Read Online Promised: True Mates Book 1 (BBW Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) by Olivia Arran - Free Book Online
Authors: Olivia Arran
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shared my soul. Lisa had found me in the spring, when I had been alone and wild for months already.
Recognizing the human within, she had followed me, shifting to her cat to stare me down relentlessly, until I had shifted, too. I almost hadn’t remembered how, but she had talked me through it, reminding me how to take a human shape. She had made a simple campfire meal and talked to me for hours about nonsense, allowing my fragmented human mind to start to heal, and when the memories had started to come back of what Eric had done, she had wrapped her arms around me, holding me, while I alternately wretched and sobbed, never questioning the reason why.
“That’s why I went to James,” I said. “I need to be human again, to stay human, and that means facing Eric again.”
“James is a proper Alpha. I mean, he just is an Alpha without having to do anything silly to prove it. No power games, pissing contests, or trophies for James — that’s why he’s different from Eric,” Lisa explained. “I know Eric had you fooled—”
“How do you know all this?”
“I’ve grown up around a lot of powerful Alpha’s, sweetie. I’ve also met some Alphas who are twisted by that power, and the results aren’t pretty. They usually have to be put-down because when their souls are tainted by the madness, there is no coming back for them.” A look of pure anguish flashed across her face.
“I’m sorry,” I said, wrapping my arms around her smaller frame and hugging her tight. “You can talk to me, you know?”
“I know, sugar, thanks. Maybe one day…but not now. Now, are you going to go get your man?” Leaping to her feet, she pulled me to standing and gave me a little shove toward the door. “You’ll never know unless you try, and if you don’t try then you’ll end up regretting it! Trust in the Mother, trust in the bond that you felt.”
Laughing at the overwhelming enthusiasm that was typical Lisa, her curls bobbing crazily around her head as she bounced on the balls of her feet, I hugged her to me.
“Okay, okay! I’m going!”
Chapter Eight
Kara
I ntent on finding James , I headed down the hallway, following the sounds of the party, which seemed to still be in full swing. I was going to give it a go. If we were true mates, then we were meant to be together, were right for each other. He made me feel safe — which was a first for the males I knew — and yet I still felt deliciously on edge around him. Like my hormones were standing up and dancing a jig whenever he looked at me, all male and rugged and a little bit growly, — yum! My stomach flip flopped at the thought of him towering over me, making me feel all feminine and desirable. Rounding yet another corner, the music grew louder. Going the right way then, thank the Mother, this house was like a rabbit warren — all twists and turns.
“Got you!” a voice growled in my ear as arms grabbed around my waist, yanking me down a dark side corridor. A sweaty, moist palm clamped over my mouth, stifling my shrieks and rendering me mute. A stale, musky smell surrounded me - Eric! Frantically, I jabbed my elbows against hard muscle. Wriggling, I tried to escape the iron grip of his arms.
“My sweet, little Kara,” Eric said, his words a sing-song whine. “Why do you always test me? You play these little games, making me chase you — wanting me to catch you.” Grunting, he nuzzled my neck, licking along my cheek.
Shuddering, I swallowed back the rising bile, and bit down hard on his fleshy palm, until the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
“Mother-fucking-bitch!” he hissed, tugging his hand away.
Quickly I spat on the floor, wishing for mouthwash or, even better, vodka to disinfect my mouth. “Let me go, you bastard!” I shouted.
Snap! My head flew back from the force of the blow, and I would have fallen to my knees but for the iron grip he still had on me. Blackness threatened to swallow me as the thundering rush of blood echoed in
Recognizing the human within, she had followed me, shifting to her cat to stare me down relentlessly, until I had shifted, too. I almost hadn’t remembered how, but she had talked me through it, reminding me how to take a human shape. She had made a simple campfire meal and talked to me for hours about nonsense, allowing my fragmented human mind to start to heal, and when the memories had started to come back of what Eric had done, she had wrapped her arms around me, holding me, while I alternately wretched and sobbed, never questioning the reason why.
“That’s why I went to James,” I said. “I need to be human again, to stay human, and that means facing Eric again.”
“James is a proper Alpha. I mean, he just is an Alpha without having to do anything silly to prove it. No power games, pissing contests, or trophies for James — that’s why he’s different from Eric,” Lisa explained. “I know Eric had you fooled—”
“How do you know all this?”
“I’ve grown up around a lot of powerful Alpha’s, sweetie. I’ve also met some Alphas who are twisted by that power, and the results aren’t pretty. They usually have to be put-down because when their souls are tainted by the madness, there is no coming back for them.” A look of pure anguish flashed across her face.
“I’m sorry,” I said, wrapping my arms around her smaller frame and hugging her tight. “You can talk to me, you know?”
“I know, sugar, thanks. Maybe one day…but not now. Now, are you going to go get your man?” Leaping to her feet, she pulled me to standing and gave me a little shove toward the door. “You’ll never know unless you try, and if you don’t try then you’ll end up regretting it! Trust in the Mother, trust in the bond that you felt.”
Laughing at the overwhelming enthusiasm that was typical Lisa, her curls bobbing crazily around her head as she bounced on the balls of her feet, I hugged her to me.
“Okay, okay! I’m going!”
Chapter Eight
Kara
I ntent on finding James , I headed down the hallway, following the sounds of the party, which seemed to still be in full swing. I was going to give it a go. If we were true mates, then we were meant to be together, were right for each other. He made me feel safe — which was a first for the males I knew — and yet I still felt deliciously on edge around him. Like my hormones were standing up and dancing a jig whenever he looked at me, all male and rugged and a little bit growly, — yum! My stomach flip flopped at the thought of him towering over me, making me feel all feminine and desirable. Rounding yet another corner, the music grew louder. Going the right way then, thank the Mother, this house was like a rabbit warren — all twists and turns.
“Got you!” a voice growled in my ear as arms grabbed around my waist, yanking me down a dark side corridor. A sweaty, moist palm clamped over my mouth, stifling my shrieks and rendering me mute. A stale, musky smell surrounded me - Eric! Frantically, I jabbed my elbows against hard muscle. Wriggling, I tried to escape the iron grip of his arms.
“My sweet, little Kara,” Eric said, his words a sing-song whine. “Why do you always test me? You play these little games, making me chase you — wanting me to catch you.” Grunting, he nuzzled my neck, licking along my cheek.
Shuddering, I swallowed back the rising bile, and bit down hard on his fleshy palm, until the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.
“Mother-fucking-bitch!” he hissed, tugging his hand away.
Quickly I spat on the floor, wishing for mouthwash or, even better, vodka to disinfect my mouth. “Let me go, you bastard!” I shouted.
Snap! My head flew back from the force of the blow, and I would have fallen to my knees but for the iron grip he still had on me. Blackness threatened to swallow me as the thundering rush of blood echoed in
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