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Melissa
Books by Melissa Haag
Judgement of the Six
Hope(less)
(Mis)fortune
(Un)wise
(Un)bidden
(Dis)content
(Sur)real
Judgement of the Six
Mating Novella
Prosperity
Judgement of the Six Companions
Clay’s Hope
Emmitt’s Treasure
Luke’s Dream
Thomas’ Heart
Carlos’ Peace
(Sur)real
Books by M.J. Haag
(adult Melissa Haag pen name)
Beastly Tales
Depravity
Deceit
Devastation
The Resurrection Chronicles
Demon Ember
Demon Flames
Demon Ash
Demon Escape
The Lutha Chronicles
Escaping the Lutha
Facing the Lutha
Excerpt from Luke’s Dream
Judgment of the Six Companion series: Book 3
By Melissa Haag
Now Available!
What did she see in him? Long, shaggy hair, more facial growth than a yeti, obvious low intelligence based on his delay in establishing a Claim—a girl like Gabby could do a lot better than Clay. Like me. My hair was styled. My clothes were neat and trendy. I looked put together, like a human. Yet, she’d barely looked twice at me.
Annoyed, I shoved the key into the ignition to slide the shifter into neutral and pushed the car so it pointed at the entrance. Why was I even helping her? Because she was so small and pale and looked exhausted to the point of breaking. Fragile. Something about that called to me. I was mental. That was the only explanation. I needed to start avoiding distressed women. They were nothing but trouble.
With the car moved, I strolled around the Compound’s parking area. Whatever had Gabby ready to run, I didn’t want to be left behind to deal with the fallout. And, I had the feeling Clay wouldn’t be willing to let me tag along with them. So, I needed a mode of transportation. My four paws would be quick, but too easy to track. A motorcycle caught my eye. The key was still in the ignition. Grinning, I took the key and went inside.
Walking the deserted halls reaffirmed that I needed to leave soon. The single males were long gone after their failed chance at Gabby’s latest Introduction. I should have beat it, too. But I hadn’t. She’d asked me to stay just before she’d passed out two days ago. Then, her Neanderthal protector had dragged me back to her room so she could ask for my help. Again, I regretted not leaving. It was too late now, anyway. I’d committed to this course and wouldn’t quit until I saw it through. Besides, it wasn’t as if I had anything better to do with my time.
Just outside the apartment where Clay and Gabby were staying, I paused and listened. Both inside the apartment and everything around me in the halls remained quiet. Good. Gabby had made it clear she’d wanted to leave without anyone knowing. Our kind were naturally good at sneaking around. But we did it better at night.
I eased the door open and slipped inside. A low murmur of sound came from the only room in the small apartment. They were talking. They could do that later.
Crossing the room, I opened the door and stuck my head in. Clay had his teeth out, glaring at me. Sasquatch. Why had he gotten the girl? Pushing my resentment aside, I focused on finishing my job. Help Gabby, then get the hell out of there.
“Better hurry. You carry her, and I’ll grab her things,” I said.
Clay nodded and tossed some blankets over Gabby and lifted her off the bed, wasting no time. I moved into the room and started throwing her things into her bag. Girls liked their things. Plus, I wanted my scent on her clothes the next time she dressed…just to annoy him.
He didn’t wait for me. Carrying her, he left the room. I wasn’t far behind them. The contentment she was radiating as she laid her head on his shoulder irritated me.
How could she possibly be content with him? He was an ungroomed mess and a stalling pushover. The pairing made no sense to me. If I ever found my Mate, I wouldn’t hesitate to Claim her. Nothing would stop me from making her mine.
Outside, I led them to the car and opened the passenger door. As Clay set her on the seat, I impatiently scanned the building and listened. The idiot was taking too long to buckle her in. Someone was bound to hear us. When he finally moved away, I handed Gabby her bag and started to close her door.
She held up a hand, and I impatiently waited for her to dig in her bag for a pencil and paper. She scribbled something on it and handed it to me. It seemed a bit late to give me her number. As I closed the door, I read the note.
Search Virginia around Roanoke and Lynchburg. There’s a girl like me there.
Stunned, I reread the lines. A girl like Gabby? Did she mean a potential Mate? I crushed the note in my hand as Clay started the engine. This information was priceless. With a racing pulse, I quickly mounted the bike. If I could reach the woman before any others, I’d be able to establish my Claim first. A Mate. I wouldn’t screw this up.
Gravel sprayed from under the car’s tires as Clay gunned for the gate. I started the bike and beat him through the entrance.
I wasn’t going to stop until I found her and made her mine.
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