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“W-what?” I stammered.“Why are you hiding?” he demanded.A shiver ran up my spine. If he found out that I was a fugitive, he would send me back or just kill me. I lied to him but so did my Dad. Dad broke a dozen rules by bringing me here.Fear couldn’t cripple me now. I shoved the fear down and stood. Ezra gripped my waist and stopped me from going further.“Did someone make you uncomfortable or did you see someone who made you uncomfortable?”“S-someone? Like who?”“The guys from the gas station, the rogues at the bar, the list is endless.”I cringed. He was right about that.“Nothing’s wrong, Ezra. Leave me alone okay?”He grabbed my waist and slammed me against the wall. He closed his lips on mine before I could blink. I fisted his shirt in an attempt to push him off but his tongue sought entry into my mouth and I willingly gave it to him. He pressed himself harder onto me.I betrayed myself by moaning. I couldn’t keep this back and forth with him. I wanted him. I didn’
Summer POVWe worked at the pack house again the next day. There was still a lot of unpacking and a lot of flowers to take care of. I barely saw Ezra today. When I did see him I couldn’t help hold his stare a little longer. The urges to hold him and kiss him were strong but we couldn’t do that out in the open. We needed the shadows to keep us safe at least for now.Lettie sighed heavily as she settled on the floor next to me. I couldn’t wash any more dishes. The ball was in two days and some of the preparations were running late because Rachel kept forgetting to order things but she didn’t forget to go out on lunch dates with Ezra under the pretences of discussing the Crescent Moonball.Hunter told me the caterer hadn’t been booked yet.“Doesn’t the pack house have house help that should be doing this?” I asked.Wren had fallen asleep under the dining table hours ago. We’ve been on our feet all day. I missed working at the bar. Now that I thought about it two thousand dollars was not
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