Read Online Shifters of Shadow Falls Collection (Books 1-3) by Crystal L. Shaw - Free Book Online Page B

his fingers through my hair and his silver eyes sparkle almost as brilliantly as his smile.  “So unfortunately I’ll never be able to read your mind Ariana.”
    His fingertips glide gently up and down my back, pulling at my cream camisole.  It’s then that I realize I’m only wearing my shirt.  He’s covered my lower half with a cashmere throw.  I snuggle into it and shift on his lap, feeling self conscious.  My eyes search the room and land on my ripped jeans and lace thong.  Motherfucker!  I can’t help but to frown at the sight.
    “Those were my favorite jeans.  I just got them.’’  I don’t try to conceal the disappointment in my voice.  What the hell am I going to wear now?  His eyes follow my gaze and he runs a hand through his gorgeous hair looking guilty.
    “We’ll get you more.  The clothes from your apartment are here.  The Betas are setting up your room.”  I perk up immediately. 
    “Our things are here?”  I blink rapidly at him as my mind wakes up. 
    He smiles at my excitement and nods.  I instantly glare at him.  Mother fucker better speak when I ask him a question.  This shit’s going to work both ways. 
    He grins at my narrowed eyes.  “Yes.”  He says it teasingly.
    “I swear to God, if you can read my mind I’m going to beat the shit out of you.”  An asymmetrical grin pulls at his lips. 
    “I told you I can’t.  I won’t ever lie to you Ariana.”  I settle into his embrace feeling relaxed by our banter.  This feels so good.  But that means it must be bad, right?

Chapter 13: Ari
     
    “I asked you one question and you still haven’t answered it.”  His words rumble from his chest and I lean into him even more.  I nuzzle under his chin and resist the need to nip at him.  The temptation is nearly overwhelming and just the thought fans the low flames igniting my core.
    “And what was that question again?”  I really don’t remember.  I’m still tired and this day feels like one giant blur of raw emotion.
    “What do you know about werewolves?”
    “Oh yeah.”  I swallow and pick at the ends of the throw.  I shrug against him.  “Not much really.”
    “And what is ‘not much’?”
    “Well, I know you shift into a wolf.  You’re good at smelling and hearing.  You hate vampires.”  I bite the inside of my cheek and try to think of more.  “I now know that you all have silver eyes and you’re fucking huge.”  I put the throw down and lean back into him.  “That’s pretty much it.”
    “You’re right; that isn’t very much at all.  And half of it’s wrong.”  I scrunch my nose up and feel my brows furrow.  I pull away from him to stare into his piercing silver eyes.  He’s teasing me again, isn’t he?
    “Nuh uh.  What did I get wrong?”  He chuckles at me, but I’m dead fucking serious.  I don’t like being wrong.
    “We’re not all huge.  We don’t all have silver eyes.  And lastly we don’t hate vampires.”   What the hell?
    “Yes you do.”  The words come out accusingly.  “That’s why we have the treaty.  You keep them away.”
    His brows pull together, but he nods.  “They stay away because we asked.  But that doesn’t mean that we hate them.”
    “You just asked them to?”
    “Well no.  We have an understanding.”  I raise my brows, willing him to continue.  “They stay away or we kill them.” 
    “But you don’t hate them?” 
    He shakes his head.  “Why is that so hard to believe?”
    “I was always told you came to Shadow Falls to hunt them because they’re your natural enemies.”  He scoffs.
    “Not at all.  A mate to one of the pack members was in danger.  We had to protect her.”
    “A mate?  Who’s mate?”
    “My uncle’s.  Her name was Sara.”  I swoon, but then realize his wording.
    “Was?”   
    “She died giving birth years ago.”
    “That’s so sad.”  He slightly nods his head.  “I’m so sorry.”
    “Don’t be.  I was young at