Romane von Free Man

Lyra POVBut then her gaze landed on Xavier. The way she looked at him, like he was the only thing in this world, was something out of a movie. A blush creeped onto her freckled cheeks, making her look even younger.I smirked. “You sure it doesn’t have to do with a hunky Beta?”“What?” Her eyes became saucers. “No! No! Of course not! Xavier is way too good for me and too high up. I’m just an awkward, lonely coyote shifter while he’s a pack favorite. Nope. Nuh-uh.” Her eyes darted to Xavier for a split second.I covered my mouth to hide my smile. “Okay then.” I wouldn’t push the girl anymore. Well, not today.But already a plan was formulating in my mind to do with the Yellowstone Contingent and solving Marni’s small problem. I would find a way to train with them, and I knew exactly who I was going to bring along with me.“What the fuck?” The pitchy female voice behind me irritated me like metal grinding together.I spun around to see Rebecca standing there, mouth agape and eyes wide.

Lyra POV“You really don’t need to do this,” I said, grabbing the backpack Marni held out to me.“It’s fine. You need clothes, especially ones that aren’t the Alpha’s,” Marni explained. “Unless you want to piss off Rebecca.”As tempting as that scenario was, I shoved it aside and opened the zipper to see underwear, dresses, shorts, t-shirts; all the essentials. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re kind of tiny. I don’t think your clothes will fit me.”The petite shifter laughed. “I’ve been collecting clothes from the pack. It’s not much, but they’ll work.”“What?” My jaw dropped.Marni shrugged. “It’s what we do for our pack.”“But I’m not part of your pack.” My throat constricted from both the gesture and the truth in my statement.“This pack is no stranger to taking in strays.” She twisted a golden tendril around her finger with a forlorn look. “I would know.”“I’m sorry,” I whispered. I couldn’t even imagine the state she was in coming to this pack alone, and here I was remin

Ronan POV Lyra’s shoulders relaxed, and I wondered what she’d expected me to say.“There’s nothing to tell. I was running in the woods, and got a bit lost. I picked up the smell of the cubs, then heard them scream. I couldn’t not help, you know? They’re pups.”I nodded unconsciously, because I did know. I got it completely. Even more so as an Alpha. At first, I didn’t believe the simplicity of her story, but it made a lot more sense if she’d been running from an abusive pack. “You’re a stray, aren’t you?” I asked, focusing on her reaction.Her body jerked, and her hands clenched tightly around the edges of her chair. I tried to be reassuring, hoping she’d answer more questions. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve taken in strays before.”Lyra closed her eyes then opened them. Her hands released the edges of her chair and went back to the table. “I don’t owe you any answers.” She bent forward to keep eating.Frustration welled in my veins. “Considering this pack is feeding and cloth

Ronan POV Not even mindless work could stop my racing thoughts. The next few hours found me just as tense and prickly as when I’d let Lyra shoulder past me. She’d been in her room ever since. That’s when I remembered my promise about a room of her choice and a meal. Fuck, had I even fed her at all since she’d been here? My inner wolf was extremely disappointed in me. Some protective Alpha I was.I cracked the eggs with too much force, sending shells scattering in the bowl. I scowled at them, but my Alpha voice didn’t work on eggs. It was nearing late afternoon, but I felt like an omelet. And I had promised her food. Gauging her reactions thus far to me, she’d probably complain loudly anyway. I was going to murder her if she threw it back in my face. Well, not really, but it felt better to at least think about it.Who the hell was this female, to show up and challenge me in my own pack? I could barely wrap my head around any of it. “Remember, she’s a victim, and her pack fucked her up

Lyra POVThey all complied and drifted away. Rebecca was last, and shot me a haughty glare over her shoulder. I kicked and slammed my fists harder against Ronan’s back. I’d show them all.Rebecca kept a respectable distance behind the ass-hole wolf, and I caught a whiff of them both. No wonder they were both so nasty. They were related.“What’re you going to do with these insolent females?” Victor’s glare alternated between me and the female shifter, trying to look smug and mean. It was comical, since nothing could touch the rage I’d felt off of Ronan when we first met. All I wanted to do was punch the smirk right off Victor’s face.Rebecca sauntered up next to her father, because of course this dickhead was her father, looking like Christmas had come early. Her patronizing attitude made the family resemblance to Victor unmistakable. To match her father completely, she would just need to throw in a few scars. I’d happily volunteer for the task.“Do you need Daddy’s help?” Her eyes rak

Lyra POVThe sound of raised voices outside dragged me from my sleep. During the night, my wolf must’ve shifted back, because I was naked under the sheets. How long did I sleep for? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so soundly.On two wobbly legs, I crossed over to the open window, where a light breeze ruffled my hair. Below me, the pack was gathering. It smelled like morning.An older man with salt and pepper hair was clearly incensed, throwing a woman to the ground. Scars marred the right side of his face, and his smell had a bitter, spoiled tinge to it. As if something once good had gone bad.The woman stumbled roughly to the ground, trying to hide her face behind her sheet of graying brown hair. Her trembling form triggered every protective instinct in my wolf, and my muscles tightened almost painfully. She reminded me of my mother and every time she’d been put into this position by my dad.It couldn’t happen again. It wouldn’t happen again. Not while I still drew breath