Natural Born Enemies (Cedar River Series) Read Online Free PDF

attention when you’re in these woods, Adam.”
    Ana sat on me, her puma eyes laughing at me. I nipped at her. She got off and I began to run. Gods, it felt good to be free. The scent of pine lingered in the air. The musty leaf-covered ground was under my feet, beckoning me to run harder. I could hear Ana behind me as she chased me. Beside the lake, I stopped to enjoy the breeze. Ana butted her head under my chin and I rubbed my head against hers. It is the puma way of comforting one another. Side by side, we walked back to the tree line where we shifted and dressed.
    “How are you, Adam?” Ana asked. “I mean, how are you really? None of this ‘I’m fine. Everything’s fine’ bullshit.”
    I laughed. Ana is not one to mince words.
    “Rock McIntyre came by the sheriff’s department this morning. He made threats which, I hope, are empty. He threatened to disown Luna. With one word, it would make her prey for any wolf pack out there. I have to find a way to keep her safe.”
    Ana cringed, “Rock would really endanger his own daughter’s life? I can’t imagine it is normal fatherly behavior.”
    “You have to look at Rock as the biggest bully on the playground. He thinks he owns Cedar River and everyone in it. He was in my face, screaming at me. Telling me how he would have my badge and all this bullshit. Bowie came out of his office and kicked Rock out. Bowie showed the old wolf exactly who was boss. I will admit it was fun to see.”
    Ana chuckled, “That’s my man. It seems like Rock McIntyre needs to be put in his place. I’ve been hearing whispers around town that there is another wolf jockeying for alpha position of his pack. I wonder if this could be behind the sudden show of force.”
    I had heard the same rumblings, but I hadn’t added them up. “Could be. Of course, Luna coming out to my house for dinner was what tipped the scales, I’m afraid.”
    Ana grinned, “So?”
    I smiled back at her. “So what? We had dinner. Two old friends sitting down to a meal together, is that really a big deal?”
    Ana winked, “Was it just dinner or was there something more?”
    “You are worse than your husband. Both of you are as nosey as two old biddies.”
    Ana nudged me in the side with her shoulder. “There was more than dinner, wasn’t there?”
    “I never kiss and tell,” I said as I climbed the steps to the Golden’s porch.
    “I’ll sic Bowie on you,” she said with a giggle.
    “Bigger men than Bowie Golden have tried to break me and failed.”
    Ana was laughing as she sat down to breakfast.
    Breakfast at the Golden’s house is an affair. From the meal to the conversation, a person never left unsatisfied.
    As I said my goodbyes and promised to visit more often, Mama G. passed me a pan of cinnamon buns and a plate of steak and eggs.
    “The steak and eggs goes to Bowie, but the cinnamon buns are for you, sweetie. I’ve also heard the little wolf you’re seeing may have a bit of a sweet tooth.”
    “Yeah, I’ve heard the same thing, Mama,” I said before kissing her cheek and going back to work.

***
     
    Bowie was in his office when I returned to the office. “It’s about damn time you got back here.”
    I peeled the foil off the plate of steak and eggs.
    “Oh gods! Mom sent breakfast. Ooh, she made cinnamon rolls, too?”
    I tucked the rolls into my desk drawer. “Those are for me and this little wolf I’m seeing, according to your mom. The eggs and steak are all yours though.”
    “Son of a bi-,” he said as he dug into his breakfast.
    “I’m going to go on foot patrol. See what kind of trouble is afoot in our town.”
    Bowie waved me off with one not-so-polite finger.
    I felt so much better after my shift and run in the woods. The fog was still hanging around, even here in town. The sun was trying to break through the denseness, but the town had an eerie feel to it this afternoon. Samson was waiting for a cup of coffee as I walked by. “Good afternoon, Samson,” I said, “Is