typewriter - WIP Wednesday Bryn Donovan Requiem Moon

Hey there! If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, you know the drill: on Work in Progress Wednesday, I share an excerpt of the story I’m working on and invite you to do the same in the comments section below.

There are only a few guidelines!

Keep your excerpt to 500 words or less, if you don’t want me to trim it (this is because I read and respond to all of them eventually, and it takes a lot of time!) It’s okay if it’s a first draft or rough; my excerpts almost always are, and that’s the “work in progress” part! No graphic sex or violence. No criticism of or suggestions for other people’s work, although kind words are encouraged!

In my excerpt today, Nic has just undergone a ritual to become a Wolf Shifter, and the queen of the pack has warned him that he’s going to be dealing with a side effect of the change—raging lust. I’ve edited out a few of his thoughts about Sophie in this passage in order to follow my own rules about R-rated material. 🙂

 

“Loveta will show you to your cabins.” The Queen gestured toward the female Shifter who had tended his neck. She was young, perhaps Val’s age, with shoulder-length chestnut hair and smoothly muscled arms.

“This way.”

She guided them out of the woods and pointed out the path to a clearing over a ridge. “It’s the best place to run, and you’re going to want to run.” After they gathered their overnight bags from the SUV, she led them down a cross street.

Sophie handed him his jacket back. In a low voice she asked, “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” He felt lightheaded, either from the blood loss or from the intensity of the ritual, but relieved it was over.

They reached six identical tiny cabins surrounding a square yard. “You can pick any one you want.”

Val peered at the closest one. “Let’s see what it’s like,” she said, and Michael followed her inside. Nic wouldn’t have been surprised if the two of them wound up in a hotel in Springerville, though he didn’t know if they’d able to find luxurious accommodations there, either.

Sophie asked Loveta, “Are there restrooms in the cabins?” When Loveta nodded, Sophie headed toward the cabin catacorner from the one Michael and Val had just disappeared into, pulling the red suitcase behind her.

Loveta asked Nic, “Should I come by tonight?”

It wasn’t the first time someone had asked Nic a question like that, but she didn’t punctuate it with a knowing grin or flirtatious giggle, and it took him a moment to realize what she meant.

Shit. He would’ve appreciated the offer even if the Wolf Queen’s warning hadn’t been ringing in his ears. When the universe was this generous to him, it went against his grain to say no.

But he couldn’t physically do otherwise. An image of Sophie flashed through his head, vivid and unbidden.

“You want to,” Loveta added. “I can smell it.”

No, Nic almost said, and checked himself. Once again, he needed to word things diplomatically.

“I’m honored,” he said honestly. “But I’m…” He cast a quick look to make sure Sophie hadn’t emerged from the cabin yet. “Committed to someone else.” It was the truth, never mind that nothing would ever come of it.

She shrugged, looking in no way offended. “Suit yourself.” She turned to leave.

A distressing thought came into Nic’s head. “Wait.” When she looked back, he asked, “Did your Queen tell you to ask?”

Her face scrunched up. “She’s your Queen, too, right?” Yes and no. “And no, she’d never do that.”

“Good. Well…” He’d succeeded in making an awkward situation even more awkward. “Thanks. Have a good night.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “You too, weirdo.”

 

Okay, let’s see what you’ve got! If you’re not ready to share this month and you just want to tell us about your writing projects or plans, that’s great, too. And if you’re lurking, we’re still glad you’re here!

Thanks so much for reading, and have a great rest of your month!

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