Read Online Stretching the Rules by BA Tortuga - Free Book Online Page A

Nothing will happen to you there.” Jonah was determined to see that his words became law, too.
    He had the chance to have his family with him, and he’d be damned if he lost it because he made the same stupid mistake twice.
    “We’ll see.”
    Jonah nodded, because he couldn’t blame her for doubting him.
    They headed higher and higher, the forest getting thicker. The pack had a good chunk of land, where they could run and hunt, where no one could get to Hank. Finally he turned off on his little road. He defended the western edge, his house nestled into the mountain.
    He loved his house. Loved the view and the way the ridge rose right out of his backyard.
    Loved the huge bedroom, the balcony, the fireplace. Oh, they were going to get to snuggle in front of the fireplace. Maybe fuck like bunnies once Hank was feeling better.
    “I have a huge bathtub. I put it in for you.”
    “Did you?” She glanced at him finally, her green eyes haunted, hollow. “Really?”
    “I did. I heard you telling Hank one night about the tub you wanted, with the jets and the ledge for candles. It has a separate rain bath shower.”
    A single tear fell, sliding down her cheek.
    “You did so good, Kit. So good. I’m so fucking proud of you.” Jonah ached to hold her, to make sure she knew she was safe.
    “Be proud of Hank. He deserves it.”
    “You both do. You came for him, you fought for him. I love you both so much.” Jonah was a little worried he might puke.
    “Then you came, too. You told them about us.”
    “Them?” Ah. The pack. “I did. As soon as you called about the dead cat. I went to tell Boothe because I needed to come to you.”
    “That was hard, I know.”
    She actually had no idea. He didn’t hold it against her because cats were solitary. Liv had no idea what it felt like on a gene deep level to go against the pack.
    “I can’t live without you two. I know that now.”
    “No?” She reached out for him, touched his thighs.
    “Not one more second. Hell, if the pack kicks me out, we’ll go to Oregon or something, somewhere the mountains are really huge and the rivers run deep.”
    “We could go, me and Hank, if you needed.”
    “Go? Without me?” He scoffed. “No way.”
    She took a deep, shuddering breath, but kept touching him. Jonah covered her hand for as long as he could with his, but the last half mile to his place took some maneuvering.
    He pulled up to the house and Liv gasped, the big windows glinting in the lights from the truck.
    “It’s beautiful, Jonah.”
    “I hope you like the inside, too.” He was nervous suddenly. What if they hated it?
    “We won’t hate it.”
    Oh. She heard him. She heard him. Not when he was trying to call to her, or when they were shifted. Just random thoughts.
    “I hope not, Kit. Let’s get Hank inside, right?”
    He opened the garage, parked inside, and shut the door. Now they were safe. Jonah keyed the security from his phone, letting the system know he was in for the night.
    Then he grabbed Hank and led the way inside.
    Liv followed him, clutching two of their pillows to her chest. She looked around, then laughed at the leather couch that looked just like the one at her cabin.
    “What? I like it. It suits us.”
    “It does. Makes me wonder what the bed looks like,” Liv said, her mood improving visibly.
    “It’s bigger. Like the bedroom.”
    “Good. We need to get him wrapped up. Safe,” Liv said. Her lips trembled. “He was so brave. I tried to keep him with me.”
    “I know you did.” He took her and Hank to the bedroom, a dark, quiet haven with a huge four poster bed.
    Liv helped wrapped Hank up, the sweet coyote relaxing as he smelled them both. He was healing already, Jonah could tell. That body wasn’t so stiff, the curl of that tail not so tight.
    “Rest, boy. We’re going to be right here. Together.” Jonah stroked Hank’s back, the fur there finally smooth and flat, the hackles down.
    It surprised him, how soft Hank’s fur was, how