Wolfe's Den (Wolfe Creek Book 1)(6)

"That's not it. First, I don't want Gage to even speak to her. Second,  don't tell Rocky, or anyone for that matter, where you're going and keep  her protected at all times," I barked out in fear that my sister  recognized.

"What's the matter, Hunter?" Chloe asked worriedly. My fear must have woken her up completely.

"She's human and not strong enough to protect herself," I murmured in  frustration. This was going to cause problems, and I knew that I just  had to prove that I was Alpha enough to handle it.

"You're our Alpha, who would be stupid enough to harm your mate?"

"Anyone with the wish to become Alpha," I offered.

"I got you, but why can't Gage speak to her?" Chloe asked reasonably,  but at the moment I didn't have the capacity for reasonable. My fear of  losing her was choking me.

"Because I said so," I snarled, my wolf ready to rip through my skin.

"Understood, Hunter," Chloe responded dutifully.

I hung up the phone and knew I needed to get back to the Den. I couldn't  stay away from her. The pull was too intense to be away from her.  Hearing her voice this morning was like a trigger. My blood rushed to my  heart, and I replayed the voicemail in my head over and over again.  Catherine was my mate, and she needed me to protect her.



Creed, Kane, and I spoke throughout the night. I only slept a few hours  before I called Chloe the next morning. I wanted to at least speak to  Catherine. My craving to breed her was growing with every second and  being away felt brutal.

"Sir? Are you there?" she asked with breathy anxiety.

"Catherine, I'm here," I whispered, trying to calm the tidal wave of pleasure just at the sound of her voice.

"Mr. Grey, I can't thank you enough for this opportunity. I'll do whatever you ask. I really need this," she said.

Her words struck my heart and my loins, I growled, "Mine."

It's what I needed to hear. She would do anything to earn a living. I  knew she didn't mean it, but I was going to use it to my advantage. I  hung up and started my drive back to Wolfe Creek, Washington. By the  time I would get there it would be late into the night, but I needed to  see her.





Chapter 3-Catherine


We finally reached our destination in the afternoon. Wolfe Creek was the  name of the town. I felt like a dummy. The resort was named the Wolfe's  Den. I thought I would be staying in town, but I was taken to a massive  home just on the edge of town. Crazy as it was, I could have sworn I  could smell his scent here. It was his, I knew it. I was staying in his  home.

"Come on in, Catherine. This is where you'll be staying. Tomorrow we'll  take you to the resort to look around," Chloe said as she placed her  hand on my arm. Just as we entered the large house, a man as large as  Gage approached.

"Rocky, what are you doing here?" Gage asked with a hint of nervousness  in his voice, which none of us missed. Something about the other man  made me feel very uncomfortable. I was actually afraid of him, and I  think he knew. He smirked menacingly at me.

"Hunter asked me to keep an eye on things. I thought it was Hunter  returning from seeing Creed, but I saw it was you. Is something going  on?" he asked, never taking his eyes off me. I didn't like him. There  was something strange in his appearance. He was like a wolf in sheep's  clothing.

"No, there's nothing going on. This is one of our managers for the new  resort, and we're letting her stay here until we can get her room ready  there," Chloe responded. I could tell it was a lie, but I wasn't sure if  the big guy believed it. We all stood there silently, and it was Chloe  who noticed my feeling of jumpiness.

Squeezing my arm to calm me down she said, "Well, if you'll excuse us I'm going to get her settled."

Still suspicious, the guy didn't stop with the questions. "And Al … Hunter is okay with it?"

"It was his idea," Chloe practically snarled at him.                       
       
           



       

Taking me by the arm she was already latched on to, Chloe dragged me  inside, leaving the two enormous men outside. I walked into the  beautiful home, amazed at the size of the place. It was enormous with an  open space layout. I could see the living room and a long hallway to  several doors. "Is this your place?"

"No, this is Hunter's place. Don't be uncomfortable about it. He  wouldn't like it," she said. "Besides, you'll have your own room.

"Do you always do what Mr. Grey likes? Are you two married?" I asked in a  jealous snit. It hit me was she the one taking the photo of the room  with my night lover?

"No, he's our older brother. Gage and I are twins," Chloe laughed and shook her head. She was spectacularly beautiful.

"So do all of you own the resort?" I knew that they did, but I wanted to see what she had to say.

"We own the majority of the town," she remarked, moving along the corridor pulling my luggage along.

"Wow," I exclaimed. I was feeling more awkward by the moment. They were  an accomplished and wealthy family, and I was nearly begging for a job. I  was surprised they had time to escort me here.

"Do you want something to eat?" she asked me as she walked me to the  bedroom that I would be staying in. I looked around the large room, but  my thoughts were still on Mr. Grey.

"Not now. Is this the room I'll be staying in?" I questioned.

"Yes, Hunter's room is just through those doors," Chloe remarked,  pointing to the door across the room, next to what I assume was the  closet.

I didn't say what I was thinking, but she anticipated my question.  "Hunter is having part of the house remodeled and these rooms are  unaffected by the dust."

"Oh, I … " I blushed with embarrassment.

"Don't apologize. We practically pulled you out of bed and dragged you  back to our Den. It's natural to have some concern, but I promise  nothing bad will happen to you."

"Thanks. I was wondering … is there a reason Gage doesn't speak to me?" It was something that I found weird and rude.

"It's because he's a flirt. Hunter asked for us to keep the men away  from you until you were comfortable being here. Gage isn't the biggest  of the men that live here. They can be pretty intimidating."

"Yes, the other guy was giving me the willies," I admitted in a hushed voice with a shudder.

"That's okay. You don't have to be concerned with him. I'll let Hunter  know when he comes back. Gage and I will be spending the night so that  you'll get settled."

"Thanks. So I'm a manager, or is that what you just told him to shut up  his questions?" That was a high position for a person with my  experience.

"What makes you think you're not a manager?" she countered with an arched brow.

I gave her a shrug and with a snarky tone, I replied, "I don't know.  Maybe the fact that I didn't send in anything or because I don't have  the experience."

She looked annoyed but regained her composure, and stated plainly,  "Catherine, I'm saying this as nicely as possible. Hunter makes the  rules; they are to be obeyed, and he's asked to bring you here. So Gage  and I are doing just that."

"Fine," I hissed.

"Would you like to go on a tour of the house now, or would you like to rest before dinner is served?"

"I'm actually still tired, so I'm just going to take a quick nap," I  muttered. I needed some time to think about what the hell managed to  happen in the last twenty-four hours of my life.

"Great," she said and walked out of the room.

I fell onto the bed face first with my legs hanging half off. My  thoughts were all surrounding Hunter Grey, and if he really was my dream  lover. If he was, what did that mean and how was that even possible? I  didn't think I would fall asleep, but apparently I did. Chloe walked  into the room and tapped my shoulder until I woke up.

"Dinner is about ready. You must have been exhausted, it's been four hours since our arrival," she said with a smile.

"I can't believe it. I wasn't really even tired-stressed, but not tired."

"Don't be so stressed. It'll be just fine."

I washed up and fixed my hair a little before joining them for dinner. I  semi enjoyed the quiet dinner. It was great because I finally got Gage  to open up to me.

"Look Gage, it would be great if you actually spoke to me. I find it  extremely rude and frankly I don't care what Hunter has to say about  it," I barked after getting more silent treatment from the hulking green  eyed giant.                       
       
           



       

"I'm sorry, Miss Kinney," he apologized meekly.

"It's Catherine. Chloe calls me that, so can you. Try it. It's not like  Hunter's going to bite your head off," I teased, but both Gage and Chloe  looked to each other and gave out a little laugh, like there was some  inside joke I was missing. I didn't even bother to ask. There was a veil  of secrecy going on that I wouldn't understand until I met Hunter.