Wolf on the Hunt Read Online Free Page A

her head, making her short blonde hair dance and her blue eyes twinkle. “Never,” she told him.
    Anny put a chocolate cake on the table in front of him. “I know this is your favorite.”
    Her kindness never failed to move him. “Thanks.”
    She nodded and then placed a cherry pie in front of her mate. “And I know this is yours.”
    Armand grabbed Anny and pulled her onto his lap. She shrieked and then laughed when he kissed her cheek. Louis glanced at Jacque. The corners of his brother’s mouth twitched upward, and Louis knew Jacque was enjoying himself.
    Their father would have beaten Anny for daring to place the dessert in front of anyone but him. As alpha, Pierre LaForge deemed it his right to be first always. It wouldn’t even occur to Jacque to be upset about such a trivial thing.
    Cole held out a knife to Louis. “You gonna stare at it or slice it?”
    Louis laughed and grabbed the knife. He cut a big chunk, set it on a plate and then handed it to Jacque. His brother took it but cocked an eyebrow in question. “Figured you and Gwen could share it.”
    Jacque smiled and forked up a piece of it for his mate. “Open up,” he told her. Louis smiled when Gwen complied and ate the cake.
    He cut slices for everyone who wanted one and then pulled what remained over in front of him. The first bite was heavenly. Rich and thick and delicious. Chocolate might not be good for dogs but, thankfully, it had no effect on werewolves. Louis thought it would be a crime not to be able to enjoy Anny’s chocolate cake.
    “I got a text from my real estate agent today,” Anny announced.
    Armand reached out and took her hand. “Any news on your house?” They all knew it had been a difficult decision for her to sell her home. Most folks in Salvation thought she’d moved away. She’d kept a low profile in the months following her attack and remained in touch with her close friend by phone and email only.
    “He rented it.” She licked cherry-pie filling off her fork. “It’s only for a few weeks, but I don’t blame him for doing it even though we hadn’t discussed it beforehand. The property has been empty since last fall, and this is a chance for them to make a few bucks. It will offset the money I’ve paid out for heat and to the monthly cleaning service to keep the place presentable for showing.”
    Armand nodded. “Makes sense. As long as you’re okay with it.”
    Anny nodded. “I’m fine. Mark said the tenant is an artist who wanted a quiet place to work.”
    Louis listened with half an ear as he finished eating his cake. When he was done, he rose and started cleaning plates from the table. Cherise jumped up as well, but he waved her back to her seat. “Sit and enjoy your coffee.”
    “You’re sure?”
    Louis nodded. “I got this.” He worked quickly and quietly, listening to the others talk, watching the couples interact.
    Jacque leaned closer to Gwen whenever she spoke to him. Armand was always touching Anny in some small way. Cherise coaxed a smile out of the usually somber Cole, and Sylvie made Gator laugh.
    He loaded the last of the dirty plates into the dishwasher and started the cleaning cycle. The only thing left on the table was the coffee mugs they were all using. Louis grabbed his and refilled it before slipping out the back door to stand on the porch.
    The sun was disappearing behind the mountains and the heat of the day had diminished slightly, although it was still warm. Snippets of conversation followed him as he sat on the porch railing and stared up at the sky.
    A sense of aloneness permeated him, and he rubbed his chest with his free hand. He didn’t begrudge his friends their happiness. He simply wanted some of it for himself and hated feeling this way.
    Finding a mate was an almost impossible task. Wasn’t like he could simply order one from a catalogue. He chuckled as he pictured Anny diligently searching online for a mate for him. He also couldn’t exactly hunt for a mate the way he