Werewolf Rage Book #2 in the Taming The Wolf Series by Katie Lee O'Guinn Page A

embarrassed that anyone would do anything nice for her.
    Ava rubbed her hand down Perry’s arm and smiled at her encouragingly. “If you don’t tell me what you like, then I’ll just ask Cole. So if you don’t want enchiladas, you better speak up now,” she said with a smile at Cole.
    Cole was staring at her with a faint smile on his face that had her feeling nervous for some reason. Perry laughed lightly. “In that case, I would love a grilled cheese sandwich. Our mom used to make us grilled cheese sandwiches on cold days and read to us by the fire.”
    Ava smiled as Cole moaned in disappointment. “Grilled cheese sandwiches coming up. Perry, why don’t you look in the cupboard for tomato soup while I get started. I’ll put you two in charge of that,” she said opening the fridge and grabbing a block of cheddar.
    Ten minutes later, they were sitting around the counter as she told them how she’d been kidnapped. When she told them about getting her ribs kicked in Cole growled low in his throat, his eyes blazing angrily. She tried to ignore him and focused on talking to Perry. When she described what it was like to be in a tree with broken ribs while hybrids were climbing the tree to get to her, Perry’s mouth fell open in horror and her face went white. Cole stayed silent, looking down at his clenched hands.
    She finished by telling them about her father challenging Titus and of Cyrus getting stabbed by the machete. Cole’s mouth hardened but he didn’t say anything. Perry’s eyes glowed with tears and she shook her head in wonder.
    “Ava, your father is the most amazing man I’ve ever met,” she breathed out, her cheeks pink and a big smile on her face.
    Ava grinned and nodded. “I think so. He’s an amazing man. He’s been pretty lonely for the past fifteen years. He’s focused his life on raising and protecting me. I’ve never had to wonder if he regretted not having a son. I’ve always known that he loved me completely and totally.”
    Perry’s face softened and she sighed. “I wish every girl could have been raised with a father like that.”
    Cole groaned. “Perry, I know you like Harry. I think everyone in town knows he likes you. But don’t you think he should know that you’re already mated?”
    Perry’s eyes blazed in anger and she slapped the table with the flat of her hand making Ava jump in surprise. “I don’t want Braxton!” she shouted.
    Cole’s eyes gentled and he reached across the table to cover his sister’s hand in his. “ I know that. I’m just saying, he needs to know.”
    For a moment Perry looked frightened but she nodded her head. “He won’t like me too much when he finds out. But that’s okay. Just knowing that there are men like Harry in the world, gives me hope,” she said with only a little tremor in her voice.
    Ava bit her lip. “If you know anything about my dad, you’ll know that he would stand for you against anything and anyone no matter what.”
    Cole sat up and glared at her. “Don’t give my sister false hope. If a woman is mated, no man would stand in his way. He’d die for it.”
    Ava glared right back at Cole. “ You know I’m mated to Cyrus, when has that ever stopped you from flirting with me. Would you stand up to Cyrus if I wanted to be with you instead?” she demanded, just to prove her point.
    Cole looked at her with an intensity that made her blink. “If you wanted me as much as I wanted you, I’d stand up to Cyrus and anyone else who got in my way. And I’d win ,” he said leaning forward.
    Ava looked away, wincing. “I was just using that as an example. Please don’t assume I meant anything by that, or that I wanted you to challenge Cyrus. I was just trying to show you that it’s not so odd to think that a man would stand for Perry. She’s a beautiful woman and she shouldn’t be forced into a relationship with a man she doesn’t love.”
    Cole smiled at her as he leaned back in his chair. “Well, just in case you