Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Book 1: The Missing Queen
Book 2: The Ripple Effect
Book 3: The Lost Tiro
Book 4: The Long Journey
A Wolf’s Heart (Wolf Mountain Peak Book 1) Preview
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
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A Wolf’s Desire
Wolf Mountain Peak | Book 2
Sarah J. Stone
Contents
A Wolf’s Desire
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A Wolf’s Desire
Chapter One
The fading daylight painted the world a dim shade of orange, as the sun slowly hid behind Wolf Mountain Peak, coloring the clear sky in shades of pink and red. Purple and white petals littered the forest floor by Clover Lake, as Raul anxiously waited for the moment he would declare his love for his mate. At last, the day he would commit to his beloved Monica had arrived.
A strong gust of wind rustled through the trees, picking up a few petals from the ground before him, as Monica stepped onto the aisle, wearing a plain, white dress, and her most radiant smile. Hooking her arm into her friend Kate’s arm, she looked around her. Unfamiliar faces were returning her smile – in silent approval of her marriage to Raul – as Kate led her to him. As they stopped at the top of the aisle, Raul felt his heart pounding, louder and harder than ever. Lifting her hand up to cup Monica’s face, Kate leaned sideways and laid a quick kiss on her cheek, as a lighter breeze tossed a few more petals around. Kate moved around her, her gaze fixed on the piano a few feet to the left, as Monica started towards Raul.
“You’re a living piece of art.” He muttered, as she turned to the left to face him.
“Thank you.” She silently mouthed to him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, as Kate seated herself at the piano.
“Good evening, everybody,” Dean began, glancing out at the crowd. “My fellow kind, pack members or not, Monica’s friends, welcome to the ceremony. It may appear strange to humans that a clergyman is not performing this service. However, this is our way. It is not a matter of faith. We do believe in God, we just do not like to speak words of love and dedication before people we will most likely never see again. We prefer to do so in the presence of our loved ones only. I’d like to say a few words about the couple. My brother…” he faltered, as Raul held his hands out, palms up. Monica placed her own hands onto his, her smile widening as Dean took a deep breath. “No, I shouldn’t have started like that. Monica Mills saved my brother’s life. In a twist of fate, Raul saved hers. From the moment he told me about her, I knew there was something special about this human. Raul talked about her like she was an angel on Earth: kind; beautiful; a little too brainy, but…” At that, Monica gave a short chuckle. “Who cares? He loves her for who she is. His nature didn’t scare her. As a matter of fact, she embraced it rather quickly. Now, you may proceed with the vows. Raul?”
“Monica…” Raul said, his voice bass-deep as he gazed deep into her eyes. “I could talk about you for hours. About the night you found me, about the day I saw you and your friend in the forest. But, no; I’m just going to mention the first time I laid eyes upon you. I was just…” He paused. “I was utterly stunned by all of your beauty; and even more, the peaceful tranquility in your face rocked my world. I wanted all those things in my life. I needed your kind heart, and I would dare the most powerful of creatures, just to be with you. The one I would gladly sacrifice myself for: My Mate. And I will spend my every waking moment, trying to make you happy.”
“Raul…” Monica uttered, her feathery voice wobbly, as tears of joy rose up in her eyes. “When you told me your name, I found it unusual. But, you quickly showed me that almost everything about you was unusual, and I don’t mean just your nature. I mean, you painted me, just a day after we had met. My God… that melted my heart.” She whispered, as a tear streamed down her cheek. “After that, I just lost control, and I loved it. You made me love it. In just a week, you taught me the meaning of sacrifice, you gave me your heart, you made me feel like I was the most special woman in the world. I know there will be many obstacles along the way. Life is full of hardships, but I am not afraid anymore. And I will not be, as long as I face them with you: the Love of My Life.”
“Very well,” Dean commented, as a big smile spread across his face. “May I have the symbols, please?” He requested, looking down at Ray. His brother winked at him first, and then pulled a green box out of his pocket. Dean took it in his palm, opened it, and held it low in front of him. Raul let go of Monica’s hands and reached into the box, blinking back tears. He pried a chain out with his fingers, with a heart-shaped, silver locket at the end of it. There was a small key in the center, surrounded by two, engraved roses. Staring at her blissful eyes, Raul clipped the chain around Monica’s neck. “You will always hold the key to my heart, Monica. I pledge myself to you; for better or for worse; until death parts us.”
“Oh, God…” She sniffled, taking a golden ring out of the box, as Raul held his hand out, palm down. “With this ring, I symbolize the love that will always encircle me: Forever Yours, Raul.”
“By the powers vested in me by my Alpha, I now pronounce you ‘mates’. You may kiss each other.” Dean’s words sounded like music in Raul’s ears. He leaned in, raising his hands to her face, as Monica closed her eyes. The crowd burst into warm, loud applause, as their lips locked in a sweet, tender kiss. She eased her grip on her bouquet and lifted her left arm to wrap it around his neck, as he caressed her face. A melodic sound rose above the roaring applause. Kate had just begun to play a slow tune, her gaze settled on the keys. Within seconds, she leaned over the microphone, as the notes echoed in the wilderness. She squeezed her eyes shut, her fingers dancing over the keys, as Ray threw petals over the two new mates. Her voice, full of passion and presence, sent Raul’s heart into a flurry of emotion, as he pulled Monica into his embrace.
“I'll never know what brought me here,
As if somebody led m
y hand,
It seems I hardly had to steer,
My course was planned.”
“Ever Since the World Began.” Monica said, slowly leaning back. “This is my favorite song.”
“It’s beautiful,” Raul whispered, planting a soft kiss on her forehead. Indeed, the lyrics were wonderful: filled with meaning, reminding him vividly of their story. As much as the song appealed to him however, Raul’s heart and mind were elsewhere. They were on the journey that he and Monica were embarking upon that very night: the future…
Chapter Two
The crowd seated themselves at the tables alongside the shore, as Raul and Monica took a few pictures with his siblings and her friends. Very soon though, the photographer only needed the couple. For Dean, this was most welcome. He might have been happy for his brother, but Raul’s ordeal had shocked him to his very core. Watching a proud man like him collapse had absolutely horrified him. Never in his life had Dean seen Raul break down in tears. He was still trying to comprehend the fact that his brother had cheated death, just because Monica had gotten back together with him. He liked her: he did admire her; but he didn’t appreciate the power she had over Raul.
Still, Dean was smart. From the very beginning, he realized that someone’s identity, looks or character didn’t matter in the game of love. Raul could have fallen for anybody, and she would still be able to send him to his death. Dean couldn’t be mad at Monica, just because his brother had chosen her as his mate. It wouldn’t be fair to her, and would definitely ruin his relationship with his brother.
The bridal table was quickly filled. Dean had enjoyed Kate’s performance, but voicing his opinion felt secondary. By that time, he needed a few minutes to himself. A noisy table would not give him the necessary peace of mind he was seeking. Therefore, he excused himself, and strolled along the shore – hands in his pockets – as he stared down at the calm surface of the lake.
Deep, rumbling laughter was fading into nothingness, as he put distance between him and the party. The scent of balsam fir trees grew stronger, as he approached the forest. But Dean was not going back into the woods. Instead, he meant to cast a glance at the cheerful crowd, and he could only do that from the shore across from the party. He found a large rock and sat down on it, with the image of his crying brother still lingering in his mind. Bending his right knee, he brought it to his chest, in the hope that he would not find himself in such a terrible predicament.
The moon glimmered on the water, as a feminine figure caught his gaze. Much to his frustration, someone had noticed his absence. Her long, blonde hair left him no doubt. It was Kate; Dean would not be alone for long. He had no idea what she wanted from him, but he did know that she was intruding. Sadly though, leaving was out of the question. Only a few seconds into her stroll, she waved at him. He had to stay put. Dean looked up into the sky, as if the bright stars or the moon itself would appease his fears or shelter him from an encounter he would rather do without. Despite his confusion, however, he had to admit that she looked impeccable: 5’7”; big, almond-shaped, brown eyes; a small nose; a gorgeous face; and a curvaceous figure that would turn quite a few heads. Yes, Kate was a beautiful girl, one that would catch his attention on any other day; just not this day.
“Reverend Bradford,” she said with a grin, as her lazy steps led her closer to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m not a Reverend, Ms. Brooks,” Dean maintained, his gaze still on the water. “I just needed some solitude, that’s all.”
“That was a joke,” Kate explained, as she entered his line of sight. Raising his eyes to meet hers, he brought his other knee to his chest as well, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “If you didn’t get it, it can mean either of two things: A. Your sense of humor is bad; or B. Something is worrying you. So, which one is it?”
“B.” He heaved a deep sigh, as her cinnamon fragrance grew more potent by the second. “It’s amazing to think how fragile my kind is, when it comes to matters of the heart. I’ve already lost my father, because of that weakness. When I saw my brother, just…” He faltered, “… crying his eyes out, I thought I’d lose him, too. Raul’s always been the strongest of us and yet, he was broken.”
“‘That’s the power of love’.” For the second time that night, she sang, but the single lyric that left her mouth did not appease him.
“That was a great performance, by the way,” Dean complimented her, nodding at the same time. “What was that song called again?”
“Thank you. That’s Survivor’s ‘Ever Since the World Began.’ It’s a song about two people, meant to be together, no matter what life throws at them.” Kate lowered her tone, slightly leaning forward. “Yeah, your kind is pretty sensitive. But, I guess you can’t have it all, can you?”
“What are you talking about?” He squinted at her.
“Dean.” Kate gave a snort of amusement. “I’ve been getting in and out of Paxton for almost a week now, and you people look phenomenal. Men, women, old or young are just…” She paused. “Gorgeous. None of you have a hint of fat. Do you people even know about carbs? Because: I don’t think so.”
“Carbs:” Dean gave a short chuckle. “We love food, Kate. It’s just a matter of metabolism. Ours is a lot faster. That’s why we don’t get fat.”
“Lucky bastards,” She grumbled, tearing her gaze away from him.
“How do humans do it?” He asked, curiosity written all over his face. “How do they handle the whole ‘broken heart’ issue?”
“You know, for a moment there, I thought you were going to ask me how people get fat.” Kate’s joke finally put a smile on his face, as Dean waited with bated breath for her answer. “Well…” She drew in a sharp breath, as she returned her gaze to his face. “It doesn’t kill us biologically. Some people take their own lives. They’re too weak if you ask me. Most of us just try to live with the pain, hoping that someday, we’ll get over it. Time can be a valuable friend; after a while, it can help you forget a lot of the pain.”
Her voice changed, as she uttered her last two sentences. For some reason, it lost its sureness and dropped down an octave, as she pursed her lips. The tiny sparkle in her eyes fled, and her face stiffened. Dean was tempted to ask why. It seemed that his question had struck a sensitive chord. Still, he would not force the issue. Pressuring her would most likely upset her even more, and an argument was the last thing he wanted. What he needed was a change of subject, and fast.
“You seem to like speaking with lyrics.” He remarked, scratching his jaw. “Why would someone do that?”
“I’m a singer.” She replied, her tone still low, as she gazed into the void. “I work at “Tommy’s Pit”, it’s a piano-bar in downtown Manhattan.”
“Very nice; I liked your voice better when you sang.” Dean said, scooting over to the edge of the rock. “You look like you belong there.”
“Thanks.” His compliment acted as a wakeup call. Kate blinked once, and then turned to the right to face him. “That reminds me; I need to get back to the party.”
As he rose to his impressive, 6’3” stature, Dean felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. Their short conversation had helped him discover that his kind’s weakness was not as bad as he initially believed. More importantly, though; it proved to him that Kate was a fun person to be with; one that could become his friend.
“I should be thanking you.” He muttered, coming down off the rock and standing before her, her saddened eyes sending his own voice down an octave. “We hardly know each other, and you listened to me.”
Kate parted her lips, but Dean didn’t allow her to speak. A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth, as he bent his head down. His beard scratched her skin, as he laid a tender kiss on her cheek. All of a sudden, he was filled with an urge to cup her face in his hands, and do more than give her a chaste kiss. But Dean had to resist. This night belonged to his brother and his mate. Acting impulsively would draw too much attention to him and
Kate, even more than his innocent kiss had.
“Kate Brooks…” He whispered, opening his eyes as he eased back. “If you ever need someone to listen to you, you know where to find me.”
Dean didn’t wait for her to speak. Instead, he cast one last glance down at her, and then slowly turned around, the hesitant smile on his face widening. Kate hadn’t said much, but her few words and her jokes had made him feel better, somehow lighter. The prospect of finding a mate did not intimidate him anymore. Yes, he had to be extremely careful. It would be very hard, and it could take a while before he did, but, he would search for his special one nonetheless.
As he returned to the table, he found Ray, Melissa and Julia, laughing heartily. His sister leaned her head against his brother’s shoulder, as Ray banged his palm onto the table. The new mates were a few feet away from them, in each other’s embrace, apparently waiting for Kate to play the piano again. As a few notes filled the air, they started their slow dance, gazing into each other’s eyes.
Sensing he was being watched, he whirled his head to the left. He was right; Kate was staring at him, as her fingers once again danced over the keys. She gave him a sweet smile and then winked at him, as their eyes met.
“Thank you kindly, Ms. Brooks.” He told himself. “Thanks for being there for me.”
Chapter Three
Later that night, after the party was over, Kate and Julia said “goodnight” to Monica, and wished her all the best in her new life, promising to visit her whenever possible. Of course, it would not be an easy task. Their lives were in New York, one hundred thirty miles away, but the trio was very close. For Kate however, it was a little more complicated than just a matter of driving back and forth from Shandaken. The moment she’d had with Dean had puzzled and also intrigued her. Maybe it was the fact that he had confided in her, in the blink of an eye. They had not been friends. In fact, they had barely exchanged a few words, in the week she had spent with Monica, preparing the ceremony. Maybe it was his offer to actually listen to her. Most men in her life had not been good listeners. Perhaps it was both. At any rate, visiting Paxton meant that she could run into Dean again, and an encounter with him would be awkward to say the least.
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