"How can you be so calm about this?" Dale’s gaze shifted from the window, where he stood—staring at Juke’s house. He’d been standing there ever since Juke and Paul left to pack. His breath fogged the glass as he leaned closer, straining for any sign of movement in the house across the street."How come you’re not?" Kirk asked from the doorway, his voice light, as though this were just another casual afternoon. He strolled further into the living room, his footsteps muffled by the plush rug."This is all new to me, and you know it." Dale turned, resting his back against the cold glass, the chill seeping through his shirt and making him shiver. His arms folded defensively over his chest, and he let out a sharp breath.Kirk, ever unbothered, strolled over and placed a hand on Dale’s arm, his fingers trailing just under his shoulder. "Didn't lover boy float your boat last night?" Kirk tilted his head, a knowing grin spreading across his face.Dale pushed off the window, his movements shar
Wait a minute—hadn't Juke say only an alpha could change people to wolves? His venom would just kill them... Shit.What choice did he have? Go to Greenland with the hot guys, or stay here in the States and become a mass murderer—not by choice—through instinct.The truth was a bitter pill to swallow. There was no real choice in this. He had to go, whether he wanted to or not. Juke had claimed him, and if he ordered him to go with them, Dale knew he’d have a hard time trying to refuse his request. Did he even want to refuse?His mind wavered, battling stubbornness and practicality. He sat down heavily on the arm of the sofa, running a hand through his hair, the strands sticking up like a bird’s nest after all his nervous pacing. He let out a sharp exhale, staring at the floor.He was just being stubborn—and without good reason. What was the worst that could happen?I’d get a free skiing holiday out of it, he thought, trying to muster some humor to push through the rising panic. Then, un
Back in his room, Dale sat on his bed, his hands covering his face, fingernails digging into his scalp as the reality of his situation crashed over him like a tidal wave of ice water.What the fuck?The taste of bile rose in his throat as Kirk's words echoed in his mind. His chest tightened with each ragged breath, and his skin crawled, knowing what lurked beneath it. The wolf. His wolf. The mere thought sent tremors through his hands.He knew Kirk wouldn't lie. The truth of it sat like lead in his gut—he would change into some loathsome snarling creature, his features twisted and distorted into something as ugly as fuck. Like the one he saw in his nightmare, all razor fangs and wild eyes. The image burned behind his eyelids, refusing to fade."Why me?" The words came out as a broken whisper. "Why did I always get the shit end of the stick?" His tears fell hot and fast, and he didn't try to stop them. The salt stung his lips as they dripped down his face.This was fucked up.His stoma
When the buzzer rang out, Dale picked up his bag, the handle creaking under his white-knuckled grip. "I'll get it!" he shouted to Kirk, his voice rough with emotion. He yanked open the door with enough force to make the hinges groan.There stood Juke and Paul, looking far too calm for Dale's liking. The sight of them only stoked the flames of his anger higher. Without warning, he tossed his bag straight at Juke's face, satisfaction coursing through him as it sailed through the air."Here take this, dickhead." The suitcase bounced off Juke's chest with a solid thud, but his alpha's reflexes were too quick—he caught it before it hit the ground. The confused look that crossed Juke's face as he turned to Paul only infuriated Dale more. His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, caught between submission to its alpha and sharing its mate's rage."What did I do?" Juke asked Paul, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion. Paul just stood there, eyes wide as saucers, looking between them lik
Dale showered and changed in less than ten minutes. He didn't want Juke to come at him again. What a difference from the man that held him so tenderly the night before! He had sensed Juke's struggle with his gender. But did he have to call him a bitch boy? He guessed he deserved what Juke had done to him.To be fair, he had been resistant to believing he would turn into a werewolf on the next full moon, and if Kirk hadn't made things a lot clearer for him, he’d still be in denial—just like Juke said.The truth was a bitter pill to swallow, but he would.However, if Juke thought he was getting away with frightening the fuck out of him, he’d better think again. Dale didn't know when, and he didn't know how. But he wasn’t going to let this one go.Dale checked around his room, everything was as it should be. He picked up the ski jacket Kirk had given him, and ma
Paul remained silent, his shoulders hunched as they made their way through the bustling airport. The wheeled suitcase trailed behind him, making a rhythmic clicking against the tile floor. Even as they went through check-in, Juke spoke for him, his deep voice carrying an edge of authority that made the staff snap to attention. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows under Paul's eyes, making him look even more miserable than he probably felt.Try as he might, Kirk couldn't get Paul to say anything. The usually chatty wolf only looked at him with sorrow-filled eyes, dimmed with distress, before darting a glance at Juke and lowering his gaze again. His fingers twitched at his sides as if fighting the urge to respond to Kirk's gentle prodding.The tension radiating from Paul was thick enough to choke on. Dale's wolf stirred restlessly under his skin, picking up on the distress of a packmate. He couldn't take it anymore."How long are you going to keep Paul like this?" Dale asked, tryin
Juke tilted his head, closed his eyes, and rubbed his eyelids with the heel of his palms. When he opened them again, his gaze fixed on Dale with laser focus."What is it your people say...you have yet another bug up your ass?" He rearranged his shopping bags between his legs, the plastic rustling with the movement."You're the bug in my ass." Dale hissed under his breath and slid down the seat, putting space between them. The vinyl squeaked beneath him as he moved. Juke grabbed his bags and scooted up to him, closing the gap with predatory intent."What is it I have not done this time? Did you not find Paul to be an adequate teacher while I shopped for souvenirs?""I didn't ask him anything. So I guess the answer is no. Why aren't you telling me the things I need to know?" Dale stared at Juke, willing him to understand the depth of his feelings—if the alpha wasn't already digging around in his head to hear it.His chest felt tight with all kinds of emotions, each one new and frighteni
Dale felt Juke's hand tighten on his arm as they reached the arrival lounge, the grip just shy of painful. His mate's fingers trembled slightly against his skin as they stopped short, the fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows across Juke's suddenly pale face.He'd continued to drag Dale along with him after telling Paul to collect their bags and keep Kirk with him. The words were clipped and tense. He'd prefer to face his father without Kirk in tow—that much was crystal clear from the anxiety rolling off him in waves.The smell of coffee and pastries from nearby shops mixed with the sharp scent of fear-sweat coming from Juke made Dale's sensitive nose twitch. He could hear the rapid thudding of his mate's heart, matching the frantic rhythm of his own. The bustling crowd parted around them like water around a stone, giving them a clear view of the group waiting ahead.Dale sensed Juke's turmoil and waited patiently by his side, fighting the urge to fidget under the weight of unseen
Kirk skidded to a halt, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Sweat trickled down his brow despite the cool forest air. He looked around, sniffing the air, frowning.Why is Juke’s scent fading instead of growing stronger?"You idiot," a voice growled. "You're going the wrong way."Kirk spun around, searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" he asked."It's me, you fool. Zane. Your wolf."Kirk's jaw dropped. "My, what now? You can talk.”“Not only can I talk! I also know how to say you're an asshole in several languages—would you like to hear?”“No…Where are you?"“Where the hell do you think I am?” the voice tsked. “If brains were dynamite, we’d be in trouble.” Kirk didn’t know how he knew but felt his wolf face-palmed before speaking again with a sigh. “I’m you, and you are me. So dipstick, where the hell do you think I’d be?”“Are you in my head?”“No, I'm lurking behind that bush over there. Come find me.” Zane let out a huff that sounded like another sigh. "You can
Paul felt a mild scratching inside his head—someone was trying to mind-link him. He moved outside the packhouse and closer to the trees near the training field. Juke’s voice entered his head.“Paul, can you hear me?”“Yes, Alpha.”“That’s good. I thought I was out of range.”“You were. I’m in the woods. What’s new?”“The vampire scenting was a ruse to throw me off what’s happening here. We have a traitor in the pack, someone close enough who knows my actions well.”“Other than Jazz and myself, who knows you that well?”“I am still trying to figure it out.”“Could it be someone who knows you well, but you're not close with them? You know, like a stalker.”“That’s possible. It’s not as if my personality is a closed book. Anyway, send this message to my dad. He is to check the pack for a missing person. He can sense them, but they would not be close or assigned off-site tasks. ”“Why?”“Because whoever took Dale is still out here with him. There is no way they had time to return to the p
Kirk's silver eyes darted around the room, taking in his surroundings with an unnerving intensity. His nostrils flared as he inhaled, processing the scents around him. When he spoke, his voice was rough and strained."Water... I need water."Jazz fetched a glass of water while Paul and Leah helped Kirk sit up. He gulped down the water when Jazz handed it to him, droplets spilling down his chin. As he drank, the silver glow in his eyes faded, returning to their normal color."How do you feel?" Paul asked, still supporting Kirk's back.Kirk lowered the empty glass, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I feel... different. Reborn, almost. It's like all my senses have been dialed up to eleven. I can hear your heartbeats, smell the fear lingering in the air, see dust motes dancing in the sunlight."He swung his legs over the edge of the table, testing his balance. "Everything's so clear, so vivid. It's overwhelming."Jazz exchanged a glance with Paul. "Kirk, do you remember what happened?"
Jared threw Kirk to the ground. Grabbing his neck, Kirk yelled. “You cocksucking motherfucker. What happened to giving a guy the heads-up?” Kirk’s eyes rolled back in his head as he continued his tirade. “I hope you rot in hell plagued with a gay virus that turns you into a bottom that’s shagged so hard you gain a second asshole. Fucking wanker.”He didn’t hear the other’s response to his verbiage as he faded into the nothingness that welcomed him.“Dad! What have you done?” Jazz asked, eyes wide with disbelief.“I turned him just like he wanted. It's up to him now if he lives or dies.” Jared tsked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, then cleaning his hand on his pants.“That’s not what I meant. Did you have to be so vicious?”“He shouldn’t have pissed me off. Anyway, he had it coming.” Jared glared at the unconscious Kirk lying motionless on the ground, still gripping the wound on his neck, and nudged him with his foot. “What’s with the fussing? He’s not dead—not yet, anyway
“Roran, calm down. You’re making me anxious. Let’s think this through.”“What do you mean human?” If the situation weren’t so dire, Juke would have laughed at Roran's attempt to insult him by calling him human.“The clothes are Dale’s, but they’re the clothes he borrowed from Kirk. We bought him new ones. The blood is fresh but not enough to cause any life-threatening damage. The vampire scent is stale, probably used to throw us off. Arif is a vile, ruthless creature, but even he has a bottom line, and collaborating with vampires is one of them.” Juke waited for Roran to stop pacing as the fog of panic began to subside.“You’re saying this is staged for my benefit.”“Yes, they knew we would search for Dale in wolf form. They knew you would turn primal in your desire to save our mate. They assumed I would give you full control, and I almost did until I saw the shirt.”“So the one who did this knows us well?”“Yes. We have a traitor, and he is someone close. They know our full strength
While they were in the conference room, Juke’s wolf began to pace in his mind.“Roran, what is it? What as you so restless?”“Something is wrong. I can’t feel my little wolf anywhere. Juke, we must find him.”“Are you sure?”“Don’t ask ridiculous questions, and go look for him.” Roran's voice rang loud inside Juke’s head.Juke turned to his father. “Dad, I’d like to leave if you can continue without me. Something is wrong with Dale. I have to check it out.”Juke's father nodded, concern etching his features. "Of course, son. Find him. Let us know if you need help."Without another word, Juke bolted from the room, his heart pounding in sync with Roran's anxious pacing. He raced through the corridors of the main house, checking rooms as he went and reaching out with his mind, desperately searching for any trace of Dale's presence.Nothing.Panic rose in his chest when he didn’t find Dale in their bedroom. Juke burst out into the cool mid-morning air. He paused, scenting the wind, hoping
The morning was filled with stretches and lunges—Dale’s Adam's apple bobbed up and down, fighting back his arousal as he swallowed in the masculine scent of Juke, his mate, who hovered over him, pressing and pulling at his limbs. His expression—serious.“Cut it out, Dale.”Wide-eyed with innocence, Dale asked, “Cut what out?” he swallowed, “I’m not doing anything.”“I can smell your arousal.” Juke stroked Dale’s hair, then patted his head. “So stop it. I’ve been holding back for fear of hurting the pups. It’s been a while since we…you know—I’m just a man, and my wolf is an animal in every sense.”“It’s not me. It’s Zander—he says he’s weak but keeps flashing images of you looking hot, naked, and sweaty. He keeps telling me he wants to be mounted by his mate, and your scent is killing him.”“Got it.” Juke sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Zander is going to have to wait. Sex in wolf form is safer for the pups.”“Why do you keep saying pups? What if I only have one?”“That would
Dale leaned into Juke's embrace, his heart still racing. "So it's true? What, Zander said?"Juke nodded, his chin resting on Dale's shoulder. "Yes, most of it's true. Your wolf manifesting like this means you're close to your first shift. I'm sorry I didn't prepare you better. It's difficult to know what to tell you. As a changeling, I wasn't sure how it would happen for you."Dale pulled back, looking into Juke's eyes. "But why does he sound so much like Kirk? Is that normal?"Juke chuckled. "Your wolf often reflects opposite aspects of your personality or people who are important to you. If Zander reminds you of Kirk, it's probably because Kirk's humor and attitude have rubbed off on you more than you realize."Dale groaned. "Great. So I have an internal Kirk to deal with too.""Look at it this way," Juke said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "At least you'll always have someone to crack jokes with, even alone."Dale rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "I guess that's one way
Dale left Juke in the bedroom and went about his morning routine. He hummed tunelessly as he prepared to brush his teeth, staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror and wondering what the night would bring.It was early, and he was getting ready to start the day, fighting back the anxiety brewing within. "Just another day," he said, trying to reassure himself, spitting into the sink."Hardly," a deep voice rumbled in his head.Dale almost swallowed his toothbrush. He whirled around, spraying toothpaste across the mirror. "Who said that?""I did. Let me introduce myself. Hi, I'm Zander."Dale stared at his reflection, his heart pounding. “Are you speaking from inside… my head?” Juke hadn’t told him to expect anything like this. Was this some…prank? Were the others outside laughing at him? Using this to try and ease his fears. Well, it wasn’t working—it was making things worse. This would be Kirk’s brilliant idea. He patted his pocket and scanned the room for a hidden speaker."N