“Break it!” Max bellowed to her.
Kristy nodded.
She slammed the vial to the ground but the vial didn’t break.
Roland cackled and attacked Max and Draven with his dark magic. A bolt of lightning shot from Roland’s fingers and cut a deep crack in the ground.
Draven howled in pain when Roland flung a ball of scorching energy at him.
Max couldn’t leave Draven to go help Kristy. Unable to shift, Draven was at a disadvantage. The warlock could destroy him.
Max continued to battle Roland and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kristy attempting to break the vial.
She stomped on it, threw it against the wall and dropped a rock on it. Nothing happened.
That cursed vial seemed utterly unbreakable.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Kristy gripped the vial and squeezed it as hard as she could. Blood dripped from her hand and she gasped.
She stared at her palm.
She must have cut herself when she picked up that heavy, jagged rock. She’d used the rock to smash the vial, but the vial remained intact.
She’d tried everything, but nothing seemed to work.
As Kristy closed her bleeding hand around the vial again, she heard a soft crack.
Kristy stared at the blood-smeared vial.
“Blood,” she whispered.
Blood and pain powered dark magic.
Samora had sealed the vial with dark magic.
Kristy picked up the rock and made a deeper wound on her palm. Gritting her teeth, she ignored the pain and closed her bloody fist over the vial.
She squeezed hard, letting her blood cover the vial and drip to the ground.
She heard a louder crack, and she squeezed harder.
Kristy bore the pain and let her blood ooze steadily from her wound. The vial grew hot in her hand, and Kristy cried out in agony.
But she wouldn’t let go.
Finally, the heat became unbearable and Kristy loosened her grip on the vial.
The instant she let go, the vial exploded.
There was a blinding flash of light and Kristy fell back in shock.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Max standing stiffly like a statue.
His blue eyes were wide open but unseeing.
He was staring at something in the distance that only he could see. He remained unmoving and unresponsive even when Draven shouted to him.
Max was physically here but his mind was far, far away.
“Max,” Kristy whispered. “Max, what have I done?”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
In a rush, Max was transported back to his childhood. The scenes flitted through his mind, and he saw and experienced everything. He could hear the voices and laughter, and he could smell the familiar scents of his family home.
He saw himself playing with his younger brothers and the three of them were chasing one another. Zack fell and started bawling, and Max carried his baby brother all the way home.
The scenes flew by and Max saw himself as a teenager. His mother had died, and he grew rebellious and angry. Their father was a responsible, loving human male who did his best to raise his three bear shifter sons, but Max wanted his dad to do more. He had to deal with his emerging bear all by himself, and he felt angry, frustrated and lost. He took his frustrations out on his family, and he saw the furious, ugly arguments he had with his dad.
Max saw himself storm out of the house after another fight with his dad, and he saw himself running hard through the woods. He didn’t see where he was going and by the time he realized he was veering towards the edge of a cliff, it was too late.
He plunged down and everything went black.
That was where Samora found him. At the foot of the cliff.
An unconscious, bleeding teenage bear shifter.
She dragged him home, took his memories and collared him.
Max blinked hard and came back to the present.
Angry roars and shouts echoed around him, and he could smell blood in the air. He raised his head and jerked. He could scent his brothers’ blood.
Max spun around and saw Dean and Zack battling the hellhound.
Draven was trying to shield Kristy from Roland. The warlock was going after Kristy with a vengeance.
Max let out a fearsome roar as his bear ripped out of his skin.
Max lunged towards Roland, his jaws wide open. He bit down on the warlock’s arm, not letting go even when Roland flung fiery balls of fire at him.
Roland managed to twist free and Max pursued him furiously. He wasn’t going to stop until the evil warlock was dead.
With a forceful swipe, he brought Roland to his knees. He wasn’t letting Roland get back up.
Max roared and thrust his claws into Roland’s throat. Roland’s eyes widened and he made a desperate, choking sound. He flailed weakly and gurgled just before Max ripped out his throat.
Max turned around and saw Dean and Zack attacking the hellhound together. The two ferocious bears reared up and clamped their massive paws over the hellhound’s heads.
Smoke filled the air as Dean and Zack wrenched the heads violently, snapping the neck of the monster.
The hellhound dropped to the ground and disintegrated into smoke.
“Max!” Kristy flung herself into his arms as he shifted back to human form. “Are you okay?”
“Are you okay?” he asked, staring at her bloody palms.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly. She searched his face. “Can you...remember?”
“Yes. I remember everything.” He hugged her hard and kissed away her tears.
Dean and Zack shifted back to human form and came up to him. Max turned to them and said, “Dean, Zack...I’m sorry. I’m really sorry...”
The two men stared at him for a moment.
With a joyous shout, they rushed forward and grabbed Max and Kristy in a fierce hug.
“You’re back!” Dean said, his blue eyes shining with emotion.
“Yes. Max Howell is back,” Max said, wrapping his arms around his two younger brothers.
Draven cheered and joined in the group hug. Everyone began talking at once, and Kristy kept wiping her eyes.
When Kristy finally told them about the gruesome discovery that she had made in the underground vault, the men fell silent.
“Evil,” Zack said, staring at the castle. “This place is pure evil.”
“I should raze it to the ground,” Draven said. He coughed and a bright flame spewed from his mouth. “Oh, my dragon’s back,” he exclaimed.
Rolling his eyes, Draven grumbled under his breath, “The lazy beast went to sleep during the battle and now he’s decided to wake up from his beauty nap.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Max said.
Draven nodded. “I’m going to shift and let my dragon burn this whole place to the ground. After that, I’m flying home to sleep for a week. Any of you guys need a ride?”
Dean and Zack glanced at Max. “We’ll take his car,” they answered. “But thanks!”
They walked out the gates and Kristy turned to see Draven soaring into the sky. The red dragon spat huge, blazing balls of dragon fire at the castle. The raging fire spread swiftly, engulfing the whole castle.
Max shielded Kristy from the powerful explosions behind them. They kept walking and they didn’t look back.
Finally, Kristy saw Max’s car in the distance. It was parked at the side of the road, and she smiled as Dean and Zack piled into the back of the Bentley.
Max tapped his horn as the red dragon flapped his wide wings and flew away.
The brothers began talking as Max drove them home. They talked and talked, and as they each got out of the car, they promised to talk some more.
“Let me call the doctor,” Max said, staring at her hand. “That cut looks deeps.”
“It’s nothing,” Kristy said. “I’ve suffered worse injuries in The Pit. I’m really glad that you’re safe and well, Max. I just want to go home. With you,�
�� she whispered.
Max nodded. He looked exhausted but joy and pride shone in his eyes.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
With a smile, he added softly, “I’ve come home at last.”
EPILOGUE
“They’re here!” Max grinned at Kristy and their little girl, Joy. “You’re uncles, aunts and cousin are here!”
Joy cooed and gurgled happily in her mother’s arms. Max kissed the top of his daughter’s blond head before striding to the front door. He could hear his brothers and their families laughing as they got out of their cars.
Max opened the front door with a wide smile.
His nephew was the first one to scoot through the door. “Hello Uncle Max! Hi, Aunt Kristy! Happy birthday, Joy!” Noah hollered as he ran into the house.
Kristy laughed and ruffled Noah’s blond hair. She bent down so the boy could give his baby cousin a big hug.
Zack and his mate, Renee, came in after their son. They put the big present down and went to hug Kristy and Joy.
Dean was unloading a huge box from the back of his car. Max stepped forward to help.
“I got this,” Dean said.
Max kissed Layla on the cheek as she came in. “That’s the birthday cake,” she said, tilting her head towards Dean.
“We hope Joy likes her cake,” Dean said from behind the humongous box. He staggered into the house, and Max took the box from his brother.
Layla turned around and was about to say something when a shiny black Porsche roared up the driveway. Draven stepped out of his car and sauntered up the front steps with a beautifully wrapped present.
Kristy greeted him at the door. “Hello Kristy,” Draven said before breaking into a wide, goofy smile. “Aw, happy birthday, sweetheart! Let Godpa give you a big, fat kiss!” He made funny faces at Joy and started babbling in baby talk.
The little girl squealed excitedly as Draven took her into his arms and the two of them continued their animated but incoherent conversation that was punctuated with giggles, gurgles and chuckles.
“Let’s get the party started!” Kristy said. “Help yourselves to the food, everyone. Come on, dig in!”
Everyone went to the table and helped themselves to the sumptuous spread. Noah chatted with his Uncle Max non-stop as he ate. He told Max about all the things he’d learned in kindergarten and the friends that he’d made. Max gave his nephew his full attention and the two of them laughed uproariously at their favorite jokes.
Layla stood up and clapped her hands. “It’s time to unveil the birthday cake!” she announced happily.
Kristy went to help Layla open the cake box. There were gasps and cheers when the beautiful birthday cake was revealed.
It was a tiered cake and there were cute marzipan figures on the top of the cake.
“Hey, that’s me!” Draven exclaimed, pointing to the red dragon perched on top of the cake. There was an adorable bear cub sitting beside the dragon, yanking his tail.
“And that’s Joy!” Noah shouted excitedly.
“Yes!” Layla laughed.
The lettering on the cake read: Happy Birthday, Draven and Joy!
Draven beamed at his little goddaughter. “Isn’t this great, Joy? It’s your first birthday! And Godpa gets to celebrate his birthday with you every year!”
Max chuckled. It was amazing that his daughter and his best friend shared the same birthday.
Everyone crowded round and sang the birthday song for Draven and Joy.
The cake was absolutely delicious, and Max took a second slice of the cake to Kristy. Joy was in her high chair, eating a small slice of cake under Kristy’s supervision. There was more cake on her face than in her mouth, but she seemed to be having the time of her life.
Kristy smiled. “This is...really wonderful.”
“Yes.” Max knew that she wasn’t just referring to the cake. “It is.”
He gazed at the people around him with a feeling of bliss and gratitude.
Max knew just how lucky he was to have all these wonderful people in his life.
They were his people.
His tribe.
His family.
* * * * *
End
Also by Natalie Kristen:
BEAST BEARS
Billionaire Boss Bear
Billionaire Chef Bear
HEARTS ON FIRE
The Werewolf's Baby
The Dragon Tycoon's Bride
The Dragon’s Match
The Wolf’s Mate
STORM DRAGONS (Scifi Alien Weredragon Romance)
VORIK
WOLVES HOLLOW
Alpha Next Door (Book 1)
Beta's Baby (Book 2)
Savage Wolf (Book 3)
DRAGONS IN SHADOW POINT
Skyfire Dragon
Stormfire Dragon
Seafire Dragon
BRIDES fur BEARS
Bad Bear (Book 1)
Brave Bear (Book 2)
Brash Bear (Book 3)
Big Bear (Book 4)
Mail-Order Bear (Book 5)
Dating Agency Bear (Book 6)
Guardian Bear (Book 7)
GRAY BEARS series
Marrying The Bear (Book 1)
Loving The Bear (Book 2)
Mating The Bear(Book3)
Tempting The Bear (Book 4)
Taming The Lion (Book 5)
Embracing The Lion (Book 6)
GRIMM BEARS (Fairytale Shifters)
Red and the Bear (Book 1)
Snow and the Bear (Book 2)
Gretel and the Bear (Book 3)
BEAR HEAT series
Bear's Bride (Book 1)
Bear's Kiss (Book 2)
Bear's Claim (Book 3)
Bear's Baby (Book 4)
Bear's Heart (Book 5)
Bear's Match (Book 6)
DRAGON HEAT
Taken by the Billionaire Dragon (Book 1)
Desired by the Billionaire Dragon (Book 2)
BEAR BRIDES
A Bride For The Bear
A Date For The Bear
A Wife For The Bear
A Mate For The Bear
Billionaire Bear Shifters Romance
Taken By The Bear
Owned By The Bear
Saved By The Bear
MISTY VALLEY SHIFTERS
Growl For Me
Fight For Me
Purrfect For Me
MATE series
Alpha Mate
Bear Mate
Vampire Mate
Wolf Mate
Wild Mate
Dark Mate
Blood Mate
BEAR COVE (A Small Town Love Story)
Bear My Heart
NORTH WOLVES
To Kill A Wolf
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks
Blog:
nataliekristen.blogspot.com
Twitter:
@NatKristenBooks
Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Natalie-Kristen/e/B00B9Q9OSI
Billionaire Beast Bear (Beast Bears Book 3) Page 9