Hungry Like The Wolf

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Praise for the writing ofVivi Anna

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HungryLike the Wolf

I couldn't put it down. The hero knows what he wants and goes after it. The heroine is an Alpha and isn't afraid to prove it. The story is fast paced and very detailed.Fabulous job toVivi Anna. -- Brenda Bryce, author ofThe Society 1: Regulating Archimedes (Loose Id)

HungryLike the Wolfis the kind of novel that leaves you ravenous for a sexy adventure of your own. If you're looking for a bold, daring, sexy read, look no further thanHungry Like the Wolf. -- Lacey Savage, author ofI, Nefertiti (Loose Id)

I loved it!A powerful story that bites you from the first scene and doesn't let go until the very end. The intensity of Garrick and Olivia jumps off the page straight into your heart. The sex was incredible as was the passion and love they had for each other. -- Beth Williamson, author ofSpurs and Mistletoe:The Harder They Fall (coming soon from Loose Id)

ViviAnna takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of heartache and revenge while making you feel as though you are part of the pack. A wonderfully hot read,HungryLike the Wolf will keep you panting for more. -- Maggie Casper, author ofSpurs and Mistletoe: Santa in Spurs (coming soon from Loose Id)

Garrick and Olivia set my screen on fire from the moment they saw each other, and it didn’t stop smoldering even when I was finished. A strong, stubborn werewolf and an equally strong and willful woman, both surrounded by danger and pulled together by an undeniable attraction…it doesn’t get any better than that! --Flesa Black, author ofRefuge:The Fortress (coming soon from Loose Id)

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HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF

ViviAnna

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Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers. ***** This book is rated:

For explicit sexual content, graphic language and some violence.

HungryLike the Wolf ViviAnna

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-29 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © August 2005 byVivi Anna Excerpt ofTheSociety 1: Regulating Archimedes copyright August 2005 by Brenda Bryce All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 1-59632-153-9 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML,MobiPocket , and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Catherine Gilbert Cover Artist: Bonni Elizabeth Hall

www.loose-id.com Prologue

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Garrick looked down atCorin’s bloody, dead body and knew he’d made the right decision. It was his heart that disagreed. He turned his head to the side and watched his truck speed out of his driveway and down the graveled lane, and he wondered if he had done the right thing. In the morning, Olivia would be upset and angry, wondering what she ever saw in him. During the next full moon, when her first change came upon her, she would hate him. But it had had to be done. Now thatCorin was dead, Garrick would become the next alpha pack leader. That was how it worked in this world. He’d fought for a long time not to have this happen. He had been happy with the way things were. When pack members disobeyed certain laws, it had been Garrick’s job as Keeper of Secrets to reprimand them, usually with brute force. He’d never wanted to lead a pack. No matter how oftenCorin pushed him, Garrick had refused to rise to the challenge. Tonight, however, had been different.Corin had made a lethal mistake. He hadn’t realized how much Olivia mattered to Garrick. When Garrick sawCorin stalking her outside his house, Garrick had snapped. There were no more excuses to back off fromCorin’s challenge. Garrick did rise to the challenge ... and won. But it had cost him dearly. As long as he was alpha pack leader, Olivia would be in danger. Others would come to seek the claim, and if she remained at his side as his mate, she would be his weakness.The one vulnerable thing about him. She would become a target. He couldn’t let that happen, so he’d pushed her away. However agonizing it was for them both, she would be safer on her own, away from him. In time, she would come to hate him. He could live with that as long as she was safe. Lifting his head, Garrick glanced atCorin’s two generals, Tommy and Smith, who had accompanied him. “Either of you going to give me any trouble?” Tommy shook his head of wild red hair.“Nah, mate. I never did like that bastard.” “Me, either,” Smith agreed. “Then help me with his body. He’s bleeding all over my yard.” “No problem, boss.” Tommy reached down and grabbedCorin’s arms. Boss.That was now his name. And he would have to live with the consequences of his actions. However painful they turned out to be. Chapter One

The dark woods were deathly quiet as the predator stalked in search of its quarry. Birds quieted high in the treetops, and rodents scampered through the low brush, seeking refuge in hollowed logs or underground dens. The wolf bounded swiftly through the trees. The small creatures of the forest needn’t have worried about their safety, as the wolf hunted bigger prey.

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A doe nibbled on the fresh summer grass in the nearby meadow. Her ears perked up as branches snapped in the surrounding trees. She froze and listened for more sounds of the hunter’s location. The wolf stealthily crept through the underbrush, his belly low to the ground as he neared the quiet meadow. His prey was just past the last remaining trees. If he could advance quickly and quietly without pause, the doe would have no chance to escape. Lifting her head and twitching her nose upwind, the young doe scented her enemy. Her little white tail went up like a warning flag, and she turnedto bound back into the trees. A young woman stepped out from the wooded area and into the meadow. A young man followed her close behind, his hand wrapped possessively around her arm. “Look, Stan, a deer.” She pointed just as the doe jumped into the surrounding trees. “We should go back, Tammie. I don’t like being out here in the dark.” She turned and hugged him, pressing her breasts intimately against his chest. “Don’t be silly. What could possibly harm us out here?” A low growl drew their attention to the tall grass across the meadow. “What was that?” Stan stuttered. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes wide. “I d-d-don’t know. We should go back.” The wolf could smell their fear. They were ripe with the sickly sweet odor of cold sweat and adrenaline. He stepped quietly into the meadow, his belly scraping the high grass, and decided on new prey. Stan’s eyeswidened, and he started to shake, his hand digging into Tammie’s arm. “Wolf! Run!” Turning, almost running into each other, Stan and Tammie ran back into the trees the same way they had come out. The wolf crouched down into the grass, as if at rest, and allowed them to run ahead. He could find them however far they traveled. The sounds of their labored breaths and grunts of fear as they stumbled blindly through the trees sent shivers up and down his powerful form. The fur on his neck and back stood up as the need to hunt erupted in him. He growled low in his throat and bounded into the forest to chase his quarry. He could hear them crashing through the woods, branches snapping with each step. It was not long before he was hot on their trail. He could see the heat wavering off of their bodies with a warm crimson glow and smell the pungent but savory odor of their terror. “Oh, my God, Stan!He’s right behind me!” He could hear the sheer horror in the woman’s voice as she screamed, could smell her every scent as he ran close behind. The scent of her sweat, her light flowery perfume, the fresh fragrance of her skin, and the cloying odor of her sex wafted to his nose. His eyes rolled back in his head at the sheer ecstasy of the feminine bouquet.

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The young woman tripped over a rotted log and fell to the forest floor. “Help me, Stan! Oh, God, help me!” The young man glanced behind him to see his fallen girlfriend and then noticed the large black wolf right at her feet. Turning, he shook his head and continued to run without another look at her. “Stan!” she screeched, trying to scramble to her feet. The wolf paused as he neared the girl, then sniffed vigorously and growled low in his throat. She was down and hurt. He could smell the blood that beaded the torn flesh on her legs. The tangy odor swirled around him like ambrosia. But she was not his prey, this time. He sprinted past her and bounded down the trail toward the man. Stan glanced over his shoulder and, with pure terror, realized that the large wolf was ignoring Tammie and coming after him. He cried out, trying to force his legs to go faster. He was tired, and his limbs throbbed painfully from the exertion. He didn’t know how much longer he could go on. The wolf would be on him in moments. The wolf was right at his heels. Stan could feel its hot breath on his back. He didn’t dare glance behind him. He didn’t want to stare into the disturbing eyes of his attacker. He knew the end was coming even before it happened. When he felt the first large paw of the wolf on his back, he was not surprised. The wolf pushed Stan to the ground, careful not to slash open his back. He wanted some fun. Playtime was his favorite time. Crouching down on his haunches away from his prey, the wolf watched as his quarry scrambled to his feet and ran again. With a gruff snuffle, which sounded suspiciously like a snort of laughter, the wolf followed in pursuit. He jumped and pushed the man to the ground again. This time, he stood over him, straddling his back, breathing heavily onto the man’s exposed neck. The acrid smell of ammonia tickled his nose. He knew the man had pissed his pants as fear wrapped itself tightly around his vibrating form. The wolf slowly bared his long white fangs. Saliva dribbled from his open mouth and onto the man’s turned cheek. Stan muttered a vehement prayer under his breath, squeezing his eyes tightly shut. “Garrick!” The wolf raised his head, his ears twitched toward the voice. “Garrick! Where thefuck are you, mate?” The wolf snuffled and shook his head. He lowered his muzzle to his plaything’s face again. “Stay out of my woods,” he growled, then stepped off the young man. Stan lay immobile on the ground, still frozen in fear. Soon, his eyes opened, and he stared at the wolf that sat on his haunches near him, watching. “Run,” the wolf growled.

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Wide-eyed and sweating, Stan scrambled to his feet and ran down the trail without another glance toward the strange black animal. A tall redheaded man stepped out of the shadows of the trees. He smiled. “There you are.” The wolf snorted his response. “I brought you a change of clothes.” He raised the pile of clothes he carried. “Something’s come up.” The wolf crouched down on his belly and closed his eyes. The pain was immense as tissue, muscles, and bones twisted and turned, rearranging themselves back into human order. Garrick nearly passed out from the pain that ripped through his form. No other pain could ever compare to the transformation. It was excruciating and tiring. It hurt every time he changed, but to ignore the change was worse. Soon, he was fully formed. His limbs had been straightened, his spine cracked and aligned, and the fur sucked back into this skin through his pores. He lay on his side, cold sweat slicking his skin. Shivers erupted over him, causing his teeth to chatter violently. Tommy tossed him his clothes. “Get dressed; you’ll get warm.” Quickly, Garrick stood and dressed in t-shirt and jeans. “You weren’t really going to eat that boy, were you?” Garrick smirked as he ran a hand through thick, sweat-soaked black hair. “I was just playing.” “You don’t play fair, do you?” “Nope.”He slipped on his sandals.“So, Tommy, what’s so important that you’d interrupt my fun?” “Fisher’s asked for a meeting.” “Why?” Tommy shook his head. “Don’t know.Says he wants to talk.” “What could we possibly have to talk about? There hasn’t been an incident between our packs in months.” Ten months, to be exact, Garrick thought. Not since he had killedCorin and taken over as alpha of the Blue Bay werewolf pack. Things had been a lot different then. He had been a different man then; Olivia had stillbeen ... “Are you coming, then?” Garrick looked over at Tommy. He was smiling and pointing in the direction he’d parked the car.

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“Where’s the meeting?” “At the Lunar Eclipse.” Garrick sighed. He hated loud rave nightclubs, especially ones where the clientele was made up of werewolves, wannabe werewolves, and wannabe vampires. He hated the latter the most. They were obnoxious, pretentious, and stupid. Everyone knew vampires didn’t exist. “Do I have time to shower and change?” Tommy grinned.“Of course. Wouldn’t want to go in there, smelling like ... like an animal, now would you?” He laughed. Chapter Two

The Lunar Eclipse was a traveling nightclub. One night it had been in the gym of a high school, another night in the basement of a church. The pastor was one of Fisher’s pack members. This night, it was in an abandoned warehouse along the wharf.The Blue Bay pack’s wharf.Garrick’s wharf. A long black car pulled up to the side of the warehouse and parked in the shadows. Garrick and Tommy got out of the back seat, along with two other pack members, Smith and Puck. Smith was Garrick’s oldest pack member and Puck his biggest. He’d been an NHL hockey player. His nose had been broken three times, and to prove it, he had no front teeth. But he was also one of Garrick’s favorites. Big, dumb, and lovable made for loyal pack followers. The moment they got out of the car, a menagerie of smells hit Garrick in full force. Sweat, old beer, the sweet odor of pot, and something familiar yet elusive floated through the air. His nostrils flared in response to the heady mixture. Tommy noticed his reaction. “What’s wrong?” “I don’t know.” Garrick raised his head and sniffed the air again. Underneath all the other odors was a tangy spice that sent shivers down his spine. He shook his head, trying to dislodge the smell from his overly sensitive nose. “Do you smell something wrong?” Tommy joked. Smith cuffed him across the head. “We all smell something, you dumb ass.” Tommy grinned and rubbed his head. “Hey, all I smell is female. That’s all I care about.” “We’re not here to pick up bitches, Tommy.” Garrick unzipped his leather jacket and smoothed out a crease in his cotton pants. “I need you on guard and on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.” “Hey, don’t worry, mate. I’ve always got your back.” Garrick glanced over his shoulder at his second and smirked. “You better have.”

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Tommy looked over at Puck. “You liked my joke, didn’t you?” “Nope.”Puck smiled, trying hard not to laugh. Tommy smacked him in the arm.“Liar.” With Garrick in the lead, they crossed the street and approached the door to the club. A large black man dressed in black leather guarded the door. He barely fit in the doorway, and his glistening bald head skimmed the bottom of the frame. His hand moved down into the opening of his jacket as they approached. There was no doubt in Garrick’s mind that he had a gun in a shoulder holster under the jacket. “We’re expected,” Garrick announced as he looked up at the guy, unwavering in his stance and stare. He didn’t cower from anyone. Although the bouncer was bigger than he was, he knew he could take him out with a quick, efficient blow. The guard dropped his gaze and nodded, opening the door for them.“Of course, Mr. Blackthorn. Go right in.” “Thank you.” Garrick nodded back as he passed through the door into a narrow hallway that led to a long metal staircase. Garrick looked around as they ascended and noticed the small cameras mounted on the ceiling. He imagined Fisher anxiously watching his monitors as they entered. The man was ambitious and cunning, but lacked backbone. Ever since Garrick had taken control of the Blue Bay pack, Fisher hadbeen wanting to make an alliance, to meld the packs together into one. In addition, Garrick knew whom Fisher thought should lead, and it wasn’t Garrick. At the top of the stairs, a voluptuous, raven-haired woman wearing a micro-miniskirt and a tiny tank top met them. She smiled, and her full ruby lips spread into a feral grin as Garrick neared. “Good evening, Mr. Blackthorn. My name isMalina , and I will be your escort. Fisher is very pleased you have come.” She wrapped her hand around his arm and led him along the side of a thin metal walkway that wound its way around a very large and open room. The room was packed with people, and though the music was loud, you could still talk above it. Garrick thought it made sense to keep the music from deafening everyone, since most of the clientele could hear a fart ten miles away. As they made their way around the packed dance floor, the hair on Garrick’s arms rose. A familiar smell and feeling brushed against him like a cat to its owner. His nose twitched again. He felt a sneeze building in his nostrils from the clingy, spicy odor. Grinning,Malina glanced up at him and noticed his twitching nose. “I am available, if you like. Fisher will offer me to you, as a sign of good faith.” He looked down at her, gazing at the ample breasts that bounced freely under her tank top, and the long curve of her muscular legs. At another time, he would have taken her up on the offer, but tonight, he did not feel the desire to take her. She was his usual taste, but for some reason, he wanted something different. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass tonight.”

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“Suit yourself.” She led them around the room to an upper guest area that had been thrown together with a few good sofas, a table, and a slew of werewolves lazing about. Fisher sat in the middle, among his pack. Two voluptuous women sat on either side of him, with their hands resting eagerly in his leather-clad lap. He smiled as they neared, his perfect white teeth flashing at them. “Garrick. Good to see you, man.” Garrick nodded to Fisher, eyeing the other men surrounding him. Two large men stood behind the sofa, and two others flanked Fisher. Untangling himself from the women, Fisher shooed them away. They pouted but left, climbing down the metal stairs and disappearing in the throng ofclubgoers . Fisher motioned toward the vacant chair. “Please sit.” He snapped his fingers at one of the two men behind him. “Get our guests some drinks.” Garrick sat down on the offered chair, Tommy and Smith stood on either side, and Puck leaned on the railing, ready for trouble. “What do you want?” Fisher put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it. As he blew the smoke up, he gestured to Garrick. “I want what you want, man. Peace between our packs.” “There is peace, or haven’t you noticed that no one has been gunned down in nineteen months?” Fisher chuckled. “True.Corin was an egotistical bore. He ran the pack like his own personal war machine.” He ran a hand through his long blond hair. “But what I speak of is eternal peace, a union of our two packs. One pack, one law.” Garrick sat back in the chair and casually spread his legs. It was meant as a gesture of boredom, an insult. “And who will lead this pack?” Fisher grinned around his cigarette and leaned forward. “Well, it would be obvious, I thought. I’ve been alpha of my pack for many years, Garrick. You’ve only recently acquired yours. If it’s a matter of experience, then I think there is no question who should lead.” Garrick nodded as if considering Fisher’s words. He glanced up at Tommy and shrugged his shoulders. “Of course, you would become my second-in-command. You’ve proven yourself a fierce fighter, a cunning negotiator as a regulator and the Keeper of Secrets. Your talents would not go to waste, I assure you.” Garrick gazed at Fisher and nodded. “Sounds like a real good offer, Fisher, but why would I agree to be second, when I’m already first?” Leaning back on the sofa, Fisher smirked. “I have many things to offer, Garrick. We have an abundance of women in the pack -- something I hear is dwindling in yours. One day, you might want to find your mate, make babies, live eternally ... and all that shit. I could help you with that ambition.”

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Garrick didn’t like the way the conversation was going. Fisher had too much information on the status of his pack, and evidently someone was bitching. The familiar odor floated to his nose again; this time it was stronger, more compelling. He flinched, shook his head, and glanced toward the metal ladder. A tall, lithe, gorgeous woman stood at the top of the steps. She didn’t look at Garrick as she passed his chair. Fisher held out his hand to her, and she took it, allowing him to bring her down to his lap. He ran his hand up and down her back and smiled. “You see, I have lots to offer a man like you.” Garrick nearly swallowed his tongue as he eyed her. She was still the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her body was svelte and toned, and her skin glowed as if it had been kissed by the sun. Completely different from before, her auburn hair was short and spiky, accentuating a perfectly tanned, angular face. He remembered her eyes the most. Emerald green ... and flashing like polished gems. She was just as he remembered her. “Hello, Garrick.” Her voice, cool and cultured, sent tremors up and down his body. “Hello, Olivia.” Chapter Three

Olivia had known the moment Garrick stepped into the club. She’d felt him as he ascended the steep metal stairs and rounded the room on the walkway. She didn’t have to look up to know he was there. She could feel his heat rubbing up against her, and the sultry way he smelled -- like fresh-cut grass in the heat of the summer -- sent delicious shivers down her spine. Always she felt his presence, like a tingling over her skin and a heated ball of lava in her belly. She watched him now, and it took more strength than she’d expected to keep from jumping over to him and nestling into his lap. His hair was a little longer, wilder even, but just as sexy as before. His clothes still fit snugly over his powerful frame, but the bulge under his jeans caused her eyebrows to lift. Maybe he was feeling her, too. Maybe he still remembered what they felt like when together. The last time she’d seen him, he was standing beside his back porch, covered in blood, with a dead man at his feet. He’d yelled at her then. Told her to go and never come back, even though he’d known she would need him. And when the full moon had finally arrived, he had not been there to comfort her. He’d abandoned her at a time when she’d needed him the most. When the change had overwhelmed her, she had been alone. Alone to try to understand and deal with the excruciating pain.Alone to hunt, when she had no clue how to kill. It had been the most unpleasant and grueling time of her life, and he had never come to aid her, even when she’d called out to him in the middle of the night. She hated him for that. Fisher chuckled and snuggled his hand against her ass. “I see you know each other.”

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Olivia wanted to flinch from the intimate contact, but wouldn’t, not in front of Garrick. She wanted to see if it bothered him, if he still had feelings for her. She needed to know for sure, so she could use them for her own purposes. Garrick glanced down at Fisher’s hand. It was brief, but she saw his pupils dilate in anger. “Yes, we did once,” Oliviapurred, eyes on Garrick. Garrick smirked and shook his head. “Did we? I don’t remember.” The barb hurt, but she pushed down her feelings and continued to stare at him. He looked cool and unruffled, but she could see how his jaw clenched. She’d seen that look of concentration before, when he had ripped off her shirt and taken her on his living room floor nineteen months ago. She couldn’t sit there any longer, without either ripping his clothes off or ripping his eyes out. She’d be damned before she let Garrick see her bristling. She’d shed her tears for him.Tears of loss and tears of anger. She wouldn’t give him any more. He’d already taken too much. Smirking, Olivia turned and leaned down to press her lips to Fisher’s mouth. He deepened the kiss as his hand squeezed her ass. She pulled back and ran her hand through Fisher’s hair. Turning back to Garrick, she stood up. “I’m going to dance, love. There’s nothing to interest me here.” Not looking at Garrick, Olivia walked back to the stairs and descended into the gyrating crowd.

Garrick tried not to watch her go. It was difficult, as her delicious spicy scent enveloped him, crushing him in its sensual grip. The jeans she wore accentuated her incredible ass, and as she swayed past his chair, he couldn’t help but peek. It had been incredible before, but now the sight of her perfectly round bottom nearly did him in. He could feel his cock grow hard with desire. The woman was lust personified, and it took everything he had to stay in his chair. He ground his teeth and swallowed down the saliva pooling in his mouth. In his mind, all he could envision was Olivia straddling his lap, his cock deep inside her hot, wet cunt, and his hands filled with her perfect pert breasts. His fingers twitched in his lap, as if the startling memory triggered their response. Garrick stared hard at Fisher, but he just grinned back at Garrick and leaned lazily against the sofa back. It was obvious that Fisher knew what Olivia was doing to him. He glanced around at the other men, knowing they could smell his arousal, the adrenaline pumping in his veins and sweat trickling down his back. He needed to get out, and fast. He couldn’t let Fisher know how wired he was. He couldn’t let on that Olivia was his greatest weakness. The hardest thing he had ever done in his life was push her away. She had been everything he’d ever wanted in a woman, in a mate, but he’d scorned her. It had been forher own protection. He wondered if Olivia had told Fisher about them. Obviously, Fisher was aware that they knew each other, but Garrick wondered if he fully understood the situation. Did Fisher know he was the one who’d turned her? For Garrick’s sake, he desperately hoped not. A hulking man finally arrived with the drinks. Garrick took a glass and downed the alcohol in one quick swallow. It burned all the way down, but at least it took his mind off his throbbing dick. He set the empty glass down with a sharp crack on the table and stood.

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“This meeting is over.” Fisher’s eyebrow rose in query. “Think about my offer.” Garrick didn’t answer, but turned and marched back the way he had come. Tommy, Smith, and Puck followed him out without a word. He didn’t look down into the mass of people, but he had a distinct feeling someone watched him the entire time it took to go round the room on the metal grates. They descended the stairs quickly and charged out of the door. When they were back on the street, Tommy moved up beside Garrick. “Wasn’t that ...?” Garrick nodded. “I thought she was out of the country, Tommy.” “She was. I swear. She quit her job, vacated her apartment, and went to Spain eighteen months ago.” “Well, obviously she’s back, and has been back long enough to integrate into Fisher’s pack.” Tommy put out his hand in defense as Garrick rounded on him. “Whoa, you wanted me to make sure she left, mate. You didn’t say anything about watching to see if she came back.” Garrick sighed and ran a hand over his face and through his hair. “You’re right.Sorry, Tommy.” “No problem, boss man. I know how it is with women.” “Yeah, it’s just that this one is very different.” When they reached the car, the driver was already out and holding the back door open for them. Garrick stopped and glanced over his shoulder at the club. He clapped Tommy on the back. “Hold the fort. I’ll be right back.” Tommy yelled after him as he strode quickly across the street. “You’re in over your head, mate. Remember who she belongs to now.”

Garrick pushed his way through the packed dance floor. Following the scent that teased his senses, he made his way into the throng of sweating, gyrating bodies. Reaching the center, he used his keen eyes to finish tracking. He spotted her standing only a few feet away, unmoving and staring at him, her gaze flashing like green fire. He pushed his way through the crowd as she turned and moved in the opposite direction. He swore under his breath as the momentum of the dancing mob caused him to lose her in the crowd. Clenching his jaw, he closed his eyes and raised his head, scenting the air. Quickly, her scent floated over him, and he turned toward the smell, opening his eyes. She had disappeared down a narrow hallway, likely leading toward the washrooms. Raging desire flared in his body again, and Garrick pushed through the crowd, oblivious to the shouts of protest following in his wake. He cared for one thing ... finding Olivia. Nothing else mattered.

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He marched down the hall and turned the corner that led to the bathrooms. Her scent was becoming stronger, heavier, wrapping spicy tendrils around his body. Two women smoking weed hovered around the closed door. They quickly hugged the wall when he swept by them and pushed open the door to the ladies’ room. There were two other women at the sinks, fixing their lipstick.When they noticed him in the mirror, both packed up their purses and rushed out. Only one woman remained. Olivia leaned on the counter, staring wide-eyed at him in the mirror. He could hear the ragged intake of her breath each time she sucked in air. Her hands gripped the porcelain sink, and he could see how white her knuckles were. “What do you want?” she growled. Garrick moved behind her. Before she could say another word, he wrapped his arms around her body and pressed himself against her back. Heat seared him, and he nearly cried out from the shock of it. But he didn’t let go. He couldn’t. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in her hair and sniffed deeply. The glorious mixture of her scents nearly brought tears to his eyes. He had been starving and had now come across a bountiful buffet. His stomach flipped over, and his muscles tightened with desire. He couldn’t rein it in for much longer. “Let me go.” Ignoring her words, he opened his mouth and nibbled on the back of her neck. The sweat on her skin tasted as sweet as wine. He trailed his tongue over her skin and up her neck. He felt the frantic beat of her heart under her flesh. He could hear the rush of adrenaline through her veins and could taste her lust on the very tip of his tongue. It was ambrosia to his senses, and he rolled his eyes back in ecstasy. “I said, let me go.” He could hear a quaver in her voice, hinting at her anger and her longing. What he didn’t expect was the powerful elbow in hisstomach ...

The impact pushed him back, and she was able to turn around to face him. She raised her hands up to strike. If he advanced on her again, she would not hesitate to punch him. With her increased strength, he would think twice about touching her again. She stared at him in anticipation as he rubbed his gut and watched her. His gaze was black with desire and hunger, and she could smell his lust. It was pungent and overwhelming in her nose. Her head nearly swam from the overpowering effect it had on her. He straightened up and smirked. “Nice move.” “Come any closer, and I swear I’ll claw your eyes out.” He shook his head and stepped back to lean against the stall door behind him. He tilted his head and eyed her cautiously. “When did you get back?”

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“Does it matter?” She would not let him soften her. He asked only because it had caught him off guard, not because he cared. “I suppose not, as you’re here now.” “That’s right. I am here.” He nodded his head understandingly. Although, Olivia doubted that he truly did. If he really understood what she was doing, he would kill her. It was something she was sure he would soon wish to do. “Liv ...” She put her hand up to stop him. She didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. Couldn’t hear it, even if he spoke of what they used to have, since the memories meant nothing to her now. “Save it. There’s nothing you can say to me that will make a difference.Nothing.” Garrick pushed off the door and took a bold step toward her. Slowly, he looked her up and down, as if memorizing her every feature. “Your words say one thing,Liv , but I can still smell your desire for me. You want me just as much as I want you.” Olivia sneered. “It’s purely hormonal, Garrick. It means nothing except that after you leave, I’ll go home with Fisher and fuck him till I’m sore and raw.” Clenching his jaw, he nodded, then turned on his heel, slammed open the bathroom door, and stormed out in a heat wave of fury. Shaking, Olivia lowered her hands. She backed up against the counter for support. Her legs were shaking furiously, and she didn’t think she could stand for much longer. She clamped her eyes shut against the wave of tears that threatened to fall. She had wanted this confrontation and had known it would come eventually. But she hadn’t been prepared for the raging hormones that coursed through her body. He was still perfect to her. The way he moved, smelled, tasted -- everything came back to her in a flood of desire. She clenched her hands into fists, trying to erase the feeling of his flesh, the way his muscles bunched under her fevered touch. She had to find a way to suppress her feelings, her thoughts, and her memories if she was going to succeed in her plans. Garrick was going to pay for his sins. Pay for abandoning her when she had been the most vulnerable -- the first time she had turned into a predator of the night ... a werewolf. Chapter Four

Garrick didn’t want to call a meeting, but he knew that for the sake of the pact, he had to. He hated meetings and, so far, had held only three of them since taking over as alpha of the pack.The first one, naturally, had been right afterCorin’s death, to let the group know he was now in charge and what to expect from him. The second was to oversee and give his blessing for the marriage of two pack members. Now thethird ...

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It was obvious that Fisher was about to make an aggressive move against him. The meeting last night had been purely for show. Fisher knew Garrick would never agree to the arrangement. He was much too alpha for that. He also knew that Garrick had been around long enough to know the business of the packs. That get-together had been nothing but a pissing contest and a show-and-tell. Fisher wanted to show Garrick what he had, and what Garrick didn’t. Olivia had been a big surprise. He’d known one day she would come back, but he hadn’t expected to see her in his rival’s pack.And as lead bitch, no less. Garrick stood at the front of his living room and watched as key members of his pack filed into the room, sitting on the sofa and chairs or curling up comfortably on the floor. His pack was small but powerful. Not only was it the security of lifelong protection that drew them, but also, he ran his pack like a business. He even provided a perk package, including medical insurance, along with shares in his successful graphic design business. Garrick made sure the members of his pack were provided for physically, mentally, and financially. Sometimes, being a werewolf had its advantages. But even with the advantages, some of his pack members had left afterCorin died. They were lulled into Fisher’s pack with promises of more decadent attractions, like drugs, sex, and free rein over the humans that didn’t know they existed. Slowly, due to Fisher’s insistence, their existence was being exposed. The traveling rave clubs were just one problem they could do without. Young people flocked to them in hopes of finding a dark lifestyle they could use to rebel against society, but some of them left with more than rebellion in their hearts ... they became different people. No longer human, but a strange mixture of both animal and mortal. The life was not an easy one, and Garrick thought it foolish to be changing humans just for the fun of it. Fisher was reckless and power hungry. He was breeding an army for the sake of his own lust for dominance. He didn’t care about those who would not survive the change, or those that reveled in it too much. The number of “animal” attacks in the city were becoming too much of a problem to ignore. Soon the authorities would clue in that it was more than a bunch of dogs running around biting people. As the last two members found chairs, Garrick cleared his throat to bring the meeting to order. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.” He looked around at the dozen people, including Tommy, Smith, and Puck, and made eye contact with every one of them. “I was called to a meeting last night by Fisher. It’s obvious to me that he’s making a play for this pack.” A blond-haired older woman spoke up. “Let him. He could never beat you in a fight.” There was a chorus of agreements through the room. “Thank you, Laura, but I don’t think Fisher will call me to the circle. No, I think he’s going to pick away at our members one by one, lulling them over to his pack.” “Our numbers have been dwindling.”This from a man in his mid-twenties. Garrick nodded to him. “Do you know our numbers, Darrin?” “Last consensus gave us a number around forty-five.” “Nine months ago we were closer to a hundred,” a man in his late thirties commented. “Corinwould

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never have allowed those members to leave.” “You’re right, Jim, but I refuse to threaten and coerce people to stay in this pack. I will not torture family members or blackmail people that do not want to be here.” A soft murmur spread through the room. They vividly rememberedCorin’s brutality. Some had borne the brunt of such viciousness. Garrick glanced at Laura and remembered stitching up a brutal wound over her stomach thatCorin had given her when she refused to bed him. During the years that Garrick had been a regulator, he had seen the pain and sufferingCorin had exacted on his pack. Over time, Garrick started to care, and that had ended up detrimental toCorin . Garrick had endedCorin’s life just outside the living room doors, in the garden during a full moon. If he sniffed hard enough, he could still smell Corin’s blood seeped deep into the earth beyond his door. He looked over at his trusted advisors. He had good people under him; he hoped he could keep them safe in the coming months. Soon, Fisher would try to take one or more out.Just another way to break his ranks, by taking out his lieutenants. “Why do you think they leave?” Garrick asked. “A lot of them are young. They go because Fisher offers them fun and excitement,” Laura commented. Garrick sighed and ran his hand over his face. “Christ, this isn’t a lifestyle choice.” “We know that, Garrick, but some are still young, and they don’t seem to realize that they can’t go back. Maybe they don’t want to know.” “Sex.” Garrick’s gaze settled on his youngest advisor, Vanessa.Corin had turned her a week before his death. She had only been eighteen when he had raped and savaged her. Tommy chuckled. “I’ll go along with that.” “She’s right, Garrick.” Laura spoke up. “There had been some grumbling about the lack of possible mates in the pack. It gets fairly difficult when the men outnumber the women four to one.” There was a loud murmur of agreement in the room. Garrick shook his head, at a loss. “Okay, how do we change that?” “You need to take a mate,” Laura said. “What? How is that going to increase the numbers?” “If word gets out that you’re looking for a companion, our female numbers will triple by the end of the week.” Laura grinned. “You’re quite the catch, Garrick. Every unmated bitch within hearing distance would line up for a chance to be yours.” Smith laughed. “Oh, man, that would piss Fisher off something fierce.” “Yeah, and after you pick a woman, all the other ladies will stay because they’ll see the leftoversain’t half

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bad, either.” Tommy laughed and slapped Garrick on the back. Garrick looked around at the eager faces in his living room. Laura was right. He’d been too preoccupied with his own ego to think of it before. Or, had he been too preoccupied with a memory of something good that he’d pushed away? He rubbed a hand over his face, shoving that thought from his mind. His pack came first. Their well-being came first. “Fine.If you think it will help our situation, put out the word.” Laura nodded,then leaned back in her chair, satisfied with the results. “Now, because of this possible threat, I want each of you to be very aware of your surroundings. Fisher could come after any one of you to prove his point.” He looked pointedly at Vanessa and Laura. “Ladies, be especially careful. It wouldn’t be beyond Fisher to come after you first.” Vanessa snorted. “If he thinks we’re weak because we’re female, he needs to rethink his strategy.” “I agree. I still remember the sparring match we had the other day.” He rubbed his upper arm. Everyone laughed. The mood lightened instantly, and Garrick smiled as he looked around the room. He really hoped he didn’t disappoint any of his people. Nineteen months ago, he wouldn’t have cared, but now ... things were different. He was different. “Okay, now that that crap is over with, who wants a drink?” “Me!” they all chorused in unison. Garrick laughed and slapped Tommy on the back. “Help me with the beers.” They moved into the kitchen, and Garrick opened the refrigerator. He handed Tommy a few bottles of beer, but the sound of gravel crunching under tires gave him pause. He glanced up and noticed that Tommy also hesitated, looking toward the back door and the driveway. “It’s a car, lightweight, maybe a Nissan or Toyota.Definitely not Fisher’s Lexus.” Garrick pushed past him and went back into the living room. The others naturally had heard the car and were glancing out his big bay window toward the driveway. Passing them, he opened the door just asa silver Camry drove onto his grass and stopped. He didn’t have to see into the vehicle to know who it was. His nose had been twitching for the past five minutes -- the time it took to drive down his graveled road. Chapter Five

The car door opened, and Olivia stepped out onto the dewy grass of Garrick’s backyard. He stood in the doorway of his house, his arms stiff and his back up. She swallowed down the bile in her throat when she spied the other faces staring out at her from the big bay window. Shit, she’d crashed a pack meeting.

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Fisher probably knew Garrick would be having one, which would explain why he had insisted she go out to Garrick’s place immediately to deliver another message. Damn Fisher! He was using her to his advantage. She sighed, supposing it was fair, since she was using him for the same thing. She slammed the door shut and leaned against it, waiting for Garrick to come to her. The sight of angry enemy faces plastered against the window was enough to make her knees shaky and her courage tenuous at best. Olivia had a difficult time keeping her hands from shaking as Garrick stomped down the porch steps toward her. His face was stoic, and she swore she could hear his teeth grinding under the strain. As he neared, she could smell his cologne and the soap he used in the shower. Both scents caused saliva to pool in her mouth. “What are you doing here?” She could hear the restrained tension in the timber of his sexy voice. She held out an envelope to him.“Delivering a message.” He glanced at it and smirked. “You’re Fisher’s delivery mutt as well as his bitch?” Olivia flinched. She ground her teeth and took in a deep, cleansing breath. She would not be baited. She’d come out here for two purposes, and she wasn’t leaving until she’d fulfilled both. Folding the envelope in half, she reached out and grabbed a belt loop on his jeans. She pulled him closer to her and tucked the paper into his waistband. She smiled, then sidestepped him when he leaned forward thinking she had given him an invitation for something else. “Got a beer?” she asked as she walked toward the house. Garrick caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “What do you think you’re doing?” She grinned up at him.“Just thought I could have a drink with you.” Sliding her tongue out, she lightly licked her bottom lip. “You know, for old time’s sake.” “Last night, you didn’t want anything to do with me.” She shrugged and pulled from his grip. “That was last night.” She continued to walk toward the house. Climbing the porch steps, she was very conscious of the many faces staring out at her from the window. Angry faces. Olivia wasn’t too worried. She knew that despite what was between them, Garrick would not allow her to get hurt, and that she could hold her own. She had not gotten where she was in Fisher’s pack by making friends. With her increased strength, her karate was lethal, and she’d had her fair share of fights. On one occasion, she’d come close to killing another rival female in the pack. The bloody images still haunted her dreams and made her stomach roil. She’d done what she had to do, but feelings of remorse still plagued her. As she went through Garrick’s back door, smells of anger and rage consumed her. Someone was definitely not happy to see her. She glanced around at the faces staring at her as she wandered into the

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room. Her gaze fell on the youngest member. She could smell the girl’s hatred from across the room. It smelled like black pepper and almost made her sneeze. She smiled at everyone. “Hello.” “What’s she doing here, Garrick?” the girl demanded, breaking the tense silence and wrapping her arms around her torso. “I can smell Fisher all over her.” “She just dropped off a message. And I thought we could be hospitable and offer her a drink.” Tommy moved across the room and smiled at Olivia. He took her hand. “Nice to see you again, Olivia.” “And you.” She let him lead her toward the kitchen. “I think the last time I saw youwas at the airport. The day I flew to Spain.” He chuckled. “Ah, right. I was just making sure you were safely on your way.” “Uh-huh.” They went into the kitchen, and Tommy got her a beer from the refrigerator. Leaning back against the counter, she unscrewed the bottle cap and took a long pull. It had been a long time since she’d had a nice cold beer. She toasted Tommy and smiled. He toasted her back and looked around sheepishly as loud voices came from the other room. “She has no right to be here.” Olivia recognized the young female’s voice. “We are not at war yet, Vanessa. We can still be polite to other pack members.” “She’s here only to spy on us,” the girl argued. Olivia smiled at that and took another pull on her beer.Smart girl. She was obviously going to be a problem in the future. “So, how long have you been back?” Tommy asked. “About three months.” “Hmm, didn’t take you long to advance in ranks.” She smiled. “Nope, sure didn’t.” “Pretty ambitious.” “Yup.” Tommy smirked and nodded his head, as if he totally understood what she was all about. “We’re going to have trouble from you, aren’t we?” She cocked her hip and licked her lips. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

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“I told Garrick he was playing with fire, but he didn’t listen.” Before she could respond, Garrick stormed into the kitchen and grabbed Olivia’s arm to pull her down the back hall. She knew exactly where they were going ... to his bedroom. He shoved her inside, locked the door behind him, and flicked on his stereo system. Something loud and fast blasted through the speakers. Perfect, just what she wanted. “Why are you here?” Olivia took in the surroundings. She knew where everything was. It had been ingrained in her mind long ago. She glanced at the king-sized bed. The sheets were black, and pulled back invitingly. “I told you, to deliver a message.” Garrick showed her the envelope and ripped it in half. The two halves fluttered to the floor. “Now, why are you really here?” She knew he was reining in his anger. She could feel the heat from his body passing through the room and covering her like an electric blanket. She could smell his fury and something else she was pleased to sense -- desire. It was hot and heavy in her nose. Involuntarily, she licked her lips. She could already taste his sweat on the tip of her tongue. He took a bold step toward her. She took a step back, but he continued to advance on her until she had backed up into the bed. There was nothing but an inviting mattress behind her. He closed the distance quickly, and with an angry sigh, he took her mouth. The kiss was hot and quick, fueled by anger and uncontrollable lust. Olivia gave in, knowing this was the reason she had come. Sex with Garrick was irresistible. She remembered too well the last time they had been together. She’d had multiple mind-blowing orgasms that had shattered her body and her soul. It was far too late to put the pieces back together. He fisted his hands in her short, spiky hair and ravaged her mouth. He nipped and bit at her lips and tongue, unsatisfied to just kiss. It felt like he wanted to eat her raw. She supposed if given the chance, he would. She brought her hands up to his chest and pushed him away. He stumbled back into his dresser and knocked over the various items on top. He stared at her with dark eyes and a fierce sneer on his hard face. “I’m not here to fuck you, Garrick,” she growled, unable to control the lusty lilt of her voice. “Yes, you are.” He took a step toward her again. “I can already taste your juices in my mouth.” She nearly closed her eyes on a sigh at his rough words. She loved it when he talked dirty to her. Her sex already throbbed and was wet just from being near him. Garrick grabbed her by her T-shirt and, with one mighty pull, ripped it in two. Her breasts sprang free since she wasn’t wearing a bra. Gasping, she pulled back and ended up on her back on the bed. Garrick was on her in seconds, covering her breasts with his wide, rough hands. Olivia groaned loudly as he pulled and pinched her nipples. He must have remembered how much she loved that. She closed her eyes and arched her back, pushing her breasts up harder into his touch. He

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responded by covering her nipples with his tongue. Moaning, she fisted her hands in his hair, urging him to devour her. He didn’t disappoint as he clamped down on her tingling nipple with his teeth. Pain seared through her, but it soon melted into exquisite pleasure as he rolled her nipple between his lips. He was a master at taking her pain and turning it into intense, mind-blowing rapture.

As Garrick continued to suck on her, his hand moved down over her stomach to the waistband of her jeans. With an expert flick of his fingers, the button on her waistband was undone, and he slowly pulled the zipper down. When it was completely open, he slid his fingers under the denim and found her scorching hot and sopping wet. Surprise jerked his head up. She wasn’t wearing any panties. “I thought you always wore underwear.” She gazed up at him, her lips swollen, slightly parted, and her eyes half shut. “Not anymore.” He grinned and lowered his mouth to her stomach. His tongue trailed over her ribs and around her navel. Her skin was sultry against his lips. He could taste the salt on the surface and her real flavor underneath, coming through her pores. She tasted like sugar to him, sweet and addictive. It had been nearly impossible to eradicate that taste from his memory. Everything about her had been implanted in his brain. He knew he would never be able to replace her in his mind. Garrick pulled at the jeans, quickly shoving them down her legs and bunching them at her ankles. He needed to see her, feel her,taste her ... all of her. Her scent was overpowering, making his head swim. Once she was naked, he leaned down and pressed his lips to the mound of her sex. She sucked in a ragged breath as he kissed her sensitive flesh. Her skin was scorching under his lips, and he could smell the delicious scent of her desire. He knew she would taste like ambrosia under his tongue. Slowly, he moved down over her, sliding his tongue into her cleft, opening her up to his touch. Olivia kicked out of her pants and spread her legs, giving him complete access to her. Garrick grabbed one leg and pushed it back, bending it at the knee so he could nestle in between her thighs. He lay down on his stomach and pushed his face into her hot, wet center. With the tip of his tongue, he flicked at her clit. It grew swollen and erect, pushing out for his touch. He trailed lazy circles over it, enjoying the way she twitched with each stroke. Settling his hands on her thighs, Garrick spread her lips farther open with his thumbs. She was dark pink with arousal and beautiful to look at. He slid his tongue down her slit and prodded at her opening. She moaned loudly as he slid his tongue into her. She tasted salty but pleasant as he swirled it around, gathering up her tasty juices. As he licked her feminine flesh, he moved his thumbs over her clit, pressing down firmly in narrow, lazy circles. The muscles in her thighs tensed under his grip; with a few well-placed strokes, she would orgasm. He knew just where to touch her, where she liked it the best. He slid his tongue up and lapped at her flesh just above her opening and just below her pubic bone. Her panting increased as he pressed down. He continued to manipulate her clit and stroke his tongue up and down. Soon, her legs started to shake, and he could feel her sex contract under his tongue as he jammed it into her. She cried out and grabbed his hair as an orgasm exploded through her. Garrick continued to rub her clit, prolonging the sensations for as long as he could. She pushed at his head, but he held firm, lapping at her weeping cunt. As thick juices ran out of her, he lapped them up like cream. Eventually, she relinquished her hold on his hair and let her arms fall to her sides. Her body quieted, and

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her muscles stopped quivering. Garrick released his hold on her and raised his head. Her eyes were closed, and she had a satisfied look on her lovely face. “No sleeping allowed in here,” he growled. “I’m not nearly done with you.” She opened one eye and smiled. “I should hope not. I didn’t come all this way for one orgasm.”

Garrick chuckled and stripped off his shirt, tossing it onto the floor. Olivia watched him intently. He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Desire for him rippled through her body, and she sat up to run her hands over his chest. Flicking her thumbs over his nipples, she stroked her hands through the light sprinkling of black hair covering his defined muscles. She followed that line down his sternum to the waistband of his jeans. Eagerly, she pulled at the button and quickly unzipped him. Sliding her hand inside his jeans, she found his cock hot and hard, twitching under her deft touch. Garrick groaned when she wrapped her hand around his shaft. She watched his face as she stroked him up and down. “Oh, Lord, woman, I missed ...” She covered his mouth with her own, smothering the rest of his words. She didn’t want to hear it. She licked her own lust off his lips and sucked it off his tongue. She had always enjoyed her own flavor. “Mmm, I taste good.” He chuckled. “Yes, you do.” As she continued to stroke his cock with one hand, she pushed at his jeans with her other. But it was not working as quickly as she wanted. “Damn it, a little help here.” Garrick pushed her onto the bed and moved back, stepping onto the floor. With a pleased grin on his devilish face, he pushed down his jeans and stepped out of them. He stood there and gazed down at her, knowledge in his eyes. Olivia chuckled; the man knew he was gorgeous. She liked his arrogance. It turned her on. “Now that I see it, what are you going to do with it?” Grabbing her legs, Garrick pulled her across the bed to the edge where he stood. He took an ankle in each hand, lifting and spreading her legs. She looked down and watched as his cock rubbed up against her sex. He moved his pelvis up and down, rubbing it along her slick cleft. Tired of the teasing, Olivia reached down and guided his cock into her. He was big, and she could feel her flesh stretch to accommodate his girth. Slowly he pushed into her, completely filling her. Olivia sucked in a ragged breath as he slowly pulled out and pushed back in. He continued his slow, lazy torture, his teasing. But as she looked up at his strained face, she knew he was struggling to hold on just as hard as she was. It wouldn’t be long before he lost control and took her hard. That was what she wanted. She wanted him lost and out of control. It proved to her who really held the power in their dynamic. She would need that power to go through with her plans.

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Olivia moved her hand down to her sex and rubbed at her slit. She did it deliberately to draw his eyes down to where they were joined. Gliding fingers moved farther, and she touched his cock as it entered her. She smiled as moans of pure pleasure escaped his lips. “Ah, fuck, woman! You’re killing me!” Encouraged by his words, Olivia reached down and cupped his balls, squeezing gently. She chuckled when he gasped aloud, and he closed his eyes in rapture. She continued to massage him as he pumped into her, his tempo increasing. Opening his eyes, he sneered down at her. “You want to play rough?” She nodded, unable to speak as surges of heat and desire swept over her like an overpowering wave. Garrick wrapped his hands around the underside of her knees and pulled her closer to him. He pushed back on her legs, opening her further and tilted her pelvis up. As he pushed into her, she cried out. In this position, he was able to completely bury himself within her sex, and his cock pressed up against a spot that was inaccessible at any other time. With each thrust, Olivia thought she’d go blind, as swell after swell of white-hot pleasure washed over her. She reached out and grabbed his arms as he increased his tempo. She could feel his muscles quiver. He was very close to releasing his animal, and she wondered if he had ever shifted during sex. Tightening his hold on her legs, Garrick pounded into her sex again and again. Sweat dripped off his face and landed on her stomach. Her thighs began to quiver, and she could feel the shooting pangs of orgasm start in her sex. Crying out, she tried to clamp her legs shut against the surges of rapture. She dug her nails into the flesh of his arms, but Garrick continued his assault. White spots formed behind her eyelids, and she thought she’d go mad as flows of muscle spasms wracked her body. She wanted to cry out, tell him to stop, that she couldn’t handle any more, but coherent words wouldn’t form in her mind. Eventually she could think of nothing else but the surging of her body. Finally, Garrick fell on top of her, burying his face against her neck, and plunged his cock as far into her as possible. As he bit down on the flesh between her neck and shoulder, his body exploded in pleasure. He cried out into her skin as muscle spasms shook his lower body and he emptied himself into her. She wrapped her arms around him as they both shook from their powerful orgasms. Eventually the metallic odor of blood woke Olivia from her sex-drugged haze. She could feel a warm trickle of liquid running down her shoulder to pool beneath her on the bed. Gaining strength, she pushed on Garrick and moved out from under him. His flaccid cock slipped out of her, and he grunted, but didn’t stir. Gingerly, she touched the wound on her shoulder. Blood stained her fingers. “Damn it, Garrick!” He moved his head to the side to look at her. He grinned like a cat caught with the canary in its mouth. “Sorry.” “Like hell you are. How dare you markme! ” She sat up on the bed and pushed away from him. “Babe, you were already marked, nineteen months ago.”

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She punched him in the shoulder and jumped off the bed. “Fuck you! You discarded me, remember? I don’t belong to you.” Garrick groaned as he flipped over on the bed and crammed a pillow behind his head. “Fisher thinks you belong to him.” Olivia paused while dressing to glare at him. “Fuck him, too! I don’t belong to anyone.”

Garrick could see the anger and fury on her face, but he could also hear the slight shake in her voice. She was indeed furious, but something else lingered behind her ire. He watched as she yanked on her jeans. She picked up her ruined T-shirt,then threw it at him. It hit him in the face, and he chuckled. He pulled it off as she yanked open one of his dresser drawers and selected one of his shirts. She avoided his stare while pulling his shirt over her head. “I want you back,Liv .” She turned slowly toward him and guffawed. “What? Fuck you, Garrick. You never had me to begin with.” “I’ve put the word out that I’m looking for a mate. It would make it much easier if you just succumbed now.” He was almost too slow to dodge the well-aimed missile she threw at his head. He moved just in time, and his expensive bottle of cologne shattered into a thousand pieces against the headboard behind him. Little shards of glass peppered his head and chest.

“Listen to me, Garrick. I will never be yours.Never. So I suggest you get that through that thick, brainless skull of yours.” He sat up, shaking off the bits of glass. “What do you call this, then? I had you pretty good in his bed.” “An itch.”She sneered. “You will always be a good fuck, Garrick, but never anything else.” With that, she yanked open his bedroom door and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her. While the echo of the slamming door reverberated around him, Garrick rolled over to sit on the edge of the bed. He swept at the pieces of glass in his hair and was nicked by a shard on his temple. Olivia reminded him of the tiny pieces of glass spread all over his bed. They seemed completely harmless, until handled wrong. Then the pain was sharp and immediate. He knew he had made a huge mistake with her. Out of a need to protect her, he had pushed her away. The anger she harbored was unmistakable. Even while she’d writhed under him in extreme sexual pleasure, he’d still felt the waves of fury rolling off of her. If he was going to win her back, he needed to be patient and gentle. And if that didn’t work ... he’d throw her over his shoulder and cart her off somewhere private where they could finally have it out. He just feared the outcome might not be the one he wished for.

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Chapter Six

Olivia’s car screeched to a stop in her driveway. She’d driven like a fool all the way home, but anger still flowed dangerously high through her. She turned off the engine and opened the door. Stepping out, she slammed it shut behind her, pressing the remote lock as she did. She stormed up her sidewalk but paused on the stoop. Someone was here. Turning quickly, she crouched down to all fours and leapt into the air. She landed squarely on male shoulders and pushed him to the ground. She growled low in her throat as she bared her teeth to her assailant. “Whoa, Olivia.It’s Fisher. Back down.” Reining in the fresh surge of adrenaline, Olivia jumped off his back. She stood over him, too pumped to offer her hand to help him up. He had invaded her territory without asking. “What are you doing here?” “Making sure everything went smoothly.” He stood up and brushed at the dirt and grass clinging to his immaculately pressed trousers. “It went fine.” “He got the message?” Fisher eyed her suspiciously. Olivia knew he could smell Garrick on her. She was sure even an average human could, with the amount of pheromones she had dispensed. “I gave it to him, but he tore it up without reading it.” Fisher sighed wearily. Shaking out a cigarette from the pack in his hand, he put one in his mouth and lit it, blowing the smoke toward Olivia. She refused to flinch. Over the past months, she’d learned to read Fisher’s emotions. Even without extra sensitivity to smell and feelings, she would be able to read him. He was pompous, arrogant, and operated with bravado, common to most cowards. He thought he was meaner and better than everyone else. Compared to Garrick, Fisher was a sniveling little pup. “I believe Garrick underestimates me.” “He thinks you’re a coward and a wimp.” Olivia looked away from Fisher as she said it. She had not intended to say anything, but anger at Garrick still pumped through her body like lightning in her bloodstream. She had wanted to get back at him. Wanted to humiliate and spurn him, like he had spurned her. But starting a war? Had she really set out to do that? Fisher tossed his smoke to the ground and put it out with the heel of his boot. “Does he now?” He stepped closer to her, his eyes narrowed to slits. “Then I suppose I will have to make Garrick eat his words.”

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Fisher reached out and caressed her cheek. She let him touch her. She was not ready to abandon her place in his pack. Not quite yet. “I was hoping you’d come to me after.” “I’m tired, Fisher.” He moved his hand down and touched her shoulder. She flinched when he moved his hand over her fresh wound. “I can see that.” Olivia stared him down. He needed to know she wasn’t afraid of him. He couldn’t treat her like the other females in the pack. Like playthings and toys. She was no man’s toy. “I’m going in to go to bed. I suggest you go home, and I’ll call you tomorrow.” She turned to go, but his hand pulled at her shoulder. “You’re bleeding.” He tried to grab her arm. She moved, avoiding his touch. “I’m fine. It’s just a scratch.” “Who did this?” “One of Garrick’s bitches.The young one.” Fisher smiled. “Ah, yes. Vanessa. She is a wild one.” Olivia didn’t like the way he said it, or the way his eyes lit up. Something had happened there. “Yeah, I guess she didn’t like me showing up at Garrick’s house smelling like you.” She meant it as an insult, but by the way Fisher smiled, she didn’t think he took it that way. He reached for her again. “We could make that smell stronger, if you like.” She stepped back. “Not tonight, we won’t. Go home, Fisher. I said I’d call you tomorrow.” After a prolonged silence, he finally nodded and made his way to his car parked on the street. She watched him go, making sure he did leave. She didn’t trust him one bit. Only after he started the car and pulled away from the curb did Olivia turn and go into her house. She shut and locked the door behind her and leaned on it heavily as the night’s events seemed to crash down around her all at once. She was biting off more than she could chew. Hanging her car keys on the peg by the door, she kicked off her shoes and padded barefoot into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled loudly. Sex and adrenaline always left her famished. Opening the refrigerator door, she grabbed a container of day-old spaghetti. Tossing the lid into the sink, she grabbed a fork and dug in. She shoved several bites into her mouth before she took another breath. Still carrying her bowl of food, Olivia wandered into the living room and collapsed onto her old sofa. Leaning back against the colorful Spanish throw she’d picked up in Spain, she set her feet up on the coffee table. Taking another heaping bite of noodles, she sighed, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.

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Maybe revenge was not the best course of action. When she had been inSpain, that was all she’d thought about. Getting back at Garrick Blackthorn was her motivation for every moment, every waking breath she took. Every time she went through the agony of shifting and ended up feasting on rabbits or deer, she thought about hurting him. For the last six months of her stay in a little country villa, she had trained her mind and body for one thing -- to exact her revenge on the man who had not only changed her into a freak of nature, but also broke her heart.Shattered it, more like. There were so many pieces that she had been unable to put it back together. There were still gaping holes that she planned to fill with his pain. But as she smelled his strong, spicy scent, which covered every part of her, she didn’t know if she could go through with it. He still had a hold on her. It may be purely sexual, but it was still something. It was something she could still feel, could taste on her tongue, overpowering the spices in the tomato sauce. It was as if his sweat and his seed had seeped into her pores and possessed her every muscle, her every vein. Olivia knew she would smell him for days. He still haunted her dreams, but now she had been careless and could feel him deep inside her. She shifted on the sofa, and her jeans dug into her sex, reminding her of Garrick’s presence only an hour ago. She could still feel his hands digging into the flesh of her thighs as he held her open for his viewing pleasure. The throbbing of her sex reminded her of how his cock slid into her repeatedly, sliding in deep and snug. Her free hand moved up to her shirt, and she began to rub her breast, her nipple hardening under her touch. Even now, lust, hearty and powerful, seeped through her body. She knew if Garrick were here now, she’d screw him again, without question. The man was like a drug, and she an addict. Setting the bowl on the sofa, Olivia jumped up and stomped toward the bathroom. She needed a shower and the three-speed showerhead massager. It might not erase the images of him in her head, or remove the feeling of his hands on her, but it would slake her desire for fifteen minutes. That would have to be enough for now, until she figured out exactly what she wanted to do about Garrick Blackthorn. Chapter Seven

“I really wish you wouldn’t take your sexual frustration out on me.” Garrick shook his head to clear his mind and glanced down at Tommy lying on the gym floor with blood seeping from his nose. Tommy smiled and raised his gloved hand for Garrick to help him up. Pulling him up, Garrick slapped him on the back. “You should duck next time.” “I would if we were just sparring, mate, but you’re too distracted for anything that includes any sort of control.” Shaking his head, Tommy slipped off his gloves and tossed them to the floor. Garrick nodded and followed his lead by stripping off his own gloves. Tommy was right. He couldn’t concentrate on anything lately. It had been three days since he’d seen Olivia, and he was a mess. Even his work was suffering. He’d thought a night of boxing at the gym would clear his mind, but it hadn’t done anything but fuel his anger. He was more on edge than he had been before he started. It was too bad Tommy happened to be the one at the wrong end of his covered fists.

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“I’m going to shower.” Garrick wandered into the change rooms with Tommy trailing after him. “You need to relax, mate.” Tommy stripped off his shorts and grabbed his towel. “How ’bout we go out, have a drink, and find some ladies to seduce?” Garrick chuckled. “That’s not what I need; that’s what you want.” “So?” Tommy laughed. “We could both use a distraction. Waiting for Fisher to strike is like walking on freakin ’ shards of glass all the time.” Garrick looked at his friend. He was right. They had both been tense. Garrick for more than one reason, but Tommy, being his second, was on guard the most. He definitely feared that he would be the first target of Fisher’s attack. Garrick didn’t think Fisher had the balls for that. He would start with the weaker members of his pack and work up to the top. “Okay, but one drink, Tommy, and no more.” Tommy grinned, his dimples winking mischievously from the sides of his wide mouth. “Sure, whatever you say, boss.”

Four drinks later, Garrick watched as Tommy danced with three women on the dance floor of the club they had wandered into. When they’d come into the club, Tommy, with uncanny ability, had found the only group of sufficiently attractive and unattached women in the place. After one drink, and Tommy’s charm, the girls had moved over to their table. Garrick had no interest in any of them. They were all pretty enough, dressedseductively, and obviously out on the prowl, but their blatant desire for him turned him off. Or it could have been that none of them were Olivia. He took another sip of his drink, trying to push that thought out of his mind with the numbing effects of alcohol. After tossing back the rest of the scotch, he glanced around the club. For the past fifteen minutes, he’d felt someone watching him. The hairs on his arms were standing on end. Glancing quickly around again, he stopped when his eye caught his quarry. She was standing at the bar, wearing high heels, a short skirt, and a tank top. Much like the outfit she’d had on the other night when she had offered herself to him.Malina smiled at him when he caught her eye. Garrick looked away and back into his empty glass. It wasn’t long before she was beside him. He’d smelled her as she crossed the room. She carried a strong scent of flowers.Lilacs and something else earthy, possibly lavender. The smell was pleasant and made his nostrils twitch in response. “Hello, again.” He glanced up at her and smiled. “Hey.” “I was standing at the bar for the last forty-five minutes, wondering if you were ever going to notice me.” She cocked her hip and licked her bottom lip.

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“I noticed.” He looked her up and down, taking in her full figure. She was obviously pleased he took the time to notice. She spread her legs apart in anticipation. Her feminine odor was strong. “I heard you’re looking for a mate.” Garrick nodded. Desire quickly surged through his body.Malina was beautiful, sexy, and willing, and she was a bitch. If he wanted, she could take whatever he gave her without complaint. A human female might not be able to handle his urges. He was in no mood to hold back his lust. “Are you holding auditions?” she asked, and the tip of her tongue peeked out from between her full crimson lips. He wondered if other parts of her were just as plump and pink. He smiled. She was exactly what he was looking for.Someone attainable and uncomplicated, looking for sex. Tommy sauntered back to the table, his trio of lady friends in tow. He raised his brow atMalina . “Hello, sugar. What are you doing here?” “Looking for some fun.” “Well, you definitely came to the right place.” He put his arms around the three giggling girls. “These lovely ladies have a hotel room right down the street.”

By the time they opened the door to the hotel room, Tommy already had his shirt off. He stumbled through the door laughing and dragged one of the girls with him toward one of the king-sized beds. They tumbled onto it in a tangle of arms and legs. Garrick was a little more subdued as they entered the room.Malina followed him, playing the demure bitch. He didn’t mind. It was a game. One he had played before. Most of the pack females thought they needed to be submissive to be good partners. When, in fact, Garrick liked it when a woman took control. He liked aggressive women. Women who reveled in their own sexuality and took what they wanted. Women like Olivia. The moment she came into his mind, he tried to push her out. She had no business being in his thoughts all the time. He needed to exorcise the woman, and the best way he could think of was to quickly get into another one. As soon as he neared the bed, Garrick turned and grabbedMalina . He pulled her to him and crushed his mouth to hers. Her lips parted on a moan as she buried her hands in his hair. He plundered her mouth with his tongue and reached down to grab her ass, lifting her up against him. He glanced behind her and noticed the small but sturdy kitchenette table. Stumbling forward, he set her down on the fake wood surface and moved his mouth down to nibble on her chin and neck. She moaned as she traded nibble for nibble on his ear and neck. Shivers of desire sped down his spine, and his cock hardened instantly under the tight denim of his jeans. He shifted his stance to alleviate some of the strain.Malina moved her hands over his back and down to his ass. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she pulled him forward, nestling his swollen groin into hers. He could feel the heat of her sex through the fabric of his jeans, and her scent rose pleasantly to his nose.

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The fog of lust soon clouded his mind, and he was powerless to control his hunger. Moving his hands over her form, Garrick pulled her tank top up, exposing full, naked breasts. Her nipples were pebbled and hard, reaching out for him to touch and taste. Bending down, he took one into his mouth and sucked hard on it, rolling it around in his mouth. Malinagasped and pulled at his shirt. The buttons popped open easily, and her hands covered his chest with urgent, eager strokes. She trailed her long, pointed nails over his skin and down over his navel, hovering deliciously close to the waistband of his pants. Gasping in a ragged breath as she flicked open the button on his fly, Garrick moved his mouth over to her other breast and sucked on it.Malina slowly pulled the zipper down on his jeans, and flashes of Olivia invaded his mind. Olivia flushed and sweaty, lying beneath him, her green eyes flashing like emeralds. He shook his head to dislodge the mental picture and pushedMalina down onto the table, laying her flat on her back. He leaned over her and lapped at her breasts and nibbled on her hardened peaks. With each bite of his teeth, she gasped and dug her nails into his flesh. As pain, immense and sharp, sang up his body, the thoughts of Olivia immediately vanished. Garrick bit down harder onMalina’s nipple and pulled up. She cried out and raked her fingers over his shoulders. The smell of blood, metallic and sharp, floated to his nostrils. The skin on his shoulders felt hot and achy. He knew she had drawn blood. He didn’t need to look; he could feel the slow trickle down his arm. Soon, small droplets spotted her belly. He glanced down at the crimson dots as they spread across her flesh. Violent shivers erupted over his body, and sweat popped out on his skin. He closed his eyes and shook his head again. He wasn’t thinking clearly. Everything was hazy and muddled. Even the giggles and the moans from behind him on the bed sounded muffled and disordered. He opened his eyes and stared down atMalina . She grinned up at him as she ran her hands through his hair. Between the full crimson of her lips, he could see her elongated canines. He stared into her eyes and saw that her irises were changing color. She was beginning to shift. Garrick pushed up from her and stepped back. Malinareached for him, laughing. “What’s the matter, lover? Don’t you like what you see?” “You were shifting.” “Don’t be silly. Of course I wasn’t.” “You were,Malina .” She pushed up to her elbows and tilted her head coyly. “Well, if I was, it was because you got me so hot I didn’t know what I was doing.” She bent her leg up and rubbed a hand over her crotch. Garrick shook his head andrebuttoned his jeans. “Bullshit. You’ve been a shifter long enough to be able to control your beast.” She sat all the way up and reached for his arm. “I’m sorry. I thought you liked it.”

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He paused from doing up the buttons still remaining on his shirt. “Why would you think that?” “That bitch Olivia shifts all the time with Fisher. I thought you were into that. You were fucking her, weren’t you?” A sly smile formed on her lips, and anger, strong and vibrant, shuddered through his body. He was being played. Fisher had sent in his bitch to play him, and it had almost worked. Garrick grabbedMalina by the wrist and pulled her off the table. She tried to struggle from his hold, but she didn’t have anger fueling her. “Let me go!” “I suggest you start running. If I catch you in my territory after sunrise, I’ll do more than hurt your arm.” As he dragged her across the room, Tommy peeked out from between a pair of shapely legs. “What’s going on?” “Malinawas just leaving.” Garrick opened the door and pushed her out. She turned around and glared at him, eyes flashing amber. “You’re making a huge mistake.” “The biggest mistake I made tonight was letting you near me. You were a mangy mutt when you were made, and no amount of social climbing will change that.” He slammed the door shut in her face before she could say anything else. He leaned against the door as violent quivers shook his hands and legs. He had been damn close to losing his control. Fisher was playing an underhanded game if he was sending his bitches to do his work. Garrick had no qualms about tearing her apart if she posed a threat to him or anyone in his pack. But to have her deliberately taunthim during the throes of passion was immoral. If she had shifted under him while they had been fucking, he would have had to act on the threat. He was tired of the bloodshed, and had thought it was over after taking the pack from that sadistic warmongerCorin . But it was obvious Fisher was no different. He took in two deep, cleansing breaths before he turned back around. Tommy still watched him from the bed, covered from head to toe by his three playmates.“Problems?” “Nothing to worry about.” “Want to join us?” Garrick shook his head. “I’m going home. You have fun.” “I always do, mate.” He grinned. “Be careful when you leave.” Tommy’s grin faded a little. “No worries here. I’m always on my guard.”

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Garrick nodded, knowing that Tommy had lightning-fast reflexes and a strong nose. He could handle himself, but Garrick still couldn’t shake the uneasiness that had crept over him. “Maybe you should just stay here tonight, and I’ll pick you up in the morning.” Tommy grinned and wrapped his arm around one of the three women. “Sure. I think I can keep myself occupied until then.” Garrick shook his head and turned to leave as Tommy dove back into the pile of limbs writhing around on the bed. He stepped out onto the street from the hotel lobby and glanced around the deserted road. He’d do a quick scan of the area before he went home. Fisher was starting to move his troops, and obviously psychological warfare was his first ploy. Garrick sucked in a breath of clear night air and just hoped that Fisher didn’t use the most lethal weapon at his disposal. Physical fights and mind games he couldhandle, even excel at. It was the thought of Olivia trapped in the middle of the war that nearly tore him apart. Chapter Eight

The sound of the hard-packed dirt pounded beneath her feet as she jogged brought a smile to Olivia’s face. She loved the early morning hours when no one else was out on the paths winding through the park. She could be alone with her thoughts without the constant bombardment of other people’s smells and feelings. Sometimes she found it difficult to tune others out. She liked her heightened senses, increased strength and endurance, but it came with a price. Not only did she suffer agonizingly when shifting during the full moon phases, but also suffered with the constant reminder that she was not human any longer. Nothing could be normal in her life again. The dream of finding love and raising a family was gone. That luxury that others had was no longer a viable option for her. Garrick had taken care of that. Anger, fresh and strong, flared in her body, and right on its heelsarose feelings of desire and heat. Even after a week, his smell still lingered persistently on her skin. She’d showered twice a day, scrubbing herself raw. It had done nothing but make her flesh red and sore. His scent still stubbornly remained. She smirked. That was so like Garrick.Stubborn like a blood stain on a white carpet. As Olivia padded up a small hill, she had the distinct feeling of being watched. She slowed at the top and quickly glanced over her shoulder. There was another jogger a bit behind her on the path. She continued on, but mentally took note of what he was wearing.Jeans and a blackhoodie . Who went jogging in jeans? Olivia quickened her pace. She was definitely being followed and wondered if Garrick was angry enough to send someone after her. Almost immediately, she dismissed that thought. If Garrick was that angry, he would come himself. Rounding a small clump of bushes, she glanced back again. He was still behind her and had picked up

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his pace, closing the distance between them. If he wanted to run, she would give him a race. Olivia had been jogging for many years, even before she had been changed. Now that she was different, her speed was tenfold. Rounding another corner, she put on the speed and quickly lost him. Coming to a stop behind some thick foliage, she took in some much-needed air. Angry at being followed, at having her privacy invaded, Olivia decided not to run any longer. Crouching down on all fours, she closed her eyes and concentrated on her animal. When the guy came around the corner, he’d have more than an irate woman on his hands.Pain, immediate and sharp, stabbed through every part of her body as she shifted. The sound of bones cracking and rearranging reverberated in her head like fingernails on a blackboard. Finally, after several seconds of excruciating agony, Olivia shook her form and stretched out the kinks in her lean body. Her fur glinted in the rising sun like burnt leaves on a beautiful autumn day. She raised her muzzle into the air and took in the rich, clear smells of the park and of the man coming into view. He stunk of bacon and eggs, hot, bitter coffee, and arrogance. As he came around the corner, Olivia opened her mouth and bared her teeth. A growl, low and guttural, sounded from her belly and grew in pitch and fervor as it roared out of her mouth. The man’s acrid scent of arrogance quickly turned to the tangy but delicious smell of fear. Before he could make a move, Olivia sprang. She landed solidly on his chest and brought him down to the ground with a firm, painful impact. He expelled the air from his lungs with a loud grunt. She immediately planted her feet around his body to prevent him from moving and bent her muzzle down to his face. Hot, thick saliva dribbled from her lips and dropped onto his cheek as he turned his head and closed his eyes in fear. “Who sent you?” She growled. “I don’t know what you mean,” he stuttered. Inching closer to his neck, she flicked out her tongue and lathed his flesh. “I don’t believe you. If you truly didn’t know what I was, you’d have pissed in your pants by now.” She sniffed at him. “I don’t smell any ammonia. I smell lies.” Opening his eyes, he turned his head to look at her. She saw the color of his irises start to yellow. “Don’t even think of shifting. I’ll rip out your throat.” She brushed her teeth against the sensitive flesh of his neck just beneath his chin. He cringed and closed his eyes in resignation. “Now, who sent you?” He shook his head, refusing to answer. Olivia lifted her back foot and, using her full strength, brought it down on his crotch. He yelped and tried to roll onto his side, but her strategically placed paws allowed him no movement. “Who?” He mewled under his breath from the pain she imagined must be radiating up from his balls, but did not answer her question.

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“Next time, I won’t retract my claws.” “Fisher,” he blurted. She’d suspected as much. Was he suspicious of her? “Why?” “For protection.He wanted you protected from anything Garrick might pull.” Bullshit, she thought. Fisher wanted to control her. This was just his way of showing her his intentions. “By the look of things, I’m not the one who needs protection.” She moved off of him and snorted. “Which I’m sure will be quite evident by the color of your bruised balls.” She crouched down and growled. “Now, I suggest you leave before I decide to take a bite out of your ass.” He rolled onto his knees and staggered to his feet, holding his balls. Without another glance at her, he ran back down the path he’d come up from. Olivia closed her eyes to prepare for her shift back. As soon as she got back her strength, she was going to pay Fisher a visit. She understood the politics of the pack, but she didn’t have to like it. It was time the man knew just who he was playing with. Chapter Nine

Fisher’s estate was heavily guarded, like a mob-boss’s fortress. As Olivia passed by the second set of beefy guards who insisted on manhandling her, she was very near an uncontrollable inferno of rage. The man ran his pack like it was the mafia and he was the godfather. She would have thought it laughable if it wasn’t for the fact that he did deal in illegal activities, like drug running and prostitution. Werewolves made great drug carriers. Drug-sniffing dogs were always afraid and never barked at them. When she was finally allowed access to the main part of the house, she stormed through the foyer and toward the back of the house where she knew Fisher was working out. He was religious about his workouts. He liked to keep his body lean and streamlined. Olivia admitted that he had a fabulous physique. It was the rest of him that she was starting to despise. She reached the solid oak door of his gym and pushed it open with all her strength. It bounced against the wall with a loud, reverberating bang. Fisher glanced up briefly from the stair climber he was on as she marched into the room. “Good morning, darling.” “Cram it, asshole,” she said through clenched teeth while she stood in front of his machine. Fisher sighed heavily, wiped his forehead with his towel, and powered down his stepper. He grabbed the bottle of water sitting on top of the machine and chugged down half of it before he faced her.

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“In a bad mood today?” “Why did you have me followed?” She put up her hand to stop him before he could speak. “And don’t bother denying it. I nearly took a chunk out of your errand boy.” Chuckling, he said, “Yes, I heard.” He moved past her and toward the adjacent bathroom. Olivia followed him into the room, anger swirling dangerously around her. “Why?” Fisher set the bottle of water on the counter and stripped off his sodden tank top. Tossing it into the laundry basket, he looked at her. The smell of his male sweat and blossoming desire was interfering with her righteous anger. “I thought you might be in danger.” “Bullshit.” He blinked in shock. “You don’t think you could be?” “No.” “I noticed Garrick was quite taken with you the other night at the club. You don’t think he’d come after you?” She hesitated. He was baiting her. He knew of their past relationship and was obviously unsure if they had taken it up again. He was testing her loyalties. “No. He’d have nothing to gain coming after me. I’m nobody to him.” Stepping closer, Fisher touched her shoulder with his fingertips. The wound from Garrick’s bite had all but healed, but the scars remained. They ached every so often to remind her of their presence. “Are you sure?” Olivia met his gaze and kept it as she stepped into his touch. “Yes, I’m sure.” For a moment as Fisher ran his fingertips up to her cheek and over her lips, she forgot what kind of man he was. She could only feel the gentleness of his touch and see the honest, raw emotion on his face. Lifting her chin, she parted her lips in invitation. He smiled, and the moment was lost. Arrogance and selfishness swiftly came back into his eyes before he bent down to kiss her. At the last moment, she turned her head, and his lips brushed her cheek. “Good. The last thing I need is my lead bitch sniffing in that prick’s direction.” He straightened and took another swig from the bottle of water. “I mean, how would that look to the rest of the pack?” Olivia smirked.“Yeah, right.”

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“Don’t worry, Olivia, I wasn’t that concerned. Since I heard that he was fucking someone else, I’ve lessened my suspicions.” With his last words, her head snapped up, and she glared at him. She tried to rein in her feelings, but she knew by the smug look on his face that she had reacted exactly like he’d hoped she would. Clamping down on her emotions, Olivia straightened her shoulders and tried to salvage the situation. She still needed the security of his pack, if not his collaboration in her plans. “Of course he’s fucking around. He’s put the word out that he’s looking for a mate. I imagine women all over the city are taking a number.” She smiled. She hoped the last little barb dented his ego somewhat. Fisher had to know that Garrick was every bitch’s wet dream. As if she had a psychic ability to choose the perfect time to enter,Malina strolled into the bathroom. She smiled coyly at Olivia,then jumped up onto the counter as if she owned the place. Fisher patted her on the leg, like a child, or a pet. “Malinawas telling me all about her time with Garrick.” Olivia swallowed down the words that threatened to explode out of her mouth. Of all the bitches in the city, whyMalina ? She hated the conniving, manipulative woman. Since the moment Olivia had integrated into Fisher’s pack,Malina had been sniffing around her. She supposed that her quick ascension up the ranks had putMalina’s back up. She had been next in line to be Fisher’s mate. But Olivia’s determination and physical strength had pushed her aside. Olivia could still remember the fight they’d had a few months back.Malina had conceded to her, but not before she had broken two of Olivia’s ribs and almost tore off her hand. Her wrist still throbbed when she exerted herself. Olivia rubbed a hand over the wrist that even now tingled just from thinking about it. Malinagrinned when she noticed Olivia’s actions. Olivia dropped her hand to her side and glanced at Fisher. He was watching her, a smug smile on his face. “Did she tell you how good he was, Fisher?” His smile vanished in the blink of an eye. “Because why would hearing that one of your pack bitches fucked another alpha pack leader make you seem so smug?” She smiled. “If I were you, I’d be rightly pissed. I mean, how would that look to the other pack members?” Malinajumped down from the counter and clenched her hands into fists. Fisher glared at Olivia. She could smell the anger and embarrassment coming off him like smoke. “If the others heard thatMalina fucked Garrick and liked it, I’d think they’d wonder what you were going to do about it.” “I didn’t say I liked it,”Malina wailed. Olivia smirked.“Yeah, right.” She looked Fisher up and down as if scrutinizing his every body part. “With a man like Garrick, how could you not?” Fury flashed in his eyes as he raised his hand. The slap took her by surprise, and she stumbled back from the blow. The fresh tang of blood tickled her tongue as it seeped from her lips into her mouth.

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Peeking out her tongue, she licked the crimson spots with slow, deliberate flicks. “I seem to have hit a nerve.” She watched him as he struggled to gain control. His animal flashed in his eyes, but as quickly as it had come, it was gone and replaced by arrogant calm. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have hit you.” “You’re right; you shouldn’t have.” Fisher stepped closer to her, and his eyes narrowed to slits while his jaw clenched in anger. “I don’t trust you, Olivia. The other night when you came home stinking of Garrick, I knew you had been together.” “We were together. We fucked. That was it. It was an instinctive reflex for us both. An itch we both needed to scratch.” She stepped closer to him, hoping he couldn’t see the lie in her eyes. “If I wanted to be with him, Fisher, I’d be with him. Nothing could stop me.” She purposely leered atMalina . “But I’m not with him, am I? I’m standing in your bathroom in front of you.” She watched his resolve soften. He smiled and gently caressed her lips where he had split them open. “You’re right. I apologize for that, too. It seems I’m not doing too well today with you.” She smiled in return. “We’ll see. The day’s not over yet.” He chuckled. “You will still accompany me to the charity masque?” “Of course.” Cupping her cheek, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. She could feel the wet tip of his tongue lap at the blood on her flesh. She wanted to throw up. Her gorge was rising, and she pulled back from him, but tried to keep her revulsion off of her face. She gave him a brief nod,then turned to leave. As she moved out of the bathroom, she put a shaky hand to her stomach. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep this charade going. Fisher was a good-looking man, with charm and some generosity, but it was his animal inside that revolted her. It was mean, and malicious. She knew without a doubt that, given a chance, he would rip out her throat and eat her insides without a second thought. Olivia hoped she was strong enough to get out of the way before he had the chance.

After Olivia left,Malina put her hand on Fisher’s shoulder and turned him to face her. “She’s lying, Fisher.” “Most likely.” “You’re just going to let her go?” “Yes. She’s more useful to me on a long leash. This way I can see where she leads me.” “And if she leads you to Garrick?”

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Fisher grinned. “All thebetter. Then I can kill two birds with one stone.” Chapter Ten

Garrick straightened his tie again and wondered why he’d ever agreed to come to this thing. He hated big social events, and this charity masque for the World Wildlife Fund was one of the biggest held every year. If he wasn’t such a sucker for wildlife -- hell, he was the wildlife -- he’d never have paid two hundred dollars for the tickets. At least he didn’t have to suffer alone. Vanessa adjusted her fox mask and smiled up at him as they approached the main entrance to the haughty art gallery. “What are you smiling about?” he asked. “You look so cute in yourwolfie mask.” Garrick lifted a hand and smoothed it over the tufts of the synthetic black fur on his mask. He hadn’t been able to resist it when he’d spied it in the costume store. The hair color was almost an exact matchto his own . He grinned. “It was like this mask was made for me.” “At least it wasn’t made out of you. Could you imagine the demand for werewolf pelts if people found out about us?” The thought made him shiver. “You’re morbid, you know?” “I know.” “Thanks for coming with me.” “Hey, I’m the only one that volunteered, remember?” “Yes, and I appreciate it.” He gave his tickets to the costumed doorman and led Vanessa through. “It will be good for business. The WWF are looking for new web designers.” He held up the laptop he was carrying. “I just need five minutes with the chairman.” “Okay, but I’m at least going to visit the buffet. All-you-can-eat sounds good to me. I’m famished.” “You go ahead; I’ll catch up with you over there.” She hesitated and squeezed his arm she was lightly holding. “Thanks for bringing me, Garrick.” He understood the touch and the feelings behind her eyes. Vanessa had always been there in the background. Always hovering, alwayspatiently waiting her turn. Ever since he’d agreed to search for a mate, she had stepped out of the shadows and made her aspirations clear. He hoped he wouldn’t break her heart when he declined her invitation. She was a good girl, loyal, patient, kind, and compassionate, but she wasn’t the girl for him.

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“No problem. Go have some fun.” She nodded,then walked away as she glanced over her shoulder at him, smiling. He watched her until she reached the banquet table, then turned and wandered off in search of the WWF chairman. He hoped it wouldn’t take long, as Garrick didn’t like crowds.Too many smells, too many energy waves coming at him all at once. Sometimes he suffered sensory overload and had to be alone for a few days. He would spend hours in his wolf form, running through the trees on his land. The spicy aroma of a woman tickled his nose. He turned around just in time to see Olivia and Fisher cross the room. They wore masks, but he knew instinctively who they were. There was no mistaking that spiced scent of Olivia’s skin and the bitter odor of Fisher’s arrogance. Both odors grew stronger as they approached him. “Garrick, how ... interesting to see you here.” Garrick avoided his gaze and looked pointedly down at Olivia. “How are you,Liv ?” “I’m fine.” She met his gaze. He could see the fire in the green depths of her eyes behind the elaborate black mask. He hoped it was his presence that ignited those flames. “I’m surprised to see you here. You’re usually not one for fancy, crowded parties.” Fisher sniffed derisively and nodded at Garrick’s laptop under his arm. “Peddling your wares, I see.” “Not everyone makes their money from criminal activities, Fisher,” he said rather loudly. A few heads turned toward them. Fisher smiled. “Well, we’ll let you get back to your groveling for work.” Before they could move, Garrick reached out and grabbed Olivia’s arm. “Why don’t you stay,Liv ? I’ll buy you a drink.” “The lady is with me. Get your own.” “Why don’t we let her decide?” He never took his eyes off of her face, and he could see the longing there. “You’re a greedy man, Blackthorn. Wasn’tMalina enough for you the other night? She told me you fucked all night.” Defeated, Garrick watched as Olivia’s jaw clenched in anger, and she pulled away from his grip. She wrapped her hand around Fisher’s arm and stepped closer to him. “We’ve all made our choices here.” Garrick couldn’t look away from her. Her eyes still flashed, and the heat around her flared, but it was in anger. As he searched her face, he wondered if it really was anger at him. Fisher chuckled. “You see, Garrick, nice guys always finish last.” Garrick took a step toward him, raising his chin in defiance. “I’m not a nice guy, Fisher. You would do

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well to learn that fact.” “Are you threatening me?” “Yes.” Fisher smiled. “Good. I was beginning to think you were becoming soft. The game’s no fun when you’re playing against a wimp.” He turned and pulled Olivia with him. She dropped her gaze as they moved on. He continued to watch as they walked away, Fisher nodding and speaking to various patrons. Garrick didn’t realize he was grinding his teeth, until he felt Vanessa step up next to him. She put her hand on his arm. “Was that Fisher?” Garrick nodded. “And Fisher’s bitch from the other night?” He glanced down at her and saw the distaste and anger on her face as she watched them. He didn’t want to admit it, but maybe Vanessa was right. Olivia was Fisher’s bitch now. He had made his intentions evident, and she had pushed him away. He had lost his chance with her a long time ago, but didn’t want to admit it. “Let’s get a drink,” he said. She smiled and let him lead her away to find the bar.

Three drinks later, Garrick found himself outside with Vanessa, holding her hair back as she puked. The girl had pounded back three straight scotches,then gorged on pâté and caviar. She had turned positively green when Garrick told her what they were both made out of. He felt sorry for the girl. She’d had a hard time of it since being turned. Corbin had savaged her and left her to die. Garrick had found her soon after he killed Corbin and had nursed her back to health,then advised Laura to teach the girl all she would need to know to survive as a werewolf. Laura had done a good job, but Vanessa still carried a wound so deep no one could heal it. As her retching quieted, she wiped her mouth and sat back on the cold cement of the steps. She kept her head down and wouldn’t look at Garrick. “Are you feeling better?” he asked. She nodded. “I’m really embarrassed.” “Don’t be, honey.” She looked up at him, a small smile on her face. She moved her hand and placed it on his thigh. “I like it when you call me honey.”

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“Vanessa ...” She gave him a lopsided grin, but he saw the anguish in her eyes. “Would you kiss me if I didn’t have vomit taste in my mouth?” He shook his head. “I care about you Vanessa ... like a little sister.” She snarled. “I don’t want to be your fucking sister.” Garrick brushed his hand over her hair, but she pulled back and glared at him. “It’s because of that mutt Olivia, isn’t it?” He sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s more than just her, Ness. You’re not ... strong enough.” She jumped up, her hands fisted at her sides. “It’s because I’m damaged goods.” “No.” “It is. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me.‘Oh, poor Vanessa. Corbin sure fucked her up.’” He tried to touch her, but she batted his hand away. “I’m strong, Garrick.Stronger than you know. I may not have fought to get into this pack, but I will fight to keep it the way it is.” Before he could respond, she ran back into the gallery. Garrick sighed and shook his head. He had made a mess of things. He shouldn’t have brought her, knowing full well she had feelings for him. It was stupid and callous to lead her on, especially since they had run into Olivia. Any fool could see how he truly felt abouther ... Garrick’s head snapped up, and he stared into the gallery. Damn, he knew exactly where Vanessa was going. Chapter Eleven

Olivia took off her mask and set it on the bathroom counter. She desperately wanted to go home. Being led around by Fisher was bad enough, but to have run into Garrick was torture. She hated that his being withMalina mattered. That the thought of them together made her stomach roil and herblood simmer . She had no right to him, no claim, but her heart ached anyway. The night they had made love on the rug in his living room, he had marked her for the first time. Since that first mark, he had belonged to her. Nothing she could do, or say, was going to change that. Wolves mated for life. She turned on the cold tap and splashed water on her face. Makeupbe damned. She needed the cold reality of the water. As Olivia dabbed at her face with a paper cloth, the bathroom door opened with a bang, and the young

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female from Garrick’s pack stormed in. She watched in the mirror as the girl approached. Olivia could see the fury in her face. Olivia turned to her just as the girl rushed forward, her hands clenched into tight, bony fists. Ducking the first punch, Olivia came up and shoved Vanessa away. She didn’t want to hurt the girl, even if she was defending herself. The color in the girl’s eyes looked like wrath unleashed in all her ferocious glory. Vanessa came at her again, clawing at her face. Olivia grabbed her wrists right before Vanessa’s long nails could rake her eyes out. The girl was strong as she inched forward. When the nails were half an inch away from her eye, Olivia brought up her knee and pounded the girl in the thigh. Vanessa only dropped her arms a little at the impact, but it was enough for Olivia to pull her arms out to the side and bring her head forward, smashing her forehead into Vanessa’s face. Olivia heard the impact as much as felt it. Vanessa howled and brought her hands up to her broken nose. Blood seeped from between her fingers. “Are we done, girl? I don’t want to really hurt you.” “Fuck you, mutt!” Vanessa shrieked as she rushed Olivia, again aiming for her face. Olivia stepped to the right and brought her knee up again, plowing it into Vanessa’s midsection. The girl doubled over with a hearty exhalation of air. As she bent over, Olivia kicked at her legs, not enough to break, but sufficient to bring her down. When she was lying on the ground moaning, Olivia stood over her. “Don’t get up. Whatever this is about, it’s not worth it.” “Garrick’s worth it,” Vanessa sputtered. “He’s worth every damn moment of pain. If you knew that, you would never have pushed him away.” “Hey, he rejected me first. So don’t get all righteous about Garrick Blackthorn. He’s an arrogant, selfish bastard, only looking out forhimself .” “Liar!” She launched herself off the ground and at Olivia. Surprise caused hesitation, and Vanessa was able to bring her down to the floor. The girl clawed at Olivia’s neck and cheek. Blood seeped to the surface and trickled down Olivia’s flesh to spot the cold tile beneath her body. Olivia grabbed hold of the girl’s throat and squeezed. She could snap her neck with a twist of her wrist. But the girl was not a lethal threat, just a spurned woman with a jealous streak as green as the summer grass. As the bathroom door banged open, Olivia pushed back on the girl’s neck and sent her flying backwards. She landed in a heap against the tiled wall. Garrick rushed in, concern furrowing his chiseled face. He glanced at Vanessa, then at Olivia. He looked torn as to who to help first.

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Olivia rolled to her knees and got to her feet. “Help her. I don’t need it.” Garrick rushed to Vanessa’s side and inspected her injuries. She stared to sob the moment Garrick touched her face. “What happened?” he growled. Olivia walked to the mirror and inspected the deep scratches on her face and neck. “She came in here fists flying.” Garrick met her eyes in the mirror, nodded, and turned his attention back to Vanessa. The injuries she’d sustained were already starting to heal. No more blood dribbled, and a scab was already forming. Thank the moon for the super-rejuvenating powers of being inhuman. The bathroom door opened again, and Fisher strolled in. He grinned when he saw Vanessa on the floor, Garrick tending to her. “I always wondered what women do in here.” Olivia turned around and glared at him. He raised a well-plucked brow. “I take it we’re leaving?” Olivia wanted to rush him, claw out his eyes, and feed them to him like olives. His careless, impassive attitude revolted her. There was no way she could remain in his pack. Not without trying to kill him. She stormed toward him. “No, I’m leaving. I don’t give a fuck what you do.” When she reached the door, she glanced back at Garrick. “Get her some help.” Vanessa raised her head and glared at her. “I don’t need your sympathy.” “Well, you have it nonetheless.” Olivia went through the door, with Fisher close on her heels. There was a small crowd forming around the bathrooms. “Olivia.” She turned to him, her eyes flaring, her hands fisted tightly. “Don’t. You haven’t a compassionate bone in your body, have you?” “Compassion’s for the weak. You knowthat as well as I do .” He reached for her arm. She pulled away. “You and I are the same, Olivia. That’s why we make the perfect mated pair.” As Olivia searched his face, she wondered if it was true. Had she let her anger and quest for revenge turn her into a shallow and soulless coward like Fisher? Was she looking into a mirror when she looked at him? She closed her eyes on a weary sigh, not wanting the answer. She was still too vulnerable for the truth.

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“I’m going home, Fisher. Do not follow me. Do not call me. Actually, it would be best for everyone if you forgot I ever existed.” She turned and pushed her way through the hovering crowd. She needed to change her clothes and shower. Then she would sit down and decide what she was willing to live with. Could she set aside her need for revenge to stop the war she saw racing toward them all? Chapter Twelve

When she heard the sound of heavy footfalls outside on her porch, Olivia slipped out of bed, pulled on her robe, and padded to the back door. She would slip outside and come up behind the fool stupid enough to invade her home. The night was still warm, but she shivered as she opened her back gate and walked around the house to the front. Waves of repressed anger flowed to her through the air. Familiar sensations made her body quiver in anticipation. Only one person could make her feel like that. She didn’t have time to turn as he grabbed her from behind and pushed her up against the cement wall of her house. “Have you come to avenge your pack?” she whispered, acutely aware of the huskiness of her voice. The solid feel of him pressed against her back sent delicious shivers up and down her spine. Her reaction to him would always be hormonal. The man brought out the animal in her ... literally. “I’ve come to claim something for my pack.” As he spoke against the side of her neck, his hot breath tickled her skin, and she quivered under the strong hold of his arms. “What?” “You.” “I’m not up for grabs.” “I don’t care. You’re mine. You always have been; you always will be.” Olivia could hear the restrained violence in his voice. He was holding himself back. Under the press of his arms, she felt his muscles quake. She enjoyed the fact that she affected him like this. He came close to losing control whenever he was near her. She could go on hating him, pushing him away, or she could claim him for her own and revel in his power, in the way he made her feel. Lost and confused. Hot and aroused. Pushing back, Olivia tried to turn around. He squeezed his arms tighter, forcing her flat against the wall. “You’re not going anywhere. I have you just the way I want you,” he growled. Without another word, Garrick flicked his tongue out and licked the side of her neck up to her ear. He sucked in her lobe, lolling his tongue over her sensitive skin.

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“Fuck, woman, you drive me insane.” “Insane enough to fuckMalina ?” She felt him tense. She had no right to ask, no right to judge, but she couldn’t help the wriggling seed of doubt in her mind about his intentions. “I didn’t screw her. I threw her out before it could go that far.” She breathed a sigh of relief and dropped her forehead against the wall. “I don’t suppose you did that with Fisher?” She heard the hurt and anger in the question. He had a right to be infuriated while she stood here and judged him. “No.” “Did you do it to hurt me?” “In a way, I suppose.” “It worked.” He leaned his head against hers as he moved his hands up her body and wrapped them around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. She closed her eyes and pushed back into him, wanting to feel his solid heat against her. It felt incredibly good to have him pressed so intimately against her. Why had she wasted so long in hating him, in pushing him away, when all she’d ever wanted was to be loved? “Why did you ... shift with him?” “Because then I could forget it wasn’t you.” He nuzzled his face into her neck and kissed her along the jaw line. “Oh,Liv , I was an idiot to push you away, thinking I could protect you from all of this.” “Doesn’t matter, Garrick.Nothing matters but right now.” She reached behind and placed her hands on his thighs. His muscles flinched under her touch. Biting her lip to stop the moan that wanted to escape, she moved her hands up toward his crotch. She could feel him grow hard, pressed rigidly into her back. Garrick moved his hands over her robe and quickly pulled the belt free and untied it. As the two sides fell apart, he slid his hands over her. She was completely naked under the soft terrycloth. Olivia groaned out loud as his hands streaked up to mold her breasts. Circling her nipples with his thumbs, he squeezed the fleshy globes, coaxing another moan from her lips. She leaned back into him, pushing her breasts forward, into his expert hands. He pulled and pinched her tight buds as he nibbled on the back of her neck.

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One hand continued to manipulate her breasts while the other streaked down to her sex. She parted her legs to give him access to her burning core. Her clit already ached. He slowly slid his fingers into her cleft to find her throbbing bud, rubbing it skillfully back and forth. Olivia moved with his hand. For everydownstroke , she stroked up. Back and forth they went, until her legs quivered from the strain of building pleasure. “Faster,” she moaned. He chuckled into her ear, but fulfilled her demand. Increasing his pace, Garrick stroked her hard. As he rubbed at her clit, he continued to pinch and pull her nipples. Soon, Olivia could feel the hot ball of ecstasy ready to explode in her sex. Her thigh muscles tightened, and she closed her eyes and bit down on her lip. She exploded with an orgasm filled with heat and light. Starting within her sex, every muscle in her body quivered. White spots flashed behind her eyes until she thought she’d go blind. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed against Garrick, his hand still engulfed within her nether lips. “Ah, no, you don’t, woman. I’ve not had my turn.” Olivia laughed and turned to face him while he struggled to undo his jeans. She moved her hands up and helped him rid himself of his denim prison. Within seconds she’d wrapped her hand around the hard length of his cock. He groaned as she stroked him up and down, feeling every ridge and vein on his hard flesh. “I love how your cock feels, Garrick. I love it in my hand.” He nuzzled his mouth into her neck. She could feel and hear him clench his jaw, grinding his teeth in restraint. “Where else do you love it?” he groaned. “In my cunt.I love how you stretch me open and fill me up.” Garrick needed no more encouragement. He moved his hand up and around to grip the collar of her robe. Turning her to face the house again, he yanked the robe down her back and pulled it off her body. When she was completely naked, he pushed her forward, pressing on her back so her ass nestled against his groin. “Spread your legs.” The gruffness of his voice sent delicious shivers over her skin and between her legs. She liked his roughness. He demanded and was merciless in his pleasurable torments. Behind her, he held his cock and rubbed it up and down her wet slit. She could feel his swollen head pushing against her opening. “Wider.Spread wider.” She obeyed him, desperately wanting his cock inside her. As she parted her legs wider, she bent forward, arching her back like a cat.

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Braced against the wall, she let out a cry as he pushed into her. His cock was huge, engorged with blood and lust. She tried not to move as he inched his way into her sex. She wanted to push back, impale herself on his throbbing cock, but she restrained herself. After a few excruciating, blissful thrusts, he was completely sheathed inside her. She could feel every hard inch of him pulsating against her flesh. It felt as if they had fused to become one.One person, one heart, and one soul. As he started to ride her, she felt him press even deeper inside; she hoped they would never separate.

Gulping in air, Garrick tried to still himself. The feel of her flesh moving against him, and the smell of her skin and sex wrapping around him, nearly sent him over the edge he was dangerously teetering on. Olivia. Even her name squeezed his heart. Finally, she was surrendering to him. Finally, the chase was over and he could claim his prize. Olivia.The one woman who could claim him body and soul. Beneath his palms, he could feel the blood rush through her. Moving his hands down her back, he took hold of her hips in a tight, digging grip. He wanted to ram into her, bury himself until he disappeared. Keeping his violence in check, he started to slowly slide inside her. In and out he pumped, enjoying the way she moaned and whimpered with each stroke. He wanted to hear her scream his name. He wanted to hear that her passion belonged to him. Increasing his tempo, he reached around and found her clit with his fingers. With each thrust of his cock, he pinched her swollen nub. Her breath came in quick, labored pants. She was close. He could tell by the way she clenched her thigh muscles. He could smell the fresh greenness of the grass under their feet. The sounds and scents of nature surrounded them. This was how he wanted her.Submersed in the odors of dirt and leaves and musk. Grabbing her around the waist, he pulled her to the ground, his cock still imbedded inside her. Lying on their sides, he nestled in tightly to her. He loved the feel of her skin against his. He could feel the quick rise and fall of her chest as he cupped one breast. His other hand nestled in between her legs, sliding up and down the length of her wet slit. As his fingers slipped down, he could feel his cock entering her. He kept his hand there as he pulled out and back in, enjoying the feel of her liquid silk on his skin. “Faster, harder,” she panted. Always willing to oblige, Garrick brought his fingers back up to her clit and pulled her closer into him. He pulled out quickly and slammed back into her. The slapping sound of flesh against flesh reverberated around them. Pulling out again, Garrick pulled her to him as he thrust, burying himself deep inside. She cried out as his fingers continued to rub at her clit. The muscles around his cock began to tighten, and her whole body stared to quiver. She was ready to come. Garrick increased his tempo, ramming into her repeatedly, one thrust after another until sweat soaked them both. An orgasm overpowered him, and he shut his eyes and rutted deeply inside her sex. She screamed his name as she came, and his name quickly turned into a howl. As his seed surged into

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her, they could hear the return howls from the surrounding trees. The sound was both beautiful and haunting. Unexpectedly, a sense of dread washed over him. Garrick wrapped himself around Olivia and buried his head against her neck, taking in her smells. He never wanted to be without her again.

Eventually the tickle of the soft green grass on her nose stirred Olivia to her senses. Rolling over, she snuggled into the warmth and security of Garrick’s arms. Opening one eye, he grinned at her like a man much too satisfied with himself. “Mmm, I don’t think I ever want to move again,” he groaned as he nuzzled his face into her hair. “Not even for a run?” Both eyes blinked open.“A run?” Nodding, she grinned at him, knowing his need to burn off excess energy after sex. “Hell yeah.”Garrick pushed himself up to his knees. “Is there a park near here?” “Just up the road. Why do you think I picked this place?” As Olivia rose to a crouch, she watched him. In her dreams, he had looked just the same as he did now. Sweaty and slaked from lovemaking, but edgy, knowing he needed to shift to fully release his lust. This was something she had always wished for. Ever since she’d watched Garrick shift, the night she discovered that there really were werewolves, she had wanted to turn with him. Changing together, she thought, would be the most intimate thing they could do. There needed to be ultimate trust to shift together. In the moments between human shift and animal awareness, a person was exposed, defenseless as a newborn baby. As the first pangs of body-searing pain erupted in her spine, Olivia realized that she trusted Garrick completely, even with her most vulnerable part ... her heart. A few agonizing seconds later, they had both changed. Olivia shook her newly furred body, stretching out her back legs, then her front. Enthusiastically, Garrick sniffed at her. She kicked back at him when he nudged his nose under her tail. Yipping happily, he jumped around her, swatting at her with his large, padded paw. He was ready to run. The park was close, just down one block. Staying in the shadows, they ran to an open field and through the trees surrounding it. Smells rode through the night air and tickled Olivia’s nose. She could scent everything from motor oil leaking under a neighbor’s car, to the tart ammonia in a sandbox in the park. But the odor most predominant was Garrick. She sniffed deeper, pulling in his aroma. He smelled like smoke, and not from a cigarette, but from a campfire.Woodsy and wild. He smelled of the earth and of rainwater.Pure, unadulterated, wild and unpredictable nature. When they reached the park, Garrick turned around and woofed at her. Crouching down on his

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forepaws, he waited for her, his wolfish face almost grinning. She laughed, and it came out as a snort. He wanted to play. Chase was her favorite game. She leapt up in the air and landed on top of him. They rolled over each other, nipping at each other’s necks. Olivia got to her feet first and woofed. Tag, you’re it. She ran toward the trees, knowing he would follow. Chapter Thirteen

When the sun started topinken the early morning sky, Olivia carefully rolled out from under Garrick’s heavy arm. They had run and chased each other for most of the night. It wasn’t until after they had quenched their hunger for bloody meat, and for each other, did they let sleep take them under its dark embrace, still in their wolf form. The trill of birdsong had finally jarred Olivia from her sleep. She looked around at their surroundings and nearly laughed. She thanked the moon that even in animal form they had had the sense to return to her house. Cuddled on a blanket, they had slept on her balcony. Glancing down at Garrick, she didn’t have the heart to wake him. When he slept, his face was not stern or cold, but peaceful. She hoped he could remain that way for a while longer. There were some things she needed to take care of before they could be together. She slipped into the house, dressed, and jumped into her car within ten minutes. Before Fisher’s pack was up and alert, she needed to fetch her things from his estate and put an end to the charade. She hoped he would let her go without a fight. If he wanted a fight, she would oblige him. She would just hate to maim or kill so early in the morning. Most of the household was still asleep when she arrived. This time she only had to pass one set of security guards. She smiled at them, hoping they would let her in without a fuss and without alerting Fisher. The Starbucks coffee she brought did its trick, and she passed through their scrutiny unscathed and unannounced. Silently stalking down the hall, she ventured first into the spare bedroom she used when she stayed at Fisher’s house. She could count on one hand how many times she’d used it. However, at his insistence, she had brought some personal things and left them in the room. The thought of him touching those things when she was gone motivated her enough to risk removing them. The halls were quiet and unmanned. Olivia quietly entered the room and went in, carefully shutting the door behind her. The adjacent door between Fisher’s private bedroom and this one was thankfully shut. Rushing into the small bathroom, she grabbed her toothbrush, but left the box of tampons and hair conditioner. Next, she emptied the small dresser of three pairs of panties, a bra, and her nightgown. She shoved everything into the plastic bag she’d had rolled up in her jacket pocket. Satisfied with her clean-up, she took a deep breath in anticipation of confronting Fisher. On second thought, she’d leave him a note. She really wasn’t in the mood to fight with him. Her body was still limber and languid from being with Garrick, and she didn’t want to ruin the effect by sparring with another male.

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She opened the bedside drawer and found paper and a pen. As she started the note, she heard muffled voices in the next room. Shit. She could hear the rough timber of Fisher’s voice andMalina’s nerve-strumming trill. They were arguing. Setting the pen down, Olivia silently crossed the room and put her ear to the door. She could hear them as if she were shoulder to shoulder with them. “I want to deliver the message,”Malina whined. “No, the last time I had you deliver a message to Garrick, you ended up flat on your back with your legs spread.” “Ah, you can’t fault a girl for having some fun,” she snickered. “I mean, you’re fucking around with his other bitch.” “She came to me,Malina . The girl obviously knows who the more powerful leader is.” Olivia could hear him move across the room.To his bed? She heard movement on the silk sheets. “Don’t you, Vanessa?” Her heart sank as she heard the muffled protests of the girl. She obviously had something shoved in her mouth. “She’ll be the perfect lure. Garrick won’t be able to resist coming to her rescue. And when he does, there will be no way in hell he’ll be able to fight that many of my specially trained soldiers.” Olivia was across the room in seconds. They were planning to ambush Garrick, setting a trap for him. She’d have to warn him. She opened the door. Six feet of bulked-up muscle stood in her way. “Fisher would like to see you.” Fight or flight. Those were her options. She eyed him, taking in his large, meaty frame and, by the vacant look in his eyes, his empty skull. She’d take flight. The man would pulverize her if she decided to fight. Nodding, she went to her knees and then came back up hard with her fist. She connected with his groin. Crying out, he doubled over and crumpled to the ground. Olivia leapt over his body and sprinted down the hall. She just about made it to the front door before four beefy guards stepped into her path. Skidding to a stop, she tried to back up and find another exit. But Fisher andMalina were at her back. She had been caught. “Well, well, well. Olivia, my darling, whatever are you doing here?” Straightening her shoulders, Olivia met his gaze boldly. “I came to tell you I’m leaving you.” “I gathered as much.” Chuckling, he added, “I mean,I could smell Garrick on you the moment you

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stepped into my house. Did you actually think you could leave that easily?” “Yup.” He closed the distance between them. Olivia could see the cold fury in his eyes and smell the restrained violence in his body. She’d be lucky to leave this house alive. He smiled. Olivia swallowed the bile rising in her throat. She’d seen that smile before -- the night Fisher had had one of his insubordinates whipped with a silver-tipped bullwhip for breaking one of his priceless vases. Malinastepped up next to him, putting her hand on his arm. “Let me do it, Fisher. Please let me do it.” “No, I have other plans for our Olivia here. It seems we have our bait.” Olivia rushed at him, her hands curled into claws. Inches from his throat,Malina knocked her aside. Olivia stumbled but didn’t fall. She turned on the bitch, teeth snapping, a low, threatening growl rising in her throat. Malina’seyes widened. She took a step back, but Fisher pushed her forward. Olivia could see the hesitation on her face. The bitch obviously remembered the last time they’d tangled. “Have your fun,Malina , but don’t kill her. We need her until Garrick is dead.” He chuckled. “Then you can kill her.” “You’re the one that’s dead, Fisher,” Olivia growled lowly. Chuckling, he moved his hand around his waist. Slowly he unsheathed the knife strapped to his belt. He handed it toMalina . The silver glinted in the sunlight streaming in through the foyer’s large windows. “Enjoy.” He turned his back and wandered back toward the stairs to his office. Malina’seyes lit up as she bravely took a step toward Olivia. “Now, we’re going to have some fun, bitch.” The sight of the knife turned her stomach. Silver wounds burned like acid. Dread washed over her as she stared at the sharp silver point and wondered if she’d ever see Garrick again. She didn’t know, but she’d be damned if she went down without a fight. Olivia smiled. “Bring it, mutt.” With a high-pitched squeal,Malina rushed her. Olivia leapt out of the way, but not before she felt the first pangs of searing painstart to radiate up her arm. Chapter Fourteen

The lap of the water against the wharf crashed like cymbals in his ears. Garrick shook his head, dislodging the sound. His hearing was oversensitive as he tried to tune in to his surroundings. He knew he was walking into a trap, but at least he wanted to be prepared when the ambush took place. If they

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thought he’d go down quietly, they’d obviously forgotten who he was. Garrick Blackthorn never went down. The message had said to come alone. He’d told the others in his pack to stay, but he knew they wouldn’t listen. When did Tommy ever listen to anything he had to say? Taking in the deserted dock, Garrick knew that Tommy, Smith, and Puck were within listening distance. Tommy had the best ears of any werewolf he knew. Lifting his nose, he took a deep breath. He couldn’t smell them, which was good.If he couldn’t scent his pack, then neither could Fisher or his men. But Garrick did pick up a thread of something familiar. The hairs on his arms rose, and his nostrils twitched. Olivia was somewhere close. Her scent was fresh, so he knew she was still alive. He just hoped that he was clever and strong enough to keep her that way. Damn woman. She was always getting into trouble. The moment he’d woken on her balcony alone, he knew she had gone and done something stupid, like confront Fisher. When she hadn’t returned three hours later, his heart had squeezed painfully in his chest. He knew instinctively that something had happened and she was in trouble. It had taken Tommy, Smith, and Puck to stop him from charging onto Fisher’s estate to rescue her. The message had come an hour later.Tainted with Olivia’s blood. Come to Pier 11 alone, or the bitch dies. He had nearly thrown up from the intense, agonizing rage roaring through him. Nothing in his life had ever made him feel like that before. He would kill whoever stood in his way to get Olivia back. Stepping into the glow from the low light on the pier, he stopped and waited. Empty, rundown buildings lined one side, and the dilapidated dock was on his other. If anyone came near, he would see them. Fisher had no chance to pull off an ambush. The door to the big warehouse banged open. Garrick turned toward it, his hands clenched into fists at his side. He expected Fisher to be standing there grinning like an arrogant fool. Instead, Vanessa filled the doorway. “Nessa?” “I’m sorry,” she cried. Garrick glanced around suspiciously. “What are you doing here?” She raised her hands toward him. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she chanted. Garrick noticed the blood covering her arms. Then he looked down and saw the blood soaking the legs of her pants. He fought back the rage bursting inside him. They had tortured the poor girl. Swearing, he rushed to her aid. When he was a foot away, she collapsed. He caught her before she could fall, cradling her in his arms and laying her down as gently as he could.

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She was cold and pale. Her body shook violently. Garrick sighed as he brushed the sweat-soaked hair from her brow. “I’m here, Ness. You’re going to be all right.” As she looked up at him, tears welled in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Garrick.” “I know, honey. I know.” He felt them approach. By his count, five men surrounded him, including Fisher. Not only could he smell the man’s arrogance, but his cheap cologne, as well. “You’re soft, Garrick.Too soft to be an alpha pack leader.” Garrick ground his teeth, but didn’t look away from Vanessa. He took in her gaunt face and the blood that still flowed from her wounds. He could smell the silver residue from the knives they had used on her. She couldn’t heal herself, not without help. “What do you want?” “What I’ve always wanted.Your pack. You see, beforeCorin died, we were negotiating the merging of our packs into one power structure.” “Corinwould never have given you control.” “No, that’s true. So you did me a favor killing him, but now you’re in my way.” Garrick raised his head and met Fisher’s gaze. He saw the man’s face pale. Even though Garrick was outnumbered and vulnerable, Fisher was still nervous. That pleased Garrick very much. Vanessa jerked wildly in his arms. Garrick looked down at her in fear. She was dying, and he couldn’t save her. She opened her mouth and gurgled, and blood dribbled down her chin. Garrick leaned down to her face and cradled her to his chest. “Olivia is alive. Fight for her,” she murmured into his ear. Garrick squeezed her tighter, tears burning in his eyes. He held her until she quit breathing. He could feel her spirit pass from her and felt it tickle him as it passed into the air. Almost choking with despair, Garrick lowered her body to the ground. The others backed up a step, sensing his trembling rage as he stood. Turning toward Fisher, he snapped his teeth together. “I will never let you have my pack.” “Then you will die this night.” Garrick took a step toward him, his hands clenching and unclenching with fury.“As will you.”

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Olivia licked her parched lips and struggled to free her hands from the rope restraining her. She knew her wrists were raw and bleeding from her struggles, but she didn’t care. The pain was mild compared to the burning agony coursing through the rest of her body as she lay on her side on the cold cement. AfterMalina had subdued her with help from one of the guards, the woman had taken her time with the after-party torture. Little by little, she had sliced almost every part of Olivia’s body with the silver dagger. Not fatal cuts, but tiny nicks like paper cuts that burned with every movement she made. Sweat popped out on her forehead, and her gorge rose while she fought to free her hands. If she could just get one hand free, she’d rip that bitch’s throat out with her fingertips when she returned. The order could come at any time. She could hear the fighting going on not far from where she was being held. She had known the moment Garrick arrived at thepier, could smell him and sense his presence. The agony of Vanessa’s death still lingered in the air. She knew Garrick would never give up his pack without a fight. He loved them too much. He liked to play all macho and tough, but his pack was his family, and he would do whatever he had toto make sure they were free from werewolves like Fisher, who was manipulative, controlling, and cruel. Olivia had been a senseless fool to align herself with him. Sheshuddered just thinking about the things she had done to remain in his pack and the type of revenge she had plotted against Garrick. Knowing she could never have gone through with it still did not dampen the sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach and in the center of her heart. She had very nearly turned out like Fisher. The rope dug into her flesh as she twisted her hands back and forth. She’d chew off her own hand before she’d let them kill her like this. Finally, with one yank of her arm and the distinctive pop of her thumb dislocating, she pulled her hand free of the restraints. She sighed, thanking the moon, because now she wouldn’t have to go on having morbid thoughts of her own death. Quickly she rolled and removed the rope from her other hand and untied her feet, then stretched out her limbs. She’d been tied up for hours, and her muscles were stiff. Pain ripped through her as she pulled and twisted her body. Blood dribbled from her cuts as she reopened them. Gritting her teeth against the pain, Olivia rolled onto her knees and gained her feet. She stumbled, but held on to the wall until her head stopped spinning. Her stomach rolled over, and nausea overwhelmed her. Bending over, she retched violently from the dark pain consuming her. Stomach finally empty, she shook her head to try and clear it. She needed to focus on something other than the burning agony she was in, if she was going to survive. She hadn’t come this far and fought this hard to have it end so easily. The sound of approaching footsteps sobered her instantly.Malina stepped into the yellow fluorescent light. “It’s time ...” Her sentence cut off as she looked at the discarded ropes on the floor. She growled low in her throat when she noticed Olivia standing to the side. “Surprise, bitch.”

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Gathering all of her reserved strength, Olivia rushed her.Malina raised the silver knife toward Olivia as she barreled toward her.Malina thrust with her knife hand, but Olivia grabbed her wrist with both hands, spun her around, and rammed her against the wall.Malina screamed as she tried to wrench her arm free of Olivia’s grasp, but a wild fury powered Olivia. With all she had, with the thought of Garrick and Vanessa in her mind, Olivia bentMalina’s arm back. One powerful thrust forward, and she buried the knife inMalina’s throat. Without pause, Olivia turned fromMalina’s dying form and hobbled toward the warehouse’s front exit. She had a man to rescue.

Garrick didn’t know how it happened, but by the time he disabled one of Fisher’s burly men, Tommy, Smith, and Puck had appeared with fists flying and legs kicking. Fisher had survived Garrick’s initial attack by hiding behind two of his men, but was now circling nearby shouting instructions to those who still stood. It was now four on four, and Garrick was looking forward to taking out his wrath on Fisher’s skull. Turning, Garrick spotted Fisher watching the others fight, with trepidation etched clearly on his tanned face. He imagined that Fisher was watching his plans for total domination of the two packs quicklyvanish before his eyes. He had underestimated Garrick’s willingness to die for his pack.And his willingness to believe that Olivia would live. With a shout of fury, Garrick charged at Fisher. He thought about nothing but twisting the man’s neck in his hands, watching his eyes bulge as his life was squeezed slowly out of his body. Garrick didn’t see the gun until it was too late. He felt a sharp pinch and burn in his right arm as he collided with the warehouse wall near the open door. It wasn’t until he looked down and saw the familiar gray ooze dribbling down his bicep that he realized he had been shot. The pain of the silver burning his skin and spreading into his flesh made his head swim and his gorge rise. He looked back up at Fisher. Who was smiling and still pointing the gun at Garrick. “I should’ve known you’d bring a gun, you spineless piece of shit,” Garrick growled through clenched teeth. “Yes, you should have.” Fisher took a step closer. “I don’t like to lose.” “Neither doI .” Garrick dived for the door. The familiar spicy tickle in his nostrils came too late. He was already in the doorway when she stepped out. He wasn’t close enough to grab her and pull her down before the gun went off. Logically he knew the bullet was going too fast for him to see, but in his mind, he watched as the silver projectile zoomed through the air and pierced Olivia’s chest. He could see the blood spray and feel the

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impact as if it had pierced his own heart. He screamed as she collapsed against the wall. Within seconds, he was next to her, grabbing her. He slid to the ground and cradled her in his lap. She couldn’t die. He’d never survive it. As he stroked her head, he looked over her body, gauging her injury. The bullet had taken her in the upper left chest. He couldn’t be sure how close it was to her heart. She blinked up at him, shock on her face. She tried to struggle out of his embrace. “Don’t move, sweetheart. The silver will contaminate your system if you move.” Olivia visibly calmed, and he could see the reality of the situation swimming in the fiery green depths of her eyes. “Did you get the bastard?” she asked. Garrick glanced over his shoulder at Fisher. He stood there in shock, the gun at his feet. Puck and Smith flanked him on either side. “Puck and Smith have him, and he’ll be dead by sunrise.” She smiled. “Good. I like a happy ending.” She went slack in his arms. Panicking, Garrick touched her face. She was growing cold, and her eyes fluttered closed. “Wake up, darling. You can’t go to sleep yet; you have to fight with me.” “I’m too tired. I don’t want to fight with you anymore.” Garrick nearly chuckled at her words and the grumpy way she delivered them. But she was giving up. He wouldn’t let her. They had come too far for it to end like this. “I don’t want to fight with you either, baby. But you need to live. I’ve been half-alive without you, Olivia. I love you, woman. Don’t you dare leaveme! ” She opened one eye. “Are you sorry for pushing me away, leaving me when I needed you the most?” “Yes, damn it. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.” She smiled and whispered, “I forgive you.” Garrick never heard the sirens as they approached. All he could hear was the echo of her words as hot bitter tears of regret streamed down his face. Epilogue

He hated hospitals. Thank the moon one of his pack members was a doctor and was discreet.

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The senior members of his pack were in the waiting room with him. As he paced back and forth like a caged animal, they looked on with masks of worry and concern. No one was as concerned as he was. They had been in the hospital for twelve hours now and had received only sporadic news from various nurses coming in and out of the waiting room. A nurse had come out and told him to be patient, that he would be able to see her before too long. Olivia. Even now, her name sent shivers up and down his spine. He’d be lost without her. To Garrick, there would be no point in going on if she weren’t with him. Tommy tapped him on the shoulder. He had a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. “Have some coffee, mate.” “I don’t want any fucking coffee. I want to know what’s going on.” “You have to mellow out, Garrick. She’ll be all right.” “Do you know that for sure, Tommy?” He knew he was being ridiculous and unruly, but he didn’t care. If anything happened to Olivia, he would go ballistic, and anyone in his way would get hurt. Tommy backed off, taking his coffee elsewhere, and collapsed in a seat beside Laura. She put her arm around him in reassurance. Garrick snorted and looked away just as the doors to the operating rooms opened and the doctor wearily stepped out. He rubbed a shaky hand over his face as Garrick pounced on him. “What’s the word, Doc?” The doctor put a hand on Garrick’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’s a boy and a girl.” Garrick let out a howl of delight. “I have a son and a daughter!” Tommy, Smith, Puck, Laura, and the others of his main council circled him, patting him on the back in congratulations. The doctor laughed when Garrick picked him up and spun him around. He set the poor man down and laughed. “How’s Olivia?” “She’s fine. The C-section went very well. I think she was more worried about you, after she banned you from the room. She knew you wouldn’t be able to handle seeing any more of her blood.” Tears of joy washed down his face. He had a son and a daughter; beautiful, wonderful twins. And his beautiful and perfect wife was safe and well. Two years ago, he’d been very close to losing her. The silver bullet that could have ended her life had passed through her body, missing any vital organs. The

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silver hadn’t had a chance to dissolve in her system. While he had pored out his guts to her, thinking he had lost her, she had known she was going to live. He had forgotten that she’d been an EMT for many years. The woman was amazing.Even more so now. “Can I see them?” The doctor patted him on the back.“Absolutely.” As they passed through the surgical doors, the doctor put his arm around Garrick. “I should warn you, though.” “What?” “She said that if you ever come near her again, she’d rip off your balls.” Garrick laughed. Oh, yeah, she was amazing, all right.

ViviAnna

I’m a wild child at heart. I may not look it anymore (gone is the spiked blue hair, black makeup and leather accessories), but that girl who likes to shake things up, cause a stir, shock and delight still rages on inside. Now, she just has a medium to let it all out.Books. A reader once asked mewhich of my characters I most relate to, who am I most like. Well, I have to say, all of them. I’m the bounty hunter in a fairytale land, the young innocent maiden just discovering her amazing powers, the sexpot causing a stir in a small town, and I’m definitely the kick-butt treasure hunter in a not too distant future. I’m also a grateful daughter, an endearing sister, a fabulous mother, a patient teacher, and a writer who hopes that you will journey with her on many wild and interesting adventures. *****

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Read on for a tantalizing glimpse of

The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes byBrenda Bryce

Available Now from Loose Id The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes

Head bowed, writing on her clipboard, AngelaHeissman stepped out of the elevator and onto the fourth floor, where her laboratory was located. Without looking up, she entered her workspace and looked down into the microscope. “Mm-hmmm.Good, good.” She made a note on her clipboard and looked back into the eyepiece of the microscope. Nervous energy caused her to tap her foot on the floor, tap her fingernail on the table beside the microscope, and, rounding off the beat, tap her pen on her clipboard. Ten minutes later, shetsked, drew a small, handheld tape recorder from her lab coat pocket, and pressed Record. “Total genetic breakdown at ...” She glanced at her watch. “...nine- twelve p.m.” Continuing to stare into the microscope, she watched as her latest experiment turned intogoo .Two days' worth of watching and waiting, down the proverbial toilet. Rubbing the back of her neck with one hand and sighing, she straightened and stretched her aching back muscles. “Not even nine-thirty, and already my night is shot.” Taking the slide with the failed test off the microscope, she placed it with the other failures and began preparing the next slide. The one good thing about being blessed with the night shift was that she did not have her immediate supervisor standing over her shoulder, criticizing her work. Mr. Pendergrass, more commonly known asFenderass , had put her on the late shift after the last time he had submitted her work under his own name and she'd had the bright idea to complain. The thought of her boss actually doing his own work caused her to emit an unladylike snort. It was so much easier for him to just steal her findings and then give her fucked-up job performance reports. She couldn't even apply at another laboratory because of the reports he had written up on her. Humming to the tune “Take This Job and Shove It,” Angela finished setting up the new test slide and spun around on her stool. And screamed.

While trying to catch her breath, the woman gasped out, “Where did you come from?” He could hear

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her heart beating a mile a minute. She placed her hand over her heart and looked at him sitting on a stool in the corner of the room. “I'm sorry for screaming. I didn't know anyone was up here besides me. I'm AngelaHeissman ; can I help you with something?” Stephen had been watching her work, for some time, before he materialized on the stool. “I'm just here to observe.” Her eyes narrowed. “Did Fend-- uh, Pendergrass send you here to spy on me? Well, you can just tell him that I am doing my job, and the next thing he puts his name on had better not be from me. I'll wait tables before I let him have any more of my work.” “Calm down, little lady.You're gonna pop a button if you don't relax. Pendergrass didn't send me; I'm just here to watch.” “Watch what?” “You.” Angela pursed her lips and showed him what had to be her meanest frown. Very slowly, she said, “Why ... are ... you ... watching ... me?” “Doya know, you remind me of a schoolmarm, with your clothes all buttoned up likethat. You even have that precise Boston accent, and it really comes out when you get angry.” Stephen coughed, trying not to laugh. Unaccountably attracted to her, he could feel tendrils of heat slide through him as he looked at her. Probably because she was just too cute. He had never come across a woman like her. She wore tortoiseshell glasses on her face and had another pair, with large green plastic frames, perched on the top of her head. He could see a third pair in the pocket of her white coat. Her rust-colored hair was up in a sloppy bun, sitting precariously on the top of her head, behind the green glasses. She wore a lab coat that had specks of gods only knew what on it. The only jewelry she wore was her multiple pairs of glasses and her plastic digital watch. Not a speck of makeup could be seen. Stephen tipped his hat to the back of his head and propped himself against the wall. “Exactly who did you say you are?” She crossed behind the table, looking uncomfortable. “I go by the name Stephen Westlake.” Angela considered that for a moment. “Well? Are you really Stephen Westlake?” “Pardon?” “You said that you go by the name, but you didn't say if youare him.” Stephen laughed. “I guess I won't begettin ' anything by you. Iam Stephen Westlake.” Rocking side to side behind the table that separated them, Angela pursed her lips. “Do you have any identification?” “You bet I do.” He stood and reached into the back pocket of his faded jeans and pulled out a

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timeworn wallet. Flipping it open, he held it out to her. He watched her carefully until she finally decided that it wouldn't hurt to look at his ID. He offered her the Society shield that he carried, but didn't think she would recognize it. “Are you saying you're Superman? I have to tell you upfront that I don't buy it. Superman had slick black hair and wore his underwear on theoutside. You have brown hair. I can see it now that you have your hat pushed back.” She gave him back his wallet and a so-there look. “You didn't mention my underwear.” Angela sputtered. “Well, that's because ... umm, well, it's obvious that your underwear isn't on the outside.” He leaned his hip against her table. “That's right. Besides, how do you know I'm evenwearin 'underwear. I might like to go without.”

Angela looked him over, and the picture of him sans underwear -- and everything else, for that matter -flashed through her mind. Carmel-colored skin, ripped abs, small waist, long legs, and tight butt. She wondered if he had a hairy or smooth chest and if a line of hair ran from his navelto ... He cleared his throat.“So,whatchaworkin ' on?” Snapped out of her reverie by the sound of his voice, she glared at him for a moment,then stepped over to the phone hanging on the wall. Picking up the receiver, she dialed and turned her back to the wall so that she could keep her eyes on him. Casually folding his arms over his bulging chest and crossing his booted ankles, the cowboy just watched her. Lucky for him, or she ... she would ... well, she would think of something. Thinking up something to outwit this man should be simple. Seriously, he looked too pretty to be intelligent. Those piercing blue eyes and those soft, full lips that curved up in a small, knowing smile, just begging her to go over to him and ... Funny, her thoughts weren't having much of an effect on her comfort level at all. The phone clicked, and Angela heard an irritated-sounding “Hello?” “Mr. Pendergrass, this is AngelaHeissman , from the lab. There is a man here with me. He showed me a badge and identification, but I recognize neither. Do you know who he is and if he has authorization to be here?” She listened for a second,then looked at her visitor. “Well, he's dressed like a cowboy, needs a shave, and he said his name is Stephen Westlake.” Immediately she held the phone away from her ear. Pendergrass had started screaming to beat the band. When he stopped to inhale, she took her chance and interjected, “I'm sure I don't knowwhat he's doing here early. You will have to ask him that.” Then she listened to the yelling again. “Right.”She hung up the phone and sighed. Looking at her unwanted guest, she crossed her arms over her chest, crossed her high-top-sneaker–covered ankles and stared back at him.Although her stare intentionally came across as more of a glare. She glared at him from the top of his cowboy hat to the

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scuffed tips of his pointy cowboy boots. In between, she noticed that he had a really great chest, small waist, andman was he packing. And she wasn't talking about a gun.

***** What people are sayingabout The Society 1: Regulating Archimedes This book is a laugh-out-loud, snort soda through your nose, brain meets stud romp that I absolutely could not put down! Rarely do you find hilarity, high jinx, suspense, and HOT sensual escapades in one format, but I am THRILLED to say Ms. Bryce not only DOES exactly that but she sets a new standard! -- Lynn,eCataRomanceReviews

Brenda Bryce is a very talented author who has created a book that will have readers looking for the next book in the series. -- Angel Brewer,TheRomance Studio

A sexy vampire cowboy and a feisty heroine are the perfect combination for scorching sex and everlasting love. Brenda Bryce has created a romance with all the touches of an entertaining paranormal. -- Tiffany Aaron, author ofThe Veil: Angels & Demons (coming soon from Loose Id)