by Sarah Noffke
“You’re supposed to eat it,” Zephyr yelled over to him, having taken in the kid’s dissatisfied expression.
Kaleb shot Zephyr an annoyed look and pushed his hair off his forehead. “Don’t break my concentration, Silver Streak. I’m trying to pretend that it’s a veal sausage,” he said.
“Hey, boy, you have respect for your alpha. You may be an agent for the strategic department but you’re still a member of this pack,” Rio said, chest extended and heat in his eyes.
Zephyr clapped a hand on Rio’s shoulder. “Let’s go another round,” he said, trying to deflect the tension. It had been like this lately. Kaleb had a problem with authority, which was the exact opposite of Rio, who bowed to it, needed it. The eighteen-year-old boy from Salt Lake City wasn’t a bad kid, he just needed to grow up. And Rio, as the oldest member of the pack at thirty, had a tough time relating to the boy who had been more sheltered than all the rest.
“Yeah, why are you lurking here with us when you could be with the cool kids in the strategic department?” Rox said, ducking as Connor threw a punch at her. He wasn’t a good fighter, but he had a passion, Zephyr observed. That could fuel talent and usually did.
Kaleb shrugged, finally taking a bite out of the candy bar. “They don’t seem to take to me and since Little Red isn’t around, their disdain is a bit less palatable.” Little Red, that was Kaleb’s nickname for Adelaide, who he seemed to get along with better than anyone else.
Rox landed a punch straight into Connor’s jaw, knocking him back. His hand flew to his injury at once, his eyes wide. “You totally froze up there, Pound Puppy. You’re supposed to deflect attacks. Not stand like a fucking statue,” she said, shaking her head at him.
Connor only nodded, his hand still on his jaw.
“Let’s take a break,” she said, heading in Kaleb’s direction where the water and towels were located.
Zephyr kept his eyes on Connor, who didn’t look so much hurt as he did lost. The lone wolf often grew distant or distracted when Adelaide was mentioned in conversation. He kind of understood it, because without their lead agent they were stalled. However, Zephyr had thought this time would give them a chance to train and bond as a pack, two things that would no doubt be crucial for upcoming missions.
“Have you considered that the other agents despise you because you skipped the training process? The Dream Traveler Codex made it sound like a hard requirement that has to be passed to be an agent for the strategic department,” Rox said, grabbing a towel and wiping down her shoulders, which were covered in long, lean muscles.
“That process was dictated by the old head strategist, Ren Lewis. Trent said I could skip it because my skill was too useful to wait,” Kaleb said.
“I don’t know,” Rox sang, in a high-pitched voice. “In the FBI, training is crucial. An untrained agent is one that’s going to get killed or endanger the others. Sounds like Trent is jumping the gun a little, and he doesn’t have nearly as much experience as Ren Lewis, from what I’ve heard.”
Kaleb pulled back the side of his mouth, scoffing at her. “That Ren guy was probably a pansy that didn’t know a dang thing,” he said.
“Why don’t you watch your mouth, Runt,” Connor said, his head down and eyes narrowed.
“I’ll show you, Runt,” Kaleb said, throwing his chin in the air. “Why don’t you go get high, Earring.”
Maybe the pack didn’t need as much time together as Zephyr thought. Every time they were together lately it was like this, like an invisible tension was severing the pack in two. Something was missing, but he couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Guys, cool it,” Zephyr said. “And Connor, that reminds me, remove your earring when sparring. Otherwise, Rox is going to pull it out since she fights unfair.”
Connor nodded, walking for the back wall as he fiddled with the gauge earring he wore in his left ear.
“Oh, what fun is fighting fair?” Rox said, sidling up next to Zephyr, appraising Rio. “Actually, I’d like to practice that unfair fighting on Rio. He’ll be way more fun to fight than Connor, who can’t hit an unmoving target, or you, Zeppy, who takes it easy on me.”
“I don’t take it easy on you,” Zephyr said through clenched teeth. Why did she have to insert those little insinuations, dropping hints to the pack that there was something going on between the two of them? It had become more pronounced with Adelaide gone.
“Roxy is right, we should spar. I can actually practice fighting with my super strength, since this broad can’t be hurt,” Rio said, coming around and placing his forearm on the girl’s shoulder, like she was a shelf meant to keep him upright. He made her look like a doll although the girl was close to five foot, nine inches tall. Anyone looked small next to the hulky mess that was Rio Hernandez.
“Yeah, and that way the captain can try and teach Connor something. I have obviously failed him,” Rox said with a laugh.
Zephyr had to admit that watching Rox and Rio spar would be interesting. They were a great match based on their skill. “Fine, fine,” he said, turning his back on the pair. “Connor, you ready to continue?”
“Sure thing, just let me grab a drink,” he said, his eyes still low and smoldering. Kaleb’s comment had really gotten to him and why shouldn’t it? A drug addict shouldn’t forever be treated like one, reminded that they’d once succumbed to the drug. Zephyr made a note to himself that he needed to talk to Kaleb about teasing Connor. Werewolves didn’t have to be sensitive, but they needed to respect each other.
“All right, Rover, show me what you learned in the police force,” Rox said, waving Rio forward.
He shot his oversized fist at her torso, but she threw a back flip, clearing the space easily. Rio let out a laugh and darted forward, his hand reaching for her shoulder just as she spun to the left and jabbed him in the ear. Ouch, those kinds of assaults were brutal. Rio didn’t look deterred as he launched forward, throwing his shoulders into it. This time the dynamic move connected, maybe because Rox wanted it to. She loved showing off. His fist, full of hundreds of pounds of pressure, sank into her stomach, but the girl’s face remained impassive as he propelled her back two feet and straight up against the wall. She casually glanced at the fist still pinned into her stomach and then up at Rio. “This is going to be fun. Let’s reset,” she said, her skin resistance making it impossible for her to be harmed even by the strongest person, like Rio.
“This is going to be badass,” Rio said, pulling his fist away as he launched the other one at the stainless steel wall next to Rox’s head. The metal bent in at once a few inches, surrendering to his power.
It amazed Zephyr how easy it was for Rox to hang with the pack. He didn’t think most girls could stand the testosterone, much less encourage it. However, she was like an honorary member of the pack. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
“I’m ready,” Connor said. He looked different without the large earring. Almost normal. But then there was the tattoo on his neck, the one he finally quit trying to cover up. And also the sleeves of tattoos on his arms always attracted Zephyr’s attention. He wanted to know what they all meant and why Connor had covered himself with them.
“All right, good. Let’s start out with some effective blocks,” Zephyr said, holding up his hands, knowing that Connor would follow suit. When he did, Zephyr was accosted by the pain in the lone wolf’s eyes. Connor had always looked lost, but now he looked uninterested in being found.
Get Rabid Wolf, book three in the Olento Research series here:
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Acknowledgments
I have a confession. I’m the lone wolf. Okay, stop gasping and thinking that I’m admitting to being a drug addict. I’m not that. Never been into the drugs, but I do have the tendencies of the lone wolf. I prefer to run. To be alone. To do it alone. Connor is me in many ways. However, I start this acknowledgement with this to thank those who wouldn’t allow me to run. Firstly, that initial thank you goes to Heidi, one of my longest an
d best friends. You never let me run from you and in doing that, you saved me many a times. And you supported my craft, always telling me, “Can you believe you’re doing what you always wanted to do?” How could I quit after hearing something like that? And I also want to thank Leen, my first chair. You make it easy not to feel alone.
In the writer’s game, I always thought I was alone. I’m an island, I used to think. I lived with the stories in my head until they went to the beta readers. However, I’ve been able to collaborate with this series and therefore the lone wolf in me isn’t as dominate as it used to be. Thanks to Jeff for helping me to find “the better” story. Thanks to Jessica for helping me to name the series. If it wasn’t for these creative sessions, then I don’t think my stories would be as enriched.
A huge thank you to my beta team: Leen, Jess, Heidi, Kelly, Melinda, and Anne. I really rely on you all to make this story the best it can by.
A gigantic thank you to Anne for helping me with the medical scenes and keeping my British spot on.
Thank you to my supporters and ARC readers. You all really keep me going. I’m always so jazzed to release books to you all. And your support and accolades really make me smile.
Thank you to my friends and family. Without your support I don’t know where’d I be.
Thank you to my fan group, the Awesome Marathoner Readers, my Facebook and Twitter followers for making the books popular.
Thank you to my editor, Christine LePorte, for making my 17th book as good as the first. Okay, way better.
Thank you to Andrei Bat for the amazing cover work. We are really getting the hang of working together after all these years.
And the final thank you, as always, goes to my unbelievably beautiful and talented daughter, Lydia. The night you were born, you lay in your bassinet and I awoke and tried to sit up, but failed. Still, in the dark of that room I had a realization that was quickly followed by a promise. I realized there, in that hospital room, that I couldn’t coast by anymore. I had to make every day worth it, so you’d see that one day. I had to really push myself going forward. You, lying, froggied-legged and snuggled in your blanket, made me realize that. And therefore I made a silent promise on that night that I would devote myself to making the best life for myself, and therefore for you. That was the beginning of my journey to write and you started it with your spark, which continues to light my fire. I love you. Thank you, my love.
About the Author:
Sarah is the author of the Lucidites, Reverians, Vagabond Circus, Ren and Olento Research series. She’s been everything from a corporate manager to a hippie. Her taste for adventure has taken her all over the world. If you can’t find her at the gym, then she’s probably at the frozen yogurt shop. If you can’t find her there then she probably doesn’t want to be found. She is a self-proclaimed hermit, with spontaneous urges to socialize during full moons and when Mercury is in retrograde. Sarah lives in Southern California with her family. To learn more about Sarah please visit: http://www.sarahnoffke.com
Check out other work by this author here.
The Lucidites Series:
Awoken, #1:
Around the world humans are hallucinating after sleepless nights.
In a sterile, underground institute the forecasters keep reporting the same events.
And in the backwoods of Texas, a sixteen-year-old girl is about to be caught up in a fierce, ethereal battle.
Meet Roya Stark. She drowns every night in her dreams, spends her hours reading classic literature to avoid her family’s ridicule, and is prone to premonitions—which are becoming more frequent. And now her dreams are filled with strangers offering to reveal what she has always wanted to know: Who is she? That’s the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. But will Roya live to regret learning the truth?
Stunned, #2
Revived, #3
The Reverians Series:
Defects, #1:
In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. Em is a Defect—one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead—but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.
Rebels, #2
Warriors, #3
Vagabond Circus Series:
Suspended, #1:
When a stranger joins the cast of Vagabond Circus—a circus that is run by Dream Travelers and features real magic—mysterious events start happening. The once orderly grounds of the circus become riddled with hidden threats. And the ringmaster realizes not only are his circus and its magic at risk, but also his very life.
Vagabond Circus caters to the skeptics. Without skeptics, it would close its doors. This is because Vagabond Circus runs for two reasons and only two reasons: first and foremost to provide the lost and lonely Dream Travelers a place to be illustrious. And secondly, to show the nonbelievers that there’s still magic in the world. If they believe, then they care, and if they care, then they don’t destroy. They stop the small abuse that day-by-day breaks down humanity’s spirit. If Vagabond Circus makes one skeptic believe in magic, then they halt the cycle, just a little bit. They allow a little more love into this world. That’s Dr. Dave Raydon’s mission. And that’s why this ringmaster recruits. That’s why he directs. That’s why he puts on a show that makes people question their beliefs. He wants the world to believe in magic once again.
Paralyzed, #2
Released, #3
Ren Series:
Ren: The Man Behind the Monster, #1:
Born with the power to control minds, hypnotize others, and read thoughts, Ren Lewis, is certain of one thing: God made a mistake. No one should be born with so much power. A monster awoke in him the same year he received his gifts. At ten years old. A prepubescent boy with the ability to control others might merely abuse his powers, but Ren allowed it to corrupt him. And since he can have and do anything he wants, Ren should be happy. However, his journey teaches him that harboring so much power doesn’t bring happiness, it steals it. Once this realization sets in, Ren makes up his mind to do the one thing that can bring his tortured soul some peace. He must kill the monster. *Note* This book is NA and has strong language, violence and sexual references.
Ren: God’s Little Monster, #2
Ren: The Monster Inside the Monster, #3
Ren: The Monster’s Adventure, #3.5
Ren: The Monster’s Death
Olento Research Series:
Alpha Wolf, #1:
Twelve men went missing.
Six months later they awake from drug-induced stupors to find themselves locked in a lab.
And on the night of a new moon, eleven of those men, possessed by new—and inhuman—powers, break out of their prison and race through the streets of Los Angeles until they disappear one by one into the night.
Olento Research wants its experiments back. Its CEO, Mika Lenna, will tear every city apart until he has his werewolves imprisoned once again. He didn’t undertake a huge risk just to lose his would-be assassins.
However, the Lucidite Institute’s main mission is to save the world from injustices. Now, it’s Adelaide’s job to find these mutated men and protect them and society, and fast. Already around the nation, wolflike men are being spotted. Attacks on innocent women are happening. And then, Adelaide realizes what her next step must be: She has to find the alpha wolf first. Only once she’s located him can she stop whoever is behind this experiment
to create wild beasts out of human beings.
Lone Wolf, #2
Rabid Wolf, #3
Bad Wolf, #4
The Lucidites series is also available in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Find all of Sarah’s books here.
Sneak Peek of Ren: The Man Behind the Monster (Ren Series, #1)
Prologue
When I was born the doctor said I wouldn’t live the night through. I had a problem with a valve in my heart. My pops called a secret healer who lived a few towns away. And now I write this to you as a grown man. I’m not spoiling anything for you from the tale you’re about to read. It isn’t a spoiler that all these years I’ve survived. The true secret is that I lived at all. Actually I lived on an edge, one so dangerous most don’t even know it’s there. I didn’t sell my soul to the devil or dance with her on a clear night. I ran up to the devil and I stole the mask she wore and I wore it comfortably for quite some time. But then I met an angel and she made me want to die. I didn’t though. My secret isn’t even that I lived. It’s that I lived pretending to be the devil, wishing God would save my soul. I knew this was a wasted wish. I have no soul left to save. It’s why I could steal the devil’s persona. It’s why I lived when I should have died too many times.