Trusting the Wolf

Book summary

In "Trusting the Wolf," a spinoff from Brooke Campbell's The Warrior Series, Kate returns after seven years, determined to rekindle her bond with her mate. Living a dual life as a secretive protector in her wolf form, Mac faces the challenge of balancing her hidden existence with her desire to reconnect with Kate. Their relationship is put to the test when Kate becomes a target, compelling Mac to confront her fears and secrets. This captivating tale explores themes of love, trust, and overcoming adversity in a world where extraordinary elements intertwine with reality.

Excerpt from Trusting the Wolf

Gravel grinds and pops under Mac’s tread as she slowly backs down the driveway. It’s a beautiful Sunday morning—birds lively, clear skies, not yet humid. But she doesn’t take any of it in. She’s fixed on a blue Civic Coupe parked beside the house, that hasn’t been around here for a long time. Not since Christmas in fact. But this is no holiday. It’s just a normal late summer Sunday. Hell, Kate’s parents aren’t even home. Mr. Browne is smack in the middle of a long-haul and won’t be aiming his rig back this way until Tuesday at the earliest. And the grapevine says Mrs. Browne joined a group of other local women on a gambling and shopping trip to Atlantic City for a long weekend.

Mac’s heart pounds as she rolls to a stop beside the vehicle. Kate’s vehicle. Her palms slicken against the steering wheel. Is it possible? She’s been too afraid to believe the gossip. It doesn’t matter that her Uncle Al told her – and she’s never known the tough old Alpha to outright lie. It doesn’t matter that all her Aunt Lyla has talked of for weeks is having so much free time to play with the pack puppies.

And even seeing the car here doesn’t mean Kate’s really come back home. To work for them. To live here. To…

Suddenly Mac can’t wait another second. She needs to know. She needs to see the woman with her own eyes. Preferably before her crew shows up to work. She lopes up onto the deck, wincing as groaning warped boards under her work boots remind her why she’s here. The blinds are pulled back, giving an unobstructed view of the cheerful kitchen. Mac’s heart threatens to leap out of her throat. Parched for the sight, she drinks it in.

Damp toffee hair cut to tickle her bare shoulders, swinging around a face Mac sees in her dreams. Sleek tank top skimming over curves she could draw with her eyes closed. Short shorts revealing plenty of smooth shapely runner’s legs her fingers still feel to this day. Dancing around with her arms outstretched, like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Like moving back home makes her as joyful as it could make Mac.

Kate. Mac’s mate. Home.

She blinks, but her eyes don’t lie. Her mate is really here! Mac’s wolf’s attentive excitement fuels her own, and she wants to tear around the yard like a crazed puppy. Craving she’s denied for years washes over her, and her body wavers under its force like an oak in strong wind.

Mac can’t remember the last time she saw Kate’s face relaxed. Thin white cords trail from both ears down her back. Kate steps rhythmically forward and backward in unmistakable Salsa moves, her hips swaying provocatively to music only she can hear. Oh, what Mac wouldn’t give to be doing the Salsa with her mate right now. Hell, to be doing anything with her mate. Anything. Kate moves gracefully around the kitchen, fluid steps never faltering as she grabs a mug and starts fixing up a cup of coffee.

Kate’s just turned to put the half and half away when there’s a thunderous boom behind Mac. The sound comes as no surprise to Mac – part of her attention has been on the crew’s vehicles showing up and the sounds of them beginning to unload. But witnessing Kate jump and drop the half and half sets Mac off. She lets her wolf, Tris, out enough to voice a growling snap of reprimand. The guys tilt their heads and avert their eyes in submission, sneaking guilty looks at the sliding door. Mac knows none of them intended to scare Kate, and they genuinely feel bad, but she won’t take the time to deal with them now. She turns back to the door, afraid the mirage will have disappeared. It wouldn’t be the first time her imagination conjured her mate.

But no. Kate is still there. One of Kate’s hands rests on her heaving chest, the earphones dangling from the other. The whites showing in her eyes prove Kate’s still recovering from the stack of four-by-fours getting dropped onto the deck.

And then the moment Mac imagined – dreaded – prayed for – finally comes. Through the glass door, their eyes meet and hold. Kate’s expressive eyes widen and her cheeks color an attractive pink. She blinks, and her jaw falls open.

Shit, Kate looks good. Better than Mac remembers, if that’s possible. Maturity suits her Katydid, her athletic body softly rounded in all the right places. Her make-up free face is bright, and growing pink, and, fuck, those gorgeous blue eyes. Kate. Came. Home. Mac’s wolf wants to howl the victorious hunt song. Fuck yeah. My mate is back.

Kate blinks, and Mac imagines she hears those even white teeth clack as she snaps her mouth shut. Kate’s eyes dart around at the crew Mac senses shuffling behind her. The fact is, they’re all pleased to see Kate home. Most of them played together as kids, grew up together, teased each other, loved each other.

Shaking her head, Kate grips her mug, takes a deep breath, and moves to the door. Mac jumps to help when Kate sloshes hot coffee on her wrist due to the sliding glass door sticking. Mac’s wolf lifts her head, ears forward as Mac eases the door open.

Mac inhales deeply as a rush of that unique scent she’s missed so terribly washes over her. The blend of citrus, musk and, well, Kate, makes her abdomen clench. Memories flood, and it’s all she can do not to wrap Kate in her arms, bury her nose in that long neck, revel in the salty pheromones on that lightly tanned skin again. Mac’s arms twitch with visceral need, and Tris whines in frustration. Fuck. Me.

Kate steps out onto the deck and takes in the knot of old friends. “Oh, my gosh! Jimmy, you goofball!” Jimmy nearly knocks the coffee out of her hand when he hugs her, and it seems to break the ice. “Oh, wow, is that Kyle? Hi Richie! Steve, you handsome devil! Sean! Bill!” Laughing, Kate exchanges warm greetings with the crew, including lots of hugs. But her eyes keep coming back to Mac. When it comes Mac’s turn for a hug though, Kate steps back. Her eyes grow wary again and a crease forms between her brows. “What are you…all of you, doing here?”

Mac wants to kiss her forehead smooth. She wants to kiss those soft lips. So. Badly. She’s filled with hope she hasn’t felt in more than seven years, and Tris yips in agreement. Kate’s greeting may be lackluster, but her body can’t hide the truth. The tell-tale blush, the racing heart…could her mate still have feelings for her? Maybe. Maybe there’s still a chance to win back Kate’s love.

“Hello, Kate. It’s been a long time. You look good.”

Kate narrows her eyes. “Hi. Yes. Whatever. Now, what are you doing here?”

Mac cocks her head and crosses her arms, trying not to smile. Kate’s adorable when she gets riled up. “What do you think I’m doing here?”

Kate glares with all the ferocity of a royally pissed-off kitten—not all that dangerous but definitely able to cause damage. Lord knows her silence over the years has proven that. Mac rubs the sudden ache in her chest. It’ll be alright, Tris, Mac tells the wolf. Tris sneezes with disbelief. Yeah. Mac’s not quite sure she totally believes herself, either.

She squints at Kate. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, Katydid?”

Kate clenches her jaw. “Don’t call me Katydid. No. You know, I was just fine until—” She shakes her head and sucks in a deep breath. She steps back another pace, putting more space between herself and Mac. It’s all Mac can do not to follow her. Kate shakes her head again, setting the bob swinging, and takes a long drag from her coffee cup. She blows out, ruffling her bangs. “I’m sorry. Let me start over. You startled me, and I wasn’t expecting to see—I didn’t know Mom hired Duncan to fix the deck. This weekend.”

Mac could watch Kate’s expressive face every minute of every day. “When the guys saw you jump, they felt bad for dropping the boards like that. Didn’t mean to scare you. Your mom didn’t tell you she hired us?”

Kate’s jaw tightens. “How long will this take?”

God, Mac thinks. Kate angry is a beautiful sight to behold, with her flashing blue eyes, bright color high on her cheekbones. Mac pulls her attention back as she warms to her second favorite topic. “The truth is, this project is long overdue. The foundation is strong, but these boards are mostly rotted out, and the railing isn’t stable any longer. I’ve been after them to fix it for a long time, and I’m glad your folks finally agreed to let us. But the last job threw us late, and this is the first chance we’ve had to start. Your dad asked for an extension of the original footprint, and your mom wants us to add some built-in features. So, my crew and I’ll be here several weekends. That a problem for you?”

Kate levels her gaze. “Nope. Not a problem at all.”

Kate’s abrupt retreat probably would have gone much smoother were it not for the door sticking. Again. Perversely, Mac lets her struggle, just to enjoy the way Kate’s curves jiggle as she wrestles with it. Sure, she’ll fix the door; she already sees what the problem is. But not just yet. That sticking door may prove entertaining a little longer.

Mac’s good mood is infectious, and the crew couldn’t be happier for her. When any of them find their mate, it’s cause for celebration. Pack members are closer than blood, regardless of their family relationships. The bonds they share are special—symbiotic. Having Kate torn away from her was a trauma felt by the entire pack. It’s every wolf’s worst nightmare. Now, they all share the relief of Mac’s hope and relish it.

The crew’s high spirits make the workday go by fast. Typical construction sounds punctuated by laughter prove everyone keeps busy. Mac keeps an eye out for Kate, but it’s pretty obvious she’s avoiding them. She only comes into the kitchen for food or a drink. And she never looks through the glass into the backyard. However, even that can’t ruin Mac’s mood. Nothing can this day. The love of her life is back, and this time, she’ll be damned if she lets anyone fuck it up.