Sugar-Free Beta by Angelique Voisen

SUGAR-FREE BETA
     
    Wolves of New Haven, 1
     
    Angelique Voisen
     
    Copyright © 2014
     
     
     
    Chapter One
     
    It was the pain that woke Jack Lee up. Tendrils of it streaked from his
bandaged left calf and up his thigh, making him whimper. The bandages were
soaked and needed changing, but he couldn’t get up. Not yet at least. Not when
there was something large and heavy lying on top of his chest and breathing
down on him.
    Jack had no idea how he got his leg bitten—at least it felt like it was
bitten. Heck, it felt like something with teeth had gnawed into it. He also had
no idea why he was naked under the sheets and why there was a large, reddish
dog lying on top of his chest either.
    What the hell happened to him last night? The more he racked at his
brains, the more it hurt to think. He was supposed to catch the last train back
to the Upper Cities, but he’d missed it for some reason. He was on his way to
his motel to pick up his belongings, but he never made it there.
    Jack frowned and strained his neck to peer at the room. Clean royal blue
wallpaper and wooden furniture. For some reason, the room smelled of
chocolates, vanilla, and musk. The scattered candy wrappers explained the chocolate, but not the other two smells. Vanilla and musk were
decidedly familiar smells, smells he could affectionately associate with a
particular someone, but he couldn’t place who yet.
    Jack tried to sit up to have a better view of the room, but a deep
rumble reminded him why he couldn’t. “Get off me, you big—” Jack began, not
bothering to finish.
    His heart thudded painfully against his chest, and goose bumps broke
across the surface of his skin. One quick look was enough to tell him that the
beast on top of him wasn’t a dog. For one thing, it was bloody huge. The snout
was long and slender, and probably hid razor sharp teeth. Everything about the
animal’s large but graceful form screamed predator, as if it was specially
built to take down large prey.
    Jack couldn’t breathe. This was no dog. It was a damn fine huge wolf,
and he was certain it was no ordinary wolf either. The sight of the animal
wrenched something awful inside him. Something that was hard to swallow—distant
memories of pain, of always cowering and hiding in small corners, and of a
handsome and leering face.
    Why couldn’t it be a simple dog? Why did it have to be his own kind?
Looking at the werewolf in front of him, Jack realized that he could never be
like this wolf. He was a submissive wolf and would always remain at the bottom
of any pack hierarchy. He’d always amounted to nothing except a plaything. It
was all coming painfully back to him now.
    Jack was chewing on his lower lip when the wolf’s amber eyes opened. He
swallowed, feeling its large paws shift on his chest. It opened its mouth,
revealing an impressive set of teeth, and … it let out a yawn. Jack steadied
himself for an admonishing blow or a rake of claws to remind him of his place,
but it never came.
    He’s being extra careful. His paws aren’t even
making a scratch on my human skin. At that encouraging thought, Jack looked the wolf in the eyes. Instead
of the negative feelings he’d usually associate with dominant wolves, he felt
different towards this big red.
    Gathering his wits and courage, Jack said a cheerful, “Good
morning.”   He blinked when the wolf
extended its long pink tongue to lick at his cheek. Surprise turned to
annoyance when the wolf continued licking and drool began to drip down his
neck. Jack wouldn’t be surprised if there was drool on the pillows. Good thing
this wasn’t his bed or he would’ve thrown a fit.
    “Stop that.” Jack grabbed the scruff of its rich reddish-brown fur,
pulling his face away from its prodding tongue. “Can you get off me? You’re
damn heavy.”
    Amber eyes stared at him for a moment.
    “Off!” Jack demanded, unsure if the big wolf would listen. To his
surprise, it did. It rolled off him and settled beside him