Page 1 of Harvest

PROLOGUE

Long before the mists of time had dissipated, two similar creatures crawled out of the primordial soup, progressing along separate but distinct paths. One group evolved, developing the ability to shift between two different forms—their traits and characteristics flowing seamlessly between their altered selves. Those who did not advance maintained the status quo and were known as humans.

CHAPTER 1

Stephanie Savik raced down a dark alleyway. Thunderously loud footsteps pounded after her as her pursuers closed the gap. Because they were outnumbered, she and her sister had split up and were now separated. If one of them got away, then at least the survivor could alert the authorities. But as terror infiltrated every cell, gripping her in its icy fingers, she would do anything to have Ashley at her side.

Turning another corner, she ran into a blind alley and realized she had no escape. With her heart thumping against her rib cage, she ran to the end, banging her hands on the sturdy brick wall. A low growl split the night air. She whirled around to see three men accompanied by two wolves. What the hell were wolves doing in the ancient city of Belgrade?

Before she could even consider the reason why, she woke from her dream, sitting bolt upright on the narrow bed, cold sweat trickling down her spine as she tried to calm her breathing. It was the dream again. Dream? Hardly. It was the beginning of this nightmare that seemed to have no end. Stephanie pulled at the manacle that kept her tethered to the bed. She shivered… Ashley, where was she?

Stephanie wondered again how she had ended up abducted and turned into some kind of grotesque monster. A tremor ran through her as she recalled being held down while a savage bite had been inflicted. After that trauma, she’d screamed, passed out and when she’d come to, more than a week had passed.

And everything had changed.

A Year Later…

TheLuna de Lobopack might know about her past, but they would only know the she-wolf she had become. As much as she would miss those she left behind in Tuscany, a chance to start over as the assistant vintner in California’s wine country called to her.

“Ready?” asked Ashley.

Stephanie grinned. “Always.”

The sisters walked outside, and Stephanie felt overwhelmed. Instead of this being a last run with her sister, the majority of the pack stood outside, all but Marco having shifted into their wolf form.

Marco smiled down at her. “We’re going to miss you, little wolf. I’m not sure if your new pack enjoys running as a group, but I know Damian Steele’s honor, courage and commitment to his pack. I do not believe it will be necessary, but you will forever be welcome here with us. You have always taken great joy in running with our people.”

Tears threatened to fall, her throat seized up and all she could do was nod.

“As it will most likely be your last run with us, I ask that you lead the pack,” said Marco as he stepped back and shifted.

Stephanie could feel her sister do the same. As she allowed her wolf to come forward and claim her, she lifted her muzzle to the morning sky and howled. The DeMedici Pack answered in kind as she sprinted off. She galloped into the beautiful gardens, around the lake and up into the hills strewn with vines. As she had suspected, there were refreshments in the grotto as well as enough robes for everyone to shift back to their human form and indulge.

Catherine had arranged for one of their horse-drawn wagons to take those who didn’t want to complete the farewell as wolves back to the villa. Those that did, shifted once more and followed Stephanie as she wound her way through the vineyard and back to the beautiful home she had come to love.

Stephanie’s flight from Italy was pleasant and she had a two-hour layover in D.C. before her non-stop flight to San Francisco. While grabbing a Starbucks—God how she’d missed them in Italy; they were few and far between—she replied to a text from Kayla Conroy, the head vintner’s mate:

Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow afternoon. I’ll let you know when I’ve landed in San Francisco. I want to spend what’s left of today and most of tomorrow sightseeing. I should arrive at Luna de Lobo tomorrow evening between six and seven.

Smiling, Stephanie boarded her next flight. Not only was she looking forward to doing a bit of sightseeing, but her friend Seraphina Marino had given her the name of the club she’d frequented when she’d lived in San Francisco—Torch Light. Stephanie wanted a chance to unwind and relax from her trip and knew that a visit to a BDSM club was just the ticket.

Stephanie knew some packs could be pretty relaxed about dalliances among members, but Seraphina’s mate, Luca, who had arranged for her to get the job with theLuna de Lobovineyard, had been quick to point out that her new pack was much like her old. Casual sex amongst members was not encouraged. And like the DeMedici pack, male wolves would be held responsible for any harm caused to the she-wolves. While the patriarchal set-up of wolfen society could be annoying, there were times it had distinct advantages.

“You travelling to San Fran on business or pleasure?” asked the man sitting next to her.

Stephanie’s gaze trailed over his open, sun-tanned features. His expression belayed those features. There was something hard and guarded behind his eyes.

“I’m relocating for a new job.”

“What do you do?” he asked.

“I work in the wine industry.”

“Wine-making is a big business in California. How do you train for something like that?”

“I sort of fell into it. I went for an extended visit with my sister and when I showed an interest, the head vintner took me under his wing and gave me a reference.”

Stephanie didn’t want to be rude, but she was also not inclined to give this stranger the story of her life.

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