Chapter 1

Jordan walked out of the beer cooler with a quick stride. A streak of sweat was apparent on her skin, making her face and neck glisten under the dim bar lights. She laid the case of Coors on the floor and bent down to fill one of the empty glass refrigerators. Her head twisted, and she looked up over her shoulder when she heard a loud yell from one of her girls. Jordan chuckled as she watched Joanne standing on the bar counter pushing a customer away with one of her high-heel boots. It was going to be another crazy night to contend with, she thought to herself.

Closing the glass door on the bar fridge, she turned and yelled over the loud music looking up at the blonde dancer. “You good?”

Joanne’s head whipped around looking down at her boss from the bar counter she was dancing on. “Yeah, he’s just drunk.” She smiled and winked.

Jordan let out a laugh as she stood and looked around the crowded bar. The music in the Coyote drummed through the room around her making the air thick with vibration. It was a full house which wasn’t unusual for a Thursday night. Coyote was one of the largest bars in Anchorage, Alaska that serviced only werewolves and was owned by the Anchorage Alpha - Lennox Warren. Now and then a human would walk in, but it didn’t last long.

She looked at a group of college men and yelled over the music. “What can I get ya?”

“Four Bud’s and four tequilas.” A drunken stammer in the man’s voice.

“Coming up.” She yelled, throwing her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

Jordan yelled to Crystal and held up four fingers and then turned, grabbing four beers out of the cooler. Flipping off the caps she passed them to the men. Turning her head to the left, she watched Crystal slide four shots down the granite counter, catching them and then slid them to the patrons.

She leaned over the bar yelling at the men over the music. “That’s thirty-eight dollars, honey.”

Reaching into the cash register, she watched as Sonja rushed behind the bar grazing her shoulder in the process.

“Sorry, I’m late Jordan. My damn car wouldn’t start.” Sonja said.

Jordan looked at her sister with annoyance and then her watch; it was going on 11:00 pm. “You’re almost two hours late. Don’t let it happen again!” She shot in a harsh tone.

“My car wouldn’t start. Jesus Christ, give me a break!” Sonja snapped and then began taking orders from the thirsty customers. It had shown to be an increasing problem lately. Sonja assumed that it was related to the intense cold of Willow’s open, snow-covered landscape. It had to be, the freezing temperatures messing with the mechanics or something of the sort, but she didn’t have time to get it fixed in between work and all the rest.

Jordan shook her head in disappointment. Hearing the song end she held out her hand to help Joanne off the bar. The Coyote always had girls dancing on the bar, that was their signature, and it always drew a full thirsty crowd.

“Thanks, Jordan.” Jo winked and quickly slid into her bar tending duty.

Jordan leaned up against the wall watching the girls serve behind the bar and glide in between the customers on the floor. She watched Crystal throw up a twenty-sixer in the air, catch it and then poured six shots.

Jesus that girl was good!

“I’m going to get some air.” She yelled out to the girls.

She weaved in and out of the crowd in the dim lit room when she felt groping hands fall on her ass. Jordan stopped dead in her tracks. Not moving, she smiled to herself and turned her head to take a long look at the douche bag. He looked to be around twenty-five.

“You like that huh?” She asked slyly while watching the man’s eyes glow amber.

Jordan watched the man nod his head when she quickly grabbed his wrist and twisted. “Do you like this?” She asked with a wicked grin.

Jordan twisted his wrist so hard the man fell to his knees. “You bitch. Let go of my wrist.” He growled exposing his canines.

A handful of Jordan’s regulars started chanting her name above the music when she watched Nick approach and grab the man. “Easy, boss. I got this dirtbag.”

If he moved the wrong way, she could have snapped his wrist, but instead, she released the man’s hand and pulled him up. “Be a good dog now, will ya!” Jordan shouted and patted his shoulder. She heard the man yell, ‘Bitch’ again as Nick dragged him out of the bar. It didn’t bother her; she was used to it. Handling herself wasn’t an issue either, and it always gave her bouncers something to laugh at. Everyone knew not to fuck with Jordan or her sister. They ran the bar under the watchful eye of Alpha Lennox. Anything happened to the girls; they knew they were dead.

With a light chuckle, she walked towards the back exit. Stepping out into the cool spring night, she inhaled a deep breath of the fresh, clean air. She leaned her back against the brick wall closing her eyes. She was enjoying the calm, smoke-free environment, and just the general feeling of being in nature, when not ten minutes later she heard footsteps approach.

“You bitch! You think you can embarrass me like that just because Lennox keeps you under his wing? The man hissed at her. He was angry, and understandably so. Why would a beta male with an alpha’s ego think that a woman could walk over him? All around the back alley, buildings stood tall, with the main road only a short distance away from the back exit. Jordan knew that with the loud music and shouting crowd from inside the Coyote, no one would hear her cries. She was at the mercy of the two men before her.

Her eyes flew open, and she felt fear creep up her spine eying the two men now standing directly in front of her. Their eyes both glowed bright amber, and she could see their canine’s growing longer as they curled over their lips. Willow was wolf country, through and through and sat on the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska. The wide open spaces, the wildlife that surrounded the small community and of course, the intense pack mentality among those who stayed here, all showed this to be true.

Trying not to panic she tried to reason with them. “Listen you grabbed me remember? Let’s call it a night alright?” She turned reaching to pull the exit door open when the man pulled her arm back making her wince in pain.

Jordan struggled and finally yanked her arm free hitting her elbow on the brick wall behind her, drawing back in pain. She watched as anger distorted the man’s face. He pushed her hard up against the brick wall, his fingertips digging into her upper arms.

Jordan stared straight into the wolf’s eyes, not backing down. She knew his type; thinking women owed them something, and were free for the taking. Well, not this girl. She pulled her head back and with a quick thrust forward she head butted him hard. The man stumbled back releasing her arms. “Fuck. You bitch.”

Before she could reach the door, she felt a blow to her face and fell to the pavement. Dizzy, she could taste the metallic tang of blood that was gushing from her split lip. She shook her head as she watched a tall, dark figure drive blows to one man knocking him to the ground. The stranger then attacked the other repeatedly until both attackers finally ran down the alleyway and hit the main road.

She watched as the stranger came closer, kneeling down in front of her holding his hand out. “Are you alright?” His voice was deep and rolled off his tongue like brandy. It sounded eerily familiar to her.

She looked up, her mouth ajar as she stared at him in shock. She closed her eyes, shook her head, and stared at the man again. He had a bright amber ring around his crystal blue irises.

“Jesus, he must have hit me hard.” She whispered touching her lip with her fingers. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” She finally answered.

Jordan took his hand and pulled herself up. Brushing the gravel off her jeans, she felt a little light-headed and leaned against the brick wall to steady herself. He offered her a Kleenex, and she took it. She dabbed her lip and then scanned the man in front of her taking in the familiar jet black hair, the gorgeous bone structure of his cheeks and the strong chin. She watched him smile, revealing large deep dimples in both cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat, and the heat rose between her thighs. Damn, what the fuck was going on? She thought to herself.

He took a step closer. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

Tucking a long piece of sandy blonde hair behind her ear, she looked up at his tall frame. “Yes, I’m fine. Really…” She could smell the sweet musky aroma that wafted around him. “Sorry, you just look like someone I used to know.”

Instantly feeling the ache in the memory that this man conjured within her, Jordan began to stiffen. She couldn’t deal with this, not now. She went to open the door when his hand landed on hers.

“Here let me help you.” He said opening the door.

“I said, I’m fine!” Jordan snapped.

Both of his hands came up in front of his chest. “Hey, I’m just trying to help.”

“Listen, I can take care of myself!”

“Yes, I can see that.” The stranger chuckled revealing his dimples again.

Jordan turned her head and looked at him with contemplation. Looking almost annoyed she replied. “Listen, it’s been a long night. Come on; let me get you a drink.”

Tucking the Kleenex into her pants pocket, she walked through the door, and he followed her into the bar. Walking past Sonja, Jordan slid behind the bar and leaned over the counter.

“What’s your poison?”

“Miller is good.”

Jordan caught Sonja staring at the man while she grabbed the beer. She flipped off the cap and passed the cold beverage to him. Her fingers gently slid under Sonja’s chin, shutting her mouth that was hanging open.

Leaning into her sister’s ear, she whispered. “I know. Not a word sis!”

“Holy Shit! He looks identical to Noah, Jordan!” Sonja’s hand covered her mouth realizing what she had just blurted out.

Jordan’s hand flew up and slapped her sister’s arm. “Are you deaf? I said shut the fuck up!”

The man let out a light chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Jordan asked shooting him a deadly look. Her eyes watched him as he extended his hand to her. “Let me formally introduce myself; I’m Jude Warren. Lennox’s oldest son.”

Jordan’s eyes narrowed to slits as she examined the man. His arm was a full sleeve of tattoo’s that ran the full length up to his shoulder until they disappeared under his tight dark blue shirt. His neck was thick, his shoulders broad and she could see the rippling muscles beneath the fabric. He was hot, gorgeous actually, and looked exactly like Noah.

“Excuse me? I think you’ll find Lennox only had one son and he’s dead!” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “If you were truly family, that’s something you would already be aware of though.” She said harshly, resting both of her hands on her hips.

Jude never took his eyes off Jordan and then pointed his beer towards her chest and replied, “Now that you’re wrong about.” He finally let his eyes’ fall on Sonja and smiled. “I look like Noah because I am his twin brother...the eldest by about five seconds.”

“Bullshit!” Jordan yelled. She felt the room spin as he spat the words out. She had to lean against the wall to hold herself up. Still staring at the man, she finally asked, “I have never seen you before. Why is that? I know all of the Warren’s. All of them. Lennox only had one son.”

“Jordan, that is what my father wanted you and everyone to believe. I haven’t been in Anchorage for a very long time. I just arrived from the Yukon and I’m staying in Willow with my father.”

“Why would you not show up for your own brother’s funeral? What the fuck type of person does that?” She spat the words at him like they were venom. She could feel the anger consume her as she thought about Noah and how his death was so damn senseless.

“It’s a long story, Jordan.” He said, and then looked at Sonja, “You must be Sonja?”

Sonja smiled at him, “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you, Jude.”

“Are you for fucking real?” Jordan’s eyebrow shot up as she looked at her sister and then back at Jude. “Do you think you can just come in here and claim that you’re my dead boyfriend’s twin brother when I haven’t met you once in my entire life? We have lived with your family since I was seven years old! For fourteen years!!”

“I understand you have questions, Jordan and that you’re confused. What time do you get off? Maybe we can sit down so I can explain.”

Jordan heard Sonja let out a gasp. “I am not fucking confused! Enjoy your beer, asshole.” With that said she turned on her heel and walked into the back room. Jordan leaned up against the counter. She touched her lip and took in a deep breath. She couldn’t help but wince at her throbbing lip and pulled out the Kleenex dabbing it again.

She watched her sister walk into the room still wide-eyed. Sonja was twenty, a year younger than Jordan and they looked identical other than the color of their eyes. Sonja had the deepest blue-green eyes that you could get lost in and Jordan had large chocolate brown eyes. They were both 5’6 in height, had big bones, legs that went on forever and very sexy curves with ample breast size. They also both had lush sandy blonde hair that flowed down to their waist. When one looked at them side by side, they could almost pass as twins.

“Where the hell did he come from?” Sonja asked. She finally noticed Jordan’s lip when she got a little closer. “What the hell happened to your lip?

“It’s nothing. I had a run in with some assholes outside. Buddy, umm, Jude saved the day.”

“I thought I was looking at Noah, Jordan. It gave me the chills.” Sonja shook her shoulders.

“I know. I thought I was looking at a ghost.” Jordan replied in a low tone and then ran her fingers through her hair. “He can’t be Noah’s twin. There is no way.”

“I don’t get it either, but he looks like he is telling the truth and he is identical to Noah in every way,” Sonja said looking at her sister. She finally grabbed Jordan’s shoulders and gave her a light shake. “Hey. Are you ok?”

“No. Get rid of him Sonja. I can’t do this.” Jordan’s large brown eyes were almost pleading with her sister.

Sonja watched the sorrow that washed over her sister’s face. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. Why don’t you take off and I will close up tonight.”

“Ok, I’m going to talk to Mamma Sable. I’ll see you later tonight at home.”

She watched Sonja return to the bar as she grabbed her purse from her office. Jordan fished out her keys and retreated to the back exit located next to her office. She jumped in her orange and black Camaro and sped out of the parking lot heading to her family home that she shared with her sister and Mamma Sable.

The drive was short but felt much longer due to the ever winding roads and dense brush of trees that sprawled out before her, and of course, Jordan’s thoughts were continually focused on Noah… Jude. Whoever the hell he was. Jordan’s head was whirling, lost in thoughts of the last two months of her life that Jude had just stirred up. When she got home, she immediately called out for Mamma Sable, but the house was empty.

**

Beads of sweat covered her face. Her long blonde hair was a tangled mess, and her tank top was damp when she finally woke screaming in her bed and sat up. Her chest was heaving as she tried to steady her breathing. Jordan batted her eyes letting them adjust to the dark room. Jesus Christ, she whispered to herself.

She chanted the same old mantra in her head, “It’s just a dream. It’s just a dream.”

Lying back down, she turned and glimpsed at the clock on her nightstand. 4:30 AM. Her head fell back against her pillow...she couldn’t get the image of Jude out of her head, or should she say Noah’s image.