Turner (White Wolf Ridge 1)

In my most recent dream of her, she’s in a police uniform with her hands on her hips. I don't know if she's really a cop, or if it’s Halloween. I think about the time of year and do the math. Halloween's eleven months, two weeks away. There's no way I can wait that long. My heart pounds in my chest as I think about her beauty. Long black hair in a ponytail in the middle of her head, smooth and not a hair out of place, at least not until I get ahold of her.

The sound of my phone ringing stops my fantasies of this mysterious woman. I left the fucker in my truck. “Damn it.” I wrap a towel around my waist and dash out to my truck. I’m not worried about being seen because I live off a very remote road, but just in case, I make sure to cover up. When I pull the phone out, I see the missed call from Mark. I call him back as I hustle back into the house.

“What’s going on?” I snarl into the phone.

“I’ve heard from their pack leader. They want to meet tomorrow.” That’s good, but not going to work for me.

“I’m busy. It will have to wait for the day after.” I’m not going to let them push me around. I’m the one with an ax to grind.

“Sure thing. I’ll set it up.”

“Good. Goodnight. I have to be at the main resort at six tomorrow.”

Once I slip on a pair of boxers, I dig in the fridge for a snack because I won’t be able to sleep with my stomach growling. I really need to make sure I eat more than once a day. I’m six two, two-twenty, and I need more to keep my muscles strong and in peak condition. I eat a bowl of cereal. It’s not what I need, but at least it’s something. While I do that, I shoot a text to my father to let him know it’s on with the other pack.

Like I expected, my phone rings. “Hey, Dad.”

“So you’re set to meet with them?”

“I am. I want shit straightened out. I don’t want trouble for no damn reason, and I’m sure they’ll understand our actions, although a bit much, were done to protect our own.”

“Just be careful, my son. I don’t trust them. They have a lot of tension going on between them, and I’d hate for them to attack you.”

“I don’t think they want a fight.” I’m not sure of that, but I have to go.

“Fine. Trust your gut.”

“My gut is telling me to get there as soon as possible to deal with this.”

“Sorry, I’m a father. I worry because I love you, son. You’ve taken over the pack so well that no one even noticed the transition of power.”

“Thanks, but I suppose they knew you were grooming me for a long time and that your training had gone off without a hitch. How are you handling not being the Alpha anymore?”

“I’m great. As much as I loved it, I love the freedom of just worrying about my family. I’m still the mayor, which means I play a part in leadership, but I get to pass the burden of keeping the pack in line to you.”

“It’s easy. They’re all doing well, or at least close to well. Most of the unmated members are the ones who are less content. Speaking of content, I’m worried about Max.”

“I sense a change in him as well.”

“He’s restless.” I sigh. I’m worried about my brother.

“Maybe he needs a change. He’s barely eighteen and learning his place in life. This is why male wolves take longer before reaching their mating age.”

“I didn’t have that issue.”

“No, but that is because you’re the heir. Your path has been laid out since the moment you were born. Your footing has been steady. Now, when you have a mate, things might change.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, your behavior may become more erratic, irrational as you do all you can to protect your family.”

“You weren’t—aren’t—like that with us.”

“It will settle as time passes. You don’t love your mate or your family any less, but the danger feels less striking and around every corner.”

“I guess that’s good to know.”

“It is. Now get some sleep. I’ve kept you up long enough. I love you, son.”

“I love you too,” I say, ending the call.

I check the clock on the microwave. Shit. It’s just after midnight.

I climb up the stairs and then my head finally hits the pillow. The cool feel of the material immediately sends me to sleep.

Her eyes—chocolate and sweet—focus on me with such wonder that I fear she’ll be afraid of the truth, but then they switch to pain and then anger. She’s thrashing against me, but I’m not sure why and I sense I’m losing her. “No. You can’t leave me,” I cry out, and my world goes black.