Break Her Fall

By JoAnna Grace

As beta female of the Blake Pride, Amilynn does whatever it takes to get the job done and guard her family—even if it might not be morally sound. Now that the Pride has moved in with the Blackburn Pack, she faces a threat she never saw coming...a mate. The sexy and persistent wolf wants to claim the leopardess, but she’s not going down without a fight.
Ezekiel is used to getting what he wants and his eyes are set on his seductive target. Yet predicting Amilynn’s next move is fruitless. He’s caught between admiring her strength and resenting it. Does he dominate or submit? Can he prove to Amilynn she really is worth the fight?
When a ghost from Amilynn’s past stalks their family, Ezekiel will learn her true strength. Amilynn isn’t a docile house cat and, by the time she’s done, everyone will know it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JoAnna Grace
• Release date: Jan 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781940460161

JoAnna Grace

JoAnna Grace lives in a world of alpha males and strong females where true love conquers all—at least in her mind!From the time she started holding a crayon she began to create magical worlds. Her first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess. The story changed each time she told it, but there was always a happy ending! Her first written story was about girls who changed into tigers.Now, as the author of The Divine Chronicles, the Blake Pride Series, and more, those stories have become a bit more complex and sexy!JoAnna’s tales are spun at her home in East Texas where she lives with her husband, three kids, and a Diva Dog. When not hiding behind the computer screen you can find her camping, boating, and shopping.Keep up and find her online! She loves to hear from her readers.

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A Division of Y&R Enterprises, LLC

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This book is a work of fiction. Therefore, all names, places, characters, and situations are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2015 by JoAnna Grace

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever. For information address Y&R Publishing Rights Department, PO Box 2283, Lindale, TX 75771.

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Cover Design by www.JLeeAnn.com

Cover Model by Lindsay Goble; Photography by Ally K Photography

Book design by Champagne Formats

Edited by BZ Hercules

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Control Number Data

Grace, JoAnna.

Break her fall / JoAnna Grace.

Fantasy romance—Shapeshifters—Fiction.2. Romance—Fiction.

3. Sagas—Romance—Fiction.

Fiction. | BISAC: FICTION / Romance / Fantasy. | FICTION / Romance / General. | FICTION / Sagas.

PCN # 2016911680 2015

ISBN 978-1-940460-14-7

ISBN 978-1-940460-16-1 (e-book)

authorjoannagrace.com

yandrpublishing.com

BY JOANNA GRACE

Divine Chronicle Series:

Divine Awakening

Divine Destiny

Divine Judgment

Divine Encounter

Divine Pursuit (Coming Soon)

The Roles We Play

Blake Pride Series:

Break Her Fall

The Harder They Fall

Divided We Fall (Coming Soon)

Omega Office Romance Series: (Coming Soon)

Crossing The Lines

Blurring The Lines

Erasing The Lines

Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

OTHER BOOKS

QUOTE

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

THE ROLES WE PLAY

MEET THE AUTHOR

FROM THE AUTHOR

OTHER BOOKS

CONTACT INFORMATION

AMILYNN SNUGGLED INTO the warm arms that were around her. God, Ezekiel smelled like heaven. The sweet honey of his mating scent filled her mind and made her inner leopard purr with desire. It was so easy to sleep when his strong arms held her close and kept her safe. He was there for her in her time of distress, waiting to see if her best friend would pull through the night. He’d given his own blood to save Vivian’s life. Amilynn never thought she could find peace in the middle of a hospital, in the midst of a catastrophe like this, and yet Ezekiel gave it to her.

Her cat had never been more satisfied, even if he was a wolf.

While Ezekiel kept her safe, Ami could focus on the crisis at hand. Vivian had to live. She had to make it. If there was no hope for Vivian to live a full life of love and happiness, then what chance did Amilynn have? Vivian was wilder, more feral in her independence than Ami and, somehow, she’d found a mate in Kasey Blackburn who was worthy of her devotion. The wolf alpha had shown his love for Vivian time and time again, gaining the trust of the rest of her Pride. But look where it got them. The songs were bullshit. Love is not all you need.

Vivian fought for her life in that hospital because members of Kasey’s Pack didn’t want the Pride coming in. The feline shifters didn’t belong there, so they said. The Pack might be a mixture of wolves and bear, but adding felines to the mix was more than some of them could handle. The rebellious group had done a fine job of letting Amilynn and her family know they weren’t welcome.

Amilynn, in particular, had been warned off the males of the Pack. Here she sat in Ezekiel’s arms, the arms of a future alpha. Wouldn’t that cause another rebellion? The hookers and hounds, what a mess.

Her cat came to attention when a rumbling in Ezekiel’s chest woke her up. The low growl was aggressive and full of warning. Her eyes popped open, ready to defend her family at any cost.

Easy, fool, Tyrone, her brother, warned Ezekiel in gravelly bass.

Ezekiel, who had also been awakened with a start, gripped Ty’s hand. It took a couple of seconds for all of them to realize there was no threat.

V’s awake. Ty yanked from Ezekiel’s grasp.

Amilynn didn’t hesitate to uncurl from Ezekiel’s lap and follow Ty. She didn’t look back, couldn’t. Once she was in her right mind, she would explain to Ezekiel that there was no way they were going to be together. They were too different.

Ami took her first easy breath when she saw Vivian’s eyes open. They were half crossed, but they were open. Relief and love bubbled over her, creating a wave of deep emotion she didn’t know how to process. She could cry, but who had time for hormonal drama? When Vivian smiled at her, she had to blink back the tears. Damn. This was not cool.

Well, Ami said, needing to escape with her dignity. Since Kasey is stuck up your ass, and you’re in good hands, I’m going to jet. She sniffed and made sure not to look Vivian in the eyes again. Glad you’re awake. Without another word, she left the hospital room. Her chest constricted so tightly, she could’ve passed out.

Here. Ty tossed her a set of keys. Of course her brother would know she didn’t want anyone to see her lose her shit. She gave him a nod and bolted from the hospital. Go figure; they were to Ezekiel’s motorcycle. At least if she cried while she was on the bike, she could blame it on the wind in her eyes. Sometimes being a girl sucked.

Ezekiel mourned the loss of Ami’s warmth the moment she shifted off his lap. It shocked him how much his wolf craved her, how much he wanted to protect her and take away all her sadness. He was paralyzed for a while, stunned by his wolf’s intense desire to have a mate. The human part of him didn’t care about mating until the moment he saw Amilynn step out of that Suburban and into his life. On principle alone, he’d tried to dislike her. But that was impossible.

Give me your keys, Ty commanded with his hand extended.

Ezekiel blinked a couple times before he realized who was talking. Why?

For her. He nodded over to Ami, who had just exited Vivian’s room. Ezekiel tossed Ty the keys and Ty passed them to Amilynn as she practically ran from the hospital.

Ezekiel took off after her. Ami!

Leave me alone. Her voice was strained and tight like a rubber band that was stretched too thin and near the breaking point.

Where are you going? Did something happen?

She twirled around, her eyes red rimmed and narrowed. Do I need a translator who speaks fluent moron? Leave. Me. Alone.

I just want to help. He reached for her arm before reconsidering.

I don’t need your help. I don’t want you to . . . She let out a heavy breath. I just don’t want you.

Ezekiel stopped, kicked in the junk by her words. Our mate doesn’t want us? His wolf whimpered, the dejected sound coming from the man’s throat before he could stop it. There was nothing he could say, so he turned to leave.

Z.

He glanced over his shoulder. Ami had her eyes clenched shut, the back of her hand pressed to her mouth. She was in so much pain, and it ripped him to shreds.

She finally opened her misty eyes. It’s best this way. Trust me.

Ezekiel tilted his head to the side. How could you possibly know that?

Because whores don’t make housewives. And that’s all I’ll ever be. Ami jogged off before he could smash that theory to shit. Was that what she thought of herself? Sure, he knew she had been less than angelic before she came to the Pack. Those choices were made out of desperation and the need to survive.

She needs time, his wolf said. Give her time and some space.

He tried his best to stay out of her way for the next couple days, but since they lived in the same house, it was harder than he anticipated. Vivian’s return home made Ami a bit more hospitable, but not much. His new aunt was on bed rest and the members of the household took shifts visiting her. Ami stayed with her the most, more than likely to avoid Ezekiel.

Waiting Amilynn out was easier said than done. He had to talk to her again. They had to work this out. Hell, he’d never had a chick run from him. It was a total ego killer. Usually, the girls of the Pack went out of their way to get his attention. His position as heir to Kasey’s alpha throne made him very popular with the ladies but not so much with the males. He had his crew of close friends, the ones that didn’t give a rat’s ass about his position or future power. Maybe he needed to go spend some time with them? Get away from the alpha house and the Pride members.

Not before he tried one more time to talk to Amilynn.

Hunted. That was how Amilynn thought of it. For days, a presence shadowed her, watching her every move and haunting her thoughts. Ezekiel never interacted, but he kept watch. Her cat, acutely aware of his movements, yearned for more of the comfort he’d given at the hospital. Ami did her best to ignore it.

Once again, she awoke in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. Her nightmares were full of Vivian getting shot. Sleep became her enemy. She shifted and snuck out of the alpha house, crossing the meadow and into the woods of the mountains. Her leopard loved this area of Oregon with the mountains and the tall trees, the thick vegetation that covered her cat well. Especially in the predawn hours, this part of the country was peaceful. Nighttime in the mountains took on a mythical feel. If only it would help her sleep.

She’d dreamt of her old apartment, the one Helena and Jake had splattered with the blood of domestic cats. Ami had been specifically warned off the males of the Pack—words like whore and slut painted on the wall of her bedroom. She’d been ready to run; maybe she should have. She didn’t belong here.

Ami’s tawny leopard made her way through the forest, far too deep in her own negative thoughts. To the north, she heard the soft footfalls of a wolf. Her leopard perked up. If Ezekiel had followed her out there, she was getting a restraining order.

Who’s there? said a man’s voice from the darkness.

Ami shifted so she could answer back. It’s Amilynn.

Oh, hey. The tall, blue-eyed, blond-haired cutie came into view.

Martin wore a huge smile. He had a very open crush on her and no doubt was more than thrilled to run into her on his perimeter check. "What are you doing here at this hour? It’s like four in the morning."

Ami worked her goods, casting him a flirtatious smile and positioning her body with her hip cocked out. She’d clothed herself in a deep-cut shirt that drew his eyes to the plump curves of her breasts. I couldn’t sleep. I guess all this mess with Vivian has my cat agitated. Lucky me, running into you.

Martin’s smile grew. You’re free to walk with me. I’d be more than happy to keep you company for a while. His eyes raked over her body and he bit his bottom lip.

She had him, just that easily. If she ever needed a distraction, it was now. She could prove to her cat that Ezekiel wasn’t her mate, that Ami could be satisfied with someone else.

Ami looped her arm through Martin’s and pressed her chest against his side. They walked and talked about nothing in particular for an hour or more. He was easy to be with. There were no complications, no random mating scents making the moments strained. Martin had a good sense of humor and shared her fondness of reality TV. He was the perfect guy to take her mind off he-who-shall-not-be-thought-of.

You know, Martin, I was very flattered by the way you watched me dance at the club that night Kasey came for Vivian.

I definitely enjoyed the show. His voice deepened with desire. You’re a great dancer.

You should take me out sometime. I could dance for you again.

Her eyes were drawn to the way he swallowed hard, and she picked up the scent of his arousal. Ami was a professional seductress. She’d honed the skills years ago. And she knew the moment a man wanted her.

Are, uh, are you sure that’s a good idea, given everything going on? Martin remained alert, scanning the forest around them, just like she did. Ami too had been trained to be mindful of her surroundings.

Dancing calms me, helps me work off stress. Physical activity is always a good way to relax. Don’t you think, Martin? She purred his name.

Oh yeah. He glanced once more at her chest. I’ve wanted to talk to you about that night after the party. He referred to the alcohol-laden night they’d spent together, again when she was trying to prove she wasn’t mated. I sure hope that wasn’t a one-time deal.

Why, Martin, are you trying to ask me if I’ll sleep with you again? Ami stopped walking and stood in front of him.

Martin smiled down at her and rubbed his hands over her arms. "We are good together."

Yes, but Amilynn was good with everyone. It was part of her game. She knew how to please men, how to give them the night of their lives.

Let’s be honest, pet, the voice of her trainer echoed in her mind. They expect sex from you and they expect it to be spectacular. It’s what all men expect of a whore.

She shoved that thought aside. We are. How about you take me dancing tomorrow night and we will see what happens. Ami lifted up on her toes and pressed a slow kiss to his lips. With a final wink, she shifted and loped off into the woods to the alpha house.

Her cat fussed and hissed the whole way home.

Instead of going into the house, she went around the small lake to the Pack’s shooting range and police station. The armory was in the back and, when the Pride moved in, they were given permission to access the knives and guns. Amilynn loved weapons almost as much as she loved clothes. Guns and knives held the same rank in her mind as shoes, food, and oxygen.

Ami focused on lining up the knives on the table in front of her. She needed to concentrate. Five throwing knives shined, ready for her to launch them at the targets across the room. She pressed a button on the table and the targets began to move around, crisscrossing one another, circling, creating targets that challenged her. Amilynn turned her back on the targets and took a deep breath. Palming one knife, she closed her eyes and listened to the movements of the machines. There was a pattern to their motions: near-silent clicks and slides of metal. That was what she needed to concentrate on.

In one smooth move, Ami swung around and sent the knife flying into the center of the first target in the right top corner. The second knife went into the target in the center of the room. The third and fourth knives hit their targets with ease, whistling through the air so fast the human eye would have missed it.

The fifth knife she spun and threw behind her, in the opposite direction of the targets. The blade imbedded in the wall, a millimeter away from Ezekiel’s head. Slate-blue eyes met hers and they were hostile, to say the least.

Nice, he said with dry sarcasm. He dug the knife out of the wall and sent it flying back in her direction. Amilynn caught it in mid-air and sent it into the fifth target across the room.

She hated—no, loathed—the way his presence rubbed along her skin in a feathered caress. If she didn’t have to meet his stare to show her dominance, she wouldn’t look at him at all. It was too tempting. Ezekiel had tall, dark, and handsome mastered like a boss. His ink-black hair was cut short on the sides with a bit more length on top that often dipped into the left side of his face. Long, thick lashes of the same color accentuated his intense eyes. Lush lips contrasted against a hard jaw line that currently sported a shadow. And damn it all to hell if he didn’t look like grade-A beef in that black tank top. The guy was built; muscled up and wide at the shoulders, slim at the hips, and thick in the thighs, just how she liked it. Her cat practically purred when she saw him. There was no doubting the physical attraction on both sides. But that was where it ended.

What do you want? Amilynn retrieved the knives, hoping it was enough of an excuse to look away without seeming to submit.

We need to talk. Z crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall like he had all the time in the world.

Ami gathered up the knives and polished them before replacing them in the racks. "I don’t do talking."

And how’s that working for you? Ezekiel’s jaw tensed and she pushed aside the urge to bite it.

Quite well, until you. Thanks for asking.

Bullshit. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. For someone who speaks her mind, you sure can avoid the subject.

"I’m trying to avoid you. You clearly have a confused wolf on your hands and I’d rather not be around you. Is that direct enough or do I need a billboard?" Ami worked best with attitude and sarcasm.

You can’t run from this. Didn’t you learn anything from Vivian and Kasey’s situation?

Oh, I sure did. She laughed, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms. I learned that this Pack is full of bat-shit crazy bastards who don’t want us felines around. I learned that you have traitors among your people and I learned that they don’t take kindly to women who work what God gave them. Vivian might be able to turn from her past and not look back, but I can’t. It’s a part of me. Unlike Vivian, I don’t give a flying fuck what people think of me.

That’s a lie. You care about my brothers. They told me about what you said in the hos—

They’re kids. They’re ignorant to the realities of life.

Ezekiel’s lips curled up. Not a smile; more of a snarl. Deny it all you want. You know you care about them.

Ami didn’t have any problem belittling the relationship she had with Nate and Tom. She might love them so deeply it hurt, but she wasn’t about to let someone use that against her. She gave a one-shouldered shrug and looked off. Leopards are protective creatures by nature.

Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. You care.

Do you have a point to this conversation or are you simply trying to waste my time? She examined her cuticles. Because honestly, this whole creepy stalker thing you’ve got going is old. Seriously, leave me alone.

Ami pushed off the table and turned from him. Z made the mistake of grabbing her shoulder and spinning her to face him. She plucked two knives from her belt and stuck one under his chin, the other at his crotch.

Z sucked in a quick breath. You wouldn’t. His chest vibrated with a rumbling growl.

Get your paws off me. The leopard surfaced enough to change her eyes and her vision became split. The cat bristled when a male tried to challenge her, even the mate.

You can’t run from this.

Ami broke free from his grip. I’m not running. I’m facing you head on, telling you to get this ridiculous notion out of your head. You’re a fool if you think I’d mate you or anyone else.

Nah, you just screw around with every male who comes along. That’s why you had the word ‘whore’ written on your walls.

You little bastard. She huffed and shook her head. He couldn’t have cut her deeper if he’d used her own knives. He’d seen the destruction, known how much it hurt Melissa and angered Vivian. What did she expect from a spoiled little rich kid like him? Ezekiel had no clue what the reality of their situation was like. How could he?

Ezekiel closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath, his shoulders crumpled inward, completely deflated. I didn’t mean that. He gripped his hair and clasped his hands behind in his neck. Ami, I’m sorry—

You have no idea what we’ve been through, what I’ve been through. Maybe I am a whore. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to take shit about it from you. She stormed out and shifted back into her leopard.

Amilynn ran until her paws were raw. She stayed away from the alpha house all day, not returning until sunset. She had to get out. There was no way she wanted to live under the same roof as Ezekiel. The alpha house had provided her with luxuries she’d never known. As much as she treasured Kasey’s generosity, knowing what Ezekiel and the rest of the Pack thought of her dulled the shine of her fancy bedroom suite.

The alpha house was designed to accommodate those on two legs and four. Ami had no problems getting in as a cat. She was relieved to find only Ty sitting in the television room, watching football. He shook his head when the offense practically handed the other team the ball.

Ami shifted and conjured a comfy pair of gray yoga pants and a fitted cotton shirt. They’re playing terrible this year. I don’t know how you stand to watch.

Tyrone shrugged and took a swig of his beer. There’s not much else on. Where you been? His eyes scanned her quickly. Ty was far too close to his animal at any given moment. Some might call him unstable because his cat had such control, but Ami knew better. Her brother had nearly died when they escaped Nevada. They’d gone straight to their great-grandfather, a medicine man of unknown age, who had mastered the magic and energy of their shapeshifting blood. He summoned the spirit of Ty’s leopard to take over his body and sustain his life until Ty’s human side could. Since then, her brother’s leopard had always been closer to the surface. During times of intense emotion, his eyes glowed yellow and he couldn’t stop it. He kept his eyes shaded with hats and covered with glasses when he was in public. As he looked at her now, there was a faint yellow tint to those eerie eyes.

Ami tried not to fidget under his scrutiny. Out letting the leopard run. Why?

All damned day? It’s almost dinner time.

Yeah. She sat down beside him and snagged a sip of his beer. They watched the game in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.

Anything in particular that made you hide all day?

I wasn’t hiding. Amilynn was shocked at her own defensive tone. Ty gave her a dry look that said don’t bullshit me. If there was one person she didn’t want to talk to about this, it was her brother. Vivian would understand better than anyone, and she wouldn’t threaten Ezekiel.

Let’s have it, he said, putting his arm on the back of the couch and rubbing her neck. Her cat sought out the comfort of family, of blood.

I had a fight with Ezekiel.

About what happened at the hospital? ‘Cause the way he growled at me was pretty stupid on his part. Ty’s sandpaper-deep voice held a warning.

You startled him, that’s all. Why was she defending Ezekiel? Wouldn’t it be easier if Ty didn’t like him? It would add weight to her case against their mating. However, her leopardess bristled when Tyrone spoke against Z. Ugh. Anyway, he’s followed me around for a couple days and I got tired of it.

Ty leaned his head backwards on the couch. Shit. Did you draw blood? We just got here Ami. You can’t maim the alpha’s nephew.

He’s fine. Ami waved him off.

He’s also gone.

What?

Ty took another slow, deliberate drink of his beer, staring at her with unblinking eyes. He left with some of the younger soldiers for a perimeter run. They’re checking the motion detectors with that nerdy Brooks guy. They’ll be gone a week.

Amilynn let out an involuntary sigh of relief. Good.

Her brother’s face showed no reaction. The guy had a perfect poker face. It could have been carved in stone. Did you fuck him?

No, and that’s half of his problem.

Don’t mess with him, Ami. I mean it. It would be too devastating for Melissa to leave. And if he hurt you, we’d never be allowed to stay once I got done with him.

He won’t hurt me, Ty.

Don’t test that theory.

It’s not a theory. Ami closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip. He’s trying to claim me.

Again, Ty’s face gave away nothing. But his beer bottle stopped millimeters from his lips. He set it on his knee. Deep, dark eyes glowed bright yellow and his pupils narrowed to vertical slits. And how do you feel about that? His voice was nothing more than a whisper.

She looked him in the eyes and felt that God-awful emotional shit building in her chest. "I can’t let it happen. I’ll never be anyone’s wife, Ty. She sniffed and blinked back the moisture from her eyes. That’s not what I was created for."

Says who?

Ami didn’t answer.

You deserve a chance to be happy. The pressure of Ty’s hand increased on her neck.

Ami smiled at her brother, loving him with every beat of her heart. After everything I’ve done, I think that chance has passed.

Amilynn—

I’ll be fine, Ty. I always land on my feet. She leaned in to kiss his cheek and then escaped to her room.

What the hell was with her? She’d nearly cried a dozen times in the last few days after years of suppressing the reaction. Damned wolves. Maybe she was allergic to them? Yeah, let’s go with that.

Ami flopped down on her bed and thought about what Ty had said. One week. She had one week to get her shit together before she had to face Ezekiel again. Could she force herself to fall for Martin in a week? If her cat developed a desire for the other man, Ezekiel couldn’t argue with that.

Fat chance, her cat hissed.

Watch me. Ami took out her phone and sent a text. You free tonight? Can’t wait.

Be ready in fifteen. Martin’s reply came quickly. She only took ten minutes. Ami wore a skimpy purple sleeve of a dress that cut off right below her ass and barely covered her boobs. The silver heels