Awaken a Wolf Read Free

“Leo?”
    Cyrus chuckled.  “Sorry, Cinder, it’s just me.”
    “Oh, hey, C.  What’s up?”
    “Just checking on you.  Your pup hasn’t called yet?”
    Leo was considered a “pup” because he was eighteen plus two.
    “No,” she said and sighed.
    The clinic was dead.  Dr. Whalen, who had created the clinic when his wife had died of serious injuries sustained in a rank fight and no human doctors would help her, had been in his office all day, with the door locked and strict orders that he was not to be disturbed.
    “I’m okay,” she promised, but she didn’t feel okay. She felt abandoned, and she hadn’t really felt that way since her father had come to see her on her eighteenth birthday.  He had been non-existent her entire life until that moment, and he had taken one look at her, declared her a witch and her mom’s problem, and disappeared again.
    “No, you’re not.  I’ll pick you up after work and we’ll go out.”
    “I don’t really feel like doing anything.”
    “Whatever.  We’ll grab a bite and go for a walk.  It’s not up for debate, Cin.  I’ll be there at eight.”
    Cyrus hung up before she could say anything else.  She put the phone back on the desk and turned to the stack of filing she’d ignored in favor of mulling over Leo’s behavior.  Cyrus was right.  What she needed was to get her head out of her ass and get back to her life.  Leo was fine, she was certain, and whatever was keeping him from the phone was most likely pack-related and, therefore, the be-all and end-all of his existence.  Wolves were very loyal to their packs, to the extent of ignoring all else.  If she was actually dating him and he ignored her so thoroughly, she’d be pissed.  Since their relationship was casual, she really had no right to be angry with him.
    The hour hand swung around the clock several more times, and she shut down the computer for the night and grabbed her purse, ready to go out with Cyrus as soon as he arrived.  The clinic was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but only ran a skeleton crew overnight for emergencies and any patients who might be staying long-term.  She heard the familiar rumble of Cyrus’s Dodge Ram just as the desk phone buzzed.  The display read Dr. Whalen’s extension.
    “Yes, sir?” she answered, keeping an eye on the front door.
    “Cinder, would you come to my office please?”
    She glanced toward the front doors and considered telling Dr. Whalen that it was time for her to go.  Instead, she said, “Right away, sir.”
    She dropped her purse on the desk and walked quickly back toward his office, down the long, sterile white-tiled hallway, with pastel walls dotted with watercolor prints.  His door was open, and she smoothed her hands down the front of her knee-length skirt.  She was suddenly very nervous, and she didn’t know why.
    Pushing the door all the way open, she stepped inside and came face-to-face with a room full of men.  The scent of wolf was overwhelming in the room.  Images flashed through her mind of deep woods and moonlit nights.  She felt that primal part of herself stand up and pay attention.  Her gaze roamed quickly over the men, but she didn’t recognize anyone.
    Dr. Whalen, who sat behind his oversize mahogany desk, cleared his throat.  “Cinder, I’d like to introduce you to my alpha, Adam Beaumont.”
    He gestured toward one of the men who sat in a leather chair across from the desk.  Adam stood slowly, gracefully unfolding his tall body.  Dark slacks encased long legs and lean hips, and a black, fitted tee hugged clearly defined muscles.  The hint of a tattoo peeked out from the edge of one sleeve.  Tousled coal black hair looked deliciously just-rolled-out-of-bed, and ice blue eyes sliced through her like a laser beam, while her eyes stopped dead on the most perfectly shaped mouth she’d ever seen.  Lickable.  Kissable.
    Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, a frantic rhythm not born of fear