Lords of the Were Read Online Free PDF Page A

not a big deal among the were. We have to be nude when we shift and we shift all the time. It’s part of who we are. If you hang around us long enough, you’ll get used to our ways.” His smile turned devilish. “Besides, you’ve got nothing to be worried about. You’re gorgeous, little priestess, and believe me, every male were at your ceremony enjoyed seeing your pretty young tits.” Betina smacked his arm and he stepped back playfully. “That’s enough out of you, Rafe. The girl’s already embarrassed enough. Don’t tease her.” Betina turned back to Allie. “Now, are you ready to meet your family?”
    Allie shrugged, though she couldn’t forget that this man, in wolf form, had licked her nipple earlier that night. A shiver raced down her spine that had little to do with fear and much to do with excitement. But she had other things to attend to first. She was eager to meet her long-lost family and at the same time, definitely not looking forward to facing a house full of people who’d seen her naked only an hour before.
    “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
    The same cheer of greeting engulfed them as she and Betty entered the house with Rafael a few minutes later. Betina introduced her to people as they passed in a whirlwind of names and faces, but Betina had a goal and they were making their way towards it. Allie became aware of Tim taking up a position on her other side as Rafe stayed to their right, flanking them as if protecting the two small women making their way through the crowd. Oddly, she felt reassured by the twins’ presence though she’d only just met them both.
    At long last, Betina ushered her into the front room of the house and walked right up to a tall, lanky man who stood in profile. Allie knew instantly this man was her uncle. He had Allie’s same tawny coloring and wavy golden hair. His profile was an older, more masculine version of her own, but when he turned to face her, the delight in his deep golden eyes made her breath catch in her throat. She had blue eyes and softer features, but other than that, she was looking in a slightly distorted, masculine mirror.
    The man drew near with a single bounding step, uncommonly light on his feet. He reached out with one large hand to cup her shoulder.
    “You’re the image of your fathers,” his voice cracked with emotion as he pulled her into his strong arms and hugged her close, “but you have your mother’s eyes. Sweet Allesandra, how we’ve missed you.” Allie felt her heart hinge open and tears rolled down her face as she clung to the older man. He was strong and his arms felt safe and warm, like she imagined her father would have felt had he—no, make that they—lived to raise her.
    “You’re my Uncle Thomas,” Allie whispered softly as she returned his welcoming hug.
    He let her go and held her at arm’s length for a long moment, looking deeply into her eyes. Then he turned her around so she stood in front of him facing the room full of watching were.
    “This woman is blood of my blood. I stand in place of her sires and claim her as my own. I will protect her where my brothers cannot.” A roar of approval met his words and though Allie was still a bit confused, she realized he’d just claimed her publicly. He turned her back around, his enormous strength evident though his touch was gentle.
    “I’m only sorry it’s taken me this long to claim you, Allesandra. I hope you’ll let me stand in for my brothers and think of me as your father, as is traditional among our people.”
    “I have a lot to learn about your ways, but I’d really like that, Uncle Thomas.” Her smile was bright, as were the feelings of belonging that were blooming in her heart.
    “Call me Tio or just Tom, if you like. You’re kin, Allesandra, and you should have been claimed a long time ago. You come to me if you need anything, and I mean anything, all right?” Allie nodded past the lump in her throat, her eyes brimming once more. She could