Destiny of the Wolf

Chapter 21

NOT PLANNING ON REING LEFT OUT OF ANY MORE BUSINESS concerning her sister, Lelandi nearly leapt out of Darien’s arms and headed for her discarded clothes in the bedroom. “I’m sitting in on this, Darien.” But she wondered what had changed his mind about talking to Chester.

“I guess I have no say in the matter.” He yanked on his Jeans, his expression lightly teasing.

“Nope. I’m not a beta wolf.” Lelandi quickly buttoned her shirt.

Darien walked over and rested his hands on her shoulders, his lips pressing against hers. “You’re an alpha for sure. For now, I’ll allow it... as an alpha male.” He rebuttoned her shirt.

“Better put on a sweater or I’ll have to kick Chester McKinley’s butt out of here, because no doubt he’d take a longer look at you than I’d care for.”

She jerked on a pullover sweater and slipped into a pair of jeans. “Despite whatever anyone told you, he was a perfect gentleman.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” Darien zipped her Jeans for her. He lifted her chin and gazed into her green eyes sparkling with fire. “I have no intention of keeping you out of the picture if you’re going to look into this by yourself and put your life in more danger. I understand as an alpha you can’t wait for others to do everything for you.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “Together, we’ll solve this.

She threw her arms around him and squeezed tight, her head pressed against his chest. “I love you, you big gray.

Cheered to see her feeling better, he tousled her hair, then led her downstairs to the living room.

Upon seeing Lelandi, Uncle Sheridan raised his brows in question.

“I’m staying for the meeting,” Lelandi said.

“When women start ruling things, that’ll be the end of life as we know it,” Uncle Sheridan said.

“We’ll improve it, I’m sure,” Lelandi said.

Uncle Sheridan gave her a disparaging look.

Darien couched a smile and sat down with her on a sofa, then motioned for Chester McKinley to get on with the news.

“I know you don’t want an outsider sticking his nose in your business, Darien, but I do this kind of work all the time and what I discover goes no farther than this room. If you want to reveal to your pack what we find, that’s up to you. Nobody will hear it from me.”

“Fair enough. So what’s your plan?”

“Make a list of everyone who would benefit from Larissa’s death and all who had grudges against her.”

Darien rubbed Lelandi’s hand. Although she seemed determined to be part of this, she shivered, and he thought she wasn’t holding up well. But he couldn’t blame her. “We’ve done this.”

Uncle Sheridan handed the paper to Chester.

He perused the checklist and nodded. “Normally a blackmailer continues to milk the victim for all it’s worth. So there wouldn’t be any reason to kill the victim and get rid of an easy source of income.”

“Unless the blackmailer feared getting caught. What If Larissa had recognized who the blackmailer was?” Lelandi asked.

“Bingo. Of course, it could be there was a killer and a blackmailer and neither had anything to do with the other, but I’m betting they’re one and the same.”

“Why?” Darien asked.

“Thirty years in the business.”

“I’d like more solid evidence than that,” Jake said.

“All right. So we have a shooter who kills the gunman so he can’t talk. And—”

“Silva, the waitress at Silver Town Tavern, says she shot him, although she was only protecting Sam, our bartender, and didn’t mean to kill the gunman,” Darien said.

Glancing down at the checklist, Chester rubbed his beard. “Is she on the suspect list?”

Lelandi frowned. “Of course not. She was friends with my sister and has been my friend ever since I first arrived.”

“Right. And oftentimes a perpetrator is the one you least suspect.”

“She’s not a suspect.”

“The thing is, Lelandi, even you are a suspect,” Chester said.

Lelandi’s mouth dropped open, then she snapped it shut. Darien shook his head. “Watch what you say, Chester McKinley.”

After a minute of silence, Lelandi said, “Of course, Chester. I see what you mean. I came here to chase after Darien, but I had to get rid of my sister first.”

“Exactly. My point being that even Darien’s brothers are suspect. Darien himself also, if you want to go that far. What about Sheriff Sheridan? He hasn’t taken a vacation in ten years and then he suddenly ups and goes on one?”

“Wait a blamed minute.” Uncle Sheridan said. “I earned that damned vacation.”

“Not to mention Uncle Sheridan wanted to get out of town before the second annual fair arrived,” Jake said.

Chester raised his hands in conciliation. “I’m saying we can’t look at only the ones we suspect, but those who appear to be above suspicion. Keep an open mind. I have to in this business. But it’s easier for me since I’m not connected to anyone in town.”

“I’m not investigating Lelandi, my brothers, or Uncle Sheridan and if this is the kind of bull—”

Chester raised his brows. “You want solid proof.” He dug around in his jeans pocket and pulled out a bullet and bullet casing. “I found the bullet casing up on the ridge.”

“The shooter’s,” Tom said.

“I found the bullet several feet short of where the dead gunman’s body had lain. Now, what if Silva’s bullet fell short, but someone else fired at the same time? Did anyone hear separate shots fired?”

“Yes. The gunman shot Sam in the arm first,” Darien said.

“But at least two more shots were fired. One that hit the gunman, fatally wounding him, and the other that missed its mark.”

Uncle Sheridan put the bullet and casing into a plastic evidence bag. “I’Il get these checked right away.”

“You might want to ask Silva if she heard another shot fired or anyone moving around near her. Smelled anyone, sensed she wasn’t alone.”

“I’ve already asked her and she said no,” Darien said. “What about Lelandi’s parents?”

Lelandi’s eyes widened.

“Sorry, I meant to mention that first. Her cousin Ural and I had a nice, long chat. He learned your parents were being targeted for termination so that your father couldn’t object to your mating Crassus. Ural moved them to Oregon, somewhere safe, then staged the car accident. When he came back for you, he discovered your pack leader had already posted a guard. So Ural waited until you escaped. He followed you here, discovered your sister had died, and wanted to take you with him to see your parents.”

“Jeez, why didn’t he say so? Do you have any proof they’re alive?” Lelandi asked, her face growing red.

Chester handed her a letter. “Your mother’s handwriting, correct?”

Lelandi’s eyes misted as she read the note. “It Is.” She choked up. “My mother says my father wants me to join them, and that they’re with my brother and uncle.”

“You’ll stay with me.” Darien tightened his hold on her hand. “They can live with our pack.”

She shook her head. “Knowing my father, he wouldn’t want to live with a gray pack, no offense.”

“As long as you don’t mind,” He watched her, waiting for her response.

“I want to see them. Do they know about Larissa? They must if Ural has talked to them.” She sank into the cushions, looking drained and Darien wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

Sam hollered into the house from the front door. “Sorry for the interruption folks, but there’s a Miss Carol Wood here to see Lelandi. Is she free to speak with her?”

Lelandi closed her eyes, then opened them, so not wanting to talk to the poor lady. First this business about her parents—she couldn’t be more pleased they were safe, but she knew how badly they must feel that Larissa was dead. And Carol—she must be feeling horrible about losing both Doc and Ritka, despite their deaths not being her fault.

‘I’m not hiring her at the hospital if she thinks she can win you over and try to get to me.” Darien patted Lelandi’s leg. His chin was down and his eyes were narrowed, conveying a guarded threat.

“You have nothing to worry about.” Lelandi rose from the sofa and the men all stood.

Carol and Sam remained in the chilly foyer waiting for her. Sam’s expression solemn, Carol’s even grimmer. Her vivid blue eyes, wearing a wealth of worry, watched Lelandi, then she turned her attention back to the living room that was hidden from their view in the foyer. None of the men talked and Lelandi wondered if that was making Carol uncomfortable, or if it was the way Sam, as big as he was, continued to chaperone them.

Lelandi took a deep settling breath and reached for Carol’s hand. She didn’t want to make friends with a human. Keeping the lupus garou secret precluded that, but she had to know what this was about. “Let’s go to the sunroom. Even though it’s pretty cold out, someone probably started a nice fire. If it’s not comfortable enough, we can find some other spot to sit.”

“I... I didn’t mean to disturb you after what happened, but we have to talk.”

Lelandi led Carol through the living room where the men all stood up from the couches and chairs. “Ladies,” Darien said, his expression hard.

As if he had to warn her not to get too friendly with a human. She gave him an annoyed look back. Carol noticed; her anxious expression didn’t waver.

They walked to the back of the house and Lelandi opened the door to the sunroom. Two men she didn’t know were talking inside, but as soon as they saw Lelandi and Carol they both made their excuses and left the room. Lelandi shut the door and motioned to a couch that faced the fireplace and a floor-to-ceiling window that showed the winter scene outside.

“Unusually early snow,” Carol remarked.

But Lelandi knew Carol wasn’t there for chitchat. She wasn’t sure how to approach a human about human frailties. But she could be a good listener. So instead of saying anything, she sat in the chair close to the end of the pale green couch where Carol perched herself.

Carol spoke low. “I’m sick with worry for your safety.”

Lelandi tried to hide her surprise, but she was afraid she’d failed.

“I... I felt terrible about Doctor Oliver and Nurse Ritka. I... I didn’t save their lives.” Carol quickly brushed away tears.

Lelandi reached over and took hold of her hand and squeezed. ‘You did everything you could for them. I know you did.”

“Do you believe in fate? That our lives are predetermined? That nothing we do will change our fate? Do you?” Carol pulled her hand away from Lelandi’s and pushed her fingers through her wind-tousled blonde curls. “I saw Joe Kelly shoot Doctor Oliver.”

“Yes, of course you did.”

“No... no. I saw it happen before it happened. Don’t you see? I have these damned psychic abilities, and what do they do for me? Nothing. I couldn’t save him, could I? I came to stop Doctor Oliver from confronting Joe. But instead I got him killed.”

“No.” Lelandi moved to the couch. She put her arm around Carol’s shoulders and realized how much it was like when she comforted her sister after her mate beat her. Regret filled her with a sense of loss, knowing she could never comfort her sister again. But she wanted to help Carol get through her troubles now. “Joe intended to kill Doc. He told me so.”

Carol pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “You’re not safe with them.”

“With Darien and his brothers?” Lelandi had a very bad feeling about this.

Carol’s eyes glistened with fresh tears. “You don’t know what they are. But if you stay with them, they’ll make you one of them.”

Lelandi’s heartbeat did double time, but she tried to keep the panic hidden. If a human learned the truth about the lupus garous, Bruin discretely terminated them. A car accident, drowning, whatever it took to make it appear the human had met his end accidentally. But she couldn’t be sure Carol knew about the lupus garous either.

“What do you mean?” Lelandi asked as innocently as she could manage.

Carol studied her face for what seemed an eternity. Lelandi’s hands grew sweaty.

“You’re not one of them already, are you?” Carol looked down at the floor as If she was considering something, then her head rose quickly, and she looked at Lelandi’s face again, her own filled with horror. She jumped up from the couch, then offered a fake smile, her body trembling slightly. “I’ve got to get home and feed my cat. I forgot to leave food out for him.”

Lelandi had to stop her from leaving. She had to know the truth. Did Carol realize what they were? With the gentlest of touches, she reached out to Carol. “You’re right, I’m in a lot of danger. I don’t have anyone to talk to because Darien doesn’t want me involved. But I am involved. Will you listen?”

Carol glanced back at the door like a rabbit looking for a quick escape from the little red wolf.

“Carol.” Lelandi resumed her seat on the overstuffed chair next to the couch, trying to put some distance between them so the woman wouldn’t feel so cornered. A secret for a secret? She had to know what Carol suspected. “Someone was blackmailing my sister.”

Carol hesitated.

“Maybe you can help me find out who with your special abilities.” She raised her brows. “I don’t know if this person was the one who killed her or not, but...”

Carol sat down on the couch, leaned forward, and patted Lelandi’s hand. “Do you have any suspects?”

Lelandi’s heart filled with hope that Carol might be able to help her, but she shook her head. “No one that I have any evidence on. But Ritka and her girlfriends hated Larissa. With her out of the way, they had a chance to…” She almost said mate. She wasn’t used to having a human confidant. Rubbing her arms, she let out her breath. “Darien would be available to marry again. Maybe one of them was the blackmailer. Maybe they thought he’d divorce her if... oh. I don’t know.”

“No,” Carol said with certainty.

“No?”

“All three.”

Lelandi closed her gaping mouth and stared at the petite woman.

“I’m just supposing here, but the three of them were Super-Glued together. If one did it, the others were bound to know. But the others would want a share, too. What would they blackmail her about?”

“She was already married.”

“Oh. You’re a prisoner here, aren’t you?”

“Darien is determined to keep me safe, but I want to find out who was blackmailing my sister and who killed her.”

“You’re not one of them, are you?” Carol asked again, her expression hopeful.

“No, of course not. I’m not from here and—”

“I’ve seen things that no one should ever witness. Unnatural things.”

Oh, god, no, no, Carol, don’t say it.

Carol glanced back at the door, then turned to Lelandi. “They’re part of some cult. When the moon appears, they strip off their clothes, then cover themselves in animal skins and run around in the woods howling.”

Lelandi barely breathed. “You’ve seen Darien and the others do this?”

“Well, no, not for real.”

“Are they like nightmares?’

“You can say that again. It’s always dark and difficult to make out what’s happening because the cool night air mixes with the sun-warmed earth, creating a screen of fog. Some of the men and women have sex in the wilderness like they’re a bunch of wild animals. You know, the men mounting the women from behind.”

“In animal skins?”

“Yeah.” Carol looked at her curiously. “You wouldn’t do that, would you?”

“Sounds a little kinky. Although I recall you saying you wished you could tell someone you’d never meet again about a sexual fantasy of yours.”

“That’s definitely not one of them.” Carol shook her head a little too vigorously.

“I’m certain Darien and his family and friends aren’t a part of a cult. He’s too busy running the factory and silver mine.”

“You’re probably right. But some of the people living here are in it. You have to believe me.”

“Are your psychic powers ever wrong?”

“Sometimes I have difficulty sorting out what everything means. I saw an injured girl and felt the pain in her leg, saw her washed in a blanket of white mist. I guessed later it was the girl you rescued in the woods during the blizzard before Joe kidnapped you. But I couldn’t see where she was, who she was, what happened to her, who was with her. The visions are not all that clear most of the time.”

“Like a nightmare? Where the dreams are mixed up and run together with the oddest images?”

“Maybe,” Carol said, but she sounded like she didn’t think so, that she figured Lelandi didn’t believe her. “I... I felt bad when Joe took you hostage. I hadn’t seen that happen. I don’t know why I can see some things and not others.

“What do you see now? Anything in my future?”

“A man threatens to take you back home. He’s a redhead, not as tall as Darien, but heavy-set. And he has a savage streak.”

Lelandi’s heart fluttered. “Crassus.”

Carol stood and began to pace. “But there’s someone else. A man. I can’t see who, but I sense he holds a lot of anger, directed at your sister, then at you. You’re not only the embodiment of Larissa, but you’re trying to find her killer—him. He’s frustrated because he hasn’t been able to get to you. But he’s someone Darien trusts.”

Chill bumps erupted on Lelandi’s arms. “You don’t know who he is?”

“No.”

“Do you know how he plans to kill me?

“I don’t know.” Carol tried to smile. “I really admire you. No matter what, you stand up for yourself. I wish I could be more like that.”

“I think you are. Carol.”

“Yeah, and I still don’t have a job at the hospital. But you never give in, If I see anything else, I’ll... I’ll let you know.”

Lelandi stood and took Carol’s hand, but Carol gave her a warm hug back. “Somehow we’ve been thrown together... maybe because our sisters both died and were so depressed. I don’t know. But I... I have to help you if I can.”

“Thank you, Carol. Maybe with your abilities, you can.” But how in the hell could Lelandi help Carol? If anyone learned she might be seeing lupus garous mating in the woods on moon-filled nights, the powers-that-be would eliminate her.

“I’ve got to get home,” Carol said. “I really did forget to feed Puss this morning. He’ll be roaring by the time I return.”

“I’ll walk you to the front door. If you learn anything more...”

“I’ll call you.”

Lelandi shook her head.

Carol ran her hand over her arm. “I’ll drop by. They’ll be listening in on your phone conversations, won’t they?”

Lelandi snorted. “Probably. They think everyone’s suspect.”

“Rightly so. First, that guy shot you, then Joe took you hostage, then... why were you in the blizzard with the girl who’d been injured?”

Lelandi smiled. “Searching for evidence about my sister. I escaped the house.” Her smile faded. “But it won’t happen again.”

“I can see why not. You could have died out there.” Carol opened the door to the sunroom, and they headed to the living room.

The men stood. Darien’s face looked dark and his brothers and the others—Chester. Sam, Uncle Sheridan—all looked as concerned. Had one of them listened in on Carol’s conversation with Lelandi through a vent or some damned thing?

“Can I have a word with you, Miss Wood?” Darien motioned to the sunroom.

Carol looked like she was ready to have heart failure.

Lelandi’s whole body chilled with fear, and she felt sick to her stomach.

Jake said to Lelandi, “I need to talk to you. Do you mind?”

Torn, she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to protect Carol from her male when she should have been totally loyal to him and to the pack, to all lupus garous, first and foremost. Darien gave her a look like she better do what was expected of her.

That’s when Lelandi snapped.

“Sure, but I want to see what Darien has to say to Carol first.” She gave the men all her sweetest smile, faked to high heaven.

“Fine.” Darien didn’t sound like it was fine with him.

The three of them walked into the sunroom. Carol looked pale and as uncomfortable as if Darien and his family had just pronounced she was a witch and at any moment the inquisition would burn her at the stake. Lelandi didn’t feel much better.

None of the men looked happy with either Lelandi or Carol. But Lelandi didn’t care. If Carol hadn’t wanted to help her, the woman wouldn’t be in this untenable situation now.

Darien waited for them to sit and then gave his full attention to Carol as if Lelandi wasn’t there. “I’m concerned about Lelandi’s health,” he said smoothly.

Carol glanced at Lelandi, her look one of disbelief. Lelandi was sure she appeared as astonished. What the hell was he up to?

“We’re afraid someone plans to kill her, and that’s why she’s constantly under guard. She wants to learn who blackmailed her sister and murdered her. But I can’t let her run around town on her own. You know what’s happened to her already. In that light and because you’re unhappy with your Job prospect as a nurse at the school, I’m offering you a job as Lelandi’s personal nurse. If anything should happen to her, your medical knowledge could save her life. Your salary would be commensurate with what you would earn at the hospital, but you would only need keep Lelandi company when she wishes it.”

“But I have a cat and...”

“Jake will see to the cat’s care. Doc Mitchell will board him until you’re ready to return home.”

Lelandi felt cornered into making a decision. But she was certain if she didn’t agree, Carol’s life would hang in the balance. “Until you can catch the bastard who murdered my sister. I think it’s a perfect solution, Darien. Of course, if you agree to it, Carol.”

Carol didn’t appear comfortable with agreeing to the conditions of her new employment. “Would I be free to go and—”

“No.” Darien’s face remained stern, determined. He would have his way, one way or another.

“If I don’t?”

He shrugged. “You’re free to go. It’s up to you. I would hope that you’d consider my terms favorably for Lelandi’s sake though. If you don’t stay here around the clock, however, there’s no sense in you being here. Who knows when the killer will strike again?”

“Can I go home and get some clothes?”

“Tom will take you.”

“All right.” Carol offered a smile, but the warmth didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll do this for Lelandi. And hope to god I can make a difference if need be.” She rose from the couch.

“Good.” Darien motioned to the door and when he opened it, he said, “Tom, take Miss Wood to her place to get some clothes. Jake, you can take her cat to Doc Mitchell’s for boarding until we get this situation cleared up with Lelandi.”

Carol still looked like she thought they were going to burn her at the stake.

“I’ll see you in a little bit,” Lelandi promised. “I haven’t baked anything in eons with my sister. Maybe we can whip up something.”

“An apple pie?”

Darien looked somewhat mollified with Lelandi’s response. “Run her by the grocery store and get whatever ingredients they need.”

Carol’s expression brightened and she had more of a spring to her step when she left the house with Darien’s brothers. But as soon as the door shut, Darien gave Lelandi a look like she’d overstepped her bounds. He took her hand and led her up the stairs without saying a word and although everyone watched them, no one said anything either. She was in trouble now.

She had no good reason for getting on Darien’s bad side either. If Carol knew they were lupus garous, she put them all at risk. Lelandi had no business covering for her.

When they reached the bedroom. Darien released her and shut the door. She felt small and unworthy under his steely gaze. She didn’t say anything, not sure how to respond, and he finally blew out his breath. “What the hell was that all about?”

She wanted to warn me I was in danger. We all know that. So what’s the big deal?”

“Lelandi.” Darien ran his hands up and down her arms. “She’s dangerous. How long have you known she has psychic abilities?”

“I’ve only met her once before.”

“And she told you then?”

Tears filled her eyes. “I... I don’t want her killed.”

He held her tight and kissed her forehead. “We have to do what’s right for the pack. In days gone by, we could have someone institutionalized if they’d seen one of us turn wolf. But we can’t do that anymore. If she does have visions that involve you and whoever this maniac is, I want her here. And I want to know about it immediately. We’ll put her talent to good use and take it from there.”

“And when she’s not of any more use...?”

“I’m sure we can work something out.”

Lelandi didn’t think he would. The pack took priority. Lupus garou took priority. One human woman was of little consequence.

“Do you believe she sees us as humans wearing animal skins, howling at the moon?”

“She says it’s dark. And it would be for her. We can see at night. She wouldn’t be able to.”

“And there’s a fog. Yet, she seems to see a hell of a lot despite it being nighttime while the cultists run around in a fog.”

“What are you implying?” Lelandi asked.

“I’m implying that she sees us as wolves, not as humans wearing furs. She was testing your reaction, seeing how you responded to the news.”

“Because she’s afraid I’d think she was crazy?”

He kissed her cheek. “Or, because you’re one of us, and she wanted to see if you’d betray this.”

“Does she think I am?” Lelandi asked.

“What do you believe?”

“At first, I don’t believe she thought I was. Then something made her reconsider. In the end, I felt she wasn’t sure. Maybe she trusted me. Until you said she had to stay here.”

“For your safety and hers. If anyone found out she might be able to identify whoever murdered Larissa, Carol would be a dead woman.” Darien paused for a minute, letting the seriousness of the situation sink in.

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“If any of the lupus garous of the pack discovered she might be able to tell the world about us, one of them might not wait for me to make a decision concerning her disposition.’

“I understand fully.”

He hugged her tightly, wanting to keep her safe from all the evils of the world, but already he was worrying about Carol and her abilities to see the lupus garous as they were, and what he would have to do if things got out of hand. He knew if he didn’t handle the matter right, he’d end up driving a wedge between himself and his mate.