Kristal Hollis - Awakened By The Wolf

Brice’s stubbled chin grazed the underside of her jaw, making it impossible to refute his accusation.

How could she even speak when the ethereal vibrations of his hot breath skimming her skin paralyzed her vocal cords?

All that escaped was a small mewling sound from the back of Cassie’s throat. It didn’t sound like the protest she meant to project and Brice didn’t take it as discouragement.

Delicate kisses replaced his breath along her jaw. The feathery sensation penetrated her senses, muting the wisdom to push away and run. What was the point? She’d already learned the futility of trying to outrun a wolf.

Cassie tipped her head, exposing her neck. He could rip out her throat if he wanted, but he seemed content to nip and lick and suck every inch. Trembling, she felt no less devoured as her strength failed from the hum of sheer pleasure.

Dangerous, oh, so dangerous.

Southern born and bred, KRISTAL HOLLISholds a psychology degree and has spent her adulthood helping people and animals. When a family medical situation resulted in a work sabbatical, she began penning deliciously dark paranormal romances as an escape from the real-life drama. But when the crisis passed, her passion for writing love stories continued. A 2015 Golden Heart ®Award finalist, Kristal lives with her husband and two rescued dogs at the edge of the enchanted forest that inspires her stories.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Sylvia Plumey, my 9th grade English teacher—a promise kept.

Sincere thanks to Brenda McLaughlin, Candace Colt, Joanne Calub and Raven Winter—my awesome critique partners. To my first fans, Angela Jarvis, Michelle Ochoa and LuAnn Nemeth, much love for your unwavering encouragement and support. Mom, thank you for the gift of reading. An extra special thanks to Keith, the hero of my heart. And to my editor, Ann Leslie Tuttle—thank you for believing.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “You don’t want me to stay away.” Brice’s stubbled chin grazed the underside of her jaw, making it impossible to refute his accusation. How could she even speak when the ethereal vibrations of his hot breath skimming her skin paralyzed her vocal cords? All that escaped was a small mewling sound from the back of Cassie’s throat. It didn’t sound like the protest she meant to project and Brice didn’t take it as discouragement. Delicate kisses replaced his breath along her jaw. The feathery sensation penetrated her senses, muting the wisdom to push away and run. What was the point? She’d already learned the futility of trying to outrun a wolf. Cassie tipped her head, exposing her neck. He could rip out her throat if he wanted, but he seemed content to nip and lick and suck every inch. Trembling, she felt no less devoured as her strength failed from the hum of sheer pleasure. Dangerous, oh, so dangerous.

Title Page Awakened by the Wolf Kristal Hollis www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Southern born and bred, KRISTAL HOLLIS holds a psychology degree and has spent her adulthood helping people and animals. When a family medical situation resulted in a work sabbatical, she began penning deliciously dark paranormal romances as an escape from the real-life drama. But when the crisis passed, her passion for writing love stories continued. A 2015 Golden Heart ® Award finalist, Kristal lives with her husband and two rescued dogs at the edge of the enchanted forest that inspires her stories.

Dedication To Sylvia Plumey, my 9th grade English teacher—a promise kept. Sincere thanks to Brenda McLaughlin, Candace Colt, Joanne Calub and Raven Winter—my awesome critique partners. To my first fans, Angela Jarvis, Michelle Ochoa and LuAnn Nemeth, much love for your unwavering encouragement and support. Mom, thank you for the gift of reading. An extra special thanks to Keith, the hero of my heart. And to my editor, Ann Leslie Tuttle—thank you for believing.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Extract Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Copyright Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Chapter 1

Naked and wet, Brice Walker crouched on the back porch of his grandmother’s log cabin. The splintered grooves of the weathered boards bit sharply into his sore hands and feet, intensifying the throb in his right leg.

He focused his better-than-human night vision and tuned his ears to any movement along the forest’s dark tree line. Every muscle clenched in fight-or-flight readiness, though he was too tired for either. The three-day trek in wolf form and subsequent swim up the Chatuge River had overstretched his endurance.

If things were different, he would’ve driven from Atlanta to his grandmother’s home. His present situation being what it was, he no longer enjoyed that freedom.

He’d fucked up. Colossally.

One careless mistake and he’d lost his family, his friends, his home.

Regret flared inside him like a backdraft. He tried to swallow the burning ache, but its fiery fingers fastened around his throat and squeezed until his mouth prickled from the embers.

His banishment was well deserved and if he got caught slinking into the territory, the sentinels would waste no time hauling his bare ass in front of the Alpha.

All things considered, Brice would’ve preferred catching rabies to facing his father. Distance didn’t always make the heart grow fonder. Sometimes it fostered bitterness.

A faint August breeze stroked his skin like a lover grown cold and distant. Out of habit, he sniffed the night air. The familiar scents of pine and honeysuckle eluded him. Once his nose had been his pride. Now he depended on his eyes, ears and gut instinct to compensate for his lost sense of smell.