Free Taken: True Mates Book 2 (BBW Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) by Olivia Arran

but maybe I could protect my family from the shame. I would find a way.
    “Now, Luisa…” Ian growled.
    “You don’t want me. I’m no good to you, and I’m willing to own up to my…shortcomings,” I ground out, just wanting to get this over with.
    “It would destroy you!” Jasmine’s voice was shocked. “I thought you wanted this? To live apart…to save your family?”
    “I do! I did…”
    “What’s changed?” she asked softly, then her eyes widened in surprise. “You found him ?”
    I nodded.
    “Well, that changes everything.” She turned to Ian, her hand looped comfortably around his waist. “Ian, love. It’s time to come clean. Everything out in the open. This isn’t fair anymore, and I don’t want our being together to cause others sadness. I love you, you know that, even if…”
    Ian turned to her, panic in his eyes, willing her to stop.
    Her mouth clamped shut, but then she continued, “We could be together — properly. Our souls fully bound. Don’t you want that?” she pleaded with him. They continued to argue in hissed whispers, too low for me to hear.
    I could hear doors opening and footsteps behind me. Glancing back I saw that the whole pride had gathered behind me, waiting to see what Ian decided.
    As I watched, a toddler waddled up to me, her chubby hands reaching and grabbing at my legs. Maria, I realized with a start. I had helped deliver her—
    Her mother immediately darted forward, snatching the child away, shooting me a look tinged with disgust and disappointment.
    Yeah, that still hurt. I winced inwardly, watching the child being hauled away.
    Turning my attention back to the couple, I scuffed my foot in the dirt. I had asked for what I wanted. It should be easy enough for Ian. What the hell was taking so him long? Did he enjoy seeing me grovel?
    Finally, Ian turned to me, resignation on his face. “I’ll do what you ask, Luisa. But Jasmine has pointed out that as Alpha—”
    “Your father?” I butted in, shocked.
    Ian nodded, grief etched on his face. “Six month ago. Anyway, as I was saying — as Alpha, I have a duty to my pride, one of honesty.”
    Jasmine nudged him, linking her hand with his.
    He coughed, obviously embarrassed. “You were shunned from the pride for not providing an heir—”
    “She was what? ” a furious voice echoed through the clearing. A voice I knew well.
    Spinning around I saw Sean storming out of the forest, his face pulled tight with anger. Marching up next to me, he pinned Ian with his gaze.
    “I said… she was what ?” he demanded again, his whole body vibrating next to mine.
    He was glorious, a rolling dark cloud seeking justice — for me.
    “Sean, it’s fine. In the past. I just—”
    “It is not fine,” he ground out, not breaking from his staring match with Ian. “He threw you out? Because you couldn’t get pregnant?”
    His indignant rage sparked a warmth deep inside me. To have someone care, someone fight for me.
    “But, it’s true. I couldn’t.”
    Sean rounded on me. Towering above me, he leaned forward, invading my personal space. “Even so, he shouldn’t have thrown you out, shunned you. He’s your mate!”
    “ Was my mate, you lug-headed-grump-of-a-canine! And if he hadn’t, then I wouldn’t have met you! Unless you’re like him, and think that a woman is only worth something if she can breed!” I shouted back, stretching up onto my tiptoes and squaring off with him.
    We glared at each other, our faces inches apart, sparks flying between us.
    Ian coughed loudly, breaking the tension. “Uh, okay. What I was trying to say was that I owe my pride honesty. Therefore—” he swallowed nervously, “—I have to come clean. Luisa didn’t get pregnant, and I blamed it on her. It was easier. But, now Jasmine—”
    “Can’t get pregnant either, even though you’re mates,” Sean growled, his eyes narrowing.
    Gasps of shock reverberated around the pride as the connection was made. Ian and Jasmine hadn’t