Scattered Siblings 3: To Mate a Werewolf Read Free Page A

sniffed and told him, “At least we’re agreed that I need to move on. I can’t stay in Whitby, not with all its otherworld connections. I won’t risk the Elves getting hold of me again. Since my most marketable skill is my baking, I plan to move somewhere inland and open a shop.”
    Joel tried for a lighter note. “I’ll second that. In fact I’ll pay the set-up costs.”
    There. He’d found a way to both help her and keep an eye on her. Mostly, it had been hard, but he’d kept his distance and kept his hands off her. He couldn’t believe they’d just had sex. Not true. They’d just had mind-blowing, amazing sex, but he should have kept his cock to himself.
    Ellie tempted him, aroused him, and set his body on fire with longing. Why didn’t I resist her charms? When he’d seen the desire reciprocated in her eyes, his common sense deserted him—right along with his self-control. Clearly it had meant more to her than to him, but Lykae women were never shy with their favors.
    Sometimes he forgot she was an Elf.
    Ellie stiffened and stared out to sea. Her shoulders shook as if she was holding back tears, but he’d just made her a generous offer. Surely she should shake his hand and accept. Instead she gazed vacantly into the distance. He hated that. His brows drew together as he tried to figure out what he’d done wrong—apart from the fact that he’d bedded a woman he’d intended to protect.
    Unsure what to say or do, he waited for her to speak. Instead she whirled around, eyes glinting like angry emeralds, her lips narrowed into a thin line. Her slap sent him reeling. Mostly because it took him by surprise.
    She spluttered angrily, “Joel Blackheart, you’re a jerk and a user. Keep your payoff for your whores. Just get me out of these grounds and go away.”
    He backed off and rubbed his cheek. He’d deserved that slap and more for giving in to his animal urges. And damn, his inner wolves howled for him to fuck her again. He’d hurt and insulted a woman he’d meant to help. His offer to finance her bakery had been genuine. He knew a good investment when he saw it. Elves’ blood, he knew how to woo and fuck women, but with Ellie he’d wanted so much more. She triggered a protectiveness inside him, and he wouldn’t sleep well until he knew her future was secure.
    He liked that Ellie saw him as someone heroic, a knight in shining armor. All because two years back he’d led the rescue party that freed her from sex-crazed, sadistic Elves. Not that he’d ever wanted to screw her before. Well, once or maybe twice…but he’d ignored the boner he always sported around her. Instead he’d told himself to treat her like his little sister. Today he’d fucked up in so many ways.
    As the Tundra Toughs’ next alpha he should never hurt anyone under his care. After everything Ellie had been through, he hated that he’d used her for sex. Only he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her. She deserved someone a million times better than him. He growled and let his fingers lengthen into claws at the thought.
    He’d just rubbed poor Ellie’s nose in her weaknesses and failings. As alpha, he was part father figure, part big brother, and always a strong leader. Alphas had responsibilities, but he’d used her to carve another notch on his already well-decorated bedpost.
    His duty was to help her, and after fucking her today, he felt so damn guilty. She was a fine woman, and she’d make someone a good wife. He growled softly when he thought about that. While he couldn’t offer her a future with him or his pack, he needed to watch over her and see she built a good life. Whether she wanted him to or not.
    Earlier today, the camp had seemed empty without Ellie supervising the breakfasts. Instead of the warm atmosphere she’d created inside the mess, the place was deserted. It stank of greasy food, and the orderlies had already finished their duties. Ellie had prepared her food with love and served it with a