Christy looked away. Nothing had changed, but she hadn’t thought it would. They’d always whispered about her mother’s mysterious death when she had died giving birth to Christy.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she and Mal were out of the village and headed through the thick woodland.
At least I fitted in better among humans, she muttered.
You haven’t lived here in almost fifteen years. It will take time for them to get to know you.
They won’t try to get to know me, I’m nothing to them. They treat me the same way Papa treats me. Her hands balled into fists. She’d thought herself long over her childhood insecurities.
The sound of screaming broke through their conversation.
Christy pricked. She sniffed and caught the scent of shifters nearby.
Malic took off, a blur of white fur as he bounded after the intruders. She raced after him. Trees blurred as she entered a clearing and saw three grey wolves surrounding a young girl.
Dressed in a blue dress, the girl cowered by a tree. She couldn’t have been older than five. Old enough to shift but not old enough to control it.
Malic, are those mongrels? They look like Alec’s wolves.
I can see that.
The Imperious clan was made up of distinctive grey, white-tipped coats, whilst the Stargaza were black or white wolves as the royals were.
Malic launched into the first shifter, knocking him to the ground and tumbling over, a massive of fair and clause.
Christy put herself between the girl and the remaining two shifters. She growled. Back off!
Ooh, a female. the one with dark eyes bared his teeth. Come here, pretty girl.
Are you even a real wolf? Another one of them goaded.
Christy rolled her eyes and smiled, baring her fangs and her small claws came out – the closet she ever came to letting her wolf out. The second shifter made a move for the girl.
She scratched his ear with a slash of claws. He yelped in the other came at her.
She hadn’t had much experience fighting other shifters head on yet she clawed and slashed.
A glance at the terrified girl revealed she was a mongrel, not one of the Stargaza clan.
But it didn’t matter. A child was a child, and the Imperious had no business being in their lands without invitation.
Both wolves had her pinned down as Malic tackled the other trespasser.
Christy struggled under the weight of two heavy beasts.
Hell, I’m a princess and I won't be taking down by these two. She felt the magic come to the surface again, this time she let it out.
A tree behind them exploded, the force of it knocked one of the wolves away.
She used her power and burned into his neck, then threw the other one away from her.
What the hell? One of them said.
Light shimmered as Malic shifted into human form. “You’re trespassing here. Get the hell out or I will call my father here.”
All three scurried away.
Christy let out a breath as she scrambled to her feet. Blood seeped from her shoulder but it would heal. That was one of the only good things she liked about being a shifter.
The girl shied away when Christy approached. “It’s okay, we won’t hurt you. I’m Christy, what’s your name?”
“Christy,” Mal hissed. “She’s a mon–not from around here.”
After some coaxing, the girl threw herself into Christy’s arms, sobbing. “Mal, we can’t just leave her here.”
“Why? It’s what they did to you after they killed your mother.”
“She’s just a kid. Let’s take her...”
“We can’t take her home with us. You know what Papa will do if we bought in a mongrel.”
“Let's take her back to her home then.”
Christy, I understand why you want to help, but we can’t just go wandering into the Outland.
She walked off in the direction of the border. Watch me.
Chapter 6
Ronan watched the alpha pacing back and forth. His anger rolled off him so much Ronan expected the hall to catch fire.
He glanced around too. He hadn’t seen Christy since they had arrived on the island that afternoon. He missed the sound of her voice, her laugh, the way she teased him. After being around her so much during their years on the mainland, it felt strange not being with her.
Worse still, Christy had gone out that afternoon and hadn’t returned. He hoped she hadn’t gone off to pursue her insane idea of becoming human.
Henric had been climbing the walls since nightfall, demanding to know why Ronan hadn’t gone with her.
But she’s gone for a run with Malic. He couldn’t think of anyone else better to keep her safe if anything went wrong. Mal would stop her from doing anything stupid.
Risking the alpha’s wrath, Ronan headed up to Magda’s rooms.
The air hung heavy with the scent of sweet incense. She’d been the alpha’s witch longer than anyone and was one of the few within the Stargaza who Ronan trusted. Going into the witch’s room always made him feel uneasy, like he was walking into a place he didn’t belong.
“I wondered when you’d come to see me, young beta.” She stared at him through a haze of heavy incense which filled the air with a faint grey smoke.
He grimaced. “Don’t call me that, Magda. Henric would kill me if he thought I wanted his clan.” He walked over to her window and stared out at the shimmering stars.
“You can’t change what you are, boy.”
His hands clenched into fists. “I can and I have. I used to be an outsider, now I’m part of this clan.”
“Your heart is torn. If the clans and mongrels go to war, you’ll have to choose a side.”
Ronan sighed. “Will it come to that? I know Henric’s been hunting more mongrels and they’re not happy. Something big is going to go down soon, I can’t help but feel Christy and I are in the middle of it,” he said. “I think Oren tried to attack her in London, but I have no idea why. Alec already has her – or he will soon enough.”
“Let me worry about Oren. You’ve always been good at sensing threats. That’s why Henric chose you to protect his daughter.”
Really? Ronan thought it was because he’d thrown himself at Henric’s mercy and sworn to renounce his former life.
“If – if Christy mates with – Alec.” He spat out the name. “What then? I won’t be useful to the alpha any more, will I?”
Magda blew out her incense. “You love her, don’t you?”
Ronan looked away. Did it matter? Although they’d acted like a couple, he’d never crossed the line into having a physical relationship with her. He wouldn’t force her to become his mate and leave her people. She didn’t deserve that, and he knew what it felt like to lose everything.
“It doesn’t matter. She’s promised to someone else. Another beta,” Ronan said. “She’ll be gone soon.”
Magda laughed. “Don’t be so sure of that. She’s a strong girl just like her mother. She doesn’t need a man to rescue her either.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I’ve noticed.” He sat down in a high-backed chair. “Christy used magic in a way I’ve never seen. If Henric finds out...”
“He won’t,” Magda snapped. “You and I have kept her secret and it will stay that way.”
“Why would a mongrel attack Christy on Alec’s orders?” he mused. “Do you think Alec already knows about her magic?”
“How could he?” the witch asked. “You killed the mongrel.”
“That wasn’t the first time she’s used magic on the mainland. Maybe that’s why he wants her. She’s not just the alpha’s daughter, she has magic too.”
“Don’t worry about Christy, be more concerned about your own people. It won’t take much to convince Henric to starts culling the Outland again.”
“I told you, they’re not...” Ronan cut off his sentence. Hell, he didn’t know who his people were any more. He hadn’t had his own true identity for over te
n years now since he joined the Stargaza. If war came he’d have to choose to join the mongrels and leave Christy or fight with the clan. “I can’t choose,” Ronan admitted. “I won’t.”
“You may not have a choice.”
A knock sounded on the door. The door opened with magic as Magda rose. “Yes?”
“The alpha requests your presence,” the guard said.
Magda laughed. “Demands is more like it. Tell him I’ll be there on my own time.” She shut the door again.
“How can you refuse the alpha?” he asked. He knew full well how short tempered Henric could be when he didn’t get his own way.
She waved a hand. “The alpha has no power over me, and he knows it. Why do you think I stay here?”
“To keep the island...” He stopped, pausing for a moment. “Christy. You stay because of her, don’t you? Why?”
“I promised her mother I’d keep her safe – which is why I chose you to protect her too,” Magda explained. “Henric didn’t choose you, I convinced him to.”
“Me? Why?” He stared at the burning hearth. “I’m no one.”
“You’re her friend, aren’t you? She needed you and I think you needed her to. So don’t bother denying your feelings for her.”
Ronan shuffled his feet. “Magda, we’ve been through this, what is it you expect me to do?”
“Maybe tell her the truth – about everything – who and what you are.”
“As I said. I’m no one.”
The door flew open again, the man cowered in the doorway. “The alpha demands you to come to the hall. His children still haven’t returned. Our scouts haven’t found them either.”
“We’re on an island. There are only so many places they can go,” Magda muttered.
“The alpha also demands your presence too, Ronan.”
Great, now he’d face the brunt of Henric’s anger.
Ronan headed up to the hall with its gleaming oak walls and marble floor. The rest of Henric’s advisers were there, key members among the clan and they all stayed silent as Henric paced.
“Henric, stop your pacing, you’re making everyone uneasy,” Magda scolded.
“Don’t tell me what to do, witch,” he snarled, coming to an abrupt halt. “Find my children, now!”
Magda rolled her eyes. “Your children have gone for a run. Every now and then it’s good to let them off the lead.”
His eyes flashed amber. “Stop mocking me, you–”
“Mock? When have I ever done that?” Magda snorted.
“Magda,” Ronan hissed. “Stop!”
Her irritating Henric would only make things worse.
The old witch sighed. “Your children are fine. Here they are now.”
The heavy doors opened and in walked Malic and Christy.
“Where have you been?” Henric thundered. “I’ve had scouts all over the island looking for you.”
“Jeez, Papa, we only went for a run,” Malic remarked. “I was on patrol.”
“You’re my beta, you shouldn’t patrol.”
Ha, Mal has no real power, Ronan thought. That’s why you’re using Christy to make Alec alpha, since he’s stronger.
“Maybe if you didn’t keep driving so many of us away I wouldn’t have to.”
Henric froze. “I smell blood, why...”
“We caught three of Alec's wolves on our border,” Christy spoke up. “They tried attacking a child.”
Henric’s brow creased. “Who’s child?”
She bit her lip. “A mongrel.”
Henric muttered an oath. “Why would you help a mongrel child? Did you forget what they did to our family?”
“How could I when you remind me of it every time we see each other?” Christy demanded.
“Get your wounds tended to. Malic, don’t you dare go to the...”
“Papa, Alec’s men trespassed on our land. Aren’t you going to do something?” Christy snapped. “They attacked us too – just like Oren attacked me in London.”
Henric glared at her for daring to question him. “You shouldn’t have been anywhere near the Outland. Go, make sure you’re healed,” he barked. “As for the attack in London you have no proof who that psychic was. It could have been anyone. Now go to your room, you need to look rested before the party.”
“Oh yes, we must make sure the prize cow is all perfect and presentable before you sell her.” Christy folded her arms, returning his glare. “If you cared so much about my safety you’d do something about the people who’ve spent the past decade trying to kidnap or kill me.”
“I kept you safe by having you live among the humans, away from people on this island who would kill you.” Henric’s voice was low and harsh as he leaned close to her. “Now get out of here, and don’t you dare question my authority in front of my clan again.”
Ronan winced, wishing he could do something as Christy stood her ground.
“Papa, Christy is right,” Mal agreed. “Alec’s men don’t have our permission to be here.”
“Alec’s men can come and go freely to the border. It’s not my territory.” Henric turned back to his great wooden throne, the seat of the alpha.
“Maybe they wouldn’t if you stopped sucking up to Alec all the time,” Christy snarled.
Henric raised his hand as he marched towards her.
No! Ronan moved without thinking, pushing Christy out of the way before Henric could strike her.
Henric stared at him in disbelief. “You dare interfere, boy?”
Hell yes, if anyone dared hurt his woman. He didn’t know where that thought had come from. Defying the alpha could mean death, but he didn’t care. It was his job to protect Christy, even from her bastard of a father.
“I’ll tend to Christy,” Magda stepped between them. “Leave her and Ronan be, Henric.” The warning in her voice was clear.
Only she could challenge the alpha.
Ronan saw a flash of fear in Henric’s eyes and the alpha stormed off. “Come, Malic,” he growled.
Christy glanced at Ronan, gave him a quick smile before letting Magda lead her away.
Chapter 7
Christy paced up and down outside her father’s study. Everyone said talking to Henric was the key. But hell, she didn’t know the man, didn’t remember ever having a real conversation with him. She doubted he’d even listen but she had to try.
Taking a deep breath, she tapped on the door.
“Come,” Henric barked.
Christy let out a breath. Relax, you’ve faced warlocks, kidnappers and scary professors. But Henric trumps them all. She opened the door, headed inside.
Henric sat behind a massive mahogany desk with neat piles of paperwork sitting on one side and a typewriter on the other. He refused to use modern technology.
Fire crackled in the hearth and a giant wolf’s head hung over the fireplace – the head of the former alpha who Henric had overthrown fifty years ago during the last clan war.
Christy shuddered looking at it. Only some kind of magic would have held it in shifter form. Maybe her father had secrets too.
“What is it, Christiana?” he demanded. “I have work to do.”
She knew running and ruling an entire island took a lot of work – work she didn’t envy.
“Papa, I need to talk to you.”
“If you’ve come to complain about not wanting to mate with Alec don’t bother,” he told her. “The clan is dwindling; this union will make us strong again. The threat from the mongrels is greater than ever.”
Christy slumped into the visitor’s chair, braced her arms on the sides. “Papa, why are there mongrels?”
Henric’s brow creased.
Good, better to surprise him than getting straight to the point.
“Er, there have always been clanless shifters.” He rubbed the back of his neck/
“Yes, but why? I thought the two clans came here from Europe to find sanctuary together.”
He blinked, still confused. “They did, but not every single
shifter is worthy of a clan. Hence the wars.”
“Didn’t the Stargaza and Imperious fight against each other?”
“Why so many questions, Christiana?” He rubbed his temples.
“I’m just trying to see this union from your perspective, to understand how you can marry me off to a complete stranger without asking me how I feel.”
“You were raised to put your clan first.”
“No, I was raised by Magda in the human world. I understand humans more than I’ll ever understand shifters,” Christy said. “I don’t want to fight with you, but I won’t marry Alec.” She saw a vein on his forehead throbbing as he fought to keep his anger under control. “I know you want to make the clan strong, why can’t I choose my own mate?”
“You…”
“Papa, someone attacked me a couple of days ago – just like when I was kidnapped. I think Alec is the one behind it.”
Henric laughed. “Why would he? You are already he is.”
She gripped the sides of the chair so hard the wood strained from her grasp. “Why did you send me away from the island when I was ten?” Christy asked. “I’ve lived like a human for more than half my life. I don’t know how to be a shifter, much less your second – the alpha ascending.”
“You’re not the alpha ascending. Females don’t become alphas. Alec will be the alpha.”
“And what? I’ll be a broodmare pushing out pups all the time? No way!” She scowled at him, ignoring his heated glare.
“I sent you away for your own safety because mongrels try to kill you the same way they did your mother.”
Here we go, same old story.
“But why? Why kill me? What good would that do?” Christy snapped. “Like you said, I’d never be considered as alpha.”
“Mongrels hate us, and it’s our duty to rid this island of them. Now, no more questions.” He waved his hand in dismissal, indicating there would be nothing further said on the matter.
Christy sighed, stormed out of the study. She wandered through the halls, found herself outside Ronan’s room.
She knew they couldn’t have the same close relationship here that they’d had on the mainland. But she didn’t care. Screw the rules. Ronan had been the one constant in her life.
The Alpha's Daughter: Shifter Clans Series Book 1 Page 4