Wolf princess wolf princ.., p.1
Wolf Princess: Wolf Princess Book 1, page 1
WOLF PRINCESS
M GUIDA
Copyright © 2022 by M Guida
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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CONTENTS
Foreword
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Excerpt from Legacy Academy Year One
Dear Reader
About the Author
Also by M Guida
FOREWORD
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CHAPTER 1
For the seventy-seventh time, I counted my tip money. Last night at Mama’s Home Cooking Cafe had been super slow due to the sudden winter storm that had blown in out of nowhere. Shit. The rest was due today, and I was short again.
Click Click Click
I drummed my fingers on the kitchen table. The wind howled outside and blew through the crooked windows that refused to shut all the way, and I shivered, pulling my coat tighter around me. Snowflakes snuck in through the cracked windows, turning the dirty green carpet white.
My cell phone rang, and I glanced at it briefly before answering. “Hey, Jenny.”
“How are you doing for money, Salem? I know rent is due today and I feel bad I moved out.”
Jenny was my best friend and had been my roommate. We’d been in the same group home and got super tight. When we turned eighteen and had to leave, we decided to room together. But then she hooked up with a guy—she was always hooking up with guys—and moved out, leaving me holding the bag.
She was still in the same trailer park, but had a nicer one now that she shared with this new guy. Gary. He was almost twice her age. Gross.
I sighed heavily. “Not good.”
“I could lend you some. How much do you need?”
“At least a hundred and fifty dollars,” I said. I knew she didn’t have it. Gary expected her to pay half the rent and every penny she earned above that went straight into his pocket.
“I have twenty. Will that help?”
I laughed sadly. “Thanks, but no.”
Someone knocked on my door. “Salem, you in there?”
I stilled. “Crap. Ross is here. I gotta go.”
“Salem, wait—”
But I had already hung up. Dread seeped into my bones, and I ran a shaking hand through my hair. Maybe I could pretend I wasn’t here and not answer.
“I see you, girl.”
Ross peeked through the kitchen window, a lopsided grin on his face.
I groaned. Locking him out wasn’t an option. He was a big guy and could easily knock down my flimsy metal door. I reluctantly got up from the table and opened the door.
His arms folded, he leaned against the railing as the snow falling on his bald head. “You got my money?”
I held up my chin. “Most of it.”
He brushed past me. “So, that’s a no?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Ross, you can’t just barge in here, you know. This is my place and I have rights.”
“You’re short again.” He shut the door and blocked my escape. “In my book that means you don’t have any rights and you’re one step away from having your cute little ass kicked to the curb.” He flashed his dark brown eyes over me. “Unless we can come to an…arrangement.” His syrupy voice made my stomach clench.
Rumors were all over Sunshine Trailer Park about the slimy “arrangements” Ross would make with women, usually single moms, who couldn’t pay their rent. Such a fucking lowlife douchebag.
I pointed. “Get. Out.” Luckily, my voice sounded strong and didn’t betray the fear brewing inside me.
He grabbed my hand and hauled me against his chest. “Why do you have to be such a stuck-up little bitch? You’re lucky I even rented this place to you and Jenny.”
“Let go of me, Ross.” I pushed against his chest hard and tried to pull my arm free of his steel grip.
“Fuck me and we’ll call it square.”
Every time he saw me, he tried to get me to sleep with him. Yuck. I gritted my teeth. “For the hundred millionth time, no.”
He shoved me onto my couch and ripped off his jacket. “If you want to fight me, baby, go for it. I like a girl with spirit.”
My heart thundered between my ribs and fear gripped me as he unbuttoned his jeans. “Stay away from me, or I’ll scream.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Who here would care here? Do you think anyone’s going to come to your rescue, sunshine? You have no family. No friends. You’re nothing but a foster brat.” His words stung because they were true. Jenny was the only one who would come, but her trailer was clear at the other end of the park.
Men had never been kind to me, always treating me like I was white trash, thinking just because I was raised in foster care I’d spread my legs for anything that had a pulse.
I edged down the couch. “That doesn’t mean you can rape me.”
“Then give me the money you owe me, slut.”
“I’m not a slut.” I swallowed back the panic and tried to make my voice sound strong. “I can get it for you. I promise. I’ll work double shifts at Mama’s.”
“Too late.” He licked his lips. “I want you. I wanted you the very first time you walked into the office.”
“I mean it, Ross. Stay away from me.”
“Just try and keep me away, beautiful.”
He lunged at me, seized my arm, and then kissed me brutally on my lips, cutting off my air. I clenched my mouth shut tightly.
Suddenly, something mushroomed inside me like an atomic bomb. Anger clawed its way to the surface like a wild animal, trying to get free. Adrenaline surged through me, pulsing through my veins and firing up my muscles.
I kneed him as hard as I could in the nuts. He groaned and doubled over, releasing me.
I shoved him as hard as I could and he fell flat on his back, still holding onto his groin. Where was this all coming from? I had never been that strong before.
“Stay away from me, you fucking asshole.” My voice sounded different. It was more of a deep growl.
Ross looked up. I thought he would charge me, but his face paled. “What the hell’s wrong with your eyes?”
“Get out.” This time, my voice was a snarl. What was happening?
His eyes wide, Ross backed up. “There’s…there’s something wrong with you.” He scrambled to his feet and burst out of the trailer, trashing my door, and leaving his jacket behind.
“What’s happening…what’s happening to me?” My voice was deeper.
I ran into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. My green eyes had become golden. I blinked and they changed back. Crap, what the actual fuck?
I rushed back into the living room and called Jenny.
“Can…can you come over? Something’s happening. I’m…I’m freaking out.”
Her voice filled with concern. “Yeah, of course. I’ll be right there.”
I paced back and forth in the trailer, not sure what was happening. How could I have thrown Ross off me? He was a big man and twice my size. Was it pure adrenaline? I had heard people could do things like that in times of stress, but seriously?
Someone tapped on my door. “Salem?”
I whipped open the door. Jenny flicked her gaze over me. Snow dusted her long blond hair, and she had on a jean jacket that was twice her size. It must have been Gary’s. “Salem, you’re white as a ghost. What’s happened?”
“I’m fucking freaking out is what’s happened.”
She grabbed my shaking hand and led me to the broken-down couch. “Tell me everything.”
I relayed what had gone down with Ross.
She rubbed my back. “Seriously? You shoved Ross off you?”
I nodded. “Yes. How could I do that? He’s over six foot tall and pure muscle.”
“When people get really scared, their adrenaline is pumping. They can get strong.”
“So, you think I’m the Incredible Hulk?”
“Maybe. Anyway, he deserved it. About time someone stood up to that perv.”
“But Jenny, if he kicks me out of here, I don’t have anywhere to go. I’ll be living on the streets.”
“He can’t evict you for sixty days. We’ll come up with something. I’ll ask Gary what to do.”
I didn’t reply. Gary was a biker and his friends had made passes at me more than once. I had no intention of becoming bunk mates with one of them.
“Do you want to come and stay with me for the night?”
“Will Gary mind?”
She cracked her shoulders. “Hey, it’s my place, too.”
Somehow I didn’t think Gary saw it that way, but I didn’t want
I hurried to pack a bag and then grabbed my purse. I locked what was left of the door—not that it would keep Ross out—and Jenny and I made our way to her trailer, a double wide unlike my single. Gary’s motorcycle wasn’t parked in front.
I cleared my throat. “Is Gary home?”
“No, he’s not back yet. On Thursdays, he plays pool after work with friends at Mick’s. He probably won’t get here until late tonight.”
Great, he’d be drunk when he came home. I hoped he wouldn’t bring home some of his handsy friends, especially his younger brother.
Jenny opened the door and envy gripped me. It was so much nicer than mine. No holes in the leather couch. All the windows closed properly, keeping out the wind and snow. The wooden kitchen table had matching chairs, and there was even a vase of flowers on it.
“God, it’s freezing outside.” Jenny rubbed her arms. “You look like you could use a glass of wine.”
She opened a cupboard and got out two stemmed glasses.
“Thanks. That sounds great.”
She poured and handed me a glass of red wine. “You still look like you could pass out, girl.”
I sat on the leather couch. “I can’t stop shaking, but I don’t know if it’s from the cold or what happened with Ross.” I took a sip and the wine warmed my insides.
“Probably both.” She took a seat in a leather recliner. “What are you going to do to get the rent?”
“Work doubles at Mama’s, what else.” I couldn’t hide the misery in my voice.
“You’re working all the time now.”
I didn’t mention this was partly her fault for moving in with Gary.
She looked down at her drink. “Maybe you should get another roommate.”
I shrugged. “Who?”
She twirled her wineglass. “Well, Gary’s little brother needs a place to stay.”
I grimaced. “Seriously? He’s a big meth head. Thanks, but no thanks.”
“It was just a suggestion.”
“I know, and thank you, but it’s not my style.”
She sighed heavily. “Suit yourself.” She clicked on the television to a romantic comedy on Netflix.
Jenny didn’t think twice about sleeping with someone if it got her what she wanted, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it, especially since I was a virgin. That was precious to me, and I didn’t want to hand it over to just any douchebag.
We finished off the bottle. Weariness washed over me. I yawned and curled up in a ball underneath a soft blanket that had been draped over the couch.
Someone was shaking me gently. “Salem, wake up.”
I groggily opened my eyes. “What? What’s happening?”
Jenny knelt next to me. “You conked out last night. Gary came home and you didn’t even realize it, but I don’t think he noticed you either.” She laughed. “He was totally polluted and barely made it to bed.”
Gee, lucky her.
“He’s already left for work. I’ve got to go to work, too.”
Jenny worked at a gym at the front desk. She was dressed in a T-shirt and yoga pants with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
I pulled the blanket tighter around me. “So, I can’t stay here?”
She avoided my gaze.
“Gary said he didn’t want you hanging around here without me.”
I sat up straighter. “Why? Because he thinks I’m going to steal something?” I flicked the blanket off. “What a fucking asshole. I don’t steal from my friends.”
“I know. But don’t you have to go home to get ready for work anyway?”
“Yeah.” I stretched my arms and arched my back. “What time is it?”
“Six in the morning.”
My eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, sorry. I have the morning shift today.”
I grabbed my bag and purse. I didn’t bother to change since according to Gary I had worn out my welcome. I couldn’t shake the dread I felt at the idea of going back to my trailer.
She looked at me worriedly. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah, sure.” My voice was stronger than my quaking knees.
Facing Ross again would be bad enough, but what really scared me was the possibility I might turn into the Hulk again.
“Do you want me to walk you back to your place?”
I slipped on my coat. “No. You’ll be late if you do.”
We went outside. She got on her scooter and I made my way back to my lonesome trailer at the other end of the park. I scanned the grounds for Ross but didn’t see him.
I put my key into the door, but it swung open by itself. Fear gripped me and I hesitated, not sure I should walk inside. The lights weren’t on and I quickly shot my trembling hand inside and turned on the living room light, expecting to see Ross waiting to pounce on me again.
I was wrong.
My breath stalled. The hottest guy I had ever seen sat sprawled on my couch, his muscular arms spread wide as if he owned the place. His black leather pants hugged his long legs. His long, wavy brown hair flared over his shoulders and softly framed his face. His mustache and goatee made him look mysterious. Hot or not, I learned a long time ago that handsome packages often hid a rattlesnake inside.
And this asshole had broken into my place.
His intent brown eyes lit up when he saw me. “I was wondering when you would come back.”
I stood on my porch, freezing my ass off but unwilling to go inside. “Who the hell are you? And how did you get in here?”
“Your lock couldn’t keep out a determined nine-year-old.”
I glared. “I don’t care.” My teeth chattered. “You-you-you can’t break into my-my-my place. Did Ross-Ross-Ross send you?”
“I don’t know anyone called Ross. You’re shivering. Come inside. I promise I won’t you hurt you.”
Spoken like a true rattlesnake.
I found that hard to believe. But the wind was blowing on me, knocking snow off my roof. If I didn’t step inside, I’d become a snowwoman.
I found you by your scent.”
Gee, like that wasn’t creepy as hell. “My scent?”
“Please allow me to tell you who I am before I explain about your scent. I am Mateo Ruiz, a royal guard from the Wolf Moon Kingdom. You’re the missing wolf princess and I am here to rescue you.”
Great. Awesome. The guy was on crack.
I touched my sweating forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m what? You’re what?”
“I know this is hard for you to digest, but you’re a wolf shifter. You must believe me—you’re in serious danger.”
I rolled my eyes. “This is stupid. There’s no such things as werewolves.”
“We’re not werewolves. Werewolves can only shift at the full moon and don’t have any control of the power. Wolf shifters can shift at will and we can manage our abilities.”
This was some kind of stupid game. He was lying. Ross was known for making his victims dance for him. But I didn’t want to get thrown out on my ass, so I forced myself to play along. “So, let me guess. You’re a wolf shifter, too.”
“I am.”
“Uh, uh.” I put my hands on my hips. “Look, I don’t know what game Ross is playing, but I’m not biting.”
He gave me a reassuring smile. “Something happened last night, didn’t it? Something you don’t understand? Something I can help you with.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Listen buddy, I don’t know what you’re on, but you’ve got the wrong girl and you’re in the wrong place. Now I suggest you get the fuck out of here before I call the police.”
Varooom Varooom Varooom
Mateo raced across the room and peered warily out the window.
“Shit, they’ve found you.”
“What are you talking about? Who’s found me?”
“The assassins.”
CHAPTER 2
