Free Untamable by Sayde Grace Page A

the top, wanting to take Cole to the ground. Anger roared in his head. He struggled to keep his vision clear. Beside him, bones creaked and popped.
    “Jasper, I think you’re triggering my wolf. My eyes are blurry.” Sidda blinked at him.
    “Sorry. Cole’s gonna have to stop talking that way though. I can’t help getting pissed as hell.”
    “Well, you could have…”
    Come home, called, or asked me to visit. Jasper finished her sentence in his head. He knew exactly what she would say, and all of it was true.
    Jasper gritted his teeth. “I know. Now, drop it. Focus on calm things. Like the mountain, or the beach, the sounds of nature. Anything that will calm you down.”
    He grinned as warmth seeped over him, relaxing his body and mind. “Good, I can feel you calming down. It’s even making my wolf stop wanting to kill Cole.” He picked up her hand to kiss the palm.
    He sat silently, listening to her breathing. Her heart beat strong and steady. He focused on the beat. The soft fast thumping rhythm silenced the beast in him. He glanced over at Cole, and for an instant, his wolf surged up again, but then it passed. Whatever calming techniques Sidda had done for herself had controlled his wolf too.
    Soft footsteps made them look at the doorway. In the doorway, Sidda’s mother stood, chewing the nails on one hand. Her eyes widened, and her head bowed so that her jet black hair covered most of her face. Jasper squeezed Sidda’s hand, hoping she’d go easy on Angela. The woman had taken care of her, raised her, and, above all, loved her.

Chapter Nine

    Sidda exhaled with her eyes still closed. Jasper squeezed her hand, and she looked toward the doorway. Sidda had thought when she saw her mother again she’d feel anger, resentment and maybe even a little hate. She didn’t expect remorse. Heartbreaking remorse. Her mother wasn’t really her mother. Sidda didn’t even have a clue who her mother really was. As if reading her thoughts, Angela Brighton’s bright blue eyes filled with tears, her full lips quivered, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
    “Ohhhh, Lucy, you got some ’splainin’ to do.” Cole’s attempt at humor didn’t break the tension. Cole’s mother, Ms. Joy Montgomery glided into the room. “Cole Montgomery, you’d better hush. I don’t care if you are three or twenty-three, I will tan your hide, son.”
    Her feet seemed to slide right across the hardwood floor to Cole. She raised one eyebrow at him, daring him to speak again. He winked at Sidda, but held his tongue. Ms. Joy really would tan his hide if he tried her. She’d done it to all of them over the years, and Sidda was thankful for the break in the tension. The woman was a blessing. She’d taken in a little boy who she knew was a wolf even though she and her own son were human. She knew nothing about raising a werewolf, but her kindness and good nature wouldn’t turn away a child in need. She’d loved and cared for Jasper ever since, and for that Sidda would always be grateful to her.
    Sidda’s mom inched forward. Her steps were heavy, like she was being weighed down and couldn’t move. Which Sidda guessed she was. Weighed down with guilt or shame. Sidda really wanted to be angry, and in a way she was, but her mother had saved her life. She had given Sidda an opportunity to live like a normal child, and although they’d struggled to survive over the years, Sidda had a happy childhood. Her mother had been there for her through everything, every scratch, every jerk who’d made fun of her for being poor, and through every heartbreaking moment when she saw Jasper with another girl. Her mother had held her when he’d called to say he couldn’t come home yet.
    Sidda rose. Her mother’s head bowed even more when Sidda took a step toward her. “Mom, look at me.” Her tone grew low, rough with emotion. Her mother’s head raised, eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Thank you.” Sidda picked her hand up and pulled her close.