Forever Changed (The Mystic Wolves)

by Belinda Boring

  “I thought you said it was a curse?” I was getting confused, again.

  “It’s both. And now you know. Your suppressed powers have been released and you are in more danger than you could ever imagine. Unless we can rebind them, he’ll come for you.” Vivien glanced over at Devlin, fear plainly displayed across her features.

  “Who is ‘he’?” I asked.

  “Your worst nightmare.” Grabbing my hand, Devlin squeezed it. “I won’t let him harm you. On my oath, I so swear it.”

  We’d just gone full circle and Mason’s patience was wearing thin. “So, again, explain. Now.”

  Ignoring the command, Devlin looked at me, waiting for me to say something. I didn’t know what to even ask. “Give me a second to catch my breath.” I let go of his hand and backed up so I was sitting on the bed. If this was how I was feeling from just the little bit I’d been told, I didn’t know what to expect once everything was laid out. “Just how much do you have left to share?”

  “There’s a lot. I’m sorry, Darcy. If there’d been any other way to prevent this, I would’ve chosen it in a heartbeat.”

  Nodding, I let out a heavy sigh, readying myself for what was to come. “Then let’s talk. About everything. It’s time.” I placed my hand on Mason’s back, worried about the tension I could feel thrumming beneath his skin. He still hadn’t released the anger brewing earlier, and if I was to get through this conversation, I knew it couldn’t be with the constant threat of explosion. “Can you give me and Devlin some space?”

  I didn’t need to draw on our connection to know my request hurt him. Pushing my love back to him through our pathway, I paired the emotion with carefully spoken words.

  “It’s not that I want to exclude you or don’t need you here with me, because I do. But I just can’t concentrate on this if I’m worried about you killing my uncle.” The word still sounded weird. “I agree that what Devlin did by keeping this information from me—from us—was wrong, and we can discuss it later. Listen through our connection if you need to, I just . . .” Tears finally began falling. It was destroying me to ask him to leave, even though I knew it was the right thing to do.

  “Sssh, sweetheart.” He captured a stray tear and wiped it away with his finger. “I’ll do whatever you need.” Pulling me into his arms, he murmured to be careful and I drew on his strength. I loved this man so much, and it gave me great confidence knowing that he was mine, forever.

  “I love you,” I whispered, not wanting to let go.

  “I love you, too. Say the word and I’ll return.” Nodding against his chest, he reluctantly let me go and signaled for Daniel to follow. I caught the thought in his mind about going for a run and shared my non-verbal agreement. He was too tightly coiled, and the last thing either of us wanted was for him to snap at some poor, unsuspecting pack member. Mason would remain dangerous until he’d purged his need to avenge the slight he felt I’d been shown. I smiled at Daniel as he winked, letting me know he’d take care of my mate.

  “One more thing before we leave you two alone.” Mason turned and offered no warning as he drew back his arm and threw a punch so hard Devlin staggered backward. “Hurt her again . . . lie to her again . . . and I’ll tear you limb from limb. Friend or not.”

  Devlin wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, smearing the blood from his lip. “Understood.” Something passed between them at that moment and I wondered if they would ever regain the close camaraderie they’d previously enjoyed.

  Grunting his goodbye, Mason gave me one last look and a wink before leaving our room with Daniel in tow.

  “I’m so sorry, Darcy,” Vivien said, unsure of what else to do.

  “We’ll talk later, too.” I dismissed her with a weary smile and she retreated as well, leaving Devlin and I alone.

  “Darcy,” Devlin started, but I held my hand up, stopping him.

  “Not here. Let’s go outside and walk. I need some fresh air.” I didn’t bother waiting to hear his reply; instead, I got up and slid on my shoes. There was no way I wanted to taint my mated bedroom, the private sanctuary Mason and I shared, with whatever might come next. Enough had already been shared here—too much heartache on the morning after the most incredible night of my life.

  “Lead the way,” Devlin softly spoke, standing by the doorway.

  He was contrite, but I hardened my heart. He’d hurt me deeply and there was no way I was going to let him off the hook so easily. I caught the sad sigh he released, but didn’t turn around to comfort him. There were no words of forgiveness. Nothing.

  I would save them for later. Maybe.

  Chapter 2

  The outdoors and our walk into the gardens didn’t do anything to silence my racing thoughts. If anything, with each step, more and more questions surfaced. I couldn’t believe that Devlin had kept such a huge secret from me all this time. I considered him my best friend and one of the people I trusted the most in the world. My heart ached with betrayal and I didn’t know what to do with it—with any of this.

  Devlin walked alongside me quietly, darting quick glances as if trying to judge my mood. It was funny how in a split second everything could change. My entire life had been turned upside down and it left me doubting not just my relationships, but myself.

  Who am I? I worried. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, someone pulled the rug out from underneath me.

  I could kill him for this. Mason’s angry voice filled my mind.

  I know, but don’t. As much as it hurts, we know Devlin. He wouldn’t have done this unless he thought he had no other choice.

  I don’t care. I can feel your emotions, Darcy. It’s everything I can do not to come to you right now and beat him senseless.

  Mason wasn’t the only one using our connection to gage how the other was feeling. White-hot aggression blazed through our link, his primal instinct to protect at all cost whipping his need for retribution into a frenzy. Mason didn’t like feeling helpless as he felt me struggling. He wanted to jump in and fix the problem—eliminate whatever was causing the turmoil. In this case, though, the problem was one of our closest friends.

  My uncle.

  Something told me it might take some time for me to get used to that new term.

  Let me handle this, okay? Without any bloodshed.

  Bloodshed is exactly what this situation needs.

  Mason . . . I didn’t need to finish the sentence as his sigh floated through our mental pathway.

  Fine, get your explanations. There’s plenty of time for justice. Before I could ask him what he meant by that, Mason closed down the connection and I was alone in my head again.

  “I don’t blame him,” Devlin spoke, breaking the strange silence between us.

  “What?” I finally turned and looked at him, noticing the tired expression he wore.

  “Mason. You were talking to him, weren’t you? Up here?” He tapped the side of his temple.

  “Yeah, it’s kind of weird being able to communicate with him so easily now.” Catching myself falling into our usual comfortable back and forth conversation, I stopped. “How’d you know?”

  “You jumped a little and then smiled, like you were surprised. You looked preoccupied.”

  “Oh.” I didn’t know what else to say. Instead, I glanced around for a good place to talk. I needed to sit down, just in case Devlin shared more shocking revelations. Spotting a small concrete bench someone had placed beside a flowering bush, I headed toward it, assuming he’d follow. Sure enough, he fell in behind me, choosing to remain standing.

  “I don’t blame him for being angry.”

  “Try furious,” I corrected him. “And he’s got a point.”

  He scrubbed his hand over his face, his eyes momentarily closing as if he were scrambling to find a place to begin. “I know. I just . . .” I couldn’t tell which was more unsettling: the fact he was about to finally reveal the big secret between us or that there was no longer any resemblance to the confident and composed friend I loved
.

  Love. I inwardly corrected myself. Regardless of what happened or what the next moments held, nothing Devlin could say would alter how I felt about him. It was comforting to know that at least that much hadn’t changed. I may have difficulty grasping it, but we still had a rock solid foundation. Shake as it may—crumble even—but I still had to believe we’d be okay.

  “Just start from the beginning. Don’t worry about finding the right words. Simply help me understand. That’s all I need right now, Devlin. Help by telling me the truth.”

  He looked so pained. “I wasn’t lying, before. I’ve held onto this for so long—dedicated my entire existence to keeping you safe—that I’m not even sure there’s a simple way to start.”

  “Please . . .”

  He began pacing back and forth, running his fingers through his hair. Suddenly he stopped and let out a brusque laugh. “Isn’t it ironic? You’ll appreciate this with your love of romance books.”

  When I didn’t speak, he offered me a small smile. “It all began with a boy and a girl, with two young people falling in love.”

  “You?”

  “No, Elynor.”

  Devlin stood in front of me and I could see the battle waging inside of him. As much as I was struggling, there was no hiding this was also affecting him. One second he was here with me and the next he was far away, surrounded by his memories.

  “Damn, she loved him without measure. She gave herself over to him wholeheartedly and he destroyed her.”

  Reaching out to his hand, I took it in mine and squeezed. “Come, sit by me.” The fact he’d kept something from me was forgotten. There was no way I could ignore the pain in his eyes and how devastatingly haunted he looked. Whatever he was reliving in his mind still held him prisoner.

  “I loved Elynor with all my heart. There was never another brother who worshipped their sibling like I did. I was totally besotted with how perfect she was. She used to tease me about following her around all day when I was younger, and even though she was older by a few years, I was fiercely protective of her. I lost track of how many fistfights I threw myself into, defending her honor with the local boys. She was beautiful and smart, extremely talented, and my precious sister.” Devlin snorted at a sudden thought. “Did you know I used to dream up ways I could keep her away from others? I didn’t think anyone was good enough for her and was perfectly content thinking of us spending the rest of our lives together, even when she scolded me for punching one of the many suitors who came knocking on our door to court her. She was an angel and they were all beneath her.”

  I could just imagine him doing that, having experienced the same over-protectiveness from him as I was growing up. That was one thing about Devlin; when he loved, he did it completely. “I wish I had known her.”

  “Me, too. You’re both so very alike. She would’ve adored you.”

  “So, what happened?” I gently prompted.

  “Julian Blackwell’s what happened.” I was startled to hear such blatant malice in his voice. I was so used to the gentle way he spoke to me and others. I often forgot that there was a more ruthless side to him.

  “And that was bad?”

  “I know what you’re thinking, Darcy. Sooner or later, every brother realizes that his sister has to grow up and start her own family. But this went beyond that. Julian fooled everyone—my mother and father—but not me. And it wasn’t just childish jealousy, either. From the very beginning I sensed something off about him. I couldn’t quite pinpoint it; but I just knew if I didn’t protect Elynor from him, I’d lose her.”

  “Sounds normal to me. Like you said, you loved her and thought she was perfect.”

  “Keep listening, then. Trust me.” He took in a ragged breath as though he was steeling himself for the rest of the story. “Julian was well-named because, as we’d later find out, his soul was as black as his surname. Elynor was a talented witch within Vivien’s coven, always showing great aptitude and control over her powers. Julian was a newcomer to the small country town where we lived and had charmed his way into Vivien’s good graces. Everyone in the coven was smitten by his good manners and genteel demeanor, not to mention impressed by his own knowledge of the craft and his willingness to share it with other members. No one thought anything of it. Even though the coven kept their presence hidden, it wasn’t difficult to spot another with powers. He fit in wonderfully with everyone and soon . . . soon he set eyes on my sister. It didn’t take long before he was knocking on our front door and requesting to speak with my father. Elynor was beside herself with excitement. Out of all the eligible girls, Julian wanted to court her and she begged our father to grant his permission. This was happy news to our parents, but it spelled trouble to me.

  “Nothing I said could convince her to exercise caution. All she saw was how amazing Julian was and against all my pleadings, she fell deeply in love. It broke my heart to watch my sister marry the bastard; and I vowed if he hurt her, I wouldn’t rest until he paid for it.”

  “Didn’t anyone else see what you did? Surely you weren’t the only one?” I asked.

  “He’d successfully blinded everyone to his true intentions and character. It wasn’t until it was too late that others saw him for what he truly was . . . pure evil. And, by that time, it was too late for Elynor. The damage had been done.”

  “Is he the one you’re protecting me from?” My question came out as a whisper.

  “Yes. For the past few hundred years, I have watched and waited. Once I realized that it was you he’d come after, I became consumed with fear that he would do the same thing to you that he did to my sister. My gut tells me . . . what he has planned for you will be much, much worse.”

  “I don’t understand, Devlin.”

  “Magic is dangerous. It entices and seduces the user down forbidden paths, if they don’t guard themselves. Vivien’s coven practiced white magic—essentially using their powers for good and helping people. They were always careful that whatever spells they cast couldn’t be twisted for personal gain or to harm others. They were content with what they had and enjoyed the fruits of their happiness. Julian, at first, displayed the same sentiments. He joined in with their rituals and celebrations, lending his own strength and power to boost whatever task Vivien had assigned. But secretly, and quietly, he was sowing the seeds of discord and mistrust among the members. Once he discovered Elynor was the second most potent witch in the coven, he focused all his energies in turning her. A whisper here, a suggestion there, and soon Elynor was trying spells beyond her abilities. She later explained it became an addiction—the rush she received when she conquered a particularly difficult incantation made it hard to resist trying new and more difficult feats. Before anyone recognized it, her magic had taken on a much darker feel; but it was too late. She was married to Julian and completely under his controlling guidance.”

  “Oh no!” My heart ached for him.

  “There was no reaching her, once she was securely hidden away in their new home. Julian refused to let her visit her family and Elynor stopped participating with the coven. She became a recluse and, no matter how many times I threatened to kick down their door, Julian would block my efforts. He’d stolen away my beautiful sister and I was terrified about what he might be doing to her. Horrific rumors started filtering in—stories of dark and sadistic rituals, of blood sacrifices and demonic worship. I watched the news destroy my parents, as each day left them more guilt-stricken. My mother took to her bed and my father withdrew from society. This one man had unraveled my precious family and that’s when I decided I would do whatever it took to rescue my sister. Even if it meant forfeiting my life.”

  “You saved her, didn’t you? Tell me you saved her.” I felt sick listening as Devlin described his memories. I couldn’t begin to imagine how it must have felt to be kept from someone you loved. The very idea of someone stopping me from seeing Mason made me want to howl.

  “I did. But it was too late.”

  I closed my eyed, preparing
for the worst. “She was . . . dead?”

  “No, but she might as well have been. He’d beaten her, bruises covering her face and body. When I finally found her tied to a bed in their home, she barely recognized who I was. She’d been left in filth, her body weak from the lack of food and care. I sobbed as I gently released her and gathered her frail frame in my arms.”

  “Bastard!” I growled, unable to keep quiet.

  “It took everything I had not to hunt him down right there and snap his neck with my bare hands. For every injustice he’d shown Elynor, I wanted to visit it back on him a thousand-fold. But I couldn’t stand the thought of my beloved sister staying in that abomination of a house a second longer. I took her home, handed her over to the care of our mother, and returned.”

  “And?”

  “Like the depraved coward he was, he’d packed a few belongings and fled. Rather than face me and answer for what he’d done, I found the homestead empty.” Devlin clenched his fists tightly, anger darkening his features.

  “So what did you do?” I rested my hand on his arm; I hated seeing him like this.

  He looked at me, a small spark of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. “I burnt the house to the ground.”

  I felt my own wicked sense of justice. “Good.”

  “My father later chastised me for it; but secretly, I think he wished he had been there to help. He said it didn’t set a good example for my younger brother.” Devlin shrugged. “I didn’t tell him I wasn’t alone when the fire started.”

  “So, Elynor was finally safe and Julian was gone from her life. I don’t see why he’s still a threat.”

  “Simple. It wasn’t until she gained more strength that she eventually confided in me. I didn’t just save her that day.”

  “No.” The truth slowly dawned on me. “She wasn’t.”

  Letting out a loud sigh, Devlin’s shoulders sagged. “Elynor was pregnant.”