WeresDigest by Desconhecido Read Free Book Online Page B

anywhere. You find new
hunting grounds?” Jake queried.
    “No,” Max said abruptly, flicking his gaze away from
his brother and back to the fire. He couldn’t tell Jake how he hadn’t been
hunting, but had been standing in the woods right outside Carrie’s house each
evening since they’d parted weeks ago, pining for a glimpse of her. Max
wouldn’t tell him how he waited outside The King’s Tavern and, in his shifted shape,
followed her home, protecting her each evening.
    “How goes the hunt then?”
    Max met Jake’s eyes and scowled. “Not great, but I’ve
a plan.”
    “And that is…?”
    “I’m going to court Carrie—woo her.” At his brother’s
incredulous expression, Max added with a sheepish shrug, “It’s what she wants
before we mate.”
    “Damn, now I know this woman’s your mate, if you’re
willing to ignore your heat! For how long? How long will you be able to stand
the pain? Now that you’ve found her, the pain must be horrendous.”
    “For as long as she wants me to wait…until she accepts
her place in my bed. I’ve no idea how long that will be.”Jake was right. The
pain had grown, but he lived each day, ignoring it, thinking of his final
reward of mating with Carrie.
    “You’re a more patient man than I. What’s the first
thing you’ll do?”
    “Invite her to a candlelit supper here in my rooms.”
    Jake laughed. “Sounds like a perfect place to seduce
her.”
    Max gave his brother a wry smile. “Carrie is a lady,
but a stubborn one. If I do manage to seduce her, and believe me, I plan on
giving it my best effort, then I will be one lucky man.”
    “And if she holds you off, what then?”
    With a sigh, Max said, “Then I’ll pamper her with
flowers, candy, jewelry, dinners, and nights at the theater.”
    “Rather commonplace items, don’t you think?”
    “Yes,” Max growled, “But it’s what she wants from me
and I shall oblige.”
    “Uh, don’t you think it might be a good idea, though,
to begin with the smaller things. The candy and flowers, instead of dinner in
your room?”
    “No, that’s exactly what she’d expect from me.”
    “What if she refuses to come to dinner?”
    “She won’t,” Max said confidently. “I know Carrie has
feelings for me. I felt them, and read them in her mind, as I held her in my
arms.”
    “What! And how did she react once she found out you
read her thoughts?”
    She doesn’t know. She has no idea what we are.”
    Jake was the one to frown now. “Uh, don’t you think it
might be a good idea to ‘fess up to her?”
    “I will, eventually, once I’ve earned her trust—once
she realizes she can’t live without me.”
    Doubtfully, Jake said, “I sure as hell hope you know
what you’re doing. She might think you deceived her by omission. Remember I
warned you.”
    “It’s worth the risk.”
    * * * *
    Max slumped back against the wall outside the door
leading to the alley from The King’s Tavern as he awaited Carrie’s departure.
He hadn’t seen Carrie in nearly a month, and he couldn’t not see her anymore.
    He looked at the spot on the ground where the slain
woman had laid, and thought about another recent similar death. A serial killer
stalking London’s streets was reason enough for Max to escort Carrie home. He
guessed now, after being separated from her for ten days, she’d be glad to see
him. He nodded in satisfaction then straightened up when he heard the door open.
    He faced the door and watched Carrie exit, dressed in
her simple white blouse and brown woolen skirt, a cape over her shoulders. Max
imagined dressing her in better clothing—ones fit for a queen. She deserved
better. She closed the door, looked up, and emitted a small scream.
    Max covered her mouth with a firm hand and grinned
down at her. “Will you scream if I remove my hand?”
    Her blue eyes blazed furiously at him as she started
to nod then she seemed to think better of it, closed her eyes and slumped against
him, shaking her