Read Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3 Online

Authors: Vivian Arend

Tags: #Paranormal Romance

Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

True love’s path never did run smooth.

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt.

Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik

Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to

death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack’s Omega.

Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with

the force of a full body shot is no accident. She’s his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of

him—not until she resolves her issues.

She’ll have to work fast, because they’re both selected to represent the pack during the premier

sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she’ll have to

face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin.

Warning: Contains uber-sexy werewolves of Russian descent, reluctant mates and exotic travels

through the Yukon wilderness. Includes sarcasm and hot nookie under the Midnight Sun.

eBooks are
not
transferable.

They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or

have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual

events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520

Macon GA 31201

Wolf Games

Copyright © 2010 by Vivian Arend

ISBN: 978-1-60504-968-7

Edited by Anne Scott

Cover by Angie Waters

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written

permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Firs
t Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: March 2010

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Wolf Games

Vivian Arend

Dedication

To Valerie Tibbs, the first reader of the Granite Lake Wolves, and the first to tell me I was a real

writer. You’re a wonderful friend, a great encourager and a talented graphic artist to boot. Thanks for

believing in me.

Anne—you’re incredible. We’ve tagged you The Queen of the Wolves for a reason. Thanks for

making the wolfies shine so bright.

To my hubby. Any place we go together is home.

Chapter One

Maggie hesitated as the boardwalk underfoot blurred.

“You okay?”

She nodded but grabbed another couple of pills from her backpack and chased them down with a few

swallows of water. Her dizzy spells had grown more frequent. Was she really okay? Not yet, but the cure

might be closer than before.

“You’re seriously freaking me out. If I didn’t know better I’d suspect you were popping something

other than herbal remedies.” Pam blocked her path and looked her over sternly. Finally seeming satisfied,

her friend grabbed Maggie’s gym bag off her shoulder. “Since you insist you need to soak instead of just

hitting the sleeping bags, I’m going to be your Sherpa. You concentrate on walking. I don’t want to have to

figure out how to carry your sorry ass again.”

Maggie chuckled faintly. “Hey, it only happened one time.”

“Yeah, once was enough. You may look like a twig, but you’re damn heavy.” Pam winked, then

offered her elbow. “Do you need an extra hand? I’m here for you.”

“I’m fine. Really. I just need a couple hours floating. Liard Hot Springs is a little bit of heaven on

earth.”

They walked in companionable silence down the worn boards of the four-foot-wide path leading into

the bush of northern British Columbia, summertime heat rising around them. Beautiful weather had

followed them the entire trip from Vancouver. The bright green colours of new growth in the marsh grasses

on either side of the boardwalk made a soul-refreshing break from the concrete that had filled Maggie’s

world for far too long. Towering spruce trees, the brilliant blue of the June sky, crisp clean air—all of it

slipped into her blood like a tonic. A tightly locked knot in her core loosened, and for the first time in

almost a decade she didn’t resist.

Her wolf stirred.

Oh God, that felt amazing.
Maggie stopped in midstride and closed her eyes to let the sensation roll

over her. Surround her. Like an icy cold barrier had broken open a crack, shivers trickled through her

limbs. Electric. Delightful.

“Shit, are you having a seizure or something?” Pam clutched her arm and shook her gently. Maggie

fought to keep from baring her teeth. Because wouldn’t that just freak the human out to learn there were

some secrets even best friends didn’t share.

Wolf Games

They were close to the changing shelters, rustic wooden squares built of upright rough-cut timber.

Splashing noises trickled to Maggie’s ears as she fought down the longing in her limbs she refused to

answer. “I’m just tired. Let me get into the water.”

“Fuck that. You have…drown. Just…careful…hell.” Pam’s voice faded in and out of Maggie’s range

of hearing. It was the most confusing thing. Maggie saw her friend’s lips continue to move, but the words

disappeared. All that remained was this loud buzzing noise, like a swarm of horseflies. Maggie tried not to

laugh at the funny expression on Pam’s face as she waved her arms frantically and flapped her hands at

someone racing around the corner of the decking surrounding the hot springs.

Someone? Maggie peered harder through the fog drifting in front of her eyes. That wasn’t a person, it

was a walking wall. Crap, the man was huge. Dripping wet from head to toe, gorgeous tattoos seemed to

writhe on his torso as he reached for her.

Hmm…he smelt delicious.

Strength.

Safety.

Sensations of happiness and contentment stole through her chaotic thoughts. Her feet didn’t seem to

be touching the ground anymore, and the world bounced gently. She cracked open one eye to gaze around.

Above her, the trees rotated, and a small cloud chased across the sky in a blur. Warmth surrounded her up

to her neck and she let out a contented sign. Her head rested on something firm and soft and she nuzzled

against it tighter. A steady banging echoed in her ear, somehow reassuring.

And that scent?
Oh yeah.
She drew a deep breath, filling her nostrils and enjoying the way her mouth

watered. It was like sitting down to a well-cooked rib-eye steak, with all her favorite side dishes. The

sweetest dessert, followed by a dozen shooters. Maggie took another leisurely inhalation before snuggling

closer to the thumping noise.

Erik caught sight of the women as they strolled down the boardwalk, one of them swaying from side

to side. He laughed quietly. He’d have a set of slightly tipsy females to keep an eye on while they soaked.

The youth from his pack traveling with him played off to the left in the cold pool section of the natural hot

springs. Splashing and hooting and the sounds of carrying-on filled the air.

Wolves—they were such children.

He waded through the water toward the deck. The woman on the right looked familiar. Petite, blonde,

youthful features. If she’d been hugely pregnant he would have sworn it was Missy, the Omega for his

pack, although she wasn’t the kind to get falling-down drunk. It appeared he was about to meet his reason

for driving south sooner than expected. It had to be Maggie weaving toward him.

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7

Vivian Arend

He watched with growing concern as the women’s forward motion slowed. It wasn’t just a tipsy

ramble anymore, something seemed wrong. Erik grabbed the edge of the railing, wondering if he should

offer assistance.

“Oh shit, help, someone. Damn it. Help.” The brunette waved her arms, the frantic motions drawing

his attention to the other woman as she wavered on unsteady limbs. He leapt out of the water, droplets

spraying from his body to soak the worn boards underfoot. Long strides carried him down the boardwalk

just in time to be able to catch the blonde before she collapsed.

His world shifted three feet to the left.

Shocks—like small electrical connections—registered where their bodies touched. Trickles shot

through his limbs and up his spine. Tingling. Snapping.
Oh hello
, it felt completely and wonderfully right.

“Thanks—she’s been getting dizzy and I didn’t want her to collapse and hurt herself.” The dark-haired woman kept rambling, but the entire focus of Erik’s attention centered on the beautiful female he

held in his arms. He turned and walked back to the water, taking the steps while still cradling her close.

“What the hell are you doing? She’s passed out. She needs to recover and—” The friend followed him

down into the pool, tugging at his elbow.

“—stay warm. Don’t worry, I’ve got her.” Erik had no intention of letting her go. Ever. But that

probably wasn’t what this other woman wanted to hear. He settled on one of the submerged benches

scattered through the natural pool and rearranged his mate in his arms, her head resting on his chest. The

sensation of her cheek on his bare skin made his whole body react.

His mate.

Incredible. After all these years of waiting and longing, she dropped into his arms out of the blue. For

now, knowing she actually existed was enough to make him want to shout in delight. Except, he didn’t do

shouting.

A rather piercing voice broke through his intense concentration and he remembered the friend, now

glaring at him with suspicion. He held out his free hand. “Erik Costanov, from Alaska.”

The brunette ignored his hand. “Pam. I think you should let me take care of my friend now.”

“I’ve got her.”

“I noticed. I’d prefer it if you weren’t holding her. Just take her over to the stairs and I’ll help—”

“Relax. I won’t hurt her.”
I’m going to care for her for the rest of my life.
The thought sent shots of

pleasure through his system. Finally. His mate.

“Really, I’m not comfortable—”

“She’s comfortable.” It was true. The small armful of blonde snuggled in tighter and Erik’s heart

swelled. Hmm. This was going to be wonderful. Except for the fainting bit. They’d have to figure out what

was causing it and—8

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Wolf Games

A splash of water struck him in the face. “Hey, buddy. Thanks for stopping Maggie from hitting the

deck, but I’ll take over now. Got it?” Pam tugged on his arm, causing small waves to splash everywhere.

Erik took a deep breath. Maggie. He’d been right. He laughed at the irony. All this time waiting and

his mate was the sister of his Omega. Why hadn’t he known?

“Look, mister, I don’t know what the hell you think is so funny—”

A soft groan rose from Maggie. “Pam, can you stop the shouting for a sec? You’re killing me here.”

Oh hell, even her voice made his body sing
. She squirmed and he carefully cradled her against him, keeping

her head above water.

Pam leaned over and looked her in the eye. “Maggie? Can you hear me?”

“Are you kidding? They heard you in Vancouver. Stop screaming, my head hurts enough already. If

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