Free Hers (Snowy Mountain Wolves) by Christin Lovell Page A

retaliation.
    Unease constricted my chest. “Stop.” My plea was breathless. I was so confused ; overwhelmed. I wasn’t ready to face this. I wasn’t ready to be openly gay. Hell, I’d just found out I might be today.
    Finally beginning to register the situation, I jolted into action. I moved to my bag and tore through it for clothes.
    Ellie watched from beside the bed. “Talk to me, Kate. What the hell is going on?”
    I couldn’t dress fast enough. Panties, black leggings, flip-flops, bra, oversized teal, burn-out tee… Grabbing my purse, I dug for a rubber band and threw my hair up. My heart raced; my mind was drowning. This was all Donovan’s fault.
    I stalked towards the door.
    “Kate! Talk to me!”
    Hand on the door handle, I looked back over my shoulder. My tee was large enough to dip off one shoulder, exposing the red bit mark. I lifted my gaze.
    Ellie’s expression was anything but kind. She was frustrated. Where was the love? Where was the concern I’d seen and felt earlier? Had this whole thing been a ruse?
    I wanted my brother more than ever.
    Tears wet my eyes. “You didn’t ask.” I walked out the bedroom door, closing it behind me.
    Across the way, Jerry stood outside his room. His features were twisted with fear. He looked the way Ellie should have: worried, remorseful, focused. His gaze fell to my shoulder. His muscles flexed fervently at the sight.
    “Congratulations.” His voice was devoid of emotion, washing his word of all meaning. He escaped into his room, leaving me standing there again.
    A sob broke from me. I sunk down on the top step. I bit my bottom lip hard, trying to fight it, trying to deny reality, but I couldn’t anymore…

— 15 —
    Ellie
    My wolf howled. How the hell did we go from claiming our mate, partly, to losing her entirely?
    Her sob carried through the wall. It squeezed my heart, plucking at my icy chords; it kicked at my frozen walls. I was supposed to protect her, not hurt her dammit. Love her, not fucking drive her away.
    The need to console her, even if I was the cause of her ache, overpowered the bitch in me. I pulled an old shirt from the dresser and slipped on a pair of short shorts. Something told me nudity would have her shrinking away.
    I opened my door just in time to see Jerry reach her. He glared at me over his shoulder. Sadly, the alpha often was the go-between among disgruntled mates in his pack.
    He sat down beside her.
    Kate was hunched over; her elbows pressed into her knees for stability. Her face was buried in her hands; her hands tried to contain her cries, but they spilled over.
    Guilt slapped the shit out of me. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be…
    “I’ve got it, Jer.” Approaching, I placed a strong hand on his shoulder.
    “Doesn’t look like it,” he snapped.
    “Yeah, well, it’s not the first time I’ve fucked up and it won’t be the last.”
    He stood and got right into my face. His wolf flared to life in his eyes. “You hurt her again and I’ll have the elders dishonor your mating.” His voice was unwavering, steady, yet loaded with menace. He’d never spoken so passionately, so protectively?
    Shit . I was probably just panicking like my wolf.
    My wolf roared . Her claws gutted my insides as she fought her way to the surface.
    That was the ultimate threat. He was hitting hard.
    “Not a chance in hell.” I shoved past him and dropped down beside Kate.
    Jerry hovered, listening closely, making sure I held up my end.
    I wrapped my arms around Kate from the side. I gently set my chin on the edge of her shoulder. “Want to bite me back?”
    I recoiled. Fucking hell, El. Great opener!
    She lifted her head, wiping at her cheeks as she faced me, an incredulous expression on her face. “Bite you?” she exclaimed.
    My wolf huddled down. I actually cringed inside from the aggression in her tone.
    She let out a hollow laugh. “No, Ellie, I don’t want to bit e you. I didn’t want you to bite me, but you didn’t ask.