Hard and Easy [High-Country Shifters 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Melody Snow Monroe Page B

and the cool air was chilling her. Maybe it hadn’t been smart to leave in the afternoon, as it was now quite late.
    Nar held out a hand to stop her progress. “We’re close.”
    She wasn’t sure if she should go first or if she should walk behind him. He stood there and closed his eyes. She wanted to ask if he could use telepathy to speak with the wolves or if he was just thinking, but she didn’t want to disturb him if he had been able to make a connection.
    About a minute later, his shoulders relaxed. He faced her and smiled. “Your friend is very excited that you are here. Kranor is going to come out and greet you.”
    That was quite amazing. “Kranor probably thinks it’s safer if he escorts me into his world.”
    “Indeed. When he arrives, I will bid you adieu.”
    She wasn’t sure what adieu meant, but from the context, she guessed he meant he’d be on his way. One minute she was enjoying Nar’s company and the next her skin prickled and her stomach churned. “Wolves!”
    Nar lightly clasped her shoulder. “It’s Kranor.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Don’t worry, kitten. If it’s a mean one, I’ll bend his mind and make him docile.”
    He didn’t blink, so perhaps he was telling the truth. Out from around a corner, a huge wolf charged. She backed up and instinctively slid behind Nar.
    The flash occurred quickly and another large man appeared. He was about six foot eight inches, with untamed dark-brown hair and the blackest eyes she’d ever seen.
    He held out his hand. “You must be Madra. My sister-in-law has spoken of you often. I’m Kranor Ryn.”
    She shook his hand. When she didn’t turn into ashes, she inhaled and smiled. “If I could have contacted you before just showing up, I would have.”
    “No matter. I know Henla will be so excited to see you.” He faced Nar. “Many thanks, my friend.”
    Nar nodded and instantly shifted into his bear form. While he didn’t move fast, his large size would dissuade any animal from getting in his way.
    “Let’s get you to safety.”
    She truly didn’t think wolves would attack them, but from what she’d heard, Kranor had made some enemies. Even though she had blisters on her feet, she didn’t complain and hurried alongside him.
    Fortunately, the trek wasn’t too far. When he slowed, the sight before her was not what she had expected. Sure, she’d learned the wolves lived aboveground, but she never expected to see a long street of wonderful shops.
    “This is amazing.”
    “Thank you. I had a lot of help. All the people who live here wanted a better life than one imbued with hatred, one in which we live peacefully with the lions and bears. So I built this for them—and Henla.”
    That sounded divine. They passed the well-lit street and followed a path to a large home. Madra couldn’t be more pleased that Henla lived in such a nice place. Kranor opened the door, and Henla immediately launched herself at Madra.
    “It’s so good to see you!” Her friend gave her a hug. Henla’s neatly trimmed blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and it was lighter than Madra remembered. Maybe it got bleached from all the sun.
    “I can’t believe how long it’s been.” The school year had flown by, and Madra felt a little guilty for not having tried to contact her sooner.
    “Come and sit down. We were just about to have dinner.”
    A slightly shorter man came out from the hallway. His beauty was unparalleled. The medium-brown hair wasn’t an unusual feature, but she hadn’t expected a wolf to have such golden eyes.
    “This is Jude Trisk, my other husband.” Henla looked up lovingly at him.
    Jude stepped behind her and placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “I was about to put the dinner on the table.” He looked at her. “You’ll be joining us.”
    “Thank you.”
    They all moved to the table, where she sat next to Henla. Henla placed a hand on Madra’s arm. “I hope you can stay the night. We have so much to catch up on.”
    “Thank