Free Stretching the Rules by BA Tortuga Page A

friends?” Liv didn’t want to jump to conclusions or growl. Yet.
    “I’m Marnie. James here is my brother, and I’m mated with Boothe. The Alpha.” She said it off-handedly, not as if she was trying to impress. Liv knew family connections were super-important in wolf culture. “Jonah called this morning and asked me to bring groceries up since he’s on patrol today until sundown. I have a pot of stew and a bunch of stuff in my truck.”
    “Oh.” She felt her cheeks heat. “It’s nice to meet you. That’s really nice, thank you.”
    Marnie shrugged, offered her a smile. “We take care of our own. It’s our way.”
    “I just didn’t think everyone would be all that accepting,” Liv said.
    Hank appeared at her side, silent as a ghost.
    Marnie looked at Hank, eyes widening for a second. “So you’re Hank?”
    “I am.”
    “I’ve never known one of your kind.”
    “That’s a shame. I’m a nice guy.”
    Marnie had the grace to flush. “Well, welcome. Are you up to helping me unload? James can borrow some of Jonah’s clothes if not. They’re of a size.”
    “We can help. Let me grab some flip flops.” She didn’t have a bra on, but she was mostly decent.
    “Cool.” Marnie headed back to her truck, and James, well, the big wolf went right to Hank and commenced to crotch sniffing.
    Hank was wide-eyed, but allowed it, submitting.
    “Be nice, he’s ours,” she warned.
    James the wolf chuffed, a merry sound somehow, and she decided right then that she was going to like him. Liv headed out to help Marnie unload, relieved when she didn’t feel any other curious eyes on her.
    She was stunned at Marnie’s generosity. There were bags of meat, of veg, of fruits and oatmeal and sweets. Maybe this was Marnie’s job, being nice to new folks, but it still warmed Liv’s heart.
    “Jonah said you loved butter brickle,” Marnie told her. “And that Hank liked pistachio. I got everyone a pint. I know Jonah likes Rocky Road better than all the others.”
    “He does. It’s more like an obsession than anything.”
    Hank snorted. “If he didn’t run his ass off all day, he’d be big as a truck.”
    Liv giggled, surprising herself with the sound. “Naughty naughty. I’ll have to tell on you.”
    “I’d say it to his face, and you know it.” Hank winked at her, looking happier than she would expect, too.
    Marnie chuckled softly, shook her head. “Lord have mercy, you two are a handful, I bet.”
    “Us?” Hank chortled, and Liv laughed, both of them relaxing even more.
    “Yes. Lord yes. You will have to come for dinner once everyone is whole and settled.”
    “I’d like that,” Liv said. She even thought it was the truth.
    “So would we. Jonah is dear to us.”
    “I’m glad.” She definitely meant that. His pack meant the world to Jonah and no matter what he said, it would crush him to lose them.
    “I am, too.” Hank’s words were soft, gentle, just like their lover. “He means the world to me.”
    “Then we’re gonna get along great.” Marnie helped them put away the groceries and put the stew on the stove. “That’s supper solved for you. Oh!”
    She tugged a piece of paper out of one of the bags and handed it to Liv. “My number is there, as well as James’s cell, and Boothe’s. Call the first if you need to chat, the second if you need a hand and the last only in an emergency, okay?”
    The big wolf had positioned himself at the front door, obviously guarding. No one would come through the door without going through him.
    Tears prickled at her eyes, and Liv blinked them away.
    “It’s okay, honey. We all need a family who loves us.”
    “It’s been a long time since we had anyone but us,” Hank said, coming to slide an arm around Liv. “Thank you for everything.”
    “You’re welcome. Jonah is special.”
    She nodded. She knew that. More than anyone but maybe her Hank, she knew that.
    Marnie patted her on the shoulder, then jerked her chin at Hank. “Sorry about that,