Wolf’s Princess by Maddy Barone Read Free Book Online Page A

can’t bear to be humiliated by an unfaithful wife.”
    A mental image of Sara in her prim Sisters of Mercy novice’s uniform came to him. “You’d be surprised by your mate now,” Sky said sternly. “You have to go to Omaha and talk to her. She’s been waiting for you for two years. If you want to cast her off, at least be man enough to tell her in person.”
    Stone was quiet for a couple of minutes. “I guess you’re right.”
    Sky grunted his approval and followed Stone again. They remained silent for the next three miles.
    Like Kearney, the den had changed, too. The chain link fence was gone, replaced by a solid stone wall. It was bigger now too, enclosing more space. A thick door banded with metal strips opened for them and Sky blinked at two rows of small houses on each side of the den.
    “Houses?” he asked.
    “Yeah. Quill and Ellie live in the first one, there, and Snake and Mel are on the other side. Sand and Amanda have that one and—”
    Sky missed who the last house was for because he was stormed by cousins wanting to hug him and welcome him home. He dropped his suitcase to pound their backs.
    “I told you he was all fancy now,” Snow said with a big teasing grin, jabbing a fist at Sky’s belly.
    Sky dodged and flipped Snow over his hip, laughing.
    “He might dress fancy, but he’s still a wolf warrior,” shouted another voice over the roar of welcome.
    Still a wolf? To hide his doubt, he directed a grin at the man standing on a ledge that ran along the inside of the wall. “Jay,” he called, but broke off as more of his cousins tried to tackle him. “Hey, watch out for the suit.”
    “Make us,” was the loud reply.
    A new voice cut in, low and soft, but instantly obeyed. “Leave him be for a minute.”
    Sky turned at that voice, and saw Taye, the alpha of the Pack, standing between him and the den. Sky’s wolf, now thoroughly awakened from his six year hibernation, bristled in defiance at the alpha. A thought flickered. Maybe he was still a wolf warrior. Sky instantly thrust the wolf down, holding his hands palm out.
    “Hello, Taye. I’m not here to challenge you.”
    Taye’s hard black eyes bore into him before he nodded. “Glad to hear it. Why are you here?”
    All the others were quiet now, watching and listening. “I got your letter this morning. I need to talk to Rose.”
    “Uh-huh. She’s in town right now.”
    “I know.” The memory of a strange man putting a hand on his mate’s arm flashed in his mind. “I saw her. She’s not back yet?”
    Taye jerked his chin at Stone, who shook his head. “She had to detour back to the House to collect her horse and the supplies. I think she’ll take her time coming back.”
    Taye gave Sky a thoughtful look. “That’s good.” The alpha came forward and wrapped an arm around his shoulders to pull him toward the grassy area behind the den. “Because we need to talk.”

Chapter 4
    A flutter tickled Rose’s insides when the wall around the den came into sight. It took effort to keep her hands light on the reins. Was Sky there, waiting for her? The wretched man was gorgeous. Stuck up, bossy, and slick, but gorgeous. He looked nothing like the boy she remembered.
    Walking at her stirrup, Paint glanced up at her. “Don’t fret, Rose.”
    “I’m trying not to. But why is he here? What does he want?”
    Paint adjusted his eye patch and gave her a raised brow. “Why do you think he’s here?”
    She glanced away from the knowing look on his face. “I don’t know.”
    “Really? You don’t think that just maybe he’s here because you’re looking for a man to marry? Or do you think he decided on the spur of the moment to drop in after all this time?”
    Her cheeks heated. “Okay, okay, he must be here because of me. But why? He’s practically ignored me for eight years.”
    Paint patted her knee. “Well, I can’t read his mind, but I can tell you this: When I was in Omaha, I saw his face when your letters came. He’d try