The Wolf Within

Chapter 4

Taking this much time to choose wine was ridiculous. He probably wouldn’t even care what she brought over. So why couldn’t she make up her mind? Julie paused to examine yet another label.

It might be easier to buy several bottles and decide at home. With any luck, Brendan would never know she’d traveled two towns over to get wine for their night together. The liquor store in Alpine Woods didn’t have anywhere near the wine selection this one had. The more she thought about it, the more she liked that option. It would be nice to have some around the apartment. It wasn’t as if she wouldn’t get to them all sooner or later.

As if whatever wine she bought would change things between them.

This was stupid. Brendan wasn’t hers, and she would never be the mate he needed. Maybe if she were a beta wolf or an omega, things wouldn’t look so bleak, but she wasn’t even a shifter. She was only kidding herself, fantasizing about winning his heart like a child. A wave of depression crashed over her. The truth was she wanted to go to Brendan’s. She wanted to do a hell of a lot more than kiss him too.

She looked at the bottle in her hand, not really seeing the label. What was she doing? Having a fling with Brendan would fulfill the dreams she’d had since high school, but was such a bad idea. No matter how much she tried to deny it, her heart would get involved. And it would lead to more tears and a broken heart.

It was already going to be difficult to let her dreams go once his mate came into the picture. Julie sucked in a breath at the painful thought. Having to watch her siblings pair off was hard, knowing she wouldn’t have the same connection. Watching Brendan with a mate would devastate her.

Right now, she was at least rational. But if she acted on her impulses, dropping the reins on her wayward fantasies and jumping in with both feet, Brendan finding a mate wouldn’t just devastate her–it would destroy her.

Where did that leave her tonight? Either she could go to Brendan’s and risk losing control–risk ruining everything–or she could cancel. Julie let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She knew what she had to do. As much as she wanted to throw a tantrum at the thought of cancelling, it was time to put on her big girl panties. The right decision wasn’t always the most desirable one.

She glanced down at the two bottles of wine in her hands. Might as well buy them. Since she was going to spend the night alone and depressed, a bottle of wine might be just what the doctor ordered.

“The chardonnay is a great choice.” Julie jumped at the sound of the deep voice in her ear. Why was everyone so intent on sneaking up on her? And why was she so damn jumpy lately?

She turned to look at the man behind her and hastily closed the mouth that had flapped open in surprise. Wowza–handsome didn’t begin to describe him. She ran her gaze from his casual brown shoes up his jean-clad legs and form fitting black t-shirt, ending with his piercing blue eyes. The look in them was almost frightening in its intensity, startling her from her perusal. He looked…hungry.

It took a moment to compose her thoughts. To buy time, she glanced down at the bottle she held, trying to form a response.

“Good to know. I don’t suppose you’ve tried the pinot?” She held up the bottle in her other hand. His smile was friendly, but his hungry gaze remained fixed on her.

“I haven’t. How about I pick up a bottle, and we can test it together. What do you say?” As far as pick-up lines went, it was one of the better ones she’d heard. Not to mention, a tempting offer. The man was attractive, and she was single. It might be the perfect way to distract herself from her feelings for Brendan.

But ditching Brendan for this man, for any man, left a bad taste in her mouth. Besides, the intensity in the man’s eyes was a bit unsettling.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have plans tonight.” Plans that only minutes ago she’d decided to cancel, but he didn’t need to know that.

“A shame. At least tell me your name, for the next time we meet.”

Julie shivered. Next time? The certainty in his voice unnerved her. Jeez–first thinking something had lurked in the forest, and now creeped out by a friendly stranger. Her imagination was in overdrive. As soon as she got home, those damn suspense books were going in the trash. It was obvious she needed something milder.

“It’s Julie.”

“A pleasure, Julie. I’m Jay. So you have plans tonight, but what about tomorrow?” The way he continued to stare at her gave her the heebie jeebies.

“I’m actually seeing someone. But I appreciate the offer.” She wasn’t above lying to escape these situations. This guy was a bit too intense for her.

“Too bad. I hoped we could get to know each other better. Until we meet again, my dear.” He bowed, and with another charming smile, walked toward the back of the store.

A shiver snaked down her spine. If she had any say in the matter, they would never meet again. Something about him just didn’t sit right, and the way he stared at her was downright creepy. Considering how far she was from Alpine Woods, the chances of running into him again were slim at least. And now she had a couple of bottles of wine picked out. She’d go home, blast some cheesy 80s rock and drown her troubles. All that was left to do was call Brendan and cancel their plans.

After paying for the wine, Julie headed home. As her tires ate up the road, she pulled out her cellphone to make the dreaded call.

If she were a brave woman she’d dial his cell, which he would undoubtedly pick up. She knew how that conversation would go. He’d coerce and coddle until she caved. He always had the power to make her agree to anything. Case in point: going out last night. The truth was she wanted to do what he wanted, to please him. But this time she had to put her foot down. She could not let herself go to his place tonight.

She flipped through her contacts and dialed his house phone, calling herself a chicken the entire time. She knew he was at work, and wasn’t surprised when the call rolled into his voicemail. Leaving a brief message on the machine, she apologized for the last minute notice.

It’s better this way. Maybe if she kept repeating the thought, she’d begin to believe it.

Brendan saw the blinking light on his answering machine the minute he walked in the door. A sense of foreboding told him who it was even before Julie’s voice drifted out.

He hit the button to repeat the message as he carried the grocery bags farther into the kitchen. He stopped and laughed at the quiver in her voice as she explained how they should stick to being friends. That wasn’t going to happen.

Grabbing a bottle of water, Brendan pondered his options. The obvious one would be to accept her cancellation and track her down tomorrow. It was what any sane, rational human being would do. Clearly not an option for him. After all, he wasn’t just a man after a woman. He was a wolf after his mate.

Calling her didn’t seem like the smartest plan, either. Over the phone he had less influence than face-to-face. If he saw her, he knew he’d be able to convince her to come back to his place.

His gaze lingered on the uncooked salmon on the counter. Better yet, pick up a pizza on the way to her place. Dinner wasn’t started yet, and food would ease his way into her apartment. After all, who could resist a hot, gooey cheese pizza? Besides, maybe she’d feel more comfortable if he gave her the home court advantage. He had no doubt he’d win regardless. He was still grinning as he made his way to his car.