The Wolf Who Saved Valentine's: The Wolf Who Saved Series, #2

By Chloe Zane

If it's a holiday, Baxter is immediately opposed to it. Especially one so commercialized as Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, not everyone shares his grumpy assessment. His attitude will, naturally, land him in some hot water with, well, everyone, on this ultra-romantic day of the year.

No sooner does Baxter open his mouth in protest, he's eating his own foot through misunderstandings until he's banished to the dog house. Logan, especially, is not amused.

Can Baxter pull his butt out of the fire or has he alienated his aunt's sexy neighbor for good?

The Wolf Who Saved Valentine's continues its slow burn romance with a neighbor feud over red velvet cake, more chocolate than is healthy, various misunderstandings, a clueless Alpha with a creative use of angel wings and a sad attempt at playing a recorder. The Wolf Who Saved Series will follow Baxter and Logan book to book while building on their relationship, so hold on tight! We're starting off slow, but by the end, you'll never want to say goodbye.

 

Previously published as Athena Blaez.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chloe Zane
• Release date: May 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201151928

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The moment Baxter entered the store, he felt as if his soul bled out of his ears.

He could, for a moment, breathe a sigh of relief that the parade of Christmas decorations was over. Holidays, especially at the end of the year, had that tendency to linger far beyond any useful lifetime. This was especially true as the previously exorbitantly expensive decorations and gift ideas went on sale.

That wasn’t what Christmas was about.

At least, it wasn’t what Baxter came to believe Christmas was about.

So what was this travesty, then?

Ricky held up the oversized teddy bear. And by oversized, it wasn’t by just a small amount.

It was half as tall as Ricky.

Feel it, Baxter! he said, shoving the nightmarish stuffed animal at him. Touch his fur!

Baxter took a step back, then a step to the side to go around Ricky.

The younger wolf let out a disappointed sound and the teddy bear itself appeared to deflate at the lack of attention.

He sighed when Ricky’s pouted. What do you possibly need a giant teddy bear for?

For my special Valentine! he said, filled with confidence as he held the bear up again.

And what makes this bear any different than the dozens of stuffed bears created all over the world?

It has a red bow? Ricky said, not quite so confident that time.

Jesus, Bax, Clint said, taking the bear from Ricky. He turned it around to face Baxter, lift its arm to wave high. It has a heart stitched on its paws.

Ricky lifted a foot to show Baxter.

This display was supposed to serve some purpose? And what the hell am I going to do with a giant stuffed bear?

Be My Valentine? Clint said, reading a paw. "It’s a Valentine bear."

You two keep saying that like it’s supposed to have some significance.

Ricky trotted ahead of Baxter and posed in front of the three aisles of stuffed animals, all in various shades of Valentine’s Day promotion plastered over them.

Then there was the candy. Shelves of blood-red hearts encased in crinkly cellophane with hideously cheap red velvet bows stuck on the top. Next to those were the obscenely large cards with trite, cliché declarations of affection.

Baxter rolled his eyes. I get it. It’s a major event in February where people spend money they don’t have to declare feelings that they may not feel for someone just to get laid.

Clint whistled. Harsh, man. You have something against Valentine’s Day?

No, Baxter said.

Yes, Ricky countered.

He glared at Ricky. Ricky returned his glare. Baxter was intimidating, and he knew he was an imposing and intimidating figure. Ricky was more like a terrier hyped up on sugar who caved when faced with a stronger foe.

On this, Ricky didn’t back down.

Baxter pinched at the bridge of his nose. We came in to get Aunt Hilde’s ingredients? he said, waving her neatly printed and very specific list. Can we please get on with this? She’d like us to get back to the house before morning.

But it’s afternoon, Ricky said, putting the bear away. He jogged to catch up as Baxter strode with grim determination to push the gaudy reminder of a holiday he didn't understand behind him.

Clint chuckled behind him. He wants to get back in time to see Logan Price come home from work. Must be something about those dress slacks and that tie he likes.

Baxter stopped suddenly and whirled around. Clint had been distracted and wasn’t able to stop in time. He collided with the immovable wall of Baxter Logan.

Tell me again why you two came along? I’m perfectly capable of getting these things on my own, Baxter growled.

Apparently not. The last time Hilde asked for evaporated milk, you took home dry, Clint said reasonably as he took a step back. It took her months to use it all up.

Does it matter? What is the difference? Baxter asked.

Heathen. Of course it matters. One is in a can; the other is a powder. Clint looked at him as if it should have been obvious.

Baxter snorted. I didn’t hear any of you pups complain. You like her cooking.

We do, but we also had to hear her complain about using ‘the wrong milk’ as she called it.

Clint snatched the list out of Baxter’s hand. And then the game of keep away started as Clint danced around just out of reach so he could get a look at the list.

In the end, Baxter had the longer reach and successfully took it back. Now it was wrinkled. He frowned as he had to smooth it out.

If you guys insist on helping. Baxter folded the list into thirds and neatly tore the sections apart, handing one to each of them. We can get out of here faster if we split up.

Sweet! Ricky said, holding his up as if it were a prize. I get the frozen section. Rocky Road ice cream, here I come.

Rocky Road’s not on— it was useless for Baxter to even finish the sentence. Ricky had practically teleported across the store.

Clint