Lost Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  “Though she hasn’t gotten close to you, she knows you smell good, feel nice, and are a great kisser. Every time she looks at you, those memories bubble to the surface.”

  My pulse raced. “That’s something I can work with. If I brush my hand against hers, she might remember more. I can find the cologne I used to wear—”

  “Aftershave. She liked the way it smelled with your soap.”

  “That’s right,” I whispered.

  “But there’s something you need to know.” Her tone shot fear through to my very core.

  “What?”

  “She seems to be building a relationship with one of the young jaguars.”

  “Why?”

  “He keeps taking her to the Jag. I’ve never seen anywhere nicer, outside of a castle. I can’t blame the girl. I’d start to fall for someone who took me there, too.”

  “No wonder she wasn’t impressed with me buying her lunch today at the cafeteria.”

  Soleil put her hand on mine. “She’s confused. Feels alone. Don’t take it personally.”

  “Is there a way to get her memories back?”

  “If I were you, I’d find a witch and try to get to the bottom of the spell. I’d also try to spend as much time with her as possible. Tutor her or something, but don’t sit around while that young leader woos her.”

  “He’s a leader?”

  She nodded. “Next in line to be their version of an alpha.”

  “Why are the jaguars interested in her? They view werewolves as bottom feeders. Trailer trash. Algae in the pool of life.”

  “They like her.” Soleil shrugged. “She’s a daughter of an alpha. Maybe they don’t have one in the jaguar world. Jags have to marry by a certain age, or they can’t be alpha, right?”

  “I wouldn’t know. How close is the guy who’s pursuing her?”

  “No idea, sorry.”

  I rubbed my aching neck. “None of this makes sense.”

  “She’s back from the dead and remembers your sexy kisses. Use that to your advantage.”

  “I’m her professor!”

  “What’s more important? The love of your life or a job? If you really need money—”

  “I don’t. It’s just to blend in with the humans. They already whisper about us because we live on private property in the middle of the woods. You wouldn’t believe some of the rumors going around.”

  “Then don’t worry about getting fired. Once Victoria remembers you, you guys can go anywhere. You can even just stay in the woods.”

  “And we need to act fast. Her body’s going to start to deteriorate if she doesn’t shift soon.”

  “Maybe the spell protects her from that. But I’d be more worried about the jaguar. He’s probably close to the age of marrying.”

  “So?”

  “He could be banished from his place in his family if he doesn’t marry in time—and he definitely has his sights on Victoria.”

  My nostrils flared. “If he marries her, he won’t live to see his next day.”

  Chapter 14

  Toby

  Brick came into my study. “Dinner’s ready.”

  “I’m not going to eat with you guys tonight.”

  He tilted his head. “Everything okay?”

  “No.”

  “Food will help. Time with your pack, too.”

  “I appreciate your concern, but not tonight.” I felt bad saying no because meal times were so important to the pack—dinner in particular. We had large appetites and we tended to bond over a good feast.

  “You’re our alpha. It won’t be the same without you.”

  “I said no,” I snapped.

  Brick stood taller and his expression turned stoic. “Yes, sir.”

  “Wait, Brick.”

  He spun around and left the room.

  I stared at my—blank—notes for the next day’s lessons and threw them across the room. “Damn it!”

  Not much stung worse than being at odds with anyone in my pack. The only thing worse was being apart from Victoria—and knowing that a pompous jaguar was trying to win her over that very moment. The thought of the arrogant jerk staring into her eyes and running his hands through her hair was enough to distract me from everything else.

  I was going to have to wing it in class the next day. Luckily I knew math like the back of my hand.

  Grumbling and shuffling sounded from the kitchen. I needed to get my mind off Victoria long enough to get through dinner.

  Sighing, I picked up the strewn papers and shoved them on my desk. I took a deep breath and stormed into the kitchen.

  A dozen sets of eyes glanced up at me. Eleven of my pack mates and one rainbow-haired vampire.

  “Toby?” Jet asked, eying me warily.

  “I’m just on edge.” I turned to Brick. “I apologize for the way I spoke to you in there.”

  He looked down. “You don’t have to, sir.”

  “Yes I do, and in front of everyone. I have no right to snap at you—any of you.” I took a deep breath. “I haven’t told you what’s going on, and you deserve to know.”

  They all exchanged curious and worried glances.

  I sat at my spot at the head of the long table and took another deep breath. “Victoria is here on the Peninsula.”

  Gasps and whispers filled the table.

  “Why isn’t she here?” asked Ziamara. She was not only the lone vampire in Moonhaven, but the only female, too. She was probably eager for Victoria to join us.

  My mouth formed a straight line as I considered my wording. “She’s having some memory issues.”

  “What do you mean?” Jet asked.

  I hated to say it out loud, but I had to tell my family. “She doesn’t remember me.”

  “Sir!” Brick exclaimed.

  “She also doesn’t realize she’s a werewolf. Someone found a way to get around the curse, and she hasn’t shifted.”

  Mouths dropped and eyes widened.

  “I’m trying to figure out how to resolve all of this.”

  “Have you talked to Gessilyn?” Ziamara asked.

  “Not yet. I’m working with someone named Soleil. If she stops in here, I want everyone to welcome her.”

  “What is she?” asked Dillon, one of my newer pack members.

  “Don’t freak out,” I said.

  “I think you just assured we would,” Jet said.

  “She’s on our side.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “What is she?” Dillon asked again.

  “A valkyrie.”

  Gasps and worried exclamations went around the table. A few jumped out of their chairs.

  “I said to remain calm,” I reminded them. “Soleil isn’t here for any werewolves. She’s friends with Tap and is taking a break from hunting a dictator.”

  Everyone grumbled.

  “Come on,” Ziamara said. “If Toby and Tap trust her, she’s safe.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Dillon snapped. “You have no soul for her to take.”

  “Hey!” Jet jumped from his seat, knocking it over. “Take that back, fool.”

  “Face it, she’s a vampire.” Dillon narrowed his eyes. “No soul.”

  Jet ran over and pulled Dillon from his chair by the collar. “If you’ve spent five minutes with her, you’d know better.”

  “She’s dead, stupid.”

  Jet balled his fist and hit Dillon across the face. “Want to say that again?”

  Dillon wiped some blood from his nose. “It’s the truth.”

  “Learn to respect your leaders.” Jet threw him across the kitchen.

  I jumped up. “Enough!” I narrowed my eyes at Dillon. “You will respect Jet as the assistant alpha. And when I’m not here, you treat him as alpha. Got it?”

  Dillon rubbed his back and nodded. “Yeah.”

  I glared at everyone around the table. “That goes for everyone. We’re a peaceful pack, remember? We don’t fight unless provoked.”

  “Thank you,” Jet said.

  “I m
eant by outsiders. Sit,” I ordered.

  Everyone took their seats.

  “You all need to relax. I know I do, as well. You’re probably on edge because I am. Do I have your word that no matter who comes to our home, you’ll treat them with respect? Witch, valkyrie, anything.”

  “Vampire,” Dillon muttered.

  Jet raised a fist at him.

  “Do I need to send you two to your rooms?” I asked.

  They both looked at me like I was crazy.

  “I’d send you outside to burn off your energy, but I’m afraid only one of you would return.”

  Jet shot Dillon a smug look. Dillon rolled his eyes.

  “Why do I feel like I’m running a daycare rather than a pack?”

  “He started it,” Dillon said.

  “Shut it,” Brick barked. “Both of you.”

  Dillon and Jet glared at each other.

  My patience was wearing thin, and if they kept it up, I would risk losing my cool. I’d led packs long enough to know how little time it took for a couple of young wolves to wreak havoc. “You two need to stop right now.”

  The two of them both looked down.

  “We are a pack, and sometimes not being a natural-born family, that makes things harder.”

  Dillon glanced at Ziamara.

  “We all treat each other with respect. You disrespect each other, you disrespect me.”

  A few heads snapped their attention toward me.

  “That’s right,” I said. “Look at Brick, he doesn’t get into petty scuffles. He’s mature and—”

  “A guard.” Dillon scoffed. “I’d rather be a leader.”

  “Is that what this is about?” I leaned forward.

  He shrugged.

  I was too tired to deal with this and everything else. “Maybe sending you two out into the woods to work this out like pups is the best solution.”

  Jet’s expression tightened. “I’m up for it.”

  “Me, too.” Dillon cracked his knuckles.

  Ziamara peered at him from around Jet. She put her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Hey Dillon, how do you feel about a vampire bite?”

  “It’ll hurt you a lot worse than it’ll hurt me, babe.”

  “Watch it,” Jet warned.

  “I’ll risk it,” Ziamara said. “You think Toby would let me stay here without plenty of werewolf venom cure on hand?”

  “Do you ever get tired of rainbow-colored hair?” Dillon asked her. “I sure get tired of it.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “Thank God.” I rose from my seat. “You two work this out however you need to—just leave Zia out of it. I’m going to talk with the valkyrie about Victoria.”

  Several eyes widened.

  “I told you, she’s not going to hurt anyone—as tempted as I am to have her deal with you two.” I stared at Jet and Dillon.

  Both of their faces paled.

  The doorbell rang again. I hurried to the front door.

  “I was beginning to think I had the wrong house.” Soleil gave me a playful smirk.

  “You know of any other Victorian home in the middle of huge acreage?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t know of this place before today. Could be others.”

  “So, what’s going on?” I asked. “I wasn’t expecting you here so soon.”

  “I’m trying to scope out your girlfriend’s life, but she’s apparently working at the Jag—and they’ve wised up to me. I couldn’t get in this time. They—”

  “She’s working there?” I exclaimed. “Doing what?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to find out. You might have to ask her, though.”

  I sighed, feeling more defeated by the moment.

  “Probably waitressing or something. Speaking of food, I’m starving. You got some dinner?”

  A slow smile crept across my face thinking of the pack meeting her. It might help them to chill. “We’re having dinner now. Why don’t you join us? You should meet the other wolves, anyway.”

  “Thanks.” She stepped inside.

  I led her to the kitchen, but before she entered, I glanced at my pack. “I have someone I’d like you to meet. Everyone, this is Soleil.”

  They all sat up in their seats, their eyes wide and faces paling.

  She stepped inside and waved her fingers. “Hi, boys. I hope you’re not giving Toby any trouble.”

  Dillon dropped his fork.

  Soleil turned to him. “Ever seen a valkyrie in action?”

  “N-no. I swear, I meant no harm.”

  Her eyes turned black. “Behave, or you’ll see what I can really do.”

  “I-I… Yes, ma’am.”

  Jet chuckled.

  I pulled out a vacant seat. “Soleil is going to join us for our meal. I know you’ll all show her the same respect you’d show any other guest.”

  Mutterings of yes went around the table as she sat.

  “What are you boys talking about?” Soleil piled some fried chicken and mashed potatoes onto her plate.

  “Want to tell her, Dillon?” Ziamara asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

  Dillon shook his head and shoveled food into his mouth. He looked at Brick. “Tastes great. Thanks.”

  Zia grinned.

  “You guys helping Toby with Victoria?”

  “Not much we’ve been able to do,” Jet said. “But now, I guess that’s changed. Do you have any ideas?”

  “Did any of you know her before she died?” Soleil asked. “We need as many people and things as possible to jog her memory. Who knows what will crack the spell?”

  “It would have to be Toby,” Brick said. “You should have seen how in love those two were. Never seen anything like it.”

  “You knew her?” Soleil asked and poured gravy over everything on her plate.

  Brick nodded. “Me and Sal.” He gestured to my other guard.

  “You two been with Toby all this time?” Soleil bit into her chicken and closed her eyes. “Oh Valhalla, this is so good.” She looked back at Brick. “You made this? You from the south?”

  He nodded. “I did, and Mama grew up there.”

  “Props to your mama for teaching you to get this right. Anyway, you and Sal have to get in with Victoria if you can. And all three of you have to think about things that will spark memories. Like, if you used to cook this before, make it for her—and be sure to invite me.”

  Brick chuckled, clearly enjoying the praise. “You can take the leftovers home.”

  Soleil turned to me. “I like this guy.”

  “Me, too. That’s why I keep him around.”

  “Where are you staying?” Brick asked.

  “Here and there.” She dug into the potatoes.

  “What does that mean?” Brick tilted his head.

  “Depends on the day. Not sure where I’m going tonight.”

  “You should stay here,” Brick said and then he turned to me, wide-eyed. “I mean, if you think that’s a good idea, sir.”

  “I’m more than happy to provide a place for her to stay.” I looked at Soleil. “We have several spare rooms if you’d like to claim one for a while.”

  She leaned close and whispered, “Does he always cook?”

  “Mostly, yeah. I like to cook before the full moon, though.”

  Soleil stared at Brick’s muscles before meeting his gaze. “You’re something else.”

  He shrugged, but also smiled.

  Ziamara caught my attention and grinned.

  I turned to Soleil and Brick, who were still staring at each other. “We’ll have to work together in finding Victoria.”

  “Definitely.” Soleil sighed. “Brick and I will have to spend a lot of time together figuring out a way to break through her memory.”

  He grinned. If his wolf were out, he’d be wagging his tail and nuzzling up to her.

  Chapter 15

  Victoria

  I stumbled into the statistics classroom, barely able to keep my eyes open. Even though I’d gone to
bed exhausted the night before, I couldn’t get my mind to settle down. There was just so much to think about, and now I couldn’t focus on any of it.

  “You okay?” Grace asked as I sat next to her.

  “Yeah, sure.” I sipped my latte, hoping the extra shot I’d ordered would help.

  Grace gave me a once-over. “Did you get drunk last night or something?”

  I nearly spit out my coffee. “No. Aren’t you too young to know about that?”

  She snorted. “I’m fifteen, not stupid.”

  “Sorry. I was just up late, that’s all. Got a new job.”

  “Really?” she exclaimed.

  “Why is that surprising?” I nursed my latte.

  Grace shrugged. “I guess I figured since you drive a Jaguar, you must be sp—I mean, uh, well off. You know, like you wouldn’t need to work.”

  “You think I’m spoiled?”

  Her face turned red. “I didn’t mean that. I swear.”

  “Trust me, I have as many problems as anyone else. And it looks like I’m meant to learn the value of hard work.”

  She breathed a sigh of apparent relief. “Where’re you working?”

  “A place called the Jag.”

  Her mouth dropped. She stared at me. “Serious?”

  I nodded.

  “Doing what?”

  “Learning the ropes in the spa. I’m greeting people when they arrive and in the slow times, they’re teaching me how to do manicures and pedicures.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Is it fun?”

  “So far, but I’m not looking forward to touching people’s smelly feet.”

  Grace snorted.

  “What?”

  “People who go there aren’t gonna stink.”

  “Guess I’ll find out.”

  Professor Foley came in and started setting his things up. Some of the girls crowded around his table, but he sent them back to their seats.

  Relief flooded through me. I watched as he opened his laptop and organized some papers. His hair looked so soft, I could actually feel it between my fingers. I could smell the woodsy, masculine scent of his aftershave.

  Grace said something in the background, but I couldn’t make it out. I didn’t care. I just wanted to know if Toby smelled the way I seemed to remember. If his stubble would tickle as I trailed kisses down to his lips—

  “Victoria.”

  Annoyed, I turned to Grace. “What?” I snapped.