Portrait of a Lone Wolf

By Katalina Leon

A mixed-blood Native American wolf-shifter, abandoned by a teenage mother and ignored by an absentee father, Rio Waya has never fit in or felt worthy of love. But when he comes home to the Black Hills, he realizes he wants a mate of his own.

Recovering from a cheating ex who started a new family behind her back, Sela López seeks escape to pull her life back together. As a documentary filmmaker and wildlife photographer, she rents a cabin in the Black Hills with plans to film the beleaguered wolf population. But she’s so busy looking through a camera lens she doesn’t see trouble coming.

Sparks fly as mutual fears and vulnerabilities surface when Sela and Rio meet. She can’t figure out why the mysterious Mr. Waya is so anxious about having a documentary made of the Black Hills Wolves. But when his secret is exposed, all hell breaks loose. Can Rio win Sela’s trust and soothe her fears about allowing a hunky wolf-shifter into her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: Feb 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781613337462

Book preview

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Portrait of a Lone Wolf

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 by Katalina Leon

ISBN: 978-1-61333-746-2

Cover art by Fiona Jayde

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

Look for us online at:

www.decadentpublishing.com

Black Hills Wolves Stories

Wolf’s Return

What a Wolf Wants

Black Hills Desperado

Wolf’s Song

Claiming His Mate

When Hell Freezes

Coming Soon

Taming His Mate

Seducing the Schoolmarm

Alpha in Disguise

A Wolf’s Promise

Reluctant Mate

Diamond Moon

Tempting the Wolf

~Dedication~

I wish to thank Rebecca Royce for being the most supportive and lovely friend any author could hope for. She’s a writing dynamo with a generous heart. I’m so glad she invited me to the Black Hills Wolves party.

Portrait of a Lone Wolf

Black Hills Wolves

By

Katalina Leon

Chapter One

Sela’s back ached from being in the car since dawn. By the time she reached Los Lobos, the hour was late. The ramshackle town appeared deserted of anything she’d call commerce. A quick glance down the main street dimmed all hope of getting dinner in a real restaurant. Apparently, even on a long summer night, the citizens went to sleep with the sun. The battered storefront slash real estate office where she was supposed to meet someone was dark. An ice-cream stand on the corner was lit, but the sole employee refused to make eye contact and scrubbed the countertops in what appeared to be the process of closing.

Her stomach growled in noisy protest.

A barn-like structure at the edge of the so-called business district was the only establishment displaying signs of life. With no other options, she drove her Jeep into the parking lot of The Den.

She slipped into a tight spot on the edge of an alleyway. Eager to get out, she swung the door open with too much enthusiasm. A metallic thunk alerted her to the magnitude of her mistake.

Crap. A deep scratch on the door of a hulking pickup truck was obvious along with bold white lettering, Los Lobos National Park Ranger.

Less than three minutes after arrival, she’d already damaged the property of the very people she needed to befriend. Her introduction to the National Park community was off to a sour start. The responsible thing to do would be to go inside to report the mishap, but the delicious scent of onion rings fresh from the fryer wafted toward her, hijacking her senses. Food needed to come first. Being an honest citizen, second.

Following her nose through the front door, she was thrust into a honky-tonk time warp. Bars like this one didn’t exist in Los Angeles. The Den was cozy enough but appeared to have been decorated by a taxidermist in the late seventies and zealously preserved since. The shaggy heads of several unfortunate buffalo dominated the far wall. At the front door, two stuffed raccoons offered a mock greeting with outstretched paws. The chairs, booths, and even a few of the tables were covered in forest green vinyl. No doubt a sticky misery to come in contact with on a hot day.

Movement caught her eye. A burly man with an inscrutable expression rose from behind a counter as if he was part of a magic act. He was tall with a barrel chest. A nappy brown sweater coupled with hunched posture lent him a distinctly bearlike appearance.

The dour gentleman focused on Sela with a frown. Where did you come from?

Steppenwolf’s Born To Be Wild was cranked to eleven. She had to shout to be heard, Can I order some food to go?

The saggy-faced Papa bear behind the counter appeared perturbed. Fair warning, miss. The kitchen’s closed. Pretty sure we don’t have what you want.

The explosive clack of a pool cue making hard contact with a ball nearly drowned her out. Except for you, everything’s closed in this town!

A few customers cast her a brief glance then looked away. The lucky bastards sat in front of pitchers of cold beer, towering hamburgers, paired with heaps of french fries or onion rings. Her stomach growled embarrassingly loud, but she doubted anyone could hear above the blaring music. Something smells heavenly. Could I at least order onion rings to go?

Bear man shook his head. Sorry. No can do. Fryer’s turned off.

Really? Digging through her purse, she wondered if this place would accept a credit card. I’m willing to pay a little extra for the trouble.

With a sullen pout, he rubbed a limp rag across the countertop. After hours The Den ain’t open to the general public. Guess what? It’s after hours.

Oh, come on! She sounded desperate.

A man in a red plaid shirt, who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, sat at the counter. He shot her a smoldering look filled with mixed emotions. Perhaps he was angry or lost in thought. She couldn’t tell. The flash of fire in his eyes beneath brooding black brows was impossible to decipher. When he opened his mouth, the tough gravel voice of a drill sergeant rumbled out. Gee, don’t be a hard ass. Get the lady some onion rings.

The lumbering hairy thing behind the counter, presumably named Gee, thrust out his bottom lip and lifted his hands into the air in mock surrender. Why not? It’s not like my house rules ever get any respect anyway.

From the corner of her eye, Sela glimpsed a huge silver-furred canine dart from under a table, push a swinging door open with its muzzle, and disappear.

Did I just see a wolf? Sela gasped.

A rude sputter surged past Gee lips. A wolf?

She pointed toward the swinging door. A large animal ran in there.

Gee appeared unfazed by her claim. I hope not. That’s our kitchen.

Sela sat at the bar. I think I’ve got wolves on the brain. May I please order some food? I’ll take anything. She glanced with suspicion at a cylindrical, vaguely obscene-looking item set on a plate. I’ll probably be sorry I asked, but what is that?

Fried pickle. Gee grunted. House specialty. Not too sure what we’ve got left. If you’re hungry for something else, you’d do better going down the street.

The ice-cream stand? It looked like they were closing for the night. Sela’s gaze drifted toward Mr. Hard-To-Read. On second glance, she noticed how attractive he was in a rugged, swarthy sort of way. A fringe of thick lashes softened his commanding dark eyes, which might have appeared intimidating to some. The detail added a touch of beauty to an otherwise tough guy face. He was busy tapping his palm against an inverted bottle of ketchup. Crimson sauce dripped over a glistening patty three fingers thick. To add to the torment, he swirled a golden fry into the luscious puddle.

She turned toward Gee. Any chance of getting a burger?

Gee crossed his heavy arms in front of his chest. I’m pretty sure the grill’s shut down for the night. Plaid shirt got the last one. He offered the plate on the countertop. How about a cold fried pickle instead?

Her heart sank. Is there a grocery store near?

Yes, Gee answered with a snort. Won’t do you no good. They don’t open until eight a.m.

The dark-eyed man slid his plate toward her. His gaze simmered. You can have this one.

Shocked by his gesture and almost salivating at the same time, she shook her head. I couldn’t take your meal. What about you?

The swinging kitchen doors burst open. A man with a rumpled head of silver hair stormed toward the counter while tying

Reviews for Portrait of a Lone Wolf

[LunaMoody · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got to read this book for free to review for the author. Thank you for the opportunity to ARC for you Ms. Leon

First off I have to admit that this is the first book I've read from this author and I can honestly say it wont be the last book. In fact I've already bought 5 other books from this author today off Amazon. I highly recommend that if you haven't given this author a try that you do so now. This is a good book to start with!!!

Ms. Leon has a wonderfully smooth way of writing that just snaps you up and holds on tight. You literally feel what each character is going through.

Now about the book alone - I loved Rio best. I also love that he is Native American. He sounds so hot looking and he was so lonely and vulnerable. He had always felt that way and was at the stage in his life now that he had pretty much given up on the idea that he would have anyone to share his life with. But he wasn't bitter about it. He was strong and accepted that as something he was going to have to live with. Then he meets Sela who just rocks his world and beliefs. Suddenly he had a chance at happiness and love. It's so sweet how he keeps trying to get close to her but goes the wrong way about it. My favorite part of the book is when he's shifted into a wolf and is hamming it up for her. It's so funny when he gets caught shifting.

Sela is a great character also. She's strong but also vulnerable. She's been hurt deeply and isn't looking for love or sure she can trust again. Then Rio comes along. She can feel that he's as lost and lonely as she is and can't help but let him in. It also doesn't hurt that he's hot and she can't help but be attracted to him. I liked how she was scared but didn't panic or start screaming when she finds out what he is.

I find it so cute that they have the same last name only in different languages. Waya means wolf and Lopez means wolf. It's like the fates had lined them up just for each other. Super cute. I also want to say that the cover of the book is great. The guy is hot.

I loved the book. The only thing I wish was different about the book would have to be that it was longer. I would've liked to know more about them. This is a really good book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good paranormal romance to read.

If you ever need any more reviewed please feel free to send them my way. I'm always glad to help. Thanks again for the opportunity to ARC for you.