Page 1 of Teeth To Rip & Tear

Prologue

The little girl liked to make things.

Sometimes, she would make dogs out of old rags, breathing life into the dolls she had made and giving them names as they followed her like dutiful pets.

Other times, she would find her hair tangled in snarls and elaborate braids when she couldn’t remember how they got there.

The little girl wasn’t allowed out of the house. Her grandmother was her only family, both her teacher and her guardian.

The threshold was painted in blood. Elaborate sigils that made her skin prickle if she got near.

The outside world meant pain.

“Do you know how to look for the signs, Mallory?” Her grandmother would ask, her eyes glazed over as if she peered into the veil.

“Threads.” The little girl nodded. “Even the best Weavers can’t hide their threads.”

The old woman held up a wooden coin and turned it over in her fingers, and the little girl watched as silver magic wrapped the coin like a spiderweb. “What I have woven will come to pass, Mallory.” Her grandmother nodded staunchly. “You will need your own hounds, but I have prepared. I have woven a future wherehewill pay for what he has done.”

Chapter One

“That’s a dead rat.” The bouncer said as he snatched the greasy paper bag from my hands. His nose wrinkled in disgust.

I met his eyes. “Yep.”

“You can’t bring in outdoor food.” He chuckled.

“Very funny.”

He chuckled to himself. “I like to think so.”

“I’m here to see the Alpha.” I tapped my foot, reaching for the paper bag.

“Do you plan on giving him the rat?” the bouncer frowned.

“Just give me the damn bag.” I snarled.

“Fine,Karen.” He added the final word under his breath as I snatched the paper bag from his hand.

“It’s Mallory, notKaren.”

“Sure.” The bouncer rolled his eyes. “Dean’s in his office. Wait at the bar; I’ll tell him you’re coming.”

I didn’t thank him. Instead, I growled under my breath as I marched past the behemoth. His hand snapped out, cupping my bicep to stop me from walking past.

“What is that smell?” His nostrils flared, and his watery eyes wrinkled in disgust. He was a wolf. I could smell it on his skin.

“Lotion?” I quipped. “Or the dead rat? You choose.”

I couldn’t lie, but didn’t always have to tell the truth.

The bouncer released my arm, holding his hands up in surrender. “You just smell weird, that’s all.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s not a nice thing to say to a lady.”

The bouncer rolled his eyes and waved me through. “Do us all a favor and have something to drink. It might help you relax.”

I didn’t need to relax.

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