Insider (Outsider Series)

by Micalea Smeltzer

  “Are we going to have enough room for all the dogs?”

  Caeden frowned. “We’ll have to stick our bags on top of the cages.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” I buckled up.

  Chris was at Bentley’s house so we only had to make one stop. We had to maneuver things around a bit but we managed to fit the three large dog cages in the trunk with our bags.

  “You guys hungry?” asked Caeden.

  “Starving,” said Bentley.

  “McDonalds?”

  “That’s fine,” Chris said.

  “Yeah,” said Bentley.

  “You okay with that?” Caeden glanced at me.

  “I’m cool with whatever.”

  He turned into the drive thru and ordered enough food to feed fifteen people. I only hoped it was enough.

  Caeden paid and grabbed the food, plopping it in my lap. I took our food and handed the rest to Bentley and Chris.

  I handed Caeden a biscuit and hash brown.

  “Can you put a napkin on my lap? I don’t want to get crumbs all over me.”

  “Sure,” I grabbed a napkin, fluffed it open, and spread it across his lap.

  “Thanks.”

  We ate and talked, and then turned on the radio and sang along.

  It was an almost five hour drive but went by surprisingly fast. Caeden pulled into the driveway of a beachfront property. It had a two-car garage, full front deck on the second floor, and it was three levels. The front was a mix of stone and medium blue siding. It was fairly large, more than enough room for all of us.

  “Home sweet home,” Caeden sighed, turning off the car.

  I climbed out and let Archie down.

  Caeden opened the trunk and put all our suitcases on the ground before helping the dogs out. The three large dogs stretched their stiff muscles. We’d stopped and let them walk a couple of times but it just hadn’t been enough to satisfy the large familiars.

  We let the dogs run around for a bit before we headed inside.

  The house was decorated in calming whites, beiges, and gold’s, with hints of teal. The floor was white washed and covered in different rugs to add softness. The walls were painted an off white and the couch, a large sectional, was also white but dotted with teal pillows and throws. The open kitchen was done in black cabinets with white countertops that had flecks of sea glass in it.

  “This house is beautiful,” I told Caeden.

  “I’m glad you like it. Just hang here for a second. I’m going to show Bentley and Chris their room.”

  He took them down the hallway and I could hear him pointing out where different things were located.

  Caeden came back down and grabbed both of our suitcases. “And our room is upstairs,” he grinned.

  “Oooh, does that mean more privacy?” I followed him up the steps.

  “It does,” he looked back at me and grinned. The dogs happily followed us. Caeden opened a set of doors. “Tada!”

  “Wow,” I breathed.

  The room was huge, obviously the master, and decorated much like the rest of the house. The bedspread was a sand color and so fluffy I just wanted to fall face first on it. The carpet was so plush under my feet that I was tempted to kick my flip-flops off and scrunch my toes in it.

  The walls were papered in a damask pattern that reflect gold depending on how the light hit it. The furniture, a large armoire, end tables, and a dresser, were all off white. Teal vases were scattered about.

  A settee was placed in front of the bed and that’s where I plopped myself.

  “I can’t believe you guys own this,” I gasped, in awe.

  Caeden sat down beside me and the dogs hopped up on the bed. Murphy flicked his long tongue out and licked Caeden’s ear.

  Caeden’s right leg began to bounce, a sure sign of nervousness.

  “Caeden?”

  He turned to me; his blue eyes were pale and scared. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “What?” I asked, my brow furrowing in wonder.

  “I didn’t kill Travis. He’s alive.”

  Epilogue. Travis.

  I marched into the house, pushing the door open with enough force that the hinges cracked.

  Thanks to Caeden’s pack mine was dead. And silly, silly, Caeden had thought he’d taken care of me. He should’ve known I wouldn’t go down that easy. I just gave him a vacant eyed stare, made a last gurgling breath, and feigned death. The dumb ass hadn’t even bothered to stay behind to see if I reverted to my human form, as all shifters do when they die. But Caeden’s stupidity didn’t transfer to his pack. They killed Hannah and Robert, eliminating my pack, but I still had the older wolves.

  I smirked.

  Older wolves meant more experience.

  I stepped into the living room where they were gathered. I slid my sunglasses into my pockets, crossed my arms over my chest, and smirked. I was dressed in jeans, t-shirt, and a leather jacket despite the summer weather.

  “Travis,” growled Jack. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m your Alpha. I have a plan to eliminate Caeden and his pack once and for all.”

  My plan was perfect. Nothing could foil it. Caeden and his pack wouldn’t know what hit them when I released my creations on them.

  Mary stood up, her mousy brown hair fanned around her head. “We’ve been talking,” she started, her voice shaking and her eyes averted to the ground.

  “Without me?” I frowned. “I’m hurt,” I added sarcastically.

  “We won’t follow you,” she said, now looking into my eyes. Her voice was stronger, louder.

  “Excuse me?” I snapped. “You are my pack! I am Alpha! You do as I say!” I yelled and pointed at my chest.

  “Not anymore,” Jack said in that irritating gravelly voice of his. I wanted to rip out his throat and then his wild gray hair.

  “We renounce you as Alpha and as a part of our pack. You’re on your own now Travis,” Lewis said.

  “No, no,” I said in disbelief. But I could feel it, their presence leaving me, and soon I was completely empty.

  “You have ten seconds to get out of my house before I kill you,” Jack said. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two-”

  I ran.

  My clothes burst from my skin as I transformed form man to beast.

  The forest floor thumped beneath my feet.

  I ran and ran and ran.

  This was bad.

  So bad.

  This wasn’t supposed to go this way.

  But then a thought struck me like lightning.

  This was good.

  So, so, good.

  A lone wolf is a more powerful wolf.

  They’re stronger, more aggressive, and far more dangerous.

  Yes, this was a very good thing.

  And most importantly, I didn’t have anything to lose.

  The third book in the Outsider Series is expected to release in March 2013.

  Check my blog for regular updates on what I’m working on and just general randomness. (like extras!) http://micaleasmeltzer.blogspot.com/

  You can also like my facebook author page for book news and you can always friend me.

  And you can follow my twitter.

  @msmeltzer9793

  Feel free to email me at msmeltzer9793@gmail.com

  I hope you enjoyed Insider!

  Keep turning the page for an exclusive look at the first chapter of Destiny of Silis by Sydney Proctor.

  Acknowledgements

  First, I want to thank my amazing Mawmaw for putting up with me and my constant writer babble and shrieks of, “Leave me alone! I’m writing! Remember, angry bear in a cave!” I’m surprised she didn’t kick my grumpy butt out. Haha. I love you so much MawMaw!

  Thank you to my mom and dad for not thinking I was a crazy person for wanting to write. And thank you for not lecturing me to, insert snippy voice, “Go to college and get a real job.” Your support means the world to me; you have no idea. I love you both! (And mo
m! You better have read these books by now or I’m coming over there!) Haha.

  Thank you to my cousin Britni who has been so supportive of my writing endeavors! Thank you for believing in me when a lot of people didn’t. I hope I get to see you sometime soon since I haven’t seen you since I was in like… 1st grade. I’m sure I had missing teeth. I promise, they’re all here now!

  Thank you to my brothers Noah and Hunter. Wait… why am I thanking you? Do you two even know I write books? Never mind. I unthank you.

  Thank you to my aunt Janiece and uncle David for being so supportive of my writing. It means so much to me!

  Thank you to my best friend Shelby who hates to read but read Outsider in just a few days. I was shocked. Haha. I’m so happy you loved it (and Caeden) and that I have your support. Now let’s go to Five Guys. ;)

  Thank you to my amazing fans! All of you are wonderful and I love hearing from you! Reading your emails and comments makes my day! You’re the greatest! In particular I want to thank my DJs Emily and Brianna. You both suggested some awesome music. (Brianna suggested what became the Insider ‘theme song’, Never far Away by Rush of Fools. I love it!) I also want to thank Kathryn for being so sweet and asking how Inside was going and if I was well. Thank you to Megan for your enthusiasm about the Outsider Series and for your love of dogs. (Thank the lord I’m not the only crazy dog lady, haha) All your support really means a lot to me, not just the people I named, but all my fans. Thank you!

  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  (Especially to everyone who had to put up with my grumpy bear attitude, you’re a saint)

  And lastly, all I want to say is:

  Once a warrior, always a warrior.

  Destiny of Silis

  Sydney Proctor

  What if your friends told you they weren't human. That you weren't human. Dmitri has only liked one girl, Maia Vicks. Maia has only liked one guy, Dmitri Marcal. So when Maia and Dmitri find out they're not human, that they have to lead a race of people, they wonder what else has been a lie. Danger is on the way and they have to decide whether to face it- or run and they have a destiny to fulfill.

  The Destiny Of Silis

  Sydney Proctor

  This is for all the authors out there who have inspired me such as J.C Isabella. To all my friends, but more specifically Katie. You listened to me chatter away about this book and more importantly you read it and told me what you thought.

  Chapter One

  Dmitri

  Maia Vicks. Her long brown hair and big blue eyes stopped me dead in my tracks. It was the first day of my senior year and Maia happened to be in my gym class. I had known Maia since freshman year though I hadn’t really talked to her because I couldn’t build up the nerve. The one time I had talked to her was junior year when she dropped her books and I helped her pick them up muttering ‘you’re welcome’ when she said thanks. I seem to only get nervous when I’m around her or thinking about her which tended to be a lot recently.

  “Dmitri! It’s rude to stare dude. I know she’s the only reason you don’t date,” My best friend Marcus had said. He was right though. In all honesty I didn’t date anyone because I cared for Maia too much even though we didn’t associate.

  “Sorry. Wait!” I said as realization dawned on me. “How do you know I like her?”

  He smirked. “Everyone knows it except her. It’s pretty obvious when you stare at her all the time.”

  “Well I’m glad you decided to tell me,” I said with a smartass tone.

  We headed off to the locker rooms, which didn’t smell like sweat which was nice but I knew would change. Five minutes later Marcus and I walked out the rooms and headed to the upper gym. Since it was the first day of gym everyone who had gym this period would head to the upper gym to be paired with one of the two coaches. When Marcus and I sat on the bleachers I immediately searched for Maia. When I spotted her I noticed she was wearing a sky blue shirt and a pair of shorts that sure too small to have me feel at ease. Her long tan legs were stretched out on the bleachers in front of her when I was hit in the back of the head by Marcus. “You’re staring again. Please tell me this is the year you build up the nerve to ask her out .” “I can’t even talk to her! Plus, I bet you she doesn’t even know I exist.” This, I was pretty sure was true. Though we had talked that one time I bet she didn’t remember me now.

  “If you don’t ask her out now someone else will and you’ll be pissed you didn’t ask her first.” I opened my mouth to continue our conversation when I heard my name being called.

  “Dmitri Marcal you will be with Coach Wilder.”

  Maia

  I was on the bleachers nervously awaiting my gym teacher fate. I felt a pair of eyes burning a hole in the back of my head but didn’t turn around. “Maia Vicks please join Dmitri Marcal with Coach Wilder.” Wait, did she just say Dmitri? Of course she did. I got up on my legs that seemed to be made of rubber at the time and walked over to my new coach. After everyone was divided to be in our assigned groups for the year we headed out to the track. Luckily, I was a good runner and I didn’t sweat. I set off at a smooth and easy paced jog, thinking about Dmitri. You see I had, well have had a crush on him since freshman year. His jet black hair and bright green eyes made me like him even more. I’m shy so I haven’t really worked up the nerve but I believe that if we had talked I’m sure we would get along. If he talked to me I don’t think I’d be shy at all- it’s just getting up the nerve to start talking. All of a sudden I’m on the grass and something, no someone is on top of me.

  “Oh my God I’m so sorry!” When I opened my eyes I noticed it was Dmitri. He rolled off of me.

  “It’s ok. Just what happened?” I asked curiously.

  “Well since the school is too cheap to repave the track properly I tripped over the uneven parts.” I laughed and so did he. I couldn’t help it because what he said was absolutely true.

  “Yeah, you’re definitely right about that!” I was trying to grasp the fact that Dmitri was previously on top of me and we’re now talking like old friends. He stood up and stretched his hand out to me. I stared at his hand awhile before grabbing it. When I stood next to him I realized he was taller than me, he was about 6’1”. I’m pretty sure I looked stupid staring at him and probably looked really small compared to him since I was only 5’7”. I looked away and started to jog. I heard Dmitri behind me. “Hey, wait up!”

  “Um...hi?” I definitely sounded stupid now. I wasn’t asking a question. “Hey. I’m Dmitri. I’m really sorry about falling on you.” “I know who you are and by the way I accept your multiple apologies.” He looked surprised a minute before recovering.

  Dmitri

  The fact that Maia knew my name was very surprising. Then again I knew her name but she was beautiful. “You’re Maia right?” It was her turn to look surprised. Every guy knew who she was because of her athletic ability and her looks. “Yeah...I guess I am Maia.”

  “Are you saying you don’t know your own name?” “Oh believe me I know my name I’m just shocked you knew it.” “Well Maia it seems to me I owe you. After all you did cushion my fall.” I truly hoped this worked. I knew that if I wanted any kind of relationship with her she should at least get to know me.

  “I’m glad you survived though you don’t owe me anything.”

  “Oh but I do. How about I take you out to lunch today?” I was wishing she’d say yes but I didn’t want to freak her out. The closer I got to her the more I noticed how good she smelt. She smelt like coconut and vanilla.

  “Um, ok I guess.”

  “Great I’ll meet you at your locker.” She agreed and jogged ahead of me. Marcus jogged up to me shortly after. He smiled at me knowingly. “You were all over her. Literally.”

  “I tripped over the crappy pavement but if it makes you happy I asked her out to lunch.”

  “You, Dmitri Marcal asked out Maia Vicks?” I smiled. “Yeah I did.” He smiled at me and we jogged the rest of the way silently. Where was I going t
o take her? McDonalds was too cheap and the 99 was too fancy so I settled on chinese food at a new restaurant that opened up. I was going to have a relationship with Maia whether it was as friends or as something more- starting with today.

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