Taken (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 2) Read Free Page A

know exactly the full story, but I think my mother regrets choosing the human. He didn’t stick around until I was born and Brendan took my mother in during her pregnancy and cared for her like she belonged to him, but she moved to her own cabin when I was born. I think she wishes she had been Brendan’s mate, instead, from the way she looks at him.”
    Katlyn was shocked, but kept smiling, despite how she was reeling over Ivan’s account of his mother’s and Brendan’s past involvement. “I’m sorry to hear about your father, but I’m glad your mother came to Shadow Creek and you’re here in school now.”
    Melody stood up. “My mother was shot by a boy while in hawk form and she was found by Brendan and Chase and nursed back to health by Ms. Paige. Red-tailed hawks are protected in Wyoming as a bird of prey. She survived, somehow, and gave birth to me prematurely months later. I’m not supposed to talk about who my dad is.”
    Katlyn had to hold back the tears. So many of these children were fatherless, far too many of them. She held a protective hand over her abdomen, now.
    Maxwell stood up and said, “Werewolves were the first real shifters in Wyoming, dating back to the 1800s when they could only shift by light of the full moon, but through the years, things changed with the introduction of human mates. As humans moved into the werewolf territories, they went into hiding for years in caves, with a small band choosing to live as humans in full sight, right here in Wyoming. My grandfather was one of them. After my father was born, many werewolves wanted to come back to Wyoming, but they only did it to cause problems with the ranchers and my grandfather was forced to drive them back into the hills.”
    “They had to fight against other werewolves?”
    “Yes, against full-bloods. We’re half-breeds, but we are more able to shift without the aid of the full moon. We’re hated by the full-bloods, but they haven’t been heard of since my father was a boy. They might have moved elsewhere, even out of Wyoming possibly.”
    “Now, that is interesting. I’ve always wondered about werewolves since most stories have them only able to shift at the full moon. Do you have to be born from shifter blood, or can you be turned if bitten?”
    “I’ve heard stories, but I’m not sure if they’re true since that only happened with the full-bloods. I’d have to ask Granny Palina. She’s the oldest werewolf of the pack. She knows more about the myths and legends. All I know is werewolves don’t leave their mates, ever.”
    “What about your mother? Surely she’s still living with the pack?”
    Maxwell hung his head sadly. “She left not long after she gave birth to me.”
    “Is she human?”
    “Yes, but even though she deserted me, my father was the best dad, ever. Until that human struck him down. I hate humans now.” He sat with tears dancing in his eyes. “Sorry, teacher. I know you’re human, too. I just don’t understand how a woman would just leave her pup behind like that.”
    Katlyn walked over to Maxwell and fluffed his hair. “If nobody has given you a reason, then have you thought that perhaps she just wasn’t able to stay?”
    He gazed up at her. “No, I guess not.”
    “There are many reasons why someone never returns. They could have been injured, driven away, or possibly ... died without anyone knowing. I bet if you asked your granny, she could tell you more.”
    “Thanks, Ms. Katlyn. I sure will.”
    * * *
    Hours later, class was dismissed and Katlyn tried not to ponder about how so many children were left fatherless or, in Maxwell’s case, motherless. It sure didn’t help Katlyn from worrying about her own pregnancy or commitment with Brendan and Chase. So many of their mothers were helped by them, and Brendan had dated Ivan’s mother Wenise? Katlyn couldn’t help but feel a little jealous now, although she quickly brushed the thought away. It was human to not want to lose your mate to