Julie Knight never really knew how much her life would change after the death of her father.

After returning home to Spring Place, GA, the mysterious animal attacks begin. The small town is in an uproar over the horrific killings.

Julie finds herself in danger when the truth of who she is has been revealed. The last of a thousand year old bloodline of Lycans, Guardians of the mysterious Fort Mountain.

Daniel Maxwell, the handsome, dark, yet mysterious scientist returns home for the funeral. He has changed, but his love for Julie remains the same. She is what he has always wanted. She is what he needs. He would die for her. He would kill for her.

The passions begin to flare and so does the romance between Julie and Daniel. Joining forces with a mysterious group of moon-eyed people, together they must prepare for the ultimate battle - the battle against a deadly pack of werewolves.

*NOTE: This excerpt is unedited and unproofed

Grief is an intense sorrow and immense sadness especially because of a death. Was this the feeling I was having this very moment? Still holding the cell phone to my head, I was breathless. The dull feeling that ran down my spine into every nerve ending within my body demanded total control. My body, mind and emotions were now yielding to the control of this numbing power. A solid brick wall now blocked te waves of nerves and emotions in my body. My heart began to pound in my chest, commanding the respect from this new rush of control my mind was demanding.

"Julie? Julie?" The voice was now tense. I could not yet speak. I was under total control of the numbness. My eyes stared at the television watching the colors and images, but I had no comprehension of the subject.

"Julie!" The voice triggered the reality I reluctantly came back to. I dared not to accept the reality. The reality, which told me that my father had just died, and I needed to return home immediately. My choice would be hear something familar like, "Your father is doing just great. He would love to see you." The true reality is I will never hear those words again. "Yes, I'm here." My voice was only a whisper.

"Look dear, I have made all the arrangements for you. The next flight is in three hours. I will have someone to pick you up at the airport when you land. Do not worry about a thing. Everything is going to be alright." The voice of Thomas Maxwell sounded strong and determined.

There was no emotion in his voice. He was my father's best friend and partner in business ventures for over twenty-five years. Thomas had stood beside my father through thick and thin. For my own reasons, I never trusted him. Thomas is a man of great influence and stature. I guess since he is one of the best attorney's money could buy, he certainly proved his worth when he walked into a courtroom. His mere presence changed the atmosphere in the courtroom. He was the epitome of power and control. His air of arrogance made me wince whenever I was in the same room with him.

"I...I understand. I will be there. Thomas," I took a deep breath. "What happened?"

"I don't know i this is the time to go over it, Jewels." His voice sounded strained.

"I want to know." I replied sharply.

"We were on a hunting trip. It was an animal attack. I am not going to go into the details at this moment. By the time we reached him it was too late." His voice broke off in a soft sound of remorse. Animal attack, the words lingered through my mind.

"I'll be there as soon as I can." I flipped the phone closed and sat motionless until the sickness in the pit of my stomach was calm. Slowly standing, I forced myself to the closet. I grabbed the suitcase from the top shelf and started throwing clothes into it. At this point, I didn't care if it was neatly packed. I grabbed anything I may need and tried to place it in the one large bag.

My thoughts were now running wild. The heart inside me pulled into different directions as I thought of my father. Now the only thing I could do is go back home to Spring Place. The old saying is there is no place like home. I am not sure the statement holds true for me now.

Spring place is a small little town about 8 miles from Dalton, Georgia and approximately thirty miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The backdrop of this small town is the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and lush woodlands of the Chattahoochees National Forest. THe main attraction has always been Fort Mountain located in the Chattahoochee National Forest close to the Cohutta Wildernesss area. The legends and myths surrounding the mysterious 855 foot long rock wall attracted a fair share of visitors over the years.

My father, the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Martin Knight, was my world. He was the best father that a girl could have. He was always supportive, even when I decided to attend college in Virginia rather than Georgia. I needed the change. The change I needed was not from my father, but froom his shadow. Living a life as Dr. Martin Knight's daughter had its vicissitudes. It was not as easy growing up in wealth as most people believed. All I ever wanted was to be normal. Moving to another state where no one knew me gave the chance to be just another girl. I wanted to make my way through life without the favors, which were due to my father.

In my heart I could not accept the truth. He was not dead. He could not die. Not my father, he was the only person I had. Fear and emotions were now running spasms through my heart. Tears welled into my eyes as I slammed the suitcase shut. I took a deep breath and pulled the pain back in, which was forcing its way out. Forcing it to a corner of my mind where it could be controlled and managed.

Our relationship had always been close. I was probably the only girl in highschool whose girlfriends would rather come over and visit my father rather than me. All my friends thought he was cool and ever so handsome, in a Harrison Ford type of way. They were all in awe of his appearance, despite the fact he was twenty years their senior. Dad loved it. He had become a regular ladie's man.