Claiming Hope [Wolves of River's Bend 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  Wolves of River’s Bend 2

  Claiming Hope

  Hope Davis kicked her scumbag husband to the curb in hopes of starting a new life. Too bad she’s forgotten how to truly live. While on a trip to visit family, she meets brothers Adam and Levi Black, two gods among men, who save her from a vicious attack. Deciding to take a chance after years of playing it safe, Hope indulges in an incredible night of passion with the brothers before the two reveal a terrifying secret. Not only are they both wolf shifters, but she’s their fated mate.

  Fate outdid itself when it brought Hope to Adam and Levi. She’s perfect for them, and they’ll do anything to show her what real, lasting love feels like. But life is far from simple in the shifter territory of River’s Bend, and Hope is gun shy. Can they protect her from criminals hunting her and win her heart? Will Hope find the courage to love again?

  Genre: Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-Shifter

  Length: 84,279 words

  CLAIMING HOPE

  Wolves of River’s Bend 2

  Suzette Rose Cauler

  MENAGE AMOUR

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE E-BOOK YOU HAVE PURCHASED: Your non-refundable purchase of this e-book allows you to only ONE LEGAL copy for your own personal reading on your own personal computer or device. You do not have resell or distribution rights without the prior written permission of both the publisher and the copyright owner of this book. This book cannot be copied in any format, sold, or otherwise transferred from your computer to another through upload to a file sharing peer to peer program, for free or for a fee, or as a prize in any contest. Such action is illegal and in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law. Distribution of this e-book, in whole or in part, online, offline, in print or in any way or any other method currently known or yet to be invented, is forbidden. If you do not want this book anymore, you must delete it from your computer.

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Amour

  CLAIMING HOPE

  Copyright © 2015 by Suzette Rose Cauler

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-63258-799-2

  First E-book Publication: January 2015

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of Claiming Hope by Suzette Rose Cauler from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Suzette Rose Cauler’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Suzette Rose Cauler’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to my readers. Each time you read one of my stories, my characters get to live again. And to Karen DiGaetano, for helping me see Hope clearly.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  CLAIMING HOPE

  Wolves of River’s Bend 2

  SUZETTE ROSE CAULER

  Copyright © 2015

  Prologue

  Sunday dinner had been the pleasant event Hope was used to until her mother served the peach cobbler dessert for which she was known in their community. The dessert was to die for, as usual, but this time she served it with a side of unsolicited advice.

  “Now look, Hope, you know I don’t like to pry—”

  “Really? Since when don’t you like to pry?” Anything her mom prefaced that way was destined to be uncomfortable.

  “Aren’t you funny? Look, I’ve held my tongue on this for well over a year. If you’re not going to acknowledge my restraint, I should just speak my mind from now on.”

  Hope put her fork down and sighed. “Mom, I always want you to speak your mind with me. I thought you knew that. We can talk about anything.”

  “Well then, it’s time you started dating again.”

  “Anything but that.”

  “It’s been two years since the divorce. Two long years.”

  Hope groaned as her mother held up two fingers, displaying her carefully manicured nails. Seriously? Did her mother think she couldn’t count?

  “Mom, I’m just not ready yet. Besides, I’m happy. I don’t need a man to feel fulfilled.”

  Brad had been the love of her life, her soul mate, or so she thought. That was until she surprised him on one of his business trips and caught him getting his freak on with one of her best friends.

  “Of course you don’t need a man. I raised you to be stronger than that. But don’t you want one? I like having a warm body in my bed, and I have difficulty believing you don’t as well.”

  At an incredibly young-looking 58 years old, Sandra was the very definition of a cougar. She always had some younger, hot guy hanging around, except for on the Sundays she spent with Hope. And she always overshared about the latest man in her life. Hope cringed hearing about her escapades, but at the same time, she was happy for her mother. Divorce had been the best thing for her parents. They were much happier apart. For Hope, though, her own divorce had been devastating.

  “I just need more time. Someday I’ll feel like dating again, but not now.”

  “And it’s not just the lack of dating. Sarah said she’s asked you out there several times and you always come up with some excuse to say no.”

  Sarah had a big mouth. She was Hope’s older sister, and she’d been practically begging Hope to come for a visit for the last two years. Hope had the decency to feel badly about that, but Sarah didn’t have to go running to their mom about it.

  “I’m planning to go.”

  “When?”

  “I don’t know…soon.”

  “From what I hear, you’ve been saying ‘soon’ for almost three years.”

&
nbsp; “Two, and what does this have to do with me dating?” Hope said it and then immediately wished she could call the words back again. The last thing she wanted to do was redirect the conversation back to that topic.

  “You’re not doing anything. You’re not moving, you’re not dating, and you’re not really living. The most activity you get is the time you spend here with me. You work at home, so you don’t even socialize during the day. And you spend every night on crappy television and microwaved dinners.”

  “Not true. I make gourmet meals to go with my crappy television.” It was an attempt at a joke to lighten the mood, but it might as well have fallen on deaf ears.

  “The point is, you’re young and vibrant, and you’re sitting around wasting all you have to offer on your couch. I talked to Natalie. She says you repeatedly turn down her offers to hang out.”

  Good old Nat, her remaining best-friend-turned-traitor.

  “Are you checking up on me?”

  “I sure am. You’re my baby girl and I love you. Someone has to pull you out of this rut. You need to get dressed up and get out. Go dancing. Have some fun!”

  “I hate getting dressed up.”

  “No, honey. That’s the new Hope. The one who’s scared to get busy living again. She hates getting dressed up, but I have an idea. Not to pat myself on the back, but it’s a pretty good one.”

  Uh-oh. Something told Hope she wasn’t going to like this idea. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what is it?”

  “Alex’s younger brother is about your age. I’ll invite him over here next Sunday, and you two can get to know each other.” Alex was her mom’s current flavor of the month. Blonde, buff, and about twenty years her junior. There was no way she could date the brother of the man who was surely fucking her mother.

  “No, Mom. Just…no.”

  “Why not?”

  “Well first of all, I’m not ready. And second of all, I don’t want my mother fixing me up. And then there’s the fact that he’s your lover’s brother. It just seems wrong.”

  Sandra shrugged. “It’s not like you’re related. And I’ve seen Matt. He’s pretty damned hot.”

  That was Hope’s cue to push away from the table and get to her feet. “I’ve got to run, Mom. Dinner was fabulous, but I have to catch up on some work at home.”

  She made for the door, but her mom caught her hands, tears forming in her brown eyes. “I just worry about you, honey. I can’t bear the thought of you wasting away. Wasting your life.”

  Damn. If only she’d been faster to escape. Hope couldn’t stand to see her mom cry. “Okay, okay. Look, I can’t date Matt. Sorry, but no to the fixup.” No to that guy for sure, and even if he hadn’t been the brother of her mom’s latest lay, she wasn’t ready to date anyone, under any circumstances. Brad had left a huge crater in her heart, and if she exposed it, it would only get worse. “I will go visit Sarah, though, okay? I’ve been meaning to anyway. Just, please, don’t cry.” She gave her mother a big hug, mentally shaking her head. Yes, she was being manipulated, but what could she do? She loved her mother too much to cause her tears, even those intended to produce guilt.

  Chapter 1

  A little over a month after her guilt-induced promise to her mother, Hope pulled her navy-blue Volvo into the driveway of 34-3 Wister Lane, her sister’s address. Sarah would be surprised to see her drive up in that instead of the sporty red car she used to own, but Hope had traded that in a while ago. After losing Brad, she’d experienced off-the-charts anxiety and decided she needed something safer. She hadn’t admitted it to anyone, but thoughts of mortality had plagued her then, and she still battled with them now. She’d had to force herself out the door for this visit, as she pictured all the types of accidents she could have along the way. Once she’d hit the open road, though, her mind had settled down. It actually felt good to get away from her routine.

  Hope stepped out onto the gravel driveway and looked around. She’d seen pictures of Sarah’s home, but it was far more rustic-looking in person. Reminiscent of a cabin, though a good deal grander, the ranch-style home sat on a heavily wooded lot. Birdsong hit her ears as she stepped up on the porch, walked past two benches that looked as if they’d been hand-carved, and lifted her hand to knock on the front door.

  Her hand never made contact with the wood. The door swung open and her sister pulled her into her arms so fast Hope could only gasp in surprise.

  Sarah hugged her so tightly, Hope was surprised she could still breathe. “I didn’t think you’d really come!”

  “I told you I was coming.”

  “Yeah, but…” Sarah trailed off, releasing her and drawing her inside. She shut the door with a quick shove and grabbed Hope in another bone-crunching hug. “I can’t believe you’re finally here. I’ve missed you so much.”

  Hope couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. Not until that moment had she realized just how much she’d missed her big sister. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about it.

  “Stop hugging me and let me get a look at you.”

  Silver Spring had definitely been good for her sister. The woman seemed to glow. She’d put on a few pounds, but they suited her, enhancing her curves, and her strawberry-blonde hair was cut to a stylish chin-length. It was the light in her eyes, though, and that megawatt smile. Sarah exuded happiness. “You look great. What is it? All the fresh air out here in the country?”

  Sarah winked. “Something like that. Where are your bags? I’ll get you settled and tell you all about it.”

  “They’re in the car. Let me go grab them.”

  “No, don’t worry about it. The guys will get them. Take a seat and make yourself at home.”

  Guys? What guys? Hope sunk into the huge suede sofa her sister had directed her to, but she didn’t have to waste much time wondering. Her jaw dropped as Sarah came back with two of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen in tow. She had to remind herself to close her mouth.

  Stopping in front of the couch, her sister took a deep breath, her sunny expression fading a little. “Hope, this is Jackson and Wes. My men.”

  Hope’s jaw dropped again and it was several seconds before she remembered to close her mouth that time. She finally remembered and stood up to shake their hands. Jackson was a tall, blond Adonis and Wes was slightly shorter, brown-haired, but every bit as handsome.

  Jackson smiled, and the whole world got a little brighter. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Wes had the kind of deep bedroom voice Hope thought only movie stars had. “Yes, Sarah has told us so much about you, we couldn’t wait to get to know you ourselves.”

  They had Hope at a disadvantage. She knew nothing about them. “It’s nice to meet you, too,” was all she could think of to say.

  Sarah turned back to the gods she’d referred to as her men. “Would you mind getting Hope’s bags and putting them in the guest room for me? I need a few minutes to catch her up, and then we’ll do dinner.”

  They had barely cleared the door when Hope turned back to her sister, ready to grill her like a common criminal. “Your men? Um…What do you mean by that?”

  “Let’s sit and talk. Want a drink before you hear this?”

  “No, all I want is answers. Spill.” Hope was thirsty and more than a bit hungry after the seven-hour drive. She also needed to use the bathroom, but she couldn’t be bothered with any of that until she heard what Sarah had meant by “her men.”

  Sarah nervously ran a hand through her hair. “Well, Silver Spring is a special sort of place. The people here…Well, let’s just say everyone is very tolerant of different types of lifestyles, and many don’t conform to the typical types of pairings. There are threesomes and even some foursomes here. So when I said they’re my men, that’s exactly what I meant.”

  Hope could only shake her head. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in total shock.”

  “Just say you love me and support me no matter what. What else is there to say, really?”

  Sarah was r
ight. Hope would support her sister no matter how different her lifestyle. “Of course I love you. And of course I support you no matter what. But, wow! Two men?” Her mind flew to imagining what that would be like in the bedroom, and she struggled to pull it back out of the gutter. “Does Mom know?”

  “She knows. She met them on her last visit. But don’t be angry with her. I swore her to secrecy and threatened to disown her if she didn’t let me tell you myself.”

  Sarah’s “men” walked back in loaded down with her luggage and the women grew silent, waiting for them to pass through.

  “I guess you didn’t want to tell me by phone?” Hope asked as soon as they were alone again.

  “No, this type of thing…I wanted to tell you in person and give you the chance to meet them before you jumped to any conclusions. They’re two of the kindest, most loving men I’ve ever met. You’re going to like them. I’m just asking you to keep an open mind and support me. I was afraid if I told you over the phone, you’d just think the worst.”

  “I’m surprised you have time to worry about what I think with them in your bed.”

  Sarah grinned from ear to ear, her skin flushing at the mention of her men and bed. “Well, there is that.”

  * * * *

  Adam felt her as soon as she walked into the room. A tingle raced from his toes to the back of his neck, and sweat broke out along his hairline. Fighting a powerful urge to shift, he was at first confused by his body’s reaction, but then he got it. It was her.

  His breath caught, and he gripped the table tightly to keep from rushing across the room. He hadn’t even gotten a good look at her yet. She had wavy golden-blonde hair that skimmed past her shoulders and shapely calves that peeked out from under her knee-length black dress. He’d have to get closer to take in her features, but that didn’t matter. His body knew, and hers called out to him.