Claimed by the Mate, Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

to stick around.”
    â€œI don’t see that as a problem for you. I think you look pretty amazing.” He gave her a long look when what he really wanted to do was pull her into his arms, hold her against his chest so he could feel those full, tantalizing breasts, bury his hands in her beautiful dark hair. And kiss her. Kiss those luscious lips, nibble on her throat—tell her what he was, that he already knew she was perfect for them.
    That he and Cain wanted her as their mate.
    Except that wasn’t going to happen—couldn’t happen, at least not yet—though he loved the way she blushed over his simple observation.
    They stood there, leaning against the deck, just talking. She told him a little about her life in San Francisco, he told her about going to college in Southern California and getting his degree in architecture, how he’d been asked to design the resort when Trak decided he wanted to build one on the preserve. Cherry seemed interested in everything. She was easy to talk to, with a sense of humor that synced way too closely with his.
    He’d never met a woman before that he’d felt this comfortable with so quickly. He wondered what Cain thought of her, if he’d had time even to form an opinion.
    He sensed movement, and turned just as Cain stepped out of the forest. He wore his faded blue jeans, beat-up moccasins, and no shirt. Brad knew the exact moment when Cherry noticed him walking toward the lodge.
    Her heart rate picked up and the sweet scent of her arousal filled the air. He’d sensed it a while ago when he’d walked out onto the deck, and now for Cain? This was looking better by the moment.
    â€œHey, Cain. I wondered when you’d show up. Where’ve you been?”
    â€œChecking on the den by the creek. Mama wolf has three beautiful new pups. Two females and a male.”
    â€œReally?” Cherry’s eyes actually sparkled. “Did you see them?”
    â€œI did, sweet Cherry.” He took the steps up to the deck two at a time and stopped in front of Cherry. He looked to Brad and they shared a look; sometimes it was like Cain could read his mind. “I might even tell you about their birth and my heroic, lifesaving rescue … for a kiss.”
    â€œA kiss?”
    Her eyes went wide. Brad inhaled the addictive scent of her arousal. From the look of surprise on Cain’s face, he’d caught it, too.
    â€œJust a simple kiss,” he said. Then he leaned close and kissed her before she had time to duck, even if she’d wanted to. Brad didn’t think she wanted to miss Cain’s kiss, but he couldn’t help throwing a rather possessive arm around her waist.
    She gave him a sidelong glance that told him she knew exactly what he was doing, but she smiled.
    Cherry was smiling, and Brad was falling hard and fast. But what if she wasn’t right for them? What if he was reading all the signs wrong? It wasn’t as if they’d had much contact with human women or even mated couples. Even in the old days, mated members of the pack lived in their own communities, raising their sons and doing their best to fit into the human population. That left the single males on their own. Now, except for a few much older mated couples, the guys here—both young and old— were all that were left of the Trinity Alps pack. Single males, surrounded by a whole pack of other single males.
    â€œThank you, Cheraza.” Cain stepped back after their kiss and leaned on the railing beside Brad. “I helped her deliver the first pup. It wasn’t ready to leave such a nice, warm place.”
    Cherry sighed, but Brad caught Cain’s fear, the sense that if he’d not been there, they might have lost the pup, possibly the mother, and the entire litter. “She okay?”
    Cain nodded. “She’ll be fine. The pups look good.” Frowning, he said, “I did a little chest compression and mouth-to-snout