Amber's Mates

By Crystal Dawn

Amber was excited that she had finally been allowed to leave home without a babysitter. Dare and Rain were such dopes where she was concerned. Talk about overprotective. She had just met her mate, the brother of Laurel and Will. His name was Ash, and he was so hot. They were talking, flirting, and having a good time when Wilson suddenly came in the room.
Ash and Wilson looked at each other and Amber could tell something momentous had just occurred. Just her luck, two hot guys and now they were more interested in each other than her. She just left them alone to get on with it even with them both calling her name. Amber wasn’t stupid, she could see when she wasn’t needed. There were other fish in the sea, right?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Dawn
• Release date: Aug 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005377939

Crystal Dawn

When she’s not out hunting rogue vampires and werewolves, you can find Crystal Dawn out exploring the galaxy. She can do it all without ever leaving her computer. She kicks ass, takes names, and puts it all down for the enjoyment of her readers. At least that’s what I think she told me. Writing came as a natural outlet for her overly creative mind. She has always told stories and even written some but publishing books didn't start until 2012 with The Rebirth, was the first of the Planet Amazon books. Crystal has also been lucky to have some wonderful beta readers who keep her on track and help inspire her.Secretly, she crushes on all her sexy heroes because all her stories end happily. That is one of the things that makes writing such a joy. Knowing that it makes her reader's day a little brighter. Not that she doesn't read sad books sometimes. While still in school, she read Where the Red Fern Grows and cried like a baby. It was a wonderful book and sometimes a bit of sadness has to be put in books because that's part of life. While she reads all kinds of books at some time or another, PNR and SFR, which she writes is what she reads the most for pleasure.When she started writing, she decided on going Indie after the first two books because an author has more control. She believes Indie will compete well and continues to grow. The need to give pleasure to her readers keeps her going and she sees a long career ahead. Growing up mostly in the NW Arkansas area, it has given her a good place to set some stories and many of her characters come from there or nearby SW Missouri.The start of her stories is the easy part. Finishing them is a little harder when all the stories are in there trying to get out. She loves reading, chocolate, fine sweet wine, and traveling among a large list of pursuits. Her favorite people, after her family and close friends, are her readers who she says are some of the most wonderful people in this galaxy and the next.

Book preview

Southwest Illinois Pack Series

Book 3

Amber’s Mates

By Crystal Dawn

Copyright 2017 by Crystal Dawn

Cover by Katesib

Editing by T.P Booknooknuts

This book is a work of fiction. All contents, including names, places,

and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a

fictitious manner. Any resemblance to persons, living or deceased, or

to businesses, locations or events are completely coincidental.

None of this work may be used, reproduced, exchanged or

transmitted by anyone, except the person the book was purchased for.

Any reproductions of this book in any part or any form must be done

with the express written permission of the author or not at all.

Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

Southwest Illinois Pack

Book 1

Falling Rain

Laurel is sad and lonely since she met Rain and had to leave him behind. She thought what they had was something special, but she’d admit she doesn’t understand males especially wolves.

Rain has been trying to reach Laurel, but it seems she has frozen him out. His calls aren’t answered and the emails that come back to him are cold and business like. Is it a case of out of sight out of mind?

It seems there are forces at work that don’t want them together and danger lurks around every corner. Can they fight through all the trouble that heads their way and defeat it? Can they overcome the others that would change them and claim them? Are they really true mates or just infatuated? Come along for the ride as their story takes twists and turns that surprise even Rain and Laurel.

Graphic sex for mature readers only. M/M M/F M/F/M

Southwest Illinois Pack 2

Dare Me!

He had made it a month without going crazy. Okay, he had gone a little bit crazy. He’d dreamed about her, both during the day and the night. He could almost smell her, taste her, feel her bare skin beneath his fingers, but it was all an illusion because he had left her behind. They had had a few precious weeks together and he had kissed her, breathed in her sweet addictive scent, and even ran his hands over her body like he owned it, but he had never taken her to bed and tasted her most hidden places or sank deep inside her.

She had kept herself busy with her team taking every assignment they could possibly do, and it had helped. It was in the deep, dark night when she lay in bed trying to sleep that was the worst. The missing him and feeling incomplete because he was gone. She didn’t think he was coming back so it was time to party down filling the empty space while providing her body the warmth it craved. It wouldn’t be the same, nothing could ever measure up to her dreams of how it would have been had they ever made love, maybe even actually loving him. It was time to move on and realize they would never be together no matter how much she wanted him.

Graphic sex for mature readers only. M/M M/F M/F/M

Southwest Illinois Pack

Book Three

Amber’s Mates

Amber was excited that she had finally been allowed to leave home without a babysitter. Dare and Rain were such dopes where she was concerned. Talk about overprotective. She had just met her mate, the brother of Laurel and Will. His name was Ash, and he was so hot. They were talking, flirting, and having a good time when Wilson suddenly came in the room.

Ash and Wilson looked at each other and Amber could tell something momentous had just occurred. Just her luck, two hot guys and now they were more interested in each other than her. She just left them alone to get on with it even with them both calling her name. Amber wasn’t stupid, she could see when she wasn’t needed. There were other fish in the sea, right?

Graphic sex for mature readers only. M/M M/F M/F/M

Prologue

She was excited in a way she’d never been before. Thank the goddess for Will who had given her the support she needed. Dare had finally agreed to let her go to Ariel’s. Supposedly it was to represent their pack and meet with others representing their own pack. To her it was her first opportunity to spread her wings and fly. Dare had never let her go this far away from home on her own before.

Yeah, she’d discovered Wilson would be there too, but he wasn’t there with her but on his own as well. They planned to drive separately and would be staying each on their own. Right now, she was packing and soon she’d be on her way. In the morning she would leave, and she’d make it in time for supper at Ariel’s. She’d heard the food was amazing.

There would be people there she didn’t know. Other than those important in wolf circles, her main concern would be finding a mate. Wilson meant something to her, but they both admitted something was missing between them. Amber had to look somewhere else and so did he. It hurt to think about him mating another, but she would find her mate too.

Amber went to bed with her car packed up and ready to go in the morning. She was restless making it hard to get to sleep tonight. When she woke in the morning, she still felt tired. Amber took a shower to wake up then dried, dressed, and hurried to the kitchen. Most people said coffee had no effect on wolves, but maybe it was the scent which she loved that helped wake her. Eating a quick breakfast, she fixed a thermos of coffee the way she wanted it, ate, then headed to her car.

Now she was on her way, and nothing would stop her from making her dreams come true.

Chapter 1

Away From Home

She had made it to Ariel’s where she’d thought everything would work out for her. So far, so good, as she’d gotten a nice mini suite and the food here was amazing. The males were hot, but so far no one had caught her eye. Wilson was still the most appealing guy she’d ever met and if not for that little something that she sensed was missing, she’d have mated him long ago.

Amber couldn’t help but wonder, had she made a mistake? Was she looking for some form of perfection that didn’t exist? Now she went to the dining room to eat lunch. She had her plate and was ready to sit. Something drew her and she looked at the doorway. A guy as gorgeous as Wilson came through it and he drew her at least as much. She sat and began to eat, but her attention was partly on him as he got his own food.

May I sit by you? This deep and sexy voice asked.

Of course. She replied. It was him. This interest was something she needed to check out and now she saw she would be able to. My name is Amber.

I’m Ash. He said then he took the seat next to her.

They spoke as they ate, and she really liked him. My sister in law has a brother named Ash. Isn’t that funny?

You don’t have a brother name Dare, do you?

I do. And you have a sister named Will?

Yes. Isn’t that something? We were going to meet soon anyway. Will wants to get the family together up where she lives. And I think you live there too? Ash commented.

You’re right. I was in charge of the females, but now I’m a beta for my brother. Amber admitted.

I’m not a wolf and I’m only part of this pack because I’m related to Ariel. He admitted. I work with technology. Mostly computers, I also work for Tyne sometimes.

That sounds exciting. You must be really smart.

I wish I was. Anyone can train to do that kind of work.

You’re modest. That is so rare. Did Will know you’d be here? Amber wondered.

Will keeps up with meetings like this at Ariel’s especially. I’m sure she knew.

It made Amber wonder if Will had set them up. Had she known they would like each other? It was possible with all the talents the white wolves were said to have. But it was unlikely. Will was so busy and just backing Amber up in various things had taken a lot of time.

I wonder if she’ll be here while we are.

Hard to say. She’s so busy with the job right now. Hey, would you like to go riding? Ash asked.

Sure. They finished their breakfast and Ash grabbed her hand leading her out to the shed. It seemed Ariel had several UTVs and four wheelers.

What do you prefer?

Let’s take the UTVs. I’ve never been on one before.

Ash handed her a light helmet and they climbed in. He backed out and they took off. She liked to go fast and apparently so did Ash. He circled them around the place, and she saw the path they traveled was slightly worn so most riders must go this way. The path took them to the top of the mountain, and they stopped and looked around. She could see a lake far off in the distance. Near where they stood was a rock bench and a monument to Ariel’s aunt Daisy.

Amber had heard she’d been burned up here and her ashes spread by the wind. It was romantic, if dying could ever truly be viewed that way. She turned to say something to Ash, but his eyes were drawn to her lips, and she was sure he planned to kiss her. Forgetting what she’d planned to say, she just stood there watching as he drew closer until his lips touched hers and she felt a sizzle. She’d kissed Wilson when they were kids, but not since she’d gotten to be an adult. What would that have been like?

She had to be crazy. Here she was with Ash, and it was amazing, but she was thinking about Wilson? It was hard to keep her need down, but she had no intention of having sex for the first time outside on the ground. Wasn’t going to happen, no way. Turning back to the UTV, he followed her, and they got on their helmets.

Why don’t you drive a while? You know where to go now. He offered.

Thanks. She said as she got on the driver’s side and hopped in before he changed his mind.

They both strapped in, and she took off. The pack didn’t have UTVs at home, but she loved riding the four wheelers. Between those and driving a car, this wasn’t hard to get a handle on. She went back the way they’d been and drove a full circle before she took them back to the shed where she parked.

That was great. We need some of those back home. She admitted.

I come here a lot, so I just drive them here. Ash offered. Why don’t I take you to the rec room?

Sounds great. Ariel has a lot for her pack, doesn’t she?

It keeps the younger ones out of trouble. Maybe even some of the older ones. They can drink or whatever as long as they don’t get out of hand and fight. That’s for the circle.

I’ve heard they have a gym here too where they can train and spar. Amber mentioned.

They do. It’s important for everyone to know how to protect themselves. Especially here where they get attacked regularly.

We get attacked a lot too.

I bet it helps to have witches. Ash observed. We have Harry and sometimes Marissa.

I’ve not met them, but I’d like to. Harry is said to be a lot of fun.

I think she is. You’re safe as long as you keep her fed and there’s a lot of food here. She uses food to feed her magic. How cool is that. I hear she’s unique in that way.

I’ve never heard of another, but I didn’t know she did it either. Amber admitted.

Want to see the gym and the rec room?

I’d love to.

Ash led the way, and they went to the gym first. They were side by side but separated by a wall. That was a good idea because all the fun going on in the rec room would be distracting for those working out or sparring. She could still hear some of the noise from loud laughter and screaming from next door.

They are a rowdy bunch. Ash admitted.

Amber grinned. I can tell.

The gym looked like a professional one and it had a ring on one side like boxer’s used. It was not for pack fights, those were always done in the circle. It was padded and would be great for the sparring, especially for those younger that could get carried away. At least the fall wouldn’t be a hard one. Her pack had a ring and a bit of a gym, but nothing like this.

They also had an area used for recreation, but it was informal. There was a game room inside the pack house where they could play cards or board games. Dare did the best he could, and she knew it was better than most, but not like Ariel managed. Maybe she could help him improve things. She felt bad that she’d never given it much thought.

Ash led her to the rec area and again, she was impressed. It reminded her of those game rooms you paid to play and won tickets. They even had skee ball which she loved to play. She beat Ash the first time, but he won the second time. It would have been easy to spend hours here, but Ash said it was supper time.

We want to get there quick before the good stuff is gone. He grabbed her by the hand and dragged her there.

They managed to get in line not far behind Ariel who usually went first. The aroma of food made her realize how hungry she was. It looks like Italian food. She commented as she filled her plate full. There was dessert, but she would get it later.

They have Italian food once a week. Ash admitted.

She sat next to Ash at a long table, and they talked as they ate. He made her feel relaxed, and she was enjoying this time with him. The guy was sexy too. Ash appealed to her like Wilson did and she needed to figure out which one was her mate, but how would she figure that out? Maybe it was time to consider sex?

The food was good, the company great, but it was too soon to