Guardian Wolf Read Online Free Page B

who leaned over the counter and ran her fingers over his hand, dropping throaty words punctuated by brief snippets of laughter.
    Lily stopped at the sight and Kieran almost bumped into her. He took advantage and pressed close against her rear, eliciting a welcoming growl from her. She wiggled her rump and almost caused a disturbance of the peace. Kieran restrained himself from assaulting her willing body right there in the lobby by focusing on the task at hand. The rogue wolves. Little trespassing bastards.
    “What is she doing?” he asked in a low voice. Even he could hear the desire shot through his tones, and Lily could as well, judging by another wiggle. “God, woman. Watch that, now.” He took a deep breath to steady himself again. “Doesn’t much seem like the time to be lining up her fun for later.”
    “Isn’t that what we’ve been doing?” Wiggle, wiggle.
    She was killing him. He took a step back, even though that almost killed him too.
    Lily relented. “She’s sussing him out, asking questions, and checking his scent up close. Seeing if the rogues were talking to him and what he might have told them.”
    Kieran was impressed. “I like your Pack’s techniques. They’re pretty effective.”
    A tinkling laugh from the counter. Lily turned her head toward Kieran in a swirl of red hair to hide the giggle that escaped. Sara said a meaningful thank you full of lingering promise to the now clearly besotted human, and headed their way.
    “And?” Lily drawled the word in the sort of tease that only female friends could achieve.
    “Oh, he was so helpful,” Sara whispered. She flung a look over her shoulder at her new friend. The poor guy actually waved, which Sara returned with such earnestness now Kieran had to choke back a laugh. “These rough biker types came in, asking about rooms, girls, partying. Their scents were all over him. It’s them for sure. He said they asked if they could check out the hotel, walk around, maybe see a room in case they wanted to stay.”
    Sara paused and flicked her eyes at Lily. “They specifically asked about redheads.”
    Lily’s indrawn breath and sudden lifting of her shoulders were the only sign of the words’ impact.
    Kieran muttered a colorful swear word that had both women raise their eyebrows.
    “Damn them to hell and back.” His voice was so grim Sara actually took a step back, bristling in agitation. “They know who you are, Lily. They know you’re the only redheaded female in the Black Mesa Pack. The only red wolf.”
    Every wolf within a three hundred-mile radius knew that. Lily was unique in many ways. Apparently these rogues were smart enough to recognize Lily’s potential...but stupid enough to try to get close to her. She was his. He would run them the hell away from Black Mesa’s territory before they opened their mouths.
    Lily growled low in her throat. Her gaze had shifted from Kieran to something behind him. Sara stiffened beside her. The hunting urge emanated off her in waves, rousing Kieran’s own response.
    “Well, look here.” The rough voice carried from the front doors of the lobby, which had whooshed open seconds before. “That clerk was right. There is a sweet little redhead in this neck of the woods. It’s our lucky day, boys.”
    Keeping his calm, Kieran turned with an almost insolent slowness.
    Rowdy biker types indeed. These rogues also seemed well-fed and well-organized. The lack of basic needs met by Pack living—companionship, social structure, protection, mating, food, money, meaning to life—eluded the average rogue. Rogues either shunned or were shunned by Packs, for a wide variety of reasons. Usually, rogues simply lacked the personality required by the Pack hierarchy. Life inside a Pack demanded utter loyalty, fealty to the Pack alphas, and unwavering adherence to Pack law. Most rogues just turned their noses up at what they perceived to be the rigidity of rules, and they left. Some came back, humbled and tail-tucked,