Heart of the Wolf Read Online Free PDF Page B

A cab veered in his direction, but he waved it off. His car was parked down the block, but he needed to move, needed to work off this rage if he was going to be any good to anyone, including himself. If he’d been anywhere but this fucking city, he’d shift and let his wolf run it off. But that wasn’t an option tonight. Maybe he could find a bar somewhere, preferably one with patrons who enjoyed a good brawl. He glanced around, taking in Kathryn’s upscale neighborhood. Not much chance of a good bar fight around here.
    He started toward his car, swearing softly. She’d been right about her father, though he’d never admit it. The Alpha hadn’t said it so crudely, but the promise had been there when they spoke on the phone.
    Clear this up and welcome to the family, Renjiro.
    It was typical Dom politics. Ren hadn’t been idle during his years of exile. He’d built a reputation for himself in Europe . He was well respected, especially among those younger wolves who were tired of the old alphas calling all the shots. Wolves lived a long time, and there were many who had no intention of waiting for Dom or the other alphas to die before striking out on their own.
    Dominick Bartek had finally called Ren back to the U.S. precisely because old Avinger had died. He probably thought to bind Ren, and hence his followers, to the status quo by giving him Kathryn, just as he’d promised years ago. That someone was now trying to kill her only made it easier for the Alpha to bring Ren into the picture. Too bad he hadn’t checked with Kathryn first.
    Ren sighed and kept moving. Easy for Kathryn to talk about taking her money and walking away from the clan. She was all but gone already. It wasn’t that easy for him. He had family and friends, people who counted on him, and all of them tied to the wolf clans. Whether Kathryn wanted Ren here or not, he’d have to find a way to settle this to Dom’s satisfaction, which meant finding whoever was trying to kill Kathryn and shutting them down.
      He beeped his locks open and stepped into the street, his boots sinking into dirty slush. The snow was coming down harder than ever. He really had to get out of this fucking city.

Chapter Six

    “Kathryn? Everything all right?”
    It was Tommy. Decent, loyal Tommy who was more than half in love with her. Maybe the only person in her life these days whom she could count on completely. Her eyes filled with tears, and she brushed them away impatiently. This wasn’t like her. She had no room for self-pity. Such weakness had been burned out of her long ago—along with every other useless emotion.
    “Yes. Thank you, Tommy,” she said. “I’m just a little tired, I think.” She stood up, automatically brushing her hands down the front of her wool slacks, straightening her sweater. Preston had always hated it when she looked wrinkled. “I was thinking we’d leave for the country tonight after dinner rather than waiting until the full moon. It looks like a storm’s building, and I don’t want to get trapped here in the city.”
    Tommy frowned, which was odd. He never disagreed with her on anything. “That Mr. Roesner said you should stay here, Kathryn. I don’t like the guy, but I gotta worry when he says that. Let me talk to him first, make sure it’s safe.”
    Kathryn felt the chains of Clanhome tightening around her once again, trying to drag her back in now that Preston was gone. This was only the beginning. Her father had sent Ren first, but he would reach out personally soon. She couldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t. But there was no way she could explain all of that to Tommy.
    “I’m going to lie down,” she said instead. “Tell Marla not to make a fuss about dinner. I’ll come to the kitchen later.”

    * * * *

    Kathryn closed the bedroom door behind her. She didn’t bother to undress, just kicked off her shoes and lay down on the big bed, pulling the silken throw up from the foot until it covered her completely.