CHAPTER3.
1353 Words
Frank Gantt glanced at Sam, who shrugged a shoulder and
handed him an empty glass. If Frank Gantt wanted her out of
his chair, he would have to move her.
Macho g**g bosses had to prove they were in charge.
particularly when it came to their domain, and no one,
especially ladies, upstaged them. There were none.
more notorious for this than Lupus garous. No one was challenged.
them and got away with it, unless another lupus
Garou was trying to take over the pack and won.
She wasn’t part of his pack. She wasn’t a man. And
She wasn’t gray. What’s worse, she looked like his
deceased mate. On the other hand, it appeared he wasn’t sure.
of what he was seeing.
The eyes that hooked onto her again were chilly, yet
Grief was reflected in them, too. He jerked the glass off.
the counter and proceeded to where Jake and Tom sat. He
compelled Tom to move to the chair with his back to the door.
providing Frank Gantta a greater view of both her and the entrance.
How could she observe the pack members if the leader
kept an eye on her? Even now, she was positive he could
smell her fear. She told herself she wasn’t terrified of him.
because any Lupus Garou who was worth his pelt would take
heed before confronting a pack leader.
Frozen with indecision, she remained seated. What
The hell, let him think she was too terrified to move from
her chair—his chair, whatever.
The first woman she’d seen tonight entered the tavern.
clothed with short shorts and a turtleneck shirt, with leather
boots mid-thigh, her sable hair piled on top of her head.
in whirls of black curls.
“Hey, Silva,” one of the four men said, sitting at the bar.
said and whistled. “Looking hot.”
She offered him a flashing, brilliant red-lipped grin, then
glanced in Mary’s way. Astonishment was
reflected in her expression. Silva’s gaze moved, and she
spied Frank Ganttnearby. Bending over the bar to offer the
guys a closer look at her a*s, she mumbled something.
to Sam. He looked across to Mary. Yep, she was sure to
be the topic of conversation tonight.
Sam shrugged. “Drawing a real crowd tonight, Silva.
Why don’t you see whether the boss needs some more beer?”
Tom lifted the empty pitcher. “I need a refill. Looks
like the lady might need another drink.”
Desperately desiring to be out of the limelight, Mary
melted into her seat.
Silva gave her a simpering smile. “Well, well, looks
like the word has gotten out to some far-reaching
places. I guess it won’t be long before the place is
swarming with—”
Sam slapped a pitcher of beer on the counter. “Take
care of the consumers, Silva, and play nice.”
She scowled at him, then grabbed the pitcher. “Yes siree,
Boss, that’s what you pay me for.” Swinging her hips, she
delivered the drink to Frank’s table and then gave him a big
smile. “Here you go, boss. Just whistle if you need more.”
Frank Gantt didn't say a thing; he simply reclined back in his chair.
I looked over at Mary.
Silva made a frown and headed for Mary’s table.
“Need another bottle of water?”
Time for a drink. “Got margaritas?” Mary janespoke
low, only it wasn’t low enough.
Tom choked on his beer. A couple of the men at the
bar chuckled. Sam smiled and poured whiskey for one.
of the males.
“I don’t know, sugar.” Silva looked to Sam. “Hey,
Sam, we bought nice beverages for an out-of-towner. Like a
margarita?” She said the word as if she were speaking of
a woman’s lovely name.
More chuckles ensued.
“I can whip up anything the little lady would like.”
Little. That described her all right. Five-four, and the
size of a red lupus garou female. She sat taller.
“Is that what you would like, Miss?” Silva asked,
drawing it out, searching for a name.
“Yes, thank you.”
Tough, dang it. Mary wanted to show a harsher
image in front of the grays. She’d practiced and
practiced, and so what did she do? Acted like a squeaky
damned mouse. Used to being around her own kind,
She’d never felt intimidated—much. Having earned
Double black belts in jujitsu and kung fu helped enhance
her confidence around human brutes. But these folks
were neither human nor her own type, and a whole
A pack of them could devour her alive if she gave them
the opportunity.
The woman drew closer, and Mary Janewas was again confident.
She was about to be found out. Silva breathed in the air.
and her dark eyes narrowed. Despite wearing a ton of
fancy human perfumes, and of course, the stink from
the fresh dye job—although Mary Jane had cleaned her hair
with strawberry shampoo trying to hide up that odor—she
I hoped no one could smell that she was a lupus garou.
and not one of their own kind, either. It looked like it
didn’t work.
“Well, well, well.” Silva straightened her back.
“Make the lady a margarita, Sam.”
“Put the first on my tab,” Tom chimed up. “Wouldn’t
want the lady to believe we’re a bunch of unfriendly old
coots.”
“The second one’s on me,” Silva said.
The miner, Joe Kelly, looked dismayed that he
hadn’t spoken up first, but as much of a beta wolf as
He appeared; he presumably wouldn’t say anything to tick
Frank Ganttoff. Frank’s brothers would be the exceptions.
and Silva looked allowed to do as she wished.
Frank Gantt didn't say a thing. He exuded control with
merely a look—dangerous, not the kind of man to rile.
His actions, or lack thereof, shouted louder than any
words. Ursus would have blustered all over the tavern.
in Frank’s place. He proved he was the pack leader and
No one would disobey him; Ursus would have abducted her.
to task immediately, belittled her, and pushed her out of the
joint bodily if she’d snatched his seat. But simply a glower
Frank Gantt indicated a world of threat, and she’d do
well to heed it.
Everyone appeared captivated by Silva's explanation.
had developed an interest in Mary. They had to figure
Silva had found something about her. Silva seemed
amused Mary Janewas, a red lupus garou masquerading
as a person. At least Mary Jane assumed the woman had
found her out.
“Where are you staying, darlin’?” Silva’s tone was much
more pleasing, the sweetness false.
Mary cleared the unexpected frog in her throat. “Just
passing through.”
Silence. The woman’s eyes clouded, and she rapidly
glanced at Frank . His eyes had expanded, and he was
staring at Mary. s**t. Her voice must have sounded
comparable to Kendra’s this time, the way she spoke, the
inflection, something.
Low talk took place at the table next to
Frank’s and amid the grays at the bar while Sam
stirred up Mary’s margarita, but no one at Frank’s
table spoke a word.
More patrons entered the tavern, all looking to meet
Their commander, then, discovered a dead ringer for his slain mate.
sitting at his customary table, turned to see Frank and the
situation repeated itself till the area was filled and
noisy. But no one dared sit at her table. Thank god. The
More critical conversations were conducted softly, so
She couldn’t hear the gist of them, but she merely had to
Guess what was being stated? The dead sister’s clone appears at
Grays’ hangout, seeking revenge. They’d all be shaking.
in their boots. Right.
After completing her margarita, Mary Janewas died to
go to the bathroom, and the place had grown so heated,
She shrugged out of her jacket. Big error. As soon
As they saw how small she was, the whole room grew.
quiet again.
- Writer
