Lone Wolf Steel

Lone Wolf Steel Anika Skye Also by Anika Skye Lone Wolf Ryker Lone Wolf Steel Lone Wolf Relic (Coming Fall 2023) LONE WOLF STEEL. Copyright © 2023 by Anika Skye. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organization and events portrayed in this story are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. ISBN-13: 978-1-950405-65-7 (paperback) Printed in the United States of America. Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Epilogue Stay in Touch About the Publisher Get a Steamy Fae Romance for FREE! About Lone Wolf Steel Her powers make her a target, and loving her might kill us both. I prowl the dark alleys with my senses on high alert. Searching for the werewolves that killed any chance I had of a normal life. Then I see her. A gifted artist, a human, and my fated mate. The vibrant hues of her paintings ignite a fire in my soul that I can't ignore. An untapped power hidden in the colors and shapes on her canvas. The same power the rogue pack wants for themselves. My wolf demands I claim her. But how can I deserve the trust lurking in her eyes? I'm a killer. A wanted lone werewolf with nothing to offer but danger and death. Yet for the chance to feel her touch, taste her body, and love her, I'd risk a thousand deaths to protect her. We know our love is forbidden. But with the rogue pack closing in, we'll risk everything to be together. The question is, will we survive? Chapter One Gabriel “Steel” Steele My heart races as I walk through the wintry scene, the biting cold air stinging my cheeks. It's dark and still, the midnight sky barely visible through the low clouds. The trees loom over me, their branches stretching up like bony fingers towards the dark sky. The only sound is the crunch of the snow beneath my boots, and the occasional distant howl of a wolf. I welcome the isolation. I had to get away from everyone. The noise, the chaos, the constant demands on my time and energy. I needed to escape, to find someplace where I could be alone with my thoughts and my true nature. Besides, living on the edge of the world means none of those bastard hunters are swarming me, trying to cash my head in for a big lump sum. Here, the air is clear and crisp, and the only sounds are the rustling of leaves and the distant cry of a bird. The views are breathtaking, with snow-capped peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. The nearby town is desolate, and the residents leave me alone. They know better. The forest holds a special place in my heart. As a werewolf shifter, I know its winding paths intimately, and I've spent countless hours exploring its mysteries. The trees tower above me like ancient giants, their branches reaching up towards the sky. Here, I can run for miles without seeing another soul, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger. I move through the forest like a shadow, my feet light on the ground, my senses tuned to every sound and smell around me. Except tonight is different. I felt the presence when I left the bar a half hour ago. I'm being followed. I carefully scan the forest around me for any signs of movement. Despite my efforts, I cannot find the source of the disturbance. I pause for a moment, my heart pounding as I try to pinpoint the location of my pursuer. I inhale deeply, hoping to catch a whiff of their scent, but the only aroma that fills my nostrils is the musky scent of pine trees. I shake off the feeling of unease and continue walking, but I can feel the weight of someone's gaze on my back. I turn around quickly, but no one is there. This is not the first time I've felt like this, but it's the first time I've felt it so intensely. I quicken my pace, trying to put some distance between me and my stalker. As I move silently through the underbrush, every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves sets my nerves on edge. I have lost track of time, but I'm sure that I am not alone. I can't see anyone, but I'm certain that something is out there. Stopping for a moment, I listen intently for any sign of danger. And then, faintly, I hear a rustling in the distance. My senses heightened, I begin to move again, cautiously making my way through the forest. I don't know who or what is following me, but I am determined to stay one step ahead of it. Danger is coming. At first, I try to convince myself that it's just my imagination playing tricks on me. Maybe it's just an animal or another werewolf, and I'm being paranoid for no reason. But as I continue on my way, I become more and more convinced that I'm not being pursued by a human. Most hunters are brave mortals who think they've got a chance to collect a bounty, but this is