Read Online Awakened by the Wolf by Kristal Hollis - Free Book Online

and rank. No amount of disinfectant or deodorizers could expunge the smell of suffering.
    Her mother had spent years in and out of hospital rooms. It had been horrible. The false hope. The rally, the decline. The numbing acceptance that while miracles did happen, they didn’t happen for everyone.
    â€œHow are you feeling, Mrs. Walker?” Cassie crossed her arms to hold on to the warmth of Margaret’s hug.
    â€œFit as a Hardanger fiddle now that my two favorite people are here.” Margaret poked Cassie’s elbow with an arthritic finger. “And I’ve told you to call me Granny.”
    The simple term of endearment struck a raw nerve. Cassie wanted to say it, but she couldn’t push the word from her lips. She couldn’t risk bonding with Margaret, or anyone else, if she expected to leave Maico with no regrets.
    â€œYes, ma’am” was the most Cassie could offer.
    Margaret rested her eyes. A sweet sigh quivered her lips, and her features no longer held the harried look Cassie had seen so often in recent years. Now the old woman looked peaceful, content. Not what Cassie expected from someone who’d suffered a heart attack.
    Brice palmed Cassie’s back, and she leaned into him for support. Yes, it was a moment of weakness. The stress of the past few days had left her bone-tired. What harm could come from siphoning a little of Brice’s strength?
    â€œGranny, what did Doc say about your condition?” Brice’s somber voice clashed with Margaret’s serene expression.
    â€œOh, there’s nothing to worry about,” Margaret said. “I’ll be good as new in no time.”
    A brittle smile formed on Cassie’s lips. Imogene had said that, too.

Chapter 8
    â€œI am not sleeping with you.” Pillow and comforter in hand, Cassie attempted to navigate the formidable obstacle blocking the door.
    Although they were both adults, as Brice readily pointed out, sharing the bed was an unreasonable demand. Hadn’t she done enough for him already?
    â€œThis isn’t a negotiation.” From the strong set of Brice’s jaw, she could tell he meant it.
    â€œGlad you agree. Now move.”
    Brice waved toward the mattress. “This is a perfectly good bed.”
    â€œAnd you’re the one sleeping in it, unless you changed your mind about your grandmother’s room.” Cassie hugged her bedding to her chest.
    â€œA Wahya male doesn’t sleep in a female relative’s bed. It’s just wrong.”
    â€œWell, I’m not sleeping in Margaret’s room, either.” Heaven forbid if something went missing. People would blame Cassie even if Margaret didn’t.
    â€œThen it’s settled.” Brice’s hard expression softened.
    Cassie stood tall. Well, as tall as her five-foot-two figure could against a mountain. “I’ll take the couch.”
    â€œYou aren’t sleeping anywhere except next to me.” Brice snatched the pillow and comforter from her clutches. “Got it?”
    â€œIf I had known that you were so bossy, I would’ve run faster.” She grabbed the bedding he’d confiscated. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
    â€œCassidy Albright, get your ass in that bed before I pick you up and drop you in it.” Brice delivered a growl so low and menacing that chills bungeed down Cassie’s spine.
    She jumped into bed. “You’ve had your shots, right? Distemper, parvo.” She paused to fluff her pillow and straighten the comforter over the sheet. “Rabies?”
    Brice snickered. He probably thought she was kidding.
    The lights went out. Followed by a rustle of clothes. A second later, the mattress moved beneath his weight.
    â€œStay on your side of the bed.” Turning her back to him, Cassie scooted toward the edge of the mattress. She tucked her hand beneath her pillow and tried to ignore the jitters of sleeping next to a man—a naked man, at