by Kimber White
Gunnar and Jett were both working on becoming cops too. They’d settled in Lexington. Payne and Lena had gone north, finding a suburb they liked outside of Louisville. Payne had had the most trouble figuring out what he wanted to do. It didn’t surprise me. Of all of us, he’d suffered under Able’s control the longest. Lena helped him back. Something in his expression told me he might have news. When I locked eyes with him, he cleared his throat.
“Lena and I have talked long and hard. We’re staying in Kentucky for now, but that might change. There are still men out there, Jagger. Bad ones. We haven’t accounted for all of Able’s top generals. Some scattered and crossed the border. Maybe only a handful, but I don’t want to wait for them to cause trouble.”
“What do you propose?” Liam asked.
Payne rubbed one thumb against the opposite palm. When he lifted his eyes again, they were filled with fierce determination. “I’m forming a security agency. We’ve all heard rumblings. I can’t be the only one who has gotten contacted. We have a reputation now, the wolves of Mammoth Forest. Like it or not, people look at us as some kind of heroes or champions. If it’s within my power to be one, I’d like to try.”
Lena beamed up at her husband, giving me the answer to the only question I had. If she was happy, so was I.
“A shifter security agency. I like it. You know if there’s anything I can ever do to help, you know where to find me.” A round of hell yesses went around the room. Payne sat a little taller. God, he was really one badass looking dude when he wanted to be.
And our meeting was all but done. We were whole. We were safe. And a new generation was on the horizon. Clearing my throat, I raised my paper cup, swirling the amber liquid in it.
“Okay then...let’s have our toast. To the shifters of Mammoth Forest. I owe my life to each and every one of you.”
“We owe it to you right back!” Liam shouted. “And everyone else here!”
Several voices joined in shouting, “Here, here!”
“Right,” I said, laughing. We stood together. Alphas, pack members, mates, partners, wives, husbands and now mothers and fathers. We drank to our future, our present and our past.
Later, Rowan took me by the hand. “You’re good at this,” she whispered, going up on her tiptoes.
“At what?”
“Speeches.” She smiled. “Leading men. Do think you’ll ever want a pack of your own someday?”
I couldn’t quite read her expression. Would she welcome it? Or, had she had her fill of shifters other than me?
“I don’t know,” I said. “For now, I like things the way they are. I figure fate’s had a pretty big hand in my life. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. In the meantime, come here, woman. I’ve kept my distance long enough.”
Growling with desire, Rowan came to me. Her hard nipples pressed against my chest. As always, she had me hard and ready with just one look. God, would I ever get enough of her?
“I’m making it my personal mission to make sure you never have to find out,” she said, reading my mind, of course. By the state of my arousal, she wouldn’t have needed my marking to put that together. I slipped my fingers to the back of her neck. The mark in question flared hot, mirroring the desire pulsing between her legs. I knew if I touched her there, I’d find her wet and wanting.
“Come on,” she said. “I’ve been meaning to do something ever since we got here.”
She took my hand and led me out of the rotunda. It was pitch dark back here now. We’d only left the lights in the main room. Growling with laughter, I sensed where she wanted to go.
Deep down the curving passageways, we found our way to the chamber with the hot springs. “Woman,” I whispered. “I like the way you think.”
“I know,” she said putting a finger to her lips. Then, with one agile jump, she was in my arms and pulling off my clothes.
I took her many times that night and marked her once again. Beautiful Rowan. My life. My love. My hope.
As we came together, I let out a great howl. Rowan joined me. As the sound echoed through the caves, my ears pricked. Far off, in the woods and valleys above us, I heard the answering howls of Mammoth Forest wolves. They called for me. They called for the women they loved. They called for their freedom. They called for the packs they were born to lead.
Liam, Mac, Gunnar, Payne. These men were not my brothers. We were not pack. But, they were my brothers in arms. We owed our lives, and our freedom to each other. I knew in my heart, the battles we fought and the bond we forged would last forever. The love I shared with Rowan would last forever too.
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THE END
Up Next From Kimber White
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Don’t miss my smoldering new dragon shifter romance series, Dragonkeepers. When a dragoness and an Alpha wolf cross paths, the result will set your e-reader on fire!
kimberwhite.com
Find Out How Able Valent Got his Start…
Don’t miss the thrilling, sensual Wild Lake Wolves prequel novel featuring Patricia Bonner.
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She’s a feisty farmer’s daughter. He’s a young, virile Alpha Wolf. When fate brings them together, it could destroy everyone they love.
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A Note from Kimber White
Typing “the end” on Jagger’s story was bittersweet for me, for sure. In a lot of ways, his was really the first that completely formed in my head before I even wrote word one of the series. Sometimes characters can do that to you. I hope these Mammoth Forest wolves grabbed hold of you too. We may see a few of them again in my Dragonkeepers series. You didn’t think I was going to leave you hanging with what happened on that boat in the Great Lakes did you? You can find out more about the dragons on my website, here: http://www.kimberwhite.com/dragonkeepers
For a first look at my next new release, sign up for my newsletter today. You’ll be the first to know about my new releases and special discounts available only to subscribers. You’ll also get a FREE EBOOK right now, as a special welcome gift for joining. I promise not to spam you, share your email or engage in other general assholery. You can unsubscribe anytime you like (I’ll only cry a little). You can sign up here! http://www.kimberwhite.com/newsletter-signup
Psst . . . can I ask you a favor?
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If you liked this story, can you do something for me? Please consider leaving a review. Reviews help authors like me stay visible and allow me to keep bringing you more stories. Reviews are the fuel that keeps us going. Please and thank you.
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And if you STILL want more, I’d love to hang out with you on Facebook. I like to share story ideas, casting pics, and general insanity on a regular basis.
From the bottom of my heart though, THANK YOU for your support. You rock hard.
See you on the wild side!
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Kimber
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KimberWhite.com
[email protected]
Books by Kimber White
Mammoth Forest Wolves Series Page
Liam
Mac
Gunnar
Payne
Jagger
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Wild Ridge Bears Series Page
Lord of the Bears
Outlaw of the Bears
Rebel of the Bears
Curse of the Bears
Last of the Bears
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Wild Lake Wolves Series Page
Rogue Alpha
Dark Wolf
Primal Heat
Savage Moon
Hunter’s Heart
Wild Hearts
Stolen Mate
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Dragonkeepers Series Page
Kissed by Fire
Tempted by Fire
Marked by Fire
Claimed by Fire
Freed by Fire
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Claimed by the Pack Se
ries Page
The Alpha’s Mark
Sweet Submission
Rising Heat
Pack Wars
Choosing an Alpha
The Complete Series Box Set