Chapter 1
The air felt cool and damp against her face as she moved through the trees, the greyish-brown trunks rising high on either side of her. Pine needles littered the forest floor, deadening the sound of her feet as she padded along. Twice she stopped and searched the shadowy depths of the forest, before lifting her muzzle and sniffing, nostrils flaring as she took in the myriad of scents that drifted by on the slight breeze.
Suddenly, instinct had her hackles rising. Another presence was nearby. Cocking her ears, Cassie searched for a sign of the other one. As always, his scent eluded her; his paws made no sound. Inexplicably, he was just—there!
Like a ghost, he seemed to appear out of nowhere, standing in front of her, blocking her way. Thick light brown fur covered his massive body, muscles rippling as he shifted his stance and raised his head in challenge. His beauty took her breath away each time she saw him and not for the first time, did she wonder what his name was.
Part of her wanted to submit, to expose her throat and belly. Her tail dipped between her legs, even as she fought the urge to roll over. His hazel eyes narrowed and she quivered until, finally breaking away from his gaze, she turned quickly and began to run.
Where she was running to, she didn’t know, but the need to escape was strong. She flattened her ears and ran as if her life depended on it, her body low to the ground. The sound of him following her was easy to detect. He made no effort to hide his pursuit.
He was breathing hard, she could hear it. His bigger frame was at a disadvantage when it came to speed, yet with every stride his longer legs brought him closer and closer.
Panic began to well within her and she dug deep inside putting on a burst of speed, twisting around trees, jumping over logs. It was all in vain. Without warning, his body slammed into hers and they both fell to the ground. She rolled, attempting to get to her feet, but even as she tried to stand, he was on top of her.
Hot breath fanned across the side of her face. Her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of shiny white teeth, before she felt those same teeth penetrating her fur, biting her neck…
“No!” Part of her was screaming in protest even as another voice, one deeper inside her, cried out yes, craving his domination, his possession. She pushed that part of her aside and struggled. This beast was just like the one that had killed that man, Mr. Aldrich. It was an unnatural creature known as a werewolf.
Her uncle had said she was one as well, just before he died. But she wasn’t; she couldn’t be. She wasn’t a wild animal. She couldn’t kill anyone... Could she? Even as she fought against the wolf that loomed over her, a part of her mind was acknowledging her four legs, her tail, and the brown fur covering her body… Closing her eyes against the hot tears that threatened to spill down her face, she screamed her denial of the truth.
“No! Please, no! I can’t be a werewolf. I don’t want this!” Pushing and struggling, she flailed against the beast that seemed to surround her. She couldn’t get away. Her breathing became rapid and shallow; everything was growing dark and she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, falling and then…
Her body landed against something hard and the breath whooshed from her lungs. With a jolt, her eyes flew open and she looked at her surroundings. Relief washed through her as she realized it had been just another nightmare.
Shaking in the aftermath of her nocturnal imagination, she disentangled herself from the blanket and pushed her hair from her face. She was in her bedroom, having laid down for a nap while waiting for Kellen to get home. The dream had been just that—a dream.
Well, not exactly. As she stood and picked up the blanket, she acknowledged that the woods and the other wolf were non-existent, but her being a wolf—a werewolf to be exact—was all too real. She hid from the grim reality as much as possible, but her subconscious mind wouldn’t let the notion rest. It was in the dark recesses of her mind that the beast inside her roamed free and sought out others of its kind.
But it wouldn’t happen in reality. She jutted her chin in resolve as she folded the blanket, then clutched it to her chest. She’d never seek out others of her kind. The filthy animals were interested only in killing and dominating and…sex. Her mind skirted away from that last idea. Her dreams were always erotic, usually involving a lusty male who was intent on tracking her down and taking her.
The memory had her shifting uncomfortably as arousal stirred inside her. She curled her lip at the irony of the situation; her nightmares were hotter than Hades while her real life was…
No. She didn’t want to think about that right now. Setting down the blanket, she went to the dresser to check her appearance. The turquoise top she wore went well with her Mediterranean colouring, even though she was still pale as a result of her dream. Applying a bit of blush, she studied her eyes and decided the thick lashes and deep green irises needed no enhancement. A touch of gloss on her full lips completed her makeup.