Wolf Fever (Alpha Project - Book 1) (15 page)

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A soft knock at her office door made her glance up from the computer screen to the entrance. Technically it was still Ryder’s office, but he’d been so Gung-ho about her doing the accounting, he’d had a desk and computer put in for her within a day.

Theo stood at her door, his smile wide. “There’s someone here to see you. She asked if you could come out to the bar and talk to her.”

She stood, wondering who it could be, and went into the main section of the bar. Mandy sat in a booth, her posture rigid and her hands folded on the table.

“Hey!” Raine smiled. “I’ve been calling you, but you haven’t been answering me. Is everything okay?” She frowned when she noticed Mandy’s glassy eyes.

“Oh, Raine!” She slid out of the booth and threw her arms around her neck. “I’m so sorry!”

Mandy started sobbing in her arms. Raine felt her pain as if it were her own. “Why are you so upset?”

“Joe.” She choked on the word through her tears.

“What about him?” She’d yet to tell Mandy about her sick ex-boyfriend.

“I found some files in a drawer. They were about his shifter project and how you were a perfect test subject.” Her voice shook as she spoke.  “I went to the police and the Sheriff said he’d been killed in some kind of sting operation. He was doing illegal testing this entire time.” She hiccupped. “I feel so guilty.”

“Oh, Mandy. It’s okay. You didn’t know Joe would do that kind of stuff.” She patted her distressed friend on the back. “Heck, I would’ve never guessed him to be doing those kinds of experiments.”

Mandy shook her head and sniffled. She stepped back, glancing at her with tortured eyes. “You don’t understand. This is all my fault. I often spoke about you having no one to look out for you. If only I had paid more attention to his obsessive talk about shifters, maybe I would’ve realized what he was up to. Instead, I just ignored him as being in one of his annoying geeky moments.”

“Stop it. Nobody could’ve known that.” She hugged her and motioned her into the booth she’d vacated. “Now sit down and tell me what you’ve been up to.”

Ryder listened to Mandy and Raine discuss how Joe had been working with other scientists across the country. Some rich benefactors had funded their research, and while Joe was one of the main researchers, he wasn’t alone, nor was that facility the only place he worked his experiments.

“What do you want us to do?” Theo asked, towel in hand, cleaning glasses from behind the bar.

“Not sure yet. Have you seen Quinn?” He glanced around the bar in hopes his cousin had made an appearance.

“He stepped outside for a moment.”

Ryder glanced through the front windows, looking for his troubled cousin outside. “How does he look to you?”

Theo sighed, stopped cleaning the glass in his hand, and winced. “Confused as hell and ready to bolt.”

At that moment, Quinn entered the bar, his gaze moved swiftly to where Mandy and Raine sat. Meeting Ryder’s scrutinizing stare, he clenched his jaw, and marched to the bar.

“How are you doing?” Ryder couldn’t help the concern he felt for his cousin. He saw the haunting stress in his eyes.

“Fine.”

“I’m sorry about James.” They still hadn’t found James’ body, but if Quinn’s memory was correct, his friend had been killed when they were first captured.

Quinn gave a sharp nod. His chin length blond hair look disheveled, as if he’d been running his fingers through the strands in frustration.

“I can’t stay here, Ryder.” He shifted to look at Mandy and Raine again, his face filled with torture. “I’m so confused. I feel like I should be protecting her, but that’s your job as her mate.”

Quinn picked up the glass of beer Theo had placed in front of him and gulped. “This is all kinds of fucked up. Your blood was used to change her.”

“I’m no alpha. Your mate is stronger than most of the born alphas out there.” Quinn frowned.

Ryder scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Quinn, you were experimented on. So was she. Neither of you will be normal again. Well, not our kind of normal.”

Theo pushed a glass back and away from the edge of the counter. “She doesn’t just have your DNA. She had a host of other drugs that made her who she is now.”

“Where will you go?” He could scent Quinn’s confusion and pain. It was best to give him the time and space he needed to clear his head.

“South. I can’t be here. I love Jessa, and I feel like a fucking idiot for how that went down.”

Ryder didn’t ask him about the situation with Jessa. He knew whatever happened, Pete probably had a hand in it.

“Don’t let her keep you away.” Theo leaned over the bar to join in the conversation.

“I won’t. I’ll be back. She knows things aren’t over.”

Ryder’s lip quirked at the possessive way Quinn spoke. Jessa might have thought they were done, but she’d soon find out mates weren’t a personal choice, but a choice by the heart.

“Ryder…” He heard the soft calling over the laughter and boisterous atmosphere in the bar.

He glanced around, looking for Raine, but didn’t see her anywhere.

“Come here, my hunky shifter.” Her seductive voice sent lust straight to his cock. Hardened him to steel. Fuck looking. He inhaled, bypassing the beer and different animals to focus on her scent. Like a dog going after a bone, he stood, his gaze locked on the door to their office.

Theo chuckled. “I see who’s in charge here.”

“Shut up Theo.” He growled, rushing to his office, and her arms.

“Oh yeah, looks to me like she tamed two wolves at once.” Theo laughed. His raucous chuckle followed Ryder into his office.

“There you are.” Raine gripped his shirt, dragged him into the office, and pushed his back against the closed door.

“Here I am, my love.”

Her brilliant smile made his heart beat faster.

“I love you.” She whispered. Her eyes filled with emotion.

He caressed her jaw, slid down to her neck, and trailed his fingers over her mate bite. “I love you too. You are the most important person in my life.”

“Really?” She twined her fingers behind his neck and smiled wickedly at him. “Well, the most important person in your life wants you to make love to her.”

He chuckled and nuzzled her lips. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. Whatever you want.”

* * *

The End

~ About the Author ~

Want to know about me? Milly Taiden (aka April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She’s addicted to shopping for shoes, chocolate (but who isn’t?) and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

A bookworm when she can get her hands on a good story, she loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Sax and Dianne Duvall among others.

Find out more about Milly Taiden here:

Email:
[email protected]

Website:
http://www.millytaiden.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/fansofmillytaidenaprilangel

Facebook Friend Page:
http://www.facebook.com/milly.taiden

Twitter:
https://www.twitter.com/millytaiden

~ Acknowledgements ~

This book is for some very special people I love:

Julie Duran-Fernandez
~ My sister and unwavering arm of support for the first read through. Thanks for always being there for me. Even when I get on your last nerve and you want to not pick up the phone (I know you have those days!) you still answer me. I can’t begin to tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you.

Heidi Hutchinson
~ You are just the world’s most amazing mother, cover artist goddess (don’t fight me on this), unbelievably talented writer, friend, wife, rocking photographer, and such a beautiful human being I seriously don’t know how you became friends with crazy old me. Oh, well. You can’t take it back. You’re my bestie and I’ll kick your butt if you dump me! You rock and you know I love you.

Iris Montalvo Pross
~ The Master Pimp of my street team. Did not think my stalking you for months would work and you’d become such an amazing friend. Thank you for all the work you have put into all my books and helping get the Milly/April name out there. I don’t have the words to thank you. They would be too small for your commitment. But I’ll try anyway, thank you for making the Sexy Biter Book Pimps rock! I love you!

Sheri Spell
~ Your help and assistance when I need it are invaluable. I can’t begin to thank you for taking the time to proof for me even when you are overwhelmed, exhausted and busy with your own life. The appreciation I feel for your help will never be able to be measured. I love you Closet Smut Freak!

Jennifer Wedmore
~ What can I say but you rock, Smut Mama! You started the entire group and I’m in awe. You have helped lead the group and have assisted me so much! Even when you are clearly busy with a life and family, you’ve allowed me to take over and become a priority at times. I can’t begin to tell you what that means to me. I love you!

Barbie Hicks
~ The Smut Connoiseur is the name and smut is her game. Can I just say I love you for being BAD, but I also love you for being awesome! You’re an amazing friend. You take on authors and help push them forward. You have a packed schedule and you still find the time for me and the others. Thanks for all your hard work in helping get Milly’s and April’s books out there. I love you.

Michelle Wilson
~ The Mistress of Smut. Can I just say I love you woman! You are absolutely awesome with all the help and last minute reviewing you do of my books even when I know you have a TON of stuff going on. I can’t thank you enough for being so helpful. Thanks for being on my team and know you are very appreciated!

~ I also want to thank the following people for their unwavering support and continued commitment in encouraging me to succeed ~

The Sexy Biters Book Pimps ~ you girls are amazing!

Jennifer James (you so rock woman!), Lindsay Avalon, Amalfis Liz,  Michelle Wilson, Diamond Bermudez, Alexia Bermudez, Yolinda Ventura, David Morel, Anthony Fernandez, Leda Verber, Emely De La Cruz, Maritza Hernandez, DeAnna Pratt, Jeannette Medina, Jennifer van Gunten, and a host of others that know who they are.

Thank you. I love you all.

~ Look for these titles from Milly Taiden ~

Now Available

Wolf Fever
Alpha Project

Sharp Change
Black Meadows Pack Book One

Caged Heat
Black Meadows Pack Book Two

“
Mate Event
” Halloween Heat III

Fate’s Wish

Wynter’s Captive

Coming Soon

Scent of a Mate

Gisele’s Song

Dangerous Protector
Federal Paranormal Unit Book 2

As
April Angel

Stranded Temptation

Party Crasher

Hero’s Pride

The
Sizzling Encounters
Series

Mr. Buff

Wicked Valentine

Coming Soon

Lucky Break
Sizzling Encounters Book Three

~ Keep Reading for a BONUS short by Milly Taiden writing as April Angel ~

A Hero’s Pride

A Hero’s Pride

April Angel

Chapter One

Kayla glanced at the open email on her laptop screen. It was a message from her best friend about the blind date she’d arranged for her. Why, oh why did she say yes to getting set up? And with some guy that was the buddy of her best friend’s boyfriend no less. She’d met a few of his friends, and they were more the player type. Not her style at all. Then there were all the times her mother had attempted to fix her up. The experiences left her wary of the word “date.” She knew better than to allow herself to be talked into dates, especially with her bad luck when it came to men. But in a moment of weakness, she’d agreed.

Dammit.

There was no backing out at this point. Her date, Ryan Mitchell, would make the effort to meet her halfway. According to Sue, her best friend and perpetual matchmaker, Ryan was undergoing some kind of physical therapy. He was going down to Florida for some medical tests anyway. It gave them the opportunity to meet there before she headed over to her parent’s private island off the Florida Coast, Isla Dorada—The Golden Island.

Beads of nervous sweat trickled down her back at the thought of what was coming. She glanced around her cabin and sighed. All the girls were still asleep. Their last day at the sleep-away camp had been a mixture of happiness and sadness. Kayla eyed the luggage lined up by each bunk. Tomorrow they were scheduled to leave, and she wouldn’t see them again until the following summer.

Her shoulders slumped. Maybe she should rethink this whole blind-date thing. Her phone vibrated in the pocket of her shorts. She stood and walked out of the cabin before taking the call.