by Siobhan Muir
Her mind had prepared to drag her through the mud of misery when Jeff wrapped his arms around her from behind and laid a soft kiss at the nape of her neck. All the conflicting emotions drained away, and Julianna let herself fall into the warm strength of his body behind her.
“That was beautifully done, my Luna,” he whispered into her ear. She shivered.
“You think so?”
“Yes. It’ll go a long way to mollifying some of the Winthrops’ supporters in the pack. They’ll see you’re fair and honest and didn’t add insult to injury. Word will get back to the Winthrops of your request, and they’ll have even less to be pissed off about.”
“Losing their only daughter isn’t something they’re just going to forget, Jeff.” She suddenly felt a cold draft sweep over her buttocks and pressed her body against his, seeking warmth. “I may have won the Challenge, but I’ve made enemies of them forever. They won’t forgive me for that.”
“They don’t have to forgive you. But they do have to acknowledge you as the winner. You beat their daughter fairly and even had her body buried with honors. They can’t argue with that.”
Julianna just snorted. “Tell that to her mother.”
Jeff grimaced. “Yeah, well, let’s get you inside and wrapped up in something warm.”
He tugged her toward the house, walking a little behind her so her ass didn’t show below his ruined shirt.
She chuckled darkly and looked back at him. “Can I wrap myself up in you instead?”
His teeth flashed in the lights of the garden. “That was the idea.” He stopped and pulled her to face him. “I love you, Julianna Morris Lightfoot.”
“Do you?”
“More than words can say.” He fumbled to a stop. “Somehow, the words can’t convey everything I’m feeling.”
She grinned. “Maybe you’d better show me, then.”
Jeff laughed as he pushed Julianna up the stairs toward their room. Maybe it would be okay. She had Jeff as her Alpha, and she’d won the Challenge. She had a cadre full of loyal friends and Sebrina’s mentoring. The Winthrops would never be friends, but she no longer stood alone in the Callowwood Pack. She’d truly come home.
When they got to the room, Jeff growled playfully. “Now, you’re mine, Luna.”
Her chin came up, and gave him her best smart-ass grin. “Bite me!”
Pouncing on her, he did a lot more than that.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Siobhan Muir lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, two daughters, and a vegetarian cat she swears is a shape-shifter, though he's never shifted when she can see him. When not writing, she can be found looking down a microscope at fossil fox teeth, pursuing her other love, paleontology. An avid reader of science fiction/fantasy, her husband gave her a paranormal romance for Christmas one year, and she was hooked for good. Who knew they combined sci-fi with romance? She’s been writing stories and entertaining friends and family with her writing since she was a kid. She completed her first fan fiction novel at the age of 13. No, it will never see the light of day and everyone should be grateful for that.
Siobhan believes in happily ever after, redemption, and communication, all of which you will find in her paranormal romance stories.
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