by Tasha Black
She took her place just inside the door.
“Do you remember where the arrow was pointing?”
“Yes, right at me.”
“So it seemed,” Julian said. “Look behind you.”
They all turned to the chest behind her - the gigantic one with the wolf inlays she’d brought out of the attic. She still didn’t have a key for it.
“Did you move that chest?” Julian asked.
“Yes, it was in the attic. I moved it here. Then someone took it out of the house and put it right back here again.”
“Your mother must have put a spell on it to avoid location. You disturbed it by moving the chest out of the attic. That’s why my spell worked that day. May I open it?”
“I don’t have a key.”
Julian raised an eyebrow at her, then waved his hand.
The lock opened immediately of its own accord.
All three wolves took a step back.
Julian smiled.
“I told you locks don’t present much of a problem for me.”
He opened the chest and removed an old, leather bound book.
There was something repugnant about it, but Ainsley couldn’t figure out what it was.
Erik reached out a hand to touch the cover.
“Is that…?”
“Wolfskin.”
Erik drew back in disgust.
“What the hell kind of book is this?” he demanded.
Julian appeared to be choosing his words carefully.
“You know that wolves are naturally resistant to magic, yes?” He waited until Ainsley nodded before continuing. “This book is full of spells that work on wolves.”
Erik and Cressida exchanged nervous glances.
“Your mother taught me the one I used on you to stop your change. But that is just the beginning. There are spells that will kill a wolf, control a wolf, even take someone’s wolf away, permanently.”
Ainsley couldn’t help but think what that information might have meant to her younger self. Hell, what it would’ve meant to her a week ago. But things were different now.
“Why don’t we just burn it?” Cressida asked.
“Because there are people out there who know how to do this already,” Julian replied. “Ainsley’s parents thought this book might be our way to understand the magic, and fight it.”
“What are you saying?” asked Ainsley.
“There are people looking for this book, Ainsley. People a good deal more competent than your sheriff friend. Bad people. You need to be prepared for them.” His sparkling blue eyes locked on hers. “And I am the only one who can prepare you.”
Thanks for reading Curse of the Alpha!
Read Fate of the Alpha, a steamy new adventure set in Tarker’s Hollow. An unexpected romance blossoms, friendships are tested, and an ancient evil threatens everything.
Afterword
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Also by Tasha Black
Available for Preorder:
Fate of the Alpha:
Ainsley Connor has the perfect life – she’s the first female alpha of her pack, and has the ideal mate to share it with. Best of all, she’s finally come home to the unusual college town where she grew up.
If only she didn’t have a band of evil warlocks hunting her down for a magical tome she has no idea how to use...
Julian Magie is the warlock that betrayed Ainsley and broke her heart. He also happens to be the only man with the knowledge she needs to master the magic inside her.
Can Ainsley learn to trust him before it’s too late?
Available Now:
Winter Heat:
Set in Bella Andre’s Game for Love world, Winter Heat is the story of a young artist that falls for a bad-boy snowboarder with a dark secret. If think you know enough about me by now to take a guess at the secret, you might be surprised!
