Ford’s head turns sharply toward the window as a slow grin forms on his face. “You’re boyfriend’s here. This is going to be fun.”

“What? Rion’s here?” I rush to the window. Thanks to the light from the full moon, I see a big, black wolf standing directly behind my house with his fangs bared. “We have to go down there.”

Ford closes the distance between us to quickly wrap his arm around me, and in a flash, we’re standing in my backyard. I shove him away but stumble. Rion the human catches me. He makes sure I’m able to stand before placing his body in front of mine.

“What are you doing here?” he growls.

“It’s good to see you, too,” Ford replies. “It’s been, what? An hour since we last spoke?”

“Just because you and I are acquaintances doesn’t mean I’ll ever like you near my mate.”

“Tsk tsk, young wolf. Remember who you’re talking to. I saved her life tonight. I was beckoned into her dream state. Someone had to rescue her before the wolves shredded her to bits.”

Rion spins to face me. “You were dreaming about wolves and they were about to harm you?” His hands roam over my face and body to ensure I’m not hurt.

“I did, but Ford saved me. He told me it was a premonition.” Rion’s teeth clench.

“You can thank me now, Orion,” Ford says. “I was her dark knight in black leather.” Rion quickly shifts into wolf form and bares his teeth at Ford with a snarl.

“Are we going to play a game of who can bite who first? If so, I’m completely on board. Princess, would you referee?”

“Both of you stop!” I snap at them. This is insane. There is a wolf and a vampire squaring off in my backyard. How did my life come to this?

Ford sticks out his bottom lip. “You’re taking all the fun out of my evening. Let us fight, please.”

“Just when I think nothing crazier can happen, you appear.”

“I bring the fun. I can’t help it that your boyfriend showed up and ruined our good time.”

“Good time? You were about to tell me how I’m the catalyst in the next pack war.” This has got to be one of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had.

That statement is enough to get Orion to shift back. “What are you talking about?” he asks Ford.

“Lealla hasn’t told you? Interesting. Maybe she will at dinner.”

“Would you stop reading my mind?” I say, seething.

“I wasn’t reading yours, princess. Your boyfriend is saying enough for both of you.” Ford scowls. “I guess it is back to reading yours.”

Rion turns to me. “I need to teach you how to block him and other vampires out.”

“That would be helpful.”

At the same time, Ford and Rion spin toward the house.

“Mommy’s up,” Ford says. He walks over to me, but Rion steps in front of him. “If you don’t move, her mother is going to know she’s out of bed. I need to get her back upstairs, and last time I checked, you can’t teleport. Now move before she discovers her only child is gone.”

Rion hesitantly steps aside and growls low when Ford’s arm comes around my waist. We’re back in my room in a flash and I’m climbing into bed, throwing the covers over myself while Ford turns out the light. The door opens a split second later. My mom quietly walks over to my bed, pauses then leaves.

Once the door closes, Ford is back standing in my room. “That was fun,” he whispers. “Can we do this again tomorrow? I’ll bring a friend so your wolf has someone to play with while we talk.”

“Why are you enjoying this?” I ask as I throw the covers off myself. It’s then I realize I’m in nothing but a sleep shirt. One that barely covers my butt.

“And what a nice butt it is,” Ford says while trying to peer at my backside in the dark. Great night vison must be a general paranormal trait. I quickly cover myself again. “Sorry, princess. When you’re immortal and have nothing but time on your hands, you have to find ways to entertain yourself. And I really love teasing you.”

“How old are you exactly? A thousand?”

He flips on the light and rushes over to my dresser where the mirror is. He pulls at his cheeks and eyes then smiles. “You tried to pull one over on me. I don’t look a day over twenty-five.”

“I thought vampires couldn’t see themselves in mirrors.”

“I thought readers of paranormal romance would know better than to think every rule applies to all. Of course I can see myself. How do you think I stay so handsome?” He turns to give me a view of his profile and poses for me, with his hand on his hip. I just can’t with this vampire.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m a hundred and eight, if you must know.”

“You’re young for a vampire.”

“And you’re nosy.”

“How did you get your name?” Since he’s standing here, I’m going to start peppering him with questions. It’s not every day I get to meet a real vampire.

“More questions?” he sighs. “Fine, if you must know, my parents conceived me in a Ford Model T.”

“Are they still alive?”

“They are, but you won’t be if you keep asking me questions.”

“Oooh, I’m real scared.” I roll my eyes. “You didn’t finish telling me about my role in the pack war.”

“Yeah, about that. I’m not sure I will. I’m getting bored.” He yawns dramatically. “And tired.”

“Do you sleep in a coffin?”

He scrunches up his nose. “What? No. You’ve read too much and watched too much TV.”

“I do not. I’m just getting caught up on my vampire facts.”

There’s a howl outside my window. Not caring about my current attire, I rush to the window, leaving my back to the vampire, and tug the curtain aside to find Orion pacing the width of my backyard. He freezes at the same time as Ford whispers, “Daddy’s up. Time to bolt. I’ll be seeing you, princess. Try not to have any more premonitions you need rescuing from.” He snaps his fingers and he’s gone.

Quickly, I flip off the light and dart into bed again. Hopefully, Orion ran into the woods to hide. With one eye, I glance at the alarm clock and see it’s six in the morning. My dad is an early riser. He gets up at six, regardless what day of the week it is. I should try and get some sleep so I don’t look like a zombie at dinner tonight with Lealla.

Today was fun. I woke up at noon when my mom decided I’d slept long enough, and laid around my room all day, utterly exhausted. I’ve done nothing. That is, until I finally decided to shower an hour ago. My mom asked me if I rolled around out in the woods, because I smelled like dirt and trees. I guess that happens when you run for your life from wolves and then get teleported around by a vampire. If I could die in my dream, then I can certainly bring smells with me. My feet were filthy when I looked at them. I was running barefoot through the woods, after all. I had to clean up two cuts on my feet. Even now, I’m hobbling around. But every time I see Mom or Dad, I try to walk like nothing is wrong so they won’t question me. Who knew the life of a teenager could be so complicated?

I do the best I can to tame my hair, thankful for my flat iron. After messaging with Rion, I found out Lealla doesn’t dress fancy and prefers to be casual. I suppose living with a pack of wolves will do that. Lealla has other homes, and in each one is a different pack. She has more than one shifter series. Foxes, bears, and jungle cats; each pack resides in a different house of hers. She brought all of them together and each pack likes to live together.

The more I learn about the packs, the wolves in particular, the more I accept this is my new reality. I have a wolf for a boyfriend, a vampire who apparently watches my dreams, and an entire pack of wolves living an hour from me. And let’s not forget the pack war I was told about last night.

I’m downstairs waiting for Rion. My leg shakes as I try to rid myself of nervous energy. I want to get to Lealla’s and find out what my role is in all of this.

“You look nice,” my mom says as she sits beside me.

I glance down at my jeans and sleeveless blouse. I may have gone a little fancy with the blush-colored blouse, but I’ll put money on the fact that there will be a lot of gorgeous women walking about that house tonight. My hair is pulled back on the sides and top away from my face, leaving the rest to fall straight down my back. I put on minimal makeup. Maybe no one will notice I got a little dolled up.

“Where are you off to tonight?” Mom asks. Dad is sitting in his chair, reading.

“Rion is taking me to Lealla’s home for dinner.” I decide not to lie to her about tonight. I’ll omit what I need to but don’t like the idea of constantly lying to my parents.

“The author of those books you read?”

“Yeah. Rion lives next door to her with his aunt and uncle.”

“Have fun. The same curfew stands.” I have to force myself not to roll my eyes. Most of the time I do it without thinking.

“You know I’m eighteen, right? I’m legally an adult.”

“And as long as you go to high school, I get to give you a curfew.”

“Fine.”

The familiar rumble of the Jag is heard a moment before the doorbell rings. I’m the first to the door, waving goodbye as I push Rion toward the car. No need for pleasantries tonight. He’s met both parents. Besides, I want to get to this dinner and find out everything Lealla knows about my role in the upcoming pack war. I haven’t talked to Rion about it yet. Some things I’d like to learn about in person. This way I can gauge his reaction.

Paige texts me as soon as I sit down in Rion’s car. We talked briefly today about my date last night. I had to leave most of the details out. I meant it when I said I wouldn’t tell anyone, no matter how much I hate keeping things from my best friend.

Paige: Are you coming over tonight? I thought we could have a girls’ night in since I didn’t see you last night.

Me: Sorry, but I can’t. I’m having dinner out with Rion.

Paige: Have fun! But don’t forget about your best friend. I’ll take a back seat to your relationship this weekend, but next weekend, one night is mine.

I smile.

Me: Deal.

I put my phone away and glance over at Rion, who still hasn’t left the driveway. His eyes are intent on me.

“Hi,” I say. “That was Paige. I have to spend one night next weekend at her house. Girl time and all that.”

He smiles that sexy, melt me in my seat smile. “Hi, little mouse. Spend as much time with your friend as you want, but know I’ll be outside her house, in the shadows, keeping you protected.”

“You don’t have to do that. I’ve been sleeping at her house for years. I’ve been fine so far.”

“So far being the keywords. Also, that was before you met me and before you had a premonition where you needed rescuing by a vampire.” He has a point. I simply nod and put my seat belt on as Rion pulls out of the driveway, and we start the hour-long drive to Lealla’s home.

My life has completely changed. I’m both excited and scared to learn what is going to happen next.