Embracing the Wolf - Book #2 (Anna Avery) by Stephanie Nelson Read Free Book Online Page B

speak to me.”
    The rush of adrenaline from my anger quickly dissipated and left me breathless. My hands shook, and I looked over at the remaining men. Their eyes were wide, eyebrows arched in shock. Embarrassment caused my cheeks to redden. Without another word, I headed toward the stairs and took them two at a time until I slipped around the corner, out of view. I leaned against the wall, listening to the men below tease Everett about his chiding. I inhaled deep breaths through my nose, holding them for a few seconds before exhaling through my mouth. My wolf calmed down, and the edge of anger disappeared, leaving me confused.
    What the hell just happened? I’d been known to stand up for myself, but publicly attacking someone for just looking at me was a bit extreme. So much for making a good impression. I was sure, come tomorrow, the story of how Adam’s new mate assaulted one of his visitors would be on the lips of everyone.
    I cut across the hall and disappeared into the office. A large mahogany desk jutted out from the left wall. Two bookcases rested on the other side of the room, filled with various volumes. An arched window overlooked the backyard and had a swath of hunter green fabric framing it.
    I walked over to one of the bookcases and lifted a pewter statue of a moose. Turning it, I slid a secret compartment open and retrieved a key. Heading over to the desk, I sat down and stuck the key into the center drawer. When the key turned, I opened the drawer and retrieved the Everwood pack book. Adam had placed the book in the main house while guests were visiting because he didn’t want outsiders finding and reading it. Not that it held super-secret information, but packs tended to be protective of their history and heritage. It was in this book that I learned that Chantes were an ancient wolf legend. Elle and I had stolen the book from Adam and Eve’s house just a few short weeks ago, and now it was mine to browse through as I pleased.
    I ran my fingertips over the aged leather and settled into the large chair, pulling my feet up underneath me. Flipping the book open, I examined each page. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I’d know when I found it. The book was hand-written by each prior alpha. Adam’s father had handed it down to him and when Adam had children, he would do the same. I paused and thought about kids. While I didn’t have anything against them, I also couldn’t see myself as a mother. Would time change my mind? If Adam found out I didn’t want to carry his offspring, would he feel differently for me? Now that I was bonded to Adam, so many questions filled my head. Before the only question on my lips was whether Adam would leave Eve. My wish had come true, and Adam was mine, but I was finding out, it wasn’t a walk in the park.
    I sagged against the soft leather of the chair and stared off into space. Though Eve was a psycho, I could now understand where her attitude came from. As the mate of the alpha, she had an appearance to uphold. I frowned as I thought about her and her tough exterior. Could I mimic that attitude to scare off power hungry werewolf women, and would I be any good at it? I had a feeling I would have to work twice as hard as Eve did being branded a mutt. Without alpha blood running through my veins, people would assume I’d be an easy takedown. I had to do everything in my power to prove them wrong. I would train with Elle all day every day if that was what it took. Being responsible for someone other than myself had me almost in a panic, which is where my fear of having kids came into play. I couldn’t allow another woman to take my spot because I knew it would destroy Adam. Being tied together sounded sweet in theory, but it was wreaking havoc on my nerves. I was sure Adam didn’t share my dilemma since he came from one of the strongest bloodlines.  Our union was only as strong as its weakest link. Unfortunately, I was it.
    I snapped out of my thoughts and