Wolf's Bane (Shifted) Read Free Page B

to anything male at the moment. She had to keep reminding herself that one or two men’s actions didn’t make all men bad.
    “ Ashley, this is Lars, my second in command, and this is his son Bryce.”
    “Good to meet you,” Bryce said taking a step forward. The girl drew her legs up, clutching them with her arms as she sank deeper into the cocoon the blanket made around her.  “Sorry,” Bryce said knowing he had scared her. She was trying to hide in plain sight. His advance had made her retreat even more. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    The man’s words hurt. She was afraid to have him come closer and, rationally, knew she had no reason to be. Uncle Drew trusted these men and she was acting like a coward.
    “It’s alright. You didn’t scare me,” she lied. “It’s just been a rough week.”
    Bryce smiled at the girl ’s comment. A rough week was an understatement. She had been through hell. He could see strength in her that lay just beneath the surface. She was damaged, but Bane hadn’t broken her.
    “I know you don’t know us, but your uncle explained what happened.” Bryce caught a hint of pain in her hidden gaze. Her dark hair hid most of her face, but you could still detect the shadows within. Her grey green eyes were dull and lifeless. Had they always been that way? “We want to help. Just let us know if you need anything.”
    “Thank you. I won’t be here that long, but it’s kind of you to offer,” Ashley said lifting her chin to look directly at the man. This stranger was offering his assistance only because she was the niece of the Alpha.
    “ Ashley, we have discussed this,” her Aunt Julie said in response.
    “I know we have. I only agreed to come here because I had nowhere else to go. As soon as I’m able, I will be leaving. My being here puts you all at risk.”
    “I can go take care of Bane right now!” Bryce didn’t know where that came from. He was angry at Bane, and after seeing Ashley curled in a ball on the Alpha’s couch, he was enraged. After all she had been through, she still had to live in fear of retribution. He wanted to take care of the problem, show her there were good men in the world.
    “Bryce,” Lars reprimanded.
    “What Dad? Look at her. No woman should be treated that way. If this Bane character thinks she’s at fault, he needs to think again.”
    Ashl ey felt the rage coming off the were across the room. The enormous man’s anger should have terrified her, but it didn’t. It intrigued her. A man she didn’t even know was willing to defend her. Maybe, just maybe, her mother had been right. There were more men out there like her father and Uncle Drew.
    “ You can’t just go kill him,” Ashley said wincing at the word kill. She had killed and would do it again. Death was too good for Richard Bane.
    “ If he comes for you, I will.” Bryce knew his reaction to the situation was extreme. She wasn’t family. She was a girl he had met ten minutes ago, but even before he met her, he knew he needed to protect her. She wasn’t helpless. She had killed a full grown male.
    “ Why would you do that for me?” The hair around her face fell back a bit. allowing Bryce see more of her face. She had delicate features and smooth skin. The shadow of a bruise on her cheek looked angry and purple against her pale skin. Her fingers were the only thing showing as she clutched the blanket around her neck. Was she cold? It seemed warm to Bryce. He wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how. She was afraid of him, so he dare not go closer.
    “I would do it for any woman that was mistre ated.” Ashley was surprised that she felt sudden disappointment. For a brief moment, she and hoped he was doing it for her specifically. What would it be like to have a man that was that fierce to defend your honor? A man that cared enough to vanquish all your demons. It was the stuff of fairy tales, and for a brief moment, she wished it was real.
    “I don’t want an yone getting