Trial by Earth

By Annie Oakfield

For the first twenty years of her life, Nadia St. John thought she was an ordinary young woman. Raised by her aunt and educated at the New England College in New Hampshire, she also believed that luck brought her a job at an exclusive country club.

But Nadia’s world is turned upside down when she learns the club is home to a pack of wolf-shifters and is told that her family is closely related to their alpha.

She’s quickly pulled into a politically-charged world of conflicted wolf-packs, deadly premonitions and sibling subterfuge, where dangerous Trials determine who is permitted to mate . . . with her.

And events are further complicated by an accidental sexual encounter with a young male shifter, throwing her future as pack Progenitor into serious doubt.

Reader Advisory: Warning: A Paranormal Romantic Suspense story containing accounts of women surrendering to handsome, naked men in a forest. If you are offended by sex, muscular men, nudity or wolves . . . read on. You’ll grow to love what happens next.

PUBLISHER NOTE: Continuing storyline throughout the series, with Happy for Now Endings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: May 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463845318

Annie Oakfield

Annie Oakfield is a keen writer and has been penning naughty stories since the ‘old days.’ Most of her stories were simply erotic fantasies that she shared with only a few close, friends. But with time and years of life experience, Annie now writes stories inspired by her real-life experiences, and drawn from her fantasies.Annie grew up reading fantasy and science fiction and has applied her love of these genres to a new series of erotic short stories.Annie enjoys partying with her friends into the early hours, but she is just as content to relax with a nice hot bath.

Book preview

TRIAL BY EARTH

The Wolves of New Hampshire, Book Three

Annie Oakfield

For the first twenty years of her life, Nadia St. John thought she was an ordinary young woman. Raised by her aunt and educated at the New England College in New Hampshire, she also believed that luck brought her a job at an exclusive country club.

But Nadia’s world is turned upside down when she learns the club is home to a pack of wolf-shifters and is told that her family is closely related to their alpha.

She’s quickly pulled into a politically-charged world of conflicted wolf-packs, deadly premonitions and sibling subterfuge, where dangerous Trials determine who is permitted to mate . . . with her.

And events are further complicated by an accidental sexual encounter with a young male shifter, throwing her future as pack Progenitor into serious doubt.

Reader Advisory: Warning: A Paranormal Romantic Suspense story containing accounts of women surrendering to handsome, naked men in a forest. If you are offended by sex, muscular men, nudity or wolves . . . read on. You’ll grow to love what happens next.

PUBLISHER NOTE: Continuing storyline throughout the series, with Happy for Now Endings.

TRIAL BY EARTH

The Wolves of New Hampshire, Book Three

ANNIE OAKFIELD

booklogo

WWW.LUMINOSITYPUBLISHING.COM

LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

TRIAL BY EARTH

The Wolves of New Hampshire, Book Three

Copyright © May 2018 ANNIE OAKFIELD

Cover Art by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

The lodge’s heavy stonework buzzed from hundreds of excited voices. A week ago, when I’d started working in the reception area, I’d thought the building to be wastefully large. Now, crammed with three packs, and their associated companions, the place felt over-run and hopelessly inadequate. Of course, once their leaders’ speeches ended, many of the revelers spilled out into the grounds. Still high from the first day of the Trials, and eager for the fresh evening air, their raucous laughter filled the night, echoing from the nearby forest. Some threw off their clothes and shifted into lupus to race into the night, howling with joy at their unfettered freedom.

For my part, I stayed only as long as I had to, before scuttling up the stairs to my small room. A long sigh of relief fled my lungs as I sagged against the door and pressed it closed. A loner at heart, I much preferred my own company, as I’d done all my life. The only person with whom I’d shared my personal space was Aunt Deb, who’d raised me after the disappearance of my parents, and my three brothers. Going to New Hampshire’s busy college ought to have purged the shyness from me, but nope. I was still happier with a hot chocolate and a book by the fireside than a beer with my classmates.   

I leaned my head against the door, happy that I wasn’t expected to do any more people-ing today. I needed to recharge, especially since the second Trial would begin at dawn. Another early start. My jaw stretched open in a mighty yawn — my entire body stiffened, and I stumbled toward my bed, eager to get my head down.

But a quiet tapping noise stopped me in my tracks. I stood in the center of my room, turning my head in the hope of locating the sound, but I heard only silence. Had I imagined the tapping? I listened intently, softening my breaths until I could hear the wind in the trees. Abruptly, a chorus of howls split the night, and my heart stalled briefly.

Idiots! The moment I spoke, the tapping resumed. I turned my head slowly, focusing on the sound, before creeping toward the curtained window on silent feet. Whatever the cause, it was outside, four floors above the ground. Part of me already suspected who the culprit might be, but it wasn’t certain — until I snatched open the curtains.

Jamie . . . I whispered. He grinned at me, his supernatural hearing easily picking up my soft words. The young man crouched outside on the window ledge, balanced precariously above a hundred-foot drop, but with no trace of fear. He was either brave or a damn fool.

"What are you doing out there?" I unlocked the window and stepped back as he dropped easily to the floor with barely a sound.

Waiting.

I pressed both hands onto my hips. For what?

For you, Nadia.

This is my room. Who else did you expect?

He shrugged. No one. That’s the whole point.

Yeah, well. I crossed over to the bed and sat down. That makes sense.

I watched him with a casual eye as he remained where he’d landed, a strong young man, who was easy on the eye. He wore a white T-shirt, dark shorts to his knees, and canvas shoes. The ensemble was unfashionable, but practical if someone was planning to scale a four-story building. Jamie wrung his hands as he glanced around the room, looking at everything in sight, except me.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were ignoring me.

No, it’s you I came to see.

Then look at me, Jamie. I jabbed two fingers of one hand toward my eyes.

Sorry, sorry. He writhed on the spot, and I rolled my eyes at him. I . . . he tried again. I . . . you’re . . . I mean . . .

Jamie? I sighed, closed my eyes as, against my better judgment, I patted the bed. Sit down and tell me what’s eating you.

He remained rooted for another heartbeat before capitulating. Uncertain steps brought him to the bed, where he spun stiffly and sat down beside me. His hands dropped into his lap and writhed endlessly. I wanted to drop