by Marie Fraser
Yes, with growing hormones and strength, Aiyana’s appetite had also increased by a large amount. She sat, waiting for someone to show up from the staff so she could give them her spot for half an hour so she could out and hunt.
Sure, she could’ve had normal human food but what was the fun in that? If God, or rather her genes, had presented her with an opportunity to eat directly from the wild, she wasn’t going to ignore it.
To an outsider, Aiyana would look like any other Native American twenty-two-year old, with her raven hair that fell till her shoulders, straight and sleek. Her unusual green eyes sat on top of a tanned face that accentuated her beauty and made her look just as more beautiful than the other women of her clan.
However, Aiyana was slightly different than the rest. She was a werewolf.
The Clan of Arikara was a magical. Each generation had ten werewolves who had received the magical gene which allowed them to transform into a wolf, at any given point. The sole purpose of the werewolves was to protect their clan, which lived among the woodland area. The surrounding populations were natives but more modernized and hence, without the werewolf gene.
Aiyana’s clan was the oldest and most prestigious one, proclaimed by everyone as the mighty legends. Aiyana was privileged to have a part to play in the legacy, she was privileged to make a name for herself by submitting her life to the clan and the pack.
Essentially, there were ten werewolves, from which only Aiyana was the female, a legend spoke of this being the norm. The other nine werewolves were all ranked by their age and their experience while Joshua was their chief and the eldest. Aiyana was ranked higher than the other eight wolves, apart from the chief Joshua. She was held in the higher ranks and everyone held her in high regard, for she was the only female. She was essentially the omega while Joshua was the alpha.
Often though, Aiyana had to admit, being the only girl in the group was a bit wearisome. She didn’t really have any females to turn to for the pack-maintained secrecy about their identities. Yes, the clan knew about the werewolves and the clan also knew they were present to protect them. Yet, their identities were not known to all of them. Only the pack members and the Elders, the pack members before them who were now part of the higher council, knew who the current werewolves were.
Even family members could not be trusted with this secret. That was possibly the toughest part about the whole ordeal. Not having the privilege to tell your own flesh and blood about your true identity and leaving them wondering where you were at such odd times.
Luckily, Aiyana’s mom was also the omega in her time and now enjoyed a supreme position in the council. Unlike her other comrades, Aiyana did not have to hide anything from her mother. Essentially, Aiyana’s only family was her mother, if she didn’t count her pack brothers. Her father, Samuel, had passed away long before Aiyana had even been born. Her mother, Adsila, had been pregnant when Samuel had died in an accident in water.
Aiyana had never met her father and she didn’t really miss his presence, it was more like longing for a figure like him, not him specifically. However, her mother did miss him, night and day, always wishing he could’ve been here to see Aiyana grow up. Aiyana loved her mother so very much and sometimes felt forlorn about the fact that she had no one to turn to.
In their clan, it was an unspoken rule that a woman couldn’t remarry after her husband passed away. Perhaps this was the reason Aiyana tried to avoid marriage altogether. She didn’t want to leave her mother alone and she also didn’t think she could hide her real identity from her husband for a long time. The clan and her mother meant the most to Aiyana. She didn’t have much more to hold on to or love.
Even though she was now twenty years old, Aiyana had never fallen in love. Her mother would constantly tease her for missing a gene in her blood or that she would fall in love with an outsider. All this was jokes only because the clan was forbidden to mingle with outsiders apart from when business was concerned.
Friendship, let alone love, even was a big sin to commit when it concerned people from outside the Oneida County. Besides, Aiyana was not interested in finding a partner for herself. She had a good enough life as it was and did not need the hassle of maintaining a relationship. She had too many jobs to take care what with being the sole breadwinner of the house.
Aiyana was an only child and the responsibility of the household was on her shoulder. Her mother worked as well, mainly taking care of the antiques shop the Bear Lake Cabin owners had constructed to attract customers. While her mother was the manager there, Aiyana worked as the receptionist for the cabins. She had the sole responsibly of making sure all guests were received with a warm welcome and were treated with exactly the right amount of hospitality.
Aiyana didn’t know if she was the right person to welcome people, warmly that is. Ever since she was a little girl, people would comment on her hard expression and lack of emotions. It wasn’t that Aiyana didn’t feel anything, she just had a difficult time showing herself to people.
Aiyana had been with one boy long ago, when she was sixteen and freshly learning what love was. For some reason or the other, things hadn’t worked out and Aiyana was left heartbroken. She never again wanted to go through the same thing. How could she after all? Love had turned out to be a notion and just that. A lie and something no one should delve in to, if they didn’t want to face regret.
However, as a werewolf, this was something each one of them inevitably had to go through.
In the magical world, all creatures had another person they would connect to. A bond that would be too potent and strong to ever be broken. The soul mate’s kiss, is what the pack called it. So far, only three of them had experienced this and were now happily involved with their girlfriends, except one who was already engaged to be married in August. Joshua, the chief himself had still not found his mate and more often than not, Aiyana would read his mind and see that this fact bothered him.
Aiyana on the other hand was more than happy that she was still safe from this kiss, the kiss that would act as a chain and hold her down. She had seen her other comrades and how they were now completely consumed by love and ignorant to everything else.
God only knew how Aiyana hated that. How could anyone just submit themselves to love in a way that left them without any choice of their own?
Aiyana looked around, sighing in frustration when no one showed up.
A few minutes passed and a group of people walked in, two girls and two boys.
“Welcome to Bear Lake.” Aiyana greeted them.
She took out the registration manual and placed it on the desk for them to sign.
“Do you have a booking?” Aiyana asked them.
“Uh, we do, but our friend isn’t here yet. He made the booking.” One of the boys said, dressed in a flannel shirt along with blue jeans and boots.
“Under which name?” Aiyana asked.
“Jason.” The man said told Aiyana.
“I can show you to your cabins and Jason can check in when he arrives.” Aiyana told them as they smiled.
“That would be amazing.” One of the girls said.
Aiyana couldn’t help but notice how different they looked from her. One had blonde, curly hair while the second had more brown hair with light specks of hazel in between, wavy and silky. Aiyana wondered if everyone in the city looked like them. The group was dressed in appropriate North Woods attire.
Aiyana picked up the keys to their cabins from the shelf behind her and they followed her out of the reception area into the back garden where most of the cabins were. This party had booked three cabins and Aiyana showed them around, pointing out the different facilities.
“Is there a trail into the forest?” The brunette asked.
“Yes, right behind one of your cabins.” Aiyana told them, happy to see the excitement in their eyes.
Aiyana loved this part about her job, it made her feel good, making other people happy.
“I call shotgun.” The blonde guy said whi
le the other groaned.
“This is the first cabin.” Aiyana said, unlocking the door. “The trail can be reached through the back entrance.”
“Thanks.” The blond guy said as the brunette and he went inside.
Aiyana wondered if the group was divided into two couples and realized this was the case when the other two also went into the same cabin.
Aiyana left them to unpack and headed back towards the reception. She saw her friend, Ahmik, heading out from the cafe, which served the guests every morning, compliments of the Cabin Inn.
“Ahmik!” Aiyana screamed out, glad that she had finally found someone to cover for her.
“Yes?” Ahmik replied, turning to face her.
“Can you cover my shift for an hour?” Aiyana asked, pleadingly.
Her hunger was truly getting the better of her. Who could blame her? Being a werewolf was an exhausting job description. Her body no longer functioned like an average human being’s. Aiyana was hungry more often than she could recall and her emotions were running wild. She could be laughing with someone and then a minute later she could be scolding them.
Aiyana was so glad her mother knew the truth, otherwise she would’ve gone crazy.
“Why?” Ahmik asked, suspiciously, since he didn’t know about Aiyana’s reality.
“I have to run an errand.” Aiyana said, not offering any further explanations.
“Alright, hurry back though.” Ahmik said, reluctantly.
“Thanks.” Aiyana said, kissing his cheek as he turned pink.
Aiyana had known Ahmik for a long time and they had practically grown up together. It sucked that she couldn’t tell him the truth, but that was the price a hero had to pay. She had a feeling Ahmik had feelings for her, but always tried to ignore that part of their friendship. She didn’t want to lose him but she also knew she could never be with him. She saw him as a brother more than as a lover, and nothing could change that.
For someone who hated love, it sure was a recurring thought in her head, Aiyana noticed, bitterly.
Aiyana left the Inn and headed towards the forest. She went deep inside, crossing the warning sign that stated wolf hunting was forbidden in the area.
She reached the clearing she usually left her clothes in and undressed. She didn’t want to tear her clothes off while shifting and would return to them after hunting. She had an hour only and had to make the most of it.
Naked to the last part of her body, Aiyana shook her arms and closed her eyes. She breathed in deeply as she felt her body transform, the fur growing on her body, her frame shaping itself like a wolf’s and her senses heightening. She opened her eyes and began running. She was now in control of her body, more so than she ever felt as a human.
Read more of Running Wild here and learn about the other Wolves of Wisconsin.
Check out my other books:
Rayne Deare Dating Agency
Dash: A Paranormal Reindeer Shifter Romance (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 1)
As one of the two reindeer closest to Mr. Claus when Christmas Eve comes, Dasher is charged with keeping the other eight reindeer calm until takeoff. Serene by nature, he’s just as cool and collected in his everyday life as he is during the holiday season, except for a few, very obvious changes.
During the holidays he tends to prance around in his four-legged, hairy self. During the other eleven months of the year, however, he struts his stuff as a 5’11” brown eyed babe. Tall, dark and handsome; Dasher Holland-who goes by Dash to his friends and family-isn’t looking for love when it comes to find him.
Ashley Bogart is a sales clerk at a local retail outlet. Her love life is non-existent and she doesn’t want to say she’s desperate, but she’s so darn close it’s not even funny. Doing a random search of dating sites late one night, she comes across an unusual one that advertises itself as Mrs. C’s Rayne Deer Dating Agency. Curious, even if just for a laugh, she clicks on the site and is more than taken aback at the incredibly hot guys that grace the front page. One in particular is right up her alley and before she can talk herself out of it, she’s clicking on a picture that says “Dasher” under it.
Can Dasher convince Ashley that dating a shifter is worth the risk? Will Ashley be able to see past Dasher’s job description and peculiar December issues to see the man he is inside? Only time will tell when Dasher takes the reins.
Check out this Paranormal Reindeer shifter romance and see!
Dan (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 2)
Pran (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 3)
Vix (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 4)
Com (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 5)
C. P. (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 6)
Don (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 7)
Blitz (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 8)
Rudy: A Paranormal Reindeer Shifter Romance (Rayne Deare Dating Agency Book 9)
Bear Lake Series:
Careful What You Fish For: A Bear Lake Paranormal Romance
Now We're Cooking: Kevin (Bear Lake Book 2)
Kevin Durant is a former armed services member who has a flare for cooking and loves anything that sparks his creative juices. Along with his two friends, also former soldiers, he purchased a rustic and nature-filled getaway that’s turned into a nice and prospering business. His biggest issue is that he’s so busy in the kitchen that he rarely sees anyone other than his friends.
When Kevin begins to offer cooking classes as part of the whole vacation getaway package, he’s hesitant to think anyone’s going to want to be indoors when the outdoors has so much more to offer; at least until he meets Rebecca Cross.
Rebecca Cross is pretty straight-laced. Making her living as a librarian and resource officer at an elementary school near her home, she has very little time for frivolity. During a class field trip to Bear Lake, Rebecca attempts a cooking class that some of the fifth graders are taking and immediately feels the heat when Kevin Durant steps into the kitchen.
Can Rebecca put aside their differences so her children won’t walk away disappointed? Can Kevin teach Rebecca that there’s more to life than books and work?
By the Book (Bear Lake 3)
Jess Frasier isn’t your average ex-soldier. He’s down to earth and loves nothing more than making people laugh. Unfortunately for him, he’s not laughing when he wakes up to a stunning woman in his bed and a wedding band on his hand. Unable to remember exactly what happened at his friend’s wedding, he struggles to put the pieces together.
Camille Frasier is just about Jess’ exact opposite. She’s serious, focused and laughs only when the occasion calls for it. She too, is unable to put the events of the night before in order as she learns that she’s now a married woman. While Jess seems to find it hilariously funny, she is anything but amused by their predicament.
Can Jess and Camille figure out just what happened to them the night of their mutual friend’s wedding, or will they be stuck trudging through the next few weeks, legally tied to one another. Will Jess be able to show Camille that even when life throws you a curve ball, it can be one fun-filled hell of a ride? Will Camille tame her wayward husband or will they both decide that they’re better off apart?
Wolves of Wisconsin Series:
Running Wild (Wolves of Wisconsin Book 1)
Aiyana is a free bird, figuratively of course. In reality, Aiyana is an Omega, she is the female wolf in the Arikara Clan, sworn to protect them with her pack. She lives a peaceful and tranquil life, working as a receptionist for the Bear Lake Cabins. She doesn’t want much in life, she has everything she could’ve ever asked for. Except a soul mate, which is something she dreads ever running into.
When a hunting accident lands Aiyana in the hospital, she must come to terms with two things:
A stranger has labeled her his wife. The stranger happens to be her soul mate.
When love and duty clashes, Aiyana must make decisions that inevitably will cost her, her mental peace.
Can she find a way to mak
e things work? Will the troubles at home increase because of her absence? Or has love entered her life as an antidote?
Each chapter filled with fun and mystery, the Running Wild is the upcoming paranormal saga of the Wolves of Wisconsin werewolf series.
Taming the Beast (Wolves of Wisconsin Book 2)
Orphan Wolf (Wolves of Wisconsin Book 3)
Running Wolf (Wolves of Wisconsin Book 4)
Wolf Leader (coming 1/1/2019)
Wild Tinder Series
Alex (Wild Tinder Book 1)
Alex Hernandez has been a hotshot firefighter for five years. He spends the majority of his time with his crew and when he’s not fighting fires, he’s trying to convince himself that getting involved with a crew member is a bad idea. As a wolf, he follows his instincts in every situation. But as a man, following his instincts could cost him his job, or worse.
Ava Schoenguard is barely past her rookie season and much to the amazement of just about everyone she’s survived. Not just that, she’s thriving as a hotshot. She’s smart, capable and after a solid six months under her belt, she’s back for another round of relentless work.
Ava is like every other woman, with needs and wants that don’t necessarily coincide with her current lifestyle. She knows the rules of fight fires with her crew and rule number one, even if it’s unspoken, is that you don’t get involved romantically with anyone on your crew. If only she could get her head and her heart on the same page.