Steel: Blue Collar Wolves #3 (Mating Season Collection) by Ronin Winters, Mating Season Collection Read Free Book Online Page A

there was a place for her here if she wanted there to be. Maybe Bethie as well. “She’s in college. Wants to be a teacher, which is a good choice for her. She’s great with kids.”
    Bella spoke up. “This would be a great area for her then. We’ve had a ton of kids born the last couple years. They’re going to need good teachers who can love them and keep them in line. The ones around here tend to be handfuls.” She winked at Regan then, nestling into Iron a bit while she ate.
    The three wolves were a bit wearier around her, not that she blamed them. They let the women and Danny do most of the talking. But with the familial atmosphere strong and their desire to shield Danny stronger, they weren’t able to keep stone faces around her, and it was apparent how much the males loved the women at their sides, and if she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn Brick and House were related to Danny by blood by how deep their connection to him was.
    The meal was easy and delicious, and as they finished the front door opened, with Steel appearing in the doorway a moment later. The wolves rose to their feet, but Steel shook his head and looked to her. He was drained, dark circles under his eyes and his mouth in a thin line, those golden eyes lackluster.
    Steel returned his focus to the wolves, and some unspoken agreement must have happened, because the wolves began hustling everyone out. Danny, Mel, and Bella hugged her goodbye, the contact free from any undertones, while the wolves nodded at her and their alpha.
    After everyone was gone, Steel took her hand and placed a piece of paper into it. On it was a number and an address. “What’s this?”
    He took a deep breath, and then let the bomb drop. “Your mother’s alive.”

Chapter Eleven
    ‡
    “Y ou’re not funny.” What the hell did he mean, her mother was alive? She pushed at him, rage building at how callously he was treating what she shared with him. “You’re not funny!”
    “I’m not trying to be.” With a gentle grab, Steel brought her hands against his chest. “Your story from that night sparked a memory, and I checked it out. When I was younger I remember my dad talking to some other wolves about another pack whose alpha took a mate. He was saying how she had to fake her own death and what was needed to get her a new identity. I remember one of the wolves laughing and saying for a gorgeous redhead, he’d go through the hassle too.” Steel pressed her now ice-cold fingers against his chest. “I knew it was a long shot, but I called a few people who I knew would keep my questions quiet. I can’t be absolute, but from everything you described and the timing of it happening, I think she’s your mom.”
    It was like she was listening to white noise, because nothing he said made sense. Her mom wasn’t alive. Her mom wouldn’t have abandoned her and Bethie to her dad, and being brought up a hunter. That’s not what moms did. They took care of their kids. They loved them.
    “She’s not alive.” But even Regan could hear the question, the quaver, within her own voice.
    “Maybe not, but she might be. If you want to know for sure, that’s where the woman I’m talking about is.” He was direct while still being compassionate, still holding her fingers and still talking soft and careful. “Whatever you decide, though, I want you to know that I’ll help you however I can, and that you’re free now to make those decisions.”
    It was hard to grasp with the chaos in her mind, but free pinged within her. “What do you mean, free?”
    “Exactly what I said. You’re no longer prisoner here. You can walk out that door and never return, if that’s what you want.” Steel pulled back now, pulled into himself, stuck his hands in his pockets as those dull eyes stared at her. “Don’t misunderstand me. I want you here. I love you, everything about you. No, it’s not the mating season. It’s not because of true mates. It’s you, and everything