A Mate Beyond Their Reach Read Online Free PDF Page B

actions. “I’m going to pack,”
    he told Trent. Without another word, he rushed off into the house.

    * * * *

    Trent watched his mate go with a mix of hope, arousal, and confusion. Drew seemed to be attracted to him, and his trust in Trent had been an unexpected gift. But Drew was also a doctor, a man of logic, and when his mind cleared up of the shock, the doubts would emerge.
    Trent himself still couldn’t fathom what he’d do about a human mate. He hoped that once he got Drew to safety, he’d manage to contact his family. They might know more, and their influence could keep Drew safe.
    He’d never expected meeting his mate in such circumstances.
    Usually, spirit wolves arranged special meetings for such things, but Trent had never found anyone with such an instant connection to him amongst his kin. He wondered how he’d explain it.
    It didn’t matter anymore. He’d find a way to make it work. Even if he couldn’t claim Drew, they could perhaps try a relationship the human way—assuming, of course, Drew even wanted to.
    Sighing, Trent forced himself to proceed with his gruesome task.
    He couldn’t exactly leave them in the center of Drew’s lawn. Besides, even if the feral virus could only spread through the bite, Trent’s kin never tested whether a dead body could infect an animal that accidentally ate from it.
    He carried the bodies to the back of the house and dug a deep hole. After dumping them inside, Trent said a small prayer to the Spirit Mother. Perhaps these ferals once had a soul before the virus drove them mad. He hoped the Spirit Mother would help them find their way back into the light.
    He covered the grave with dirt and camouflaged it as best he could. When he finished, he heard a car approach. It could be anyone.
    Even if he hadn’t mentioned it to Trent, he knew the humans must have heard the bullet shower. He padded back toward the front of the lawn and peeked out. It was Dan’s car, with Paulie in the backseat.
    Dan parked and turned toward Paulie. “Stay inside,” the human said.
    The teenager protested, but Dan silenced him with merely a hand gesture. The human left the vehicle and went around the car. He opened the trunk and after some rummaging, retrieved some clothes.
    To Trent’s surprise, Dan then headed straight toward him. As soon as he reached Trent, Dan tossed him the clothes. “Here. This isn’t some porn movie. That kid is far too young to watch you wandering around with your family jewels for everyone to see.”
    For the first time, Trent admitted Dan might be right about something. After all, Paulie wasn’t a wolf. Unlike his kin, humans weren’t comfortable with nudity. So Trent acknowledged Dan’s offer with a simple “thank you,” took the clothes, and silently put them on.
    They were a little tight, but other than that, fit him quite well.
    “Did anyone alert the authorities?”
    Dan nodded. “The neighbors did hear. I phoned the sheriff and said some vandals came, but I chased them off. Still, he should be arriving in fifteen minutes or so.”
    “We can’t afford the delay. We have to go now.”
    “All the arrangements are made,” Dan answered. “Once Drew is ready we can be off.”
    Trent narrowed his eyes at the human. Something didn’t quite fit in his opinion. Dan obviously didn’t like him, and yet the man seemed to admit the necessity of leaving. “Why are you suddenly being so agreeable?”
    Dan shrugged, but Trent felt the discomfort behind the gesture. He sniffed around the human. Something was different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but Dan had changed somehow.
    Before Trent could figure it out, Drew exited the house. His eyes went to Trent first, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
    Trent felt his mate’s arousal skyrocket again. Dan’s clothes must look better on Trent than he’d originally thought.
    Paulie chose this particular moment to disobey Dan and leave the car. “Dad, you’re all right. Thank God.”