Read Online Called by the Bear 7-9 by V. Vaughn - Free Book Online

just coming in.”
    Keith’s brow is furrowed. “It couldn’t wait until morning?”
    “I couldn’t sleep. I know it’s silly, but I just had to come check.” I don’t want to walk by him so I stop before the door. The laundry room is just off to the left once we’re inside, and I need to hide my tin. “My hands are gross, and I think I got stuff on my pants. I’m going to wash up and change.”
    “Sure.” The kettle screams in the kitchen, and Keith moves toward it. Once he removes it he asks, “Want me to sit up with you?”
    I call out from the laundry room. “No. No, I’m fine. Go back to bed. I’ll be up soon.”
    His voice carries over the rush of water in the utility sink. “Okay. Love you.”
    “Love you, too.” Once I’m sure he’s climbing the stairs I slip the tea container out of my pants and rinse it off.
    After I change my pants I return to the kitchen, and utensils rattle when I pull open a drawer to find the mesh steeping ball. The lid pops off the tea tin, and I scoop some up. I drop the tea into my mug with a clatter, and I’m interrupted by Keith. “Earring?”
    I glance over at the kitchen table and wonder how I didn’t notice him there. Anger surges in me. I should explain this to him. “I—”
    The old man speaks in my mind. “He won’t understand. You know what you must do.” I shake my head as if I can make him go away.
    Keith is walking toward me. “Hey.” His voice is soft. “What’s going on?”
    Fear makes my pulse quicken when I realize he’s going to stop me from drinking the tea. My muscles tense as his hands land lightly on my shoulders, and I snap. I apply a power slap that knocks Keith out cold.
    His body thumps onto the ground, and I step back. I blink in confusion, but an undeniable purpose overcomes my thoughts. “Well that makes things easier.”
    Steam rises from my mug as I pour hot water into it. The steeping ball clinks against my cup as I swirl it, and I glance down at my unconscious husband. “We’re going to have triplets and be so happy, babe. You’ll see.”

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    S ign up for V. Vaughn’s newsletter to hear about her next shifter releases. Tempted by the Bear is coming this August.
    Buy or borrow all nine installments in bundles or on their own:
    Called by the Bear Parts 1-3
    Called by the Bear Parts 4-6
    Called by the Bear Parts 7-9

    P art 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
    Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

    D on’t miss the Winter Valley Wolves:
    Brindle
    Bosun
    Berch July 16
    Chosen Coming in August

Part 8
    T aylor - My dreams called me to the Le Roux, and I was convinced it was to start a family that would carry on the clan name. But I’ve discovered my purpose is something much bigger.

    L ily - Uncovering Victor’s evil side changes everything. While I struggle with the truth I’m still destined to save a clan. But which one?

11

Chapter 1
    T aylor

    T iny bits of broken glass shimmer in the brightly lit kitchen. The metal chandelier lies on the tile floor next to Keith, and I survey the scene to make sure it’s believable. The old man who seems to reside in my brain laughs, and it sends an involuntary shiver down my spine. My mate groans, so I kneel down to stroke his cheek. “Baby, are you okay?”
    He blinks in confusion before he reaches up to touch his forehead. He winces at the contact and whispers, “You hit me.”
    “What? No. You’re confused. The light fell and hit you in the head.”
    “Taylor, I know what took place.” He sits up and notices the shattered light bulbs on the floor. His brow furrows in confusion. “How did this happen?”
    “I don’t know. It was the craziest thing. We were talking about tea, and the next thing I know, the chandelier crashed down on to you.”
    “Right. The tea.” Keith winces as he stands. “Where is that tin? The one you dug out of the garbage.”
    Keith caught me digging through trash searching for tea that was supposedly poisoning me. But I know better. “I didn’t dig any