Free Scorch: A Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (The Tribe Series) by Terra Wolf, Ally Summers Page A

times in a row.”
    “Was that all? I thought it was four.”
    I folded my arms. “I’m being serious, Drew. I’m not trying to out us. They have no idea what we’re talking about.”
    “You can’t be careless like that. What if they are agents?”
    “Agents?”
    “You know, people without power but hired by witches or other shifters as spies.”
    I sat on the bed. My head was spinning. “I’ve never heard of agents.”
    He brushed the hair behind my ear. “I have a lot to teach you.”
    “Can we find my family? That’s what I want. I want to meet my mother and father. I want to know if I have siblings. What if I have sisters?” My mind started to spiral with all the possibilities. I could have an entire panther family out there, looking for me.
    “Slow down.” He held my hands firmly. “One thing at a time. You said you have some studying to do. Exams tomorrow, and then we have a birthday to celebrate.”
    My face lit up. I could feel it from the inside out. “You remembered my birthday?”
    “Twenty-two is a huge one for any panther girl.” He kissed my forehead and stood from the bed.
    “Why is that?”
    “I don’t want to distract you from your exams. Why don’t you get the studying out of the way, and then we can talk shifter stuff.”
    I felt like every time I brought up something related to my heritage, Drew sidestepped it.
    “What if we let our honeymoon last a little longer, and then I study? What time do we have to check out?”
    “Noon.”
    I looked at the antique clock hung over the door. It was ten. I pulled my shirt over my arms and threw it at Drew. “Two hours,” I stated. “Honeymoon me. Take me. Make me yours. It’s all I want for the next two hours.” I shimmied out of my skirt. “I want to scream. I want you to growl. Make me purr.” I walked toward him and threw my arms around his neck. “I want my husband to take his mate for the next two hours.”
    He tipped my chin up. “You have a way with words, Mrs. Maddox. It must be that English degree.”
    “Kiss me,” I whispered.
    His mouth descended on mine, and for the next two hours, the world faded away and I became the only thing I was, a jaguar’s wife.

25

Drew
    I waited at a coffee shop near campus while Francesca was on self-proclaimed lock down in a library study room. She swore she couldn’t get anything done with me around. We both knew it was true.
    I pulled the mug to my lips and thought about how things had changed in the past twenty-four hours. The list was folded in my pocket. Like a knife poking my thigh, reminding me that my omission was the same as a bold-faced lie.
    I held it between my fingers and unfolded it. Francesca was the first. I closed my eyes. How was I going to leave? How would I even explain this to her?
    She was a part of me now. I could see her and smell her. I could taste her and remember the feel of her skin. The vows might have been a blur, but it didn’t mean I didn’t believe every word. I pledged myself to her.
    Why did the council think I needed to move down the list? Why wasn’t this enough? Francesca was more than enough for me. She was my everything. I didn’t want to leave town. I didn’t want to move on. I wanted her.
    I shoved the coffee away from me and looked at my phone.
    Case might still be on the road. Sullen’s Grove was at the other end of the state. I dialed my brother’s number.
    “Didn’t think you’d surface for a few days.” He chuckled.
    “Yeah, well, Francesca has exams, and then we’re going to take a trip for her birthday.”
    “Nice. And then where are you headed?” Case asked.
    I strummed the table. “Don’t know that I am.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Look, Case. I haven’t had enough time with her. It’s not our fault her birthday was only a few days away. I’m going to take my time here.”
    “Like hell you are.” His voice grew louder on the phone.
    “What? You’re going to make me leave before I fulfill my duty?”