Free The Reluctant Mate: (Book 13, Grey Wolf Pack Romance Novellas) by E A Price Page B

lips together to stop herself from laughing.  All the wolves at this party would be hammered within ten minutes.
    “I’m going to feed you before you leave.  Now, shoo, out of my kitchen while I heat up some meatloaf.”
    They were swept away into the hallway.
    “Is she kidding about the party?” whispered Jolene, desperately.
    Reid looked inordinately smug.  “No.”
    “You know after I leave here…”
    “No way, you’re coming with me.”
    “Come on!”
    “Hey, you heard my mom.  If you don’t come and share my suffering, I’ll tell her.”
    Jolene narrowed her eyes.  “You wouldn’t?”
    He smirked, maddeningly.  “Try me.”
    “Snitch.”
    “Whatever it takes,” he said, just a little cockily.
    Silence fell, and she felt awkward remembering the previous night.  She should say something.  She didn’t open her mouth.
    “I’m gonna take a shower,” he said eventually.
    “Mmm hmmm.”
    “Back in a few minutes.”
    “Mmm hmmm.”
    He started toward the stairs.
    “Reid?”
    He whipped back to face her.
    “I love the wooden apple.  It’s beautiful.”
    He nodded, seemingly unfazed, but pink dusted his cheeks.  “Good.”
    He ran upstairs, and she breathed out.

Chapter Nine
    “Wow, a keg, they went all out.”
    Reid huffed a laugh as he led her down the crowded corridor.  The house was stuffed with people, hardly any of which he knew - only a handful were pack members.
    He pressed his hand to the small of her back.  She trembled a little at his touch but dare he imagine that she actually pressed back against him.
    Yes, after being stuffed with a three-course dinner by his mom – who was under the impression that the fuller they were, the less likely they were to get drunk – they had taken a leisurely stroll over to Marley’s house.  Mostly because if they moved any quicker than a stroll, there was a possibility they’d burst, but also because neither was particularly looking forward to being at the party and were trying to put it off for as long as possible.
    Still, he couldn’t believe his good fortune.  He hadn’t planned on attending, but when Marley had inexplicably shown up at his house and told his mom about it, his fate was sealed.  His mom had been all for pushing him to try and make friends when he was a teenager, and now she wanted him to socialize and find a mate so she could have grandkids closer to home.  Not to mention his Alpha, who had warned him that he needed to interact with the pack more.
    Of course, unintentionally, Mom had just thrown him in the direction of the one pack member he actually wanted to spend time with.  He almost burst out laughing when she insisted Jolene come with him.
    He wondered if she remembered kissing him while she was drunk.  She hadn’t mentioned it.  She seemed a little flustered, but Jolene was always good at keeping her emotions locked down.
    As much as he enjoyed spending any time with Jolene, he hated this damn party.  His wolf agreed vociferously.  Heaving bodies, loud music, sweaty shifters… this was hell .
    He leaned towards Jolene.  “We’ve been here five minutes… wanna go?”
    “God yes, but if you want to stay…”
    “Fuck, no!” he exhaled.
    She smiled, and he led her to the door.  They were almost there when a swaying vision of horny shifter danced in front of them.  It was hard to tell under the sweat, cologne and alcohol, but he appeared to be a puma shifter.  His wolf snarled as the male beamed dazedly at Jolene.
    “Wanna dance?” he slurred in her general direction, almost missing her completely.
    “She’s not interested,” growled Reid.
    “I’m really not, thanks,” she agreed quickly.
    The puma frowned.  “Just one dance.”
    “She said no,” snapped Reid.
    “Just a dance.”
    The male reached out to her, and Reid grabbed his arm before he could lay a finger on her.  The puma jolted and poured his beer all over Jolene.
    She gasped and glared at the puma.  “Look what you