A Cougar Among Wolves Read Online Free PDF Page B

Crazy Horse to drag you both home?”
    “Right.” Seth hung his head and gnashed his teeth. “Not another word, Rogue, or I’ll kill you myself.”
    Gee always threw the lingering shame in their faces. It had been six months and Ryker hadn’t trusted them with a single task since—until now. This is a chance to redeem ourselves in the eyes of the pack, if we don’t fuck it up again. Hooking up with the thirty-somethings in Crazy Horse was Rogue’s fine work, and Seth’s stupidity in following his big brother’s compulsive need for adventure. A fifth of rye hadn’t helped their common sense kick in either. The long scar from ten stitches on the back of Seth’s skull should serve as a continual reminder not to get caught up in Rogue’s playboy antics, but, as fate would have it, the one thing they didn’t mind sharing was women.

    ***

    22

    Clad in the jeans, T-shirt, and denim jacket Seth had dropped off for her, Klaya slipped on the hiking boots. The sting in her shoulder intensified as she reached to tighten the second lace. She eased her movements, not eager to repeat the dreadful pain when she’d fastened her bra. Exhaustion saturated her body and mind, to the point numbness had taken every inch of her hostage.
    “So,” a deep gruff voice called out from the doorway of the doctor’s office. “I hear you’re stirring up all kinds of trouble, you little minx.”
    Klaya’s throat grew thick at the familiar sound. “Gee?” She fought the sobs filling her chest and stood to greet her old friend. “Griffith’s…dead.” She shook her head as the words stabbed her heart.
    Gee lumbered toward her. “I know. You’re safe now, girl. We’ve got you.” He wrapped his bulky arms around her and held her tight as she broke down.
    “I couldn’t save him…the things they did to him….” Her head spun with grief and terror all at once.
    “Hey, listen up,” he whispered. “The one thing he always wanted, was for you to be safe. I guarantee if he went down fighting, he wouldn’t have had it any other way. You’re here now. We’re not gonna let anything else happen to you.”
    “Without him, I’m all alone, Gee. He was the only family I had left.”
    “We’re your family now.” Gee was always a security blanket and comrade, as her brother had been. He knew more about her and Griffith than their own people did.
    “Where’s Drew?” She sniffed back tears and eased out of his embrace.
    “You can’t see him yet. Ryker notified him.”
    “Have you come across any others of my Cytaana Clan since we saw you last? Is anyone left?” She searched his face for any sign of hope.
    Gee let out a heavy sigh. “I’ve kept a low profile myself these past years, doll. I haven’t strayed far from the Black Hills. Although I haven’t heard of any of your clan, I wouldn’t rule them out. Survival is the Cytaana strength. Seclusion is their trait. Even if there are any, no one will know unless they seek them out.” He stepped back and met her gaze. “Is that what you want? To find your own people?”
    Klaya paused. She had no clue what she wanted. “I left over twenty years ago….”
    “Right now, the priority is to get you to safety.”
    23

    What he didn’t say told her more. The hunters might still be out there. The thought of the murderous bastards tightened her chest with terror. “I have to leave. I don’t want to put the pack at risk.”
    “It’s okay. We have a plan.” He nodded with assurance. “Finish suiting up and we’ll head to the store for provisions.”
    “Where am I going?” She shrugged and then cringed at the jolt through her traumatized muscles.
    “There’s a special place, secluded, safe, and has everything you need to get past this.”
    He flashed a grin. “Trust me, sweetheart. You will get through this.”
    “You’re one of the few people in this pathetic world I do trust, Gee.” She tucked her chin down. “And Drew, and Griffith….”
    “Hey, don’t give up.