Claiming Ana Read Online Free PDF Page A

and soaked her to the skin. In the distance, she could just barely make out the sound of the tornado sirens going off in town.
    Wonderful.
    Something scuttled across the toe of her boot. She tripped, dropped the ball of light to secure the shotgun. Slipping on the wet grass and mud, she fell flat on her butt with a decidedly loud thump.
    “Oww, geez.”
    She swung her palm around until she pinned the culprit with the light beam. Beady, black eyes stared back at her accompanied by a menacing growl. She screamed in surprise, pointing the shotgun at the animal, which, true to its name, stiffened and keeled over.
    “Stupid possum,” she muttered, reminded of how much she detested the rat-looking creatures.
    Taffy’s worried barking became more insistent. Even from this distance, Ana could hear her scratching at the kitchen door. What in the world was wrong with that dog? She hesitated, torn between continuing her search and seeking shelter. The cold front moving through was wreaking havoc on the trees. Trying to ignore the swaying limbs, she thought about the pine tree lying across her Jeep. The first wave of storms that evening had broken the tree at a point several feet up the trunk, sending it smashing down onto the SUV. Luckily, that was all the damage she’d had so far, but those had only been straight-line winds.
    What she had initially thought was the signal for a tornado watch became a continuous blare, meaning a new tornado warning had been issued. This is ridiculous. I’ve got to get back to the house. She thought about how hard it would be to find someone to clean up the huge pine in the front yard. Pulling herself to her feet, she brushed off her wet jeans and turned to run back to the house. A deep growl echoed through the rain, calling her farther into the woods. An injured animal? I can’t leave it out here to die. Cursing her stupidity, she conjured another light ball and followed the sound into the path of danger.
     

 
    5
     
    Her light skittered off the form of man lying in the brush just inside the forest. Shock rooted her feet as she played the beam of light along a naked flank. Dear God. One more step and she would have walked right on top of him. No doubt about it, the hip belonged to a man, a fully-grown, and completely naked man. Dark hair swept over his cheek. Howl?No, it couldn’t be. Why would he be out here naked?
    The tangy metallic scent of blood hit her nostrils through the smell of rain, right before she saw the dark, ominous stain coating his chest, arm and side. For one long moment she just stared, frozen. Then, a shiver racked the supine form. Even though it was warm outside, the rain was cold. It wouldn’t take long for him to catch a chill from the weather, especially coupled with the blood loss. Rain fell steadily as she gazed down at him. He must be freezing. She knelt and felt his throat for a pulse. There. Faint, but steady. Another shudder rippled through him, involuntarily sparking one of her own.
    He was way too big for her to carry or even drag, but if she could rouse him, then with his help she could get him inside the house. She reached out and touched his shoulder with tentative fingers. Nothing. She took a firmer hold and gave a small shake.
    He woke with a low, feral growl. Turning to her, he bared his teeth.
    “Oh, God, Howl. It is you. What happened?”
    “Hunter. Shot me.” His eyes caught the light of her cold-fire ball and gleamed in the night like something wild.
    Ana could not prevent a small shiver.
    “Help me.” A blood-streaked hand snaked out and wrapped roughened fingers around her ankle. He appeared to be in good physical shape, other than the gunshot wound.
    She twisted her foot out of his grasp. That she could easily break his grip told her how weak he must be. “I’m trying. I need to get you inside. It’s not far.” She spoke in a soothing tone. The same one she used with her four-legged patients. “Can you walk? I’ll help you.”
    “I