Wolfe's Mate Read Online Free Page A

ready.
    Esme turned down the hall, leading him to what he assumed was the kitchen. Granger followed behind them. They walked into a small galley kitchen. An alcove with a table and chairs sat near the front window. Slipping from Jared’s grasp, Esme rushed to the stove. At once, he felt bereft. She filled a kettle with water and put it on the stove. Next, she took three mugs from the cupboard.
    “I hope tea is al l right. We don’t have a lot of food in the house. Most days we eat at the lab.”
    A phone started ringing. Granger hurried to answer. Esme bit her lower lip as she listened to the conversation. She and Jared could hear what was said with their heightened lycan senses.
    “Al l right, I’ll pass the information along. Thank you.” Granger frowned at his phone, then looked up at them. “Did you catch all of that? The traffic cams show that the van that took Norris headed out of the city and proceeded north into Scotland.”
    “Scotland? Why would the kidnappers take Norris there?” Esme wrung her hands.
    “They must have a destination in mind. Does the pack here in England have the resources to find out where in Sc otland they might be heading?” Jared knew that Esme would never leave with him until her brother was found.
    Granger nodded. “The English pack members are going to follow up on possible locations tonight. They wanted to give Esme an update. They should know more by morning.”
    The kettle started whistl ing, and Esme set about making tea. Granger shifted from foot to foot. “I think I’ll forego the tea. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
    “Goodnight,” Esme called softly.
    “Sleep well, my friend,” Jared added. Thank you for giving me some time alone with Esme.
    Be g entle with her. Things have been difficult. Granger nodded his head and left the room.
    “Why don’t we sit down?” Esme kept her eyes firmly fixed on her teacup and walked past Jared.
    He followed behind her, taking the chair next to hers at the table. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be here. I’ve missed you, mon coeur.”
    “Why didn’t you come sooner? I waited.” Esme blew gently over her cup before taking a sip.
    “Right after you were injured, my mother was shot running as a wolf on pack lands. My father tried to stay with us, except his heart died with her, and he passed on the next day. I couldn’t leave before I took my place as Alpha and the pack recovered from its loss.”
    “I’m sorry. You should have told me. I felt your sorrow , but you never spoke of what was bothering you.”
    “When I met you in our dreams, I didn’t want to think about my problems. I only wanted to think about you.” He needed his dreamtime to be peaceful. Making love to Esme in his dreams helped him work through his grief.
    She blushed and lowered her eyes before taking another sip of tea. How many times had he wished for a moment like this with his mate? The two of them sharing a quiet time of communication and understanding while sipping on a drink.
    As Jared watched her his wolf rose to the surface. When the mating bond snapped into place, his wolf grew restless. Now, it wanted to take and claim what belonged to him. He needed to move carefully. Esme was an innocent.
     
    §
     
    He was finally here, right in front of her, and she didn’t know what to say. Jared, with his dark hair and piercing blue eyes, was handsome. He looked at her, and she warmed all over. She wanted him to grab her and kiss her. She wanted to forget that Norris was missing and her whole life was a mess. She wanted to be loved.
    Instead , they sat and drank tea, exchanging small talk. Why didn’t he make his move? She could feel his wolf reaching for her.
    Her wolf desired him. Wildness grew within her. She could feel her body wanting to shift. What would he do if she transformed into a wolf? Instead, she picked up the now-empty cups and carried them to the sink.
    “It’s very late, Esme , and the effects of the trip are