Her Stepbrothers Are Werewolves Read online

  Her Stepbrothers are Werewolves Copyright © 2016 by Trinity Blacio

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

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  Cover by Scott Carpenter

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-62601-305-6

  First edition, September 2016

  Chapter One

  Lucy Ballard moaned as she stepped into the warm rose-scented water. It had been a week from hell at the grocery store where she worked. First, the other cashier had up and quit, saying something about the bosses being dickheads and not knowing what they had in front of them. Then her mom showed up out of the blue. She hadn’t heard from in over a month, and here she was with a new man. And not just a boyfriend; no, a damn husband.

  Oh, he was hot and seemed to dote on her mom like crazy, but it was only a matter of time before Kirk Masters learned the hard fact that her mother was simple-minded and that it would take a lot of patience to care for her.

  She loved her mom, but sometimes…With a sigh, Lucy sank under the water trying to forget the week. But her mother’s pounding on the bathroom door brought her up out of the water. “What Mom? I’m taking a bath. Can’t you give me ten minutes?” she snapped, almost wishing her mom had stayed in a hotel. Then she regretted even thinking that.

  “I just wanted to let you know that Kirk’s boys will be joining us for dinner tonight,” she announced.

  “That’s great, Mom. I’m sure we’ll have a wonderful time. I’ll be out in a few minutes,” Lucy said, reaching for the shampoo.

  “Can I come in for a minute? I really do need to tell you a few things,” she asked, which was totally new for her mother. She always said what she had to say and left.

  “Door is open, Mom,” Lucy said, pouring shampoo in her hand and starting to scrub her head.

  “Here, let me,” her mom moved behind her and started to give her the best massage, just like in the old days.

  “God, I forgot how good you used to do this,” she moaned, and her mother laughed.

  “Rough week?” her mom asked.

  “Rough month, period. It sucks to have a B.A. in Psychology and not be able to do a damn thing with it unless I want to go back to school. Hell, I already have $60,000 in student loans, which I’ll be paying till I’m old and gray if things keep up the way they have been. Not to mention, I’ve been pulling double shifts since the witch quit the other week. So, what do you need to speak to me about?” Lucy ran a hand over the scar on her stomach, which was hidden beneath the bubbles, wishing things could be different.

  “First, promise me you won’t flip out when I tell you this. No, it’s not one of my ‘moments,’ as you call them,” she told Lucy, which made her flinch.

  “Sorry Mom,” Lucy said, realizing how much she had hurt her mom.

  “No, don’t apologize. I admit there had been times I was close to the edge. It just seemed everything was closing in on me. I was worried about you getting your own place, if you’d be able to do it, especially now with the way our world has turned out. So believe me, I understand totally. I love you, Lucy, and I’m very lucky to have you as my daughter.” Her mom reached down and took the hose that hooked to the faucet and started to rinse her head.

  “Have you been watching the news lately about shifters, the cats, wolfs, and other beings out there?” her mother asked, squeezing the water out of her long red hair and grabbing the conditioner.

  “Yep, saw that, but then again, I kind of figured there were others that walked with us. It would be kind of dumb to think we were the only beings out there in this vast universe.” Lucy frowned and slowly turned to look over her shoulder. “Kirk?”

  Her mother, Karen, nodded her head. “He’s a wolf shifter and he claims I’m his mate. Well, since they live longer than humans, he’d like to bring me over or make me like him. But I wouldn’t give him my answer ’til I spoke with you.”

  “I haven’t heard you could be turned into one of them in the news?” she asked, her full attention on her mom now.

  “That hasn’t become public knowledge and they don’t want it to. Well, you know why. Half of the country would go ape shit,” her mom said.

  “But wouldn’t someone find out? I mean, you work. I’m sure they would notice something different about you right?” Lucy asked as her mother rinsed the conditioner out of her hair. After she turned off the water, her mother came around to the front of the tub, pulling the little step ladder over to sit on.

  “That is one of the reasons I’ve already quit my job. I’ll be working for Kirk at his business, helping him in Upper Michigan.” her mom informed her.

  “So not only will he change you, but you’re moving away?” It would take her two or three days to drive from Tampa to visit her mom.

  Her mom reached over and took her hand, squeezing it. “I want you to come with us. You can rent this place, your job sucks, and you always did love an adventure. Plus, you even said you dreamed of living where there was snow.”

  Lucy sat back and studied her mom. “That’s why his sons are here, isn’t it?”

  Her mother sighed. “Yes, I mentioned that I wanted you to come with us, that I wouldn’t leave without you. Well, Kirk called his sons to help move us. He really does not like the word ‘no’ too well.” Her mother tried to hide the smile on her face and Lucy couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Let me guess, alpha all the way?” she shook her head. “It figures when you find your right man it would be, but then again maybe that is what you needed. Hand me the towel, Mom, and let me get ready. I’ll give you my answer tonight after I meet his family,” she said and her mother jumped up like a little girl handing her the towel. It was the first time in a long time she had seen her mother so happy.

  “Um, there is something else, well it concerns me. It seems once I’m changed, I’ll be able to still have children. Since I’m not really old in their life span. So my pre-menopause will be stopping.” Karen frowned. “Don’t know if I’m up for another child though, so we’ll have to talk about that.”

  “Um, yeah that would be between you two, but just so you know, I wouldn’t mind having a brother or sister. I always did want one. Now, go. I bet he’s standing outside in the hall listening to everything we say, isn’t he?” Lucy asked, stepping out of her claw foot tub and wrapping a towel around herself.

  “Most likely. Seems he’s very protective,” her mom sighed.

  “I’m glad you have him, mom. Maybe this is what you have been waiting for.” Lucy hugged her mom. “Now, go let me get ready.”

  Her mother moved to the door, but turned to stare at her. “Maybe your man will be waiting for you there. You know, like mother like daughter?” she said.

  “We’ll see,” she smiled, but inside Lucy knew her chances of finding a decent man after they found out about what happened to her would be hard. Who would want to be stuck with a woman who couldn’t have children? Her hand once more automatically went to her stomach.

  Lucy turned away from her mom, hoping she hadn’t seen the tears in her eyes, but it would seem she had. Her warm arms came around her and hugged her. “There will be a man for you. One who woul
d gladly adopt a whole shit load of little ones to call your own. Don’t you ever give up on that dream, Lucy.” She kissed her shoulder. “Believe just like you did as a child,” she whispered and left her alone, as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  * * *

  Duke Masters glanced over at his younger brother and shook his head. His brother never stopped flirting, no matter where they went. “Get in the damn car. We’re already late as it is. I have to call dad and tell him we’ll meet him at the restaurant.”

  His brother shut the door, an all-serious look on his face. “Do you really believe he found his true mate after all these years? You don’t think that maybe she found out what he was and…”

  “And what? You know the stories. There is no way a human woman could make a shifter want to scent her. Plus, he has the marking and we know that no one can do that. But I am worried about the daughter. She could cause problems. We’ll have to keep an eye on her.” Duke pulled out his cell and dialed his father’s number.

  “You’re late,” his dad grumbled.

  “The plane just got in. We’ll meet you at the restaurant, just give me the name of the place,” Duke said.

  “Bern’s Steakhouse and, Duke, you and your brother be nice. I can’t go into it now, but seems my mate’s daughter was attacked a few years ago. My wife forgot to mention this to me or I would have had the asshole taken care of weeks ago.” His father growled.

  In the background, Duke heard his new stepmom say. “This is my daughter’s business and it was up to her to tell you about what happened. Hell, Kirk, I haven’t even gotten the full details. She shuts me out, but I can see the pain in her eyes. My Lucy loves children and always wanted lots of them and now…”

  “I’ve got to go,” his father hung up the phone, knowing he was comforting his mate. Duke had heard the tears in her voice. The thought of someone hurting a family member didn’t sit right with him, even if he hadn’t met her.

  “What did his mate say? I only heard bits and pieces,” his brother, Nolan, asked.

  “Seems some asshole hurt our new stepsister bad. So bad she can’t have kids, at least that is what I’m getting from our new stepmom.” Duke stretched his legs out in front of him and gave the limo driver the address where they were meeting his father.

  “Do we know where this fucker is?” Nolan growled, his attitude was the same as his right now.

  “No, but we’ll find out and the ass better hope he’s sitting behind bars,” Duke looked out the window as traffic passed them by. He loved his woods, but Duke did want to hit the beach before they went back to the pack. To sit in the sand and take in a sunset, just staring out at the water. It almost sounded like heaven to him. Away from all the pressures of being an alpha just for one night.

  “So what do we know of our new stepmom?” his brother asked.

  “From what I’ve found out, she was married to the guy who gave her Lucy, the daughter. The guy was killed in a boating accident out on the ocean when Lucy was four. From then on she worked full time at one job and part time at a second one to support them both. Lucy was raised more with babysitters then her mom. But at least she is close to her daughter. From the reports, her mother went a little crazy and tried to kill someone, but was stopped. I bet it was about that attack that happened to the daughter.” Duke snorted. “She is very protective of Lucy. I have a feeling it’s one of the reasons Dad has agreed to bringing Lucy back to the pack with us.”

  They pulled up to the steakhouse a few minutes later and Duke got out of the limo, shutting the door behind him. He took a deep breath, the scent of the ocean floated to him, easing the tension in his shoulders for a second. Not moving an inch, Duke scanned his surroundings as he always did. His brother moved to his side after grabbing their suitcases.

  Searching the parking lot for his father, the wolf inside him lifted its head as if scenting something in the air. The ocean scent was gone and replaced by something that had his heart pounding, made him edgy, his cock seemed to take a life on its own. He swore every instinct in him was demanding he hunt for this new fascinating scent. He adjusted his pants and turned searching further, looking for that person until he found her.

  She had dark thick red hair, which cascaded down to her waist. The woman was curvy in all the right places, but was also nervous, checking out the scene around her as she shut her car door, locking it. But when she turned to look towards the doors, their gazes met and Duke knew he’d found his mate.

  “Duke are you, is she?” his brother asked next to him, as the limo pulled away and the woman broke their connection. She looked at the car that pulled up next to hers, his father’s. “Shit, Lucy.”

  He glanced at his brother. “Let me guess, she’s yours too?” he asked his brother, who nodded.

  “I say we go hunting after dinner,” Nolan growled, his eyes changing to that of the wolf. His father’s head snapped up as he rose out of the car and glared at Nolan.

  “Pull back dickhead, you want to scare them?” Duke growled, nudging him with his elbow. “But we’ll find him, don’t worry,” he told his brother. Duke moved towards his father’s car with a smile on his face as he took in every aspect of his Lucy.

  Chapter Two

  Lucy’s stomach was in knots, her palms were sweating, and she couldn’t even look fully into her stepbrother’s face. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, but it couldn’t be good. What she needed was a stiff drink. Wouldn’t that look lovely? The new stepdaughter a lush. Thank God she knew the bartender.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I want to go say hi to Scotty. I’ll be right back.” Lucy got up and left the table. She didn’t care if they stared at her as she moved away from the table. Duke and Nolan both were first-class hunks and so out of her realm of dating, that she was even considering it almost made her sick to her stomach, almost. To think they were family now only made it more depressing.

  She sat on a stool and smiled at Scotty who put a shot of her favorite whiskey in front of her. “How did you know?” Lucy muttered, and downed the shot in front of her.

  “Any woman with those two Greek gods at her table would be in shambles. Who are they?” Scotty asked. “I love the tattoo on the one who was sitting on your right.”

  “Those are my new stepbrothers and they are just as deadly up close,” Lucy grumbled, pushing the shot glass toward Scotty, as she still felt it burn in her throat and stomach. “The one with the tattoo is the oldest, Duke, and believe me the muscles in his chest and arms when he moves…”

  Scotty leaned across the bar and stared at her. “Crap, you’re interested in them.” Scotty leaned on her arm.

  “Well,” Scotty drummed her fingers on the bar. Lucy swore she could see the wheels moving in the bartender’s head. “They are only stepfamily through marriage, they aren’t blood. That is good, but two of them. I know the both of them haven’t taken their eyes off of you since you moved up here.” Scotty looked around her. “Yep, still staring at you.”

  “They probably feel sorry for me since mom said their father heard about what happened to me, the damaged one.” Lucy grumbled, which earned a tap on the side of her head.

  “Stop it right now!” Scotty glared at her and stood up straight. “You can adopt, or if the man is truly interested, your eggs could be placed in someone else. So don’t go feeling sorry for yourself or I’ll knock you off that damn barstool,” She snarled and took a step back. “Well, damn here they come and they’re not happy.”

  “What?” Lucy turned in her seat and looked up into Duke’s dark hazel eyes. Her mouth went dry and her palms went sweaty again.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, staring down at her, then up at Scotty.

  Getting up the courage, Lucy took a deep breath. “I’m fine, thank you. This is one of my best friends, Scotty,” she smiled. “She kind of tells me like it is, gives me a reality check when I need one. Scotty, I’d like you to meet Duke and Nolan Masters, my new stepbrothers.”

  “Hello, it’s nic
e to meet you, but next time, could you not hit Lucy, please. Lucy, you forgot to tell us how you wanted your steak?” Duke said, reaching up, touching the spot her friend had smacked.

  She pulled back, away from his touch, which was creating havoc with her body. “Scotty didn’t mean any harm when she slapped me. Hell, I’ve knocked her a few times too. Don’t tell me you haven’t knocked Nolan around once in a while?” she asked, her words coming out in a rush.

  A small smile formed on his face. “That is so. I apologize if I offended. Just didn’t want to see you hurt.” He dropped his hand back to his side where Lucy couldn’t help but notice the side of his cock.

  “I’m fine thank you and my steak, medium well, please,” she said, her voice squeaked as Lucy’s eyes jumped to Duke’s. He had an all-telling smile on his face knowing she had been staring at his meat,. She went to turn around, but Duke reached out holding on to the chair. Her face heated and she knew there was a nice blush going on.

  “Isn’t this dinner for us all to get to know each other?” he asked.

  She glanced over at Scotty who was grinning like a fool. “Remember what I said,” her friend told her and handed her a beer.

  “Yeah, I’ll call you tonight, maybe we’ll hit the beach tomorrow afternoon since I’m off?” Lucy asked and Scotty nodded.

  “Sounds good to me. It’s been a while since we did the beach. You brining your new family with you?” she asked and Lucy wanted to reach over to smack her.

  “I’m sure they would find it boring?” She looked up at Duke and then Nolan.

  “I was looking forward to spending some time on the beach, so we would love to go with you and your friend,” Duke told her and held out his hand. “Ready?”

  “Talk to you tonight,” she mumbled through her smile. Lucy placed her hand in his and instantly jerked it back. She swore she felt an electric shock run through her fingers. “What was that?”