Ally exposed her teeth as he growled as he glared in her direction. He flexed his massive arms and shoulders before coming for her. Ally took one final look at Bowen before allowing her powerful body to take over. The need to defend herself against the towering monster caused her to hiss and lunge. The instant her body made contact with his, Ally sank her claws into him while attempting to bite him again. When he tried to wrap his arms around her, Ally’s protective quills punctured his hands. He released a growl and took a hand full of her quills and pulled them from her body. Ally couldn’t help but cry out in pain and release him.
Brent stumbled back and dropped Ally as blood was now dripping from his large hands. Ally’s body was on its way to healing but her shift had faded from the shock of pain. Naked on the cold ground of the cave, she panted as shocks of agony coursed up her spine. Ally finally looked up at his towering shape. Brent eyed his prey for a moment. When he realized who she was, he attempted to grab her again. Ally pulled away from his massive hand, causing more pain to shoot through her. A scream erupted from her throat when he got ahold of her left ankle and dragged her naked body toward him. Loose rocks and sand dug into the right side of her body. Ally’s attempt to fight him was useless. He positioned his massive body between her legs. She punched at him but his strength was immeasurable. He had her pinned in only a second.
“No! Get off me,” she cried as his chosen animal began to fade from his body. With his shift, his pants had shredded, leaving him naked when his body turned back to normal. As his skin touched Ally’s, she turned her head to look at Bowen’s lifeless body. Her heart broke.
“You have lost, little girl. It’s over,” Brent stated angrily. He was right. Ally’s life was nothing without Bowen in it. Every microscopic cell in her body shattered over the loss of the one person who mattered to her. The fight inside her was over.
“I’m sorry, Bowen,” she whispered as tears poured out of the corners of her eyes. She closed them and her fighting ended. Her body went slack. Behind the darkness of her eyelids, Ally imagined Bowen alive and smiling. Reaching for her in the darkness. Beckoning her to come to him. His body was clean of blood and injury. He was perfect. She envisioned stepping into his waiting arms and resting her head against his chest. Brent continued his monologue but Ally ignored him while she basked in the tender illusion of what once was. She was ready to die right along with her true love. Then she heard the most beautiful voice.
“Get your hands off her,” Bowen growled. Ally’s eyes shot open and Bowen was standing behind Brent with his arm wrapped around his throat. Before he could react, from behind, Bowen’s arm came up and he plunged a knife directly into Brent’s chest. A gurgle sounded in his throat as he looked up at Bowen with terror in his eyes. He fell to his side and choked while blood splattered from between his lips. Ally lay there, trying to will her body back into motion. Brent reached for Bowen as he towered over him. Bowen was panting deeply as the adrenaline coursed through him. Brent tried to pull the knife from his chest one final time before he gasped his final breath. Ally turned her head and watched his lifeless eyes watching her.
“Bowen,” she breathed a sigh of relief. He crouched and lifted her up. Ally gripped his arm tightly and looked into his eyes. Her body shook as pain still echoed through her. Her emotions swelled inside her. “Are you real?”
Bowen pulled Ally against his chest and stroked her hair away from her face. “I’m alright.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she listened to his strong heartbeat. “I thought he killed you.”
“He almost did,” Bowen expressed deeply. “If you hadn’t come, he would have completed the ritual.”
Ally looked down at Brent and his features began to change into who he truly was. The looks of this young man were nothing like the form he had once held. He was ordinary but still handsome. What he had done to his brother so many years ago, and the reason for it was a mystery to Ally. “That’s him? Darrell?”
“Yes, love.” Bowen shivered.
“I’m sorry you had to kill him.”
“Don’t be. If I hadn’t made my way back to my body in time, he would have had his way with you and killed me.” Bowen hugged Ally tighter. Thankful he hadn’t lost her to that sick individual.
Bowen winced and Ally pulled away, noticing he had been shot in the shoulder. “Bowen, you’re bleeding.”
“I’m alright.”
“Are you crazy? We have to get you to the hospital.”
“Maybe you’re right. It hurts like a bitch,” he expressed with a small grin.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ally stated and allowed Bowen to drape his strong arm around her shoulders. She kept a firm grip around his waist, helping him toward the cave entrance. The morning sun was peaking the sky. Casting a beautiful splash of colors across it. “What should we do with him,” Ally gestured toward the cave.
Bowen knew he would have to bury Darrell somewhere on tribal lands. He was a disgrace but was still one of the people and deserved a proper burial. “He will be considered an escapee who will never be found. I’ll take care of it when the sun sets.”
Ally chose not to press the issue further. “So, what happened? I could’ve sworn you were dead.”
“In a sense, I was. I was stuck in the spirit realm.”
“How did you get out?”
Bowen stopped walking and his eyes dropped and he sighed sadly. “My grandfather helped me.”
Ally’s brow furrowed, “I don’t understand. How did he help?”
“My grandfather was a powerful medicine man. He released his power into me in order for me to break free.” Ally gulped deeply but remained quiet. Bowen was talking in the past tense. “He sacrificed himself to save me.” Bowen was going to miss his grandfather. He had been the only man who cared for him after his father passed away. Achak was a staple in Bowen’s life.
“Oh, Bowen. I’m so sorry.”
He nodded and continued walking, “It had to be done. There was no other way.”
“So, what does that mean for you?”
“What do you mean?”
As they made their way down the mountain, Ally asked, “His power was released into you. Doesn’t that mean you are their new medicine man?”
“Fuck.” Bowen hissed. “It means I’m the new chief.”
“Seriously? That’s wonderful,” she expressed but a selfish thought invaded her mind. “What about the contract?”
Bowen nodded, “Well, there’s no way I will be able to do it now. Honestly, I’m not sure I even want to anymore. I can see now that something like that can change someone. I mean, look at Darrell. I think staying with my family is important. With my grandfather gone, they will need someone to turn to. I have to be here.”
“True,” Ally nodded as they continued to follow the trail further.
“Does that…” he paused. “bother you?”
Ally knew how important music was to Bowen. She would hate to see him give up on his dreams. But with his grandfather gone, Bowen being an important symbol to his people was far more important. She couldn’t care less if they traveled the world as famous vocalists or built a new family together with his people. As long as she had him by her side, Ally was happy. “No,” she assured. Then she pulled Bowen to a stop and smiled at him, “I’m positive chuck would love to have you back on stage.”
“We, Ally Cat. We,” Bowen concluded. The couple made their way down the mountain and stepped into a new future together.
Readers | Fans | Stalkers
Elizabeth St.John
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Hello, Reader-
Even as a young child Elizabeth was always conjuring up stories and filling them with colorful characters, sharing them with anyone and everyone who would listen. She's progressed quite a bit since then, formulating longer and more complex stories and sharing them with much larger audiences. As a passionate storyteller, she's adept at using her imaginative
thinking and creative flair to write fantastic books which entertain and engage with her audience.
This author began writing her first Adult Paranormal Romance in 2011. With self-publishing available, she was able to hit publish on her first story in February 2013.
Elizabeth continues to create fantastic worlds for her readers, such as The Hunting Series, The Alpha's Dove, Animal Attraction and many more. Over time, readers have described her style as intriguing, suspenseful, and captivating.
Disclaimer: Elizabeth St.John’s books are meant for readers 18+ and some works do contain the following. ~Graphic Violence ~Adult Language ~Strong Sexual Situations.
Other Books By This Author
The Hunting Series
Hunting Jessica: Into the Shadows - Book 1
Hunting Lyrah: Behind the Shadows - Book 2
Hunting Rayce: Changing the Shadows - Book 3
Hunting Chayce: Shifting the Shadows - Book 4
The Thrace Series
Victor of Thrace Vol.1
Restoring Thrace Vol.2
Destined by Design
Animal Attraction
Burning Desire: An Erotic Romance
The Blood Thirsty Saga
The Alpha’s Dove: A Shifter Romance
Box Sets
It Began With A Sigh: A Contemporary Romance Collection
Magic, Monsters, and Misdeeds: A Paranormal & Fantasy Collection
Echos in the Shadows (Mystifying Music Book 2) Page 15