Read Online Ecstasy Untamed by Pamela Palmer - Free Book Online Page A

the summer sun. “You look lovely, Faith.”
    The ring of truth in his words had her blushing. Maxim hauled her against his side, a low growl rumbling from his throat.
    Tighe clasped Hawke’s shoulder. “I need a beer. So do you.”
    Jaw clenching, his gaze spearing Maxim, Hawke allowed his friend to steer him away.
    Delaney threw Faith a curious look before taking the hand Tighe held out to her and following the men to the bar at the other side of the room.
    Maxim’s grip on Faith eased, but his arm remained around her shoulders as he started forward, leading her toward Lyon and Kara. Lyon watched their approach, his expression stony. They all watched. The room had gone silent, the atmosphere wary, as all pairs of Feral eyes followed them across the room.
    “My accommodations are inadequate,” Maxim informed Lyon. “I require larger quarters.”
    A scattershot of grunts and scoffs erupted around the room, but Lyon merely stared at his newest Feral with cold eyes. “Every room is the same size.”
    “The Radiant’s room is far larger. More suited to my needs.”
    The sounds of disbelief grew louder. Faith wished she could sink into the floor and disappear.
    “He’s got to be kidding,” one deep male voice rumbled.
    “Who does he think he is?” another replied.
    “I’m all for giving him lots of space,” Vhyper muttered. “The whole backyard. I’ll stake him myself, and we can see how well he enjoys the nightly draden visit.”
    A thinly veiled threat, for the draden would quickly kill any Therian who couldn’t shift into an animal. But Maxim ignored them all.
    Lyon’s voice rose above the others. “You’re a rank-and-file soldier, Maxim, and you’re currently low man on the Feral totem pole. Until you’re brought into your animal, you’re not even that.”
    Maxim’s hand spasmed on her shoulder. “And when will that ritual occur?” he demanded.
    “Daybreak tomorrow.” Lyon turned away. But when he would have steered Kara away with him, she shook her head.
    “Give me a minute,” Kara said quietly, and her mate obeyed her wishes, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before joining Paenther and Skye. Kara’s eyes were full of sympathy as she met Faith’s gaze. “Do you like champagne? We always initiate new wives into the Feral sisterhood with champagne.”
    Faith smiled, grateful for Kara’s attention, for the open declaration that the enmity against Maxim did not extend to her. “I’ve never had any, but I’m sure I’ll love it.”
    “Never?” Kara asked incredulously, then gave a quick, self-deprecating shrug. “Then again, the only times I’d ever had it before I came here were at a couple of wedding receptions in my home town. I’m certainly no connoisseur.” She grinned. “But I do enjoy a good bottle of champagne, and the guys never buy anything but good champagne.”
    “What animal am I to become?” Maxim asked in that imperious tone of his.
    Faith looked up, wondering who he was talking to. No one and everyone, she realized. The way his head turned, he was well aware that all had chosen to keep their distance. Instead, he spoke to them like a commander addressing his troops.
    “The fox,” Kara told him.
    Maxim’s mouth twisted with ill-concealed disgust. “A fox is quite small.”
    “The previous fox could enlarge his animal until he was as big as Wulfe,” she assured him. “He was huge.”
    “The fox shifter has always been a fierce and effective warrior,” Tighe added, though his tone said he was withholding opinion on this newest fox.
    Faith’s gaze, drawn by Tighe’s words, slid all too easily to Hawke, standing beside him, taking in the casual way he stood, his beer bottle dangling at his side, and the long, muscular lines of his body. Unable to resist, she glanced up, meeting his gaze, watching with fascination as the frost in his eyes melted instantly.
    “A fierce and effective warrior,” Maxim repeated with a nod. “That will do.” He gave a short,