Free A Lion's Chance: A Crimson Hollow Novella by Marissa Dobson Page B

guard the Chief and Deputy. I should have ground guards that can handle the tribe’s security.”
    “We’ll keep you and Sin safe.” Unable to keep his face from revealing his thoughts, Liam looked away from Jase.
    “This isn’t the time.”
    “I didn’t say anything.” He kept his attention on the door, willing his mate to come back outside. There was no doubt that she could hear them; she knew they were out there, and she could feel his tension. He wanted her and his lion wasn’t happy about being denied.
    “I know you want Sin to have her own guards. We’ve had this conversation and now isn’t the time to have it again. Not out here in the opening.” Jase tipped his head toward the door. “And not in front of an outsider.”
    They had the conversation and it had gotten him nowhere. Two guards with two charges. It was impossible to keep them both safe around the clock. Then, to have Sin running off without taking a guard with her because another tribe needed assistance. Garret, her mate, was with her, this did little to comfort Liam’s unease as she was in more danger outside their perimeter.
    He understood Jase was hesitating to trust additional guards to protect his sister until they knew who had the skills to handle the responsibility, but having no guards was worse than having a guard that couldn’t handle the situation. Foxes have been targeted. I won’t risk Sin until I know that she can be protected. Until I am certain the guard I assign to her will protect her completely, you and Noah will ensure her safety. Liam understood Jase’s need to protect his sister, but he was leaving her vulnerable without a guard that was solely responsible for her safety. Her mate, Garret, could be targeted as well for his role and would be unable to protect her.
    “Chief, I’m sure you know what is best.” With the knowledge weighing in his gut that if Sin was his sister he’d want her protected, he glanced at the window where he could sense Ginger watching them from behind the curtain. “I’ll get with Noah about the recruits and have them assigned.”
    “You do that. Then I want to see you and Noah in my office.” Without waiting for a reply, Jase strolled back to his cabin, leaving Liam standing outside of his mate’s cabin alone.
    Temptation to climb the steps and knock on Ginger’s door prickled along his skin. To have her open the door and see her again wouldn’t be enough. He wanted to soothe away the terror that radiated from her. He wanted to feel her in his arms and to know that she was truly his. You’re mine, Ginger. You have no reason to fear me. You’ll know that soon.

Chapter Two
    E ach minute ticked by slower than the last as Ginger waited for Liam to move away from her cabin. Her heart slammed against her ribs, her chest ached, and her head swam from the lack of oxygen. A lion! The only thing that could be worse would be a bear as a mate.
    Her suitcase that she had yet to unpack sat next to the sofa, reminding her how easy it would be to leave. She could slip out before Garret came back and she could make her excuse later. She took a step toward the suitcase before she could get a grip on her emotions. The trip to Crimson Hollow wasn’t just to meet her brother’s mate; she was also there to see if she could help another shifter.
    Years earlier, Swift had witnessed her whole leash—a group of foxes—get slaughtered. With the recent attacks on foxes, the memories of it all came flooding back and she wasn’t able to handle it. Why Garret thought Ginger could help was beyond her. She was barely able to keep her own shit together, let alone help another through their turmoil. If Garret only knew what went on inside her head, he’d have never asked her to come. She wasn’t good for anyone.
    Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket, bringing her back to reality, and she pulled it out to see a new text from Garret on the screen. It’s going to be late before we make it back. I’ll make it