What a Wolf Wants (Black Hills Wolves Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Skinning and gutting the animals wasn’t pretty work.
    “No, go rest in front of the fire.” He gentled his tone as much as he was able, but instead of doing as he’d told her, she hesitated.
    “I looked around for you when I woke, and you weren’t here.” Reproach, but also a hint of fear. “You were gone. I got worried.” More fear.
    Scowling, Ryker set aside the organs to make a stew. He would scrape the skins first then set them to cure before washing up. Behind him, the sour scent of her anxiety continued to increase.
    “I would have called someone about the car. But you don’t have a phone. Or a TV. Or power.” Her tone wobbled. She shifted from foot to foot. Folding her arms, she hugged herself then shuddered. When he’d returned, he’d let in a lot of cold air, so the kitchen wasn’t warm.
    Leaving the meat on the counter, he turned, scooping her up from her uneasy position. Carrying her back to the fireplace, he settled her back in the chair then wrapped the blanket around her once more. Eyes rounded, she scooted toward the edge of the seat.
    “Stay.” He planted a hand on either arm of the chair, boxing her in. “You’re cold. Stubborn is admirable. Stupid isn’t.”
    Her mouth opened then snapped shut—a state she managed for less than thirty seconds. Defiance filled her eyes as she pushed toward him, fighting her own unease to meet him nose-to-nose. “You can’t hold me prisoner.”
    Pure challenge.
    She’s human .
    Human or not, the challenge spurred his Wolf. He flexed his hands, mindful of the fact she was no physical threat whatsoever. “You’re not a prisoner.” If she would simply cooperate, rest, eat, and stay warm, she would be on her way with another story to tell shortly.
    Her forehead wrinkled into a scowl. “Then, why does it feel like I am?”
    Giving her inquiry due consideration, Ryker studied the woman in front of him. Her ferocity wasn’t all façade. Fear edged her scent but faded the longer he stood there. The muskier notes of her arousal deepened. The best he could come up with was a question. “Do you really feel like one?”
    Wolves were easier to deal with.
    “Kind of.” But she hesitated, easing away slowly until she curled back in the chair. The retreat wasn’t fleeing but more adjusting her position. “I don’t know you. I’m more than a little stranded. With the storm out there…. God, this is going to sound so stupid.” She bit down on her lower lip, and her knuckles went white where he could see them.
    Anxiety along with fright continued to eddy beneath the rest, a darker miasma that he disliked intensely. It made him edgy, encouraging an urge to slaughter whatever was upsetting her grew with each passing moment.
    “I’m caged with a stranger. I get it. You’re trapped with the lady you were just trying to help. But try seeing it from my perspective….”
    Impossible. He wasn’t human—but she didn’t know what he was. If someone trapped him, he’d kill them to escape.
    Except Magnum . The single name carried with it all the years of being forced to act against his conscience—against his own will. He’d been a captive to a blood oath. While he’d done everything he could, he’d failed to free himself. Failed his pack.
    “Then you get all dark and broody. FYI not really making me feel better.” Her words penetrated the haze of fury conjured by the memory.
    “Saja.” He sighed then scrubbed a hand over his face.
    “Wow, you haven’t known me a whole day, and you already sound like one of my parents.” A hint of laughter took any sting out of the words.
    He wasn’t a father. A father wouldn’t be focused on the sharp notes in her arousal or how they kept growing despite her upset.
    “You’re not a prisoner.” Leaning to the side, he plucked her gun out of the purse then laid it in her lap. She blinked down at the weapon. Her stomach gurgled.
    Sparing a brief smile at the sound, he caught her hand while trying to ignore the zing