Her Protective Mate (The Ward Wolf Pack Novella Series, Book 3)

By Theresa Hissong

Her Protective Mate
The Ward Wolf Pack Novella Series
Book 3

Aspen Ward and her wolf yearn for a mate and family of her own, but she knows it’s an impossibility living so far away from any humans. With the arrival of his brother’s plane, and the customer they service with supplies, she soon realizes why her mating scent is so strong around the human male.

Booker Dupree has lived in the wild Alaskan backcountry for over ten years. He hasn’t wanted anything but the peace and quiet it brings him. Until he strikes up a friendship with the woman who works at the air service he uses to get to civilization.

When an emergency call comes concerning Booker, Aspen must make a decision to change her future. She knows he is everything she’s ever wanted and needed, but after he becomes like her, should she make the ultimate choice to become the alpha she was meant to be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Theresa Hissong
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463213995

Theresa Hissong

About Theresa Hissong:Theresa Hissong is the bestselling author of the Rise of the Pride series. She writes paranormal romance, rockstar romance, and romantic suspense.She enjoys spending her days and nights creating the perfect love affair, and she takes those ideas to paper. When she’s not writing, Theresa spends her free time traveling and attending concerts all over the United States.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Theresa Hissong

Smashwords Edition

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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