"I come here everyday and I already told the three young men who were here yesterday that she came in and ate here two days ago. Someone said they saw her leaving with this nice young man who lost his mate, Waylon, but I can't say if that's true. Are you police? I thought that they were police. I know they went and tracked down the man who saw her in Waylon's truck and then they took off. I think they said they were detectives. They were definitely wolves too. And they were driving this shiny black car." An elderly woman who was sitting outside a restaurant had looked carefully at Dani's photo before offering them an outpouring of information. "This man, Waylon, can you tell up about him?" Alpha Vos asked in a gentle tone. "Oh yes. I've known him since he was a pup." The woman smiled, obviously pleased to be sharing her thoughts with someone who would listen. "He's such a pleasant young man. He's always willing to help others. His father was a good man too and our town just hasn't b

Dani felt teeth sinking in just above her right shoulder and snarled in pain. She kicked out with her back legs and slammed her weight backwards towards her attacker, attempting to throw him off balance. She was at a disadvantage because as a She-Wolf she was quite a bit smaller than every male in this fight. But she had one thing going for her. She was nearly certain that the three men who had arrived were sent by Alpha Harding and if that was the case then they couldn't harm her. Well, at least not too badly. If there was one thing that Dani was certain of, it was that Alpha Harding wanted her back in his hands alive and conscious so that he could begin his sadistic torture all over again. And it's always a little easier to fight someone when you can kill them, while they are trying not to hurt you too badly. Dani turned her head and nearly managed to sink her teeth into the large wolf's chest but just as she was about to make contact, he surged back onto his feet and shook her har

"Since your memories seem to be far clearer than my own, why don't you jog my memory. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be remembering.""We had a picnic that year to celebrate the opening of the week. My mom had spent all week planning it. Our house was tense. I didn't know that Dani was my little sister then. I wouldn't know for a long time yet. But her mom was having a really hard time back then and went on a bender. She dumped her on our front door with a little pink suitcase. I don't remember exactly how old she was, but five or six I think? That's got to be around right. I think she was missing her bottom two teeth.""Anyways, my mom told my dad to take her to one of the old ladies in town to watch her and he told that she could go fuck herself. He hadn't really spent any time with Dani and I guess he was curious what she was like. Fuck, she was just like him, except not evil. Stubborn and willful and clearly Alpha-born. I think he was proud of her after spending an hour wat

When he returned he'd claimed his position as Beta. He'd stuck by Luca's side. But he hadn't been the same. There'd been some talk in the pack of his new, nearly silent personality, with occasional outbursts of rage. Most of the older wolves said it was because he'd grown up. When things were good with the pack, Lars was somber and serious. He didn't laugh. But he worked hard and he was devoted to his Alpha. And he was extremely devoted to Lyra who many assumed would someday be their Luna. Teo had hated Lyra. She'd acted like a princess who was above most of the pack. He'd been happy not to have to guard her, even if it was, technically, a big part of his job. Fuck. He cursed silently. It was all so obvious now. Teo would have been willing to bet his left nut that Lyra was Lars' mate. And had she rejected him? Not exactly. What she had been doing for the last twelve years was warping his soul. Lars had stepped into the position. He had guarded Lyra closely. They were often alone t

Stella opened her eyes, blinking twice before closing them again quickly against the light flooding in through the window. Her entire body ached. She reached out with her mind, seeking the comfort of her wolf, but found only silence, an empty hole in her psyche where her wolf's presence usually filled the void. A wave of nausea rolled through her body, forcing her to push herself up onto her elbows, her eyes opening again, one hand shielding them from the light of the window.Someone had placed a wastebasket with a plastic bag in it right next to her bed and she slid down on her knees, emptying the contents of her stomach, which by now wasn't much more than stomach acid, into the bottom of the thin bag."Welcome back to the land of the living, Stella West." Stella froze, her fingers digging into the edge of the thin metal bucket as she realized that she wasn't alone. She wanted to stand and wield the small trash can as some sort of weapon, proving to herself and her weapon master th