by Sarah Makela
The Wolf Who Played With Fire
Cry Wolf, Book 2
Sarah Mäkelä
Some magic can’t be unspun…
Meddling in magic...
If Mia Brooks could turn back time, it would be to when she used her fledgling magic to craft a potion for an injured werewolf. It nearly killed the Pack Alpha, and now the lives of her witch mentor, Jessa, and her soldier boyfriend, Ethan Parker, have been changed forever. Jessa is in hospital after a vicious werewolf attack. And, Ethan, having being bitten, is becoming a werewolf himself.
A wolf at the door...
Mia can’t turn back time, but she can try to make things right with the two people she cares about most. She’s keeping Jessa’s shop, Eternally Magick, open, and she’s there for Ethan as his inner wolf grows. But, by the next full moon, his transformation will be complete. Can she really be the mate of a half-man-half-wolf, living within the law of the Pack?
Under his spell...
Struggling to contain his new lupine senses, Ethan goes missing on active duty. When Mia realizes her werewolf lover has been abducted, she knows must harness every magic power she possesses to get him safely back…
Table of Contents
Title Page
Acknowledgements
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Author’s Note
About The Author
Other Books By Sarah Mäkelä
Excerpt For The Witch Who Cried Wolf
Copyright © 2014 Sarah Mäkelä
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I’d like to give a big thank you to my husband who patiently listens to my excited chatter about the people who exist entirely in my head. Also, many thanks go to my editor Tessa for her great input into the book as well as Donna F., Elisa, and Donna H. who kindly beta read for me. Finally, a special thank you goes to my readers for your support and excitement about the Cry Wolf series. You guys make writing books the best job ever.
CHAPTER ONE
Mia
Water slid over my body, and I lifted my face to the warm spray. Delicious soreness ached in my muscles as I reached for the shampoo. Crashing at Ethan’s house was dangerous, but the romantic rendezvous we’d shared had taken me to new heights of pleasure.
However, not all good things last forever.
My brother, Nolan, lived with Ethan, keeping an eye on the place while Ethan was deployed with the Army. Neither of us knew exactly when Nolan would arrive home from spending the weekend with his girlfriend, but he had work in a few hours. The chances of him swinging by were high. That meant I needed to leave as soon as possible.
Part of me hoped I could slink away before Ethan woke up, but it was only a matter of time before he stirred. The fact he hadn’t yet indicated to me just how ‘active’ we’d been last night, since not only was Ethan a trained soldier, but now he was becoming more and more of a werewolf. That last part scared me.
I leaned my forehead against the white tiled wall. Regret squeezed my heart like a vise. It would be so easy to blame Jessa, my friend and mentor, for pushing me into the werewolf debacle, and even easier to torment myself for having used wolf’s bane. If I’d gone with the common method of crafting the salve instead of making my own potent blend, then this would not have happened.
Those thoughts led to madness. I balled my hands into fists. Neither Jessa nor I could’ve known what was going on.
The supernatural world was one of magic and potions. Witches were real since I was one. Werewolves, on the other hand, were beasts of legend, not fact. That shocking revelation brought fear and pain crashing through my door and harmed those I cared about.
Both Ethan’s and Jessa’s lives were changed forever, because I couldn’t protect either of them from the werewolf’s attacks. The ramifications of my failure were incomprehensible, especially for Ethan.
Releasing a sigh, I focused on the bar of soap and reached within myself for my magic. Jessa made telekinesis appear so effortless. If I’d learned one thing recently, it was that I kept myself locked away, hoping others wouldn’t burn me at the stake. Being powerless wouldn’t help those I cared about, or me, when the time came to protect them.
Fear and atrophy shriveled my magical muscles. While I still wasn’t convinced about using my power, especially not as openly as Jessa did, I refused to wait for the next disaster to hit before I acted. Something deep inside me knew we weren’t out of the woods yet.
No matter how hard I concentrated, the soap remained rooted in place. Ugh.
How could I measure up as a witch if I couldn’t even accomplish the basics? If my grandmother were here, life would be much easier. Instead, she rested in her grave.
The bathroom door creaked open and my heart leapt into my throat. Panic pushed me to remain small and silent, even though the spraying warm water gave away my presence. If Nolan was home before work, I would be screwed.
My brain scrambled for excuses about why I was here, much less why I was taking a shower.
The mugging wouldn’t work anymore. Things had mostly gone back to normal. I spent more time at home whipping up potions for Jessa’s new age shop, Eternally Magick.
With Jessa in the hospital, she couldn’t run the shop, and I needed to help. What family she had was several states away, and they couldn’t or wouldn’t take time from their lives to assist her.
Besides, Ethan and I didn’t need to be as careful about Nolan coming around to my place. He rarely swung by these days, and when he did, he usually called first.
“Mia? Everything okay in there?” Ethan nudged back the shower curtain, tension tight in his naked shoulders.
Air whooshed from my lungs in a rush and my shoulders slumped forward in relief. “You scared me.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. I felt a lot of energy buzzing in here. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” He let go of the curtain, and it fell back into place. The slightest twinge of sadness nibbled at me, but this was for the best. If he got in the shower with me, I might never leave.
“It’s okay. I was just—” Wait. Would telling him the truth about my attempt at telekinesis be a good idea? He might laugh. “I got caught up in my thoughts. I have to be at Eternally Magick in an hour, and I’ll probably stop by the hospital later to talk to Jessa. I won’t be home until late.”
Ethan had attended a couple Pack meetings in the past few weeks, but I’d never asked for more details. If he wanted to share what he’d learned, he would tell me. However, I couldn’t wait around forever, I needed to know... “Do you know anything about the werewolf who attacked us and nearly killed Jessa?”
A long pause swept through the bathroom, and for a moment, I didn’t think he’d answer.
“His name is Jared Grant.” Ethan’s voice was close as if he stood inches from the white and blue shower curtain, hovering just out of sight. “He was the Pack’s second in command. The role changed to the Alpha’s son, Chad, who has been sticking true to his word. He’s helping the Pack come onboard with the idea of me joining them.” He let out a sharp hissing si
gh. “A few of the members weren’t sure I should live, since it’s against the Alpha’s wishes for new wolves to be made. Chad convinced his father I would make a good addition.”
Strength drained from my body. I had no idea they would’ve killed him. “God, Ethan.” I braced myself against the tiled wall, uncertain if my legs would hold under the weight of that revelation. “You should’ve talked to me. H-how could I have helped to stop them if they’d tried to... kill you?” Nausea bubbled within my stomach and I wrapped an arm under my breasts, cradling my belly. An urge to puke lingered at the back of my throat.
The shower curtain jerked open, and Ethan leveled his gaze at me.
My heart skipped a beat and my foot slid on the wet tub. I tumbled forward, the fall happening in eerily slow motion.
Ethan caught me and pulled me against his solid chest. “Careful.” He kept a steady grip on me as I regained my shaky balance. “There are dozens of werewolves in the Pack. How do you expect to cause much damage?”
His words stung. Even though I wanted to be defensive and lash out, he was right.
While I tried to convince myself I was some badass witch capable of raining down chaos on the werewolves, that wasn’t me. They would squish me like a bug under their feet, especially since wolves worked together.
I pushed past Ethan and grabbed a towel. Standing naked before him had lost its appeal. Maybe if I hadn’t tried telekinesis and gotten so emotional, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
“Come on, babe. Don’t pull away.” He grabbed my hips, turning me around to face him. “I don’t want you to get hurt, okay? Not after the close call in the parking garage. Plus, your friend is in the hospital because of a werewolf. I don’t trust the Pack, and they don’t trust you after you nearly killed their Alpha.”
A shiver chased across my spine that was only partly due to the air’s coolness. “I don’t want you hurt either,” I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I’m willing to risk my safety for yours.”
The gentle touch of his warm hands shifted, and his fingers bit into my skin. “Mia, I can take care of myself. It’s you I’m worried about.”
Through the heat of his words, a sting of power and desire set me alight. The sensation dimly reminded me of what I’d felt when Mr. Sexy...er…Jared...had touched me in Jessa’s shop.
Planting my palms on Ethan’s chest, I refused to let those memories take hold of me, except the feel of my palms on his hard chest melted my insides and made me pliant and willing. My body wanted Ethan more than it wanted its next breath.
Ethan stared into my eyes transfixed. He bent for a kiss, and any desire I had to keep my distance evaporated as our lips met. Lust crashed through me, and my only need was to be intimate with him. Within seconds, he propped me on the bathroom counter. His hands slid down to my knees before he made his way back toward my naked thighs.
Passion warmed me, taking away any chill I’d felt, and I parted my legs, anxious to be one with him. “Ethan, I want you inside me.”
Whatever negativity from the argument vanished like waking from a bad dream. The only importance now was getting his boxers down and rolling a condom on him. Did he have any in here? Because I didn’t know if I could wait until we reached his room.
He parted my towel and tugged me closer. My backside dangled rather precariously over the counter’s edge, but he wouldn’t let me fall. Despite, or maybe because of, all we’d been through, I trusted him. He looked out for both our relationship and for me.
Wetness formed between my legs at the fierce hunger in the way he claimed my mouth. His tongue speared me, brushing along mine with a need to possess. He slid his hand between my legs, teasingly trailing it over my lips.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and he gripped my hips, lifting me into his arms. Apparently, we were headed to the bedroom. The press of his hot erection between my thighs as he adjusted my position sent heat through me like a wildfire.
For a moment, I didn’t care we had responsibilities outside of these four walls. If he asked me to spend the day with him in bed, I would do it.
Ethan strode toward the door with the towel forgotten on the bathroom counter. As we approached the exit, he sucked in a breath and froze.
Loud banging on the bathroom door nearly made me scream, but I slapped a hand over my mouth. If it wasn’t for Ethan’s warning, I might have blown it.
He set me to my feet then blocked the door with his muscular frame. The muscles in his back twitched with barely contained aggression.
“I have to use the restroom, man.” Nolan knocked again, a little more impatient this time. “Showers can be a luxury when deployed, but come on. I have to leave for work soon.” Humor was evident in his voice, but their relationship wasn’t as strong as it had been. Was I the cause of their problems?
“Sure, just a moment,” Ethan said. He ducked his head under the shower’s spray that both of us had ignored in our burning lust then shut off the water. He wrapped my towel around me, motioning toward the shower.
I opened my mouth to argue, but his severe frown had me shaking my head in defeat. With a huff, I gathered my clothes.
Water dripped down Ethan’s chest and my mouth watered, wanting to slide my tongue over his skin. The moment passed as he grabbed a towel.
Before I closed the shower curtain, I mouthed ‘you owe me’ to Ethan, who managed to suppress a chuckle. The sparkle in his eyes was more than enough to make me wish Nolan hadn’t interrupted us. The doorknob rattled a little as Ethan turned it.
My brother stomped into the bathroom. “You sure took your time,” Nolan grumbled, his shadow pausing near the sink. “Did you get a new purple hairbrush for your thick, flowing hair?” I balled my hands into fists. Shit! I knew I’d forgotten something. “Wait. This looks like Mia’s. What is it doing here?” The soft clap of plastic on marble indicated he’d set it back on the counter.
“Huh, I didn’t notice. Maybe she forgot her brush when she last stayed over?” Ethan flung his towel over the curtain rail, leaving it to dry and giving me a little more concealment.
“Must have.” My brother sounded a little confused, but he let it go. “I’ll give her a call later. She really hates when her stuff goes missing. But, seriously, I have to go.”
A sharp slap of energy sizzled from Ethan, conveying his emotions more than any words could, but he left. His control was slowly unwinding. Time would tell if he’d be able to keep calm as a werewolf, even when others pressed him.
For now, my immediate concern was staying hidden from Nolan. When we were kids, I’d sucked at hide and seek. He had possessed an almost superhuman ability to find me, no matter where I’d hidden. I only hoped that superpower had faded with time.
The one thing separating Nolan and me was the thin shower curtain. Thankfully, you couldn’t see through it, but I hated being stuck in here. If he looked behind the curtain and saw me wrapped in a towel, he’d know what was going on between Ethan and me.
After the celebration with my family on Christmas Day, I trusted Ethan knew what he was talking about. Neither my parents nor my brother needed to know about our relationship, not yet at least. We could explore each other and see if we worked first, especially with Ethan’s upcoming transformation. Part of me wasn’t sure I could handle him as a werewolf.
Stop overthinking it.
If I could fight Jared as a novice witch, then surely I could work through my issues with the wolves. Chad, the Alpha’s son, had been okay once we’d figured out who the real villain was. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like the rest of his Pack agreed.
The toilet lid smacked the back of the commode, and I bit my lower lip. My stomach churned and nausea swirled through me anew. Everything within me prayed that Nolan took a leak and not anything else. Silence would be hard won if he did more.
The loud unzipping of his pants shot panic through me. If my brother sat, I’d lose my nerves. Scanning the shower, I looked for some way out that wouldn’t end with me bei
ng seen, but there was no escape.
A steady stream of urine and the following flush of the toilet nearly had me sighing in relief. He washed his hands, brushed his teeth with an electric toothbrush and fixed his hair for what felt like hours. I had no idea my brother was this meticulous with his morning routine, when he looked like he’d barely rolled out of bed most days.
Closing my eyes, I stayed as quiet as I could. Silence filled the air, then the shower curtain crinkled a little as it moved. I snapped my eyes open, a scream building in my throat.
“Hmm... There should be more moisture in his towel.” The gig was up. Any minute now, he’d open the curtain. I was toast.
The loud blare of rock music shrilled through the bathroom, and Nolan groaned a second before answering his phone. “Hey, sexy, I was just thinking about you. What? Your car won’t start? Did you try getting a jump?” He laughed at something his newest girlfriend said, probably a dirty joke. “Sure, I can take you. Let me finish up at home first. I’ll see you soon.”
The bathroom door opened then snapped closed. Oh God, that was too close.
Waiting a full minute before acting, I carefully moved the damp curtain enough to confirm what I’d heard. Nolan was gone. Good. However, he could come back. If I didn’t go now, I might be giving away the chance to leave undetected.
I couldn’t repeat this stressful situation. I had to get out.
Slipping into my clothes, I remained quiet like my life depended on it. My ears strained to hear any movement in the hallway. Once dressed, I climbed out of the shower and hung my towel inside in case Nolan came back.
The blinds were drawn at the bathroom’s small window. While we were on the second floor, I didn’t have many other options. The last thing I wanted was for the boys to fight. With Ethan slowly transforming into a werewolf, I wasn’t sure how much control he had now, especially with the incredible wave of power he’d given off earlier. Besides, my family wouldn’t understand us. Most of the time, they didn’t even get me.