Page 35 of Her Convict Wolf

My wolf throws back its head and howls.

I’ve got to get to Twin Falls. Hopefully I’ll find some answers there. I’ll shift and run all the way there. Carry my damn clothes in my teeth.

My beast starts to force its way out, fur burning my skin, bones cracking—

My phone rings. It’s an unfamiliar number.

I snatch it up.

“Maxim!”

The line is crackly, but I recognize my brother’s voice.

My gut tightens. He’s only allowed to call on Sundays, and always via the prison’s phone service. “Travis, what’s going on?” I demand.

“You’re never gonna believe it… I’m free!”

My breath catches. “Are you serious?”

“Yup. I’m outdoors. Looking at the bright blue sky right now, bro. And it’s beautiful.”

“That’s fucking awesome.” I close my eyes, imagining how he must be feeling. “But what happened?”

“I have no idea! A secret deal, they told me. Highly classified. I’m supposed to stay out of sight.” He’s garbling in his excitement.

My thoughts spin.

There’s no such thing as coincidences—one of the wiser things Emory’s father told me.

“Travis, listen to me. Where are you?”

“Oh, in this random town. They dropped me off at a government safe house or something.”

“You have an address? Or is there a street sign nearby?”

“Oh, wait… yup.”

Hurriedly I write down the address he gives me. “I’ll come for you as soon as I can,” I tell him. “I’ve just got to deal with something urgent.”

“Sure thing,” he says. He knows I wouldn’t put him off if it wasn’t real important.

I stare at the distant mountain peaks. Travis is free. That’s unbelievable news. I feel his happiness and relief like it’s my own. But—

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I bellow into the empty cabin.

Emory brokered my brother’s release. That’s obvious. Which can only mean one thing: she used some kind of bargaining chip.

With a groan, I tap my phone’s Internet app.

In less than thirty seconds, I understand: she’s agreed to testify against her father, in return for Travis’s freedom.

With no concern for her own safety.

Which means she’s in a ton of danger.

My crazy, reckless, beautiful mate.

I’ve never loved her as much or been as mad at her as I am right now.

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