It's mine. Before I lost my ability to think like an adult. Before my body became stuck between wolf and human. Before I knew the supernatural and Rylee even existed. This is the last of what I remember before becoming a werewolf. . . .this is the last of what's important to me. And the moments I fought so hard to hang on to. My name is Alex, and this is my story. **14k Word Stand alone short story** Haven't read any of the Rylee Adamson books? This short stands alone and is a great intro to the characters.

    Collectively they include explicit violence, explicit sex, explicit language, explicit economic discontent, sorcery, lies, fluff, breaking and entering, premeditated public indecency, analysis of adult film, impersonation of a cow, angel gossip, punching, kicking, stabbing, shooting, defenestration, casual sex, assertive sex, sex in a stranger’s office, sex under the table, awkward shopping encounters, unsafe starship hallways, a jerk throwing a rock at a cat, the same jerk getting stomped for it, outdated sports merchandise, kidnapping, intimidation, judgmental peers, college hook-ups, persistent enabling, incomplete college notes, polyamory talk, hiding things from Mom, Tacoma traffic, snarky book titles, price gouging, the social and emotional trauma of a superior sense of smell, sorcerous inadequacy, rampant speculation, orc civics lessons, passive aggression, insubordination, ambushes, abusive leadership, misuse of medical equipment, betrayal, conspiracy, corruption, looting, espionage, baiting, social engineering, running in socks, weaponized shrooms, home invasion, a surprise snake, and failure to disclose the cult origins of used furniture.

    It has been re-edited and changes have been made but it has in no way changed the story. A few scenes and some details have been added or taken away. Alexander Lucas is a man of faith, casino owner and vampire. He should be living the Reno high life of riches and immortality. Instead, he wakes each night despising the blood on his hands and begging for a reason to continue on. The last beat of his heart took place shortly after losing his family to a gruesome and violent death. One snowy night, the creature who had been stalking him finally took his life, in turn giving him the gift of immortality. Yet, immortality to Alex is not a gift, but rather a curse to live in eternal pain. Nearly a century of tortured existence leads him to a dumpster in a dark alley where he finds a reason for continuing on. Nestled between bits of debris and rubbish a tiny infant wails for help. He calls for his best friend and guardian angel, Danielle, who explains to him that he has been chosen to raise this baby, for she would someday become a very powerful, natural witch. She tells him it is now his job to protect her from the enemy who wants her so badly, yet also to be her father. Thinking this angel is out of her mind, Alex refuses many times until Danielle convinces him that the enemy, Malcolm and his wife Levine, cannot obtain the child and that they are, indeed attempting to find her. He must keep her safe, because if evil hands raise her than she will grow to possess the power to annihilate them all. Luckily, Alex is not alone, he has The Higher Collective to assist in his mission. With the combined powers of the Vampires, Angels, Dark Angels, Witches and Warlocks, The Higher Collective prepares for a battle to protect the child from the evil she may possibly inherit. Show less