Maya turned to the shifter beside her. “Chance?”
“It’s okay. I’m right here.”
She trusted him completely. With everything she’d gone through over the past few weeks, Chance had always been there. Where most men would have thought it to be too much, too intense, he’d stayed. Even when things hadn’t been pretty, and she’d wanted to sleep rather than make love, he’d stayed and held her. She wanted this man, and not because he was sexy and dangerous, but because he was loyal and trustworthy. He made her feel like everything would be all right, just as long as she had him with her.
She took the wooden steps which led up onto the platform. Chance was right behind her, but stayed far back enough to let both her and everyone else know this was about her, and not him.
Holton jerked his head again to motion her over. In the entrance to the meeting house, she spotted the red haired woman, Ruby, who was the alpha female, and also the blond beta wolf, Joel. When she cast her gaze out to the crowd, she was able to pick out some familiar faces. She locked eyes with the young woman who’d driven her to town on that fateful morning. Flo gave her a smile and a wink.
Feeling sick with nerves, she approached to stand at the big alpha’s side. Her gaze flicked over the crowd, taking in the numerous shifters standing side by side, all their eyes focused on her.
“Thank you for coming, Maya,” Holton said.
She gave a small smile, her limbs trembling, her stomach hollow.
The alpha turned to address the crowd. “Most of you have heard by now that one of our own, Chance Nickoli, has found a mate. This mating was different than most, in that at first it was believed Maya was human. Now, however, it’s come to light that she is in fact half shifter. I would never expect a shifter to be forced to live without his or her mate, and the same thing applies here. Chance has taken Maya as his mate, and we must all respect that. Chance has sacrificed a lot for this pack, and I won’t ask him to give up anything more, especially not his mate, or his home.” He turned to Maya, and she tried not to tremble under his dark gaze. “Maya, you are welcome to live here with the Dark Ridge wolves for as long as you wish. We will all make sure you are welcome, and I want you to think of this place as your home.”
Something inside her relaxed and she glanced over at Chance, who had a grin splitting his face.
“Thank you,” she said to Holton. “I don’t know what to say.”
“This isn’t a free ride,” he said. “Each member of the pack is expected to contribute, and we will expect you to do the same.”
Maya nodded. “I’m a hard worker. I always have been.”
“You worked in a restaurant, is that right?”
She nodded.
“We need someone to keep check of stock in the compound, to be able to reorder items, and head into town to collect deliveries when needed.”
“I can do that,” she said, thinking she’d be able to meet her mother during trips into town.
He nodded in return. “Good. We can discuss the details at a later date. I’m going to guess you’ll want to get settled in. You have a new place to call home.”
Chance took that as his cue to step forward and join her at her side. She looked up into his face—the face of the man she loved—as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Yes, I guess I do.”
The alpha ducked his head slightly toward her, and raised his voice so the crowd could hear. “In which case, Maya Brookes… Welcome to the Dark Ridge wolves.”
Who would you like to read about next? Joel, perhaps, or Flo? Or someone else entirely? Marissa loves to hear from readers, so drop her a line and let her know! marissafarrar@hotmail.co.uk. Make sure you sign up to Marissa Farrar’s newsletter so you don’t miss the release of the next book in the Dark Ridge Wolves! http://forms.aweber.com/form/61/19822861.htm
All of the books of the Dark Ridge Wolves will be available to read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
About the Author
Marissa Farrar has always been in love with being in love. But since she's been married for numerous years and has three young daughters, she's conducted her love affairs with multiple gorgeous men of the fictional persuasion.
The author of more than twenty-five novels, she has been a full time author for the last six years. She predominantly writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but has branched into contemporary fiction as well.
If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at www.marissa-farrar.blogspot.com. You can also find her at her facebook page, www.facebook.com/marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at marissafarrar@hotmail.co.uk and to stay updated on all new releases and sales, just sign up to her newsletter! http://forms.aweber.com/form/61/19822861.htm
Also by the Author
The Spirit Shifters Series:
Autumn’s Blood (free first novel)
Saving Autumn
Autumn Rising
Autumn’s War
Avenging Autumn
Autumn’s End
THE COMPLETE SERIES BOXED SET
The Serenity Series:
Alone (free first novel of the series!)
Buried
Dominion
Endless
THE COMPLETE SERIES BOXED SET
The Dhampyre Chronicles:
Twisted Dreams
Twisted Magic
The Blood Courtesans Vampire Romance:
Stolen
The Monster Trilogy
DEFACED
DENIED
DELIVERED
The Mercenary Series:
SKEWED
WARPED
FLAWED
Contemporary Fiction Novels
NO SECOND CHANCES
DIRTY SHOTS
SURVIVOR
THE SOUND OF CRICKETS
Dark Fantasy/horror novels:
UNDERLIFE
THE DARK ROAD
WOLF BETRAYED
The Dark Ridge Wolves
Book Three
Copyright © 2017 Marissa Farrar
Warwick House Press
Cover art by Killer Book Covers
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
Publisher’s Note
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.