Free Mating Seduction-epub by Bonnie Vanak

time since she’d joined them, her people needed her and not for being Lupine, but a talent the Skin world appreciated.
    Jackson wanted her as Lupine, wanted her as his mate.
    Nikita needed her as a barrel racing champion.
    She knew how to be a rodeo queen, not a Lupine.
    Eyes brimming, she threw the phone against the wall, wishing for once that she was neither.
     
    Lexie was so lovely, Jackson mused.
    The morning had dragged like frozen molasses. Boredom filled him as he’d ridden with the gushing Cora and her watchful father around the ranch’s sprawling pastures. Aiden had privately apologized for slapping him with the burden. Darius had left town on an “urgent personal matter.”
    When Jackson finally returned to the lodge, he found out Lexie had never eaten with the pack. He’d curbed his disappointment and focused on his promise to let her race Diamond,  her favorite temptation.
    Tonight he would show her a promise of another, more delicious temptation.
    As he waited for Lexie to bring Diamond to the corral where he’d set up the barrels for racing later that afternoon, Jackson fingered the silver stopwatch in his right hand. Sunlight winked off the casing. The watch was a gift from a grateful rancher whose timid daughter he’d taught to ride. Sherry had been terrified of horses after a nasty spill that resulted in a broken leg. It took time, patience and lots of encouragement to coax the shy girl past her terror.
    Now she was married to a horse breeder and they had a successful business.
    He cherished the watch not because it was a gift, but it represented everything good and wholesome and hopeful in a world that proved uncertain and lonely.
    “What the hell you grinning at, cowboy?”
    Jackson whirled and saw lanky, tall Peter ambling up to the fence. “None of your business.”
    “I’m here to make it my business.”
    Oh shit, here we go again. “Pick a fight with me, Peter, and you’ll be sorely disappointed. My fists are taking a rest this week.”
    “Don’t want to fight. Aiden lowered the boom on me, too. I’m here to tell you to stay away from my gal.”
    At Jackson’s puzzled look, Peter added in a low voice, “Cora. I’m staking my claim on her.”
    Relieved laughter spilled from him. “That bitch? You can have her.”
    Snarling, the other cowhand fisted his hands. “Don’t you dare insult her.”
    “Sorry,” he said, meaning it, amazed at the other Lupine’s fierce protectiveness. “You’re serious about her?”
    Peter’s face relaxed into a dreamy smile. “She’s so pretty and spirited, like a filly who needs a hard hand taming her. But she’s all soft inside, and when she gives that little sigh, it makes me wild.”
    The Lupine had fallen head over boot heels. Jackson stuck out a palm. “Congratulations, Peter. Best of luck.”
    They shook hands. “Sorry about breaking your jaw,” Jackson added.
    “Sorry about the shiner.” Peter grinned and walked off, whistling.
    And then Jackson forgot all about his rival as Lexie rode up on Diamond. His silly grin grew wider. Dark curls tumbled down the slope of her back, bouncing as she cantered on her mount. Her hands were graceful, the fingers long and elegant. He adored the way she held herself, so tall and straight, filled with confidence as she walked to her horse before competition.
    A wide-brimmed black cowboy hat with a turquoise band sat on her head. Lexie wore a plain turquoise shirt with white cuffs. No rhinestones or sparkling sequins for this Lupine. Her jeans were faded and her boots polished and worn.
    He’d never seen a more beautiful female.
    He itched to run with her wolf beneath the full moon.
    Lexie walked Diamond through the gate Peter held open. The other Lupine gave her a speculative look, glanced at Jackson and then closed the gate and walked off.
    She patted the mare, leaning over to whisper into the horse’s ear.
    Jackson clicked the stopwatch. “Go!”
    Pride filled him as he watched her race. So