Free Wolf With Benefits by Heather Long Page B

Tyler’s mate left him and went to another pack for years. The Claybornes? Mason’s father died in an aborted coup against Toman, and then his mother killed herself. Mason left us for years. The Hustons? Alexis got pregnant while human and we nearly lost her after the baby was born. The Sextons? They had some infighting in the family that divided them utterly, we now have the Sexton’s Grocery family and the Sexton Farms family. Neither has anything to do with the other.” The list went on and on. “As for mine? My parents sent Margo away when she was fourteen because her dominance threatened the lunatic running the asylum.” Bitterness soured his stomach.
    Shiloh hugged him. The sudden embrace so welcome, he wrapped his arms around her.
    “None of our families are perfect. My family has been paying for that choice for years. Mom hates that Margo grew up far away from us. It’s hung over her like a cloud my whole life.” Sighing, he rubbed his cheek against the fabric of her hood. “So, you can listen to her message and make yourself feel worse, or you can take off with me and we can play. Whatever you want to do, I’ve got your back, okay?”
    “How did I get so lucky to have you for a best friend?”
    Amusement stole through him. Even with her wrapped around him, he couldn’t resist her open invitation to tease. “Teach said we had to pick everyone for a team, you were prettier than John-John.”
    Her snort of outrage preceded a pummel of her fists. “Mean.”
    “Hey, I’ve never regretted team building exercises.” Still, a sparkle replaced the sadness lingering in her eyes. “So, can we play now or do you need me to make something else better for you?”
    “Well, since you brought the éclairs, today is pretty perfect. Let’s go play.”
    “Excellent.” He drew a blindfold out of his pocket and she stared at it, then him.
    “I said play, not kidnapping.”
    “Oh, we’re gonna play.” He wrapped the blindfold around her eyes and slid behind her to tie it gently.
    “Great. I’m going to fall down stairs and run into things. Hilarious.”
    Once he was sure the blindfold wouldn’t slip, he pinched her ass through the layers of clothing. Her yelp proved reward enough. “As if I’d let you get hurt.”
    “True.” Despite her agreement, no repentance echoed in her tone. “I can do that all on my own.”
    Taking her hand, he led her to the door. Once outside, he scooped her up and carried her down the stairs. The act was so natural, she didn’t even protest. At the jeep, he set her down long enough to open the door before helping her inside. She bit her lip when he snapped her seatbelt into place. A real struggle seemed to be taking place, as though she fought laughter.
    “Problem?”
    “Oh, besides you carrying me down, tucking me in and buckling my seat belt?” Danger lurked in her words.
    “Too much?” He said by way of apology.
    “Maybe a little.” The threat passed and he grinned. “So how long do I have to wear the blindfold?”
    “Till we get there.” He shut the door before she could ask him where there was. Her laughter followed him all the way to the driver’s seat. It was still early, but he’d no sooner slipped the key into the ignition than the front door of the main house opened and his mother peeked at them. Linda Montgomery’s face lit with a smile when he pressed his finger to his lips. The snowmobile in the trailer behind them would be a dead giveaway.
    Bless his mother, she nodded once then mouthed dinner and held up six fingers. He saluted. His mother’s smile warmed another notch and Matt exhaled happily. His mother loved having Shiloh so close.
    “You’re really pleased with yourself,” Shiloh commented as he began backing out of the driveway, mindful of the trailer hitch.
    “Yes I am. We’re going to have fun today.”
    Her phone buzzed and he glanced down to see Nash’s name on the screen. His good mood suffered a rapid decline. Shi made a grunt, then