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Jarrett Lawson can’t fall in love—but he needs a woman. Pack rules dictate that as the alpha male, he must mate before the rest of his shifter community can. But after losing his cherished wife, Jarrett has vowed never to risk his heart again. A vow that is tested when Ariel Abidos reenters his life.
Jarrett and Ariel once shared an explosive sexual chemistry, but Ariel left him with no explanation just before they became lovers. So when the sexy Lupine Fae needs his help to investigate why her people are vanishing on his ancestral land, he asks one thing in return: that she become his new mate….
Seduced by the Wolf
Bonnie Vanak
Chapter One
The scent trail was fetid, laced with undertones of spice and pine. It hurt her nostrils like the smell of shaved metal did, but she continued up the mountain. She wound through the pine forest to a recess in the rocky cliffs. Straight through Lawson pack territory and past a battered sign: Trespassers Will Be Dealt with Swiftly.
Ariel Abidos swallowed hard. Torn apart by fangs and claws by the pack wolves.
Sharp as needles, a cold wind swept down from the Colorado mountains, rustling aspen leaves touched by brilliant fall hues. A lonely howl of a wolf calling for its mate echoed through the valley.
If Jarrett Lawson found her, he’d mete out a different punishment…in his bed. Ariel shivered, her breasts tingling with memories. Jarrett, his strong, muscled body, his slow, crooked smile. His slow, deep kisses that promised explosive pleasure.
His fury when she’d walked out on him before they’d become lovers.
He might forbid his pack from touching her and save the honors for himself. Ariel swayed on her feet, remembering the slow caress of his hands over her flesh, arousing her as no man ever had. The dangerous passion that could kill.
No matter. Her people were counting on her.
I have to find them before it’s too late.
Ariel lifted her arms. She called upon the ancient magick running through her blood. She felt pain as her bones lengthened, the transformation brutal and slow.
The slender, delicate Fae had now transformed into a small gray timber wolf. Ariel loped past the sign, following the dark scent—the odor of metal shavings more prominent now. Ariel’s heart raced as she focused. There, up in the recess…her quarry. The answer to why her people were vanishing.
Hope pushed her onward as she raced to the rockslide leading to the cavern, even as she heard the distinct howl echoing off the Colorado mountain.
They’d found her.
Her paws slid on the gravel. Ariel grappled for purchase. And then the blood-chilling howls piercing the air turned to snarls. Six wolves burst out of the thick pines to her right. Fangs bared, they barreled toward her.
Terror immobilized her. Couldn’t shift, couldn’t outrun them. Ariel glanced upward at the cavern holding all the answers. She turned to run and lost her foothold.
Yipping, she tumbled headfirst down the mountain, sharp rocks scraping her nose, digging past the thick fur. Ariel crashed into a boulder, the granite stopping her decent. She struggled to her feet. Heart racing, the stench of her own fear clogging her nostrils, she ran, driven by the wolf’s animal fear. The pack snapped at her heels as she raced through the thicket of trees. She turned for the dividing line between her territory and the pack’s, but a wolf cut her off, forcing her to turn right. Blood dripped into her eyes, blurring her vision.
Panting, she reached the meadow. A yellow pine cabin stood in the distance. Teeth snapped behind her, herding her straight toward it. Wolves flanked her, cutting off escape. Fear fogged her brain.
The porch! With a last burst of strength, Ariel leapt over the railing. She crashed through the screen door. Wood cracked, the screen split, tearing at her sensitive skin.. Howling, she fell onto the polished wood floor, her paws sliding out from her. Ariel felt the hot breath of the wolves leaping through the ruined door.
She raced down the hallway, praying the house was empty. Ariel ran toward one of the rooms she sighted, claws digging into the wood, her breath coming in sharp, stabbing pants. She skidded through the doorway and collapsed, expecting the hot agony of fangs sinking into her throat. Ariel closed her eyes. It was over.
“What the hell?”
Opening her eyes, she blinked. The room was dominated by an acre-sized bed near the window. But it was the man standing up before a desk that caught her attention. He turned with natural grace, his wide shoulders blocking out the light, an expression of astonishment on his handsome face.
Oh crap. She closed her eyes.
The wolves had chased her into the enemy’s lair. Right into Jarrett Lawson’s bedroom.
Chapter Two
Jarrett Lawson had been pouring over paperwork, idly wishing someone would interrupt him.
Now he glanced downward at the gray timber wolf at his feet. She panted with obvious exhaustion.
Not exactly what he’d planned.
He breathed in her luscious scent and the smell of sweet wildflowers shot through his body like an intoxicating drug. Damn, he knew this… His body tightened with arousal. Then he looked closer. Anger bloomed hot and hard as he saw blood matting her gray fur, the fear pooling in her gray eyes.
No one hurt females on his land. Females were revered, protected and cherished. Jarrett felt his claws emerge, ready to deal with whoever had injured her.
Six of his strongest males padded into his bedroom. One pawed at the floor, lifting his muzzle with a grin.
“Pleased with yourself, Sam? Tell me what the hell’s going on here.”
The males shifted back, clothing their bodies through magick. His Beta nodded at the female.
“We brought you a gift. Found her snooping along the old mining trail.”
The wolf whined. Lifting her head, she stared, weakly thumping her tail. She tried to struggle upright and collapsed. Jarrett rested a hand on her head.
He glared at the six, who lowered their gazes. “Who did this?”
“She slid down the mountain. We didn’t touch her.” Sam gave a knowing smile. “Saved her for you, Jarrett.”
He turned his attention to the injured wolf. “Easy now. Save your strength to shift back. Can you do that for me?”
He kept his voice low and soothing. Jarrett encouraged her as she tried to shift back, her form shimmering between wolf and human. His mouth went dry as he envisioned her stuck between two forms, the worst death for his people.
“Come on,” he coaxed. “You can do it.”
Then he deepened his voice. “Do it. Now.”
The wolf’s head snapped up, defiance in her clear blue eyes. Light shimmered and suddenly a naked, shivering woman appeared. Curls the color of autumn leaves shielded her face, spilling past slender shoulders. She hung her head, as if hiding. With one hand, Jarrett lifted the curtain of her hair.
Shock pummeled him as she raised her chin.
Long, slender legs, curved hips and a slim waist, full breasts that could fill a man’s palms. Her skin looked soft as peach fuzz. Elegant and delicate features, she had a full, lush red mouth made for kissing. Her eyes were the deepest blue, and sparked with life.
The