“We’ve got some killer golf courses.” Julian raised an eyebrow at Greyson.
“Goddammit, now.”
The corner of Julian’s mouth ticked upward. “I’m friends with a guy.”
“A guy, huh?”
“He plays professional. Has the best tips around.”
“You don’t fuckin’ say.” Greyson picked up a shot glass and handed it to Julian. He toasted with his other hand. “I’ll give you a few weeks, then I’m out. The wolf’s not my problem, but I don’t want anything bad happening to him.”
“I can’t promise that. I can only give him a taste of being rogue. He may still choose pack.”
“We just gotta train him and keep him alive. My brother seems to have faith in you. Must be that sister of yours.”
“Yeah, Willa’s got a way of doing that to people.” Julian gave a closed smile.
“It’s settled then. Rafe will be here soon. Drink up, wolf!” Greyson brought the shot glass to his lips and slammed it down, the caustic liquor burning his throat.
As Julian brought the glass to his lips, a stranger burst through the doors.
“Fucking hell, bro,” Rafe cursed at Greyson as he stumbled into the bar. “Like you couldn’t have given me a ride. You just flash off without me? Seriously. Not cool.” He looked to Julian and then back to Greyson.
The ancient vampire released a boisterous laugh. “Wolf. Meet your new best friend. This is Julian Lobos.”
The black wolf took off running through the woods. Harder, faster, his adrenaline pumped through his veins.
What the hell was he thinking, taking on a hybrid wolf? It wasn’t as if he was an expert in hybrids or vampires. Julian had left his own pack, gone into hiding. An Alpha without a pack, he chose to remain independent of others. And it wasn’t a lifestyle he could possibly recommend to others.
Rogue. It was a lonely last resort for those who, for whatever reason, would never fit in. No pack. Few friends. Run alone. Survive alone.
His royal family legacy haunted him, keeping him from the life he’d always wanted. A prince of werewolves, he’d known the darkness would come for him. But life within the wilderness suited him, protected him…until it didn’t.
Thunder sounded in the distance, a flash of lightning illuminating the mountain. A few drops morphed into a deluge, the sheets of rain soaking his coat. Carefully he edged along the cliff, running fast back to his home. Leaves and branches crushed beneath his paws, the thunder chasing him, growing louder. The cracking of a tree trunk sounded, and he dashed around it as it fell crashing onto the ground.
Though the storm escalated, both stronger and closer, he didn’t fear the elements. One with the forest, he made his way down the last mile toward his home.
Julian froze as an unfamiliar voice cried out from the canyon. What the hell is someone doing out in this weather? He edged the cliff, barking into the cavernous space. A flash flood would come soon, washing loose debris and anything in its path down the mountain.
A garbled cry became nothing more than a barely audible whimper. A rumble from above grew louder, the rushing water beginning to flow down the cavern. Through the darkness and sheets of blowing rain, its source came into view. The crumpled body lay on the rocks, its face not visible from the cliff.
This is not my fuckin’ day. In a split decision, Julian tore down into the canyon. As he reached the body, the water had already started to flow in a steady stream. Within seconds a tsunami would gush through, destroying everything in its path.
He shifted to his human form and knelt beside it. As he brushed aside the wet hair, her face came into view. The stranger drifted in and out of consciousness.
“Help,” she whispered, her hand clasping his.
“What the hell happened?”
Julian’s stomach dropped as he looked at her torn party dress, her breast exposed. Instinct told him she’d been brought to the woods. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had been abducted. He scooped her up into his arms, noting her bruised and bloodied limbs.
As he turned to run up the cliff, the wall of water hit him. He clutched onto a boulder, attempting to shield her from the flood. Within seconds, they’d wash down the mountain. Gunshots rang out from above, setting Julian on alert. Someone was after his lost bird. What they didn’t know was that the wolf never gave back his prey, what belonged to him.
A shot ricocheted off the bolder, nearly striking his head. With no good options, Julian made the decision. Holding tight to the stranger, he released his grip on the rock. A whoosh of water and debris rolled over him, and he prayed to the Goddess they’d come out alive.