Wolf Tales VIII and a case of nerves...

Elizabeth’s on the road for a few days and unable to post, so I hope no one minds that I’m taking over her slot. I thought it might be a good chance to introduce my newest Wolf Tales, the fifteenth book in the series (counting anthologies) due to release at the end of the month. WOLF TALES VIII is actually two stories in one—it follows the six young Chanku introduced in SEXY BEAST VI: CHANKU HONOR. Three of them head to Montana where they will be mentored by Anton Cheval, while the other three go to Colorado to the High Mountain wolf sanctuary where Ulrich Mason and Millie West will introduce them to the ways of the pack. It sounds like a great plan, but things never seem to happen the way anyone expects.

In Montana, someone is spying on the pack, and when the trespasser is badly injured during capture, secrets are uncovered and loyalties tested—and the pack turns against über-alpha, Anton Cheval. In Colorado, two of the young Chanku are called out to assist Ulrich Mason on a search and rescue, while Millie remains at the sanctuary with Matt, a young man who is more beta than alpha. Since my books are most definitely erotic romance, this was the perfect opportunity to write my “older woman, younger man” story—and yes, I had a LOT of fun with it.

And while it’s the second story in the book, I want to share the scene where Matt arrives at Millie’s, thinking he’s been sent to protect her, and Millie is perfectly aware her mate has set them both up for a sexual liaison.
===

Millie sensed Matt at the front door within minutes after the sound of the helicopter faded over the mountains. She paused a moment, thought ruefully of strangling her mate, and then finally opened the door.

Matt stood there like a lost boy, all six foot three of him, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere else rather than her front porch. His brown hair was shaggy and hung in his eyes. His big hands sort of dangled at his sides, as if he didn’t quite know what to do with them. Millie knew he was at least twenty-five, but he could have passed easily for sixteen.

An absolutely breathtakingly beautiful sixteen.

He was young and gorgeous, and so obviously uncomfortable he broke her heart. “Hi, Matt. Come on in.” She held the door open. He stepped into her small cabin, his eyes still staring at his feet, at the floor, anywhere but at Millie.

“I guess Ulrich sort of forced you into the job as my bodyguard slash babysitter for the next couple days. I hope you don’t mind. Can I get you something to drink?”

He shook his head, glanced up at her, looked back at the floor. “I don’t mind. Really. Is there anything in particular you want me to do?” This time he raised his chin and glanced at her. Then he looked down again.

“I really want you to relax.” She laughed. “You’re making me nervous!”

“I’m sorry. It’s just...I just...” He shrugged and looked at her with a slight smile. “I’m not used to going anywhere without the others. I’ve always been kind of shy, and...”

“I know.” Millie grabbed his hand and dragged him over to the couch. She sat down beside him. He scooted away, far enough that their legs wouldn’t touch. “Me, too,” she said. “Ric is always with me and I feel sort of lost when he’s away.”

His chin snapped up. “You do? Really?”

She nodded. “I do. I’ve lived here my whole life, right on this mountain. I’ve hardly been anywhere and I haven’t met all that many people. I’ve only been to San Francisco once, when I went with Ric. That’s where you’re from, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. That’s where I lived my whole life. I’d never been in an airplane or even seen mountains like these until we came here last week.”

“Your life’s changed a lot in a very short time, hasn’t it? What did you do before you became Chanku?”

“Nothing, really.”

He stared back at the floor. She tried to see what he was thinking, but found only a dark swirl of misery without form or substance.

She touched his knee and he flinched. “Matt? What’s wrong? Do I make you nervous?”

He nodded. “Kind of.”

“Why? I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“I know,” he mumbled.

Millie had to strain to hear him. This was not going to be easy. The role of seductress wasn’t one she’d ever pictured herself playing. “I need to go check on the pens in the upper meadows. Would you mind going with me?”

He raised his head, obviously relieved to have something concrete to do. “Sure. Do you want to take the Jeep?”

“I’d rather shift and run. The wolves recognize me in that form, and I can get a better feel for their general health and well-being. Just stay close to me. They’re a little intimidated by a strange male.”

This time he actually laughed. “I doubt they’re afraid of me, Millie. I’m not very scary.”

“If you say so.” She stood up and slipped her sweatshirt over her head.

===
When I was writing this scene, I felt so badly for Matt and his case of nerves that I actually made myself nervous, but he and Millie eventually figure things out in a most satisfactory manner. Even so, I must be terribly empathetic because I can be absolutely fine and then get around someone else, and whatever their mood, I seem to catch it! (Which is why I love to be around happy people!) Does that ever happen to you?