“So, how are we going to keep Killian from finding out about this guy?” Josephine's question jolted me back from my imagined encounter with an enraged Killian. “Umm... I’ll grab a quick shower.” “No time for that. Killian will be home any minute, and besides what about your clothes? Even stuffed in the laundry basket he might notice. I suppose you might have time to get them down to the laundry before he gets here, but what if you meet him on the stairs?” “Then I’ll just...” “Hailey, you are so lucky that I’m here to help you out. Here’s what we’ll do. Do you remember how I gave you some perfume about a week ago? Have you used it yet?” I shook my head unable to recollect ever using the perfume “No. Why?” “Okay, well put some on...quite a lot actually. It will help mask that scent. If you use it, Killian will have no idea that you’ve been near anyone else. And if you see Stephan again, use it then too. What Killian doesn’t know won’t hurt him and it will save you from his temper,
When we finally made it downstairs, dinner was over and everyone had gathered in the game room. I apologized to Christine for our absence at the table, but the older woman smiled knowingly. “Don’t worry about it, Hailey. There’s some leftover pasta in the fridge, despite the best efforts of those two,” she nodded towards the group who were circling the pool table. “Thankfully Lucius and Michael didn’t eat us out of house and home this time.” The two young men in question grinned and Lucius called out, “We’re growing boys. We need our food.” Susan, who was also there, simply rolled her eyes, and resignedly shook her head.“Are you sure you want to be bonded to this one, Susan?” Killian asked from his position leaning against the doorframe.“I ask myself that question every day.” She responded dryly. Lucius affected a wounded pose before turning back to his game. Natalia was standing in the corner observing the others and being her characteristically quiet self. When the girl glance
It turned out that everyone except for Josephine and Linda wanted to go for a walk. Linda planned to rest and Josephine needed to do her nails so the rest headed towards the woods. We fell into a loose pack formation, the other couples instinctively walking behind Killian. I was one step back and to the right of him. Romeo came along next, followed by Christine, then Lucius and Michael, while Natalie and Elias brought up the rear. The arrangement effectively cancelled my hopes of having a private conversation with Natalia but I still hoped to deal with the matter before the night was over. As we entered the tree line, a sound came from the left and in a blur of movement, Killian and Romeo positioned themselves protectively in front of the others, muscles tense and senses alert. It took less than a second for them to identify the source and realize there was no danger. As the two men visibly relaxed their stance, Julie and Chester emerged from the brush. “Hi there!” Julie called o
Killian put his arm around my shoulders, his thumb gently rubbing over my upper arm. When he spoke, his voice held both regret and self-reproach. “I can’t believe I reacted that strongly to chester knocking you down. I acted without even thinking and I never do that. I’m the Alpha, the one that’s supposed to be in control. But when I heard that growl, I lost it. My only thought was to protect my mate. I’m sorry if I frightened you.” “I wasn’t frightened, at least not exactly. Surprised, worried, wondering what the hell was going on. But frightened of you? No.” “I’d never hurt you.” “I know.” He tightened his arm around me as I turned in towards him, leaning my head against his chest. we sat there in silence, absorbing the warmth and essence of the other. I savoured the moment. This was what I wanted. Time when we were just together as a normal couple. I wanted an actual relationship, where we talked and shared our ideas and feelings. Maybe Killian wanted that, too. The intense e
I arrived at Marty’s Auto Repair at ten-thirty, hoping he had a car he could loan me. It was quite a walk to the Grey Goose and shifting into my wolf form to run down the street really wasn’t a good idea. If need be, I’d have to hire a cab. When I asked, Marty looked me up and down and smiled. “For a pretty girl like you…anything.” Expansively he waved his hand towards the rows of cars that were for sale. “Take your pick.” I forced myself not to roll my eyes at the mechanic, who obviously saw himself as something of a ladies’ man. He wasn’t that bad looking with short brown hair and a pleasant smile, but compared to Killian, he definitely fell into the ‘average’ category. Ignoring his flirting, I glanced over the line up then impulsively pointed to the end of the row. “That red one, the sports car.” “Ah! You’re a lady of discriminating taste, I can see.” Marty nodded at me knowingly. “Marlene, my girlfriend, has a fondness for that one too. Always wants to borrow it rather than
I was standing in the parking lot, waiting for Stephan. moments ago a thought crossed my mind. what if the Lone wolf Stephan intended to form a pack with was actually Viktor?, there weren't lone wolves in this part of town and Viktor certainly matches the description.Watching the traffic go by when someone's hand landed on my shoulder. Swinging around, my arm automatically rising in a defensive gesture, I laughed when I realized it was Stephan. He’d always enjoyed sneaking up on me, supposedly proving his superiority through his stealth. “Ha! Caught you off guard again, Hailey!” I playfully shoved his shoulder. “Stephan, quit doing that. You know I don’t like it.” He grinned at me before enveloping me in a bear hug. The hug lasted slightly longer than necessary and I extracted myself quickly, all too aware of how things could easily be misconstrued. “Stephan, I called you for an important reason. That wolf you were meeting with, the one who wants to start a new pack, what was his
I stormed up the stairs towards the bedroom. The front door slammed behind as Killian entered, but I didn’t look back. my emotions were vacillating rapidly, at the moment anger was foremost. How dare Killian accuse me of infidelity? Once in our room, I headed for the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Running cold water, I splashed some on my face, trying desperately to cool down. I was so hot, my nerves were on edge, my skin was crawling... Leaning against the vanity, I looked into the mirror. Oh great! It was last night all over again, eyes dilated, cheeks flushed, rapid breathing. At least this time Killian was here, but jumping into bed with me probably wasn’t his main priority right now, and quite frankly, I was too upset with him to find the idea very appealing either. The door handle rattled. “Hailey, come out of there this instant!” “Keep your shirt on!” I shouted back. The sound of Killian huffing and stomping away followed my comment. I considered staying in the bat
I fought to suppress it, to hang on to my anger but logic was slipping away. Without even realizing it, I was drawing him close, needing what only he could give. A deep rumble sounded in Killian's chest as he stared down at me, his expression almost feral. His rage, just like mine, had been replaced by a hot, hard wildness that demanded he claim me. And, when he did, I did nothing to stop him, encouraging him with soft whimpers and gasps, caressing his strong body, breathless yet urging him to ease the ache that clawed at me. I pulled him closer, demanding more, needing more, begging him not to stop. The tension was unbearable. I was on the brink, ready to go over the edge, when the fringes of my mind sensed a change. Through passion hazed eyes, I saw Killian looming over me. His lips were pulled back, his canines were extending. A frisson of fear shot through me and I tried to focus, tried to make sense of what was happening except an all too familiar tingle was overtaking me. My
A week later, the world felt a little flatter. The police had finally wrapped up their investigation. It was a random act of violence, they said. Lucy, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A stupid, pointless loss. The idea that Aldrich wouldn’t be blamed for anything grated on me, but I knew involving him would open a can of worms I wasn’t ready to deal with. It wouldn’t bring Lucy back anyway.We brought her home, to Stump River. The town was in mourning. Armand was a shadow of himself, the twinkle gone from his eyes. He disappeared for days after the service and I wondered if he’d turned into a bear and wandered off to grieve in the woods. Were his emotions as raw when he was in animal form? Or did he spend his time scratching at trees, trying to claw the pain away? When he finally reappeared, he looked haggard, but there was a strange kind of peace in his eyes.Beth and Josh went all out with the newspaper article. Pictures of Lucy, smiling and laughing, filled the pages.
Morning. I reclined in the seat as Viktor slowly drove the car out of the parking garage. We’d talked on and off throughout the night and I’d finally accepted the truth of what he’d been telling me. I was becoming a werewolf. There’d been anger and tears; he’d apologized, even though forcing my transformation hadn’t been intentional. Eventually, I’d come to a sort of numb acceptance of the fact.However, my whole life was changing now. I wasn’t just Adriana Watson, waitress and journalism student. Now I was Adriana Watson, secret werewolf. From what I could gather from Viktor's ‘crash course in wolves,’ they were social creatures and lived in packs. There was an Alpha who kept everyone in line and made the important decisions, though pack meetings were held to discuss options. Full moons were a time to party and, if you were new to the whole werewolf thing like me, you had no control and transformed once a month. Older wolves could fight the effects if they wished, though most didn’
My heart pounded like a trapped animal as the lycans closed in, their red eyes burning into me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. These creatures were straight out of a nightmare."Adriana, get behind me," my voice was frantic as I shoved her aside, preparing to shift."Vik..." she whispered, clinging to my arm."Don't worry, Everything will be alright, just need to handle a few stray dogs that's all" I managed a reassuring smile, and then I charged. A towering black wolf replaced me, my fur bristling with tension.The air was thick with the metallic taste of blood and the sharp scent of fear. My senses were on high alert, every hair on my body standing on end. Dozens of pairs of eyes, glowing like embers, focused on me. A massive red lycan charged, but I was faster, slipping beneath its snapping jaws. I countered with a swift attack, his teeth sinking into the lycan's flesh.A deafening howl filled the cavern as the red lycan bucked me off, sending me crashing into the cold, damp
Adriana's povThe metallic tang of blood filled the air, thick and suffocating. Viktor and I stood frozen, our gazes glued to Aldrich's lifeless body slumped on the floor. A single, neat bullet hole marred his forehead. What the hell just happened?The echo of Mr. Greyson's voice shattered the stunned silence. "A pleasure to finally meet you both, Miss Watson and Viktor Donovan... or should I say Viktor Dominique?"My head snapped towards Viktor, relief flooding my chest at his presence. According to him, he was some kind of werewolf. Maybe, just maybe, with him by my side, I had a fighting chance.A nagging worry gnawed at me. If what Viktor said was true, then did that mean I wasn't entirely human? I shoved the thought aside. This wasn't the time to unravel my existential crisis. Getting out of this place alive was priority number one. Viktor could explain everything later.Viktor narrowed his eyes at Greyson, his voice laced with suspicion. "How'd you figure out my real name?"Grey
Viktor's povFollowing a hunch, I hailed a cab and rattled off the address for Greyson's estate. The city was a chaotic mess, a constant symphony of honking horns and shouted insults. I tuned it out, my gut churning with worry. My wolf whined its primal need to find Adriana, to know she was safe.The thought of her alone, grappling with the Change with no guidance, tore at me. Would her body and mind accept this forced transformation? Or would she fight it, a resistance that could be fatal according to Nadia? The icy grip of fear tightened around my heart.But then, a chilling logic surfaced. If she'd spilled the secret, if the wolves knew, she was already a dead woman walking. Was a swift death from the Change preferable to one at my hand? Could I even look her in the eye, deliver the killing blow?Alpha. Duty. The words echoed in my head, hollow and meaningless. Images of Adriana flooded my mind her warm brown eyes, the defiant lift of her chin, the way she'd make me laugh with her
Panic clawed at my throat as Lucy's ragged breaths became uneven. Her pale face, framed by blood-soaked blonde hair, sent a jolt of fear through me. My fingers trembled as I brushed her cheek, whispering her name, but there was no response. A string of curses ripped from my lips. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be hurt, possibly dying. This wasn't her mess. Lucy was pure sunshine, always radiating warmth and kindness. Guilt gnawed at me, reminding me of her playful teasing, the way she'd sashay around with a tray of drinks and a witty comment on her lips. I blinked back the moisture stinging my eyes. Steeling myself, I rose. Moving to the sofa, I sniffed where the unknown male's scent lingered. A scent and a maybe-name –l meager scraps of evidence in a city this size. The scent would be impossible to track, and "Greyson" meant nothing to me. What the hell was I supposed to do? Sirens wailed in the distance, a sharp reminder of the need to leave. Being caught at a crime scene would
The door suddenly opened and I was forced to abandon my conflicted thoughts. Jumping to my feet, I turned to face an obviously surprised Lucy. “Viktor, what are you doing here?” “Hi, Lucy. I… um… ” She walked up to me and kissed my cheek, before moving to take her coat off. “Never mind. I know the truth." “You do?” He stiffened, assuming the worst. “Of course. You’re sorry for your fight with Ria and came here to make up.” “Uh… Right. That’s it.” I latched onto the lifeline she’d unknowingly handed to me. “I’m here to make things right.” Lucy nodded, glancing at Adriana lying on the sofa, her face quickly changing from a happy to grin to real concern. “Oh, is she sick again?” “Yeah. She fainted coming into the building and I carried her up here. She has a fever. I was just going to give her an aspirin." “I’ll get some from the medicine cabinet.” Lucy turned to go. “No. I already checked. There isn’t any. Um… why don’t you sit with her and I’ll go to the store.” I f
I didn't know where she was. Just be quiet, I ordered myself, clenching my jaw. Creeping past the doorway, I peeked into the first room the bedroom. Clothes were strewn everywhere, a mishmash of Lucy's floral patterns and my own dark t-shirts. Her scent lingered, a familiar mix of lavender and something distinctly... her. The bathroom was empty, the towels abandoned in a heap. Back in the living area, a few papers lay scattered on the counter. Junk mail, bills, nothing interesting. But then aha! On a nearby table, Adriana laptop glowed, left open. Sitting down, I scanned the screen, my stomach tightening. My name stared back at me, bold and accusing, next to a picture file I knew for a fact I'd deleted. That little...! Somehow, she'd gotten more copies. Fury surged through me as I clicked on the document titled with my name. The more I read, the deeper my scowl became. By the time I reached the final paragraphs, I wanted to hurl the damn machine across the room. There it was, in bl
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Lucy stared at me with a frown. “You still don’t look so good.” We were leaning against the kitchen counter sipping coffee and preparing to start our day. I, however reluctantly, had to head off to meet with Aldrich, while Lucy was going to spend the morning taking a bus tour of the city that I had recommended. Rolling my eyes, I reassured Lucy, yet again. "Honestly, I'm fine. The fever broke last night. My arm's not as sore. It's just a lack of sleep and nerves over this meeting that are making me look less than prime. I'll go see Aldrich and give him this report while you take a tour of the city. Then we'll meet back here for lunch and go shopping." "Why don't you just e-mail the report and come with me?" I sighed. "I wish, but Aldrich hates e-mail. He wants face to face contact. I think he likes to watch people squirm." Seeing Lucy's concerned expression, I added a light laugh. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." "Well… if you're sure." "Go." I