Three’s a Clan by Roxy Mews Read Free Book Online

he was not to keep a human mate. Years later, when Jake’s mother was found, she’d attacked what she thought was a werewolf killer. She told us the scent of wolf on the woman was so strong that she assumed her hand had taken a Pack member’s life. But Amber’s mother hadn’t killed a werewolf had she, Trevor? She had simply been sleeping with one.”
    The air rushed out of me. The words hadn’t been spoken out loud. I had always wondered if my relationship with Lily had contributed to the attack. My scent had been not only involved, but the cause. A blade from neck to nuts would have been more pleasant than this.
    Her small hand cupped my shoulder. “I have way too much information in my head. A part of you had to know I would put the pieces together soon enough. Maybe a part of you wanted me to? How is it even possible that you kept something so close to you from your Alpha?”
    “He doesn’t discuss her. He knew there was another man. He knew that Lily wasn’t only his. He knew she wanted…” I shook the thought from my head. “It doesn’t matter. He knew enough to not want to know more. He doesn’t look for the information, so it won’t find him. I did my best by Lily. I did my best by my Alpha, and I will do my best by Amber. I might not have fathered that girl by blood, but I fathered her beast. I helped her grow. How long until they are home?”
    “You know it’s not their home anymore, don’t you, Trevor?” It was the softest Shelly had ever spoken to anyone that I had heard.
    It made me uncomfortable. I didn’t need pity.
    It was true, two Alphas would never occupy the same territory, but I wanted to see them both. I might never have a family beyond the Pack, but I would damn sure keep tabs on those I cared about.
    “They may not be Pack.” I straightened. “But they are still a part of me.”
    “Does they mean Amber and Jake, or Amber and Alpha.” She looked at me. “You’re a lot more than your decisions in life, Trevor. You can’t have everything if you never ask for it.”
    This was a bad idea, but at least it seemed she wasn’t going to run around shouting my secrets. “You need to get home, Shelly.” I shouldn’t have started this conversation. She had enough of her own problems to care about mine. “And I need to keep going and keep taking care of all those I care about.”
    Ghosts started dancing in front of my eyes. The campus wasn’t there anymore. When I turned from Michelle Meyers, the years began to drain from the buildings and landscaping around me. The young well-groomed trees faded into dense maple and oak.
    The leaves had been particularly heavy that fall. The rains had blessed us with a great crop. All around, people greeted you with feasts and treats. Neighbors laughed at the abundance. Children played in the fields and no one yelled to be careful of the crops. Lily had a talent with apples. She invited everyone over to pick her orchard. Pies and cider were laid out on her tables. Sweet tea to drink, and plenty of smiles for all who attended. She had a smile for me as well. But I enjoyed watching her cheeks warm for me when they didn’t for anyone else.
    A lanky body draped across her apron and looked up with wild hair and begging eyes.
    “Momma! Can I go with Adam? We are going to climb trees!”
    Some of the surrounding women scoffed. Climbing trees was no activity for a young lady, they’d say. She should be in the kitchen learning her place, the others replied. But dear Lily ignored them all. Her smile broadened for her little girl. Young Amber was her reason for everything.
    “Of course, baby girl. But I tell you, if you tear your dress, you will mend it on your own.”
    The little girl smiled. She was missing a tooth, and her tongue pressed through the opening as if her face couldn’t contain her spirit.
    “I can fix it! I’ve done it before. See?” Amber held up her dress, a little above what was considered decent. Lines of stitches peppered the