Taken By The Pack (Werewolf's Harem Book 2) by Vivian Wood Read Free Book Online Page B

said. He closed his eyes, dropping his head back onto the ground.
    “Ben,” Aurelia prompted. When he didn’t respond, her small hand smacked his chest.
    “Ben. Look at me, damn it!” she cried. Her distress made him sit up, gathering her in his arms.
    “I don’t know what to tell you,” he said.
    “I think we’ve started the mating bond-“ she began, but Ben cut her off.
    “No!” he said, gently pushing her off his lap. “We haven’t started anything. It’s not possible.”
    “We have to tell Lucas,” she insisted, reaching for his hands.
    Ben reached out and grabbed her chin, stilling her movements.
    “We’re not telling him anything. There’s nothing to tell,” he said, his words slow and heavy.
    “He’s going to know. He’s not stupid. And we shouldn’t hide this from him,” Aurelia said, panic in her eyes.
    “I said no!” Ben snapped, releasing her. Standing up, he grabbed his shorts and tugged them on.
    “I don’t understand,” Aurelia said, tears gathering in her voice. “This isn’t our fault. Mating isn’t a choice, everyone knows that. Lucas can’t hold it against us. I’ll tell him, if you want. Explain to him.”
    Ben’s whole body went rigid. He turned to Aurelia, rage welling in his chest.  
    “This is not happening. You’re not telling Lucas anything. I forbid it.”
    “What, are you afraid of him?” Aurelia hissed.
    “You don’t understand,” Ben said. “I can’t do this. I owe Lucas everything, and I would never take someone that he cares for. Never.”
    Aurelia crossed her arms, incensed.  
    “So Lucas gives you a job and makes you a bunch of money, and you owe him? You’d break a mating bond over that?” she accused.
    Ben picked up her clothes, tossing them to her. He couldn’t stand to look at her body another second, not without reaching for her again. He had to shut this down, right now.
    “Aurelia,” he said, his eyes and voice pleading. “You’ve been here just a few days. I’ve known Lucas for half a lifetime, and I’ve owed him everything since the first moment.”
    “I don’t see how that’s possible.”
    “I’m not a born wolf,” he said, dropping his eyes. Shame, his old friend, filled his gut.
    “What do you mean?” she asked, looking confused.
    “Lucas made me,” he said.
    “Made you… a wolf? Like a werewolf? What the hell are you talking about, Ben?”
    “Lucas is ancient. He has the magic of the first wolves. He found me dying in a field. He looked at me, and I at him, and he saw something in me. We’re bonded by magic. His blood runs in my veins.”
    Aurelia gaped, staring.
    “You’re crazy,” she whispered after a moment.
    “Why would I lie? Why would I deny myself-“ he stopped himself mid-sentence.
    “I don’t know,” Aurelia said. “I don’t know what you’re doing, but you can go to hell.”
    She pulled on her clothes and snatched up the bag she’d brought, then stomped off into the woods.
    “You’re going the wrong way!” Ben called, sickened at the loss of her.
    “Fuck off!” she retorted, footsteps receding.
    Ben sank to his knees, shaking.
    No. No, this could not be happening. Ben would make certain of it.

Chapter Four

    Aurelia stormed into the house, stopping dead in the kitchen. Ben was in the far corner of the room, his expression livid. Two other figures dominated the space, drawing Aurelia’s attention.  
    Walker stood in the living room, arms crossed as he towered over a tiny blonde woman. His dark hair had recently been buzzed, and his sable eyes were bright with anger. Walker’s massive, tightly muscled body seemed tensed to spring, utterly frightening as far as Aurelia was concerned.
    The blonde didn’t seem to notice, or she didn’t care. The woman’s back was ramrod straight, and she was staring up at Walker with evident malice. Her lip lifted, showing just a hint of fang. Her fury was made all the more impressive when held up to Walker’s bulk and obvious ire.
    “Third