Sneak Peeks

To Save His Mate

Chapter One



     It was the end of his shift, and Ethan Wolfe was exhausted. He’d worked a double at the fire station so his buddy could be home for his sick wife, and now, Ethan had to grab a quick shower in the locker room and get into his forest ranger gear before heading out for the day.
     Being a firefighter was something he’d wanted to do since he was a kid. Hell, what little boy didn’t want to be a fireman at some point? As he’d grown older, he’d discovered an intense love of nature as well. This wasn’t merely because he was a werewolf. No, it went further than that.
     His brothers picked on him, calling him a “tree-hugging hippie” whenever he went off on a lecture about how the litter left by campers was harming the animals in the woods or how they needed to tear down some of the old hunting cabins that were abandoned or uninhabitable. They just didn’t see the dangers those things could cause innocent creatures who lived in the…
     Huh, so maybe, he did kinda sound like a hippie.
     Once showered, Ethan approached his locker and prepared himself for whatever today’s joke might be. As he opened it, he noticed the centerfold picture of a beautiful, tanned woman stretched out on satin sheets in a very provocative pose. It would have been sexy, if his picture hadn’t been glued to her face.
     The guys had been ribbing him for weeks over the stupid calendar shoot he would be supervising out in the woods. They all insisted he should just go for it and accept the invitation to model. Being from a small town, they all were eager to see the models when they arrived and had been hounding him, asking if he needed any help or offering to keep an eye on things while he was being photographed.
     Ethan still had no intention of allowing himself to be plastered, half-naked, in a calendar for women to gawk at, though the thought of seeing some of the female models posing was enough to get any red-blooded male’s fantasies going.
     However, the calendar’s annoying little photographer had been harassing him constantly since his brothers Abraham and Erik’s weddings, mailing calendars and magazines to him for the last few weeks.         This particular photo shoot was to have a rugged outdoors theme and would be sold nationwide for use in various advertisements. They were looking for sexy women and rugged men to pose in various settings…and that little pest was still hounding him.
     Ethan groaned, truly hating the thought of having to oversee what would surely end up causing him an ulcer.
     Hell, he didn’t even think it was possible for a werewolf to get an ulcer!
* * * *
     Lacy Anders regretted taking this assignment almost as soon as she’d been tapped for it, but her commanding officer insisted she was the only one in the department who could pull this off.
     Recently, the cold case had been reopened. For years, a serial killer had been killing models then he’d suddenly disappeared. Now, five years later, the murders had begun again. It was the same “accidental” deaths, the same model types and the same time of year. The higher ups were positively foaming at the mouth for the chance to finally apprehend him.
     This was why Lacy was currently being ushered into a quaint little house, in the small Mayberry-ish town of Hastings, with the rest of the models. Luckily, they’d been able to rent out the only local hotel and this little house for the next two weeks. This would make it easier for her to protect the female models, while her partner covered the males.
     The killer always targeted brunette models. Gender didn’t seem to matter, though there was a pattern to the killings, two female, one male, two female, one male. If their reports were accurate, the next victim would be a man, and since all of the attacks had previously taken place at outdoor shoots—and this was the only one happening for the next two weeks—all she needed to do was play her part as a model and hope she caught the bastard before he killed again.
     There were only four female models and four male models for this shoot, so keeping tabs on the women shouldn’t be too difficult for Lacy, though a few seemed to be more than a little flighty. All of them were currently flouncing around the house in their thigh-length robes while various beauticians waited to do anything from mani/pedis, facials, hair, spray tan or massage.
     Ugh, she’d kill for a good rub down right about now, but she needed to slink off and call in a report. Slipping out the back door, she dug her phone from her robe pocket and dialed in, not at all surprised when the chief answered on the first ring.
     “How’s my favorite centerfold doing? Blending with the natives, I hope.”
     Lacy usually found his rumbling baritone voice soothing, but today, all she wanted to do was wrap her hands around his throat until he couldn’t utter one more smart-assed comment. It wasn’t as if she didn’t get enough of that crap from the other officers who treated her like their kid sister, picking on her although in a good-natured way.
     “I haven’t modeled since college, but it’s not exactly rocket science, Murphy,” she snapped.
     “Good, because you know how important it is that we catch this nut job…”
     Lacy listened to her superior go off on his usual stint regarding the murderer’s past victims, the types of deaths, the possible accidents that could happen outdoors and anything else he could throw in.
     It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to do her job. On the contrary, she was very good at what she did, which was why they didn’t want her to leave the force, but man, was she tired of it all.
     “I know what to do, Murphy, so let me go and do it. Standing outside on my phone won’t allow me to watch over these girls,” she grumbled. “Not that there’s a whole lot to watch. A weak breeze would knock them down.”
     “Not every woman can have your killer curves, Anders. It wouldn’t be fair to the male population.”
     Yeah, like she hadn’t heard that before.
     She hung up on his lingering laughter and thought back to her early years in modeling. She’d been tapped in college by an agent who’d just happened to see her in the mall and asked her if she would be interested in modeling for a fashion catalog. Being a broke college student, she’d jumped at the opportunity and discovered that people really responded to her photos. She’d worked steadily while in school and ended up with a hefty savings account to show for it…but that was it.
     Friends in the industry were a joke. At the first opening, another girl would gladly jump on a chance to steal a job from you. They would offer anything from doing the job for less money to sex. All in all, models were just like anyone else, their profession just as cutthroat as any other highly paid position.   Lacy hated it.
     At the moment, she was beyond frustrated. She hadn’t given this part of her past a thought for the last four years, but now, she was neck deep in it again and all because of her dipshit boss.
     She’d just entered the back door when she was escorted into the kitchen area where a massage table had been erected behind a privacy screen. The thought of a massage was enough to make her weak in the knees, but the sight of the warm wax and strips of cloth next to the table was like a bucket of ice water on that little fantasy.
     “You’re next dear,” the little woman sang, patting the table. “Hop up, and we’ll get started.”
     “It’s amazing how chipper you guys are when you’re ripping our hair out,” Lacy grouched.
     “It’s a good paying job, and besides, it’s the guys that get the worst deal on the waxing, believe me.”
     Lacy had to chuckle at that. She wouldn’t mind signing up her superior for a round of waxing.  Maybe then, he’d appreciate just how dedicated she was to this job.
     Actually, if she was being truthful, she was getting pretty burnt out. She loved law enforcement, but recently, she’d decided to relocate. The city was just an endless cycle of violence and crime that left her feeling as if the life had been sucked out of her at the end of the day.
     The craving for wide-open spaces and freedom from the towering cement and glass walls of the city was a major factor in her decision to leave. Lacy wanted to try for a small town, similar to Hastings, but her fellow officers continued to find cases—such as this one—where she was the only officer able to pull off the undercover assignment. Probably because she looked nothing like a cop.
     Yeeouch!
     Speaking of pulling things off, the wax Nazi was already applying the next strip of wax to her right leg. “You know, I could just shave,” Lacy offered.
     Of course, the evil little woman just laughed and snatched the next strip. “They said to have you ladies as smooth as a baby’s bottom from head to toe, so that’s what we’re doing.”
     “Everywhere?
     “Oh, yes. Those bathing suits are quite small. I’m not sure a trim job will do.”
     That is it! Lacy thought furiously. This is my last case.
     A few strips later and the little woman instructed Lacy on how to position her legs for the bikini wax. Oh, yeah, someone is going to pay for this.






To Protect His Mate


Chapter One


     Stephanie Cruz relaxed in her whirlpool tub and let the pulsating jets gently work her sore muscles.  Long hours in the clinic were wearing her down, but with the flu season in full swing, she really had no choice but to keep on working.
     She’d moved to this tiny remote town ten weeks ago, fleeing bad memories and even worse men.    The men she felt she could handle, given that she was a damn good shot with her little Ruger, but the memories had the power to cripple her.
     With the anniversary of that horrible day looming before her, Stephanie decided to text Abraham Wolfe and let him know that she would not be available this Friday. The last thing she wanted was to become a blubbering mess in front of him.
     Abraham, her gruff werewolf boyfriend of the last six weeks, would no doubt cringe at the sight of tears. She met him at the same time she met Erik and Sarah, in her clinic. When Stephanie and Sarah had landed themselves in a tight spot with some men from Sarah’s past, Abraham and his brothers had arrived, only to transform into massive wolves right before her eyes. Once over the initial shock, Stephanie had realized that these were still the same people she’d come to care for, and the fact that they turned furry just made them even more special.
     Abraham was an ex-Navy SEAL and the very definition of strength in her book. He was simply massive, over six and a half feet tall  and thickly muscled. He insisted on staying in shape since he still took occasional undercover assignments with the government. He was so large and had such a dark complexion that he was downright scary to run into if you didn’t know him, mostly because he kept an almost permanent scowl on his handsome face—it never failed to clear his path. Yet, it was that face that had captivated her.
     Many hours spent outside had provided him with a rich brown tan that looked so natural against his dark hair. A little long, his blue-black mane was permanently tussled, leaving him looking like a rogue…a pure bad boy. His eyes, though, were lethal. The silvery-blue gaze was razor sharp and could see further into a person’s being than should be possible. In contrast to his dark hair and skin, they were positively mesmerizing.
     Stephanie feared he would see straight through her tough façade to the fragile female she kept locked deep inside, a woman who was quickly scrambling to the surface with the anniversary of her daughter’s death approaching.
     She traced her fingers over the long scar low on her belly that marked where her child had been taken from her bleeding and broken body. She’d never even had the chance to hold her daughter, to tell her how much she was already loved. Stephanie often found herself wondering if her daughter would have favored her or the father. Regardless, the child would have been beautiful.
     She had never blamed the father for not sticking around. Besides, if a man stuck around for the wrong reasons, there would never truly be any happiness in the home, and Stephanie refused to allow her child to grow up feeling like a burden. She had the means to support herself and her daughter, so she’d told him to have a nice life and watched him walk right out of hers. He’d never even come to see how she’d fared in the accident, though she knew the nurses had called him.
     In the year since the accident, she’d never felt the urge to be with another man, until she’d met Abraham. His strength drew her, promising security and stability, if she chose to accept the offer.
The offer, however, was what irritated and saddened her in equal parts. She was his soul-mate, his other half, and he wanted to take care of her and provide for her. All of which sounded wonderful, but she needed more. She needed the words.
     Stephanie glanced at the watch sitting on the side of the tub, and realized her friend, Sarah, would be arriving soon. She quickly got out of the tub to begin getting ready. It was their weekly ritual. Every Wednesday night, they had a girls’ night, where they would cook, watch a movie and just talk. The talks were what she enjoyed the most because they allowed her to learn more about her new friends.
Sarah, also a werewolf, knew Stephanie had questions and concerns regarding Abraham and her. He seemed to know her moods and claimed he felt them whenever they were together. He’d explained that if she were a werewolf, she would be able to sense his emotions, as well.
     Way to make a girl feel inadequate.
     The man was a walking conundrum. Most people feared him, claiming he was harsh and uncompromising while she knew he could be gentle and caring. His scowl kept people at a distance, which was where he wanted them. He rarely smiled, but when he did, it truly was a sight to behold. He wasn’t a social person, by any means, and much preferred the privacy of either his home or hers whenever they got together.
     That suited her just fine, especially since the phone calls had started. At first, she’d thought they were just some kids having fun then one day the number showed up…unblocked.
     It was from the prison.
     From the maximum security facility in which the doctor she’d previously worked under now resided. She’d witnessed him administering a lethal dose of insulin to an important key witness in a murder trial.
     The poor man had already received a vicious beating as a warning and had remained unconscious since his arrival at the hospital. He’d posed no immediate threat. Someone obviously hadn’t thought he’d remain silent once he awoke.
     After testifying against the physician, Stephanie had continued working for the hospital until the threats had begun. At first, they’d been just insults, but soon, they’d progressed to threats of physical harm. They’d insisted she retract her statements against the doctor, claiming that she would be left alone if she complied.
     Stephanie had known better. She was a single, pregnant woman with no family, no roommates and a schedule that made making friends outside of work difficult. Due to the circumstances, she’d been forced to once again involve the police in the matter.
     The police, unfortunately, were having a difficult time tracking down the ones harassing her. It seemed that they were using prepaid cellular phones and never the same one twice. Given the fact they were unable to do anything until the goons made a move, they suggested she move.
     When the calls started up again only months after she’d arrived at her new home, she’d decided to move again. Coming to the small, secluded town of Hastings, Tennessee was by far her best decision yet. The clinic was large but kept regular hours of seven to six with an emergency number for after hours, if needed. The two physicians who owned the clinic were sweet and personable. That was a wonderful change from the snobby inner-city doctors with whom she’d worked. Generally, their bedside manners had been lacking.
     The small town reminded her of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith Show. Everyone knew everyone, and they were polite and helpful. Just plain ol’ southern hospitality at its finest. Men held doors for women, cars stopped to allow you to cross the street, neighbors who saw you outside came to help you with yard work or simply to said “Hello”.
     Stephanie was content with her life for the first time. Well, almost. She still needed a certain werewolf to say those three little words, and then, she would be content.
     The doorbell ringing, followed immediately by, “Hurry up, the ice cream is freezing my damn hands!” alerted her to Sarah’s arrival.
     Plastering on a smile she hoped looked believable, she opened the door and gaped. Sarah had two tubs of ice cream in one hand and four presents barely balanced in the other. The boxes were too high to get through the door, so Stephanie grabbed for a few but ended up with ice cream shoved into her hands instead.
     “These are too heavy for you to take,” Sarah explained, moving past her and heading toward her Christmas tree. “There,” she beamed as she placed the presents around the mostly bare tree skirt, “now your tree doesn’t look so depressing.”
     “I didn’t think it was that depressing before, and I still have some wrapping to do, so it would have gained a few more presents this weekend,” she muttered.
     “Sure it would. You would likely end up back at the clinic and never get around to it, but we can do it tonight, if you want. I’ll help you, and we can talk.” That last remark sounded like a setup, and Stephanie narrowed her eyes at Sarah, who immediately threw her hands up in mock surrender. “He’s making me do it.”
     “Who’s making you do what?”
     “Abraham. He’s worried about you. He insists you’re depressed and getting more so every day.” Sarah studied her with the patient eye of a predator waiting for a sign of weakness. “You can talk to me, you know? I won’t tell him anything if you don’t want me to.”
     “I know. It’s just that this Friday is the anniversary,” she replied with her eyes down.
     “Anniversary of what?”
     “Of the accident. Of Ava’s death. It’s this Friday night, and I just want to be alone that night. You can tell him it’s nothing he’s done, and I’ll be fine. I’ve taken the weekend off, so I won’t be at the clinic after Friday afternoon.” The oven dinged, indicating the lasagna was done, and she turned to head to the kitchen. “Let’s not get caught in a depressing conversation tonight, or I might just eat both of these tubs of ice cream and make you watch.”
     “Not likely, that butter pecan is mine!” Sarah shouted, following her friend into the next room. The phone rang, and she turned. “I’ll get it.”
     “Remind whoever it is that this is girls’ night. They’ll have to just wait until tomorrow.” Stephanie was just placing the garlic bread in the oven when Sarah came back in with a dark expression on her face.
     Uh, oh.
     “You had better answer me straight, Stephanie. Who the fuck is calling you from a prison—without it being a collect call—and has the nerve to tell me ‘the boys will be seeing you soon’?” Sarah’s voice had dropped until a hint of a growl could be heard. That meant she was beyond pissed. “Have you been getting threats? And who the hell are they from?”
     “Just calm down. I’m not sure how he’s calling directly from the prison, but it’s the doctor I testified against. I’ll change my number and keep it unlisted.” She stopped and frowned for a minute. “Actually, it’s already unlisted. I don’t get it. He shouldn’t be able to call me.”
     “And you should have told us!” Sarah screeched. Man, did the girl have a set of lungs. “Are you so thick-headed that you can’t see that this could be a problem? He’s just said there will be guys coming to ‘see you’.” Sarah’s fingers clenched into tight fists after making air-quotes as she spoke.
     “Calm down,” Stephanie repeated. “He’s just blowing smoke up my ass. I’ve had him tell me this before and nothing ever happened.” Except for the car accident, but that had been just that, an accident.    Right?
     “When? When has he told you that before?” Uh oh, it was interrogation time.
     “When I first got him locked up, a few weeks before my accident. Then when I lived in Mississippi, just before I moved here.” She knew how bad it sounded, even as the words left her mouth, but the current shade of Sarah’s face screamed, “Run!”
     “Why the hell are you just now mentioning this?” she snarled.
     “Technically, I mentioned it shortly after we met. I always look over my shoulder, Sarah, just in case. I’m not necessarily running from anyone, more like hiding, just in case.”
     “That’s splitting hairs, and you know it.” Sarah paced the small kitchen for a few moments before turning back to Stephanie. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re about the same size, because I’m staying the night.”
     “That’s fine…”
     “Every night, unless you’re staying with Abraham or he’s staying here.” Her arms crossed over her chest, and her stance declared her decision was final as clearly as if she’d screamed it.
     “Sarah, I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but I’ve seen you get injured, so I know that you aren’t exactly invincible,” Stephanie pointed out as she pulled the bread out and fixed their plates.
     “That blade was silver, and that cheating bastard used it on purpose because it’s harder for us to heal from, but not impossible. Not to mention that if these people coming after you aren’t werewolves, they’re unlikely to use silver.” Stephanie made to argue, and Sarah put her hand up. “It’s me or Abraham. If you let me stay here with you, you can wait until after this weekend to tell him about the threat. But you will tell him.”
     “Fine but what will Erik think of you staying here? Won’t he pout if he can’t get any this weekend?” Stephanie made a pouty face and watched as Sarah fought a smile. “I’ll be safe enough at the clinic. It’s public, and I doubt they’d want to put on a show, so they shouldn’t be coming for me there.”
     “Yeah, that seems logical, but most psychos aren’t thinking logically. I’ll follow you in and follow you home to see if you’re being watched. You won’t see me, but I’ll be there.” A devilish grin split Sarah’s face before she added, “While you’re at work, I’ll go take care of my little hound dog and gather some of my things.”
     “You mean your horn dog.” They both snickered and made their way to the table. “Well, let’s eat. I don’t want our girls’ night ruined by an asshole who’s several states away.”
     “It’s not him I’m worried about. His asshole friends could be just miles away.” Sarah watched as Stephanie’s hand went to the small of her back under the guise of pulling her pants up. “Still toting that gun, I see.”
     “Never leave home without it,” she quipped. “Besides, it’s not like I don’t know how to use it.”
     “No, you definitely know how to use it.” Sarah smiled. “I was really glad that you have excellent aim, too.”
     “I’m working on my quick draw now.” Stephanie giggled. “Some of the guys at the range have even told me I scare them.”
     “No doubt! Most men are terrified of a woman with a gun, but one with your aim?” Shaking her head, she added, “I’d love to see Abe’s face if he went to the range with you. He’d shit bricks.”
     “I doubt that. He was a SEAL and a sniper, for crying out loud! I’m sure that he’s a much better shot than I am.”
     “But, honey, you’re self-taught. He was trained by the military and has been practicing for years.      How long have you been shooting?”
     Sarah knew Stephanie was still learning, so Stephanie knew her friend was trying to make a point.  “Just since the accident, when I ended up completely alone.”
     Sarah inhaled, taking in a deep breath before she asked, “Why are you nervous?”
     “I’m not.” Her denial might have worked a little better if she’d made eye contact or managed not to squirm in her seat.
     “I can scent it, Steph.” Sarah sighed. “I was just trying to point out that you have an amazing talent.”
     “I’ll admit I’m a little uneasy about Abraham learning how well I can shoot. I’m sure he probably thinks I got lucky with that shot I got in with the wolf, and I kind of like that he feels protective of me.”  She looked down, pushing her food around her plate. “It makes me feel feminine, and I’ve missed how it felt to have someone care about me like that.”
     “Trust me, you’d be hard pressed to get rid of him. Ever.” Sarah plopped back in her chair. “Which brings up another question, why haven’t the two of you completed the mating? I can tell that you love him.”
     “I do.” That wasn’t the problem.
     “But?”
     Damn, she was persistent. “He hasn’t said the words.” Sarah’s silence prompted her to explain. “I refuse to enter into a serious commitment without love being a prominent emotion on both sides. Lust, while nice, goes away once the newness wears off, and I need more.”
     “I see.”
     I see? That didn’t sound good. “See what?”
    “Honey, most men are no better than slightly evolved cavemen. They take a woman back to their cave, provide food, protect us, beat their chests and expect us to swoon.”
     “Great, so I guess I can forget about those three little words.” Stephanie sighed in resignation. “I’m not going to chain myself to a man and think that my love will be enough for both of us. Not again.”
     “They’re fairly short words. I’m sure his vocabulary can expand that much.”
     Both girls dissolved into fits of laughter, while continuing to pick on the general male population. This was what girls’ night was all about. Relaxing and cutting loose with a friend you knew you could confide in.








To Tame His Mate


Chapter One


     Sarah Gray awoke to a sadly familiar feeling. She was being stalked, which shouldn’t be happening. She’d been careful, covered her tracks so well this time that she should have had a longer reprieve. So why was something standing outside her very expensive hunting tent? This stupid thing was guaranteed to mask the scent of its occupant. There was no way the other packs should have found her.
     Listening, she heard birds chirping, the light patter of raindrops on the tent, a distant roll of thunder…and the unmistakable snick of a gun being cocked.
     “There’s no hunting on my land.” Well, whoever he was he had a nice voice. Deep and smooth with a light southern drawl. “Come on out, and pack up. I expect to not find you out here again.”
      Oh, for crying out loud. “I’m not hunting,” she grumbled. “I was just camping.”
      That was a lie. For the time being, she lived in this damn tent. There’d be no hotel or credit card trails for the others to follow, if she could just handle roughing it until she could get to somewhere safe.
      “All right then, ma’am, but this is still private property.” She could hear him put the gun back into its holster and decided to crawl out and face the man before he got angry.
      “Listen, I’m sorry I trespassed, and it won’t happen again.” She opened the flap, and the scent of wolf hit her.
      Alpha wolf.
      Shit.
      “I’ll fight you if you come at me,” she warned, coming to her feet in one smooth motion.
      The man before her—well, technically the werewolf before her—merely cocked his head and stared. He was a very nice looking guy, she noted. His dark-brown hair was cut into a businessman-like style and his muscular build was a sight to behold. And those eyes. They were a pale silvery-blue, outlined by long, dark lashes. Yum! So not fair, though. Why did the boys always get those?
      “Why would I hurt you? And where is your pack?” He looked around as if he expected an ambush.
      “I don’t have a pack, nor do I want one.” Sarah sensed no danger from him, just a wary curiosity. A pleasant change, for sure, but she kept herself at the ready nonetheless.
     “But you’re an alpha-female,” he stated.
     “Thank you, Captain Obvious! So that means I have to have a pack? Why?”
      He was staring again. What was with this guy and the staring?
     “Where’s your pack? Do I have to fight my way out of these woods?”
     “What? No.” He eyed her tent then zeroed in on her again. She soon found herself fighting not to squirm under his intense scrutiny. “You’re not camping; you’re running.”
     “Yeah, well, apparently, there are a few wolves who are hard-up for an alpha-bitch.” She quickly began to gather her things, collapsing her tent and rolling it up with a practiced ease. “I don’t like pack life. I want a normal life. I just want to eventually find my mate, have a few cubs, and then, once they are older, they can decide if they want to live with a pack or not.” She finished stuffing her tent into her bag and turned. “Is that too much to ask for?”
     “Not at all,” he responded. “Usually, someone who’s seeking to live on their own has a job and a place to live other than a hunting tent.” He had a nice smile. Teasing and friendly. “If you’re interested, I could give you some work to do at my farm. There’s a small two-room cabin near the fields. You’re welcome to stay in it if you’d like.”
     “Listen, that’s really nice of you, but—”
     He cut her off and pointed to the darkening sky. “It’s about to be raining harder, and I have no urge to be standing out here when it lets loose.” He turned to walk away. “The offer’s good, if you decide to take me up on it.”
     “I don’t even know your name.” She nervously chewed her bottom lip. She was so tired of sleeping outside, but did she dare trust this guy?
     Sure, he was hot as hell and her inner wolf certainly took an interest in him, but it could be a trap.            What would she do if he led her into his pack’s main living area? She was always ready and willing to fight. Hell, on some days, she went looking for one, but something felt different here. She wanted to follow this guy.
     Fuck it.
     She was just about to tell him to lead the way when he turned and extended his hand. “I’m Erik Wolfe.”
     She smirked and he flashed her a crooked grin.
     “No jokes about the name, sweetheart. I didn’t pick it.”
     She nodded. “Fair enough. I’m Sarah Gray.” Taking his hand, she gave it a firm shake. “I guess I’ll take you up on that offer. I could use the money since I can’t use my credit cards anymore.”
     “Maxed out, huh?”
     “Nope. They track me when I use them. Right now I’m off the grid, so-to-speak.” She carefully kept a few feet between them, just in case.
     “Then I’ll be sure to pay you in cash so that you won’t have to worry about hitting the bank to cash a check, either.” He reached for her, and she jumped back and into a fighting stance. “I was just going to carry your bag for you.” He looked insulted that she would assume the worst of him. If the man only knew the things she’d been through.
     Sarah straightened, feeling like an ass nonetheless. “Sorry.”
     “Don’t worry about it.” He started walking again, and she fell into step behind him. “There’s nothing stocked in the cabin, so I’ll have to bring you some things out. I’ll take you into town tomorrow, and you can choose some groceries for the place, along with anything else you may need.”
    “You don’t have to do that. I’m perfectly capable of providing for myself,” she remarked, feeling a little defensive.
     “You’re underweight,” he pointed out.
     “So sue me. I live an overly active life, but I do manage to eat, drink and sleep. Those are three major factors to surviving,” she argued.
     “But you probably get the bare minimum required to keep you alive.” He stopped and faced her. “I agree with everything you’ve said. No one should be forced to live in a way they don’t want. I’ll help you, Sarah, but you need to be in top shape. If they do come for you, it’s just us against them.”
     “It’s not your fight. If I catch sight or scent of either one of those packs, I’ll leave. I won’t cause you any trouble if I can avoid it,” she promised.
     Erik gave a shrug and began down the trail again at a slightly quicker pace. “I didn’t think that you would.”
     “Well, okay. Just so that we’re clear.” What was this guy’s damage? Why did he want to involve himself in someone else’s mess? Did he enjoy being the knight in shining armor for damsels in distress? It was too bad for him that most of the knights she’d met ended up being douche-bags dressed up in tinfoil.
     It was also a shame that he seemed to hold no interest in her, because he was certainly a handsome wolf, and one of the few she might have welcomed an advance from. For a brief moment, Sarah considered the fact that he could be gay. It would account for why he hadn’t tried to come on to her as all of the other alphas had, unless he was already mated.
     “Of course.” He gave her a small smile, as if she were a child who’d amused him. And that irritated her. “We’re almost there.”
     They were walking through an orchard now, the trees heavy with bright green and red apples. A few lay on the ground and appeared to have become a snack to birds or possibly rabbits.
     “As you can see, it’s time for the apples to be harvested. Since Halloween is in a few weeks, I’ve got several orders to fill. There’s a harvest festival, the local grocery mart and several individuals,” he explained.
     “All right, I can get started on that as soon as I put my things down.” Sarah looked around. There were about fifty trees, by her guess. That could take a while. “Do you want them in crates, boxes, buckets—?”
    “Whoa! We’re not doing this in the rain. Just relax today, get a good night’s sleep and we’ll try for tomorrow. There’s no need to rush.” He pointed ahead. “There’s the cabin.”
     The small wooden structure was adorable. Little, green shrubs lined a small porch, and she saw white curtains through the windows. He opened the door to allow her inside, and it creaked loudly as it swung in.
     He winced, looking embarrassed. “I’ll fix that.”
     “Don’t bother. It’s like a free security system.” She wouldn’t mind hearing every time the door opened. “Is that the only way in?” she asked, already mapping out potential escape routes.
     “Yes, but you shouldn’t have any problem fitting through the windows, if needed.” He studied her with such intensity she had to look away. “How bad have things been for you?”
     Uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going, Sarah kept her answers short, not quite willing to share the unpleasant details her current situation had led her to endure.  “Bad enough.”
     “You need a break. You’re running yourself down. That’ll make you sloppy and unfocused.” He looked at her bag and frowned. “Is that all you have?”
     “What can I say? I travel light. It means I have less to leave behind when I have to run again.” She shrugged and looked around. “This is really nice.”
     The main room was cozy. Dark wood made up the walls and floors while warm-colored rugs in deep greens and blues had been placed before the fireplace, under the dining table and by a large, brown leather sofa. The small kitchen, off to the side, consisted of an older top-and-bottom fridge, a microwave and a short counter with a porcelain sink. The place was a little dusty, but judging by the lack of scent in the small space, there hadn’t been anyone inside for quite some time.
     “The bedroom is through there.” Erik pointed to the only door besides the entrance. “I’ll be back shortly with some things for you. If you need anything before then, I’ll be at the house. It’s just beyond the fields.”
     “Fields?” Sarah asked as she opened the door and peered into the bedroom.
     “Yeah, I grow vegetables, too.” He peered inside the room, as well, before asking, “Will this be all right?”
     A four-poster bed dominated one corner of the room. A single nightstand and a lamp served as the remaining furniture. “Thank you. It will be nice to sleep in a bed again.”
     “How long has it been?” He shook his head and apologized, “I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”
     “Four months,” she whispered. “But I’m free. So all the sleeping on the ground has been worth it.”      She placed her bag on the floor and nudged it under the bed.
     “I’m glad you decided to accept my offer.” He shook his head again, and for a moment, Sarah thought she detected pity in his eyes. She wasn’t looking for anyone’s pity, but his next words stayed her tongue. “You’re a brave woman, that’s for sure. Most would have given up by now.”
     “I’m not most women.”
     “And I’m glad. I find most women to be clingy and predictable.” Okay, so maybe he wasn’t gay. He pointed to what she assumed was a closet. “The bathroom is through there. It isn’t much, but the water’s warm and clean. I’ll be back shortly with some supplies for you.”
     He turned to leave, and she called. “Thanks again.”
     “Not a problem. I’m glad for the help.” Then he was out the door.
     Erik was certainly different from what she was used to in a man. He didn’t crowd her, seemed to respect her privacy and understood why she was running. Most importantly, he wasn’t judging her. He was helping her. Giving her a job and a place to stay. The only problem with this was the fact that her wolf was literally panting after the man. Her inner canine had wasted no time taking in his scent when he’d been next to her either. There was no sign of a mate or any other female that she was able to detect and that made the beast very happy. Well, hell, she couldn’t say anything since her human side found him extremely attractive, as well. And why wouldn’t she? He was a solitary soul, like her, so it was only logical she’d be drawn to him.
     Right?
     Right.
     Sarah eyed the small bathroom longingly and decided to at least rinse some of the mud off of her legs and maybe give the clothes in her bag a quick wash, not willing to actually shower until her host came back. Old habits died hard, but she wasn’t quite ready to put all her trust in someone she’d just met. So, after gathering what she needed, she plugged the tub and turned the faucet only to have it groan in reply.
     That ominous sound didn’t bode well, and she immediately reached to turn off the valve, but the ancient pipe burst and water erupted from the busted line, drenching everything in the room.
Reeling back from the blast of frigid water, Sarah scrambled to her feet determined to find some sort of shut-off valve before her host’s bathroom was completely flooded. However, she’d no sooner gotten to her feet than she fell right back down as she encountered a slick spot on the wet floor.
     Twisting in an effort to catch herself, Sarah cried out when her knee suddenly buckled with a sickening crunch leaving her sprawled on the floor, as water continued raining down from the busted pipe.
     Well, shit.

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