Free Running Free by K Webster Page A

His entire pack. Their faces fill my mind. Warmth and love surges through my veins and I’m more confused than ever. I sense their security and loyalty. It makes no sense.
    “Luca,” I whine.
    He strokes my hair and kisses the top of my head. “Yeah, I fucking feel it too. Looks like you are officially a part of the Grey Lotharios.”
    I pull away to stare up at him. “I don’t understand.”
    His smirk is a smug one that causes me to frown. “Frankie, it looks like whatever this physical thing is going on with you affects those around you. You imprinted on that dipshit, and now, you’ve compelled my inner wolf to bond to your Doberman. Not in a sexual way,” he grunts in annoyance, “but as in, you’ve joined our pack. You’re our sister now.”
    Blinking several times at him, I attempt to process his words. There’s so much about this whole fucking shifter world that I don’t understand. Once again, I’m thrown a curveball that makes no sense.
    “So what?” I screech. “Now I’m supposed to wear leather and ride a Harley all day?”
    He smiles broadly at me. “That’s a hot visual but no. It means, we’re bonded to you. If something happens to you, we know about it. It’s how we protect each other. A sixth sense if you will. And no fucking bear is going to hurt you on our watch.”
    I sigh in relief that my life won’t change too much. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
    His chuckle is warm and it comforts me. “For the most part, it isn’t too bad.”
    I sense something that he’s not telling me but I don’t beat it out of him. Instead, I let my mind soak up the fact that I now have a whole pack of wolves, bears, and tigers that have my back. My little heart that ceases to beat regularly thumps to life.
    As if cued into my thoughts, Luca flashes me a boyish grin. “Yep, Frankie,” he chuckles and pulls me in for another hug. “You now have a family.”
    Family.
    A foreign concept until now.
    Something I seemed undeserving of and like nothing I’d ever receive in this lifetime is now mine.
    And I’m fucking thrilled.

    “Are you sure he won’t mind the intrusion?” Otis questions as we climb out of his car in Gun’s driveway.
    Suzie skips off past us and up the steps to the front door.
    Shrugging my shoulders, I sigh. “If he likes me like he says, then having dinner with you shouldn’t be a problem. And if it is, he can go fuck himself.”
    Even though I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay with it, a part of me is anxious that he’ll be mad I brought Otis along. I haven’t told my mentor about my imprinting or joining Luca’s pack, but he senses something is different about me. His knowing eyes have scrutinized every syllable that has poured from my mouth.
    “Suzie, so nice to see you again.” Gun’s voice slices right to my core and I jerk my gaze to find him staring directly at me. She’s wrapped herself around him like a damn spider monkey.
    His gaze drags over to Otis, to which he nods, and then is back on me. When he winks, my knees buckle.
    He’s okay with this.
    And for some reason, this makes me fall a little more for him.
    Suzie drags him into the house but they leave the door open for us. Otis and I climb the steps but before we enter, he grabs my hand and stops me.
    “Oh, Frankie. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    I snap my gaze to the wide-eyed old man and feign innocence. “Tell you what?”
    He huffs. “Don’t be daft, kiddo. The human. You imprinted on him.”
    Waiting for a lecture or disappointment in his eyes, I chew on my lip. “I’m sorry,” I finally say.
    But his eyes light up, confusing me. “Don’t be sorry, Frankie. Love looks good on you.”
    I scoff at his words. “I am not in love.”
    The old man shrugs his shoulders and starts in the house but I grab onto his arm before he goes inside.
    “Otis, I am not in love. I hardly know the man.”
    His eyes twinkle. “Your heart apparently knows him. Your mind will eventually catch up.”
    I sigh in