Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) by Catherine Wolffe Page A

I’d
have thought you’d be entertaining Mrs. Brooks by now.” He peered
at Ty with a wary eye over the stream of smoke from his
cheroot.
    Ty didn’t miss the attempt to rile him over
his relationship with the widow Brooks. “I have something to
discuss with you. I thought it best to wait until all the women had
bedded down. Would you walk with me?” When Jeb glanced back at the
widow’s room, Ty was quick to suggest, “Smitty will watch Briann’s
door. We need to talk.”
    They headed for the glass-paned door at the
end of the hall. Leading out to a small veranda, the two men stood
watching the activity below. The sounds of the city drifted
upward.
    “What’s on your mind, Lieutenant?”
    Ty gazed out over the street. Laughter rose
from the swinging doors of a saloon. Someone cursed long and loud.
A four-in-hand drove past. Ty leaned heavily on the iron rail. In
the darkness on the edge of the horizon, a scream rose before
fading into the mist.
    “We’ve got to come up with a plan to cross
the river unnoticed. The Union guard is everywhere. I need your
help in locating the vampires nest located in St. Louis as well as
seeking out any that escape my attention. Can I count on you?”
    “Of course.” Jeb surveyed the scene below.
“You have to ask? That offends me, Lieutenant.” Jeb leaned on the
rail next to Ty.
    “I ask because I know you take your
overseeing of the widow and the boys seriously. I’m adding to your
burden with the request.”
    “You could say that.” He shifted, drawing
deep on his cheroot. “My choice was taken from me or I wouldn’t be
standing here.” Throwing the cheroot down, he shoved his hands in
his pockets. “I want no pity. I want revenge.” Smoke circled his
head as he gazed ideally out at the activity below. “The only fear
I harbor is the enemy will seek those I care for to harm in order
to draw me out. My loyalty is to you and yours, Lieutenant. By
eliminating those that seek you, I benefit my own responsibility.
Agreed?”
    Ty nodded. “Agreed.” Glancing at Smitty, who
stood guard inside the doorway, Ty missed the first one swoop down
almost at the same moment the vampire struck a blow to his
neck.
    Jeb lunged at the vampire, his fangs exposed.
The momentum sent them both tumbling over the rail.
    Ty had time to draw his gun as the second one
attacked. The werewolf turned Ty’s features grim as fur and claws
emerged. Ty’s wolf completed the shift. The gun fell from his hand.
Strong paws fit with talons reminiscent of his ancestors took the
gun’s place as he defended against the vermin. “Don’t let them in!”
he growled at Smitty, who held the balcony door.
    The vampire reached out gripping Ty about the
neck.
    With fangs bared, Ty’s wolf used his superior
strength to shove forward, ramming the vampire into the railing.
Landing atop the bloodsucker, he wrapped hairy paws around its
neck. “I’ll have the satisfaction of killing you,” he growled. The
vampire was strong. Using all his wiles, he fought back. Ty could
sense the attempt to hypnotize him. He threw his wolfen guard up as
the lecherous bastard attempted again. “Ha! You must think me an
idiot, vampire. I know all about your magic tricks.” Levering the
vampire sideways, Ty managed a roll. Soon the vampire found himself
pinned under the dark, hairy wolf. “How does it feel to be
bested?”
    Spit shot from the fowl vermin’s mouth,
hitting Ty’s wolf mid-snout. “That’ll get you a fine room at the
inn here, you sick bastard. I’ll make sure we find you the cream of
the crop in accommodations during your stay.” Ty hauled the vampire
up by his collar, holding the vermin tight.
    Suddenly, Sonja came rushing out. “Let him
go, Ty!”
    Disbelief actually formed on his wolf’s face.
“You want me to let him go? This is one less we’ll have to worry
about.”
    She shifted almost as smoothly as he dropped
his pants before getting into bed. “Yes, I’ll take it from here.”
With the