Bite the Big Heartache (Monstrana Paranormal Romance 2)

“What happened to her?” she asked, opening her eyes. This was the part of the story she needed. The morbid cherry on top of her whole assignment. “How did she die?”

“Billy only told me once.” Ashley examined the ragged nail bed she’d just been chewing and shrugged. “I guess that when the hunters came, Billy fought back. He managed to take out most of their guys on wolf power alone, but they took Esther hostage. Threatened to kill her if he took one more step. He called their bluff and she paid the price. They were supposed to be married the next week. He couldn’t take the guilt, disbanded the pack and found them all new homes. Came back to Molodoy and has been a loner ever since. Even refused to come back to the Fang pack.”

Stasia stared at the end of her pencil, her lips pulled down into a frown. She couldn’t write those notes down. It would be like spitting on Esther’s very grave. No one deserved to die that way.

The door to the diner swung open behind them. When Stasia glanced over her shoulder at the new customer, she jumped to her feet and stuffed her notepad back in her pocket.

“Billy!” She swallowed nervously and smiled at him.

“Stasia?” His gaze bounced between her and his sister. Dark grease stains covered his arms up to his elbows. A layer of sweat lined his dirt-speckled forehead. Despite the mess, he still looked great. “Just who I was hoping to bump into.”

“You were?” She willed herself to breathe.

It was as if Ashley’s story had just peeled back a layer of Billy’s personality she hadn’t allowed herself to see before now. Maybe he wasn’t the same kid who’d turned her in for the reward money. Maybe he’d grown into a strong, moral man who would sacrifice himself for strangers.

“Yeah, got any opinions on the color of leather for the interior of the Chevelle? I’m thinking charcoal black.” He grinned and her heart skipped a beat. “Maybe even with a white leather stripe? What do you think?”

“I think you’re amazing.” She gasped and then bit the inside of her cheek, hard. “I mean, I think that’s amazing. Go with it. You always know best.”

“Really?” He took a step closer and tilted his head to look down at her. There was a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can I get that in writing?”

“Sure.” A shiver went through her. The combined scent of car grease, sweat, and the faintest cologne was making her weak in the knees. “Whatever you want.” She pushed past him toward the door and paused before exiting. “We start filming tomorrow. Don’t forget.”

And with that, she was out the door and on the streets of Molodoy, willing her heartbeat to return to normal.

Chapter Ten

Billy stood in line at the Molodoy Auto shop and resisted tapping his foot impatiently on the floor. He just needed a part for the Chevelle. A quick trip and then onto business. He hadn’t expected to see the Wilson brothers in the engine oil row, scratching their heads over a pint of Amsoil. So far, he’d avoided their notice. But if the pimpled high school kid at the checkout counter didn’t move any faster, his luck was going to run out.

His nerves had been on high alert all day, anyway. This afternoon, he was meeting Stasia at her motel and they were going to film his interview. He should’ve been relieved that the end was near, but part of him dreaded the wrap-up. Once Stasia got her interview she would be gone. Gone from Molodoy and gone from his life. He should be thrilled. After all, that’s what he wanted.

Wasn’t it?

Despite their history, Stasia Pavlosky still had a way of worming herself back into his very soul. He’d been rejected by her in a way that would make any werewolf want to go jump off a cliff, but his heart wouldn’t listen to reason. Watching her at the party and then at the diner with his sister had only strengthened those feelings. He’d wanted so desperately to reach out and run his thumb along the cupid’s bow of her mouth, to feel her soft skin pressed against his palm, and claim her pouting mouth with his own.

It was all very frustrating. Not even a

hard day’s work spent in the garage could erase her from his thoughts. He’d never met anyone more infuriating or more unforgettable. Too bad she’d never feel the same about him. She’d made that very clear over a decade ago.

A strong hand on his shoulder made him tense and turn, his body readying for a fight. A man in his early sixties with salt and pepper hair, a strong athletic build, and a square jaw pulled back from him.

“Easy, son. Just wanted to say a friendly hello.”

Billy rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, Shep. I guess I’m just a little tense these days.”

“That’s understandable.”

Shep Smithson gave him a sympathetic nod. He was the leader of the Fang pack, the alpha and ultimate authority around Molodoy. No one crossed the alpha. Billy’s father had served faithfully under him for almost his entire life. He was a fair and strong leader.

“Listen, Billy.” Shep patted him again on the shoulder, his brow wrinkling. “I know you had a hard time in Alaska and I’ve been keeping my distance to give you time to heal. But I think it’s time you found your pack again. Just know, there’s always room for you in the Fangs. I could use a man like you on my team.”

Billy nodded gratefully, but had no intention of accepting. He’d done the pack thing. All he wanted was to live out the rest of his days in peace. He wasn’t fit to lead anyone, let alone a pack of werewolves. His time in Alaska had proven that. And Esther had lost her life because of his poor leadership.

“Thanks, Shep. I’ll give it some thought.”

Anything to get the old man off his back.

“You do that, son.” Shep smiled sadly. “We miss your folks. They were good people.”