Haunted Wolves: Green Pines, Book 2

by Moira Rogers

  This time, he saw a figure. Quinn, plain as life, leaning against a tree in the side yard.

  Colin felt his lips trying to pull away from his teeth. The wolf, prompting a snarl as the back of his neck prickled. He stared at the young man he’d barely had a chance to know, stared at him and waited for him to vanish or fade.

  He didn’t.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Colin adjusted his course. Two careful steps, three. Half a dozen, and he was still staring at the wolf he’d helped bury in the woods beyond the house. “Quinn?”

  The man smiled faintly. “Sorry. I should remember your name, but things like that can be hard.”

  “I’m Colin. And you’re…” Impossible. And undeniable. “I don’t know what you are.”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Maybe.” A chill marched down his spine. He was having a conversation. With a ghost. “Are you really there?”

  “I am.” Quinn shook his head and took a step back. “Thing is, I’m not the only one.”

  “Not the only what?” Colin asked, but Quinn didn’t answer. He turned toward the woods as the wind shifted and, for one heart-stopping moment, Colin swore he could smell the other wolf, even as he started to fade. “Quinn, not the only what? Are there other ghosts?”

  No answer. Quinn walked into a tree and vanished, and the scent of wolf disappeared just as abruptly. Impossible, but Colin strode to where the specter had been and found no trace. No lingering smells, no sign of disturbed leaves or bent grass.

  I’m not the only one.

  Well, shit.

  About the Author

  How do you make a Moira Rogers? Take a former forensic science and nursing student obsessed with paranormal romance and add a computer programmer with a passion for gritty urban fantasy. To learn more about this romance-writing, crime-fighting duo, visit their webpage at www.moirarogers.com, or drop them an email at moira@moirarogers.com. (Disclaimer: crime-fighting abilities may appear only in the aforementioned fevered imaginations.)

  Look for these titles by Moira Rogers

  Now Available:

  Red Rock Pass

  Cry Sanctuary

  Sanctuary Lost

  Sanctuary’s Price

  Sanctuary Unbound

  Southern Arcana

  Crux

  Crossroads

  Deadlock

  Cipher

  Impulse

  Building Sanctuary

  A Safe Harbor

  Undertow

  …and the Beast

  Sabine

  Kisri

  Children of the Undying

  Demon Bait

  Hammer Down

  Bloodhounds

  Wilder’s Mate

  Hunter’s Prey

  Archer’s Lady

  Diana’s Hound

  Green Pines

  Haunted Sanctuary

  Coming Soon:

  Enigma

  The shadows of her past could destroy their future.

  Haunted Sanctuary

  © 2013 Moira Rogers

  Green Pines, Book 1

  Eden Green can’t remember a time she didn’t believe in monsters—her cousin was born one. Her family’s dark past casts a long shadow, making it hard to make friends and harder to commit to a lover. She lives a quiet life in small-town Clover, Tennessee, but she’s always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  Tired of the city packs’ corruption, yet too alpha to be a subordinate in a sanctuary town, Jay Ancheta satisfies his need to protect by serving as Clover’s Chief of Police. As much as he’s drawn to Eden, he can’t offer forever to a woman who doesn’t know what he is—or trust himself to let her go after one taste.

  When Eden’s cousin and his battered pack stagger into town, their tormentors hard on their heels, Eden is bitten in the chaos. Now Jay not only has a traumatized pack to deal with, but a newly turned wolf with enough hungry alpha power to consume them both.

  With their combined strength, they can create a new sanctuary—if their passion can survive the ghosts of the Green family’s legacy.

  Warning: Contains a newly turned werewolf heroine who enjoys a little rough dominance in bed and a badass alpha wolf hero who’ll fight bad guys, ghosts and even the past to protect what’s his. Be prepared for violence, death and heartbreak on the way to a happily ever after.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Haunted Sanctuary:

  He pulled onto the narrow street behind the library and braked hard, his truck coming to a halt with a shuddering screech. He couldn’t go up the side stairs without someone seeing, so he jumped up, grabbed hold of the ladder to the fire escape and pulled it down.

  The noise must have roused Eden. By the time he reached her window, she was struggling to open it, her teeth cutting into her lower lip as she concentrated on turning the locks like it was the hardest task she’d ever set for herself. “I broke the phone,” she said as she eased the sash up with shaking hands. “I’m afraid to touch anything.”

  No time to climb inside, not with her eyes so wild and her skin burning. Jay grasped her hands to his chest. “Look at me, Eden Green. Now.”

  The command stirred her wolf. Power gathered beneath her skin, all that wildness finding a focus in challenging him. Eden’s gaze snapped to his, her blue eyes already melting to glowing gold.

  He cupped the back of her head and dragged her mouth to his.

  A growl worked up her throat, low and warning, but in the next second her mouth opened under his. She slapped both hands to his shoulders, dragging him closer.

  Arousal, intense and instantaneous. Jay took the invitation of her open mouth, sliding his tongue over hers before nipping at her lower lip. She whimpered and tilted her head, chasing his tongue with hers. Her fingernails dug into his back as she pressed against his chest.

  Her nipples were hard. Without thinking, he cupped her breast through her shirt and rubbed his thumb over the taut peak.

  She moaned and arched her back, pushing her breast closer to his hand. Her mouth tore free of his, and she dropped her head back, offering her throat in a moment of unrestrained hunger.

  Jay leaned in and shuddered to a stop a heartbeat before closing his teeth on her skin. “Eden.”

  Her breath whistled out through her teeth. “Oh my God.”

  Too far. Too much. Belatedly, he snatched his hand away. “Sorry.”

  “I should be.” Shivering, Eden dropped her forehead to his shoulder. “But that was a very efficient distraction.”

  He’d meant it to be, before the taste of her had overwhelmed his better sense. “Good,” he muttered. “That’s good.”

  Her shoulders shook with her restrained laugh. “Do you, uh, want to come in? This is a little Romeo and Juliet right now, and that doesn’t tend to end well.”

  “Got it.” Her hair was soft, and he couldn’t resist stroking his fingers through it. “Want to get out of here?”

  “Yes,” she said without hesitation. “God, yes. I can’t concentrate, I’m exhausted…”

  “If I’d explained all this better, you might have called in sick.”

  Eden eased back and gave him an amused look. “How long have you known me?”

  Long enough to know she took about as many days off work as he did. “Fair enough.”

  “I’m stubborn to a fault, I know that.” She turned, slipped on her jacket and dumped her cracked cell phone into her purse. “But I try to learn from my mistakes.”

  “Still, maybe you and Zack should talk to your father tomorrow instead of this afternoon.”

  “Maybe.” She eyed the office door, then him. “Are you spiriting me out the window?”

  Her barely concealed glee drew his first real smile since finding out what had happened in Memphis. “What, you want to sneak down the fire escape like a teenager?”

  She actually blushed as she swung her purse over her shoulder. “It would be the most impulsive thing I’ve ever done in my life. And probably the most romantic too.”

/>   “Then come on.” He grasped her hand. “We can head to the farm, or even go hide somewhere. Lady’s choice.”

  Only one will win the right to call her “mate”.

  Rescue in the Smokies

  © 2013 Becca Jameson

  Durham Wolves, Book 1

  Sergius Durham and his brothers are legendary trackers in these parts, and only the local sheriff knows why. They’re wolf shifters, attempting to live quietly on their horse farm. A difficult task when they’re summoned every time a hiker goes missing.

  Serg knows there’s something different about his latest case the moment he touches her left-behind clothing. She is his mate, and nothing will stop him from finding and claiming her—except maybe the repeat-offending nuisance of a vampire who lured her off the trail.

  Juliana Polanski isn’t sure how she got so lost, but there’s no mistaking her instant attraction to her rescuer. No denying the passion that explodes between them when rain drives them into a cave for shelter—or at his home, in his bed, even after the crazy, improbable truth of his heritage comes out.

  Yet Serg knows the danger isn’t over. At any moment Julianna could be kidnapped right out of his arms—by the only creature the Durham brothers have never been able to track.

  Warning: This book contains hunky shape-shifters living in the mountains, hot steamy sex in caves, mind-blowing oral, mild bondage and wild abandonment in front of mirrors.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Rescue in the Smokies:

  A strong whiff of his mate made Sergius lift his head.

  She was close. She was also alive. If he could have sighed audibly in wolf form, he would have.

  Serg ran. Fear of what he would find made his blood boil.

  He pushed through a grove of trees and suddenly she was there, right in front of him, sleeping on a bed of leaves, curled up in a tight ball under a shiny Mylar cover.

  He stood for several seconds, staring at her. His chest heaved from the mad dash to find her. He took a deep breath in and held it.

  She was slight compared to him. Long, gorgeous, red curls feathered out in every direction, some covering her face.

  The urge to lurch forward and nuzzle her made his front paws twitch.

  He needed to shift and get her to safety, but he also wanted to burn this moment into his memory, the second he first saw his mate. His jaw clamped down on the pack he carried, his dry mouth reminding him of its presence.

  Finally, he backed away from her several yards, hiding himself amongst the bushes he’d come through to let the change take him back to human form.

  In two minutes, it was over and he was dressed. And this was why he always carried the cumbersome pouch.

  She was so still.

  He crouched beside her. Her breaths were shallow, her face totally relaxed in deep sleep. He laid a hand on her shoulder. “Juliana?”

  His fingers shook where they’d made contact with her warmth, shockwaves traveling up his arm even through the jacket and whatever she wore underneath. The urge to haul her into his embrace made him tense. He needed to know she was all right. Every bit of her.

  She startled awake and bolted upright. “Ohmygod,” she gasped. A strangled sound left her throat.

  Her gaze met his from only a few inches away, green eyes like deep pools of water reflecting her shock, her fear and her relief all at once.

  “Are you okay?”

  She smiled up at him, cute dimples forming on both cheeks. “I am now.” She inhaled, releasing it slowly.

  Her heart rate slowed under his palm after the initial surprise. He could feel her pulse in her neck, the swish of blood as it coursed through her.

  “Are you injured?”

  “Only my pride.” Her pale face tipped back again, her cheeks now flushed. “How did you find me? Where am I?”

  “You’re a long way from where you left the path, that’s for sure. Scores of people are combing the woods searching for you.” In a completely different direction. But she didn’t need to know that right now. “How did you get so far from where you started?”

  “A man recommended I take a shortcut. When it got late I backtracked. I must have taken a wrong turn, because before I knew it, it was dark. I walked for a little longer and finally saw a light in the distance.” She dipped her head down, her face no longer visible to his perusal. “How embarrassing. I hike hundreds of miles every year. I’ve never gotten lost before. I-I’m not sure how this happened.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You’re okay now. Everything is going to be fine. Did you walk all night? You must be exhausted. Hungry.” He was rambling. He never rambled. She had him tongue-tied. No, he’d never acted like this even as a youngster. Wolves didn’t fall all over themselves quite like humans did. Not until they met their mates, apparently.

  She giggled. The sweetest sound he’d ever heard. “I think I’m okay. Relieved you found me. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do if I had to keep walking all night again.”

  Why had she chosen to travel by night and sleep by day? Sure, it was a better idea as far as warmth was concerned, but not many people would think of such a thing under stress.

  Sergius stood and extended his hand to her. She rose alongside him, steadying her slight frame. But her grip sent his mind whirling. Every hair on his body felt electrified. His heart raced. And damn if his c**k didn’t jump to attention.

  Lord, she was half a foot shorter than his six feet. And might weigh one fifteen, one twenty, soaking wet.

  He could feel the firm muscles on her arms where his hand had landed as they stood. She was strong, apparently both physically as well as emotionally. She hadn’t started crying as he would have expected and didn’t appear to have spent the night crying either. Her eyes weren’t puffy, but weary. Stress lines marked her face.

  “Why did you walk all night?”

  “Well, the light for one. I thought it was a campfire, but it always remained elusive. I was sure if I followed that damn light, there had to be people around wherever it led when I got there. The strange thing was it was like a mirage. It seemed to keep moving farther away the closer I got to it. Exasperating, really.” She chuckled. “Now it seems absurd. Maybe I imagined the damn thing.”

  Her brow furrowed and she bent to examine herself and brush off the twigs and leaves sticking to her body.

  Serg reached to pull a leaf from her hair and tucked the unruly strand back behind her ear. When his thumb brushed her cheek, a shock jolted him. She jerked her gaze up to his and sucked in a breath.

  She was so beautiful, even with tangled hair and a streak of dirt across her chin. Her round face was pale against his darker hand, a light sprinkling of freckles above her button nose. Sergius let his thumb travel across her cheek again, cupping the side of her head with his palm. His gaze traveled around her face, landing finally on her heart-shaped pink lips, which quivered as she licked the dryness away and tucked the bottom one inside, biting it between her teeth.

  Her breath rate increased, in and out through her nose, while she dented that bottom lip with the tight grip of her front teeth.

  Did he turn her on? He hadn’t been around mated couples for so long he’d forgotten what it was like when wolves met their mates.

  His own heart was racing, threatening to pound out of his chest. He tried not to breathe too often or too deeply, because every inhale dragged more of her sweet essence into him, driving him crazy with the need to take her.

  Haunted Wolves

  Moira Rogers

  He hunts nightmares. She survives them.

  Green Pines, Book 2

  Lorelei Adams has lost many things—her humanity, her life, even her son. She’s always fought through her exhaustion, always stayed strong for her pack, but now there are new alphas to take care of the others. Unfortunately, time to rest means time to think about her own pain.

  Colin Knox knows about exhaustion. He’s acted as judge, jury, and executioner to rogue wolves for over a decade, but never lingered lon
g enough to help the survivors pick up the pieces—until now. Lorelei rouses his instincts, both protective and carnal. She’s willing, but only to indulge in physical distraction. Colin wants more, to be the hero who slays her monsters.

  Especially when it becomes clear that malicious magic is loose in their sanctuary. The danger draws them together until it’s impossible to separate lust from affection, good intentions from rationalizations. Darkness is stirring at Green Pines. If they can’t fight it together, they could lose everything they have left.

  Warning: Contains a weary vigilante hero looking for a place to call home and a stubborn werewolf heroine unwilling to admit she needs help. Also appearing: small-town prejudices, big-city dangers, naked chases through the woods and ghosts. Lots of ghosts.

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  They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

  11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B

  Cincinnati OH 45249

  Haunted Wolves

  Copyright © 2013 by Moira Rogers

  ISBN: 978-1-61921-443-9

  Edited by Anne Scott

  Cover by Angela Waters

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.