Free The Guardian Alpha by Evelyn Glass Page A

into his bones. The urge to touch her, kiss her, simply be with her ached along every tendon and muscle. When she turned her yellow eyes to his face, it was all the more difficult for Jay to refuse himself. “Two hundred years ago, Crystal Ridge was driven from the land. Fifty years before that, an agreement had been made with the earlier settlers.”
     
    Kristi took the papers from Jay's grasp, careful not to touch his skin. She eyed the papers, able to read bits and lines of the long documents. There was an eerie familiarity in the script, as if she had seen it before, among the pack members who were taught to write by their grandparents. Kristi turned her eyes to Jay, who refused to meet her gaze, and asked, “What does this mean?”
     
    “For fifty years, feral wolves and domestic wolves lived, side-by-side, assisting one another.” Jay could feel her yellow eyes on him. His skin itched and a flush clawed at his face. His gaze hardened as he forced himself to meet her gaze. Jay steeled his voice, an edge sharpening his intent, “This is proof that both groups can accomplish an agreement.”
     
    Kristi fell silent, her gaze flickering back to the papers. Her fingers shook and bile rose in her throat. Fifty years before her pack was sent into the forest, Goldbridge was an ally? This had never come up in her pack. Not as far as she remembered. Kristi swallowed heavily. “What happened?”
     
    “The mayor, at the time, wanted to develop the town into something bigger.” Jay prepared himself for Kristi's onslaught as he carefully chose his words. “He built on neutral land, meant to remain untouched. When Crystal Ridge dissented at a town meeting, he ignored them.” His gaze flickered to the papers, unable to take Kristi's bright yellow gaze any longer. His voice fell a little softer as he relayed what history remained, “They allegedly became violent and the mayor lead the townspeople against them, after nullifying this agreement.”
     
    Sudden dizziness overtook Kristi's senses. She turned and flopped down on the stairs, staring at the papers in her hands. One person had set all of this into motion – one person who didn't understand sacred beliefs. The papers crumpled at the edges as her fingertips curled. Lycans starved and suffered and died, because one man thought Goldbridge should be bigger. It was enough to bring nausea hurling to her mouth.
     
    The stairs beside her creaked as Jay's weight sat down beside her. She refused to look at him. Her thoughts were rampant and tangled and uncertain.
     
    Jay sat quietly, Kristi's chaotic emotions slamming around her. Gently, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders while his other hand clasped her by the wrist. Jay tugged Kristi close, delighted fire burning up his arms. Everything in Kristi's head stopped as soon as Jay touched her. Warmth and tingles attacked her senses as a blush crawled over her cheeks. His thumb ghosted over her knuckles, tickling her flesh. Her nerves frayed against his firm muscles and warmth.
     
    For the first time since he left, Kristi wanted nothing more than his embrace. She leaned into him, enjoying his musky scent coupled with sweat. Tears burned at the edges of her eyes. This wasn't fair. They shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of the past. Yet, here they were. The words burbled from her lips, choked, “This changes nothing, Jay. Goldbridge is still to blame for our loss.”
     
    Jay heaved a heavy sigh. He knew that would be Kristi's answer, but he had hoped she'd surprise him. His broad palm stroked her back as she pressed farther into him. She snuffled against his shirt as hot tears stained the fabric. Kristi's twisting emotions mirrored his own. Threads of pity and frustration knotted inside both of them.
     
    He didn't want to waste the time they had. Kristi wanted to see him and he wanted to see her. That's why the dream walking had worked. They should enjoy their time together. He gently pushed her back from his chest,