Savage Urges by Suzanne Wright
The Phoenix Pack #5
She’s a lone wolf with a cause.
As a volunteer at a shelter for lone shifters—the same one that rescued her—Makenna Wray has dedicated her life to finding homes for its residents. And when she discovers that a teen in her care is related to Ryan Conner, the broody, handsome-as-sin enforcer of the Phoenix Pack, she’s eager to help connect the two. She just wasn’t prepared to feel a connection of her own.
Lone wolves are loners for a reason—and most of them bad. Or so Ryan assumes until he meets the mysterious Makenna. Quirky and sensual, she seems to enjoy riling him, especially when she refuses to discuss her past. Although there is no mating bond, he’s sure she’s the one. All he has to do is be patient and wait. But when another pack’s sinister Alpha comes sniffing around, threatening Makenna and her shelter, this enforcer is ready to let his wolf off the leash… .
If you would like a peek
inside the book, read on...
Stalking people was so
boring.
At least the view was
attractive. Smoky black eyes, a strong jaw, broad shoulders, and
impressive abs that she could see right through his dark-gray tee.
The angles of his face were hard, rough, and dangerous, matching his
menacing frown. He was incredibly hot, if you liked the broody,
rugged type, which Makenna totally did. Especially when that male
exuded strength and confidence with every step he took.
Ryan Conner.
Whenever she found
potential guardians for loners, she researched them, scouting the
Internet for information and asking questions of her many sources.
The guy was a respected enforcer within a powerful pack and was well
known for being a seriously talented tracker. All good things. He’d
been described as stoic, dauntless, cold. But Makenna often had
feelings about people—she was good at reading them, good at seeing
past masks and shields—and she had a very good feeling about Ryan
Conner.
Since she had more chance
of talking with him in a public place than being permitted on his
territory, she’d followed his Chevy to a small line of stores in
town. And now, parked at the far side of the lot, she watched
impatiently as he stood by his car talking on his cell phone. Her
plan was pretty simple: the moment he put away his cell, she’d
approach him, introduce herself, explain the issue, and . . . and now
he was walking away.
She grimaced as he
disappeared down an alley, out of sight. Crap. Could nothing be
simple anymore?
Hopping out of her
Mustang, Makenna crossed the lot, traced the path he’d taken,
walked into the alley, and—
Where the fuck had he
gone?
She moved a little farther
into the alley, stepping into the shadows. It was empty. Well, that
was totally shit. Now she’d have to—
A large, warm, calloused
hand suddenly curled around her throat from behind as a solid body
propelled her forward, caging her against the brick wall; the rough
surface grazed her palms.
A hot mouth was then at
her ear. “Why are you following me?” It was a menacing rumble.
And just like that, at the
feel of his breath against her ear and the sound of that gravelly
voice, lust slammed into her. The reaction was instant, elemental,
and totally unwanted. Sometimes being a naturally sexual creature was
very inconvenient. “You know, there aren’t many people who can
creep up on me. You’re good.” He hadn’t made a single sound.
Makenna was good at stealth, but not that good.
For a moment, he didn’t
respond, and she had the feeling she’d surprised him. He grunted,
“Answer my question.”
Did he think that gruff
tone would scare her? It probably should. Especially since she had
well over six feet of untamed power practically curled around her
from behind. With her slim build fitting into the groove between his
broad shoulders and her head resting just beneath his chin, she felt
totally surrounded.
Her wolf should have felt
threatened. She didn’t though as she was a little distracted by the
dark animal energy that hummed beneath his skin and his delicious
scent: rich hazelnut, smoky sandalwood, and a dark sexuality. Makenna
could admit it was rather distracting. “Sure thing. But I’ll need
you to release me first.” In truth, she could easily escape his
hold. But it would serve her best to let him believe she was
helpless.
“I’ll release you when
you answer me.”
“I just need to talk to
you.”
“So talk.” His thumb
circled her throat in a movement that was surprisingly arousing.
“Look, I’m on a bit of
a schedule here—”
“Who sent you? What pack
are you from?”
If she revealed she was a
lone wolf this early in the conversation, she’d most likely be sent
on her way. “Nobody sent me. I just need to speak with you.”
A pause. “You have five
minutes.”
“I’m gonna need at
least ten.”
“I mean you have five
minutes to convince me not to snap this pretty little neck.” He
punctuated that with a flex of his grip.
She sensed that he wasn’t
kidding. Well, of course he wasn’t. She was a perfect stranger,
she’d been following him, and he had all the instincts of an
enforcer. A threat to an enforcer was a threat to their pack. As
such, they would never hesitate in eliminating one. “Hey, if you
really want me to walk away, fine. But then you’ll never know what
was so important to make me trail you like this.”
He grunted. It was a sound
that said, “So?”
“Damian Lewis was your
cousin. Correct?” He didn’t respond, but she knew she was right.
“As I’m sure you know, he died six years ago. His mate died
shortly after, unable to survive the breaking of the mating bond,
leaving their son to the care of their pack.” She licked her lips.
“Zac left his pack six months ago, and he point-blank refuses to
return. He’s been staying at a shelter for loners for the past four
months.” Ryan still said nothing. “Are you going to let go of me
now?”
“No.” He circled his
thumb over her throat again, increasing the buzz of arousal beneath
her skin. “What does this have to do with you? Are you from his
pack?”
“No, I’m a volunteer
at the shelter.”
He growled, “You’re a
loner?”
As his grip tightened—not
enough to hurt but enough to reassert his dominance—Makenna sighed.
“Okay, I get it. You’re a big, bad, scary wolf, and your
proverbial dick is bigger than mine. I’m officially intimidated.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
His mouth moved even
closer to her ear, until he was almost nibbling on her lobe. “That’s
a lie. I don’t like it when people lie to me. Don’t do it again.”
© Suzanne Wright
Visit
her online at www.suzannewright.co.uk.
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