Free Into The Sunset: An Erotic Romance Anthology by Vivian Wood Page A

shrug.
    “ That’s the beauty of this deal,”
Lucas explained. “There will be a contract, specifying that the
females must live on our terms and protect our identities. In
exchange, they’ll receive financial compensation and protection. If
they violate the contract, we’ll throw them right back to the mess
they were in before.”
    Ben and Walker looked at each other, obviously
still having reservations.
    “ It just sounds like…” Ben
started, the paused.
    “ Paying for sex,” Walker finished,
unabashed.
    “ I’m not planning on including sex
in the contract. Only companionship. I assume that we’re all
capable of using our looks and charm and dominant wolves to our
advantage. This just keeps everything above board, and
safe.”
    Walker visibly relaxed, and Ben nodded. Lucas
could see he’d swayed them.
    He stood, leafing through the photos on his
desk until he found one of Aurelia that showed her fully dressed.
Handing it to Walker, he continued.
    “ This female is an exceptional
mind. She’s beautiful. I have no doubt she’s spirited. And lucky
for us, she’s in a hell of a lot of trouble. There are a dozen more
women in similar situations, and more that we’ve yet to find. I
want to take Aurelia in first, as her predicament is
pressing.”
    The males nodded, and Lucas felt a weight lift
off his shoulders. Grabbing his cell phone, he sent a text to his
team on the ground, telling them to go ahead with the
plan.
    Looking up at his two best friends and
business partners, Lucas smirked.
    “ They’ll meet us at the compound
in two days’ time. I suggest we head out and get everything
ready.”
    “ Alright. Let’s do this,” Ben
said, excitement tinging his tone.
    Walker stood as Lucas approached, offering him
a handshake. They clasped hands, their agreement silent but
strong.
    Leaning back over his desk, Lucas pressed the
intercom button.
    “ Leila,” he called, “Get the
chopper ready. Walker and Ben are accompanying me to the mountain
compound. We’ll be gone several days.”
    Not waiting for a response, he picked up his
suit jacket and led the way out of the office.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    *******************************
    A growl ripped from Lucas’s muzzle as his paws
struck the soft pine straw of the forest floor, drumming an
insistent tattoo in time with his heart. Ben’s massive gray wolf
ran only a few feet to his right, Walker’s tawny timber wolf to his
left. Ben pulled ahead, eliciting twin growls from Lucas and
Walker. Still the gray wolf streaked ahead, suddenly unleashing a
burst of speed and power as the tree line broke around them and
gave way to the rolling grassy hill where the house sat.
    Ben slowed halfway into the yard, Lucas and
Walker mirroring his actions. They all pulled to a stop and sat,
tongues lolling.
    Lucas found himself wondering why they didn’t
spend every damned weekend out here at the Compound. The sprawling
estate was tucked into the Blue Ridge Parkway, about twenty minutes
outside Asheville, North Carolina. With stunning pine-covered hills
stretching far as the eye could see, tiny streams brimming with
crystalline water, and humans far and few… it was sort of a wolf’s
paradise.
    The house itself was incredible, all cedar and
glass walls rising into the sky, the seven thousand square foot
layout spread over three stories and still dwarfed by the backdrop
of towering pines. Lucas had put in a pool and grotto, his one wink
to Hugh Hefner’s distinct brand of genius.
    Yawning, Lucas stood and shook his coat out
before shifting.
    “ I’m starving,” Ben said,
unmindful of his nudity as he trotted up the steps of the back
porch. He made a beeline for the stainless-and-granite open kitchen
and started rummaging through the fridge.
    “ How bout you put on some fucking
pants before you touch the food?” Walker grumbled.
    “ You’re just pissed that I beat
you here… and in our little race,” Ben taunted as he dug sandwich
makings out of the