A Winter Mating

by Davis, Lia;

  A Winter Mating

  A Sassy Ever After Story

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Lia Davis

  A Winter Mating

  Copyright © 2019 Lia Davis

  Published by M.T. Worlds Press, Inc.

  Winter Springs, FL 32708

  http://mtworldspress.com

  Cover & Formatting by Glowing Moon Designs

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  http://mtworldspress.com

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  Sassy Ever After World

  About Lia Davis

  Shifters of Ashwood Falls Series

  The Collective World

  Also by Lia Davis

  A Winter Mating

  A Sassy Ever After Story

  Preschool teacher, Everly Wright loves her job and the people in Blue Creek. After the heartbreak of Brady running out on her, she has finally found peace. That is until Brady shows up with his sexy smile, dangerous good looks, and delusions of claiming her as his mate. All she has to do is ignore the desires he ignites within her.

  Wolf shifter, Brady Hudson has loved Everly from the moment they met at the age of four. He broke her heart and her trust three years ago when a family emergency pulled him away without a chance to explain why he had to leave. He returns to Blue Creek with one goal, claim his mate. Convincing her that she belongs to him will be his toughest challenge, but he’s not above using seduction to get what he wants.

  Brady isn’t the man he was when he left town. After all, turning in his rogue father to the enforcers of the local pack in California and becoming the guardian of his thirteen-year-old half-sister changes a person.

  When Brady’s sister is taken, he is faced with having to leave his mate, again. However, Everly isn’t letting him go off to search for the teen alone. They will work together to find his sister and the rogue who took her. And this time, Brady will do what he should have three years ago—kill his father.

  Chapter One

  “So, I heard Brady is back.”

  Everly shrugged while trying to keep her pulse from spiking at the mention of the man who broke her heart three years ago. The act was something she’d practiced since she met Vivian when moving to Blue Creek when she was a kid. Something Everly needed to work on perfecting. As a wolf shifter, Vivian could pick up on the slightest change in her scent.

  The mention of Brady’s name had always made Everly’s heartrate increase. Even after not seeing him or hearing from him since he left town without saying goodbye. The hot as hell wolf had made her want things she shouldn’t. They were best friends growing up, then lovers as they got older. He showed her passion that no other could. They had a promising future together. Then he left her without a word.

  What did that say about her? She was pathetic. Brady didn’t care about her. He made that clear when he left.

  “I heard.” Everly didn’t bother to keep her anger out of her tone.

  Vivian clicked her tongue and let out a low growl. “He hasn’t been to see you yet?”

  “Nope.” Everly focused on stringing the popcorn for the Christmas tree. She didn’t want to care or acknowledge how much it hurt that she wasn’t the first person he called when he arrived in Blue Creek over a week ago. Why would she be? He apparently had more important things to do.

  She hadn’t made an effort to go see Brady either. Not because she was mad at him, because she wasn’t. That was the problem.

  You’re pathetic, Eve.

  They chose their paths. Well, he did. She just moved on and put her focus on teaching. Preschoolers were a lot more fun to hang out with anyway. They didn’t love someone one minute and left them hanging the next.

  Okay, so she might be a little bitter.

  A dull ache formed in her heart, but she pushed it away. “I’m sure he’s busy. Plus, I don’t care.”

  “Liar,” Vivian frowned. “It’s been a week. He should have come to you the day he got here.” Vivian paused, put down her end of the popcorn string, stood, and then said, “I need to go…check on my mom.”

  Everly narrowed her eyes at her bestie and was about to call her out on the bullshit lie when Brady’s cedar scent drifted in through the cracked window of her dining room. Damn. On reflex she glanced out the window and desire filled her core. When she looked in Viv’s direction, the female wolf was gone.

  Great!

  She was human and shouldn’t be able to notice his scent. Yet she did and she couldn’t explain why. It’d been too long since she’d seen him and still her body heated, and her core pulsed with need. That alone scared the crap out of her. What if he’d found a mate? And was getting things settled before bringing her and their pups home?

  Stop torturing yourself.

  Just then, Ashton Gray, Vivian’s older brother, came out of the kitchen, stopped beside her, and placed another bowl of popcorn on the dining table in front of her. “You need help?”

  “No, thank you. I got it. Plus the kids should be here soon.”

  Viv and Ash had come over to help with decorated the house and hang out. Everly figured they thought she needed emotional support, or they just wanted to be nosey about the whole Brady issue.

  “I meant with Brady.”

  Snapping her gaze to his, she studied his smug expression. Ash was one of the Wolfe Pack enforcers and had known Everly since they were kids. “I don’t need help with Brady.”

  He chuckled and leaned down so they were face to face. He cupped her chin, forcing her gaze to his. A spark of concern lit up his eyes and she could sense his wolf watching her. “If you say so.” Moving closer so his lips were inches from her cheek, he whispered, “I’ll be around if you need me.”

  Brady’s scent filled the kitchen and Everly’s pulse spiked. It wasn’t uncommon for wolves to stop by and enter her home without knocking. Then again, her door was open—because of the unseasonally mild weather they were having—and she was expecting the kids and their parents any moment. Everly was in charge of the schools Christmas party and play this year.

  Ash laughed softly, clearly picking up on her scent change as Brady entered the dining room. He gave Brady a short nod, then said before stepping away from her, “You’ve got it bad.”

  “I could say the same about you and a certain female wolf.”

  Ash straightened and glared at her, clearing his features of all emotions. “Your imagination is running wild again. I told you I’m not mateable.”

  She let out a laugh as he exited her backdoor, leaving her alone with Brady. Oh gods, what was she going to say? Taking a breath, she faced her ex-lover and offered a warm, forced smile. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He stepped closer, his gaze scanning the area.

  She gestured to a chair. “Please, have a seat.”

  He hesitated before claiming the one across from her. An uneasy silence settled between them and a dull ache squeezed her heart. She swallowed the lump in her throat. He was mated.

  She turned her attention to str
inging the popcorn and got a handle on her emotions. What she wanted to do was wrap herself around him. Not happening. They’d never committed to one another or made any promises. So why did she care?

  His warmth enveloped her, sparking a need deep within. “I heard there was going to be a Christmas party and you’re the one to see to help out.”

  “The elementary school is hosting it this year.” Everly absently picked up a piece of popcorn and threaded the needle through, sticking her finger. She jerked her hand to her mouth.

  Brady was at her side in a flash. He gripped her hand and pulled it away from her mouth to look at the tiny prick on her finger. She glanced up and met his blue eyes and got lost in his depths for a few moments. Then she jerked her hand from him and stood, pushing him out of her way. His presence was driving her wild more than she remembered it ever had.

  When he moved closer to her, she whirled around and pushed him. “You left without a word. No ‘I’m out, or fuck off’ or anything. Now you come back after three years and expect me to be welcoming?”

  He drew his brows together and stared at her. His expression said he’d expected her reaction. “I can explain.”

  “No. You can’t. You should have called. Hell, a letter would have been nice. But whatever it was, I don’t care.” She picked the bowl of popcorn up along with the thread and the strung popcorn up and carried them to the living room. “My kids and a few parents will be here soon.”

  She sensed him following her. When she glanced back at him over her shoulder, she saw he was carrying the second bowl of popcorn. Ugh. Why doesn’t he leave already?

  “I didn’t think anyone strung popcorn anymore.” Brady set the bowl down on the coffee table and glanced at the tree set up in the corner of the living room. It was bare because she’d promised the kids they could decorate it. A tradition she did with all her kids each year.

  “It was a request from the kids. Since they are too young to be handling sewing needles, the parents and I will string the popcorn and the kids can decorate the tree.” Why was she telling him that? Narrowing her gaze at him, she said, “If you’re not going to help, then you should go.”

  Everly watched him for a few moments. He averted his gaze and fidgeted as if he were nervous.

  She was being ridiculous. It’d been a little over three years since they’d seen each other. A lot could change in that time. A lot had changed. She had changed.

  No more falling for the hot wolf that could set your wet dreams on fire. And no more thinking about things she can’t have.

  She sighed. Ash was right. She had it bad.

  Chapter Two

  Confusion clouded Brady’s senses. When he walked into Eve’s house, his jealousy almost got the better of him. Seeing Everly and Ashton together made his wolf growl and snarl and the man was on board with snatching her away from the other male.

  Shaking his head, he forced back the urge to claim her. At least for the time being. His current life was too complicated. Yeah, his intent when he moved back to Blue Creek was to claim her. She was, after all, his mate. However, there were things he needed to get settled and explain to her. He doubted she even knew they were fated mates.

  She was human and even though she might understand the concept of mating a shifter, he bet she didn’t fully understand that it’s a lifetime commitment. There was no way out once the bond was in place. Well, there was but it was too painful to even think about.

  So, he promised himself to take it slow, gain her trust, and not become the possessive, growly male that chases all others away from her. At least that was the plan until he saw her with Ashton. And the male’s scent was all over her, making his wolf pace beneath the surface.

  It didn’t matter that Ash thought of Eve as his little sister.

  “It’s great to see you again,” he muttered to himself as he made his way to the living room. A sense of feeling like a dump-ass-adolescent on his first date overcame him. Fuck, he was pathetic. It didn’t go unnoticed that she hated him for leaving.

  She was right. He should have called. But hearing her voice would have driven him insane when there was no way he could return to her at the time. Writing a letter seemed pathetic. So was doing nothing.

  Glancing around, he noted that not much had changed since he left. The walls were still the soft cream color and the curtains were the same white lace her mother had hung when he was a pup. The carpet, however, had been replaced with ceramic tile. He wondered if it was a recent change. Except it was a week from Winter Solstice and Everly hadn’t put any decorations up.

  She said she was waiting for her kids. He knew it was her preschool class she taught at the elementary school.

  The shuffling of bare feet of the tile floor stole his attention. Glancing toward the archway of the living room, his heart stilled for the second time since arriving at her home. Everly’s silky blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders. Although she smiled a warm, brilliant smile, her golden-brown eyes held a hint of sadness.

  His dumb-ass put that sadness there.

  He was so absorbed in his jealousy and wandering thoughts, he hadn’t noticed her leaving the living room. Rushing forward, he took the tray of snacks from her and sat it on the coffee table. She moved closer and brushed his forearm with hers. The skin to skin sent a jolt of electrifying need through him.

  “I can do that.” She glared at him, but he could scent the desire rolling off her. That gave him hope. Maybe she wasn’t unaffected by the mating urge as he thought.

  He glanced at her. “Let me.”

  She rolled her eyes before she held her hands up and dropped onto the sofa behind them. “If you insist.”

  There was a softness in her tone that eased his wolf a little. He sat beside her on the sofa and allowed silence to fill the space between them. He didn’t know what to say or where to start.

  After a few moments, Everly faced him. In a rush, she asked, “Are you mated?”

  Her rose scent sharpened and her cheeks colored as she averted her gaze to her hands in her lap. Instantly, he took her hands in his. “No, I’m not mated. But I thought you were or at least spoken for.”

  She lifted her gazed back to his, her brows drawing together. “I’m not seeing anyone.” Clarity entered her features, making her beautiful, full lips dip into a frown. “Ash.”

  The male’s name came out on a growl and Brady couldn’t help but laugh. Everly always growled people’s names when they did something she didn’t want them to. “I take it that Ash is not pursuing you?”

  “No. He’s too proud of being single. We’re good friends, but nothing more.”

  Brady’s wolf perked up and pawed at him to move closer to her, to cover her in his scent. Claim her like he should years ago. “That’s good.”

  She dropped her shoulders and leaned back against the couch. He studied her profile then reached over and brushed a stray hair behind her ear. A soft sigh escaped her a moment before she turned her head into his palm. He smiled. “I missed you.”

  Her eyes darkened slightly, then flashed with hope. “I missed you, too.”

  “I’m sorry I left without explaining things.”

  He could sense her mood soften and the tension in her shoulders eased a little. She shrugged. “I still wish you had called me.”

  Finding the words to tell her he turned his dad in to the local pack to be put to death for turning rogue, was difficult. He didn’t know how she’d handle the news. When she knew his dad Joel, the male was sane and happily mated. That was fifteen years ago, before Brady’s mom died and Dad went crazy. Brady had assumed the male went to live in his wolf form high in the mountains. That was until Bree contacted him three years ago to tell him she was his sister and being held captive by their father.

  Yeah, that was a lot for him to deal with. Eve was human, and he didn’t know how she’d react.

  When he opened his mouth to speak, unsure where to start, a knock sounded on the front door, which was still opened, and four chil
dren bounced into the living room.

  Everly stood and smiled at them. “Hello, guys. You are the first to arrive.”

  The kids looked at him and one little girl said, “Who are you?”

  The human female behind the girl tapped her on the shoulder. “Holley, be nice.”

  Brady chuckled and leaned forward. “My name is Brady. I’m a friend of Miss Everly.”

  The girl glanced her mom, then back to Brady. “Are you here to help us decorate the tree?”

  “I am.” He lifted his brows. “Is that why you are here?”

  “Yes.” Holley stared at him for a few more moments. “Are you a wolf?”

  “Holley,” her mom scolded.

  Brady chuckled and stood, holding his hand out to her. “Nice to meet you. Holley is curious. I take it there are little wolves in her class and she can tell when she meets one.”

  She took his hand. “Debby. Nice to meet you.” Nodding to Holley, she said, “She does seem to sense your inner wolves. I just don’t want her questions to come off as rude.”

  Brady understood. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Kids are curious creatures.”

  Holley had turned her focus to the large box of decorations by the tree. “Miss. Every, can we start decorating?”

  Eve shook her head. “Not yet. We’ll wait for everyone to get here. We’re going to make ornaments to put on there and some for you to take home for your own tree. If it’s okay with your mom, there are snacks on the coffee table.”

  At the mention of food the kids squealed and looked at Holley’s mom, and said “Please,” at the same time.

  Debby laughed. “Sure go ahead.”