Tempted:AMenageRejectedMatesWerewolfShifter Romance(Rejected&Claimed)CeliaKyle
https://ebookmass.com/product/tempted-a-menage-rejectedmates-werewolf-shifter-romance-rejected-claimed-celia-kyle/
Instant digital products (PDF, ePub, MOBI) ready for you
Download now and discover formats that fit your needs...
Catching Crabs: A Scifi Alien Romance Celia Kyle
https://ebookmass.com/product/catching-crabs-a-scifi-alien-romancecelia-kyle/
ebookmass.com
Hunted Celia Kyle
https://ebookmass.com/product/hunted-celia-kyle/
ebookmass.com
Choler (A Scifi Alien Dragon Romance) Celia Kyle & Anne Hale
https://ebookmass.com/product/choler-a-scifi-alien-dragon-romancecelia-kyle-anne-hale/
ebookmass.com
Over the Hills and Far Away Lama Lindblom
https://ebookmass.com/product/over-the-hills-and-far-away-lamalindblom/
ebookmass.com
Mistletoe Trio: Knotty Holidays Book 2 Lacey Daize https://ebookmass.com/product/mistletoe-trio-knotty-holidaysbook-2-lacey-daize/
ebookmass.com
Thermal and Optical Remote Sensing John O Odindi
https://ebookmass.com/product/thermal-and-optical-remote-sensing-johno-odindi/
ebookmass.com
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: Advances in High-Energy Density Batteries Prashant Kumta
https://ebookmass.com/product/lithium-sulfur-batteries-advances-inhigh-energy-density-batteries-prashant-kumta/
ebookmass.com
Bitter Retreat (Bitterroot Montana Veterans, #2) Anne M.
Scott
https://ebookmass.com/product/bitter-retreat-bitterroot-montanaveterans-2-anne-m-scott/
ebookmass.com
McGraw Hill Conquering ACT Math and Science, 5th Edition
Steven Dulan
https://ebookmass.com/product/mcgraw-hill-conquering-act-math-andscience-5th-edition-steven-dulan/
ebookmass.com
Better Humans, Better Performance: Driving Leadership, Teamwork, and Culture with Intentionality Peter J. Rea
https://ebookmass.com/product/better-humans-better-performancedriving-leadership-teamwork-and-culture-with-intentionality-peter-jrea/
ebookmass.com
CeliaKyle Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
AbouttheAuthor
Copyright
Description ONEREJECTEDMATE+twosexywerewolves=amatchmadeinfatedheaven?
Harlowhasbeenreadytostandathermate’ssideasheAscendstothepositionofalphaforyears Buthecrushesthatdream andwrenchesherheartoutwhenhechoosesanotherfemaletobehismate
Unabletostayandwitnessherwould-bemate’scontinuingbetrayal,HarlowfleestothesmalltownofForestCrestandfinds workatalocalvet.Butmalicioushuntersarehotonherscentandshe’sforcedtoseekSanctuarywiththeenigmaticGravecrest Packwhereshe’sdrawnintotheorbitofpowerfulAlphaAtlasandsteadfastBetaColt
Despitethepainofrejection,Harlowiscaptivatedandcravesbothmen Butcanherheartwhetherthestormofpossible rejectionasecondtime?Orisshebraveenoughtoreachforaconnectionthatdefiesthenormsofhershifterworld?
Excerpt HARLOW’SHANDSHOOKASsheopenedthedoor,andherworstfearswereconfirmed.There,intheroomshecurrently calledhome,werethreemennotevenbotheringtoconcealthemselves Shefeltherheartaccelerate,hermindadriftwitha streamofpossibilities,eachworsethanthelast Werethesemenrobbingherroom?WeretheysentbyVincenttoendherlife? Shecouldonlyspeculate.Hermouthwasdry,herhandsclammy.
Shepreparedherselffortheworst-casescenario;theonlythingshewasn’tpreparedforwasiftheyhadaweapon.Ohgod. Whatiftheyhadagun?Inthatcase,shehadnosolution Sheranthroughalistofpeopleshecouldcall,otherthannine-oneone,ifshewerebackedintoanemergencysituationandthenrealizedshewashundredsofmilesawayfromanybodywho couldhelpher.
Whennobodyattemptedtomovetowardherorharmherinanyway,shegrewconfused.
“Umm…thisismyroom.”Perhapsithadbeenamisunderstanding.
“Yeah,weknow,”themuscularoneinthewhiteshirtsaid Hiseyesweremesmerizingamberswitharingofobsidian Sheran overthecurvesofhismuscleswithhereyes.Theywereperfect.Atsomepoint,toomanymusclesbecameunattractiveand unwieldy,andhisphysiquehadstoppedslightlybefore“monstrous”andjustafter“godly.” “Oh.”ShelookedfromthemanspeakingtothetwomeninT-shirts,whowerealsoquitewell-built,morelikeswimmersthan bodybuilders Shefeltguilty,objectifyingmenwhobyallintentswerecurrentlybreakingandentering “Well,couldyouplease getout?”
Thistime,theblue-eyedonespoke.Hisvoicehadanintricate,almostpoetic,rhythmtoit.Hissandyblondhairwouldhave beenpositivelyblindinginanyotherlight.
“It’sasaddaywhenawolflosestheirsenses You’reabitoutofpractice Aren’tyou?”
Chapter1 THESCENTSWRAPPEDAROUNDher rosemary,lavender,andcalendulacombinedwithantisepticandthecottonofthe bandages Harlowinhaledthemall,noticinghoweachchangedanddiedoffandinwhatorder,howtheymixedtogether,and howpreciselyshecouldpickthemout
“Youshouldbegettingusedtoitbynow,”saidJulia,thepackhealer,obviouslynoticinghowshewastakinginallthis information.“Thesethingswillbecomesecondnaturetoyou,butIcanalreadytellyou’remeantforthiswork.I’vebeendoing thisalongtime,gotanoseforit”
“Yes,”saidHarlow “It’schangingallthetime Growing,Imean”Sherakedhereyesoverthecounterandcabinetthathoused alltheusualthings thebandages,wraps,andantisepticsaswellasthepack’smedicine.She’dalreadybegunlearningabout theherbalbruisebalmsandthepain-reducingtinctures,includingtheircomponentsandhowtomakethem.Administeringthem hadbecomethenextstep.
Asthesecondhealer,shestillhadsomuchtolearn,butJuliawasthebestteacher,highlyproficientinthemedicinesspecificto shiftersthatworkedwellwiththeirabilities.Now,however,shehadtodealwiththepatientswho’dtumbledintoJulia’s practiceashortwhileago.
InfrontofherwasJackson,oneofthethreeyoungboyswho’dcomeinaftergettingscuffedupduringsomeplayfighting.This wasfarfromunusual,especiallyamongboysofthisage ThetwoothershadalreadybeenseentoandnowitwasJackson’s turn.
“Good,”repliedJulia.“Workwithit.Don’tletanythinggotowaste.”Shetiedoffabandageandwipedherbrow.“Follow thoseinstinctsandmakesuretheycomebeforeanythingelse eventually.Butyou’vegoteyesaswellasanose,andthat’sjust asimportantatthisstage”
“Iwill,”agreedHarlow.“Andthanksforeverythingyou’redoingtoinstructme.”
Juliasniffed.“Notaproblem,it’smyjob.Whenyou’remyageandyou’vefixedupasmanypeopleasIhave,it’llbeyourjob, too.GodknowstheHollowGrovepackwillalwaysneedahealer.”
Harlowsmiled,wonderingifshe’deverbeascompetentasJuliawhenitcametohealing Thereseemedtobenothingthe womandidn’tknow,sometimesnotevenhavingtoraisehereyestofigureoutwhatwaswrong.
“Canwegosoon?”askedthesmallboyonthecouch.“Thisbandageistight.”
“Whenyou’redone,”Juliacountered,firmlyyetwithwarmth.“Ifyoulotaregonnagetyourselfintothesescrapes,you’llcome inusefulsomehow Harlowhereneedstolearnhowtobeahealer,sowearegoingabitslowertohelpher” “It’strue”Harlownodded “You’remyguineapigsfortoday” “Iain’tnoguineapig,”saidJackson.“I’ma wolf. ”
Harlow
Harlowlaughedandreachedforthebalm “That’sforsure”Sheappliedittothescrapesonhishead “Awolfwithmore energythanheknowswhattodowith.”
“Yousoundlikemymom,”hesaid,wincing.
“Bro,yourmomdoesn’tsoundlikethat.She’smorelike ”
“That’senoughofthat,Finn!”warnedJuliaasJackson’sheadsnappedaround,readytopounceagain “Thisisn’ttheforest It’s mypractice,andIwon’thavearguinginhere.”
“Sorry.”Finnloweredhishead,obviouslyknowingwhenhewasactingoutofturn.
“Ithinkwecouldalldowithforgettingaboutthis,shakinghands,andrememberingthatyou’refriends.Jackson,turntome, please Istillneedtofixthisup,”saidHarlow Hedidasasked,lookingbackatherasifherwordsalonebroughtdownthe temperature.“Iknowit’seasyforthingstogetabitroughduringplayfighting,butit’smoreimportantthatwelearnhowto controlthesefeelingswhentheycomeup.Otherwise,thingscangetoutofhandliketheyhavetoday,”shecontinued. Jacksonhuffed.“Okay,”hesaid.“Thanks,Harlow.Thanks,Julia.”
“That’swhatwe’reherefor,”saidJulia,rufflinghishair “NowmakesureyoudoasHarlowheresays Makeupandtrynotto getintoanymorefightstoday.Plentyofjobsaroundhereneeddoingifyou’rebored.” “It’sokay,”saidJackson,alreadyhalfwayoutthedoor.“We’renotboredanymore.” JuliasmirkedatHarlowasthechildrenleftandsheclosedthedoorbehindthem.“Kids,”shesaid.“Goodpracticematerial, badforthenervessometimes”
Harlowlaughed.“Irememberbeingthatage.Alwaysneedingtobefixedup.” “Yeah,comeswiththeterritory.Anyway,goodjobthere.”
“Thanks,IfeellikeIneedtodoabitmorestudyinguponthehealingbalmcomponents,especiallythetemperaturesandthe
“Idon’tjustmeanaboutthat Iwastalkingaboutthewayyouarewithpeople That’stherealsignofahealer Everythingelse canbetaught,butnottheotherstuff empathy,interactingwithpatients,especiallychildren.Thatcan’tbetaught.It’sinnate, andyouhave it. ”
Harlowswallowedhard,almostfeelingasthoughshemightspillatearortwo.Itwasonethingtoknowshewasbecoming morecompetentwiththemedicines,butwhatJuliasaidtohermeanttheworld Attimesshebelievedshewasn’tsuitedto beingawolfandapackmember,asifshewerewrongsomehow
ButsinceshehadbeenlearningunderJulia’smentorship,she’dbeguntoseethatmaybeshewasokayafterall.Notonlythat, butshecouldusethoseskillsasahealer.And every packneededhealers.
Onceshefinishedupatthepractice,sheheadedbacktopackterritory,lookingforwardtogettinghomesoshecouldstudyup onsomeofwhatshe’dlearnedtoday Shealsowantedtoseehermate,Vincent Itseemedliketheywereshipsthatpassedin thenightthesedays,andHarlowfounditharderandhardertobeawayfromhim.
Thewalkhomewasn’talongone,butshetookhertime.Itwasachancetoreflectonthedayaswellastakeinher surroundings,andthat’swhysherarelydrove Thislandwashers,justlikealltheotherswhobelongedtothepack,andshe savoredeverymomentshegottospendoutdoors
TheroadintoHollowGrove,theplacethatshecalledhome,wasflankedbydenseforest.She’drunhereasachild,asboth girlandwolf,andshe’dlearnedthewaysofthepack.Shewassureshekneweverytree,heardthesnapofeverybranch,and hadtroddeneverysquareinchoftheground
Drizzlemistedherfaceandclungtoherhairasthescentofpineneedlesanddampearthstucktoherskin Thesethingsmade herfeelaliveandapartofthisplace.Sheclosedhereyesandbreathedthemin,eachcellofherbodyrecognizingthemasif theywereoneandthesame.
Assheapproachedthetown,shelookedupoverthemountainthatseemedtostandguard,itstreesneedlingthegraysky,and smiled.Itwasaritualnow,awayofacknowledgingthiswashomeand,whenshewasayounggirl,shewassurethemountain spokebacktoher.
Shetookashortcuttoavoidthemainroadthroughtown,enjoyingherowncompanyandnotwantingtodisturbhersenseof peace TheonlythoughtsthatsprangtomindwereofhopethatVincentwouldbehomewhenshearrived Inthedistanceshesawtheirhomeandherheartwarmed.SheandVincenthadlivedtogetherforonlyashorttime,buttheir homehadbecomesoimportanttoher,aplacewheretheycouldbothlearnaboutthemselvesandeachotherbeforethey embarkedontherestoftheirlivestogether.
Asshegotcloser,shepickedupherpace,eachfootstepbringingherclosertowhereshewantedtoberightnow,andshewas sureshepickeduphisscent,freshandwarmandalive.
“You’rehome.”Harlowsmiledwidelyassheclosedthedoorbehindher,Vincentappearinginthekitchendoorway.Relief rushedoverherattheexcitementofseeinghermate.Shewalkeduptohimandleanedinforakiss.
“Notforlong Dadneedsmelater IsaidI’dwaittoseeyoufirstandthenI’mallhis”
“Oh,”Harlowmurmured,findingithardtodisguiseherdisappointment.“Well,Isupposeheisyourfather…andthealpha.” “Yeah,thereisthat,”hereplied.“Suckssometimes.”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherassheleanedagainsthischest,listening tothestrongandsteadythumpofhisheart.
“Thanksforwaitingforme,though I’vemissedyoutoday”Therealitywasshemissedhimmostdaysrecently,butshedidn’t liketopresstheissuetoomuch.Hehadalotofthingsonhisplate,andthelastthingheneededwasheraddingtohisstress.
“Metoo.Sohowwasthepracticetoday?Juliateachingyouallthereistoknowaboutfixingusallup?”
“Uh-huh.FinnandJacksonandthegangwereintodayagain.”
VincentlaughedbeforereleasingHarlowfromhisembrace “Whydoesn’tthatsurpriseme?”
“Ibetyouwereexactlythesameatthatage,”shereplied,knowingshewasright.
“Mydadwould’vekickedmyassifIwasn’t!”Hechuckled. Shekickedoffherbootsandfellbackonthesofa.“Haveyoueaten?”
“No,I’llgetsomethinglater There’splentyofleftoversinthefridgeforyou,though,sodon’twaitforme You’llprobablybe inbedwhenIgetback”
Shelookedupathim,sensinghewasn’ttellinghersomething.Overtheweeksshe’dbecomeincreasinglyworriedabouthow distractedhe’dbeen.Sure,she’dhadotherthingsgoingontoowithhernewrole,butitjustdidn’tsitright.
“Yousureeverything’sokay?I’mjustabitworriedaboutyou Youseemsostressedrecently”
Heranhishandoverthebackofhisheadandrubbedathisneck “Justtheburdenofbeingthealpha’sson”Awrysmile dressedhisface,andherheartwentouttohim.Hewashermateafterall,andhisburdenswerehers,too.
“It’salotofpressure.Iknow.”Shesankfurtherintothesofawonderinghowthiswasallgoingtogodown.Beforethenextfull moon,apackdinnerhadbeenset,andVincentwouldofficiallyascendtoalpha Itwasabigtimeforthemall,especiallyhim,soitwasnowonderhe’dbeenfeelingstressedlately ForVincentthiswasa majormilestone.Hislifewouldbechangingforever,andsowouldhe.
“Youcandothis.YouknowIbelieveinyou.Right?”Harlowreassuredhim. Hesteppedtowardherandkissedheronthetopofherhead “CourseIdo”
“Andiftherewasanythingelse,you’dtellme?”
“There’snothingelse.Ineedtogetgoing.Sorrytorunoutonyouagain.”
Sheshookherhead,anumbnesstakingholdinsideofherthatshedidn’tquiterecognize “It’sfine”Shesighed “I’vegotsome studyingtodo,andthenI’llcatchanearlynight.”
“Don’twaitup,”hecalledout,hiseyestrainedonthefloorbeforehegrabbedhisjacketfromthebackofachair.Afew secondslaterthedoorclosed.Harlowtookadeepbreathandpulledherlegsuptoherchest.
Alone again
Chapter2 ASALWAYSJUSTBEFOREthefullmoon,theairwassothickHarlowcouldalmostreachoutandtakeholdofit.Despiteits pull,Harlowtriedherutmostnottobecomesowrappedupinthesituationsheforgotherself,butitwasdifficult
Thefullmoonwasnearlyuponthem,thepackdinnerinfullswing,andtheweightofthisdinnerhungheavilyintheair Mainly becauseVincenthadturnedtwenty-fiveandtheascensionwasabouttotakeplace.Hewasnowabletobecomealpha,andthis wasthenighthewasgoingtoberecognized.
“It’llbeokay,Harlow,”shemutteredunderherbreath,lookingaroundtomakesurenoonewastakingnoticeofthesmallpanic attackshefeltcomingon NotonlywasshenervousforVincent,themansheloved,butthenightalsoheldacertainamountof pressureforher,too.
Ascensionwasalsoaccompaniedbythemateselection,andthoughshewasprettysurethiswasgoingtobethenightsheand Vincentbecameofficiallyofficial,thenerveswerestillveryreal.Havingbeentogetherforoverayear,andlivingtogetherfor severalmonths,sheknewonlyher namecoulddropfromhislipswhenthetimecame Herstomachgrowledasthesmellofspit-roastedvenisonfilledtheair.Itwasn’ttruethatallwolfshifterslikedtheirmeat drippingwithblood notwheninhumanform,atleast.Nothingwasbetterthanthesmellofroastingmeatanddrippingfat. Thecommunityhallwasdressedinfoliageandlitbystringsofroundwhitebulbs,somuchsmallerthantheonethathunginthe skybutpayinghomagetowhythepackgathered Thepackdinnerwasatimeforbondingandbelonging Outsideweremoresignsthiswasaspecialnightwithlinesoftables,morelights,firesroastingmeat,andpeoplegathering undertheclearskies.Buteveryoneknewthiswasdifferenttomostpackdinners,thescentofanticipationascleartoHarlow assheknewitwastoeveryoneelse.
Shemadeherwayaroundthegathering,catchingupwithpeopleshehadn’tseeninawhile Forweeksshe’dspentmostofher timeeitheratthehealer’spracticewithJuliaorathomestudying.Becomingsecondhealerinthepackwassomethingshetook seriously.Notonlythat,butsheenjoyedit eventhetoughparts.
Theshoutsandscreamsofsmallchildrencouldbeheardastheyplayedinthedistance,andHarlowrememberedwhatitwas liketobepartofapackdinneratthatage Aswellasthehugeexcitementofcomingtogetherandspendingtimewithpack members,theoncomingfullmoonalwaysbroughtstrangesensations,notquiteasstrongastheywereforadultshifters,but therenonetheless.
FinnandJacksonwrestledonthegrass,andHarlowshookherhead,knowingthey’dprobablyendupbackinhercareagainif theydidn’tknockitoff Littlechanceofthat,though,atthistime Sheleftthemtotheirparentstodealwith Itwasn’therplace, andshehadotherthingsonhermind “Hey,Mallory!”shecalled,seeingoneofherfriendsinthedistance.Mallorywavedandthenwalkedover,beerinhandanda strangesmileonherface.
Harlow
“Hey,longtimenosee”ShewrappedonearmaroundHarlow’sneckinahalfheartedembrace “Iknow,sorry,”Harlowreplied,feelingalittleguiltyathowlittleshe’dbeenaroundthepastfewmonths.Betweenthe practice,herstudies,andVincent,she’dbeensotiedupshehadn’thadtimeforanythingoranyoneelse.“Badfriendalert.” “It’sfine.”Shepulledbackandtookaswigfromherbottle.“You’vegotalotgoingon.Igetthat.”SherubbedHarlow’sarm, whonowrecognizedwhatthatsmilewasasshelookedbackatMallory pity
“It’sallgood,though,”Harlowsaid,notwantingtosoundasifshewastryingtomakeMalloryfeelsorryforher.Afterall,she waslearningwhatsheenjoyedandwasmakingahomewiththemansheloved.Thiswasagoodthing.Right?
Mallorytippedherheadtotheside.“Yeah.”ShepressedherlipstogetherinaflatsmileasshesearchedHarlow’seyesand thenhuggedheroncemore
“Anyway,enoughaboutme,whataboutyou?”
“Allgood.Notmuchchanges,youknow.”Mallorylookeddownattheground,andHarlowknewsomethingwaswrong.Wasit thatshe’dneglectedherotherrelationships notthatshehadmany topursueherowngoalsandspenttherestofhertime withVincent?WasMallorypissed?“Anyway,itwasgoodcatchingupwithyou Haveagreatdinner”
“Yeah…youtoo.”Harlowwatchedasherfriendwanderedaway,wonderinghowthingscouldchangesomuchinsuchashort spanoftime.SheandMallorywereneverexactlybestfriends,sinceHarlowhadalwaysbeenfarmoreofalonewolf.Notin therealsense.Shelikedothersandenjoyedbeingpartofthepack,butshealsolikedsolitude.Maybethetimehadcomewhen thosearoundherrealizedthatabouther
Shelookedaround,seeingtheinteractionsbetweentherestofherpackmembers fromtheseriousconversationsoftheelders tothelight-heartedandfunexchangesandconnectionsamongtheyoungerpackmembersintheirteensandtwentieslikeher.
“Hey,Harlow,”twowomenheragecalledoutastheymeanderedpast.She’dspenttimewithAvaandEmmabefore,butthey didn’tstop Thiswasn’tusualforthem Itwasasiftheyhappeneduponherbymistakeanddidn’twanttoengagefurther “Hey,yousittingdowntoeat?”Harlowcalledafterthem,hopingtogetthechancetomixwithherfellowpackmates.
“Sorry,alreadydid.”AvaturnedaroundandofferedthatsamestrangesmilethatMalloryhadmeremomentsbefore.They continuedwalkingawayfromher,andHarlowfollowedthemwithhereyes.Herstomachturnedwhentheyreachedasmall groupandhuddledtogether Theychattedawaywhiletheylookedoverather,onebyone Hernervesnowpickedather,andashungryasshewas,shecouldn’tevenbegintothinkaboutsittingdowntoeat She watchedaseveryonearoundherenjoyedthecelebrations,fillingtheirbelliesuntilitwastimeforthemainevent. “HollowGrovepack,it’stime!”AlphaLincoln’svoicerangaroundthemfollowedbyhowlsandchantingasthepack celebratedthisspecialmoment “Asyouknow,thisisn’tjustany fullmoon Andit’snotjustany packdinner” Harlow’sstomachclenchedasshewaitedtoseeVincent Untilnowhehadbeenkeptseparatefromtherestofthepack,asign hewasdifferent.Hewasn’tjustapartofthem.Hewastheirleader.
“Tonight,mysonbecomeswhohewasalwaysmeanttobe.Tonight,webecomestrongerknowingthatourbloodispowerful. TheHollowGrovepackgoesfromstrengthtostrength,andsomeonewillalwaysbeatthehelm,leadingusforward” Thecrowderuptedintomorehowlsandcheers “Vincent,comeouthere!”
AtthesoundofhisnameHarlow’sheartwarmed,herstomachstillclenchingwiththestrangeconcoctionoffeelingsthathad takenherover nerves,hope,love,fear,andwhatevershe’dexperiencedfrommanyofthepacktonight,especiallythe women
Vincentappearedbarefoot,dressedonlyinjeans Hewalkedtowardhisfatherwhotookhimintoamasculineembracebefore pullingbackandtakinghisson’sheadinhishands.Henodded,nostrilsflaredandeyesnarrowed.
“Mysonhasnowreachedhistwenty-fifthyear Asthefullmoonrises,IcannowtellyouVincentascendstotheheadofthis pack.Hewilltakeyouforward.Heisthenewalpha!”
Lincolntookoffhisjacketandplaceditoverhisson’sshoulders.Itwasaseeminglyhumbleact nocrown,noinheritanceof anythingofmaterialvalue.Buttoawolfshifter,itwaseverything.Asignthathenowworetheskinofhisfather,thealpha.
TippingVincent’sheaduptothesky,hehelditthere,onehandathisthroatandchin,theotherathisnape “Lookup,son See what’sbeengiventoyou.”Thesilencewasdeafening,asifeverycreatureformileshelditsbreathwhileVincentlookedupat theheavensandtothemoonthatwouldguidehimandhispack.“DoyousweartoleadHollowGrovepackasatruealpha?”
Harlowwaitedwithbatedbreathasthemanshelovedseemedtochangerightthereinfrontofher,notinformasshe’dseen manytimesbefore,butinnature Healreadyoozedsomethingdifferent,anditwasstrangetothinkthemanshe’dspentmonths gettingtoknowmayalreadybe different.Maybesheshouldhaveexpectedit,butthenshewasoftentoldhownaïveshewas. “Iswear!”Vincent’svoicesoundedloweranddeeperthaniteverhadbefore.
Lincolnreleasedhimandthencircledhimseveraltimes,sniffingattheairbeforefinallystandinginfrontofhim,pullinghim closeandwhisperingsomethingintohisearthatheallowednooneelsetohear
ThenLincolnraisedhisvoicetobeheardbythecrowdoncemore.“Vincentwilltakethispackforward;hisbloodwillrunon. Buttodothat,hemusthavesomeonewhowillbearhimthenextgenerationofalphas.”
Harlow’sheartthuddedinherchest,andshecouldhardlyhearforthepulsepoundinginherears.
“Son,haveyoumadeyourdecisionaboutwhothiswillbe?”
Harlowsmoothedherlong,redhairdownoverhershouldersandgatheredherself.Shewasn’toneforbeingthecenterof attention farfromit butifitwaswhatshehadtodoasherduty,shewould.
“Ihave,”repliedVincent.
Sheclosedhereyesandwaitedforhername,surprisedthathehadn’talreadysoughtheroutamongthecrowd Still,itwasall sointenseshereasonedmaybethiswaswhy.
“IchooseIslaGregory,”Vincentanswered,adefinitegrowlinhisvoice.
Harlow’sheadspun,andsheopenedhereyes,wonderingifshe’dmisheard.But…butshehadn’t.Asatallbrunettemadeher waytowardVincentandhetookherbythehand,sheknewherworstfearshadfinallycometrue
Herbreathcaughtinherthroat,everythingcrashingdownonherwithacruelcertainty She’dknownsomethingwasn’tright, andthatVincenthadmorethanjusthisascensiongoingonrecently,yetshehadn’tchallengedhim.Nowitwasobviousthatall alongsomeoneelsehadcapturedhisattention,and she wouldbetheonewhoforgedalifewithhim.
Notonlythat,butotherpackmembersknew Thepity,thewaythatpeopleactivelyignoredherearlier that’swhatitwasall about Howcouldshebeso stupid?
Tearswelledinhereyes,sohotshethoughttheymightscorchher,butnowaywouldsheshedtheminfrontofthepack.Andno waywasshegoingtowatchasVincentnowtookhisnewpartnerinfrontofher.
Packdinnerornot,shewasoutofthere
Chapter3 HARLOWRANASFASTastwolegscouldcarryher,thoughshewould’vepreferredfour.Hermindswirledwiththeevents notjustoftheeveningbutofthepastmonthsandhowshe’dsensedsomethingwasn’trightathome Toallthenightsspent alonewhenVincentshouldhavebeennexttoherandthetimeswhenhiseyesmetthefloorinsteadofherown “I’msostupid!”shecursedassheran,angrierwithherselfthanshewaswithVincentorevenIsla.Becausesheshouldhave known,shouldhavelistenedtohergutandherinstinctsinsteadofwhateverbullshithefedher. Justasbadwasthefactsheseemedtobetheonlyonewhodidn’tknowaboutthis
Howthehelldidthathappen?Everylookof pity,everyflatsmileanddismissivewaveshe’dexperiencedatthepackdinnerranthroughhermind,anditwastorture Thiswasherpack.Theseweresupposedtobeherpeople.Sowhywouldtheykeepsomethinglikethisfromher?Makeher looklikeaprizeidiot?Itwould’vebeenbadenoughnotsayinganythingtoheraboutVincentandIsla,butknowingitwould endupwithherbeinghumiliatedatthepackdinner infrontofeveryone well,thatwasabetrayalshedidn’tthinkshe’d evergetover
Inthedistanceherhousesatemptyandunlit,andherheartbrokejustalittlemore.Thiswasherhome,andVincentwastheone sheshareditwith.Exceptthatwasn’tall.She’dshared him,too.
“Screwyou,”shehissed,wipinghertear-soakedfaceasshecametoastop.Herchestpoundedandherbreathingwasheavy now,butsheknewwhatshehadtodo NowayinhellcouldshestayintheHollowGrovepack
Anyothertime,leavingwouldbeunthinkable.Toleavewouldn’tjustmeanrelocatingsomewhereelse,likeplentyofhumans didforlotsofreasonseverydayoftheweek.No,thiswasdifferentbecauseitmeantnotonlyleavingthetown,thecommunity, andeverythingsheknew.Itmeantleavingthepack.
Shestood,herchestheavingasthesethoughtsweavedthroughherhead Shehadnootheroption,andsheknewthatnow The decisionwouldn’tgodownwellwiththeothers,evenVincent,particularlysonowthathewasalpha,butwhatwasshe supposedtodo?
“Youcandothis.”Sheclosedhereyesandplacedherhandoverherbeatingheart.Shehadnoideahow,orwhereshe’dgo, butshewasn’tstickingaroundtobethelaughingstockofthispack Period Apackthatdidn’tlookoutforher,didn’twarnher thatherheartwasgoingtobebroken,andthefutureshethoughtwasmappedoutforhernowhadsomeoneelse’snameattached toit.
“Well,youcanhavehim,Isla.”Shesprintedtothehouse,runningtothebedroomandfishingoutalargesuitcasefromunderthe bed Thesheetsstillsmelledofhim,ofbothofthem,butshedidn’tstoptoeventhinkaboutthefactshe’dneverspendanother nightwrappedinhisembrace She’dmadeherdecisionanddidn’twanttotalkherselfoutofit
Quickly,shepackedasmanyclothesasshefeltsheneededbeforemakingsureshehadhermostimportantbelongings.They weren’tmuch,butwhatsheleftbehindnowwouldprobablyendupinthetrashwhenVincentreturned.Shehadafewitemsof
Harlow
jewelryshedidn’twanttopartwithaswellasherwallet,driver’slicense,andthefewdocumentssheneededtomakeanew startsomehowsomewhere.
Onceshewasdone,shesaidabrief,finalgoodbyetowhatshehadthoughtwasherhome,desperatelytryingnottoreplaythe timesshe’dhadwithVincentwithinitswalls.Thatwasovernow.Sheneededtogetoutofthereandfast.
Leavingherkeyonthecoffeetable,shewalkedout,closedthedoorbehindher,anddidn’tlookbackbeforeopeningthetrunk ofhercarandthrowinginherbag.Shecouldhearthefestivitiesfromhereasthepackcelebratedthefullmoonandthe ascensionoftheirnewalpha.Itpromisedtobeanighttoremember,andforher,thatwascertainlytruebutforallthewrong reasons.
Shedroveawayslowly,notwantingtodrawanyattentiontoherselfbutreadytoputthepedaltothemetalonceshewasouton themainroad,leavingHollowGroveterritoryforgood.Shecreptpastthebuildingssheknewsowell,feelingthelossofitall butknowingthiswasheronlychoicenow.
Shewasgoingtomisssomanythings.Thisplacewasherhome.Shebelongedtotheland,tothepack,orsoshethought.She belongedtotheforestsandthehillsandthepeopleshesawandspoketoeveryday
WhenshepassedJulia’sclinic,shefeltasuddenstabofsomethinginherchest.Itcouldhavebeenloss.Itcouldhavebeen guilt,knowingalloftheworkJuliahadputintomakingherapackhealerandallofthoseshewouldn’tgettotreatnow.She waslettingJuliadown.Shewaslettingthepackdown.Yetifshestayedshewouldbelettingherself down.
Harlowwasn’tpreparedtodothat Ashardasitwas,shehadtoputherselffirst Shematteredtoo Right?Shewasn’tsomeone whocouldjustbeusedanddiscarded.Hertrusthadbeenbrokenandlayshatteredinathousandpiecesonthefloor.Therewas nowayanyonefromthepackcouldputitbacktogetheragain.
Shewassurethatoutofeveryone,Juliawouldunderstand.Shewastheno-nonsensetype,andHarlowknewthehealer respectedher,evenhadasoftspotforher IfJuliahadknownaboutVincent,shewouldhavetoldher Harlowhadnodoubt Harlowswallowedhardasshecametotheedgeoftown.Theroadstretchedoutaheadofher,herpaththroughtheforestand outtowherevershewouldnowfindherself.Theheadlightsspilledoutontotheasphalt,andshewasgladtheyonlyilluminated theroadaheadbecausethatwaswhatsheneeded.
Shehadnotimetolookaroundnow,wonderingwhatlifemighthavelookedlikeorreminiscingaboutthepast Sheneededto justgo,notgetdistractedbythenoiseofallthesethingsthatcompetedforherattention Thiswasmoreofarippingoffthe Band-Aidsituation besttodoitquicklyandsharply,evenifitwaspainfulforabriefmoment. “Bye,”shewhisperedasshedrovebythetownsign.“I’msorry.”
Shepresseddownherfoot,sendingherhurtlingforward,nolongercaringnowifanyonesaworheard,andknowingthatwas unlikelyanyway Behindher,everyonewouldbepartyingandenjoyingthemselves,congratulatingVincentandIslaasthey becamethenewalphacouple.Thethoughtmadehersickandmadeherdoublygladshewasputtingsomedistancebetweenher andallthatmess.
Asshelefttheterritory,though,hercheststartedtotighten Shehadnoideawhereshewasheaded,andworstofall,she’d chosentoleaveatthefullmoon Thiswasnotthetimetobealone Itwasthetimetobeinthecompanyofotherwolves her pack.
Itstruckherthatshedidn’thaveapackanymore.Nowtherewasjusther,alonewolfhavingtofendforherselfandhoping she’dbeabletosurvive Panicfloodedher,herheadsplittingwiththepainofathousandandonethoughts
Themoonlookeddownuponher,andHarlowwassureshewasn’tgoingtomakeitanyfurther Shefoughtagainstitspullas shedrove.Theshiftwasneveraforcedoneeachmonth,butbeingtrappedinthecarunderthefullmoon,runningfromthe pack,wasoverwhelming.Asifitwasgoingagainstherverynaturenottotransform.
Butshecouldn’tgiveupnow Despiteeverythingshebattled,Harlowwasdeterminedtogothroughwiththismove Nothing wasleftforherinHollowGrove.Nothingthatdidn’tmeanpain,ridicule,andbetrayal.
Allshecoulddowastrynottolosehermind,breathedeeply,andfocusonthepresentmoment notthepastorthefuture. Therewasjustherandherdesiretobefreeofeverythingshethoughtshebelongedto.
Thesteadyhumoftheenginewassomethingshecouldfocuson Musicwould’vehitherheightenedsensesfartoohard Maybe,onceshewasfarenoughaway,shemightbeabletopulloverandshifttoletoffsomeofthefullmoonenergy,though thatwouldprobablybetoorisky.Butfornow,shehadtomakesureshejustgotout,farawayfromVincentwhowasprobably moreconcernedwithhisnewpartnerandpositionnow,anyway.
She’dbeendrivingforhourswhen,finally,thesunpeekedoverthehorizon Herbackached,herheadwasheavy,andshe knewtherewasnowayshecouldgoanyfurtherwithoutgettingsomerest.
Aftercontinuingforanotherfifteenminutesorso,shesawasignforamotel.Shedecidedtostopthereandgetherheaddown fortheday.She’dputenoughdistancebetweenherandHollowGrovetomakeherfeelcomfortableenoughtobeabletorest. Shetooktheturnandpulledupintheparkinglot,gladtofinallyhavethechancetoresthereyesandherlegs Theairsmelled different,remindingherofhowfarfromhomeshe’dtraveled.Itwasanunsettlingfeeling,butonesheneededtogetusedto. Therewasnogoingbacknow,andshehadnothingtogobacktoregardless.
Whensheopenedthedoortothereceptionarea,shefoundaveryenthusiasticolderwomanbehindthedesk.“Heythere, welcome!”
“Thanks,”saidHarlow,thewoman’sexuberanceknockingheroffbalanceslightly.Shefeltanythingbut.“Ijustneedaroomfor onenightplease.”
“Justyou?Youjustpassingthrough?”
“Yeah,that’sright”
“Iwon’taskyouwhereyoucamefromorwhereyou’regoing.Beeninthisbusinesslongenoughtoknowbetter.”Shewinked andtappedthesideofhernose.
Harlowwonderedifitwasobviousshewasontherun,ofasort,butrealizedshewasprobablyjusttiredandoversensitive. Thiswomanwaslikelyjustplayingwithher “I’msureyou’veseenitall”Harlowmanagedahalf-heartedsmile ShehandedthewomanherIDandpaidhercashforthe night.
“Thereyougo,roomseven.Headoutofhere,turnright,andyou’llcomeuponitsoonenough.Yougoandgetsomerestnow. Youlooklikeyouneedit”
“Thanks,Iwill,”repliedHarlow Shedidasthereceptionistsaid,findingherroomandopeningthedoortoyetmore unfamiliarsmells.Tearswereabouttocomeagain,andsheclosedthedoorbehindher,neverfeelingmorealoneinherlife. Howdiditallcometothis?
Chapter4 Harlow HARLOW’SEYESDARTEDACROSSthepassingcountryside,takinginfirsandpinesswayinginthewind.Theafternoon sunbeameddownonherfromabove,hereyelidsquakingasshestruggledtoremainalert
Sheshiftedinherseatandharshlyswunghertorso,tryingtoundothedamagedonebytwodaysofsleepinginmotelroom beds.Herbackpoppedwithasatisfyingcrack.Shehadenvisionedherselfawandererwhensheleftthepack,buttwodaysof wanderinghadalreadyleftherfatigued.
Thetwowarringsemisinfrontofher,neitherlettingtheotherpassandslowingtrafficformilesbehindthem,leftHarlow feelingonedge,maybemoresothanusual Shewonderedifskippinghertransformationmighthaveaffectedherinsomeway Eldersalwayswarnedheraboutthepossiblerepercussionsofskippingalunarevent,buttheywereoftenvagueaboutwhat wouldhappen,totheextentthatdoingitwasasocialtaboo.
Harlowponderedaboutbeingawolfanditsmeaningforherincivilizedsociety.Wouldshehaveaplaceintheordinaryworld awayfromherpack?
Sheslammedonthebrakes,hercarnowinchesawayfromoneoftheleadingsemis.Behindher,severalcarshadlaidontheir hornsinfrustrationatthetrafficblock,butpossiblyalso,shehoped,towarnheroftheoncomingcollision.Harlowtookadeep breath.
“Okay,”shetoldherself,“Iguessit’stimetogetsomerest”
Seeingasignbesidetheroad,shedecidedtotakethenextexit.Shefeltembarrassed,relievedtobealive,anxious,and terrified.Adrenalinepumpedthroughherveins,keepingherfromendangeringherselffurtherandnoddingoffatthewheel.She allowedherselftofeelenergizedbyeverybladeofpassinggrass,everypasturedcow,andeveryshakingtree.Itwasall beautifulbecauseshewasalivetoexperiencetheworld
Whenthefirstdropsofrainhitherwindshieldandthenbegantoaccumulateandobscurehervision,herfullattentionfixated onthetaskofdriving.SignspointedhertothetownofForestCrest,andsomethingaboutthetownnamefeltlikeprovidence. Shesworeshe’dheard“ForestCrest”inapriorlifeorinabooksheread,anditmadeherfeelsafe.Somehow,thenamealone feltlikehome
BythetimeHarlowhadarrivedinForestCrest,beckonedbyanassortmentoftreesthatmadethistownseemcutrightintoa wood,therainhadaccelerated,formingastreet-streamofwaterthatflowedlikeariver.Stormdrainstriedtocapturethe passageofrainwaterbutwereoverflowing.Thebulkofthetownlayaheadofher,obscuredbyarainthatcloudedeven Harlow’svision Shecouldmakeouttheoutlinesofsquaredbuildingsaheadofherdowntown,andthewornbrickroads desperatelyneededtoberepaved Harlowwasrelievedshehadstopped.Sheknewifshe’dcontinueddriving,shewouldhavebeenputtingherownlifeatrisk.
