Wolf Tracks: Tales of the Were (Grizzly Cove Book 17) Read online

  They moved in after lunch, and the first thing Helen did, even before unpacking her suitcases, was to hang the little painting Laura had given them. It held a place of honor in their new apartment, in the living room where they could see it all the time.

  Jim came up behind her as she stood, admiring the canvas. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, snugging her back against his chest. She put her arms over his and settled into his embrace as if she’d been born to fit there.

  “Are you happy?” he asked, hoping she felt as good about the decision to live here as he did.

  Jim had called his brother just before lunch and explained that he wasn’t coming back to Iowa right away. Probably not for a good long time. It had been emotional for them both, but Brock had understood. They’d both seen this day coming for a while now, and although it was heart-wrenching, it was also good.

  This change meant that Jim had found his mate, which was something to rejoice over. It also meant that Brock would be able to guide his Pack in the direction he wanted it to go without any more complications. Both were good outcomes. They just had to focus on that.

  Arch had taken the phone from Jim and said his piece to his nephew, the Alpha, as well, and when he was done, the Pack ties had been broken, though not totally abandoned. They were all still family and would continue to be close. They just weren’t going to live in each other’s pockets anymore. Not that they really had been doing that for the last couple of years. Now, it was official. Jim and Arch had both broken away from the Pack and were considered lone wolves.

  Only, they both knew they had just exchanged a wolf Pack for a bear Clan. It might be a bit unorthodox, but it worked because, while they may carry different animal spirits, the men were the same at heart. They were all warriors. Special Forces veterans with deep senses of duty and honor. They had been tested in some of the worst hellholes on the planet, and they had each proven their metal.

  That was a bond that could, and did, form strong alliances, regardless of their differences. Jim and Arch would do well with the bears in Grizzly Cove, and Helen had already made a few new friends among the magical folk. Gus and his mate, Laura, had invited Jim and Helen to join them for lunch, where they got to meet John’s mate, Ursula, and her sister, Mellie, who was mated to another of the bear shifters. Both women were highly magical, and they welcomed Helen with open arms.

  “I’m very happy,” Helen replied to Jim’s question, squeezing his hands with hers. “Ecstatic, in fact. I never thought I’d find a life like this, or a man like you.”

  “Then, we’re even,” he told her, rocking her a bit, from side to side. “I never dreamed of a love so deep and true, or a place where we could be ourselves and learn and grow.”

  She sighed happily and he felt the same deep sense of satisfaction that he sensed in her. Helen leaned back against him as they both gazed at the prophetic portrait of them both. Her words summed up how they both felt.

  “I think we’re going to like it here.”

  *

  Thanks for reading Wolf Tracks. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. If you’re looking for more about Big Wolf, a few of my stories, particularly some of my Howls Romance titles, are set in and around the town.

  A complete list of all of my books, separated by series, follows. You can also check out my website at WWW.BIANCADARC.COM. Or you can sign up for my newsletter to be alerted when new books are released.

  About the Author

  Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.

  Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.

  Other Books by Bianca D’Arc

  Paranormal Romance

  Brotherhood of Blood

  One & Only

  Rare Vintage

  Phantom Desires

  Sweeter Than Wine

  Forever Valentine

  Wolf Hills*

  Wolf Quest

  Tales of the Were

  Lords of the Were

  Inferno

  Tales of the Were ~ The Others

  Rocky

  Slade

  Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan

  The Purrfect Stranger

  Grif

  Red

  Magnus

  Bobcat

  Matt

  Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate

  Cat’s Cradle

  King’s Throne

  Jacob’s Ladder

  Her Warriors

  Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove

  All About the Bear

  Mating Dance

  Night Shift

  Alpha Bear

  Saving Grace

  Bearliest Catch

  The Bear’s Healing Touch

  The Luck of the Shifters

  Badass Bear

  Loaded for Bear

  Crossroads: Bounty Hunter Bear

  Crossroads: Storm Bear

  Crossroads: Bear Meets Girl

  Spirit Bear

  Lion in Waiting

  Crossroads: Black Magic Bear

  Wolf Tracks

  Tales of the Were ~ Were-Fey Trilogy

  Lone Wolf

  Snow Magic

  Midnight Kiss

  Tales of the Were ~ Lick of Fire Trilogy

  Phoenix Rising

  Phoenix and the Wolf

  Phoenix and the Dragon

  Tales of the Were ~ Howls Romance

  The Jaguar Tycoon

  The Jaguar Bodyguard

  The Jaguar’s Secret Baby

  Tales of the Were ~ Big Wolf

  A Touch of Class

  Perfect

  Tales of the Were ~ Gemini Project

  Tag Team

  Doubling Down

  Deuces Wild

  Tales of the Were ~ Gifts of the Ancients

  Warrior’s Heart

  Future Past

  A Friend in Need

  Guardians of the Dark

  Simon Says

  Once Bitten

  Smoke on the Water

  Night Shade

  Shadow Play

  Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance

  Dragon Knights ~ Daughters of the Dragon

  Maiden Flight*

  Border Lair

  The Ice Dragon**

  Prince of Spies***

  Dragon Knights ~ The Novellas

  The Dragon Healer

  Master at Arms

  Wings of Change

  Dragon Knights ~ Sons of Draconia

  FireDrake

  Dragon Storm

  Keeper of the Flame

  Hidden Dragons

  The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy

  Sea Dragon

  Dragon Fire

  Dragon Mates

  The Captain’s Dragon

  Science Fiction Romance

  StarLords

  Hidden Talent

  Talent For Trouble

  Shy Talent

  Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ In the Stars

  The Cyborg Next Door

  Heart of the Machine

  Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Arcana

  King of Swords

  King of Cups

  King of Clubs

  King of Stars

  End of the Line

  Diva

  Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber

  Angel in the Badlands

  Master of Her Heart

  Starcrossed

  Futuristic Erotic Romance

  Resonance Mates

  Hara’s Legacy
**

  Davin’s Quest

  Jaci’s Experiment

  Grady’s Awakening

  Harry’s Sacrifice

  Contemporary Romance

  Irish Lullaby

  Bells Will Be Ringing

  Wild Irish Rose

  * RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee

  ** EPPIE Award Winner

  *** CAPA Award Winner