Watch Me, page 15
She’d called Lucia the day after they’d found out about his aunt. With Keric finally asleep, she’d figured it was the best time to call. Lucia, who’d read her the riot act for leaving without a word, had understood Tiffy would stay with Keric once she’d heard the whole story. Something had kept her from telling her sister she’d accepted Keric’s proposal. No doubt there’d be a fight once she announced she’d be moving to Wyoming.
“Hi, you must be Tiffany.” A brown-haired woman in her late forties held her hand out to her. “I’m Melissa. That’s my husband Sam, over there.” She pointed at a tall, dark-haired man who had his back to them. “We’re Keric’s neighbors.”
Tiffy took her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Melissa smiled at her. “If you need anything, let Sam know. If he can’t fix it, he’ll know someone who can.”
“Thanks.” God, she hated wakes, especially when she didn’t know anyone. Keric was nowhere in sight, probably dragged off by someone again. His house wasn’t big, the living room was full of people, and more populated the kitchen and dining room. There wasn’t a single place left to sit, all the armchairs taken by strangers she had yet to meet. Someone had brought flowers and put them in a vase on the dining room table, in the middle of food that had arrived almost from the moment the sun had risen. Everyone had brought something and everyone seemed very close. Muted laughter sounded from the corner and a woman lifted a little girl into her arms, admonishing her.
Perhaps she should go outside for a while. Keric was busy, he wouldn’t miss her.
“He didn’t introduce you to anyone yet, did he?” Melissa hooked her arm through hers, startling her from her thoughts. “I understand, it was a lot to take in for him, but it doesn’t excuse neglecting you.”
“He didn’t. I’m sure he meant to. He has a lot on his plate right now.” Dammit, she shouldn’t have to make excuses for him, no matter what the situation. At the very least, Keric should have introduced her to the pack Alpha, as their rules dictated. “I hope your Alpha will forgive him for ignoring Lycan code. I don’t think Keric told him who I am and why I’m here.”
“Oh Sam knows who you are. Keefe came by and told him, and Sam called your Alpha to let him know you hadn’t been kidnapped or anything.”
Ice-cold dread washed over Tiffy. This was the Alpha’s wife? And Zalin knew? Oh. Shit. “What did he say? Zalin, I mean.”
“Said you’d just taken off and they hadn’t known where you were.” Melissa gave her a stern look. “He was not amused. You’re not in trouble, are you?”
She would be. “I don’t think so. I called my sister–his wife–on Monday.”
Once more she smiled. “Good.”
Keric came walking over and nodded at Melissa. “Hi, Mel.”
“Hey! It’s about time you showed your face and kept this girl company.” Melissa smacked him lightly on the arm. “If you don’t watch it, one of your friends will steal her away.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and Tiffy snuggled up to him. “I intend to keep this one. Anyone trying to steal her will find his head mounted in my living room.”
Melissa’s eyes lit up. “Wedding bells?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh I can’t wait to tell Sam!” Melissa took off across the room, straight to her husband.
“Damn. What if he doesn’t approve?” Tiffy clutched Keric’s hand.
“What’s to approve?” He frowned. “It has nothing to do with him.”
Apparently they worked differently here. “Our Alpha approves matches. Well, at least my dad used to.”
“Ah. I should have known your pack holds on to some archaic practices. Sam will probably just wish us all the best and be done with it.” He set her away slightly, staring into her eyes. “You don’t have to worry.”
“I’m not worried.” She was. A little.
He smiled and tugged her closer. “You are.”
“Did you talk to Keefe at all?” She hated how the two of them barely spoke. Keefe seemed to blame Keric for everything, and she hoped they could heal the rift between them.
“Briefly. He took off about an hour ago.” Once more Keric held her close. “He has his own way of dealing with things, Tiff. When our parents died, you’d have thought it didn’t bother him at all. We had a massive fight about it.”
“I wish you two would make up and–” Keric’s finger on her lips stopped her.
“There is nothing to make up, Tiff. He’s my brother and I love him. He feels the same way, even if we don’t always see eye to eye.”
“He blames you!”
“He blames himself even more. He could have picked up the phone and called me, or jumped on a plane, but instead he rode all the way on his damn motorcycle, taking his time. Do you honestly think he doesn’t know he’s being a total dick?” Keric shrugged. “If blaming me helps him, then he can blame me.”
She’d never seen this side of him. “That’s...generous.”
“No. It’s family. He knows he’s being an ass, trust me. He practically told me he’s an idiot, and not to hold it against him.” Keric smiled at her. “You grew up an only child, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Thought so. You missed out on all the sibling fights.” He tugged her to the side and ducked into a bedroom.
The second the door closed, his lips came down on hers and all Tiffy could do was gasp for breath. She struggled for a second then sank against him, returning his kiss.
Keric drew back and stroked her face. “Give me a date.”
“A date?”
“For the wedding.” He kissed her again, swamping her mind with pleasure.
Tiffy chuckled, extricated herself and held up her index finger in an admonishing gesture. “Look, you kiss me senseless and you won’t be getting anything but laid. There’s a bed in here, you know.”
Desire glittered in his eyes. “You think I mind?”
What on earth had got into him? He’d been so down the past few days, now all of a sudden he acted like a kid who’d found the key to the candy shop. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Keric laughed. “Oh, yes. Here.” He handed her a folded piece of paper. “Read.”
Tiffy unfolded the sheet and realized it was a handwritten letter to Keric. She tried to hand it back. “I shouldn’t.”
“Oh you most definitely should.”
“Well...” She began to read.
Keric, if you read this, then I’ve gone before you made it home. Don’t beat yourself up over it. I always knew where you were. I could have called, but I didn’t want you to sit by my bedside like a death watch beetle. An old woman has her pride, you know.
You and Keefe were always my favorites. You may think I didn’t know what happened to you, or to Kell, but you’d be mistaken. I wish you’d told me you’re going to find him. I could have saved you so much heartache. I know you loved him. After all, he was your brother. He did a horrible thing, and I cried when I heard. I wish he’d talked to me, but he wasn’t like you and Keefe. He always kept everything to himself and I suspected his ambitions would be his downfall some day.
But if you hadn’t gone to find him, then you wouldn’t have met your lady love. I’m happy you found someone to share your heart with, and wish you all the happiness in the world. I’m sure she is perfect for you. I wish I could have met her.
Yes, your old aunt knows. You may think I was cooped up here and didn’t know what went on in the world, but I have good friends in other packs, and they kept me updated. They told me you’d shown up and it didn’t take much digging to find out what happened.
I reimbursed your friend Barad for every cent of your medical care, and you should know I wanted to come and get you when I heard. He was quite right to tell me to mind my own business and let you live your own life. Don’t be angry with him if he didn’t tell you we spoke, I told him not to.
I’m the one who told Keefe where to find you. I’m also the one who told him to ride his bike, rather than fly. There is a letter for him too. Maybe one day you’ll share the contents. I’m sure he’s off to some place strange again, just like he always is. I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t stick around for the funeral. He was never good at saying goodbye.
But you, you’re different. Your heart is in the right place, and one day you’ll be Alpha, I have no doubt about it. I envy the pack you’ll lead.
I’ve always loved you all as if you were my own, and I know you loved me too. Don’t worry about never telling me, you showed me in so many ways, how could I not know?
I made a will, and I’ve left my house to Keefe. It’ll get him out of your hair. If you two boys want to swap, that’s fine with me too. My house is bigger, and I’ve always thought it would make a nice place for a family.
There is also a provision for the man who attacked you. I’ve made sure he gets the care he needs, so nothing like this will happen again. Neither of you should have to suffer for something Kell did.
Promise me to take good care of your girl, and don’t let anyone talk you out of what you feel is right.
Take care, my boy. I’ll always be with you, in spirit.
Your aunt, Summer.
Tiffy glanced at him, letting the letter sink. “She is paying for Thomas’s therapist?”
“Apparently.”
“Wow. Your aunt was a very generous woman.” She didn’t know anyone who would help a stranger who’d attacked a family member. “And forgiving.”
“Yes.” A sad smile curved his lips. “I wish you could have met her.”
“I think I just did.” Tiffy handed the letter back.
“Can I have my date now?”
“I haven’t even told my mother yet!”
“There’s a phone in the hallway.” Keric crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Date.”
“Dammit, when did you become so bossy?” Tiffy sighed. “Two months from now?”
“Two months?” He looked horrified.
“Well you’re the one pushing me!” She bit her lower lip. “Too soon?”
“It’s a lifetime away. Two weeks. Tops. It’ll give you enough time to get your family here and–”
“You’re insane if you think we can organize a wedding inside of two weeks. There’s the dress, the venue, the food, the–”
“Two weeks, or I’ll kidnap you and we’ll get married in Vegas.”
Did she have a choice? “Impatient much?”
“No.” Keric drew her into his arms. “In love. Afraid I’ll lose you. Crazy about you. And happy for the first time in a very long time.”
“Two weeks. You’re nuts. I’ll need help.” Tiffy started to laugh.
“You have it.” He kissed her. “You’ll have help and protection and love for the rest of your life.”
Tiffy smiled. “Oh really? You’ll do all that?”
“Watch me.”
Silke Juppenlatz
Silke doesn’t own a wolf. She’d like to have one, but they are in short supply in England, so she opted for a horse. A dapple gray one, who doesn’t always watch where he’s going and steps on her feet. That’s when she wishes she’d persuaded her partner Paul to get a wolf instead.
Wolves are independent, yet highly social animals who mate for life. It stands to reason that a Lycan would be similar in nature. Tiffy would tell you there’s nothing worse than a lack of freedom, and nothing better than finding that one man who’ll love you above all else.
When she’s not working, Silke can be found in the Surrey countryside, come rain or shine, hail, sleet and snow. Once she’s good and drenched, or burned to a crisp, and Oscuro is taken care of, she’ll hide away in her study–the second bedroom–to create the wolves she can’t have and the elves, fae, aliens and vampires everyone claims don’t exist.
They do, but don’t tell anyone.
Silke’s Website:
http://www.evilauthor.com
Also by Silke Juppenlatz
Pack Justice Series
Howl
Watch Me
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 Silke Juppenlatz
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: September 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-408-3
Juppenlatz, Silke, Watch Me
