A Mate's Wish (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 0.5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

a week. You’ve got to talk to her, Renner, get her to stay.”
    Renner chuckled, sadly. He wanted to cry but he never did that. The last time had been at his mother’s funeral. “I’d love to, but she won’t listen to me. She’s hurt. If I talk to her, she’ll run.”
    Magic ran a thumb over his bottom lip.
    “I’ll do it,” Layna said. “Let me talk to her.”
    Magic nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
    Renner turned to leave. He needed to change. Run. Climb. He needed to be his animal for a while. The panther could deal with these fucked up emotions. It was only fair.
    “Ren,” Magic said, stopping him with his hand on the door.
    “Yeah?”
    “You can’t…” He stopped, but Renner knew what the rest of the sentence was. Have her .
    “I know.”
    He slammed the door a little too hard as he walked out. Stalking past the front doors, he barely made it to the edge of the woods before he busted through his clothes with the change, giving his worries over to his cat.

Chapter Four
    Beth shuffled into an empty room at the spa, exhausted. She’d made it through her first client but she’d need a caffeine IV to get through the entire day. Sleep had been elusive last night, and her nerves were on edge, wondering when or if she’d run into Renner again.
    Then there was the job. She hated leaving it. Magic paid her well, and she was still paying off student loans. And her car. And Josie’s car.
    Damn it. What was she going to do?
    It was the busiest shopping season of the year. Surely she could find a job in retail. Then in the spring, she’d find another resort in need of her services. She’d make it work. She had to. Staying here would only bring heartache.
    Beth brought her fingers gingerly to her lips. Renner’s kiss was like a brand. It didn’t want to go away. Even now, twelve hours later, she could still feel the sensation of his lips, the scruff of his day’s beard growth, the gentle hands on her face…
    A knock sounded on the door before it opened slightly, a blond capped head peeking around. “I’m doing yoga in five. On the terrace,” Christina said.
    Beth nodded.
    “You okay?”
    “Yeah, fine.” Beth feigned a smile. “Just tired. Didn’t sleep well last night.”
    “Do you need some time? I can get Mason to run the front.”
    “No, no. I’m fine. Really.”
    “You sure?”
    Beth nodded. “Sure.”
    Christina checked her watch. “Okay, then. I’m out. See you later.”
    Beth waived Christina off and made her way to the front desk. Her next appointment wasn’t until eleven thirty. She thought about calling her mom and telling her what had happened. Or even Ryan. Surely they’d want to know what happened to Renner.
    The spa door opened and Layna walked through. She and Renner had the same dark golden skin and dark hair. Even their eyes were similar. Except Renner’s were a deeper blue.
    Renner’s sister approached the counter, resting her elbows on the polished wood. She stared at Beth but didn’t speak.
    “He told you.”
    “Question is why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Tell you your brother used to live with me when I was ten? And then what? Beg you not to tell him who I was? No thanks. I wanted to ignore that little confrontation as long as I could.” Beth busied herself shuffling papers and stacking them in the corner.
    “So you’re quitting because Renner found out who you are?”
    “Shh. I haven’t told Christina yet.”
    “Yeah, well I had to hear it from Magic. So. You have some explaining to do.”
    Beth sighed, staring at her friend. “It’s hard to explain, okay? We… he… there’s history between us.”
    Layna crossed her arms, canting her head. “Oh, yes. I’m aware of that.”
    “You are?”
    “Of course. I know all about Bethy. Bethy this, Bethy that, Bethy hangs the fucking moon and shits stars. That’s you, right?” She gave an amused laugh.
    “What are you talking about? Renner never thought anything like that about me. He…” Beth’s voice choked