Free Lone Wolf's Captive (novella) by Sherilee Gray Page A

hand and took a step towards her. “This is for the best, angel.”
    The use of that name cut her to the quick and she jerked away from his touch. “How can you do this to me?”
    The anger returned, his dark gaze hard and unyielding. “Love is a weakness. This will save you heartache in the long run.”
    No! Laney fought to remain calm. How could her father do this to her? But then she’d always worn blinders when it came to him. She’d never wanted to see the truth. Her father was a selfish, greedy bastard. “So, what do you get out of this?”
    Something flashed cross his eyes, something she’d never seen before. Shame maybe? “You’re a clever girl, always were. You’re like your mother in that respect.”
    “I know the day Mom died a part of you died with her. But aren’t you glad, if only for a short time, that you had her in your life?”
    He shook with rage. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Yes, I think I do.”
    He turned away. “Take her to her cabin.”
    “You don’t want to do this, Dad. I know you don’t.”
    Jesus, she’d known her mother’s death had altered him. She’d noticed the difference, even as a little girl, but never this. This heartless monster capable of bartering off his own flesh and blood. She didn’t know who he was, if she ever had.
    It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him it was too late, that she belonged to Fletch, but the unhinged look in her father’s eyes caused the words to stick in her throat. He wouldn’t let anything derail his plans at this point and she couldn’t risk him sending someone out to follow her scent back to Fletch.
    She looked up at the male holding her. “Come on, Blake. You know this is crazy.”
    Blake appeared uneasy, his gaze darting between her and his alpha. “I’m sorry, Laney,” he whispered.
    He wasn’t going to help her. Gripping her wrist, he led her out of her father’s home and into the bright midmorning sun, ushering her towards her temporary prison.
    ***
    Fletch tightened his hold around the warm bundle in his arms and buried his face against Laney’s thick locks, but instead of her soft, warm hair, he got a face full of pillow.
    His eyes flew open. She wasn’t in his bed. Cocking his head, he listened for sounds of her moving around his cabin.
    Nothing.
    “What the hell have you done, Delaney Jones?” Shoving off the covers, he sprinted straight through the cabin and out the front door, shifting mid run. He knew where his mates scent would lead him before his paws hit the forest floor. He should have seen this coming. His stubborn female intended to confront her father. On her own.
    Head down, he tore over dead leaves and fallen logs. Fear increased his pace. Branches tugged on his fur and slapped him in the face, but he barely felt it, so focused on getting to Laney.
    Still, he knew the minute he’d picked up a tail. He’d just crossed into Black Hills territory. So far there was only one, but that could change any minute. They seemed happy to hang back and observe. Whatever, he wasn’t worried. Nothing would stop him from getting to Laney.
    His old friend didn’t show himself until he was about to breach the pack’s boundary.
    Fletch skidded to a stop in front of the butt-naked male casually leaning against a tree, arms crossed over his wide chest and a wary expression on his face.
    “Never thought I’d see you back here,” Gabe drawled.
    Fletch shifted as well and stood to his full height, eyeing the other male, waiting for his next move.
    “Why’re you here?” Gabe asked.
    “I’m here for my mate.”
    He pushed away from the tree. “That so?”
    Fletch took a step forward as well. Gabe was one of the few people he trusted. He didn’t know the other male’s story, didn’t need to. They’d taken each other’s backs more times than he could count. He was a wolf hybrid and Fletch had never asked what the rest of his DNA was made up of. It didn’t matter.
    “Yes.”
    “About