The Wolf Within. Sondrae Bennett

      Brendan stopped dead in his tracks, the rabbit he hunted no longer of interest to him. He lifted his head in the air and sniffed. A familiar scent floated on the breeze, wrapping around him. He knew that scent. Julie. Throwing back his head, his wolf howled in triumph. Finally, she was home, and now nothing would hold him back from claiming her.

      Watching her go off to college, to leave him, had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he’d been patient–not even confessing his intentions before she’d left, knowing how much her education meant to her. His tightly-strung control had almost snapped when she’d come home last Christmas, smelling of some frat boy. A growl rumbled low in his throat at the memory. It had to have been the worst Christmas in history as he worried whether or not he’d lose her. Somehow he’d mustered his iron control and stayed as far away from the Callahan family as possible.

      In retrospect he was glad he had waited. Now Julie was back, her clean, strawberry scent drawing him to her like a moth to a flame.

      He loped through the woods, his paws pounding the ground, crunching dried leaves and sticks beneath him in his haste. Her name formed a constant mantra in his head.

      She wouldn’t recognize him in his wolf form. Being human, she wouldn’t be able to smell or sense the differences between the wolves in the town. Still, the need to see her drove him forward.

      Breaking free of the woods, he caught sight of her mint green Escape turning into her parents’ driveway. He stared at Julie as she drove past, her backseat and trunk packed to the top, evidence that her life away from Alpine Woods was finished. This time, he planned to keep her close.

      He hurried around the corner of the house, desperate for more than just a glimpse, but pulled up short as he saw Julie exiting the car. This wasn’t the carefree girl he remembered.

      She was as beautiful as always, her long, wavy tresses tucked behind one ear as she stared at the house she’d grown up in. But defeat and resignation lined every angle of her posture. He watched as she closed her eyes, lifting them to the sky. A breeze rustled through her hair, sweeping the locks away from her face. A smile curled her lips as she lowered her head.

      Brendan paused, taking a small step back as his mind grappled with the change. If he hadn’t seen the sadness surrounding her before, he never would’ve believed anything was wrong. Her eyes were bright, and she looked like someone without a care in the world.

      Loping back into the woods, he cast one last glance at the woman destined to be his mate. He’d have to tread with care until he figured out what bothered her. He would find out. But first, he needed to integrate himself back into her life. And make sure other men stayed away. Julie was his.

      * * * *

      A movement out of the corner of her eye drew Julie’s gaze to a beautiful gray timber wolf running into the forest. Nothing new in Alpine Woods, considering the town was inhabited by a substantial wolf shifter pack. The wolf was too far away for her to make out any defining markings, but somehow she knew it was Brendan.

      A small pang shot through her as she watched him run away, but she squashed it. There was no use longing for things that would never be hers.

      Squaring her shoulders, Julie walked up the path to her parents’ front door. It had been a long drive, and a longer few months leading up to graduation. She hadn’t bothered staying for the ceremony, something her parents and siblings had pushed for. They hadn’t understood her rush to leave after her exams. They had wanted to watch her receive her diploma. Hell, she wanted that too and had worked hard to achieve it.

      Julie had no desire to explain her reasons, which had resulted in some very tense phone calls. But watching George–the boyfriend she’d caught having sex with another woman–give a speech at graduation was more than Julie could take at the moment. So she’d gathered the tattered remains of her pride and put her foot down, insisting on coming home.

      It was bad enough having to watch some of her siblings find their mates and pair off. They didn’t need to see how pathetic she was. How she couldn’t even keep her boyfriend from cheating.

      Julie stopped a few paces from the front door and closed her eyes, chastising herself and trying to banish the resentment. She was happy for her brothers, thrilled they’d found women to spend their lives with. But it was difficult watching her siblings with their mates, knowing she would never have the same level of connection they shared. Knowing she was the only one in her family who would never feel that particular closeness, that ultimate love and complete trust with someone.

      She took a breath, reminding herself she’d come to terms with being born human a long time ago. She’d been forced to face it every time her dad had uttered his favorite phrase, Why would I want normal when I could have remarkable? It was something he’d say whenever he’d recall how he and Julie’s mother had met, or rather, when she’d showed him her wolf form. Julie knew he’d meant it as a lesson for her brothers and sister. But the knowledge didn’t stop the pang from hitting her heart every time he’d told the story. As a human, she wasn’t remarkable.

      Pasting a cheery smile on her face, Julie continued up the pathway. Just because she didn’t have a mate didn’t mean she would end up alone. One of the main reasons she had gone away to college had been to spread her wings. Julie blew out a breath on a laugh. Who was she kidding? She’d gone to college to meet men who didn’t know about life here in Alpine Woods. To meet someone who wouldn’t judge her for being full human.

      Julie had realized at an early age that dating wouldn’t be a part of her life here. The boys in school had always stayed far away from the human girl with three alpha wolf brothers and one alpha wolf sister. Although, it had kept the bullies away as well, so it wasn’t without benefits.

      “Hey guys, I’m home,” she called, setting her purse next to the door.

      Julie glanced around the silent house. Where was everyone? Even her two family labs were missing. She’d told her parents she was coming home today. She figured everyone would be here to welcome her back. They had wanted to throw a party, but Julie had declined, knowing her brother, Jason, and his mate, Samantha, were busy planning their summer wedding.

      “Hello, anybody home?” Julie tried once again, walking into the kitchen.

      “Surprise!”

      Her whole family was crammed into the room, her father struggling to hold back the wiggling dogs in their desire to reach her. Julie kneeled and opened her arms, inviting them to pounce. She knew they’d calm down once they got their pets and licks.

      “We know you said you didn’t want a party, but we figured a small one with just the family didn’t count.” Her brother, Ethan, ambled over to help her rise and kissed her cheek. Julie smiled. She knew they couldn’t resist doing something.

      “Thanks, guys. A family dinner sounds perfect.”

      It was all the urging her mother needed. Judith swept her daughter in a fierce hug, her familiar scent surrounding Julie like a warm blanket. Home. Finally. Her arms circled her mother’s waist,