Free Blood Moon (Entangled Select Otherworld) by Lisa Kessler Page B

our lives like they should.”
    “Please Wyatt. Don’t say anything to Adam.” I tried not to wring my hands. “Jason’s keeping a close eye on Granger. This is my only chance.”
    I held his gaze, staring him down. His concern and trepidation made my stomach cramp up. What had Nero done to him while he was there? I waited him out and finally he bowed his head, shaking it slowly. “I don’t like this.”
    “I don’t, either, but we don’t have many options.” Jason gripped his shoulder.
    Wyatt sighed and stood up. “I’ll keep quiet for now, but I see anything that might hurt the Pack and I’ll step in. No discussion.”
    Jason nodded. “Fair enough.”
    “Thanks, Wyatt.”
    “Don’t thank me.” His bright hazel eyes met mine. “If something happens to you because of that little prick, I’ll never forgive myself.”
    Without another word, he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter Ten
    Gareth
    I rolled into Durango as the sun was setting. My cousin, Brendan, was from my Mom’s side of the family. They weren’t werewolves and had no idea the Pack existed. I’d be on my own in Colorado, but being a lone wolf was part of the allure of making the move.
    Or at least it used to be.
    I couldn’t get Nadya out of my head. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her smile or the tears on her cheeks as I walked out the door. Both hurt in different ways. With all of my precautions to keep from caring about anyone, she’d gotten past every barrier.
    I’d done the right thing when I left. Mate or not, I didn’t have anything to offer her. She deserved so much more than I could ever give her. I was dead inside.
    Or I had been. I wasn’t sure what I was anymore, except sick as shit of fate and her habit of inviting death into my life and then leaving me behind.
    No, Nadya was better off without me, regardless of what my wolf thought. With every mile taking me farther from her side, my chest got tighter until I wanted to howl to release the ache. My wolf didn’t understand.
    I gave the Harley one last sip of gas, the rumble vibrating through my body before I turned off the engine. Brendan came out of his house with a grin. I saw my mother in his smile, but for once it didn’t trigger a wave of bitterness.
    “Gareth.” I reached for his forearms, the traditional greeting within our Pack, but Brendan pulled me into a tight hug. “It’s been too long, cousin.”
    I clapped his shoulder and stepped back, uncomfortable with the affection. “Yeah, good to see you too, Dan.” His youngest sister couldn’t say his full name and shortened it to Dan. The rest of the family followed. He’d been Dan ever since. I looked up at his cabin-style house. “Where’s the family?”
    “The boys had a Little League game. Marina should be home with them any minute.” He turned for the house. “Come on, I was just firing up the grill.”
    I sat on a rock in Dan’s backyard near the grill. The smell of the steak awakened my lost appetite. When was the last time I ate? I had no clue.
    “Can I get you a beer?”
    I nodded. “Sounds good.”
    He lifted the lid of the cooler next to the sliding glass door and held up a bottle. “Heineken okay?”
    “As long as it’s wet, I’m good.”
    He grinned and opened the bottle before handing it over. “You look beat, man.”
    I shrugged. “It was a long ride.”
    “So you’re really leaving Reno for good? That’s a big move.”
    Gabe’s death sat between us like a gigantic elephant neither of us wanted to see. I sighed and shook my head. “Too many memories there. I’m ready for a new chapter.”
    “Well I’m glad you headed my way.” He took a swig from his bottle. “The boys are already asking if they can ride on your motorcycle.”
    I smirked. “Marina would kick my ass if she found them on my bike.”
    “That doesn’t stop an eight and ten-year-old from dreaming.” He chuckled. “You’re the cool cousin with a tattoo and a Harley.”
    The sliding glass