Read Wolf's Fall for Free Online

now.”
    â€œWhat
is
the point?” He was still holding her hand.
    She considered her words carefully. “There have been many times in the past seventy years I’ve wanted to give up. Sometimes the struggle just seems so overwhelming, like I can’t take one more day. Some days I have to dig deep, and I survive for three reasons: First, Tarron would be devastated and I can’t leave him with that burden. He’d blame himself forever, perhaps even follow me,and I’m not going to let it happen. Second, the bastards who ruined my life would win, and that’s not acceptable, either.”
    â€œThose are damned good reasons. And third?”
    â€œThere’s always a tiny bit of hope inside me that I’ll find happiness again,” she whispered. “What if I took myself out of the game too soon, when I only had to wait a little longer?”
    â€œHow come you make so much sense?” He tried a smile, but it didn’t quite materialize.
    Reaching out, she touched his face. She loved the manly stubble against her fingers, his lips and cheekbones. Even more, she was drawn to the kind, genuine man behind the steely demeanor. “I can see how sad you are, Nick. How weary. Whatever Carter did to you, I suspect that’s not the only reason you’re feeling down.”
    â€œYou’re right. It’s not. It’s just the latest in a string of blows.”
    â€œAnd yet you’re still here. Don’t you see? You don’t
really
want to give up, or you would have by now. You’re a bit lost, but you’re going to find your way.”
    â€œYou seem sure about that.”
    â€œI am,” she said with growing confidence.
    â€œAnd I thought
I
was the Seer.”
    Then Nick gave her the first honest smile she’d seen since they had met, one that reached his eyes, and it completely transformed his face.
Sweet gods, he’s beautiful!
If she’d thought him handsomebefore, now she just about swallowed her tongue. Her long-neglected libido stretched and awakened, purring like the engine of a Ferrari ready to burn rubber.
    With regret, she reined herself in. Neither of them was ready to move fast, were they?
    â€œWould you like to go for a walk?” she asked.
    â€œThat’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
    Nick lifted the right cuff of his jeans and sheathed his knife in the holster strapped to his ankle. Then he stood and helped her up, letting his hand remain wrapped around her smaller one for a moment before releasing it. She felt the loss of his touch immediately, and craved more. She would have to content herself with his nearness—for the time being.
    â€œTell me about your family,” he said. “I got the impression there’s only you and Tarron in the coven?”
    â€œYes, but we have a younger brother, Adrian, who lives in England. He doesn’t prefer coven life; he’s sort of a loner. He works for the Secret Service and loves it.”
    Nick whistled in appreciation. “I’m impressed. Do they know he’s a vampire?”
    â€œOnly his handler and one close friend. Everyone else is discretionary, on an absolute need-to-know basis. He’s good at his job, a real badass.” She shot him a grin. “Sort of like someone else I know.”
    â€œNot so sure about that.” But his expression was pleased. “Anyway, you sound very proud of Adrian.”
    â€œI am. I was blessed with wonderful brothers.”
    â€œWhat about your parents?”
    â€œThey died long ago, right after I reached puberty,” she said wistfully. “Even though there were so many dangers that existed back then from human hunters, rogue shifters, and other paranormal creatures, that’s not what got them. It was a simple accident. A log shifted and rolled from the hearth in the night and our little cottage went up in flames before we knew what was happening. They couldn’t get