Single Daddy’s Mate

Single Daddy’s Mate Small Town Shifter Romance Rose Valley Wolves Book 2 Electra Cage Copyright © 2023 by Electra Cage. All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of the book only. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form, including recording, without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in a book review. Contents Prologue - River Chapter 1 - River Chapter 2 - Finn Chapter 3 - River Chapter 4 - Finn Chapter 5 - Finn Chapter 6 - River Chapter 7 - Finn Chapter 8 - River Chapter 9 - River Chapter 10 - Finn Chapter 11 - River Chapter 12 - Finn Chapter 13 - River Chapter 14 - River Chapter 15 - Finn Chapter 16 - River Chapter 17 - Finn Chapter 18 - Finn Chapter 19 - River About the Author Books by Electra Cage Prologue - River Thirteen years earlier Familiar figures moved through the densely wooded area not far from the old log house. They moved between the trees, not discreet about their footsteps or the echo of each snapping twig beneath their boots. Watching them through the screen door, River wanted desperately to know what they were up to. Her older brother Kai and his best friend Finn Windrow were a duo unlike any other, often up to no good or snooping on pack affairs. River wasn’t one to be left behind. Once they were far enough away, River popped the door open and slipped out silently. She was hoping to go unnoticed, moving carefully through the backyard lined by the woods and following their trail as best as she could. She passed through the trees and did her best to avoid the crunchy foliage beneath her feet. River could still smell them faintly even after they’d moved out of sight. Though she wasn’t yet fully blessed with a shifted wolf’s keen senses as she was only fourteen and four years away from her initiation into the pack. Her gift was still enough to trail them without losing them altogether. River took shallow breaths and weaved gingerly between the trees. The cool autumn wind tousled her dark hair and the leaves littering the ground, but the chill never reached her skin. The back of Finn’s head disappeared behind a cluster of trees, forcing her to pick up the pace. They were farther ahead than she liked, and she was unable to hear what they were saying. River’s heart ran faster all the while she followed them, eager to know why they had moved so far into the bush. Finn and Kai normally went to the Windrow’s residence since Finn’s father wasn’t the alpha who had eyes and ears everywhere. River hated it when they went over there because she had no way of snooping until they emerged again. Whatever they got up to over there, she’d never know. River’s breath hitched when a spare stick crunched beneath her boot, and she froze. The sound reverberated off the trees and came back to her in a loud echo. She waited for Kai and Finn to turn around and call her out, but they only continued walking. Hesitantly, she paused until she was sure they hadn’t heard her. Another small breath passed her lips, and she continued. River’s legs grew tired, unaware of how far they’d traveled on foot. The more they walked, the more disinterested she became, but it was too late to turn back. She’d committed to it and couldn’t head back without knowing where they were going. “We know you’re back there, River.” Kai’s voice wafted in her direction, and River’s feet stilled. He sounded vaguely annoyed yet not at all surprised. He was the alpha’s son with a little sister constantly in tow. Where he and Finn went, I did too. The two boys had stopped some distance away, and Finn cast a look over his shoulder, “You’re not as sneaky as you think, rat.” Finn’s sneer cascaded a wave of embarrassment over River, and her cheeks bloomed with color, yet she was too stubborn to turn back and head home again. Instead, she gave up her stealth and approached them. Revealing herself once and for all. River crinkled up her face. “I’m not a rat.” Finn gave her a bland face and put his hands in his jacket pockets. “What are you then?” “I’m a werewolf, and if you’re going to do werewolf things, then I want in,” River said with her chest and chin up, displaying whatever confidence she could muster. Kai rolled his eyes. “Technically, you aren’t even a shifter yet since you haven’t stepped into your power.” The comment made River’s cheeks burn. She hated whenever he made her feel inferior to him. She didn’t choose to be the youngest in the family. “That’s not fair, Kai. I will be eventually, and the alpha is my dad too.” Seemingly unwilling to stay and argue, Kai pinched the bridge of his nose and forced out a sigh. “Fine. But hurry up. Don’t stray behind.” River’s eyes brightened at the idea, excited by the morsel of acceptance her brother offered her. They didn’t willingly bring her along often. “Don’t tell anyone we’re letting you come with us, rat,” Finn said, lips twisted in a devilish smile. “Try not to live up to the name.” Kai turned and continued in the same direction, which told River it was a time-sensitive matter. Finn’s words settled against her skin, and the color never left her cheeks. Unable to say anything to him, River moved on and averted her eyes. She heard the scoff that came from him, and Finn followed Kai. The wash of shame came quickly, yet River wouldn’t let it stop her fun. She was given express—albeit reluctant—permission to follow, and that was a sacred opportunity. River swallowed back the sheepish blush and navigated through the woods. They walked in silence, seemingly due