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Snippet Saturday

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The theme today is first meeting of the villain.

And I'm floored. I merrily signed up to post and then started going through my stories. Soul Deep-no villain. Rocky Mountain Heat-no villain. Wolf Signs– actual villain arrives in final scene.

I'm obviously far too nice to my characters.

Still, the longer I write, the more I'm comfortable adding villains, but they seem to be family or relationally attached to either the hero or heroine. Current wip is an example, the Grampa is the main bad guy.

And here in Wolf Flight, coming in October from Samhain. Meet the villain and the heroine.
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September, Whistler, British Columbia

The Whistler pack house was crowded after dinner, with small groups gathered around the room talking amongst themselves. Conversations quieted for a moment as laughter burst out from where the Alpha and his cronies sat in the prime seats before the huge stone fireplace. An icy warning trickled up Missy’s spine, and she gave up on the discussion in front of her. She rose from her chair and headed quietly toward the exit, weaving between the couches and recliners that filled the meeting and relaxation area for the pack.

Missy had no illusions about the precariousness of her position. As the widow of a high-ranking wolf, even one whose position had come from his family relationship instead of his power, she was an obvious target for any of the wolves looking to improve their standing in the pack.

Which would be, oh, pretty much everyone. Only she wasn’t worried about all of them, just one very dangerous individual.

It could have been worse. It would have been worse if she hadn’t managed to keep her secret. Hidden her developing skills away not only from her late husband but the rest of them.

Even now her Alpha’s gaze burned as she walked with her head down, attempting to remain small and unnoticeable as she slipped through the common area toward her apartment at the back of the complex.

“Missy,” Doug called. “Come here.”

She turned toward him, the hair on the back of her neck standing upright as a shiver of disgust raced over her skin. She had hoped to avoid this summons for far longer. Stopping a polite distance away to stand before the massive fireplace, Missy clutched her fingers together and averted her eyes at the last second.

“Jeff has been gone for a month now,” he noted, his long well-groomed fingers tapping on the arm of the overstuffed leather chair. His stylish business suit, clean-shaven chin and immaculately groomed hair sharply contrasted with what she knew of his personality. She’d seen his wolf kill more often than necessary, even for an Alpha trying to maintain order in a large pack.

Missy rocked on her feet uneasily. Doug rose from his seat to tower over her petite frame, the heat from his body close enough to overwhelm the fire’s warmth. She stared away from him, looking over the heads of the wolves sprawled on the couch immediately in front of them. Don’t let him know how much you loathe him. Don’t show any sign of disrespect. Others in the room looked on with curiosity for a minute before turning back to their own conversations. Only the wolf enforcers she spotted scattered inconspicuously throughout the room tensed, ready to spring into action if needed.

The level of paranoia her Alpha encouraged among his warriors shocked her. Did they really think she would challenge Doug? It seemed few pack members were aware he was less than the honourable businessman he pretended to be. Missy wondered how much the Alpha shared with his closest allies, how many of his wrongdoings the other leaders of the pack approved. Or were the Beta and the rest ignorant victims as well?

“Does it bother you to hear me talk about my brother? Do you miss him that much?” Doug’s refined voice prickled in her ears. “I didn’t think you pined for his conversation or longed for his arms to hold you at night.”

He laughed softly and the sound grated on her nerves like nails on a blackboard. Over the past couple years Missy had become aware of slow changes in her abilities, including an increased sense of others’ motivations. The evil Doug delved into permeated every fiber of his being, and Missy turned her head away to avoid showing her disgust. She swallowed hard and forced down the emotions that threatened to engulf her. Her anger, her fear. The almost overwhelming desire to turn and flee from his presence.

She couldn’t run, not yet. She needed more time. Time to find an escape from the trap she knew closed around her as each day passed.

Doug ran a finger down her cheek, plucking at a blonde curl, and her gorge rose. Missy concentrated on presenting a calm façade, forcing her eyes to blink naturally as she slowed her pulse, her breathing. Calming all the telltale signs that could alert this powerful werewolf of her intentions.

He was her brother-in-law, her Alpha, but she refused to let him control her. The finger continued a slow path down her body as she stood stock-still.

“Jeff never did know what a treasure he had, did he?” Doug asked, his dark voice dirty like an oily slick over her skin. He leaned close to whisper in her ear. “My sweet Omega.”

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Come and meet some other villians. Brawhahahaha!!!


Shelley Munro
Anya Bast
Cynthia Eden
SJ Day
Jaci Burton
Michelle Pillow
Juliana Stone
Moira Rogers
Sacha White
TJ Michaels
Lacey Savage
McKenna Jeffries
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Kelly Maher
Taige Crenshaw
Beth Williamson

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Shelley Munro
Shelley Munro
14 years ago

Wonderful excerpt, Vivian. You've sold me. 🙂

Mea
Mea
14 years ago

It was great to read! October is so far away. *sigh*

Can i ask how many book will be in this series?

Mea

Viv Arend
Viv Arend
14 years ago

Shelley- Glad you enjoyed it!

Mea- I have plans for four books at this time.

The fourth book is going to be TJ's. Still finalizing the details on book three. The wolves are hiding right now- the dolphins want to play!

Mea
Mea
14 years ago

Thank you for yur fast replay!
🙂 4 books sounds awesome!

I love dolphins and wolfs equally!

Mea

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