Haunted Sanctuary by Moira Rogers Read Free Book Online

have found? Even a viciously beaten young werewolf would heal in less than eight hours. No bruises, no marks, nothing to hint at the pain.
    Jay had seen a different sort of pain in Eden’s eyes—the helpless kind that came from knowing .
    His cell phone rang. He answered it absently, his eyes still fixed on a transcript from a 911 call. “Ancheta.”
    Eden’s voice spilled out in a terrified whisper. “Jay? I need help.”
    He straightened and tossed the file aside. “What’s wrong?”
    “I can’t breathe. I can’t—” A raspy noise followed by a groan. “I was in a budget meeting and I lost my temper. Just lost it, and I feel like I’m being torn up from the inside.”
    His hand trembled, and it took him two tries to shove the key into the ignition. “You’re at the library?”
    “Yes. In my office. I had to use my cell phone and earpiece to call you. I broke my office phone when I picked it up.”
    “Don’t move, and don’t open your door. I’ll come up the back exit and get you, okay?”
    “Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Jay.”
    He pulled out onto the street. “Don’t thank me. Just breathe, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    She let out a choked little laugh. “My coworkers have to think I was drinking at lunch. I acted crazy.”
    “Stress.” Jay slowed at a red light, and was just about to roll through it when it turned green again. “They’ll chalk it up to you working too hard.”
    “Maybe.” Eden’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Or they’ll find out Zack’s back in town and blame it on him.”
    “I won’t let them do that. Anyone who has a problem with your family can come to me.”
    He had to listen to a few of her short, pained breaths before she spoke again. “Is there something wrong with me? Should I be able to handle this?”
    “There’s nothing wrong with you.” But she would need to hear more. “Some people handle the transformation like it’s nothing, and other folks never get a handle on it. You’re doing good, Eden.”
    “I’m not doing enough. Lorelei… She hurts , Jay. She hurts so much, and I’m not helping. I think that’s why I can’t breathe. I’m so angry.”
    Jay cursed silently. There was precious little he could do for Eden from behind the wheel of his speeding truck. “It’ll be better once the full moon is past.”
    “Okay. Okay, I can make it that long.” Something clattered in the background. “I can even—”
    “Eden?” His phone beeped as it dropped the call, and he threw it on the seat with a vicious curse. “ Fuck. ”
    He should have kept her with him. He should have warned her that maybe she should stay out at the farm, take some time off. Anything to keep her from hiding in her office, cowering like a hurt animal.
    He’d fucked up, and now he could only hope Eden didn’t suffer for it.
    He pulled onto the narrow street behind the library and braked hard, his truck coming to a halt with a shuddering screech. He couldn’t go up the side stairs without someone seeing, so he jumped up, grabbed hold of the ladder to the fire escape and pulled it down.
    The noise must have roused Eden. By the time he reached her window, she was struggling to open it, her teeth cutting into her lower lip as she concentrated on turning the locks like it was the hardest task she’d ever set for herself. “I broke the phone,” she said as she eased the sash up with shaking hands. “I’m afraid to touch anything.”
    No time to climb inside, not with her eyes so wild and her skin burning. Jay grasped her hands to his chest. “Look at me, Eden Green. Now.”
    The command stirred her wolf. Power gathered beneath her skin, all that wildness finding a focus in challenging him. Eden’s gaze snapped to his, her blue eyes already melting to glowing gold.
    He cupped the back of her head and dragged her mouth to his.
    A growl worked up her throat, low and warning, but in the next second her mouth opened under his. She slapped both hands to his