ChangingPaths Read Online Free PDF Page B

out?” Keme jerked his head toward the
sweat lodge and they started walking back toward the house, skirting the very
edge of the trimmed lawn.
    “Never really been.”
    “A bunch of us, guys and girls, meet up one weekend a month
and camp out by the lake. You could come next time we go if you want.”
    “I don’t know.” They walked silently for a few minutes and
then she looked toward the house. “Crap.”
    “What is it?”
    “My mom. She totally freaks when she sees me talking to
guys. Look, I’ve got to go.”
    “Okay. No sweat. If your mom decides to enroll you at the
school in town, maybe I’ll see you there. I have a car so I can drive you if
you want. It’s way better than riding the stupid bus.”
    “I don’t know what she’s planning. I have to go.”
    “It’s cool, Rain. I’ll see you around.” Keme waved toward
the house and she turned to see that Aunt Willow had joined her mom on the back
porch. Keme had already disappeared into the trees, so she took a deep breath
and headed back to the house. Might as well get the inquisition over with.

Chapter Three
     
    Gareth woke with a jerk. Some sound, some scent that he
should recognize teased at his nose…what the hell? Then he heard the sound
again but the wind carried the smell away. Someone was walking around outside
his cabin.
    Rolling out of bed, he cursed when his feet hit the cold
floor. Grabbing the jeans he’d discarded on the floor last night, he pulled
them on. Yanking a sweatshirt off a hook, he shrugged into it. With one sleeve
of the shirt turned inside out causing him to pull harder, he slipped his feet
into an ancient pair of sheepskin-lined moccasins. Looking out the front door,
he waited. Like any other hunter, he knew the value of patience. Whoever was
moving around out there would soon come into view.
    He didn’t have any appointments. And he sure as hell hadn’t
invited anyone over. Could be the three Betas ready to fuck with him again.
They’d done it once since Micah had left. They’d been sent packing with their
tails between their legs, not to mention a few new injuries. He hadn’t escaped
unhurt, but it had been worth it. They’d not challenged him again.
    There. Movement just at the edge of the drive that led to
the main road. A flash of red in the trees. There was someone out there. Whoever
it was stayed upwind, so he couldn’t catch the signature. Opening the door, he
stepped out onto the porch. He didn’t realize he was holding his breath until
it escaped in relief as Talia emerged, closely followed by Olivia, wearing a
sling-looking thing.
    Grinning, he started to move toward them then remembered he
wasn’t wearing his patch. Cursing under his breath, he raked his hair over his
face to hide his ruined eye. Talia was used to his eyepatch now but she’d never
seen him without it. If he had his way she never would.
    “Gareth!” she shouted and broke into a run. He jumped off
the porch to meet her and swung her around, keeping his head turned so she
couldn’t see his scars. “I missed you!”
    He laughed at her. She said that every time.
    “I missed you too, Little Bit. It’s been a whole week since
we had dinner after the Gathering. Tell me more about your trip to New Orleans,
did you have fun?”
    “Yes. Uncle Frank took me to Café Du Monde and Aunt Julia
took me to the Mardi Gras Museum and I met so many new people! The Compound
Pack is growing. Uncle Frank says pretty soon it’ll be the biggest Pack in all
of Louisiana!”
    He listened to the rest of her chatter as Olivia reached
him. Nodding in respect, he stepped aside slightly so she could precede him
into the house. Talia still held his hand as they went inside. He almost wished
they had called first. Not that his place was messy but he could at least have
started the fire so it would be nice and warm.
    As they took off their jackets and Olivia put Miakoda down
on the soft rug by the fireplace, he took a brief detour to the bedroom to grab
his