Tanner Reed Novels & Stories

*Tanner* The sun hung low in the sky as Rose and I drove through the dense woods leading to Larch Groove Pack. The scent of maples and lindens filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. I glanced over at Rose, who was taking in her surroundings with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The recent troubles of the pack weighed heavily on both of us. The news of poisoned water had spread like wildfire, leaving a shadow over the community. Now, as their new leaders, we had a responsibility to help heal the land and restore the trust of the pack members.

Declan leans over to show me the pictures, and I snort in amusement at the shot of Reed, his shirt half-buttoned, flashing a coy wink at the hidden camera with his hand on the brunette woman's waist. Even though the photo is overexposed to hell and back, he still manages to look good. At six foot three, he towers over the woman, who looks familiar from some recent awards flick; the flash of the camera can't even hide his amber-flecked brown eyes. "Isn't she married?" I ask idly, raising an eyebrow at him. Reed clears his throat. "You know, I'm glad you asked that. She was married, yes. But she got divorced."

Misha always enjoyed talking to Tanner. The man was the definition of a tall drink of water. He was very handsome, but seemed oblivious of this fact. Unlike very many Bloodrayne shifters, Tanner was not big on showing off. He was one of the more reserved wolves in their pack. He was also older. A testament to something deeper within himself. Tanner was dressed in fitted black clothing from head to toe: a thick, cotton, short-sleeve T-shirt, tucked into cargo pants, tucked into steel-toe hiking boots. His marked forearms bare.

A voice cut through the chaos, cold enough to lower the temperature. The black-suited guards parted like a curtain and a man strode forward. Tall, lean, dark ash hair and sharp blue eyes. His black three-piece suit was immaculate. Shock rippled through Veronica's men standing guard outside when they recognized the lead figure stepping through the shattered entrance. Nathan Reed. Billionaire playboy, renowned defense attorney, the man their world dismissed as powerless. A male who failed to awaken, allowed to stand as Dale's second only because his family saw him as harmless. A useful puppet to watch Dale, nothing more.

They all wished they could win over that one-of-a-kind beauty, but no one ever did. Tanner's dad was super rich and a club member too. He had dined there and seen the breathtaking club owner. She made such an impression on him, but he never got the chance to get to know her, which he always felt bummed about. Now, running into her like that, Tanner was thrilled. Grinning from ear to ear, he said, "Oh, it's Ms. Abbott! It's really no big deal, just friends having a laugh." He was playing dumb on purpose, scared that Yarely would learn the truth and think less of him. He swallowed his pride and turned to Elio, saying, "Right, Elio?"

I lift my head and peer out in the distance, trying to see the Gulf. I see something else instead. “Is that a fucking cemetery?” I almost squeal before scoffing, and turning my back to the headstones rising in the distance. “Jesus Christ.” “Julia, come over here and meet Tanner Hendricks.” Jake waves me over, and I reluctantly obey, casting a glance over my shoulder at the creepy cemetery and the standing water all around it. We’ll have to do something about that. Tanner is tall with dark brown hair and a ruggedly handsome face. He looks like he chops wood and drinks straight whiskey. He probably wears flannel and has a Labrador, too.

The needle flew through the air and landed straight on him. Tanner’s pupils constricted as he said in disbelief, “It’s really you!” “Since you’re able to cure him, I believe that you’re rather good in medicine as well. But let’s see if you can cure him this time or not.” Tanner’s face sank, and he harrumphed confidently. “Of course. Since I could cure him the first time, I can cure him a second time!” Everyone began to gather around them. Tanner, Zachary, and Heirein were famous people here. Although Heirein had gained his fame through his father.

Inside the vast living room of the Eastwood mansion, Nathan Cole paced back and forth, his expression dark, tension written plainly in his eyes. He stopped only when he heard footsteps on the stairs. “What’s wrong?” Leonard Eastwood asked as he came downstairs, noticing Nathan immediately. Nathan turned to face him. He hesitated, clearly struggling, before finally speaking. “Where’s Tanya Reed?” he demanded. “You sent her to a place like that—did it ever cross your mind that something could happen to her?”

Anger filled his eyes as he barked, "Fuck me! Who the fuck are you, and why the fuck are you interrupting me?" "My name is Woody Henderson." Tanner's brain was addled with lust. He thought the name was familiar, but he couldn't figure out who Woody was for a moment. He had directed all his fury to Helen and the Cartwrights previously at the hospital, so naturally, his concern for Woody was secondary. To Tanner, it didn't matter who injured his son. They wouldn't be able to escape so long as Tanner destroyed the entire Cartwright family. "I was the one who wounded both Roman and Ryan Jett." Woody walked forward, his powerful air making Tanner stand up from where he was.

Tanner practically dragged me toward gazebos set up to the side of the rally grounds. I waved at Jay and saw from the corner of my eye that he patted Cole on the shoulder and said something to him before he went toward the bar where his friends had claimed a table. Cole looked around, seeming slightly lost before he headed toward the bike displays. "So, what's new?" I asked Tanner as we wandered through different stalls, examining different items for sale. "Ah, well I failed my psych evaluation to get into the permanent post to be a firefighter - said I was too impulsive and made stupid errors so would be a hazard on the team," he said sadly.