Free Cole’s Redemption by J.D. Tyler Page A

what he
     was doing.”
    “That’s so sad.” Selene looked upset.
    “Yeah, but the good news is that Mac, Melina, and Jax’s mate, Kira, developed a serum
     that counteracted the drugs and returned Ben to human form. Mercifully, he didn’t
     remember much of what he’d done as the beast. He was a good man who was trapped inside
     the creature.”
    “Is he doing well now?”
    Daria smiled. “Very. He’s actually my former boyfriend, and we’d broken up before
     I met Ryon. The whole reason he came here was instinct—he was looking for me, and
     the Pack as well. In his lucid moments, he was trying to get help. He went back to
     his law practice and is doing fine.”
    “That’s great news.” Selene returned her smile.
    Ryon stood, extended his hand to Selene. “It appears I was wrong about you. I want
     to add my thanks for saving my mate. I’ll never forget what you did. In a way, you
     brought us together.”
    “I did?”
    “Tell you another time.” Daria grinned. “Over a glass of wine or two.”
    “I appreciate the invite,” Selene said noncommittally.
    “Soon, then. We’ll let you get settled in.”
    “It’s kind of funny, isn’t it?” Ryon said, pinning Selene with a piercing look. “I
     misinterpreted your actions that injured Daria so severely she almost died. Sometimes
     there are explanations for things we don’t understand at first, things that seem unforgivable.
     You might want to remember that.”
    Selene stared at him, cheeks flushing, and then looked away.
    The couple left, and Selene’s discomfort was obvious. “So where do I go from here?
     What does getting ‘settled in’ entail? My nice comfy cot in Block R? If so, can I
     at least have some magazines?”
    Zan’s heart clenched. He didn’t like to think of her in that place, alone. Nothing
     to do but wallow in misery and listen to Raven, their poor insane teammate, howl day
     and night. Once again he turned to meet Nick’s gaze and made his plea.
    “She can room with me. I’ll take good care of her. I swear.”
    “We don’t even know each other.” She gave him a questioning look.
    “That’s going to change anyway, whether they let you out of solitary now or next week.
     At least this way you have some freedom.”
    “I don’t think—” Nick began.
    “I’ll take full responsibility for my mate.”
    “And if she tries to slit my throat while I’m sleeping?” He was only half joking,
     Zan could tell.
    “I don’t need to resort to dirty tricks—I can take you in a fair fight!” she said
     evenly.
    Zan tried to speak over her. “If she harms anyone, or even attempts it, I’ll take
     her punishment.”
    Selene gasped. “Why the hell would you do that?”
    “It’s my job—no, my
honor
—to protect my mate. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure nothing happens to you.”
    It was a big gamble. He really didn’t know this woman at all. If she were a bad apple,
     he’d pay the price. But he had to take the chance; he didn’t know if his wolf could
     live without his Bondmate.
    Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, and sheer pleasure from even that minimal contact
     had his wolf rumbling, wanting more. He could barely focus on what she was saying.
     “I can’t let you do that.”
    “Why not? Because you know that your sense of honor won’t allow you to stand by and
     see me take the fall for your actions? I think that says more about you than you’ll
     admit.”
    “It says nothing except that I don’t want your interference.”
    He didn’t agree. A glance at Nick showed he didn’t, either. There was more to this
     woman than blind rage and thoughts of vengeance. She needed a chance to see that for
     herself.
    “It’s done,” Nick said. “You commit a crime, your mate takes the punishment. Perhaps
     your time here will bring you some perspective.”
    She was fuming. No wolf liked having her hands tied behind her back, especially an
     alpha bitch. She’d decided on a course of action and