped her earlobe and she nearly shot out of her chair. A part of her liked the playful bite, but another part of her wanted to gouge out his eyes for attempting to mark her in any way.

He chuckled. “I knew you had a mean streak buried under all that nice. I like it.”

How did he know what she’d been thinking? Had he smelled her anger? Seen it in her eyes?

An oath sounded behind them, followed by a plaintive grumble. “Hey. I can’t see.”

Oh no. She knew that voice. A glance over her shoulder showed her Burke Chastell and Rachel, his mate, had taken the empty seats directly behind them. The two scowled at Rafe, then turned winsome smiles on Sophie. Their expressions were so in sync they made her laugh.

“Hey, Sophie. Nice to see you here.” Rachel glanced from her to Rafe and made a small O. “Sorry, Rafe. I thought you were someone else.”

“Really? Like who?”

“Ivan. But that can’t be right. He’s bald now, isn’t he?” Burke answered.

Rachel nodded. To her credit, she didn’t smile. “I heard that it’s taking a while for that ratty nest he called hair to grow back. But hey, the target on his head has faded.”

Rafe growled low, the vibrations a warning.

Burke chuckled. “Come off it. He had it coming to him. You don’t insult the pride’s females in front of pride members. That’d be like me telling everyone what a lapdog your albino wolf is. I mean, the last time we tangled, I threw Axel into the bushes and he scraped his head, then went whining back to you about how mean we are. But really, I was just playing. He looked big enough to handle the confrontation.”

Rafe turned fully around and glared. She could feel his anger like pinpricks against her skin. Odd. She’d never before felt his rage, though she’d smelled it. Her wolf didn’t like it, and she leaned away from him. Thankfully, the seat next to her remained empty.

“Look, Chastell. I don’t want to do this here with Sophie and your mate present. But anytime you want to play, you let me know. Name the place and time, and I’m there.”

Rachel grinned and poked her mate in the side. “I told you he wasn’t a wimp. And here you thought he’d be too afraid to meet you outside his territory.”

“Um, Rachel—” Sophie tried to diffuse the tension.

Then the sheriff interrupted from behind the Chastells. “Hey. Would you folks keep it down? The movie started, and I’m missing it. Shut up already.”

Burke muttered something under his breath that had Rachel laughing and Ty calling him a horse’s ass.

Rafe reluctantly turned back around. She saw claw marks against the wooden arm of the chair between them. “Sorry, Sophie.” He managed a grin. “You sure you want to see this?”

Stay here, where Burke would no doubt continue to screw with Rafe and annoy him to the point of violence, or leave and be with Rafe all by herself? She had no doubt he intended to take things a step further with her. Should she? She wanted to, badly. But she still hadn’t made her mind up about him. Maybe a kiss or two would help her. Not here, but in the privacy of her own home.

“Rafe, I—”

Burke swore and leaned forward again. “You tell that wolf behind me that if he kicks my seat one more time, I’m going to tear him a new one, Sheridan.”

Rafe snarled and turned around. He stood and grabbed Burke by the front of his shirt. A bad mistake. Burke retaliated by putting his large hand around Rafe’s neck.

“That’s it.” Sheriff Roderick said something in a low voice to the wolf, who sunk in his chair. Then the sheriff vaulted a row and appeared next to Burke. He urged both men to back away. With the limited space in the theater, he didn’t have much to work with. But miraculously, Burke left in a snit, Rachel following with a worried expression. She bumped into him when he stopped suddenly and turned to gather her to him, much to the annoyance of a group of raptors, whose feet he stepped on and whose view he blocked.

“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to get out of control.” He rubbed her swollen belly, reminding one and all that pregnant females should never be in harm’s way.

“Hell,” Rafe muttered. In a louder voice, he apologized to Rachel. “Sorry, Rachel. Your mate is a pain in the ass, but I didn’t mean to get rough with you so close.”

“What the hell? Can we please see the movie?” A few golden eagles swore and one snapped, “Fucking cats.”

“Watch your mouth,” Rafe growled. “There are ladies present.”

The birds said something that sounded uncomplimentary, but they didn’t say anything else off-color.

“You know, if the bears were in charge, this wouldn’t be an issue,” a bear yelled from the front. “Quit catering to the cats, Roderick.”

“Run for sheriff come January, Marcus,” Ty yelled back. “Everyone else who wants to add their two cents, don’t. Shut up and watch the friggin’ movie.” To Burke and Rachel, he warned, “You’re banned from the movies for a month.”

“Rafe,” Rachel whined.

“Both of you. I heard what you said to Rafe, Rachel. No point denying it. You’re trying to stir trouble. And don’t even think that cute face or baby belly is going to save you. Out.”

The cats slunk out of the theater. Sophie stared wide-eyed at Ty. He’d rarely used that voice, and never at his pride leader, that she knew of. According to Julia, he and Burke were friends. What would tonight mean for the pride? Would Ty be in trouble for showing Burke and Rachel the door? Would Julia be in trouble because of her mate’s actions? Speaking of which… She didn’t see Julia with him. What was he doing at the movies without his mate? The pair were inseparable unless Ty was on duty.

He winked at her and took Burke’s seat. Directly behind Rafe.

Her date gave Ty a dubious look but said nothing more.

Sophie sighed, pleased and irritated. Pleased because her romantic night with Rafe had been ruined, and irritated for the same reason. Would he want to come home with her after the movie, or would he seek retribution against the pride for tonight’s drama? Was it a big deal, or had she made more out of the altercation than it warranted?

She didn’t like conflict and never had. Working to hide her unease, she stilled her trembling hands and placed them on her lap.

Rafe reached for her hand and gripped it in his—not hard, but enough to get her attention. Then they watched the rest of the movie together with a tension that refused to abate.

After it ended and they left to walk her home, she tried to think of how to end the evening on a peaceful note.

“Did you like it? Not all that fuss before the picture, but the movie itself?” Rafe asked.

At the moment, she couldn’t remember much of anything she’d seen. Sophie had spent her time trying to figure out how to handle an annoyed alpha.

“Y-yeah. It was funny.”

He gave her an odd look, and she suddenly recalled the plot.

“I mean, sad that she died at the end.” Her cheeks felt hot. “Funny as in, funny how life throws you curveballs sometimes.”

“I get that.” Rafe walked her up the stairs of her porch and stood with her at her front door. Nosey neighbors would be able to see them from across the street, but the few trees and tall bushes around her house gave her a sense of privacy many in town lacked. “This isn’t how I envisioned ending tonight.” He stroked her cheek.

She turned in to the touch, her wolf needing comfort.

“You’re so beautiful. So soft.” Rafe moved closer. The light above them gave his face sinister shadows, but the desire in his eyes didn’t scare her. Not now. Her wolf forced her to angle up for his kiss, curious and hungry.

His lips met hers. Pleasant, warm, but not tingly. He didn’t make her breathless, the way just watching Monty move did. And he didn’t turn her wolf into a quivering mess of desire. She had no urge to submit. Only to please her alpha, so she kissed him back. The bulge between his legs intrigued her. Holy hell, but she’d made a man hard and hungry. Sophie Tanner finally had a chance to feel like a real woman.

He groaned and drew her closer to deepen the intimacy when his pocket vibrated.

He broke the kiss and swore under his breath. In a raspy voice, he apologized. “Shoot. Sorry, honey. I have to take this.” He stepped away and barked, “Yeah?”

After a few moments, during which Sophie caught the words fucking cats, jail and Axel, Rafe turned to her with murder in his eyes.

She instinctively shrank back.

He reached for her, then let his hand fall to his side. “I’m sorry. Apparently a few of my pack met with the pride and all hell broke loose downtown. Now I have to go bail Axel out of jail.” His eyes flashed. “Do me a favor. If you see Monty GrayClaw, tell him I want to talk to him.”

“M-Monty?” She forced herself not to flinch when he drew a finger down her cheek again. It took her wolf a few moments to settle down, but her animal spirit finally relaxed.

“Never mind. I had a good time tonight. Before all those cats interfered.” He snorted. “He’s a smart one, I’ll give him that.”

“Rafe?”

He had the sense to kiss her on the lips—not the forehead—and wished her a goodnight.

To her surprising relief, he made no mention of a second date.