Lone Wolf by Tessa Clarke Page A

quickly as it had come, it disappeared down the drive in a spray of gravel.

Chapter Thirteen: Delany
     
     
     
    “You’re sure he’s ready?” Leif asked for the third time as they stood out behind the barn.
    Delany smiled and stood on her tiptoes to kiss Leif’s clean-shaven jaw. “I’m sure,” she said. “He’s been flying perfectly fine in the barn for a week now.”
    Leif nodded. Aquila moved impatiently from foot to foot in the large dog kennel that sat just outside the barn, his yellow eyes regarding them intently as if to ask if they ever planned to release him.
    Morning sun streamed over Raven Ridge. The ravens had already left their roost, heading into town in a black swarm. It was Saturday. The fourth Saturday since Leif had come back and she had moved into the farmhouse forever—the farmhouse where Leif brought her shatteringly to her knees with ecstasy every night. They would head to his brothers’ house for dinner tonight. Delany still had to make a pie. She and Silas were in a competition with regard to who could make the best pastry.
    “Okay, well here we go then.” Leif bent, unlatched the cage door, and opened it before returning to Delany and slipping his arm around her waist.
    Aquila inched his way out of the kennel and onto the dirt, watching them sharply. Delany could hear the dogs in the farmhouse, baying their displeasure at being locked away. Then, jutting his beak up into the air as if to sniff the wind, Aquila took a couple of skips and spread his wings, launching up into the air in a smooth arc.
    They watched him soar up and circle around the barn, as if to say thank you, before beginning to pump his powerful wings and setting off over the fields.
    “I’m going to miss you, old buddy,” Leif said.
    Delany smiled at him. “I have a feeling we might see Aquila again,” she said.
    “I hope so,” he said. “Cause without him we might never have met.”
    Delany shivered at the prospect. “We would have met,” she said. “I have no doubt.”
    Leif squeezed her hand. “Do you have to get started on that pie right away?” he said. “Or do you have time for a little flight.”
    She raised her eyebrow. “What kind of flight?”
    Leif grinned. “Both kinds. The temperature is just right for investigating one of those swimming holes at Emerald Lake. I thought we could go for a little skinny dip.”
    Delany felt an answering surge in her groin and she lifted her lips to his. “I absolutely have time for that. We can let Silas win the pastry competition this week.”
     
     

 
Other Books by Tessa Clarke
    To make sure you get the latest information and offers from Tessa Clarke, be sure to sign up for her email list. As a subscriber, you’ll receive the latest updates, information on promotions, and bonus short stories (including a new Cade and Alissa short story), for free! So make sure you are subscribed. Sign up on her website: http://www.tessaclarke.com
     
    ***These are all standalone shorts with no cliffhangers***
     
    The Cat Shifters of White Peaks
    Book One Freefall: Alissa and Cade’s story – Out now. Get it here.
    Book Two Starfall: Jolene and Leif’s story – Out now. Get it here.
    Book Three Sweetfall: Zoey and Flynn’s story – Out now. Get it here.
    Book Four Nightfall: Astrid and Chance’s story – Out now. Get it here.
    White Peaks Books One to Four Boxed Set (including bonus Alissa and Cade short story) – Out now. Get it here.
     
    The Wolf Shifters of Raven Ridge
    Book One Lone Wolf: Delany and Leif’s story – Out now.
    Book Two: Sasha and Sam’s story – Coming soon.
    Book Three: Bryn, Wyatt, Silas, James and Brett’s story – Coming in January.
     
     
     

From the Author
    Your support means everything to me. If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review, even if it’s only a line or two. It will help me to write better books for you, and allow other people to find my books.
     
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    ~Tessa
     
     
     

Excerpt