Chapter 1

Shivey groaned as her phone started ringing. Figuring it was her mother, she and doing her best to ignore it. When she finally glimpsed the name flashing on the screen she groaned again, then it stopped ringing only to start again. She pulled to the curb, knowing if she didn’t answer; her mother would just keep calling.

She took several deep calming breaths before answering it. “Hello?”

“Siobhan!” her mother shouted. “Where on earth are you? You were supposed to be here at six thirty for dinner.”

Shivey did her best to answer her mother but couldn’t get a word in. “We’ll wait desert for you. I expect you to be here within the next fifteen minutes!” She hung up before her daughter was able to say a word.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Shivey tossed her phone on the passenger seat of her truck and pulled out into traffic, heading towards her parents’ home. She was not happy, but not showing up wasn’t an option. Her mother would make her life miserable if she didn’t.

As she pulled up in front of the house, Shivey took a minute to prepare herself mentally for what she was about to face. A grin crept across her face as she looked down at herself.  She’d been working late, had been on her way home from work, was still in her work-clothes. She looked sweaty and dirty, something that would drive her mother crazy. In Shivey’s defence, her mother had insisted she hurry, giving her no time to go home and change… right?

Shivey did her best not to laugh as she approached the front door. Her mother had been doing her best to marry her off since she was old enough to mate. No way was she ready to share her life, her bed, her everything with a man.

Shivey had a growing landscaping business, a business she’d started from scratch and worked damned hard to build up. There was absolutely no way she was going to give it up to mate and spit out pups so her mother could play the proud grandmother.

Shivey opened the front door, “Mom!” she called out, “I’m here. I sure hope you have something good for desert?”

Martha, Shivey’s mother came out into the foyer to greet her daughter and stopped short. “Siobhan, what on earth have you been doing? You’re a mess.” She shook her head and tried to drag her daughter towards the downstairs bathroom so she could at least try to clean up.

Shivey pulled away from her mother. “Look, you told me to rush over here and here I am. Don’t complain about how I look, I was on my way home from work.” She ignored the shocked expression on her mother’s face and headed for the dining room.

As expected there was one – no two, unsuspecting victims umm, men sitting at the dining room table. Her father was sitting at the head of the table so she made a bee-line for him, giving him a kiss. “Hi dad, who are your friends?” She nodded towards the young men now looking at her curiously.

Thomas gave his daughter a hug and kissed her in return. “Your mother invited these two young men over for dinner. Apparently you were supposed to be here for it?”

Shivey gave the men a nod of her head noting their somewhat confused expressions. “Dad I just finished work. I’ve told you,” she rolled her eyes and sighed, “I’ve lost count how many times I’ve told both of you that I’m not interested in being hooked up with some guy.”

She sat opposite the men, still looking at her father. “I need to build up my business and I can’t do that if I don’t put in the hours.”

She looked at the men again. “I’m sorry. My mother has a habit of trying to marry me off.” She sighed, “it’s not that you aren’t good looking and I’m sure you’re both really nice…”

Both men looked at her as if they’d walked into a crazy house. They were half out of their seats when Martha entered the room with a tray of deserts, all smiles. “Siobhan, this is Aaron and Heath, they came expecting to have dinner with ‘all’ the family.” She looked at the men and waited until they sat down again.

Shivey ignored her mother keeping her focus on the two men. “Look, I’m going to be really honest here. I’m not interested. Not in dinner, or a relationship and especially not in getting married or mated. And as for spitting out pups…” she visibly shuddered and shook her head so hard she actually heard her neck crack. “I don’t have a maternal bone in my body. In fact, I’d rather spear both my eyes with a hot poker.”

Martha gasped and put a hand over her heart, “How can you say that! It’s your duty to your family to…”

Shivey came to her feet, “And that would be my cue to leave.” she gave her father a nod then turned to the men. I don’t know about you, but I could use a beer?” they got to their feet and headed for the door without a word to either Martha or Thomas.

Martha rushed after her daughter, grabbing her on the arm. “Why did you do that? Either one of them would make a good mate! You’d never have to work, or come home covered in dirt again. I want grand-babies and so does your father…”

And that was the straw that broke the camel’s back! Shivey turned and glared at her mother. “If you want grandchildren then you best talk to your son, because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever give you any! I’ve built a life for myself mom, a life I enjoy. I’ve worked hard for what I have and I’m not about to give it all up just because you want me to!”

Shivey saw her father coming up the hall towards her and noted the pain in his eyes. She needed to get out of there; needed space and time to calm down. Shivey did the only thing she could do considering the circumstances; she stormed out the front door got into her car and drove away.

She didn’t go for a beer; Shivey drove straight to her home on the edge of town. It was an old house, but it was big, giving her the space required to run her business from home. After a hot shower and a rather large scotch and soda, Shivey was finally calm enough to check emails and phone messages.

By the time she climbed into bed she was exhausted and grateful her bed was so comfortable. Sleep came quickly, sighing as she snuggled deeper into the pillow and drifted off.

When she woke next morning, Shivey felt refreshed and ready to take on the day. Showered and dressed she was about to make a quick breakfast of instant coffee and toast, but thought better of it. Coffee, that is to say, the good stuff would happen on the way to work.

Shivey had been doing a major landscaping job the past few weeks on the grounds surrounding a huge old sandstone home. The house was so big it could almost be called a mansion. It had character though and Shivey enjoyed working the land around it.

She made a quick stop at a coffee shop close to where she was headed ordering a large double shot skinny flat-white. If anything could perk her up it was this, she also got a bacon and egg roll figuring she’d work it off in no time.

Shivey parked close to where she’d left everything the day before. There was only a day or two left of this job and although she was happy with what she’d done, she was going to miss the place. Some hot-shot had bought the house and a large piece of land surrounding it. He’d had some flunky named Owen, organise to have the placed landscaped and since she was local and the guy reportedly wanted to spend locally, she got the job.

She hadn’t met the owner yet and only spoken to Owen on the phone a couple of times. Most of her face-to-face dealing had so far been with Aaron Sinclair, the groundsman. That is to say, she’d been dealing with the man who would become the groundsman. She’d had several discussions with him regarding what she wanted to do with the grounds; even though she got the feeling he didn’t have a clue as to most of what she was talking him.

Shivey was fine with that, it made her job easier. Today she spent finalising a small cactus garden. She needed to be careful though as many of the cacti had prickles that could be painful if jabbed into the skin by incorrectly handling.

Shivey stepped back and sighed as she looked at what she’d produced. Everything was in place according to the sketches and suggestions she’d spoken to Aaron about. A smile crept onto the corner of her mouth. I did good. This is going to be so beautiful when the cactus flowers are in bloom. As she turned to start putting her gear away someone grabbed her arm. She froze trying not to panic.

“About time you finished up! I’m sick of all the damned mess you keep leaving around the place.”

Shivey pulled her arm free and was about to tell the guy where to get off when he started again. “Look man, I understand you have to make a living, but do it somewhere else. Now pack up and leave before I teach you a lesson in how to…”

He never got to finish his sentence. Shivey kicked him in the shin. “Don’t touch me!” she all but yelled then walked away from him.

Unfortunately all she’d succeeded in doing was pissing him off. He came after her and tried grabbing the hat she was wearing. Shivey usually wore her hair in a bun and kept it under her hat out of the way. She growled and punched him in the jaw catching him off guard. Before she realised it they were both screaming at each other and not in a mixed company kind of way.

A deep growl stopped them both and they turned to see what was probably, the biggest man Shivey had ever seen. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. It was then she realised the man in front of her was exuding a great deal of power. Since she wanted to survive this incident she lowered her head and remained silent.

“Enough!” demanded the man, “If you two want to fight, fine. Both of you meet me at Jim’s Gym this afternoon at five o’clock and you can have at it. Seth! Get back to work and leave the damned gardener to finish up. Five o’clock and if either of you decide not to show up, you’d better hope to hell you don’t cross my pathway anytime soon, because if you do! I’ll be the one you’ll be fighting!” at that he turned on his heal and stormed off.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shivey was not happy, the last thing she needed was trouble. She shook her head and it suddenly hit her — she’d get to beat the crap of out of the idiot that pissed her off in the first place. That put a smile on her face and she got to work packing and tidying up the area so she could leave.

It was a twenty minute drive to her home; she parked the car and headed inside to shower and change. It wasn’t until she was getting dressed that realisation hit. Oh my God! The big guy thinks I’m male! They both do.

She sat on the bed mulling this over and couldn’t help the laugh that was building inside her. Shivey shook her head, this was even better than she thought. The idiot… Seth, wasn’t as good as he thought he was, she could take him, she was certain of it and when she did, everyone would know she was not someone to be trifled with.

She grinned, hoping this would at make the single male Were population stop sniffing around, believing they had a right to assert their manliness at her. That in mind she changed what she was going to wear, putting on a pair of track pants a tank top and a hoodie. She wound her hair into a bun and pinned it up, before pulling the hood over her head.

Running shoes completed the outfit. She didn’t bother stopping to check her reflection in the mirror. If she was going to get to the gym on time she needed to get going. Shivey grabbed her wallet and keys and headed out. It was a ten minute drive to the gym and she wanted to get there early so she could suss the place out.

                                                       ~~~~~~

Taren Wentworth walked into the gym fully expecting the young boy that was arguing with Seth, not to show. He was in for a surprise. Actually in was in for one hell of a shock. When he got to the ring where the fight was to take place the boy was already there. He was in the ring, standing in the far corner waiting.

He nodded to the boy acknowledging that he’d showed up, before turning to find Seth standing with a group of his friends waiting for Taren to arrive. “When you’re both ready.” he stated.

Seth moved to the ring and climbed in. He nodded at Shivey with a smirk trying to put her off. He took his jacket off, tossing it to a friend then moved in the middle of the ring waiting for his opponent to do the same. When she didn’t move, Seth turned to his Alpha and shrugged.

Taren stepped forward and growled at the boy, “Are you going to fight or not?”

Shivey moved forward and waited to hear anything else the big jerk had to say and noted that there were now quite a few men standing around waiting for the fight to begin, including several of her older brothers’ friends. She sighed and moved closer to Seth. “You know you can back out of this if you want? I won’t think any less of you.” She shrugged, “Actually I doubt I could think anything less of you than I already do, but hey…”

Seth growled and got in her face. “Are you going to fight, or what?”

Shivey shrugged and took a step back. Waiting yet again for the big guy to give any instructions he might have.

“Okay when you’re both ready. No claws or teeth, fists only. First one down for more than ten seconds loses.” Both people in the ring nodded and he growled again. “You can’t fight wearing a god damned hoodie! Strip down!”

Shivey took a long slow deep breath and unzipped the hoodie. She took one last look at the crowd that had formed, pulled the hoodie off and tossed it over the side of the ring. She heard an audible gasp, but kept her eyes on Seth.

“What the hell?” Seth turned to Taren, “he’s a girl!”

Taren was not happy. He wasn’t about to let Seth, beat the crap out of female, but didn’t want to lose face in the process. He growled at her, “What the hell do you think you’re doing in there?”

She rolled her eyes, pissing him off even more. “I’m doing exactly what you told me to do. Now are we going to fight or are you going to growl some more?”

He gaped at her, his jaw all but hitting on the floor. Never before had anyone dared speak to him so disrespectfully. This girl had more guts than she had sense and now he was more than pissed. “Fair enough, you want to fight… fight!”

They moved around the ring for a bit then Seth stopped, “I can’t fight a female! What if I hurt her?”

He didn’t get an answer, what he got was a right hook attached to his chin. He shook his head and glared at her. She was smiling and that was just wrong. “You got a death wish girly, that’s fine with me!”

Seth went after her with a vengeance; unfortunately vengeance doesn’t win you a match. Shivey put him down in less than three minutes and kept him down for the counted of twenty to make sure they all realised she’d won.

No one applauded, she didn’t really expect it. She did however expect the astonished expression the big guy was wearing. Shivey grabbed her hoodie climbed out of the ring and came to a stop in front of Taren.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d tell the rest of your men to back off and let me finish my job. I should be done in the next day or so and I’ll make sure the area is pristine, before I leave.” She gave him a nod of her head then left ignoring the fact that every single man there that was gawking at her.

Shivey got as far as the front door when he called out to her. The big guy was an Alpha, most likely the Alpha that would be taking control of this territory and she’d not only pissed him off, she’d embarrassed him in front of a room full of Were’s. She stopped, but didn’t turn around.

“Why did you want to fight? All you had to do was tell me you were female and I’d have put a stop to it.”

Shivey turned enough so she could look at the man. “And if I’d have done that, people like Seth would still be taking advantage of me. He won’t do it again and maybe he’ll think twice before he tries to bully someone else.” She took a breath, “Good night Alpha.” She started walking and this time he didn’t stop her.

Once safely in her car the full extent of what had happened, what she’d done and said hit her. “Holy crap, I can’t believe I just did that? I need a drink! Actually I think I need several!” On the drive home she resolved to work longer tomorrow so she could finish the job as quickly as possible.

The thought of working that close to the new Alpha after what had just happened was giving her the willies. She needed to finish up and move onto the next job. Focusing on this thought she headed for home and sleep.

Shivey called in to a small café on the way and ordered a burger with the lot and some fries. It wasn’t a fancy dinner, hell it wasn’t what her mother would call ‘dinner’, but she was hungry. By the time she got home the food was gone and she was ready for a quick shower and bed.

She lay staring at the ceiling, thinking over the day… well afternoon and evening. The new Alpha was strong, she’d felt his strength when he came out to see what all the yelling was about. That should have scared the hell out of her, but it didn’t. He’d let her fight and that alone put him in her good-books.

Shivey rolled her eyes. Good-books my arse! The man is a hunk! But hunk or not, he’s way too much for me to have to deal with. That finally settled Shivey snuggled deeper into the comfort of her bed and drifted off to sleep.

When she opened her eyes it was still dark out, her clock said it was five thirty. After a quick stretch and a bit of yawn she made her way to the bathroom to freshen up and get organised for the day.

She was out the door by six fifteen, stopping only to leave a note for Coral her office manager. Shivey could only afford someone to work three days a week and today was one of those days. She needed to let Coral know she’d be doing a long day getting things finalised so she could hopefully spend the next day clearing up. Shivey didn’t carry her phone while she was working. She’d destroyed two that way already and wasn’t about to pay out for another one.

Pulling into the spot she’d been parking the past two weeks, Shivey realised she probably shouldn’t have arrived so early. She needed coffee and was kicking herself for not waiting long enough for one of the café’s to open along the way. Shivey sat quietly in her truck, the window open and a light breeze caressing her face. She sighed, “I need coffee.”

She was about to start the engine and head back towards town and a café when she saw lights go on in back of the house and the back door opening. Great! Now I’m gonna be racked over the coals for waking someone up.

A man approached her truck but stopped several feet away, “I have coffee on and was about to make an early start on breakfast if you’re interested?”

Shivey looked at the guy a little surprised that he’d invited her in for breakfast. When he turned back to the house she opened the door and followed after him. Coffee was coffee after all. As she entered the kitchen she smiled at the warmth it held. Looking around she saw that the room was light an airy, there were large windows looking out over one of the gardens… her gardens. Shivey couldn’t help but smile, it would be so beautiful in spring when all the flowers were in bloom.

She turned to the man, “You’re Owen, right?”

“Yes. Please take a seat,” he said as he poured a mug of coffee and placed it on the table in front of her.

Shivey breathed in the scent of freshly brewed coffee. “Mm, I really do need to get a good coffee maker. I don’t suppose you’d want the job?” she grinned and he shook his head and laughed.

“You’re early this morning. I’m guessing there isn’t much more to do now?”

“Yeah. I’ve just got some finishing touches then the clean-up and I’m done.” She smiled at Owen. “I’m going to miss this place. I love working with the earth and this land… it’s so rich and fertile. I’m almost certain just about anything would grow here.”

Owen gave her a nod as if satisfied with what she’d said. “I’m fairly sure you’ll be invited back to do maintenance. I’ve watched you work, you really do enjoy what you do and that’s the kind of person I’d want taking care of the land.”

Shivey gave at him a confused look. “I thought Aaron Sinclair was the grounds keeper?” Shivey actually thought Owen was going to roll his eyes at her, so she looked out the window to hide the grin that was inadvertently forming on her lips. “He’ll be fine with the lawns Owen, but, if your boss is happy with my work, I’m sure we can figure out a way for me to do maintenance without putting Aaron’s nose out of joint.”

Owen nodded, “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement.”

Shivey sat quietly as Owen moved around the kitchen, her face lighting up when he placed a plate of bacon, eggs, sausage and tomato in front of her. A minute later he placed another plate with toast on the table as well. “This looks great Owen, thank you.”

He smiled, “No thanks necessary, it’s nice to have some company this early in the morning.” Owen took a seat opposite her with his own plate. He smiled when he realised she’d waited for him to be seated. “Eat child, while it’s hot.”

She ate and enjoyed every bite of it. When she was finished she sat back in the chair and sighed as she rubbed her now full stomach. “I’m so glad I showed up early today!”

Owen laughed, “So am I, Siobhan.”

“You know my name? Umm, do me a favour and don’t share it okay?”

Owen looked at her curiously, “You have a beautiful name, why wouldn’t you want people to know you by it?”

“It’s too… too,” she sighed, “It’s too feminine, too female. It’s not me…”

“Perhaps Siobhan it is a name you will one day grow into. Until then Shivey it shall be.”

Shivey got to her feet and cleared the table; she would have done the dishes as well if Owen hadn’t stopped her. “Thanks again Owen, I really appreciate the coffee and the food. I should go get started.”

As she moved towards the door Owen called out to her. “I have a travel mug and can bring you a coffee around ten o’clock if you’d like?”

Shivey turned and moved towards him, without even thinking what she was doing she wrapped her arms around him. “If I was the marrying type, I’d propose to you right now Owen.”

She backed away a huge grin on her face “See you at ten.”

Shivey spent a several hours finalising her work. She checked over each part of the garden areas to make sure they were as she wanted them and ended up replacing a few plants that didn’t look like they were going to survive. Owen showed up right on ten o’clock, not only with coffee but also cake.

He looked around at what she’d accomplished and gave her a nod. “I’d say you’ve earned this.” He handed her the travel mug full of freshly brewed coffee and waited until she took a seat on one of the garden benches before placing the plate beside her.

“Thanks Owen, this is really nice of you.” She smiled and happily sipped her coffee before sampling the cake. “Mm, this is really good. What is it?”

“It’s an apple and walnut loaf, one of my personal favourites. I’ll have some set aside for you to take home with you.” He turned and headed back to the house leaving Shivey pleasantly surprised at his words.

At one thirty, Shivey took a break and drove down to Joe’s, one of the local cafés. She was able to sit quietly away from her work and enjoy her food. For a change she ordered a burger with the lot and fries. As far as she was concerned it covered all or at least most of the food group’s cheese for dairy, meat, and salad, the bun and fries covered the much needed carbs she’d work off in the afternoon.

Late in the afternoon Shivey took the travel mug and plate back to the kitchen. She’d already rinsed them under the hose beforehand and placed them on the sink. She noted that Owen didn’t look too happy with her.

“I’m sorry; I should have knocked and not just come inside.” She turned to leave not knowing what else to say.

“You’ve had lunch then?” he asked.

“Umm, yeah I went down to Joe’s. Why?”

“I thought you might have had lunch here.”

Shivey was more than a bit confused. “Owen, I’m guessing if I’d had lunch here, I’d have also been eating with the Alpha?”

He gave her a nod and she took a calming breath before continuing. “No offense Owen, because I’m sure the Alpha, is a really nice man and all, but…” Shivey lowered her eyes and did her best to find the right words. In the end she went with honestly. “He scares the crap outa me!”

Owen couldn’t help laughing. He knew Taren could be scary as hell when he needed to be, but he’d never hurt an innocent and the woman standing before him was indeed innocent. He shook his head noting the surprise on her face.

“Geez Owen, so happy I could amuse you. Thanks again.” She headed out but was stopped just outside the doorway as Owen handed her a container with several slices of cake in it.

“As tomorrow is likely to be your last day on the job, how about you have lunch with me?”

“Just you?”

He nodded, “Just me.”

“I’d like that Owen and thanks for the cake.”