Bitten

  Bitten

  Wayward Wolves, Volume 3

  Bethany Shaw

  Published by Bethany Shaw, 2015.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  BITTEN

  First edition. May 26, 2015.

  Copyright © 2015 Bethany Shaw.

  ISBN: 978-1513062693

  Written by Bethany Shaw.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Also By Bethany Shaw

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Catalina scratched at the bandage on her arm. The animal bite itched like crazy, but it didn’t look infected and she didn’t have the money to go see a doctor again. She’d gotten a rabies shot at the ER, but had fled before the police could show up to question her about the bite. She couldn’t afford a run in with the law.

  Her past was catching up with her and it seemed to be leading her to even more trouble. Heat flooded her cheeks as she recalled the last few years; it wasn’t bright and brought her shame. But the past was the past—she was in Florida for a fresh start.

  “Get to work! I ain’t paying ya to stand around,” her boss, Jimmy, yelled at her as he passed through the break room and into his office.

  Catalina blinked, scurrying from the back room. Gator was a large bar in the wetlands and apparently had gotten its name from the local wildlife in the area. The alligators better stay away from her though; she had enough animal bites to last her a lifetime.

  Bartending wasn’t her dream job, but it would do. She could make good money on tips, as long as she handled the rowdy customers first. If she was going to make rent this month, she needed to get her butt together.

  She inhaled a deep breath and made her way across the hardwood floor, taking her station behind the bar.

  “I was starting to think you disappeared.” Gina, her fellow bartender, grinned.

  “Nope. Just needed a refresher,” she whispered. All the loud noise and odors had made her nauseous. Lately sounds and smells had been affecting her and she couldn’t pinpoint why; there was no logical explanation. It was as if her senses had enhanced exponentially overnight. At times the sounds, smells, and visuals became too much, causing her to get dizzy and her stomach to curdle. She prayed she wasn’t overwhelmed again. It was her first week at Gator and she couldn’t screw it up, especially since Jimmy hadn’t requested proper paperwork from her before hiring her. This was a good and honest gig and she doubted she’d find anything else like it, not without giving out her social security number and full name anyway.

  Gina nodded as she set three tumblers out on the counter top. “We’re slammed tonight. I told Jimmy he needed to call in backup, but looks like it’s just you and me,” Gina explained, with an exasperated sigh.

  It’d be tough work, but she could rake in some good money tonight. Catalina tied her black apron around her waist and marched up to her first customer.

  “Can I help you?” she asked a man at the counter.

  “I’ll have a beer please. Whatever you have on tap,” he said, with a velvety voice.

  Catalina peered up at him through her lashes, taking him in for the first time. She bit her lip to stifle her gasp. He was handsome with short, spiky brown hair, the color of molasses. Muscles rippled beneath his gray tee. She’d bet money he was sporting a six-pack.

  Tingles shot through her and she stiffened. The cute stranger aroused her body, but something about him seemed off—dangerous. It was an odd combination and it baffled her. A part of her wanted to kiss him, the other part told her to run for the hills. Weird.

  The man noticed her at the same time, his chocolate eyes connecting with hers. They widened slightly before he cleared his throat, his gaze drifting to the gauze covering her arm.

  “What happened there?” he questioned, nodding at the large bandage.

  Catalina forced a smile. She couldn’t tell him the truth. He’d think she was nuts. “It looks worse than it is. Nobody wants their waitress walking around with a cut on her arm.” Or a giant wolf bite.

  The man studied her, his piercing eyes burrowing into the depths of her soul. Catalina shuffled on her feet. What was his deal? Someone like him probably picked up girls all the time—girls unlike her.

  At five-foot-one, she was short and curvy with wide hips. Her curly, flaxen-dyed hair was unruly and she had too many freckles to count. Someone like the hottie before her probably went for tall, thin, and natural blonde and she didn’t fit the bill.

  “Seems like a big bandage for nothing,” he persisted.

  Catalina shrugged. Why’d it matter to him? “I like to keep the area clean so I don’t run the risk of infection.” She spun and grabbed a cup and filled it from the first tap. It was lite beer, but at this point she wanted to move on.

  Chills crept up her spine. He was numinous and she couldn’t be sure until she faced him once more, but she felt he was staring again. Her heart beat faster as she spun and confirmed his eyes on her. Inhaling, she marched to him. “Here you go.” She set the glass down on the counter and slid it toward him.

  “Thanks,” his hand grazed over hers as he took his draft and she gasped. Her belly flip-flopped and heat rushed through her. What is wrong with me? It was bizarre. One minute he was creeping her out, the next he was turning her on.

  She snatched her hand back, realizing she’d left it lingering on the cup. “Let me know if I can get you anything else.”

  “What’s your name?” he asked, glancing down at her black tank. Jimmy didn’t give out nametags. His only request was his barkeeps wear a tight, too-small tank and skinny jeans.

  She bit her lip and considered lying, but realized it wouldn’t matter. It was just she and Gina tonight. He could figure out her name if he wanted to. “Catalina.”

  “I’m Bray. It’s nice to meet you,” he said, inclining his head to her.

  As he leaned forward, she caught a whiff of his scent. It was enrapturing, the scent of pine, dew, and something else she couldn’t quite pinpoint. Her body quaked with desire and she blanched at her thoughts. It was time to move away from Bray.

  “Yeah. You too. Let me know if I can get you anything else.”

  Catalina didn’t wait for him to respond. She twisted on her heel and marched to her next customer. Hopefully, the hottie wouldn’t linger because she couldn’t make heads or tails of him. The last thing she needed was more trouble. She had enough of that already.

  ***

  Bray watched as the sexy bartender stomped away. His fingers tingled from her touch and he shook them out before lifting the beer to his lips and taking a swig. He crinkled his nose in disgust as the lite beer hit his tongue. Gross. He took another swig anyway. The draft was frivolous; Catalina had been bitten.

  It wasn’t his concern and he knew he shouldn’t care, but there was something about her amber eyes that bewitched him.

  Did she know what was happening to her? If she did, she was awfully calm. Her earthy, raspberry scent was strong and he could tell she had not completed her first shift. Was anyone there to help her? What if she was alone and didn’t know what was in store for her?

  There weren’t other wolves in the area—he checked. There was no one to help her. Someone could get hurt, especially if she turned in front of people—his kind would be outed. It not only could put her in danger, but also his family, not to mention werewolves everywhere. Humans could not find out about werewolves.

  Bray ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Looks like he’d have to follow her around. At least until he knew she’d be discreet. The full moon was tomorrow. That meant he had his work cut out for him.

  He settled into his bar stool knowing it was going to be a long night. Good thing he had experience on stakeouts and following others; it would come in handy.

  Chapter Two

  Catalina twisted her hair up into a messy bun before taking one last glance in the bathroom mirror. Bags hung beneath her eyes and exhaustion tugged at her. She hadn’t slept a wink last night, but she couldn’t pinpoint why.

  The mysterious man, Bray, had been on her mind and when she wasn’t thinking of him, she’d been having visions of wolves. The two had plagued her with nightmares. Her skin crawled and the bite itched furiously. She sighed and scratched the area around her bandage. Her whole body felt odd. All of her senses seemed to be on high alert. Even the tiniest sounds bothered her. The out-of-whack senses had been bearable until today; all of a sudden, they’d sky rocketed out of control. It was unnerving. She didn’t feel in control of her body anymore.

  She shook her head as she turned on the water, splashing the cool liquid on the back of her neck. With a sigh, she grabbed a paper towel from the machine and dried her hands before entering the bar. Her shift was about to start and she couldn’t be late.

  Gator was already packed. There was a fight on tonight and Jimmy had ordered it to draw in the crowds. At least she and Gina would have extra help tonight. Two other waitresses were present.

  Tingles cascaded down her spine and she narrowed her eyes as the overwhelming sense of someone watching her passed over her. Patrons sat at the bar and occupied every table. The hairs on her arms prickled and she gritted her teeth. Her eyes scanned the customers, roaming over the rowdy people.

  Her gaze connecte
d with chocolate eyes. Bray. Why is he here again?

  Bray didn’t even attempt to look away, holding her stare intently. She blew out a long breath and closed her eyes. He was in Gina’s section tonight; at least she wouldn’t have to deal with him directly and yet, disappointment coursed through her. Why? He was...she didn’t know what he was. She shook her head. It was nearly eight and her shift was starting.

  Catalina approached the counter and gasped as a gut wrenching pain tore through her abdomen. Catalina groaned against the agony, stumbling and falling doubled over onto a table. The patrons glanced up at her and she forced a smile as she pulled herself to her feet.

  Heat flooded her cheek, and she whimpered. It felt like her insides were being ripped apart. The room around her blurred and her head whirled. What is happening to me? Panic clawed at her chest and her heart pounded frantically against her ribs.

  “I’ve got you.” Warm arms wrapped around her waist and led her out of the bar.

  She inhaled and instantly recognized Bray’s scent. Her pulse roared in her ears. Was he doing this to her somehow? She thrashed in his embrace, but his grip tightened almost to the point of pain.

  “Relax, Catalina. I’m helping you. We have to get out of here.”

  Catalina opened her mouth to call for help, but her cry turned into a gurgle as another tremor consumed her. She’d never felt pain like this before. It was as if someone had jabbed thousands of tiny daggers in her and were now twisting them spitefully.

  Bray led her outside, as she gulped in the warm night air. The light of the full moon cascaded over her and she stared up at it, trying to focus on something other than the gut-wrenching agony. Bray continued to lead her away and she was too tortured to argue with him.

  “Where are you taking me?” she panted as the world continued to spin.

  “Someplace safe,” Bray replied.

  She doubled over as another twinge speared her abdomen. A loud crack rippled through the air. Her back burned and she screamed in horror as the bones in her back seemed to shift.

  “We don’t have much time,” Bray warned. He scooped her up into his arms and began to run with her. His movements were effortless and fluid. He must really be ripped if he could sprint with her heavy butt in his arms. Yes, because that’s what’s important. Get it together Catalina.

  Where was he taking her? She needed to fight. Run. Getaway. Do something.

  Catalina punched Bray with all of her might, but it didn’t seem to faze him. In fact, they seemed to be running faster now that they were in the trees.

  “Stop! You’re kidnapping me? I’ll...I’ll press charges,” she insisted trying to make her muddled brain process thoughts. Is that the best threat you can come up with?

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said looking down at her. “I’m taking you someplace where you won’t hurt anyone else.” His eyes met hers and calmness washed over her. She wanted to believe him, but that would be nuts. What was going on?

  Catalina opened her mouth to reply, but her back spasmed and another loud crackle filled the air. She cringed and kicked out as a scream tore out of her. Bray clutched her closer, his grip not faltering once.

  They stopped in a clearing and he set her on the ground. She stumbled away from him, landing on her butt in the dirt. So graceful. Way to get away.

  “You should remove your clothes so you have something to change into when you return to normal,” Bray instructed.

  “What?” she cried incredulously. She was not taking off her clothes. What crack is he smoking?

  Bray shook his head and knelt down beside her. Frightened she scampered away, howling as a tremor raced through her arm. She glanced down at her fingers watching in both horror and fascination as the bones and veins rippled beneath the surface. What was happening to her? Had he drugged her? What was he going to do?

  “You were bitten,” he stated, placing a hand over the wound on her arm.

  She gulped and nodded. What did that have to do with this?

  “You are in transition, Catalina. When a werewolf bites a human, the bile transfers the ability to shift into the victim. You are turning into a wolf,” he explained calmly.

  Catalina blinked at him as she drew in a long, stabbing breath. He was insane, but as pain continued to wrack her she couldn’t help but wonder if he was somehow right. Her fingers ached and as she blinked her digits seemed to stretch and bend unnaturally. No. She wasn’t turning into a wolf. That was ludicrous. He’d drugged her somehow. That was the only explanation. Probably given her too much of whatever drug he’d used. That’s why everything hurt so badly.

  “You’re nuts,” she whimpered.

  “Don’t fight it,” Bray encouraged. “Embrace it. It will hurt less if you do. The change will happen whether you want it to or not.”

  “No.” She shook her head violently. Agony tore through her once again and she bucked up off the ground as her spine severed. Tears burned her eyes and she panicked, realizing she couldn’t move. Why couldn’t she move? She tried to thrash, but her limbs refused to budge. Oh God. What is happening?

  Bray crawled on his knees to her and clasped her face in his hands. “Hey. Hey. You’re okay,” he soothed, stroking her cheeks gently. “It’s going to be okay. I need you to relax. Close your eyes. Listen to the sound of my voice.”

  She followed his advice as she swallowed a thick lump back down her throat. What choice did she have but to listen to him? She was at his mercy.

  “Good. Regulate your breathing. In and out,” he said, gently caressing her cheeks with his thumbs.

  Catalina panted. Sweat beaded on her brow and her pulse roared in her ears. Her body was on fire and he wanted her to control her breathing? Yeah. That is SO not going to happen.

  “It’s going to be okay. Calm down. Listen to my voice,” Bray continued.

  She licked her lips and drew in a deep burning breath and let it out.

  “There you go,” he encouraged.

  She drew in a few more deep breaths. The pain eased back a little. Or maybe her body was going numb. She couldn’t decide. The world bobbed viscously, even with her eyes squeezed shut.

  “You’re doing great,” he encouraged. “Now, picture a wolf. Picture its toes and then it’s legs.”

  She grunted as her body pulsed painfully. Fire scorched her muscles as they seemed to jut out and realign.

  “Good. Picture the body and the shoulders, the arms, and the head,” he said as his voice drifted away.

  Loud crackles ruptured the night air and she cried out as her body was ripped to pieces. Her vision darkened and nausea curdled in her belly. Do not pass out. Stay in control. Awake. God knew what would happen if she didn’t stay awake.

  “You did it, Catalina. You can relax now,” Bray whispered, stroking a hand over her head.

  Catalina whimpered as she blinked rapidly. The world tilted around her. Her eyes stared at her hand—but it wasn’t a hand. It was a paw covered with thick brown fur. What in the world? She didn’t have time to contemplate as the darkness clouded her vision and swallowed her whole.

  ***

  Bray stared worriedly at the unconscious wolf. Her breathing had evened and her body was at rest, but she’d fought the shift too long and it had taken its toll. He felt bad for the young woman.

  As a born werewolf, he’d known what would happen to him the first time he shifted. Catalina hadn’t had a clue. When she awoke, she’d be disoriented and in her wolf form. She could hurt someone, especially him since he was right there.

  It would be in his best interest to shift. If she attacked he’d be prepared, and if she bolted he could follow her closely. The transition to wolf was the hardest part, but when she changed back, she would need help.

  He stripped his clothes off and laid them on the ground in a neat pile then dropped to his hands and knees and imagined his wolf form. His bones snapped and contorted, quickly realigning for his alternate being. It was a pleasurable pain, one he hoped Catalina would come to enjoy with time. The first few shifts were complete torture, but once you got better at it, it was gratifying.

  He blinked his eyes open, his irises adjusting to the sharper, crisper surroundings. Slowly, Bray trotted around the perimeter. They weren’t deep in the woods and he wanted to be sure no one had followed them. The coast was clear.