Winter of the Wolf by Cherise Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page B

either. Just a flat statement.
    She jerked her hand away. “Wel—”
    “Don’t lie.” His nostrils flared. “Or would terrified be a better word?”
    Definitely. Her teeth gritted together. “Maybe I just don’t like pushy guys.” Oh yeah, Bree, piss off the huge landlord .
    The corner of his mouth turned up slightly. “Sorry.”
    “I—” How had he gone from scaring her to making her feel rude? “You… There’s no one around—” Good going, dummy, point out how isolated this is . “You’re big. And a guy.”
    “No male would harm a female,” he said, his wording uncannily like Shay’s. His dark brows drew together, his eyes intent. “You don’t believe that.”
    “I know it’s not true.” The weight on her, pinning her down . A shudder ran through her.
    He folded his arms over his chest and studied her. The roled-up sleeves of his flannel shirt displayed wrists as thick as her upper arms. “Little female, if you are bothered by a male, tel me. I’l take care of him for you.” His cheek male, tel me. I’l take care of him for you.” His cheek creased. “Part of the Wildwood service.”
    He was serious. He was realy serious. How could a man scare her spitless and make her feel safe at the same time?
    But he smeled of clean pine forests and nothing like the monster. She managed almost a smile. “Um. Right. Thank you.”
    He nodded and moved back into the forest. Silently.

    * * *
    Zeb walked into the lodge and sniffed. The scent of beef and onion filing the air was enough to make a hungry wolf howl. He found Shay in the kitchen, stirring something in a Crockpot. Every counter was covered with vegetable peelings, meat, and dirty dishes.
    Zeb tried not to wince. “Supper?”
    “Aye. I found the grocery store. Tiny place in the center of town. And you’re cooking tomorrow, a mhac .” Zeb growled. Shay’d grown up in one of the more isolated Daonain vilages that stil clung to the older ways and languages. Over the last two years, Zeb had learned a few words. “I’m not your fucking son.”
    Son, my ass . Typical dominant wolf, going al paternalistic.
    He needed a pack to babysit, not a partner. “You’re not even ten years older than me.”
    even ten years older than me.”
    Shay snorted. “I feel older. By the way, I rented out the next-door cabin.”
    “Met her. Pretty little human. Scared though.” She’d triggered every protective instinct in his body—only it had been him she was afraid of. Zeb checked the fridge. Shay had bought dark and light beer. Good male. He grabbed one of each and took a chair at the kitchen table, pushing away the scattered newspapers. Beer or not, having a person in his living space was weird. And this messy mongrel? Fuck.
    “Definitely scared.” After putting the lid on the pot, Shay sat down and rested his injured leg on an adjacent chair.
    “She acted like a trapped mouse when I blocked a door in the cabin.”
    The dark malty beer was cold with a smooth bite. “Huh.
    Figured it was me. I told her that.”
    “Zeb, you have al the tact of a dwarf.”
    Now that hurt. Dwarves were the rudest of al the OtherFolk, even worse than gnomes. “She said I was big and that the cabin was isolated. At least she didn’t run away screaming.” Zeb sipped his beer. Yeah, he’d seen terror in those big blue eyes, but she’d stood her ground. She’d even raised those little fists. Admirable.
    Shay’s brows drew together. “Isolated? Could she be afraid of males ?”
    “Maybe. She moved as if she was damaged, smeled of
    “Maybe. She moved as if she was damaged, smeled of fresh blood, and not the moon cycle type. Then again, she’s female—they’re not designed to be understood.” He never spent time with females outside of Gathering night.
    “Aye. And human. Their mating patterns are strange.” Shay rubbed his chin. “We should find out if she has a reason to worry. Wouldn’t want some asshole coming here and bothering our first renter.”
    “You