Wolf Next Door — Heather Long

Tyler Buckley divides his time between fixing cars in his father's shop and reclamation projects with his brothers. Losing his brother and his mate in the same year could have turned him into a surly, unapproachable wolf, but he kept his sights set on the wins in his life -- his brothers, A.J.'s new mate and his family. The last thing he needs or wants is for Claire Webster to return home. Her arrival detonates an old rage inside the wolf, but he's determined to stay as far away from her as possible. When she was five years old, the wolf next door told her he was her mate and then ordered her not to play with one of her friends. From that day forward, Claire butted heads with Ty and his constant interferences. At sixteen, she caught the eye of a visiting Hunter, a wolf who treated her like a lady and not a possession. Wanting more than to be ordered around, she followed him away from Willow Bend, determined to never look back. Eight years later, she sends a request to the new Alpha of Willow Bend. She wants to come home and, when he allows her the opportunity, she's both relieved and terrified. The first person she runs into is the last one who ever wanted to see her again. The wolf next door grew up, and Tyler Buckley's frigid welcome leaves her out in the cold. Can she admit she made the wrong choice, and would he even listen if she could?