Hunted by Ellie Ferguson Read Free Book Online Page B

I’d run away, I’d known I didn’t want to be tied to him as his mate. Now I realized I’d known I couldn’t be a part of his pride or clan either. Fear and instinct had sent me running from him just as instinct now had me considering turning to Sharon, her brother and the rest of their clan for help.
    “Yeah.” I couldn’t say anything else. So I lifted my mug and sipped, hoping she’d let the subject drop, at least for a bit.
    “Uncle Stefan will be over later to take a look at you,” she said a few minutes later. “He wants to make sure you’re healing now that the barbs are out.”
    “I am,” I said before she could ask. “There’s still some pain and the wounds haven’t healed as much as they should have, but they are healing. But I would appreciate him taking a look.”
    “Matt said to tell you that he’ll be home by lunch.”
    I nodded, hoping she didn’t notice the way my pulse quickened at the sound of her brother’s name. Damn, this just wasn’t normal.
    “I hate to ask, but did you manage to find me some clothes? I don’t feel right wearing nothing but this robe.”
    “God, I’m an idiot!” I tried not to laugh as she actually smacked her forehead with the heel of her hand, just like the actors used to do in that old juice commercial. “I’ve got some jeans and stuff for you. It’s in my room. Let me have another cup of coffee and then I’ll show you.”
    The next several hours were surprisingly busy. After more coffee and a breakfast I hadn’t realized I was hungry for, Sharon and I worked side by side to clean the kitchen. Then, after assuring me she hadn’t forgotten about her promise, she set about putting together a large pot of stew. As she worked, she kept up a running commentary, not only about what she was doing but about local events, the clan, even her job as a teacher at one of the local high schools.
    Once the stew was on, she led me through the house to the bedroom she used whenever she stayed over. According to her, that happened on a fairly regular basis. Matt was the epitome of the over-protective big brother. He didn’t like her driving by herself when it was late and he absolutely wouldn’t let her drive if she’d been drinking. She’d threatened to move in with him once and he’d simply nodded and asked when she wanted help closing out her apartment.
    Listening to her, I was reminded again of all I’d lost with my parents’ deaths. Family, friends, pride and clan. It had all been torn from me.
    Damn Michael.
    “God, I’m sorry!” Before I knew what she was about to do, Sharon had thrown her arms around me. “I’m such an idiot.”
    “No you’re not.” I smiled down at her. I’d not had a best friend as an adult. It wouldn’t be difficult to let her fill the job. “Let’s just say the last day has made me think about a lot of things I’ve missed over the years.”
    She studied me for a moment and, apparently satisfied, she nodded. Then she turned to the closet and began pulling out an assortment of jeans, tee shirts, shirts and shorts for me to examine. Watching her, all I could do was shake my head. I’d asked for a change of clothes, something to hold me over until Matt decided it was safe for me to either return to my apartment or go shopping. Instead of a pair of jeans and a couple of tops, she was presenting me with more clothes than I owned.
    I blinked back tears before she could turn and see them. Damn it, I had to get control of myself.
    “What’d you do? Blow your entire credit line?” I reached beyond her to finger a blouse that was, indeed, silk.
    “Nah.” She gave me a cheeky grin. “I blew my brother’s. It’s much more fun to spend his money.”
    I didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. Laughter won. She was right. It really was more fun to spend someone else’s money, especially if you had permission to. But it did put me even further in debt to Matt and that was a feeling I wasn’t used to. Honestly, I wasn’t sure