Copyright © 2021 Theresa Hissong
Disclaimer:
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The names of people, places, things, songs, and bands are all created from the author's mind and are only used for entertainment. Any mention of a song or band, in the book has been given proper credit for use.
This book is for adults, 18 and older only, due to content.
Cover Design:
Michelle Sewell
RLS Image Graphics & Design
Editing by:
Heidi Ryan
Amour the Line Editing
Formatting:
Imagine Ink Designs
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Chapter 1
Sometimes, it was hard to keep a cheery attitude when you were crumbling on the inside. At least, Aspen tried to keep her fears to herself, but occasionally, they would bubble to the forefront and her brothers would notice.
“Safety first, Aspen,” Nash reminded her when he found her standing at the front door to the terminal. She’d been standing there for a month, watching the forest around their property. Her other brother, Mason, had been shot with an arrow not long before, and it had been a warning.
“Mason says they won’t come back,” she mentioned.
“He’s right,” Nash grunted, pulling her in for a comforting hug. Her brother, the alpha, was trying his best to lead a small pack that had been devastated by bears once before. She was barely a teenager when they came in and killed her parents and the rest of the pack. “Those bears want us to know they are here. It’s not that they’ll kill us like the others did. All they’re doing is sending a warning. They don’t want trouble out of us, and they won’t get any.”
“Can’t we just explain to them who we are?” she asked, hoping it would be enough to protect them.
“I’ve been considering it,” he agreed. “As of now, we continue our business. I’ll make a decision soon.”
“I can’t live in fear again, Nash.” She paused to wipe a tear. “I just can’t.”
“I know,” he whispered and hugged her tighter. She was trying her best to keep up the pack along with the new mates and run the business side of the flight service.
She stiffened. “Crap, here come Isabell and Charlie.” The last thing she wanted to do was to look weak in front of them. Aspen loved them like sisters, and they were new to the pack. There was no need to let them see her stressed. “Give me some of your damn calming magic, Nash. I don’t want to be coddled.”
“Fine,” he laughed. She felt the wave of power come over her, relaxing her to the point where she felt like her old self again.
“Thank you,” she said with a smile. When the females entered, she bounced to the check-in desk and started the day. When she looked past the two mates, she saw Nash give her a wink and disappear into his office.
“Okay, I’m here to work,” Charlie announced. “What do you have for me today?”
“Two supply runs,” she began, picking up the folders she kept neatly organized. “Booker should be here after lunch for a flight back to his place. I’ve put him on your schedule.”
“Booker, huh?” Isabell whispered, looking over her shoulder. “I saw you two getting kind of acquainted the other day when he arrived. Are you two mates?”
Aspen tried to hold back her blush, but it failed. Her cheeks warmed and she ducked her head. “Honestly, I don’t know. My wolf notices him, but I still don’t have a mating scent when he’s around.”
“Maybe he just hasn’t been around you enough,” Charlie shrugged. “Maybe my plane will need some unscheduled maintenance this afternoon. Are there any rooms available for the night?”
“Charlie,” Aspen gasped, narrowing her eyes, “you wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would.” She winked and snatched her folders before making a hasty exit through the back door.
Aspen growled low in her throat, glancing at Isabell. “Don’t you get any ideas, either.”
“Me? Nooooo,” Isabell feigned, holding her hands in the air like she was surrendering. Aspen flashed her fangs at Nash’s mate, who laughed as she made her exit into the kitchen.
Aspen sat heavily in the chair and giggled to herself. She’d only admit to herself that she found the human male very attractive, and there might have been a small amount of flirting involved the last few times they saw each other or spoke on the radio.
But…her wolf. It didn’t produce a mating scent. So, she didn’t think it was anything other than her stupid, dried up hormones. Well, she didn’t have any experience with attractive males, anyway. It was hard to find a date when you lived over a hundred miles from the nearest town and the only other people you saw were just passing through.
If, and only if, Booker Dupree was her mate, she wouldn’t complain. He was a strong human male capable of protecting her from almost anything not paranormal. With his bulky arms and wide shoulders, she wondered if he could protect her from that, too.
“Ward Air, this is N99 Charlie Alpha Romeo, do you copy?” Charlie called out over the radio. Aspen reached over and grabbed the mic just as a gust of cool air filled the terminal. She froze when she saw him, but Charlie’s second call over the radio got Aspen moving.
“N99 Charlie Alpha Romeo, this is Ward Air,” she stated.
“I’m coming in with an oil light,” she declared, and Aspen wanted to scream at her. “Looks like I’ll be down for a few hours.” She was lying through her pretty little teeth, and Aspen couldn’t call her out on it in front of Booker, who was standing right in front of the desk.
