She held my eye contact, but didn’t say anything.

  “I think we found everything,” said the other girl.

  I kneeled down to their level and focused on the redhead because I didn’t trust myself to look at Victoria yet. “Well, if you have any questions, just let me know. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Thanks, Professor Foley,” Victoria said.

  The formality in her tone nearly killed me. Almost as much as not being able to wrap my arms around her and breathe in her almond-scented shampoo that I loved so much.

  I turned to her and opened my mouth, but as soon as I gazed into her eyes, I couldn’t remember what I was going to say.

  She stared back, an intense expression on her face. That was the look she had when trying to figure something out.

  Oh, how I wanted to cup her chin and tell her everything would be all right. She was alive and only about a foot away. How could things not be okay?

  Aside from the fact that she obviously couldn’t remember any of our time together. That was like an arrow to the heart. Worse, actually. I could pull an arrow out, but this felt more like my heart was being torn in two.

  I would have to handle it with delicate care.

  If I was barely more than a stranger, I would have to regain her trust. Without all our memories, she would have nothing to draw from.

  But I had promised her I would never give up on her—on us. I’d sworn my undying love to her just before she’d died in my arms.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, reminding me that I needed to conclude the powwow.

  “You both have my office number and email address. Don’t hesitate to ask anything.”

  The younger girl’s face lit up. “Thanks!”

  Victoria nodded, her alluring eyes still wide. She seemed to want to say more.

  I tried to give her a reassuring smile. “I’ve got to wrap things up. It was nice to talk with you two.” I rose and returned to the front of the group. It was hard not to stare at Victoria as I spoke to the students and then sent them on their way.

  I gathered my things and looked around. Victoria had already taken off.

  My heart sank to the ground and fell through to the other side of the world.

  It was little consolation that I would see her the next day in class. How would I be able to teach math with her sitting there, having no idea who I was? That woman was the love of my life, and even with her death, I’d been unable to truly love another.

  “Hey, Foley!”

  I shook my head and turned toward the entrance of the courtyard.

  Roger, who had the office next to mine, stood there, rolling up his sleeves. He worked out every day and loved to show it off. “A bunch of us are going to lunch. Want to come?”

  “Going to pass this time.” I slung my bag over my shoulder and hurried over to him. “I need to make sure I’m ready for tomorrow.”

  “First day jitters?” he asked. We headed for our office building.

  I shrugged. “Something like that.”

  “You taught high school before this, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “This is no different, really.”

  “I sense an except coming.” I arched a brow.

  Roger laughed. “Except the ladies are legal.”

  “Seriously?” I exclaimed. “You’re going to go there?”

  “Easy there,” he said. “I was just joking. Did I step on a nerve?”

  He had, but I wasn’t going to let him know. I shook my head. “Like you said, jitters.”

  I thought back to a fleeting relationship I’d had years earlier while trying to get over Victoria, but it hadn’t worked. And now Victoria was back. I rubbed my temples, trying to make sense of it all.

  “Well, I’d never put my job on the line like that,” Roger said, bringing me back from my thoughts.

  My stomach twisted, and I suddenly realized that not only did Victoria have no idea who I was, but she was now my student. Not that I couldn’t find another job if push came to shove. Since I aged so slowly, I moved around fairly often to avoid questions, but I didn’t care to be fired. Even though Victoria would be worth any hardship.

  I’d already chosen her over my natural family so long ago.

  “What’s with you?” Roger slapped my back. “You’re not usually so quiet.”

  “Must be the impending full moon.”

  Roger groaned. “Seriously? Right at the first day? The students always go cray-cray then.”

  “Tell me about it.” Although most of the kids I’d worked with over the years went nuts on the full moon for entirely different reasons than my colleague was referring to.

  He stopped in front of our building. “Sure you don’t want to join us? That hot new art history professor is going.”

  I shook my head. “Thanks, but I have some things to take care of at home.”

  “Your loss. See you tomorrow.”

  “Have fun.” I went inside and up the stairs to my office. The entire floor was empty. I sighed in relief and slunk into my chair.

  Did Victoria even know she was a werewolf? What would she do tonight? Would she go into the forest?

  I sat up in my chair.

  That was it. Maybe if we ran into each other in our wolf form, I could help her remember everything. Communication was so much easier as animals. Primal. Whoever had messed with her memories wouldn’t be able to control her during the full moon.

  The office felt like it was closing in on me. I grabbed my bag, headed for the parking lot, and jumped into my camouflage Hummer. The heat nearly suffocated me, so I cranked the AC and bolted off campus.

  When I reached my private dirt road, I hit the gas, barreling down the long path to my home. Once the wrought iron gate came into view, I remote unlocked it, waited for it to open, drove through, and locked it behind me.

  I parked and stared at my newly painted, light blue Victorian-era mansion and fought to rein in my thoughts. My pack needed me to focus. How could I though, now that I knew Victoria was so close?

  Why hadn’t any of the locator spells worked to find her? Especially since we were living in the same town?

  I pulled out my phone and texted the witch who had been helping me find her.

  Toby: I found her!

  Gessilyn: What?! Where?

  Toby: Campus.

  Gessilyn: Can’t believe it! So happy 4u!

  How would I reply to that? I should have been thrilled, but I felt like punching something.

  Gessilyn: U OK?

  Toby: V can’t remember me.

  Gessilyn: O no. Was afraid of that.

  Toby: I should’ve known.

  Gessilyn: Need anything?

  Toby: Got a memory spell?

  Gessilyn: Not sure. Will look.

  Toby: OK. Call u l8r.

  Gessilyn: Day or nite.

  Toby: Thx.

  I took a deep breath and put my phone back. For once, I wished the full moon was out. More than anything, I wanted to shift and run the length of the forest. I hated being restricted by the moon’s phases.

  Maybe a human run would help. It had to be better than sitting in my driveway. I got out of the Hummer and locked it.

  A breeze blew by. I could smell several of my wolves. They were probably sleeping, preparing for the long night ahead of us. I would, too, if I thought sleep was a possibility.

  I rubbed my temples. The familiar ache set into my bones, warning me of the impending shift.

  Inside, the house was quiet. I stared at the newly-remodeled entryway and sniffed again. All the young wolves were home. They needed their rest most of all because turning into their wolf form was still so painful. I didn’t miss those days.

  Footsteps sounded on the staircase. Jet, one of my pack assistants, came downstairs. He arched a brow. “You’re home early.”

  I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to talk about Victoria.

  He stopped at the foot of the stairs. “Everything okay?”

  “No, but I can’t focus on it.”

  Brick, one of the pack guards, came in from the kitchen and turned to Jet. “Hey, Yamamoto. You left your phone down here.” He handed it to him.

  “Oh, yeah. Thanks.” He turned back to me. “Sure you don’t need something?” Protectiveness and loyalty were written all over his face. “Someone giving us trouble in town again?”

  I shook my head. “Not since we ran those mutts off. No, this is something else.”

  Jet and Brick exchanged a concerned look.

  “It doesn’t affect you guys. If it did, I’d tell you.”

  “If it’s going to distract you on the full moon, I think it does concern us.” Jet’s mouth curved down.

  Anger flared, but I bit my tongue, not wanting to take it out on one of my best wolves. Tempers always grew during the full moon.

  His eyes narrowed. “No disrespect meant, but we deserve to know what’s going on. At least I do as the highest-ranked pack member.”

  I clenched my fists. “I need to go for a run. We’ll talk after I get back.”

  Jet’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “A run now? We need to rest.”

  The wolf inside me was starting to force his way out early. A growl escaped my mouth. I forced him away and stared Jet down. “Stand down. I said this doesn’t concern you.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jet’s nostrils flared and he stormed up the stairs, muttering to himself.

  It had been a risk bringing him into my pack. He had been born alpha of his own pack, but instead chose to stay with me. We had more power struggles than any other wolf I’d encountered. He was also more loyal than any other.

  “Sir?” Brick stared at me.

  I counted to ten. “I need to clear my head before the others wake. I’ll be back long before dusk.”

  “Okay. Do you want me to prepare dinner?”

  “Crap.” Usually, I prepared the big full moon meal. Cooking tended to calm me. We all ate ravenously before shifting, barely stopping to use our hands, much less utensils.

  Brick tilted his head. “It’s not a problem.”

  I glanced at a clock on the wall. “If I’m not back in ninety minutes, you can start. The fridge is stocked.”

  He flicked a nod in my direction.

  “Can you put this in my room for me?” I held out my bag.

  “You’re going to run in slacks?”

  “Right now, I don’t care.”

  Brick took my bag and headed upstairs.

  I went outside and stared at the woods. Hopefully a run would help, though the only thing that would truly help would be to have Victoria back in my arms—and I would stop at nothing until that happened.

  Chapter 7

  Victoria

  I paced my room, holding back tears. Why was I so sure I knew Professor Foley? And not just generally? I could recall the feel of his embrace. I was certain of the scent of his aftershave. Even his kisses—when I closed my eyes, I could feel those gorgeous lips on mine. I could taste the familiar minty sweetness.

  And why wouldn’t my bones stop hurting? Irritation set in and I rubbed my neck.

  Why on earth couldn’t I remember anything before I’d arrived in my shiny black Jaguar?

  I picked up a fluffy beige teddy bear from my bed and stared at it. “Are you special? Or just some stupid random toy?” I chucked it at the bed.

  “Whoa,” Sasha said. “What’d the bear do to piss you off?”

  “How long have you been standing there?” I snapped.

  “Long enough to see you throw the poor teddy.”

  I scowled.

  “What’s the matter?” She gave me a sympathetic glance and closed the door.

  How could I explain anything without sounding like a nut job? No memories before arriving, and now I was certain I’d had a romantic relationship with my professor. He looked about thirty, and I was eighteen. Or at least I thought I was—that was what my driver’s license showed.

  Sasha put an arm around me. “Take a deep breath. I’m sure whatever it is will be okay.”

  I grumbled. A sharp pain ran down my spine. I gasped and gritted my teeth.

  “Do you need to go to the clinic?”

  “No. I’m fine. Really.”

  She shook her head. “Do you need something to eat?”

  My stomach growled at the mention of food. I was ravenous.

  “Come on.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the door.

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”

  Down in the kitchen, Landon sat at the table, texting. He glanced up. “How are—what’s wrong?”

  “Girl needs some food,” Sasha said.

  He arched a brow. “You look pale.”

  I shrugged.

  Landon jumped up. “We’ve got plenty for sub sandwiches.”

  The two of them pulled out the fixings. I opened a jar of pickles and scarfed them all down.

  Sasha arched a brow. “Sure you’re not knocked up?”

  I shook my head, but really, how would I know if I was? Maybe I was, and the shock of it had created a serious case of amnesia. But I didn’t care. I just needed to eat more food.

  Sharp pains shot through my shoulders. I grimaced, determined not to cry out. It seemed to work. Neither of them noticed my agony.

  Landon and Sasha piled lunch meat and cheese on white bread.

  I grabbed a tomato and took a bite, sending juice and seeds flying in several directions.

  “Can’t you wait a couple minutes?” Sasha wrinkled her brow.

  “No.” I bit into the tomato more carefully, and managed to eat the rest without making a further mess. Then I reached for some cheese, but Sasha shooed me away.

  “Fine,” I grumbled and went into the cabinet. I pulled out a jar of peanut butter and scooped some out with my fingers.

  “Gross,” Landon said. “Ever heard of a spoon?”

  I glared at him and ate it.

  He shook his head and turned to Sasha. “I thought all you girls went out for lunch.”

  “We did.”

  “What’d she eat? A piece of lettuce?”

  “Funny.” I scooped more peanut butter into my hand.

  “You know what?” he asked. “Just keep that jar. I’ll buy a new one.”

  “Here.” Sasha handed me a six-inch sub. The scents of meat, onions, and condiments made my mouth water.

  I grabbed it without a word and had to force myself to stop and chew. Though it seemed easier. I ran my tongue along my teeth. Had they always been this sharp?

  She stared at me. “How did you eat that so fast?”

  “Hungry.” I turned around and grabbed the one Landon made. It smelled even better than Sasha’s.

  “Hey,” he exclaimed.

  I bit into it without apology. This one had peppers—that was why it smelled so good. It tasted even better.

  “I’ll just make another.” Landon’s brows came together. He turned to Sasha. “Maybe you’re onto something with being knocked up.”

  She turned to me. “Are you?”

  My mouth was too full to answer.

  “Maybe we should take you to the all-you-can-eat place,” Landon said. “I can’t afford to give you any more of my food.”

  My stomach growled.

  Sasha slapped her forehead. “You’re hungry after all that?”

  I turned to Landon. “Where’s that restaurant you mentioned?”

  He gave me the directions. “Just don’t put them out of business.”

  “Funny.”

  “Maybe we should get you to that clinic,” Sasha said. “This isn’t normal.”

  “I’m just hungry—ow!” I doubled over as every bone in my body radiated pain.

  “That definitely isn’t normal,” Landon said. He grabbed my arms and pulled me to the table. “What hurts?”

  “Everything,” I moaned and slumped into the hard chair. The pain finally started to ease. “I think I need to lie down.”

  Sasha and Landon exchanged a worried glance.

  “Sorry about all this, guys. Next time the kitchen’s a mess, I’ve got it.” I forced myself to stand and went upstairs, clinging to the railing for support.

  They were talking about me, but I couldn’t focus on a word because my bones were starting to hurt again. I finally made it to my room and climbed into bed. I knew they were right—whatever was going on with me wasn’t normal.

  Nothing added up. No memories, jaguars everywhere, some kind of connection with my professor, and now the ravenous hunger and bone pain. It felt like my skeleton wanted to explode.

  I grasped some blankets and squeezed, trying not to cry out as a new wave hit. Would I survive this… whatever it was?

  My stomach growled again. There was no way I could eat while dealing with this. What was my body thinking? I writhed and kicked, all the while biting my tongue to keep from screaming out.

  If I couldn’t convince Sasha and Landon that I was getting better, they’d take me to a doctor. With symptoms like these, I’d likely wind up locked away. I just needed to find a way to dig around enough to figure out what was going on.

  It was my memories and my body. There was no reason I couldn’t find out what was going on—once the pain and hunger left. I didn’t know which one was worse.

  But it was starting to piss me off. College was supposed to be one of the best times of life—the first shot at freedom. Time to hang out with cool people and have fun without parents controlling everything. Blessed independence.

  All I had was one big, crazy mystery that would make me look twice as nuts if I told anyone. The only thing I wanted was to know what was going on. Was that so much to ask?

  My phone played a tune from somewhere in the room.

  I groaned. It was probably Carter. I vaguely recalled making plans with him again. Dinner?

  My mouth watered and my stomach roared thinking about food at the Jag. Maybe I could even meet others and ask some questions to hopefully get more pieces to this puzzle.

  The song on my phone continued. I pulled myself out of bed and crawled on all fours to the bathroom. I’d seen some painkillers in there, hadn’t I?

  My legs ached, the pain dulling. Heat radiated up and down my spine. Hunger continued tearing through me—I was tempted to peel the paint off the wall and eat that. Instead, I lay on the little fuzzy pink rug and stared at the ceiling.