Forever With The Wolf: An Erotic Shapeshifter Romance (Werewolf's Harem Series Book 5) Read Free Page A

full ritual before he’ll change her.”
    Garrett’s jaw tensed and he looked down at his lap for a moment, trying once more to suppress his anger.
    “There’s no guarantee that the change will even work. It’s very dangerous, even for a human in good health,” he said at last.
    “I know,” Kiley said, looking away from him again.
    “You’re throwing away a very long lifetime on the chance that he might be able to help her. It’s a huge gamble, and the odds are stacked against you.”
    “I know,” she said again, giving a helpless shrug.
    “You won’t even try anything else?”
    Kiley looked up at him, her bright blue eyes brimming with tears.
    “I can’t. I can’t take that risk, Garrett. Brad is the only one that can help my sister, and I’ve got nothing else to bargain with.”
    She sucked in a deep breath, the fingers of her right hand fidgeting with the enormous engagement ring on her left. It killed him that she was hurting so badly, but he could tell that she was determined to see her plan through. There was no use arguing with Kiley when her mind was made up.
    “So you’ve made your choice, then,” he sighed, standing up. That bottle of tequila was still in his room, and it was calling his name.
    “Garrett…” she said, her head dropping back as she stared up at him.
    “Goodbye, Kiley,” Garrett said, turning and heading for the house. She made no move to follow, which he appreciated.
    When he stepped into the living room, he found Elijah waiting, a frown on his face.
    “What, you too?” Garrett joked, shaking his head. “There’s no pleasing anybody tonight, is there?”
    “I know we were going to take some time off…”
    Elijah stalled, looking uncertain.
    “Spit it out,” Garrett prodded.
    “There’s a job waiting on us, a huge payout. Arms retrieval,” Elijah explained. “It’ll be dangerous, but…”
    “Let’s do it. When can we leave?”
    “I moved up the interviews for Kiley and Brad’s replacements. If we leave now, we can be back in Atlanta for interviews at noon tomorrow, and be in Libya in…” He looked at his watch, calculating. “Thirty six hours.”
    “Fine,” Garrett said. “I just need to pack.”
    “We can stay for the night if you need,” Elijah said, gesturing to the back patio. The man was too perceptive for his own good, and had no doubt noticed Garrett and Kiley’s little powwow.
    “Nope,” Garrett said, turning and heading for his room.
    “You sure you don’t want to sleep on it?” Elijah said, a hint of wry humor in his tone.
    Garrett didn’t answer. Instead, he returned to his room and systematically packed the two duffel bags he’d brought to Costa Rica. He emptied the room in less than ten minutes, stuffing down the roiling anger in his gut. When he came back out into the common room, Elijah waited by the door. Kiley and Brad were sitting on the couch, their expressions tense.
    When Garrett glanced over at them, Brad reached out and slid his arm around Kiley’s waist, pulling her close. Garrett snorted and rolled his eyes when Kiley winced and swallowed but didn’t resist.
    “The rest of the team?” Garrett asked Elijah.
    “Meeting us in a few days. We’ll do the interviews and find the safe house first, and then they’ll join us,” Elijah said, his gaze darting between Garrett and the dubiously happy couple.
    “Right,” Garrett said. He opened the front door and picked up his duffel bags, making his way out.
    “Garrett!” Kiley called, her voice rising with tension.
    Garrett half-turned, raising a brow. For just one tiny fraction of a moment, he let himself hope.
    “Good luck,” she said after a long pause, her shoulders slumping.
    “I think you need it more than me,” Garrett shot back, turning on his heel and marching outside.
    With Elijah at his back, Garrett loaded his gear in one of the team’s rented SUVs and climbed into the driver’s seat. In moments the house dropped behind them, fading out of view in the