When they reached their vehicles, Leidolf gave Fergus permission to drive the Jag while Evan slinked into the pa.s.senger's seat still in his wolf form. "No claw marks on the leather," Leidolf warned. "Have to sell the Jag one of these days. Maybe that will help us with the financial mess we're in."

The rest of the men got into an SUV, and Leidolf drove Ca.s.sie to the ranch in the Humvee while she slept soundly the whole way. As soon as they arrived home, Quincy and Pierce, their arms bandaged, most likely from defending themselves against Irving and his cousin, were waiting with most of his other people. They looked half relieved that Ca.s.sie and Leidolf were all right but half worried that Leidolf would be furious that they had let Tynan and Irving escape when he had entrusted the safety of the pack to his people.

As everyone piled out of the vehicles, Laney handed a roll of medical tape to Leidolf for his and Ca.s.sie's wounds and then hurried to embrace Elgin. Alice and Sarah squealed to see Evan lope toward them, and both wrapped their arms around his furry wolf neck. Tears in her eyes, Aimee gave Ca.s.sie a careful hug. Satros sauntered out, the ancient old guy, casting Leidolf a nod as if he knew Leidolf had finally proved he had what it took to be the pack leader.

Sarge ran outside, and Leidolf was d.a.m.ned thankful they didn't have to chase him down for once. He was waving a stack of papers. "I figured out your mess!"

Several groaned at hearing Sarge's words.

Quincy strode forth. "Didn't I tell you to watch what you say to the boss?"

Sarge scowled back at him and then grinned at Leidolf. "We're not broke after all. Half of the receipts for cattle sales just hadn't been figured in. They were buried under a bunch of romance books in the bottom of one of your desk drawers. Looks like my being a finance clerk in the army was worth something after all."

"You were a finance clerk?" Leidolf asked, incredulous.

"Yeah."

"Why the h.e.l.l didn't you say so in the first place?" Leidolf growled.

"You bit me. Figured you could muddle through it yourself for a while." Sarge's grin got even bigger, if that was possible. Then it faded. "When everything was in an uproar and no one was watching me, I thought, what the h.e.l.l. If Leidolf lives to see another day, I'll prove to him I'm not an... what does everyone call me?"

No one said anything for a minute, then Sarah said, "An omega wolf."

"Yeah, one of them. So I'm not any longer. Am I?"

"You've got the job of chief accountant," Leidolf announced, hoping he wouldn't regret it.

Sarge's eyes widened. "No more ranching duties?"

"Not unless you need a physical workout to keep in shape." Leidolf led Ca.s.sie into the house.

"Romance books?" Ca.s.sie asked. "A whole drawer full of them?"

Leidolf smiled. "Yeah, but I'm not going to Julia Wildthorn's book signing. Laney, the girls, and Aimee are going, if you want to tag along."

Ca.s.sie harrumphed. "A whole drawer full of her books? Don't tell me you never read any of them."

He guided her down the hall to their master bedroom where they'd clean up, tape up their wounds, and make arrangements for their trip to Colorado and North Carolina.

"She described several intriguing s.e.xual positions that I'm not sure are physically possible. Want to try them out? When we're feeling better, of course." He closed the door to the bedroom.

Careful of Leidolf's back wound, Ca.s.sie wrapped her hands around his waist. "So what positions did Miss Julia Wildthorn describe exactly in these werewolf romance books of hers?"

He cast her a devilish smile. "I'll demonstrate later. If you don't mind being... tied up a bit."

She chuckled darkly and dragged a fingernail down his chest. "Not if you don't mind either."

Leidolf might have proved he was the top wolf in the pack once and for all to himself, to her, and to the rest of the pack. But she finally realized nothing was more important than being part of a pack, Leidolf's mate, and finding her cousin again.

After being a loner for so long, she was glad she was no longer alone in the world.

"Come on, hero of mine. Let me take care of your wound. The faster you heal up..."

"Have any silk scarves?" He cupped her face and leaned down to give her a sizzling kiss.

Sounded like they needed to go shopping...

The End.

Acknowledgments.

I want to thank Deb Werksman, my editor; Danielle Jackson, my publicist; and the rest of the Sourcebooks staff who put out the best books ever. From covers to editing to publicity, you're the greatest. And to my critique partners who are with me every step of the way--Judy, Vonda, Tammy, Randy, Pam, Carol, and Betty--either through critiques or just there for me when I need them. To my co-workers at the library who humor all my wolf-sense. And to my fans who share with me their love of the paranormal!.

About the Author.

An award-winning author of urban fantasy and medieval romantic suspense, Terry Spear also writes true stories for adult and young adult audiences. She's a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has an MBA from Monmouth University. She also creates award-winning teddy bears, Wilde & Woolly Bears, that are personalized and designed to commemorate authors' books. When she's not writing or making bears, she's teaching online writing courses.

Originally from California, she's lived in eight states and now resides in the heart of Texas. She is the author of Heart of the Wolf, Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Winning the Highlander's Heart, The Accidental Highland Hero, Deadly Liaisons, The Vampire... In My Dreams (young adult), and numerous articles and short stories for magazines.

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