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Chapter 12
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2024-10-29 19:42:56There was no doubt in Rebel’s mind that death lingered over him. Pain seared
through his chest, the sting of torn flesh and bone intensifying with each breath he drew until he became convinced he’d rather not breathe at all. He could feel the heated rush of blood leaving his body, the intense chill its absence left behind. Every second drew him closer to the inevitable, closer to darkness, until, for a moment, he was certain he saw the face of the angel of death himself.
Hello, old friend.
He greeted death warmly, as they’d been acquainted many times before. More than once, Rebel had drawn so close to death that even in his waking hours, he could recall the sensation. First, the absence of thirst, hunger, need. The loss of his vision and voice came next, followed shortly by the absence of sound and touch until he was floating in an endless ocean of emptiness. The waves rising faster than the tide until suddenly, he was carried out to sea. His b
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Wicked—that was the title Lily would give the portrait she wanted to draw of him. As Rebel turned back toward her, moonlight reflected on his face, making him all hard lines and sharp angles. Between the hollows of his cheekbones and the puckered ridges of his scars, he looked like a man who’d been through hell and back, a man who’d walked through the veil of shadows yet survived. Everything about him was testimony to power and hardened will, to wild, feral darkness. The contrast made him breathtaking.She didn’t believe that his real name was Rebel, but from the way he’d nearly growled it at her seconds ago, she wasn’t going to press the issue. If he wanted to be called that, so be it.She watched as he leaned against the window, staring out into the darkness. She’d never longed for her art supplies as much as she did now. This man knew survival, the kind most beings—human or otherwise—had never been forced to endu
Wolf's Desire Chapter 14
That night, once Lily returned to the guest suite, she fell into a deep, restful sleep where she dreamed of a pair of piercing blue eyes staring at her from the darkness. She was in human form, standing at the edge of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, just outside Wolf Pack Run, and from beneath the pines, a pair of glowing eyes watched her. She glanced up as the wind whistled through the trees. The rolling smith clouds and thunder overhead cast an ominous threat. A storm was coming.As she looked back toward the trees again, all sound ceased save for the rustling of the leaves in the wind. The eyes that had once been an icy cerulean blue had shifted, transitioning into the gold of a wolf’s eyes. Familiar eyes.Anthony, a sharp voice whispered.Suddenly, Anthony darted deeper into the trees, disappearing among the foliage. Lily ran after him, shifting into wolf form. She chased him for what felt like miles, years. Yet instinct told her she was supposed
Wolf's Desire Chapter 15
It was a long walk to the stables, and by the time they’d found Tucker and made their journey out to the pasture, Lily was certain she’d been asked more questions than if she’d been interrogated by Rebel’s men themselves. The latest in the line of questioning was about the merits of strawberry versus raspberry jelly, because as Hope put it, she was firmly in the nothing-is-better-than-strawberry camp, while Will and Noah preferred raspberry. Hope was convinced she could get the cook to make strawberry jelly, if only Lily sided with her, since as a “guest,” Lily’s word would carry more weight.Guest wasn’t exactly what Lily would call it, but all things considered, the situation was complicated.As they reached the stable, after much reluctance to pick sides, Lily finally admitted, “Actually, I prefer raspberry jelly, because it’s more ta…” Her voice trailed off as they stepped inside.She&r
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Had Rebel been a God-fearing man, he would have prayed she didn’t follow him, but he knew firsthand that not even God could save him from the likes of Lily Grey when she set her mind to something. Her steps over the grass were silent, but he felt her presence behind him as keenly as if he were looking at her.“I have a bone to pick with you,” she called after him.He tugged on Bee’s reins, slowing the mustang. “If it involves either teacup pigs as indoor pets or small children asking about horse’s mating habits, then save it. It can wait.” He nudged Bee again.“It can’t wait.” She stepped in front of him, blocking their path. Her eyes flashed to her wolf’s. She wasn’t pleased and he knew it.“Can’t or won’t?”The gold in those wolf eyes flared. “Both.” She placed her hands on her hips. Rebel shook his head. He inspired fear in most men, and yet
Wolf's Desire Chapter 17
Lily hated him right now. She absolutely hated him.It was nearly nightfall by the time she climbed the mansion steps. She gritted her teeth as she shuffled forward. Her feet were starting to ache. Sure, she’d only been a short walk from the stables, and she’d been able to ride back to the mansion on one of his spare horses, but that’d been after she’d come to the rescue of one of his stable hands.Well…maybe rescue was the wrong word, considering she’d been the one to accidentally knock over the stable hand’s teetering wheelbarrow of manure. She’d felt it was only fair to offer to help clean the mess up. Half an hour later, it failed to matter that she’d been the one to knock the wheelbarrow over. She was still cursing Rebel for not readily offering her a ride. She hadn’t mucked stalls like that since she was a wolf pup, and her arms were feeling it something fierce.Gripping the massive door handle,
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When Lily woke several hours later, she couldn’t get back to sleep. She lay in bed for what felt like hours, her mind replaying every scenario since the moment Rebel had first turned up in her bedroom and worrying over what lay before them the following night. Despite their newfound truce, she still wasn’t certain she’d made the right decision in partnering with him, though she supposed time would tell.After more than one unsuccessful attempt to quiet her mind and return to sleep, she finally threw back the covers and ventured out of bed. The children and Murtagh had mentioned a library in the south wing of the mansion, and she intended to find it. With any luck, she’d find an entertaining read to pass the midnight hours. With tentative steps, she crept from her room and descended the staircase to the first floor.The mansion was quiet. Wolves were nocturnal by nature, but she’d observed that much like Wolf Pack Run, Johnson Hollow bustle
Wolf's Desire Chapter 19
Lily spent more time searching for her wayward teacup pig than was reasonable, and unfortunately even she recognized this. The following morning, she trekked through the pasture’s green grass, heading out to the stables to find a horse to aid in her search. Tucker had taken to wandering out to the pigpens to visit his fellow piggies, and while Lily enjoyed a good walk, she wasn’t about to risk the chance of getting stranded in the middle of the pasture again.Since they’d arrived at Johnson Hollow, Tucker had taken his liberties to new bounds. At Wolf Pack Run, while he enjoyed free range over the ranchlands, he generally kept close to Lily. But since they’d arrived at Johnson Hollow, the little piglet had a newfound appreciation for exploration.Exploration.She supposed that was one word for it. Her thoughts turned to Rebel and how she’d wanted to explore with him last night. It had taken everything in her to leave him there, alon
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After finishing the ceremony, Rebel headed out to the pasture. He’d directed Murtagh and Sterling to set up the details of the meeting with his informant that evening, so he spent most of the day running the tedder, lost in thought as the sun beat down on his bare back and left a thick sheen of sweat from a hard day’s work in its wake.The sunset painted hues of orange and magenta over the blue-ridge mountain skyline as he rode in that night. He was used to working until past sundown, but considering he and Lily had a few hours of driving before they reached their destination, they needed to head out early.Rebel quartered Bee in the stables before taking the truck back to the house. Once inside, he searched for Lily. She’d need to be ready to leave in less than an hour, and Rebel had a feeling she would want to rock Tucker to sleep or feed him a bottle or something else equally as endearing as it was odd, at least to a rancher.As he passed th
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LILY WATCHED AROUND, STUNNED. ANTHONY WATCHED READY TO GROWL ATRose, but his face showed deep concern.“What do you mean?” Lily questioned, turning the heart-shaped locket over a few times to show how ordinary it was. As a sentimental keepsake, the locket was invaluable, but it wasn’t special in any other sense.Other than the sea breeze stirring the bougainvillea that grew along the porch, nothing moved, and no one said a word. It was Rose who finally jutted her chin toward the locket and spoke.“I suspect Moira may have wish Josua to procure it for her. May I ask what’s inside?”Lily undid the clasp to show how harmless its contents were. “It’s nothing, really. Just this.”She laughed as she said it, then froze. Why was everyone staring? “Whoa,” Harry muttered, taken aback. “Wow.” Hailey’s eyebrows flew up.“Ho-ly shit,” Jeremy said, drawing out
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LILY SMOOTHED HER HANDS OVER HER SHIRT AND CHECKED HERappearance for the third time. Her French braid watched fine, but her hands wouldn’t stop skittering nervously over her clothes. When she caught herself sniffing the air, she chuckled.“What?” anthony questioned, coming up beside her. The moment he touched her shoulder, her jumpy nerves eased.“Look at me, sniffing the air. Soon, I’ll be howling to the moon.”She hadn’t shifted yet, but she’d experienced a change the moment anthony had bitten her. That had been three days ago, and she was still tingling from the high. Of course, they had been shagging wildly at all times of day — and night — ever since.“Howling to the moon with me,” anthony said, looking pleased. The notion made her blood race. But then she wrinkled her nose andfrowned.“Yikes. We smell like sex.”“We smell like mates,&rdq
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ANTHONY WOKE SLOWLY, STILL NOT QUITE READY TO BELIEVE. A WEEKhad passed since that awful day on the rocks — the day he could have lost Lily. He could be forgiven for holding her close all night long and not wanting to let her go now that it was morning, right?“Mmm,” she sighed, snuggling near.Nola and Boris snuggled near too, and anthony sighed. But, hell. He could deal with a couple of hounds at the foot of the bed.“Heya, buddy,” he said, reaching down to pet Shelly, who didn’t even flinch. In fact, he seemed to like it.The little Jack Russell had spent the night on a pillow directly beside the couch — the plushest, biggest pillow to be found. It was huge, and the golden tassels at the corners made Shelly look like a goddamn maharajah. Ish had brought it over sometime after the fight, and Lily had spent the first forty-eight hours afterward fussing over both him and the hound.anthony watched up at t
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LILY FLIPPED JUST IN TIME TO SEE ANTHONY BEING THROWN AGAINSTthe rocks. His wolf body was battered, and Vucovich bled from several deep wounds too. But the grizzly had the upper hand, and it was closing in for the kill.“No!”She grabbed a rock and rushed forward, hurling it at the grizzly. The mighty beast flipped and growled at her, ignoring anthony. So she threw another rock and another. Each successive blow drew a greater reaction from the grizzly, who winced, ducked, and roared.One little part of her mind registered that she shouldn’t be able to make such an impact. That something other than pure panic might be fueling her. But then the grizzly came straight for her, and she froze, staring death in the face.Then Shelly — dear little Shelly, limping up like a canine Napoleon who didn’t know when to quit — sank his teeth into the grizzly’s back leg. The beast twisted around to anthony him away, leaving its
Wolf's Desire Chapter 53
LILY FROZE AS ANTHONY HELD OUT HIS HANDS, SHOWING HE DIDN’Twant a fight. But his eokay glowed in a way she’d never seen before, turning the hazel into a fiery brick color. They were full of anger, but full of regret too. Why?“This is our territory, and you know it,” anthony barked at Vucovich and McGraw. Then he faced Josua. “You have no idea who you’re getting mixed up with.” He jerked a thumb toward the road. “Last chance to get out.”Josua laughed. “Or what?”“Or die.” anthony’s sound was bitter and worn. The sound of a man who’d seen enough death and destruction for one lifetime.“Oh yeah? You’re going to get rid of us all by yourself?”“No,” anthony said simply as Jeremy stepped into view near McGraw. Gone was the happy-go-lucky jokester; this Jeremy was a furious warrior, ready to do battle.anthony pointed. “H
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A HEAVY SILENCE STRETCHED BETWEEN THEM, AND LILY WAITEDimpatiently for anthony to begin. Finally, he opened his mouth, ready to start, but then—His chin jerked up and to the side, as if he’d heard a phone ring. His forehead creased with deep lines, and his whole demeanor changed.“Damn it,” he muttered.Lily blinked. “Most things okay?”His shoulders drooped for a second, and his hands balled into fists. “Okay. No. Shit. I have to go check.”He watched at her for a long, hard minute, and she could see him warring with himself. He stand, reaching for his clothes, then took her hand.“I’ll explain most things, Lily. I swear.”He kissed her. She wish to kiss him back, but her mouth met thin air as anthony pulled away.“I swear, I will,” he muttered, pulling on his pants.She’d seen him turn on soldier mode before, but never as abruptly as
Wolf's Desire Chapter 51
LILY FLIPPED SLOWLY, BARELY OPENING HER EOKAY BEFORE SHUTTINGthem again. It was morning — she could tell that much — but she was afraid the previous night had been a dream. What if she hadn’t just spent the best night of her life wrapped in a perfect man’s arms?But that weight on her leg wasn’t one of the hounds cuddled up alongside, and she wasn’t imagining the tough, wiry fingers intertwined with hers. Slowly, she opened her eokay. Then she closed them again, exhaling in relief. She really was cuddled up with anthony, and she really had spent the night in that cozy loft with him.The clock showed shortly past six. anthony was still spooned up behind her, snoozing peacefully. Was he wiped out, or would he awake all energized? She experienced a little of both, though she had the sneaking suspicion the energized part might take over again and lead them into yet another round of sex.A huge grin spread on her face as she
Wolf's Desire Chapter 50
ANTHONY WRAPPED HIS ARMS AROUND LILY AND HELD HER CLOSE. Really close, the way you did with a dream you didn’t want to slip away. There was so much he wish to tell her — and so much he wish to hear her say. At the same time, he relished the sweet silence. He had his mate. What more did he need?Still, he was acutely aware that sooner or later, those words would have to come. Lily was right about having waited too long to have slept together. Had he waited too long to tell her about his inner wolf, too? “Lily,” he said silently, gathering his courage to spill it all at last.She smiled the sweet, hazy smile of a person who’d never experienced so satisfied. “Okay?”God, he loved her. Should he start with that?He kissed her shoulder, then her collarbone, and finally the upper part of her breast. Partly to buy time, and partly because he finally could. All those gorgeous curves, all that smooth flesh open for him to ex
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LILY TOOK A DEEP BREATH. NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE WAS ABOUTto do, but because being lowered by anthony was like floating through a cloud. How a man that powerful managed to combine gentle with urgent, she had no clue. But boy, did it work for her.It was crazy, how badly she wish him. How much naughty there was hiding inside the nice girl she’d always been.“I want this,” she said silently in an echo of her own words.She’d had a hell of a day, and her nerves were still on edge. But anthony made the fear fade into the background, and the more she touched him, the more her world filled with joy and light. So she fumbled with his shirt until he helped her work it off, and wow — there she was, flat on her back with an acre of smooth, hard chest above her. Her hands go right on smoothing circles across his skin, unable to get enough of him. How was it possible that they hadn’t gone this far before?Not far enough, a need
