Page 46 of Just Right

Because she decided to stay with?—

Finn is suddenly at my side. He throws an arm around my shoulders, the protective gesture obvious. Colt moves so that he’s standing just behind Rowan, backup if his older brother needs it. And that’s because Rowan is rumbling loudly, a warning of his own, as another, larger figure appears from the gloam.

Larger… it…heis close to seven feet tall even as somewhat hunched as he is. His body is big, yet twisted, with patches of fur covering his shoulders and his chest. He’s wearing a pair oflinen pants that are ragged and torn, though they do the job, covering anything important. His nails—claws—are longer than mine when I have a fresh set on.

And his teeth…

What big teeth you have…

Rowan’s shoulders widen, his bear making itself known as he attempts to block the door. And I sayattemptbecause, despite my sudden trepidation at seeing this… this wolf-man out of some kind of a horror flick, that’s nothing compared to my instincts telling me to go to my friend.

To save her from the creature at her back? To show myself that, after four years of worrying about what happened to her, she’s really standing there? I’m not sure, but before Finn can grab me, I sweep past Colt, then shimmy next to Rowan so that I’m standing right in front of Charlotte.

Rowan doesn’t try to push me behind him. Instead, he tucks me into his side like his youngest brother tried. Still, his message is clear: to get to me, they would have to go through him.

I appreciate the gesture, but I’m too busy gaping at Charlotte to do anything other than let my mate clutch me so tightly. Especially since the monster in front of me is doing the same to her.

“Char? Is that… is that really you?”

“Hey, Goldie.” She gives me an impish Charlotte Linden smile, reaching behind her so she can lay her hand on the wolf-man’s arm, tethering him to her. “Long time no see.”