Feral Seduction (Feral Protectors 2) by Liv Brywood Page B

chased.
    She tentatively checked the temperature in the shower. The tepid water wasn’t what she wanted, but it would have to do. She could have a long, hot bath when she got home. Maybe the phone call to Hugo would be enough to get him to stop harassing her.
    As she showered, she couldn’t stop thinking about Stryde’s lips. That last kiss had almost made her melt into a puddle. She didn’t have much experience with guys. Most of them couldn’t get past her father’s drunken rages. It only took him one or two dates to run them off.
    He’d been locked up for three months, but dating had been the last thing on her mind. She was a waitress at a diner with no prospects and no other skills. She wanted more from life but she didn’t know how to get it.
    The cascade of water diminished and turned freezing cold. She yelped and quickly turned off the faucets. At least she was clean. She wrapped a thin white towel around her body and another around her hair. As she dried off, she glanced in the mirror. Dark circles rimmed her eyes. Her pale complexion and downtrodden gaze were unsettling. She’d always tried to see the positive in every situation, but the last three months had taken their toll.
    The only good thing that had happened was her brief time with Stryde. She couldn’t stop picturing his coppery skin, or those piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right into her soul.
    He’d been through hell in his life too. She understood his pain more than he could ever know. She just wished she could have spent more time with him.
    She dried her hair and then slid into bed. Maybe she’d feel better after getting some rest. As she drifted off to sleep, she wondered what it would be like to make love to a man like Stryde. He could be tender as well as fierce. She had no doubt that he’d be an amazing lover.
    Several hours later, she bolted upright. Her gaze darted around the room until it fell on the shadowy figure standing outside her window. It took a second to register the scraping sound. When she did, her body went rigid. He was trying to pry the front window open.
     

Chapter 6
     
    Stryde strolled through the forest. A sense of loss cornered his heart. But there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Brandy was human, and completely off-limits. He hadn’t even entertained the idea of sex with another wolf during the past few months, but less than a day with her and he couldn’t keep his body in check.
    The embarrassingly obvious erections should have sent her running for the hills, but she hadn’t run. She’d wanted him. He could see it in her eyes.
    But it didn’t matter. She was gone, so he needed to go back to being alone. Once he apologized to Ryker and Diana for missing their life-mate ceremony, he could return to his solitary cave and spend the rest of his life in peace.
    He approached Ryker’s den by making a wide sweep so he could avoid the river. He was just a few feet from the entrance to the cave when Diana waddled out.
    “I thought I smelled you.”
    Her very pregnant form prevented her from walking too fast, so he hurried to close the gap. “You look beautiful.”
    “I look like a boulder.” She grinned and embraced him.
    Her strong grip surprised him. She’d only been living with the Silver Creek Pack for the last few months. After Ryker had rescued her from Zane, she’d packed a few items from her home in Full Moon Bay and moved in with Ryker.
    “You look stunning. Where’s your mate?” he asked.
    A deep voice sounded from somewhere inside the cave. “Brother! I was about to send a search party out for you.”
    Stryde kicked at the ground and hung his head slightly. “Something urgent came up and I couldn’t get here in time. I’m sorry. You know I would have been here if—”
    Diana hooked her arm through Ryker’s. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you can tell us all about it later. Will you be staying the night?”
    “No. I have to get back to the den.”
    Ryker said, “So you moved