The Greystone Ridge Pack Series

ALICE

The wolf was back in my dreams. I just couldn’t shake it off.

The trip up here was as chaotic as I’d expected. Tammy and Bella bickered the whole way, while Cassie played peacemaker. I stayed out of it; they didn’t need my two cents.

After Bella got us lost for the second time, I drifted off, convinced we’d never get there.

I was just starting to wake up when the girls announced our arrival. A smile tugged at my lips as Bella squealed with delight.

The car came to a stop and I took a moment to myself as they all rushed out, forgetting about me. My heart pounded with excitement, but it wasn’t about the vacation.

I opened my eyes to find a man staring at me. His eyes were a deep hazel and I took in his ruggedly handsome face, framed by a few days’ worth of stubble.

A surge of electricity coursed through me, making my body hum. He stood there, frozen, as if he was as taken aback as I was. I blinked a few times, wondering if I was dreaming, then swallowed.

My throat was parched. I tore my gaze away from him long enough to grab the water bottle next to me.

His presence shifted beside me. The others emerged, giggling, and I decided to stretch my legs before we continued on.

As I got out, the others were ogling the mystery man. I downed the water, groaning in relief as it soothed my dry throat.

“Oh, you are alive.” Tammy chuckled, sashaying over to me. She was putting on a show for the man, who was still staring at me. She tossed her hair and bit her lip.

I rolled my eyes at her and the man smirked. A wave of excitement and desire washed over me. I tried to suppress any reaction, but crossing my legs didn’t help.

“Linda should have given you a map. If you follow this main road up and take the fourth track on your right-hand side, it will lead you to your cabin,” the man finally said, his chest rising and falling.

“It is clearly signed. If you have any problems while you are here, there is a phone in the cabin and you will be able to reach someone anytime.” He blinked and I saw a flash of amber in his eyes.

“Thank you,” Bella said, beaming at him. But he didn’t look away from me, and I felt a growing heat between my legs. “Come on, let’s go.” Everyone piled back into the car.

I was about to get in when a hand landed on mine.

“Don’t go wandering off the tracks when you are here.” He was so close I could feel his breath on my face. I was sure I had a mini orgasm as his fingers brushed over my hand.

“Oh.” It was more of a gasp than anything, and I thought I heard him growl.

He leaned in to speak to the others. “There may be wild animals, especially at night.” He straightened up, his eyes locking onto mine.

“You wouldn’t want to be ravished by a wild beast now, would you?” he murmured, his words seeming to be meant for me. He released my hand and held the door open for me.

The girls were chattering about their plans; I was lost in the man’s gaze. Bella started the car and my door was closed.

He stepped back and I watched him fade into the distance as Bella sped off. Why did he affect me like no one else had before?

“Wow, he was hot. Do you think he runs the place?” Tammy giggled.

“He seemed to know where we were going,” Bella said, keeping her eyes on the road.

We passed the first exit on the right. “He said the fourth exit, didn’t he?” Bella glanced at us in the rearview mirror.

“Yes, the fourth exit,” I murmured, his words still echoing in my ear.

‘You wouldn’t want to be ravished by a wild beast now, would you?’ My heart pounded and a familiar warmth spread through me.

I closed my eyes, picturing his hands roaming my body, his fingertips teasing my nipples.

“Ah!” the girls screamed, and Bella hit the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt.

“Holy shit! Did you see that?” Cassie clung to the dashboard.

“Yeah, that was definitely a wolf.” Bella put a hand over her heart. “Do you think we’ll be safe here?” She turned to look at us.

“The guy said to stick to the tracks; if it was a wolf, then I’m sure it was just crossing the road to go somewhere.” The idea of wolves nearby didn’t faze me.

I’d brought my sketchpad, hoping to draw the scenery.

“Oh, so you were listening to him, not just eye-fucking him!” Tammy snapped at me, and I bristled at her insinuation.

Did she think every guy would fall for her? Cassie was way prettier, but I kept my thoughts to myself.

We were good friends, but as we grew older, Tammy seemed to think she was superior. She was the first to kiss a guy, the first to lose her virginity to Leo Huck, the guy everyone wanted.

It didn’t last, but afterward Tammy acted like she was the queen bee.

“Shut it, Tammy, just because the guy didn’t show you any interest, it doesn’t mean you can lash out at Alice.” Bella’s voice rang out from the front.

I loved Bella. She was outspoken and never held back. The car fell silent. “We are here.” Bella turned onto a gravel track.

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of a beautiful cabin.

Tammy stormed out of the car, slamming the door behind her. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, don’t be so childish.” Bella hopped out and followed Tammy, her heels clicking against the gravel.

Cassie and I decided to let them sort it out. They’d cool down soon enough and things would go back to normal. We began unloading the bags from the trunk, hauling them towards the cabin. “We should get all the food and drinks inside.”

Cassie was the one to unlock the door, Bella having tossed her the key before chasing after Tammy.

“Didn’t that guy warn us about straying from the main paths?” I bit my lower lip, the image of his face popping into my mind, stirring up the same thrill I’d felt earlier.

“Ugh, Tammy can be such a drama queen when she’s upset.” Cassie rolled her eyes and we both shared a laugh.

“I’m going to whip up some pasta for us. I’m starving.” She moved around the kitchen with ease, gathering the ingredients she needed.

I finished unloading the car, deciding that Bella and Tammy could bunk together while Cassie and I took the other room.

Both rooms boasted beautifully carved wooden beds with plush mattresses, each one larger than a standard single bed.

Before long, Bella and Tammy returned. I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing we needed was a disaster within our first hour here.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

Tammy approached me, wrapping me in a hug, which I returned.

“We’re here to have a good time. This is our last hurrah before we all head off to different colleges. I’m sorry, he was cute and he was clearly into you. I got jealous.”

She planted a kiss on my now-flushed cheek.

“Do you think he was into me? It was such a brief encounter,” I mused, not usually one to feel confident around guys.

“He couldn’t take his eyes off you. I swear, at one point, I thought he was going to lean in and kiss you.”

Tammy giggled, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We were back to normal.

“I put your bags in that room over there,” I pointed to the room on the left. “You should check out the beds.”

The stairs and railings were all intricately hand-carved. Bella and Tammy scampered off to inspect their room, and I went to see if Cassie needed any help.

Steam was rising from one of the pots as she stirred a sauce in another. I opened a nearby window, and as I looked out at the surrounding woods, my breath hitched. There, in the distance, was a wolf.