Wolf Creek Sheriff (Texas Pack 4) (Prequel) (Wolf Creek Shapeshifters) by Jo Ellen Read Free Book Online Page A

look of confusion was adorable as he stepped into her arms. “Umm, need a hug?”
    She laughed, feeling as if a key had just opened a locked door and set her free.
    “You’re mine. Mine, mine, mine.”
    He was still confused, but happy as he stood with his arms wrapped around his mate, squeezing her tightly against him.
    “I’m not questioning this connection we have anymore.” She placed his hand over her heart. “I feel you in here, I’m yours and you’re mine.” She laid her head on his chest.
    Robert cleared his throat. “Not to interrupt your moment, but we need to go up now.” He pointed at the rock face.
    Stephanie stepped away from Colin, feeling like she could take on the world. And then she looked at the rock and her balloon burst. She had never scaled a mountain or climbed a rock wall. She was not a free climber. She lived in Texas, not in the Rockies. Oh sure, there were mountains down near Big Bend, but she’d never visited that part of the state. She didn’t even know their names or elevation.
    “I’m no mountaineer,” she said quietly, her voice shaking.
    Holding her hand up to block the sun from her eyes, she watched as Robert’s hands gripped the small depressions in the rock. His booted feet dug into small crevices before moving on to the next one. Seeing the muscles bulge in his arms, she was afraid she did not have the strength to pull her body up the way he did.
    Stephanie debated with herself. Fear of heights wasn’t the problem. The problem was that she was somewhat lax in the athletic department. Sure, she used a treadmill to keep in shape, but that in no way prepared her for this feat. But she would not back down! Giving herself a pep talk, she knew being mentally strong was just as important as physical strength.
    Colin stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders watching Robert climb. “You could stay here and wait for us. It shouldn’t take too long and you’ll be safe. You’re in the valley of the Dragon Province and though you may not see them, they’re here and will watch over you.”
    At that moment a dragon drifted down from somewhere above and shifted before leaning against the rock with his arms crossed over his chest. His casual pose was nonthreatening and didn’t set off any alarm bells.
    He was another one of those really good-looking people that made a girl want to smile and flirt even if that wasn’t her usual style. Didn’t any of these shifters come in ugly? Or short? She must have stared a little too long since Colin growled a little and said her name in an exasperated tone.
    Chagrinned, she reached out to shake the man’s hand, which she had apparently ignored in her fascination with his looks.
    “Nice to meet you Stephanie,” he said.
    Oh crap, she’d missed his name while daydreaming. “Umm, it’s a pleasure.”
    The man, she really needed to figure out his name, slapped Colin on the back.
    “Good to see you again man.” The man looked up and watched Robert’s climbing ability. “All he had to do was ask and I’d have flown him up there. Fae warriors, they’re so bloody stubborn. Have to do everything themselves.”
    Colin grinned at him. “Yeah, they are. Unlike dragons, I’m sure. Glad you’re here, man. We need a lift.”
    Stephanie almost growled in frustration. Man this. Man that. Didn’t anyone use names anymore? Wait…a lift? Oh, hell no. He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant.
    She watched the guy shift back into a dragon and unfurl his huge wings. He did. He really did ask for a ride on a dragon.
    “Come on Steph.” Colin climbed on the creatures back and held out his hand, beckoning her forward.
    Her bangs fluttered when she let out a breath as she repeated to herself, “Quest, quest, quest.”
    Scrabbling up the tough skin of her new best friend who would keep her from climbing a rock and falling to her death, she prayed her new best friend would also catch her if she fell off his back.
    “Um, new best friend?”