A Wolf's Promise

By Cara Carnes

A woman does what’s necessary to get her man...

When Drayce Freeman rocked Kinsey Jamison’s world one passionate night and then turned tail and ran the morning after, she did the only thing a self-respecting woman would. Chase him down and prove they had the zing. Fortunately her BFF, a jaguar shifter, gave her the 411 on wolves—or most of it, that is. She’s ready to do whatever it takes to get her man—even if it means taking on the whole pack.

The last thing Drayce needs right now is the sexy human his inner wolf wants to claim showing up in Los Lobos. The headstrong, goofy female refuses to take no for an answer. Living on the fringes of a rebuilding pack is hard enough, but now he has the widow of his pack mate and a rugrat to deal with. Adding a human to the mix would be a mistake. Duty sucks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: Mar 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781613337639

Cara Carnes

Born in small-town Texas, Cara Carnes was a princess, a pirate, fashion model, actress, rock star and Jon Bon Jovi's wife all before the age of 13. In reality, her fascination for enthralling worlds took seed somewhere amidst a somewhat dull day job and a wonderful life filled with family and friends. When she's not cemented to her chair, Cara loves traveling, photography and reading. For more information, check out her website at www.caracarnes.com. Please feel free to drop me a line at [e-mail]. For the latest information, sign up for my newsletter. Subscribers will receive bonus material from The Arsenal series. https://www.subscribepage.com/d6r0q6 Happy Reading!

Book preview

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

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.

A Wolf’s Promise

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 by Cara Carnes

ISBN: 978-1-61333-763-9

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

Portrait of a Lone Wolf

Taming His Mate

Seducing the Schoolmarm

Alpha in Disguise

Coming Soon

Reluctant Mate

Diamond Moon

Tempting the Wolf

Your Wild Heart

Wolf on a Leash

Naming His Mate

~Dedication~

For all those who’ve been brave enough to never give up on their heart’s desire.

A Wolf’s Promise

Black Hills Wolves

By

Cara Carnes

Chapter One

As far as the middle of nowhere went, Los Lobos proved as difficult to locate as the man Kinsey Jamison sought in many ways—impossible, dangerous, and mysterious. Huh. She paused to massage her weary thighs. A weaker woman would’ve given up on Drayce Freeman long ago.

Fortunately, no one ever described her as weak. Head strong, unrepentantly goofy, impulsive, and too trusting. She’d heard those descriptors a lot. Sure, she’d loaded her lone suitcase and trekked across the country chasing a man she’d spent one glorious, life-altering night wrapped around.

Okay, the decision may seem impulsive to some people, but Kinsey considered it confident. There’d been chemistry between them, and she didn’t appreciate him turning tail—no pun intended—and running in the heat of the morning after. The damn chicken owed her more than two world-shattering orgasms. If Drayce thought she’d simply shrug her shoulders and move on, the foolish Wolf had a hell of a lot to learn about her.

Hence, her trudge down the cattle-trail-sized road leading into Los Lobos. The not-so-friendly man with the four-wheel-drive truck hadn’t even stopped long enough for her to thank him. Jerk. Whatever. Half dragging, half carrying the rickety-wheeled suitcase, she sighed her gratitude as a small cropping of rooftops winked at her from over the steep hill.

Almost there. The sun began its decent from the sky, flashing its brilliant heat across her face. At least she’d make it before nightfall.

Sweat dampened her normally fine limp hair into a moppish mess that battered her cheeks and shoulders. Maybe renewing her gym membership should make it to the top of her to-do list. Her stomach grumbled, adding its protest to the cacophony of aches battering her confidence. Maybe she should’ve thought this admittedly rash decision through a bit more. What if he didn’t want to see her again? What if he hadn’t experienced the zing of chemical need to permanently meld the way she had?

Nans had said the zing would happen—when she met the man who’d own her heart and soul. Nans knew many things, most of which she’d whispered to Kinsey when her time came. Those shared secrets had helped her know what he was. A shifter, like those Kinsey’s family had helped protect for over a century.

People who could shift into an animal form needed to be protected. Not everyone would understand their existence. Fear ran rampant in fools, Nans said. She wasn’t wrong.

Kinsey had her first bit of evidence the morning after he’d left. Her best friend, Lauren Jago, had walked into her living room, kinked up her nose, and hissed. Straight up, Jaguar hissy growled. Wolf.

The declaration provided explanations. Of course he’d run. She was human. Packs were very reclusive. Lauren had said so—and she would know since her dad led their den. She hadn’t been pleased with Kinsey’s decision, but she’d helped round up what funds they could.

The small town of Los Lobos was in a state of disrepair, and that was being generous. New wood intermingled with its ancient predecessors on a few of the sparse buildings. Unused boards sat beside the structures, as though itching for their chance to help. Few of the buildings offered clues to the secrets they contained. They loomed on the dilapidated roadside, warning passers with their unnamed status—visitors weren’t welcome.

Damn it, I wasn’t expecting a welcoming parade, but a hint of civility would’ve been nice. Drayce’s pack resembled the Jago Den more than she’d hoped. Fine. Totally manageable. Wolves couldn’t be much different than Jaguars. Right? Besides, she’d come armed with everything she’d need to vet herself.

Opting for the largest building, she lugged her suitcase through the door and halted as her gaze swept across the interior. Clean. Quaint. Just about what you’d expect from a small, turn-of-the-previous-century bar. She met the gazes of a few of the unwelcoming inhabitants with a knowing smile. Yeah, they totally hated her.

The dying castor on her suitcase squeaked and squalled across the wooden floor as she made her way to the massive man behind the bar. She flashed a smile she hoped said, Relax, I know what you are and I am your friend. She doubted it worked since the man had yet to smile or acknowledge her presence beyond a blank stare.

She blinked and waited.

Nothing.

He crossed his arms. She crossed hers.

The secret to garnering respect from shifters was to stand your ground. A lesson Nans schooled her in and Lauren reinforced. She should’ve probably sat before the stare down began. Her feet throbbed, and her legs burned. Her throat squeezed, desperate for water. Her belly growled for food. Maybe grabbing something to eat before finding Drayce would be a good idea.

A large body appeared in her peripheral vision, but she maintained the intimidating lock of gazes with the giant. His unexpressive face remained locked. Silence descended in the room. Wait. Was this their Alpha? Surely not. He was behind a bar. Wouldn’t an Alpha be doing leadership stuff?

Enough, little girl. The man grasped her upper arm and shoved her onto a stool. You don’t have the teeth for the fight you want.

He stepped back and crossed his arms. She shut up. The newest entrant projected the don’t-fuck-with-me-or-else tone she’d learned long ago. Everything about him screamed Enforcer—the right hand to the Alpha, the protector of the den, or pack in this case. Of course he would show up the moment she hit town.

Her stare nemesis grunted and filled a glass with ice. She tracked the flow of water over the cool chunks. Licking her lips, she eyed the man skeptically. A peace offering perhaps? When it landed in front of her with a hard thud, she smiled her gratitude.

You shouldn’t be here, the self-appointed referee stated.

I’m here to visit a friend. She slammed the water with unladylike voracity. Amusement flickered in the Enforcer’s gaze as he watched. He was handsome, Native American ancestry of some type. Studying the other people in the bar, she noted their wary gazes. Perhaps you could help me locate him, and then I’d be out of your way quicker.

People around here value their privacy.

I get that. Really, I do. She eyed her empty glass longingly. Tell me where I can find Drayce Freeman.

People around here value their privacy.

Well. He had the line down pat. She sighed, too exhausted for the battle she saw in his stance. Tension thickened in the room, a palatable unease she’d seen before when Lauren’s den was around her father or Jadrien, the Enforcer for their group. Knowing her luck, it was probably the latter. It would make sense they’d send their protector to shove