S U M M E R
“We’re doing what?” I asked, stumbling as my best friend Melissa yanked me onto the sidewalk. Great, just what I needed—another birthday where I might end up face-first on the ground. That would make it two years in a row spent mostly in the hospital. “Come on! It’s going to be awesome. An experience! You need to let loose a bit.” “Let loose? I’ve been dragged all over the place today, all thanks to you.” I pulled my wrist free from her tight grip, wincing a little. Her nails were sharp and perfectly manicured, a bold red that matched her vibrant personality. Meanwhile, my nails were a mess, with uneven lengths and rough cuticles, according to the girl who did our manicures. A birthday gift, I guess. I wasn’t really into girls’ day outs, but Melissa had practically kidnapped me. “You think getting my palm read is fun?” I huffed, smoothing down my dress. The outfit was new, just like my overly fluffy hairstyle, both of which were Melissa’s doing. She was a wild spirit at heart. By day, she was a responsible pediatrician; by night, a total free spirit. “You’re not getting your palm read, silly. It’s tarot card reading.” “Same thing! And why today of all days?” Her tall heels clicked against the uneven sidewalk, and I struggled to keep up with her long strides. Those stilettos didn’t seem to faze her, while I was still worried about taking a tumble. “Because it’s your birthday, darling! Don’t you want to know your fortune?” “If we hadn’t just experienced eating an entire cow for lunch, I’d recommend getting Chinese food. That way I could get that happy little fortune.” “As long as you add between the sheets to the end.” She laughed in her subtle yet provocative tone. It was the very one that attracted every red-blooded male this side of the Massachusetts. She was the resident bad girl that had managed to attach herself to me shortly after my arrival in Cambridge. I was the good girl who kept to herself and liked it that way. What was wrong with sobbing over old movies? “What?” “Yep. You’re supposed to end every fortune with between the sheets afterwards. It would do you some good since you haven’t gotten laid for half your life.” “You’re such a bitch.” “I know,” Melissa cooed. “Which is why you love me.” She was outgoing. I was a wallflower. She was beautiful. I was plain. Although I had to admit today, I’d gotten a few looks from passing men. I chalked it up to the ridiculously tight dress she’d made me buy. The fruffy—her favorite word—material probably made me look like a water buffalo. “Not today. Likely never again. I don’t like the occult.” “It’s all fun and nothing else. You know that. You keep telling me you’re a scientist and don’t believe in the paranormal.” She had a point like she always did, but my grandmother had read the cards much to the chagrin of my mother. I’d begged the woman to read mine when I was ten years old. She hadn’t wanted to, but I was an excellent beggar. She’d stopped midway through, refusing to finish or tell me what she’d seen. But I’d seen the card. As a kid, it had terrified me even if I hadn’t known what it meant. A wolf. I noticed the sign up ahead and groaned. “I don’t like this.” “You don’t like anything outside of your comfort zone, which consists of dead bodies, slimy internal organs, draining blood, and cartons of chocolate ice cream topped with hot fudge.” For most people, describing the work of a medical examiner wouldn’t be done alongside remarking on a frozen treat. But Melissa wasn’t most people. “I’m perfectly comfortable.” “Uh-huh. In gray scrubs and nasty tennis shoes. That sounds comfy to me. Humor me and I’ll take you to get some ice cream.” She even had the nerve to use a funny voice at the end like she was bribing a child to be good. If I didn’t truly adore the woman, I’d walk home. After changing back into my beloved tennis shoes. “We’re here. Suck it up,” she said. “Melissa.” “Don’t Melissa me.” She looked at me and rolled her eyes, which she usually did at least twice whenever we got together. Sadly, our work ethics and long hours prevented us from doing that very often. “Fine. But I will get you for this.” “There you go,” she cooed. “I love it when you get angry.” The woman had no idea just how angry I could get. She threw open the glass door and a small bell jingled in the process. The small shop faced a busy downtown street on a bustling Saturday, but there were no other customers inside. Just creepy music and a round table covered in a blue, gauzy-looking tablecloth that had stars on it. “This is a joke,” I told her. My teeth were gritted. The place was freezing. “Oh, come on. Look around you. It’s quaint.” “Quaint? The pink building with pretty little flowers in flower boxes across the street is quaint. This is hokey-pokey fake.” There had to be two dozen candles lit and flickering. My guess was whatever the horrific scent was, it was meant to be soothing. “Just don’t embarrass me.” “Me with you? I think you mean the other way around, darlin’.” My bestie didn’t have a chance to quip her sarcastic response. A draped doorway was suddenly thrown open, a girl with long raven hair walking out with a bit too much flair. She was right out of the stuff I’d seen in the movies. “How may I help you?” She had a lovely voice and she was so young it threw me. At least she wasn’t dressed like a gypsy, wearing jeans and a flowered top like a teenager would. Wait a minute. I was going to have my future read by a girl who was much younger than me? “I don’t think so,” I said as I tried to turn around to flee. There was something about the moment and even the thought of going through the experience that troubled me tremendously. Maybe it was about the warning my grandmother had given me after ceasing her session. “The cards are evil for you, my child.” Evil. I’d never thought I’d hear my grandmother say something like that. “Oh, no, you don’t,” Melissa barked like a drill sergeant. She jerked my arm again and I just knew I was going to have bruises come tomorrow. “Ouch.” “I’ll bop you in the face next time. We’re here for a reading. It’s my friend’s birthday. I’m paying for it,” my bestie announced, like it was something important. And the girl couldn’t care less. She simply motioned me to the table while speaking to Melissa. “That will be thirty-four fifty.” “Ouch,” I said again. I gingerly sat down on the chair. I don’t know what I was afraid of, but my teeth were definitely chattering. Maybe it was because the air conditioning unit was on full blast. Melissa glared at me and pulled out her wallet. When we were all paid up, the girl pulled a set of cards from behind the small counter. I could tell she was bored with her work and wasn’t taking the reading any more seriously than I was. Still, with the gothic music and the stench in the shop, I half expected to see mist coming from the shadowed corners of the walls. “What is your name?” she asked. “Summer.” “Powerful yet innocent.” “And yours?” I could almost feel Melissa breathing down my neck. She was way too excited with this while I was ready for a nap. “Lumia.” “Beautiful name.” Her eyes flicked up to mine and it felt as if she was able to look straight into my soul. As she selected one card, Strength, explaining something about kindness and tolerance being needed to guide my chariot, I almost nodded off. I must have reacted badly because Melissa punched me in the arm. The second card was a little happier. Lovers. Yeah. Maybe Melissa would get her wish after all. She’d been bugging me for weeks to find a hunky older man and have sweaty, rough, and filthy sex. Not in this girl’s lifetime. The next one was Justice and Lumia seemed perplexed. She even used the term retribution more than once. I slowly glanced over my shoulder at Melissa who shrugged. When the Devil card was followed by Mr. Death himself, I’d had enough. “Oh, come on. This is fixed.” The girl shook her head and I could swear she was shaking. “Not fixed. True.” I started to get up, but Melissa shoved me hard enough that I almost flipped her off, just like she loved. “Stay,” she hissed. “I don’t think we should keep going,” Lumia said. “Oh, come on,” I teased her. I wasn’t mad at her, just frustrated with my soon-to-be ex-best friend for dragging me into this mess. Lumia looked totally out of it, her face twisting like she was in some horror flick where the victims always met a gruesome end. Wow, my imagination was really running wild! Lumia finally swallowed and drew another card, looking pretty down. She was great at faking horror, but there was confusion in her eyes too. “What’s up?” Melissa asked. “The Wolf.” “O-kay. What does that mean?” Lumia shook her head repeatedly, looking as pale as a ghost. Was she about to faint? “It’s not supposed to be here. Not in this deck.” “Maybe they got mixed up by accident,” Melissa suggested, but Lumia wasn’t buying it. “A dangerous man is going to change your future. Be careful. Be very careful.” She gathered the cards and shot up from the table. She walked away, making it clear that we were done. “Did I say something wrong?” I asked. “Clearly, you did. But you were a good sport.” That’s when I flipped her off, which sent her into fits of laughter. Meanwhile, that reading was stuck in the back of my mind, and I didn’t like it at all.J U L I A NCalix hopped off his Harith, his frustration bubbling over. “Can you believe this crap?” he exclaimed. I totally got why my younger brother was so worked up, but his dramatic flair was starting to wear on me. “It’s a directive from the Council of Wolves. Honestly, I’m surprised you even showed up,” River replied, arms crossed over his broad chest. His deep voice carried the same irritation I was feeling. While Calix looked like he was ready for a magazine cover, all polished and perfect, River had that rugged vibe that screamed danger. He was decked out in worn jeans with ripped knees, a dark tee splattered with red paint, and a flannel shirt that had definitely seen better days. His tough boots and scruffy beard from his recent getaway just added to that raw masculinity we both inherited. There were already a few dozen wolves milling around, all Alphas in their own right. More were expected to show up. The Wolfen rules were no joke—punishments could be severe, inclu
S U M M E R“I don’t fit in here.” I had to shout over the thumping drums. “Cut it out,” Melissa scolded. “You look amazing, babe.” “Amazing? I feel like I’m stuck in some ridiculous plastic wrap.” The bright red dress clung to me so tightly I could hardly breathe. “Seriously, stop it,” Carmilla piped up, her voice way higher than usual. I was surprised she even decided to join us tonight. She absolutely loathed dance clubs. Total accountant vibes, for sure. Yeah, I know, I’m stereotyping. “More drinks, bartender!” Susan was in her zone, acting like nothing could bother her. I just hoped the cute guy behind the bar was quick, or she’d go off on him. She really wasn’t a fan of men. Sighing, I fiddled with my dress for the tenth time, but it still felt just as uncomfortable. The three of them were swaying to the beat. I was hiding behind my second glass of wine, wishing it was time to head home. Maybe I really was a wallflower. “We should head out soon. I’ve g
J U L I A NIt had been a rough week, and things took a turn for the worse with a call from one of my brothers.And then there was the stunning woman who had dismissed me like I was nothing.Sure, I might have come on a bit too strong, but her response felt unnecessarily cruel.Oh, the drama of it all."What’s so important that you had to track me down after sending a 9-1-1 text?"I stormed out of the club and into the parking lot. Thankfully, anyone who knew me well enough wouldn’t dare approach me at night unless it was a real emergency.And it had been ages since there was one.At least it was my younger brother on the line; otherwise, I might have let my frustration loose."I was told to find you, Julian. Believe me, I didn’t want to interrupt my basketball game to play messenger for Mom."Our mother, the queen bee of the family. She never missed a chance to remind everyone of her status.After the earlier meeting, I had expected her call. She had bolted from the park, leaving the
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
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 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