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Chapter One
The lights on the TV flickered as I channel surfed. If you’d told me two weeks ago that I’d be sent home from St. Ailbe’s and stuck hanging out in the media room of my parents’ Colorado house, I wouldn’t have bought it. Not for a second. But I would’ve been dead wrong.
St. Ailbe’s was closed. Indefinitely.
When I first heard those words, I’d been secretly glad. A break at home seemed kismet. The last few years had been a bit hellish. That evil witch, Luciana, had cursed me so I couldn’t connect with my inner wolf, and I’d slowly lost power until finally, I almost died.
It was fine now. I was fine. The curse had been broken, Luciana’s demon-riddled, crazy ass was dead, and I had a fantastic mate. My life had turned around faster than I could process. Everything was awesome.
Except my brothers were driving me bonkers.
As I tried to sink deeper into the couch, I wished for the millionth time that St. Ailbe’s would open again. I checked my phone, just in case I’d missed something, but my inbox had exactly zero unread emails.
I squished down the little zing of disappointment. I totally got why Mr. Dawson had to shut down the school. Ever since werewolves made global news by fighting Luciana and her demons in that chapel in Santa Fe, the flood of reporters and crazies at our gates had gotten unbearable. We couldn’t safely be ourselves when reporters were using helicopters and telephoto lenses to spy on us. People were literally crawling over our fences day and night. I wasn’t sure when—or if—school would be open again.
My friends had scattered, with only Adrian staying on campus to help patrol the grounds. Chris was home in the Texas valley. Tessa and Dastien were off on their honeymoon. Claudia, Lucas, and what was left of their coven were leaving for Peru.
And me? I was stuck at home while Donovan dealt with the fallout from our exposure. The Council of Seven werewolves was in Canada, meeting with a delegation of witches, fey, and other supernaturals. Donovan was going to be busy, so I’d thought that going home was my best—and only—option, but now…
I’m sorry you’re not here. I do miss you. Loads. Donovan’s love poured through the bond that tied us together as mates. I’m dying to hear the latest from your mother. What was she ranting about today? Has she finally told you what a proper mate does? His suggestive tone had me chuckling.
Shut up! I covered my face with a pillow to muffle my laughter. My mom had been on my case too, but unlike my brothers, she didn’t care about my ability to defend myself. Nope. Instead, she regaled me with the ins and outs of how to be a good mate to an Alpha. You’re going to get me caught.
Caught? What are you up to now, Meredith Molloney? His voice was all low rumbles now.
Nothing. I’m watching TV. But they think I’m in my room. I have maybe five more minutes before one of my brothers realizes I’m not where I’m supposed to be.
They’re locking you up? His outrage was real this time.
No. Even though my brothers were giant pains in my ass, I didn’t want to get them in trouble with Donovan. They’re still running drills. I snorted. It’s been endless, and it’s all your fault.
Aye. Well, then. I better make sure I’m worth it. Donovan’s words held all kinds of promises that made my heart race. It never ceased to amaze me. A few months ago, I was still cursed. No Were in his right mind would’ve agreed to go on a date with me, let alone be my mate. Even if female Weres were rare. I was so thankful to Tessa for breaking the curse. I owed her my life. Now that I had control over my change, I could have a full life as a Were. And I couldn’t—
Suddenly I was airborne.
I tucked, rolling as I slammed into the wall with a crunch that would’ve hurt a lot more if I were anything but a werewolf.
The screen flashed bright enough so that I could make out a blond form standing above me. I took a whiff. “What the hell, Max! Another fight? We’re too old for these games.” At least I was too old for them. I shook off the drywall dust and gave him my best glare. “It’s over. You lost to me. A lot. Get over it.” I’d gotten fed up the last couple days and started pulling power from Donovan to beat my brothers. I couldn’t beat them on my own, but I’d thought if I proved I could handle myself, then maybe they’d back off a little.
I’d never been more wrong.
My brother sighed. “You’re going to be mating one of the most powerful werewolves in the history of our race. If not the most powerful one. That makes you a target. And his pack is one of the most ruthless, elitist, unwelcoming—”
“I know,” I yelled it before taking a breath. “I know what I’m getting into, but—”
“You don’t. You’re too young. Too naive. You can’t possibly—”
“Max,” I said, cutting him off. I was never going to win this argument, but I had to try. “With access to Donovan’s power, I can beat pretty much anyone. I can only get a little of it now, but that alone is enough to beat you. You’ve been training me since I was a girl, and you’ve done your job. It doesn’t matter if I’m joining the Irish pack. I’m Wayfarer pack at heart and in skill. Always.”
Our small pack had only twenty-three wolves besides my family. Most packs were extremely territorial, sticking to a home base, but ours went where we were needed. Whenever there was an outbreak—vampires or whatever—Wayfarer pack came in as backup.
Where Donovan’s pack was known for being elitist, ours drew the best of the best fighters. We were tough and loved a good fight. It made sense that the guys trained twenty-f
our seven. I was usually happy to join them, but not all day, every day starting at the butt crack of dawn.
Can of worms opened. Now my brothers were trying to catch me off guard. They wanted to see if they could surprise me enough that I’d forget to pull alpha power from Donovan. They were calling our bond a handicap.
“Please,” I nearly begged my brother. “Trust me. I’m going to be okay.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s the Irish pack that has me worried.” He motioned for me to get up, and I couldn’t help the growl of frustration that slipped out. “I want you to fight me without pulling from Donovan. What if you’re separated? Or your bond gets broken? You know better than me that anything’s possible, and if you’re not prepared… You can’t use him as a crutch.”
That stung, and the fact that it was possibly accurate made it that much worse. Am I using you as a crutch?
