Free Den and Breakfast: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Honeycomb Falls Book 1) by Cassie Wright

are open, the heavy drapes drawn back, and all the rugs and carpets have been taken outside and beaten. She's mopping the entry hall floor, suds everywhere, when I wave and interrupt her. She stops, blinking and frowning.
    "Lunch time!" I say, and point at the kitchen. She gives me a curt nod, and I leave her straining the mop into the bucket.
    Anita's been at work in the kitchen already, not waiting for Hui to come back there and clean, and I see that she's fixed up a large bowl of salad filled with chopped cherry tomatoes and grilled asparagus. It smells divine, perfect on this late summer morning.
    I lean my head out the window and see Blake hacking at the undergrowth with a scythe, cutting down large swathes of tall grass.
    "Lunch!" I yell, and he looks over his shoulder at me with a hungry expression that I tell myself must be for the salad, but which still sends a shockwave of desire right down to my sore pussy.
    Anita sets the breakfast table, and soon the four of us are seated. I can't help but feel a thrill as I look around at their faces. It's beginning. Honeycomb Hall has new life, new energy. I can feel it. We chatter and laugh as Anita serves our plates, and though Blake stares at his salad without much enthusiasm, he still picks up his fork. Something about the delicious honey lemon dressing causes his face to light up, and he begins chewing enthusiastically.
    We're halfway through the meal when the doorbell rings. I set my fork down, and motioning for the others to continue, smile and walk toward the door. For some reason Blake joins me. Perhaps to accost me in the hall on the way back, I hope, but when I open the front door I realize that's not the reason why.
    There's a large, dangerous-looking man with a narrow face and scraggly facial hair standing outside. He's wearing a biker's jacket and oil-stained jeans, and something about the way he looks me up and down immediately makes me glad Blake's standing right beside me.
    "Maric," says Blake, voice cold.
    Maric . The wolf who stole Blake's pack from under him after Mama B trapped him here at Honeycomb Hall.
    "Blake." The man grins a yellow-toothed smile. It's not pleasant. "And who's this delicious little thing?"
    "My name's Rachel Wilder," I say, stepping forward. "And you're on my property. What can I do for you?" Nobody gets to make me feel like that. Nobody.
    "Wilder, eh? Mama B's granddaughter." He looks sideways at Blake. "I've felt pity for you these past few years, Blake, but I never thought I'd feel jealous. You've already claimed her?"
    He goes to lean in and sniff at me, but suddenly Blake's hand is wrapped around his throat, and he's forcing Maric back, right to the edge of the steps so that the other wolf finds himself precariously balanced on the tips of his toes, arms flailing for balance.
    "Go on, Maric." Blake's voice is lethal. "Give me reason to break your neck."
    Maric growls, swipes his arm across Blake's, breaking his hold, then staggers and trips down the steps, almost falling onto his ass as he does so. He growls low, a junkyard dog sound, and then spits. "I came to bring the Cairn Elder's answer to your request. When I heard it, I demanded to be the one to bring the news."
    My heart sinks. Oh no.
    Maric grins. "You've been denied. The Cairn won't sanction Honeycomb Hall to acts as its Lodge. Which is too bad, given the Convocation that's taking place this weekend. Sorry, Blake. Too bad."
    "But why?" I take a step forward. "Why not?"
    "Why not?" Maric sneers. "You're no witch. You've got no power. How would you control the packs and shifters under your own roof? How would you keep the peace?" His sneer turns into a malicious smile. "You can't."
    "I'll help her," says Blake. "I'll keep the peace here."
    "You? Nobody even remembers who you are, Blake. You're a wannabe alpha who got turned into a kennel dog by Mama B. No. If you want this plan to work, sweetheart, ask me and my pack to move in and help. We'll keep the peace. If you'll