“She had to leave with the clothes on her back, and she’s exhausted. I thought you might have a few extras. Toiletries and the like. Anything to suffice until she’s rested enough for a trip to town.”
“Oh, I have plenty. What about clothes, what size is she?”
Images sprang into his mind with such vivid beauty he had to catch his breath.
“Mal?”
“She’s taller than you by an inch or two.”
“And?”
He shut his eyes, which did the opposite of helping him speak. He cleared his throat. “Very feminine.”
“Got it,” Kelsey said as if his description made any sense. “I’m on my way to your rescue, my friend. See you in a bit.”
He hung up the phone and stared at it. Then he walked his woods for half an hour, listening for Kelsey’s little car, tasting the air for its exhaust. But the vehicle that approached wasn’t Kelsey’s. It was Trevor’s truck.
Malachi’s fingers dug into his palms, and he indulged a harsh growl. Then he loped toward home.
He stood on his porch as not only Kelsey but also her wolf walked up to the house. Both her arms and Trevor’s were laden with sizable boxes brimming with various personal care items, and over Trevor’s back was slung the strap of an overfull duffel bag whose zipper hadn’t quite closed. They sported matching grins, sincere though slightly mischievous.
“Hi, Mal!” Kelsey said.
Simultaneously Trevor said, “What’s her name?”
Malachi said, “This isn’t ‘a few extras.’ This is half a store aisle.”
“It is our honor and pleasure to help.” Kelsey winked, and then her impishness faded. “Really. I’m so glad you called.”
He respected and valued the mates of his other close friends, considered them his friends too, but Kelsey was Kelsey. Warm and welcoming, the female friend he’d known the longest, and the only woman he had considered calling.
“Her name is April McVie, and she’s currently showering.”
“With your scentless man soap?”
Trevor barked a laugh. “Kels, I have to point out that as a wolf’s mate, your soap is also scentless.”
“But mine is scentlesswomen’ssoap. Totally different, babe.”
Trevor rolled his eyes. “Anyway. Babe, why don’t you go inside and let April know she has some clothing options after all?”
“I know, I know, y’all need to talk wolf to wolf. But go off somewhere so April and I can also talk. Woman to woman, no super-hearing eavesdropping.” She threw her arms around Malachi, a signature Kelsey hug. “I’m so happy, Mal.” Then she hoisted the duffel onto one shoulder and all but waltzed inside.
Silently Trevor stood beside Malachi and waited while Kelsey reached the bathroom door and gave a soft knock.
April gave a yelp, and for a moment her citrus scent flooded with adrenaline. Malachi clenched his fists and pivoted toward the door. He should have known not to allow anyone else inside while April showered. Kelsey was such a harmless person, he hadn’t thought of it.
Her voice rang out. “Hi, sorry, sorry! I’m Kelsey Sterling, I’m part of Malachi’s pack, and he asked me to bring you some things.”
“Kelsey?” April’s scent began to level. As the sweet citrus found his senses again, Malachi’s fists relaxed. “I, um, I don’t…I didn’t expect… Thank you.”
“My pleasure. If you’re okay with it, I’ll leave the bag I brought here on the floor, and you can pick what fits best.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be out in the living room. I won’t stay long, but I’d love to talk for a few minutes.”
“I would like that.”
