A Taste for a Mate Read Online Free PDF Page A

herself and curled into a ball. Suddenly the door broke away from its hinges and flew across the room. She gasped in terror.
    “Willow.” Her name was a growl but relief flooded through her.
    Jasper .
    He came.
    “Willow. Oh baby. Let me get you unchained.” Jasper knelt down and brushed his hand against the bruises on her face. Unwillingly, she at flinched, and he froze. Cursing under his breath, he growled again before reaching for her chains.
    The sound of metal crunching and grating hurt her ears, but Jasper removed the cuffs from her wrists and ankles. Her skin prickled, and pain shot up her arm as the blood flowed freely again. She moaned and bit her lip.
    “I know it hurts Wil, but let me get this collar off you and then I’ll take you home. I’m so sorry baby, I…” He choked off the last words as tears fell from his eyes.
    He was crying for her? He couldn’t be all that bad for a werewolf.
    “I’m going to put my shirt around you and then pick you up. It’s going to hurt, Wil, so brace yourself.” His eyes, still glassy from unshed tears, gazed into hers.
    Jasper laid his shirt over her, tucking it around her. Pain shot through her body as he gently, oh so gently, cradled her nearly clad body to his chest. His lips caressed her forehead, and he took a ragged breath.
    “Let’s go home, baby. Reed, go start the car and, North, I want you in the back with us to check her when we head out. Adam, make sure you stay behind us and watch our backs.”
    Willow finally noticed the three men that joined them in her cell. Even in the dark, she could tell they were Jasper’s brothers. The same green eyes filled with looks of pure anger stared back at her. The one called Reed was much skinnier with sandy blond hair. He nodded once and lowered his gaze before jogging out of the room.
    From the corner of her eye she recognized Adam. He’d come into her shop with Jasper a couple of mornings, but he’d kept his distance, much like he was doing now. Willow strained her neck to see the last brother, North, who also looked like Jasper but with less muscles and dark blond hair. He seemed to be checking her body for injuries from across the room, and with each surveying glance, the anger in his eyes intensified. Though deep down she knew the anger wasn’t directed at her, she still shuddered and buried her face into Jasper’s chest. He smelled of forest and man, yet underneath, there was another scent – wolf.
    Jasper held her closer and rubbed his cheek across the top of her head. She could feel the beat of his heart against her cheek, and as his breathing slowed, so did hers. Jasper would protect her. She had to believe that.
    “I’m taking you home, Wil.” When he took a step toward the door, she winced, and he froze.
    “Did I hurt you? What can I do?”
    She shook her head and shivered. It hurt all over, but being in his arms was worth it. He hadn’t told her how he’d got here, and she didn’t want to face what was out there.
    Jasper’s grip tightened for only a fraction of a second before it loosened. “They aren’t out there, Wil. They were gone when we got here. I think they knew we were coming and left you here for dead.” They bsuroth winced at the truth of the statement. “We can talk more once I get you home, baby. Okay?” She nodded against his chest as he followed North to Jasper’s Jeep, Adam close behind.
    Willow had almost fallen asleep in Jasper’s arms when they stopped suddenly. Jasper’s growl vibrated against her cheek. She looked up, and her heart stopped. They were surrounded by wolves and men – at least thirty bodies. Panic crawled up from her toes as she opened her mouth to scream. Only Jasper’s voice prevented her.
    “Don’t make a sound. They can hear even your heartbeat. I will protect you. We all will.”
    A cackle of the most grotesque sort swept through the surrounding forest.
    “I wouldn’t be so sure, Beta. You will not live past the hour.” The deep voice