Roni was more comfortable around guys, particularly her two brothers and her Beta male, Derren. But she just didn’t see the appeal behind constantly gossiping, shopping endlessly, asking deep personal questions, or having different lotions for different body parts. It probably made things worse that she didn’t “get” her own gender. It was kind of hard to fit in when you were a tomboy with a higher IQ than that of your teachers. Even when she was a kid, she’d found making friends difficult, especially at school. In Roni’s case, it was because most people didn’t like her. In Nick’s case, it was because he didn’t like most people.

Sadly, she was very like her brother, Alpha of their recently formed Mercury Pack, in that she found social situations uncomfortable. In truth, Roni counted very few people as friends. She rarely hung out with anyone outside her pack.

Odd that the Phoenix Pack’s Head Enforcer was with her. Sensing that the ringtone and the moans were coming from her left, Roni turned her head to find a male wolf shifter in the driver’s seat, eyes closed. But it was the various sounds that penetrated her mental fog: low moans, a phone ringing, a child crying, and strange voices arguing. Her brain distantly registered that the car kept leaning sideways, as if something was repeatedly pulling at it. Even the fact that her wolf was frantic didn’t disturb Roni in this dreamlike moment. There was only a feeling of weightlessness. And despite that she was pretty sure her head was bleeding, there was no pain. Strangely, Roni felt no rush of panic, no fear. Clearly the fuck-up fairy had made an appearance. Through the cobwebs clouding her mind, Roni Axton realized that it wasn’t just she who was upside down. Opening your eyes to find that you’re upside down can’t be good, can it?

Dark instincts by suzanne wright