by R L Medina
My eyebrow arched. “He tried to kill you.”
“Just let me worry about him. Please.”
Instead of answering, I just stared at him. It was clear Ryn still loved him despite the betrayal, despite common sense that said to deal with him quickly and permanently.
“Okay. But I have to do what’s best for the coven. For everyone now.”
Ryn didn’t answer. His face looked troubled, and I fought the urge to comfort him. Everyone would be watching us now and I couldn’t screw up.
They were all counting on me to get it right.
“I should go check on the others.” I turned to go.
Ryn moved with me. “Kenzie… are we okay?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “We? There’s no we, Ryn. The kiss was a mistake. You know that. Just let it go. Let’s just… work on the curse and work on setting up the covenant rules.”
His face hardened. “What if I can’t just let it go?”
I shook my head at him. “We have to. We have to, Ryn. Please. Give me space. I can’t do this right now.”
Worry creased his brow. “Okay.” His voice sounded so small and unsure.
Guilt flooded me, but before I could let it take root, I turned to leave. My chest tightened. It was the right decision, I knew, but why did it have to hurt so bad? Is this what it meant to be queen? I blinked back angry tears.
No. I would not cry. Queens didn’t cry.
Valeria
I stood by the lake staring out at the smooth surface. It was the same place I’d been countless times as a girl. I could still picture Jaime skipping rocks and practicing his shifting by the giant oak. My fist clenched, nails digging into my palm as I pushed the memories aside.
Today wasn’t for grieving. There’d been plenty of those days and there would be plenty more, but today was for us survivors—for hope and a future where we could carry on our families’ legacies.
A trio of ducks called in the distance. I watched as they floated along the edge of the water. The sun was lowering and the air growing chillier. Did McKenzie and the others set a date for the first covenant meeting? I wanted to be there for it, but I couldn’t pull myself away from the idyllic scene.
There was something magical about untouched nature. I snorted at myself. For all I knew, there probably was magic involved, but it wasn’t something I could sense.
Footsteps sounded behind me, bringing my head around.
“Elijah.”
He smiled. It was the small, sad smile he’d carried since the beginning of the end. I missed the face splitting one that used to be there. Would it ever return?
“Nice out here.” He nodded toward the lake.
“Yeah.”
His arms stretched above his head, broad chest jutting out. The ducks glanced our way and flew off to the opposite side of the lake.
“You’re scaring the wildlife.”
He smirked and stepped closer to me. “I am the wildlife.”
“I haven’t seen your wolf loose since…” I snapped my mouth shut quickly.
Our last hunt. When his kin died, my wolf reminded me.
Idiot. Why would I say that? I mentally kicked myself.
His gaze dipped to the ground, pain lighting his features. “The more I shift… sometimes, I don’t know if I could turn back.”
My body stiffened. “Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”
He didn’t meet my gaze.
“It’s easier, you know. As a wolf. I can’t remember them as well. I still miss them, but it isn’t an all-consuming type of pain you know?”
The sorrow in his eyes struck me like an arrow. The pain was unbearable for me too, but I couldn’t run from it. It was the price we paid for loving them despite the little time that we had with them. With them gone there was a piece missing and it felt wrong to pretend that there wasn’t. As if they hadn’t left an impact—an imprint—on us and the world. I knew they would want us to be happy, but not to grieve them at all—it would be like they hadn’t mattered.
“None of it is easy, Elijah.”
He blew out a breath and shoved his hands into his pockets. My wolf urged me closer, to offer him my comfort.
I wrapped my arms around him, the top of my head brushing his chin. He returned the hug, drawing me in close. I could smell the woods on his clothes and the faint fresh scent of soap. His warmth radiated through me and made me want to nestle closer.
My inner wolf was more than happy to oblige.
Our mate.
Her words made me shiver. The bond was terrifying to me. If I gave in to it and something happened… if I lost him like the others, it would be a loss I wouldn’t survive. Didn’t he realize that?
His strong hands rubbed my back, the touch electrifying. My cheeks flamed. What would Drew think if he saw us like that? I cared about him and I didn’t want to hurt him, but Elijah was familiar and warm. It didn’t feel wrong to be intimate with him.
Because he’s our mate.
It was the one thing I didn’t like about being a werewolf. That bond that would shackle me for the rest of my life. I’d seen bonded pairs who couldn’t stand each other while in their human form. Pairs who betrayed each other. Elijah had already left once.
I pulled back at the same time he glanced down, his lips brushing my forehead. Fire lit inside me.
His eyes widened, and I knew he’d felt it too. Our bond kindling. I recoiled, needing space between us.
My heart thumped, the beat too erratic. Inside, my wolf was howling with need, and no, just no that was not happening.
I made the mistake of looking at Elijah. His dark eyes were narrowed, and his nostrils flared. It wasn’t just my wolf who was ready for action.
He blinked and looked away, body visibly relaxing as if nothing had happened. I shook off the unease and matched his steely exterior.
“You should get moving soon. The sun is already setting.” I cringed at the roughness of my voice.
“Moving?”
“Yeah. Past the barriers to wherever you’re going.”
Elijah’s eyes drilled into me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I gaped at him. “I thought…”
“Trust me, I’m not leaving again.”
“Trust you? How am I supposed to trust you? That you won’t run away again?”
His hand reached for mine, but I dodged it, not ready to feel the sparks again.
“I’m not going anywhere, Val.”
Idiot, that I was, I believed him.
“What changed your mind?” I asked.
He licked his lips and met my gaze. “You. You showed me what a true alpha looks like.”
My face reddened at his compliment, though I secretly wondered if it had more to do with Drew’s interest in me. Our wolves were horribly possessive and jealous creatures.
Protective and loyal, my wolf argued.
Drew’s face flashed in my mind. Sweet, innocent Drew. What was I supposed to do about him now? I couldn’t deny my feelings for him, but I couldn’t exactly be with him in front of the pack. What would they think of me? Elijah was back and they would expect us to perform the bond.
Heat spread up my neck and nausea rolled in my gut. I couldn’t do it. My wolf was howling with joy at the prospect of it. She was more than willing to claim him and be claimed in return.
The thought made me turn crimson.
“Val.”
I turned to meet Elijah’s eyes. His smile made my heart flip flop, but I was still wary. It was up to me to keep my heart guarded. Him staying produced a multitude of problems and emotions. I drummed up my courage and steeled myself.
I wouldn’t let him hurt me this time.
“Yes?” I finally answered.
“I never said thank you.”
I frowned. “For what?”
He squeezed my hand. “For being the alpha our pack needed. For staying strong even when I couldn’t. I wish…” He swallowed hard. “I wish your father could see you now.”
&nbs
p; Tears sprang into my eyes. “Do you think… he’d be angry about what I’ve done?”
He frowned. “About Diego? Hell no. He’d be proud of you. They all would.”
I swiped the tears away. “He wouldn’t approve of Drew, I know that.”
Elijah stiffened. I watched him carefully, wondering what he’d do. He surprised me by squeezing my hand and falling silent. The touch warmed me though it also made me nervous. There was only so much I could do to find our bond.
Maybe we could all still be friends after everything. If the witches found a way to save us and the covenant held, maybe there could be a future for all of us—wolf, human, witch, and vampire.
Nothing like what we’d ever pictured, but it was a start.
“Should we go back? The others will be looking for us.”
I smiled at Elijah. “In a minute.”
He returned the smile and let go of my hand. We stood together staring at the lake and I couldn’t help but revel in the harmony. Despite everything we’d been through and the dark future ahead of us there was a surreal solace in that moment, and I didn’t want to leave. With the blood moon covenant in place there was hope. Tomorrow there would be new problems and old hurts would remain, but that was something to worry about on another day. For now, everything was okay.
Calm before the storm, my wolf warned.
I shook off her worry, refusing to be swept up in it. I would prepare my pack as best as I could and enjoy what little pockets of peace there were. This wasn’t the end.
It was just the beginning.
The story continues in book two, Allegiance… coming 2021
Acknowledgments
Once again, I have to thank my editor at Cate Edits for her help and my family for their never ending support. I also want to thank all the readers who have inspired me with their kind words and loyalty. If you enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a review and if you didn’t enjoy it, I’d still love to know your thoughts. Thank you!
Also by R. L. Medina
The Inner World Series
Book 1: Princess of the Elves
Book 2: Goblin King
Book 3: Fae War
Prequel: Feylin
GRIMM Academy Series
Book 1: Shifters and Secrets
Book 2: Vampires and Werewolves
Jailbreak: A Limited Edition Paranormal Prison Escape Collection
Short Story: Vampire in Solitary
Coming soon….
Book 3: Witches and Wizards
Moon Blood Covenant Series
Book 2: Allegiance
Book 3: Betrayal
About the Author
R. L. Medina was born in the Amazon, adopted and raised by two upstate New Yorkers. At age six, she vowed to hate reading forever. That hate quickly turned to love (or obsession) and by age eight she was filling every notebook with story after story. Now a mother herself, she juggles her time between a busy four year old and the stubborn characters that demand her time. When she's not exploring all the Sci-fi/Fantasy worlds in her head, she enjoys life with her family in Florida.
Check out her website at www.rlmedina.com to sign up for a free story, other freebies, and updates!