by J. K Harper
And maybe, just maybe, she was ready to start to reach out to him. Her mate.
She could always retreat to the mountain or the canyons again if she needed to.
Yes. Whenever I want, her human whispered. But I'm alone. And I miss him.
Feeling her heart gently tug her along, Claire moved with quicker and quicker steps back home.
***
For over a month, Tate threw himself into his ramped up Guardian duties and his horse training as winter slowly bore down on them. Nothing else existed, although he regularly checked on Claire after the first few weeks. Before that, she was simply gone. He knew she was most likely still in wolf form, god knew where out in the canyons. The only thing that helped his composure was that she had indeed fared just fine this far into her life without him, and she could manage a little more.
Later, when she finally, finally picked up the phone one day and called him herself, he was already heading to his truck to drive out there before she'd uttered more than hello.
“Not yet,” she'd said as soon as she heard his diesel engine roar to life. Her voice had sounded rusty with disuse, and he knew he'd been right that she'd spent the far too many days out of contact with him as her wolf. “Please. But you can call me whenever you need, okay?”
He would take what he could get. She let him call her, she talked to him, she texted him. She even lightly teased him sometimes on the phone. But every time he pushed just a little, asking if he could make her dinner, asking if she wanted to see a movie in town, asking if she wanted to go horseback riding again, Claire did the equivalent of turning her back on him, looking out toward some freedom he apparently couldn't match. Each time, he tried to remember his own theories on allowing space and forced himself to back off.
Not pushing her was the hardest thing he'd ever done. His packmates tiptoed around him, with the exception of Lily, of course. She actually chattered on so much around him he finally implored Kieran to do something to hush her up. Kieran, of course, laughed and shook his head, saying, “No way, man. That's a little too dangerous for me. She's just worried about you,” he added, looking away as soon as he said it and seeming ready to flee himself. Male bonding over almost as soon as it started, Kieran then said, “Well, I gotta get in more training time on the mat later today. You in?”
Tate had never before taken great pleasure in sparring with his fellow Guardians. But as it turned out, it was an excellent antidote to help soothe the raging emotions inside.
He avoided going to the cells in the basement, where the rogues were being held. He couldn't deal with them unless he was sure his newfound aggressions wouldn't encourage him to tear into them in a way that would make matters worse. His wolf strongly disagreed with that, countering that they needed a good beating or twenty, but Tate managed to hold firm.
At least each time he talked to Claire, he sensed the mood lightening, becoming more and more teasing, more and more relaxed. As long as he didn't bring up the pack too often, and she didn't bring up her need for total freedom too often.
Finally, finally, things changed for the better one weekend afternoon. Tate had just stepped out of the den shower after a light patrol on the property, during which he'd been training two of the younger pack members who were hoping to one day become full-fledged Guardians. Despite first feeling uncertain whether new responsibilities like that would cut into his still beloved horse training time, as it turned out, he was a natural trainer of shifters as well as equines.
His wolf shook his head at Tate's silliness and turned his back in some disgust at his apparent lack of knowledge about that obvious truth. When the phone buzzed with a text from Claire, though, his wolf leaped so hard into the front of his mind he staggered.
Come over? He could sense the shift in her tone even through her text. Please? I'm sorry it took me so long.
He was formulating just the right reply, one that was eager without being pushy, when his phone buzzed again.
I have to admit it. I miss you like crazy.
He was pretty sure he broke every speed limit on the nearly two-hour-long drive. Claire, his beautiful, wild mate, met him at her front door, which looked different.
“I bought a security system for the house,” she said, smiling a little nervously. He'd almost forgotten how incredibly beautiful she was. His wolf strained, desperate to stride through the doorway and swing her up into his arms. “Even a new, reinforced door. Since this is my home, and I'm not leaving it.” She leveled a look at him, but the smile was still there. “Not just yet, that is.”
Tate threw up his hands, his laugh suddenly finding its way back to him. It felt like he had barely even smiled in the last five weeks, let alone laughed. “Definitely not, my gorgeous wild wolf.” Her clear green eyes slayed him, as did her luminous skin and the long, silver-blond hair that flowed thick and loose around her face and shoulders, cascading down her back.
She looked at him for another moment. Tate realized she was drinking him in the same way he was doing to her. When she spoke, it was only slightly hesitant. “I feel like I can't breathe when you're not here,” she said. “I need to be out there, Tate.” She waved vaguely toward the open lands of the free territory. “But I realized I miss you much more.”
The heart Tate thought he'd left smashed and broken out in the monsoonal desert pumped hard and strong in his chest. “Claire, darlin', I missed you too,” he said in a voice that cracked only very slightly, capturing her eyes with his so she could feel the weight of his words.
“I still don't know how we'll do this,” his mate whispered. “But can we start over?”
Heart battering his ribs in a hopeful syncopation, Tate stared at her.
“What I mean is,” she said, smiling at him a little shyly, “hi. I'm Claire. Claire Amarok, to be exact.”
Tate smiled as she told him what was definitely a wolf name.
Claire smiled back as she firmly added, “And I'm your mate, no matter what that means. We'll figure that part out later. For now...please come inside,” she said, her voice deepening into a husky note that instantly quickened his pulse and sent signals straight to his thoroughly unruly cock, which perked up immediately. Slowly, she backed into the house, inviting him to follow. He did so like she was a magnet, gently pushing the door shut behind him. Without missing a beat, she headed for her bedroom.
Tate already liked the reunion she seemed to have in mind.
“I also bought something you might like, cowboy.” Seduction began to lace her voice, which was swiftly losing its uncertain edge. Tate's eyes went to her hands, which had begun to unbutton her blouse. Backing into her bedroom, she beckoned with one finger for him to follow her.
Like the very obedient mate he was, he complied.
“What did you get, darlin'?” He loved watching her clear green eyes darken as the sweet scent of her arousal wafted to him.
“What every wannabe cowgirl needs to ride. Or so this cowboy I know told me,” she said in a breathy tone. “A pair of leather chaps.”
Tate almost did actually swallow his tongue at that. “Oh?” he managed to get out, sounding only slightly strangled.
“Mmm,” his naughty mate said, pulling off her blouse and unclasping her bra to free those spectacular breasts of hers. “I thought maybe you could show me how to put them on and we could try them out in here.” Reaching down to unzip her jeans, she pushed them down her hips and off, then slipped off her silky red panties. Gesturing behind her, she said, “What do you think?”
Tate looked around her gorgeously naked body to see the pair of brand new black leather chaps lying on her bed. Every thought he had instantly exited his mind, which was suddenly filled only with the image of what Claire would look wearing those chaps—and nothing else.
“Oh, hell yeah, my wild cowgirl mate,” he said, letting his grin break loose across his face as he reached out to scoop her up, giggling madly, and put her on the bed. “I think there's quite a lot I can teach you about riding. What do you s
ay we get started right now?”
Still giggling, Claire looked at him with those smoky green eyes and said, “Absolutely, mate of mine. I'm ready.”
the end
Thank you so much for reading Wild Wolf. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave a review at your favorite online retailer.
What's next? Rogue Wolf, Book 5 in the Black Mesa Wolves series. To find out when it's released, sign up for J.K. Harper's newsletter.
Visit J.K. Harper’s website (http://www.jkharper.com/) for more information about the Black Mesa Wolves and other books.
WILD WOLF
Copyright © March 2015 by J.K. Harper
Cover by LFD Designs
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the copyright owner except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
About J.K. Harper
J.K. Harper writes about paranormal romance because despite a lifetime of wishing, all the cool supernatural book characters of her childhood just don't seem to be real. Besides, it's really fun to make stuff up. She lives in the rugged, gorgeous canyon country of the Southwest, which is a great place to let her imagination run wild.
If you are interested in finding out more about Julie and her latest writing projects, please visit her website: http://www.jkharper.com/
J.K. Harper Books
Guardian Wolf: Black Mesa Wolves #1
Praise for Guardian Wolf:
"The characters of Lily and Kieran are smoking hot and burn the pages with their passion.... If you enjoy shifter romances, then you are going to love Guardian Wolf." -Sizzling Hot Book Reviews
"What a great beginning to a new series.... It packs a wallop that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next one." -Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 Top Pick
“Sexy as hell…. Very gripping can’t wait to read other novels by J.K. Harper.” -Amazon UK reviewer
“Addictive.” -Barnes & Noble Reviewer
“I loved this story and was kept riveted from start to finish. It was brilliant.” -Amazon UK Reviewer
Alpha Wolf: Black Mesa Wolves #2
Praise for Alpha Wolf:
“Great read!!! Overall it was an awesome book.” -Nerd Girl Official Reviews
“I found this book well written with interesting and engaging characters.” -Romancing the Read
“I must say that J. K. Harper has earned full five stars.” -Amazon UK Reviewer
“Rafe and Sara…are awesome characters, and I was totally laughing at some great interactions.” – Goodreads Reviewer
“I loved the way it did not go straight into sex but led up to it. Wonderful hunting scenes from the wolves.” -Amazon Reviewer
Hunting Wolf: Black Mesa Wolves #3
Praise for Hunting Wolf:
"I love her shifter world! She's created a wonderful world and characters that captured my attention from the first chapter and have held it through three books.... This is my favorite in the series so far." -Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 Top Pick
"I have to say the series just keeps getting better and better. Overall this is a great book." -Nerd Girl Official Reviews
"Caleb is the strong, gorgeous, badass and Rielle is the quiet, bookreading historian of the pack, who calms him like no other. This series is a great read for anyone who enjoys paranormal romance." - Bobbi, Amazon reviewer
"So far this is definitely my favorite Black Mesa Wolves book.... I'd definitely recommend to PNR and Shifter lovers." -Lanie, Amazon reviewer
"Just finished reading and wow!! Caleb and Rielle were perfect for each other.... Drama, humor, smexy times with a bit of action." -Dina, Amazon reviewer
The Night Before Christmas: A Black Mesa Wolves Holiday Short Story
Praise for The Night Before Christmas:
“These two characters are perfect for each other... Excellent read.” -Alice, Amazon reviewer
"What a wonderful gift - a fabulous novella! ... A great, quick read in the Black Mesa Wolves series." -cremsing, Amazon reviewer
“I completely enjoy the Black Mesa series and all of its characters.” -Jess, Amazon reviewer
“If you like paranormal romances this book is for you.” -Aleida, Amazon reviewer
“Tie him with a red bow and put him under my tree.” -Linda, Amazon reviewer
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