“I won’t, love,” he said absently as his mind worked over what she’d said and what he’d already been thinking. As he heard his office door click shut, his wolf rumbled in his mind, “We need more information.” Jeremiah agreed with his beast. Knowledge was power, and the more he had on Dillon, the more power he had over him.
Jeremiah picked up the phone and made a quick call. Five minutes later, two wolves filed in. He would have preferred to have his beta, Daniel, and two of his other stronger members, Trevor and Austin, handle these jobs, but they were otherwise engaged thanks to his flighty daughter and her continual detours. They wouldn't be back for a few days.
"Huck, Orson.” He nodded. “You two are going to visit the Montana pack. Be discreet. I want you to find out everything you can about Dillon Jacobs. Report back to me as soon as you learn anything."
The two wolves nodded and left.
Jeremiah sighed as he watched them go. Maybe he was making a mistake by letting the male stay. He ran a hand through his hair and thought about the interaction he’d had with Dillon. He’d not smelled any deceit on the wolf, nor had he felt any large amount of dominance. He wasn't a submissive wolf, but he wasn’t more dominant than Jeremiah. So was there really any worry for the wolf to possibly become a member of the pack? He’d know more once Huck and Orson gained further information, and until then, he’d just keep a close eye on Dillon. If the new pack member stepped out of line, then Jeremiah would follow through with his threat.
Chapter
Eight
“No matter how fast or how far you run, your troubles are faster and have far more endurance than you.” ~Tanya
Tanya sat in her wolf form next to a stream that ran through the large forest surrounding the Missouri pack territory. It was no easy feat to tire out a Canis lupus, but she had run for four hours straight. Whenever she began to slow, his face would fill her mind, and she would feel anew the pain that had crashed through their bond before he had slammed it shut. The pain would spur her legs to pick up speed again. Tanya did not want to see him again, and yet she wanted to throw herself into his arms. She longed to know what it felt like to be held by him, what he smelled like, whether he laughed easily or kept his emotions close to his chest. What were his dreams, goals, and desires? Her heart desired so much, but she didn’t know if she would ever have it. She didn’t know how to get over his past.
Lisa’s words filled her mind. “Our hearts are very big things with lots of room for love, Tanya. Love for people, love for animals, love for creation, love for life and even death.”
Could her mate love her even if he had loved another before? Did Tanya still want his love, even though he had feelings for someone else? She growled as her claws extended and retracted. She wasn’t getting anywhere. Tanya’s mind was racing in circles. The only way to find out if she could try to have a relationship with him was to go to him. I’d rather eat dead fish.
Her wolf huffed. I only eat live fish, freshly caught.
Tanya stood and shook out her fur. She turned and prepared herself for the long run back to Lisa’s house. Her heart warmed at the idea of spending more time with her friend. Lisa would help talk Tanya down from the “run away to another country” ledge upon which she found herself. Lisa was levelheaded. She was ruled by her mind, not her emotions. And since Tanya was only running on emotions at the moment, that’s exactly what she needed.
The trees passed in a blur as her paws ate up the ground. By the time she reached the bag where she’d left her clothes, it was full-on dark. She phased and quickly slipped back into her clothes. When she reached Lisa’s house, she didn’t detect any scents of food. But then she’d been gone for hours, so perhaps Lisa had put whatever she’d cooked in the fridge, or just gave up altogether. Tanya wouldn’t have blamed her. Lisa looked like she was exhausted and needed some rest. She’d rather her friend take care of herself first. Tanya was perfectly capable of cooking her own food.
Tanya headed for the door and turned the knob, knowing it wouldn’t be locked because such precautions were unnecessary. Lisa lived on pack territory, and nobody would come into her home without permission. Tanya knew how protective Tyler was of Lisa. Anyone who messed with her would be on the receiving end of his very sharp teeth.
As she stepped into the small house, Tanya noticed it was chilly. She frowned, wondering why Lisa hadn’t turned the heat up. The pack paid for her bills, and the electricity was completely covered. There was no reason for her to keep it down, as if she needed to save money.
“Lisa?” Her friend wasn’t in the kitchen or the living room. Tanya headed down the hall and noticed that the bathroom door was open, and the light was off. She continued on until she reached her friend’s bedroom. The door was ajar, and there was a small light coming through the crack. Tanya knocked gently.
“Lisa? Can I come in?” She waited, then used her wolf’s hearing to see if she could pick up the woman’s breathing. If it was slow and deep, then Tanya would know that Lisa was asleep, and she wouldn't disturb her. Tanya frowned when she heard nothing. She stepped closer to the door and pressed her ear close enough that she was nearly touching it. Tanya closed her eyes and focused her wolf hearing even more. Tanya realized her heart was beating so hard that it would likely drown out any other sound she might have heard. “Focus,” she snarled at her wolf. Tanya lifted her hands and let them rest on the door before pushing it slightly open. “Lisa?” she whispered.
Finally, Tanya heard something—a small wheezing sound. Now she didn’t wait to see if her friend would answer her. Tanya shoved open the door and hurried to the bedside. Lisa lay on her back, her hands resting over the top of the blanket that was pulled up just below her chest. Tanya kneeled down beside her and pressed her hand to Lisa’s forehead. Her skin was cold and clammy. Tanya’s eyes dropped to her friend’s chest, and she saw that it still rose, barely.
“Lisa.” She gently shook the woman. “Wake up. Please.” Tears filled her eyes to see her longtime friend so frail and weak. She’d known something was wrong, but the stubborn woman wouldn’t tell her. Now that Tanya paid attention, she could smell the sickness on her. “Lisa,” she growled. “Dammit, open your eyes, you strong-headed goat.” After a couple of seconds, Lisa’s eyes blinked open. She turned her head slowly, and it seemed to take every ounce of strength she had.
“Why are you crying?” Lisa’s voice was barely a whisper.
Tanya’s eyes went wide. “Why am I crying?”
“That’s what I asked you, child. Has your hearing gone?”
Tanya’s lips turned slightly. “What’s wrong, Lisa? What can I do for you?” She took her friend’s frail hand in hers, careful not to squeeze too tightly because Tanya knew she’d be able to snap the brittle bones easily.
“I’m sick, little wolf,” she said affectionately. “And there’s nothing you can do.”
“Can I call a human doctor? Doesn’t Tyler know? Surely he will get you help. You can’t—”
“There’s nothing anyone can do. Tyler knows. He’s not too happy.”
“Why?” Tanya frowned. “It’s not like it’s your fault that you’re sick.”
Lisa patted Tanya’s hand. “He’s upset because I waited to tell him. I thought the doctors could get rid of the cancer. But they couldn’t. That’s when I told him.” She sighed. “He marched himself straight up to the hospital and demanded they fix me. But that was an order no one could follow.”
Tanya chuckled, even as tears ran down her cheeks. “Sounds like something an alpha would do.”
