CHAPTER ONE
the assignment
MATTY
“Come in!” I call out in response to the knock at my door, swiping a hand over my chin while continuing to stare at the brightly colored poster affixed to the wall above my desk.
I’m just not one of those people who ‘gets’ art. I know it’s subjective and is supposed to make youfeelsomething, but all I feel when I look at this poster is the urge to take it down. The overlapping shapes are messy, the contrasting colors far too bold.
Chaotic.That’s how it makes me feel, and I don’t like it.
The door swings open, the soles of Cam’s boots clomping against the floor as he enters the room and strides in my direction. I’ve been expecting him, but even if I hadn’t been, it was a safe bet that he’d be the one knocking. He’s the only one who ever comes by my dorm room at the squad complex.
I’ve been living here amongst the werewolves for a few weeks now, and suffice to say that it hasn’t been easy fitting in. For one, I’mhuman, and for two, I used to be part of an organization that’s sole objective was eradicating their species. I was never fully committed to The Guild’s cause, but that doesn’t excuse my involvement. I can’t blame the people who still look at me likeI’m the enemy. Just means I’ll have to work harder to change their minds.
Cam steps up beside me, brow furrowing as he joins me in staring at the new addition to my wall. “What the hell is that?” he scoffs, his upper lip curling back from his teeth.
“A poster,” I answer simply. “Luna… er,Averysaid I should get one, remember?”
“Well yeah, but whythatone?”
I shrug a shoulder. “It was listed as a top five bestseller on the website.”
Cam narrows his eyes scrupulously. “Whatisit?”
“No idea,” I murmur, shrugging again. “It’s supposed to be abstract, so I guess it’s up for interpretation?”
“Hm,” he grunts, shaking his head as he takes one last look at the poster, then swivels to face me. “Well, if you like it, that’s all that matters,” he declares, clapping a hand down on my shoulder. “You ready to head over?”
“For sure,” I breathe, stabbing my fingers through my hair as I tear my gaze from my new ‘art’. Maybe it’ll grow on me after a while. As sad as it sounds, I’ve lived by a set of rules for so long that I don’t even know what I like versus what’s been ingrained in me. It’s about time I started to figure it out.
Cam leads the way out of my room, the two of us trekking the hallways from the dorms to the opposite wing of the squad complex. Today’s the first of my new job assignment. I’ll be working IT for the newly minted hunter taskforce, and I’m eager to hit the ground running. As nice as it is for the six-pack to provide me with room and board, I feel compelled to contribute in some way and earn my keep. I need some sense of purpose to latch onto now that my entire future is a blank slate.
Between my strict military upbringing and the ultimatum I was given after graduating high school– follow in my father’s footsteps and join the miliary, or join my uncle in The Guild–I’ve never had any control over my own destiny. Then The Guild’s safehouse was bombed, and with the death notices sent out to the families of the soldiers, I was presented with a rare opportunity to start fresh. I chose to ‘die’ so I could have the freedom to truly live.
For the first time, there isn’t a plan laid out for me to follow. There’s no rules or expectations; nobody dictating what I can or can’t do with my life. It’s trulymine, and though I haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to do yet, I plan to make the most of it.
“Cam, Matty,” a pretty brunette greets as she passes us in the hall, wiggling her fingers in a little wave.
“Hey, Gia,” I reply cheerfully, beaming her a smile.
Before actually living amongst them, I was aware of the differences between werewolves and humans from my time with The Guild. They’ve got heightened senses, rapid healing, increased strength, and, most importantly, the ability to transform from human to animal– all attributes that make them genetically superior. What I never realized before, though, is how that also extends to the way they look. Every girl here is fuckingbeautiful, and Gia is no exception.
Cam elbows me in the ribs, smirking when he sees the dopey grin on my face. “Friend of yours?”
“We’ve sat at the same table in the dining hall a few times,” I reply, shrugging.
“Mmhmm,” he hums as his smirk deepens.
I wave him off with a chuckle.
Truthfully, other than Cam and his girlfriend, I’m not sure I’d classify anyone I’ve met here as a ‘friend’ just yet. Lots of people have been friendly, but less of them talk to me now that the novelty of having a human in their ranks has worn off. Some still haven’t talked to me at all since I’m former Guild. Regardless of which camp they’re in, I’d rather it be based onwhoI am ratherthanwhatI am. Andyeah, considering how I used to hunt werewolves because ofwhatthey are, the irony of that isn’t lost on me.
“Here it is,” Cam announces, nodding toward the open door on the left and gesturing for me to enter ahead of him.
I step through, glancing around the space and taking it all in. There are several desks and tables inside– some furnished with computers, others set up as open workspaces– as well as a lounge area in the back, complete with cushy looking sofas and a mounted flatscreen TV. Stepping up to the pair of desks at the front of the room, I drum my fingers against the surface, glancing back at Cam over my shoulder.
“Assuming this is where I’ll be?”
