The Mating Season: Werewolves of Montana Book 6 by Bonnie Vanak Read Free Book Online

childish whim to play and walk in the surf in her bare feet seemed ridiculous.
    She had been building castles made from sand, while his goal was to build a legacy, with her as the vessel for carrying his son.
    And I will be a prisoner once more, only this time it will be a prisoner to his lust and his desires. Her life would be all about him and what he wanted…when she hadn’t even had an opportunity to figure out what she herself wanted.
    Niki shivered, not because of the sudden gust of wind blowing over the ocean, but because of the ruthless intent shadowing his expression. No romance existed between them, only Tristan’s grim purpose. In her dreams, they had shared a life, shared a bed, shared their bodies and had come together in love and passion. But when she awoke she remembered little of that past, a past he was determined to recreate, eventually impregnating her with the child he’d longed to have.
    “How can you ask this of me?” Niki yanked her hand away. “You want me to become your lover…”
    “My mate,” he corrected.
    “Lover, mate, does it matter? You want me to become the mother of your baby, and I haven’t even really lived my life. I’ve spent twenty-five years locked away,” she pointed to the castle turret, “like a princess in a fairy tale, only the fairy tale always had you lurking in the background, the grim reaper my father told me would cause my demise.”
    Tristan’s mouth narrowed to a slash. “I have some control here, but there are forces I cannot control. And I will not risk you being smashed by my enemies.”
    He snapped his fingers and the tide rushed over, engulfing them and crashing into the castle. The outer walls crumbled beneath the onslaught of the waves.
    She saw not a castle crumbling from forces he could not control, but Tristan himself, ruthless and determined, his sexual intent overshadowing her as fiercely as the tidal wave.
    Nikita looked at him and his expression shuttered, but she caught a glimpse of his sorrow, as opaque as mist.
    “Why?” She tugged at his arm. “Why are you so overprotective?”
    “Because I cannot bear for you to die again, as you died while I was in purgatory of the Shadow Lands.”
    Niki searched his tightened face. “You saw my death?”
    “I felt it. I felt your spirit ebb, and that of our son.” He placed a hand over his heart. “It was like all the energy had left me, Nikita. And I could do nothing to aid you. I died all over again that day you perished,” he said quietly, refusing to meet her gaze.
    He turned his head and regarded the horizon. “Lupines live a very long time, but they are still fragile. But there is a way for you to become immortal, as I am.”
    She felt boneless with shock. “Are you serious?”
    “Yes. It is not a simple matter. It requires a choice.” Tristan turned back to her. “The choice will be yours. I cannot force you into it. But if you choose to become immortal, then nothing would ever harm you again.”
    Nikita gripped his arm, her emotions in a lather. She wanted to remember, wanted to erase the deep sorrow radiating from him, but she also needed time and space. “I’m not like the sand castle, Tristan. And Lupines are not fragile as humans. I am wolf, and I have defenses. And despite the fact that I’m naïve in some ways…”
    She flicked out a hand and let her claws emerge. Confidence filled her. “I have my own natural defenses. My wolf is smart, and she’s very protective of me. My father, brothers and my twin taught me well.”
    His expression remained inscrutable. “A wolf offers flimsy protection against the darker forces I have encountered, Nikita. You are indeed naïve to think that your wolf can handle such evil.”
    The insult stung deeply. Though her temper was rising, she retracted her claws. “Nice of you to have faith in my abilities. It’s a wonder you even abducted me, if you think I’m a weak Lupine who can barely hold my own. Maybe you should look elsewhere for