Read Promised: True Mates Book 1 (BBW Paranormal Wolf Shifter Romance) (A Craggstone Paranormal Romance) for Free Online Page A

they?”
    “Of course they do, they can scent you,” James replied, a confused look on his face.
    “Well, why are they whispering, then? When I can hear them?”
    “They don’t mean to, they’re just all excited and happy for me…for us.”
    “Well, they are all being very complimentary, but they don’t like Amanda very much. They called her a few choice names.” I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask, “Were — are — you and Amanda very close?”
    James thrust his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. He cocked his head, a look of intense focus in his eyes.
    “Amanda and I were just—” he shook his head in self-disgust. “—I didn’t know you were out there, I had lost hope and Amanda offered comfort and companionship, even though we knew we weren’t true mates—”
    “How noble of her,” I interjected sarcastically. I could guess why Amanda had offered. James was not only an Alpha, he was also devastatingly handsome and strong. Quick witted, yet overwhelmingly kind. The perfect mate material.
    “I don’t know why she gave up on finding her true mate. I never asked.”
    “What about your mom? Claire? What did she think?”
    “She thought I was a fool to give up on love. She had the perfect mating with my father, a true match. She lost him to hunters, who had thought he was a real wolf.”
    Love? Who had mentioned love? He had given up? He had lost a parent, too?
    I must have revealed my shock because he cupped my face, tenderly smoothing his thumbs across my cheeks.
    “True mates are in love, they are bound heart and soul. I am sorry I didn’t wait for you, that I had given up, but I will make it up to you, I promise,” he murmured, leaning down and kissing the side of my mouth, feather light whispers of promise.
    Despite the crowd surrounding us, the kiss ignited sparks that shot through my limbs, leaving me shaking as he pulled away.
    God, what was I meant to say to that? He had me so confused, not knowing which way to go, what I wanted.
    Without thinking, I blurted out the first thing I could think of that might shatter his certainty and test his resolve. “I don’t have a family, a real one that is. I don’t know where I come from, and I might not be good mate material, a good breeder.”
    Looking into his eyes, I saw I had shocked him.
    “What happened to you, Kara? To make you believe you aren’t good enough?”
    Ignoring the question and compassion I saw in his expressive face, I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the next group of people, hoping to block any more questions.
    I didn’t have any answers.
    The group parted to let us join, revealing Amanda holding court in the center. My heart sank.
    “James! We were just talking about you,” cooed Amanda while she swirled her drink with her straw, coyly looking at James from under her lashes. Glancing at me she added, as if an afterthought, “Oh, we were talking about you, too. Kiera, isn’t it?” she smirked, tossing her mane of golden-blonde hair back over her shoulder with a perfectly manicured hand.
    Irritated, I opened my mouth to shoot back a pithy retort, but James beat me to it.
    “Her name is Kara, as you very well know.” His voice was hard as he glared at her. Turning to include the whole group, he pulled me forward. “Everyone, this is Kara. She is joining the pack, as you may have heard.” He shot a glare at Amanda, who just raised a perfectly plucked brow in return.
    “Now, James,” Amanda continued, as if she hadn’t just been shot down in front of everyone, “We were just discussing family. You know, who’s had pups, who’s related to who…bloodlines, y’know? And that got us to wondering about Kiera, sorry, Kara’s family, and whether any of us know them? Or are related at all? Family is sooo important and we just wondered if Kara had any here.” Amanda’s voice dripped with barely veiled sarcasm.
    Looking around at the sea of bobbing heads I wondered if I was the only one