Stolen

By Stacey Espino

Caroline’s ready to put the past behind her. She’s working in the deep north for the summer, and enjoys the slower pace. Things get ugly when she finds herself caught up in a nightmare worse than the one she left behind in the city.
Grey lives between two worlds, but he’s determined not to take a human mate. When one of his packmates goes missing, the trail leads to a woman working at the national park. He doesn’t hesitate to steal her away, planning to get information at any cost. Grey doesn’t expect the deep-seated attraction he has for her or the sudden need to claim her as his own.
Can he convince his captive that she’s his mate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Apr 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781773396446

Stacey Espino

Stacey Espino is an international bestselling author, residing in beautiful northern Canada. She loves writing erotic romance that will have you squirming in your seat. From hardcore cowboys to alpha shifters, and everything in between, she has you covered.​Stacey also co-writes with author Sam Crescent.If you prefer alternative romance, check out Stacey's gay stories as Winona Wilder.Make sure to join Stacey and Sam's Playroom for contests, updates, and giveaways!https://www.facebook.com/groups/295030114286077/

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2018 Stacey Espino

ISBN: 978-1-77339-644-6

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Audrey Bobak

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To my readers—new and old.

STOLEN

Feral Instincts, 1

Stacey Espino

Copyright © 2018

Chapter One

It wasn’t the worst summer job.

She could have been in charge of cleaning the public toilets or on duty at the septic dump site. Caroline decided working at the entry gates was rewarding in comparison.

Most of the staff were students, so she felt like the odd man out at thirty-two. The guy in charge of hiring didn’t ask her age, so she didn’t offer. This was only supposed to be temporary, anyway. She leaned out the ticket booth, taking a deep breath of country air. The place was definitely growing on her.

A week after Christmas she’d been laid off her temporary teaching position, and even though she had managed to land a new assignment relatively quick, it didn’t start until September. Eight months with no income wasn’t going to work for her. When she’d seen the job blitz for provincial park positions, she jumped at the chance. They’d sent her way, way up north to one of the larger parks with a growing summer camping program. It was too far to commute, so she had to scramble to find accommodations after accepting the job.

Rent wasn’t cheap, even in the middle of nowhere, neither were camping or rooming fees, so she ended up making a deal with a one-star motel a mile up the road from the park entrance. They charged her half price if she forfeited room cleaning and signed an eight-month commitment.

She’d lost everything—apartment, furniture, the little savings she’d had.

That had been five months ago.

A blue minivan pulled up to her window. I have reservations. The man handed her a computer printout, then turned to yell at his kids. According to the paperwork, there were five kids and their parents. She took down their license plate number, checked the man’s ID, and then confirmed the reservation code. I hope you enjoy your stay with us.

The minivan drove into the park, the next vehicle taking its place.

The car pulling up had two girls who looked to be in their early twenties. They were laughing, their music too loud to hear them. The driver finally turned down the volume. We’ve booked a camping site for two nights, she said.

Caroline went through the usual drill.

The passenger leaned over the center console. Are there any dangerous animals here?

There’s information in your welcome package, said Caroline. Just be sure not to leave any food out and the wildlife should keep away.

She didn’t tell them that over the past few months the animals had been getting too close for comfort, knocking over large containers and trying to get into tents. The park had to hire a full-time animal control worker to patrol the campsites every night. She’d been given strict instructions not to spook the campers, so she kept her mouth shut.

By the time her shift was over, she was tired of all the bullshit. Some visitors were nice, but a lot were rude and treated her like a second-class citizen. She supposed her teaching position was more respectable, but being a substitute really wasn’t much better. Especially when the vice-principal had been a womanizer and complete asshole. Even though she’d been through a lot recently, she was ready to move onward and upward. She’d start over once she moved back to the city, work her way up in the new school, and maybe, just maybe, she’d find Mr. Right. She craved love and companionship. Even though her track record with men was deplorable, she wasn’t ready to give up just yet. It seemed every time she turned around there were happy couples, reminding her just how lonely she was.

Caroline started her long walk to the hotel. The sky had begun to turn shades of pink, the quiet soothing. Only the sound of her shoes hitting the dirt path broke the peaceful hush. She didn’t make it far when a pick-up truck barreled down the road, skidding to a stop beside her.

Caroline, come on. I caught it!

She narrowed her eyes. Wayne, the new animal control guy, leaned out the driver’s window. What are you talking about?

Let’s go. I’ll show you.

What else did she have to do? Her nights were lonely, and her television only got one local channel. She ran around to the passenger door and climbed into the pick-up. The rumble of the engine took over as Wayne hit the gas. He drove around to the utility buildings behind the campgrounds and parked.

She followed him as he entered one of the larger wooden buildings.

He flicked on the light and pointed to a big cage with thick metal bars. Wayne had trapped a wolf. It snarled and lunged, saliva dripping from its mouth. Caroline gasped and bolted back against the wall. She’d never seen one up close.

Huge, eh? I set out traps and finally got lucky.

This is the wolf coming into camp?

Has to be. He kicked the cage, and Caroline cringed.

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