“Skye, I love you. I’ve loved you since the first time I set eyes on you.”
“Milo, you are the man for me. I knew it too from the beginning, though I know I was difficult, I love you more than life itself, and I can’t wait to move into that house with you.”
“Our house.”
* * *
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About the Author
Susan writes paranormal and contemporary romance—steamy and sexy are the way they usually turn out. She’s a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with hot, blow-your-socks-off romance.
She grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania doing a lot of daydreaming. It’s no big surprise that she writes romance stories, since many nights as a child she would lay awake fantasizing about her knight in shining armor.
Her wild imagination sparked her first story at the age of twelve; a story that her sixth grade teacher adopted for the class play that year. Having never achieved fame and fortune for that play, she attempted life the normal way with other activities, such as, working as a food lab technician, bartender, and cell phone repair technician, soccer coach, and a mom.
Now she lives in Northern California with a gorgeous view of Folsom Lake from her office where she stills spends a lot of time daydreaming. She loves to drink wine and fortunately there are several local wineries close by. Together, she and her modern day knight have five great superhero kids and nine mini-superhero grandkids, so far. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family drinking wine and dancing.
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Grimm
Elaine Barris
Prologue
Grimm sat on his haunches, listening to the sounds of the forest around him. A breeze rustled the leaves in the tall trees as he stared upwards at the thousands of bright, twinkling stars. He huffed out a breath and the exhale rose as steam in the frigid air. Motion at his side caught his attention, and he watched as a spotted owl took flight, sailing through the night on its wings until, even with his enhanced vision, he couldn’t see it anymore.
He rose to standing and, lifting his muzzle, he howled, loud and long. It echoed out into the distance, carrying his voice for miles. Listening intently, he waited for a reply to tell him others of his kind were near. None came, and he was glad of it.
After another moment, he took off at a full run, his paws pounding and tearing the earth underfoot in large clumps of dirt. He dashed around a boulder, heading for a nearby stream. He quickened his pace as he neared it, and when he reached the edge, launched himself upwards, sailing over the water, to land on the opposite side. Not slowing a bit, he sped higher into the woods towards the cavern, the space he’d chosen many years ago as his resting spot.
He recalled when he’d located that place during his exploration of the woods. He’d known that it would be perfect for him, whether he was in his wolf or human form, and had settled there safely away from any predators or the prying eyes of any of his people.
Coming to the cliff, he again jumped, clambering quickly up its side, using his claws to dig into the wall and haul himself to the top. Once there, he plodded inside, sniffing and sensing that the fire he’d started earlier had lessened to smoky embers.
He transformed to stand on two legs and went to the rear of the cave. He gathered a bundle of wood, and then returned to toss it into the circle of stones, and then added more kindling. Soon, the flames stretched outwards, warming the area.
He walked to the edge of the opening and sat with his long legs dangling out of the overhang as he looked over the forest that was illuminated by the light of the glowing moon. He sighed in contentment, wondering what adventure the next day would bring. The forest had revealed many of its secret and beautiful places to him, but he was certain there were more to be encountered, and he looked forward to finding each one.
Grimm had chosen this solitary existence away from his pack.
The mountains were his home, and he hoped to never live in Dark Moon Falls again.
Chapter One
A Year Later
Grimm stretched out over his bed and reviewed the prior day’s near catastrophe. He’d told the man when he scheduled the excursion that the hike he wanted to book wasn’t for the faint of heart and required quite a bit of stamina. But, despite the guy’s obvious lack of athleticism and protests of his wife, he’d decided he wanted to take a go at the most difficult trail up the mountains.
It had turned out exactly how Grimm thought it would.
He groused, “I should’ve let him fall.”
But if he hadn’t saved the idiot, Jeremiah, one of the park rangers, would’ve been pissed. As it stood, once he’d carried the guy back to the ranger station to get his cuts treated and ankle wrapped, Jeremiah had chewed Grimm out, in front of the guy no less, and then reported the incident to Elias.
Grimm groaned and placed his hand over his face as he thought about the meeting Elias had slated with him later that morning. Despite his desire to escape to the mountains where he belonged—and considered his home away from home—there was no way that Grimm could avoid a sit-down with his Alpha.
Growing up in Dark Moon Falls hadn’t been easy for Grimm and, as a result, he’d been drawn away to the snowy peaks. Eventually, his mom had given up trying to keep him in town amongst those his age. The older he grew, the more reclusive he’d become, until Elias put his foot down months ago.
“You’re pack,” he’d said to Grimm. “You have to learn what that means and stop this lone wolf existence. I told your mom I was coming for you. She asked me not to, but this situation has gone on long enough, and it’s going to end. You refuse to tell me why you chose to live your life away from your people. I don’t know if your mother abused you—“
Grimm had interrupted Elias immediately.
“No. She never raised a hand to me. She loves me.”
“That’s what she said when I asked her, but she wouldn’t share the reason you ran away either.”
“I didn’t tell her why until recently.”
“Wait. So you just let her think whatever horrible scenario she came up with about why you left?”
“Not intentionally.”
“Hold on. You’ve visited her?”
“All the time.”
“She didn’t offer up that information.”
“I didn’t want her to and asked her to keep that to herself.”
“That explains your scent being as fresh in her home as it was. It was faint, but it was there.”
“Why are you making me go back somewhere I don’t want to be?”
“We rely on each other and, whether you like it or not, you’re going to need us at some point in the future. I promise that you will, and when it happens, who will you turn to for help?”
Grimm shru
gged, “I’m friends with Ryder.”
“Really? How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”
He looked askance, not wanting to answer the question.
Then Elias revealed, “Did you know he’s mated?”
“Ummm…”
“I figured as much.” Elias jabbed his finger into Grimm’s chest. “You get your ass into town, go visit Ryder, meet his mate, Kiera, and figure out how to integrate your lifestyle with ours. Got it?”
Grimm nodded and, after giving his beloved home in the hills a backwards glance, followed Elias to his childhood residence. When he saw it, memories, mostly bad, flooded his mind. He glanced at his hands which were marked and scarred for a different reason than they had been in his youth. The coppery flavor of blood flowed into his mouth, and he heaved deep inhales and exhales until it disappeared.
As they neared, his mother opened the door and, when she was able, pulled him into an embrace. Once she let him go, she placed her hands on the sides of his face and peered into his eyes.
“I tried to tell Elias to leave you alone.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I figured this would happen sooner or later. Thanks for covering for me for as long as you did.”
Elias, who had been standing back, came up to the porch. “I’m here to help with anything you need, Grimm. I’m a call away.”
In a rush of words, his mom said, “Thank you, Alpha. We’ll reach out if we need to.”
Elias approached his mom and gestured to the floor. “Grimm’s to stay here, Nora. I don’t care what excuse he gives you for wanting to leave. He needs to acclimate to being with us. We’re his family and we care about him.”
Wanting everyone to stop talking about him as if he wasn’t there, Grimm said, “I understand what the rules are. I’ll figure everything else out.”
He went past his mom, entered the house, and went to the kitchen. From there, he heard Elias take his leave, and his mother shut the door, sealing his fate.
After a few days, he called his friend.
Ryder answered, “Hello?”
“Hey.”
“Is this who I think it is?”
“Yeah, it’s me, Grimm. How’d you know?”
“Elias told me he was going to go get you and to expect you to reach out to catch up.”
Grimm sighed, “Well, he did.”
“Where are you at?”
“At my mom’s, going stir-crazy.”
Ryder laughed.
“I bet she’s thrilled you’re back.”
At that moment, his mother set a steaming bowl of soup in front of him with a spoon and napkin. With eyes full of love, she gazed down at him where he sat. Cupping her hand under his chin, she turned him to face her and whispered, “I love you, my boy. I’m so happy you’re home.” She then wandered back into the kitchen.
Grimm dipped the utensil into the broth, smelling the delicious scent of his favorite comfort food, one that he’d missed after he’d run away, but she served him when he came to visit her. He lifted the spoon and sniffed it before saying, “She keeps shoving food at me, like I haven’t eaten in forever.”
“How long has it been since she’s seen you?”
“Just a couple of months.”
“Huh? What’d you do, sneak back to see her and then escape again without letting anyone else know you were here?”
“Pretty much.”
“Have you been into town? It’s changed since you left.”
“No, not yet.”
“Hey. Why don’t you meet me tomorrow at Delight’s Diner?”
Grimm remained silent at the thought of seeing the townspeople that he hadn’t been around in such a long time. What would their reaction be? He wasn’t the same small pup they remembered. Grimm was tall, with broad shoulders and piercing dark eyes that reflected his wolf more than the man. Would his presence unsettle them, or would they welcome him? Either way, Grimm didn’t have a choice in the matter. Elias had made his command crystal clear.
Ryder coughed, prompting Grimm to reply.
“What time?”
“Eleven.”
“Alright. See you then.”
Grimm hung up the phone, and then cupped the bowl, lifting it to his lips to drink deeply until the soup was gone.
“Mom?”
“Yes, Grimm?”
“Can I have some more?”
Chapter Two
A knock at the door sounded as Grimm pulled his forest green t-shirt over his head. He slicked back his hair, wet from his shower, and glanced in the mirror for a second.
As he stomped towards the home’s entrance, Grimm called out, “I’ll get it, Mom.”
From the kitchen came clangs of pots and pans, and she replied, “Alright!”
He grabbed the knob, twisting as he asked, “Who is it?”
“Ryder.”
Grimm swung the door open to see his friend. Ryder stepped inside and clasped Grimm in a tight hug. Ryder smacked him on his back before releasing him.
“You look good!”
Grimm laughed. “What’d you think you’d find? Me as a half-wolf and half-human?”
Ryder didn’t answer the question, but instead asked, “Are you ready?”
“I thought you said to meet you there?”
“I did, but then thought it’d be nice to walk to town together.”
Grimm grinned at Ryder. “Okay, but I’m not holding your hand.”
“Are you going somewhere, Grimm?” his mother asked from the doorway of the kitchen. Her eyes were wide as if she thought her son was going to run away to the woods again. It was a look he’d seen many times and was burned into his brain. He hated the pain he’d caused her, but he’d done what he felt was right for him.
Softening his voice, Grimm went to where she stood. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Just to eat with Ryder, Mom. I’ll be back.”
Ryder interjected, “I promise I’ll bring him home, Mrs. Whitlock.”
She nodded. “You come back with him, Ryder. I’ll send some cakes and pies home for you and your Kiera.”
The men walked out the door, shutting it behind them.
Ryder gestured the direction they were to go. “This way.”
“I remember where town is.”
While they traversed the route to Dark Moon Falls, Ryder pointed out things that had changed in Grimm’s absence. As they passed the clothing store, Dazzles, Grimm heard a wolf’s howl, and he twisted his head towards the faint sound.
His chest rumbled at the unfamiliar shifter in the vicinity, and Ryder placed his hand on Grimm’s forearm to stop him from taking any action, saying, “It’s fake.”
“Why are they playing that?”
Ryder shrugged, “Felicity’s customers from out of town love it. You know, the whole shifter experience. Let’s keep going.”
As they continued, pack members began coming outside of the shops or stopped in their tracks when they saw him, gathering and murmuring amongst themselves as they threw glances towards Grimm.
Under his breath, Ryder murmured, “Here we go.”
“What do you think they’re going to do?”
A second later and Grimm found out as the crowd rushed towards him, calling his name. Some of the older women touched his arms and reached up to feel his face, while the men clapped his back or shook his hand.
An elderly female shouted as she drew Grimm into her arms, “Welcome home!” She backed up a step, and then went on. “You’re staying this time, right? With your pack! Where you belong!”
Grimm nodded, not sure of what else he should do or say to her. He hadn’t expected the reaction he was receiving; he’d suspected that many of them had forgotten him altogether.
A smack to the back of his head brought him around to see a short woman staring up at him in anger.
“Ow! Why’d you do that?”
“Your mother missed you! What were you thinking leaving her alone for this long after your father died?”
The crow
d quieted at her shriek, and their attention focused on Grimm, some a bit harder, others appearing shocked at what had just occurred.
Directing his words to the woman, Grimm told her, “With respect, you don’t know the full story. Call her. If she wants to share it with you, then that’s her choice.”
“Enough questions,” Ryder said. “You can interrogate him more later, if you want. I’m taking him to eat. Give the man some room.”
After extricating himself from the group, Grimm followed Ryder silently the rest of the way to Delight’s Diner, where they took a seat at the rear away from the windows.
The owner bustled over, holding a pen in one hand and a notepad in her other.
When she arrived, Grimm greeted her. “Hi, Delight.”
Cocking her hip to the side, Delight looked at him in his face.
“Oh, my goodness! Is that you, Grimm?”
He nodded, scooted from the seat, and stood to give her a short embrace.
Holding him on his forearms, her eyes filled with tears as she looked him over.
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! You’re all grown up now. You’re so big, Grimm!” She wiped her cheeks. “How tall are you?”
Touched by her unexpected reaction, his voice was soft when he replied, “Six foot three.”
“Well, sit back down! Make yourself comfortable. Whatever you want to have is on the house, boy! What can I get you? How about a cheeseburger?”
Grimm did as she said, sliding into the booth again. “That sounds good.”
“With bacon? How about a double patty?”
“Do you still make those special French fries?”
“Extra crispy with bacon, cheese, and sour cream on top?”
“Yeah.”
“I sure do!” Delight rushed off, calling out, “Henry! We’ve got a special order!”
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 2 Page 69
