Free Werewolf in the North Woods by Vicki Lewis Thompson

smart. They wouldn’t have understood what was happening to them, and if the people in charge decided to separate them . . . They mate for life, and I’m afraid they both would have died of broken hearts.”
    “I don’t want any of that. And neither would my grandfather, if he realized the problems he could cause. He didn’t stop to think, but he’s not totally insensitive. I just wish he could know that he really did see them.”
    Tension coiled in Roarke’s gut. She held his fate in the palm of her hand and he wondered if she knew that. “Are you considering telling him . . . about me?”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not?” He held his breath as he waited for her answer.
    “Because then I’d be putting you in the same danger as the Sasquatch.”
    The tension in his stomach eased. “I’m not quite as vulnerable as a Sasquatch.”
    She smiled. “And I’m sure you’re a whole lot smarter. But as you talked about what could happen to them, I couldn’t help thinking that most of it applies to you, too.”
    He was so fortunate that compassion was part of her personality. If he had to accidentally show himself to a human, at least it had been someone he might be able to work with.
    “Some of it applies to me,” he said, “but my ability to shift back to human form makes a huge difference. And I don’t have a mate to be separated from, so that’s not an issue.” He didn’t know why he’d felt compelled to add that piece of information.
    She picked up on it, too. “Nobody’s waiting at home?”
    “No.”
    “Confirmed bachelor?”
    “Not that, either. I just haven’t met anyone who inspires me to settle down. It’s a big deal with us, because we also mate for life. I know humans say they do, but when you get right down to it . . .”
    She nodded. “Yeah, it’s more like mating for the time being, to see if it works out or not. I suppose knowing that you’re signing on for life would make you more cautious about making that commitment.”
    “It does.” He wasn’t about to tell her that she smelled the way he imagined his mate would smell, or that the very sight of her brought him joy. That didn’t matter, because she was not Were, and he had no interest in a mixed marriage. Let Aidan be the trailblazer in that regard.
    “Naturally you’ll choose another . . . of your kind.”
    “Yes, I will.”
    She nodded. “Of course.”
    He watched the silver hoops in her ears sway as she moved. “Why did you arrange this meeting, Abby? What is it you want from me?”
    “With all those degrees, I would think you’d have it figured out by now.”
    “I have some ideas, but unless you want to play guessing games, why don’t you tell me and save some time?”
    “All right.” She turned to gaze at him. “If you didn’t find the Sasquatch pair yesterday, I’ll assume you plan to keep looking.”
    “I do. The female may have picked this area because she was born here and wants her baby to be born here, but they need to change the plan. I hope to find them and convince them that another spot would be far better.”
    “Take me with you.”
    He’d expected this, but it was impossible. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but that wouldn’t work. I’ll be moving quickly.” And in wolf form.
    “But if I go with you and I see them, then I can report back to Grandpa Earl.”
    “Who is liable to sound the alarm.”
    “Not if I tell him what you just told me about their vulnerability. He’s a good man, Roarke. He wouldn’t knowingly cause them harm, not after all these years of studying them.”
    “Abby, I really can’t take you. You’d slow me down and potentially spook the Sasquatch. I can come back and report what happened, but—”
    “You have to take me.”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “I have the goods on you, Roarke.”
    “Nobody will believe you. They’ll think you’ve spent too much time listening to your grandfather.”
    “They might, except for one thing.” She patted the black leather