Center of the Iris

I don’t think anyone saw it coming. I, Terrell Gladson, was at least the most surprised. When the beautiful raven-haired cheerleader shifted her first time, we all knew, just knew, that she and Gavin were mates. But her scent… it drove me mad. I could smell her showering, in her house, over a mile away. She was the beauty queen, and it surprised no one that everyone loved her. Her sleek white smile. Her graceful, anvil cut calves. Her soft tanned skin glimmering in the sunlight. She was truly beautiful. I could smell her. I knew it was her. And I was horridly confused.   I followed the scent, almost unwillingly, deep into the heart of the woods. I saw her body go through the pain staking first shift. The sickening crack of her ribs, her knees inverting as the jeans she wore shredded effortlessly aware from them. Her falling forward, paws out-stretched, exhausted. I shifted before she saw me.   But she could smell me,

Those last couple of weeks were hell in that village. Everyone, and I mean everyone, glared at me. Graduation was the worst. They threatened to take away my diploma just because I didn’t “respect the hunt.” “Terrell the Terrible, the name rings so high!” Just like Ivan the Terrible, or the Hitler of their town, they taunted me. My father hired an outside human lawyer when they threatened my diploma. The attorney made some wheels and deals, and on the 17th of June, I walked with my class, got my diploma, tossed my tassle to the side and flipped everyone off as I walked off that stage. There was nothing they could do to me now. I knew the plan. Graduate. Get in the car.   And get. The. Hell. Out. Of. Town.   My father had made up his mind that he was coming with me to Stanford. He said he could use the change of scenery. But I knew better. He needed to get out of town before they banned him from the pack.

His phone jolted him awake. Passed out again, over stacks of declarations, court orders, and pizza. How long had he been out?   He rubbed his eyes and reached for his watch. 2:37 AM. Damn! Who the hell could be calling him at this hour?   He picked up his phone. Dad. Shit. Double shit.   “Dad? Dad what’s wrong?”   “Nothing. I missed your call. What’s up son?” His voice was cheery, like he had been on vacation for six months.   “What? Oh, uh, I was going to see if you wanted to meet up for scotch and dinner. Guess I missed you.”   There was an awkward silence on the phone.   “Dad?”   “I’m here. You do know I’m in London this week, remember? The convention? I’ve been planning it for months.”   Right. The hot shot lawyer convention across the big blue. One of those things he hated the most. “Yeah, mu

The two men led Kyle into a private room decorated in the finest Queen Anne antique furniture. Across the floor spread hand spun Chinese carpets, along with plush pillows tossed and fluffed across two long couches. On the far end of the room was a large open window, lined in heavy velvet curtains, with sheers delicately placed in between them. A fireplace took up a good portion of the center left wall with a mantle almost as long as Kyle was tall. A deep blue velvet antique chaise lounge sat next to the window, and behind it on the wall, a floor to ceiling shelving of leather bound books.The room was lit with a chandelier, low and dim, and used to serve the house with candle light against hanging crystals. The chandelier had long since been replaced with electrical current, but still gave the shimmering off glow from its dangles and bobbles. On the right side of the room, a bar cart with bourbon, sherry, champagne and ice sat, waiting for them.“Do you drink, Ky

A few hours later, Terrell and Jason stood at the airport waiting for the jet to be ready.“Private jet?” Jason asked, looking about suspiciously.“I do have to come 'alone' as Kyle so easily put it. If I show up stylin' in this private gig, then they will know I am alone.”“I don't like it Alpha. It just smells wrong. Let me go for you.”“Jason, I appreciate your loyalty, I really do. But apparently this is not the case in Georgia. You know I will keep base with you. You're just a jingle away.”Jason sneered. He was not fond of the idea of his Alpha just up and heading several miles away from his home territory. His attention was caught off guard by movement in the corner of his eye.Several pack members heaved a gurney through the deserted air strip. Kyle lay on the gurney, strapped down, unconscious an