Treeland Pack Tales 3: A Trace of Ivy by Evanne Lorraine Read Free Book Online Page A

arousal
had burned into her brain, and she wasn’t sure whether to be terrified or
thrilled. One more topic set aside to wait for more time, more courage, and a
whole lot more strength. She swallowed a sigh.
    At least the view of Chet’s backside gave her a respite from
her own screwed-up head. Besides, she was perfectly happy to let him lead the
way. Terrycloth was not any kind of fashion statement she wanted to make. The
only good thing about the enormous bathrobe dwarfing her was the garment beat
rocking the pathetic naked waif look all to hell. She didn’t need coddling or victim
therapy. She needed to convince these people, wolves, whatever to help rescue
her friends.
    She peeked past Chet’s broad back at a stunning redhead in a
buttoned-up cherry-red Mary Poppins coat and fabulous stillies. The gorgeous
shoes came with a scary-handsome male dressed in a black leather jacket and
jeans, presumably, Daniel—the pack leader. He wasn’t any taller than Chet, but
he was definitely wider and every bit as solid. His fragrance was wholly
masculine with notes of leather and sandalwood. Underneath the top layers was
the frightening, electric scent of a coming storm.
    Ivy braced herself for the icy grip of terror. The male’s
presence radiated power, yet somehow made her steadier in her skin—as if he
strengthened her courage, her humanity. Besides his mysterious aura, Alpha
strength rolled off him in waves that made it hard for her to meet his gaze.
She did anyway, putting her shoulders back and stepping around Chet.
    She willed herself not to tremble in fear and held out a
hand to shake. “I’m Ivy. You must be Daniel.” She angled her gaze to include
the stunning redhead. “And Scarlet.”
    The Alpha’s dark eyes sparkled, and he squeezed her hand
firmly, but without damage. “It’s good to finally meet you. You are the first
female to ever escape from a rogue pack.”
    Ivy wasn’t sure what to say in response, so she kept quiet.
    Chet growled.
    She leaned closer to the couple, emboldened by the way they
moved in sync and held hands. “I’m not great at telling, but I don’t think that
was one of his happy sounds.”
    “Bonding is tough on males,” Scarlet said sympathetically.
    Ivy caught a whiff of something literally cool and
wonderfully soothing from the curvy female and let the fragrance ground her in
a whole different way than her mate, Daniel’s, power. Ivy breathed in the
delight. Scarlet seemed to strengthen all Ivy’s best basic instincts, and her
core values of community, kindness, and loyalty.
    The big Alpha tucked Scarlet closer to his side. She was
half his size yet completely unintimidated. She rolled her eyes at him. “She
isn’t going to eat me, Daniel. She’s dormant, and anyway, I’m a big, bad wolf
too.”
    “I know that, Red.” Daniel’s voice deepened, and his eyes
heated with dirty intentions.
    They were in love and lust and too adorable for words. She
forgot to be afraid while she enjoyed their conversation. Ivy replayed their
verbal sparring. During the reprise she caught the word “dormant” as applied to
her. Maybe Chet didn’t know what he was talking about. Maybe she wasn’t going
to grow fur and fangs.
    “Does dormant mean the bite didn’t take?” Even as the
wildness inside nudged her closer to Scarlet, part of her still yearned to be
normal—human.
    Three heads turned to focus on her.
    Scarlet broke the silence, tucking her arm through Ivy’s.
“We need to talk.”
    Not a phrase that nurtured hope, Ivy thought.
    “That’s a great idea, Red. But Ivy deserves an update on the
rogues.”
    She nodded in clear obedience without seeming the least bit
intimidated and waited for her mate to continue while keeping one arm linked
with Ivy’s.
    “The trackers followed the rogue’s vehicle to the highway,
then lost the trail.”
    “It’s a white panel van. They have motorcycles too.” Ivy
volunteered.
    “Good to know.” Daniel gave her an encouraging bob