Dawn Reclaimed

Once Mouse was thoroughly satisfied Claire had seen enough of the family areas, she led her down a flight of stairs. "Wanna see Uncle Grant's old room?"

"Grant doesn't live here?"

"No, he moved out. But, Grandpa still keeps his room, just in case he moves back home. Everything is exactly how he left it." She frowned. "I'm not supposed to go in there. Grandpa says it's not polite to violate someone's privacy. But I miss Uncle Grant and his pillow still smells like him."

Claire followed Marianne through a door and into a man's room, neat, and tidy. A doorway led to a bathroom, small and uncomplicated, with white tile and flooring and walls. There were a few odds and ends scattered about on shelves, a few hangers occupied by stray pants and shirts. But, basically the room was devoid of anything that was Grant. Mouse was right, the only thing in the room that was distinctly him, was the scent that lingered in the air, masculine, woodsy, and wild. "If Grant doesn't live here, where does he live?"

Mouse got the impression that Claire was asking questions she had to be careful about answering. If Claire had questions about Uncle Grant, she should ask him. Sure, Claire would want to glean every bit of information she could about Uncle Grant. But, there were answers Marianne was not privy to divulge. "He lives in an apartment in town."

"Oh." Claire was surprised by how quickly Mouse shifted gears from open and sharing into evasive and vague. Narrowing her eyes at her as she answered. There weren't many vacant apartments in town. Most of the rentals were houses and they were few and far between. People sold out and moved away. The population in town was stable. People left for bigger and better things. And the ones that didn't were born here, lived their entire lives here, and died here. The cemetery at the edge of town had more residents than the town itself. Ginger had mentioned that she found a renter for the studio apartment above her garage. And Claire wondered if Grant was the tenant.

There weren't many jobs around here. People didn't move to places where there weren't opportunities. If Claire hadn't been lucky enough to land a position in the small seventy-five bed county owned hospital, she would have moved away too. Her mom was the only real estate agent in town. And business wasn't exactly booming. Her dad pinched his pennies to the point each cent begged for mercy. Her father had had the same job for over twenty years, a schoolteacher at the local high school.

Marianne mulled around for a minute. Bouncing on the edge of the bed giving Claire time to inspect the room. She didn't know how to explain Pack mentality to Claire. That nobody truly owned anything. Marianne ushered her out of the bedroom and into the hallway. Her dad had been conspicuously absent all evening. Brooding in his room as he usually did when he didn't want to be bothered. And she'd left him to it. She didn't try to coax him down to supper anymore. There was nothing short of a fire that would get him out of his bedroom until he was good and ready to leave it. Not even his kids.

Her dad had impeccable timing though. And he occupied the room next door to Grant's. He must have smelled Claire and came out of his room to investigate. He stood, blocking the hallway. His face drawn up into a harsh sneer, glowering at Claire as if she had two heads or represented some kind of a threat. "My dad, Hunter," Marianne mumbled.

Clare blew out a breath and sucked it back in. Mouse's father was a wall of muscle and menace. Blocking the hallway with his big body, broad shoulders, and his dark 'don't fuck with me' aura. She'd seen this side of Grant too and it was terrifying and toe curling. She considered dodging inside of Grant's room and locking the door. Not that it would matter, Mouse's father would simply barrel right through it. His eyes were deep inkwells without a glint of light. His black hair was short, spiked haphazardly away from his brow. His full lips were thinned, drawn back into a hard sneer. His biceps flexed as he clenched and unclenched his hands into fists.

Everything about him was powerful and dangerous. And he was perhaps, the only member of Grant's family that absolutely hated her. Other than the obvious family traits she'd come to expect. There was very little of a resemblance between Grant and Hunter. Perhaps, they had different mothers or something. "Um, hi," she said meekly, hedging closer to the wall. The hospital had sent her to self-defense classes and she stayed an arm's length out of his reach. He snorted in reply, turning with that lithe grace so common to Grant's family, and went into his bedroom, slamming the door in her face.

Marianne rolled her eyes. That went about as well as she expected. She could always count on her dad to make a memorable impression. Eager to change the subject and get Claire out of here before her dad did even more damage, she herded Claire down the stairwell. The basement was one part of the house she hadn't shown Claire yet. And it was as far away from her father as they could get. "Wanna go see the game room?"

"Sure." Claire was glad to put some distance between herself and Hunter. She glanced over her shoulder at the closed door barring his room. She was all for live and let live. But, the man was terrifying. And there was something more about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She'd seen that kind of despondency before. He was a man too close to the edge.

Hunter stood on his side of the door. He'd scared the shit out of Claire. And he'd meant to. He hated the man he'd become, bitter and angry at the world. Loss had changed him for the worst. He wasn't the father he needed to be to his children. He wasn't the wolf his pack needed him to be. He was nothing. He should have ended it long ago. But, he wasn't brave enough to do that either.

Claire was pregnant. He smelled it all over her. It'd be better for her and for the Pack if she went down those stairs and never came back. Make it easier for Grant to accept the inevitable, when it happened. Hunter wished he had drowned Grant in the river when he was a baby. Would have been better than the fate that awaited his adopted brother, the inescapable heartache of loss. He hoped like hell Grant wasn't too attached to the female. He wouldn't have her for much longer and most likely the child she carried inside of her either.



Chapter 28

Grant caught up with Mouse and Claire in the basement. Mouse bit her lip in concentration as Claire moved a checker into position. "Mouse, are you letting Claire win?"

Marianne glanced up from the checkerboard and grinned. "Uh huh." She was trying to be gracious to guests and polite, just like grandpa taught her. And trying to keep Claire occupied and not asking questions Marianne couldn't answer. Sometimes, adults were tricky. They'd get you to say something you didn't mean to and shouldn't have said.

Grant made a move with the end of his finger, sliding a red checker into place. "King me." Mouse had set Claire up for the move. Claire didn't know how privileged she was. Mouse didn't let anyone win on purpose. Claire was a rare exception. He bent low and pecked Mouse on top of her head. "I've got to get Claire home."

"But, I was so close to winning," Marianne protested. Not really. Claire was trying so hard to let her win, just as she was trying to let Claire beat her. The game was stalemated from all the attempts they made to let the other win. She smiled widely at Claire. "You'll come back sometime, won't you?" She batted her big brown eyes and smiled, knowing the effect they'd have on someone as soft hearted as Claire.

Claire didn't hesitate to answer. "Sure. We can finish the game then." Everyone, except for Hunter, had made her feel so welcome, like she was an accepted part of the family. The sprawling house had more rooms than she'd bothered to count. But, it was comfortable and inviting. And she felt strangely at ease. As if the house and the people in it were a safe harbor she could turn to when things got too rough for her to handle on her own.

She dismissed her earlier fear of Tala and Drew. They didn't live in the house and they had tried to be nice to her. She was overreacting to things. Letting her imagination get the better of her. Perhaps, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude that was Grant's family by the time she'd met them. Tala and Drew were important to Grant and to this family. In what way she could only guess. The next time she saw the couple. She'd try harder to get to know them better. Be nice and friendly, for Grant's sake.

Claire yawned and stretched. Her belly was still full from supper and the sugar rush from the chocolate was fading. The day had been long and filled with surprises, ups and downs. And her bed was calling. She followed Grant up the stairs. The living room was empty. Everyone was either in bed or off doing their own thing in some other part of the house. She climbed into the passenger side of Grant's car and buckled up. Somewhere off in the distance a lonely howl echoed through the dark. Wolves did not live in this part of the country. But, maybe a small pack had migrated here and set up shop in the woods. "Did you hear that?" she asked Grant.

Grant shrugged and pretended he didn't. He knew the distinctive sound of his brother's wolf's winsome call. He clicked on the radio to distract Claire from things he wasn't ready for her to suspect.

Marianne, alone in the house with the rest of the 'non-shifters', her older brothers and a few cousins, jogged up the stairs and brushed her teeth. Getting ready for bed. All the adults were out in the woods, running on four legs instead of two. She couldn't wait for the years to pass. When she was old enough she'd join them. If Uncle Grant and Claire lived with her, Claire would tuck her in at night. Claire was like her, stuck between two worlds, not really belonging in either and still a part of them both.

Grant made small talk on the way home. He was pleased by how well Claire had taken to his family. The fact that she liked them meant a lot. It would make things easier later on. When he finally had the courage to tell her. If she loved him and grew to love his family, maybe she could over look what he was, what they were, and see past the fur to the people on the inside.

Claire stared out into the night. Watching the moonlit fields flashing past her window. Seeing Grant with his family opened her eyes to who he really was. He was everything she could hope for. Loving, caring, compassionate, and kind. And again, she found herself beginning to trust him. Tomorrow, she could wake up, and he'd be there. In her bed, if she wanted him there. She hazarded a dream of a life, where she woke up everyday and he was there next to her, waking up too, day after day.

Grant pulled into Claire's driveway behind her car and shut off the engine. Pocketing the keys, he jogged around to open the car door for her. Walking her up the narrow, paved path, to the front porch and up the steps to her door. He leaned against the doorjamb curious as to if she'd invite him in or simply dismiss him and say goodnight. He smiled widely when he saw the soft longing expression in her eyes. He ducked through the narrow space between the open screen door and her living room, not really giving her a chance to ask.

Claire kicked off her tennis shoes and dropped her purse on the arm of the couch. Now it was time for the post date awkward good night she hated so much. She didn't go out on dates often. And she considered meeting Grant's family not as much of a date as going to the movies or out to dinner. She'd never been on a real date with Grant, come to think of it. So, with that line of thinking in mind, she shouldn't feel awkward at all. "I had a really good time tonight." She balanced her weight on the balls of her feet and leaned up onto her tiptoes, pressing a peck to his cheek. "Your family is really nice."

Grant wrapped a hand around Claire's waist and pulled her closer. Turning his cheek so that their lips collided. Eagerly, he took control. This kiss was so much better than their first one. No guessing. No questions. Only answers and redemption found between parted lips and tangled tongues.

Claire reached up and snaked her arms around Grant's neck. Pulling her body against him, she felt the hard ridge of his erection pressing into the softness of her stomach. The sheer presence of him, his scent, his warmth, his strength overwhelmed her. Dizzying her with its promise, dimming her fear that somehow, this was all a dream and there was every chance that despite everything he'd said. She'd wake up and he'd be gone. She didn't want to even think about that possibility.

Her body refused to acknowledge the tender feelings of her heart as the kiss continued. Their tongues jockeyed for position inside of her mouth. Their breaths shortened and became desperate, labored gasps. She shivered in fear and delight as his hands gathered the edge of her t-shirt and inched along the bare skin of her back. His warm palms spanned her waist. The pads of his thumbs grazed a path higher, up her ribcage, creating a heated sensation zinging along her spine straight to her toes. Butterflies danced in her stomach as his thumbnails tickled along the underside of her bra.

Grant arched Claire back, trapping her between the back of the couch and his chest. One kiss led to another and then another. Her lips were sweet and so soft. He teased her lips with the tip of his tongue. Arched like she was, the ripe points of her breasts pressed against his chest. And as she tempted him, working those hips to gently brush against his burgeoning erection. He likewise tempted her, grazing his thumbs underneath the lace of her bra. He kissed with his whole body. His hands searched. His mouth toyed with hers. Gently kissing her with a series of subtle brushes of lips against lips. The tips of their tongues dueled with one another. And then he'd deepen the kiss, fully possessing her mouth.

His wolf was all about laying claim to what was his. He knew Claire required a bit more finessing. Working the plastic clip restraining her hair free, he gripped the strands firmly. Not hard enough to hurt. But, firm enough to guide her where he wanted her to go. Her taste filled his mouth. Her skin was smooth as silk and warm as sunlight on a summer's day. And he basked in the glory that was just Claire. "Can I stay?" he asked, nuzzling that sweet spot behind Claire's ear. Making her purr and grip his shoulders to keep her balance.

"I have to work in the morning," Claire protested. Grant's lips and hands were certainly making a good argument for his side. Giving her a thousand reasons why she should say yes and not one good one as to why she should say no. His body was hot, pressed against hers. His breath tickled the sensitive skin of her throat. The stroke of his thumbs over her erect nipples had her curling her toes and wondering if she could get away with calling in sick tomorrow. Oh, yes Grant was convincing as he kissed a path downward. He nuzzled the neckline of her t-shirt. Through the thin cotton she could feel the rough scrape of the stubble on his cheek against her skin.

"So do I," Grant breathed. Taking a minute to give her time to consider his offer, he nibbled on the tender bit of skin behind her earlobe. Her lips wavered on the exhale of her protest. She said no but she didn't really mean it as firmly as she pretended. His wolf knew the difference between a no and a no. The air was thick with the scent of her desire. Lust was a pretty superficial emotion, flickering quickly to burn so bright and then just as soon fizzling out to nothing. But, he could work with it. All he needed was to get Claire to let her guard down enough for her to let him fully into her heart.

He sucked in a breath as her hip brushed against his erection. Her body was saying yes. Screaming it. Claire stared up at him through heavily lidded lashes. Her teal eyes glittered with desire. He grinned, staring down at her. Tracing a path over her heated, blush stained cheeks with a fingertip. Her fingers pressed into his shoulders pulling him as closer as her words pushed him away. Before Claire could form a retort that he couldn't argue or seduce his way out of, he trailed a line of kisses along her jaw and to her mouth, silencing her protests with his lips and tongue.

Grant was not making this easy and neither was her body. The two of them were in cahoots working to dissolve her sense of self-preservation. Reason had to step in somewhere and restore the balance. She was still recovering from the hurt he'd caused her. Desperately trying to learn to trust him again. And so unsure that the next time she saw him, if she saw him again, wouldn't be the last. She unwound her arms from around his neck and slid from his arms. He trapped her in his hold, resting his palms on her hips to keep her from bolting. She dipped her head, narrowly missing a kiss aimed at her lips. "I need some space," she said breathlessly.

"Ok." Grant instantly released Claire. Crossing his arms over his chest, he lounged against the back of the couch. Taking deep breaths to gather his composure, he stifled his triumphant grin. He hadn't made it easy on her. In their short time together, he'd memorized every sensitive spot on her body. Knew every curve. And could interpret every breathy sigh that escaped her lips. Of course, there was still plenty of uncharted territory, always something new to be discovered.

He gave her some space. But, her feet refused to move to create the distance between them she begged him to give her. He turned and reached out to cup her cheek in his palm and run his free hand through her hair. "I had a wonderful evening tonight, Claire. Thank you, for going with me."

Grant's hand tensed on the back of Claire's neck and guided her closer. He stood and leaned her into his body, easing her chin up to meet his face. He stole another kiss. This one, applied sweetly and tenderly, and agonizingly slow. It was a kiss of promise and of hope. His promise he wasn't going anywhere. And his hope she'd let him in. "Talk to you tomorrow?" he said, ending the kiss.

Claire closed her eyes, memorizing the softness of his lips and the feel of their warm brush against her mouth. Tomorrow was a promise she hoped he could keep. "Sure."

After Grant left Claire flopped into her empty bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. It was cool at night. The heat and humidity of summer was still a few weeks away. The warmth of her blankets was a poor substitute for the heat of the man that could have been warming the empty space next to her instead. Common sense applauded her efforts. She was right to make him leave. She had to get some sleep. Five in the morning came awfully early. And if she'd said yes, the last thing they'd be doing was sleeping.

The house was incredibly quiet when compared to the bustling activity and noise of Grant's family. She almost felt lonely. Empty bed. Empty house. Closing her eyes and forcing her mind to calm, she fell fast asleep. Dreaming about the things she could have been doing, if she'd let Grant stay.

Grant kind of expected Claire's rejection. But hell, couldn't blame a guy for trying. Deciding to make the best of use of his time, he headed out, speeding along the interstate toward the city. He could inspect the murder scenes, sniff out any clues, and get back for work before dawn. Easy. Yeah right. He yawned sleepily and drove one handed, resting his chin on his knuckles. The miles ticked away against his tires in a steady rhythm. Lulling him till he was forcing his eyes open. He would rather be in his bed, dreaming about Claire. Hell, he'd rather be in bed with Claire doing instead of dreaming. The cold night air slapped his cheek as he rolled down the window. Fighting against his fatigue. Tala was right. He didn't know how much more his wolf and he could take this dual life they were living.