Free The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) by Vella Day Page A

through and taint his actions. Ainsley claimed she wasn’t a true Changeling, but her kind wasn’t known for being truthful.
    If it hadn’t been for Shamus’s strong endorsement of her—as well as his sister’s—Jackson wasn’t sure he could keep an open mind. He kept reminding himself that even if her Wendayan genes were strong enough to counterbalance the Changeling blood in her, she was still half Changeling. Once more his bear tried to convince him that Naliana would never be so cruel. The only way to know for sure was if he could find her and ask her himself.
    Jackson glanced over at the scene to calm his erotic thoughts. Two shifters, both of whom were members of the crime scene unit were taking photos and gathering evidence around where the body had been. Kalan, he knew, wanted to wait around until they were done before leaving. Their cousin deserved the best.
    “You were really nice to her,” Kalan said with much surprise in his voice. It was clear his brother wanted to know what had changed between them.
    “No need to be a jerk. She has to be hurting too. She cared a lot for Shamus.”
    His brother twisted in his seat. “I’ve never seen you like this. She’s gotten to you somehow. Sure, she’s pretty, but you see pretty all the time. What gives? You hate Changelings with a passion.”
    As much as Jackson didn’t want to admit that she was his mate, he couldn’t hide it from his brother any longer. Kalan would be angry enough when he found out he’d already confided in Connor. “As hard as it is to say, let alone believe, Ainsley is my mate.” He held up a hand. “Don’t tell me it’s fucked up, because I know it is.”
    A tic formed around his brother’s eye. “Are you shitting me? I admit she doesn’t exhibit the usual bad behaviors of a Changeling, but they can be deceptive. Are you sure?”
    He remembered how Kalan had been in denial about being mated to a human. “The second she walked into the house, her scent invaded my body. When I’m anywhere near her, my dick gets hard. Hell, I had to fight not to shift at dinner. So you tell me. Aren’t those the signs?”
    “They are. I’m guessing the phone call requiring you to go into work was bogus?”
    He nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’ve been sick about the whole situation ever since. I’m just hoping she wants to be cleansed.”
    “Let’s hope. You know you can’t bite her before then, right?”
    That’s what Connor had said. “I have no intention of even being alone with her, but I’m at my wits end. Last night, I kept picturing sinking my cock into her. Is that messed up or what?” Jackson dropped back his head and blew out a breath.
    Kalan’s phone rang. “Yeah? Where? Were his clothes inside? No, don’t. We need a plan. Thanks.” He disconnected. “They found Shamus’s vehicle off Ridge Road. His clothes were tucked behind a tree about a hundred feet down the path, implying that’s where he shifted before he started his run.”
    “I’m guessing they wanted to follow the trail to see if they could find out where he’d been killed?”
    His brother’s brows rose. “You should work for the department.”
    “No thanks. I like the freedom I have.”
    “We won’t know whether the body was moved until Doc Williams finishes the autopsy.”
    Or until the actual murder scene is found. “He wasn’t killed where Ainsley found him, and here is my reasoning: First, there aren’t any hiking trails near that road. Secondly, I don’t know how or if anyone even realized that Shamus was related to us; but it’s almost as if they are sending us a message to stay out of their nest.”
    Kalan stabbed a hand through his long hair. “Fuck. Do you think this is retribution for us stealing back the Wendayan’s magic?”
    Jackson shrugged. “That or Shamus was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
    “Which was why I suggested Ainsley try to find out.”
    “My gut reaction was to say no, but the more I think