The Alpha's She-Wolf (2 page)

The Maddock's

Connor Maddock rocked back in his
high backed ox blood leather office chair and switched his cell to the other
ear.  His mother was wearing that one out.  His brother stuck his head in the
slightly open door and grinned.  “Is that mom?”  Connor nodded and sighed.  She
was upset about pack business that was none of her business.  Connor was Alpha
of his pack since his father passed a year ago leaving him in charge of pack,
pack business, four brothers and the family business.  Derek was the youngest
and the clown of the family.  He was also the luckiest of them, he found his
mate on his fifteenth birthday.  Connor was now thirty-three and had no
prospective mates in sight.  Oh sure there were plenty of bitches trying to
coax him into claiming them but none of them appealed to him in anyway except a
temporary convenience.  He would only claim his mate and lately sex with anyone
else did not hold any appeal.  He would have her soon if the dreams were any
indication, she would be perfect, tiny and blonde.  She would be outgoing and
friendly and she would be insatiable.  Connor grinned at that thought.  Michael
and Kirk did not seem to feel as stressed about finding their mates as Connor. 
They were content screwing whatever wiggled or sniffed the air with an upturned
tail in their vicinity and Victor, well nobody had heard from Victor since
their dad died.  Victor was the oldest but also the most irresponsible.  He
took it as a personal offense then left when their dad left Connor in charge.  He
would come back when he was ready or out of cash.  Meanwhile, Connor knew that
she was out there, somewhere.  He dreamt of her often, never seeing her face
but he could hear her voice and he could scent her.  Her scent was clean and
crisp like a spring day, an honest scent, and one that made his cock like
steel.  Most mornings after one of those dreams, he would go straight to the
shower stand under the hot spray and relieve the maddening ache.  She was out
there, and he just wished he could find her.  Often, Connor ran through the
woods trying to scent her, a few times he almost thought he’d found her but he
would always lose the trail.  Usually the run ended in a frustrated and lonely
howl.  Derek was rummaging through Connor’s office fridge trying to get a free
can of soda and his mother was still buzzing in his ear.  She wanted to move
into the biggest house that the pack owned.  The pack, or now him rather, owned
dozens of houses.  The house that she wanted belonged to a family with six
children.  Connor had listened well past the time of polite and as soon as she
took a breath, he interrupted her.

“Mom,” Connor said in that
commanding way that he’d always had, the way that got her attention.  She
stopped speaking and listened because not only was he using that tone, he was
her alpha, son or not.  “Do you hear yourself when you speak?  You may not have
the Anderson house.  There are six children living in that house.  It would be
terribly selfish of you and me to ask them to move into your bungalow, you have
two bedrooms.  That would mean six pups in one room and parents in the other. 
We have been trying for a very long time to build our number, the Andersons
have done well for us, and I hope they will fill all of the bedrooms in the
Victorian.  Three females are in that brood mother, you have four unmated sons,
let the Andersons continue to turn out eligible bitches, there are two more
empty bedrooms in that house.”  She sighed.

“But I’m the Alpha’s mother.  I
should have the very best Connor.  After all that I have done for you, after
all that I have sacrificed for you boys, you would think that the decision was
easy.”  She whined, lately she’d become more demanding and increasingly
petulant.  Since his father passed it seemed like she needed more of everything. 
More money, a better car, and a bigger house so what else could she want? 
She’d worsened each time one of them moved out and each time she got worse
another would move out.  Now they all lived in their own houses except Kirk and
Mike, who shared.  They shared women too he’d heard rumored, the thought
grossed him out.  Sex in the same room with the same woman as your brother was
nasty.  He and his brothers were having a hell of a time dealing with mom and
one by one they’d found somewhere else to go until they’d all moved out and
left her alone.  Connor had no choice but to move her and her things when a new
family moved to the area and joined their pack, they had four children, the
bungalow was not big enough, and it was empty.  He and his brothers moved her
and her things in one afternoon emptying the house for the newcomers.  Now, she
wanted to run a family out of their home for prestige.  It was nonsense. 

“You’re right mom the decision is
easy, and the answer is no.”  She gasped.  “Mom, my word is final, you know that,
and after you think about it objectively you will come to realize that I’m
right.  You have the best yard to do your gardening in because the sunlight is
perfect.  You are near the park and centrally located to each of your sons. 
There is no better place for you.  I will not move that family out of that
house to satisfy your whims.  You will spend the rest of your days living where
you live right now, Alpha’s mother or not.  I have to make decisions for all of
the members of the entire pack not just you.  Now go putter around your garden
and let me get back to work.”

“Fine but Victor would’ve given it
to me.”  She hissed.  Her voice was low and calm and she hung the phone up
gently but he could imagine the screaming and cussing that was taking place
right now in the little white bungalow on the corner.  He grinned, she had a
fiery temper and could be especially challenging, it amused his father when he
was alive, and Connor could see the appeal of all that fire in a woman but not
in his mother. 

“And that’s exactly why Victor is
not in charge Mother.”  Connor spat at the now silent phone.

“Should I steer clear on the way
home?”  Derek tipped the Coke back and guzzled half of it.  Connor nodded. 
“I’ll warn the fellas.”

“I thought you were mad at Kirk for
getting drunk with Cassie the other night.”  Derek mulled it over for a few
seconds.

“You’re right, I won’t warn them,
in fact I think I’ll tell them that I heard a rumor that mom has been making
pies.”  He grinned and waved at Connor as he nearly danced out of the door. 
Connor laughed.  He wouldn’t tell them either.  They had no business drinking
with Derek’s mate while he was working late.  It wasn’t right and they knew it,
they also knew it would make him crazy jealous as it would any wolf and they
both enjoyed screwing around with their little brother.  Connor went back to
work on his computer.

“Mr. Maddock?”  Tracy, his
secretary stepped inside his office.  She’d changed clothes.  He wondered why
for just a moment then he scented her.  “I have the personnel files that you
requested.  Connor rose from his chair and stalked toward her.  Tracy stepped
back frightened.  “Mr. Maddock?  Are you okay?  Did I do something wrong?  You
look very angry.”  Tracy was steadily backing up until she backed into the
doorjamb with a thud.  Connor knew that she wasn’t his mate.  Tracy had worked
here for almost ten years.  She’d shown interest in him but he never
reciprocated because he did not scent her as his mate but now?  Now, the intoxicating
scent of his mate filled his brain and it was making his balls draw up.

“Why did you change clothes?  And where
did you get that blouse?”  He was looming over her now and her eyes looked
slightly watery. 

“I went shopping at lunch and I
thought this was so cute that I bought it and wore it out of the store.  Isn’t
that okay?”  Tracy’s hands were trembling.  Connor thought if he didn’t do
something quickly, she might collapse or cry.  He wrapped his arm around her
shoulders and led her to his visitor chair in front of his desk. 

“I’m sorry Tracy, I just got off
the phone with my mother, and I am just a bit out of sorts.”  He chuckled and
she relaxed.  “You went shopping huh?  That is a beautiful blouse, which store
did you find it in?”  He sat back down across the desk from her.  Connor was
manipulating her for information but knew he couldn’t be honest with her. 
I
can smell the woman that I want to claim on you.  I want to push my way inside
of her and never leave.
  Yeah that would get him locked up for sure.  Mental
note Maddock, watch the testosterone around Tracy, she scares easily.

“Oh it’s new.  ‘Off Center’ just
opened across the street.  They sell custom jewelry, and exclusive fashions.  The
store only deals with artists and manufacturers that are local.  It’s a great
store, if you’re in trouble with your mom you should take her, she’ll forgive
whatever you did.”  Tracy smiled at him. 

“Great, maybe I will.  Back to
business, what did we find out?”  Tracy opened the file and read parts of what
it contained but Connor wasn’t listening.  Did his mate work across the street
in the new store?  Did she handle the blouse?  Did she make the blouse?  Who was
she?  He would make the trip as soon as Tracy stopped reading the damned file;
it was quitting time anyway, well close enough.  He was the boss.  He could
leave when he wanted to damn it. 

Shauna

Shauna dragged herself out of bed
and pulled her sweats on then shoved her feet into her pink fuzzy slippers. 
Trudging down the stairs and into the kitchen, she made her way to her lifesaver,
the coffee pot.  “Want me to hook up an I.V.?”  Naomi asked. 

“Please do.”  Shauna mumbled and
gulped the hot black coffee.  She settled her chin on her fist and closed her
eyes.  “I had another one of those dreams.  It’s as if he knows I’m bone tired
so he shows up early and then I can’t ever get back to sleep again.  I’m going
to collapse.”  Naomi clucked her tongue and smoothed Shauna’s hair. 

“Poor baby.”  Naomi sat down next
to her.  “What did he do this time?”  Naomi’s chocolate eyes were wide and she
was biting her bottom lip with anticipation.  Shauna rolled her eyes at Naomi.

“Isn’t it a little early for
porn?”  Naomi shook her head emphatically. 

“Fine.”  Shauna gulped the rest of
her coffee and handed the cup to Naomi who popped up from her seat and
hurriedly poured more coffee.  She set it down gently on the red checked tablecloth
and plopped back down in her chair with her head propped in both hands.  Shauna
giggled.  “Okay.  I am outside in the yard this time.  The moon is full fat and
bright but I’m still me.  I’m looking up at it, there’s a cool breeze but I am
out there in my pink mini and barefoot.  He comes up behind me and wraps his
arms around me.  I can tell that he’s strong and I know that he’s wolf, but I
don’t know how I know it.  He runs his nose up and down my neck.”  She slides
her finger up and down showing her sister what it would look like.  Naomi
sighed.  “It’s maddening.  My whole body trembles and everything south is
quivering and clenching.  His hand squeezes my breast and I realize that I
don’t have a bra on but I like his hands on me.  He dips his hand down the
front of my shirt and rolls my nipple while the other hand is going up my shirt
from the bottom.  He keeps telling me that I’m his, he keeps saying ‘you’re
mine, always mine, no one else’s but mine.  Mine to love and mine to tempt
andmine to tease.’  He bites my ear lobe then sucks on it and I can feel my
whole body shaking, my knees go weak and it’s like my stomach bottoms out inside
of me but all the while my girl parts are quickening, dampening and readying
for something.  I can feel how huge he is against my bottom because he keeps
nudging me with it.  He kisses the side of my neck and he’s still teasing my
nipples then he starts kissing the back of my neck.  I guess my hair is up
because he doesn’t move it or anything.  Then he bites me and I orgasm Naomi, I
came in my sleep again, twice this time.”  Naomi sighed again.  I hate it Mimi,
I hate what he does to me and how he can make me feel anyway he wants to.  He
seems a little cruel and I’m scared.  What if this guy is real?”  She closed
her eyes and took a deep breath, “What if he’s not real?”  She finished on a
whisper.  “I want him so much.”

“I want to come in my sleep, or
anywhere for that matter.  Do you think Mike Winslow is back in town yet?” 
Shauna rolled her eyes.

“Whore.”  Naomi giggled at her
sister’s proclamation.

“Maybe, but frequently I am a satisfied
whore and you could be too.  You’re young and you should try it.  Give up
avoiding all men just because of this one man.  You’ll know if it’s him, right?” 
Shauna grimaced.  “What did he look like this time?  Did you see his face?”  Shauna
shook her head.  “Did you recognize his cologne?  Was the voice the same?”

“Same guy, same smell, but it’s not
cologne it’s him, same voice, same strong arms and the same result, I got no
sleep but felt very nice for about an hour.  I guess I shouldn’t complain at
least he makes me come.”  Shauna grinned at her sister.  “Have we finished ‘Off
Center’s’ order?”

“Two more blouses and a bracelet to
go.  I know you’re tired but I am going to need your full attention today Sis.” 
Shauna nodded and started unraveling her braid to rework it neatly and get the
escaped hairs out of her face.  If she was soldering, she didn’t want to catch
her hair on fire.  Naomi peeled a banana and chewed thoughtfully.  “Next time
you have that dream tell him you have a sister and that she needs a date too. 
Maybe I can lose a little sleep and have a mind numbing O!”  Shauna punched her
shoulder.  “Ouch!”  Naomi grinned.  “You big brute, be careful with us little
guys.”  Shauna laughed and headed back upstairs to dress.

***

“Done!”  Shauna held the earrings
she’d worked on for the last two hours up for Naomi to examine as she spun
around on her stool.  “Mimi what happened?”  Naomi sat with one hand cradled in
the other, her face was pale.

“Got myself with the damn needle
again and crap on a biscuit does it hurt!  Do you want run this stuff to ‘Off
Center’ with me?  I want to wrap this first though.”  Shauna gathered the newly
made jewelry and the blouses while Naomi tended to her injury.  She put everything
neatly into a box and carried it to the old Jeep Cherokee that she and Naomi
shared.  Naomi climbed into the passenger seat.

The Jeep squeaked to a stop at the
curb in front of ‘Off Center.’  Shauna noticed a man standing across the street
he was dressed well and posed no threat.  She also thought he looked out of
place in a suit like that with the expensive Italian loafers on his feet just
standing out on the street where anyone could mug him, or at least beg for
money.  The last time she’d come down to the city’s center there was a young
guy that looked like a junkie standing in that same spot and he gave Shauna the
willies.  This guy was very attractive and was surveying them with cool grey
eyes.  She glanced at him through the side glass of the hatch back.  “H-o-t.” 
Naomi whispered in her ear.  Shauna bit her bottom lip to stifle a grin.  She
didn’t want him to think that she was some kind of pervert, looking him up and
down while grinning like a fool.

 “Wow.”  She mumbled pulling the
box out and balancing it on her hip while she pulled the door down to latch
it.  “Seriously, wow.”  She hissed a breath out through her pursed lips, giving
him one more glance.  Naomi giggled.  The wind lifted her hair as Shauna went
inside the store.  Naomi gave him a saucy smile and followed her sister into
the store

“Hey Shauna girl!  How are my
favorite artists?  Hey Naomi!”  Arturo the nighttime manger came around the
counter to take the box from Shauna.  His braids were longer than last time and
he had incorporated a few rainbow colors.  He was an attractive man, tall and
lithe with skin the color of expensive coffee.  He had an infectious smile and
a deep laugh.  He had the box securely wrapped in one arm while hugging them with
the other and kissing each of their cheeks in turn.  “You know, I just sold the
last blouse of yours, the lady left a call back number too for when I get more
in.  She looked fantastic in it Shauna, like it was made for her.”

“That’s great Art, have you sold
any of the jewelry?  How are we doing on that?”

“I sold out of earrings days ago. 
We need to bump the price a little.  If people like your stuff this much, you
can get more for it.”  Shauna laughed following him to the back of the store to
the staff only room where they folded and priced new pieces.  “Cassie, I’m with
an artist, cover the front.”  Art said to the red head straightening a display.

“You got it boss.”  Cassie headed
toward the front.  She spotted the man leaning on Shauna’s Jeep, and then
smiled and waved at him.  He only nodded and stared past her into the depths of
the store.

“Okay, so we have ten blouses,
eight sets if earrings, six bracelets and two rings?  Is that right?”  Art
asked.  Shauna and Naomi nodded together.  “Okay and I owe you twelve hundred
for last month’s items.  Do you want me to write you a check or deposit it into
your account?”

“Deposit it, I wouldn’t feel safe
with the check, I would probably lose it.”  Shauna said and Art nodded.  “Art,
do you think this will last or do you think it’s a fad?  Naomi and I are
considering expansion but….”  Her voice trailed off.

“I don’t know girl, keep at it and
I think we’ll know better in six months time.”  His smile was soft and
reassuring.  She nodded.  Art led them to the front and gave her a receipt for
what he owed and what he was going to deposit.  Shauna glanced outside and saw
the well-dressed man was now leaning on her Jeep.

“You’re boyfriend is really hot.” 
Cassie whispered.  “He’s been watching you guys ever since you and Art went to
the back.  What’s his name?

“I don’t know him.  He was standing
across the street when we pulled up.  What do you think he wants?”

“I think that’s obvious, he wants one
of you.”  Cassie giggled in that seventeen-year-old way.  Shauna bit her lip
and took the receipt from Art.  Shauna smiled and headed for the door with Naomi
trailing behind.  She pushed through the glass door jingling the bell and
stepped out onto the sidewalk. 

“Excuse me, but I need to get
going.”  Shauna said shyly.  Ogling him from across the street was one thing
but up close made her heart pound and her blood race.

“What pack are you in?”  His voice
was a deep gravely baritone and Shauna’s nipples hardened at the sound.  “I’m the
only alpha for fifty miles and I don’t know you two, why is that?”  Shauna
stopped and her brows knitted looking over at her sister.  The voice was close
but not exactly right.

“We’re not in a pack sugar.”  Naomi
flirted with him easily coming out of the store.  Shauna’s hackles rose.  She’d
almost dared to hope that he wanted her but his focus zeroed in on Naomi. 

“I’m Connor Maddock, and you are?” 
He stepped toward her holding out his hand. 

“And you’re the alpha huh?  It’s nice
to meet you alpha man.  So why haven’t you come around to see us?  You would
think an alpha would be aware of all of his kind.”  Naomi waggled her brows at
him and he smiled decadently at her.  Shauna’s heart fell.  Here was another
playmate for Naomi.  She had him right where she wanted him.  She would toy
with him then move on the way she always did. 

“We have to go Naomi.”  Shauna
walked around the Jeep and climbed in.  She threw her purse in the back seat
and turned the ignition.

“Well sugar, it’s been real nice
meeting you but like Sissy said I have to go now.”  Naomi opened the passenger
door and sat down beside Shauna. 

“Here’s my card.  Can I get your
number Naomi?  I’d love to take you out sometime.”  His fingers smoothed across
hers but when they slipped free, his brows furrowed studying Naomi.  “You’re
not her.”  He nearly whispered.  “I thought…”  Connor really needed to start
trusting all of his senses instead of only his eyes.  It was forever getting
him into trouble.  It had with Victor and it was now.  He glanced up at Shauna expectantly. 

“Sure sugar.”  Naomi scribbled her
number on his card and handed it back to him.  “What was it that you thought? 
Who aren’t I?”

“I was sure.  I scented you but the
feeling is not right.”  He glanced up at Shauna again now.  “Connor Maddock. 
What’s your name?”  He held his hand out for her to shake.  She took it and his
touch sent electric tingles across her skin and Shauna dropped his hand.  She
was frightened or nervous, she couldn’t decide which, it almost felt like a
panic attack was coming.. 

“I’m Naomi’s sister, Shauna.”  She
said quietly.  Naomi watched the exchange with bemused interest. 

“I think I scented you, on a blouse
that my secretary wore back from lunch the other day.  She said that she got it
here and that local artists make everything in the store.  The daytime clerk
remembered Tracy and the blouse and told me that the artist was due in any day. 
I’ve been standing over there since hoping that you would show up.  I knew it
was one of you when the breeze shifted.”  Shauna worried her lip.

“You scented me?  That’s possible?” 
Shauna noticed the monogrammed shirt cuffs.  Very classy, she thought.

“Very.  A wolf can always scent its
mate.”  Shauna’s eyes rounded and she gasped.

“Your…your mate?  No kidding?  You
think that I’m your mate?”  Crap on a cracker, he was the man from the dreams.

“I know that you are.  A wolf
always knows.”  At least he hoped so, who could tell anymore with Mother Nature
screwing with him at every turn.

“Then I should know too.  Right?”  Shauna
was suddenly suspicious.  Missus Branson always told them to be careful.  Not
all creatures are honest.  Not all creatures are honorable.  Not all creatures
are trustworthy.  He nodded.  “I’m not sure.  Missus Branson, the lady that
raised me said that I would know him immediately but I don’t know you.”  Connor
walked around the Jeep.  Naomi shrugged when Shauna glanced at her.  He opened
her car door and pulled her out to stand before him. 

“I don’t want to frighten you but
I’ve waited a long time to find my mate and I want to be sure.  Would you mind
if I…?”  His nose twitched.

“I guess not.”  Shauna nibbled her
lip.  “If you’ll let me…”

“Of course.”  He wrapped his arms
around her and pulled her into his embrace.  She felt weird letting some
strange man hold her this way in such an intimate embrace.  Their bodies fit
perfectly together and he buried his nose in her hair and moaned. 

“I want to bury more than my nose
in your scent.”  Connor moaned softly in her ear.  She startled but Shauna put
her nose close to his neck and sniffed at him delicately.  All of the cells in
her body suddenly felt alive but her nerves jangled. Was this finally it, was
this him, had she found him after so much waiting?  What happened now?  Would
he take her somewhere and …do things, like mark her?  Take her virginity? 
Would he be gentle?  He was so big.  How gentle could he be?  He said he was an
alpha, she’d never imagined her mate would be an alpha and that panicked her to
the depths of her soul.