Wolf Creek Ghosts (Texas Pack 3) (Wolf Creek Werewolf Shifters) by Jo Ellen

“Uh uh. Not happening. No way. No how.”
    Devlin stuck his head out the door to yell at her retreating figure. “But all the books say women love it. You’ll see stars and fall unconscious screaming in ecstasy.”
    He followed to make sure she didn’t throw his lunch out, and heard her mumbling under her breath, pretty sure the word idiot was being repeated several times.
    Later, Rafe rounded everyone up for their weekly tag football game. “Do you play?” He asked Olivia.
    “No, thank you but I prefer to watch. I don’t do sweaty.” Olivia informed him as she chose a lounger.
    Ian wrapped Melanie up in a bear hug, replying, “But some things are worth getting sweaty for, right?”
    Melanie tried to shush him.
    Olivia blinked before smoothly taking a sip of wine. “Depends on the sport.”
    Devlin plopped down at her feet, moving her legs aside. “She loves my manly smell when I sweat, don’t you my love?”
    Lisa groaned in sympathy. “Umm, no. I don’t care how many books you’ve read stating women love that ‘manly’ smell, sweat stinks.”
    Olivia laughed, agreeing. “Yeah, sweat dripping off your body onto me? No thanks. I’ll sit here and admire your glistening muscles in the sun.”
    “So you’re objectifying me as just another boy toy?” Devlin grinned. “I can live with that.”
    Rafe threw the football at Devlin’s head. His hand shot up and caught it one handed as Olivia squealed.
    Rafe looked affronted at Olivia. “I wasn’t going to hit you. I knew Devlin would block. There was no way it’d get past his big head.”
    Devlin threw the ball back at Rafe and shot off the porch, tackling him. The game was on.
    “I thought this was touch football,” Olivia said.
    “Yeah, when the women play, there’s a lot of touching. Otherwise, it’s tackle and kill, basically,” Melanie said.
    Olivia watched, secretly enjoying the brawny display. With the sun on her face, she closed her eyes and relaxed.
    She was happy. Her soul settled. No more fear of being ridiculed when she spoke to thin air. Devlin accepted her for who she was and would not try to change her. She was still feeling her way with her new family, but she already liked them. The brothers with their loving and protective instincts, Lisa with her sarcastic wit, and Melanie with her quirky personality. She wondered where she fit in their estimation. Women usually resented her for her height and beauty, while she had always wanted to be one of those petite women who men seemed to put on a pedestal.
    She wasn’t getting any resentment from the others, which she was thankful for. Lisa and Melanie were beautiful in their own right, knowing they were well loved and secure in their relationships. She relaxed and listened to the grunts and yelling, smiling peacefully.
    “Willie’s back.”
    Olivia jerked upon hearing Jack and sat up, her enjoyment stripped away in an instant.
    The men stopped their game and gathered on the patio.
    “Inside,” Rafe ordered.
    They herded their mates inside to the great room, taking their seats on the sofas and waiting for Jack’s report.
    “
I should say; he was back. I didn’t see him, just felt that he’d been there. I can’t say if he was in and out, or if he’d been there awhile. The other ghosts hadn’t seen him either, but they’re not always there so no help from that end.”
    Olivia gave Devlin a shaky smile. “Looks like the honeymoons over.”
    Devlin growled. He didn’t want Olivia to have to deal with this fucker. This last week had been everything he’d imagined a mating would be. The thought of her confronting Willie was enough to make him go crazy. His wolf was snapping at the leash.
    Olivia stroked his arm to calm him down, seeing how tense he’d gotten. “We need to go to Charlie’s and see if I can pick up on anything.”
    “We’ll all go,” Melanie said.
    “Like hell!” Ian growled. “You do not need to go.”
    “Actually, I do. I think we need all the magic we