A Mate's Wish (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 0.5) by P. Jameson Read Free Book Online

wouldn’t matter if you stayed or left. I know my brother and he’s… well… this is going to be complicated.”
    Beth dropped her fork on her plate. “What do you mean by ‘this’ exactly?”
    Layna stood and collected her empty plate. “Stick around and you’ll see,” she threw over her shoulder.
    “Hey, I thought you wanted me to stay,” Beth called after her.
    She glanced back. “I do.” A mischievous grin slid into place. “I never said I couldn’t appreciate a little bit of trouble. Just… be careful.”
    “What’s she going on about?” Eagan scooted into Layna’s empty chair as she made her way out of the restaurant.
    Beth shrugged and spooned some meatloaf into her mouth.
    “How is it?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. The man took pride in his food. And his body. His arms were sculpted and she suspected the rest of him was too. But that knowledge didn’t leave her weak in the knees. She knew his tongue wouldn’t have her still trembling hours later as Renner’s had.
    “Delicious,” she said, smiling. “Your best yet.”
    “Ah, I believe you. A smile like that can’t be hiding a lie.”
    Eagan was also a voracious flirt.
    “Lookie there.” He reached forward and ran a finger across her cheek. “My favorite color.”
    Damn her fair skin and round cheeks. They made the perfect dumping ground for a fierce blush.
    Beth looked away but when she did, her eyes clashed with Renner’s furious ones. He stood in the doorway of the restaurant looking murderous. His gaze snapped to Eagan, and Beth braced herself for a confrontation.
    Magic suddenly appeared in her vision.
    “We have a problem,” he told Eagan.
    Beth chewed her lip. Yeah, and his name started with an R.
    “What is it?”
    Magic glanced at her quickly and then bent lower to the table. “Hunters. In our woods. The same ones who gave me shit yesterday. Mason spotted them. They wanted permission to go after deer. I get the feeling they’re ignoring my ‘fuck no.’”
    “Shit,” Eagan spat.
    Beth jumped from his curse. She’d never heard him talk any other way than sugar coated.
    “Yeah, you get Renner and meet me out back in ten.”
    Eagan nodded, already rising from the table.
    Beth opened her mouth to tell them Renner was there, but they both took off so fast she didn’t have a chance. When she looked back at the door, Renner was long gone.

Chapter Six
    Bethany figured it didn’t count as standing Renner up since he was obviously busy dealing with the hunters. If she went to her room instead of the nativity, and crashed, it wouldn’t be ducking out. But for once, she didn’t feel like being cooped up in her room. She’d been keeping to herself for most of her time at the lodge in hopes of avoiding him. But now, the secret was out and she just wanted to roam.
    The lodge was expansive, with a number of small trails that led to the different facilities. There were three pool areas, each made to look like it could have naturally appeared in nature. They were closed but the hot springs were open. Everything was built to feel like you were right in the middle of nowhere, even though you were surrounded by others. People came here to get away, but not too far away. It was a perfect compromise.
    Beth ended up in front of the nativity without really meaning to. It wasn’t complete yet, but the framework for the stable was done and the manger sat small and lonely in the center. It was quiet, and that’s why the gunshot was so loud. It cracked through the silent night like a judge’s gavel declaring a death sentence. Followed by another. And another.
    She jumped, her heart fluttering at the surprise. Adrenaline made her fingers and toes numb, and her gut cramp.
    The hunters.
    Beth drew in several lungfuls of air before her mind caught up with the fact that the shot was just someone looking for fresh meat. She laughed out loud. Like, she’d never shot a rifle before. Ryan had taught her how before she’d left for