Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

“ D arling, you can’t possibly work for a wolf.”

Charlie winced at her mom’s horrified voice on the other end of her cell. She’d left it to the very last moment to tell her, because she knew she’d react like this. “He’s not any wolf Mom, he’s a professor of history. And a respected author. I’m helping him with the research for his next book.”

“Once a wolf, always a wolf,” her mom warned darkly. “Remember what happened to your Aunt Eloise.”

Charlie rolled her eyes. Here it came again, that old chestnut about her aunt being ravaged by a wolf. Dad always winked at her when Mom mentioned it, which led Charlie to believe his sister Eloise had probably quite enjoyed the experience.

“Surely it’s not too late to change your mind? When are you due to start?” her mom asked.

“Er, today, actually.”

“Today!”

Holding her cell away from her ear, Charlie got on with her packing while her mom’s voice turned into a high-pitched whine. Should she put in her favorite party frock? Would there be any occasion to wear it? Probably not. She’d be studying dusty old texts and collating information. But heck… she loved that dress, she’d made it herself out of daisy moth silk. She’d gone to her graduation party in it.

Her decision to do her master’s degree at Motham College had shocked her parents—correction, her mom . Dad was supportive, but he wouldn’t say too much in front of her mother. And now, of course, Mom hoped she’d come home to Tween. But to do what exactly? Teach at Tween High School? Work in the Tween Library, like her mom? With her postgrad in monster/human history, it was obvious she’d never work in a high-breed human town.

Her mom’s words cut through her thoughts. “Charlotte, did you hear a single word I said?”

“Of course, Mom. You’d prefer I took a nice respectable job in Tween.”

“Yes, I most emphatically would.”

“It’s only for a month, and it pays well. Then I can consider my options,” she said, concealing a shudder. She’d die of boredom if she moved back to Tween.

Charlie had loved being part of the monster culture of Motham City, loved hanging out in the multi-species city, and had made heaps of monster friends. In her final semester she’d dated an orc called Tod, who’d been gazing at her across the college canteen for months.

But when it seemed like things might go to the next level in their relationship, she’d lost her nerve and bailed. She’d liked Tod, he was good in bed, and he made her laugh. But if she was honest, she hadn’t felt strongly enough about him to face her mom’s reaction when she turned up with a big green guy on her arm.

So much for your enlightened ways, Charlie Sullivan.

And then, after her split with Tod, life had kind of stagnated.

Frankly, she’d been at something of a loose end, working in a café in Be-Tween, the human satellite town closest to Motham City, while she waited for jobs that might suit her. Trouble was, she was either under or over-qualified for all of them.

Until this position came up. It was exactly her area of interest, the early history of Motham City. It was only a short-term contract, a month working for Professor Max Hunt while he was writing his book, but it was a start, and would look great on her CV. When she’d gotten the job without so much as an interview, she’d literally whooped with joy.

“Please don’t move to Motham, darling,” her mom begged now. “Promise me you’ll commute from Be-Tween.”

Charlie crossed her fingers before she lied, “Of course, Mom.”

Like heck. She had a room in the house the professor was staying in, and was subletting her apartment, which would give her extra cash. She knew the dwelling was in the posh part of the city, on the hill near Motham Palace. Her room would most likely be miles from his. Not that it worried her. Professor Hunt was a highly respected scholar, not the shaggy feral kind of werewolf that frequented the rougher end of Motham.

Those, you obviously kept your distance from.

Her mom sighed heavily. “I don’t know what I’m going to tell the neighbors.”

Charlie rolled her eyes. Mom was so worried about appearances. “Tell them I’m going to work for a respected historian. Just omit the wolf part.”

“I guess so,” her mom said. “Make sure you call after you start the job and let us know you’re okay.”

“Yes, Mom.”

After she put the phone down, Charlie dashed into the bathroom and grabbed her vanity bag. She caught sight of her reflection in the mirror and stopped still. Two spots of darker color rode her cheeks. Her big brown eyes held a sparkle in their depths.

Nothing to do with the fact that Professor Hunt was a very handsome guy.

Absolutely not!

Charlie tossed her dark hair over her shoulders. Normally she bundled her corkscrew curls into a ponytail, but now she made the snap decision to leave them down.

Back in her room, she slipped a pair of high heels into her luggage, just in case she needed something to go with her party frock, then zipped up her case. She walked over to her dresser and picked up Max Hunt’s latest book. It was a thick tome, about the tumultuous period leading up to the Great War two hundred years ago, when monsters were defeated by humans, then herded into the sandy coastal basin and walled in. Humans had expected the rag tag of species to destroy one another, but instead, they’d pulled together behind their mothman leader, Athelrose Motham, and built the city that bore his name.

The book, aptly titled The Great War, had been one of their compulsory college texts; she’d read it several times, and attended one of Max Hunt’s lectures last year. Turning it over, Charlie gazed at the author photo on the back.

Arms folded across his chest, Max Hunt stared broodingly into the camera. His arrow-sharp cheekbones and angular jaw were framed by a thick mane of dark hair, his topaz eyes mesmerizing even behind his glasses. He was mega-watt handsome, but Charlie doubted that he laughed much. Or partied. Which was kind of sad.

A frisson of warmth spread low in her belly as she ran her fingers round his brow and down the strong column of his neck. Across that broad chest.

She couldn’t help wondering what the professor was like underneath that suit.

Stop it, Charlie Sullivan! she scolded. Work, not play for you. And a handsome pay check at the end of it.

Plus a glowing reference, she hoped, for her next career move.

Charlie put the book down, left a note for the girl who was subletting her apartment, then hurried out to her car and put her suitcase and laptop in the boot.

Hopping into the driver’s seat, she took a deep breath and tilted up her chin.

Oh yes, she was so ready for this…