Wild (Wolf Ranch 2)

Off to the side was a brand new four stall garage that matched the styling of the house. I didn’t know how many vehicles one man needed, and I was in the military and drove everything from a Jeep to a tank.

“Back here, gentlemen.”

We turned at the words and steered our horses to the back. Markle was in an Adirondack chair with a plate of cheese and grapes on the glass coffee table in front of him. He held a glass of red wine.

At three in the afternoon.

Jesus.

I did a quick assessment of the enemy. Expensive clothes made to look casual. Tanned skin that came from a tanning bed somewhere in his house. Hair had product in it. His gaze was pleasant, but he gave off a vibe of being an ass.

“Wolf,” Markle said by way of greeting.

We were about twenty feet from the edge of the deck, remaining in our saddles.

“My brother, Colton,” Rob offered in reply without looking my way. If Markle wasn’t smart enough to figure out he was referring to me, then he wasn’t going to explain.

Markle looked to me. “Another brother. How many are there?”

I stayed silent, let Rob handle this. I didn’t know what had been said before, and he was the alpha. His land, his pack, was being affected by Markle, and it was his responsibility. Oh, I’d have his back, but I’d be beta in this.

“Saw some of your cows on the Shefield property. They seem to have gotten through a section of fence. Colton and I were courteous and brought them back for you.”

“Oh?”

“You mentioned having some issues with wolves, so it’d probably be best for your stock if they stayed on your land.”

“Didn’t realize you owned the property next door,” he said, taking a sip of his wine.

“Didn’t realize you did either.”

Markle’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t show any other sign of being pissed.

“The land’s not yours, Markle. Stay off it,” Rob said, leaning down and setting his forearm on the pommel.

“It will be.”

Rob didn’t stoop to reply to that, only turned his horse around and cantered away. I gave Markle one long look, knowing he was going to be a pain in our ass for the long haul.

Now wasn’t the time to deal with him.

Halfway back to the ranch, I said, “The niece better get up here, otherwise the next time we see Markle, he might be in Shefield’s house with his wine and cheese.”

Rob gave a little growl in response.

“Your leave’s almost up.” He looked my way. “I’ll deal with it. Boyd’s here now to help.”

He might as well have just shot me in the back. “You’re an asshole sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?” He looked my way. The corner of his mouth tipped up.

“I’m not re-upping. I’m coming home. For good.”

He tugged on his reins, stopped his horse. “You’re serious.”

I nodded. I hadn’t said it aloud, but it felt good. It felt right. Coming back here was supposed to be a week-long trip for Boyd’s wedding. Nothing more. Instead, it had been a life changer.

I found Marina. I realized Wolf Ranch was where I belonged. It was time to come home. It was time to make a life here.

“I’ll get Marina here. Eventually,” I said, hoping my wolf didn’t lose it in the meantime.

He slowly shook his head. “Boyd’s whipped. You’re whipped.”

“I’m fucking screwed,” I countered. “You’ll find your mate in time. Before the madness hits. And you’ll be able to claim her, unlike me.”

The wind kicked up, and I looked to the sky. Clouds were rolling in from the west, the typical late afternoon storm. After being caught in the crazy one the other night, I had to hope this just blew on through. I didn’t want it to fuck with the wedding.

“I’m not so sure,” he admitted. “I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.”

I thought of how I felt when the full moon pulled on me this last year. Riding me. Nipping at my heels every run. Every shift. Threatening to strip me of my humanity until only my wolf existed. And then there would be no more shifts. I always wanted to strip down and run. And run. But there was no relief. I found it now, not in the wilderness, but in Marina. Buried deep in her body. Her scent surrounding me. And I couldn’t go there again.

I could only imagine what Rob was feeling, being two years older. If he succumbs to this creeping affliction his human would be lost. He would never be able to shift back from human form, and we’d have to put him down.

“You will. You’re alpha.” As if that explained it all.

He looked to me, tipped his hat back, so I could see his eyes. “Think you’ll make it with your mate halfway across the country?”

He didn’t know who his mate was. I knew mine but couldn’t have her.