Is that a pickup line?
“Why?” She was not used to people touching her face, and having a hunky and attractive man like Grayson holding her was not an exception. He was a werewolf, and her imagination ran wild as it recalled images of the horror movies she’d watched in her childhood. Grayson could easily slice her with his claws if he wanted to.“They’re fascinating to look at and I want to understand what makes them change their color.” The nearness of his face as he lifted her chin had her heart racing.“They change colors?”Grayson cupped her face with his left hand while his right forefinger and thumb widened her eyes. He tilted her face to the light to see the color clearer.He sensed her eyes change colors due to their initial attraction, but needed to be sure.“Does your eyes change colors, too?” Her scent wafted up to Grayson’s nose, and he released his breath slowly. He wanted to prevent his heart from beating faster, but Brianna picked up the subtle difference, anyway.“Sheriff, I can hear your hea
“Bree! Wake up!” Brianna shot up, thinking she heard Bran’s voice. Looking around, half asleep, she realized she was still behind bars. “We need to go! Now!”“Bran? I can’t leave. They locked me in jail.”“Bree, I can hear you, but I can’t sense your presence. Why is your vision so dark?”“I don’t know, maybe because I’m in the basement. Bran, I have something to tell you.”“I’ll break you out, but I can’t find any openings. Do you see a window? How did you get in there?”“Bran… did you know we were werewolves?”“Did they torture you? Is that how you found out? I swear I’ll kill them.”“Is it true?”“Yes, Bree. I’ll explain everything, but you need to tell me where you are so I can bust you out.”“Bran?” The voice disappeared.Was it all a dream?Bree snuggled under the covers, confused and feeling alone when she felt something else stirring inside her.A feeling of warmth and something familiar. ‘You are not alone, Brianna.’ ‘Mom? I miss you. Tell me what to do.’‘Brianna, I am not y
Grayson knew Brianna needed to cool off before he could ask about her inner wolf, so the next morning, instead of spending more time together, he headed to work to check on his staff. Most days, Grayson would walk around town, checking out on the store owners and the locals to see if they needed any help. It was a small town so his duties included anything from carrying animal feed to someone’s flatbed, tasting someone’s latest baked good, or just having coffee and saying hi to Maggie to get updates from the night before. Instead, he headed straight to work and did some research on how to help Brianna overcome her rogue wolf and take control.He also planned to call his grandparents and tell them about what was happening, hoping they could shed some light on what to do, but it was the first vacation they’d had in a long time and Grayson wanted them to enjoy being away from all the responsibility.Plus, he did not want his grandfather to think he couldn’t handle the job. Grayson had
“Marina! She’s Grayson’s mate, and if you hurt her, we don’t know what might happen to you?”“I’m Grayson’s mate, not this intruder. I’ve been with him since we were young.”“You’ve always wanted that to happen, and it never stuck because Grayson didn’t want you. Now that Brianna is here, you’ll never get a chance.”Marina swiped at Aiden with her claws in anger while pulling at Brianna’s hair harder, making her tear up. A few strands had come loose, and she did not mind having a bald patch, but Serena was getting agitated.“Let her go, Marina, or I will call Grayson right now.”“Owww!” Brianna cried in her most pitiful voice.Why were they saying she was Grayson’s mate when they just met? Did Marina and Aiden come from Australia where they call their friends’ mates?She understood Marina saw her as a threat against Grayson, but why was the word mate making her so angry?Bree was not used to acting like a damsel in distress, but she needed to look weak, so she channeled the whiny girl
At the academy, her mentors commended Brianna for her interrogation skills, so while Aiden tried to coax information about her family, she turned the tables and interviewed him instead.Aiden’s family had been in the valley for at least a century. The patriarch of the pack ran away from his family because he disagreed with their practices. Werewolves, like their wild counterparts, were very loyal to their packs, and it rarely happens that a member leaves on their own.Aiden was never privy to the traumatic events that occurred between his grandfather and the original pack. But he knew his grandfather ran away with their grandmother and later established the Silvercreek pack.Brianna wondered if their story was the classic Romeo and Juliet plot where their parents did not agree to their union, so they eloped.It sounded romantic, but from the story Aiden imparted; it seemed like the couple struggled a lot.They’d been hiding in different places for a while before they ended up in the m
“You let her out?!?” Brianna felt his presence even before Grayson uttered the cutting remark.It had been hours since she’d taken command of the kitchen, making grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy potato soup, after Aiden revealed his inability to perform any task in the kitchen. Wolves ate constantly and in huge amounts to replenish the energy they lost when using their abilities. Aiden didn’t perform strenuous activities recently, yet he still felt hungry.Even without his request, Brianna would have done anything to stay in the kitchen because she fell in love with it instantly. The spacious area reminded her of being on a farm or a cattle ranch where everyone came to share their meals. A sliver of memory touched her mind briefly but was immediately lost when she tried to reach out to recall it. She could imagine people walking in and out of the house the entire day, asking for snacks, and trying to swipe newly baked cookies off the counter.For such an enormous house, she wond
Grayson wanted Brianna to say something to him, anything, just like how she was talking to Aiden, but when she laid back down on the bed facing away from him, he sighed.He had been too harsh with his greeting, but he was caught unawares when he saw her in the kitchen.Everything felt right at that moment, as if she belonged in his house. But then, seeing Brianna having an easy conversation with Aiden made him jealous. She had a smile on her face and was laughing at his antics. He wished she had been smiling at him instead.Grayson expelled another sigh. “How are you? Any progress on contacting your wolf?” He asked after hesitating outside her door for what seemed like a long while.“No. I’ll try again later.” She mumbled into her pillow, acting like a child that’s been scolded.“I can help if you want.” They were tiptoeing around each other as though caught in an awkward dance. “I’m okay. You don’t need to. I’ve bothered you enough.”“Let me change my clothes and scare up some dinner
Brianna had no food, tent, extra clothes, or a navigation device to guide her path. She did not need any of those things now that her connection with Serena was recognized. The wolf would keep her safe until she could find sustenance.‘We could always eat other animals.’‘Yuck! Serena, don’t even think about shifting and getting blood on my hands. We are not savage animals.’Serena had been in control whenever she sleepwalked, taking Bree to different paths that held Brandon’s scent. And now that they were one, there was nothing to stop Bree from finding him. Brianna wanted to check and see what happened to her expensive, slightly used camping gear, so against Serena’s better judgment, they returned to the campsite where she had last stayed, only to be surprised by a backpack and camping gear waiting for her.Had Grayson known what she would do and left her all the items in the forest? Did he really care for her that much?Thinking it might be true made her feel horrible for tricking
“We’re leaving,” Brandon declared when the buzzing of conversations around them continued. Pack members introduced themselves and found something interesting to talk about. Each group cautiously treaded the waters to see if the intention behind the visit was real.The Silvercreek pack alpha was cautious. They’ve had visits from other groups before wanting to take over their land, and most of them came with good intentions, only to betray them when they slept.Bree needed a break. She was more reserved than Grayson, and having too many werewolves she didn’t know made her feel uneasy.“So soon?” Bree asked, looking over at Marina and noticing she looked agitated.‘What’s wrong with her?’ She asks Bran through their twin telepathy and nods in Marina’s direction.‘She has a name.’ Bran sounded offended, but Bree just smirked.‘Whatever. Why does she look like she’s about to throw up?’‘She’s not pregnant if that is what you’re asking.’‘It’s not, and that is good to know, but her eyes ar
Marina’s mouth shaped an O as she glared at Bran. ‘Are you kidding me? I’m not sleeping with you in a house full of werewolves. They’ll hear what we’re doing.’Bran smiled, lifted her chin to close her mouth, and kissed her cheek. He was getting bolder with his actions. ‘I didn’t say anything about sleeping together in my bed, but sure, we can do that too.’‘You’re horrible,’ Marina blushed. Obviously, she was getting ahead of herself and didn’t even know if Bran wanted the same thing she did. Sure, he held her close with all the male werewolves around trying to check her out, but that meant nothing. He could be like any other male staking his claim when other men were about.Bran grinned and his eyes lit up. ‘Not funny!’ She added, even though her smile said something different. His smile alone melted her resolve. Marina stopped talking to Bran when Grayson spoke. Bran held her close as she faced the alpha and the visitor.Tension was so thick it could be felt in the air, thus push
“Hey, Marg,” Bran and Marina enter the bar, followed by ten of their new friends. “Can you give my new friends their first drink and charge it on my tab.”Marg raised her brow. “Friends of yours?” She was suspicious. Since when did Brandon have friends the pack didn’t know about?She tried to catch Marina’s attention, but the younger woman escaped to the ladies’ room. Who were these people and why were there so many of them? Why did they come?Are they here for peace or to cause problems?These are just some of the questions she needed answered. However, it was not her place to confront the individuals involved.Marg sent a message to Grayson through the pack link to alert him of the newcomers. Ten werewolves on a motorcycle can mean anything, and she wanted to err on the side of caution.Several minutes later, Grayson and Brianna appear at the bar as if they came casually. Like they were out on a date and had come to the pub for drinks.The jukebox was blaring an old song about the
“Brandon! Get out of the way! A truck is coming.” She yells while pulling him toward the trees. But Brandon did not budge and kept his ground. He did not want to confront the creature lurking behind the shadows unless necessary.It was too late, Marina thought. When the truck hit the rock, the momentum would crumple the vehicle and them at the same time. She did not want to lose Bran to an accident they could have prevented, so she decided to stay with him. Better die together than cry because of his loss.‘It’s okay. It’s not a truck.’ He communicated through their link as the lights came closer, halting a couple of feet before the rock, the sound of machinery louder than before.His range to hear and see things around him was more enhanced than Marina’s because of his alpha blood. So he knew way before she did that it wasn’t a big vehicle that was approaching.“Need help there young werewolf?” A deep voice boomed behind the light and Marina’s eyes widened in fear as she scented at l
Inside the vehicle, Marina could not sit still. How did Seth know where she was, and how did he know she would be on a date with Brandon?Brandon asked her about a song and she said yes instead of telling him she’d heard it before. She could not focus. Seth just thanked her for luring Brandon away from the pack and threatened to kill him.Marina needed all her faculties to detect any coming danger, so she tuned Bran out, slid the windows down, and listened to the sounds outside.They were halfway to the border between Silvercreek and the next town when her fears finally manifested.She saw glimpses of a werewolf running alongside their car hidden behind the treeline. He was running so fast she could hear him grunting as he ran. Like in a horror film, the hair on her arms stood on end and she knew it was only a matter of minutes before they met this wolf in person.The action was easy to miss by a regular human, but since she had enhanced hearing and could see in the dark, she was su
Marina walked down the stairs, and Brandon couldn’t help but hold his breath. He always knew she was beautiful, but with minimal makeup and her hair down, she looked younger.The thick foundation, black eyeliner, and red lipstick she wore most of the time made her look more mature, hiding her soft, smooth skin. Having all that armor made him wonder what she wanted to hide under all that facade.“You look so—” Brandon hesitated. He had no words to describe her.“I need to change.” Marina felt conscious and retreated up the steps, but before she could reach the top, Bran’s arm shot out to stop her.“You don’t,” he said after pulling her to his chest, lifting her off the ground and making her feet dangle.His face was positioned right on top of the V of her neckline, and he gave her a naughty smile. “I like this view too.” His eyes lowered, and she covered her breasts with her hands.“Let me go. This is inappropriate.”“Okay, I will let you go if you promise not to change. I like your o
The answer was yes. She wanted to have sex with Bran, to risk the wrath of their alpha and his mate, to try her chance at happiness. If she would get exiled, why not for her happiness? But now was not the right time and place, not at the barracks, where it felt impersonal and hurried.‘Let’s go on a date first, like you suggested.’ Brandon groaned silently against her neck, but the rumble in his chest told her how disappointed he felt.‘Then we can do all this and more after the… third date?’‘Third date?’ He whined through their link, yet his hand never stopped moving.‘Isn’t that the norm?’‘How about I show you what I can do with my mouth now?’‘Oh…’ How was she supposed to say no when his hands alone brought her to her knees? ‘I have no doubt it’ll be—aghhh…good—aghhh… Brandon, don’t stop.’ Marina fused their lips and clutched his hair as the feeling in her core intensified. There was no sound anyone could hear, but Bran could feel what she did through their link. She was about t
The couple awoke in the dark at the same time, clothes covering their bodies, and sweat running down their backs. They were back at the barracks on the bed they slept in, arms wrapped around each other.The dream had been so real he felt the slickness when their naked bodies glided against each other. He was having an erotic dream about Marina and he wondered if he walked into her dream or if he dragged her into his.Bran looked into Marina’s eyes as she rubbed their legs together, noticing they were clouded. Was she still asleep? Should he wake her up?He sniffed the air and scented her arousal. It was a big possibility that they had just shared every part of his sexually charged dream.‘What were you dreaming about?’ He touched the tip of their noses together and asked through their link. Her answer would mean she was awake.Marina shook her head. She had to erase the image of Bran covering her with his naked body. The dream was too racy to be shared.‘You were there.’ He captured h
Bran was in the shadows listening to their conversation, so when Marina stepped out to head to the barracks, he surprised her by appearing out of nowhere.“Is that true?” He asked.“What is true?” Marina feigned ignorance.“That you were in love with him before?” She walked away before speaking.“It was a childhood crush. He was the only handsome guy in town, so it was only right that every girl in this area was infatuated with him.”“And now?”“Now…” She looked over at Bran and smirked. “I have to check my options. Let me look at your face and check if you’re handsome enough.”Bran grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest. “Are looks really that important?” He asked while tipping up her chin. He wanted to stare into her eyes while she gave her answer.“Yes... No...”“Are you saying you’d settle because there’s no one else but me?” Marina raised her brow as if insulted.“I have standards.”“And I’m below that?” Brandon wasn’t vain. He had no delusions he was handsome but didn’t thi