Page 45 of Howl You Doin'

"And their alpha?" Nina's knowing smile made Fiona's cheeks flush. "I've seen the way you look at him when you two come in for coffee."

"That obvious, huh?"

"Honey, a blind troll could see it." Nina chuckled. "The way you two bicker and make eyes at each other? It's better than my morning soap operas."

Fiona groaned, dropping her head to the table. "He's just so... frustrating. And stubborn. And protective. And..." She lifted her head. "I couldn't walk away now if I tried."

"Love hasa way of sneaking up on you like that." Nina patted her hand. "One day you're arguing with a grumpy wolf shifter about playground equipment, the next you're fighting rival packs together."

"I never thought I'd end up here when I moved to town." Fiona laughed. "I was just looking for a job."

"Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected." Nina stood, gathering Fiona's empty mug. "Though I have to say, you and Caleb? That was written in the stars from the moment you walked into his community center."

"You're worse than Emmett with the matchmaking."

"Speaking of which, that elder of yours was in here earlier singing both your praises. Said you two make quite the team."

Fiona smiled, warmth blooming in her chest that had nothing to do with her fire magic. "We do, don't we?"

The autumn air nipped at Fiona's nose as she walked down Cedar Street. Streetlights cast pools of yellow light on the sidewalk, and dried leaves skittered across her path. Her boots clicked against the concrete as she pulled her leather jacket tighter around herself.

A twig snapped behind her.

Fiona spun around, her hands already warming with the magic coursing through her veins. Three shadows detached themselves from the darkness between buildings. As they stepped into the light, she recognized Rachelle's angular face and predatory smile.

"Well, if it isn't the little witch who thinks she can play with wolves," Rachelle drawled, flanked by two burly Nightfang members.

"Sorry, my dance card's full tonight." Fiona kept her tone light despite her racing heart. "Maybe try the community center during business hours? I hear they're great with scheduling."

Rachelle's lipscurled into a sneer. "You've got quite the mouth on you. First at Victor's house, now here. Someone needs to teach you your place."

"My place?" Fiona arched an eyebrow. "Let me guess - you had to ask Victor's permission to come threaten me tonight? Talk about knowing your place."

One of Rachelle's companions growled, taking a step forward. Fiona's fingers sparked, tiny flames dancing between them.

"Three against one?" Fiona clicked her tongue. "And here I thought wolves were supposed to be noble creatures. Though I suppose that's just the Eclipsed Moon pack. You Nightfang types are more... what's the word? Ah yes - common."

"You think you're so clever," Rachelle's eyes flashed dangerously. "But you're just Caleb's latest pet project. Once he's done with you, you'll see what happens to outsiders who meddle in pack business."

"Sweetie, if you're trying to scare me, you might want to work on your delivery. Right now you sound like a rejected Mean Girls extra."

Rachelle's face contorted with rage. The two males beside her shifted their weight, muscles tensing beneath their leather jackets. Fiona's magic thrummed beneath her skin, ready to explode into defensive flames at a moment's notice.

"You know what your problem is?" Fiona continued, channeling her inner wedding planner voice - the one she used on particularly difficult mothers-in-law. "You're jealous. Because Caleb's twice the alpha Victor will ever be, and everyone around here knows it."

Fiona barely had time to blink before they shifted into three massive wolves and lunged at her. Her flames burst outward instinctively, creating a barrier between her and snapping jaws. The grey wolf on her left – one of Rachelle's goons – dodged around it with surprising agility.

"Oh, come on," Fiona muttered, ducking under razor-sharp teeth. "I just got this jacket."

She spun awayfrom another attack, her boots sliding on fallen leaves. Fire danced between her fingers as she threw up another wall of flames, but the second wolf was already circling behind her. Their coordinated attacks left her constantly moving, unable to focus her magic properly on any single target.

The largest wolf – Rachelle – slammed into Fiona's side. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs as she hit the concrete. Her head cracked against the sidewalk, making her vision swim. Before she could recover, a heavy paw pressed down on her chest.

Rachelle shifted back to human form, keeping Fiona pinned. Her smile showed too many teeth. "Not so mouthy now, are we?"

"Actually," Fiona wheezed, "I was just thinking how much better you look as a wolf. The whole smug supervillain thing? Not really working for you."

The pressure on her chest increased. "You think you're so special because Caleb lets you hang around? Please." Rachelle leaned closer, her breath hot against Fiona's face. "You're just his latest distraction. A temporary amusement. Once he's done playing house, you'll be yesterday's news."

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