Alina, a wolf shifter hiding from her past, lives a quiet life with her young son in a peaceful town—until reminders of his powerful, dangerous father start to surface. As her son’s first shift nears, Alina must face the truth she’s buried for years. Secrets are stirring, and soon, West Pond may no longer be safe.
A few minutes later, I’m on the open road. It’s a beautiful day outside. We’re having a false spring right on schedule now in early March. It’s warm and sunny, and even though everyone knows we’ll get another long period of chilly mist before real spring comes along, the good weather lifts my spirits. It…
Instead, there’s an older man standing in her place. I halt at the sight of him, wondering if I’ve miscounted the days. But, no. It’s Monday. And Alina works Monday through Friday so that she can take weekends off in coordination with Noah’s school schedule. I stalk toward the man behind the bar. “Where’s Alina?”…
But we can’t go back in time. What’s done is done. Later that night, mere minutes after climbing into bed, a deep sleep brings me a dream. It starts with a touch. Just a flutter along my collarbone, like the barest brush of fingertips. I can hardly see anything at all, but I know whose…
“I was dreaming.” “Dreaming.” “About you.” This time, I can’t stop the quiet groan that slips out of me. Right now, we’re both animals. Too caught up in the shadows to be anything other than ravenous and primal. Alina moves closer, leaning against the windowsill. A cool breeze ruffles her hair, and her eyes flutter…
She’s right. We could. It would be so easy to drag her into that room, rip off our clothes, and make her mine all over again. But I’m an honorable man, and she’s a confused young woman. “I can’t,” I tell her gently. “I can’t make love to you when you hate me, Alina.” “I…
“That’s a slippery slope.” Zahra snorts. “Well, he already knows all about your slippery slope, girl.” “Ew! God, Z.” She takes a sip of coffee, then slowly becomes more serious. “By the way, I passed along what Rowan said about the Whiterose shifter who is apparently messing around with Blackburns in their territory.” My stomach…
This is what I tell myself so that this grand realization doesn’t hurt as much. I exhale shakily. “So, you’re telling me that, after discovering that I am your Mate, if given ample time to think it through, you wouldn’t have rejected me? You’re telling me that you don’t believe in the prophecy?” Rowan’s pause…
“I know.” “What do you need me to do?” “Tell my father. And don’t let anyone else do what I just did.” “Why can’t you tell your father? Where are you, man?” “I’m…remember when I asked you to trust me?” In response, I get a heavy sigh. “Just give me a few more days, and…
Zahra quirks an eyebrow at me. “That’s not true.” “It is.” “I just don’t get it. The chemistry between the two of you is off the charts. It’s not just Mates. It’s the bond between an Alpha and his Luna. You’re literally meant to be, Lina.” Her words cause me to flinch. There’s no physical…
Before she can finish her sentence, there’s a loud pounding on the front door. Both of us jump at the sudden banging sound, twisting to face the entryway with twin expressions of shock. “Alina!” calls Rowan from the other side. Blinking in surprise, I glance out the window. Rowan’s truck isn’t in the driveway, and…