Wolf's Woman: Fated Mates Paranormal Romance with Shifters, Witches and Magic

By Lisa Kessler

Wyatt Rivers has always had a big heart when it comes to his pack, but love is a little more complicated for a werewolf. Now that his new Alpha has found his one true mate, he’s pushing the rest of the pack to do the same. Wyatt has touched plenty of women skin to skin over the years, and his wolf has remained silent. He didn’t expect that to change the night he visited the Grand club in Boston and hooked up with a leggy redhead.

Ashleigh Merrit has a secret that forced her to give up on relationships, but she can’t bring herself to swear off men completely. A one night stand with a tall sexy man in a club couldn’t hurt. No strings attached. She didn’t even tell him her real name. But when this third grade teacher from Salem brings her class on a field trip to the Munro Manor Farms, she comes face to face with the hot guy who rocked her world.

After kicking himself for allowing his mate to slip through his fingers, fate delivers her right to his doorstep, but someone is killing werewolves in the Salem Pack, and Wyatt will do anything to keep his mate safe, even if it means rejecting the only woman he will ever love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9781094466941

Lisa Kessler

Stay up-to-date on new releases and giveaways by subscribing to Lisa's newsletter here: https://goo.gl/56lDla Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Book preview

1

Wyatt

Sirens blared in the distance as I handed my keys to the valet. I sniffed the air, taking in the scents of the city. I was definitely not in Salem anymore. Boston was only a half hour drive from my sleepy town, but with the nightlife here, it seemed like I’d stepped into another world.

Which was exactly what I was looking for tonight.

The booming bass vibrated in my chest before I reached the door to the Grand nightclub. I braced myself. The blaring music and the wall of LED lights would overwhelm my heightened werewolf senses as soon as I stepped inside, but I didn’t plan on staying long.

This wasn’t my usual scene. I’d only come for the singles hoping to mingle.

After months of listening to my new Alpha spout off about the importance of finding our mates—and seeing my packmate, Jackson, find his—I’d caught a flicker of hope cracking through my protective wall of indifference. If I started to care again, pain and disappointment would follow. A night of hot sex with no strings attached was just what I needed.

It wasn’t like I didn’t want to find my mate, the one woman chosen by fate to be the other half of my soul. According to the elders, when a werewolf touched his mate skin to skin, the wolf in our soul would recognize her. Wolves mated for life, and werewolves were no different. But I was thirty-eight years old, and I’d dated all through my twenties and had never found her. The disappointment of touching a woman’s hand and realizing there was no future for us sucked.

After Jackson and Zeke both found their mates within the Coven of Light, I made a point to meet and shake hands with every witch in that coven during our joint Christmas party. And my wolf didn’t recognize a single one of them. For all I knew, my mate was already happily married out there with a family and a life that didn’t include a werewolf.

I was done wishing for something I’d never find. What I wanted was a connection with no expectations.

I opened the door to the club, and the blaring music rolled over me like a tidal wave. Clenching my jaw, I headed straight for the bar. I didn’t need liquid courage. I needed a numbing agent for the sensory overload.

Can I get you something? the bartender shouted. She was a curvy blond with big brown eyes and a warm grin.

Old Fashioned with a double shot.

Her smile widened. You got it.

She turned to the wall of bottles, and I caught that phantom thread of hope surging. Dammit. I’d been over this whole mate thing since I’d hit thirty. The repeated disappointments throughout my twenties, as over and over my wolf didn’t recognize his mate, had taken their toll. I’d given up, opting for one-night stands rather than relationships that had no future.

But now that Zeke and Jackson had found their mates, they were encouraging the rest of us not to give up. And even with my jaded attitude, I caught myself wondering if the friendly bartender could be the other half of my soul. Fuck.

She put my drink on the bar, and I handed her my credit card. Her fingers brushed mine as she took it. Be right back.

Nothing. I knew it. But here I was with that familiar pit of disappointment in my gut. The stories of the moment when a werewolf recognized his mate tormented me. They heard their wolf howl from the depths of their soul. Zeke had said he almost fell over when his pupils dilated and retracted again.

I’d lied to myself for years that maybe I missed her, but I was beginning to think she just didn’t exist.

The bartender returned with my bill and card. I gave her a big tip and signed the slip before knocking my entire drink back like it was a shot.

A hot guy like you should be dancing, not shadowing the bar.

I turned and smiled as a woman with long waves of thick red hair stopped beside me at the bar. Her breath carried the sweet scent of spiced rum, her cheeks were flushed with color from dancing or alcohol—maybe both—and a fine sheen of perspiration shone on her forehead and her chest. Her emerald-green tank dress clung to her curves and the spark in her brown eyes had my blood pumping.

Plus, she’d already tipped her hand that she thought I was hot.

I set the empty glass on the bar. Thirsty.

She arched a brow. For booze?

My lips curved into a crooked smile. For starters.

She grinned. Want to dance?

I nodded and followed her to the crowded dance floor. The dueling scents of perfume, aftershave, alcohol, and sweat were overpowering my senses. I sucked in a breath as she turned to face me. Her moves were fluid and so fucking hot. Dancing wasn’t my strong suit, but I was good enough to usually get me what I wanted.

And right now, I wanted her.

I shouted over the music. What’s your name?

Desiree. She replied.

Sexy name. I leaned in a little closer. I’m Wyatt.

I love it. She grinned. Are you a cowboy?

Ah, the Wyatt Earp joke. Happened quick this time.

Nah. I put my hands on her hips as we shimmied lower together and then back up. She lifted her arms up over her head. So damned sexy. I met her eyes. Disappointed?

Not at all. Her gaze wandered up my chest. Cowboys aren’t really my jam, anyway.

The deejay faded the track into the next, and her eyes brightened. ‘Get Naked!’ I love this song.

I didn’t know the tune, but it sounded like Britney Spears, and the way Desiree rocked her hips, sang along, and stared at me like she was telling me to undress had me wanting to throw her over my shoulder and take her someplace more private.

She bit her lower lip and ran her hands down her body as she leaned in closer. Fuck. I hadn’t been this turned on in a long time. I was rock hard, and she hadn’t even touched me yet.

As the track ended, she pointed toward the door and yelled over the next song. I need air.

I needed more than air, but I nodded and followed her to the front door. She made a side trip to talk to two women at one of the round standing tables. They all looked over at me and grinned. I tipped my head in their direction before cracking my neck and breaking eye contact.

She came back over with a dazzling smile. Okay, they all know what you look like so if anything happens to me, they can spot you in a line up.

I chuckled and walked past her over to the table a few feet away. The music was so loud, Desiree wouldn’t be able to hear me, but hopefully her friends would. Hi, I’m Wyatt Rivers. I shook each of their hands. As usual, my wolf was nonexistent. Damn Zeke for making me notice that again. I work at the Munro Manor Farms in Salem. I looked over my shoulder at Desiree and back to her friends. You can google me. I raised my voice to be sure they could hear me. She’s safe with me.

I straightened and walked over to Desiree. Still want some air?

She nodded, and we slid out the front door. The silence was a balm to my ears. I sucked in a deep breath and shook my head. It’s really loud in there.

Yeah. I don’t notice it until I get outside. She pointed to the corner. I’m parked right over there.

I arched a brow. Are we going somewhere?

She grinned, her hip jutting to the side. Maybe.

I took a step closer, aching to be near her. Maybe?

She shrugged a shoulder. It depends.

On what? I growled as the scent of her arousal teased my heightened senses. My desire for her was all encompassing. This was just what I needed. The push and pull of flirting, hot sex, and then I’d be able to think straight again. No more worrying about finding my mate.

She wet her lips. On how you kiss.

I grinned as a chuckle escaped me. Is this a test?

Her smile widened. I guess you could call it that.

I took another step closer until her body heat radiated through my shirt. Hope I pass.

Her gaze dipped to my mouth and back up to my eyes. The dim light from the streetlight behind her cast a red glow through her auburn hair as her full lips parted. Me too.

I couldn’t wait another fucking second. In one movement, my fingers caressed her cheek and my lips brushed hers.

And my wolf howled.

What the fuck? I wrapped my other arm around her, crushing her against my chest as the world tilted under my feet. I bent my knees, struggling to find my equilibrium so I didn’t bring us both down onto the pavement. My tongue parted her lips, and her moan had my wolf clawing his way into my consciousness, in spite of the thin sliver of moon overhead.

The primal possessiveness and aggression that I usually only experienced during a full moon came howling into my bloodstream. She was mine.

Her fingers tangled in the back of my hair as my legs wobbled. I walked her backward, pressing her against the brick wall of the club, bracing us before I broke the kiss. My nostrils flared as I fought to catch my breath.

She grinned and rubbed her lips together. I think you passed.

I laughed, shaking my head. Good to know.

She ran her hands down my chest. Let’s get out of here.

I could hardly fucking wait.

She took my hand and walked me to her car. My place is just a couple blocks away.

We got in, and I rested my hand on her thigh. Her body-hugging tank dress rode up her leg, and I slid a finger along the hem.

She brought her hand down to cover mine. You know how cutthroat the Masshole drivers are around here. I can’t be distracted.

I wanted to do more than distract her. Massholes are the worst.

She pulled into a numbered spot, turned off the engine, and then leaned over and kissed me. I growled and lifted her over to my side of the car. She straddled my lap, and her dress conveniently rolled up. I gripped her ass in my hands, and if I didn’t get my jeans off soon, I was going to bust the damned zipper.

I’d never wanted a woman this urgently. My mate. If this was a dream…

She broke the kiss and whispered against my lips, We should go inside.

I dragged my mouth down her neck, kneading her backside. Or I could make you come right here.

Don’t tempt me. She opened the door, bathing us in the dome light.

She got out, tugging her dress back down, but now that I knew there was only a thong between us, I couldn’t stop thinking about taking it off.

I got out and did my best to adjust myself so I could walk.

She took my hand. I should’ve asked this first, but you have protection, right?

Yeah. I patted my back pocket. Never was I so damned relieved that I had come prepared.

As we entered the elevator, she pressed the button for the sixth floor. The doors closed, and I pinned her to the side wall, fusing my lips to hers. My pulse raced as her hands slid underneath the back of my shirt.

This was my mate. The other half of my soul. I’d found her.

And she was so fucking hot.

A tiny remnant of my rational mind whispered something about telling her, but seriously, talking about werewolves would either have her laughing at me or locking me out of the apartment, and at this point, if I wasn’t buried inside her soon, I might lose my mind.

Later. After I got to know her better.

Then I’d tell her everything.

Tonight, I just wanted to explore every inch of her body and claim her as my mate.

Tomorrow I would worry about the rest.

2

Ashleigh

Icouldn’t get Darla’s apartment open fast enough. Not only was Wyatt sexy as hell on the dance floor but he almost made me orgasm in the car with all my clothes on.

This was exactly what I needed. The last quarter of school had been stressful and challenging between working on report cards and staff meetings in preparation for the impending end of the school year. I hadn’t had time to breathe.

Was I seriously thinking about work right now?

Obviously, girls’ night out had been way overdue.

I was more than ready for some male attention. No-strings sex was all I was in the market for anyway. I’d lived and learned from my past mistakes. Relationships had torn me up multiple times, and the last one imploded in a literal tempest, so I’d sworn off them completely. Battery-operated boyfriends and boy toys were my staples now.

And I was going to enjoy this one.

We rushed inside the apartment, and Wyatt pinned me against the door so fast it stole my breath. He crushed his mouth to mine, and our tongues wrestled in a greedy dance as I slid my hands up underneath his shirt.

His skin was hot, and his muscles tensed as my fingertips explored the terrain. He growled against my lips, and my knees weakened with desire. It usually took more than a kiss to have me so eager and needy, but apparently, Wyatt was a catnip I hadn’t realized existed. His hand wandered down my side to my knee. He drew it up to his hip, and my shirt dress rolled up around my waist. I rubbed myself shamelessly along the bulge in his jeans, already aching for release.

He moved his other hand behind my head, cradling it before his hips answered my teasing, grinding into me, making me wish our clothes would disappear. My head bumped against his hand, and I realized he’d been protecting me from hitting it against the hard metal door. He broke the kiss and dragged his mouth down my chin, along my neck, and nuzzled my cleavage.

My entire body was hungry for his attention. I tugged my dress up and over my head before dropping it on the floor. The heat and desire in his eyes as his gaze wandered over me sent a shiver of yearning through me.

His big hands cupped my breasts, pinching my nipples right through my bra before he brought one hand up, catching the back of my neck as he pulled me in to kiss him. His other hand moved behind me to unhook my bra. One handed. Impressive. This wasn’t his first rodeo.

How many other women had he been with?

No. None of my business.

He bent to take my breast into his mouth, and his hand slid down to cup my sex. My brain short-circuited. I was more than willing to surrender to the pleasure he offered. He moved my thong aside and his finger dipped inside me.

Desiree… His voice was a seduction against my nipple. Almost enough to make me forget I’d given