Page 39 of Wild Wolf
As she darted around a startled squirrel, she leaned over the bike and forgot all else except thejoy.
But for a sheer moment, she wished she could share in it withNolan.
Where wasshe?
Nolan paced, trying not to worry. No one had seen Jordan since her return home from the winery. Had she runoff?
He hadn’t meant to be so tough on her, but he’d had to show that he harbored no favoritism. Everyone in the pack did every job at one point. It unified them, impressed upon them the importance of teamwork. It also effectively shot down those who had airs or thought to claw their way upwards in the struggle for power. They were always testing him, his pack, since Craigdied.
Now he had Jordan, the newest challenge. Hooking his hands behind his back, Nolan tried to think of the places she could have hidden. Pairs of Lupines had been sent out to search them all, butmaybe…
“You’re gonna wear out that nice varnishedporch.”
The familiar drawl brought him up short. Nolan whirled, relief shooting throughhim.
“Sam.”
The two hugged quickly, and Nolan slapped him on the back. “When did you getback?”
“Few minutes ago. Heard you have a new missus.” His best friend dropped his black duffle bag on the porch and gave him a long, pointed look. “Had I known you’d be mating someone, I’d have rushed backsooner.”
“Was a last minute decision.” Nolan resumed his pacing. Where wasJordan?
“Would like to meether.”
“I’ll introduce you, when she returns. If she returns,” he finallyadmitted.
At his friend’s dark, raised brows, he quickly explained. When he finished, Sam whistled. “Leave it to you, Nolan, to find a wild one for a bride. Why did you doit?”
Nolan jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and didn’t answer. Didn’t have an answer. He’d mulled that one over himself today after setting Jordan to clean the bathrooms. After spending the past two years keeping the pack together through sheer strength of will and hard work, he’d brought a restless rule breaker into thefold.
Did he love her after all these years, this wild wolf who’d broken hisheart?
Nolan shrugged, realized it was the same shrug Jordan herself would have given. He suppressed asmile.
“Nolan, you ok?” Sam put a hand on his shoulder. “You looklost.”
Don’t feel lost. I feel as if I’ve finally found something.“Come on inside, let’s get you settled. Want your old roomback?”
“If it’s stillavailable.”
“Left it empty for yourreturn.”
Sam slung his duffle over one shoulder. Big and burly, with ink black hair and blue eyes that twinkled with good humor, the Lupine made a formidable security expert. Would make a great beta as well. He trusted him with the safety of thepack.
Nolan missed him like crazy during the years he’d been gone, but he understood why he left. Sam had conflicting emotions about Craig dying, and when he’d asked Nolan for the position as his beta and Nolan refused, Samleft.
Left with the idea that he’d be back, but he needed to “stretch his legs abit.”
“Maybe by that time you’ll change your mind about keeping traditions that don’t suit you,” he’d toldNolan.
Maybe it was about time he didreconsider.
“Tell me about your travels,” he said, holding the door open for him. “When did you growthat?”
He pointed to the short beard covering Sam’scheeks.
Sam rubbed a hand over the bristles. “Got a dislike for razors while hooked up with a cute little number in Italy. She wanted me to grow it. Figured she was worth it. Stayed with her a fewweeks.
