by Sarah Makela
Chad grimaced and looked away from him, turning his gaze to the open window. “Several of the prisoners were determined to seek revenge. They burnt the research facility down. We needed to make sure they didn’t get hurt, so most of us assisted them.”
Ethan clenched his jaw, obviously not pleased with that answer. “I need to get home. My roommate might be worried, and I need to call work to explain my absence.” He nudged me aside, then pushed himself out of bed. He swayed on his feet and I rushed to his side, helping him stay upright.
“You should lie down and rest. Don’t worry about that. I can call Nolan, and you don’t have to go home to call work.” I frowned, not wanting him to push himself too hard. While I was pretty sure the magic had been successful, the image of him fading away in my arms still squeezed at my chest. The idea of not being with him to see if he was okay sent my pulse skyrocketing.
“Listen to her. She knows what she’s talking about,” Chad said, and coming from him that was a compliment of the highest order.
I couldn’t suppress the smile springing to my lips.
“I need to get home and make sure Nolan knows I’m fine. The full moon is rising tonight, and my shift into the supernatural world will be complete. I want normalcy before being drawn into that.” Ethan pulled me into his arms, but his words still hurt. “Besides, we have something to tell him and your parents. If we can survive me getting shot, we’ll survive their reactions.”
“You shouldn’t go too far, Ethan. Not with tonight being your first shift.” Chad rose from the chair. “You’ll need assistance, and we have plenty of room to run wild here.” He turned to me. “You might not want to be here. It’s not for the faint of heart. I’ll be back later.” He tilted his head, then walked out of the room.
“Are you sure about telling my family?” I met Ethan’s gaze. My heart sang in happiness, even if a shiver of fear spread through me. “Especially Nolan? What if he takes things badly?”
“Our relationship might change once I truly become a werewolf tonight. But I believe in us enough to spread the word. No more tiptoeing around your family.” He locked his eyes with mine, a knowing look buried in their depths. “We deserve better than that, for better or for worse. Nolan will have to come to terms with the news.”
“We can’t hide forever,” I said, my voice cracking from the mixture of emotions brewing within me. “Not from those closest to us.”
“Not anymore, babe.” He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my lips, before tugging me backward onto the bed. I couldn’t believe he was ready for intimacy after all he’d been through, but then something I’d read in Jessa’s werewolf book came back to mind: werewolves were like sex fiends during the full moon.
I only hoped I’d be able to keep up with him…
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you for reading The Wolf Who Played With Fire! After writing Cold Moon Rising, the plot for this book unfolded in my head piece by piece beckoning me to dive into it. I absolutely enjoyed continuing Mia and Ethan’s journey while getting a glimpse at Kelly and Jacob from the outside. Don’t fret though since I’ll pick back up with Kelly and Jacob. Their story is just beginning.
One of the things I love about this series is it’s a lot of fun to write and I love revisiting the characters as well as meeting new ones. The books come together almost effortlessly, which hasn’t been the case in the past with other series I’ve written. If you have a favorite couple you’d love to see in future books, let me know through Facebook or contact me through my website!
I hope you’ve loved this short novel as much as I do. If you did, please consider leaving a review at the retailer’s website or even on Goodreads. Also, if you’re interested learning more about my books, sign up for my newsletter and connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she's written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy...even a sweet contemporary romance!
A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.
OTHER BOOKS BY SARAH MÄKELÄ
Cry Wolf Series (New Adult Paranormal Romance)
The Witch Who Cried Wolf (Cry Wolf #1)
Cold Moon Rising (Cry Wolf #1.5)
The Wolf Who Played With Fire (Cry Wolf #2)
The Amazon Chronicles Series (Paranormal Romance)
The Amazon Chronicles Collection
EXCERPT FOR THE WITCH WHO CRIED WOLF
CHAPTER ONE
Mia
Jessa’s New Age shop—Eternally Magick—was empty. Usually, Jessa was around. But, right now, she wasn’t. I leaned against the front counter, resting my forehead against the cool glass. Athames, crystals, jewelry and really cute dragon statues were locked in the case beneath my fingertips. While I enjoyed hanging out at the shop and seeing what new potions were available, I wished Jessa had given me some kind of clue as to why she wanted me here. But she was my best friend and mentor; the reason had to be important, if for nothing else to spend much needed time together.
I glanced over my shoulder at the wall of ingredients lining the shelves, ripe for the picking. It had been a while since I’d made a new potion. Maybe if I could stock up on a few things...
“Not what you’re here for,” I whispered to myself. The urge to see what she had nearly drove me away from the counter, but I held myself in check.
Making potions was one of my hobbies. I loved the creativity and excitement that went into building something from nothing, and the brief connection with my power.
Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the curtained-off backroom. Worry crept into my chest. Why wasn’t Jessa here? She never stood me up. This wasn’t like her.
“Jessa?” Usually she came right out when the bells on the door chimed. Biting my lower lip, I considered going into the back. Someone could steal things without her keeping an eye on the store.
“Coming,” Jessa called. The black-haired and blue-eyed beauty swept into the front of the store like a hurricane of flowing skirts. She always looked like she’d just come from a Renaissance faire.
I loved the way she dressed, but I knew that style would never be my thing. My parents would think I’d flipped my lid, and my older brother.... Shudder. Nolan would laugh at me, probably joking with his best friend—and my crush since forever—Ethan Parker.
“Where have you been? I was getting concerned.” Stepping around the counter, I wrapped my arms around her and she embraced me in a hug smelling of lavender and honey.
“Just in the back. I had to wrap up a call and I guess I didn’t hear you come in.” Jessa smiled, but something was up. She appeared a bit too eager to pretend everything was fine.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to be comforting.
The door chimed, and we turned in unison toward the shop’s new arrival.
I blinked in surprise.
The man towered in the doorway, over six feet of pure muscle. If his shirt were a little tighter, I probably would’ve been able to see six-pack abs through it. What was he doing here?
He strode in as if he owned the place. There could be no doubt: ladies would drop their panties at his command. If I didn’t have a boyfriend.... Stop it, Mia!
“I’m looking for the owner,” the man said, his deep voice as smooth and sinful as his looks. Yet beneath his delicious exterior, something about him put me on
edge. The hint of arrogance in his eyes and the sharp flare of power as he walked in the room were instant triggers. This guy wasn’t a mere mortal. He was something else, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. Aside from Jessa, I’d never met anyone else with this level of power.
Maybe I needed to get out more.
Jessa cleared her throat, as captivated by him as I was by the sound of it. “I’m the owner.” Her voice hit all the sultry tones and she swayed her shoulders. “Can I help you?” I wished I could pull her aside and tell her my feelings, but that would look way too awkward.
“We spoke over the phone. I’m interested in the potion.” He leaned his hip against the counter, standing only a couple feet away. Too close for comfort.
Since Jessa had business to take care of, I sidestepped toward the wall of ingredients, but Jessa grabbed my wrist, keeping me beside her. I cast her a dirty look, but she didn’t pay me any attention, focusing her gaze instead on Mr. Way-Too-Sexy.
“Right, I don’t have any of that in right now, but this woman makes some of the best healing salves I’ve seen.” Jessa nudged me forward, nearly throwing me into Mr. Sexy’s arms.
Glancing up his body to his eyes from so close strained my neck. My five-foot-six frame probably looked tiny beside him. An overwhelming sense of lust and intimidation washed over me.
“Hi.” I fought against a shiver.
Mr. Sexy’s lips twitched. “The potion? Or...salve? Can you help me, or not?”
I looked behind me, noticing how Jessa was ‘busy’ tidying a few shelves that were perfectly fine. A small smirk tugged at her lips.
“Sure, I can help. What exactly do you need?” Healing potions? This was great, just great. He didn’t even know what he needed, nor did he know the differences between potions, salves or poultices. Not that many people outside of the metaphysical community did, but that wasn’t my fault. Besides, there were plenty of ways to do them. It didn’t help to say healing potion. I knew some concoctions that cured the flu, helped with burns, even helped with migraines.
The man cocked an eyebrow at me as if I was stupid. “A...healing salve. Are you serious? I’ve told you what I need.”
Jessa placed her hand on my shoulder. “What she means is, what does it need to do?” She pursed her lips, running her gaze over the man. “On the phone, you said that someone you know had some kind of...poisoning?”
While I enjoyed making potions and other healing remedies, I couldn’t help but wonder why this guy wasn’t taking his friend to a hospital or doctor instead.
Mr. Sexy scratched the back of his neck, causing his shirt to lift. My gaze skimmed his navel and part of the defined six-pack I’d known was hiding there. Somehow, knowing how hot he was under his shirt calmed my nerves a little. Surely, he was fine.
Maybe it’d just been a long time since I’d met a nice looking guy who wasn’t a jerk, and didn’t just storm off to join the military when I needed him. But...I was so not going to think about Ethan right now.
“Right. Not food poisoning. Lead poisoning.” Something flickered in his eyes. What was he hiding? “My friend was injured when the metal got into his system, so if there’s something you could put in to help with that, too.”
Jessa nodded, a frown tugging at her lips. “We can help. Have you taken him to the hospital?”
Mr. Sexy narrowed his eyes first at her, then he slid his gaze to me. “He’s more into the holistic, alternative approach to medicine. He’s assured me that if this doesn’t work, he’ll go to the doctor.” With another caress of his gaze over my body, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Think you can handle it, princess?”
My jaw dropped. For a moment, I couldn’t believe he was both checking me out and kind of insulting me. “Yeah, I know a recipe. I’ll just get the ingredients and head home. When do you need it by?” That was stupid question. He’d just told me his friend was injured. There wasn’t time for me to mess around. “Sorry, I can drop it back by a little later.”
“Why can’t you do it here and now?” Irritation hardened the set of his jaw.
Jessa jumped in before I could say anything. “While we have the ingredients to make the salve, she would need her supplies.” She waved her hand around the store. “I don’t have everything here. Usually—”
“That’s fine. I’ll be back before the store closes. That’s a couple hours from now, correct?” At Jessa’s nod, Mr. Sexy turned on his heel and was gone before she could say anything, the bells chiming in his wake.
I ran a hand through my hair, staring at the door. Shock radiated through my chest. A man I didn’t know, with an injured friend who he wasn’t forcing to go to the hospital, wanted a potion from me. Too much about this situation was weird. And one person had set this all up.
Jessa widened her eyes. “Don’t look at me. I had no idea it would turn out as it had. Besides, you never really do anything with your magic. I figured you would be happy to explore more of your power. That’s what you want, or else you never would’ve sought me out.” She tapped her chin, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “I’ll share the profits with you, fifty-fifty.”
Sighing, I shook my head. “I want your help with my power, but you threw me under the bus. You didn’t even ask me if I wanted to do this or not! You decided for me.” This day could end whenever it felt like it. My bullshit limit was rapidly approaching.
If things weren’t bad enough, I had a date with Greg tonight, on top of needing to make a healing salve. It would take time to get right. If this guy’s friend really was in bad shape, then I needed the proper blend of herbs and supplies. If I rushed this, I could end up doing more harm than good.
“What? Oh, come on, honey. Don’t be that way. You know I have the best of intentions.” Jessa sounded hurt, and I couldn’t stay mad at my best friend. That would just make the whole situation worse.
“Fine. Your intentions were good, regardless of how it came across. Now help me get the ingredients. Ugh! I’ll have to put this together quick. I’m so glad my date isn’t until late. If Greg had scheduled to pick me up when he gets off work, I’d be majorly screwed.” I opened a jar of lavender, sniffing the relaxing scent, and felt a hundred times better.
Jessa placed a few jars in a tan tote bag with her store’s logo on it. “I can’t believe you’re still seeing him. Doesn’t your brother hate his guts?” She glanced at me, a look of disapproval in her eyes.
“Geez...you as well? Can’t a girl have relationship bliss without even her best friend disapproving? Why does everyone have to second-guess me and my decisions?”
“Honey, it’s not you we’re second-guessing.” She wrapped her arms around me, stroking my back gently. I rested my head on her shoulder. “It’s your choice in men.”
I jerked away, not happy with the direction this was going. “That’s not fair! Everyone has their moments of.... Fine. I’m not thrilled with dating Greg, but I won’t break his heart before Christmas. Besides, I don’t want to be alone for the holidays. Sue me if I’d rather be in a lame relationship with a pushy guy, than with no one at all!” I tugged a jar of wolf’s bane off the shelf and dropped it in the tote bag. “If you all have such a problem with me dating him, then why can’t I do the deed after the New Year? It could be a resolution.”
Jessa opened her mouth to give me a piece of her mind, but my cell phone chimed a melodic dubstep tune. “I’ll ring this up.”
Nodding, I mouthed a thank you. “Hey, Greg.”
“Sis, if you ever call me that again, we’re going to throw down, and you know I’d never hit a girl.” Nolan’s tone was playful, but his voice resonated with a clear underlying anger at the mention of my boyfriend.
“Sorry, Nolan.” Hearing my brother’s name, Jessa glanced in my direction, and I walked a little farther away from the counter. “What do you want?”
“Huh, why do you ask like that?” Mischief saturated his words, and I wished I hadn’t answered the phone. Nolan was a great brother. However, behavior-wise, most p
eople usually thought I was the older sibling instead of visa versa. Wonder why.
“Now isn’t—”
“Ethan is arriving home tomorrow. I have to work late, so you don’t mind picking him up from the airport, do you?”
I sucked in a breath, surprised he was even asking me this. Should I turn him down? Make him find someone else to handle this?
“Great. I’ll text you the flight info. Thanks, sis.”
“Nolan!” His words punched me in the gut. “Nolan?” Looking at the cell phone, I gritted my teeth, seeing he’d taken the coward’s way by hanging up once he had what he wanted. When was I ever going to learn?
“Honey? What’s wrong?” Concern softened Jessa’s voice.
I shrugged, not wanting to get into this.
“No, you can talk to me. What did your brother do this time?”
I headed to the register, closing the space between us. “It’s just that I have so much going on, but Nolan has delegated to me the responsibility of picking Ethan up from the airport tomorrow. If I were him, I would have at least tried to get off work, especially since he’s known about Ethan coming back home for the holidays.” Letting out a sigh, I grabbed the tote bag’s handle, but Jessa held onto it.
“Call him back. Tell him you can’t.” She smiled at me. “Besides, Ethan is his best friend, so he should grow some balls and deal with it himself.”
“I’ll do that.” Jessa’s smile turned into a glare, and I threw up my hands. “I’ll do that right now then.” Digging into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and rang Nolan. The chime of a text came through in my ear. Ethan’s flight details. But I only managed to get through to Nolan’s voicemail. “He’s not answering. Grrr....”