Eventide of the Bear (The Wild Hunt Legacy #3) by Cherise Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page A

floor.”
    “I’d have been fine.” She laughed. “Floors are softer than caves.”
    He stilled, surprise in his expression, and she realized she’d never laughed. She’d been so worried about people’s reactions, expecting someone to tell her to leave, that she hadn’t been able to relax.
    But her scars were white. No one knew her here, so far from the Mt. Hood territory. No one knew she’d been banished.
    Mother’s forgiveness or not, she didn’t deserve to live among the clan, and she shouldn’t, but how could she not savor this boon for a little while? Hearing the rumble of Ben’s voice, smelling his faintly wild shifter scent, seeing the warmth in his eyes…she felt like a parched desert plant greedily embracing the first drops of rain.
    Her mind was made up. She’d stay as long as they’d let her.

Chapter Seven
    ‡
    N estled in the white-capped North Cascade Mountains, the tiny town of Cold Creek looked as if it hadn’t changed since the early 1900s. Past the two-block-long Main Street, Ryder drove to the edge of town, down a smaller road, and parked at the end. The road had a rural feel with oversized lots and older two- and three-story homes. He could see why Ben had chosen it.
    “We’re here, Minette.” May the Mother be with us. He lifted his daughter from the kiddie seat on the passenger side of the SUV.
    Settling her on his hip, he ruffled her silky brown hair. “Gonna need you to sit on the step for a few minutes, kitten.” While I see if we have a welcome here or not. Anticipation, hope, and worry welled inside him in an unsettling brew.
    She blinked up at him, thumb firmly in her mouth, green-brown eyes wide. No answers forthcoming. Considering he hadn’t heard her speak at all in the last six days, he wasn’t surprised, but he still hoped. By the Mother, he’d never hoped so hard in his life. If only he’d known Genevieve had born a child. Or not fallen for her in the first place. His jaw clenched. Fuck, he was an idiot. Nevertheless, that trail was in the past, he had a new one to follow now.
    And amends to make.
    He stared up at the three-story Victorian house. The dark green siding contrasted pleasantly with the white trim and a dark brown, shingled roof. The covered front porch butted up against an octagonal tower on the left. Although the grounds looked as if no one had tended them in a decade or more, the house had been recently restored. Lumber off to one side indicated Ben wasn’t finished.
    Ryder’s shoulders relaxed. His littermate hadn’t changed beyond all recognition. Building was one of the loves they’d shared. Ben preferred to work on a large scale by building and remodeling houses. Ryder favored customized finish work and handcrafting furniture.
    “Let’s see how loud the bear will roar.” His gut was tight as he carried his cub up the sidewalk. When she was settled on the porch steps, he handed her a picture book to look at.
    With a small smile—her only kind—she opened the book. Minette never moved much. Never got in trouble. Never had a tantrum or disobeyed. He hoped, prayed to the Mother for her to grow confident enough to be a normal, feisty cub.
    She needed a stable home and family. Worry gnawed at his guts as he moved past her to the front door.
    What if his brother had a mate? What if he was still angry with Ryder for leaving? Every second of the last five years weighed down his shoulders.
    His rap on the door was answered by Ben himself.
    Pleasure surged through Ryder at the sight of his littermate. The world hadn’t felt right without his brother at his side.
    “Griz.” Fuck, it was good to catch his brother’s scent—bear and male, along with hints of sawdust and pine.
    “Ryder?” Ben’s voice was hoarse, as if he didn’t believe whom he was seeing.
    Ryder hadn’t changed that much. Sure, he’d put on the heft and weight of a mature male, but not much else. He wanted to laugh—whoever heard of Ben being silent—but he had to struggle