Free Roxanne Desired by Gena D. Lutz

looked refreshed, contrary to their wardrobe’s bedraggled state. I could only imagine the puffy bags that had formed under my own eyes. I wasn’t handling the constant drama, like the rest of them, very well. But I knew I had to get my butt in shape fast because the fun had only just begun.
    “I received a call from Sadie a few minutes ago,” Ember announced as she came to a stop in front of us. “She said that hysterical wolves are showing up at Haven in large numbers. And that’s not all. It seems that all these wolves belong to packs in surrounding territories.”
    Collin gestured at Nathan. “One of the wolves is asking specifically for you. Her name is Paige. The wolf wouldn’t say what about, just that she would only speak with you. That’s all Sadie could get out of her.”
    My wolf’s first instinct was to bite a big chunk out of her mate’s ass at the mere mention of another she-wolf’s interest in him. A small growl even made its way out from between my lips. I needed more information about this Paige chick before I would allow myself to get jealous, so my avaricious wolf would just have to chill out. The world wasn’t going to come crumbling down at the first mention of another woman’s name. Not yet anyway. I would wait and see what Nathan had to say first.
    There was an excruciatingly awkward beat of silence. Finally, instead of directing his answer to Collin, Nathan turned to face me. His hands came to rest on my shoulders and he slightly shook his head. I looked down at both hands, then back up into his worried face.
    “I don’t want any secrets between us,” Nathan began.
    My heart skipped a million beats at the tone of his voice. This couldn’t be good. I reached up and pulled his hands from me. “Maybe I like secrets,” I said.
    This seemed like a pretty good time to end this conversation while my heart was still intact. Desperation made me try and walk away but I was stopped short when he grabbed my hand.
    “Fine,” I said, turning back around. “Lay it on me. Is she your girlfriend, your ex, a friend with benefits hook up? Let’s hear it.”
    “No…it’s nothing like that.” He said.
    Nathan’s face flushed red. If I wasn’t mistaken, he actually looked embarrassed. He swallowed hard.
    “She is an old friend of mine who just happens to be harboring some, shall we say, more than friendly feelings for me.”
    Ember cleared her throat. “Come on, Collin. Let’s give these two a moment alone.”
    Collin looked from Nathan to me, then back at Nathan again. A half smile ticked up at the corner of his mouth and he shook his head.
    “Good luck, man. Oh, and just in case Roxanne ends up killing you, I would just like to say…It was nice knowing ya, buddy.”
    Then, with barely contained amusement, Ember and Collin disappeared into the house.
    “You’re not funny, man!” Nathan yelled at his cousin’s back.
    Collin stepped back from the doorway and grinned. His green eyes twinkled in the sunlight much like Santa Claus’ might have if Santa was a big burly werewolf decked out in tight black fatigues.
    “Meet us in my office after you’re done groveling. We have a lot of shit to figure out,” he yelled back at Nathan.
    “We’ll come now, we’re finished here.” I announced, walking around Nathan.
    He didn’t try to stop me this time, he just stood there with an uneasy look.
    “Don’t worry, love. I know to whom your heart belongs. I am okay with us shelving this conversation for later. But there will be a later. You can count on it,” I assured him.
    I strode up the steps and proceeded to walk straight through a set of large wooden doors. My boots came to a stop on rich cherry hardwood as I reached the middle area of the compound’s massive foyer. The receiving area was decked out in lavish adornments. I took a second to admire them all and to also enjoy the warm, welcoming feel this wolf den provided me. There were large paintings that decorated the walls. From what