Taken: True Mates Book 2 (BBW Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) by Olivia Arran
Authors: Olivia Arran
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has to go with Amanda to Smithrock, and Sean, you have to watch Lisa—”
“ What?” Sean spluttered.
“Sure thing,” Macey replied, hopping down off the window ledge. Patting my leg, she whispered, “Honey, keep on getting under his skin. He’s worth it.” She sauntered over to join Cole at Claire’s side.
As they conferred, Claire describing what she could remember of this Jason, I flicked my eyes over to Sean — immediately wincing as I caught his expression. If looks could kill…
“Why do I have to guard her?” he demanded.
Her? Ouch! I winced again.
James kept his expression carefully neutral, his tone brooking no argument. “Because from the sounds of it, this Gary seems to have an unhealthy preoccupation with Lisa, and there’s no knowing whether he will try and…reacquire her.” He flashed me a look of sympathy, his words delicate — but I understood what he was saying, that asshole-beta might try and kidnap me again.
I felt sick. It was like I couldn’t get the stench of him out of my nose, my vivid memories coming equipped with full sensory detail.
“I can protect her,” my brother stated quietly, but firmly, from his lounging position in the chair. He had been quiet up until now. I knew it wasn’t through deference, or being overwhelmed by the company — no, Luis liked to watch, get a feel for things and assess. Luis was easily underestimated by those who didn’t know him. But, he was next in line to be the Alpha of our pride — that is, if our father ever accepted him for who he is.
“No offense, Luis — I know you will protect your sister, but she was taken from my land — from my own damn house — so I want one of my lieutenants to ensure that does not happen again.” James ended on a growl, anger vibrating through him. “And Sean, you are the best qualified. The most invested . Do not let anything happen to her.” He shot Sean a warning glance, his voice carrying the power of an Alpha.
Sean stiffened. “ Nothing will happen to her—”
I’d had enough. “Hey! I’m right here! And, I can look after myself.” I shot a sideways glance at Sean. Nope, still not looking at me.
Kara laughed, flashing me a friendly grin from her place on James’s lap. “Don’t take offense — they’re always like this. All alpha-male-I’ve-gotta-take-care-of-the-little-woman—” she smirked when James opened his mouth to object, “—well, you are! But, I know your heart’s in the right place, so I let it be.” Her words were muffled as James silenced her with a kiss.
Not wanting to stare, I looked over at Luis. He shrugged, his expression seeming to say ‘what you gonna do?’
Claire, Macey, and Cole had left the room at some point during the conversation, and Amanda and Tarq were in a corner, locked in what looked to be a heated debate. That just left Oliver, who had not spoken since I had first met him. The strong, silent type, he seemed to blend into the background, so much so that you sometimes forgot he was there.
“What about Oliver?” I blurted out. Maybe some distance would do Sean and me some good? Make the heart grow fonder?
“No way.” Sean vehemently ground out.
Oliver just smiled, obviously taking no offense. He looked at me, his brows raised in question. He was a good-looking man, tall and muscular, with a wide upper body that looked like he could bench-press small cars. Long blonde hair, secured at the nape of his neck, and close cut stubble on his square jaw. The ‘biker-crossed-with-a-surfer-dude’ look was completed with a pair of piercing blue eyes. Yup, he was a looker, that’s for sure. But my heart didn’t skip, didn’t go pitter-patter, when I looked at him.
I flicked my eyes to Sean, who was watching my perusal of Oliver silently. Thud! My heart lurched in my chest. That was that, then.
“Okay…Sean, then,” I said slowly, watching as Sean’s expression changed from one of satisfaction, to one of delightful confusion, as he tried
“ What?” Sean spluttered.
“Sure thing,” Macey replied, hopping down off the window ledge. Patting my leg, she whispered, “Honey, keep on getting under his skin. He’s worth it.” She sauntered over to join Cole at Claire’s side.
As they conferred, Claire describing what she could remember of this Jason, I flicked my eyes over to Sean — immediately wincing as I caught his expression. If looks could kill…
“Why do I have to guard her?” he demanded.
Her? Ouch! I winced again.
James kept his expression carefully neutral, his tone brooking no argument. “Because from the sounds of it, this Gary seems to have an unhealthy preoccupation with Lisa, and there’s no knowing whether he will try and…reacquire her.” He flashed me a look of sympathy, his words delicate — but I understood what he was saying, that asshole-beta might try and kidnap me again.
I felt sick. It was like I couldn’t get the stench of him out of my nose, my vivid memories coming equipped with full sensory detail.
“I can protect her,” my brother stated quietly, but firmly, from his lounging position in the chair. He had been quiet up until now. I knew it wasn’t through deference, or being overwhelmed by the company — no, Luis liked to watch, get a feel for things and assess. Luis was easily underestimated by those who didn’t know him. But, he was next in line to be the Alpha of our pride — that is, if our father ever accepted him for who he is.
“No offense, Luis — I know you will protect your sister, but she was taken from my land — from my own damn house — so I want one of my lieutenants to ensure that does not happen again.” James ended on a growl, anger vibrating through him. “And Sean, you are the best qualified. The most invested . Do not let anything happen to her.” He shot Sean a warning glance, his voice carrying the power of an Alpha.
Sean stiffened. “ Nothing will happen to her—”
I’d had enough. “Hey! I’m right here! And, I can look after myself.” I shot a sideways glance at Sean. Nope, still not looking at me.
Kara laughed, flashing me a friendly grin from her place on James’s lap. “Don’t take offense — they’re always like this. All alpha-male-I’ve-gotta-take-care-of-the-little-woman—” she smirked when James opened his mouth to object, “—well, you are! But, I know your heart’s in the right place, so I let it be.” Her words were muffled as James silenced her with a kiss.
Not wanting to stare, I looked over at Luis. He shrugged, his expression seeming to say ‘what you gonna do?’
Claire, Macey, and Cole had left the room at some point during the conversation, and Amanda and Tarq were in a corner, locked in what looked to be a heated debate. That just left Oliver, who had not spoken since I had first met him. The strong, silent type, he seemed to blend into the background, so much so that you sometimes forgot he was there.
“What about Oliver?” I blurted out. Maybe some distance would do Sean and me some good? Make the heart grow fonder?
“No way.” Sean vehemently ground out.
Oliver just smiled, obviously taking no offense. He looked at me, his brows raised in question. He was a good-looking man, tall and muscular, with a wide upper body that looked like he could bench-press small cars. Long blonde hair, secured at the nape of his neck, and close cut stubble on his square jaw. The ‘biker-crossed-with-a-surfer-dude’ look was completed with a pair of piercing blue eyes. Yup, he was a looker, that’s for sure. But my heart didn’t skip, didn’t go pitter-patter, when I looked at him.
I flicked my eyes to Sean, who was watching my perusal of Oliver silently. Thud! My heart lurched in my chest. That was that, then.
“Okay…Sean, then,” I said slowly, watching as Sean’s expression changed from one of satisfaction, to one of delightful confusion, as he tried
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