He stripped off his clothes before the change took over and knelt to ground, eye to eye with Elise’s wolf. She barked and jumped up and down in front of him. A moment later, he was a wolf too.
Chapter Nine
Elise opened her eyes. The golden rays of the sun warmed her bare skin. She glanced around, vaguely remembering following Jared back to his house. They were lying on a prickly bed of pine needles—completely nude. The rumble of a car engine in the distance put her nervous system on high alert. How long had they overslept the sunrise?
“Jared!”
His arms tightened around her and he grumbled something about not wanting to wake up yet.
“You will get up. I’m naked and someone is coming this way.”
Those must’ve been the magic words, because he jumped from the ground, carrying her up onto the porch and through the unlocked front door.
“It’s Aaron. Where did we put your bags?”
Her lungs constricted as she watched a truck pull up next to his in the driveway. “Out in your truck.” Elise pointed out the window.
He groaned. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ll find something,” she squeaked, turning and running for the staircase. “I’m sure as hell not meeting your alpha naked with pine needles stuck to my ass.”
Male laughter erupted from outside and heat crept along every inch of her skin. Aaron had heard her. Of course. He was a werewolf too.
She made it down the hall and into Jared’s bedroom before she heard him answer the front door. I hope he found some pants. A giggle slipped between her lips. These people were a little more liberal with being naked in front of each other than she was even close to being comfortable.
An overwhelming sense of calm flooded her mind and she paused to take a deep breath. It was Jared. He was pushing the comforting feelings through their bond to help her settle. So strange, but so very amazing at the same time. She dug through his dresser, pulling out a pair of boxers and a large black T-shirt. It would have to do until she could get her clothes from the truck.
When she ventured down the stairs, Jared was sitting on the couch in a pair of basketball shorts looking good enough to eat. Damn. This was not the time or place for being horny.
Jared flashed a telling smile and a wink. “Elise, this is my cousin, and the VonBrandt family alpha.”
She continued down the last few stairs toward the men. Aaron was tall like Jared with dark hair and shoulders that looked like they could hold up the world. His face was solemn, but kind…fatherly. Not that she knew what that looked like, but if she had to imagine it…it would look something like Aaron VonBrandt.
The alpha smiled and extended his hand to her. When she slipped her hand into his, a burst of energy rocketed through her and she gulped for breath.
“It’s good to have you in the pack, Elise.”
Air. Need air. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Instead she coughed and gasped desperately for breath.
Jared growled, but didn’t move against the other man.
I’m suffocating! Help! Still he didn’t move, but she could feel his concern and panic joining hers.
Aaron released her hand and air rushed into her lungs along with the most peaceful sense of belonging.
“Forgive me. It’s been a long time since I took another wolf into the pack. It doesn’t usually hit that hard.” He laid a hand on her shoulder, but she jerked away from him.
“What happened?” She wanted to snap and snarl. Whatever he’d done had filled a part of her soul that even the bond with Jared hadn’t completely done.
“Your wolf had to submit, Elise, and accept the alpha bond. I will always have a link to you. Always be able to protect you and sense you, no matter where you are. You are family.” Aaron’s voice was calm and reassuring.
Jared’s emotions had calmed as well.
This truly is a new life. A brand new start.
Tears leaked from her eyes. “Thank you,” she sobbed and hugged him. “Whatever I need to do, I will. I want to be here with Jared more than anything.”
He patted her back and gave her a soft squeeze.
She released him and moved to stand next to Jared, who immediately wrapped a possessive arm around her waist.
“I see you’ve already bonded,” Aaron said, his gaze flitting to the green knots and lines that wrapped around her wrists. “Congratulations, to you both. Finding a mate is the most fulfilling experience in life…besides having children of course.” He winked and flashed a smile that reminded her of Jared. “Tonya and the rest of the family are looking forward to meeting you, Elise. Please come by soon for a meal once you and Jared are settled together.” He dropped her gaze and caught Jared’s. “I have a feeling you’re both still trying to find your footing after a whirlwind weekend.”
“Thank you,” Jared said, his deep voice carrying tones of gratefulness. “We will.”
Aaron nodded and walked to the door.
She and Jared followed him out onto the porch, watching as he got in his truck and drove away.
“Is everything okay?” she asked softly.
“Everything is perfect. Now I’m going to take you upstairs and investigate those naughty feelings you were having earlier.” He leaned down and put his shoulder against her stomach, lifting her from the ground like she weighed nothing at all.
“You can’t possibly know what I was thinking!” she squealed as he bounded up the stairs to the second floor, two steps at a time.
“I’ll find out, love. Even if it takes all day and into the night.” A rush of love and adoration bathed her soul.
In less than three days, Elise had found everything she’d ever wanted. Fate truly had come through for her. Jared may have won the bid that started this adventure, but she’d won what really counted.
She had a man who treasured her and somewhere she could finally call home.
Forever.
From The Author
I hope you enjoyed TO WIN A MATE!
TO FIND A MATE, the next book in Somewhere, TX will be released in Jan 2016.
Thank you for spending time with me in my world. I hope you will continue to visit. If you would take the time to leave a review for my book, I would be very grateful.
XOXO
Krystal Shannan
Be sure to pick up TEXAS SUNRISE, the first box set for Somewhere, TX —for more great books set in Somewhere, TX from the other Chick Tales authors! All our novels in the series have character crossovers. Get to know the town and the people that live there! We know you will love them.
Find us @ www.chicktalesink.com
www.krystalshannan.com
CLICK HERE!
If you enjoyed the book you just read, you might like some of her other titles as well.
Other Books By Krystal Shannan
Sanctuary Texas, in series order...
My Viking Vampire
My Dragon Masters
My Eternal Soldier
My Warrior Wolves (Dec 2015)
Vegas Mates, in series order…
Chasing Sam
Saving Margaret
Waking Sarah
Taking Nicole
Unwrapping Tess
(Somewhere TX) VonBrandt Family, in series order…
To Save A Mate
To Love A Mate
Pool of Souls, in series order…
Open House
Finding Hope
Stand Alone
Morgan’s Match
Looking for something in the contemporary romance genre?
Take a look at my catalog under the name Emma Roman for books without magick.
The MacLaughlin Family, in series order…
Trevor
Caiden
Harvey
Lizzy
&n
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To Win A Mate (A Western Shapeshifter Werewolf Romance): Somewhere Texas Saga (VonBrandt Family Book 3) Page 5
