Awakening (The White Stealth Clan Book 1) Read online

  Awakening

  by

  Sarah Stein

  (The White Stealth Clan Series: Book One)

  ABOUT THIS BOOK

  Up North in Arctic Village, Alaska, Analyse Jenkins knew at an early age that she was unique. Throughout life, she’s steered by her instinct and never thought it would lead her astray until she meets Worwick Mitchell. He’s everything a woman craves: tall, dark, handsome, and wolf?

  Worwick searched his entire life for his mate but to no avail. The White Stealth Clan has rules, and one states that you can’t be alpha without a mate. To his delight, Analyse was right under his nose.

  She has questions, and he has answers. Would she accept him, and become his mate? It’s a struggle between earning Analyse’s trust and finding the members that are kidnapped from his pack. Neither can be let down.

  COPYRIGHT

  Copyright © 2017 by Sarah Stein

  All rights reserved.

  Editor: ymjbediting

  Wild Dreams Publishing

  Cover Illustration: Primrose Passage

  In accordance with the Copyright Act the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property.

  Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning: This book is intended for a mature audience, and contains explicit sexual activity.

  Dedication

  Dustin Breaux Sr., thank you for believing in me because without your love and encouragement, this journey would be arduous. Our late-night brainstorming sessions have definitely proved worthwhile. You inspire me to push forward.

  Also, to my parents, I appreciate you for supporting and encouraging me.

  And to my readers for exploring my world as you read every word I’ve written in my books, and following me through this journey. Thank you.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  About Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Bio

  Works

  Chapter One

  She couldn’t escape it; her teeth chattered with each step she placed in front of the other. Her body quivered as goosebumps appeared. As much as she dreaded the unbearable cold, and yearned to leave it all behind, she grew up here. Arctic Village, Alaska had many frigid winters, and this particular one was no different.

  Analyse inhaled the scent of wood smoke drifting by not far from where she stood. Many people in her hometown were building fires to keep warm, causing the smoke to rise out of their chimneys. The weather wasn’t giving up anytime soon, so there wasn’t any point in complaining. As she basked in the feel of snowdrops splattering on her faux fur parka, arms spread wide, and her face lifted up to the sky, she longed for freedom. Not from the overbearing winters per se, but for the ability to tour the world.

  Her life revolved around these areas. Most times she’d think about traveling to places where summer was actually a season, but she would miss the winters. Where Analyse was from, there wasn’t much of a summer; you still had to wear a coat. Sandy beaches, bronzed from the sun, and anything that included water sports were also something that was lacking here. She wanted to experience the best of that season.

  But there was no denying that she belonged in Alaska. And so she squashed her dreams of traveling and moved across the field from her adopted parents the moment she became of age. Although they wanted her to live with them, she felt it would be best for her to be on her own. Besides, it’s not like they didn’t see each other almost every day.

  When her body changed drastically at a young age, her parents called it puberty. Analyse knew better than that. Something was different. It was like a whole new being lived inside of her; another’s thoughts, strengths, and reactions. She was frightened and didn’t know how to cope. A place to reside alone was best until she maintained control of whatever dwelled inside.

  Did she know what it was? Not at all, and that was the reason for the distance. Analyse would die if anything were to happen to her parents, even by accident, although, the space between her home and her parents’ residence was close, it was still far enough to provide her with a sense of relief. To be on the safe side, living apart was best.

  The house she eventually found was a fixer-upper, but she wanted to delve deep into the heart of it and turn it into her very own paradise. She was close to done. Soon the contractors would finish their end so she could put her career to good use. As an interior designer, Analyse couldn’t wait to decorate her home the way she’d always wanted.

  “Analyse. I need your help!” her dad’s voice yelled from far-off. It was faint but evident.

  She didn’t reply back. What was the point when her father, Beau, wouldn’t be able to hear? He had a hearing aid positioned in both his ears. They worked better when you were in proximity.

  Her feet rushed along the snow-drenched ground towards her dad’s voice. She cared deeply for her parents regardless of the lack of blood relation. They were continually proving how much she meant to them and that was enough for Analyse. She never knew her birth parents, but often she thought to search for them, especially now.

  Once Analyse became a teenager, her parents disclosed their relationship to her, but it didn’t matter one iota because they would always be Analyse’s parents. Apparently, her biological parents weren’t ready for a child, so her mother had tucked tail and ran, leaving Analyse on the doorstep of her best friend’s home. It’s a terrible thing to hear, but an ugly truth that Analyse couldn’t seem to shake. It didn’t take blood to be someone’s mother or father; it took stepping up to take care of the responsibility, and to love that person regardless of whether you’re related. That’s what Analyse’s parents did. They stepped up when no one else did, not even her actual parents.

  “What’s the problem?” Analyse questioned. Her eyes landed on the log her father was struggling to chop. She knew he was preparing for another winter where they would need plenty of wood to burn. Staying warm was essential in these parts.

  He looked up at Analyse, “I can’t seem to steady the log in one place. Damn thing keeps moving every time I try to slice through it. If I’m not careful, I’d likely hack off my own body parts.” He joked, but the mental image that ran across Analyse’s mind made her cringe. There was no way she’d get past the vision of her diced up father.

  “Here, let me help,” she offered. Her hand steadied the log before bringing down the ax swiftly. It was fast enough for her father to question how she moved so rapidly, but he didn’t.

  “Much obliged, baby girl,” he announced with pride laced in his voice.

  There were many times when she assisted around the house that her actions should be questioned, but her parents would let it go, or didn’t seem to mind that she was physically stronger than them. She wasn’t sure if they refused to acknowledge her sudden strength or assumed it was her normality.

  “I’m going to check on Mom. I’m hoping she’s done with dinner, because I’m beyond starving,” Analyse
voiced anxiously.

  Her dad nodded as he continued slicing the remaining logs. The rest didn’t seem like it would give him a hard time, and if it did Analyse was sure he’d yell for assistance again. She couldn’t keep using her strength in front of them like that. Eventually, they’ll have many questions, and she wasn’t sure how to answer them. She had so many inquiries herself and couldn’t find the answers to any of them.

  Thank God for Google. The internet was slow around these parts, yet they still had the option. She would search any symptom experienced just to get a feel of what was going on with her body. Strangely though, everything she saw online led her to believe she was part wolf although it was clearly a myth. Those things weren’t real, but she couldn’t seem to find any actual evidence about her situation.

  It never failed, each night she’d log onto her parents’ computer and do some research. Just because it wasn’t fact, didn’t mean she wasn’t intrigued. Analyse wanted to know more about the werewolf because she felt connected in a strange way.

  Each time she was done with their computer, she’d erase the history and get on with her day. There would be no response she could give if her parents inquired about the search history. Until Analyse knew what she was up against, she needed to keep the browsing history cleared. It’s better to be safe than sorry especially in this situation. Besides, it wasn’t like they knew how to work the machine since Analyse had to help with the basics, like most of their online billing and shopping.

  Lost in thought, she climbed the steps one by one and opened the screen door. The smell of vegetable soup wafted to her nose. She followed it towards the kitchen. Her sense of smell had also altered. Things were multiplied ten-fold, but as long as it was pleasant, she didn’t complain. Sometimes it was incredible.

  Her mom stood in the kitchen wearing her blue and yellow apron, stirring the pot. She didn’t look up at Analyse, but her presence was known, “The food isn’t going to be done for another thirty minutes. Also, the chair leg over there broke this morning, would you be a dear, and go out back to the shed and grab the extra chair and take the broken one there so your pa can fix it later?”

  She didn’t have to repeat her sentence; Analyse would do anything for her parents, even going to the dreaded shed. The same place that haunted her dreams ever since she was a child. The one time she had friends over, they were playing hide and seek, and Analyse had been locked inside for over two hours banging and screaming. That moment was when Analyse knew she had developed a ‘super’ strength by busting through the door of the shed, shredding it to pieces. Still, her grandparents believed the broken door was because of a wild animal. Since that day, Analyse hadn’t asked another friend to play over.

  Analyse picked up the broken chair and walked outside. There was no point in replying to her mom when she wouldn’t answer. Every time her mom cooked, she was focused solely on the task at hand, which was why she was one of the most amazing chefs around. Not that there were many neighbors, but Analyse loved her cooking.

  The shed was a long distance away from the house. She wanted to obtain the new chair quickly and get back inside but couldn’t seem to move fast enough. The broken chair was scratching the back of Analyse’s calf, making her want to ram it into the nearest tree for scraping her leg but she thought against it. Irritability was another one of her changes. It seemed that every time Analyse was faced with the smallest of a situation she would be upset, and wanting to take her anger out on whatever object was near. Her parents would definitely frown at her petulance.

  Finally reaching the shed, she opened it and stepped inside. Looking to each corner, she spotted the chair situated towards the back. It had a light sheen of dust with a web that started from the ceiling and ended at the right leg. There were no spiders in sight, at least for a mere human, but Analyse knew better than to stick around. With her heightened senses, they couldn’t hide from her. She wasn’t particularly afraid of spiders, but she could do without seeing them.

  Analyse picked up the pace and quickly grabbed the new chair, breaking the thread of web before leaving the shed. If she wasn’t hungry before, all the exertion caused her hunger to intensify.

  She wanted meats, but her family loved their vegetables. They would put meat in their food but not enough to sustain Analyse. Her hunger never dimmed. During those times, her sense of smell picked up whenever a stray animal would cross her path. Although Analyse refused to attack one, disgusted that she would feel that way towards an uncooked animal.

  On the walk back towards the house, her body tensed. She wasn’t sure what was wrong but Analyse felt like she was being watched. Of course, that was crazy considering there weren’t many people nearby. The neighbor closest to them was about a mile away. Unless they needed something from her parents, no one would be visiting.

  Her unease continued. Her steps hastened, but the new chair continued scraping the back of her calf again. She was going to be bruised and all because she couldn’t seem to get back fast enough. Her eyes darted towards the woods not far off from her parents’ home but saw nothing. It still didn’t feel right.

  The feeling inside her awoke. She racked her brain for anything resembling what the feeling was but came up short. According to her Google searches, it was called her ’instinct’. It knew things before she could pinpoint them. It’s been there most of her life and had saved her on many occasions.

  From the corner of her right eye, she noticed something white behind the tree line of the woods. She positioned her vision that way, but it was gone. The discomfort wouldn’t slack, so she picked up the pace, moving with speed back towards her parents’ home.

  Once inside her haven, she placed the new chair in the spot of the old one and then plopped herself down at her parents’ computer. She needed to understand what was happening within her. Her instinct was stronger this time. There wasn’t any hiding it. The feeling intensified, and she knew, deep down, that something was lurking in those woods.

  It watched her. She did not doubt that what she envisioned from the corner of her eye was some type of animal. What was it? She hadn’t a clue. Opening the search engine, she typed in ‘animals that would reside in the woods’. There were too many to list, and she soon became tired of the never-ending list. Her instinct warned that none of the names on that list were what observed her today.

  She erased the history and powered off the computer before making her way to the kitchen. Food and rest were what she needed to clear her mind. It was easier said than done.

  Chapter Two

  Analyse left her parents’ home with a full belly, ready for a good night’s sleep. But, regardless of how much sleep she craved, her thoughts wouldn’t rest. Images of the blurred thing ran through her mind. Wondering what it could’ve been. Questioning if it were indeed an animal. Though she had no evidence, an animal was the more logical explanation.

  Sleep far from her mind, she walked to her office, picked up a flashlight and retrieved a bottle of water from the kitchen. She headed out her back door. As soon as the cold hit her, she held her coat tighter against her chest. She was thankful she decided to keep her warm clothes on. Her parka’s soft hood sheathed her ears with its warmth as she walked with determination towards the woods. It was late but not dark enough for a flashlight, but she knew the woods could be a dark place.

  She was clearly not in her right mind, yet Analyse knew there would be no sleep without investigating. If there was a wild animal waiting for its prey, then the village wasn’t safe. She’d have to alert the hunters. It wasn’t secure going alone, but what choice did she have? No one else was available to go exploring, and she’d be damned if she’d drag her dad out. If something were to happen to him, Analyse would be lost. Its burden rested solely on Analyse’s shoulders, at least until she figured out what the creature was.

  The snow crunched under her feet as she walked. Noises from owls and other unknown animals were heard all around her. She couldn’t place where they were hiding, but they ma
de her aware of them. Her eyes darted left and right with each step, and before she hit the edge where the woods started, she inhaled a deep breath and pushed forward.

  There was no turning back. Her instinct guided the way as she moved. She trembled from the cold but it wasn’t enough to stop the search. If anything, it made her more determined to see this through. After all, her instinct didn’t have a track record of proving her wrong. She always craved adventure. Well, this could be a start.

  About a mile and a half through the woods, she was parched and her feet were sore. It wouldn’t stop her. She felt as if she were close to whatever she’d witnessed earlier, just a little further to go. She tilted her head back and worked her throat to swallow the liquid, reducing her dried mouth. Hooking the water back at her hip, she switched the flashlight on and marched forward again. It was getting too dark to see a thing.

  Something was off, she could feel it. She stilled as her ears twitched, senses on full alert. Her face lifted towards the gloomy blanket of the sky to rest upon a glimpse of the moon, or what she could see through the smattering of trees. There was no sound. No birds, owls or crickets. Her ears rang with the silence. It frightened Analyse. She couldn’t turn back now, even if she wanted because her ‘instinct’ had compelled her. She needed to know if anything lurked this close next to their homes.

  Stepping forward once again, she snapped a few twigs on the way. It was loud in the silence.

  “Go away!” a man’s voice bellowed in the distance, “You can’t be here. Not now.”

  Her feet led her closer towards the sound. “Why not?” she voiced. His moan reached her as she walked closer. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s not safe. You need to get far away from me,” he informed anxiously.

  “Can you at least tell me what’s wrong?” she repeated her question as her legs led her closer towards him.