Free Claiming Ana by Brynna Curry

her mistake. Her body, her heart, held no ties to this man. Turning, Ana saw he could have been Howl’s twin, so close they were in body and looks, but Van’s gold eyes held something dark, avenging, and completely lethal directed at her.
    “You’re Van. Aren’t you?”
    He smiled at her. Perfect features marred with hate. She almost felt sorry for him. Howl wasn’t the only one cursed. “My cousin was always loose-tongued around pretty women. Where is he?”
    She sidled toward the kitchen counter. Smooth as silk. As if she wasn’t the slightest bit worried about his presence, and poured a herself a cup of coffee. “I have no idea. He spent the night and said he was heading out this afternoon. He wouldn’t say where. I got the feeling he was giving me the boot. One-night stand and that sort of thing.” Ana leaned against the counter, cupped the mug to hide her shaky hands.
    Van leaned against the doorjamb, only a few feet away from her knife drawer.
    He thinks I’m a slut. I can work with his misinterpretations. Maybe I’ll get out of this alive. If I die, Howl will be unmasked.
    “I can tell you’re lying, you know. I’ll get the truth out of you one way or another.”
    “You and he look a lot alike.” Ana gathered up her courage and walked up to the killer. “Very handsome.” Distract him. That’s it.
    “Unfortunately. What are you getting at?”
    Almost there, just a few inches…
    “Oh. I don’t know. Maybe you and I could get to know each other better?”
    “Maybe we could.” Van took the mug from her hands and set it on the counter right above the knife drawer. Ana hid her wince as he slipped his arms around her and pulled her tight to him. It was strange being held by this man who looked so much like her Howl. Thank God her hands weren’t pinned.
    She slid her arms around him. Hoping for an opportunity to get a knife, she opened for his kiss.
    She moved one hand behind her, but as she reached the drawer pull, a strong arm caught her wrist. She felt herself being tossed upside down, over his shoulder. Is someone pulling up outside? Sounds like tires on gravel.
    “Never trust a slut. You’ll get fucked every time.”
    She felt the cold metal as he cold-cocked her on the temple with his pistol. Fear washed over her as she passed out. What have I done?
     

 
    10
     
    Cade shut down his computer for the night and grabbed his keys out of the desk drawer as the phone rang. He answered. “Shady Creek Police, Chief Murphy speaking.”
    “Chief, ha. You grew up enough, but are still the grubby boy rummaging my kitchen for cookies.”
    He grinned, unoffended. Ana’s grandmother gave no quarter where he and his brothers were concerned. He had run tame in the old gypsy’s home just as Ana and Taylor had done the same in his.
    “It’s good to talk to you, Granny. I miss your cookies.”
    “Go check on my baby girl.”
    On alert, he asked. “Something wrong at Ana’s?”
    “Her man is roaming the woods. Trouble follows him. Ana doesn’t answer her phone. I am afraid trouble will come to her door. You be a good boy and drive out and see about my girl.”
    While he wasn’t sure about her “roaming the woods” comment, Cade heard the worry in the old woman’s voice. Other than work ethic and a clean background check, he didn’t know much about Howl Raven and he was worried about Ana spending time with the man.
    “I’ll go out there now. Do you want me to give you a call when I get there?”
    “No. You go check and she will be fine. I will bake you a batch of peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.”
    “I’ll hold you to that. Take care, Granny.” He laughed, hung up the phone and headed out into the night to check on his friend.
     
    * * * *
     
    Paws thundering a tattoo into the forest floor, Howl ran. He was the night, dark, restless and waiting. The change was complete now, too strong for shackles to hold him. He stopped to lick the wounds on his forearms where his bonds had held