The Wolf’s Claim (Monster Boyfriends #1)

Chapter 1

The Wolf’s Claim: Evan

Another long fucking day making coffee for some of the rudest fucking people on the planet. Being a barista in Oregon was like being a glutton for punishment. And I… was not.

It was nearly midnight by the time I pulled up to my apartment building, my shitty car sputtering as the engine died.

The damn thing was on its last legs and I didn’t make nearly enough in tips to replace it.

I yanked the key from the ignition and grabbed my backpack from the passenger seat, wincing as my shoulder protested.

Eight-hour shifts on my feet were killing me slowly, and the manager's new policy of "no leaning" was just sadistic.

"Home sweet fucking home," I muttered, fumbling with my keys outside my door. The lock stuck, like always, requiring that special jiggle-and-curse combination I'd perfected over the last year.

Inside wasn't much better than outside. My roommate Tara had left dishes in the sink again, and the place had that musty odor of neglect that seemed to seep into the walls.

I dropped my backpack on the counter and checked the fridge.

It was empty except for half a bottle of ketchup and some questionable milk.

I slumped onto the couch and pulled out my phone. Three missed calls from Mom. I'd call her tomorrow when I didn't feel like roadkill. There was also a text from my ex asking if I still had his gaming headset. Deleted.

Maybe tomorrow would be better. Maybe tomorrow some tech bro wouldn't lecture me for five minutes about how I'd ruined his day by putting too much foam in his cappuccino. Maybe tomorrow I'd finally send in that community college application.

But probably not.

I scrolled mindlessly through social media, watching other people's highlight reels while my own life felt stuck on repeat.

Everyone from high school seemed to be getting married, having kids, or traveling to countries I couldn't even pronounce.

Meanwhile, I was debating whether I could afford ramen or if I should just go to bed hungry.

The apartment creaked as Tara came home, giggling with some guy she'd probably met at the bar.

Great. Another night of thin walls and awkward breakfast small talk with a stranger.

I turned up the volume on my phone and pretended to be deeply engrossed in a video about making sourdough bread, as if that was something I'd ever have the time or energy to do.

"Oh, hey," Tara said, noticing me on the couch. "Thought you'd be asleep."

"Just got home," I replied, not looking up.

The guy behind her was tall, with a beard and flannel shirt. Because of course he was. He gave me an awkward wave. "Hey."

I nodded back, the universal signal for please-don't-talk-to-me-anymore. They disappeared into her bedroom, and I was left alone again with my thoughts, which were starting to feel like unwelcome roommates themselves.

My phone dinged. A notification from my bank app. ACCOUNT BALANCE LOW. Yeah. No shit. I'd been playing this game of financial chicken for months now, seeing how close I could get to zero before my next paycheck rescued me from the brink.

I checked my schedule for tomorrow. Opening shift. Which meant an alarm for five in the morning. The thought made my entire body ache in anticipation.

"This can't be it," I whispered to the empty living room. "This can't be all there is."

But the empty living room, like the universe, didn't seem to have any answers for me. Instead I was answered by the tell-tale sounds of moans from my roommates side of the apartment. All it did was remind me of how fucking lonely I was and I couldn’t take it.

Pushing myself up from the couch, I grabbed my keys and headed outside. I’d rather sleep in my car than listen to her all night with her most recent hookup.

Outside, the night air hit me like a slap to the face, but it was better than the alternative.

Instead of going straight to my car, I stopped at the edge of the apartment building, leaning against the brick to stare up at the sky.

It was a brief moment of peace, something I didn’t experience often.

Between work and sleep, there wasn’t a lot of time to just appreciate the world around me.

Of course, with all the streetlights and the glow of the city, I couldn’t make out anything except the moon. Even so, it was beautiful.

That’s when I heard the growling behind me.

Goosebumps broke out over my entire body and cold fear flooded my body.

I froze, afraid to turn around. The growl didn't sound like a dog.

It was deeper, more feral. My heart hammered in my chest as I slowly pivoted, scanning the darkness between the buildings.

Two yellow eyes reflected the moonlight, hovering about four feet off the ground. Way too high for a stray dog.

"Shit," I whispered, pressing myself against the brick wall.

The growl came again, followed by a shuffling sound. Whatever it was, it was getting closer. My mind raced through options. Should I run to my car? Scream for help? Play dead? None seemed particularly promising.

"Nice... whatever you are," I said, my voice cracking. "I taste terrible. Ask anyone at work."

The growling stopped and there was a deep sniffing noise. Then, without warning, the eyes blinked out, darkness swallowing them completely.

I stood there, trying desperately to decide if I should run for my car or the door.

Sex noises all night were better than getting eaten by some crazy wild animal that had wandered down from the mountains.

But everything was quiet now. Whatever the creature was, it must’ve disappeared. Or at least I hoped it had.

“You alright?”

The voice came from behind me and I nearly jumped out of my fucking skin.

I spun quickly on the spot, throwing a wild punch that probably would’ve broken my hand.

An arm flew up, catching my wrist halfway and stopping me dead in my tracks.

I glanced up, a man with deep brown eyes and dark hair staring down at me.

"Jesus Christ!" I gasped, trying to yank my arm free. "What the fuck, man?!"

He released my wrist immediately, holding up both hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I saw you standing out here looking freaked out."

My heart was still pounding against my ribs. "Did you see it? The... thing with the eyes?"

His expression shifted subtly. "What thing?"

"There was something—" I turned to point toward where I'd seen the glowing eyes, but there was nothing there now. Just shadows and a few scattered pieces of trash. "Never mind. I'm just tired."

The stranger was studying me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.

He was tall, taller than my roommate’s flannel guy, with broad shoulders and a jawline that could cut glass.

In his left eyebrow was a black ring while his right ear had a long black industrial piercing.

Just a cursory glance at him told me he was powerful, well muscled, and that bulge in his pants gave me the idea that he was probably a fuckin’ champ in the sack.

God it had been a long fucking time since I’d had sex.

"You shouldn't be out here alone this late," he said. His voice was deep and commanding in a way that made me shiver.

"Thanks for the advice," I shot back, irritation replacing my fear. Who did this guy think he was? "I live right there. I just needed some air."

"Something's been attacking pets in this neighborhood. Maybe a coyote." He glanced toward the darkness where I'd seen the eyes. "Or something worse."

A chill ran down my spine. "Something worse?"

He shook his head. "Just be careful. That's all I'm saying. Portland isn’t a safe place after dark."

I folded my arms across my chest, suddenly aware of how cold it had gotten. "Are you following me or something? Because this whole mysterious stranger routine is getting old fast."

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like a smile. "No. I live here too, on the third floor. Saw you from my window."

He lived on the third floor too? I didn’t remember seeing him around the building. But, I’d been working so much that I couldn’t recall anyone else except my roommate. Then again, I figured I would’ve at least noticed someone as handsome as this guy.

"I'm Cal," he said, extending a hand. "Apartment 3F."

"Evan. 3C," I replied, hesitantly shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his palm warm despite the cold night air. "Pretty sure I'd remember seeing you around."

"I work nights mostly. Just moved in a couple weeks ago." His eyes flicked to something over my shoulder, narrowing slightly. "You should head back inside. It's not safe out here."

"Yeah, well, my roommate's getting laid and the walls are paper thin, so." I shrugged, trying to sound casual instead of pathetic. "Car nap it is."

Cal frowned. "You're going to sleep in your car?"

"It's not the first time." I tried to laugh it off, but it came out sounding hollow. "Half of this town’s homeless anyway, so I won’t be the only one."

He seemed to consider something for a moment as he glanced up at the full moon, then sighed. "Look, I've got a couch. It's not much, but it's better than sleeping in your car."

My stranger danger alarm went off immediately. "I don't know you."

"Fair enough." He pulled out his phone. "Give me your number. You can text someone my address, tell them exactly where you are. I'll even send you a picture of my driver's license if you want."

I stared at him, suspicious. "Why would you do that for someone you don't know?"

"Because sleeping in your car sucks, and I've been there." Something in his expression softened, though he still looked worried. “And like I said, it’s not safe out here.”