“They said it was one of those stray dogs people keep seeing in the park,” a woman whispered. “She’s lucky to be alive. The thing had actually started eating her.”

I opened my eyes. It wasn’t easy. My lids were heavy and clung to each other, but I finally managed to flutter them open.

“Hey, sis. You’re awake. How are you feeling?” George was sitting in the high-back faux leather hospital chair, and he looked like crap. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was pushed up in back like he’d been sleeping where he sat.

“What . . .” My voice cracked, my throat burning. I swallowed the dry stickiness in my mouth and tried again at a whisper. “What happened?”

George scooted to the edge of his seat, closer to the side of the bed. He glanced up at the IV line and I followed his look, noticing the monitor behind it tracking my heart and blood pressure. The rhythmic beep seemed louder suddenly, but I liked it.

“We were hoping you’d tell us,” he said. “Who attacked you, Kate?”

“Marcus,” I croaked. “Wanted to kill me.”

“Marcus? Why?”

“Stop Jack from being alpha.” I closed my eyes, the words scraping my throat raw. The world pulled back, like I was standing at the end of a tunnel. “Nurse?”

“The nurse isn’t here, Kate,” George said. “She’s probably out at the nurse’s station. What do you need?”

I licked my lips, though it didn’t do much good. “She was just here. Heard her talking.”

The swish of a door opening behind me niggled at the back of my mind.

“No. She hasn’t been in here for a while,” George said. “She wants you to rest. Go to sleep, Kate. We’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Not Jack,” I said the groggy call of oblivion tugging at me. “Don’t tell Jack.”

“Just sleep,” George said.

Good idea, I thought. I relaxed letting the soothing blanket of nothingness slip over me.

“It’s starting,” I heard Lenny say, his voice soft and echoing as if in a dream. “Once her body is strong enough to survive it, she’ll shift.”

I wanted to ask what he meant. How bad was I hurt? Was I a werewolf now? What did this mean for Jack? What did it mean that another man had forced me, had stolen his right as my mate to give me the bite?

But I couldn’t make my eyes open again. I couldn’t hold onto the here and now as the tunnel grew longer and longer, sliding me further and further from the world.

* * *

“Local news is going crazy with the story,” someone said. My mind circled around the voice until I could place it. Lenny. “Killer wild dogs on the prowl in Central Park. It’s insane.”

“I thought he only watched CNN and CNBC,” George said from somewhere in the room. “Maybe he won’t see the story.”

“He’ll see it. Or someone else in the pack will, and they’ll tell him,” Lenny said. “Either way, there’s no way to keep Jack in the dark about this much longer. We should’ve called him yesterday, when it happened.”

Yesterday? What day was it? How long had I been sleeping? I dreamed that I’d been offered some pudding and a strange woman spoon-fed it to me. But I was so tired. Did that really happen? I couldn’t remember. So I stopped trying, giving in to the sweet tempting call of slumber once more.

I slept fitfully, my mind churning, refusing to rest. I drifted toward the surface of wakefulness, never quite passing into reality—always swimming close, but then swept deeper into oblivion and back again

Jack couldn’t know. I couldn’t bear him coming to the hospital and seeing the anger and pain in his eyes when he learned that he was too late. I’d already been bitten, brought into his world against my will.

I couldn’t stop Marcus. I’d tried. He was too strong, too brutal. I shouldn’t have met him in such a secluded spot. I shouldn’t have met him alone. Was it my fault? Jack had warned me not to trust Marcus. He’d asked me not to be alone with him.

God, I’d been so stupid—so careless and disrespectful of the power these creatures possessed. I’d definitely ruined any chance at a life with Jack now. Not that there was much of a chance for that anyway. But after this, after being bitten by another man, there was no way he’d ever see me as his mate. Maybe I deserved this.

I shifted in my bed, coming close to waking, but then slipping away.

George and Lenny’s ceremony had been so intimate, so full of love and protectiveness. Giving George the bite had been a huge part of Lenny welcoming him into his heart, into the pack.

Marcus had stolen that moment from Jack and me forever. Jack was a proud man, protective, possessive. He was to be alpha, leader of his pack. Hundreds of his people would look to him for guidance and to set an example. How could he stand before them as alpha with me at his side, a wolf born of violence and hate instead of love? A wolf made by another man.

I was damaged. How could I expect Jack to want me with another wolf’s essence thrumming through my veins, awakening the wolf in me?

“She’s been in and out, but she hasn’t really said anything since the day before yesterday, Lenny said. “I’m not sure she’s ever been totally lucid at all since they brought her in.”

“Has she shown any signs of . . .” I recognized Jack’s voice. He was here. Jack. Relief and dread washed over me in equal measure.

I couldn’t open my eyes.

“Signs of shifting?” Lenny asked. “Naw, man. But she’s healing fast though. He brought her over. I’m certain of it.”

“It would’ve been a miracle if he hadn’t,” Jack said.

“Sorry, brother.” Lenny’s voice was full of pity for his friend.

“She’s alive,” Jack said. “That’s all that matters now.”

“Jack,” I croaked, my voice weaker than before, my throat burning. “I’m sorry.”

“Kate . . .” I felt him settle onto the bed next to me, his big hand taking mine. The warmth of his skin pulsed into me, his fresh forest scent filling my lungs. Something deep inside me wanted to lose itself in that scent. My body ached to have the forest around me, the cool ground beneath my feet, the summer sun dappling through the trees.

He leaned down, pressing his lips to my forehead. The sensation of his kiss radiated through me like a wonderful drug. “Nothing to be sorry about.”

I opened my eyes, breathing him in again, recognizing him with every part of my body, every one of my senses. I licked my lips, my mouth sticky and dry. “You told me not to . . .” I swallowed around the pain and dryness. “Not to trust him. Not to be alone with him.”

“Shhh . . . Don’t think about that now.”

Tears filled my eyes, a sob pressing up from my chest, shaking my shoulders. “Jack . . . I’m so sorry. I should’ve listened to you.”

“Kate, no. Please . . . Don’t. I shouldn’t have stayed away so long, let so much time pass without checking on you.” He kissed my lips, the touch gentle and full of compassion. He pulled away, wiping my tear from my cheek with a soft brush of his fingers. He straightened, reaching for the plastic cup and straw on the nightstand. “Drink,” he said.

I sipped, the cool water icing my throat, soothing the raw burn. Swallowing still hurt, and I let my head fall back against my pillow as he set the cup away. “He wanted to keep you from becoming alpha,” I said. “I thought I could convince him to let it go. But he . . . he wanted to stop you. He wanted to kill me.”

“I know, Kate.” He cupped my face in his hands, leaning close to kiss my forehead again, stroking his thumbs on my cheeks, holding me captive with his eyes. “I’ll spend my life making it up to you. I swear it.”

I blinked at him, trying to understand what he was saying. “No, Jack. It was my fault. I was trying to help. I thought I could convince him. I wanted to help you reach your dreams.”

“You were fighting my battles.” He closed his eyes, touching his forehead to mine. “I shouldn’t have left you. I was being stubborn and arrogant. I was being a coward. It was my job to protect you. Damn it. I should’ve been there.”

“He wouldn’t listen,” I said, eyes closed, loving the feel of him so close, so warm and strong. “I tried to tell him. It didn’t matter how I met you, why I agreed to marry you. I told him I was going to be your mate . . . if you still wanted me.”

He lifted his head, brows furrowed, studying me. “If I still . . . ? You told him you were going to marry me?”

I nodded.

“You want to marry me?”

“Yes.”

His expression turned grim and he sat straight looking away. “Kate, I can’t.”

He pushed to his feet and my heart pinched. A part of me had expected this, hadn’t I? I turned my head, staring out the window, staring anywhere but at Jack—at the disappointment I was sure to see in his eyes. “I understand. Everything’s different now. I’m different. I did try to stop him. I did. But I couldn’t. He was so strong. And now . . . now his wolf mojo is in me instead of yours. I’m sorry, Jack. I wanted it to be you.”

“Wait. What are you saying? You don’t think . . .” He came back to me, settling on the edge of the bed again. He hooked my chin with his finger, turned my face to him. “Kate. Marcus didn’t turn you. I did.”

“But he bit me . . . a lot.”

A careful smile broke across his lips. “I know. And his bite will bring you over to our kind permanently. But it was my wolf, my . . . love that imbued you with the mother’s power—that started your transformation. I gave you the gift of the wolf. His bite is just awakening it, making it an organic part of you. Making it permanent.”

I blinked, trying not to smile too big. I was feeling better—better by the second, like my body’s healing had kicked into overdrive. “You love me?”

Yep, that’s what I took from his explanation. My heart skipped faster.

He laughed. “I do.”

“So what does this mean for our deal? I mean, it’s not like we have a choice, right? Our wolves want what they want. No point trying to ignore it. They’re going to keep pulling us back together. Aren’t they?”

“Most likely,” he said, a soft chuckle in his voice. But then his smile wavered and he looked away. “Kate . . . I failed you. I can’t save the diner. I know I promised. I tried, but contracts have already been signed. Money has changed hands. I can refuse to honor those contracts once I take control. I will, if that’s what you want. But . . . it could take years before you could reopen there. You agreed to marry me if I saved your diner. I failed. I let you down, and that will always be between us. How can we begin a life together on an unfulfilled promise?”

I shook my head, surprised that it didn’t spin my brain or send a jolt of pain through my body. I was feeling better.

“Jack, no. It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t the place that I cherished. It was the people. I couldn’t abandon them. They needed the diner. It wasn’t just a place to work. It was their home. But they’re stronger than I thought. A few of them have already found new homes, new jobs, and with my help the rest will too.”

“I can help with that.” He leaned down and stole a quick kiss from my lips. “The Pensione Company has its hands in a lot of business ventures: restaurants, boutiques, bars. Every employee at The Sweet Spot will have a job—a career, if they want it. That I can promise.”

“Really? George too?” I pushed up in my bed, the pillows slipping down to my back.

“We own two four-star restaurants. George will be fine. I swear it.”

“That’s wonderful, Jack. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” he said. “Forgive me, Kate. Tell me you forgive me for disappointing you, for letting you down, for leaving you unprotected. Forgive me for being such a blind, cowardly fool.”

I laughed. He was just too adorable. “There’s nothing to forgive. But if you need to hear the words . . . I forgive you.”

Jack sighed, a huge smile blooming across his face. “Marry me, Kate. Marry me for real. Marry me for love. No contracts, no business agreements. Just marry me.”

“Yes,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck, the IV tube stretching. “I—wait. What about Alexia? She said you asked her to marry you. You said you had.”

“I did,” he said sitting straighter. “Years ago. I told you we used to see each other. I couldn’t go through with it, though. Not even if it meant being passed over as alpha. She was never an option for me. You know, she actually stole my phone. Went through all my contacts and called a few people to tell them we were back together. Crazy. Luckily no one believed her. What did she tell you?”

My eyes widened. “Me?” I sighed. “I can’t remember.”

“It doesn’t matter.” One hand braced on the bed at my side, he wrapped his free arm around my waist, pulled me close. His fresh woodsy scent seemed to intensify, swirling around me so it was the smell I breathed into my lungs before he took my mouth in a kiss. The heat of his body pressed to mine, permeated my skin, sinking deep to my very core. He was in me, around me, a part of me. We were separate, but one. We were life mates—born of different species but meant for each other.

A whip of blinding pain snapped down my spine. I cried out.

Jack’s embrace tightened around me. “What is it?”

The excruciating sensation dissipated just as quickly as it had come and I leaned back, my breaths coming quick and shallow, my mind searching my body for the cause. “I don’t know. It was like something inside me just suddenly lit up with pain. That was weird. I feel okay now. I mean, I’m a little sore in spots but . . .”

“You’re lucky to be alive,” Jack said. “The wolf hadn’t taken hold enough inside you to fight the damage. They had to operate.”

“Really?” I looked down at myself, gathering up my hospital gown until I could see my belly. A long, jagged scar stretched across me, the skin pink and puckered, but already healing. “How long have I been out?”

“Three days,” he said.

I looked back to my stomach, a flash of butterscotch fur flickered through my mind, his massive head and bloody teeth as Marcus ripped me open. I shuddered and pushed the images from my thoughts. “I’m nearly healed. Even with the operation, how am I already this far along?”

“Lenny said you were already showing signs that the wolf was taking hold, days ago,” Jack said. “Enhanced senses, smells, hearing, touch . . . We have accelerated healing abilities. Your wolf must be working to strengthen your body before the final push to your first shift.”

Without warning another bolt of pain lanced through me, snapping my muscles tight, straining my bones so hard it felt like they might break. I screamed, the searing pain exploding through my brain.

“Kate, try to relax. Don’t fight it,” Jack said pushing to his feet. He held my shoulders, kept me from writhing out of bed.

Seconds later the agony subsided. I was left in a pool of sweat, breathing hard, fighting to calm my panicked heart. “It’s happening now, isn’t it?”

“Yes. We have to get you out of here,” he said pulling his phone from his breast pocket. “I’ll take you back to the apartment.”

“The apartment? What if I damage something?”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be safe there. Contained. Away from anything that might confuse or trigger your instincts,” he said, bringing the phone to his ear. “Alan. Bring the car to the side entrance. We’re taking Miss Affetto to the apartment.”

Another agonizing stab of pain jolted through me, arching my back, pulling the muscles in my legs until they snapped. I screamed, not caring who heard.

The door to my hospital room swung open and my brother and Lenny rushed in. Lenny locked the door behind them just as the worst of my pain ebbed away.

I panted, not wanting to look at my legs.

“Kate, what’s wrong?” George looked to Jack. “What’s happening?”

“She’s shifting.” Jack slipped the phone back into his pocket and reached for my covers. “We have to get her out of here. Now.”

“We can’t,” Lenny said. “We heard the nurses talking. They’re saying there are wild dogs loose in the hospital. There’ve been several sightings in the last few minutes. Two dogs each time and the sightings are happening on each floor starting from the lobby going up. They’re hunting.”

“For what?” I asked, swallowing the last of the pain.

“For you,” Lenny said. Then he looked to Jack. “It’s Marcus. He’s coming to finish what he started and he brought back-up.”

Marcus? Fear turned my blood to ice, my entire body suddenly trembling.

“How did he know where she was?” George asked. “We told the police we wanted the name of the hospital kept private. I haven’t seen any news reports that mentioned it.”

“Damn it.” Jack scrubbed a hand down his face. “He must have followed me. He knew one of you would call and tell me what happened. He just had to wait to see where I went.”

“The staff here won’t let us just walk out with her,” Lenny said. “Arguing with them might clue Marcus right to us.”

A piercing lance of pain tore through my body, ripping me in half, breaking bones and tearing muscles. My scream echoed in my brain, deafening me to everything else, pushing my fear over Marcus to the farthest recesses of my mind. I thrashed and twisted on the bed, my body stretching and pulling. I couldn’t control it.

The writhing sent me over the edge, and I hit the cold hospital floor hard. I barely felt it, my pain threshold already overwhelmed. Somewhere in the back of my mind, far beneath the blaze of agony, I heard my brother call my name. I sensed him rushing toward me and heard Jack warn him back.

“It’s too late. She’s shifting. We have to make our stand here—now,” Jack said.

I opened my eyes, watching thick fur push through my skin, covering my arms, blanketing my belly and legs. The fine bones of my hands snapped and shrunk one by one. The thick bones in my legs gave way with loud agonizing cracks. And then the pain got really bad.

It felt like a razor slicing my face, the bones in my cheeks and jaw shattered, my chin jutting out, my nose growing with it, stretching flesh and muscle-growing tendons and nerves. No one should be able to endure this torture and survive. I should be dead. I wished for it.

My body curled itself into a ball as best it could, bones rippling down my spine, pushing flesh, stretching into a thick tail. I couldn’t endure another moment. My brain shut down, and blackness pulled me into its protective embrace.

When I opened my eyes again, the pain was gone. I lifted my head, seeing the world as a flat, dull palette, colors muted but edges crisp.

“Kate? Stay calm. Stay in control,” my brother said. He was kneeling next to me as I struggled to my feet.

My balance was extraordinary. I had four centers instead of two. I shook the stiffness from my body, the act sending sensory input from each muscle and nerve ending straight to my brain. My body was suddenly more efficient than I’d ever imagined, each muscle working almost independently of the others. I took a few tentative steps, feeling the power in my legs.

My senses hummed with information. What my eyes lacked in color perception, I more than made up for with my ears and nose. I sniffed the air, noting the sharp odor of antiseptics, chemicals, sickness—and the cloying perfumes that tried and failed to cover it all.

I snorted and shook my head, trying to blast the stench from my nose. It helped a little, but I could still smell everything, hear every sound, even the whispers of a man several floors below us.

“This is it. I do this and it’s over. My life as I know it is over. Damn you, Marcus,” the man said. An instant later, the lights in the hospital flicked out and the room went dark.

“Aw hell,” George said. “Now what?”