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

to act like it was nothing important, but you can’t fool wolves. He touched the paper like it was a woman’s hand. Your hand. He’d put it aside to read later in private, but he’d touch it over and over. I don’t think he was ignoring you.”
    “Really?” The hope in her voice embarrassed her. She tried to sound stern. “Then maybe he should have written back a little more often.” When her horse threw her head back with a snort of breath and a jingle of bridle, Rose laid a hand on her neck under the mane and gave her a pat. “I agree completely, Flora-sweetie,” she told the mare before turning back to Paint. “Well, I guess I’ll find out what he wants.”
    The gate was opened for them and the men carried the supplies to the shed while she rode Flora around to the back of the den to dismount. Rain, one of the Pack, came to take the horse, but Rose unsaddled the mare and groomed her before going into the den. Her cat, Mitzi, was asleep on the counter in the tack room, and Rose paused to brush her, murmuring praise for the mouse she had caught and presented to her this morning. Having delayed as long as she could, she entered the den through the kitchen door.
    “Rose,” said Snow happily from his position in front of the stove, where he vigorously beat potatoes with a wooden spoon. The rich scent of baking chicken rose from the oven. “You’re back at last. We’ve been waiting for you.”
    “Sorry.” She tried to make her voice casual as she paused to wash her hands at the sink. “I stayed to help Renee and Sammie get supper ready at the House.”
    Snow pointed with his chin. “They’re all waiting for you in the rec room.”
    “Okay, thanks.”
    Dread dragged her stomach down to her feet. Anticipation flung it up back up to her throat. For goodness sake, she wished her stomach would settle on one of them. She left the kitchen, walked through the cafeteria to the rec room across the hall. The rec room was her favorite place in the den, big and spacious with colorful rag rugs scattered over the hardwood floor, and tables and chairs placed by the two large windows. Clustered around the fireplace were the armchairs she and Carla usually sat in. Right now Taye sat on the floor in front of Carla in her big stuffed leather chair, and in the chair Rose usually occupied sat the slick stranger who had once been a boy who had demanded she be his mate.
    Rose froze at the sight of him. He had taken off the coat and tie, but still wore the silvery slacks and bright blue shirt. In the crook of one arm he held Little Feather, and Taye and Carla’s two-year-old daughter, Patia, hung on his knee. He smiled at the baby, tickling his round belly, while bouncing his knee to make Patia laugh.
    Rose’s breath caught with unbearable longing. He looked like a loving father playing with his children. It was the perfect family picture, and she wanted so much to be part of it.
    She must have made some sound, because Sky looked over at her, the smile draining away from his face. “Rose.”
    Taye reached for Little Feather and directed a hard stare at Rose. “You’re late,” he said in his calm, I-Am-The-Alpha voice that warned he wasn’t pleased. “We expected you at least an hour ago.”
    “Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.” That was the truth. “Sammie was just starting supper when I stopped by the House and I stopped to chat with her for a little while. Time got away from me.”
    That part wasn’t quite true. Time hadn’t gotten away, but she hadn’t wanted to leave for the den until she had told her friend Sammie everything. Sammie had given her a basket of apples to peel and core while they talked. Sammie’s advice was to give Sky a chance. Rose glanced at him now, divested of children, sober-faced, and watching her. She should say something to him. Shouldn’t she?
    “You’re in my chair.” Her face flushed. Dang it, that wasn’t what she wanted to say. “I mean, it’s a nice chair, don’t you