Page 15 of It All Started with a Bite

I returned to Ellie’s side and shifted protectively in front of her. “This is Ellie Martin.”

Ellie swallowed convulsively, a rabbit in the headlights. She blew out a sigh when Samuel’s gaze switched to Bo.

“Your dog seems to have special abilities,” the alpha observed.

It was more a statement than a question.

“Yes,” I admitted grudgingly. “Although I just found out about it myself.”

“Hugh seems to think he’s part werewolf,” Victoria murmured.

Samuel examined Bo with a critical mien. “Which part?” He paused. “Also, he looks weak for being part werewolf.”

Bo sat up straight. “And your cat’s a snob mister, but you don’t hear me complaining.” His ears flattened at Samuel’s deepening frown. He slinked behind me, tail between his legs.

A sound I’d never heard before worked its way up my throat. “How about you stop picking on my dog?”

Samuel’s eyebrows shot up at the feral growl. Something that looked like admiration flitted in his gaze.

I was certain I was wrong.

This guy seemed too pigheaded to look favorably on anyone.

Victoria cleared her throat in the tense hush.

“Perhaps we should sit down.” She led the way to the formal sitting room.

I hesitated before heading after her with the others, Samuel bringing up the rear. His gaze scorched my nape.

The room was exactly what you’d expect from the mansion’s exterior: antique furniture, Persian rugs, and oil paintings of people who looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. Kind of like how I felt right now.

Bo plopped down beside me, his body pressed against my leg. I wasn’t sure if he was seeking reassurance or trying to reassure me.

Ellie looked uncertain as she perched on the edge of a chair, her initial enthusiasm at discovering Amberford had a supernatural side fading in the face of my new reality.

Samuel stood by the fireplace, his presence filling the space like a brewing storm. He hadn’t stopped staring at me since we came downstairs, his amber eyes burning with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

“Now, how about we start with how my idiot brother managed to turn someone in the middle of downtown Amberford?” he asked in a carefully controlled voice.

“It wasn’t downtown,” Hugh protested where he’d taken refuge behind a sofa. “It was on Abby’s doorstep.” He scratched his cheek awkwardly. “More precisely, it was when she and Ellie took me up to their apartment so I could sleep off my hangover.”

Samuel’s face darkened. “Because that makes it so much better.”

Hugh flinched.

Pearl’s tail swished like a metronome of judgment from where she sat on a side table. “I suppose we should be grateful he didn’t do it at the mall in front of everyone.”

Victoria pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why did you bite her?”

Hugh squirmed. “I was high on werewolf nip and thought she was a squirrel.”

You could have heard a pin drop in the deafening silence that followed.

My mouth pressed to a thin line. At least the guy was honest.

Samuel and Victoria stared wordlessly at Hugh, like they couldn’t believe he was that dumb.

“You were what?” Victoria mumbled, pale-faced.

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