Nova’s jerky nod takes me by surprise. Her thick, death-black hair falls forward and masks her features as I study her harder, struggling to figure out who she is, and how she knows me. Before the answer comes to me, Logan slowly climbs to his feet, and his voice gives way to soft persuasion as he coaxes her to follow him up.
Her bones crack in protest as she stands and I wonder how long she’s been crouched in that same position. Looking badly beaten and frightened to the point of tears her eyes rake over the motley crew with detached interest. But when her glance lands on me and lingers for longer than what’s comfortable, I get the strangest sense that she’s sizing me up.
Unease moves into my stomach and my hackles bristle. The dark warning shivering through my blood has my wolf growling. But I place my hand over my stomach to hush her.
Logan curls a protective arm around the girl’s shoulders and pulls her against him to offer comfort. She melts into him and that’s when her identity hits me. I’d briefly met her at Logan’s house when he first introduced me to the members of his pack. That was close to four weeks ago, right after the last full moon—which, I can tell from the gnawing ache pulling at my joints, will be upon us again any day now.
But thinking about Logan’s family has me worrying about Malcolm and the others who disappeared outside the master’s mansion. I swallow the knot tightening my throat and wonder if they were involved in this bloodbath, or if they’re still missing, either caught by the PTF or on the run from deadly, shape shifting panthers in California wine country.
“We can’t stay here,” Logan says quietly as he moves past my father and me to lead Nova outdoors. The hard lines on his face soften and there is real relief in his eyes when he lowers his voice and adds, “Nova said most of our pack made it out alive. Some might even be at our den just over that peak.” He stops to jut his chin toward the eastern mountain. “She has more information but right now she’s in no shape to talk. She has to shift and heal herself first.”
As I watch them step over the rubble, and make their way through the crumbling house, I get the oddest feeling that something’s not quite right here. Heightening my senses, I listen to Nova’s blood pulse effortlessly through her veins. As I take in the smooth, unrestricted flow, I quickly conclude that the steady, rhythmic beat of her heart belies her stricken expression. Maybe she’s not quite as frightened as she seems.
When Logan disappears around the corner with her packaged in his arms, I think about canine self preservation. While I understand that she’s been through a great amount of trauma, I also understand shifting to heal is as inherent as breathing—so why hasn’t Nova done it already?
What has her wolf been waiting for?
About Cat
New York Times and USA today Bestselling author, Cathryn Fox/Cat Kalen is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. She has two teenagers who keep her busy with their never ending activities, and a husband who is convinced he can turn her into a mixed martial arts fan. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.
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Also by Cathryn Fox
A Wolf's Pride
Pride's Run
Pride's Pursuit
Pride Unleashed
Boys of Beachville
Good at Being Bad
Igniting the Bad Boy
Bad Girl Therapy
The Complete Boys of Beachville Trilogy
Captured and Claimed
YOURS: Billionaire CEO Romance
Yours To Take Part 1: Billionaire CEO Romance
Yours to Keep Part 3: Billionaire CEO Romance
Yours to Teach Part 2: Billionaire CEO Romance
Confessions
Confessions of a Bad Boy Professor
Confessions of a Bad Boy Cop
Confessions of a Bad Boy Fighter
Confessions of a Bad Boy Gamer
Confessions of a Bad Boy Doctor
Confessions of a Bad Boy Millionaire
Confessions of a Bad Boy Santa
Confessions of a Bad Boy CEO
Confessions: Book 1-3 plus Bonus Book
Eternal Pleasure
Instinctive
Impulsive
Indulgent
The Complete Eternal Pleasure Series
Firefighter Heat
Firefighter Heat Trilogy
Fever
Siren
Flash Fire
Burn
His Obsession Next Door
His Strings to Pull
His Trouble in Tallulah
His Taste of Temptation
His Moment to Steal
His Best Friend's Girl
His Reason to Stay
The Complete Series, In the Line of Duty
In the Line of Duty
Invitation to Eden
Breaking Free
Players on Ice
The Playmaker
The Stick Handler
The Body Checker
The Hard Hitter
Pleasure Inn
All Tied Up
All Lit Up
All Worked Up
The Complete Pleasure Inn Trilogy
Reform
Betting Bad
Stone Cliff
Crashing Down
Wasted Summer
Love Lessons
Wrapped Up
Stone Cliff Series
Sun Stroked
Seaside Seduction
Deep Desire
Private Pleasure
Sun Stroked Trilogy
Whispering Cove
Wet
Brazen
Silk
Flirty
The Complete Whispering Cove series
Standalone
Holiday Spirit
Hands On with the CEO
Knocking on Demon's Door
Liquid Dreams
Unleashed
Web of Desire
Pin Me Up Proper
Hot for Santa
Panther's Pleasure
Breath of Fire
The Right Moves
Single Dad Next Door