Garrett's Choice by A.J. Jarrett Read Free Book Online Page A

him, twirling her thumbs round and round. The petite brunette looked frightened of her own shadow. Lachlan instantly wanted to wrap her in a hug and shield her from the evils of the world. With the Warriors of the Dark uprising in their forces, it was people like Clara that Lachlan worried about. It was always the innocents that got caught in the crossfire and wound up dead.
    “What can I do for you, Clara?” Lachlan gentled his tone.
    “I…I…” Clara stuttered, and her breathing increased.
    “Clara, it’s okay. You don’t have to be nervous around me. I’m only a hard-ass when the situation requires it.” Lachlan smiled down at the young woman, hoping that eased her nerves.
    A small grin lit up her precious face. She looked like an angel sent down from heaven. Lachlan could practically see the halo adorning her head. Her eyes shined a brilliant shade of green, adding to her 44
    AJ Jarrett
    angelic appearance. “I just wanted to welcome you to the pack. I–I never got the chance before now.” Her smile grew bigger.
    “Thank you very much. I appreciate your kind words.”
    Silence stretched out between them, and Lachlan didn’t know what else to say.
    “I understand you’re a Warrior of the Light.” Lachlan nodded his head. “I was kind of wondering, more like hoping, you wouldn’t mind showing me some of your fighting skills you learned from working with the warriors?” Clara’s eyes dropped to the floor as she continued to speak. “I’m not the strongest wolf, but I want to be prepared in case we get attacked. I don’t want to feel helpless.”
    “Aw, Clara.” Lachlan stepped forward and placed a finger under her chin to raise her eyes to meet his gaze. “You are not helpless. You understand me?” A tear dripped down her flushed cheek. “I’d be honored to help train you.”
    “Really?” she asked excitedly.
    “Really.” Lachlan was pleased he was able to make the jittery wolf smile. He’d do his best to help raise her self-confidence. “Just let me know when you have some free time, and we can practice.”
    “Oh, thank you so much, Lachlan.” Clara wrapped her thin arms around Lachlan’s waist, and for one moment he was uncertain what he should do. He wasn’t used to strangers hugging him. Lachlan brought up one hand to cup the back of Clara’s head and the other around her shoulders.
    “No thanks needed.”
    Clara stepped back, and Lachlan thought she looked like a whole new person. She held her head high and had a bounce to her step as she walked away.
    “That was really kind of you.” Lachlan jumped when Garrett spoke. “She’s rather shy. It had to have taken a lot to get her to come to you.”
    Lachlan watched as Garrett eased around the corner. Garrett put his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall. The relaxed pose Garrett’s Choice
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    looked good on the man. A slight smile curled his lips, and sincerity radiated from Garrett’s eyes.
    “I’m glad she did. I’d like to think your pack will come to trust me the way they trust you.”
    “Does that mean you’ll be staying?” Garrett pushed away from the wall and walked slowly toward Lachlan.
    To keep from moving, Lachlan brought his arms around his back and laced his fingers together. Garrett’s black hair fell into his eyes, taunting Lachlan to brush the luscious lock aside. A knowing smile lit up Garrett’s full, ruby lips and the sharp angles of Garrett’s face softened. A sweet glow bounced off Garrett’s ocean-blue eyes and pulled Lachlan closer.
    Lachlan wanted to growl out his frustration. With Garrett looking all yummy, how was he supposed to keep up his defenses and hold true to his feelings on wanting to go slow with Garrett until he knew for sure the man had changed and wouldn’t force his will upon Lachlan?
    “Well the council kind of has me over a barrel with that, don’t you think?” Lachlan’s mouth went bone dry as Garrett came to stop mere inches from him. Garrett was just the