Free Kiss of the Silver Wolf by Sharon Buchbinder Page B

toes. At last, satisfied with his labors, he led her to the bed, plumped up the pillows, tucked her under the covers, and told her to stay there.
    A short while later, he returned with a tray of food and two glasses of wine. She wondered where the meal came from, but the thought disappeared when he pulled up a chair next to the bed and began to feed her. Between sips and bites, she tried to speak. But he would only say, “Shh. You need to rest. Tomorrow, you'll have answers to most of your questions."
    He turned down the lights. As she felt herself drifting off, he gave her aching forehead a feathery kiss, and breathed, “I love you. I have loved you since the first time Jessie showed me your picture. And now that I have the real you, here with me in Eden, I am even more in love with you. You are my soul mate. Please sleep on this request: Marry me. Be my mate for life."
    Limp limbed and befuddled, she watched with heavy eyes as he opened her window, backed out of the room and left the door slightly ajar, leaving a sliver of light to comfort her. She sighed, rolled over, and fell deep into sleep.
    A strange thumping sound woke her. She sat up in bed, heart racing—and stared into glowing eyes at the foot of the bed. She gasped, a scream caught in her throat.
    She had to be dreaming. It looked as if the creature shimmered and coalesced into the form of a large silver wolf. The animal jumped down to the floor, walked over to the side of her bed and nuzzled her hand.
    She recoiled. Then, thinking it was a dream, she reached out and touched a solid nose. She walked her fingers up his head and began to stroke his ears and neck with care. The wolf was real, as real as the dark metal chain collar he wore.
    Wide awake, heart in her throat, Charlene dropped her hand, scooted back up the bed and took a deep shaky breath. “Where did you come from?"
    The iridescent wolf gazed at her for what seemed like a very long time. He cocked his head to one side, then went to the door and nosed it open. He looked back at her, his eyes glowing.
    Puzzled, she sat upright and clenched the sheet in her fists. “Am I supposed to follow you?"
    He shook his head.
    "Wait here?"
    He nodded twice and trotted out the door.
    Super intelligent wolves? Not possible. She had to be asleep. She pinched herself—hard. “Ouch!"
    Just as she yelped, the wolf walked back into the room with one red rose in his mouth. He put his paws on the bed next to Charlene, and placed the flower on her lap.
    Tears spilled down her cheeks. He stared up at her, his eyes shimmering from green to gold. If he was going to hurt her, he'd had ample opportunity. At last, she threw her fears aside and wrapped her arms around his neck. His fur was so soft, but beneath that velvet, she felt the iron of his collar and the vigor of his strong muscles. A familiar scent enveloped her—soap and a musky spice. The tingles of her skin told her this was no ordinary wolf and that he was without a doubt very male.
    She lifted her head, put her nose to his, and gazed into now sea green eyes. “What—who are you?"
    He shook his head, loped over to the open bedroom window, and bounded out.
    Red rose clutched in her hand, she flopped back onto her pillow, and her mind raced until she was dizzy.
    What happened? What and who was that beautiful creature? Where had he come from? Other than the mysterious pack of black dogs, when had she last seen a dog, much less a wolf, in Eden? Never. There were no dogs—or wolves—in Eden. Yet sometimes she heard something howling at the moon.
    Where were all the dogs?
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    Chapter Ten
    Dead Letters
    The next morning, still puzzling over the curious incident of the wolf in the night, Charlene shuffled out to the kitchen to make coffee and found a freshly brewed pot and a dozen apple cinnamon muffins, still warm from the oven. A note propped up against a mug said, “I have Joey and I'm driving the route. I'll take Joey to Rebekkah