Free Kadenburg Revealed (The Kadenburg Shifters Series, Book 4) by T.E. Ridener Page A

bear, but maybe she’s just visiting for tea.”
    Lorcan leaned his head against the door, listening to Greg as he cursed quietly.  He got it-he really did.  The kid was upset and there was probably a good reason behind Louisa catching him in a lip-lock with a human.....but he couldn’t really do anything until Presley had the chance to calm the girl down.  Louisa was highly sensitive and anger obviously wasn’t as easily contained as everything else.  The last thing they needed was for one of Kadenburg’s locals to spot a panda bear in the woods-then what?  What would happen to them?  Bad things, that’s what.
    “Just go home,” Lorcan repeated.  “I’ll call you if anything changes, Greg.  You’ve got to give her time to cool off.”
    Seconds passed by as Greg mulled it over, but he finally released a heavy sigh.
    “Just tell her I’m really, really sorry and I’d like to see her as soon as possible.  Please?”
    “Sure thing.” Lorcan nodded, frowning.  He did hate to leave him out in the cold like that, but it was for the best. 
    He heard the wolf’s footsteps retreating and that somewhat stinky smell faded away.  Lorcan finally relaxed and closed his eyes, slumping against the door.  His mom would be there soon and she’d set things straight.  She always did, didn’t she?
    ——————————-
    “I can’t believe he did that,” Louisa wailed as she lifted another tissue to her nose, blowing hard.  “Why would he do that, Presley?”
    “Because boys are stupid,” Presley replied softly.  “He’s just being a stupid boy, Lou.  Sometimes it takes them a while to mature, you know?”
    “But he is mature!” Louisa argued as she hiccupped.  “Or at least he was.  He saved me from Colin.  I don’t understand.  Why would he do that just to turn around and play tonsil hockey with some stupid girl with too much makeup on her hideous face?”
    Presley bit at her bottom lip and fought the urge to laugh.  She wasn’t laughing at Louisa’s pain-it was just the description of the girl.  Greg was out of his mind if he was choosing someone like that over an amazing young woman like Louisa .
    “It’s going to be okay.” Presley insisted as she patted her knee gently.  They’d sought refuge in the bedroom with a chocolate bar, a jar of honey, and a cup of whiskey just for Louisa.  Presley didn’t condone underage drinking-and for good reason, but the kid had to calm down.  They couldn’t risk another bear-out.
    “No, it isn’t,” Louisa shook her head slowly, wiping at her bloodshot eyes.  “I really liked him.  I’m so stupid.”
    “You are not stupid,” Presley said firmly.  “You are smart, beautiful, and so wonderful, Lou.  Don’t you ever let a man make you feel like you’re anything less-not even Greg Kress.”  Oh.  That rhymed.
    She watched as Louisa bowed her head.  Her sadness was still raging in Presley’s heart and all she wanted to do was take that heartache away.  If only she could.
    “When my mate-to-be died....I just knew I would spend the rest of my life alone,” Louisa whispered.  “I know I chose him for the wrong reasons, but he would have been kind to me.  He never would’ve hurt me like this,” she sniffled and wiped at her eyes again, shaking her head slowly.  “And then I met Greg and everything changed.  I tried to resist-I really did, Presley,” she peered at her from beneath her dark bangs as her bottom lip quivered.  “And what did I do it for?  Just to feel like this?  I hate it.  I hate him too.  People shouldn’t be allowed to do this to each other.”
    “I don’t believe it’s okay for people to do it at all,” Presley agreed in her best maternal tone.  “But I think it’s embedded in our DNA to sometimes make mistakes.  I’m not saying it’s okay...I’m not saying what Greg did was okay in the slightest...Louisa,” she reached out to touch the girl’s hand.  God, she was burning up.