S U M M E R
It was impossible to truly understand a man like Julian Wolf. Charming. Exceptionally educated. Irresistibly alluring. A notorious playboy. And arrogant? Without a doubt, but he was far less insufferable than I had initially thought. I was clueless about his motives or how he had managed to scare off two attackers and car thieves with just a glance. Yes, that piqued my curiosity, but I was a cautious person and intended to stay that way. Sitting in his car, the most stunning sports car I had ever experienced, left me feeling uneasy. He was overwhelming, a mystery I couldn't quite decipher, and that unsettled me. I had never visited the small, charming bar he brought me to, as he navigated the cozy space with the confidence of an owner. The bartender recognized him with a brief nod and promptly sent a waitress to our table. After placing our orders, an awkward silence enveloped us. What was I supposed to say to him? My daily routine took over, and I found myself bombarding him with questions. "Did you know those thieves? Did they realize you were a threat? Are you dangerous? Did you intimidate them?" He appeared relaxed, leaning back in his chair as if savoring the ambiance. "Well, I don’t know those two men, but I’m familiar with types like them. I believe they understood I was serious. Yes, I can be very dangerous, but only to those who try to cross me in my business. My brothers might have a different opinion. I don’t make threats; I’ve never needed to. Does that cover all your questions?" "Only the ones that immediately come to mind. I'm not entirely convinced by what you're saying." "You have me curious as well, Summer." My vodka sour arrived within minutes. Switching to alcohol over wine wasn't the best decision, but I was nervous. Hell, I was perspiring and ladies didn't do that around men. According to Melissa anyway. "Why curious? Because I didn't fall at your feet? Because men like you don't impress me, no matter how much you're worth on the Fortune 500 list?" "The Wolf family is listed on the Fortune 100 List, but who cares?" Goddamn the man. Even his snarky replies were appealing. "What are you curious about?" I pressed. "What you do for a living. Something tells me you're not a schoolteacher or salesclerk." "Good guess. My student loans will provide proof I'm neither. My work is handled in a stark, very dark environment. I get to play with cadavers, unveiling the harm they suffered before succumbing to fading away. I enjoy playing with intestines and draining blood. Does that sound like something you're interested in?" Yes, I was egging it on, but I couldn't help myself. I wasn't a pushover, no matter what the hottie thought. Why was my inner core already heated to about a million degrees? He cocked his head, a knowing smile crossing his face. "Ah, the fairly new medical examiner." "You know of my reputation?" "There's little that goes on in Cambridge I don't know about." "So, you're a legend around here." There was something sultry about his laugh that drew me in. "I'm no legend, just a businessman. Tell me about other aspects of your life other than carving up dead bodies. Now, I have a question for you. Does my confidence still turn you off?" Actually, I thought it was pretty sexy. I wasn't going to tell him that. “Not as much, but you do come on fast and hard. Be mindful of that next time." "Why, yes, ma'am." "Maybe I was a little harsh." "You were," he said in his deep voice that was like smooth velvet, "but I can be a jerk. Perhaps we can start over." His statement broke the ice, allowing me to feel more comfortable around him and one drink turned into two, our conversations centered on everything from our love of music to favorite movies. There was no discussion about his business or mine, no repulsive come-on techniques. Just... conversation. I liked him, his appeal not just about his dazzling good looks or angular face. When I noticed that over two hours had passed, he didn't push me to stay for another round, merely paying the tab and escorting me back to his car. I'd kept the location of where I lived from everyone except my closest friends. Few people had my new cellular number and I was cautious making new friends at all. But with him, I felt comfortable. Connected. Electrified. As he pulled into the driveway beside my tiny car, I was sad to see the night end. He didn't say anything, allowing the engine to idle as I gripped my clutch purse. Sighing, I made a decision I hoped I wouldn't regret. "Would you like to come in for a drink?" "Only if you have the time." Or the desire... I could feel the question in the air, but he was going to allow me to address our intense feelings. My entire body was vibrating from a level of energy and longing that I'd never experienced. Maybe it was the wine followed by vodka, but in the back of my mind I knew better. Karma had finally brought sunlight instead of wretched storms into my life. Maybe only for tonight. Maybe for longer. I wasn't a fool to believe this would lead anywhere else. But I also wasn't certain I cared. "I have the time. Tomorrow is Sunday." Oops. I'd lied to Melissa and my other friends. Another bad girl moment I'd admit to later. I opened the car door, still admiring the gorgeous sports car. I'd seen a fleet of them on commercials, but sitting in the butter-soft leather seats, inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla or something just as delicious, had reminded me of all the things I was missing out on in my life. Maybe Melissa was right. It was time to live a little. Or a lot. The stars were twinkling above me, which was a good sign. Only then did I think about the two men who'd tried to assault Melissa and me. What if Julian hadn't been there? And what the hell had he done to prevent them from attacking? My curiosity remained as high as the edge I had about the incident. I unlocked the front door, thanking the skies above my babe was staying elsewhere for the weekend. Melissa's insistence. I'd need to thank her later. Damn it. I couldn't help but smile as I welcomed him in, flicking on a few lights before making my way to the kitchen. "I don't have much to offer—just some wine, bourbon, and maybe vodka." "I'll take whatever you're having," Julian—his preferred name—said, leaning casually against the kitchen doorframe. His long, athletic legs were crossed at the ankles, and his hands rested in the pockets of his dark trousers. He continued to watch me with the same intensity that had captivated me all evening. Now, under the bright glow of the kitchen light, I could truly appreciate the depth of his striking eyes. They were enchanting, a gaze that would surely intimidate any adversary he encountered. "Make yourself comfortable," I said, turning away to focus on retrieving two rocks glasses and filling them with ice from the freezer. He remained silent as I mixed the drinks, opting for freshly squeezed orange juice with the vodka instead of the store-bought variety. "You’re not from around here," he remarked a moment later.S U M M E R"How can you tell? Is it my accent?" I had been informed that I carried a hint of a Virginia twang, a comment I only encountered after moving to Chicago for university.He chuckled, and the sound sent a rush of excitement through me, like fireworks. "Not really. It's easy to spot someone from a big city compared to the locals.""True enough. I’m from Richmond, Virginia. That’s where I grew up.""Why Cambridge? Not that I don’t appreciate the stunning scenery, but it’s quite a distance from home.""Simply put, I got a job offer."That was a bit of a stretch.Well, not entirely."I applied to around sixty forensic positions across the country. Most of the time, I was ignored, laughed at for my lack of experience, or told to come back when I was older. Seriously." As I turned to face him, I couldn’t help but gaze at him like a smitten girl.He took my words at face value, removing his jacket and rolling up his long white sleeves. His forearms were just as muscular as the rest
J U L I A N A hunter had ensnared his target. That thought consumed me as I kissed her for the second time. Yet, she wasn’t mine, and I had no right to be here. It wasn’t merely that I was a stranger to her; it was the unsettling sense that I somehow knew her. The reasons for this connection eluded me. Still, I craved her taste, her soft lips, and the gentle touch of her fingers as she fought to manage her overwhelming desires. Summer embodied sweetness and innocence, a woman deserving of reverence rather than the reckless abandon of a rogue like me. As our intimacy intensified, she didn’t seem to mind my dominance over her tongue or the time we shared. I could feel her awakening, her desires eclipsing the fear she had of the man who had likely saved her life. The reality was stark: two attackers had intended to end her life simply for the sake of their greed for the SUV. Her body pressed against mine, the intoxicating scent of her longing filling my senses. As I str
S U M M E RExhausted and dazed.There couldn't be two more fitting words in English. My vision was blurry, but I wanted to take in the sight of the massive man looming over me like a true ruler of the night.After a few blinks, I finally managed to pull his stunning figure out of the overwhelming haze of desire. His outfit, while perfectly tailored to his muscular frame, still didn’t do him justice.He was built like... well, there really wasn’t a word that could capture it. Broad shoulders, a chiseled abdomen, a slim waist, powerful legs, and striking forearms—all wrapped up in a towering six-foot-four frame of pure allure.And the things he could do with his tongue? Definitely sinful.Once he was fully undressed, he didn’t waste any time before returning to the bed. His intense, almost dangerous aura lingered. The shadows in the room danced wildly, as if they had a life of their own, creating a bizarre yet captivating backdrop.Even the moonlight seemed to caress his skin, giving i
S U M M E RMy office, which includes the lab and exam rooms, didn’t quite match the dramatic setups you see in thriller movies, but today, everything felt overshadowed.Maybe it was my dreary mood combined with the overcast sky that had me grumbling as I parked. My stomach was growling, but I hadn’t had a chance to eat after my quick shower.Even on a Sunday morning, the drive still took about fifteen minutes.I had just stepped out of my car when two other vehicles rolled into the lot. One was a classic black van, completely unmarked and with no rear windows. The other was a silver Prius—not the kind of car I’d expect an agent to drive, but practical nonetheless.I shut my car door and waited. I could see two hefty guys in the van, and the blonde getting out of the Prius was also a surprise.She looked to be in her thirties, attractive in a somewhat snobby Barbie doll way. Maybe I was judging too quickly.What really stood out was her gray pantsuit, which looked like it was straight
S U M M E RIt didn't take long for me to check the clock again. I wasn't shocked to see that an hour had passed. The findings were not what I had anticipated. After comparing the samples, all I found were those belonging to the victim. The blood matched.I still had a few more tests to conduct, capable of detecting even the tiniest traces of foreign DNA, but I wasn't feeling optimistic at this stage.I had determined that the claw marks were too large to belong to any bear native to this area. They resembled wolf prints, but no wolf I knew could leave such massive marks.I was stuck on how to wrap up the report.With a sigh, I took off the headgear that held the microscope light and stepped back. Maybe a cup of coffee would clear my head. We had a trusty Keurig in the lab, even though I had suggested it be moved to the break room. Today, I was thankful they ignored me.As the coffee brewed, I reflected on the results so far.Using an ambiguous label wouldn’t sit well with anyone, but
J U L I A NAs River swung open the door, I could see the surprise on his face when he spotted me.Honestly, I was a bit taken aback myself for showing up at my older brother's place.On a Sunday evening, no less.This wasn’t really my style. Sure, we were a tight-knit family, but there were certain times during the week when we all intentionally took a break from each other.Social media was the biggest nuisance out there.Though his daughter would probably disagree, as she was all about it."Did the world end, or did your house explode?" River joked, chuckling as he stepped back to let me in. For a guy who usually donned only the finest handmade suits from his Italian tailor at work, he looked surprisingly laid-back.Dressed in jeans and a Chicago Bulls hoodie.At least he had good taste."Or maybe you just couldn't resist my fabulous company from yesterday," he quipped."You, the construction worker? Not quite. I just wanted to pick your brain," I replied, shutting the door behind
J U L I A NRiver stayed quiet while I downed my drink, then topped off my glass. "What’s up? Is it the anger from the meeting?""Nope. It’s because a woman I’m really into was nearly attacked. I just reacted. I almost took out those two guys right in front of her.""You acted without thinking?""Yeah.""And did you shift?"I sighed and shook my head. "Not completely, but I was close. I could feel my wolf itching to break free. The urge for blood was overwhelming. I could see those guys' veins pulsing and wanted to tear them apart." I barely recognized my own voice.He rubbed his jaw and looked away. "We can’t let that happen. We’ve come too far and have too much at stake. Whatever’s going on, we need to stay focused on our daily lives and our beliefs. I’m starting to sound like Calix. I don’t care about their rules anymore.""They’ve kept us safe and out of trouble. Don’t think I don’t realize that.""Don’t get defensive with me. You’re the last person I’d expect to lose control. Wha
S U M M E RLife had been a bit chaotic, and I felt that intensity magnified over the past few years.I was content with the path I had chosen, yet the echoes of my past were always lurking.Perhaps everyone needed those reminders to avoid making the same errors again.At least I had moved on from my old life and the guy who tried to hold me back, seeking new adventures.Still, it came with its share of headaches.I kept seeing the wolf card and let out a sigh. I really shouldn’t have stepped into that shop.Lumia's response was still heavy on my mind. The whole thing felt surreal, to say the least.Here I was, a scientist, and I couldn’t come up with a solid explanation.I knew I wouldn’t find any answers on a Sunday night.I knocked on the turquoise door of the charming Cape Cod house, feeling a bit hesitant as I waited. There was never a clear sign of how my almost sister-in-law would be feeling. Emily Abbott seemed like a genuinely good person. She was a wonderful aunt to my daugh
S U M M E RWolves were definitely real and super dangerous. This one looked like it could end my life and have me for dinner. Something inside me said I needed to face this beast before my time was up. I dropped to my knees, trying to steady my breathing while I searched for something to use as a weapon. Luck was on my side for a moment, and I found a sturdy piece of wood. But I was running out of time. In a last-ditch effort to escape, I took off in a different direction, sprinting as fast as I could. I didn’t even notice I was heading back toward the driveway until the bright lights came into view. I felt a wave of relief, but it quickly faded when I turned around. I had seen that video too many times—the guy coming back to life. The blurry footage had shown me enough horror and fascination as I watched him grow larger, his spine twisting. But those white lights wrapped around the trees gave me a chilling realization.I could no longer hide behind science.The high-pitched howl
S U M M E R“What are you doing?”The wind wailed like a mournful wolf, whisking my words away into the night. I pressed on the sharp edges of pebbles and stones biting into my worn tennis shoes. Despite my cautious escape, I quickly felt lost. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through me, keeping my mind sharp for the moment. But I wondered how long that clarity would last amidst my swirling emotions. Suddenly, I stumbled forward, losing my footing on a smooth stone. The sounds of rushing water surrounded me, leaving me uncertain of the river's depth. Damn it, I had lost my way in the darkness. Clearly, my eyesight was no match for a wolf's. Shit. I felt the urge to shout out one of my favorite movie lines at the top of my lungs.“Why can’t I have a normal boyfriend?”Instead of a savage wolf.It was ridiculous to think that way, but my mind was incapable of processing it any other way. I’d just seen the most bizarre yet insanely gorgeous eyes that were entirely those of a wolf.
J U L I A N“You witnessed the beginning of their shift with your own eyes.”“I was exhausted. I was angry at being forced into working on a case that shouldn’t have been mine. Nothing else.”Her fear had finally stripped her of being able to look outside her scientific box.I wasn’t going to get into a brutal verbal game I wouldn’t win. At least not at this point. “You should try and get some sleep. You’re exhausted and overwrought. I’ll show you where your room is. I assure you that I won’t bother you tonight.” When she continued to glare at me, I stood and started to walk away.As much as I adored her, humans could be a pain in the ass. Work needed to begin in the lab almost immediately. However, the FBI also needed to be watched. I would assign Calix to that duty. He would enjoy aggravating members of the FBI.“I know what I witnessed in that lab those two horrible days. The incidents are unexplainable, especially to a doctor of science, but I cannot and will not believe one hundr
J U L I A N"She’s one of a kind," my mother remarked, observing Summer from the kitchen. "She will provide the strength you’ve been seeking. Embracing the role of a leader was always meant to be your path." My path. At some point, someone would need to clarify that idea for me. I had thought my path was to manage a billion-dollar enterprise, but I wasn’t about to contest her words.I turned my gaze toward the woman in question, unsure of how to respond. "She’s struggling with this, as you can imagine. The doctor in her is skeptical about every detail."Mother gently redirected my attention back to her. "And rightly so. Did you not anticipate this, my son? Can you fathom what she’s experiencing? She’s grappling with the betrayal of something she has trusted her entire life. You must allow her the time she needs to come to terms with it and be there for her when she does."How could anyone come to terms with the reality that at least one of her biological parents was a creature of the
J U L I A NMore Alpha wolves laughed and I had to admit her theory was difficult to believe. “Is that possible, Marla?”She scoffed. “I don’t know. Has it occurred in other species? Yes, but if Doctor Willis is correct and the DNA cells are changing often, it could be like chasing our tail. We’d need to get ahead of the mutated cells. Not impossible but very difficult.”“What about infecting the Wolfen? Is that a possibility?” Calix smartly asked.Marla sighed. “I don’t know that answer either. I’m being honest. While I’ve been studying our cells in both an attempt to ward off human diseases and lengthen our lives, I’ve also handled the research in reverse. However, I’m nowhere near being able to make any assumptions.”“There is new research that could help,” Summer suggested. “I’m somewhat familiar with it. It uses the results from testing both humans and animals of varying species. It’s still considered new with no conclusions, but you may be able to make some advances.”“Science-f
J U L I A NSummer disregarded the rules and the fear of rejection. She advanced with her iPad in hand, her fingers racing across the screen. "Look for yourself. Explain what I'm seeing. Convince me that what I witnessed isn't real. And tell me again that werewolves don't exist." She passed the device to me, letting me hand it to Eliza first. I wasn't sure if Eliza was convinced, but he was definitely focused. He glanced at me, his lingering animosity evident. “If it's not werewolves, then we have another mystery on our hands," I informed them. “We need to compare DNA with ours." “Who will do that?" another Alpha inquired. “Doctor Willis will," I replied, and all eyes turned to Summer. I felt a surge of pride as she stood her ground, matching their stares. The iPad circulated among the group, many men and most women visibly unsettled. I could sense their tension deep within me, but I doubted it would suffice. Eliza suddenly erupted in laughter. "This is ridiculous. Just a film
J U L I A NFear was something I might have felt as a kid, but by the time I grew up, I was scared of nothing. The intense feeling of terror in Summer was both shocking and enlightening. The Wolfen had gotten cocky, stuck in their ways of pretending to be something they weren't. We lost our edge when we fully embraced humanity. Money, influence, power—we thought we had it all figured out, expecting our needs to be met forever. If werewolves were trying to carve out a place in this world, we had definitely lost our direction. Complacency was creeping in, and that could lead us straight into fear. Maybe this was the punishment we deserved, long overdue. My mom always warned our pack to be diligent in training the young and to protect our own. Sadly, her advice was ignored, and many left to escape the Wolfen rules. I believe that was the start of our downfall. It was already evident, even though sharing that River and I had taken out four werewolves before they fully transformed wo
J U L I A NSummer inhaled deeply and held her breath. As she had done countless times before, she searched my eyes for the truth.But was it her truth? I couldn't be sure.Surprisingly, she didn't seem as shocked as I had anticipated."Part wolf," she echoed.I nodded, realizing there was little more to say at that moment. I sensed a part of her growing numb, while another part—her sharp intellect—was busy processing and formulating questions, crafting rationalizations that her mind could accept.After a brief pause, she turned her gaze to the fire. "That explains why my childhood wolf experience was real. You protect your own. The wolf was there to save one of its kind.""That's likely. Female wolves are rarer. But I wasn't present when you were rescued. What I can share is that we do save humans. Often, the potential victim remains unaware. Our packs include doctors and dentists, surgeons and scientists. There are individuals so strong they can lift a car to prevent a human from be
J U L I A NAs the engine fell silent, she hesitated for a moment before opening her door. Stepping outside, her anxiety was more palpable than before. "Julian, I really don’t like this. Being away from my daughter, worrying about my lab, and not knowing what’s happening. I feel like an outsider, no matter how you spin it. My background is different, wolf or not."I shut the door and made my way around to her side. "What do you mean by that?""You’re a billionaire, and I come from a struggling family. I juggled two jobs while in high school just to save for college. My first year was spent at community college to keep my finances afloat. I’m not in your world."I stepped closer, invading her personal space until she finally smiled and placed her hand on my chest. "You mean a lot to me.""Don’t say that. You’re a terrible person, and I’m not sure I like you at all.""That’s not what you said in the elevator. I remember it quite well—"Summer snapped her fingers in front of my lips. "Th