The world around me is so vibrant that it almost quivers with color, and I can see details on the trees that are as if I’m looking at things with a microscope. Ergan communicates with me. “Look at your paws. You’re gorgeous.”

  I glance down at the detail of my fur. I’m various shades of gray, and it is beautiful. “Oh, Ergan. You did good.”

  “C’mon.”

  He takes off in a slow trot, and I follow. We wind through trees in the woods, and I get used to using four legs. My feet are quick, and I’m so amazed at my agility that I begin to hop over things. When I figure out how powerful I am, I gallop and play a game of tag with Ergan.

  I’m reminded of soccer and wonder if we could do this with a ball. When we slow down, he walks us toward a house. My mate says, “Welcome to your new home.”

  I watch as Ergan repeats the same process he used to shift, and then I do the same. This time I imagine my human form, and the change happens quickly. I shake out my muscles. “That didn’t hurt at all.”

  “You’re a natural,” he says.

  I glance at the home before me. It’s white wood with dark-green shutters that have a wolf cutout on them, and the screen door has the same design on the push bar. “I love it.”

  Ergan takes my hand. “Come see the inside.”

  When we enter, he hands me a large button-down shirt, and the cotton is soft on my skin when I put it on. The scent of my mate travels to my nose, and my wolf lets out a content sigh. The layout of Ergan’s house is similar to mine, and I wander over to his sliding glass door to gaze out over the water. I ask, “Where are we in relation to where I live?”

  He comes behind me and wraps an arm around my waist as he points off to the left. “You’re right around that corner.”

  “It’s not that far.”

  “No. It’s too far. Because now that we’re bonded, I’m not going to be able to handle many nights without you by my side.” He’s still naked, and his erection presses against my back. I detect the sweet odor of my arousal, and I’m slightly horrified knowing that he’s been aware of my attraction all this time. But I push the revelation out of my head.

  “I suspect I won’t be able to, either, will I?”

  Ergan kisses the back of my neck. “Probably not.”

  I only fastened one button on the shirt, and it’s slippery in my fingers as I release it while I turn around and face my mate. Ergan slips his hand under the fabric and around my waist to pull me against his body. I whisper, “Show me your room.”

  A large woman squeezes me tight enough that I think my ribs crack. “Goodness, you have no idea how happy I am to meet you, Kayla.”

  She releases me, and I step back. “It’s so wonderful to meet you, too, Mrs. Wakefield.”

  She waves a finger at me, and I’m reminded of the day on the bus when Ergan did the same when he warned the players about kissing. She says, “You’ll be calling me Betsy.”

  “Betsy.”

  She grabs my hand and yanks me along as I shoot a glance at Ergan. He grins at me, and I think he’s proud to be showing me off. Our feet thump over the hardwood floor as she brings me to the back. The deck is more like a porch and wraps around either side of the house.

  The aroma of ribs grilling makes my stomach growl, and Betsy turns to me. “Isn’t food so much fun now?”

  I smile. “I liked it well enough before, but yeah. It tastes so amazing in this state.”

  We approach a man that gives me a glimpse into what Ergan will look like when he’s older. Silver fox comes to mind, because his dad is strikingly handsome. He holds out a large hand. “Kayla, I’m Ted.”

  I reach for it, and he traps me in his grip as I say, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Ergan has disappeared, but I’m comfortable with his parents.

  Betsy asks, “What can I get you to drink? Wine? Beer?”

  “A beer would be great, thank you.”

  Ted hasn’t let go of my hand, and I return my attention to him. He says, “Betsy’s going to be a bit much to take, but you’re going to be her first daughter-in-law.” He speaks low, although I’m sure all the wolf ears can hear us. “She’ll be asking for grandchildren next spring, so watch out.”

  I give him a wink. “Got it. I’ll be prepared.”

  Ergan returns to me with two guys that are slight variations of him. “You trying to steal my girl, Dad?”

  Ted chuckles and lets go of my hand. “She’s mighty pretty, but I’m a married man. I’ll let you have this one.”

  I grin at him and imagine he had his pick of women in his day. Ergan says, “Kayla, these are my brothers.” He hits one hard in the stomach with the back of his hand. “This is the baby, Ekton.”

  Ekton grunts and extends a hand to me. I shake it as my mate says, “And this is my big brother, Esher.” Esher tucks Ergan’s head under his arm and rubs his hair before he reaches out for my hand.

  I watch their strange behavior and imagine what it must have been like in this house when they were all younger. Ergan steps next to me and wraps a protective arm around my shoulders as Esher says, “I heard you’re coaching girls’ varsity soccer. You’ve got a good team this year.”

  “I do.”

  I chat with the Wakefield boys until Betsy pulls me away to give me a tour of the house and share stories of Ergan as a child. She just retired from teaching kindergarten, and it hits me that I’ll probably work as I raise my children, too.

  When dinner is ready, we all sit at a picnic table, and I gaze at ribs, burgers, and a variety of salads spread out before me. Multiple conversations are happening, and I smile as I listen. The Wakefields are a rowdy bunch. Ergan is by my side, and he places a hand on my thigh. I glance around at my new family, and my heart is so full with love it feels like it’s going to burst.

  I’d always dreamed I’d marry a man that would be my partner and stand by my side. Somehow I lost my way, but now that I’ve found Ergan, I’ve found the man I’ve been searching for all my life. Because we are bonded true mates, Ergan will protect me, and I’ll protect him. As equals. I reach under the table and take his hand to squeeze it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Next in the Winter Valley Wolves - Super-smart Mia finds more than love when she falls for Ekton Wakefield, but her curiosity puts him in grave danger ….

  Werewolves Are Forever

  Winter Valley Wolves Book 5

  Mia Maybee arrives at Winter Valley University with one goal in mind - to discover the Silver Lake Wolves’ secret and secure her future as a renowned scientist. But she uncovers much more than that, and the truth teaches her lessons she didn’t know she had to learn.

  Ekton Wakefield isn’t surprised to find his true mate is a girl who loves science as much as he does. Unfortunately, her passion threatens his existence, and he’ll need to show her that his animal side is worthy of love.

  * * *

  ** This book was previously published at Ekton.

  One

  Sweat is pouring down my face as the roller wheels on my suitcases rumble over the sidewalk. I thought it was supposed to be cold in the North. My glasses have slipped so far that wiggling my nose won’t push them back up, so I stop to do it with my hand. The stale scent of canned plane air mixed with my body odor wafts up, and I’m thankful I don’t have to meet some perky girl roommate. She’d be sure to have a name like Bailey or Lexi and have the makeup and hair to go with it. Part of my full-ride deal at Winter Valley University is I got a single.

  My dorm is straight ahead, and it shimmers in the heat like an oasis. Fortunately it is, because it has air conditioning, and I’ll be cranking that sucker down to near-freezing temperatures as soon as I can. I thump my luggage over the curb and glance down at my boots. Awesome, black chunky-heel, don’t-mess-with-me boots. Unfortunately they’re not what I should be wearing in ninety-degree weather along with my leggings and pleated skirt. The outfit was a much better idea in theory, because the melted version is probably not saying serious student right now.

  When I get to the sidewalk that leads to my building, there’s a family on the ramp section, so I yank my bags hard to clear the edge of the concrete. A thud makes me look down to notice I broke a wheel. Fantastic. I sigh and drag my bag along anyway. The scraping noise turns a few heads, but I’m so past caring.

  Someone’s dad holds the door open as he talks over his shoulder, ignoring me. It makes me grateful I said goodbye to my mother at the airport. She’d wanted to come with me, but it was stupid for her to buy a ticket just so she could carry stuff to my room. Plus, she’d be talking nonstop, and there’s only so much noise I can handle.

  Once I’m inside, something besides my bag grabs my attention. My jaw drops as I’m presented with what looks like a casting call for a male strip show. A group of guys are standing shirtless by the check-in desk. They’re tall, with broad shoulders, narrow hips, and impossibly defined muscles that make me want to retake anatomy.

  Dayum. Maybe I won’t miss life at MIT after all. They glance over at me as they hear the rushing noise of my broken suitcase.

  A blond guy comes over to me. “Let me help you with that.”

  I glance up at a chiseled face that takes my breath away. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. I’ll just hang on to this until you get your key, and then I’ll help you move in.”

  “Really?”

  He nods his head toward the group he was with. “That’s why we’re here.”

  “Oh. Cool.”

  I leave my suitcases and walk over to the desk. The air conditioning is already improving my mood, and I even smile when a sweat-free girl hands me a lanyard with my ID on it. She says, “You’ll need this key for everything. It lets you into all our buildings, is your pass for your meals, and how you get into your room, which is three twenty-five. Welcome, Mia.”

  “Thanks.”

  I turn to discover the guy is right behind me. “Mia, ba-by. Let’s get you to your room.”

  He singsongs the baby part, and I frown. “Just Mia.”

  He’s not dismayed and says, “It can’t be just Mia. What’s your last name?”

  “Maybee.”

  He hoists my bag over his shoulder as if it’s a pillow, and the red Heavy tag the airline attached waves as if it’s making sure I know he’s super-strong. “Mia May-bee.” He’s replaced his teasing version of baby with my last name, and he grabs the handle of my other bag as he winks at me. “Right this way.”

  I roll my eyes at his flirting and follow. He leads me to the elevators, and there’s a guy with a woman who’s probably his mother waiting.

  My Sherpa asks, “What makes Mia Maybee be Mia Yes?”

  I’m not surprised by his question. In fact, I expected it and glare at him. “Really? That’s all you’ve got? Because I’ve only heard that a million times.”

  He chuckles as the elevator dings and the doors open. The car is tiny, and the four of us with our bags barely fit. The woman is telling the boy how he should organize his room, and I’m grateful I don’t have to talk. I’m aware of how awful I smell, but even more aware of the musk of the shirtless dude whose body is inches from mine. His scent is strangely attractive, and when I take a long, slow breath to discreetly inhale it, my physical reaction is one of lust.

  We jerk to a stop on the second floor, and the kid and his mother get out. When I step back to take up the extra room, my helper says, “I’m in the single right below you.”

  I glance up at his eyes. They’re a grayish-blue color, and below them is a mouth with plump lips I envision kissing. I blink quickly. I must be ovulating. “It’s not very big, is it?” I swear I’m asking about the room.

  “Nope, but we have bunk bed frames, and if you want, I can help you lift your mattress up high and move your desk and bureau underneath. It makes it feel bigger.”

  We jerk again, and the door swishes open. I scurry out first, and he says, “To the right and at the end.”

  I’m not sure if I’m rushing because I don’t want him to have to hold my suitcase too long, or if I’m trying to get far enough away that I can’t smell his pheromones. My hand shakes as I swipe my key through the reader, and when I push on the door, I discover it didn’t work. The plastic clatters as I rush to do it again before he gets to me. Damn it.

  “Here, let me show you. They can be tricky at first.” A warm hand covers mine, and he moves our fingers to slide the key slowly. I twist the knob open and step into the small space of my room.

  It’s even smaller when the guy enters with my luggage. He sets it down and asks, “Bed?”

  A naked vision of him hovering over me in a horizontal position flashes in my mind. My cheeks heat up, and I nod quickly. Definitely ovulating.

  I attempt to help lift the mattress up to the upper section of the bed frame, but my five feet of height makes me useless. The guy chuckles at me when I can’t reach all the way. “Getting in bed for you is going to be like climbing a tree.”

  I watch him maneuver easily with well over six feet of height. “I can think of a different tree I’d like to climb.”

  “Are you always this quiet, Mia Maybee?”

  “What?” I focus and say, “Oh. I’m sorry. Thank you so much for the help.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m Ekton Wakefield.” He stares at me for a moment, and a smile turns up slowly on his face. “We’re going to be friends, Mia Maybee, and I’m going to find out how to get you to be Mia Yes.”

  He backs out of my room and tugs the door shut. It clicks softly, and I sink to the floor as I whisper, “Ekton Wakefield, you already have.”

  Two

  Getting settled into college life wasn’t as painful as I’d expected. Being in the honors dorm means quiet time starts at eight every night except weekends, and since the campus is small, I’ve had no trouble figuring out where I need to be. Winter Valley College is thought of as a poor choice for a student like me, considering I got into MIT, but the unique research opportunity sold me. If I discover what I’m here to find, my reputation will open any door I want.

  The tapping of my boots as I walk down the steps located right outside of my room echoes off the concrete walls as I make my way to the science building. In high school, I got a job working in a lab for a famous geneticist. Dr. Gina Sand became my mentor, and when she shared her exciting top-secret proposal with me, I was thrilled she wanted my help. I’m in Winter Valley to do the field research for Project Shapeshifter. Apparently there’s a large pack of wolves that may have DNA unlike any others documented. Dr. Sand’s theory is that they’re werewolves, and I’m here to find out.

  I step out to a pleasant temperature. After the heat wave over the past few days, it feels glorious, and I lift my chin to let a gentle breeze blow my hair away from my face. I glance around, hoping to discover Ekton, but since the day I arrived, I haven’t seen him, and I can’t help myself from sighing in disappointment.

  The science building is across from my dorm and a short walk. I enter into an empty lobby. The floor is shiny with wax, and it’s eerily quiet except for my footsteps as I walk to the staircase that leads to the basement. When I get there, I follow the fluorescent-lighted hallway to a set of metal doors. I imagine myself as an evil scientist, but my evil cackle doesn’t quite work, and I wonder if Dr. Sand ever has this problem.

  I tug a door open and discover a woman dancing in silence. She’s wearing headphones and clearly enjoying her music as she prances toward a table. I chuckle softly as I wait for her to notice me. When she does, she smiles and removes her earbuds to say, “Mia!”

  She approaches me with her hand out, and I take it as I say, “Hi, Dr. Thompson.”

  “It’s Andi. I’m not a real doctor, you know.”

  “You are to me. I’m so excited to be working with you. Dr. Sand thinks you’re very smart.”

  She studies my face as if she’s trying to sort out what to say to me. “Tell me what you think we’re doing.”

  My stomach sinks, because I hope I didn’t come all the way here for nothing. “Gathering data on the Silver Lake wolves?”

  “Do you know what for?”

  Andi is higher up on the food chain than I am, so I’ve got no doubt she knows more than me, and I say, “To find out if they’re werewolves.”

  Her face relaxes. “Okay. Good.”

  I let out the breath I was holding, and my excitement rushes back. “Whew. For a minute I thought you were going to tell me that funding got pulled.”

  “No. I just needed to understand how much you were told. But you know the most sensitive piece.”

  “Yes. And I understand it’s not something to share.”

  “You’ve got that right. This town loves those wolves, and we’d be lynched if they thought we were going to do anything to hurt them.”

  The point of the project is to learn what makes people able to change into an animal in the hopes it can be induced in others. The implications are huge in finding a way for our species to survive on this planet as our resources become depleted. With global warming, we may all need to become sea creatures some day. I say, “Oh, please. The research we’re doing is going to put this tiny town on the map. I’m so excited to be part of something that could change lives.” My hands are moving with my words, and I clasp them together as I focus on being professional.

  Andi smiles at me. “Me too. Now let me get you set up.”

  Once my paperwork is sorted out, she fills me in on what she’s uncovered. Andi thinks that the werewolves spend most of their time in animal form. She shows me a map of Silver Lake and their known hangouts. Because I’m a young biology major, I should have no trouble hiking through the woods to collect data without drawing unnecessary attention.