Lost Wolf (A New Dawn Novel Book 4)

by Rachel M Raithby

  He put his right arm around her shoulders and leaned his head on hers. “Tonight was definitely a lot to take in. I keep waiting for someone to walk through the door and say ‘oh, sorry, there’s been a mistake. Out you go.’”

  “That would be awful,” she agreed.

  “Do you know what I think we should do?”

  “What?” she asked, laughing at his silly tone.

  He sat up a little, gazing at her and wiggled his eyebrows, making Regan laugh further. “Go try out the bed, just in case it is all taken away.”

  “Is that all you ever think of, getting me naked?”

  “Hmm.” He sucked in his lips. “Pretty much. But you can’t blame me. Have you seen yourself naked, Regan?”

  She slapped his leg. “You’re terrible.”

  “Got you laughing though”

  Regan put her cup down on the coffee table, then turned her attention back to Tyler. “Who says we have to go to bed?” She smiled at him slyly as she pulled at the zipper on her dress. “There’s a perfectly good couch right here.”

  He watched her with hungry eyes as she dropped one shoulder strap, then the other, and then the whole dress to the floor.

  He moaned. “So damn beautiful.”

  Climbing into his lap, Regan straddled him as she unbuttoned his shirt, taking her time, enjoying each step of their dance. It was a dance only for him, one that spoke of love and loyalty, of friendship and protection. One she’d never imagined dancing or even deserved having.

  Tyler had done more than heal her heart. He’d shown her what she’d always possessed despite it being hidden beneath. He breathed joy and adventure back into her veins. He was her mate, her home, and the breath that gave her life.

  Epilogue

  Their home had become a casual meeting place for both packs. For unexpected matters, or ones that didn’t require the formal etiquette of the official meetings that took place at the pavilion Katalina had organized. The edge of their deck had railings and bench seats, enough room to fit both pack’s inner circles. Today, however, not everyone was there. Jackson had arrived with William and Cage, his only warning a text message to Regan minutes ago. Moments later, Tyler had received the same from Bass and he’d arrived with Katalina, Nico, and Jacob. Jacob being the new second voted in by the entire inner circle, and Dax had taken his place as enforcer.

  “What’s going on?” Regan asked Katalina as she walked up the steps onto the deck. Her gut swirled with anxiety as she slid her hand into Tyler’s.

  Regan knew something was wrong because gatherings were normally a more relaxed affair with drinks and nibbles, but not today. Today Jackson slammed a piece of paper down onto the table in the middle of the deck, his expression grim.

  “I’ve received mail,” he said. “From Castor.” Dread rolled through Regan.

  “What kind of mail?” Katalina asked as Bass’s face paled.

  “The kind that asks me to choose sides or die,” Jackson answered.

  “And your choice?” Bass asked calmly as if they were talking about the weather.

  “I made my choice a long time ago, son. The evidence is right there in your hand.”

  Bass looked down at his hand linked with Katalina’s, lifting it upward. Regan did the same, glancing at her and Tyler’s joined hands. She guessed Jackson was right; the moment he’d stood by Katalina had been a catalyst to all that unfolded since, and both he and Bass had solidified that choice further when they stood by her and Tyler.

  “War’s coming then,” whispered Katalina.

  And every set of eyes met one another’s in silent answer.

  War is coming and we’ll face it together.

  Acknowledgments

  Someone recently pointed out to me what an achievement it is that I have created books alongside the very real scary problems happening right now in my life. “How do you do it?” she asked. And I said, “I don’t know.”

  Yet her question stayed with me and this is the answer I found. I do it because writing is the one thing in my life that is truly me. Weaving a story makes my soul shine, it leaves me with a high that dulls all the chaos. I love this job, I love my readers, and when life has me on my knees, I remember these things.

  I have a team of people who help me. They are my pack. Without them I’d not survive this storm, and wouldn’t be able to create more books. I thank every single one of you for having my back!

  Thank you to my father for his design work, for keeping up with my website and formatting my books. To my mother for everything that you do, the list is so long! To Becky and her team at Hot Tree for editing and promotions.

  To the wonderful readers who help beta and proofread.

  To every one of you that’s checked in to make sure I’m okay over the last couple of years. For every message and comment. For your reviews and kind words.

  And finally, to my children. The 4 most beautiful souls I know. You are my reason for being. The reason I get back up every time I’m knocked down. Every book is for you. To show you no matter how hard life gets, dreams are still possible. Happiness can still be found. I love you.

  Author Bio

  Rachel M. Raithby started her writing career in 2013 and hasn't looked back. She draws her inspiration from the many places she has lived and traveled, as well as from her love of the paranormal and thriller movies. She can often be found hiding out with a good book or writing more fast-paced and thrilling stories where love always conquers all. A Brit who left the UK in 2008, she resides in a quiet town in New Zealand, with her 4 children.

  Her books include, best sellers - Winter Wolf, Wolf Dancer, and Wolf Sight (The New Dawn Novels) and the paranormal romance, The Deadwood Hunter series, and novella's Death's Echo & Beast Within.

  Connect with Rachel here: www.rachelmraithby.com