Free Wolf at Her Door: BBW Paranormal Romance by Liliana Rhodes Page A

and I usually keep to ourselves," I said. "It's hard to know who to trust sometimes and we know we can always trust each other. That's why we travel together, it's for protection."
    "You call your mother Ainsley?" Pinky asked.
    "Well, other than having the same green eyes, we don't look like mother and son," I said. "With the exception of some grey, she doesn't look much older than me. And when you consider our ages, she really isn't older by much. No one questions it if we tell them we're brother and sister, so we've gotten used to that lie."
    "Go back, Callen," Rafael said. "What do you mean you travel together for protection?"
    I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to guess what his motive was. I didn't sense anything negative from him, but there were those stronger than I who could use what I told him against me.
    "I've already said too much," I said. "Pull over."
    "I didn't mean to cross a line," he said.
    She's close.
    It wasn't much more than a whisper, but I heard it easily. I even recognized the man's voice from long ago. Sitting up, I positioned myself between the two front seats and looked out the window.
    "Stop the car," I growled. "Now!"
    Rafael jerked the car to the side of the road as he slammed on the brakes. As Pinky got out of the car, I put my hand on Rafael's shoulder.
    "She's close, but this is something I must do alone," I said.
    "If you ever need anything, come to Night Shift. It’s close by and you'll be among friends there," he said.
    I squeezed out of the car and stretched my long legs. It didn't matter how many years I hadn't worn a kilt, I still longed for its freedom and comfort. Jeans were very restrictive, but it was a sacrifice I had to make to fit in with the times.
    As I closed the car door behind Pinky, the car sped off. Maybe Rafael wasn't so bad after all.
    Tall pine trees lined the two-lane road. As I walked on the shoulder, the dirt and gravel crunched underneath my boots. I didn't know where I was going, I just knew what the voice said. It was the same voice, on a similar road that guided me to her six months ago.

    Six Months Ago

    The night was clear and unseasonably warm, the perfect night for a walk. I wasn't sure where I was, but the voice was never wrong. In all the centuries I had spent looking for Heather, the voice was what helped me find her in the end. My attraction to a location was the best I could do on my own.
    The road opened up and the trees were gone. In their place was a small strip mall, and beyond that were several houses. It was a quiet area without many streetlights. I didn't think I had been to that area of Leeds Point before, but it didn't matter. I knew I was in the right place.
    Everything in me said she was near. I walked faster, feeling her close by. My senses came to life. I wanted to shift to get to her faster, but I had to be patient. I needed to look human, too. I had to remember that Heather didn't know who I was.
    A three-story brick building came into view as I followed a bend in the road. That's where I had to go. Running, I reached the edge of the building's gravel driveway at the side of the tall building.
    The lights were on in some of the apartments. As I came closer to the building, the murmur of voices rose. I ignored the sound as I usually did and walked to the mailbox to see if I could find her name.
    Heather always came back as Heather. The first few times she came back to life, I was surprised by her name, but eventually I came to expect it. She always looked the same, too. There were only a few differences between my Heathers over the centuries.
    I scanned the mailboxes but didn't spot an H. Disappointed, I took in a deep breath and forced myself to slow down. Starting at one end, I read each of the mailboxes until I read 'Mather, 3A'.
    Blinking, I looked at the mailbox again. Mather was too much of a coincidence. How could she have the same name from when we first met? It was impossible.
    Stepping onto the wide front lawn, I looked up at the