Read Rutledge Werewolves 1: Scent of Passion for Free Online Page B

women everywhere would get a bad name for casting themselves at his feet constantly!
    “Well done old man,” Dominic teased Artemais, “Another fine addition to be brought into the Rutledge family. Just think, another little boy to join the pack.”
    Pack? Sophie’s brain stirred, reminded by the wolf comment, but instantly discarded it. Just odd wording , she assured herself.
    What grabbed her attention was the single-minded knowledge with which these men instantly assumed her child was going to be a boy. Sophie intuitively knew there and then that she would have to fight for every scrap of independence in this family, with these four overbearing men, she would certainly have some interesting conversations.
    But she would never be alone again , her mind consoled her. She knew without a doubt that even if things didn’t work out between her and Artemais, she and her child would always be welcome with these men.
    “Who said this child would be a boy? I don’t see any ultrasound photos? I think this child will be a girl, and she’s going to kick all your asses.” Or wrap us all around her little finger …her brain mused as she smiled.
    As William set her down gently on the grass, she felt the four brothers circle her, dwarfing her. All except William smiled smugly, assuring her that it might be a girl in that pompous tone she was coming to know from Artemais.
    Despite their lectures on the apparent male-only offspring ratio of their heritage, Sophie politely ignored them all, focusing on William. He remained silent, and she raised an eyebrow at him. He appeared to think for a moment, then shook his head and kept his own council.
    Finally growing weary of the lectures, she interrupted them all, mid-sentence.
    “I’m hungry. Artemais is cooking me dinner. You’re all so big my apartment might get a little cramped—but you’re all welcome to come and join us if you’re not fussy and promise to help with the dishes.”
    Sophie looked around at the four men still circling her. Unbeknownst to her, Artemais glared ferociously at each of his brothers, over her head, so she didn’t notice.
    William was the first to draw her into a huge hug.
    “That’s okay, little sister. We need to be heading on back, anyway. But thank you very much for the invitation. Please come out to the big house soon, and we can all show off our expertise on the grill. If you’re expecting Artemais to cook for you you’ll soon be craving some real food anyway.”
    As soon as William released her, Dominic picked her up in a huge bear hug. Feeling like a kid again, her feet dangling a short way above the ground, Sophie squirmed.
    “Dom! Please put me down, I’m too heavy to lift like this!”
    Dominic laughed, but did place her back on her feet, though he kept her wrapped in his big hug.
    “Seriously, Soph, Artemais’ cooking is like old Dickens food. Gruel, porridge…”
    “Watery stew, with barely any meat or vegetables in it…” came Samuel from behind her. Dominic moved back with a wicked grin on his face and Sophie turned to hug Samuel goodbye.
    When she finally pulled back, Artemais came up beside her possessively and linked his arm through hers.
    “That’s enough you guys,” he growled, not quite angry, but getting there. “If you scare off my…woman, I’ll slaughter the lot of you.”
    Sophie frowned, a bit concerned, but all three brothers laughed and slapped him on the back in a friendly manner. None of them paid the slightest heed to his threat, and very soon Artemais was also laughing and joking with them, his anger completely evaporated.
    Sophie grinned as she realized Artemais had only been semi-serious in his threat, and by totally ignoring it, his brothers had shown what a load of rubbish it had been.
    Artemais led her to a Jeep, left by the side of the road on the other side of the large park. The brothers shook hands with Artemais, which Sophie thought manly, but odd, and each gave her a last kiss goodbye as they