Free Her Billionaire Werewolf Stepbrother by K.S. Martin Page A

never saw him again.
    “Yes. He fought with Dad but I
don’t know what about.”
    “He thought Dad was mating too soon
after my mother died.” I look over at Jake.
    “How long was it?”
    “Almost three years.” That’s not a
short time. “My mother had been dying for a long time. She fought the cancer
for as long as she could. He hadn’t really had a mate for over five years, a
year that he spent saying goodbye. He begged her to hold on. Thinking back it
was selfish but at the time, I wished for the same. She held on for as long as
she could but I remember her making him promise to mate again. She didn’t want
him to grieve himself to death and ultimately leave me alone. I wasn’t a child
but I still needed him sometimes and she knew that. I was hardly full grown
yet.” I reach over and squeeze his hand. “Poured myself into school and did my
best to make them both proud.”
    “You did. Even my mother was proud
of you.” I smile at him and he gives me a weak smile back. His face clears
suddenly.
    “Anyway. Let’s go. Ever since
Hector and Dad fought, Hector has been on his own. He left the pack and
wandered the country some. A few months after I bought this, I ran into him and
offered him a permanent place to live. He’s on his own and a little crazy but
he’s safe.”
    “You built this house?” Jake shakes
his head.
    “No. It belonged to the previous
owner. When he died his kids wanted a fast sale, I paid cash sight unseen. You
just don’t come across this much acreage so close to the city and it backs to a
state park. I knew I would need to run sometimes and I didn’t want to risk
public exposure. I also knew I couldn’t drive all the way home every time. It’s
too far for a quick run. This was a great opportunity. The house was just a…”
    “Bonus.” I say and smile then turn
to open the door. Hector is standing outside of it and I scream a little,
startled. Jake laughs. “He’s your dad’s brother isn’t he?” I assumed he was
hers when Jake said he took issue with the mating but I can see the resemblance
now that he’s up close.
    “Yes, but he always loved my
mother.” The door opens then and I see him scent me.
    “Sandy’s pup.” I nod.
    “My mate Hector.” Jake says across
the vehicle. Hector nods and offers me a hand to help me down from my seat. I
take it and hop down. He wraps me in a warm hug.
    “I’m sorry about your ma.” I nod as
tears spring to my eyes. He doesn’t let me go until Jake comes around the car.
“I only met her once but Jake says she was tops so she’s okay in my book.” I
give him a watery smile. “It’ll be okay girl. Give yourself some time.” He
claps my shoulder then wraps Jake just as warmly. This man should be a
professional hugger. I feel better and lighter after he releases me. “You guys
come in for coffee.”
    “We’re here to run. My mate needs
to let it loose.” Jake grins. I sniff the air. It’s rich and moist smelling
with all the trees around. The day is warming up and I would usually prefer to
run before sun up or after the sun was down. Today though it doesn’t matter, I
just need the release. Jake takes my hand and leads me into the woods away from
Hector. I suppose he’s protecting my modesty.
    He could be protecting me in
general since Hector does not seem to have a mate. Rogue wolves are dangerous.
He lives in a cute little cabin but he’s still alone and without a pack. That
sometimes makes them think the rules do not apply to them. “Up here is where I
usually leave my things.”  I follow Jake and there is a picnic table and a
grill.
    I look over my shoulder and I can
see the roof of the house through the trees. Why would anyone put this so far
from the house? It’s odd. “Sometimes I bring the truck up here and cook out. I
don’t want to bother Hector, he isn’t the most social of wolves.” He winks at
me. Jake starts pulling his clothes off and tosses them on the table.
    I look back at the house again