Fire Cursed

By H.L. Graham

Book 2 of How I Became a Werewolf series. While Hannah and Gaven are rediscovering why they fell in love, danger looms. Members of Hannah’s pack are dead. A new magical threat has come to town and he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way. Gaven’s magical powers can help the pack but also put him in danger. Can Hannah work to end the threat or will her snarky mouth get her into danger?

• Language: English
• Publisher: H.L. Graham
• Release date: Apr 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781093603460

H.L. Graham

Heather L. Graham was born in NYC in 1971. She grew up in upstate NY, then took a detour to Mississippi where she earned her Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology. After meeting her husband she eventually moved to Florida where she worked as a therapist before becoming a Controller for a Special Education Preschool. Heather's love of paranormal fiction began when her aunt placed a worn copy of Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire in her hand and quickly expanded outward. After many years of enjoying paranormal fiction, Heather decided she would craft her own stories. Heather can be contacted at [e-mail]

Book preview

Chapter 1

I sat in my office across from my patient, Paul Perlow. His words vividly spinning a tale of woe regarding a recent public meltdown. He’d gotten himself permanently banned from the Publix. Paul’s a regular. He comes to see me every Thursday, 4 o’clock on the dot. Sometimes he stays for 5 minutes, but when I’m really lucky he’ll stick around for the whole 50 minutes.

He’s 5’9", but seems shorter because he slouches. At 50 years old, his brown hair is lightly graying at the ears. His dull brown eyes give the impression he’s dumb, but that’s a deception he uses to his benefit. His clean but disheveled clothing have never met an iron. Today’s ensemble, brown faded corduroy pants and a dull off-white fishing shirt. His pockets conspicuously bulged, but I dared not ask. His long-standing diagnosis of schizophrenia keep his days full. His paranoia and delusions also keep me busy. I usually spend our sessions attempting to rationalize and negate his imagined threats. My main task with Paul is to check in regularly and make sure he takes his daily medications.

I work closely with the local mental health center on this case. I usually don’t take such severe cases since my office is private practice. I’m a one woman show, but a friend at the mental health center begged me to take the case. Paul blown through all of their counselors and hated them. He’d seen me in passing once when I attended a community meeting at the mental health center. Observing me from the waiting room, he’d decided I was the one. The only psychotherapist he could stomach, much to my chagrin. I agreed on one condition. I would take on Paul, but the facilities on-call team would be available to me 24/7 for all my cases. My friend agreed, and I’ve been seeing Paul ever since. That was 3 years ago.

Today’s entertainment involved his latest paranoid delusion. I was peacefully shopping, he explained, irritation wrinkling his features. When this old woman whips her cart in front of me, cutting me off! And then she didn’t even apologize!

I attempted to hide my smile. All of Paul’s stories began with a poor unwitting person who purposely damaged Paul and his feelings.

So, you’re telling me the old woman sought you out and decided to attack you? I asked.

He nodded furiously, Thank you. Yes, that crazy old lady sought me out and tried to crash her cart into mine.

Paul, how old do you guess this woman to be? I asked, thinking I would attempt to use rational thought to help dissect his latest delusion.

He looked away from me rolling his eyes and waving his hands wildly, How the hell would I know?

I waited calmly.

Okay, she was about 90, he said exasperated.

Let me attempt to clarify. You’re trying to convince me a 90-year-old woman sought you out and decided to attack your cart, I fought a smile.

Yes, yes, yes! he screamed.

Did you take the last can of Metamucil? I smiled. I couldn’t help myself.

Paul shot me his favorite look of annoyance, pursed lips and eyebrows scrunched.

I sighed, uncrossed and re-crossed my legs, and settled in for a very long story. Paul theatrically began to explain why this woman was evil. And why she deserved to have a can of creamed corn thrown at her like a missile. Luckily Paul’s aim was less than desired, and the can flew past the lady, landing at the store manager’s feet. He promptly chased Paul from the store threatening to call the police if he ever set foot inside again. Lucky for Paul, Punta Gorda has three remaining grocery stores to which he has yet to be banned.

Pushing my long curly auburn hair off my neck which accentuated my blue eyes perfectly, I waved my notepad to cool myself. I nodded at Paul as he talked, stood to walk to the air conditioning control and cranked the air on high. I should have been smarter than to wear long black pants and a cute white button-up shirt on such a hot day. My 5’6" 130-pound frame is sweating off pounds by the second. I silently cursed my husband Gaven for convincing me to move to Punta Gorda, Florida. It’s the middle of summer and is hot, hot, hot. This girl did not glisten as many southern girls did, I sweat like a pig.

Sitting back down, I swirled my chair to grab a hair clip from my desk and pilled my hair on top of my head then latching it into place. I glanced at Paul whose current complaint involved the store manager.

He spoke to me like I was a child and he wagged his finger at me. Can you imagine the nerve of that guy? Paul asked more to himself than to me.

I nodded and thought about Gaven. My husband is very happy in Florida. Until three months ago, I thought he wanted to live here for all the great fishing. I was wrong. We’re here because Gaven is a Magique Aqua which is sort of like a wizard of the seas. He’d conveniently withheld this little bit of information from me. All our lives! Okay just since we met in middle school. He had moved from California to Lake Placid, NY to live with his Aunt and Uncle to get away from his Magique Aqua family and wanted to give up his magic. He needed to be near large bodies of water to control the powers and did so successfully until I found out I was a werewolf. At that point, he felt it no longer necessary to keep his powers hidden and began practicing magic again.

Yup, I’m a werewolf. Long story short, I was cursed by a witch and became a werewolf who could shift at any time of the month. It has nothing to do with my menstrual cycle, thank you very much.

I wasn’t tied to the moons cycles like all the other werewolves. My cousin Rebecca is also free of the moon, thanks to me. One small problem, all the other wolves wanted my power too. I joined the local werewolf pack for protection. I became the co-Alpha with local multibillionaire Jacob Anderson of Anderson Construction. I despise Jacob most of the time because he is a pompous ass who assumes, well he assumes everything. I pleasantly discovered a love of aggravating him, just because I can. A few months ago, he just assumed I would kill Kristi his ex-wife slash ex-Alpha because she went rouge. I fought her in a challenge because she was a murderous crazy bitch who used her wolf powers to kill innocent women.

That is how I met Rebecca, she was one of the victims that survived. I won the challenge and became the co-Alpha of the pack. Then the jerk gave me a ten-million-dollar reward for apprehending the murderer. It’s not like I could go public that I killed her during a werewolf fight, so now Gaven and I have a very large secret bank account. Rebecca constantly reminds us to at least invest it and make some interest. In the meantime, I try to either ignore or aggravate Jacob whenever possible.

Rebecca moved in with us at the beginning of the werewolf fiasco. She works as Gaven’s assistant during the day and is studying investments at night. Something about wanting to know our options. Living with Rebecca is great. She’s become a sister, my very messy sister. Lucky for me her mess usually stays in her room. Even Gaven enjoys having her around. He lost his sister years ago and I believe he is making up for it with Rebecca. In any case, we have managed to work out a comfortable living situation and are pretty happy so far.

I heard Paul clear his throat in his distinct I’m annoyed highly unfriendly manner.

I must have forgotten to nod or say un-huh because Paul stared at me and he was fuming. He reminded me of a cartoon character with steam coming out of his ears.

Paul is there a problem? I asked innocently.

I’d say that there is a problem, he screeched. You have not listened to a word I’ve said.

Sure I have. You’ve been talking about the old woman and the store manager, I replied calmly and slowly. I found if I remained calm whenever a patient got upset they might mirror me and calm down. Unfortunately, this almost never worked on Paul.

YOU WEREN’T LISTENING, he screamed then stormed out of my office.

As with Paul’s other quirks, this is common. Good thing Gaven installed one of those things that force doors to close slowly. Paul tried to slam my door, but was not rewarded for his efforts.

I sighed.

Following him outside, I yelled, See you next Thursday.

He waved me away in a manner confirming our next session. Paul never missed a session and I’ve taken to saying, See you next Thursday whenever he stormed out. Our agreement, he storms out when he feels the need and I accept him back in a week. So far it worked great for us. I watched him speed away in his little ‘antique’ Honda Civic as the heat and humidity overwhelmed my senses. Paul was one of those antique car guys and spent a bunch of time working on and displaying his car. It’s a healthy hobby for him and I fully approved.

The heat of the day sucked at my energy. I turned toward the front door of my office to go back inside. My office is located in a small shopping strip in the end unit. There are other businesses located along the strip, but everyone pretty much keeps to themselves. The front of the building is kept up nicely. The thing that sold me on this office space is the small pond and garden in the back. There are fish, a picnic table and benches located in the shade of several Shady Lady trees. I’m the only tenant who uses the area. On days that aren’t soul sucking hot, I even have sessions there. I find it comforting and my patients enjoy the Zen.

I stacked the magazines in my waiting room, organized my desk and checked my appointments for tomorrow. Yeah! With nobody scheduled until ten, I get to sleep in and do some yoga before heading out. Yoga is my main form of exercise along with all the running I do as a wolf. Since turning into a wolf for the first time three months ago, my thin figure has become more muscled. I like my new athletic body as does Gaven who grabs at me enthusiastically whenever a private moment arises.

The yoga also keeps me centered. It allows me increased self-control over my wolf powers. I bet the yogi masters never planned on werewolf practitioners.

Before the big challenge where I killed Kristi, Gaven did a spell to help me increase my powers. It worked and now I carry the power of the moon and also the stars, which can be a lot. Each power alone is uber strong and together they kick ass. Yoga and meditation help me control it as does Rebecca. She’s my right-hand wolf woman as well as my best friend. She gives me a kick in the butt when I need it. She also acts as wolf pack historian. She makes sure I do my yoga four times a week. The absolute minimum necessary to keep my powers aligned and under control. Otherwise I can really hurt someone.

The power got away from me a few times after the big challenge. Both Rebecca and Gaven had to get new clothes because theirs turned to ash while they were wearing them. I know it sounds more like witchcraft than werewolf powers, but somehow the energy manifests itself into dangerous forms when I neglect my meditation. Luckily no one was hurt. Afterward, Gaven insisted Rebecca create a schedule and keep me to it. I guess being instantly naked in public with ash for clothing didn’t go over so well.

I finished locking up, jumped in to my car and drove over to Gaven’s sculpting studio to meet him and Rebecca for dinner.

Chapter 2

Gaven’s studio is on the outskirts of town in a business park. He requires a place where he can make noise and also have a warehouse style facility. Lucky for us it is close to our neighborhood so running back and forth is easy.

As I pulled into the parking lot, the sun blinded me. The sun sat just low enough that my car visor was useless to me. Squinting under my sunglasses, I dashed through the heat into the front entrance of the studio. The air-conditioning blasted on my face, instantly cooling my skin. I raised my arms while slowly spinning in place to allow the arctic air to seep under my hot clothes. Satisfied, I began to work my way through the gallery part of the studio.

When discussing how to decorate the studio, Gaven and I decided upon a front show room area and working studio in the back. This worked well for artist and assistant. Both have their own space, and both were happy to reign over that space. Before we hired Rebecca as the assistant, Gaven spent his days running back and forth from studio to showroom and never got anything accomplished. Now, he hangs out in the back doing artist stuff and Rebecca keeps the orders flowing in.

Rebecca needed a job and the two of them get along great. Since Rebecca came to live with us three months ago, she spends most of her time helping me with werewolf politics. Also, she manages the general pain in the butt stuff which usually means anything relating to Jacob.

After the excitement of the challenge was over and things slowed down, Gaven thought it best she worked to contribute to our household. Since he needed help and trusted her, things just fell into place. In the short time we’ve known Rebecca, she has become my best friend and a little sister to Gaven. I know I keep saying it, but I can’t imagine my life without Rebecca in it. It astounds me that I had a cousin for all these years and only recently had the good fortune of meeting her.

The showroom’s lighting accentuated the sculptures. Each piece has its own dedicated light to fully show off the intricate details. The floors are a blonde polished bamboo which made a tapping sound as my shoes strode across the floor through the gallery. Soft classical music played in the background to create ambiance. I believe Handel’s Water Music Suite No. 1 was currently playing. Rebecca thought it a nice touch to play Water Music since most of the sculptures were aquatic scenes. I thought it a bit cheesy, but the customers seemed to like it. Who am I to argue?

Rebecca was fully engrossed with an older couple discussing the merits of a piece in the corner. One of Gaven’s smaller pieces. It stood about two feet high and two feet across. A scene of a tarpon jumping out of the water and twisting in the air. The fish looked alive as all of Gavens pieces did. He used his Magique Aqua powers to make the art come alive with movement. Long story short, people were beginning to recognize his work and they raved about his pieces.

In Florida, people loved art with any nature theme especially by local artists. I mean the reason to live here is to have nature available to you 365 days a year. Why not bring it indoors to appreciate it when you are hunkered inside attempting to cool yourself from the stifling heat. And the great thing about Gaven’s art is it really pulled you in and made you believe, if only for a second, you’re underwater swimming with these great creatures.

I waved at Rebecca as I walked by. She nodded at me then gestured that Gaven was in the back. She turned back to the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I’ll give you a few minutes to discuss the piece.

I overheard the man say, We don’t need a few minutes Rebecca, we’ll take it.

His wife smiled at him and then the piece.

Rebecca returned the smile, It’s a wonderful choice, please follow me to the desk and we can take care of the details.

I opened the rear door and continued into the heart of the studio. The atmosphere back here is the opposite of the one Rebecca had crafted up front. Rock music blared. The walls and ceiling were unfinished and exposed steel rafters along with unpainted concrete block, decorated the space. Even the floor was left unfinished, just poured concrete currently littered with metal debris from Gaven’s current work. I found it strange how the sound didn’t travel up front to the gallery, but Gaven had installed a noise dampening system that kept the two areas separate. It was some combination of insulation and high-tech directional speakers. As long as it made him happy, and Rebecca wasn’t bothered by his music, I didn’t ask questions.

Gaven stood on a ladder wearing denim overalls, navy blue short-sleeve shirt, work boots, protective headgear and he held a large blowtorch. He looked like a sex god all sweaty and dirty. Did I mention Gaven is an extremely good-looking man? I had no idea he would turn out so well when I met him in middle school. Boy did I luck out. His 6-foot frame is amply muscular without too much bulk. His hair a shaggy dirty blonde surfer cut which brought attention to his sapphire blue/emerald green eyes. His eyes used to be green but since his Magique powers strengthened, his eyes appear blue as well. He really is something to drool over, which I seemed to be doing a lot of lately.

Gaven is working on part of his latest project, a giant 15-foot-tall coral reef piece. It wound its way upward from the thick base, displaying several varieties of fish and other creatures I couldn’t identify weaving in and out. His most ambitious piece to date and simply spectacular. This piece has been commissioned by the City of Punta Gorda and will stand tall in the lobby of the new conference center. Wanting to keep business local, the city commissioners decided on only local artists. At least that was the public story, my conspiracy theory was that Jacob Anderson had somehow influenced the commissioners to hire Gaven so to get into my good graces. Did I mention Jacob’s company won the bid to build the convention center? Jacob denies this theory and Gaven of course thinks I’m nuts. Whatever the reason, this little project is paying for a new bigger badder fishing boat for Gaven. His words not mine.

Gaven and our good friend Leslie Conway have been perusing boating magazines for the past 2 months. Their enthusiasm easily equals a bridezilla’s when she is creating her dream wedding. It’s all they talk about, which Rebecca and I find exhausting.

Gaven finished what he was doing and climbed down the ladder. He spotted me standing near the stereo and signaled me to turn down the music which I gladly obliged.

Hey sexy, I said.

He flipped up his face protection and smiled, Hello beautiful wife. Setting down the blow torch, he embraced me and gave me a long lingering kiss. He even leaned me backward, just like in the movies. Good thing he had a strong grip on me because my knees were getting weak.

He set me back onto my unsteady feet. You know, this is how dozens of romance novels begin, I offered.

He nuzzled my neck, Dozens?

My breath caught in my throat, Well maybe just one or two, but who’s counting.

He kissed me again and I felt things in my lower stomach tingle. I gently pushed him away, Rebecca will be walking in here any minute.

Ummm, he responded.

Finding us doing the horizontal tango on the floor might gross her out. And it’s dirty, I might add, I gestured to the trash scattered along the floor.

Gaven continued kissing my neck and quickly worked his way downward toward my cleavage, Umm humm.

Just then my stomach growled loud, not just a rumble, but sort of a scream for help.

Gaven laughed, quickly kissed each breast then back up to my lips and announced, Well that’s a bit of a mood breaker. Pencil me in for later, after the creature has been fed. He gestured to my stomach as he walked past me then patted my butt. See I told you he couldn’t keep his hands off me. His smile grew and I could see his eyes glimmer before he turned toward the work bench.

Ha Ha, I smiled at his back as he began to put away some of his tools. I felt my body grow hot again so I fanned myself with my hands.

Before the discovery of my werewolfiness and his Magique Aguaness, our marriage was pretty rocky. We fought a lot and he worked long hours which fueled