Page 2 of A Wolf's Treasure
He’d walked out of the grocery store to find her a few spaces away from Vina, head cocked at a curious angle, dark eyes serious as she’d studied his every move like he was some sort of alien creature. His steps had faltered when he noticed her there, but only for a moment.
Opening the back of his Jeep, he’d put his bags inside. “Sexy grin” in place—the one that never failed to bring the females running—he’d turned to say something charming and perhaps slightly teasing. Something that would bring a smile to her face and a light to her eyes.
But when he’d met her steady stare, whatever he’d been about to say had melted like sugar on his tongue. At some point, he’d finally managed to stutter out an awkward greeting, but even that had taken the majority of his brain power. He couldn’t even remember now what it was he’d said. But it must’ve been something especiallyglaikit, for the lass had looked at him like he was the village idiot before she’d turned and meandered away with not a whiff of urgency, as always. Her full hips had swayed back and forth with a natural swagger, causing a startling growl of need to rumble in his chest.
Och, aye.That,he could remember.
Over time, Duncan had come to the conclusion there was one reason and one reason only for his impaired reaction to this particular lass after he’d spent hundreds of years wrapping females around his finger—or at least not offending them by his presence.
She wasmore.
And as to why she’d been following him around these past weeks? Well, that was quite simple to see. This lass was not normally attracted to males, and yet, she found herself irresistibly attracted to one now. It was the only explanation that made sense.
She obviously had a strange fascination with him. Perhaps she was confused by her feelings and was trying to puzzle it out, and this is why she kept appearing everywhere he was, she was trying to figure out why she was so very attracted to him.
It made perfect sense, and the only reason he could think of for her strange behavior.
Duncan rinsed the remaining lather from his face and checked to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. He slapped on a little smelly stuff—females loved the smelly stuff—and went to his room to finish getting dressed.
It took him a minute to decide what she would like him to wear, but ultimately settled on jeans and a thin, green sweater that brought out the color in his eyes. Tonight, he was going to talk to the lass. Really talk to her without tripping all over his words…or his own feet. Tell her why he believed she was so taken by him, and they could finally stop dancing around each other, and he could get on with his life.
Alone.
Duncan wasn’t a “love ‘em and leave ‘em” kind of male. For reasons beyond his control, he was just a “leave ‘em”. And he tried not to dwell on the reasons behind it. If he did, being in this world would be too lonely, indeed.
So, he was off to meet his mysterious lass. But first, he needed to stop by Cedric’s apartment for a quick briefing.
Duncan arrived at Cedric’s door at the same time as Marc, the pack mate he was the fondest of, though he would never tell the others such a thing as they would be devastated.
The alpha’s voice came to them through the door, raised in anger. “Have ye lost yer wits, ye crazy fool?”
Another voice, quiet and refined, answered, “I haven’t had them in some time now, wolf. It’s one of the best things about living to be as ancient as I am.”
Duncan and Marc shared a look before Duncan opened the door and announced their presence. “What’s all th’—” His words were cut short as he strode out of the foyer and into the apartment proper and saw who Cedric was speaking to.
Prince Nada, aka the Faerie prince, was there, sitting in Cedric’s favorite chair. His long, silver hair hung loose down his back, and he wore his usual fancy suit. Black, this time. Though on occasion he would go with all white. One hand rested on the silver head of his ever-present cane. Though he seemed to carry it more for appearance, since Duncan had never actually seen him use it to walk.
Cedric paced back and forth in front of him, wearing a path in his new area rug between the couch and the window. Brock was already there sitting on the couch, as was Lucian, the two of them in almost identical poses with their heavy arms crossed over their wide chests. Lucian wore his usual severe expression, but Brock was watching the scene playing out before him with a look of amusement sparkling in his blue eyes.
“What’s going on?” Duncan asked his pack leader.
The prince stood from his chair and announced in a stage whisper, “I think your leader is having some sort of breakdown.”
“I’m no’ having a breakdown!”
Duncan studied the male he’d known for more years than he could count. His cheeks were ruddy with temper, his eyes were flashing white sparks, and he could hear the scrape of his teeth grinding together. If Cedric kept this up, he would have no way to chew his meat to nourish himself. “Och, Cedric. Dinna let him get tae ye. Ye ken he only says what he says tae rile ye up.”
Cedric shook his head. “Ye dinna hear, Duncan. The prince has a plan.”
“Oh, yes!” The prince smiled. “I just thought of it this morning. And thought I would flash on over here to tell you about it.”
The grin on Brock’s face grew. “And it’s a helluva plan. Just wait till you hear.”
“Is anyone goin’ tae tell us this ‘plan’? Or are ye going tae leave us standing here like a couple o’ fools?” Marc asked.
“It does no’ matter, because I’m no’ going tae do it,” Cedric growled.
“But it will fix all of our problems.”
