Summer POV
Dad was gone early the next day and the ladies weren’t back from their shift vacation. What did I wear to swear my loyalty to my new demi-god Alpha? Something that covered every inch of my skin so when that dumb mark appeared he wouldn’t see it. Unless it showed up on my forehead. I wouldn’t put it passed the Moon goddess she had a wicked sense of humour.
Since I lost my phone I would have to find a job to replace it. Now that Ezra knew I was here I wouldn’t have to hide. I grabbed a few help-wanted flyers and stuffed them in my bag. The Alpha’s house was a ten-minute walk from home. When I arrived beta wolves marched in and out of the property as young ladies giggled with trays of food mostly meat and fruit walked into the house.
Dad’s truck was parked in the driveway. Of course, he had to be here. I took a deep breath and proceeded.
“Can I help you?” A man stopped me at the door.
I took a step back. My breath caught in my throat and memories spiked my brain.
“I…uh…”
I willed myself to breathe. It wasn’t him. He might be a beta wolf but he had brown eyes. He was lean, not bulky. I shook my head.
“I have a meeting with the Alpha.”
“Wait, I know you.”
Crap. I swallowed. Don’t tell me Alpha Blake printed wanted posters of me. I’d be screwed if he did.
The beta snapped his fingers. “The she-wolf that kicked some rogue ass.”
“Oh… the gas station store.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Pretty cool. Did the owner run after the two guys got there?”
“No, he wasn’t there. I think they knew him.”
The beta nodded and frowned. “Interesting. Ezra expecting you?”
I nodded.
“Cool. I’m Hunter.”
“Summer.”
Hunter led me through the house with walls made of paintings. Wolf war and vampire-wolf war paintings sparked fear in visitors when they first walked in. I stopped at a set of gorgeous golden staircase leading to the second floor. Blue carpet protected the stairs as it did for most of the house. I felt bad for wearing my sneakers inside.
“This way,” Hunter said, walking down a dark hall.
I swallowed. Where was he taking me? Cussing and bangs came from a shut door. Words do not disturb written on the door warned us off but Hunter yanked the door open and walked in.
“What the fuck?” Ezra barked.
“Brought you something sweet.”
“You have two seconds before I rip your tongue out.”
Hunter laughed. “Why don’t you come in doll face.”
I scowled, “Doll face?”
Hunter barked out a laugh. The rage slipped from Ezra’s face. “You.”
“Isn’t she sweet?” Hunter grinned.
I resisted the urge to shrink but failed to fight the pink shade that spread across my nose and cheeks.
“Get out Hunter. You have work to do.”
Hunter winked at me. “Alright, alright. I know Alphas don’t like to share their food.”
My jaw dropped but Hunter was out before I could speak.
“Did he just call me food?” I gawked.
Ezra marched to the door and locked it. Crap. I scurried to the table far from him.
“Don’t mind Hunter.”
“Why did you do that?”
Ezra shrugged, “I don’t want anyone bothering us. I want to ask you a few questions.”
“What? Don’t you trust my Dad?”
“I trust him with my life. We’re close but you rarely ever came up in conversation, why?”
I rolled my eyes. “So you’re my Dad’s best friend.”
Ezra took a step forward. “You’ve got fire Summer. Is your mother human?”
I sucked in my bottom lip. “Yes.”
“How do you know your wolf isn’t a late bloomer?” He asked.
“Because it never came. Or it’s… dead.”
“It dies so do you. That’s how it works.”
“Then I guess I’m just human.”
He held out his hand. Ezra was a staggering man. He towered over me, making me feel like a mouse. I placed my hand in his. Power passed through us. The power rushed to my head I cradled my forehead. Ezra placed his hand on my back, keeping me up.
I met his eyes for a second. He pressed on my back and I fell on his chest.
“Do you swear your loyalty to me?” He asked gently.
“I do.”
“Do you accept to live as a pack member?”
“Member? You’re not taking me as a rogue?”
He frowned, “Consider it an invite. Do you accept?”
There was no time to consult my Father. In this pack I was safe.
“I accept.”
“Good.”
Ezra’s claws sunk into my palm. My gasp turned into a scream. Fire ran through my palm all the up my arm and went straight to my head. My body went limb.
Ezra wrapped his arms around my body. Warmth emitted from his chest and surrounded me. My breathing slowed. I shut my eyes and melted into Ezra’s chest. I felt wrong. He was my Alpha but his embrace felt secure. I never felt safe around Blake or anyone associated with him.
“Why did you do that?” I asked.
“I had to make sure you were wolf-less.”
“It’s hollow. You should have taken my word for it. You nearly killed me.”
He chuckled. “It wasn’t that bad.”
His hand ran up my back and I realized I was still in his embrace. I shuffled back and straightened my black shirt.
“Can I go now?”
Ezra unlocked the door then moved to his desk and leaned against it. “We’re not done. You might be in danger.”
“What?”
He frowned at my outburst. “You beat up two rogues and by the condition I found you in they might not be too happy about it.”
I touched my belly where I’d been clawed. Ezra’s gaze followed my hand.
“A scratch from a beta can be deadly.”
“I know but it was either fight or be killed. Or worse.”
“You’ll be protected. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Don’t… don’t tell my Dad about the store. Please.”
Ezra folded his arms. I shouldn’t have asked. He was the Alpha and Dad’s best friend. He wouldn’t side with me.
“Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it?”
“What else do you want Summer?”
I blinked. I didn’t expect him to give in so easily. A soft knock came from the door then it rolled in.
“Ezra… you’ve been in here too long.”
I straightened and turned around. Rachel stepped into the room. She paused and took in the scene before running her fingers through her blonde hair.
“Summer… what are you doing here?” Her voice cracked.
I realized the distance between Ezra and me was awfully close.
“Does no one read the signs? I don’t want to be disturbed,” Ezra growled.
I stepped away and Rachel appeared beside him almost like placing a puzzle piece on the part it belonged.
“I thought we’d go out for lunch since you’ve been busy all day,” Rachel said through gritted teeth.
“I’m still busy,” he grumbled.
I felt like the elephant in the room.
“Is there something you need Summer? Or should you be leaving?” Her honey voice was laced with subtle poison.
“Yes. I need a job. If there’s anything—”
“I doubt there would be anything available for a wolf-less in the Alpha’s court, right Ezra?”
Ezra stared at me despite Rachel’s dominant presence by his side.
“Of course not. But I need a waitress at my bar.”
“You can’t—”
“Rachel, you manage the pack house, not my business.” Ezra snapped.
I saw a storm rage behind her eyes. Rachel kept her lips sealed.
“When can you start?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Good, you start tomorrow afternoon.”
“Thank you!”
I felt dismissed. I’d done what I needed to do and walked out. I stopped to breathe outside Ezra’s door. Working with him wouldn’t be so bad. He was an Alpha he was always busy. We wouldn’t run into each other. I told myself.
The door behind me clicked shut. Rachel appeared in front of me.
“Summer,” she smiled, but the malice was there.
“I was just leaving.”
“Of course,” she pushed her hair back. “A little bit of sisterly advice. You might need it. Step on my toes, and I’ll take off your feet.”
“What?” My voice caught in my throat.
“Keep your distance. From me, my business and my Alpha. Got it?”
She didn’t wait for me to respond she marched off instead.
Summer POVI contemplated telling Dad I got a job as a waitress. If things hadn’t gone South, I would have been under him as a subordinate. It was a dream one that almost came true. Like I said the Moon goddess has a wicked sense of humour.“Where are you going?” Dad raised his brow from his coffee mug.“Uh… to work.”“Summer…”“Dad, we spoke about this. I’m not a kid. I need to make my own money.”“Under my roof little girl, you’ll go by my rules.”When would he stop treating me like a child? I placed my hand on my hip and stared him down.“It’s a bar. Nothing’s going to happen to me.”Dad set his mug down and scratched his four o’clock shadow. “A bar, Summer?”I nodded. “I’ve worked the job before. Please, let me try to live a normal life.”“I guess that’s okay, I’ll always keep an eye on you. Did anything show up when you swore your loyalty?”“No, I guess not yet.”He dumped his cup in the kitchen sink. “Keep your eyes open. I can’t keep you here forever and we damn well can’t keep
Summer POVMarcella and the girls were back I didn’t want to play happy family. I ran to my infested basement and locked the door. I needed a cold shower but when I came out dripping wet the ache hadn’t gone. An ache there because of someone I shouldn’t give a damn about.“Ugh,” I slapped my face.How could he mark me? He practically told the shifter world that I was his which I wasn’t. He must have marked me when he stuck his claws into my hand. In the shifter world wolves had a way of telling which wolves were taken. It was effective on male wolves only. Most male wolves didn’t care but Ezra’s an Alpha and touching someone marked by an Alpha was a death sentence. What did it mean to belong to a man like Ezra? A mature man with a stare that could freeze anyone. Blake was a young Alpha and Jacob was a young beta but each thought they were on top of the world.Just thinking about them made me start hyperventilating. It’s over now, I repeated over and over in my head. He can’t hurt me.
Summer POV“Should we be playing cards?” I asked, shuffling the cards.Wren gave me a pressed smile, “You just don’t want to bet your tips for the night.”I laughed, “Of course not I need a new phone.”“I need rent. Deal them Summer,” Hector rubbed his hands together. I put my feet up on the stool this was the only opportunity I had to relax once the sun set we were all screwed. A lot of us anticipated great tips. I wanted to buy a new phone by Friday hopefully I could maintain my old number.“I’m not dumb enough to bet my tips,” I said.“Neither am I. My ex-boyfriend’s busted scooters in my garage. I have that,” Marley said.“I’ll take it!” Hector said.Marley laughed maniacally.“Ten bucks and that’s as high as I’ll go.”“I’ll take your ten bucks, deal,” Wren said.I dealt the cards I wasn’t confident in my cards. I hope I hadn’t just given away ten bucks.“Where is everyone?” Ezra barked.We dropped the cards, slipped into our shoes and scurried into the dining area. Ezra stood be
Summer POV“Don’t touch me.”I slapped his hand away.“I’m going to do more than touch you, human. I’ll lick, spank and fuck.”“Get lost!”He chuckled and backed into my space. “Can’t you take a hint?”“I like it when they fight.” Before I could react Ollie grabbed my right arm and dragged me two feet to his car.“No!” I kicked his knee.He ground his teeth and chuckled.What?“Save it, sweetheart. We can bite all we want in my hotel room.”“You’re disgusting.”The street was quiet and the lights flickered. The darkness felt like a mocking laugh. I would be kidnapped without a witness to stare apologetically. No, I might not be a wolf anymore but I was trained to fight.I twisted Ollie’s arm and kicked the inside of his thigh. He bellowed into the night. I stomped on his foot and ran for dear life. I dropped my bag and pumped my legs to the limit. Ollie’s rough hand grabbed my shirt and yanked me back. I rolled on the concrete and scraped the side of my head.“You little bitch,” Ollie
Summer POVI jolted awake just as the hooded man was about to grab me. Sweat stuck to Ezra’s shirt and hair stuck to my face. Early morning sun seeped into the bedroom. The rain had gone when I peeked out the window the entire backyard was drenched in water, dirty puddles were scattered all over the yard. After washing the sweat off my face I walked downstairs.“Early bird, I see,” Ezra groaned as he emerged from the couch in the living room.“You slept on the couch? I thought you said you would sleep in the spare room.”“I didn’t say that.” Ezra stretched his arms and twisted his back.“I would have taken the couch.”His hair was ruffled and curly, different from the silk pushed-back style he usually has.“Come,” he said.He patted the spot beside him. I settled a safe distance from him. He reached out and brushed hair behind my ear and thumbed a bruise on my cheek.“Thanks…”“Don’t. Just don’t.”“But if you—”“Summer, I said don’t.”“What do you want me to say?”“Nothing. Let’s go e
Ezra POV“Ezra.” Hunter marched in.“Brother,” I said setting the glass of brandy down.I was more of a scotch guy but I thought I would change things up today. My younger brother of three years settled on the leather seat in front of me. I was at the pack house. I was rarely here these days I found myself at the bar longing for a petite human girl.“What’s up with you?” Hunter asked.“Can’t a guy have brandy?”“Sure. We found something you might want to see.”“Yeah?” I raised a brow. “What?”“We found rake venom.”I sat up, my fingers curled around the glass. “What the hell? Where?”“By the lake, if that stuff made it into the water there’s no telling the damage that could have happened.“They’re trying to kill us,” I murmured.“Yeah but who out of all the packs?”There were thirty-one packs in the country and all of them banned the rake venom. It’s a drug but it’s also a venom. It could make you faster and give you better night vision it was addictive and it messed with the ability
Summer POVI couldn’t believe I slept and took a shower in the Alpha’s house with a fugitive’s mark and another weird one next to it. I stared at two marks on my lower back in the mirror. I walked out of the shower and saw the black mark as I passed in the mirror. I grabbed my new phone and took a picture. One of them was the fugitive mark but I didn’t know what the other one was.“When did this show up?” Dad asked.“I can’t say. I saw it today.”“You’re officially a fugitive sweetheart. I don’t need to tell you what this means.”“What about the other?”Dad scrutinized the picture again. “If I’m not wrong that should be mean cursed.”“Cursed!”He nodded grimly. “I’d like to know what type of curse. I’ll find out.”“Dad you know I only defended myself. What would have happened to me—”Dad stood cutting me off. He planted his heavy hands on my shoulders.“I understand. Blake’s the real idiot in this. It’s an Alpha’s word against yours and that’s a battle not worth fighting. I’d rather k
Summer POV“Ezra,” I moaned against his lips.“That’s Alpha Ezra to you,” he responded.Ezra held me over the bed as he dominated my lips and caressed my ass. I moaned and lost myself in his embrace. Why did I want to stop seeing him again? Because I have a fugitive and curse marks on my back!“Ezra, stop.”“Are you scared your Father will find us? He’s not here.”“What?”“I made him check out the border in the west of the pack. It’s just us.”“Yeah, us and his wife and teenage stepdaughter.”“Not getting along with his new family?”“Jade makes it known that she doesn’t like me but Marcella is a snake I can tell. She’s just like… never mind.”“Just like Rachel?” Ezra smirked.“I didn’t say that. You should still go, okay? It’s been an exhausting day.”He nodded and looked around my room.“So Rachel was right you sleep in the basement. Rachel doesn’t live here why don’t you sleep upstairs?”“Marcella thought I would be more comfortable here. I have my own bathroom too.”He nodded griml
Summer POV“Kid, where are you going?” Dad barked.Of course, he hadn’t left the pack house he might have been cross with Ezra but he was Dad’s Alpha and best friend.“Anywhere but here,” I said with a sigh.“What happened?”“Dad, you knew about Sophia didn’t you?”He tugged on his collar and stared at the dirt. “Uh… yeah… but how did you expect me to tell you about Sophia when I didn’t know you were going out with Ezra?”Good point I couldn’t even be mad at that.“It was… this was a bad idea,” I said, shaking my head.I didn’t want to give him up but the mate bond was an incredible force. Even when Jacob changed leaving him wasn’t an option I wanted to take.“Look, I don’t know about all this, frankly I don’t want to know, but we still have Blake. W
Summer POVThe creature went for the kill and jumped on the rogue. It bit into his leg and the rogue cried out.Ezra shoved his phone at me.“Call for backup.”The man I was falling for grabbed the creature by its hind legs and yanked but it was as if he was trying to lift three manhole covers at once.I dialled Hunter but the phone just rang. It was useless we weren’t dealing with an ordinary wolf. The rogue cried out. He couldn’t even shift as the creature tore into him. Ezra went from a six-foot man to an eight-foot furry beast in a matter of seconds. He used his force to thrust the creature three feet which was as far as the creature would go.Its silver eyes locked on me and I backed up.Crap.I backed up slower but it had already seen me. Ezra barked and foamed at the mouth but the creature raced toward me.Ezra’s wolf dashed across the parking lot and connected with the terrifying slender wolf. They exchanged claws in the deadliest catfight I’d ever seen. I was so rooted to the
Summer POVThe creature went for the kill and jumped on the rogue. It bit into his leg and the rogue cried out.Ezra shoved his phone at me.“Call for backup.”The man I was falling for grabbed the creature by its hind legs and yanked but it was as if he was trying to lift three manhole covers at once.I dialled Hunter but the phone just rang. It was useless we weren’t dealing with an ordinary wolf. The rogue cried out. He couldn’t even shift as the creature tore into him. Ezra went from a six-foot man to an eight-foot furry beast in a matter of seconds. He used his force to thrust the creature three feet which was as far as the creature would go.Its silver eyes locked on me and I backed up.Crap.I backed up slower but it had already seen me. Ezra barked and foamed at the mouth but the creature raced toward me.Ezra’s wolf dashed across the parking lot and connected with the terrifying slender wolf. They exchanged claws in the deadliest catfight I’d ever seen. I was so rooted to the
Summer POV“Come on Henrietta wake up. Gosh, what happened?”I ran to the kitchen and filled a plastic cup with what. If I called an ambulance how would I explain this? The last thing I needed was to be accused of killing Henrietta. I hurried to her and splashed water on her pale face.She flinched and took in small breaths until she broke into a fit of coughs.“You’re okay,” I breathed a sigh of relief.She cradled her head and nodded. “That hasn’t happened since I was a teenager. That’s one hell of a curse.”My face fell. “The moon goddess did curse me, didn’t she?”“No Honey, she didn’t. This was an individual as solid as you and me but they don’t want to be known.”I shrugged. “Thanks for trying.”“I’m not giving up. My ego might be a little wounded but we’re trying this again. I just need a nap.”“Of course.”I asked Henrietta if she needed anything else before I left. I was positive Blake was behind my curse and I was going to confront him about it. Ezra might think I’m an egg b
Ezra POVI parked in front of Luther’s Mart. Luther was a gamma, he had two beta sons who were about to join my army. I found him outside with his youngest son trying to clean up a mess of broken eggs and condiment bottles.I climbed out of the car.Summer texted me over twenty minutes ago. She couldn’t have gotten tired of waiting already.“Alpha! Thank the goddess you’re here,” Luther threw his arms in the air.“Something happen?” I asked.“Some guys jumped a girl. Dad came out to help but they knocked him down.”My heart sank. Please don’t let it be Summer.“What did they look like?” I demanded.“It was the human girl. I didn’t get a good look at the other guy but the one who attacked Dad was a tall blond dude.”Summer’s scent was all over the place. They hadn’t nabbed her a long time ago. I told Luther I’d take care of it. I yanked out my phone and called Hunter as I marched to my truck.Hunter didn’t pick up. Damn it, Hunter.Red Claw took her who else could it be? My wolf jumpe
Summer POVI landed on the concrete floor with a thud. My head bounced off the ground and met Blake’s blue-eyed gaze. Conner closed the door behind him. That bastard, I shouldn’t have thought I could trust him.“Summer, I’ve thought about you for months,” Blake began.“So have I. I can’t say they were good thoughts.”Liquid rolled down the side of my head. I touched the liquid. It was blood.“Look at that you can’t heal yourself anymore. How tragic,” Blake smiled.“Because of you!” I yelled.“Shut up,” he scowled.“I bet Blake didn’t tell you that, did he?” I looked at Conner.Conner held my stare and lifted his chin. “He’s the Alpha and his word is the law and everything he said about you is the truth.”“What did he say?” I rasped.“That you deserve to die!” Conner lurched forward.Blake stuck his large toned arm out to block Conner from coming any further.I sat up and crawled backwards to a brick wall. We were in the developing neighbourhood Ezra brought me to one night after work.
Summer POVI rolled on the hard floor and snivelled. I oddly had a lot of space. I opened my eyes and realized I was alone on the living room floor and the fire I went to bed with had gone out leaving behind grey ash.I rolled on my back and blinked at the ceiling. What have I done?“Good morning, princess,” Ezra said.He carried two coffee mugs. He only had a pair of pants hanging low around his waist. He sat next to me and kissed my cheek.“You okay?”I nodded and then my body responded. My back was sore and I could still feel Ezra’s hands digging into my skin from last night.“I’m a little sore but it’s a good sore.”I took the mug from him. I should have come clean last night but instead, I slept with him! I couldn’t control myself when I was with him which was dangerous.“Summer, I didn’t do this,” Ezra’s warm tone turned deadly and cold.His thumb stroked the cut Marcella made with her pocket knife. I snatched my arm back and hid it under the blanket.“Oh, it’s nothing.”“Doesn’
Ezra POVThere’s nothing anyone can do to get me into a tie. I wore the jacket that’s good enough. The ball was in full swing. Rachel organized a good ball that’s for sure but there was no sign of her. A part of me was concerned about her being heartbroken but at the same time, I wanted to give her space.“Where is she?” I grumbled as I fished out my phone from my back pocket.I checked my messages and call log. Summer hadn’t gotten back to me.“Summer,” I sighed.Was she going to back out on me?I watched as the guests interacted. There were a few of the tribe Alphas. Tribe Alphas oversaw the packs I conquered.A hand clapped on my shoulder. I turned my head and pressed my lips together to fight the smile.“Don’t even think about it, Ezra.” Roman yanked on the red tie.“Nice tie,” I smirked.“Marcella made me wear this penguin suit. When is this over?”Maybe she came with him. There was no sign of her. Not even her sweet scent in the air.“Didn’t Summer want to come to the ball or is
Summer POVEzra and Hunter acted as if nothing was wrong. Ezra had a meeting at the army base with the Alpha General. I had a feeling it had something to do with the rake venom. Ezra wouldn’t tell me about it or the murders because he didn’t think I could handle it. He even called me cute.My phone rang with an incoming call. I was just walking onto our yard when Dad walked out the front door. I stared at the unknown number calling me. Only a handful of people had this number. I let the call ring until it went dead.“Shouldn’t you be at a meeting?” I asked Dad.He stopped by his truck and put his hands on his waist.“I’m on my way. I’m glad I caught you, remember I told you I wanted to find out about the cursed mark you received?”I closed the gap between us so we weren’t talking so loudly about this sensitive topic.“Yeah and?”“Well, there’s a lady we can talk to. Tomorrow night.”“Tomorrow? What about the ball?”“Oh, you have a date with that boy. Honey, you’ll have to cancel this