Forever Changed (The Mystic Wolves)

by Belinda Boring

  “You ready?”

  He answered by opening the door to my old bedroom, the flickering lights coming from candles of all shapes and sizes decorating every surface possible. Walking in and noticing at everything he’d laid out, it was strange how different everything felt. This used to be the place where Mason and I stole secret moments, where we’d laid on the bed kissing, and where I’d spent hours gossiping about everything with my best friend, Jasmine. This had been my sanctuary while I waited for the mating ceremony, and now, now there was a very real chance it would become the place I would die.

  “You look like you’re going to an execution,” Devlin feebly joked, instantly realizing how crazy it sounded.

  “True; but on the other side is the chance to live with those I love. I’m going to focus on that instead.” I trailed my fingers lightly over the bed covering, memories fluttering to the surface. “Where did you want me?” I saw material draped over the small arm chair, alongside a bucket that I didn’t have the bravery to ask about.

  “Wherever you’d be most comfortable.” He was clearly nervous.

  “The bed then?” I sat down, bouncing a little on the mattress. The action made me burst out into laughter, making Devlin jump. “This makes me think of those scenes in romance books when two people are finally going to do the deed and suddenly they have nothing to say. That awkward silence as they look everywhere but at each other. Not that I’m saying we’re . . . I mean, we’re related. I merely meant . . .” I was rambling again.

  “I understood what you meant, Darcy.” Devlin chuckled lightly, his own face losing some of its apprehension, as he sat beside me. “I’m just a little overwhelmed at how we got here. I was there at your birth and watched you grow into such a beautiful, strong, courageous woman. I’m so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished. In all my dreams and plans for you, I never thought I’d be trying to convert you into a being like me. This isn’t a life I would choose for you; yet, here we are.”

  “I don’t blame you for this. I’m grateful that you’re the one performing it. I trust you, Devlin. I always have.” The emotions I’d kept bottled up, outside with Mason, threatened to burst from their restraints. This was just so painfully hard. There was so much that could go wrong, with only a small margin for success.

  “If there was any other way, besides dark magic, I swear I would search the earth to find it. My heart tells me, however, that there wouldn’t be enough time. I think you’ve been living on borrowed time the past few days as it is.”

  “Then let’s not prolong it.” I began to lie down and stopped, unsure again. “Do I need to undress, or anything?”

  I was glad he didn’t find my question foolish. “I’ll be using your wrist. Definitely lie down if that helps and I’ll sit beside you. Once I’ve finished draining you, I can help move you so you can then take your life back.”

  “Will it hurt? My voice waivered, betraying me.

  “Only for a moment. I can also compel you so you feel nothing. I need to remove the blood drinking aversion now, so I can easily replace it and you won’t hurt.” He looked so sincere; I knew this wasn’t easy for him.

  “I don’t know. Part of me wants to be blissfully ignorant, but the other would prefer that this isn’t sugarcoated. I fully believe this will save my life, so the sooner I face who I’ll become, the better. So . . .” I paused long enough to let out a small breath. “Maybe this needs to be real.”

  Someone knocked at the door. Before Devlin could get up to answer, the handle turned, and the last person I expected to be here entered.

  “Mom?” There was no holding back my tears as I broke into a sob and wrapped my arms around her waist when she reached the bed. “Are you really here?”

  “Oh, honey, where else would I be? All your life, I’ve helped keep this secret from you. When they explained to your father and me what needed to be done, I demanded I be here. I brought you into this world, I want to be here when you leave it, even if it’s just for the shortest of minutes.”

  “Will you be okay?” I asked.

  “Don’t worry about me. Just focus on relaxing and letting the conversion balance you. There’s no need to count your chickens until they hatch, sweetheart.”

  I burst out in a short laugh hearing her repeat one of the favorite pieces of advice she’d given me growing up. “I know, but if this doesn’t work. I don’t want you to see me die.”

  “Ssh, have faith. Don’t waiver now after being so strong. I have no doubt Devlin will bring you safely through this. I’m simply here as support. To hold your hand.” She helped me lay back down and brushed my hair from the side of my face. Nodding to Devlin, he leaned over me, with a serious expression on his face.

  “Darcy, look deeply into my eyes and don’t look away.” When I obeyed, his voice took on a familiar hypnotic feel. His lips moved, words reaching my ears, but I couldn’t keep from falling into his blood-red eyes, my spirit becoming compliant to whatever he was saying. When he broke contact, I blinked, my head feeling strange, but the job was done. “Okay, it’s time to start.”

  My mother sat beside me and began stroking my hair, the motion steady and soothing. Devlin sat on my right; and, after gingerly picking up my arm, gave me one last look.

  “Are you one hundred percent sure of this, niece? If you have any doubts, this is the time to voice them.”

  “I’m positive,” I answered, closing my eyes as he lifted my wrist to his mouth.

  There was a brief moment of nothing, as if everyone in the room had suddenly paused, and then sharp fangs sliced into my skin. It felt like a pinprick with a slight burning sensation before molten lava erupted from me.

  As Devlin took that first long draw of blood from my vein, all bravery and resolve fled as I screamed.

  Chapter 27

  Mason

  The clanking sound of the cage door shutting threatened my undoing. This made it real, too real, and it was on the tip of my tongue to order Daniel to release me. On the way down to the basement, where we kept the large structure, I’d used my Alpha authority to bind his obedience to me. Next, I’d done the same with Alex, placing them both under solemn obligation to not let me out until Devlin informed us the procedure was complete and successful. Releasing me sooner would defeat the purpose, merely adding fuel to the fire.

  I’d been in other situations like this, but never in one that involved someone who owned me heart, body, and soul. There would be no breathing without my Darcy. If she didn’t live, neither would I. I wasn’t sure if that had registered with the others yet, but sooner or later it would. My goal was to fake my control well enough for them to open the cage and then I’d follow my soulmate into eternity.

  I wasn’t being a coward, choosing not to live if Darcy died. I was being realistic. I’d gone over every scenario in my mind during the last few hours, and there was no other acceptable outcome. There was no one for me, but her. I couldn’t stomach the thought of marrying someone else, or of moving on, knowing she was beyond my reach. I had to trust I’d taught Daniel everything he’d need to know to step forward and assume command as Alpha to the pack. He’d argue and try to resist, but the signed documents in my desk drawer clearly spelled out my dying wishes. I could leave this world and join my mate with confidence, knowing everyone was taken care of.

  “Make sure the lock is secure,” I said gruffly, already pacing back and forth inside. I could feel the magic thrumming over my skin from the bars, the painful tingles from being so close to the silver. It didn’t bother me, though. Instead, it kept me sharp and alert. I wanted to know the second Darcy woke up. Pain didn’t always break a person; sometimes it helped them keep the control they needed.

  “Checked,” Daniel answered, rattling it. Alex came forward and did the same. With brief nods, it was done. The only thing left to do was to wait.

  “Can you sense if it’s started?” Daniel whispered as Alex took his position by the door, affording some privacy between my best friend and me. The fa
ct he’d done what I’d requested, without argument, was a strong testament to his loyalty—making Daniel every inch the brother I considered him.

  Shaking my head, I skimmed the surface of Darcy’s and my connection. “They’re just talking right now. Small talk. She’s so scared. It’s killing me that I can’t be there with her.”

  “This is where you need to be, bro, and you know it. The last thing she needs to deal with is a psychopathic werewolf.”

  I cocked my eyebrows at him. “Psychopathic, huh?”

  “You telling me it wouldn’t be a bloodbath? I’ve seen how you get when someone swipes your last beer.” Daniel chuckled, lightening the mood, and I tried to join in. We both knew this was the only way everyone, including myself, could make it through the ritual.

  “Fess up, it’s always you, isn’t it?”

  Daniel checked the lock again, making sure it was secure and, there was no way I could burst out and kick his ass. “You know me so well.”

  I went to say something, but I sensed Darcy’s tears over the arrival of her mother. Relief struck hard, my shoulders sagged, my knees faltered and I staggered a few steps. My body had been so tightly wound, my muscles suddenly seemed like jelly over the telepathic update.

  “What?” Daniel asked, worried.

  “Lynn’s there with her. She’s not alone.” Even though it didn’t feel completely real, it was the closest I’d been to actually smiling for days.

  “I’m glad she made it on time . . .” I didn’t let him finish as an agonizing scream pierced the air—Darcy’s, as I felt her pain through our connection. Dropping to my knees, my hands planted on the ground, I ducked my head, as my wolf raced to the surface.

  “Let. Me. Out!” I bellowed, my voice part human, part beast.

  “Hang in there, Mason. Devlin said it wouldn’t be long.”

  Howling loud, the mournful sound heavily accentuated with frustration, I growled even louder, my mouth already filling with sharpened teeth. “Do what I say. As your Alpha, I command you to open the cage. Now!” Claws sprouted out of my fingers, my shift rapidly coming.

  “I’m so sorry, but no,” Daniel whispered. I didn’t care that he thought he was doing the right thing, fury drove through me as I glared at my best friend, my now jailor.

  “He’s killing her! He’s killing my mate and you’re refusing me?” As another blast of agony shot through my connection with Darcy, there was no holding back my wolf. He came forward in a frenzy of violent aggression, instantly launching himself at the steel bars, hoping to bend them with his force.

  “Mason, calm down!” Alex yelled, coming forward.

  I refused to be reasoned with. All I could focus on was the pain filtering into me from Darcy. She was writhing on the bed, Devlin latched on to her wrist, gulping her blood with every soul-destroying pull from his mouth. He was glutting himself on her, her vitals beginning to flicker with warning. Death was coming for her, but all I could think was over my dead body. Death could go to hell, because there was no way he would take her from me. I would be there to meet him, to rip his throat out, with his own blood showering the room, instead of hers.

  Not my Darcy’s. Never. If I had to bend each and every single bar, I would do whatever it took.

  My wolf howled in agreement, committed to breaking us free. There was no hesitation as he slammed our black furred body hard into the silver, not stopping to whimper from our own pain as the poison caused wounds to break open our seared flesh. We didn’t matter. Nothing did, but her.

  “Mason! Stop! You’re going to kill yourself if you don’t shift back and chill the hell out!” Daniel bellowed through the bars, fear filling his features. My wolf took one look and dismissed him, ruling him weak and the first person to be killed once we escaped. Anyone deemed as keeping us from our mate was the enemy. I didn’t correct him. All I could focus on was her.

  My body began weakening, the damage from constantly pile-driving into the silver, making it difficult to heal. A decision had to be made and I forced the shift, muzzling my wolf in order to figure out another way to get out. Brute strength hadn’t worked, it was time to use my brain and talk.

  Crumpled on the ground, naked and out of breath, I didn’t look at anyone just yet. My insides were a riot of torment. My wolf snapped without mercy, pissed I’d taken back control, but that wasn’t what threatened to crush my soul.

  “Please,” I begged, finally looking over at Daniel and Alex. “Please, she’s dying.” I could sense Devlin trying to feed his blood back to her and her gagging and spitting it out. Without this part of the ritual, everything would be for naught—and I was stuck in a damn cage, helpless.

  “You need to have faith.”

  “Screw faith,” I growled. “I can feel it. It’s not working and she’s dying. Her organs are shutting down. She’s struggling to breathe and nothing that damned vampire is doing is working!”

  I quit talking to Daniel and reached for my precious Darcy through our mental pathway.

  Beloved.

  Mason. Even in her mind she sounded so distant. So weak.

  You need to fight.

  I can’t. I’m so tired. I hurt so bad.

  I know, baby, but you can’t give up. Whatever you need to do, fight for us.

  I love you so much, Mason. I always will. I’m so sorry . . .

  Her voice faded as she began drifting away.

  Don’t you leave me, I yelled to her. Darcy, Darcy, fight, dammit!

  But it hurts too much.

  I don’t care. Please don’t do this.

  I waited for her response, but the link shut down, closing me out of her mind completely. No amount of pushing and forcing my way back in could help.

  For a second, everything grew quiet as I desperately tried to process what had just happened. In that last brief moment before the connection was gone, I’d felt the last thump of her heart . . . stop. Her body stilled and she let out her final breath.

  “Darcy!” I screamed, my anguish thundering through the house, my grief causing the ground beneath me to shake. “Darcy!”

  In that last second before everything went quiet, I felt the one thing that shattered my soul into a million pieces.

  Nothing.

  Absolute silence.

  Book Five in the Mystic Wolves series

  SAVAGE POSSESSION

  Coming 2014

  About The Author

  A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy.

  With all that excitement, it wasn't long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can't help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn't be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.

  Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!

  You can find Belinda Boring:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Belinda-Boring-Author/200626723318915

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelindaBoring

  Official Website: www.thebookishsnob.com

  Other books by Belinda Boring

  The Mystic Wolves series

  The Mystic Wolves

  Forget Me Not

  Testing Fate

  Forever Changed

  Other titles

  Broken Promises

  Enchanted Hearts

  Loving Liberty

 

 

 
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