Read Online Feral Northern Shifters 2 by Joely Skye - Free Book Online Page A

“I didn’t understand but what you say makes sense. I’m sorry I have so many questions, but I didn’t know more people were going to be involved. I’m just concerned about him, because I’ve spent the last few days with him.”
Doug nodded. “Do you need me to spend the afternoon with Ethan? Is he getting to you?”
“I’m okay.”
“Well, get back in then. I don’t think he’s falling asleep and he shouldn’t be alone. I sure as hell don’t want him turning cat now.”
Hiding his relief, because Bram did not want Doug with Ethan, Bram obeyed his alpha. He opened the first door, closed it and took a deep breath while facing the second door. If he were claustrophobic he’d have problems in this closet, but instead it was a fifteen-second reprieve while he locked that first door, unlocked the second and stepped into Ethan’s room.
At Bram’s entry, Ethan sat up on the bed, looking fairly fragile, truth be told. He was wiry, despite his malnourishment, and almost reached Bram’s height. Half the time his face gave nothing away. Other times, there were lightning-quick expressions of anger, fear and desperation.
Bram hated being partially responsible for that. His heart turned over and he didn’t know what to do with these emotions that were intensifying with alarming speed. He knew he longed for companionship, he knew Ethan’s attempts to draw Bram closer were based on expediency, not any real kind of friendship. And yet to Bram something felt dangerously real.
But there was more at stake than Bram’s emotions. He feared for Ethan’s well-being, given that Doug’s contacts were going to view Ethan as valuable. Which made the cat sound like an asset, not a person.
“Come here.” Ethan sat on the bed, cross-legged, and leaned forward, intent on Bram.
“I am here.” Bram firmly closed the door behind him. Not locked from this side, but Ethan couldn’t escape through the second door because its keyless lock required a number be punched in.
Appearing faintly amused, Ethan said, “What? Not budging from that door? It’s almost as if you don’t want to be here.”
“I want to be here.”
“Could have fooled me. You look like you’re ready to bolt.” At this moment, Ethan’s face gave nothing away, and Bram didn’t see it as a good sign.
“I can’t leave, actually.”
“ Can’t? ” A bright anger sat in Ethan’s eyes. “I dunno, Bram. I am forced to stay in this room, because you people won’t let me out. But I’d hazard you have a bit more freedom and you don’t have to do anything.”
Bram walked over to the bed and crouched down on his haunches so that Ethan was above him. A submissive gesture that came naturally, though whether Ethan would recognize it as such, Bram didn’t know. It didn’t matter.
He rested his elbows on his knees. Hands dangled between his legs and he looked at them, not Ethan. Okay, Ethan wasn’t wolf and he certainly wasn’t alpha wolf, but Bram still chose to speak without eye contact. “What do you want?”
No answer. After quite a while, Bram lifted his face to gaze at this tawny, ethereal creature. Probably not always ethereal, but the malnourishment gave a certain effect.
As did the glowing eyes. Bram’s heart clenched.
Slowly leaning forward, Ethan brushed a knuckle across Bram’s cheek. He spoke softly. “What are you doing down there, Bram?”
Unable to come up with any kind of answer—Bram wasn’t used to his face being touched—he just smiled.
A small answering smile—it appeared genuine—crossed Ethan’s features. “Are you one of those people who think too hard?”
“No.” I try not to think .
Ethan pressed his thumb lightly against Bram’s forehead, making upward strokes. “Don’t frown so.”
Bram once again moved his eyes in the direction of the camera, trying to warn Ethan. Doug would be watching them, and he couldn’t stand that. Bad enough… Well, bad enough.
Doug slammed into the room and while Ethan jerked in reaction, his