Melody Walker has a dark history. It's only been three years since she was bitten by a rogue werewolf, and her husband was killed. Since she's unable to shift, she's tried to live as a human, desperate to hold on to what she knows. She's worried her best isn't good enough when an enormous man shows up at her doorstep and changes the game.
Gunner Newsom didn't expect to meet his mate when his pack took over the community at Rhodes, but he's grateful for the gift of her. She's everything he's ever wanted. Witty, resilient, and sexy as hell. There's just one thing that stands in his way. His female is fighting to protect her only child, a little girl who's in danger of being given to her paternal grandparents as she's human and her mother is a werewolf.
What belongs to him, he loves, cherishes, and keeps. Not only will he claim the mate he's been given, but he'll also protect the daughter he's accepted as his own. He'll kill anyone or anything that attempts to stand in his way.
EXCERPT:
"Let
me guess," Gunner replied evenly. "Dice Montrose gave you permission
to enter his domain."
The attorney hiked his chin and
handed Gunner a business card. "He did. He also indicated he didn't want
to be involved in the situation. Melody bought a house and property in his
territory, but he only allowed it as a courtesy in her circumstances. She isn't
part of his pack."
"Whatever you want to show me
is null and void. Merrick McCormick is the Alpha now." Gunner pocketed the
card. "Unless he says otherwise, you're not welcome here."
"Excuse me?" Kay snapped,
no longer willing to remain quiet, propping her hands on her trim hips. Her
clothing, jewelry, and speech indicated she'd been born with a silver spoon in
her mouth.
Gunner's entire focus shifted to her.
"No. I don't believe I will."
"We came to see our
granddaughter." Tom entered the conversation, putting on that false face
of his, pretending to be a decent man. "You can't keep her from us."
When Tom tried to look at Bebe,
Gunner countered, using his body as a shield and barrier. He left enough room
for Melody to watch what was taking place but little more.
"Yes, I can. Merrick has
accepted Beatrice into his pack. As one of his, you have no say when it comes
to her. If you want to speak with him, you're going to have to make an appointment."
"That's ludicrous," the
lawyer huffed, sounding outraged. "She's human."
"Her mother is a werewolf."
Gunner's response was a soft growl.
"That doesn't matter in this
case. She was bitten, not born. And she can't shift." The rail-thin man adjusted
his tie, standing a bit taller. "Her mother isn't connected to the pack,
and her financial and living situation pose potential risks to Beatrice's
happiness and well-being. The circumstances allow human courts to decide the
best placement for a child in her predicament. She should be raised with her
own kind, surrounded by her own people."
Those words put Melody into a
full-fledged panic.
Tom and Kay hadn't come to
negotiate.
They had already made up their
minds.
"If Melody's mate claims the child
as his own, your courts have no say."
"That's not the case in this
situation. She's not mated." Her stomach knotted as he shook the document
in his hand and offered it to Gunner. "A judge has granted Thomas and
Kathleen Walker temporary custody. They'd like to proceed without upsetting
their granddaughter, which is why we didn't contact authorities for an escort. We
can go that route if you prefer. Everything is in order. See for
yourself."
Oh
dear God. They've come to take her.
Gunner turned his head, and their gazes met.
She always tried to hide her
feelings from him, swallowing her emotions down, but she couldn't do that now. Her
eyes burned as she fought back tears, that strange sensation inside her stirring.
Fury and devastation burst through her, causing her to shake like a leaf. His
jaw clenched, his eyes so gold they glowed. He studied her for a couple of
seconds. Then he tore his attention from her and focused on the people in front
of him. She wasn't sure what he was thinking when he came to her side and slid
one of his long arms around her shoulders.
"I should introduce myself."
He shifted so she was nestled against him. "I'm Gunner Newsom. Merrick McCormick's
Beta."
"This isn't a pack matter,"
the attorney responded.
Gunner squeezed her, inching even
closer. She got the impression he wanted her to brace herself. His alluring
scent blanketed her. Unlike before, she didn't experience arousal. This time a
massive wave of calm flowed over her. She stopped shaking, that odd feeling percolating
within her settling everything instantly.
"Actually, it is. I've claimed Melody
and Beatrice as my own. Merrick gave his approval, blessing, and backing in all
matters concerning them. They've been members of the McCormick pack for weeks."
She thought her knees might buckle. Alarm, fear, and shock tore through her. He
lowered his arm and wrapped it around her waist, keeping her upright as he informed
God and everyone, "They are my mate
and child."