Titolo: The tempering
Autore: Adrianne James
Genere: New adult paranormal, romance
Trama: The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.
After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can’t possibly be normal. The myths she’s studying aren’t myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she’s one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.
The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?
Trama: The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.
After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can’t possibly be normal. The myths she’s studying aren’t myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she’s one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.
The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?
Adrianne James Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with the world.During the day, Adrianne uses her camera to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written word and a loving family.
As a young adult and new adult author, Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers to enjoy.
#1
Mackenzie pulled her coat tight
around her as she took the first few steps onto the walking path along the
bridge. Looking out over the Charles River, she smiled at the beauty the lights
created when they reflected off the water. The sky had an almost bluish purple
glow and the full moon was high in the sky. She may have been better suited to
sit inside and work, but if she were able to admire the beauty the world had to
offer through a window, that was what she considered perfect.
Stepping off the bridge, Mackenzie
checked her watch and was shocked that it was already ten-thirty. She looked
down the well-lit street that held a throng of students partying with the game
blaring on their radios, and then to her left at the quiet park. She loved the
park. It had plenty of trees and most of the time it was completely deserted.
It reminded her of Colorado at times. Even though she didn’t like to admit it,
she missed her home state. She quickly made the left turn and found herself
walking amongst the tall maple trees. Had there been any light, the beautiful
oranges and reds would have created a kaleidoscope of color in a canopy above
her. The trees stood so closely together that almost no light was able to break
through the leaves. It was pitch black with the exception of one clearing about
thirty feet in front of her where the moonlight was shining in like a
spotlight.
The sounds from the street behind
her slowly faded away with every step, but at the same time, her unease grew.
Looking over her shoulder every few moments to confirm that she was still alone,
she quickened her pace. She didn’t know why, but she felt as if she were being
watched. When a noise from the tree line echoed through the area, her heart
began to race. Goosebumps erupted on her skin and fear gnawed at her.
The rustling from the trees had
Mackenzie on high alert. She stopped and searched the trees as best as she
could, but without any added light, she knew she had little chance of seeing anything.
Just walk quicker. It’s just an animal.
Swallowing down the fear that
threatened to engulf her, she tried to look in all directions at once, not
wanting to be surprised from any angle. With every step she took, the noise in
the trees never faded. It has to be an
animal. It has to be an animal. Animals are not scary. It’s probably a raccoon
or something. Raccoons are nocturnal, so are possums. That’s it. Nothing to be
frightened of. Just another few steps and I will be in the light, then another
five minutes and I’m out of the park. Just a few more minutes. She wanted
to believe anything except the truth– that she was in danger.
Time
seemed to slow in those last few seconds before Mackenzie reached the
light-filled break in the trees. The noise she heard was growing stronger,
louder, and she didn’t know what to do. She began walking backwards, trying to
keep an eye on the tree line, but in doing so, she tripped over a large rock.
A menacing growl sounded from the
trees and when she turned to look behind her, a giant wolf leapt at her from
the darkness. The fear overtook her, making her feel trapped within her own
skin and unable to move or scream.
The wolf had a large head with
strange yellow-green eyes. Its brown fur was matted and for some reason, its
size reminded her more of a bear than a wolf. When Mackenzie realized the
wolf’s mouth had opened and she could see the razor sharp teeth, she flew into
protective mode. Her arms rose up to cover her face and she tried to push
herself backward, away from the beast. Within seconds, the pungent aroma that was
the beast’s hot breath seeped around her arms and over her face. Her stomach
wretched but before she could heave what little lay in her stomach up, the
beast bit down on her arm. The sharp teeth pierced her flesh and she could feel
the tearing of her skin as the beast flung his head back and forth.
As Mackenzie’s blood filled the
wolf’s mouth, she finally let out a blood-curdling scream. She tried to pull
away. She pounded against the side of the beast with her free hand while
kicking her legs about hoping to make contact, but everything she did was
useless against the giant monster as it continued to tear her arm apart.
Mackenzie had to do something, or
she knew she was going to be killed by the wretched wolf. Her thoughts swirled
around, trying to think of anything she could do to free herself. She pushed
and pulled at its muzzle with her free arm, trying to dislodge the teeth
embedded in her flesh. The sharp pain in the mangled limb
became an incredible burn,
but the wolf must have severed a few nerves because she could no longer feel
anything but numbness from her shoulder down to her fingertips.
Remembering what had put her in this
position to begin with, Mackenzie reached behind her and grabbed the damn rock
and swung it at the wolf's head. With a loud crack, the rock connected with the
top of the wolf’s skull. Briefly shocked, the beast’s grip released as her arm fell from its mouth. Before he
could go in for another bite, Mackenzie gouged her thumb straight into its
freakish yellow-green eye. With a loud yelp, the wolf retreated and snarled
once again, baring his teeth. She had angered it, and she was suddenly more
frightened than she had been when her arm was being shredded in its mouth. Pure
rage marred its face. She quickly threw the rock, hitting it square in its
bloody snout. A loud crack resonated through the park before the beast turned
and ran off.
#2
“Is this normal?” Mackenzie asked in
a whisper not wanting to wake Liam. She figured sleeping was probably the only
way to keep the pain away.
“Yes. Every bitten Were goes through
this. You did, but the body shuts the mind off for a reason. His bones are
breaking and healing. Cartilage is shifting or growing. Muscles are stretching.
It’s a whole process that the body goes through. The only thing to do now is
wait.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Waiting
might be part of the process, but maybe she could make him more comfortable. He
may not recognize what she was doing, but she did.
Grabbing a bucket of cool water, a
washcloth, and some blankets, she went back to the den. Margret and Geoff stood
off to the side, whispering with one another so low that even with her super
hearing, she couldn’t tell what they were saying.
“I am so sorry, Liam. You can’t hear
me, but I won’t leave you. We can figure this whole thing out together. You are
not alone.” Her voice was soft and she knew the others could hear her, but she
didn’t care.
Dipping the cloth into the cool
water then ringing it out, she placed it on his forehead.
“Mack? Come on. Let’s leave Margret to
deal with this. You need to rest.” Geoff stood so close she could feel his
breath on her neck. As much as she wanted to turn around to see how close he
was and to go wherever he asked her to, asshole or not, she couldn’t leave
Liam. He was her responsibility. She would be his sire. He needed her.
“I can’t leave him. Not yet.” Tears
slipped from her eyes but for the first time in ages, she didn’t wipe them away
or force herself to stop. Someone needed to grieve for his lost life even if no
one knew it was gone yet.
Time
seemed to slow in those last few seconds before Mackenzie reached the
light-filled break in the trees. The noise she heard was growing stronger,
louder, and she didn’t know what to do. She began walking backwards, trying to
keep an eye on the tree line, but in doing so, she tripped over a large rock.
A menacing growl sounded from the
trees and when she turned to look behind her, a giant wolf leapt at her from
the darkness. The fear overtook her, making her feel trapped within her own
skin and unable to move or scream.
The wolf had a large head with
strange yellow-green eyes. Its brown fur was matted and for some reason, its
size reminded her more of a bear than a wolf. When Mackenzie realized the
wolf’s mouth had opened and she could see the razor sharp teeth, she flew into
protective mode. Her arms rose up to cover her face and she tried to push
herself backward, away from the beast. Within seconds, the pungent aroma that was
the beast’s hot breath seeped around her arms and over her face. Her stomach
wretched but before she could heave what little lay in her stomach up, the
beast bit down on her arm. The sharp teeth pierced her flesh and she could feel
the tearing of her skin as the beast flung his head back and forth.
As Mackenzie’s blood filled the
wolf’s mouth, she finally let out a blood-curdling scream. She tried to pull
away. She pounded against the side of the beast with her free hand while
kicking her legs about hoping to make contact, but everything she did was
useless against the giant monster as it continued to tear her arm apart.
Mackenzie had to do something, or
she knew she was going to be killed by the wretched wolf. Her thoughts swirled
around, trying to think of anything she could do to free herself. She pushed
and pulled at its muzzle with her free arm, trying to dislodge the teeth
embedded in her flesh. The sharp pain in the mangled limb
became an incredible burn,
but the wolf must have severed a few nerves because she could no longer feel
anything but numbness from her shoulder down to her fingertips.
Remembering what had put her in this
position to begin with, Mackenzie reached behind her and grabbed the damn rock
and swung it at the wolf's head. With a loud crack, the rock connected with the
top of the wolf’s skull. Briefly shocked, the beast’s grip released as her arm fell from its mouth. Before he
could go in for another bite, Mackenzie gouged her thumb straight into its
freakish yellow-green eye. With a loud yelp, the wolf retreated and snarled
once again, baring his teeth. She had angered it, and she was suddenly more
frightened than she had been when her arm was being shredded in its mouth. Pure
rage marred its face. She quickly threw the rock, hitting it square in its
bloody snout. A loud crack resonated through the park before the beast turned
and ran off.
#3
The only sound in the car had been
that of the radio. Mackenzie didn’t know what to say, and Liam never spoke up.
She never thought that their night would be filled with awkward silences. Ever
since they had begun talking, they always had something to say to the other.
“Okay, what the heck is wrong with
us?” Liam blurted out just before turning into the parking lot of the
restaurant.
“I have no idea. Wait, this isn’t
the diner?” Mackenzie looked around at the unfamiliar building. It was brightly
lit with twinkling white lights and green ivy growing up and down the sides of
the buildings and the posts.
“No, it’s not. I thought we should
go somewhere new. I mean, this is something new for us. right? A date, instead
of just friends hanging out?” The way he said it came across as more of a
question than a statement. Liam knew the kind of relationship that she had with
Geoff, perhaps he wanted to know where they stood. She wasn’t really sure
herself but after seeing him at the foot of the stairs, and seeing all the
thought he put into the night, she really did want it to be a date instead of
friends. For once, it wasn’t because she wanted to piss off Geoff.
“Yeah, I like that idea.”
“Let’s go eat. I’m starving!”
Mackenzie laughed and shook her
head, “Aren’t you always?”
“Yeah, but so are you, so at least
neither of us have to feel like pigs or only eat half of what we normally would
because of first date jitters. Score one for dating a friend.”
Dinner went well. Conversation
flowed easily and Mackenzie found herself more and more relaxed. After paying
the check, Liam stood and pulled out her chair, helped her with her jacket, and
then, ever so quickly, slipped his hand into hers as if he had been doing it
every day since they met.
The strong presence of his fingers
wrapped around hers made her feel safe. The look in his eyes when gazed upon
her with a slight smile and soft-hooded eyes made her feel beautiful. And the
heat radiating from him only inches away from her made her want him.
Opening the passenger door for her,
Liam stood close. His breath blew hot against her skin, making it erupt in
goose bumps. When he went to take a step back to actually open the door, she
moved with him. Gripping his shirt in her hands, she looked up into his eyes
and waited. She wanted him to kiss her. She needed to know if the chemistry was
there. She needed to be kissed without being pushed away. She needed to feel
wanted.
Liam slowly leaned down, his eyes
never breaking from hers until just before his lips briefly touched hers. Just
as their lips touched, a small amount of pressure, proving to her that he had
been the one to kiss her, he pulled back, but only slightly. He looked into her
eyes, and she hoped he got every answer he was looking for. She wasn’t moving.
She wanted more. When he didn’t move in to kiss her again, she took matters
into her own hands and launched herself at him.
Hungry lips and exploring tongues,
wandering hands and heaving chests, filled the next moments with a kiss so
intense that Mackenzie only had one other to compare it to. The minute her mind
wandered to Geoff, she had to pull away.
“What? What’s wrong?” Liam asked
with swollen lips and a look of worry on his face.
“Nothing, just, um, let’s cool it
down a bit. How about that movie?” She could tell he didn’t quite buy it. But
not wanting the night to end, he agreed. Climbing into the car, they drove to
the theater to watch blood guts and gore on a big screen, holding hands
throughout the whole thing.
#4
Mackenzie could hear the entire pack
in the talking and laughing from the hallway. When she rounded the corner into
the dining room, she had hoped that Teresa or Natalie might have saved her a
seat. Too bad her two supposed best friends were grinning wickedly at her,
completely surrounded by full chairs.
Everyone quickly hushed and stared
at her with silly grins on their faces and it wasn’t until she saw that the
only open chair was directly between Geoff and Liam did she understand. They
were all enjoying her predicament. It was no secret how she and Geoff were
becoming closer, and it was definitely no secret that she and Liam had gone
out.
Both men kept their eyes trained on
Mackenzie. It wasn’t until she stood directly behind them and pulled out her
chair that they acknowledged one another. Neither wanting to back down, they
only lost eye contact when Mackenzie sat in between them. When it was obvious
that she wasn’t going to give the group any form of entertainment, the noise
returned to the room.
Realizing she hadn’t eaten since
dinner the night before, Mackenzie loaded her plate. She could see Margret
watching as both men tried to gain her attention. She didn’t ignore either, but
also wouldn’t let the conversation venture toward anything that could put her
in a position of choosing one man over the other. It may have been selfish, but
she honestly didn’t know what to do.
“Geoff, how is the Alaska house
fairing with the new influx?” Margret asked. The entire room quieted down once
again and turned their attention to Geoff. He wiped his mouth with his napkin
and returned it to his lap.
“They are doing well. Better than we
expected. That’s why I was able to come back for a few days. I needed to get
something and was worried that if I left it for too long, I might lose it. So I
was very glad things are going well.” As he spoke, Mackenzie couldn’t help but
notice how the girls in the room looked to her with a smile. Ever the
romantics. Mackenzie didn’t believe he was speaking of her, she wasn’t a thing
after all, and how could he lose something he never truly had?
“What did you forget?” Amanda, one
of the older women asked with a grin. Mackenzie couldn’t believe they were
pressing the issue, until she felt his hand snake up her thigh with only inches
to her girly bits and squeeze. Trying to hide her shock, not only from the
group as a whole, but also from Liam, who sat to the other side of her, she too
used her napkin as a cover for putting her hands below the table. She placed
her hand on top of his and moved it away.
“Doesn’t matter. Pretty sure it’s
gone now.” Mackenzie’s heart ached. She wanted to tell him that no, it wasn’t
gone. But she looked over to Liam and then back to Geoff and she couldn’t tell
him that. It wasn’t all gone, but part of it was given to someone else.
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