Chapter 6: Chapter 6: The Draw
Chapter 6
Finlay
It was worse than he could have imagined.
Knowing of her existence was one thing. Seeing her, being recognized by her, touching her… well.
Standing idle while she was whisked away by another Alpha soured his mood.
Realizing how greatly this was affecting him, how difficult it would be to leave this place tonight without so much as a way to contact her, made him downright ornery.
“If I’d known there was an alternative to our distributor so close to home, I’d certainly have sought you out sooner,” Daniel Navarro was saying.
Finlay tried to keep his eyes and attention on the conversation. “Having trouble with yours?”
“Oh, they’ve been gouging us this year. Part of the reason my company’s struggled so much in recent months. Seemed like one day our agreed-upon price was intact, then the next we were being charged double. They gave me some ‘gas cost’ nonsense, but I spoke with another Alpha that uses them. His rates have been the same for six years.”
Odd, Finlay thought. For a moment Reyna and the distance between them dulled. “What’d they have to say to that?”
“That pack is closer.”
Daniel snorted at Finlay’s dry look of disbelief. “I know. As I said, nonsense. I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s happened before. I’m sure you’ve heard of White Sulphur’s troubles. Butte’s, as well.”
Finlay glanced at Evander, who was listening quietly. “My Beta heard a few rumors. Nothing concrete.”
Shifters didn’t use human-run companies. Not because it wasn’t practical - it was and would have made their lives much easier.
But inviting humans into their communities regularly for any reason was a risk they couldn’t afford to take.
It only took once. Seeing or hearing something that made them question, or inspired them to snoop. A pack’s established territory was supposed to be a safe haven for the wolves.
Human truck drivers moving in and out constantly wasn’t compatible with that.
The larger a pack, the more funding it required. Only the Alphas overseeing big numbers would bother with businesses that required things like nationwide distribution.
Navarro’s Furniture, Daniel explained, was contracted in several chain furniture stores across the United States. It was quality made in Warm Springs and then shipped out in bulk to varying outlets.
The closest shifter-run distributor that wasn’t already bogged down was in California. That’s who Navarro and both Alphas from White Sulphur Springs and Butte were using.
Before Deer Lodge’s absorption of the latter two, they’d both had issues with the distributor leading up to financial troubles that eventually aided in their collapse.
“Quite the coincidence,” Finlay decided.
“Quite. I didn’t find out about any of it until we’d already agreed to sell to Cartier.”
Daniel’s lips pursed. “There hadn’t really been a choice at that point. He’s allowing my family to resume day-to-day operations. I’d be interested in contracting with you if you’re looking to branch out.”
“We really only service ourselves at the moment. Our lumber output is significant.”
Finlay paused, considering.
His first instinct was to say no. Getting into bed with another pack felt wrong. He didn’t want to deal with the politics. Worrying over them keeping up their end. Worrying about them screwing his pack over. It wasn’t worth it.
But he was here because the old way wasn’t working anymore. His wolves needed something else and it was his responsibility to at least give it a shot.
“Evander deals more hands-on with the distribution center, though. Perhaps the two of you can work something out.”
Daniel’s face split into a smile. Evander was pleased, as well.
“I’ll leave you to it. I could use another beer.”
Both true and an excuse. He’d lost track of Reyna. As Finlay moved through the crowd and back to the bar, he scanned it casually, careful not to linger too long.
The same bartender from before handed him a chilled can of Cold Smoke without being asked.
He turned to take in the room. The dance floor was packed again. Some people were seated at the dining tables. Others hovered about, mingling and floating from group to group.
Finlay spotted her with Zack near one of the buffet spreads.
Her eyes found him through a gap in the crowd.
It was an odd thing, this connection. Something unfamiliar and, in his case, even unwanted. Yet seeing her was warm relief.
Her eyes roamed his features, breaking only to make short additions to the conversation Zack was engaged in with another wolf.
The staring might have been disconcerting to someone else, under different circumstances. It was intimate. Direct. Slightly involuntary; knowing he should break the contact but compelled to remain.
She smiled a little and the urge to get up and cross the room stabbed the backs of his knees.
“Mr. Navarro seems pleasant enough,” Evander said, joining him. “I think we can handle his traffic. May have to take on a couple of new drivers.”
He nudged Finlay’s arm. “Now that we have a moment, can I ask about that intensely awkward exchange?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Evander snorted. “You can also explain why you’re now staring at her - very obviously, by the way - when, less than half an hour ago, you were practically running for the door.”
He should lie. The fewer people that knew about her, the better. It’s not as if they could be together. He was… ill-equipped to deal with a mate.
His life wasn’t built for it. And she was engaged to another man.
Even so, he said, “What would you do if you found your fated mate?”
“My –” Evander huffed a laugh and Finlay felt him shrug, their arms still pressed together on the bar. “I like to think we’re close, you and I, but I won’t go into that kind of detail.”
Finlay tilted a dry look and Evander laughed again. “Fine, fine. I mean, hell, I guess I’d be happy, wouldn’t I?”
“Even after everything?”
Evander’s smile faltered.
“Those old wounds may never heal. But we’ve learned from them. We know better now.” He shook his head. “Why are you asking about –”
It clicked then.
“That is…” Evander took a long pull of Finlay’s beer. “I suppose you’ve decided to keep your distance, then?”
“As opposed to… what? Breaking up this fancy engagement party and lugging her back to my cabin in the woods?” It was Finlay’s turn to snort. “Not likely.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. I think you have a very nice cabin –”
“ - Not the point. You’ve met Navarro and Cartier. We don’t live like they live. And I imagine if she agreed to marry the guy, it’s because she likes him. Chose him. Some wolves don’t like the idea of being bound by magic. They’d rather make that decision for themselves.”
Evander clicked his tongue.
“And you think that’s the case with her?”
“She’s here, isn’t she?”
“I guess. Still think it’s worth asking.”
Finlay shook his head. He couldn’t see it; her, dressed in diamonds and silk, living with his pack in their rural territory. He didn’t know much about her, but he knew Warm Springs was nothing like his home.
Bitterroot didn’t have neighborhoods and shopping centers. They didn’t even have an established school system at the moment.
There was no need for one.
“We’re not compatible.”
“Seems like a bit of an assumption.” Evander hesitated before continuing, “And perhaps an excuse.”
Finlay sighed.
“Can we not?”
“What happened with Skail’s pack –”
He’d heard enough. “Order your own beer.”
Finlay grabbed his and straightened. “I think I’ll get some air.”
Reyna, who’d been keeping eye contact with him off and on, was finally distracted. Zack took her hand and dismissed the men and women speaking to them. The music stopped and someone tapped the mic.
“Let’s give the happy couple a warm welcome to the floor for their first dance of the night,” the blue-suited wolf from earlier announced. The crowd gave a short burst of applause. To the band, he said, “Play us something slow, guys.”
Yes, he needed to get out of here. He watched them, though, masochist that he was. Zack led her through to the floor and pulled her close. Finlay couldn’t see her face. Was she smiling? Happy? Distracted?
He promptly reminded himself that it didn’t matter. It didn’t.
“Might wanna get that air,” Evander suggested. He motioned at Finlay’s face. “Your wolf is playing peek-a-boo.”
Finlay could feel it; the odd, prickly sensation clawing outward from his chest. He couldn’t remember the last time he was so out of sorts. The last time he had to worry about his wolf ascending without permission.
He was tempted to just leave. The longer he stayed, the more difficult it was to stay away. Yet when he moved, it was toward the closest set of terrace doors, instead of the elevator. The path there was quick and painless.
Much of the crowd was gathered around the dance floor, some making plates at the buffets, and a sparse few were seated at the dining tables.
Finlay weaved through and out into the night.
The sky had shifted from purple to midnight blue. It looked different here. If he were on the back porch of his cabin, the world would be alight with thousands of stars, glittering like diamonds in inky blackness.
Deer Lodge had too many lights. Too many tall buildings.
The temperature had dropped since they’d arrived. The air was crisp and the wind had a sharp bite. So high up, there was a near-constant breeze. Finlay walked to the edge and leaned against the rail.
Even now, with some distance, he could feel the draw. Would it always be like this? He’d heard of wolves that chose not to be with their chosen mate for varying reasons. He knew it was possible. Technically.
Finlay didn’t know the details, though. If he’d be pining for her for the rest of his life. If he’d ever be able to function without her face clawing at the back of his consciousness.
Did greater distance help? Would Bitterroot to Deer Lodge be far enough? Would knowing that she was with another man make it more difficult?
This wasn’t how he imagined the evening going. He needed to distract himself.
Finlay pulled his phone from his pocket and skimmed through a slew of messages, some pack related, some business related. Gavin lost his temper and disappeared into the wilderness… again. Twice in a month.
Wolves aged differently, and their temperaments changed as they aged. An overly aggressive wolf might become overly violent with time.
Gavin had seemed old to Finlay when he was twelve. It was worth considering that he might need some extra time with Finlay or Evander.
Sometimes having a more dominant wolf around could help restabilize the lost wolf.
There was a generic text from his brother: hi, I’m alive, hope you’re well.
An email reminder for Finlay to stop by Big Creek Memorial to cut his yearly donation check. At his leisure, of course.
He was responding to a text when someone else stepped out onto the terrace. Finlay glanced up, prepared to give a few niceties, and nearly flinched.
Reyna.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone