LONE WOLF

CHAPTER 1

For early Monday night, the city of Peyton was already topping its best for the most people maimed, mauled, and murdered in a five hour period.

I tried to put that out of my head as I walked, the early February winter air weaving its way up my legs and speeding my stride across the parking lot. The pounding rhythmic beat from the club swallowed the sound of my heels striking the pavement. Club Primal was always loud, but it seemed more so than usual. Maybe the half lit lamp posts casting shadows that slipped over and around my path set my nerves on edge.

Thanks to the winter chill, the usual club goers didn’t hang out near their cars to catch a smoke, or try to peddle their wares; they stuck near the doors of the club, leaving me a prime candidate for a mugging or worse. A human, I could take. A Therian might prove…problematic, especially, considering my attire.

While I typically wore ripstop pants, combat boots, and a claw resistant vest as Special Agent Ana Ridges with the Theriantropy Registration, Enforcement and Affairs Division—attire that worked wonders for keeping me alive as I hunted down rogue werewolves, werecats, and were-whatevers—it did nothing flattering for my figure.

For my first night out in weeks, I wore a short black, silver, and gold pattern sequined bandeau dress that accentuated the cinnamon tone of my skin. Still, the dress couldn’t even protect me from the cold, let alone from massive jaws that could apply over a thousand pounds of pressure, steel knife like teeth, or sharpened claws that could easily rip through flesh.

I was ready for action, just not the kind that involved tangling with shape-shifting beasts.

Or, rather, I would be, if I could get my mind off work.

But a siren wailed in the distance and drew my attention. A problem that seemed miles away could wind up on your doorstep in seconds when Therians were involved.

I scanned my surroundings. Instinct drew me towards the fence where the other side led off into the tree line. As my eyes adjusted, I barely caught sight of a pair of yellow eyes before they disappeared. Or did I? And what if I did? Maybe it was a Were. Or maybe just a regular woodland animal. Or maybe nothing at all. The last possibility bothered me the most.

Sighing, I released a cloud of air as my breath mixed with the winter conditions. For the first time, since my boss ordered me to take a night off, I finally started to realize he might have been right. With the anniversary of that day approaching, I grew more paranoid.

Of course, it’s not paranoia if someone is out to get you.

I shook my head, my black hair sweeping across my shoulders, then turned around.

“Good evening.”

Startled, I jumped back as I found a man standing in front of me that I didn’t recognize. Giving him a quick once over, he wore black jeans and tennis shoes, both smudged with dirt. A white T-shirt that could’ve come from any store, also stained. Attire all wrong for the club, but ignoring the clothes, he was a real looker. Mild stubble and black cropped hair accentuated the sandy tone of his broad face.

He extended a well-muscled arm. “Jason Channing,” he said, low and husky.

I hesitated, then shook his hand. He had a firm grip.

“Ana Ridges.”

As I stared into his dark brown eyes, and almost smiled, a car pulled in behind us and lit his face. A yellow hue flashed in his eyes and I tensed.

I looked back towards the tree line, then turned back to Jason.

Was he the one…?

I must have stared too long, because he cocked his head and asked, “Something wrong?”

“No,” I said, taking my hand back. “Have a good night.”

I started to walk away—I had enough going on in my life without adding a werewolf into the mix—but he stepped in front of me.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

“No, thank you.”

Hurrying around him, I rushed away. I gave a brief look over my shoulder and found him staring at me. I shuddered. The way Therians could hold a gaze without blinking unnerved me.

Get it together. Go inside, forget about werewolves and have a good time.

Go inside, the best part of my advice. I rubbed my arms against the chill in the air. Taking a deep breath, I tried to relax. Almost to the entrance of the club, I passed a line of people laughing and smiling, waiting to get inside. Determined to enjoy myself, I walked right up to the front door, stopping as a huge bulge of a man in a purple suit rose from a seat near the entrance. By the time he reached his full height, he blocked the double doors and his head stopped only three inches from touching the top of the frame.

“What the hell are you doing here, Ana?” he asked in a booming voice.

Squaring my shoulders, I placed my hands on my hips. “Doing what I do best.”

“That must be breaking my heart,” he said as the formidable look on his face broke into a smile. He swept me up in a great big bear hug.

For a moment, I worried that he might have given the crowd a great show starring my ass, but I felt the fabric stop short of exposing the rounds of my cheeks, though it was close. A moment later, he settled my feet back onto the ground.

I grinned at the bouncer. “What’s up, Ric?”

“Same old. You?”

I shrugged. “First night off in weeks.”

“Surprised TREAD would give this night off to any agent.” He gave a slight glance up.

I followed him and caught sight of the wolf moon that hung in the sky. Its presence only one reason for the increase in crazed Therian activity, the drug Lunacy being the other.

“Yeah, but apparently, there were labor issues,” I said, which was partially true.

Ric chuckled. “Well, go on in and enjoy.”

He stepped clear of the door. I patted his shoulder, which required me to stand on the tip of my toes, as he held the door open for me.

The techno bass filled music hit me like a wave as I stepped inside, driving out any lingering uneasiness from the parking lot. A sign in bold red letters hung on the black painted wall. It clearly stated the risk of hearing loss to potential patrons.

Thanks to the reminder, I pulled my earplugs from my purse. The club offered free ones to comply with the Human and Therian Equality Act; the legislation required businesses to make it possible for Weres to work in establishments owned by humans and vice versa. I preferred my own custom built earplugs; they fit better and sounds were clearer.

Sticking in the earplugs, I gave myself a moment to adjust, then I walked carefully, due to the sloping hallway and the height of my heels, down a long hallway without enough light to see the outline of the walls. The smell of sawdust, wood, food, and the trace tinges of vomit filled my nose as the pulsating music attempting to alter my heartbeat signaled I’d neared the end.

The hallway opened to reveal a night crowd revving up. I stepped out onto the crowded upper level where a few people rocked to the beat of the music in the small area near the doorway. Most stood around with their drinks, either trying to have a conversation or just looking for a place out of the throws of the dancing revelry. The rest stood along the rails, peering down over the lower level of the club. I stood there my first few trips, but years later, I was very familiar with the layout.

Dipping and weaving, I slipped between the mash of bodies, trying to avoid rubbing against people as I moved through. I didn’t want their stale sweat staining my outfit. I ducked just in time to avoid being hit by a pair of swinging and flailing arms.

TREAD training at it’s best.

As a group of people moved out of the way, I glimpsed the packed upper level bar with no room at the surrounding tables. Heading for VIP, I stopped at the top of the landing to the stairs. Resting my hands on the metal and plexi-glass railing, I sighed when I saw the available seating wasn’t much better, but I spotted a few regulars that I could ask to share the space.

There’s Jeanne...no, she pounces on any guy that approaches me. Brad? No, he’ll hit on me all night; he’s cute, but too short. Dennis? I can’t tell how many drinks he’s had. Too many and he’s a grabby jackass. I don’t need to be pawed all night. I get enough of that at work.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my shoulder. I spun to find Jason behind me.

He smiled, but a tenseness strained his face. “It’s only one drink.”

Frowning, I eyed him levelly. “I said, no.”

When he didn’t let go of my shoulder, I grabbed his wrist, prepared to move it myself.

His fingers pressed harder into my shoulder. I pushed at his hand, but I couldn’t break his hold. Instead, I reached into my purse.

“I think you should reconsider,” he insisted.

“No, you should,” I said as I pulled my badge from my purse and flashed it. “Let’s not start any trouble tonight.”

Undeterred, he leaned closer. “Believe me, that’s the last thing I want.”

“Then get your hand off me.”

He sighed, then loosened his grip, though he didn’t fully remove his hand. His eyes scanned the crowd before settling back on me. “If I let you go, will you, please, come and speak with me?”

“No, but I won’t arrest you.” I cocked my head hard to the side. “Fair?”

He dropped his hand.

I wanted to rub my shoulder—his grip was a bitch—but it would have been a mistake to show weakness in front of a Were.

“Wise choice,” I said, then started to put my badge away.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

As I looked up, I said, “No harm—”

He moved in a blur. So fast, I didn’t see him raise his arm before he struck me across the face. The blow threw me off balance thanks to the height of my heels. I crashed into the rail. My momentum sent me careening over the top. I clutched for the railing, but I was too late, sailing over, then down, with the floor rushing towards me as I fell below.

CHAPTER 2

Oh, shit.

I tensed, prepared to meet the hard floor as I fell about ten feet down to the next level. To my surprise, I landed with less pounding force than I thought. It took a moment for the thudding of my heart to settle, before I heard a group of people yelling out in shock.

“What the hell, you drunk bitch?”

I groaned and started to sit up.

My shoulders were in the lap of a very annoyed looking woman, while my legs were lying across the very shocked looking guy that sat next to her. Stunned, it took a few seconds before I realized his look wasn’t because of my entrance, but because he had a full view of what lay underneath my skirt.

At least, I wore my thong.

His date noticed about the same time I did.

“Slut,” she said with disdain as she shoved me off her lap.

I hit the floor, unfortunately, giving her date an even better view.

Laughter bounced around me as I struggled to get to my feet in as much of a dignified fashion as I could pull off. A flash went off, but I couldn’t tell if it was from a camera or the damn crazy lights of the club.

Please, don’t let this end up on the club’s site.

Even as I thought it, I knew my New Year’s resolution—not to end up in any further compromising positions—had come to a grinding halt.

The jarring rise in the noise of the club meant my ear buds were knocked out. I didn’t bother to look for them. Instead, I made it to my knees, then searched for my purse, glad to see that it hadn’t gotten too far away. I picked it up as I rushed to stand. The second I had my bag back in hand, I reached inside. The laughter stopped when I pulled my revolver.

Now, where did that bastard go?

I looked up to find Jason hadn’t moved.

“Stay there,” I said pointing at him.

Some people screamed when they saw me with a weapon, but at least, no one panicked and tried to run for the doors. Not even Jason tried to move. He waited until I made my way back up the steps to him.

“Put your hands in the air.”

He raised them, then turned around. I grabbed his right wrist, then the left and pulled them behind his back.

What the hell am I supposed to cuff him with?

The gun that I had on me was not part of my standard issued TREAD equipment. It was my personal piece. I did have a set of handcuffs in my purse, but they were red and fuzzy.

Well, they’re going to have to do.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the cuffs, keeping them low so that no one would see they weren’t a set of the real kind.

Jason looked over his shoulder. “A bit fuzzy, aren’t they?”

My face burned. “Shut up. You’re under arrest for violating the Cohabitation Treaty between Humans and Therians and for striking a TREAD agent.”

“I am sorry about that,” he said, with what sounded like genuine regret.

“Really, well, I’m going to make you even sorrier.” I shoved him forward. “Move.”

He didn’t put up any resistance, which was good because in the tightly packed club, he could have hurt several people before I managed to take him down. The crowd parted as we walked. We arrived back at the entrance hallway as club security showed up.

Just don’t be Bill. I peeked around from behind Jason. Of course. I sighed to myself.

Bill Phillips stood in front of me, blocking my escape from what was already the most embarrassing night of my life and it was likely that instead of being able to put this behind me, I’d have a permanent reminder of the night very soon.

“I am going to make you pay for this,” I whispered to Jason. “Bill,” I said putting on a fake smile, “nice to see you.”

“Ana,” he said with a nod. “What’s going on? Saw this guy roughing you up on camera.”

“Yeah, he caught me by surprise. Didn’t think he’d hit me after I showed him the badge.”

Bill smirked.

I knew that smirk.

I hated that smirk.

Bill walked over to me and said, “Look, I know you like experimenting, and plenty are into the rough stuff, but you can’t flash your gun in the club, if it isn’t for official business.”

Rough stuff? Official—Does this idiot think we’re role-playing?

My face didn’t know what to do before I spat out, “What?”

His eyes nodded towards the cuffs.

“I was off tonight—”

“Hey, I get it.”

More of that damned smirk.

“Guess you got tired of being the one cuffed, so you decided to switch it up.” He leaned in closer. “Although, I do miss seeing how lovely you look strapped down.”

Oh, please, shut up.

Why the hell I ever slept with Bill, I’d never understand.

My jaw clamped down so hard that I thought I might break a tooth. After a quick count down from five, I said, “Bill, I need to go.”

He winked at me. “Well, enjoy your night. You too, man. She’s hot,” he added, then made a sizzling noise with his tongue and teeth.

I shoved Jason away from Bill and up the hallway. By tomorrow, everyone at TREAD was going to know about me and the red handcuffs. It was my bad luck to have dated a man related to Melvin Brock, one of TREAD’s agents. Bill had decided to share some of our more intimate details with Melvin, who thought it was a great idea to share it with everyone else. Not that I felt ashamed of my behavior; I didn’t mind discussing my sex-capades, but it wasn’t like I’d do it in front of my bosses, which Melvin did. The director, Marcus Snow, came down on him for it, then had the uncomfortable conversation with me about keeping my private life private. It hadn’t been my fault, but I agreed and promised to use more discretion.

I sighed. Marcus was going to kill me.

Jason and I went out the side exit. I didn’t want to take him out in the middle of a crowd. He’d been compliant, so far, but I didn’t know how long it would last. I didn’t even know why he’d hit me, unless he took my refusal as an insult, but that didn’t appear to be the case.

The wind blew my hair across my face as we made our way across the parking lot. I groaned when we got to the car. I’d forgotten I didn’t have my TREAD vehicle, which meant that I didn’t have a way to secure my prisoner. Hell, I didn’t even have a backseat in my Audi.

“Are you housebroken?” I asked as I shoved him towards the passenger side of the car.

“There’s no reason to be insulting,” he said.

“You just tried to kill me, that idiot is going to tell everyone that I’m into kink, and I’m going to have one hell of a bruise as a lovely reminder of tonight.”

Jason stopped walking and I bumped into him. He turned around to face me.

“I didn’t try to kill you and I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” His eyes locked onto me. “And it will be with my deepest regret that I inadvertently marred such a beautiful face.”

Damn, he was good. If only he were human, I might have considered putting those red cuffs to better use, but I didn’t swing that way; the concept of intermingling was still too new.

While Therian and Human hookups happened, they remained fairly rare. Even after the ban on inter-speciel marriage was lifted ten year ago, Nevada remained the only state where one could easily find someone to facilitate an inter-speciel wedding, though all states were required to recognize such a marriage. Typically, it was more human male to Therian female pairings. The other way around proved problematic, which made it strange that Jason approached me, unless Bill wasn’t so far off and that was supposed to be some kind of mating initiation.

A flush crept up my neck. I cleared my throat. “Right...just...keep moving.”

“I’m not accustomed to dealing with humans. I didn’t realize I hit you so hard.”

I rolled my eyes. “So, you only wanted to hit me a little. It still counts as assault.”

“I needed to get you alone, so that you’d hear me out.”

“I don’t do Weres and that isn’t going to change.”

His brows dropped in confusion, then flared. “No, I’m here to warn you. One of my kind is trying to break the peace between our species. I have a lead, but we need to go now to stop him.”

He stepped closer to me and I tightened my hold on my weapon.

“Great, a crazy,” I said, with a roll of my eyes. “Well, tonight is a wolf’s moon.”

“I’m telling you the truth,” he pressed. “I’ve been investigating why so many of my kind have been participating in an increase of crimes against humans and their property.”

“That’s easy, they’re tripping off of taking Lunacy.”

For the last four months, the agents at TREAD worked hard to find the supplier of the dangerous drug being abused by both humans and Therians. Initially, the drug made both groups feel more empowered; the users thought they gained strength, but in reality, it simply muted the pain receptors that warned you when you were stressing your body.

Bad in it’s own right, too much use of the drug drove people crazy. They began to act like rabid animals and would attack anyone and anything that moved.

“Exactly, and I know who’s to blame.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You know who’s distributing Lunacy.”

“Yes, and if you’ll come with me, we can catch him in the act and stop him.”

God, how stupid does he think I am?

“Tell you what, after I take you to TREAD and book you for assault, you can tell me all about the distributor of Lunacy. Now get in the car,” I ordered, giving him a shove that failed to move him even an inch.

He stood his ground. “I didn’t risk coming here to allow you to take me to TREAD.”

“Then why did you come here?” I yelled, my voice echoing across the parking lot.

“For your help in stopping the person that’s been pushing Lunacy on my people.”

“And who might that be?”

“Rasha,” he snarled.

I felt the scalpel slicing through me as real as the day it happened, despite nearly two years had past. My legs buckled a little as those two days of terror raced through my head. My chest tightened. I couldn’t breathe. I pressed my hand to my chest and felt the scar that remained.

I’d tried not to brace against the scalpel as he lowered it towards me, but as I watched it sink deep into my flesh, my muscles tightened and locked. It sliced through my skin with an ease that belied the pain that curled my fists and forced a scream. It made me forget about the discomfort of being strapped to the cold, hard stainless steel morgue examination table.

An indication of how I expected my ordeal to play out.

But I didn’t die; Marcus saved me, from death at least.

No one could save me from the horrible memories carved into my mind or my chest.

I never saw his face, but I knew he was there. He watched me from the darkened stairwell as I went through hell, while his hired man with a scalpel fetish cut me open. I tried to tell my superiors he was real, but no one believed me. His name was only whispered around the agency. With no evidence to tie the rumors to an actual person, or rather a Therian, the name wasn’t allowed to be entered into any official reports.

But I knew Rasha existed. I hadn’t made up some boogeyman as a coping mechanism.

If only I’d been able to see his face.

The world around me started to spin.

Not now, I can’t afford to lose it.

I braced a hand against the car, almost collapsing against it.

“Are you all right? Jason asked.

He stepped forward, but I aimed my weapon at him to stop his approach. My grip tightened. Thankfully, my finger didn’t rest on the trigger. If it had, I might have accidentally pulled it. After a few deep breaths, I pushed away the panic and regained control. Standing tall, I stepped up to Jason.

“I’m fine, but you’re going to tell me who Rasha really is right now.”

Jason shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’ve been tracking a group that claims to work for him. I followed them to a warehouse with a fleet of semi trucks parked outside.”

“What are they moving? Is it Lunacy?”

I’d heard from a source that Rasha was the distributor, but I couldn’t go to my superiors without evidence; most already thought I was crazy. To mention Rasha would put me back under the watch of the shrink.

He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out before I was spotted.”

Another false lead.

I folded my arms as skepticism of Jason’s story rose. “So, after finding a truckload of possible drugs, you don’t call in to report it? What’s wrong with this story?”

He appeared to hesitate, then said, “I came here looking for you.”

Cocking my head to the side, I said, “Right, like you knew I’d be here.”

“I did. I called TREAD looking for you, but they said, you had the night off. I asked around and most said you come here when you get a night to yourself.”

Damn, I really need a new spot, if random werewolves can so easily track me down.

“The warehouse exists,” Jason insisted.

I stared up at him. “Why come to me?”

“No one at your agency is willing to go on record that they believe Rasha exists, except for you. They wouldn’t have taken my call seriously.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m done chasing that ghost. You’ve got the wrong person.”

He shook his head. “No, I don’t. You believe he is real.”

“What makes you think that?”

He paused for a moment, then said, “I know what happened after you brought in those lycans last week.”

I inhaled sharply.

Damn, there was too much information out there about me. I didn’t want the fact that I lost my cool getting around. After last week’s … “incident” … Marcus warned me that if I went off on another crazed run to prove Rasha’s existence, he’d have no choice but to suspend me. It probably weighed heavily into why I received the night off when no one else did.

“If we go now, we can prove it,” Jason insisted.

I couldn’t go; my job depended on proving to the psychs that I wasn’t a lunatic on the brink. Chasing a phantom wasn’t going to aid in that endeavor. But...this was different; Jason came to me. I had to investigate.

That’s what you thought last time. Remember how you wound up strapped to that table.

I shuddered.

Taking a moment to look at the situation, I realized that I was about to repeat the same pattern that almost killed me. I couldn’t afford to let someone play on my past again.

So, you’re just going to ignore it? Let Rasha get away? What if Jason’s not lying? Yeah, and what if he is?

I went back and forth a few more times, before I said, “Get in the car.”

Jason’s eyes fell.

“We’ll go check out this warehouse,” I said. “I’ll call for backup, if we find something.”

Surprise crossed his face. Quickly, he turned and lifted his hands.

Shaking my head, I said, “Those stay on until I’m sure that I can trust you.”

Looking over his shoulder, he chuckled. “Do you really think these can hold me?”

Not a chance in hell.

“Gah, fine.” Keeping my weapon trained on Jason, I used my other hand to probe inside my purse for the key. I found it near my cell and pulled it free. A second later, I released his hands. Putting the key and cuffs away, I shut my purse.

I opened the driver side door and tossed my bag into the center console. Returning to a standing position, I let go of the door and it swung shut. Looking at Jason, I said, “Keep your hands on the dashboard. You lower them and I’ll shoot you.”

He nodded. “Understood.” Turning, he walked around to the passenger side of the car.

Waiving my revolver slightly, I repeated, “I will shoot you.”

“I know,” he replied, peering at me from over the roof of the car. “Thank you.”

I rolled my eyes. This is one of the dumbest moves you’ve ever made. Sighing, I bent down and reached for the handle as a jitter ran up my spine.

“Watch out,” Jason yelled.

I dove out of the way in time to miss being run over by a blur of fur.

I rolled, scrapping my arms and legs, but coming up with my weapon in hand. Crouched, I observed my attacker. Larger than a dog, thin, but muscled, longer than normal snout, and wild eyes; a werewolf, though, one of the weaker varieties. I’d seen the glazed over look enough to spot a werewolf struggling against the moon. Obviously, a noob and not a true Therian. He must have hated being human to give that up to become a werewolf.

He snarled and took a step.

“Move, again, and I’ll shoot.”

I hoped he understood me. Sometimes, noobs were so far gone that they didn’t understand human speech in their transformed state, despite, having been human all their lives.

“Then I hope you have enough bullets for all of us,” a female voice said.

Trying to keeping an eye on the werewolf in front of me, I gave a quick look to my right. Crap, I thought as I caught the shine in the eyes of the four people standing several feet away. One female and three males. Four werewolves, even in their human form, were tough as hell.

I needed backup. Too bad my phone sat in my purse, which sat inside my car. I couldn’t afford to take my eye off them to go for it.

Jason growled, low and threatening.

I rose. “I’m Special Agent Ana Ridges with TREAD. You want to tell me what’s with the unprovoked attack?”

“We apologize to you, agent,” the woman said, her eyes gleaming yellow. “We thought you were assisting the traitor.”

Traitor?

She gave me a slight head nod. “My name is Ulna of the Cor Lunae clan. My pack and I have been sent to bring him back to face justice.”

That explained why her brown hair was so short. A hunting pack equalled the Therian version of a posse. They hunted down rogue members of their society. I turned to look at Jason, then back to Ulna. “What did he do?”

“He betrayed our clan,” she snarled, “and committed a crime against all lycans.”

“That sounds bad,” I said. I wanted to keep an eye on all of them, but the snarling werewolf in front of me held my attention, so I changed positions.

Ulna spat in Jason’s direction, making him growl even more. “The worst of all offenses. He murdered our Alpha female, his intended mate. For his crime, he will be put to death.” Her lips pulled back to bare her teeth. “Immediately.”

I sighed and cut my eyes towards Jason.

Figures. Just when you think you know a guy.