Espino, Stacey - Surrounded by Wolves [Wolves of Climax 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Read Online Free Page A

inside of the house was aired out and dust-free, the porch and outside perimeter free of noxious weeds. She was exhausted once day started drifting into twilight.
    Climax had nothing more than a diner and general store, and they were hours from the larger towns that had retail centers, motels, and government services. She should have done more research rather than taking a blind leap of faith. Tonight she’d have to sleep on a folded comforter on the floor. She had no other options, but expected to sleep like the dead after all her hard work.
    Once she stopped moving about, the silence was deafening. She’d never considered the isolation factor, or the feeling of insecurity being all alone in the forest without even a telephone. She expected a small town with humble neighbors. Fear crept into her system as the forest canopy began to create shadows around her. She packed up her efforts for the night, locked her car, and then barricaded herself into the cabin. All the contents from her backseat and trunk had already been carted inside which gave her a little sense of home. Her pillows, blankets, a few mementos, and her teddy bear collection. After setting up a makeshift pallet, she made sure she had her flashlight and matches within reach. There were only two lights in the cabin, one in the main living area, with a burnt bulb, and one in the kitchen. If she heard a noise, she wanted to have a source of immediate illumination. As for protection, she only had a cast-iron frying pan, which she also set near her pallet on the floor.
    She cuddled up under her blankets. There was a fireplace, but with no cut wood, she couldn’t even attempt a fire tonight. The coolness from the floorboards and general evening chill made her shiver. This was not how she anticipated spending her first night as a homeowner. She wanted to cry. The tears clogged her throat and pricked at her eyes. It was as if fate was toying with her, constantly dangling happiness just out of reach. How much was she expected to endure in her life when she’d already been fighting since childhood?
    Sleep began to pull her out of consciousness. It had been a busy day and the last few hours filled with backbreaking labor. The howl of several wolves snapped her back into full alertness. Wolves? She hadn’t even considered being surrounded by dangerous animals, but she should have being so deep in the BC wilderness. Back home the worst animals to contend with were raccoons and skunks. A shiver of fear trickled down her spine. She hugged her teddy bear harder and shimmied further under the covers, like a child hiding from nightmares. Only her fears were all too real, and no knight in shining armor scoured the forest in search of her on his white stallion. It was going to be a long night.

Chapter Three

    “Good morning.” Evan emerged from the forest behind the old Graymont cabin. He’d enjoyed a good run last night, a treat after being refused the luxury for weeks. Even in wolf form, all he could hear were his pack mates’ thoughts centered around Cassidy Lyons. He knew the color of her hair, the scent of her skin, and shape of her lips before even seeing her up close. It was difficult to disguise emotion when in their animal skin. Last night had been the first time he realized their alpha desired her as well, even though he reprimanded Travis and Patrick for their blatant unholy interest in the new dispatcher.
    She was stacking small boulders in a ring, probably trying to construct a fire pit. When he spoke, she dropped the rock she held and whirled around. “Who are you? I mean…good morning.” He had to remind himself that human women were delicate, easily spooked, and not accustomed to having strange men appear out of the forest. Still, she didn’t cower. Although her hair was dishevelled, up in a messy ponytail, and she wore a stained T-shirt and faded blue jeans, he could still see her appeal, and scent it.
    “Sorry if I startled you. I was off on my