Wolf Games: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3
True love’s path never did run smooth.
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3
After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt.
Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik
Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to
death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.
Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack’s Omega.
Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with
the force of a full body shot is no accident. She’s his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of
him—not until she resolves her issues.
She’ll have to work fast, because they’re both selected to represent the pack during the premier
sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she’ll have to
face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin.
Warning: Contains uber-sexy werewolves of Russian descent, reluctant mates and exotic travels
through the Yukon wilderness. Includes sarcasm and hot nookie under the Midnight Sun.
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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520
Macon GA 31201
Wolf Games
Copyright © 2010 by Vivian Arend
ISBN: 978-1-60504-968-7
Edited by Anne Scott
Cover by Angie Waters
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Firs
t Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: March 2010
Wolf Games
Vivian Arend
To Valerie Tibbs, the first reader of the Granite Lake Wolves, and the first to tell me I was a real
writer. You’re a wonderful friend, a great encourager and a talented graphic artist to boot. Thanks for
believing in me.
Anne—you’re incredible. We’ve tagged you The Queen of the Wolves for a reason. Thanks for
making the wolfies shine so bright.
To my hubby. Any place we go together is home.
Maggie hesitated as the boardwalk underfoot blurred.
“You okay?”
She nodded but grabbed another couple of pills from her backpack and chased them down with a few
swallows of water. Her dizzy spells had grown more frequent. Was she really okay? Not yet, but the cure
might be closer than before.
“You’re seriously freaking me out. If I didn’t know better I’d suspect you were popping something
other than herbal remedies.” Pam blocked her path and looked her over sternly. Finally seeming satisfied,
her friend grabbed Maggie’s gym bag off her shoulder. “Since you insist you need to soak instead of just
hitting the sleeping bags, I’m going to be your Sherpa. You concentrate on walking. I don’t want to have to
figure out how to carry your sorry ass again.”
Maggie chuckled faintly. “Hey, it only happened one time.”
“Yeah, once was enough. You may look like a twig, but you’re damn heavy.” Pam winked, then
offered her elbow. “Do you need an extra hand? I’m here for you.”
“I’m fine. Really. I just need a couple hours floating. Liard Hot Springs is a little bit of heaven on
earth.”
They walked in companionable silence down the worn boards of the four-foot-wide path leading into
the bush of northern British Columbia, summertime heat rising around them. Beautiful weather had
followed them the entire trip from Vancouver. The bright green colours of new growth in the marsh grasses
on either side of the boardwalk made a soul-refreshing break from the concrete that had filled Maggie’s
world for far too long. Towering spruce trees, the brilliant blue of the June sky, crisp clean air—all of it
slipped into her blood like a tonic. A tightly locked knot in her core loosened, and for the first time in
almost a decade she didn’t resist.
Her wolf stirred.
Oh God, that felt amazing.
Maggie stopped in midstride and closed her eyes to let the sensation roll
over her. Surround her. Like an icy cold barrier had broken open a crack, shivers trickled through her
limbs. Electric. Delightful.
“Shit, are you having a seizure or something?” Pam clutched her arm and shook her gently. Maggie
fought to keep from baring her teeth. Because wouldn’t that just freak the human out to learn there were
some secrets even best friends didn’t share.
Wolf Games
They were close to the changing shelters, rustic wooden squares built of upright rough-cut timber.
Splashing noises trickled to Maggie’s ears as she fought down the longing in her limbs she refused to
answer. “I’m just tired. Let me get into the water.”
“Fuck that. You have…drown. Just…careful…hell.” Pam’s voice faded in and out of Maggie’s range
of hearing. It was the most confusing thing. Maggie saw her friend’s lips continue to move, but the words
disappeared. All that remained was this loud buzzing noise, like a swarm of horseflies. Maggie tried not to
laugh at the funny expression on Pam’s face as she waved her arms frantically and flapped her hands at
someone racing around the corner of the decking surrounding the hot springs.
Someone? Maggie peered harder through the fog drifting in front of her eyes. That wasn’t a person, it
was a walking wall. Crap, the man was huge. Dripping wet from head to toe, gorgeous tattoos seemed to
writhe on his torso as he reached for her.
Hmm…he smelt delicious.
Strength.
Safety.
Sensations of happiness and contentment stole through her chaotic thoughts. Her feet didn’t seem to
be touching the ground anymore, and the world bounced gently. She cracked open one eye to gaze around.
Above her, the trees rotated, and a small cloud chased across the sky in a blur. Warmth surrounded her up
to her neck and she let out a contented sign. Her head rested on something firm and soft and she nuzzled
against it tighter. A steady banging echoed in her ear, somehow reassuring.
And that scent?
Oh yeah.
She drew a deep breath, filling her nostrils and enjoying the way her mouth
watered. It was like sitting down to a well-cooked rib-eye steak, with all her favorite side dishes. The
sweetest dessert, followed by a dozen shooters. Maggie took another leisurely inhalation before snuggling
closer to the thumping noise.
Erik caught sight of the women as they strolled down the boardwalk, one of them swaying from side
to side. He laughed quietly. He’d have a set of slightly tipsy females to keep an eye on while they soaked.
The youth from his pack traveling with him played off to the left in the cold pool section of the natural hot
springs. Splashing and hooting and the sounds of carrying-on filled the air.
Wolves—they were such children.
He waded through the water toward the deck. The woman on the right looked familiar. Petite, blonde,
youthful features. If she’d been hugely pregnant he would have sworn it was Missy, the Omega for his
pack, although she wasn’t the kind to get falling-down drunk. It appeared he was about to meet his reason
for driving south sooner than expected. It had to be Maggie weaving toward him.
7
Vivian Arend
He watched with growing concern as the women’s forward motion slowed. It wasn’t just a tipsy
ramble anymore, something seemed wrong. Erik grabbed the edge of the railing, wondering if he should
offer assistance.
“Oh shit, help, someone. Damn it. Help.” The brunette waved her arms, the frantic motions drawing
his attention to the other woman as she wavered on unsteady limbs. He leapt out of the water, droplets
spraying from his body to soak the worn boards underfoot. Long strides carried him down the boardwalk
just in time to be able to catch the blonde before she collapsed.
His world shifted three feet to the left.
Shocks—like small electrical connections—registered where their bodies touched. Trickles shot
through his limbs and up his spine. Tingling. Snapping.
Oh hello
, it felt completely and wonderfully right.
“Thanks—she’s been getting dizzy and I didn’t want her to collapse and hurt herself.” The dark-haired woman kept rambling, but the entire focus of Erik’s attention centered on the beautiful female he
held in his arms. He turned and walked back to the water, taking the steps while still cradling her close.
“What the hell are you doing? She’s passed out. She needs to recover and—” The friend followed him
down into the pool, tugging at his elbow.
“—stay warm. Don’t worry, I’ve got her.” Erik had no intention of letting her go. Ever. But that
probably wasn’t what this other woman wanted to hear. He settled on one of the submerged benches
scattered through the natural pool and rearranged his mate in his arms, her head resting on his chest. The
sensation of her cheek on his bare skin made his whole body react.
His mate.
Incredible. After all these years of waiting and longing, she dropped into his arms out of the blue. For
now, knowing she actually existed was enough to make him want to shout in delight. Except, he didn’t do
shouting.
A rather piercing voice broke through his intense concentration and he remembered the friend, now
glaring at him with suspicion. He held out his free hand. “Erik Costanov, from Alaska.”
The brunette ignored his hand. “Pam. I think you should let me take care of my friend now.”
“I’ve got her.”
“I noticed. I’d prefer it if you weren’t holding her. Just take her over to the stairs and I’ll help—”
“Relax. I won’t hurt her.”
I’m going to care for her for the rest of my life.
The thought sent shots of
pleasure through his system. Finally. His mate.
“Really, I’m not comfortable—”
“She’s comfortable.” It was true. The small armful of blonde snuggled in tighter and Erik’s heart
swelled. Hmm. This was going to be wonderful. Except for the fainting bit. They’d have to figure out what
was causing it and—8
Wolf Games
A splash of water struck him in the face. “Hey, buddy. Thanks for stopping Maggie from hitting the
deck, but I’ll take over now. Got it?” Pam tugged on his arm, causing small waves to splash everywhere.
Erik took a deep breath. Maggie. He’d been right. He laughed at the irony. All this time waiting and
his mate was the sister of his Omega. Why hadn’t he known?
“Look, mister, I don’t know what the hell you think is so funny—”
A soft groan rose from Maggie. “Pam, can you stop the shouting for a sec? You’re killing me here.”
Oh hell, even her voice made his body sing
. She squirmed and he carefully cradled her against him, keeping
her head above water.
Pam leaned over and looked her in the eye. “Maggie? Can you hear me?”
“Are you kidding? They heard you in Vancouver. Stop screaming, my head hurts enough already. If