Read Haunted Sanctuary for Free Online Page B

pushed the power of her wolf into an angry, painful knot in her chest. It made every breath hurt, but it allowed her to smile and pull her hand from her arm. “I was always bad at scratching things that itch. You should have seen me with the chicken pox.”
    “Okay.” Lorelei rose and wiped her hands on her jeans. “I need to make out that list for Jay. Do you want to come with me?”
    Eden didn’t itch anymore. She hurt, like her wolf was clawing up the inside of her skin, trying to get out.
    As long as the pain stayed internal, she could hide it.
    She leaned down and hefted the box of china. “Absolutely. Some stuff we’ll have to buy, but I might have a lot of it in my house or in storage. My mom’s family were a bunch of packrats.”
    “We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
    With all of the advantages she’d been given, Eden could do nothing less. She wouldn’t allow herself to consider any alternative.

Chapter Three
    “I’m just saying, I wouldn’t have paid for it myself.” Louis Stevens leaned back in his chair.
    Jay spared his deputy a glance as he searched through a stack of files on his desk. “It was my fault. Why shouldn’t I pay for it?”
    “It’s a service vehicle, that’s why.”
    “We’re underfunded, Lou.” And the detached door, deep scratches and bullet holes were better dealt with by another werewolf. “Besides, my guy down in Dyersburg knows his shit. He’s kept my old truck running this many years.”
    “That is impressive.” Lou snorted and swiveled his chair from side to side. “At least the deer got a happy ending.”
    “She’ll live to graze another day.” Jay straightened and stretched his back. “Are you sure you and Baker’ll be able to handle it for a week without me?”
    “Heck, yeah.” Lou reached for his coffee. “You going to actually do something exciting with your time off? Baker thinks you spend your vacations studying how to be a better cop.”
    “I’m helping a friend move.” It was as close to the truth as his coworkers would get. “I’ve got a few projects to work on around the house too.”
    “That’s grim, man. No wild parties? No exotic vacations?” Lou grinned over the rim of his mug. “No sexy librarians?”
    Obviously, Jay hadn’t hidden his interest in Eden as well as he’d thought. But he was bound to be spending time with her around town, so better to get it out of the way now. “I’m thinking of asking her out, so keep your eyeballs to yourself.”
    “You got it, Chief.” Though he tried, the deputy couldn’t hide his smirk. “So if you two hook up, can you get her to forget my late fees?”
    “Return the movies on time. Problem solved.” Jay found the file he wanted and snatched it up.
    Lou eyed the folder. “You’re not taking work home, are you? Sort of defeats the purpose of a vacation.”
    “Nah, it’s something personal.”
    “If you say so.” He rose and held up his cup. “I’m getting more coffee. You want some?”
    “No, I’ve got to run. Thanks, though.” The bell above the door jingled as Jay pushed through it. The morning sun stung his eyes, and he dropped his sunglasses from the top of his head down onto the bridge of his nose as he made his way to his truck.
    He slid behind the wheel and took a bracing breath before flipping open the manila folder. Inside lay a patchwork picture of anger, violence and resentment.
    The first reports were spotty, neighbors phoning in disturbance calls when Albus and Kathy Green’s arguments devolved into screaming matches. Eventually, the complaints coalesced into a steady stream of reports—most made by Eden’s mother against her brother-in-law.
    The file also told Jay when Kathy Green had left her family. Her departure marked the beginning of a clear pattern of neglect for Zack. Fights at school, a shoplifting complaint from the local grocer where the boy had been stealing food. Notes regarding an investigation by Child Protective Services.
    What could they