Desert Wolf (The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch) Read Free

drawn-out love-fest she was imagining, then at least a quick shag. Enough to tide her over until later.
    “You promised!” came the voices, along with another insistent series of knocks.
    Ty buried his face in the pillow next to Lana’s head. “I hate Massachusetts.”
    She let out a long, slow breath of defeat and eased her legs down his body. No matter how much it hurt to pull away from Ty, she knew the kids wouldn’t give up until they’d gotten what they’d been promised: a walk in the woods with their most exotic aunt and uncle. Lana sighed and fluttered her lips over Ty’s ear. “Sorry, my love. Your fan club wants you.”
    “Your fan club, sweetheart,” he retorted, a note of bemusement creeping into his voice.
    The truth was, the kids seemed a little in awe of them both. As did half the pack. The other half was wary, undecided. What would it take to convince them Ty was all right?
    “I’ll make it up to you later,” she whispered, kissing his ear and earning a tiny purr.
    “You most definitely will.”

CHAPTER THREE
    Lana put on a look of false cheer as they joined the kids and her sister Nala outside.
    “Isn’t it great, Auntie Nala? We get to walk with Auntie Lana and Uncle Ty!”
    Lana exchanged amused glances with her younger sister. The great part, they both knew, was giving their brother Neal and his mate a break from their excitable cubs.
    For all the racket the kids made as they skipped down the forest trail, Lana could still hear Ty grumbling. He flipped up the collar of his flannel shirt and scowled at the crunching of his boots over the morning frost.
    And people live here because…?
    She shot him a look.
Because if everyone lived in Arizona, it’d be too full.
    He grunted then hoisted her niece to his shoulders.
Maybe we should head home a day or two sooner.
He put the thought straight into Lana’s mind instead of saying it aloud. She had to give him brownie points for that—the big, bad alpha had learned a little tact.
    We just got here, Ty.
    What if there’s a problem at home?
    She shrugged.
Cody’s in charge.
    Ty gave an exaggerated inner groan.
That’s what I mean.
    Come on. He’s got Zack and Kyle to help him. Plus Tina and your dad.
    Dad can’t wait for him to fuck up
, Ty muttered.
    Neither can you.
    He stopped in mid-step to stare at her.
    It’s true
, she insisted.
Give your brother a chance. Imagine how much more time we’d get if he were helping run things.
    The thin line of his lips—yep, the soft cushions that had been kissing her were already hidden away—grew thinner. Then he turned and ducked under a low-hanging branch, continuing down the forest trail. She’d have to work extra hard to coax them back out later.
    Lana hid a grin. That part could be fun.
    They were in the thick of the woods now, where pockets of snow still clung to the hollows and the cold seemed thicker, damper. They followed a meandering trail that was full of memories, like the time she and Len built a treehouse in that cluster of oaks. She could still see one of the two-by-fours stuck in the branches. Or the time she buried treasure—chocolate gold coins from the dime store—by the big boulder under the pines, only to find it eaten by insects later. Those memories, she could feel sentimental about. Others weren’t so funny, like the spot among the mossy tree stumps where she used to go to hang her head and tell herself that being alone was perfectly fine. Even back then, she’d dreamed of red rock canyons and mile-wide views, as if she was destined for Arizona the way she was destined for Ty.
    “So, you happy to be home?” Nala asked.
    I can’t wait to go back
, she wanted to say, but kept her response to a vague hum.
    “Your mate’s so good with the kids,” Nala said, throwing Ty an appreciative look.
    Lana blinked. Ty—her Ty—good with kids? She nearly cackled out loud. Ty the volcano? Ty the sexy grouch? Ty, her desert wolf?
    But looking at him… Well, hell, maybe Nala was