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the
    species. It was impossible to wrap his mind around the fact
    that his younger sister was pregnant and going to be
    mated, but he didn’t flash his canines in a blatant show of
    aggression-even though that’s exactly what his inner wolf
    wanted.
    Crossing the short distance between them, he shook the
    other man’s hand—even though a large part of him wanted
    to pummel him for daring to touch his sister—and said,
    “Welcome to the family.” He stil wasn’t sure what
    “complications” meant, but if his sister was going to need
    bed rest he wouldn’t do anything to upset her.
    Behind him he heard Gabriela suck in a breath, but when
    he turned to look at her she was quietly talking to her other
    brother. Then everyone started talking at once and he knew
    it would be a while before he got his answers.

    * * *
Gabriela pul ed her green knit cap tighter against her head
    as she trekked through the woods. Hours had passed since
    the revelation that her brother and Owen’s sister were
    having a baby together. Not only that, they were going to be
    mated .
    Gabriela’s older brother had always been serious and
    quiet so it was a surprise he’d ended up with Skyler, who
    had the sunniest disposition of anyone Gabriela knew.
    Seeing them together, however, there was no doubt of their
    love for each other.
    Owen had been oddly quiet at Dr. Shahi’s office and then
    afterward when they’d al decided to go back to Israel’s
    place to get Skyler settled in, Owen had declined, claiming
    he had pack business to deal with.
    It had been an obvious lie but no one had stopped him
    and Gabriela had let him take her rental truck. Now that
    darkness had fal en and he wasn’t back at his home—she
    knew because she’d asked Skyler to cal him—Gabriela
    had a pretty good idea where he’d gone.
    Even though the smart part of her brain told her to stay
    the heck away from him, it was hard. Especial y since he’d
    looked so lost as he’d stared at his younger sister earlier.
    Gabriela had never seen him look quite that vulnerable and
    even though years had passed, she could stil read his
    expressions.
    And, she stil cared. Way more than she wanted to admit.
    When Owen had taken her brother’s hand and welcomed
    him into his family, it had hit her with ful force that he’d
    grown up.
    There was something about him that had always drawn
    her to him and once they’d become sexual y aware of each
    other…she shuddered, forcing those memories away. No
    one had ever made her feel so needy and out of control and
    she didn’t want to think about that now.
    Her breath curled out in front of her like white smoke as
    she reached the edge of the cave she’d been looking for.
    There were many caves in Bear Mountain forest but only
    one she and Owen had spent a lot of time at as kids. It was
    only a guess that he’d be there, but she had nothing to lose
    looking for him there.
    The scent of burning wood teased her nostrils as she
    approached the opening that was only two feet higher than
    her head. A faint orange glow pulsed from deep inside.
    There was a big opening in the top of the cave, as if
    someone had carved it out intentional y, that was the
    perfect ventilation for building a fire.
    Her boots were silent as she entered, walking deeper
    into the mouth until she spotted Owen’s sprawled form on a
    puffy sleeping bag. He was on his back, wearing only jeans,
    no shirt—showing off al that muscle and exposed skin that
    made her think of sex—and had his head propped up on
    his folded arms.
    His eyes were closed but she knew he was aware of her.
    He’d be able to scent her. Taking off her backpack, she sat
    down a couple feet away from him. “You gonna pretend you
    don’t know I’m here?”
    Ful lips that were the only soft part of his body slightly
    curled upward as he opened his eyes and scorched her
    with those baby blues. “Why are you here?” he asked softly
    as he pushed up to a sitting position, his arm