All Chapters of By the Curse of Fire: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Vaelora POV The nightmares are starting to feel more real. More vivid. They disturb me in ways I can’t explain. My alarm has been going off for the last five minutes, but I don’t bother to reach over and hit snooze. It’s move-in day. My first year of college. And I’m not sure I’m as ready as I thought I was going to be. It’s nearly five hours away—five hours from everything I’ve ever known. From my friends. From my family. From home. The University of Maine in Presque Isle was the only college in the state that offered a homeopathy course. That’s how I justified it. I’ll be majoring in the medical field—if I make it through college, anyway. “Vaelora, we gotta get a move on, sweetheart.” “Yeah, Mom, I’m up,” I groan, dragging myself out of bed. It’s going to be a long day. I find her downstairs at the breakfast bar, nibbling toast, already dressed in her paint-stained work jeans and a flannel rolled up to the elbows. She looks like she always does—steady. Capable. Safe.

Vaelora’s POV It’s been two weeks since starting college. Two weeks of introductions—to classes and to people. Two weeks of learning how to coexist with a roommate who is exactly the kind of girl who bullied me in high school. Two weeks of missing home. Don’t get me wrong—she’s been nice. But she has that social queen-bee energy. Party girl. Tight skirts. Layers of makeup. And booze. Lots of booze. She’s cornered me into going to a party with her tonight—off campus, at some football scholarship quarterback’s house. One thousand percent not my scene. I’ve never even had a drink before. It’s Saturday. I usually keep Saturdays free for catching up on work and spending probably too many hours in the garden. But today we’re hosting some kind of political meeting at the hotel, and it needs to be set up. I managed to land a job at a local hotel doing housekeeping and event work. Mostly housekeeping. It’s surprisingly busy for such a small city—one of the only decent hot

Sawyer’s POVThe ride from the jetport to the hotel is dreadful.The thought of seeing Sebastian’s smug face twists something ugly inside me.When we pull up to the entrance, my unease deepens. I sigh and pray to the Moon Goddess that today passes with minimal mental anguish.I open the door — and instantly know my prayers have gone unanswered.Her scent hits me.Smoky vanilla and lavender. Intoxicating. It wraps around me like a second skin.I can feel her.Oh, Goddess… no.A mate.My grip tightens on my briefcase. It must be a she-wolf who came with Sebastian.My inner wolf claws for control. On the inside, everything screams to run to her. Find her. Claim her. Mark her.On the outside, I shift uncomfortably, forcing composure. I drag a hand through my tightly manicured hair and make myself move forward.I hope she doesn’t cause a scene. I don’t want to be forced to appear accepting in front of everyone.I’m not even sure I want a mate again.Not after Natasha.I step inside. Her sc

Sawyer’s POVEverything runs smoothly when I return to the pack house — exactly as it should.It brings me no comfort.My mind won’t slow. A mate. Here. In my territory.She had to have moved her while I was away. There’s no other explanation. I would have sensed her. I would have known.Her face hasn’t left my mind since I saw her.Her voice echoes in the quiet.Her scent feels burned into my nostrils.Footsteps approach from behind me.“Welcome home, Alpha,” Agnes says warmly.I turn and nod. “How were things?”“Minor rogue disturbances along the borders. Nothing we couldn’t handle.”Agnes is the old Gamma, Cyrus’s mate. Cyrus still assists when needed. My current Gamma, Blaine, held command while I was in Bangor on business. Though a Gamma’s role is to lead the warriors, Blaine handles leadership seamlessly in my absence.“You seem troubled, sir.”“I’m fine. Just tired. Have my supper sent to my room.”I head upstairs but end up in the library instead. There has to be something