Seaside Wolf Pack, Tome 3: Finding the Power Within

Chapter 1

Anna

I woke up disoriented and alone in the darkness. There was nothing but stillness around me - no scents, no sounds- it was almost as if I were in a vacuum. I started to panic when I couldn’t see anything around me in the darkness, but then the familiar sight of my room in Austin’s house slowly faded into view. The room itself was still mostly empty – I only had a bed and a nightstand. But just the familiar sight of the plain walls was comforting.

I shook my head in confusion, trying to clear out whatever cobwebs must have been cloaking all of my senses. I could see all the familiar items in my room now, and I felt silly for worrying. I was lying on top of my blankets instead of under them, which seemed odd. I ran my hands over the familiar bedding to comfort myself.

I turned my head slowly, examining my room with scrutiny. Everything seemed like it was in its place, but I felt a sense of wrongness. Something was not right here.

I rolled off the bed and stood cautiously, extending all of my senses. At first, I could not pick up any scents. But the moment I thought about what my room should smell like, I could suddenly pick up on the subtle scents that made this my home. That was very strange. Had I hit my head? Why were all of my senses delayed?

There was still nothing but silence in my room. I couldn’t remember what sounds were usually in the house, but there was always something. The silence felt like a heavy weight, pressing down on me. I took a deep breath and started to head for the door. I’m sure Austin would have answers for this.

I hesitated with my hand on the door handle and looked back towards my windows. The windows reflected only my own image back to me, I couldn’t see out. Have they always been like that? What time of the night was it?

The questions faded from my mind and I couldn’t remember why I had hesitated at the door at all. I wanted to go find Austin.

I turned the handle and stepped out into the hall. The hallway stretched out in both directions as far as I could see. Doors lined the hallway far into the distance and I felt the sense of wrongness tugging at me again.

I turned to the right and walked down the hall, almost as if another power was pulling me in that direction. With each step I took I felt more confident that I was going the right way, why had I ever doubted myself?

I stopped in front of a heavy oak door with a metal door handle in the shape of a snarling wolf. I just knew Austin was on the other side of this door, waiting for me. I struggled to push the heavy door open, but it felt like the door was fighting me as if it were consciously trying to keep me out. The harder I pushed, the more determined I was to get in there. I needed to see Austin.

I stopped to take a breath, and the door quietly opened in front of me. Austin was watching me from behind his desk with cold eyes. I studied him carefully as I entered the room, trying to get a feel for what was going on.

His muscular form was impeccably dressed, as always, in a dark suit and red tie. His dark blond hair was styled as if he had just stepped off a photoshoot for GQ. But he watched me approach without a word of welcome, his face stony and his blue eyes icy.

I swallowed nervously. Had I done something to make him upset with me? I thought back to what happened earlier today, but my mind was blank. I didn’t even remember going to bed.

I frowned, but the question fled my mind as Austin stood and walked towards me. I reflexively stepped back as Austin stalked me, menace rolling off him in waves.

“I told you I never wanted to see your face again,” he growled hostilely.

I gasped in surprise and looked up at him with wide eyes as he came closer. Austin had never treated me this way before. Even when he was angry I had never felt truly threatened.

“Why aren’t you gone?” he demanded as he stalked me.

I had taken more steps back without realizing it, and my back was now pressed against the door. He slammed his hands on either side of my head, caging me in between his arms as he stared into my eyes.

There was no warmth, no kindness to be found there. In his eyes I only saw hatred.

“I…I…” I stammered, utterly at a loss. My heart was pounding and I felt a bead of cold sweat drip down my back. This wasn’t the Austin that I knew and loved. This was someone else, a monster.