Talan's Treasure Read Free Page B

his eyes were dull with sorrow.
    “Hey.” Talan stroked Adrian’s head. “It’s not your fault he died.”
    “I know.” His eyes remained troubled even as he nodded in agreement. “I know intellectually it isn’t my fault, but the wolf pack has owned this property for years and we’ve never had any problems before. I wanted this to be a romantic getaway and now I’ll never get the blood out of my mind. I wasn’t real close to Darren but he was a nice guy and never gave me any crap about being gay.”
    “Did the other wolves?”
    Adrian shrugged. “Before Kade became Alpha, I would occasionally get snide remarks or comments. That faded when he seriously injured the first guy and banished the second.” Talan nudged Adrian. “I’ve seen you in action. Why didn’t you take them out yourself?”
    “I’m sort of an all or nothing kind of guy and didn’t want to kill anyone. And besides, you know how protective my brother is.”
    Talan gave him a wide smile. “I love your brother’s protective streak. It’s what brought me you. If he hadn’t been so worried about that pack member attacking you, I’d never have been able to convince him to give you to me.”
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    TALAN’S TREASURE
    Amber Kell
    16
    A bit of tension eased out of Adrian’s shoulders. “I didn’t really appreciate it at the time,” he admitted. “But it did turn out well in the end.” Talan leaned over and kissed Adrian lightly. He had all kinds of ideas about how to distract his mate. “Which cabin were we supposed to use?” Adrian smiled but Talan could see it was an effort.
    “One-oh-four, down the street. Kade loaned me a master key but I was supposed to check in to let Darren know we’re here.”
    “After we talk to the sheriff we’ll head on down to the cabin.” Talan was glad when Adrian didn’t object. He didn’t want to start their vacation with a fight. “The sheriff will take care of the body, and we’ll be snug in another cottage making mad, passionate love before you know it.” Adrian appeared more shocked than tearful at the man’s death. Talan felt bad for the caretaker’s demise but he was more concerned about Adrian’s happiness than a total stranger.
    “Yeah.” Adrian offered him a shaky smile. “You’re right. We’ll let everyone take care of their part and we’ll make wild animal love in the cabin.” Talan smiled back at his lover for trying. “I’d prefer wild human love then going skiing.” He’d really prefer to be by the fire but he could tell his wolf man needed a distraction.
    “Sounds good.”
    Talan smiled at Adrian’s tone. His wolf adored the snow as much as Talan hated the cold. Talan would be happier curled up by the fire, but he’d never tell Adrian that…not after he’d so carefully arranged the entire weekend. This one time, Talan had planned to let Adrian run everything, but a murder near their cabin had changed things. Now the most important thing was to protect and care for his man. The murderer might still be around and watching. Talan’s lion didn’t sense anything but if the killer was downwind and hidden he might escape detection.
    The flash of lights drew their attention as a car marked ‘Sheriff’ pulled up beside the Hummer. Talan lowered his window as the vehicle stopped. A man in uniform emerged with a scowl a mile wide.
    As he reached Talan’s window, Talan admired the long scar bisecting the sheriff’s cheek and reaching the lower lashes of his dark brown eyes. Shifters loved scars—they considered www.total-e-bound.com
    TALAN’S TREASURE
    Amber Kell
    17
    them signs of strength. Oddly, few shifters actually scarred but when they did, it was by overcoming a life-endangering experience.
    “You the one who called in a murder?” The sheriff’s voice, abrupt and hard, held nothing but annoyance, as if they had interrupted his day with their petty complaints about a dead person in his territory.
    Talan resisted the urge to growl at the