Full Moon on the Lake Read Online Free PDF Page B

tell none and expected none in return.  Kate looked down at her mug compelled to tell the truth yet, for her own safety, she could not.  Fear rolled around her stomach like an old friend as she tried to think of something to say.  She looked up at Kyla and the other women finally resting on Emily, whose eyes waited patiently for her answer.  Kyla put a reassuring hand on Kate’s arm and looked at her questioningly. Finally, lowering her eyes to stare at her fingers twisting in uncontrolled motionmotion, in a whispered tone filled with fear she said,
    “Kathleen Bentley.” 
    Kate looked up with apologetic and fearful eyes to the stillness in the room at the faces waiting patiently for an explanation. No one said anything just sat waiting for KateKate to explain why she had changed her name; why she was hiding.  Emily drank a sip of coffee watching Kate over the rim of the cup, one eyebrow raised in question when Kate’s eyes met and held hers.
    “He wasn’t the man I thought I’d married, he changed; becoming more violent the longer we were together.”
    She looked to all the women, praying for understanding. Hoping they would forgive her lies. No oneone showed any hint of a judgmental expressions, patience met Kate’s eyeseyes as they waited for her to continue. Kyla patted her arm soothingly, encouraging her to continue.  Unable to tear her eyes from Emily as though compelled to continue, a calmness seemed to fill Kate and she continued.
    “A friend from college had a brother who had died as a baby; it wasn’t hard for us to change a few things on his birth certificate and get a Social Security card to becomebecome the new me.  She supported me mentally, a shoulder to lean on, hiding me for a while, helping me get through the divorce. Garret refused to let me go and fought me the whole time.  He threatened her and had me followed constantly throughout the divorce. He told me I would never leave and he would always find me.” Kate pleaded for understanding.  “So we planned everything, getting my ID changed, buying this place, getting a truck here and then sneaking away in a large crowd to disappear.” Kate finished looking back up hopeful at the women’s expressions.
    Emily’s look had gottengotten her attention when she first spoke, she looked almost ferocious, but it softened as Kate continued explaining, to a look of concern.  “You are protected here and only those in this room will know your real name, as well as the alpha and those on the council. They must know for the protection of the pack. All the women nodded in agreement, as Kyla patted Kate’s hand in support. 
    “There the worst is over now we can talk about your future here.”  Emily continued that matter settled in her mind ending the subject.
    “Umm, Emily?” Kyla started as Kate said, “What are you talking about, my future, where?” 
    Emily looked at Kyla with growing suspicion as Kyla confirmed, “She doesn’t know.”  Emily bowed her head as the other three looked to her and Kate looked at all of them for an explanation.
    Kate stood whispering, her memory of a conversation she had barely understood when she was in a semi-conscious last night came to the fore of her mind. “Pack, Mate, Alpha…Wolf” around her, everything went dark, as everything made sense, and yet did not.  Kyla caught her before her head could hit the floor causing more damage.
    Kyla looking up to the others surrounding her, “Well the wolf is out of the bag now.” and sighed.

3
     
     
    Jacob ran in his wolf form trying to get the rage that was building inside him and the agitated impatience out of his system.  Derrick followed close behind giving him space. When Jacob turned to head back to the cabin, Derrick was there to stop him. Jacob growled to get Derrick to move out of his way, but Derrick stood his ground and growled back.  This was not going to go down easily; Derrick knew this as they stared each other down. Finally, Jacob