Page 14 of Brick

Jade’s eyes went wide. “I didn’t know vampires shared.”

“Some do. I think most don’t. That goes for shifters in general, I’d say.”

“True.”

While they ate, they talked about the shifter groups in the area. Jade had never heard of so many different kinds in one place, but along with the vampires and Wiccans who also called Northern Ohio home, there were bears, dragons, wolves, tigers, falcons, and white lions.

“There’s a Pegasus in the bear den, his name is Atlas, and there are also a few scattered around, like a panther who works for the vampires, and there’s the vampire club house band that has a wolf, a panther, and a falcon.”

“The vampires must like shifters. I thought they liked our blood too much to have us hang around.”

“They can control themselves,” she said. “It’s a common misconception.”

“I’ve never been around a vampire. Or much more than wolves, honestly. Northern Ohio is eye-opening.”

“I’m your first fallen angel too, huh?”

“Yep.”

“Well, you started with the best. What can I say?”

Jade felt a little lighter in her heart as they chatted about shifters and other supernaturals. Her wolf wanted to go to the wolf pack and meet with the alphas, and the fear that had been nagging her wasn’t quite so profound since Evelyn had reached out.

Thank goodness Evelyn had helped out in the first place. Otherwise, Jade might have found herself in an arranged mating to that dangerous male.

No longer bound by the whims of her alpha, Jade was free to make her own choices.

And she was choosing to see what the Thorn Hollow Pack was like.

“I thought you weren’t nervous anymore,” Alli said.

Jade stared at the big house that belonged to Adam and Cinder Beaumont and chewed on her thumbnail. “I’m not.”

“Liar.”

“Okay, I wasn’t as nervous after reading Evelyn’s message, but I’m still a little nervous. They’re alphas!”

“Yeah, and good people.”

“You keep saying that.”

“It’s true. But you won’t know until you get out of my car.”

“Fine.” She inhaled deeply and then exhaled sharply. Opening the door, she stepped free of the convertible and shut the door, taking a moment to scent the air. It smelled heavily of the woods and summer heat. And wolves. Plenty of them.

The Thorn Hollow Pack had over a hundred members, and Adam had been alpha for a long time. According to Alli, he and his mate Cinder lived in the home with his parents and several high ranked males. The three-story house was huge on all fronts, with a manicured front yard. It looked inviting and intimidating all at the same time.

Her heart thudded suddenly, and she rubbed it with her fingers.

Her wolf was acting up again and had been vocal since they hit the road after lunch.

She wished her wolf could talk, but all the beast could really do was give her feelings and intuition. And she was definitely feeling something. Like the place she was supposed to be was here, in Thorn Hollow.

But for what reason?

The front door opened, and a male stood in the doorway. She didn’t have to be introduced to know he was the alpha. He just had the vibe. Powerful, authoritative.

“Hello, Alli,” he said, his voice deep and rich. “And you must be Jade.”

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