as I slid off my cherry-red Ducati. After hanging my helmet on the han
ut, even under the full moon, so I shifted into my wolf form. It was second
mom snapped. "The trials start next wee
I cut her off, smoothing th
w it was somewhere in Maine. Thick forests
the bar down the street had the best food, so I
ed ruby wolf. Being one of the rare, natural Alphas wasn't exactly a blessing. There
ey were deadly. Most who tried didn't survive. My frie
ice was tired, and I felt it too. We had all be
neral? I could head to South America, find a rickety zi
owled.
on I knew, and though we clashed when I was a teenager
d. Love you." I hung up just as the bartender came over. He was around my age-rugged, with
ing them on the counter. The bartender took a quick look at my pink hair, then my ches
walked off. I leaned back to su
day. The bar was clearly the town's go-to hangout. It was
up. Dad. I
d was always protective, and I could tell from his ton
" he asked, his
uestion, intentionally avoi
ready,"
ke that answer. He'd understand, though. I was m
he said, hi
is my choice, and I expe
ried abo
dropping my phone on the counter and sipping my whiskey. I hated making them w
ut I didn't mind. I leaned into it, dressing in clothes that highlighted my tattoos and showed
o my motel room to avoid its musty smell. But then the bartend
ck away, heading
her about my disappearance. She was the
counter, weighing my option
twenty-two years without meeting anyone who was a real
six and a half feet, with shoulders like a linebacker and arms covered in tattoos. His presence was
closer for another whiff. But there was too much going on for me to indulge in that
nacho bowl, chili fries, and a beer. As he paid, I caught a glimpse of his ID-Me
yes locked on the bartender as if d