Vivian Arend - Wolf Nip Split

Tessas tail twitched.

Drat.

She concentrated harder, crouching lower to the ground. Muscles steady, but ready to move in an instant. One deep breath followed after another as she attempted to calm her nerves. Every instinct screamed for her to squirm, to peek around. To check if all her parts were tucked out of sight.

But then it had been proven that some of her cat instincts were a trifle on the broken side.

In her cougar form, his scent wasnt strong enough to hit before his paw pads sounded, and by the time she heard him, there was no way to escape. A warm body slammed into her, and together they rolled from behind the barrier shed chosen as a hiding spot. Before he could pin her in place, she wiggled free and took off.

Fine, maybe hed found her, but he hadnt won yet. She used her strong cat muscles to dash away through the maze of the gymnasium area.

No matter how fast she ran, though, her pursuer remained right on her tail. Literally on her tail, and when he playfully patted her hindquarters for the third time, Tessa gave up. She leapt for the narrow ledge along the wall where shed shifted in the first place. Changing back to human and dressing only took a moment before she rejoined her big brother on the gym floor.

Tony had also shifted and pulled on nearly identical jeans and T-shirt to hers. His relaxed grin teased her from under his mop of blond hair. Id say you did better that time, but Id be lying.

Tessa stuck out her tongue. Someday Ill win.

In your dreams. I am the king of the cats, and no one will take my crown.

She rolled her eyes and made gagging sounds.

Tony tweaked her nose. Face it, brat, your skills lie in areas other than cat-and-mouse games.

And there was the opening shed been waiting for. Right. So in terms of my skills, did you remember I need your signature on that form at the bank?

Did you remember I said you were nuts?

Tessa pulled back her hair into a ponytail and resisted sticking out her tongue again. Youve said it so many times over the years, I figured it was code for Hey, Sis, you rock. You didnt see the place, Tony. Its incredible. Exactly the kind of establishment I want to manage. The setting is exquisite, and the area just screams eco-tourism, which you know as well as I do

Stop. Not the eco-business thing. Tony covered his ears and groaned in mock pain.

Tessa pounced, grabbing hold of his forearms and dragging his hands free. Eco-eco-eco-eco

They laughed together, and she knew everything would be okay. Shed been trying since graduation to find a job that fit her skills. Seasickness had nixed the possibility of working for the family shifter-only cruise line, but her trip to the north had one side benefit.

When shed spotted the unique building tucked up against the trees, shed nearly bounced into the ocean with excitement. She needed a little more cash to set her ideas in motion, and her brother had the credit rating to help her get established.

If he was willing to take the chance on her.

Tony guided them down the hallway toward the cafeteria. I signed, sealed. Promised my firstborn kit. All those things. And yes, Ill admit the eco-tourism part was the selling feature. Ill back you on this one, Tessa, but please, if you need help, ask? You dont have to go it solo.

Im capable. Got the training, the experience. Heck, I graduated with higher marks than you did.

He shrugged. Youre a smart cookie, Ill give you that. But, girl, this is Alaska youre talking about. Weve had a base in the area harbour for years with the cruise ships, but there arent a lot of prides around. Youre going to be the only cat in town.

She stopped dead in her tracks. I dont know if I should give you a hug for being concerned or smack you across the head. Are you prejudiced, Tony? I would never have known, not with the way youve got friends in all the local wolf packs and

Thats not what I meant. Tony tugged her forward, and she went willingly enough, although confused how he would talk his way out of this one. Shifters are cool, and I dont care what kind. But the reality is we go about things differently. You know that.

Yeah. I shift into a cougar. My best friend Keri shifts and, hey look, a wolf! Different, right? Next bit of kindergarten information you want to share with me, big bro? Cause this is so educational.

Dont be a pain in the ass.

Dont be a pain, period. What are you trying to say?

Tony plopped into one of the plastic cafeteria chairs, and it groaned under his muscular weight. Fine. Wolves. Pack. Alaska is filled with wolves who could be very territorial about a cat coming into their midst. Youre good with people, Tessa, but wolves can be a tricky lot. Especially when they are the game in town.

She fluttered her fingers. Pshaw. I met their chief pooh-bah. Hes super nice. And Keri is mated to one of the Granite Lake pack, so Im like already a kissing cousin. Theres not going to be trouble. Really. I promise not to go on any wild rampages and stir up trouble, no matter how tempting.

Tony raised a brow. A town full of dogs, and you dont feel the slightest urge to cause mischief?

All the crazy ideas that flashed to mind could be blamed on that faulty instinct she was working on fixing. Of course not. Im a grown woman. This is my career, and Im capable of suppressing a few urges.

This crazy expression crossed his face, and Tessa slammed up a hand. Oh no, they were not going there.

Dont. Dont even think about giving me advice regarding any other kinds of urges. I will not listen. I will not hear. You cease to existblah, blah, blah.

Tony sighed. Youre a cat.

Youre so annoying.

Theyre wolves.

Tessa wadded up her napkin and threw it in his face. So, what have you got planned for the next year? Working three cruises? Going to take some time off in the fall and go exploring?

Her brother stared at her so hard she swore she heard the gears in his brain grinding, but he was smart enough to drop the subject and switch to chatting about his future plans.

Because no matter how comfortable shifters were with sex, talking with her brother about mattress mamboing was on the list of things she really didnt want to do.

Besides, the point hed planned on raising shed already thought through. The place she wanted to buy was on the outskirts of Haines, and wolves were a well-established part of the northern community. Wolves, like all shifters, enjoyed their sexual escapades, but they were more territorial and possessive than the average cat, in bed and out of it.

Cats and bears and other shifters picked mates when the time was right. Wolves followed some mystical mumbo jumbo and fell in twue wuv when their animal sides sniffed the right person. Whichick. Just ick.

Well, maybe not ickshed seen it work for her friend, but there was no way she wanted to settle down yet. Shed make sure any urges of the naughty sort were satisfied during playtime with humans. Or visitors to the area. Or battery-operated boyfriendsthe list of possibilities was endless.

This stage of the adventure was about establishing a top-notch resort in the north. And sex, while always enjoyable, was a low priority. Tessa nodded to herself, pleased shed gotten that straightened out.

She turned her attention back to her brother and tried not to allow her fanciful daydreams about the new resort distract her.

Mark Weaver stared in dismay across the table at his boss. But

Im sorry.

Ive only been here for two months.

The older man sighed. Which means, according to the rules, now that the season is slowing down and I have to let staff go, youre the first on the release list.