Rayne's mission to find a mate has ran into a snag. Her best friend, Chloe has been kidnapped. They say trauma can bond people quickly but will it help increase the attraction between Rayne and Lincoln, a Veterinarian from a neighboring pack? You'll have to read to find out.
You're also going to find out more about the connection between River and Chloe in this installment. Could there be lingering feelings?
As far as Storm, Rayne is coming to respect the man for all he's done for her family, but respect is only one aspect of love. She can't seem to get past the muddy waters of their history together. Not to mention the tiny fact that he's dating her nemesis (we won't point out to her that little hiccup was her own doing).
Are you enjoying Rayne's Thunder? I know I'm loving these characters and really enjoying writing the story.
Here's a taste of part two...
Chapter
One
I felt apprehension as I maneuvered my car
up the winding driveway toward the home I grew up in. It had been a little over
a month ago since I attended my father’s funeral here, discovered I had a year
to choose a mate and marry, saved my best friend from an accidental overdose,
disobeyed and disrespected my brother -- the new alpha, created a rift in the
relationship between the Wyoming Pack and my own Colorado Pack, and found out
the boy I’d always hated had grown into a delectably sexy man. Hotness was his
middle name and he wore that like a badge of honor. Untouchable might as well
have been his last name because that was what he was to me. And denial was my
middle name if I believed the crap I was shoveling down my own throat at this moment.
All of that insanity happened in just the first
few days I had been back. They say times of drama create explosive
relationships. I was doing my best to make that a cold, hard truth. Truthfully,
I was astonished that River was letting me come back home so soon, but I
suppose it was easier to pair me off and get me married while I was in the same
town as opposed to several states away.
Now that I was moving home, I had to
wonder what other damage I was going to cause before things could get back to
normal. Everything and everyone had changed drastically, and I was the one
running to catch up. Thankfully, life was a marathon and not a sprint otherwise
I would’ve already lost the race.
It was agreed that I needed to leave for a
while to let the chaos I created settle and give my brother a chance to take
control of the pack. So I went back to college to finish out the semester and
transfer my credits to the local Colorado University. Two more semesters, and
I’ll be ready to start medical school. As exciting as that was, driving home
was like dousing the flame with water.
I spoke to my sister, Rhyme, a few times
over the last month, and my best friend, Chloe, almost every day. I was worried
about her. She seemed to be recovering nicely from the breakdown she had that
almost cost her life, but Chloe was always good at putting on appearances,
something we were all trained to do since the moment we were pups. But Chloe
was human so the fact that she managed to maintain herself was extraordinary.
But it was definitely not my strong point.
The one person that had no time to chat
with me was my brother, River, the new alpha. I couldn’t blame him. I’d made
quite a mess my last visit, but I intended to fix that mistake now. He had a
hundred percent of my support. I was going to make sure he knew it. I just
hoped he’d accept it.
I parked the car in front of the garage
and hopped out of the vehicle. The satisfying crunch of the gravel beneath my
sneakered feet reinforced I was home. I heard a ruckus out back. Many of the
younger pack members were already out wrestling, preparing for the hunt tonight
under the full moon. I had no idea how much I missed my pack until that moment.
The breeze carried the scent of pine and
tree bark signaling the night was approaching. It always cooled down as
Colorado summer evenings arrived. The wind picked up, whipping my golden-brown
hair around my face as I pulled out a couple of suitcases from the trunk. I
turned and ran smack into a brick wall. Hands went to steady me at the waist as
I blew the wisps of hair out of my face so I could see who I hit.
“Geez, Storm, you’ve got to stop sneaking
up on me like that.”
“I just wanted to see if you needed any
help with your luggage.” His voice was like silk on my skin.
“No, I’m fine.” I needed to get away from him and his electric touch for so many
obvious reasons.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He grabbed my bags
and started toward the house.
I sighed -- heavily, shut the trunk, and
followed him into the house.
Chloe and Rhyme ran down the stairs. The
girls were night and day. Chloe, brilliant with blonde hair and tanned skin,
and Rhyme’s contrasting midnight black hair and pale skin. They embraced me in
a bear hug as Storm took my luggage upstairs.
“I’m so glad you made it home in time for
the hunt.” Rhyme cooed.
“And wait until you meet the hunk your
brother is setting you up with.” Chloe grinned.
I pulled out of the hug and looked at my
two greeters. “I just got here! I wasn’t expecting to be set up on a date
tonight.”
“That’s too bad because I was really
looking forward to meeting you.” His voice was strong and masculine. Not that I
would expect anything less from a man my father and brother picked for me. I
was suddenly nervous about turning around. I knew my hair and makeup were a
mess from a day’s worth of traveling.
Before I left I told my brother to pick
the man that would best support his leadership of the pack. It was my way of
showing fealty to the new alpha. I really disrespected him and with the
problems brewing between the Carters and our family, it was not a good thing to
do. River chose this man. That meant I needed to make a good impression because
I was going to do everything I could to make a good mating connection with him
for my brother’s position as alpha and my family.
“Okay, well, I’ll go upstairs and change
and meet you down here in a few…”
Chloe shook her head and spun me around to
face one of the most handsome men I’d ever met -- and I’m a werewolf! Most of
them are handsome. His eyes grabbed me first. They were a crystal blue, and looked
like two twinkling gems in a face complemented by two deep, lickable dimples.
His skin reminded me of toasted almonds and his hair was light brown with sun
kissed highlights, just like mine.
He closed the distance between us and
kissed both of my cheeks, my heart stuttered at the contact. Wow! I stumbled over my greeting. “It’s
nice to meet you too.”
He smelled of spice, cinnamon and sugar. It
reminded me of cinnamon rolls like Meriam used to bake us for breakfast in the
morning. I couldn’t help but wonder if he tasted as good as he smelled. He was
dressed in a pair of relaxed fit jeans and a cashmere sweater and looked like
he’d just walked off the cover of GQ.
“I’m Lincoln Evans.”
“And where are you from, Mr. Evans?”
“Please, Lincoln, and I’m from the Arizona
pack.”
I nodded. “Lincoln.” I pulled my hand from
his warm palm. “I have to go upstairs, freshen up and change. Can I meet you
out back?”
He clicked his heels together, reminding
me of an officer in the military, and said, “I look forward to your return.”
Rhyme and Chloe walked with me up the
marble staircase. “How’s River?”
“Super busy but he’ll join the hunt
tonight.” Rhyme looked away nervously.
“He still hasn’t forgiven me has he?” I
chewed my lower lip.
“Not entirely, but he will.” Rhyme patted
me on the shoulder in a comforting, big sister way. It was an odd feeling. Ever
since our father’s funeral, Rhyme and I have been trying to reconnect and build
a sisterly relationship, something we’ve never really had thanks to the
strained relationship she had with father in contrast to the good one I had
with him because of the middle child and baby of the family dynamic.
“And he thinks this Lincoln is the best
possible mate to help him keep his seat as alpha?” I asked, curious about how
much she knew.
“He does, and Lincoln is a veterinarian.” She
smiled excitedly.
I nodded. The jigsaw pieces were starting
to click into place. “And I’m studying to be a doctor.”
“Together you’ll make a power couple and
offer an added layer of security.” Rhyme seemed more enthusiastic about the
situation than I was.
“It takes a village, I guess.” A doctor
and a veterinarian in the same alpha family would only add strength.
“Not to mention, he’s totally drool worthy.”
Chloe offered a predictable comment and wiped her lips for added emphasis.
Rhyme and I looked at her and giggled. “I
love you.”
“What? I know,” she nodded sarcastically,
“it’s hard to find an ugly wolf.” She stopped me at the top step, “but what I
wouldn’t give to fall for and have one of them fall for me.”
“Be careful what you wish for, Chloe. Need
we remind you what happened with you and Eddie Gates?” I warned.
Chloe shivered. “Nope, I don’t need any
reminders of that nightmare.”
Chloe started dating Gates last year. She
was human, but had been a part of the werewolf community since she was seven,
when I brought her home and insisted she know about everything. Chloe didn’t
have a very good family life so she became part of our family very quickly.
It was not unusual for shifters to take
human mates, especially as our numbers continued to dwindle out over the years.
Gates claimed Chloe and proceeded to beat her every chance he got. One night
she fought back and killed the man. I was away at school and knew nothing about
it. Thankfully, Rhyme and River protected Chloe. They burned the body and
disposed of the ashes. No one could know that a human killed a werewolf. It
would devastate the uneasy truce between both species.
Chloe was forced to cover it up. The
pressure became too much for her and during my father’s funeral she overdosed
on her pills and mixed medication with alcohol. It was a terrifying problem and
one of the few things I did right my last stay at the compound.
Now, I needed to focus on my family and
help River rebuild our pack. If that meant I was to entertain and possibly mate
and marry a handsome veterinarian, then so be it.
Storm exited my bedroom and nodded at us.
“Glad you’re back, Rayne.”
I looked at him and my heart raced. I
wanted so badly to tell him how wrong I was about him all those years, to thank
him for all the help he’s given my brother, to welcome him as part of the
family, but words escaped me. His dark look stole my breath and crumbled my
composure. “Thank you.” I entered my room and headed straight to the closet. It
was time to do the Manchester name honor.
I changed into a green t-shirt that complemented
my eyes and turned a shade or two crimson when I noted the stain on the left
breast area of the dirty one I arrived in. I knew I looked a mess when I meet
Lincoln. He was far more generous than I first believed for him to ignore my disheveled
appearance. My golden-brown hair was windblown, and not in a good way. My face
paler than normal. The half-moon dark circles under my eyes gave away the fact
that I hadn’t slept much lately.
I finished getting dressed, arranged my
long hair into a braid that fell to the middle of my back and headed down the
stairs.
When I stepped outside on the soft, green
grass, my bare feet sank into the earth, and I knew I was home. I wiggled my
toes and breathed in the pine, lilac and crisp mountain air. The compound
property was eleven hundred acres which backed up to the rocky mountain range.
Trees dotted the landscape of meadows, grassland, fields of crops, and multiple
streams all of which were wonderful playgrounds for the wolves during the
monthly hunts.
“Should we be partners in tonight’s hunt?”
Lincoln’s smooth voice ran over me like warm water from a showerhead as he came
up behind me.
“Sure.” I grinned and nodded. “I think
that is a wonderful idea.”
Storm and his irritating girlfriend, Angel,
came up beside us, her arm nestled firmly in the crook of his. The sight made
me want to gag. If she only knew he was with her because of his loyalty to
River, and my own stupidity last month, she wouldn’t be preening like a peacock
that won the best-in-show award. If I hadn’t acted like a spoiled brat with
Brick on our first date and disrespected my brother, and if she hadn’t been
there to witness my meltdown, Storm would not be in this position. The guilt I
felt over that was as huge as Pike’s Peak in the distance.
“We will also be joining you during the
hunt, as chaperones.” Storm informed us.
“But it’s a twosome affair, not a
foursome.” Angel batted her pretty eyes and I threw up just a little bit in my
mouth at the disgustingly obvious attempt to claim him as hers.
“We’d love to have you join us.” I told
them. “Isn’t that right, Lincoln?”
“Of course.” Lincoln looked a little disappointed,
but he recovered quickly.
“You must understand while courting
happens, River insists there are chaperones on dates for both of his sisters.”
Storm explained.
“But Rhyme is with Jax tonight, and she
isn’t getting a chaperone,” Angel whined. I swear I saw her stamp her foot on
the ground, but it happened so fast there was no time to laugh at her explosive
temper tantrum.
“Rhyme and Jax will be joined by River.”
Storm kept his words short and sweet, the only indication that he was upset was
the tick in his jaw. Despite the fact that I hated him most of my life, he was
my brother’s best friend and I knew him better than most because of it.
“I guess that means we’ll only have one
team to beat.” I pointed out the positive.
“My brothers will be competing too.” Storm
added.
“Oh.”
“Yes, so we’ll need to stay close to your
siblings.”
“Got it.”
There was still the possibility that
Storm’s brothers, Thorn and Bear, were going to challenge River for the alpha
seat. We were all on pins and needles waiting for one side of the scale to tip
and spill over. The Carters against the Manchesters, kind of like the Hatfields
and McCoys. There could be only one alpha. The rest were betas in line to take
the alpha position. River needed to win the hunt today to prove to those that
had little faith in him as the leader that he was not only stronger than they
imagined, but that he was the strongest.
Storm’s brothers had been vying for the
alpha seat since the day my father died. Prior to that, David, the Carter
patriarch, tried to steal the alpha title from our father until dad managed to
sideline the guy. The rivalry hadn’t started there. It is rumored it started
with our great-great grandparents. All over a girl, in fact. Our great-great
grandfathers fought over who would mate and marry the alpha’s daughter,
Elizabeth, my great-great grandmother. The Carters believe they lost the alpha
position because Joseph Manchester stole Elizabeth’s heart, and they’ve hated
our family ever since, vowing to steal the seat back someday.
Today was not only the monthly hunt, but
the lead up to the official ceremony where River will take the alpha seat,
which was scheduled for tomorrow. The one thing keeping the Carters at bay is
that Storm has sided with River. Storm was the strongest of the three brothers,
and would protect River with his life. If Thorn and Bear made a move, it would surely
spell death for Storm, but a win for River. None of us wanted the bloodshed,
and River was hoping for a peaceful resolution to the problem. I was not so
optimistic. It was still hard for my mind to grasp that Storm chose River over
his own family, but River believed it, and Storm had done nothing to indicate
he had ulterior motives so I waited idly by to see where everyone fell. If it
came down to it, I would protect my brother with my last breath.
“Hello, Colorado Wolf Pack!” River spoke
loudly from atop the large boulder in our back yard. The crowd erupted in
cheers. It was the first time I’d seen him or heard his voice since we last
spoke before I went back to college.
It was a memory emblazoned in my mind. I
could still hear the fire crackling in the mantle, and feel the anger that
vibrated off of him in waves.
“I don’t want to
leave,” my words barely above a whisper. “Please give me another chance to make
this right.” My feet followed him to the doorway.
“I don’t know how
you can right now.” His voice was so lost, so sad, full of so much
disappointment.
“I’ll finish out
this semester, and then come back and date whoever you think will be the best
ally for the pack.” Storm had said it was time to grow up. Rhyme had made it
clear I had responsibilities to the family and pack, and River and Chloe needed
me. Maybe aligning myself with the best ally for the pack would be a good
start.
“Maybe.”
“Come on, River.
It’s a good deal and you know it.” I pleaded with his back because he refused
to turn and look at me. So much like our father in that regard. My fingers
ached to reach out to him, but something held me back, the wolf perhaps.
He stopped walking
away. “Fine. We’ll try it and see how it goes.” Without a glance back, he left
the room.
The
memory still made me choke up. I only hoped things would get better now that I
was home. I looked at Lincoln. He seemed like a stand-up guy. At least I hadn’t
been saddled with someone who meant me or my family harm. At least, he had
potential.
I turned my attention back to my brother. River
stood proud, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, not his usual business suit flare. I
supposed that was to endear himself to the pack members. Many had a hard time
keeping clothes on, and most avoided suits with a passion. Even now, most were
half dressed and ready to change. There was no greater feeling than running
free as a wolf.
“We’ve faced many hardships these last few
months, but today is the start of a new beginning. Allow the full moon to wash
away the past, and the wolf to give you rebirth. Tonight we hunt and allow our
animal to take control. Tomorrow, we rejoice in the new journey ahead of us as
a united pack under your new alpha’s rule.”
The crowd roared their excitement. My
brother always was a wordsmith, and today was no exception. I felt a burst of
pride as I watched him claim his rightful place as the leader. My eyes flitted
to Storm who was staring daggers at his brothers. Apprehension and a touch of
fear ran up my spine, vertebrae by vertebrae.
I didn’t know much about Thorn and Bear. Growing
up, I avoided them like the plague, but rumors of their devious acts often ran
rampant in the pack. As I glanced between the three brothers, a memory flooded
back to me. When we were younger, Storm came over beaten and bloodied. I was
the one who answered the door.
The pre-teen version of Storm was gangly
and awkward. The child version of me was small and spunky. “What do you want?” I asked as I hugged my dolly closer to my chest.
“Where is your
father?”
“Out.” My younger
self raised her chin defiantly.
“How about your
brother?” Even then there was something dangerous in his green eyes. Something
that scared me to the core, causing me to shiver with dread.
“I’ll go get him.”
“No need, little
Raynie, I’m here.” River jumped down the last few steps of the marble
staircase. He patted me on the head and said, “Go on upstairs. I’ll take care
of our guest.”
My eyes bounced
back and forth between both of the teen boys. They were only a few years older
than me, but in that moment they seemed far more mature. I nodded slowly and
headed toward the staircase. River pulled Storm into the foyer. Instead of
running to the safety of my room, I snuck to the doorway and listened in on
their conversation.
“My father is
going to challenge yours at the hunt this weekend.”
“Are you sure?”
River asked,, worry clear in his voice as he poured Storm some water.
“Yes, Thorn and
Bear did this to me to keep my mouth shut. I couldn’t. It’s just not right.”
“Your brothers are
bastards.” River clapped him on the back. “You know father will protect you
from them. He’d claim you as one of his own if you gave him permission.”
“I can’t, they’re
my family.” He took the water gratefully.
“Then you have to
let me help you. I want you to start training with the enforcers.”
“I’m not big
enough for that duty.”
“You will be when
they’re done with you.”
“I don’t know,
River.”
“I’m not going to
let you get hurt anymore. I’ll get father’s approval, and you’ll start training
tomorrow after school.” River drank his own glass of water as he sat down with Storm
on the couch.
Storm lowered his
head and sighed. “Okay, thank you.”
I had forgotten that memory. It was buried
somewhere deep beneath my dislike for the man. From the very beginning, Storm
had been supportive of my family despite those that reared him. I looked at the
man out of my peripheral. He stood solid, ever the protector, watching,
observing everything and everyone around us. I looked away when he turned
toward me.
There were so many layers to this man I
once hated. I couldn’t even remember really why I hated him anymore. It was
becoming painfully obvious I wasted so many years disliking someone who didn’t
deserve it. He deserved my friendship for his loyalty to this family.
I glanced over at Thorn and Bear. They
both had sun-kissed skin, dark hair and hazel eyes. One wore a goatee and the
other was clean shaven. Being that they were twins, it was a way to tell them
apart, but I couldn’t say which brother was which. They were pumping up for the
hunt, slamming their fists into each other’s arms. Neither one cared to listen
to River. I wished River would just exile them from the pack, but he wasn’t
that vindictive. He was not a coward and he would face them if the challenge
was proposed. It was the way we were taught to live life. Grab it by the horns,
and ride it until it was broken and you were in control. I was certain of one
thing, Storm was right. If his brothers took control of the pack, it would be
very bad indeed.
“So, without further ado, let us engage in
the ritual of the hunt.” River’s voice broke me from my thoughts.
The
people around me began to transform, morphing into wolves of varying sizes and
colors. Instinct took over as my body engaged in the change. Hair covered my
skin, my arms turned into legs, and hands to paws putting my head closer to the
ground, my nose grew as my teeth lengthened. Smells, sounds, sights, and
hearing increased. Instead of human. I was now a predator, deeply connected to
nature. The urge to run, frolic and hunt took the driver’s seat in my mind. Human
concerns seemed to fade away the longer I was the beast.
Lincoln’s black and grey wolf nudged my
hindquarters and bounced back in an effort to get me engaged. I bit back
playfully. We raced around Storm’s large silver wolf, then I made a beeline to
River and Rhyme’s wolves. The smell of a buck scented the air and I stopped
midstride. Lincoln’s wolf was forced to put on the brakes to keep from slamming
into me.
Rhyme and River’s black wolves turned their
heads in the same direction. Everyone froze, and then the chase was on. Padded
claws hit the ground at full stride as the pack bolted in the direction of the prey.This installment is only $0.99 or Free with Kindle Unlimited on Amazon. Get your copy here.
If you haven't read part one, here is the link.
As I mentioned earlier, the rough draft to part three is almost ready for the editor. I'm also finishing up the rough draft for Remote Paranoia (PBI Case Files #5)... here's a sneak peek of the cover.
Coming soon:
Fire Master Rising (book three of Winters Saga)
Faerie King's Guardian (book two of the Mystery Springs Series)
Dentist's Burial Ground (book three of Ghost Connection Series)
Deadly Market of Woes (book two of Demon Ascension Series)
And a few more this year...
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