The Bucklin Wolves Next Generation: Revelations by Jessica Ryan Page B

Bucklin. She would have to take her chances. “The town is being opened to humans.”
    “Really?” Eva seemed genuinely surprised. “Why would Seth agree to something like that?”
    “I’m not entirely sure. I think the era of the Bucklin wolves is over. It’s time for Bucklin to just be another place on the map. Another city for a weary man to hang his hat in.”
    “And Seth is in charge of all of this?” Eva asked.
    “He’s the alpha,” Maribel said. “The final call was his and he signed all the papers.”
    “Then why are you all the way out here?” Eva asked.
    “Well,” Maribel said, rubbing the back of her neck and trying not to make eye contact. “Funny story there.”
    Eva leaned forward and put her hand on Maribel’s. “You can tell me, girl. Just let it out.”
    “A wolf attacked the security team two nights ago. The mercenary leader, Jacko, is convinced it was Rowan. He sent Seth to find out. They sent me to analyze the risk and see what I think.”
    Eva leaned back in her chair and whistled while shaking her head. Maribel knew Eva would defend her mate, but thus far she didn’t see anything that would indicate Rowan would even have an interest in Bucklin. He seemed to be pretty busy out here building his own home.
    “And why would they think Rowan would do something like that?”
    “Jacko is convinced. He thinks Rowan is feeling territorial over Bucklin and he wants to stop anyone from changing it.”
    “What do you think?” Eva asked.
    “Honestly? I don’t think it was Rowan. You guys seem pretty content here, and you have your own project going. Plus it’s such a long way from here to Bucklin. I don’t see why Rowan would make a trip like that just to kill one security team member. I think Jacko is barking up the wrong tree.”
    “Of course he is,” Eva said with a confident smile. “My man has no attachment to that place anymore. It’s just us.” She reached down and rubbed her stomach. “Us and one more, actually.”
    “Are you serious?” Maribel asked. “Congratulations.”
    “Yes,” Eva said, nodding her head. “This will be our first. It’s odd for someone to be with a wolf so long without bringing some pups into the world, but we’ve decided to take it slow.”
    “I understand that.”
    “What about you?” Eva asked.
    “What about me what?”
    “Have you thought about when you and Seth will have your own little brood?”
    Maribel felt a wave of panic rushing over her as she realized what Eva was asking. How could she get such an idea? “What? Not yet. I mean no. I mean we’re not… we’re not together.”
    “Really?” Eva asked. “Seth called you his mate out there.”
    He did do that, Maribel realized. She had been so shocked by the sight of two naked men wrestling on the ground that she had almost completely tuned out what was going on. Now here it was, thrown back into her face. “He wishes I was.” That sounded cocky. “I mean, there was something there. We made out and all, but I have a career to focus on and I told him that.”
    Eva was smiling from ear to ear as she watched Maribel’s face. She pointed her finger at Maribel and began to scratch the air with it as she crinkled her nose and spoke in a high-pitched voice. “You lie, little girl.”
    “I what?” Maribel asked. “I told you the truth. I told Seth there could be nothing between us.”
    “Your words may say that, but your face says something else. You’re one hundred percent smitten with Seth, you just don’t want to admit it.”
    “No,” Maribel protested, shaking her head furiously. But who the hell was she kidding? Eva had had her pegged the moment she saw her. “Well, maybe. It’s just, well, it just doesn’t seem feasible right now.”
    “That’s what I thought,” Eva said. “I had another life—a rich life. My father was a powerful man and he wanted me back. But you know what? I could never give Rowan up.”
    “That’s sweet.”
    “You’ll never be able to