Hey,
Gabe & Mackenzie’s book releases on the 30th July. It’s the last book in the Small Town Pack Series. The books are best read in order as they follow on from each other.
I’m doing one more read through and thought you might like to read the first chapter…
Chapter One Mackenzie
My mind keeps flashing back to the night that changed my life forever- the night my little sister was murdered. When it does, I see red. My whole self, wolf included wants to find the vampire bastard that killed Kira and rip him to pieces. I’m not sure I could do it. If I could actually take a life but my fury is enough that I want to. I promised my mum that I would let it go, that I’d let the pack find him, but after listening to the vicar’s sermon at my baby sister’s funeral and watching her coffin being lowered into the earth, I can’t keep that promise. I can no longer sit back and do nothing. I need to avenge her. Her death was in vain, but Simon’s won’t be.
What happened to her is all my fault. It should have been me. We’d been at a club when the vampire had approached me, introduced himself as Simon, and asked if I wanted to dance. I’d declined because he was slimy, his eyes were dead, and I got a bad vibe from just talking to him. He’d been angry, but he’d recovered quickly enough, hiding his anger behind a grin. I hadn’t thought about him again until Kira suddenly disappeared from the dancefloor. I’d caught sight of her being dragged out of a side door. Hurrying after her, I’d got a look at the man with her and panicked. The vampire I’d rebuffed had her in his grasp and even though she was struggling to get free, he didn’t let her go. I’d raced to the door and watched as a black car pulled away from the curb with my baby sister inside. My shock had held me prisoner for a moment before I’d shaken it off and quickly ran to the wood behind the club. I’d shifted and sprinted back to my pack and explained the situation.
I know I messed up. I should have tried to follow the vampire’s scent. We never found out where they’d taken her, but the next day her body had been found outside the club from where she’d been kidnapped. We’d had to sedate my mum because she’d been hysterical. I’d just been numb with shock. I don’t think it wore off until I saw Kira in her coffin looking so peaceful she could have been sleeping. Then I’d cried. It was the first time I’d shed a tear since we lost her and after crying my heart out I made a promise to her – I was going to find Simon and I was going to shoot him. I’d found a contraption of sorts in my dad’s stuff. It shoots wooden bullets and I plan to use it to end Simon’s life. I just have to find him first. It shouldn’t be too hard. The police gave us a radius of where they think the men took Kira. If I have to search every inch of it I will. He will not get away with what he did. I won’t let him.
I picked up my phone and dialled my cousin Evan. He is sweet, kind and an almighty nerd when it comes to computers. He’s also an expert hacker and language analyst. I need his help and I know he’ll help me. He’ll also cover for me when I go hunting.
“What’s up, Mackenzie?” He asked as he answered the phone on the second ring.
“I need a location for Simon.”
“I figured. I have one, but I’m not sure it’s current.”
“You knew I’d call.”
“You shouldn’t be surprised. I keep telling you that I know everything.”
“You like to think you do.”
“Same thing. How are you going to get away without Auntie Eve getting suspicious?”
“I’m going to tell her I’m coming to stay with you for a bit.”
He sighed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I know but it’s all I’ve got. You’ll go along with it won’t you?”
“Do you really think if you get face to face with him you’ll be able to kill him?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
“It could be a suicide mission.” He warned me.
Deep down I already knew it was. I’m no killer but I wanted to be just this once. No one in the world deserved it more. “It won’t be. I can handle myself.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing. I’ll send you his address along with everything else you need to know.” He sighed. “I’m not happy about this.”
“I know.”
“I want updates every morning and night.”
“Okay.” I agreed. “I’ll be all right you know.”
“I hope you’re right. When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning. It gives me time to pack and feed mum the lie.”
“You’re a shit liar Mack. How are you going to pull it off?”
“I’ll practice in the mirror.”
A husky laugh filled the line. “Good luck. I hope you fail. It would be for the best.”
I grimaced. “Thanks.”
“Remember to phone me. If you miss even one call, I’ll phone your mother and then your alpha.”
“I won’t forget. I promise.” Tears filled my eyes. “I’m doing it for Kira. He doesn’t deserve to live after taking her from us.”
“I agree but it doesn’t mean you should be the one to do it.”
“Yes, it does.” I disagreed.
“Okay, Mack. Please be careful.”
“I will. I love you, dude.”
“I love you too, dudette. Speak to you in the morning.” He cut the connection.
I grinned as I dropped my phone on the bed. Evan is the best. He’s been my best friend since we were kids. He’s the one I go to with all my problems. He always has an answer for what I should do. Kira was the one I went to about boys because if Evan ever found out that a boy had upset me he would kick his bum. Kira and I would spend hours talking about our love lives, and hours talking about absolutely nothing. She always knew if something was up with me. When I was upset, she would be there with jelly and ice cream and a ton of chick flicks to cheer me up. When I lost her, I lost a part of myself. One I will never get back. If I kill Simon, maybe I can feel less grief, less anger, and just maybe it can fill the gaping hole inside of my heart.
I got up off my bed and took a deep breath. I had to tell mum the lie but first I would pack. If mum knew what I was planning, she would lock me up or have my alpha do it and that wasn’t good. I looked around my room. What did one pack when they were going on a vampire hunt? Black clothes and a beanie hat to cover my blonde hair so it didn’t shine like a beacon.
Shaking my head, I grabbed my backpack and ten minutes later, I was done. I’d packed everything I would need and now I couldn’t put off speaking to mum anymore. I had to face her.
It had been just my sister, mum and me since dad died when I was nineteen. Seven years later and it isn’t any easier. My mum lost her mate, and I thought we were going to lose her too. It was hard times, but we pulled through, only to lose Kira.
Blinking away the tears that came so easily now, I opened my bedroom door and headed down the stairs following the noise of mum humming in the kitchen.
“Hey sweetheart, do you want a coffee?”
“Sure,” I said as I took a seat at the table. She turned with two cups and the coffeepot in her hand, taking a seat opposite me at the table.
“What’s wrong?”
I bit my lip. “Nothing.”
She gave me the eyebrows and I sighed. “I’m going to Evan’s for a couple of days. I don’t want to leave you alone but I need this.”
“Okay, sweetie.”
“You don’t mind?”
“You need space. I respect that.”
“Will you be okay ma? I feel like I’m abandoning you.”
“Mackenzie, you’ve moved back in with me to grieve for Kira, but you have a life you need to get back to eventually and I need to get used to being on my own.” She said sadly.
One look at her face and I burst out crying. Mum got up and came to stand behind me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I miss her too.”
“I feel so lost. Everywhere I look, I’m reminded that she’s gone. It’s so hard.”
“Getting away will be good for you. However hard it is, we need to try and remember the good times.”
“There were a lot of those.”
“Yes. Your sister used to give me fits when she was younger.”
“She was always up to something. Sneaking out to shift and go for a run by herself. Getting seen by a human.” I laughed.
“She’s the reason most of the town believe the woods are full of wolves and should be avoided at all costs.”
“I know, but she kind of did us a favour. At least we’re pretty much left alone now.” I shook my head. “Mum, will it get easier?”
“I think the grief will pass but we will always miss her.”
“I still can’t believe she’s gone.” I closed my eyes.
“Me neither, sweetie,” Mum said and I heard her breath catch as a sob escaped her.
We stayed like this for a while. Both of us taking comfort from each other. She gave me a squeeze before letting go and retaking her seat at the table. I wiped my tears away and picked up my cup.
“When are you leaving?” she asked in a soft voice.
“Early in the morning, I think. I want to get ahead of the traffic.”
“You’ll ring me when you get there?”
“Yes. I promise.”
“Good. I want to know you’re safe.”
****
Guilt ate at me but I ignored it or tried to at least. I’ve lied to mum before but never a lie that could possibly have her losing a second child. I almost back out of my plan but I’ve committed myself. I just have to make sure I get back to her in one piece. That way she’ll be none the wiser of my scheme.
I pull my emails up on my phone and read the one Evan has sent. Simon is bad news even for a vampire. He’s been linked to a few murders, but neither the vampire council nor the shifters have been able to prove he was involved. He’s also up to something now and has a group of vampires helping him or rather he did. Apparently, an alpha named Jaxon killed two of them when they attacked his mate. Evan is sure that Simon is trying to take out the alpha of the Small Town Pack but he has nothing concrete yet. At least he’s found where he is hiding. It won’t take me more than a few hours to find him. I just hope I have the guts to do what I plan. Otherwise, it will be me that gets killed. I set my alarm for six am and put my phone on the bedside table. Fluffing up my pillow, I tried to clear my thoughts. It’s tough going but somehow I fall asleep.
End of Excerpt.
If you haven’t already, you can grab Books 1 and 2 of the Small Town Pack here –
Both book are available to read for free with Kindle Unlimited and Book 3 will be added on release day.
You can pre-order Gabe & Mackenzie’s book here –
Happy reading,
M.J
M.J. PERRY 