Read Shadows of the Ancients for Free Online Page A

did Jack… that’s one thing. To get accidently turned in the middle of a family drama – nope, I’m good right here.”
    “I don’t blame you.” My cell phone beeped in my pocket again. I took it out and looked, sighing as I read the message. “Well, there’s really no more delaying. She’s pissed about something. Zach probably threw a hissy fit after I left yesterday. If he thinks I’m going anywhere with him today after what he did, he’s lost his damn mind! Too bad he doesn’t understand that me not falling under his power grip means that I am alpha to him.”
    She stifled a laugh, “yeah, I don’t think he can see past his own arrogance on this one.”
    “Okay, well, come give me a hug.” I threw my arms out dramatically, “you never know, I may never see you again after this blow up.”
    “Or…. Maybe they’ll just kick you out of the pack, and you can come be my roomy!”
    “Ah, the wishful thinking…” I said, trying to look wistful, even though the thought of being kicked out of the pack sent chills all the way to my bones. If I were ever excommunicated, I would be cut off, from the pack, my parents, everything and everyone. I would be a lone wolf. It was dangerous enough for males to be lone wolves, for a female it was unheard of. They would be claimed by the first male who held enough power to snare them. Sometimes, the werewolf world could be brutal. I wasn’t naïve enough to disregard that fact.
    “I’m not sure I want to hug you when you’re smelling all like that, but um, good luck!”
    “Yeah, I’m gonna need it!”
    It took 45 minutes, and a sea of honking, irate drivers later, for me to get home. I was going beyond slow, in no hurry to greet my fate. My cell had gone off four more times before I pulled into our driveway. I was sure they were all my mom, and I was just planning on telling her there was traffic, and it’s not safe to text and drive.
    I had changed into sweats, and washed all the leftover makeup from my face before I left Ashley’s house, but I felt like last night was still clinging to me somehow. I guess it was the scent of my mystery wolf. It sure did suck, not knowing his name. I didn’t have a bag with me, since I had left it on the front porch yesterday when I took off so fast. So, I pocketed my keys, in case I needed a quick getaway, and strode into the house to meet my fate.
    “Where the hell have you…” My mom’s nose scrunched up, catching the unfamiliar scent on the air. It stopped her short, in the middle of a tirade I’m sure she had practiced repeatedly in the past 45 minutes it took me to drive home.
    “I was with Ashley, you know that.”
    “What am I smelling?” My mom’s eyes were wide, too wide to be natural. “What in God’s name did you do, Jess?” Then she called out over her shoulder for my dad. “James!” She threw power behind the call. Not good.
    “Was that really necessary?” My dad asked a second before the smell hit him. “What the hell?” He sniffed, and again a little harder as he passed my mom. Knowing the unfamiliar aroma wasn’t coming from her, he locked his gaze on me, and strode forward on a cloud of power. I felt the hairs on my arms stand on end. “JESSICA MARIE ST. MARKS!” I stood taller, facing him, pretty sure my eyes were as wide as my mom’s now. “Have you been marked?”
    “Um,” The one syllable stumbled out of my mouth all the other words getting lodged somewhere deep in my throat.
    “I ASKED YOU A QUESTION. ANSWER ME!” Power was pushing off my dad and slamming straight into me, I bowed over, and found myself on my knees, then on all fours. My dad towered over me. “WHO MARKED YOU?”
    “I don’t know.” It came out as a whimper.
    “How could you not know?” My mom’s voice was less powerful, at least it didn’t hurt when she spoke.
    “WHO MARKED YOU?” My dad’s voice crushed me, and I was damn near crawling across the floor to his feet on my belly. As soon as I reached