Werewolf Pandemic: The Werewolf M.D. Series, #3

By Taylor Haiden

Is their bond stronger than blood?

Nurse Isabella is preparing for her wedding to Doctor Roman. Roman has cured the disease ravaging the different packs, earning him the title of leader of the Alpha Council. His position is now in doubt as several other packs led by the vindictive Constantin rise up in revolt, seeking to develop their own cure which instead becomes a contagious virus with terrible side effects. Frustrated by his scientist's failure, Constantin sends an assassin to kill Isabella. Can Isabella survive long enough to help Roman unite the packs and prevent the disease from becoming a worldwide pandemic?

Roman and Isabella's relationship is challenged as they travel through Louisiana and to Rome, Italy. An all-out war is brewing while the couple struggle to find a treatment for this new silent enemy threatening to kill everyone they love. Can Roman even survive meeting Isabella's parents for the first time?

Filled with steamy scenes and action-based violence, this gripping novel does not contain any cheating and has a happily ever after. Scroll up and one-click to buy this thrilling paranormal romance today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cave Creek Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Aug 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393587408

Book preview

Taylor Haiden

Copyright © 2020 by Cave Creek Publishing, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Town & Country Bridal

The Plantation

Bargain

The Sangsue

Larissa’s Compound

Assault

Kansas

Family Dinner

Dove Hunting

Medical Records

Kisatchie Forest

Alpha Council Leader

In-Flight Service

Rome

The Pantheon

The Colosseum

Constantin

Wedding Day

About The Author

SAMPLE CHAPTERS

Prologue

Lady Helena

Books By Brian Ference

About The Author

SAMPLE CHAPTERS CONTINUED

Wren

Books By Taylor Haiden

Chapter 1.

Town & Country Bridal

I was a newborn catfish, swimming in a sea of fabric. That’s exactly how I felt as the dress consultant at the Town & Country Bridal in New Orleans lifted the heavy gown over my head. I dove into it. Five sizes too large, the garment felt unbearably heavy and hot. She had to clip it in three spots at the back to keep everything in place. I was sweating instantly—and terrified it might somehow ruin the dress.

Sorry we don’t have your size, cher, said Marlène, the wiry, middle-aged Frenchwoman with long fake lashes and glittery press-on-nails assigned to help me wade through the endless options of wedding dresses. I wasn’t sure a three-hour appointment would be a long enough time to see all the different options—good thing we had reserved a private room.

Trust me; the real one will fit much better, Marlène said as she pulled back some of the billowing lace. The tailor can nip and tuck anything that needs it. Just try and use your imagination.

Why had I let Henrietta talk me into going dress shopping without my mother? We hadn’t even settled on a date yet—and my parents still had to meet Roman in person. We had been somewhat distracted of late by more urgent matters. Several of the other packs had rebelled when Roman claimed the title of Alpha Council Leader. Though he had the support of Cane—the man who last led the council—his position was still shaky at best. With the other packs divided, the Rougarou were teetering on the brink of civil war.

My phone buzzed from across the room. Probably my mother sending her daily text demanding to know when we were going to visit her and my father in Kansas. I had been putting the trip off for too long and even considered canceling it, but Roman was still set on asking my father for his blessing of our marriage. I was sure my mother would give hers. She had been happy enough on the phone when I first told her the news of our engagement—though my father had offered only a quiet ‘congratulations’. He would be the problem. Nothing was ever good enough for his ‘little girl’. How would he react when he met Roman?

I wished my Mom was here with me now. She always organized and handled these types of things effortlessly. I felt a sudden pang of guilt over our last conversation before I had come to Louisiana. Convinced I was making a mistake in leaving the family web of support, she had done everything possible to delay my leaving the nest. Our argument had ended with some harsh words that I now regretted. Why can’t she understand I am old enough to make my own choices? It may have been her long nursing career dealing with the inflated egos of doctors and unending demands of patients that had caused her to become so overbearing and opinionated—but suddenly, her opinion mattered more to me than anything.

It’s a pretty cut, Isabella, commented Henrietta, looking more at her nails than at me. "Though I’m na sure if’n da style quite fits ‘our body type."

My eyes rotated to the antique, floor-to-ceiling mirror on the wall.

I look like the Michelin Man in this, I said with a scowl. The dress was so big, with the excess fabric bunching into rolls and puffs and giving me an utterly ridiculous appearance.

Henrietta stifled a laugh in her hand. Some maid of honor she was turning out to be. How could I love something on the hanger so much, then absolutely HATE the way I looked wearing it?

Maybe we should try the Stella York, I suggested.

"Let’s see da ivory ‘stead of white dis time," Henrietta urged.

A popular style, nodded Marlène. And at seventeen-hundred dollars, it’s well within your budget.

She helped me wrestle myself out of the complex jumble of material and beadwork. Standing in just my underwear, I suddenly felt embarrassed. Fortunately, Henrietta was there to pour me another glass of champagne. We clinked our glasses and I took a sip, distracting myself with the bubbles. At least the champagne wasn’t too dry.

After a few moments, Marlène brought over the next dress and we repeated the complicated process of getting into it.

This one is perfect for you, cher, smiled Marlène as she cinched up the back.

"Looks bon on ‘our waistline," Henrietta agreed.

It did fit much better than the last one had. The scalloped train was elegant. With a lace, corset back and a plunging neckline, I was sure Roman wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off of me. The ivory color complimented my fair complexion, red hair, and blue-grey eyes—but was it too sexy?

Rotating towards the mirror, I swayed slowly from side to side. The dress accentuated my figure, but I felt suddenly itchy. Something about the neckline seemed strange and it pulled awkwardly across the chest. It was lovely, but it also felt like a costume. It just wasn’t me.

I’m sure Roman would like it, I said softly, but can we just try on a few more, just to be sure?

Of course, it’s your day. A wave of annoyance passed over Marlène’s face before quickly vanishing. Did she even understand that I didn’t want just any dress? It had to be THE dress.

Henrietta seemed to whisper some words under her breath. Was she petitioning the loa for something? "’Ou should try on da Tony Ward," she said casually.

That’s a good idea, Marlène said with a nod, as she helped peel me out of my dress. Just keep in mind, it’s a little over the budget you provided me with. When I offered no objection, she disappeared into the back to retrieve it.

How much over the budget? I whispered to Henrietta.

A mischievous look came over her exotically dark-skinned face. "It’s only six thousand dollars, cher—but Roman’s good for it with all dat pack money coming in."

I suddenly wasn’t so sure. The tributes have slowed from the few packs willing to support Roman. Others have stopped entirely. With the increased medical costs from the recovering infected and repairing all the damage—the pack is drowning in debt.

Henrietta gave me a quick hug. "Roman will get dat all sorted, but ‘ou only get married once—‘ou deserve to splurge a little."

She did have a point. Maybe Daddy would help cover some of the costs.

Marlène returned and soon had me wriggling into the expensive new dress. It took a while to lace up the corset and I kept my eyes closed, almost too afraid to look.

Mmhmm, Henrietta murmured.

Turning toward the mirror, I opened my eyes with a gasp. I looked like a princess! The A-line, backless ivory gown had a delicate neckline and a slim waist set in chiffon and beaded lace. With a long chapel train, it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. I couldn’t believe it was so comfortable! It fit me so much better than any of the previous others. I never want to take this dress off. It made me feel so pretty. I couldn’t stop smiling.

Suddenly, tears came to my eyes as I imagined Roman seeing me in it for the first time as I came down the aisle. This dress was perfect. There was no point in trying on any more of them.

"That’s DA one, Henrietta said. I can tell by da look on yor face."

I nodded. I suppose it’s worth the extra cost.

A beautiful choice! Marlène clapped her hands, obviously pleased I had finally made up my mind. I’m so happy for you! The dress will only need a few minor alterations. Just give me a few minutes to get everything typed up in the back and then I’ll get you all rung up.

She gathered up the pile of other dresses and swept out of the room.

"How ‘bout some more of dat tasty champagne ta celebrate?" Henrietta asked.

I laughed, feeling a little lightheaded already. We had emptied an entire bottle by ourselves. Why not?

Leaving me alone in front of the mirror, she ducked out to find another bottle.

It was hard to believe this was really happening. It seemed like such a short time had passed since Roman and I had first met. The whole relationship had been so intoxicating—we had fallen hard for each other, with the intensity only continuing to burn hotter. There had been some setbacks and more than a few challenges along the way, but our relationship had grown all the stronger from it. That night when he had proposed, had been the most wonderful moment of my life. I was hopelessly in love with him. To think that we would be getting married, seemed like some impossible dream—yet here I was, standing in my wedding dress.

I kept my eyes on the mirror as Marlène returned. That was fast.

Larissa sends her regrets, said a voice, too masculine and deep to be Marlène’s, but there will be no wedding.

I spun around as a large, dark-haired Creole man behind me shut the door. I had never seen his face before. He was tall and well-muscled, with several scars across his arms. The man wore a sleeveless shirt and water-proof camouflage overalls, as a catfish farmer might.

Larissa owned most of the crawfish and catfish farms in these parts. She was one of the most powerful Alphas whose pack had rebelled against Roman’s leadership. She sent a member of her pack here to kill me.

I barely had a chance to process what was happening, when he began to transform into his werewolf form. Screaming, I tried to run for the door, but a wedding dress isn’t made for speed. The train tangled in my feet, slowing me down. A hairy, clawed hand easily caught me. The claws ripped through the fabric, tearing the delicate lace into jagged strips. Throwing a punch at the hairy chest, I struggled in vain to free myself. I hurt my hand more than anything. The werewolf flung me across the room, as if I was no heavier than a bouquet of flowers. I smashed into the mirror with a sickening crunch.

Black spots appeared before my eyes and began swimming around the room as I tried to rise. Warm blood oozed from cuts on the back of my head, staining my wedding dress red. I finally found my feet as the snarling beast in front of me discarded what remained of its torn clothes. The transformation was complete. A seven-foot-tall, hairy brown monster with the head and claws of a wolf stood in front of me. It was blocking the only door and my only way out. I looked to the small window on the far wall. Could I make it?

Henrietta! I yelled, moving to the side in search of a weapon. If only I could stall until...

The werewolf charged.

My hands found the headless torso of a mannequin with a steel tube running up the center. Desperate, I pulled it across my body, holding the tip forward like a spear. I braced the tripod stand against the wall, just as the creature crashed into me. It roared as the metal pierced deep into its stomach, but even that wasn’t enough to stop the inhumanly strong werewolf.

Razor-sharp claws cut bloody lines across the front of my corset. Pain blossomed in my abdomen and chest as I fell to the ground. My blood was everywhere. Ripping apart the mannequin, the creature slowly pulled the steel tube out of its flesh. The werewolf discarded it against what remained of the demolished mirror.

A shower of shattered glass had given me a dozen new cuts. I hardly felt them. The room was starting to spin. I must have a concussion. I watched in horror as the wound in the werewolf’s stomach slowly healed shut. Drool fell from the long teeth as a loud growl filled my ears. This was my end.

"Try healing dis!" Henrietta yelled, hurling a sizzling orange fireball at the creature’s back.

The werewolf burst into flame, panic filling the creature’s eyes as it ran from the inescapable fire. Crashing through the side window, it tried to flee to the street outside.

Henrietta rushed over, pulling out a pouch of green dust and scattering it into the air. It floated in a cloud above me as she prepared a Powder Casting, assessing my wounds. She used her magic to heal me, repairing the deep cuts and the damage to my head. My mind abruptly cleared. I decided I had made the right choice

Reviews for Werewolf Pandemic

[Emily Baxley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Is there going to be a 4th book to the series