Patricia Briggs owns this great series, not me.
This chapter was fun.
Piper sulked most of the flight to Montana. She couldn't believe Van had ordered her into exile with a town of wolves. Of course, her mood slightly improved when she thought of the bald spot that had been shaved into Van's head whilst he slept last night. Still, his audacity at ordering her around was enough to make her seethe.
After all they had been through, Van actually believed that sending her away would keep her out of trouble. Clearly, the Alpha was delusional.
Piper knew she could have ignored him. Hell, she probably would have if not for those big blues he'd turned on her. When the Alpha of Detroit is so worried he's willing to beg you to leave, chances are it's a good idea.
Occasionally, she'd steal glances at the Squint, who'd stuffed her in a private plain and flown them to snowier territory. He hadn't said much to her besides, "I think you'll like Aspen Creek."
After that, she'd made it clear to Doogie Houser…Bran…or Marrok or whatever, that she'd rather pass this trip in silence.
He had just chuckled.
Chuckles was a little over six feet, just slightly taller than her own height. His hair was blonde and cropped so short that it barely brushed his temples. Piper couldn't help but be annoyed at the calm and calculating looks he made. Nor could she help her body's reaction to them.
Despite the attraction, she still had a hard time matching his image to that of the legendary Marrok. Wasn't that guy supposed to defeat packs with his bare hands or paws or whatever?
The closest to a throwdown this guy looked like he was getting into was a robot-battle at Comic Con. In fact, he just about as harmless as a college student. If she'd seen him on the street, she'd bet her life he wasn't much older than her. Thankfully, Piper wasn't a betting woman because the Marrok was supposedly old as freaking dirt.
Weirder, was the lack of pull she felt between them. Piper had been around strong Alphas before. Sometime she'd feel this weird intimidating attraction toward them. In fact, Van had teased her she was an Alpha groupie. To which, she replied it was curious how she'd never felt that pull toward him. Piper nearly chuckled now, remembering his deep scowl.
Being that this guy was the most powerful of the powerful shouldn't she be like on him like lipstick on a tranny?
Sure, she felt a pleasant little stirring or two. I mean, the guy was blindingly attractive, if you were into that whole geek-sheik thing, but altogether Piper didn't feel that magnetism.… For a solid minute she debated whether this was all a big joke.
As they navigated the snowed road in a Humvee, the squint looked lost in thought. Piper realized she hadn't seen a road sign in quite some time, further worrying her. Memories of when Mac had gotten them lost in a forest near Marquette Michigan, flogged her. A physical ache took root in her chest, stealing away her breath. As a distraction, she broke the silence.
"Do you know where you're going?"
He smiled, "Yes, I've lived here quite some time."
Piper chuckled stiffly; forget the pain. Focus on something else. "I'd love to ask how old you are, but I'm worried I can't count that high."
He smiled, looking amused and the pain fled away.
"I assure you, I'm old enough to remember a time in which we didn't use numbers to count."
She was surprised he'd even said as much. Had to be at least a few hundred years old. 25 my ass.
"Well, you look pretty good for being classmates with Aristotle, Squints." Why did I just say that?
He raised an eyebrow, "Why do you keep calling me that?"
Piper flexed her left hand open and closed, shrugging. She was women enough to admit she enjoyed teasing him, especially since he'd scrunch up his face each time she did so. Not many men can pull off looking hot and dumb.
"I just call 'em like I see 'em."
"I don't wear glasses."
It was true. "No, you don't. But the name still fits. The guy's harmless eye-roll only solidified the name. "Just smile and say, 'Yes, Mistress'"
He actually chuckled at that. Piper liked the deep sound but was disappointed by his lapse into silence afterward; making her worry there was more to this Alpha-groupie thing than She had thought.
"uh. Not a man of words, are you?"
"What words would you like to hear?"
A few dirty ones came to mind at first. Probably best not to mention those.
" I know you're just tittering with anticipation to give me the 'you need to behave' shpeel." As she spoke, Piper waggled a stern finger in his direction, "Let's get that over with."
He glanced at her, humor lighting up his freckled face.
"There are no rules, really. Aspen Creek is quiet. Don't start trouble and you'll be fine."
Those sounded like rules to her…"Where will I stay?"
"We have a motel for out-of-towners. You'll stay there for as long as you want."
"So I can leave tomorrow?"
The Squint didn't look amused this time.
"Listen, Van has this delusion that if I come here I'll forget all about the Reds. I think we both know that's a load of bullshit."
"There's something to be said about out of sight, out of mind."
"They killed Mac in cold blood…I don't think I'll forget seeing that" More snowed-down forest passed them by, "no matter which state I'm in."
"I understand," he replied somberly.
Another moment passed before Piper felt necessary to say something. She peeked a glance at him. "Don't worry, Squints. I won't wreck havoc on your town."
For the first time in twenty hours, the man smiled and attraction hit Piper like a kick in the gut. "Somehow," he practically cooed, "I don't believe that."
She shifted, ignoring the urge to run a finger down the arm he leaned against the center console. "Never throw toilet paper on a bear..."
He turned toward her. "What?"
It was something Mac had said. It was their thing; random nonsensicals that made other's wonder what drugs they took. Piper still remembered when Mac had said that one; how his face had lit up in excitement. She had laughed for nearly an hour afterward. A stab of emotion closed her throat. Piper fought to forget. "Never mind."
Bran pulled the humvee up to a nondescript motel, surrounded by patches of forest. He shut off the engine and turned toward her. "My son's mate, Anna, will stop by and show you around."
Of course, she knew the Marrok had sons, they were just as famous as he was in werewolf circles. Still, to hear the phrase out of a twenty-something's mouth, whom she very nearly jumped, was bizarre.
"Why not you?" The words were out before she could think to stop them, one of her many bad habits.
He frowned. "I'm Marrok. I've got things to do."
Piper managed not to roll her eyes, remembering all of Van's "important Alpha" business. The man napped as much as a toddler. "Whatever you say, Squints."
"My name is Bran, or Marrok. Not Squints."
Piper smiled as he huffed out the sentence. If Van and this guy thought she'd take this moving-order lying down, then they were delusional. She'd meant what she said, no way would she wreck havoc on the town… being a good little follower was a whole 'nother matter…Piper had never been very good at taking orders.
"What about Fido then?"
He scowled deeply. "You're right. Squints is much better."
After a moment, he said. "Van said you'd be trouble."
"I think his barber will agree."
He nodded cryptically and suddenly Piper remembered a horrifying piece of wolf-gossip- Bran could read thoughts! Stupidly, Piper pictured him naked and tried fiercly to banish the thought. Every possible raunchy image her brain could create flitted through her mind, and Piper mentally fought against each one: him kissing her neck, her fingers tangled in his sandy hair as he- OKAY, STOP. I will not think of the Marrok naked. I will not think of the Marrok naked!
Through her concentration she glanced toward Bran, who was smiling at her knowingly. Piper wasn't sure whether his smile meant he knew her impure thoughts or simply because of the shade of crimson she'd turned. Piper decided to ignore the way his red flannel, grey undershirt and frayed jeans clung to him as he jumped out of the truck. Bran wasn't a bulky man, but h still moved with purpose; with power. Absently, she wondered where all this insanity had come from, as he opened her door.
"So, home sweet home, eh?" nodding toward the run-down motel.
"For now…" He said like a promise.
Bran retrieved her bag, grabbed a key from behind an unattended desk, and headed toward room 4. As the door swung inward, Piper fought not to cringe at her new amenities. The carpet was ugly brown shag, accented by yellow lamps and a puke-green comforter. A large, quite ugly, painting of a bear hung above the bed.
"You gave me this room on purpose didn't you," she deadpanned. The room was as ugly as Detroit in March.
He shrugged, "I think it's lovely."
Piper grumbled and mentally used some very explanative swear words, suddenly fine if he read minds at that moment.
Resigned to her current fate, She trudged forward, dropping her bag somewhere near the door and throwing herself backwards onto the bed. It was a full minute of laying on the lumpy mattress before she realized Bran hadn't followed her into the room. Instead, he stared strangely at her, rooted in the doorway.
His hands were tucked in his pockets, but Piper swore she could see them bulge into fists from the shape under his jeans. Her eyes noticed a slight rip the surface beneath his top left belt loop.
Glancing back toward his face, she realized he wasn't looking as awkward anymore. Piper saw flat-out interest in his gaze, his eyes rooted to her stomach. She glanced down to find the shirt she wore had slipped up slighty, revealing a sliver of skin near her navel.
Bran wanted her, the thought struck her with as much grace as a Mack truck and just as suddenly, Piper felt on fire. A tight knot formed at the bottom of her stomach and she saw his nostrils flare. Smelling desire was a pesky trait werewolves were blessed with. And right now, Bran was getting a good ole whiff of her lust. His gaze met hers and Piper noticed his eyes were shades lighter and much wilder. She was just about to do something completely stupid, like ask him to join her, when he started, closing his eyes and efficiently dousing out the tension.
"I have to go."
With all the bravado she could muster, Piper replied, "later, Squints." and realized she'd practically purred the sentiment.
Bran didn't move and Piper realized how absolutely ridiculous she was being. She didn't come here to settle down with a nice wolf, much to Van's dismay. This was about biding time and gathering information. Seducing the Alpha of the freaking Alpha's was not on the agenda! And here she was, making goo-goo eyes at the Marrok. THE MARROK!
But still, there stood Bran, making those eyes at her and fitting himself nicely into her new agenda. If he stood there a moment longer, she wasn't sure she stay rooted on the bed. She took a deep breath and called out, "If I throw a stick, will you leave?"
A stupid part of her chanted " .stay." just before Squints rolled his shoulders and fled without another word.
Ha. not going to happen THAT easy!
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