Lost Wolf (Curse of the Moon Book 1) by Stacy Claflin Read Free Book Online

no. Was afraid of that.
    Toby: I should've known.
    Gessilyn: Need anything?
    Toby: Got a memory spell?
    Gessilyn: Not sure. Will look.
    Toby: OK. Call u l8r.
    Gessilyn: Day or nite.
    Toby: Thx.
    I took a deep breath and put my phone back. For once, I wished the full moon was out. More than anything, I wanted to shift and run the length of the forest. I hated being restricted by the moon's phases.
    Maybe a human run would help. It had to be better than sitting in my driveway. I got out of the Hummer and locked it.
    A breeze blew by. I could smell several of my wolves. They were probably sleeping, preparing for the long night ahead of us. I would, too, if I thought sleep was a possibility.
    I rubbed my temples. The familiar ache set into my bones, warning me of the impending shift.
    Inside, the house was quiet. I stared at the newly-remodeled entryway and sniffed again. All the young wolves were home. They needed their rest most of all because turning into their wolf form was still so painful. I didn't miss those days.
    Footsteps sounded on the staircase. Jet, one of my pack assistants, came downstairs. He arched a brow. "You're home early."
    I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to talk about Victoria.
    He stopped at the foot of the stairs. "Everything okay?"
    "No, but I can't focus on it."
    Brick, one of the pack guards, came in from the kitchen and turned to Jet. "Hey, Yamamoto. You left your phone down here." He handed it to him.
    "Oh, yeah. Thanks." He turned back to me. "Sure you don't need something?" Protectiveness and loyalty were written all over his face. "Someone giving us trouble in town again?"
    I shook my head. "Not since we ran those mutts off. No, this is something else."
    Jet and Brick exchanged a concerned look.
    "It doesn't affect you guys. If it did, I'd tell you."
    "If it's going to distract you on the full moon, I think it does concern us." Jet's mouth curved down.
    Anger flared, but I bit my tongue, not wanting to take it out on one of my best wolves. Tempers always grew during the full moon.
    His eyes narrowed. "No disrespect meant, but we deserve to know what's going on. At least I do as the highest-ranked pack member."
    I clenched my fists. "I need to go for a run. We'll talk after I get back."
    Jet's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "A run now ? We need to rest."
    The wolf inside me was starting to force his way out early. A growl escaped my mouth. I forced him away and stared Jet down. "Stand down. I said this doesn't concern you."
    "Yes, sir." Jet's nostrils flared and he stormed up the stairs, muttering to himself.
    It had been a risk bringing him into my pack. He had been born alpha of his own pack, but instead chose to stay with me. We had more power struggles than any other wolf I'd encountered. He was also more loyal than any other.
    "Sir?" Brick stared at me.
    I counted to ten. "I need to clear my head before the others wake. I'll be back long before dusk."
    "Okay. Do you want me to prepare dinner?"
    "Crap." Usually, I prepared the big full moon meal. Cooking tended to calm me. We all ate ravenously before shifting, barely stopping to use our hands, much less utensils.
    Brick tilted his head. "It's not a problem."
    I glanced at a clock on the wall. "If I'm not back in ninety minutes, you can start. The fridge is stocked."
    He flicked a nod in my direction.
    "Can you put this in my room for me?" I held out my bag.
    "You're going to run in slacks?"
    "Right now, I don't care."
    Brick took my bag and headed upstairs.
    I went outside and stared at the woods. Hopefully a run would help, though the only thing that would truly help would be to have Victoria back in my arms—and I would stop at nothing until that happened.

Chapter 7
     
    Victoria
     
    I paced my room, holding back tears. Why was I so sure I knew Professor Foley? And not just generally? I could recall the feel of his embrace. I was certain of the scent of his aftershave. Even his kisses—when I closed my eyes, I could feel those