Free Abducted by the Alpha (Wolf Shifter Romance) (The Crestwood Chronicles) by Julia Chase

Chapter 1
    When I pulled off the cracked pavement road onto our long dirt driveway, I felt good. I was home. Finally.
    Crestwood - my home town. The fresh air. The fields, where our animals grazed, and I played as a child. Even the forest that our lot backed on to - which I had always found creepy - was welcoming. I'd never been away for so long. A whole year at University. Sure, I was glad to have gotten away from home, but I really was looking forward to a summer at home.
    That plan didn't exactly work out.
    As my truck bumped down the driveway, I saw my mom, Darla, standing on the porch. The second she saw it was me, she ran inside, and by the time I reached the house they were all outside. Her, my dad Jack, and my little sister. Daisy. Daisy was wearing a very stylish brown jacket - not the kind you'd ever see a kid wearing. So I guess she's not little anymore, but she'll always be the baby of the family.
    I hopped out of the truck and walked over to them. Daisy spread her arms for a hug, and we shared a long one while Mom stood with her hands up in front of her apron. "Long time no see," said Daisy. "I've missed you, Ruby."
    "Missed you too, sis," I said.
    Finally Daisy let go and stepped back, giving Mom a chance to swoop in. "I gotta hear everything," she said. She spoke into my ear, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Every little detail."
    "Now Darla," said Jack, "I'm sure Ruby's tired. It's a long drive."
    My stepped back and held onto my shoulders. She looked my up and down for confirmation that I was tired. Maybe it was the bags under my eyes, the messy head of brown hair, of the few pounds I'd put on since she last saw me, but she said, "Alright. Maybe not tonight. But really am interested."
    She stepped back and it was Dad's turn. His hug was short and curt. He was never big for affection, but this seemed like even less than normal.
    He stepped away and I looked into his eyes. I could tell something was bugging him. But now was not the time to ask about it.
    "So," I said, "I'll grab my stuff. What's for dinner?"
    "I'll get it," said Dad, walking over to the truck and grabbing my blue suitcase.
    "Shepherd's pie," said Mom.
    I let out a happy sigh. I'd gone entirely too long without any of my mom's famous shepherd's pie.
    Dad carried my bag up the stairs and I followed him into my old room. Everything was exactly as I remembered it. White sheets tucked in nicely. A desk by the window, looking out at the field and the forest. I could only see a couple of cows, but I just assumed the rest were in the barn. They'd even left up the boy band posters that I was now thoroughly embarrassed by.
    He placed my bag onto my bed then joined me looking out the window. His eyes were not filled with the same childish joy as mine. His were filled with something darker.
    I was about to ask him what was wrong, but then his eyes locked with mine. It was a darkness that he didn't want stirred up moments after I got home. So instead I said, "I'll unpack, and then I'll be downstairs for dinner."
    "Great," he said. "It'll be good to have you 'round for a while. Place has felt a bit empty since you been gone."
    And with that he was gone, out my door and down the stairs.
    I unzipped my suitcase and noticed the stark difference between the clothing in the bag and the decor of the room. A year at college really had changed me. For one thing I'd finally started dressing in a way that compliment my body type. No more skinny jeans for me.
    I looked better in clothes that fit, but never quite good enough, I felt. Sure, I wasn't constantly ashamed, but I never felt beautiful. I shook those thoughts of out my head and grabbed the brush out of my bag. Stood in front of the mirror trying to take the mess, while the smell of the dinner that was waiting for my swirled in the air.
    Unpacking could wait, I decided. My hair went up in a tight ponytail and I went down the stairs.
    My mom was serving the mix of potatoes, peas, and beef into bowls for us.