Reflections of the Wolf by Lori King Page A

wolf’s stronger sense of hearing ensured that he heard every wobble in her voice and hitch in her breathing. He still wasn’t sure why he stayed in the shower until he knew it was too late to stop her from leaving, but he let her go, telling himself that space was for the best.
    Hearing her make light of the life-changing experience of making love to his true mate had triggered an emotional shutdown for him. Logically he knew that she pulled away to protect herself from her own feelings, but it still hurt. They seemed to be unable to resist each other physically, and when they touched each other, it was so explosive that it left them both feeling raw and exposed. So after coming out from under the fog of sexual euphoria, they both shifted their protective armor back into place and started sniping at each other again. Seeing her cry after he helped her out of the tub was like alcohol on an open wound. It was painful enough to steal the air from his lungs, and when she kept rejecting him, his frustration just became overwhelming. He needed time to think, too, so he let her go.
    Now he wondered if it was the second biggest mistake of his life to let her leave. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her since. He drove past her home every day, but couldn’t seem to find the courage to stop. She hadn’t given him her phone number, and he honestly didn’t think she would answer the phone if he called. So he had just wallowed in self-pity ever since. Even Rafe and Ryley had commented last night that he needed to get out of his nasty mood or move out. They didn’t want to live with him and his temper like it was right now.
    His pack’s Shaman, Delaky, had even stopped by the cabin this morning, but Liam had Ryley tell her that he was sleeping. He knew that she would see through the lie, because she seemed to know everything, but he wasn’t ready to face her with all of this. It was Delaky who told him months ago to prepare for a life change, which he had refused to think about until meeting Tina. Ryley reported back to him that Delaky didn’t respond to his refusal. Instead she had simply smiled and walked away silently. He would have to meet with her soon to hear what she had to say. The woman was an integral part of their pack, and her talent for seeing things that others couldn’t had helped more than a few of his pack mates out.
    A familiar feminine scent tickled his nose, and a soft body sat next to him. Glancing up, he couldn’t help but smile back at his sister’s pinched expression. Whitney was his baby sister by two years, and she was attuned enough to him to know when he was upset by something. It was Whitney who had held his hand and supported him while he went through the worst hell of his life. He counted on her to understand his emotional confusion, and he was relieved to see her.
    “Hey, pickle nose!” he said, smiling. Her sharp glare at his favorite pet name for her made him chuckle.
    “Do you have to keep calling me that?” She growled at him, her soulful stone-gray eyes flashing with irritation.
    “I do when you keep making that sour face. Your little pickle nose makes me laugh,” he said.
    “Well, it’s better than you stewing over here by yourself. What’s the deal? What’s got you so I-hate-the-world-and-the-world-hates-me?” she asked, crossing her arms and watching him.
    A pensive look crossed his face, and he sighed. “I met my mate.”
    “What? That’s awesome! Did you tell Mom and Dad? Where is she? Who is she?” She jumped up from her seat excitedly, and hugged him. “I’m so happy for you!”
    “ No , I didn’t tell Mom and Dad, because she’s human, and not interested. Don’t start planning a mating ceremony. I don’t think she will accept me as a mate.” He felt so dejected. The sorrow in his heart was physically painful, and he knew that nothing but Tina would ever heal it. He would probably feel it for the rest of his life.
    “Why not? What’s her problem?” Whitney’s