Into the Dark (Red 1)

Red:

When Red witnesses her grandmother's murder, she escapes into the woods before the killer - who happens to be her older brother - can catch her.

The cabin in the forest is peaceful, quiet, and isolated. It has everything she needs to survive. It even comes with a pet wolf who keeps her company.

But when her brother's henchmen find her hiding spot, she's all alone in the fight for her life.

Nash:

He didn't expect a human to wander into shifter territory, but now that she's here, Nash can't imagine life without Red.

When she's attacked by wolves in the dark of the forest, Nash has no choice but to save her.

There's just one problem: she doesn't know he's a shifter.

Prologue

Nash

I’m late getting back, but that doesn’t matter. I can’t wait to see Elise. I really missed her today. It was my first time going out on a hunt in quite awhile, and I want to tell her all about it. Maybe I’m lame compared to her Alpha boyfriend, but my cousin loves me, and I know she’ll be excited to hear all about today’s adventures.

She’s always teased me about my hunting ability, but not today. Nope, today is going to be different. As soon as I find Elise, I’m going to tell her everything that happened today. She won’t believe it. She won’t believe that today, I conquered the forest. It might just be a few rabbits, but I feel like I conquered the world.

For the first time in a long time, things are looking up. Maybe it’s because the Alpha didn’t come on this hunt and I was in charge or maybe it’s just because I got to run with my friends all day, but I feel free.

I feel freer than I have in years.

Things have been a bit rocky between Elise and me since she started dating the Alpha. I’m not sure if “dating” is the right word for it. “Whoring” sounds so mean when it’s about my cousin, but that’s more accurate.

Elise is sleeping with the Alpha of the Silent Canines and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

I tried to convince her he was bad news, tried to show her the error of her ways, but none of that matters. She believes what she wants to believe, and I have to live with that. We all have to live with that.

The truth is that Elise is an adult. She can date who she likes. As long as the Alpha doesn’t hit her or hurt her, who am I to complain?

I hurry into the cave ahead of the others. We were all hunting all day and we’re all more than ready for supper. Ryder and Thorn take my rabbits to clean, knowing I’m in a bit of a rush to see Elise. Markus goes with them, along with Marybeth and a few other wolves.

They were all great today and we’re all feeling a bit of a rush. I hurry to my cousin’s room and lift my hand to knock, but when I reach her door, I’m overwhelmed by the scent of something tangy.

Something metallic.

Something I know very, very well.

Blood.

I don’t take the time to process what I smell. Instead, I push open the door and rush inside. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m standing in the center of Elise’s room and she’s here.

She’s here.

Her body lies in a crumpled heap on the floor and I can see why I smelled blood: she’s covered in it. My beautiful cousin is covered in blood and she’s not breathing.

He killed her.

“Elise?” I whisper even though I know it’s useless. She’s already gone and I’m too late. I’m too late for her.

I ignore the blood as I pick her up and hold her in my arms. She’s still warm. Knowing I was so close to making it back, knowing I almost was able to save her, it’s too much.

The tears come before I know what’s happening and soon I’m sobbing.

No.

No.

No.

This can’t be happening.

A scream escapes me before I cover my mouth. I can’t let them hear me. Not yet. Not like this. She deserves to be taken care of, even in death. Screaming will only make the other wolves panic. It’ll only raise questions. It’ll only cause chaos.

But she’s gone.

And I was too late to stop it.

Elise was so young and full of life. She was so sweet and wonderful. Who would do this? And why? Who would take such a sweet shifter away from the pack? Who would take away the woman who loved these wolves more than anyone else? Who would slaughter the one woman who wanted to see the pack become a safer, better place?

I know the answer even if no one else does.

He did this.

Why?

Did he even have a reason?