Filed to story: Cara Nelson The Guardian: Werewolf Book PDF Free
‘We are.’ She says but she sounds like she’s rethinking her decision.
‘Is that a question? Because it sounds like a question, not a statement.’
‘I like him. I like Kai. I like how they treat us, respect us.”
I honestly don’t know what to say. While she always liked Liam and Cyran, she never considered doing anything to risk our mate bond. Her interest in having a physical relationship with Rik and Kai is shocking.
‘Well, I’m sticking to my guns on this one. We are NOT going to risk offending our mate by having a physical relationship with Rik. Not when our birthday is so close.’
Artemis sighs in my head. ‘I agree. But you have to admit, he is a fine specimen. When we can shift again, I wonder if Kai would want to go for a run with me.’
‘I’m sure he would. The question is, can you behave?”
‘Maybe?’ She snickers.
I push her out and refocus on the conversation at lunch. Chase seems to be hitting on Lacey and she’s not biting. In truth, she and I have always been in agreement when it comes to men. We have no interest in being anyone’s bed warmer or a notch on a bedpost. Chase doesn’t exactly have a good reputation when it comes to being with women. If I had to guess, I’d say he has notches on all four of his bedposts and is probably running out of room for more. He’s barking up the wrong tree with Lacey.
When Rik walks me to my car at the end of the day, I turn to him intending to tell him how much I appreciate his attention today. Instead, I realize that he has moved so close that my brain stops functioning. I lean back and look up at him. He leans down to whisper in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. When he blows on my neck, heat slides down my core, and when he nips my ear, it’s like little shock waves going through my system. I try to get my voice under control, but it doesn’t work when I tell him that it’s only dinner. And when he leans his forehead against mine and tells me that it’s so much more, I feel like a piece of my heart just got branded with his name.
No one and nothing will ever be able to take that bit of my heart away from him. No matter who my mate may be. I realize that I’m falling in love with Rik Forte and the thought has me so stunned that I just stand there, watching him walk to his car. He turns and winks at me before getting in his car and driving away.
Well shit, my wolf and I are totally screwed. We’re falling in love with our Alpha The one that we are sworn to protect with our lives and we don’t even know if he’s our mate.
Since I don’t have training when I get home, I decide to take some extra time and get ready for tonight. I take a long soak in my tub, using the scents that Rik got me as one of my gifts. I light the candles and when I’m done, I rub the vanilla lotion into my skin. I take some time blow drying my hair into big thick curls and I put a bit of make up on. Not too much, I don’t want it to be too obvious that I’m making an effort.
I put on an olive colored long-sleeve sweater dress with a cowl next and black leggings before adding brown knee-high faux suede boots.
Last night when I had my idea to invite Rik for dinner, I had planned out my side dishes to go with our steaks. Since dad always grills steaks on Thursday, I decided to add some truffle butter to melt on top when they first come off the grill. Dad had gone to the store today and gotten everything on my list, which included what I needed to make lobster mac and cheese and a wedge salad. It’s not still decadent.
Ethereal but by my home cooked standards, it’
When dad rolls into the kitchen, he stops in his tracks. “Cara?”
I turn to look at him, ignoring his questioning stare. “Thanks for getting the lobster and truffle butter dad.”
“Cara? Why are you so dressed up?”
I could pretend I didn’t know what he’s talking about, but I’m still a terrible liar. ” I invited Alpha Rik to join us for dinner tonight. Apparently, he has been asking his father to join him at these dinners for years but Anders would never let him come. Supposedly this is ‘your time’.” I make air quotes when I say your time.
“Is that why we’re having a fancy dinner tonight?” He asks.
“Well, it’s his first time eating dinner here.”
Dad interrupts me. “And you’re first time inviting a man to come over for dinner.” z
“He saved my life dad.”
“Uh-huh. Is that the story you’re going with Cara?”
“Don’t you have some steaks to be prepping or something?” I try to change the subject.
A knock came at the door. I sucked in a breath and looked at my dad. “I’ll get it.”
I walked to the door and brushed my hands down my dress. Why am I so nervous? I opened the door, a smile plastered on my face.
“Oh, Anders. Hi. Come in.”
He raises a brow at my welcome. “You were expecting someone else?”
I just smile and point to the kitchen. “Dad’s just getting the steaks out. If you hurry, you might be able to help with something.” He laughs and moves toward the kitchen. I close the door and lean against it. I feel like my nerves are already shot.
I walk back toward the kitchen, and I hear Anders asking dad about our lobster mac and cheese. “Did I do something amazing to deserve such treatment?” He asks, just as I hear another knock at the door.
Anders head whips up and his brows furrow. He must be able to smell Rik’s scent at the door. “I’ll get it.” I say and turn on my heel heading back to the door.
When I open the door, Rik is standing there, holding a bouquet of roses, a smile on his face. “Hey beautiful. These are for you.” He says, and hands me the flowers.
I take the flowers and step out of the way. “Red this time.” I say.
He walks up to me, kissing my cheek, “Mmhmm, red has a different meaning than white.” He looks at me and for a moment and I forget how to breathe. “Son? What are you doing here?”
“Son? What are you doing here?” Anders interrupts our moment.
I immediately step in front of Rik. I’m not sure if I’m protecting him or planning to take any wrath that comes from Anders, but I did this, so I’ll be the one responding.
“Alpha Anders. I invited Rik to dinner tonight. I understand that you feel that this is your time with my father, and if you choose for Rik to not be here tonight, then he and I will go somewhere else while you and dad have your time.”
He raises his eyebrow at me. “You and Rik will go somewhere else?”
“That is correct.” I can feel Rik trying to move around me so that I’m not in such a protective stance, but I’m subtly moving to keep him where he is. Behind me. Anders eyes moving back and forth between us.
“Anders,” my father calls, rolling toward us. “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet about taking on Guardians?” Anders looks at me another moment before a smile spreads across his face. “You’re right Clint. Taking on your little badass once was enough for me.” And he turns and follows my father outside to the grill. I turn back to Rik. “Well, come on in then.” As he passes me, he leans in and kisses my cheek again, causing me to blush.
As we head to the kitchen, I point to the stairs. “I’ll be right back, I only have one vase and it’s upstairs.” He takes the flowers from me while I run up the stairs to my room to get the vase filled with the now dead roses. I bring them downstairs and see that Rik is looking around the house.
When I reach the bottom stair, he turns and smiles at me. “It’s cozy, it has a homey feel to it, I like it.” I stop and look around. I’d never given much thought to how cozy our house is. It has been my home for most of my life, so it’s always felt like home to me. “Yeah, I guess it is.”
He nods his head at the vase of dead roses in my hand. “You still have them?”
“I couldn’t bring myself to throw them out, so…yeah, I still have them.”
He walks over, taking the vase from my hand, giving me the roses in his. “I’ll be happy to replace them any time you need fresh ones. Where is your garbage can?” I point to where our garbage is and he throws out the old flowers, going to the sink to rinse out the vase and put fresh water in it. He takes the flowers from me and puts them in the vase. “Where do you want them?”