Betrayed (Wolf Gatherings Book 6) Read Online Free Page A

She hadn’t mentioned what she presumed the lone wolf to be to her.
    He’s my mate . She was certain. “Please.” She squeezed Natalie’s hand. “It would mean a lot to me. Just send someone to look.”
    Natalie smiled and nodded. “I will. And I’ll bring you some soup. Hang tight.” Natalie stood. She hesitated when she reached the door, but she didn’t turn back.
    Would she keep her word? Heather wasn’t sure, but she’d never known the woman to lie. It wasn’t in her nature. Heather had been on the ranch for weeks now, ever since she’d been rescued from some strange organization called the Romulus. The last few months were insanity. After being kidnapped by two men she’d never met and whisked away to some remote area of Oregon, she’d been drugged and kept locked in a basement.
    She’d never expected anyone to find her, but she’d been one of the lucky ones. Her parents had called The Head Council almost immediately, and she’d been added to the planned sting operation and picked up less than a week after her kidnapping, simultaneously with eleven other women around the country. Some had been held much longer than her. Some had been much less fortunate.
    Heather was on the road to recovery. All twelve women had come to the Spencer Ranch to meet with counselors and recuperate together in a group setting. It was discovered half of them had a GPS chip inserted in their necks. Heather cringed even now as she considered the day they’d all held their breath while a medical team examined them and removed those damn devices.
    Heather hadn’t been among them. Did it mean she was less valuable to the Romulus? No one was sure. The six with GPS locators had been moved to other locations. Heather remained on the ranch with the rest, but all of them had soon trickled back to their homes.
    Heather wasn’t in a hurry. She’d just graduated from college with her nursing degree when she was kidnapped. Never fond of the small town in Oregon where she grew up, she’d been filling out applications to hospitals all over the country. She was free to go anywhere she wanted.
    When Natalie offered for her to stay in the main house until she got her feet under her, she’d easily taken the opportunity. She loved the ranch. The Spencers were the nicest people. As an only child, she’d never been around so many loving people. The volume and laughter melted her heart.
    Not that her parents hadn’t been the best parents she could ask for. But they had no other children. They hadn’t exposed her to large cities or crowds. Her friends had all moved on, and she wanted to do the same.
    Heather shook herself from her reverie when Natalie bustled back into the room with a tray. “Soup’s on.”
    Heather’s mouth watered. It smelled fantastic. She pulled herself to a sitting position. She was starving, and her stomach growled in agreement as soon as Natalie set the tray on her lap.
    “It’s canned chicken noodle soup, but I thought that would be easiest on your stomach right now. Tomorrow you can try something more substantial.” Natalie pulled up a chair. “Go ahead. Eat while it’s hot.”
    Heather took the first sip and moaned. “Perfect. Thank you so much. For everything.” She lifted her gaze. “I don’t know where I’d be without you and your family.” Tears clouded her eyes, but she held them at bay.
    Natalie waved away her praise. “Not a problem. You’re like my own daughter now. Nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone.” She paused. “Scott and Jerrod shifted and went to look for your black wolf.”
    Heather blinked. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It means a lot to me. I swear I’m not crazy.” Having Natalie’s youngest sons looking for her mate was better than nothing.
    “Never thought you were.” Natalie smiled.
    If they were all just humoring her, she didn’t care. As long as they found the black wolf, that was all that mattered. A chill raced down her spine. He’s mine . Her certainty grew