Winterlust (COMPLETE)

Muriel

Travis

Travis can’t get her out of his head. The further they drive away, the more the ache in his whole body consumes him. Owen is on the phone with Janie as they get onto the highway. He explains everything to her after she’s sworn to secrecy. Travis smirks a little at the part where Owen tells her that Travis has found his mate and she screams in delight. “Ssshhhhhh! Someone will hear you!”, he implores her. “Put me on speaker!”, she demands.

“OH MY GODDESS, TRAV! I’m so excited!”, she yells. “Stop yelling, Janie. Someone will hear you”, he laughs. “We don’t even know what this all looks like yet”, he cautions. “You can get rid of that b**ch Vanessa! Yeeeesssssssss” she howls. “I can’t wait to meet her!” “What’s wrong with Vanessa?”, Travis asks her. “Ugh”, Janie grunts. “She’s just awful. She thinks she’s better than everyone and she’s sneaky” Travis rolls his eyes at Owen and Owen smiles back. “Focus Janie, we need a plan”, Owen pipes up. “Let’s meet in my office after dinner. How’s seven? We’d better bring Peter and my dad in on this too.”, Travis says before they hang up.

Violet

“Vee! You’re going to be late for school if you don’t get out of bed this instant!”, Evelyn calls from the kitchen. “Okay mom. I was so tired, I didn’t even set my alarm”, Violet calls back. “Sorry!” Violet jumps out of bed and runs down the hall to brush her teeth and shower. No time to wash this hair. Ugh.

“Hey you. You didn’t drink your protein shake”, Evelyn says, tapping on the door. Violet groans audibly from the shower. “I’m sorry, mom. I told you, I passed out as soon as I got in. I even slept in my clothes!” “Well, you can take it to school for your lunch, then”, Evelyn replies.

When they pull up to the school, Evelyn hands Violet a travel mug. “Don’t forget it this time, honey”, she smiles at Violet. “Thanks mom”, Violet says as she plants a chaste kiss on her mother’s cheek. Getting out of the car, Violet throws the shake in her bag as she spots Cassie chatting with some girlfriends. She heads over to join them.

Everyone is so excited about the Christmas gala on Friday night, and they’re talking about who is going with whom. “Violet, do you have a date?”, asks Candace with a sparkle in her blue eyes. Candace is the head cheerleader and absolutely beautiful. Her light brown hair is in a super high ponytail, showing off her perfectly round face. “Nope, I’m flying solo” “Well me too. I’ll save you a dance” Candace giggles as she links arms with Violet on their way in to the school.

At lunch, Violet opens her locker to find her bag is soaked. She yanks the bag open to find the protein shake has leaked and emptied completely into her bag. Sigh. Cafeteria food it is.

Travis

When they pull into the packhouse, Vanessa comes screeching down the stairs and launches herself into Travis’s arms, nearly knocking him over. “Oh hiiii baby, I’ve missed you soooo much!”, she coos in between kisses all over his face. “Where were you? You didn’t answer my texts”, she pouts. “We got a flat and stayed the night”, Travis answers setting her down.

Janie is at the front door with a huge smile on her face. Owen takes the stairs two at a time to get to her, and when he does he buries his face into her neck. “Mmmm I’ve missed you”, he growls, reaching down to squeeze her a** cheek. Janie throws her head back and laughs, her blond shag swinging off her shoulders to allow Owen better access to her neck. He trails kisses from below her ear down her neck until he reaches her mark. Another low growl escapes him as he nips it, sending shivers through her. “Lunch can wait”, she purrs. With that, they disappear into the packhouse running. Travis can faintly hear Janie squealing and giggling all the way up the stairs as Owen tries to catch her.

Inside the dining hall, Gamma Peter Millen and his mate Lindsey Halloran are seated at a table with Travis’s parents. Owen’s parents PJ and Wanda Kane are just joining them. Nick James and his mate Marie rise to greet their son. “Travis. I’m glad you’re home”, Marie smiles with both hands extended. Travis clasps his hands in hers and leans in to kiss her cheek. She nods to Vanessa and takes her seat. Nick and Travis shake hands before sitting down as well. “I already had lunch, so I’m off to meet the girls”, Vanessa announces and makes her way out of the hall. That was abrupt.

Everyone at the table listens as Travis talks about the newest acquisition, Lakeview Mall. “You really have a nose for a good deal”, PJ muses, “you’re going to turn this pack into a dynasty for your pups and grandpups”. “Thank you, PJ. That’s the plan”, Travis grins as he sets down his fork. “Well, that’s it for me. I need to take a hot shower and get to my office.” Travis stands up. “See you at seven”, he links to Nick and Peter, and they nod.

Evelyn

After dropping Violet off at school, Evelyn stops at the motel before getting onto the highway for work. Inside the reception area, the old woman is seated in one of the chairs along the window. “Hello mother. Why have you called me here?” she asks. “Sit down, dear”, Muriel Morrison answers, patting the seat beside her.

“Last night we had werewolves here”, she begins, “An alpha and his beta”. Evelyn’s eyes widen in horror. Muriel places her hand on Evelyn’s shoulder. “From what I can tell, they only went to the diner, and then to Buck’s auto shop. They weren’t here long”, she assures her. “Tonight is cards night at the club. I will do some asking around, just to be sure”. Evelyn nods slowly at her mother. “Violet will be 18 soon, during the Cold Moon. The teachings say that this is when her wolf will gain her full power”. Evelyn shivers, “Is he powerful enough to get an alpha to do his bidding?” “I do not know the extent of his power”, Muriel shakes her head, “He is the only Cold Wolf I have ever met besides Violet. Are you still giving her the wolfsbane?” Evelyn nods, “Yes, mother.”With that, both women stand and embrace before Evelyn leaves for work.

Her drive into the city is fraught with worry. That power hungry pr**k can’t find her. I won’t let it happen. When Evelyn arrives at her gym, Evie’s Fitness, she shakes her head. She barely remembers the 45 minute drive.