Laurie's Wolves Read online

  “I ran into an old friend today. Totally out of the blue. Veronica. We went to grade school together.”

  “And?”

  “She was all up in arms ranting, and I was too exhausted to pay much attention until I realized what she was talking about. She was always a drama queen, so I didn’t think anything of it. But apparently she was dating Corbin Archers before he met Laurie Hamilton. Like dating seriously. Like she saw him just two days before, and he fucking ghosted her the night he met Laurie. Just didn’t show up for their date.”

  “Are you kidding? He didn’t even call?”

  “Well, let’s be reasonable here. On his behalf, he couldn’t very well call. He was on the top of the mountain in a snowstorm with no service. He did call her the next day. Anyway, she’s majorly pissed and out for revenge. So guess who she called to exact this revenge?”

  “Pete Sandhouse.”

  “Bingo.” Jaz chuckled. “You’re amazingly sharp for a woman living on empty.”

  “Yep. That’s me. I’m so in tune with things. That’s how I managed to make it to the age of twenty-eight without realizing I was a freaking lesbian.” Mary’s voice rose as she spoke.

  Jaz chuckled again. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Mary. You aren’t the only person alive who’s been in those shoes. It happens. You were raised by fundamentalists in a small town. What do you expect?”

  “Not this.”

  “Hang in there. I’m glad you’re at least going to a populated place Saturday. Please stay in touch. If I hear anything else coming out of Sojourn, I’ll let you know. If you find out anything, call me.”

  “I will. I’m going to sleep now. I’m almost asleep standing up.”

  “Go, baby. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Zach got home late. It was after ten. He hadn’t spoken to Laurie for hours, but he assumed she was sleeping. She’d been so tired lately. The stress of the last week had worn on her.

  The house was dark. He knew instantly she wasn’t in the condo. Her scent was there. It lingered, but she hadn’t been present for hours.

  He set his keys on the counter and opened the fridge to grab a beer, reaching out to Corbin through his mind.

  “Hey. Sorry. Been a crazy day. I’m still at the precinct. You home?”

  “Yes. Is Laurie with you?”

  “No. She isn’t at the condo?”

  “No. And she hasn’t been for a while.”

  “She’s probably with Melinda then. I drove by the geyser a while ago. Her car was gone. She probably picked it up and went to see her grandmother, Melinda, or both.”

  Zach lowered his body into a chair. “I’m sure you’re right. I’ll call Melinda.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket as he ended the connection with Corbin.

  No answer.

  He thought about Mimi, but he didn’t have her number. Too bad he couldn’t connect with either of them telepathically like Laurie. That was a cool development.

  He called Trace next.

  His brother answered on the first ring. “Hey. Have you seen Laurie?”

  “Not today. She’s probably with Melinda.”

  “I can’t reach Melinda either. She’s not answering.”

  Trace chuckled. “The woman hardly ever hears her phone. I wouldn’t worry. Melinda went over to Mimi’s. I’m sure Laurie’s with her. When those women get together, I stay as far away as possible. They talk over each other to the point that I have no idea how they even hear the others speak.” He chuckled.

  “I’m sure you’re right. I’ll grab something to eat and try to reach her again later.” If Laurie was with her grandmother and her sister, she could easily have blocked out anything else.

  It was getting late though…

  And it wasn’t like her to not touch base. Maybe she fell asleep at Mimi’s. That was also a possibility.

  He closed his eyes and tried her again. “Baby? You okay?”

  Nothing.

  It was late. He was also tired. He relaxed into the cushions, intending to take a quick nap.

  »»•««

  Corbin entered the house much later. It was after midnight. He tiptoed into the condo, immediately stopping when he realized Zach was asleep in the armchair and not in the bed.

  “Zach?”

  Zach jerked awake. “Jeez. What time is it?”

  “Late. Where’s Laurie?”

  “Shit.” Zach stood. “I’ve never spoken to her.”

  “Seriously?” Corbin dropped his bag on the floor and rounded the couch. “You’ve never spoken to her?”

  “No.” Zach leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

  Corbin knew he was reaching out to her. He did the same. “Laurie. Babe. Talk to me. Where are you?”

  Nothing.

  Insane.

  Totally not possible.

  He freaked out. “Where is she?”

  “Undoubtedly with Mimi. Who, by the way, doesn’t have a phone.”

  “But she wouldn’t go this long without communicating. When did you last speak to her?”

  “Before I left for work. This morning.”

  “Fuck.” Corbin ran a hand through his hair. “That makes no sense.”

  “You’re right.”

  “And Melinda?”

  “I called Trace. She wasn’t home. He thought she was with Mimi. Which means there’s a good chance Laurie was there too.”

  “But it’s been like fifteen hours.”

  “I hear ya.” Zach paced the room next to Corbin.

  Corbin didn’t have the foggiest idea what to do. He flopped onto the couch. “Please tell me you have beer.”

  “Of course.” Zach stepped into the kitchen, grabbed two from the fridge, and tossed one to Corbin.

  They both took a long swig and then stared at each other.

  Corbin blinked. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “We could drive to Mimi’s, but it’s the middle of the night.”

  “God.” He stood still, trying to think. “She has to be sleeping, right?”

  “Yes. Let’s assume she’s sleeping and fell asleep without contacting us by accident. She had to be dead tired.”

  Corbin didn’t like it, but he went with that plan. What choice did he have? In the morning they would drive to Mimi’s—the long way. Corbin had come home using that path tonight. It was over an hour from his office with the main road closed. And there was no way to know when the authorities would be able to get enough of the ice off the road to reopen it. It was so thick.

  He couldn’t imagine sleeping, but he trudged to the bedroom anyway, kicked off his shoes, and dropped onto the bed.

  »»•««

  Laurie awoke with a start. She bolted upright and glanced around the room.

  Right.

  Her childhood bedroom.

  She was sweating profusely. Her entire body was soaked.

  She kicked off the covers and climbed out of bed. Why was it so hot in the house? She crossed to the bedroom door and opened it. The rest of the house was silent and dark. The bag she’d packed and brought with her was sitting in the hall. Bless her mom.

  She grabbed it and headed for the bathroom. Ten minutes later, she felt much better with her teeth brushed, her makeup removed, and an oversized T-shirt hanging loosely down to her thighs.

  Five minutes after that she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, chilled now.

  What the hell was the matter with her?

  She shivered under the covers, tugged them up higher, and rolled onto her side. She curled up in a ball and fisted her hands against her thighs. She couldn’t get comfortable.

  Her mind wandered to her mates. God, they must be worried. She hadn’t given them any consideration thus far. She’d literally shut them out and trudged forward.

  Would they be pissed? She would be.

  Or hell, perhaps they thought she was hurt somewhere. Or dead. How mean could she be?

  She’d thought of no
one but herself when she’d left. Well, that wasn’t true. She’d done this for them. Right? She needed to prove her point—that Fate hadn’t meant for her to be mated to these two men. She couldn’t imagine what Fate had in mind when she lined the three of them up and caused the claiming to occur in the first place, but obviously She didn’t want Laurie anywhere near Cambridge or Sojourn. If She had intended for Laurie to make a life for herself in that area, She wouldn’t have put up ten thousand road blocks, sent a series of spirit guides, and nearly hit Laurie over the head with weird weather-related antics.

  Laurie took a breath and tried to calm herself. She started shaking, like a chill, but she wasn’t cold. She was too hot again.

  She had slept so peacefully for so many nights in a row with her men flanking her that she didn’t know how to lie alone. After only a week, already she felt their loss. It seemed strange to be in the bed without them.

  An ache formed in the pit of her stomach that made her hold her breath. She panted through the weird sensation until it abated.

  Was she pregnant?

  That didn’t seem reasonable. Her mates would have told her. They would have scented it. Hell, her parents would have known too.

  Even though Laurie herself wasn’t in tune with her lupine side enough to know such a thing yet, any other wolf shifter would know.

  So, pregnancy was out.

  Maybe she had PMS. She tried to remember when she’d last had her period. Before she met Zach and Corbin. But when?

  She squeezed her eyes shut and thought about the strange pain in her belly. It wasn’t like cramps. It wasn’t like an upset stomach. She couldn’t describe it.

  It lessened again, but left her uneasy. Restless. Fidgeting.

  She took deep breaths and fell asleep again.

  The next time she lifted her eyelids, light was streaming in the room from between the partially open curtains. She smelled coffee.

  Her mother would be in the kitchen.

  She shivered, feeling the chill again. As she unballed herself and rolled onto her back, she groaned. Her body ached as if she’d run there yesterday in human form instead of having driven or even bounded there in wolf form.

  She held the covers to her chin with one hand, her fingers shaking.

  The door opened, and her mother walked in. “I sensed you were awake.” She smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “Did you sleep okay?”

  Laurie licked her parched lips. “Not really.”

  “Did you think you would?”

  She lifted both brows. “Why not? I was exhausted.”

  “You left your mates, sweetie.” Her mother patted her leg.

  “It’s only been one day. I don’t think it’s worth freaking out over.”

  Her mother cocked her head to one side and stared at her with her mouth hanging open for a few seconds before she spoke again. “Sweetie, you can’t walk away from mates. You know that.”

  “Of course I can. It’s unconventional and rare, but it can be done.”

  “In a literal sense, I suppose it would be possible. But painful.”

  Laurie rolled her eyes. “That’s got to be a wives’ tale. Have you ever known anyone to really suffer from such a loss?”

  Her mother shook her head. “But only because I’ve never known anyone to leave their mate.”

  “Well, now you have.” Laurie smiled, but her body started shaking again. Maybe she had the flu? “I think I’m coming down with something. I don’t feel well. See if I have a fever.”

  Her mother hesitated. “You don’t have a fever.”

  “How would you know? Touch my forehead.”

  “Sweetie, I don’t need to. Your body is reacting to the separation.”

  “From my mates?” She rolled her eyes. This again?

  “Of course.” Her mother stood. “Let me make a few calls. I’ll see if I can find out what to expect.” She headed for the door. “Have you connected with them at least? Let them know where you are?”

  “No.”

  “You better. Any minute now, my phone is going to ring, and I’m not going to lie.”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t ask you to.” Half of her thought it might be best if she let her mother tell them.

  “Laurie Hamilton. If you leave it up to me to tell your mates about your defection, I will make your life a living hell. Do your own dirty work.” She left the room.

  Laurie closed her eyes. She rolled back onto her side, thinking that position was more comfortable. She really did think she had the flu. Hell, she’d been extraordinarily cold outside the other night and had been battling hot flashes mixed with chills since then.

  “Laurie.” Corbin’s voice nearly screamed into her head. She’d stopped blocking him from reaching her she realized.

  With a deep breath, she responded. “I’m fine.”

  “Where are you?” Both of her mates asked at once.

  “Doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m not there.”

  “What are you talking about?” Corbin asked. She could feel his stress and confusion through the connection.

  “How is the weather?” she responded.

  “The weather?” Zach’s voice rose through their bond. “Why the hell are you asking about the weather?”

  “Just answer me. Has it improved?”

  Corbin took over. “If you’re asking about the temperature, it’s normal. And no, it isn’t snowing.”

  “Any other weird natural phenomena?”

  “Laurie…” Zach sounded exasperated. “What is this about?”

  “It’s about me and my effects on nature.”

  “What do you mean?” Corbin asked.

  “You can’t possibly not have noticed all the weird shit that has happened since I arrived in town. Don’t even try.”

  Zach spoke again. “And you think you caused it?”

  “What else am I supposed to think? Every single step of the way a fucking black shadowy substance has made itself known to me, nearly shouting at me to get the hell out of town to prevent any further destruction.”

  “That’s crazy,” Corbin said. “Laurie, you’re our mate. You can’t walk away. Tell us where you are.”

  “My parents’ house.”

  “You mean you’re like two hours away?”

  “Yes, and I want you to respect this decision and let me be.”

  “What decision?” There was a hesitation before Zach continued. “Please don’t tell me you’ve decided to leave us.”

  “I don’t know,” she muttered into their minds. “I need some time.”

  “Time?” Corbin shouted. “I haven’t set eyes on you for almost two days, babe. That’s too long. We just mated last week. I need you. I need my hands on you. I need to breathe you in, touch your hair, kiss your lips. I’m shaking. Like a drug addict who quit crack cold turkey.”

  Was he?

  Was that what was happening to her? Maybe her mother was right. Withdrawal from drugs would have flu-like symptoms.

  This couldn’t be happening. She refused to believe it. “I’m sure people separate. It happens. I’m not saying it’s forever. I just need to prove my point.”

  Zach laughed sardonically. “I’m sure people do leave their relationships, but shifters do not. We can’t, baby. It’s physically impossible.”

  “It can’t be that bad. I don’t believe it.” She hoped they couldn’t sense her teeth chattering through the connection. She’d begun to shake again. And now her breasts hurt. They were sore like they sometimes got right before her period or when she ovulated. Heavy. And her nipples puckered against the sheets.

  Corbin lowered his voice to a calmer level in her head. “Babe, we need you. You can’t leave.”

  “And I’m asking you to give me a few days.”

  “A few days? It’s already been a few days for me,” Corbin said.

  “I need a few days away from town. Let’s see what happens.”

  “What happens?” Zach continued. “What happens is that al
l three of us curl up in a ball and die a slow death, that’s what. My mother had a friend who left her mate and came to stay with us for about a week when I was ten. The woman was completely confused and sick within a day.”

  “How long had she been mated at the time?” Laurie ventured.

  “About a month I think. They had a few fundamental differences. But they eventually worked them out. There aren’t other options. No matter what we may disagree about in our lives, separating isn’t an option, baby. Wolves mate for life—both the real ones and the shifters. We’re lupine, Laurie. Our bodies are aligned now. We won’t be able to tolerate separation.”

  Laurie’s teeth chattered again. She closed her eyes and tried to control her racing heart. She needed more sleep.

  Her mother walked in and set a glass of orange juice on the bedside table. She walked back out without a word, probably recognizing the dazed faraway look of a shifter communicating with their mate. Or in this case—mates.

  “We’re coming to get you, babe,” Corbin said.

  “No.” She tried to remain calm. “Don’t do it. I’ll never be able to forgive you if you don’t heed my wishes on this. Give me three days. Then we’ll talk again.”

  “Three days? That’s like a lifetime, baby.” Zach’s voice was strained.

  “That’s my request. Please honor it. I’ll contact you in three days and check in.”

  “Check in?” Corbin interjected. “You make it sound like that’s the timeline after which you’ll reevaluate.”

  “It is.”

  “That’s not going to work, Laurie. Not for any of us. Not even for you.”

  “Humor me.”

  There was a long silence. She imagined her two mates standing in Zach’s bedroom shouting at each other out loud, trying to figure out how to make her see reason.

  “If by the end of three days there’s no change in the weather and no reason to believe anything dire is about to occur in the community, then we’ll know.”

  “We’ll know what? Laurie, this is insane. You think if we don’t get a significant snowfall in that time, it must be because you left town?” Zach paused. “If you want to get out of town, that’s fine. We can all three leave. Hell, we can leave the state if you want. But you can’t separate from us.”

  “Three days,” she repeated.