Beta's Mate (Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series Book 8) Read Free Page B

anytime I wanted to rip one. He was so nice.”
    “Susan, I hope you didn’t make it a habit to get drunk while in the military. You know that’s not safe, or healthy,” Brenda pointed out.
    “Aww don’t be such a downer, Brenda. Having you for a big sister is looking more and more depressing.”
    “Susan, that’s not nice,” Esme said, jumping to Brenda’s defense. “Brenda wouldn’t say that if she didn’t care about you. Besides it doesn’t matter anymore. We can’t get drunk, even if we tried. At the most, we’d get a stomach ache and throw up, no buzz or happy feelings. So that’s it.” Brenda felt a warmth in her chest. It felt good to be connected to these two women, lycan sisters by blood, if not by birth.
    “Maybe we can get Jared to change his mind about the male strippers,” Susan said. “Granger told me we can have sex with humans if we want. I guess he and Jared were a little bit wild in their teens.” Brenda coughed, her throat suddenly constricted. Granger had been a little wild?
    “Unmated lycans might be able to have sex with humans,” Esme said. “Once mated that is no longer an option. Be careful, Susan. Several of Jared’s pack members found mates among the human population. So, don’t go around having casual sex, you might end up mated.”
    “You aren’t much better than Brenda, Esme. You probably have never been drunk, or had casual sex in your life,” Susan whined.
    “I was sick for a long time with cancer. I never had a chance to do a lot of things. I think I wouldn’t miss the hangover and throwing up. So it’s okay,” Esme said.
    “What about you, Brenda? Have you ever been drunk or had casual sex?” Susan asked.
    “Yes, to both. I wish I hadn’t, and I hope you will have more sense than to fool around like that,” Brenda said, pulling up in front of the Bridal Boutique.
    Susan’s mouth hung open, and Esme looked at her in shock. Brenda finished parking the SUV and reached for the door handle. “Are you coming, or what?”
     
    §
     
    Granger put the last of his clothes into a box before heading out to the truck. Jared would send a cleaning crew out to spiff the place up for Brenda. He wished things were different, that he was the one giving “The Cottage” to his mate.
    What Brenda didn’t know was that Granger built the house himself. There wasn’t another one like it on the property or in the world. He spent months designing it and then worked alongside the contractor building it. It might sit on pack land, but the building was his alone. Now it would be Brenda’s. His heart settled. It was okay. Brenda was the only person he could give the cottage to without feeling resentment and loss. She belonged to him as much as the house did. It would feel good to know she lived here, even if he wasn’t.
    “Are you okay?” Jared asked, from the door. “I guess I should have talked to you first. When I saw how she reacted to the job, I figured she wouldn’t accept the cottage if she knew it was yours. I’m sorry if I screwed up.”
    “No, you’re right. She would have pitched a fit. I’m not sure what happened to her that she thinks everyone wants something from her. But, I’m going to find out. I want her happy. Whatever that takes, including giving up my house.”
    “You left your drawings up on the walls. Aren’t you afraid she’ll realize you’re the artist?” Jared asked.
    “No. They stay on the walls. I want the house like it would be if we were together. I doubt she’ll even notice them.”
    “Did you clean out your studio?” Jared asked, suddenly. “ Merde , I didn’t think about that. I’m so sorry. How are you going to get any work done?”
    “I locked the door. Tell Brenda it’s a storage room. I can sketch anywhere, and I won’t be doing any sculpting until after the mating bond is cemented into place. I delivered my last commissioned piece of the year before I left for London, so we’re good.”
    “I’m such a fool, I