Free Blurred Expectations by Carrie Ann Ryan Page A

“You’re wrong. He’s none of your concern. This is my house.”
    He growled. “I know that. You are family, Pack. It’s my job to ensure everyone is safe. Inviting a human into your home is not safe, for any of us.”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “And, I still have the ability to detect the good in people.”
    “Damn it, Dani—”
    Shay pushed by her brother, cutting off his sentence and making him turn toward the entrance of the kitchen. Danica followed his gaze to Nevan.
    Shay had her hand out-stretched. “Hi. I’m Shay.”
    “Nevan.” He shook her hand, looked from Blaine to Danica. “Is everything okay?”
    Danica shoved past the mountain of an Enforcer to stand between the two males. “Blaine was just leaving.”
    Blaine studied Nevan for several moments without speaking. Cocking her head to the side, she noticed a faint expression of…acceptance? Surely, she was tired and didn’t just witness the alpha male in front of her dismissing an argument.
    Finally, he peered down at her and smiled weakly. He lifted her right hand and pressed her scarred palm to his cheek, a sign of trust and respect among the Pack. “Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
    She rested her free hand over his heart. “No. I appreciate your concern.”
    That arrogant smile he was famous for made its slow appearance. “Bring your friend over for a late lunch tomorrow to meet father.”
    She rolled her eyes and ignored the command in the voice. “Good night, Blaine.”
    Chuckling, he moved to the front door. Shay drew her in a tight hug and whispered, “Sorry,” before following her brother outside.
    Danica locked the door behind them. She wasn’t sure if Shay was apologizing for Blaine being an ass or for the fact that she would have to put Nevan through a meeting with the Pack Alpha. Knowing her, it was both.
    “Your brother?”
    Confused, she turned to meet his gray-colored gaze. “What?’
    “Blaine. Is he your brother?”
    “Oh. I guess you could say that. We grew up together. His family took me in when my parents died.” She thought about it for a moment. Warmth entered her heart, filling it with unconditional love. The Andrews were her family. “Yeah, I guess he is the brother I never had. Over protective and all.”
    He laughed and peered out the window, and the seriousness returned to his handsome features. “It’s snowing hard. How did they get here?”
    She moved to the sink to clean the cups and avoid his curious stare. Damn. She couldn’t tell him the truth, and she didn’t want to lie to him. Blaine was one of the rare shifters who could teleport. The ability was limited to places he’d been before and to follow someone he had a blood bond with, like family or a mate. “Blaine has a truck that can drive through anything.” Which was true, but she doubted he’d driven it tonight.
    Suddenly, Nevan was standing beside her, taking a cup to dry it. She jumped. “How do you do that?”
    “Do what?”
    “Move without a sound.”
    He shrugged but didn’t look at her. “My brothers have very good hearing. I kind of grew up trying to sneak past them.”
    She laughed at the mischief in his tone.
    He fell quiet, making her glance his way. His gaze drifted over the scars on her right arm before meeting her eyes. “What happened?”
    Setting the cup in the drainer, she pushed her sleeves down and shook her head. “I…I’m tired. Sorry.” She walked around him and fled to her room. Heart pounding in her chest, she leaned against the closed door.
    She was a complete idiot. Damn him for raising hope that any male would find her attractive.
    http://www.authorliadavis.com/

Blood Avenged - Excerpt
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    Blood Avenged (Sons of Navarus #1)
    Powerful and manipulative, Vasilije does as he pleases. A vampire beholden to no one, he takes what he desires, drinking deeply the pleasures this life