Cursed Vengeance
Pine Barren Wolves
Book 1
By
Brandy L Rivers
&
Rebecca Brooke
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
Cursed Vengeance
Copyright 2015 © Brandy L Rivers & Rebecca Brooke
Published by Beau Coup Publishing
http://beaucoupllcpublishing.com/
Cover by Brandy L Rivers
For Beau Coup Publishing
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.
Sierra prefers to avoid the Pine Barrens—the folklore and myths always left her uneasy. Which only grows worse when she runs into a man, and her first instinct is to help. The stranger tests her patience before disappearing and she can’t shake the instant, shocking attraction.
One chance meeting deep in the woods and Dylan is lost. The woman with red hair and blue eyes tempts his most primal nature to claim something he’s never wanted. As a male of his pack, destined to die on his thirty-fifth birthday, he does not want to claim anyone. Not unless they can find an answer to a fifty-year-old curse.
Sierra learns things aren’t always as they seem. Her brother and his best friend Dylan are werewolves with limited time and they believe she may be the key to breaking the curse. Dylan will do everything he can to convince her werewolves aren’t simply a nightmare lurking in the pines. They need her help to break the curse and save their pack
But first, she has to accept a birthright she doesn’t believe in...
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
About Brandy L Rivers
Also by Brandy L Rivers
About Rebecca Brooke
Also by Rebecca Brooke
Chapter 1
Sierra
Dark, too dark. My headlights couldn’t cut through the fog. I always wondered why my brother, Sean, chose to live out in the Pine fucking Barrens. The place always gave me the creeps.
Then I saw the sign for Mia Cabrera’s. With a sigh of relief, I pulled into the parking lot and turned down the row.
The thunk startled me, then a dark figure fell to the pavement.
“Oh, fuck me,” I muttered, shutting off my Audi Hybrid before climbing out to investigate.
Dark clothes over a long, hard body. My heart thumped in my chest as I crouched beside the man.
“Shit,” he muttered, grabbing onto his head as he tried to sit up.
“Don’t sit up, what are you doing?” I admonished.
“Why not? Just banged my head.”
“I hit you with my car!” I pushed him back down. “Just lie back. I’m a doctor. Let me make sure you’re okay.”
“A doctor who hits people in parking lots?”
I huffed, flipping his shit right back. “You’re wearing black, in the fog. You can see headlights coming at you a lot better than I can see creepers hiding in the dark.”
His brow arched back, a smirk lifting one corner of his full lips as light danced through his golden-hued eyes. “Doctor Trouble, I see.” He glanced past me before meeting my gaze again. A shiver of anticipation went down my spine. “What are you planning to do to treat me in the dark and fog?”
“Keep you still while I call nine-one-one. You hit your head pretty hard. Give me a minute.” I stood and moved back to the car door.
A shadow passed through the headlights as I turned back. He was gone. Great, a macho dipshit, one who made my heart race with his smirk.
My phone rang and I sighed. Probably Sean getting impatient. I was already a few minutes late. Stifling a groan, I climbed in and hit speaker while parking. “I’m here. You won’t believe what just happened.”
“You can tell me right after you get your ass inside and order. I’m starving. I already have our table.”
“I’ll be there.” Confusion plagued me as I climbed out and locked up. I went to the front of my car, frowning. No dent, no blood, nothing. Then again, I hit him at less than five miles an hour. He only went down because he was moving quickly to begin with.
A tingle traveled down my spine and I turned to find whoever was watching me. Probably the man with the strange golden eyes. And why’d he have to be so damned hot? That smirk...man, I’m a sucker for a smartass.
Shaking my head, I hurried inside before Sean called again.
My brother sat in the back, facing the whole restaurant, his blue eyes swishing through the place, back and forth. It reminded me of the Bourne Identity. I couldn’t resist a laugh as the hostess greeted me.
“Evening. Are you waiting on someone?”
“No.” I nodded to the back corner. “My brother is already seated. I can see myself over there.”
“Enjoy your dinner.” Lights flashed in her eyes, leaving a reflective quality for a millisecond.
Ignoring the creeptastic shiver down my spine, I joined Sean and slid into a seat. Normally he was clean-shaven, his hair cropped short. The dark brown hair had grown out with the start of a beard. Maybe he’d been out here too long, he was starting to look the part.
Hoping to make him smile, I teased, “Why do you live here again?”
He smirked. “What? No hi, how are you?”
Amused, I shook my head. “Sorry. How are you?”
“Better. I was worried about you.”
My brow arched, but I looked down at the menu. Didn’t take long for me to settle on the Salmon Picatta.
The waiter came by and took our orders. Once he left, I leaned forward, studying my brother. Worry lines creased his forehead. Usually he was carefree, always smiling.
Oh hell, what did I really know? I only saw him every couple months. Being an orthopedic surgeon kept me busy, and I was a city girl, not a backwoods country bumpkin.
“So what’s going on, Sis? Why are you fidgeting like you’ve done something wrong?”
I drew in a slow breath and shook my head. “I hit someone with my car. Before I could grab my phone he took off.”
Sean shifted uncomfortably. “You sure you weren’t seeing things? The fog is thicker than Mom’s chili.”
“Seriously? I got out and talked to him. He acted like it was nothing, then left as soon as I turned my back.”
“Maybe it was nothing. Where did it happen?”
“The parking lot.”
“What? Were you going two miles an hour? I’m sure he’s fine. Don’t stress on it.”
“I don’t know, Sean. He hit his head. What if he has a concussi
on?” I had to find him. The guilt would eat me up. Maybe not tonight, but Sean’s birthday was in a few days and I had plans to visit him again soon.
“How’d the consult go?”
“Fine. Guy’s radial joint is a hot mess, but I’ll be back this way tomorrow to fix it. Another long day. Think we can grab dinner again?”
“Sure. But maybe you should stay the night so you don’t have to do so much driving in the fog.”
“Sure. Hey, why have you been all chatty lately? You’ve called every day for the last two weeks. I’m not used to all this brotherly attention.” Usually we’d go a week or so before one of us called the other.
He plowed a hand through his hair and shrugged. “Feels like time is running out.”
The defeat in his tone stopped me cold. “What do you mean?”
Half a laugh escaped as his eyes darted away. “Look at you. All successful, pretty. You’ll get hitched, have kids, and I’ll never see you again.”
The sadness in his voice tore at my heart. There was more going on. “Guess I’ll have to make it a point to see my big brother more often.”
“You should.”
“What brought this on?”
“A friend is dying. Brings everything into perspective.”
“Does he have a good doctor?”
“At this point, doctors can’t do anything for him.”
My eyes narrowed as I frowned back. “I know people. You could point me in his doctor’s direction. Maybe we could find a solution.”
“He’s too far gone, Sis. He needs a miracle at this point.”
Dinner slid into an awkward conversation. Sean was chattier than usual, prying into my life, but not giving anything back. I didn’t buy it was as simple as a dying friend. Sure, that may have been a major part of it, but I couldn’t help feeling like there was more to the story.
Before I knew it I was giving him a big hug and slipping the waitress my card before he caught on.
“Hey, I wanted to get that.” He laughed.
“Yeah, well, I beat you to it. Next time.”
“Fair enough. You best remember I’m paying next time.”
“Bye, Sean. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He kissed me on the cheek and gave me a half-hearted wave. “Bye, Sis. Drive safe.”
Once I signed the check, I ducked out and started for my Audi.
I could have sworn I saw a shadow in the alley. I started in that direction, but it disappeared. “Fine,” I muttered, “don’t let me help. It’s your thick skull, not mine.”
A soft chuckle caressed my ears, and I spun around slowly, looking for any sign that someone was there.
Nope, all alone. I fucking hate the Pine Barrens. Weird things always happened out here.
The buzz of my phone startled me. I looked at the display and hooked my headset on my ear before pressing talk. “Hey, Rachel. Long time, no hear. What’s up?” We’d been friends since school. Now she lived right down the road from me.
“Go on a double date with me Saturday?”
I repressed a groan. “No. Can’t do it. Hanging out with my brother.”
“Okay, the week after.”
“Doubtful. And you know I hate double dates. Besides, who do you think you’re hooking me up with?”
“The gorgeous intern working under me.”
A laugh escaped as I shook my head. “You sure you don’t want to take a ride on him yourself?”
“No. I’m taking one of the other marketing reps. You’re taking the intern.”
“Nah-uh. I’m not going. You’ll have to find someone else to take him.”
“Why? You met a man?” she teased.
Those gold-tinged eyes and sexy smirk ran through my head. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to lie a little. “Maybe. He’s sexy enough, but stubborn as hell.”
“What makes you say that?”
I almost spilled, but didn’t want to have to explain hitting a pedestrian in the parking lot. “Look, I’m driving home from dinner with my brother. Can I call you later?”
“You’re not going to give me the details?”
Rachel was never going to let up, so I gave her the little I knew, hoping she never made an attempt to find him. It wasn’t like I was going to go searching for my creeper. “Tall, built, gorgeous, dark hair, unusual almost gold eyes. And his mouth…” I squirmed in my seat, wondering what he’d taste like.
“His name?”
“Not important. I’m going to my brother’s tomorrow and staying the night. I’ll let you know if I run into him again.”
“Your brother’s friend?”
I giggled. “You chill. I’ve got to go. I’ll give you more details after I get home.”
“All right, fine. Dream about him.” The phone clicked off.
Chapter 2
Dylan
The fog started to move in the minute the sun set. Not that it mattered to me. It was one of the things that deterred people from moving here. It kept our town safe from outsiders. Unless they were simply traveling through, most people didn’t want to acknowledge the things that go bump in the night were very real.
Even the threat of a witch’s curse. That’s what had me on foot, running through the forest in the dark.
Christian was dying and the only one who might be able to stop all of this was missing. Earlier in the week, Sean said something about meeting his sister for dinner tonight. Only one place that was calm enough to bring a human, and the first place I planned to check. Hopefully, I would beat his sister there and I could get him to come with me.
Sean had been my best friend since childhood. Even though I’d never met his sister, I knew it was important to him to see her more often. Over the last few months, he’d become extremely nostalgic about his life. Then again, I guess facing death all of the time would do that to you. Especially your own.
The back of Mia Cabrera’s came into view. Picking up my pace, I darted across the parking lot, only to be jarred to a stop by something slamming into the side of my leg. The feel of the ground as it connected with my head felt far from pleasant.
“Shit.” I grabbed my head, trying to stop the throbbing. When I tried to sit up, a small, delicate hand pushed me back down.
One touch and the pain melted away, even faster than it normally would. Looking up…Holy fuck…cobalt blue eyes caught my attention. For a split second, they connected with mine and recognition sparked in my body as a tremor raced down my spine. Her scent hit me like a freight train. Lavender with a light hint of vanilla.
I’d never met the woman before, but that didn’t stop me from watching every move she made. Something about her felt eerily familiar. Her eyes scanned down my body, looking for injuries.
Shit.
She wouldn’t find any. I needed to find a way to get out of here without her seeing me. The fog would cover my disappearance. My body didn’t want to leave until I learned more. Thankfully, the head attached to my neck was in control. Didn’t stop me from enjoying the banter as we talked. The minute she went back to her car for her phone, I stood and ran for the shadows of the building.
Whoever the woman was, her human eyes wouldn’t be able to see me in the dark. But as a werewolf, I could see every move she made. The ring of her phone caused her to stop in her tracks, before looking down with a sigh and answering it. She climbed back into her vehicle and parked the car. The person she was there to meet must have been inside. Sean was also inside, his scent evident amongst the smells coming from the restaurant.
Standing in the dark, I weighed my options of going into the restaurant to find Sean and the possibility of running into her again. In the end, I decided it was best to wait. My phone buzzed in my pocket.
“Hello,” I answered, my voice low.
“Dylan?” Theresa asked.
“It’s me, how is he?”
She sniffled. “I’m not sure what happened, but Will came by and gave him something to calm down.” At least the pack medic, Will, was with him.
“It’s okay. He’s sleeping right now.”
“Okay. We’ll see you soon.” Just as soon as I could get Sean away from his sister. Then again, part of my mind was focused on the woman with the gorgeous blue eyes.
“Thanks, Dylan.”
After hanging up I paced the parking lot and found Sean’s truck on the other side of the building, close to where the woman had parked her car. After a bit there was a noise as the door to the front of the restaurant was shoved open and the same woman stepped out.
To avoid another confrontation with the intriguing stranger I definitely did not need to get to know, I stepped back into the shadows on the side of the building. From there I was able to watch without her seeing me. She was about five feet eight inches tall, with an athletic build. Her short, wavy, auburn hair reached to the top of her shoulders, an interesting contrast to the deep blue shade of her eyes. Familiar as they were, those same eyes scanned the parking lot, stopping when they landed on the spot where I was hidden. There’s no way she can see me, I thought. At least until she took a step in my direction.
What the hell was going on?
Moving closer to the back of the bar, I held my ground, hoping I wouldn’t have to make a run for it. She stopped in her tracks, almost stomping her foot in frustration. It was impossible to hold back the chuckle when she grumbled about it being ‘my thick skull.’ She spun around in a circle, then trudged back to her car, slamming the door behind her.
She pulled out of the lot the same time the front door opened again.
“You can come out now, Dylan. I can smell you behind the building.” His voice was low, but loud enough for my ears.
Sean’s keys rattled as he pulled them from his pocket. The first thing I noticed when I rounded the corner of the building was the defeated set of his shoulders, not to mention the frown marring his face.
“Sean?”
He held his hand up. “It’s Christian, right?”
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