Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider Read Free Book Online

confused. Why can’t we go out again if you’re not getting back together with him?”
    “Are you insane? I told you. You want a woman of loose morals who can’t keep her legs shut?” She made a sound of disgust, hating herself.
    Taylor smiled again. “Normally, yes. But, I hardly think you’re like that. It’s not like we we’re a couple. We haven’t even had a real date. You hooked up with an ex. No biggie.” He sounded a little jealous despite his words.
    “Listen. They’re going to be back soon and you need to go. Kaden is not a man to be trifled with. I really am sorry. In a different time or world, maybe, but I can’t see you again.”
    “A photo to remember you by?” He lifted the camera that was hanging around his neck.
    “If that will get you to go, fine.”
    “Smile, beautiful.” When she forced one, he clicked the button and the flash lit up the room. “Maybe when things settle down we can try again. What do you say?”
    “Maybe.”
    He winked and then left without another word.
     
    Taylor didn’t go far. He knew something was up and he was determined to figure it out. Dinner had been great. He’d been charming and she interested. Then that dog and her baby’s daddy had shown up to ruin everything. Mara was different, too, and not only her exotic eye color. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
    All these things raced through his mind as he waited on a bench across the street for the father and son duo to return. He dug a discarded Cosmopolitan out of a nearby trash can and kept his face concealed as he watched, his eyes barely peeking over the top. His private eye work came in handy in situations like this. He hadn’t lied when he’d said he owned a studio, but down and dirty investigative work gave him a thrill and a few extra bucks.
    A dirty, beat up Jeep went down the road. Short ly, it came back from the other direction, parking in one of the few spots available. Jak hopped out of the passenger side and a huge man with long black hair out of the driver side. He was most definitely “the ex.” If Jak had been hopped up on steroids, then they would have looked alike.
    Taylor waited for them to cross the street and enter the building before tossing the woman’s mag in the trash and following. He waited until he could no longer hear their footsteps on the metal stairs and then climbed them himself. His back pressed flat against the wall at the top. He peered around the corner to see them disappear inside. After a quick glance around, he slinked up to Mara’s front door and pressed his ear against it. The material was cheap and thin, so he could hear most of what they were saying.
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have never doubted you were telling me the truth.” Jak said.
    “It sounds crazy, so I don’t blame you. What did you think about it?” She asked.
    “Still trying to figure that out. He made it seem cool and he rolled around on his back all funny to make me less scared.” Jak laughed. “Good reason to skip school. I’m going to my room so you can talk. Thanks, Kaden.”
    What the fuck? Rolling around on his back? If this dude was a pedo, Taylor swore he’d break every bone in his gigantic body. Even if it took a large hammer to do it.
    “You did that, Kade? A pack leader acting like a common dog?”
    “Yeah, well. That’s what dad’s do, right? Make the hard stuff easier for their kids.” He went silent for a moment. “He needs to be with other wolves, Mara.”
    “I can take care of him.”
    “I don’t doubt that, but it will be easier for him. For you. For… me .” He seemed to be waiting for her response. She didn’t say anything, so he spoke again. “You can shake your head all you want. It’s the truth. Do you know I looked for you? Took me two years. I didn’t even know I had a son until he was a toddler. What I did to you wasn’t fair, Mara, but neither is what you did. I couldn’t bring myself to confront you because I was afraid I might kill