A Fire Inside

By Christy Poff

Constance Banks had literally been married to medicine. Having lost her mate, she had affairs but no commitment. Grant Longacre led a playboy life after the death of his father—a part of his life used against him in one man's struggle for power. When adverse events bring them together, they find that their lives have a destiny. But in order to keep their new love from being taken from them, they must pull from their pasts to save their future with one another, while newly discovered prophecies come into play.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: Feb 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781611604603

Book preview

Prologue

The last several months had been especially trying between several international flights to Morocco, Alberta then western New York State before finally returning home to Vermont plus rescues and extractions from various parts of the world. All this had begun to take a huge toll on Constance Banks—daughter of Elite Council member and regional pack leader Gordon Banks and medical expert for packs the world over. As she walked into the huge entry of The Fortress, her father’s mansion, Constance had only one thought. I need a vacation...

Constance, a comforting voice said as her father crossed the glistening tiled floor. Are you home for a while?

God, I hope so. These last few months have been exhausting to say the least.

I’m glad you’re home.

Dad, what’s up?

I’ve been worried about you. You’ve taken on so much in the last several years and it’s increasing almost daily. I don’t want you to wear yourself out.

If you’re going to start hinting about a man in my life...

I’m your father—I’m allowed.

Look, I had Dirk and hunters took him from me. Dylan and Ryman both found their destined mates. The last I looked—three strikes, you’re out.

I can only hope for the best...

And I love you for it but evidently, I’m not one of the Chosen like the others. Besides, I’m busy with the medical side of all this plus the chemistry. We can’t afford any more instances where the bad guys use a drug we have to work to counteract. The next time, we may not be so lucky.

Why do I think you’re working on something?

I have been since Sascha became known to us. In several of the last few incidents, wolfsbane has been a prominent element in the drugs used. We need to find something to counteract it before it’s used on our people.

Any closer?

A little but it’s going to take a while.

Take some time and give yourself the chance for a fresh approach. I know it worked when you found a crossword puzzle that stumped you so the same idea might work now.

I’d planned to. Wolfsbane has been around for centuries so it seems silly to rush things. It’ll be there when I get back to the research plus I figured I could leave Petra in charge while I’m away.

Outstanding, Gordon Banks said, hugging his daughter. What do you have in mind?

I don’t know. I haven’t seen my house in weeks so I need to check on it.

Just remember—if you need to talk...

Constance gazed at her father and smiled moments before she hugged him and nodded.

Banks grinned then left her to answer an incoming call from London.

It never stops...

* * * *

Sir, what’s wrong?

It’s the usual—the poison is working against me.

What do you need me to do?

"Call The Fortress in Killington and have them send the physician up here. I need to see her if I’m to survive."

Yes, sir... Right away, John said.

He returned a few moments later and said that someone would be coming up as soon as possible.

Longacre nodded as he tried to get comfortable. This sucks...

Grant Longacre—tall, dark and handsome with a winning personality—saw the end of his life looming closer every day. The circumstances no mystery, someone had stabbed him in the back with a deadly injection—a huge syringe filled with wolfsbane. He kept going over what happened from the events leading up to the attack to this point in his life. He did know one thing—it had to be connected to the unrest in their small area of the lupine world.

His small pack located in an upper corner of the region controlled by Gordon Banks, it had access to the Canadian border as well as several of the larger leaders in their world. For years he knew his little spot of heaven had been ripe for the taking and it seemed the time had come only whoever had started this had not realized another thing—he would not give up without a fight.

Calling for the physician could very well be his last act before his enemy won but he refused to ignore any possibility. Too many had fought for their way of life for him to become the weakest link. I won’t do it...

Drifting off to sleep, he relaxed his body hoping to stave off the poison’s next point of attack. As long as he could do that, he and his pack stood a chance.

His mind drifted to the safe spot he’d created a long time ago when he’d been injured in a daring raid on a laboratory facility outside of Chicago. A group of specialized warriors from all over North America had been sent on a mission to destroy it after its existence became known. The Prince of Aspen’s mate had been abducted and would have been sent to the lab for research purposes only he rescued her from her captors, killed them and destroyed their Colorado base before ordering the complete destruction of the lab.

Though he’d gotten away from the place safely with others on his team, Grant Longacre had taken a piece of shrapnel in his hip. The injury never hampered his movements in either shape but he felt it when the weather changed. Fortunately, it had never become an issue though he refused to admit when it bothered him. I can’t admit to any kind of weakness...

As he fell into a deeper sleep, he entered his safe haven—a place only his beast came to. He saw the beauty of the White Mountains and let it encompass his being. Inwardly he smiled as he enjoyed the peace until she came into the vision—a beautiful blonde with gray eyes. In all his life, he’d never seen eyes this color and it intrigued him. Letting her come closer, he waited to see what would happen next.

Slowly, she approached him with a smile on her face and her hand extended.

Why are you here?

I’ve come to tell you that you cannot die. Too much is at stake.

I know that though someone else has other ideas. I’m slowly dying thanks to a vengeful ex-lover...

Don’t let them win.

I’ve called for help...

Good...

Who are you?

You’ll find out in due time.

Please, I haven’t the time for riddles.

You will have your answer soon enough...

But...

She disappeared, leaving Longacre’s mind in turmoil. What the hell is happening?

Longacre woke with a start looking around the room finding himself alone. The sun had begun to sink in the west meaning he’d slept the better part of the afternoon. That damned doctor better get here soon...

Chapter 1

Doctor Banks, one of the beta females said, waiting for Constance to acknowledge her.

Sonia, what’s up?

There’s someone requesting to see you.

Who?

He said he has an urgent message for the physician and refused to say anything more.

Send him in and call my father, Constance said, slightly irritated yet intrigued.

Yes, ma’am, Sonia said.

Sonia, one of the many nurses at The Fortress, went to the door to usher the man inside the room. Before she could say anything, the man shoved his way into the room.

Sir...

Sonia, it’s all right. You know what to do.

Sonia bowed her head a slight bit then left the room leaving the door ajar.

Constance finished reading the letter she’d received from Nadia Andropov in Romania then set it aside while letting the man wait for her on purpose.

Doctor...

This had better be important, she stated. No one shoves anyone around here, especially when we do not know them. First off, who are you?

My name doesn’t matter...

I’m afraid it does as I do not make it a habit to deal with people I know nothing about. Besides, it is common courtesy.

My name is John Kelly and I’m here at my leader’s request.

And your leader’s name? she asked, frustrated she had to drag each and every bit of information out of him.

Grant Longacre, Kelly answered. His territory is located in northern New Hampshire on the US/Canadian border.

He’s the one my father’s region surrounds, isn’t he?

Yes.

And what can I do for him?

He’s fallen ill which is why he did not come here himself or call. He needs a doctor with specialized knowledge.

What’s wrong?

Kelly gave her a list of symptoms while omitting the word wolfsbane.

Constance sat back thinking while she waited for her father to join them. If he perceived a threat, she would respect his wishes and go with his decision. Had the circumstances been different and she’d known more about this person or his leader, there would have been no question as to what she would do but this man’s approach set the hair on her neck to attention.

Gordon Banks entered the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Standing between their guest and it, he waited for Constance to say something.

I will send someone back with you to treat your leader...

Why not you?

My daughter needs to rest, Banks stated. I swear whoever she sends will be able to treat him on the highest of levels.

And if that’s not good enough? Kelly protested.

I understand your concern for your leader—your friend—but I have ordered my daughter to take some time off before she collapses from exhaustion. If your leader has any problems with that, he can take it up with me. Oh, and by the way, the next time you set foot in my region, I expect a letter of introduction. While the circumstances for your visit are extenuating, we still have a protocol to follow and he should be aware of this.

Kelly began to say something before thinking better of it. He left the room then waited for whoever would be sent north with him.

What do you think? Banks asked.

I think he’s rude, for one thing.

And the medical issue?

Sounds like something Petra can handle, Constance said, handing him the notes she’d taken.

Good then send her and you go home or wherever you plan to go. I want you rested when you come back here. Who knows what will happen next?

Sounds like a plan.

Gordon Banks gave her back the piece of paper she’d handed to him a few minutes before and left her, Constance picking up the phone and calling Petra. When her prized student entered the room, Constance handed her the notes she’d made while Kelly described the case.

There is a very rude man waiting to take you to his leader, so to speak. This is a list of what he told me plus additional comments. It appears to be straight up and something I know you can handle.

I’ll be glad to, Petra said.

Be careful—he has no qualms about shoving people around to get what he wants. Sonia’s going to have a bruised elbow thanks to him.

Fortunately, we heal quickly, Petra said. Are you all right?

I’m beat. This constant traveling around the world is for people like my father—not me. Give me a phone or a conference call on the computer and I’m fine.

But then you wouldn’t be you, now would you?

Probably not.

If I need to get hold of you?

I’ll let you know—I haven’t made any definite plans yet. By the way, Nadia wrote asking about you. Before you leave, give her a call. It sounds like she needs some assurance that you’re all right.

I will, Petra said. If I don’t see you before I leave, enjoy yourself. I read your files and you definitely need a breather.

Amen. If things get really bad and you can’t get hold of me, call Doctor Julian Hawthorne in Aspen, Colorado.

I will, she said before turning and leaving the room.

Constance sat back and closed her eyes. She saw a nice comfortable bed calling to her and decided home first then go from there. Wrapping a few things up while waiting for Kelly to leave with Petra, she knew she needed a break—her father, as always, correct in his size-up of the situation. A hot bath...my comfortable yet lonely bed...heaven...

* * * *

Longacre paced though he knew he shortened his life with each step he took. The legends and research had told him how volatile wolfsbane became once it entered the lupine body. Motion hastened the outcome but Longacre had never been one to sit around doing nothing. And I’m not starting now...

He’d sent his man to Killington to bring back a doctor renown in their world as an amazing healer—she literally could do nothing wrong. He wanted the best and that meant Constance Banks. Her biography proved impressive—doctorates in medicine and pharmaceutical chemistry as well as other degrees. Something in all that knowledge had to be able to help him. I don’t want to die...

When Kelly returned—something Longacre hoped would be soon—then he might be on the road back to the living. As he looked out the window overlooking the expansive property he owned, he did everything he could to calm his body so he wouldn’t let the poison win. Desperation driving him, he knew what he needed to do but needed more time to do it.

Longacre also made a vow to himself—if I survive this, I will never take anything in life for granted again.

Looking at his watch, he guessed that Kelly should have made it to Killington and if all went as he wanted, they would either be on their way back or, at least, starting out. His heart beat faster despite his mind trying to control it as anticipation began to come into play. Please...

He thought back to the reason his life had taken this path. His ex—a beautiful woman—had poisoned him. He remembered her sultry body as she came out of the pool at one of the parties he’d hosted at the house. Hunter’s Run had been in his family for centuries going back to some of the first settlers coming to the unexplored back country of what now made up the state of New Hampshire. The family had easily made peace with the Abenakis, one of the fabled Algonquin tribes. They’d agreed to live in peace and not encroach on each other’s territories and when needed, he gave them sanctuary on his land.

Heir to the family fortunes, Grant Longacre respected the agreement to this day as well as the land which took care of him and his followers. However, thanks to a spiteful bitch, all of that could be in jeopardy and unless he found some way of either curing what now ruled his life or gained at least a little more time, he could lose everything while endangering the massive region controlled by Gordon Banks plus others.

Going back to Scarlet—an apt name for one who turned out to be a scarlet woman—he recalled their first meeting after everyone had left that night. As he learned later, she’d purposely waited until the last guests left before seducing him. They’d skinny-dipped which led to hot sex in the Jacuzzi before they ran under the moonlight.

Their affair went on for a little over a year before he began to see a side of her he couldn’t afford in his life. She had become ruthless and, as he discovered later, she could deftly manipulate someone without their knowledge. I’m living—no, dying—proof of that. Figuring she would become the leader’s wife, she started pushing things through that benefitted only her which began to make him an unpopular pack leader.

One night, after the final straw had been broken, they had their usual round of hot sex. Nothing different though he felt something—something he could not figure out.

Scarlet, I need to tell you something and it’s very important, he began.

What?

I think we should end this now. Things have been happening which are starting to lead to unrest with the others thanks to some of your ideas.

Good ideas...

No, they will eventually be detrimental to not only this pack but others. There is too much upheaval in our world to deliberately open us up to more. I can’t afford dissension in the pack.

"So what you’re saying is that you’re breaking up with me for the greater good of the pack—a bunch who care nothing for you save the parties you throw here they can mooch at. Haven’t you seen the way they enjoy everything until the time comes to leave then they race away? They use you every chance they