Winter's Pack

By Lou Grimes

Louvette Blackwood is back in the second installment of The Cursed Series.

"People being something other than what they appeared to be was a common theme at this table, Louvette thought sarcastically. With a table half full of wolves, the sheep still had no idea what ate alongside them. Nevertheless, one of the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Lou Grimes
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869064349

Book preview

Lou Grimes

Winter’s Pack

The Cursed Series (Book 2)

Copyright © 2020 by Lou Grimes

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Lou Grimes asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

First edition

Cover art by Jeanette Barroso

Editing by Rose Green

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

I’d like to thank my husband, family, and friends that supported me from start to finish. I’d also like to thank my readers who help keep me going. Lastly, I’d like to thank my cover artist and editor who helped me turn my world into an actual book.

Contents

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

5. Chapter 5

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

8. Chapter 8

9. Chapter 9

10. Chapter 10

11. Chapter 11

12. Chapter 12

13. Chapter 13

14. Chapter 14

15. Chapter 15

16. Chapter 16

Thanks For Reading!

About the Author

Also by Lou Grimes

1

Chapter 1

A Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by family and friends would be considered a perfect night for any normal person. But Louvette Blackwood was far from normal, and this wasn’t Thanksgiving Day. This day was a convenience for each of their guests, including themselves. The true holiday wouldn’t come until a week and a half later.

To the eye, she was the typical high school senior with stormy, gold-speckled eyes and a heart-shaped face. Her build was compact. The lack of strong sunlight near the mountains had paled her skin to a more alabaster tone from months of living in Whitefish, Montana. Most people would find it hard to believe something prowled deeper under that same light skin.

Shifting her chestnut curls to the side, giving them the illusion of being a mile long as they brushed against her back, she stared at her plate absently. So much had changed since the start of the school year, from finding out her real last name and moving across the United States to learning who killed her grandfather and meeting new friends. This was the longest running stretch she’d lasted at a single school. She used to get into classroom brawls almost every day because of what she was. Now, since learning some control techniques from Arsen, she only got into fights with things attempting to kill her or cage her.

The most important thing that had transformed this year was herself. She’d changed into a Lupine. To be fair, her wolf had always lurked deep down. Being a Lupine was in the Blackwood heritage since before the Blackwoods were even Blackwoods, to blend in after starting the town of Whitefish. Louvette hadn’t shifted until her boyfriend, Arsen, had shown her how.

A Lupine was a more exciting version of Hollywood’s werewolf. Louvette did not shift based on the lunar calendar. She could shift any time she wanted to. When she wished, she could change just a part of her body, which had come in handy since becoming a wolf. Thanks to magic, she also did not lose her clothes every time she went furry. Louvette’s wolf was an actual Arctic wolf, too, not some gross humanoid experiment gone wrong. Lupines had no aversion to silver. They feared Aconitum, which most called wolfsbane. Wolfsbane was a fast-killing poison she had experienced firsthand, but the cure, belladonna, was administered before it was too late.

Magic was why Lupines existed. During Europe’s Middle Ages, the blood witches used their magic to turn all the useless men into an army of animals to defend them against the persecution of witches. The spell killed all the witches who were involved and blessed the men to have the power to change into creatures far stronger than any natural-born animals. They were stronger, they healed faster, and they had Gifts, which were magical affinities to things like fire, foresight, illusions, and anything performed through magic.

Louvette was the only female Lupine anyone had ever heard of throughout history. They didn’t know how she was here, but the Northline Pack aimed to help her find out. She couldn’t ask for a better pack. They were there to teach her what Wilder, her grandfather, and Declan, her father, couldn’t.

Blaise Campbell had murdered her grandfather, Wilder, under false pretenses on the basis that he had gone rogue. A rogue Lupine was someone who had lost complete control and was driven by basic instincts. They were twisted and wrong, not unlike Hollywood’s werewolves who killed for sport.

Declan was the biological father she had never met. She had no idea where he was or if he was even alive since he disappeared before she was born. Arsen was helping her to figure out what happened.

Up until recent events, she and Arsen were the only ones who knew she was a Lupine. Then, some jumped-up private investigator started poking his nose around her and one wolfsbane-laced bullet to Louvette’s chest later, the whole pack knew.

Her curvaceous mother was still unaware, thankfully. Sarah Lynskey would be constantly worried and collecting more wrinkles on her face, knowing her daughter was running around on four paws at all times of night. The kind of trouble she could land herself in her mother’s emerald eyes had no bounds. Louvette predicted as soon as she told her mother, she would be confined to the house until further notice where the dark blonde would be her keeper. A shiver went down her back. She had had enough of traps.

The loud laughter of Cara Rivers, her best friend, brought her back to the table for a second. A long painful second because Louvette wanted nothing more than to tell Cara what she was, but knew Cara’s own father was keeping her in the dark about his world. She had planned to acquire permission from Cara’s father to tell her before opening a forbidden door to the Lupine world that could not be closed.

Louvette didn’t blame him. This was a dangerous world. The danger had been growing since the beginning of the school year. She had been stalked, shot, and almost killed. Louvette had become more cautious and found herself counting wolves each time she entered a room.

Still, Louvette felt certain despite Cara’s delicate, fairy-like features, she could handle knowing. Cara was an average-sized girl. A feature not so average were her light green cat eyes which captivated whomever she was talking to, which, along with her short blonde hair, giving her an otherworldly appearance. If Louvette hadn’t been informed of Cara’s true Lupine heritage, she’d have believed her friend was a closet pixie for sure.

People being something other than what they appeared to be was a common theme at this table, Louvette thought sarcastically. With a table half full of wolves, the sheep still had no idea what ate alongside them. Nevertheless, one of the guests was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or at least he was attempting to be.

Unable to stop herself, her stare cut over for the millionth time to the long-limbed jet-black haired man who was sitting at the end of the table next to her mother. The wolf pretending to be a sheep, in other words.

Chuckling at whatever her mother had said, his blue eyes were crinkled. He had olive tinted skin and a strong chin that her mother had fallen head over heels for once she got past the certain omittance of Louvette being required to change her last name to Blackwood.

Louvette didn’t know if she trusted the black-haired man, whose name was Thomas Hollows, anymore. He was the lawyer for the Blackwood estate when Wilder died and was technically still her lawyer. She was clueless to why he might betray his best friend or cover for whoever did. Thoughts on the motive had circled her mind since she found her father’s journal, and they were growing darker each day.

The desire to read his mind was so absolutely tempting. However, her lack of experience with her Gift had left her unsure she could enter without alerting him. The last thing she wanted was for him to have the upper hand.

Arsen flashed her a smile after catching her gaze with his vibrant blue pools for eyes. Louvette grinned back halfheartedly. She still hadn’t told Arsen what Gift she had been given. She was tired of being different and wanted to enjoy this moment, which was as normal as she was going to get.

Though telling Arsen was almost too enticing each time his too-long curls fell in his face. He had skipped a haircut or two since Louvette first met him. His facial structures might be considered perfect, save for a crooked nose which only added a bit of bad boy charm to his whole façade.

She had tried for almost a week to snag some alone time to tell him what she had discovered in her room, but he had been busy from his pack duties. Albeit when he wasn’t, she was busy completing schoolwork, spending time with Cara, or helping her mother prepare for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Her hand went to her throat to touch the moon necklace she had found in her father’s hidden box along with a journal. The final journal entry had put Thomas Hollows and her father together when they were checking about possible trouble in the Eastland Pack territory.

Hollows had lied to her before when she gave him the third degree about the last time he’d seen her father. She needed to know why. Either he saw what took place, or he was a part of what happened to her father.

After dinner was finished, they quickly played a few board games.

Sorry I haven’t been able to talk to you. My father has been keeping me busy, Arsen apologized, touching his hand to the back of hers lightly. Louvette wished to tell him, but the chance of being overheard was far too great.

I understand, but what has he had you doing? Louvette asked.

We’ve been increasing security, pushing off outside pack business to later, and planning meets at other packs’ territories to keep them out of ours, Arsen told her.

Don’t you think someone will pick up on the change and wonder why y’all are suddenly becoming more reclusive? Louvette queried, frowning.

We are changing things quietly, but we have to be slow about it. You’d be surprised how many meetings we had to change for the next couple months to keep outsiders away so they don’t find out about you, Arsen said.

Don’t you think coming out would be better? Louvette questioned. Telling the magical world she existed only made sense to her. Louvette was all about the truth. The world needed more truth in it.

Not really. This situation is unprecedented, and we are all a bunch of wild animals deep down, Arsen remarked in his straightforward manner.

I’m starting to see that. What do you think would happen? Louvette asked. Her eyes flicked to Hollows, standing on the front porch talking to her mother. If ever there was a prime example of them being animals capable of anything as long as it was for self-preservation, then it would be a man who could betray his best friend.

That they would stick you in a lab somewhere I can’t find you to replicate you because you’re the only Lupine girl anyone has ever heard of. Supposing that all girls from Lupine bloodlines were Lupines, then the Lupine race would at least double in size. No one could challenge us, Arsen claimed.

Yeah, let’s avoid that at all costs, Louvette said. The image of being nothing more than a blood bag along with busted veins flashed through her mind.

No one is going to take you away from me, Arsen decreed. What did you want to talk about, anyway? he asked, snapping Louvette out of her thoughts.

The intensity of his eyes as he made his initial statement had Louvette wondering what he might do if someone tried.

Later, when we are alone, Louvette responded before Cara and Garrett came over to them.

Does anyone want some hot chocolate? her mother asked the room. The chorus of agreement sounded similar to boisterous Vikings demanding mead in a hall far greater than the Blackwoods’ hall.

She spied her mother leave Hollows’s side for the first time tonight since he arrived. She chose to take her moment like the true animal she was inside, as if she was stalking her next meal. Louvette walked over rapidly, wanting to question him without her mother being around.

Hey, I need to talk to you about something, Louvette said, not having time for any small talk or pleasantries before her mother returned. Besides, if he had betrayed her father, then she didn’t want to be pleasant at all. Potential murderers didn’t deserve pleasantries.

I know about you being a Lupine, if that’s what this was about. I was gone on business when they held the pack meet about you being one, Hollows told her. Louvette came to an abrupt stop, realizing the thought hadn’t crossed her mind as weird that he hadn’t been at the pack gathering regarding her. Now that he had made an excuse for his absence, it was odd.

No, that’s not what I need to talk to you about. I found my father’s journal. He wrote an entry on the day he disappeared about you and him checking the boundary line of the Eastland Pack. Why did you lie to me? Louvette pumped.

He didn’t say anything for a second, but his eyes were worried. I didn’t know you were a Lupine. I had to lie. I couldn’t tell you we were on pack business together, Hollows said.

Tell me everything that happened. Now, Louvette demanded.

We went to check the quadrant together. We found nothing and went our separate ways, Hollows answered.

That’s it? That’s the last time you saw him or heard anything about him? Louvette asked. The answer wasn’t enough for her.

Yes, Hollows said.

Did the police not find my grandfather’s phone, or was that little bit of information covered up because I wasn’t a Lupine? Louvette interrogated.

No, they didn’t find the phone, Hollows responded. Though she believed him about not finding her grandfather’s phone, she lacked confidence in him about anything else. Louvette opened her mouth to continue, but her mother’s arrival cut her short.

What’s wrong, Louvette? her mother asked, seeing she was noticeably upset. Louvette rearranged her face into a more neutral state to control her storm of emotions before answering.

Nothing. Thomas didn’t believe you’re one of the best speed card players around. I think you have to educate him, Louvette teased, forcing herself back into a civilized being for the sake of her mother.

Oh really? her mother asked, grabbing his arm and pulling him to the table. Louvette went back to Arsen’s side. From Hollows’s pinched face, she could tell there was more than what he was willing to tell her. She didn’t need to read his mind to figure that out. She was going to have to find out through different means.

Louvette began cleaning to keep her mind off the subject of Thomas Hollows. He was making her ill. She hated having to pretend in front of her mother.

The table was nearly cleared when her mother came to her side.

Let me help you, sweetheart, her mother said.

I’ve got it. I’m almost done, Louvette told her. Her mother ignored her words and grabbed a half-full casserole bowl and a serving platter that was left. They walked into the kitchen and put up the leftovers without talking.

Hollows’s chuckling voice could easily be heard from all the way in the living room. Louvette’s stomach clenched at the sound. Her eyes cut to him, enjoying himself. The impulse to throw the dinnerware she was holding at his throat flooded her. Again, she prevailed against baser instincts coming from her wolf.

This is the first good one I’ve met since Declan, her mother said, beaming so hard Louvette knew her face muscles had to ache. Louvette tried to mimic the same display of happiness, but got the impression she was more baring her teeth than anything. She decided to release her bare teeth into a more genuine and neutral face for her mother. Her heart ached at her mother’s words. She didn’t want to be the one to take away her mother’s happiness when she had learned about it a short while ago.

Yeah, he’s much better, she said flatly. She was going to remain unbiased until she discovered the truth. She was going to avoid the subject at all costs unless she had no choice but to talk about him.

This was so much fun! I’m thinking about doing a get-together for Christmas, too, her mother said, hinting toward her plans of party-throwing domination.

Sounds great to me, Louvette said, robotically. Louvette hoped she wouldn’t have to suffer another dinner where he was in attendance because Christmas was a long time off. It was more than enough time for her to unearth what had happened. She would apologize for accusing him if she found him to be not guilty.

Maybe we can invite Arsen’s parents, too, her mother said.

Maybe, Louvette replied, having no idea if they would like her. Louvette didn’t want to force them to have dinner with someone they didn’t like.

She could hardly imagine the level of stress of that party. Her father’s potential killer and a mother who disliked her sitting next to each other at the table. The items she set down crashed into the sink a little bit louder than they should have.

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean too, Louvette told her mother, who was watching her.

It’s okay, sweetheart. Accidents happen. Nothing even broke, her mother promised as if Louvette had reverted back to a messy child once again.

I’m going to say goodbye to everyone before they leave, Louvette said, wanting to be anywhere else but here where her extremely physically fragile and human mother was. The number of breakable things in the kitchen was only growing.

All right, honey, her mother responded.

Louvette saw Cara and Garrett were migrating closer to the door, attempting to leave. Cara’s face was reluctant to walk out.

I was looking for you, but couldn’t find you, Cara said after catching sight of Louvette heading toward her. The worry on Cara’s face melted away.

I’m so glad you came. This was so much fun, Louvette remarked.

Yes, this was a lot better than my Thanksgivings, Cara mentioned. At first, Louvette thought Cara would give her a hug. Something stopped her. Whatever it was reflected in her eyes. Louvette restrained herself from hugging, unsure of the root of her odd reaction.

Thanks for the invite, Garrett added.

Yeah, thank you, Cara told Louvette.

I’m glad you two came, she said.

They waved and said their goodbyes, and then left.

***

Later that night after all the members of the dinner had left and her mother was showering, Louvette finally got a chance to talk to Arsen. She engaged him in small talk, keeping him around until her mother’s shower started running.

Will you help me with something? Louvette asked, knowing if anyone had the connections, it was Arsen. He would know the right people to ask who would be neutral in this situation, too.

You never have to ask me for help. Whose bones do I need to break? Arsen questioned. Curiosity invaded his face similar to how an invasive supernatural species might. He tilted his head out of interest.

I might take you up on the breaking bones later, but right now it’s something, not someone. Do you know anyone who could hack bank records? Louvette asked, keeping her words airy like she wasn’t committing a felony.

I maybe know a guy who can, Arsen said hesitantly. His curiosity intensified one hundredfold. Before, he had been stuck in small talk mode, where people only half listened to what was going on around them.

Will this guy be discreet? she wondered. The last thing she wanted was for her suspicion to end up being just that or to have the wrong person do it.

Ian Valleys is our guy. He’s the best at keeping secrets, Arsen responded.

Will you have him check Thomas Hollows’s bank history from the day my grandfather died up until today? Louvette asked.

Thomas Hollows? Arsen asked, bewildered. Though he was confused, Louvette could tell he was ready to do what she had asked.

I don’t think my father left on his own will. I have proof he wanted us in his life, Louvette said, pulling her necklace out of her shirt.

I don’t think he left willingly, either, but why don’t you think so? Arsen asked Louvette.

I found this in Declan’s old room. The necklace was lying on top of a journal. The last entry in the journal is the day my father went missing. It says he and Thomas were going to check the borderlands of the Eastland Pack, Louvette told Arsen, handing him the jewelry. He gingerly inspected it as if it might fall apart in his hands.

What do you think the connection is between your grandfather’s death and your father going missing? Arsen inquired out of confusion.

If he was doing something wrong back then, Thomas was too smart to use cash. Blaise told me when he killed my grandfather he was raving about betrayals and the Pacific Coast Pack. For some reason, my grandfather’s phone is still turned on. Thomas said tonight the cops haven’t found the phone yet. He’s gotten weird since day one every time I ask about the phone, Louvette said.

You think he has the cell phone? Arsen said.

No, I think he’s searching for it. He missed the pack meet about me when everybody else was brought in. Doesn’t that seem off? Louvette asked.

He told my father he had an emergency meeting with a client, Arsen supplied.

"He knows the truth of my grandfather’s death, unlike the police. If he has been back to Eureka since the first visit, he must have been looking for grandfather’s cell,’’ Louvette explained.

All right, I’ll ask Ian to check things out since Thomas Hollows has a history, Arsen said. He paused for a minute. On a more positive note, Mom invited you over to our family Thanksgiving the weekend after next, Arsen added.

Louvette was thrown off course at the whiplash from the sudden change. Do you think she will like me? she asked quietly. The possibility of Arsen’s mom not liking her had been a growing concern for Louvette as their relationship had progressed, since she had not yet met the illustrious Mrs. Whitecreek. She was starting to believe Arsen had been putting off the meeting.

She doesn’t dislike anyone, Arsen comforted.

Does she know what I am? Louvette wondered.

Yes, I told her since she missed the meet to watch my little brother. She usually goes to them. Cara’s dad will be at the dinner party, too, Arsen said.

Perfect, I’ll ask him for permission to tell Cara about the Lupine if I can get an opportunity, Louvette responded.

Arsen broke eye contact as if he believed her endeavor to tell Cara the truth was a doomed venture. Louvette lightly smacked his arm to show him she had seen his dubious face.

You look like I’m going to eat someone’s cat. I just don’t want to lie to my best friend, who should have been told a long time ago, Louvette pointed out.

She’s their only daughter. Maybe they don’t want her to be a part of this kind of world, Arsen said, sounding the same as Louvette herself. It was a tad bit eerie.

"I’m still going to at least