Bella

By Crystal Dawn

It was her turn this time and she wanted to see what would happen. Bella wouldn’t mind an affair, but to marry again was out of the question.
Colby had heard much about the white wolf he planned to mate. It had never occurred to him she would resist mating. He’d planned to give it his all, but the case Damon had him working interfered.
Would his work prevent him from winning his mate and cause him to be unhappy forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Dawn
• Release date: Nov 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224055227

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

The White Wolf Grandma’s Club

Book 3

Bella

By Crystal Dawn

Cover by Bonna Art

Editing by Em Editing

Proofreading by T.P. BookNookNuts

©2024 Copyright by Crystal Dawn

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.

Dedicated to Poker players everywhere.

This book is the first of a series that is a spinoff of The Legend of the White Werewolf.

The Legend of the White Werewolf

Book 1

The Forgotten Ones

Ariel, a divorced mother of two and a bestselling author, meets Blake at a bar. The two are attracted to each other and eventually come together. Ariel discovers that Blake is a werewolf, and he has turned her into one as well.

Blake discovers Ariel is the famous writer that has been publishing accurate werewolf romances and his council has been trying to find her for some time. When Ariel makes the change to wolf, everyone finds out that she is a white wolf, part of the legendary line thought extinct.

The White Wolf Grandma’s Club series

Book 1

Cody was sent to stay with Ethel. He knew what he wanted, and she would be surprised if she knew. Could he convince her to mate him?

It was a help having the young male around and he did make her heart beat a bit faster, but she was no old cougar. Nothing was going to get started there.

Age is the only thing stopping them from mating. Is that enough to hold two loving hearts apart?

Book 2

Gertrude

Jefferson was sent to stay with an older widowed white wolf after the last male was successful in claiming a mate. She was grouchy, but he thought he could understand her. Would it help him claim her?

After being with her man for most of her life she’d spent the last five years without him. Trudy knew that she should celebrate the time they had shared but she still mourned what she had lost. Now this guy Jefferson was staying with her. She’d keep her distance after what happened to Ethel. This girl was no cougar. Not ever.

Two lonely people but only one wanting love. Would he help her find it or would it slip through their fingers?

Book 3

Bella

It was her turn this time and she wanted to see what would happen. Bella wouldn’t mind an affair, but to marry again was out of the question.

Colby had heard much about the white wolf he planned to mate. It had never occurred to him she would resist mating. He’d planned to give it his all, but the case Damon had him working interfered.

Would his work prevent him from winning his mate and cause him to be unhappy forever?

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Prologue

Bella was excited as she waited for her new renter to arrive. She'd heard he was tall, dark, and handsome. His name was Colby. Since he was from Mexico, she was surprised by that name. She'd been told he was here to work with the wardens part-time and knew they were always short of help. The other two guys who helped them out must not have worked out. Sure, Ethel and Gertrude had said they'd gotten better offers, but they seemed to be home often. How did that work?

There was a knock on the door, and her heart sped up. Bella began to doubt that she could handle this and stay detached. After all, her two cousins, who had not intended to get involved, fell head over heels in love. She would be strong, and she would enjoy this fling for all that it was worth, and then she would send him on his way. It might shock her cousins that she had not been with a man since her husband had died. Bella talked a big talk, but she didn't do half the things she hinted she had.

Her husband had left her in better shape than the others had, and she didn't need much work done on the farm. She only did a little farming, and she had a hired hand who did a lot of the hard work. Bella had three hundred acres with cows and horses because pigs were too much work and got messy. When Ralph was alive, they'd raised those hogs, chickens, ducks, and geese. After he died, the first thing she had done was sell off everything except the cows and the horses.

Right now, except for the guy probably waiting for her to answer the door, she only had a small family Ariel had asked her to keep and one of her grandsons who lived in the attic. He was seventeen and couldn't get along with his parents, so he stayed here, and she didn't bother him much. She'd given him her old car and helped him when he needed it, but he worked, and she was very happy with him.

Bella stood at the door, delaying opening it because she was worried about what she would find on the other side, but finally, she had to. She opened the door and almost swallowed her tongue. The male on the other side struck her speechless; he was so handsome and sexy. There was no way that he would be interested in her. He looked about thirty, and he was in excellent physical condition. Talk about a Latin lover. He had it all. Dark, sexy eyes and full lips that looked ready to kiss.

Hello, I'm Colby, and I believe you are expecting me?

Bella broke out of her stupor. Yes, please come in. I can show you to your room. Did you bring your suitcases in with you? She was proud that she sounded normal and hadn't said anything stupid.

Yes, I just have my trunk with me. He rolled a steamer trunk behind him, and she noticed it had a strap he could grab if he had to pull it up the stairs.

Upstairs was where she had planned to put him anyway, but she knew there was no way that she would put this hot hunk in a room near her. It might make her sleepwalk, and there was no telling what she would do if she did. His father was a Mexican pack alpha, and his mother was the daughter of a former council alpha, a title Colby had inherited.

Chapter 1

My Ghost

Bella lay in her bed the next morning, cocooned in the warmth of love. Ralph was still with her, as he had been every day since his death. Her true love is her one and only and the father of her children. While he was no longer here physically, in spirit, he had never left and gave her the support she needed. Somehow, she just knew if she took another in this bed, he would leave and never come back.

None of her family understood, and maybe that was because she had never told any of them about it. Ariel gave her funny looks occasionally, and it looked like she wanted to discuss something with her, but she never did. Did she know? Bella didn't know and certainly wasn't going to bring it up. Her cousin would probably say keeping him tethered to the Earth was unfair when he should be moving on into the spiritual realm. It hadn't been her decision, but she had heartily approved of it, and it had made his loss so much easier to bear that at least a part of him was still here.

She could not deny that it also gave her hope to see that there was something after death. Bella had always hoped there was, but she'd never had any proof until Ralph died, and his spirit had stayed. He even talked to her in her dreams and told her he couldn't stay forever even though he wanted to. At this point, he had stayed for twenty years, so maybe she had forgotten that he had said eventually he would leave. Her alarm went off, and she jerked awake. It had been a beautiful dream, and Ralph had been beside her where she'd always wanted him to be. Why was she getting up so early? Oh, yeah! She had company and needed to cook breakfast so she could send him on his way to whatever work he would be doing with the wardens.

Normally, she only took a shower before bed, but today, she needed to wake up, so she took a quick shower and dressed. Heading to the kitchen, she started the coffee and began cooking. Most white wolves could cook, and she was no exception. Sometimes, she cooked really unusual foods. For example, this morning, she made potato pancakes with sausage and served them with apple sauce or mustard, depending on what he chose to use. It would be a big meal because she would cook lots of them, and if some were left over, that would give her something for another time. Sometimes, she froze them to pull them out, and they'd be easy to cook. Her grandson sometimes joined her for meals when he got hungry and had nothing available. Bella didn't mind because it wasn't like she was doing anything that an interruption would interfere with. She loved that boy and was happy that he seemed to be finding his way now that he had come to live with her.

At some point, Colby slipped into the kitchen and got some coffee. He just stood there watching her and not saying a word, which was a little unnerving. She fixed him a plate, slid it on the table, and pointed to it.

It's not the usual breakfast fair, but I hope you'll like it, Bella observed.

Potato pancakes? I've had them before and love them, especially with apple sauce on half and mustard on the other, Colby said. He took a bite out of his sausage. This is very good sausage.

He tore into his breakfast like a wolf. No surprise since that was what he was. Bella fixed herself a much smaller plate than his and just went with the applesauce. That was her favorite way to eat her potato pancakes. She had a little German heritage and had been told that was where the pancakes came from. The recipe had been passed down in her family.

Would you like more? Bella asked when she noticed that Colby's plate was empty.

Please? She was pleased that he seemed to enjoy the food she had cooked.

Bella gave him another full plate and watched as he tore into it. It was true she hadn't had a lot of wolves eating at her house, so his appetite surprised her. It was right on par with Harry's appetite. She was familiar with that. She would adjust her expectations and feed him like she did Harry. It was unsurprising that Harry flashed in just in time for breakfast.

Have a seat, Harry, and I'll fix you a plate, Bella offered.

Oh! Harry squealed. I love your potato pancakes with sausage. Best meal ever.

That made Bella feel good even though she doubted that it was the best meal that Harry had ever had. Harry ate meals at the homes of some of the best cooks in the area, mainly her cousins. When she set the plate in front of Harry, she quickly wiped it out, and Bella got her another one. Maybe Harry did eat more than Colby because she ate another full plate before she was done. It was good that Bella had made extra pancakes, and she was glad she had a few leftovers.

Harry put her dishes in the sink and sprayed water on them. She had a travel mug with her and filled it with coffee. Usually, Bella bought coffee mugs at yard sales for Harry and others who never seemed to have their own. It was unusual for Harry to have her own mug. Maybe she was trying to change and be more responsible.

I came this morning to pick up Colby. Cage has several cases and wants him there as quickly as possible. We'll be flashing out of here as soon as he's ready, Harry admitted.

I'm ready now, Colby offered.

Harry flashed them out. Bella was alone. She cleaned the kitchen and put on some food for later. Bella cooked for others occasionally, but sometimes she ate sandwiches or a salad and didn't bother cooking at all. It depended on whether her grandson or someone else would come over and eat with her. She decided to cook enough for several meals because that would be easier. She had a big roasting pan that she put three chickens in after she prepared them to cook. After putting them in the oven, she fixed several pies.

This was different from the kind of cooking that she had done since her children had been raised. While Bella wasn't poor, she did have some expensive hobbies. She enjoyed traveling, and at least once a month, she went to the casino with friends or relatives. It wasn't that she expected to win, because she didn't go often. She liked the excitement and the sounds of the casino. A little time away from gambling to visit local places of interest or restaurants said to be good was always nice.

In the living room, she did a little sewing. With such a big family, Bella worked on gifts all the time. She was one of the ones who bought items and refurbished them to make them look wonderful and please whoever received them. It wasn't like she didn't usually have the time. In the garage, she had several items she was working on, but that was messy work that would take a while to complete. Right now, she was sewing and crocheting. Bella was good at embroidery and was putting a name on a baby bib. This couple was unusual since they already knew the sex of their baby and had decided on a name.

After she finished the bib, she would start crocheting a top for her granddaughter. It was intended to go over something because otherwise, she would be exposed. The problem with her granddaughter was she didn't seem to mind being exposed. She was such a beautiful girl, and she didn't mind if everyone saw it. Her mother was often displeased with her, but Bella knew better than to make the judgment. That's not what grandmas were for. That's why her daughter-in-law was often unhappy with her. It wasn't that she couldn't understand. She had kept her kids in line, and now she didn't want to have to