SHIFT (Mackenzie Grey #1) Read online

  I didn’t know if I was in love with him, but I knew I loved and cared for him. Maybe I still did. I knew we wouldn’t be forever though, not once I went through my first Change a few months after we started dating. But I never thought he would leave me so abruptly and for someone else. That was just four months ago—at the beginning of this semester—so you could imagine my shock to find out he was cohabitating with the bimbo. He had never wanted to move in together, so I wondered what made him do so with her.

  Ugh, okay, Amy officially rained on my parade.

  “Did I burst your bubble there, sweetheart?” I glared at her mischievous smile. She knew damn well that just the mention of him was going to bring me down memory lane.

  “I’m a freakin’ werewolf for god sakes! I’m supposed to be a lean, mean, fighting machine—so why is she bothering me so damn much?” I couldn’t help but feel distraught and sound whiny.

  “There, there, my little she-wolf. She’ll catch chlamydia or something and all will be right with the world again,” Amy said as she gave me a hug and combed out the knots in the dark brown mess I called my hair.

  Being depressed wasn’t really my thing but it still hurt. To this day, James swears up and down that he didn’t cheat on me but it’s hard to believe when less than twenty four hours after our break up—he was magically with someone else. What hurt the most wasn’t that we were together for three years but that I ended up losing my best friend of sixteen years. At times I wondered, what did I do wrong? I might have become more aggressive and plain bitchy since the wolf—but I did everything I could to make it work. I couldn’t have been that bad.

  I pulled away from Amy and hopped off the kitchen stool with renewed determination. Moping around was the last thing I wanted, or needed to be doing. It was over and done with. Four months was long enough to be over it…right?

  “Alright, enough of the love fest. I’m off to The Brew,” I waved her off and walked towards my room.

  “Not so fast missy.” I turned back around with a raised brow. “It’s been two weeks now and you need to replace the apartment door before we get robbed.”

  I glanced at the hanging piece of wood that I barreled through during the last full moon and cringed at the sight of the yellow caution tape blocking the entrance. Not like it was going to stop any thief. Google better tell me how to fix that. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll do it today,” I grumbled.

  After paying Mr. Gomez—the owner of the bodega across the street—to install a new door, I grabbed my school work and headed to The Brew. Amy hated when I spent money unnecessarily if we could easily fix it ourselves but I just didn’t have the time to figure it out. The first draft of my paper for my internship was due before winter break and since I’d been running into Diana Stone more frequently on campus, I’d better stay local if I want to get it done.

  We moved to the East Village after freshman year once we realized the dorms weren’t a safe place to change in, which sounds like it would be common sense but hey, we were eighteen and ignorant. After many months of going through the Change in a storage unit, we got lucky and found an old building with few tenants in a secluded area of Alphabet City. It was quiet and private for such a lively and at times dangerous neighborhood. And it was only a couple blocks away from the best coffee shop in the city.

  I walked in to The Brew with my laptop and books in my bag. The robust aroma of coffee took over my sensitive sense of smell and I closed my eyes, inhaling the creamy java. Heaven.

  Most of the employees were familiar with me and didn’t bother to ask what I’d like. I found my little nook in the back and within minutes, Stacey brought me a caramel macchiato.

  “Hey, I haven’t seen you here in like a week. How’s it going?” Stacey and I had attended some of the same classes during my sophomore year at Columbia University—we were both studying Criminal Justice.

  “Yeah, I’ve been at the library mostly and down at the precinct. How’s school coming along?”

  “I actually handed in the first draft of my research paper yesterday so fingers crossed!” I politely smiled but I couldn’t help but be envious. I was so close to being done with mine but something always seemed to get in the way. “Well I gotta get back, we’re doing inventory this week. I’ll talk to you later!” I waved as she left to go back behind the counter.

  Three caramel macchiato’s under my belt and a couple hours later, I arrived at the closing statement of my fifty page paper and I wanted to cry tears of joy. I’d been busting my ass all semester and it was almost over—at least the first draft was.

  I was cranking out the last bit left when someone cleared their throat behind me. Annoyed by the interruption, I looked back with a scowl.

  With his hands stuffed in the pockets of his wool coat, James—my ex—stood there with his boy-next-door smile. I swore, something always got in the way of me finishing this damn paper.

  “Hey Kenz, can I join you?”

  “If you must,” I said as I turned my attention back to my laptop. It was no use. James slid in to the seat in front of me and adjusted his oversized beanie to cover his ears.

  “So…what are you working on?”

  “Stuff,” I responded, pretending to be immersed in my school work.

  “Oh, that’s cool. Uh…I haven’t seen you around much, everything good?”

  “Yup,” I click clacked away on my laptop—typing random letters in a blank Word document. Please go away!

  “Damn it, Kenzie! Can we please talk?” I looked up from the screen to see his face flushed and not from the cold weather. His heart beat picked up but I wasn’t sure if it was because he was nervous or upset.

  “I thought that’s what we were doing?” I said dripping with sarcasm but he’d lost all patience with me. Yeah, he was angry. He slammed my laptop shut and slid it to the side. My nostrils flared as I looked at the cheating bastard across from me. My temper was not something to take mildly.

  “Don’t you ever touch my shit again,” I kept my hands in fists at my side before I aimed for his jaw. The nerve he had.

  “Sorry,” he rolled his eyes, “but we need to talk about winter break.”

  “What about it?”

  “Well for starters, when are we leaving? My last final is on the last day so we can’t leave early this year,” he said matter-of-factly and I sat there stunned, my mouth ajar. I slumped in my chair thinking how to respond. I was trying to kill time and hoping he’d say he was kidding. No luck. He raised a brow, prompting me to answer and I had to squeeze my hands tighter before I lashed out.

  “Are you on fucking crack? You must be high on something if you think we’re going back home together.”

  “Stop acting so immature, Mackenzie. We’ve been friends since kindergarten, this is no big deal.”

  I choked on my response. “No big deal? Fuck all that noise Jameson Theodore,” I said his full first name just like he did to me. That rat bastard. “Go carpool with Diana. I’m sure she’s dying to meet your family.”

  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat—averting his eyes and adjusting the collar of his coat. Oh no…no no no no! “I haven’t told my folks we broke up.” NO!

  Before he could say what I would bet my unborn child, he was about to say, I put my hand out to stop him. “So tell them, it’s a simple solution.”

  “It’s not that simple Kenz and you know it. My whole family thinks you and I are going to get married after graduation. I just need some more time to figure out how to tell them we broke up.”

  “So what? Are you seriously asking me to pretend to be your girlfriend during winter break?” He nodded sheepishly and I could feel fumes coming out of my ears. “You are one sick son of a bitch if you think I would ever agree to this. Go bring your porn star girlfriend, I’m sure Nana will love her,” I said with a smirk, knowing damn well she wouldn’t. James family is filled with very strong-minded and outspoken women. They’d send Diana Stone packing before she even made it to the front door. And it’s not that Di
ana was ugly or anything—she’s pretty, unfortunately—but she dressed like a cheap escort.

  “You know I can’t bring her. If Nana doesn’t tear into her, my sisters will. Please, Kenzie, I swear I’ll make it up to you. It’s only two weeks, please?” He begged and shot me with those puppy dog eyes. I couldn’t believe I was even contemplating this but, I hadn’t even told my own parents. Which was no big deal in the grand scheme of things since we rarely spoke and they really wouldn’t care but…ugh, fine.

  “Two weeks James, that’s it. Don’t come sniffing around during graduation or I’ll personally introduce them to Diana myself.”

  I caved. Amy was going to kill me.

  Chapter Three

  Once James left and I was able to finish my paper, I went back home to bury myself into a book before work. I was never big on reading fiction, but when I went through my first Change, I couldn’t “google” symptoms of lycanthropy. So I delved into paranormal fiction and familiarized myself with some myths. I hadn’t met another werewolf yet, but I doubted I was the only one. I better not be at least, because if I am, it was going to be one solitary existence.

  After a shower, I combed out my hair and pulled it into a messy bun. I was too pissed off at the world (mainly at James) to care about my appearance. I put on my usual “work” attire, which consisted of leather leggings, a long sleeve black tunic and my spike-heeled boots. As a bouncer at a nearby bar on the weekends, it could get pretty rowdy when those losers drank too much. I was fortunate enough to have the strength and a permanent resting-bitch face to scare them into behaving. Once in a while I got a brave soul who wanted to test the waters with me but they learned to regret that decision by the end of the night. I hoped for some idiot tonight; after my encounter with James, I wanted to punch someone in the face.

  While I tried to distract myself this evening, I couldn’t help but be miffed at how dumb I was to even agree to his plan. Who in their right mind would do this? Going home for the holidays was supposed to be a break from everything in the city and all I did was add more work for myself. I was too angry to think it through earlier today, but now all I could think about was when he holds my hand again or tries to kiss me—am I going to be able to handle that?

  I walked the few blocks it took to get to work when I got a text.

  Amy: PPPPAAARRRTTTTAAAYYY 2NITE?!

  Obnoxious much? Geez…there was nothing that would get me to go to a dirty and smelly frat house. Gross.

  Me: No.

  Amy: JAMES WILL BE THERE!

  Me: HELL NO.

  If she thought he was going to change my mind, then I didn’t know what planet she was living on. He was the last person I wanted to see, much less talk to. I hadn’t even called to tell her about him and winter break so that was more than enough reason to avoid partying with Amy. And I’ll have to tell her soon since she stays with me and my family during the holidays. I couldn’t blindside her at the last minute.

  After a few seconds, I didn’t get a text back. She gave up. I’m not one to change my mind once I’ve made a decision. Some call it stubbornness, but I prefer to look at it as disciplined. Yeah, that sounds about right.

  The night life in the city can get wild and Pete’s Bar was no different. On the weekends, we get slammed with college kids and have to be careful with the underage drinkers. From the outside Pete’s looks like a dump, a hole in the wall, but inside was a hipster’s dream hang out. It’s constantly packed and overflowing.

  “What up, Big John?” I said as I high fived the other bouncer who worked the door with me. He was a big dude who’s an ex-marine, but as soft as a teddy bear. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. He listens to me ramble about all my personal problems (besides wolf stuff) and always offers me advice. Now whether I take his advice was another story.

  “Nothing much, Kenz. Another day, another dollar,” he said in his heavy New York accent.

  “Right on,” I bypassed him and waved at the two bartenders as I went straight to the back office and got my time card (yes, those things still exist) and punched in.

  Sasha and Cole were working the bar tonight which meant things would run leniently. I hopped onto a stool and reached for Cole who smacked a kiss on my lips. I’ve quit telling him to aim for my cheeks, he never listens, so now I just play along.

  “Hey beautiful, I’ve missed you.” Why is everyone acting like I’ve been MIA?

  “I worked last weekend with you,” I said as he handed me a bottle of water.

  “I know, but I miss seeing your lovely face. The weekends just aren’t enough,” he winked at me and if I would have been any other girl, I might have drenched my panties. Cole’s mojo doesn’t work on me—especially after walking in on him more times than I could count, in the employee bathroom with random girls. Seriously though, the guy needed to slow down before his family jewels fall off.

  “Oh please, who have you picked for tonight?” I started scoping out the bar trying to pin-point his target for this evening.

  “You know Kenz, I wouldn’t have to do that if you’d just be mine,” he sighed.

  I never knew if he was being serious or not but it was better not to play with fire. “Not in this lifetime, Cole,” I said as I got off my stool. His predatory grin stretched across his face and the challenge was set. I knew better than to keep playing this game with him, but after James, I needed some harmless flirting. Don’t judge me.

  “So how are you feeling?” a voice seductively whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my back. I whirled around—ready to go off on the creeper—and came face to face with a very sculpted chest covered in a form fitted sweater. Under heavy lashes, I peered up at the man before me; my breath hitched as I took him all in. Waves of heat buzzed through me as a sly smile exposed the one dimple on his cheek.

  “What?”

  “I asked, how are you feeling—after the other night?” He was holding back a laugh as he pressed his lips into a straight line. What the hell?

  My body tensed and I gripped the seat behind me. “I’m sorry I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He nodded and smiled like he was in on some joke. “A couple weeks ago I bumped into you. You looked sick but you ran off like the devil himself was after you.”

  I quirked an eyebrow and realization dawned on me. The last night of the full moon. How could I forget that face? Well of course I could, I was nearly dying.

  “So…are you okay?” He asked for the third time.

  “Oh! Yeah, I’m fine. Just had some um…bad seafood.” Did I just admit to having diarrhea? Get it together Mackenzie!

  He narrowed his eyes like he didn’t quite believe me or I just grossed him out. Most likely the latter. He ran his finger down my arm in a slow and leisurely pace. I held my breath as I watched him run his tongue over his bottom lip. “Since you’re feeling better, how about I buy you a drink?” His voice was husky and I had to clear my throat a couple times to get my bearings together. Butterflies tickled my stomach and I didn’t think dating should be at the top of my list. Besides, I sucked at flirting.

  “Sorry, I’m on the clock, thanks anyway,” taking a deep breath, I got my shit together and side stepped him.

  He grasped my elbow before I could leave, sending shots of electricity through my body. “My name’s Jonah—Jonah Cadwell.” His brown eyes were gentle as he stared intently into mine.

  “Mackenzie Grey,” I said, shocked that I even told him my full name. “I have to go. It was nice to meet you.” I slowly slipped away from his grasp and backed up into the crowd. I grabbed a stool from the end of the bar and headed outside.

  Big John was out front waiting for me—rubbing his gloved hands together for some warmth.

  “What took you so long Kenz?” He asked as I plopped myself next to him. I didn’t have an answer for him because I really didn’t know what happened. The encounter with that Jonah guy was weird. Maybe Amy was right: I needed to get laid.

  “Sorry.” I shrugged. �
�How’s the crowd looking tonight?” I changed the subject and settled in for the next few hours.

  “I think we’ll slow down in an hour or so. How’s your internship at the precinct?”

  I sighed.

  Instead of taking twelve elective credit hours, I decided to do an internship during the week at 1PP—One Precinct Plaza in Manhattan. It was going great and I loved going there after school. The only thing that sucked was the research paper I had to write at the end of the year about my experience and what I’d learned.

  “It’s going,” I said solemnly. “This paper is just kicking my butt, that’s all.”

  “Have you finished?”

  “Yeah, but only the first draft.”

  “Well look at it this way, at least you get to go home for the holidays and take a break. When you get back you’ll be refreshed and ready to kick that paper’s ass,” Big John said and I laughed. “Is your brother coming home for the holidays also?

  “No. Ollie doesn’t have enough leave time,” I said and it dropped my mood even lower than it already was. My older brother Oliver was an active duty soldier based in Fort Hood, Texas. This was going to be the first time in many years that he would be stateside during the holidays and we still weren’t going to be able to see him. I might not be real close to my parents—not that anything was wrong with them—but I was attached at the hip with my brother. We were only two years apart and Skyped each other at least once a week. I hated that he was so far away and that I could never truly tell him everything about myself. He’d freak out if I told him what I was.