A Cold Winter's Day 25 by Lynn Hagen Read Free Book Online Page A

shoulder before closing the door behind him. He already knew that anything he said wouldn’t hold any comfort for D right now. The man was bathing in a wealth of misery only Sloane could pull him out of.
    Luke thought of what the alpha had said. What if his tribe showed up now? They would have no backing. Luke felt as though he had brought a world of trouble to his mate’s doorstep, and Malcolm Lakeland didn’t deserve that.
    Luke walked downstairs, seeking out Cole so he could take his son and leave. He would rather be out there on his own than put his mate in harm’s way. He wasn’t going to allow his fight to become Malcolm’s.
    He grabbed Cole from Chance and gathered the diaper bag. Chance watched as Luke headed toward the front door, feeling like his entire world was falling down around him.
    “Pa!”
    Luke heard Chance shout, but he was too busy concentrating on where he could find refuge for him and Cole without putting anyone in danger. The Lakelands had enough on their plate already without him adding to it.
    “Where do you think you’re going?” Malcolm’s voice boomed across the yard, sending a chill that rivaled the weather’s down Luke’s spine.
    Luke kept walking.
    Malcolm’s footsteps could be heard from behind Luke, and then the bear was in his face. “I told you that you were safe here. Get our son back into the house.”
    Luke tried to step around Malcolm, but the man was proving to be a force of nature. He stood there unmoving, refusing to allow Luke to pass. “I have an entire tribe after me, Malcolm. As strong as you are, as strong as your sons are, not even the eight of you can fight an entire tribe of elves.”
    Although Luke would love to see Shanta fall from power. The man was a rank bastard that deserved to have his title stripped. Luke prayed he was there when Shanta finally fell.
    “You’re family, Luke,” Malcolm said as he wrapped his thick arms around Luke and picked him up, crushing him to the bear’s chest with Cole tucked between them.
    “Put me down!”
    “Not on your life.” Malcolm walked back toward the house, carrying Luke and son up the steps and back into the warmth of his home. “Give Cole to Chance.”
    “No,” Luke argued as he tried to wiggle free. It was a useless task, but Luke was determined to take the threat away from the bears.
    “Fine,” Malcolm growled as he set Luke down and plucked Cole from his arms.
    “Give him back!” Luke shouted as Malcolm handed his son to Chance.
    “Not until we talk, mate!”
    Luke could see Chance’s eyes grow round as he took a step back, refusing to give Cole back to him. A few more of the Lakeland men gathered into the living room, all wearing a stunned look as Malcolm tossed Luke over his shoulder and proceeded to carry him upstairs.
    Luke kicked his legs, clawing at Malcolm’s back as he tried to get the massive mountain to release him. It did no good. Malcolm carried Luke into his bedroom and slammed the door shut before he dropped Luke onto the bed.
    “You are my mate, and I will die to protect you. Get that through your thick skull.”
    And that was exactly what Luke was trying to prevent. “You will if I stay here, Malcolm. You have to let me go.” His words were soft, pleading as he stared up into the prettiest grey eyes he had ever seen.
    Malcolm leaned forward, his lips a mere inch from Luke’s as his eyes turned a stormy grey. “I won’t let you go, Luke. Fate gave you to me to protect, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
    And Luke had a feeling that every last one of the Lakelands was going to pay for Malcolm’s conviction.

Chapter Six

    Chance winced when he heard the door slam upstairs. That couldn’t be good. His pa had a nasty temper, although he rarely showed it. That was how he had kept seven bear shifters in line as they grew up.
    They all feared seeing it, feeling it, or being anywhere around it when his pa’s anger reared its ugly head.
    “Did he say mate ?” Riley