Read Online Hidden Moon (Hot Moon Rising #4) by Afton Locke - Free Book Online

what
    good would a vacation be without Shelley to enjoy it with? He couldn’t help picturing
    40

    her in a bikini on one of Florida’s Gulf-Coast beaches.
    The temptation to whip out a pen and lock in a commitment to the deal raced through
    him. Legally, the diner belonged to his father, not the pack. They’d probably refuse the
    sale just to spite him, but he thought of Shelley. She worked so hard for the pack. It
    meant a lot to her. He’d be gone as soon as the ink dried, but she’d be the one living here
    and dealing with whatever decision he made.
    “Come on in, Mr. Linden. I’ll give you a tour and some breakfast, on the house.”
    Might as well let the pack get a sniff of the potential buyer to ease his conscience, but
    he wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way of his quick exit.

    ***

    When Shelley strolled into the dining room with her order pad, she felt naked in front
    of the pack members who’d arrived for breakfast. Her shirt stuck to her belly, and the
    scent of sticky orange juice lingered in her hair. Of all days to have to fill in for a sick
    waitress.
    Had Alan really made love to her? The dream she’d carried around for so many years
    had finally come true. Well, not quite. She dreamed of a wedding and a lifetime spent
    with her true mate. Their sexy romp on the kitchen counter would be all she’d have.
    Nevertheless, she’d treasure it for the rest of her days. Especially the intense hug at the
    end.
    Derek sat in his usual spot at the breakfast counter. Since he was the Alpha, he always
    got served first. Why did Curtis have to sit next to him this morning?
    “What’ll it be, guys?”
    “I’m in the mood for a Spanish omelet today,” Derek said, running a hand over black,
    shower-damp hair. “Throw in a side of bacon and some toast.”
    She wrote it down in her pad and glanced at Curtis.
    “You’ve had sex.” His nostrils flared, and he sniffed the air. “Recently, too. By the
    smell of you, you didn’t even shower afterward. Scabs must have nailed you in the
    kitchen.”
    Her pen shook as she held it. “Curtis, this isn’t the time or the place. Now, what
    would you like to eat?”
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    “Black coffee,” he muttered. “I’ve lost my appetite. Besides, I don’t want Scabs
    cooking my food when his fingers have just been up your cunt.”
    Derek glared at him. “That’ll be enough, Curtis.”
    Before she turned to go to the kitchen, the Alpha grabbed her wrist. “Based on our
    last conversation, I didn’t think you would mate with Alan.”
    “I’m sorry.” Her shoulders fell. “He didn’t bite me, though. Should I have asked your
    permission?”
    Derek released her wrist but fixed her with an Alpha stare. “Not exactly, but we
    agreed it best he leave again. He’ll never go now.”
    “That’s the whole idea,” she replied.
    “What are you talking about?” Derek asked, frowning more by the second. “It’s not
    like you to put your wants above the good of the pack.”
    She swept back a hank of hair that had fallen in her face. The day had barely started
    and it was already off track. Giving Alan her body hadn’t changed his mind about
    leaving, and now the Alpha was disappointed in her. She’d let down her pack. When it
    came to her man, she couldn’t think about anything else.
    Shifting would help straighten out her thoughts. Sometimes, a week would go by
    before she got the urge because she’d been working so hard lately. Making love had
    unleashed her wolf. She needed Alan.
    “He is good for the pack,” she insisted. “He’s been wonderful with his father who, as
    we all know, is a real handful. I’m not happy with the way everyone treated him when he
    arrived. It was like high school all over again.”
    “He’s a violent son of a bitch.” Curtis hammered his fingers on the counter. “I’ve got
    the scars to prove it.”
    She put her hand on her hip. “He hasn’t been anything but caring and giving since he
    arrived.”
    “His true