Free Untamed Wolf by Heather Long Page A

have plenty of food.”
    “I can’t—” Wow, he wanted to feed her until she was full. She was used to eating what she needed to get by. Nothing more, and sometimes—too many times—a lot less. “I can’t put you out that way.”
    His growl sent a frisson of panic and more sensuous racing through her blood. One look at his golden glare and her wolf’s hackles rose, but neither she nor her wolf liked their chances against the ferociousness in his eyes. Power seemed to pulse around him.
    “Or I can be a gracious guest, and just say thank you.” Retreat proved to be the best option. His snarl vanished, and his face relaxed. His kind expression and soft blue eyes provided succor to her apprehension. “So—thank you?”
    “You’re very welcome.” He took a bite of his, then reached over to stroke Mama’s head, the slow caress of his hand mirrored in action what she’d experienced when he’d run his fingers through her hair. Mama settled, her eyes slitting in calm bliss and she dozed.
    Had Dylan soothed her the same way? When the weight of his watchful gaze roamed over her, she took another bite. She far preferred his favor to his growl. The heat between her thighs, however, made her question the assessment.
    Maybe she liked his growl, too.
    Daring a look at him while he seemed distracted by his food was a mistake. His nostrils flared and the tingling in her middle had her sex clenching.
    Oh.
    She liked him. That could be a problem.

Chapter 5
    O utside , the wind’s howl increased in volume. Mama lifted her head from her wiggling pup. The cub didn’t seem any worse for wear. Crouching close, Dylan stroked between Mama’s ears then down her side to her flank. Her back legs stretched, then she snapped her teeth toward his fingers—a warning. Dylan rubbed her ears. “I know, Mama. You don’t want to be bothered. Stand up for me in a bit and show me those legs still work.”
    He’d call Emma as soon as the phones could get a signal. The landline was down, too. Probably lost the phone when the power cut out. The generator let them use some of the appliances. Mama ate two of the raw steaks happily. Her satisfaction seemed nearly as deep as Chrystal’s after the latter finished the rest of the lasagna and a half a box of ladyfingers. He’d been looking forward to the cookies, but Chrystal needed the sugar and calories more. Speaking of his other guest…
    He rose and returned to the bedroll he’d made for her by the fire. Curled on her side with her back to the heat, she slept soundly—and deeply. Not even a flicker of movement behind her eyelids betrayed dreaming.
    Her wolf was a terrible liar, so he didn’t worry about her trying to fake a snooze to get the drop on him. Hell, he didn’t worry about her trying to get the drop on him. Her utter lack of aggression puzzled him. Most wolves had some bite to them, even if only enough to keep others from steamrolling them. Not Chrystal.
    Crouching, he tugged the blanket over her. The cabin was warm enough, and he had plenty of wood. The whir and whistle of the wind as it struck the walls and swarmed around them served as a constant background noise. The snowstorm had elevated to pure blizzard. They’d have a good three or four feet before it ended, if he had to guess. It would take longer to excavate the truck, then more to attach the plow to make their way to the main roads.
    Chrystal’s nose wrinkled, and her hand gave a little jerk. A near sub-vocal whine escaped her, and the sound yanked at his heart. “Shh,” he murmured, settling his hand against her hair. “You’re safe.” Her tension vanished, and the taut line between her brows eased. His little pain in the ass was a study in contradictions. Neither he nor his wolf could quite get a fix on her.
    The fact that she’d let herself starve irked him on a primitive level. Wolves needed sustenance. If they went too hungry, they ran the risk of drifting—as she had—or worse, going feral. Both were