“Then why the silent treatment? You are only delaying the inevitable…”
“You don’t know that!” Her face flushed red – obviously embarrassed by her outburst. “Come December, we may just see that I am still completely ordinary.”
“Mazie…”
“You guys are so strong – even after everything life has thrown your way. The biggest hardship I have ever had to overcome was losing my bike privileges after receiving a C- on a progress report in the fifth grade.”
“Wow, your parents are harsh.” My attempt at humor fell on deaf ears.
“I had a minor run-in with the panthers and became a blubbering mess.”
“No run-ins with Cyrus and James could be labeled as minor, Mazie.” Ari was right about that.
“I have no inner strength. There isn’t anything special about who I am. I’m just not Potential material.”
“Alright, That’s enough.” I couldn’t sit there and listen to her self-diminishment any longer. “You are special. You befriended Aribelle instantly – which is no small feat.”
“Hey!”
“You even stuck around when things got hairy,” I couldn’t fight my smile. “Both literally and figuratively.”
“We’re friends…”
“Exactly! That means something to you. It means something to all of us.” I turned to Ari knowing that she would have something to add.
“Chloe’s right,” She moved so that she was sitting closer to Mazie. “When we woke up in that wine cellar I was terrified. Terrified for myself, but mostly for you. I didn’t want them to hurt you and it was my fault you were in harm’s way.”
“It wasn’t your fault, Ari. I never blamed you for that day.” Mazie took a deep breath before continuing. “I was so scared. I hated that you had to face those monsters again.”
“See, Maze” I swallowed the lump in my throat. Talking about the cats was never going to get easy. “You have a massive sense of loyalty. It is an amazing trait that is hard to find in someone. You go out of your way to be helpful. To be kind and to put others first.”
“We have no idea what makes a Potential a Potential. It could be only by genetics or it could be character traits as well. I wish we knew more but we are pretty meager on the details.”
“Yeah, and I haven’t been the poster child for strength lately.” I slumped back into the couch.
“That’s true.” Aribelle and Mazie both smiled. “You have kind of sucked to be around.”
“Thanks,” I threw a pillow at my mouthy cousin.
She caught it and threw it back. “You’re very welcome.”
“Like I was saying, I had been letting my fears rule my actions. Although they haven’t disappeared, I am trying to keep them under control. Cyrus is still lurking and so are all of my nightmares.”
“What has you so afraid?” Aribelle levelled me with an overly curious look. “I have always been scared of the panthers as well, but your fear seems all consuming. You’ve never told me why you react so strongly. Why did you shut down?”
I had begun to realize over the last week that it was time I start to truly open up to my loved ones. They needed to know why Cyrus generated the reactions I had toward him. It wasn’t the same for me as it had been for Ari with James. “No, I haven’t told you everything. I never wanted to talk about it. I had done the best I could to lock all the darkness away when we were finally free. I just wanted to move on as best as I could.”
“What darkness are you talking about?” There was no judgment within her gaze. The only thing that reflected within her dark blue eyes was support.
“All of the vile promises that Cyrus made to me.” The words brought with them a torrent of memories and I couldn’t suppress the shiver that rolled throughout my body.
“Promises of what, C?” Her otherwise boisterous voice was a soft whisper. I took a deep breath and schooled my features. I didn’t want to become a blubbering idiot half way through my explanation. Cyrus didn’t deserve any more of my tears.
“After mom told us about the Potential gene and what it could mean for us, I was truly excited for the future. It was all so romantic, you know? Finding your perfect prince charming and all that? I started to envision what it would be like to find my other half. What would he be like? What would he look like? Tall? Short? Funny? Smart? What animal would he be?
None of those things really mattered to me. I was just so swept up in the thought of a happily ever after. Something I had always wanted ever since I was a very little girl and my father would read me fairy tales about beautiful princesses.” My eyes started to tear while thinking about my father but I forced them not to fall. I had to clear my throat a couple of times before I was able to continue. Both Aribelle and Mazie waited patiently for me to ready myself. “Before we were able to escape from the last house they held us in Cyrus began to summon me daily. He would have me brought to his office while you and mom worked on your designated chores.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Aribelle sat up straighter. Her muscles tensed but she didn’t make a move to get closer to me. I knew she wanted to but that wasn’t what I needed. I needed to get the rest off my chest.
“I couldn’t tell you. He made that perfectly clear.” Looking down at my lap I realized I had been wringing my hands. I pulled them apart and wiped my sweaty palms on my flannel pants before taking a deep breath. “He never touched me. He would just talk. He spent hours telling me every gruesome detail of what he would do to my true mate if I were ever to find him. For days I would sit there and have to listen to his graphic tellings. Then he would explain to me that it wouldn’t matter anyway because I would be transitioning to him. That he was the only future I would ever have.”
“I can’t believe you have kept that all in. You could have told me.”
“He threatened mom. Said that he had no real use for her and that as long as I behaved no harm would come to her.” I wrapped my arms around myself. Coldness began to seep into my bones.
“That’s why you were reluctant to leave that night.” Ari’s eyebrows nearly reached her hairline.
“Yes.” It had taken both her and my mom to convince me to leave. They had to practically push me through the door that night. It was as if I was paralyzed. They thought I was just scared we would get caught, but it was what would happen after learning that had me second guessing. I did my best to bury my anxiety. Even after you had told me that you believed Falcon would be my mate. I was keeping the darkness at bay. I began to allow myself to believe I could put the past far behind me. We were in a good place. There were no signs of the cats for over a year.”
“But then James and Cyrus showed themselves.” Her voice was filled with sympathy.
“My world imploded. It all came crashing down on me and the fear was just too great. When the moment came and I transitioned to Falcon, I made the decision to cut myself off from him. I just wanted to protect him and being with him was dangerous. It was stupid – of course – but that’s why I did what I did.”
“Yeah, those wolves don’t back down. They are too protective and possessive for that.” She was right. Falcon had backed off, giving the illusion that I was in control but he was never truly removed from my life. He was always there in the background, watching, guarding.
After a moment I turned my attention back toward Mazie. She had been quiet this whole time but I knew she had listened to every word. “I think you need to embrace the possibilities, Mazie. Don’t deny yourself the way that I did because you are allowing your insecurities to control you.”
“I’ll think about it.” I truly hoped she did.
12
FALCON
The forest was quiet. The only sound was the occasional scurry of a mouse or swoop of a wing. The moon’s overly bright rays lit my path as I maneuvered soundlessly through the wide expanse of tall pines and barren maples. The snow that had blanketed the area just days before was now gone. The weather had been unseasonably warm over the las
t couple of days.
The warmth didn’t last though and the brisk air that swirled around me attested to that. This area went from having a record high to a tremendous low over night. It froze the ground quickly which made tracking much more difficult. With the snow it was nearly simplistic. It was almost impossible to hide one’s tracks. It made it practically impossible for the panthers to hide.
There had been no sign of the cats since the encounter at the old farm over a month and a half ago. My wolf wanted nothing more than to seek them out, to go on the offensive, and to hunt that coward they call “Alpha” down. But I was needed here. My mate must be protected. All of the girls needed to be. There was no room for error and running of half-cocked would be a mistake. That was the exact logic we used when Connell and I had to talk down Conner after his girl was injured. The knowledge didn’t hinder my wolf’s temptation though.
Chloe had been more open to our growing bond. She had put in a great effort to mask her distress over the panther’s known agenda and I know it will not disappear while the threat was still present. She had yet to confide in me everything that happened in her past. I know everything that Connell knows from retellings by Aribelle, but my mate went through something different. Something she hadn’t allowed herself to talk about with anyone. I wanted to be the one she unloads her emotional burdens to. But I know that this would not happen until she fully submits to our bond. The fact that her first instinct was to fight – to protect – is a testament to how strong she truly is. She didn’t believe in her own strength, but I know that a weaker being would crumble and cower instead of thinking of those around her. Once again I think that her instinct to cut herself of from everyone she cares for in order to protect them is foolish. Commendable, but nonsensical.
She has been more receptive all around, and because of that her mind was less susceptible to slip ups. I hadn’t received any more flashes of her repressed terror. She hadn’t pulled me into another of her nightmares either. I knew she still suffered from them almost nightly. The feeling I got when she was entrapped by a dream set me and my wolf on edge. I couldn’t control my change when that felling overtook me. With no way to help, I would find myself pacing like a caged animal until she fought her way out of sleep.
I would do anything to take away her nightmares. One day she will tell me everything and I will finally be able to shoulder some of her demons so that she is no longer being crushed under their weight. The fire that burned within her was admirable. She wanted to protect me with the fierceness that I had. I was proud to call such a warrior mine.
Still, I never wanted her to face a threat head on regardless of whether she could meet it. I wanted to eliminate it for her. She was mine and I would stop at nothing to shield her from both the danger of others and the possibility of retreating into herself again. That was part of the reason that I pushed at her mind constantly. Never enough to enter without permission but enough so that she knew I was always there for her.
My mind instantly cleared as I caught the scent of cat. All of my senses honed and my hackles rose as I changed my course to the direction of the intruder. My wolf pushed for more control, wanting to eliminate the threat to our mate. The panther was his prey and he wouldn’t stop until blood was spilled.
“I just scented a panther in the area and am closing in on it.” I mind linked to Connell as my paws dug up the earth.
“Location?” He barked out the question with authority. This panther was much too close to his mate as well.
“A mile and a half out,” I growled my reply and his returned snarl filled my mind. “East on the house.”
“I am nearly four miles from your location” As his whereabouts registered, I picked up two more scents. The stench of panther flooded my nostrils and I snarled.
“Fháil anseo anois. Get here now. There are three of them and they are attempting an ambush.” These cats are amateurs and hardly trained. Either that or lazy and careless. They did well at hiding their scents as the trail began but with the evening winds constantly changing directions I was alerted of their whereabouts before entering the trap they had set for me. I circled to the left, using the wind in my favor, and positioned myself properly.
“The pups have the house surrounded and there is no sign of a threat. I’m headed your way. Lay low and do not engage until I get there.” He was moving quickly. The push of adrenalin rang through in his voice.
My wolf was roaring for a fight but I was outnumbered. I knew I had to wait. I was still a half mile out. Hidden within the thick underbrush fully alert. The breeze blew through the barren trees and I felt it once again as it shifted behind me. The confined space within the thick overgrowth made it impossible to counteract the wind fast enough to dodge my own detection. Their yowls filled my ears followed by the beat of their paws as they tore up the distance between us.
“Engaging has become inevitable.” I let Connell know that my location had been exposed as I made ready for the clash of beasts that was about to ensue.
“Two miles out.”
I didn’t bother with a response. He was too far out and the cats were closing in quickly. My current surroundings were not of the best terrain to make a stand solo. There was a break in the dense forest approximately twenty yards behind me. If I was going to have a chance, I would need room to maneuver. Making a swift decision, I turned toward the clearing and pushed my wolf as fast as he could go. The trees blurred as I ran at breakneck speed, moving faster than ever before. I broke through the tree line and immediately turned to meet my foes.
Moments later, they barreled into view at a full run. Noticing that I was standing firm – obviously in wait for their appearance – visibly confused them. They stuttered to a halt and began to pace together. Their golden eyes flickered in the moonlight while they deliberated their next move.
It was apparent that they were prepared to chase but not for me to stand and fight alone. I had no qualms against fighting, even alone. My wolf readily agreed, although none of them are the panther he craved to sink his canines into. Beggars can’t be choosers. I had never felt that level of energy surge through me before and deep down I knew it was all due to the potential bond I had. But, even with the excess of power burning through my veins, I pulled my wolf back and kept my head. I couldn’t afford any tactical errors now.
A deep growl erupted from deep within as I stared at the midnight colored beasts. Their eye flashed with what looked to be uncertainty before it was swiftly replaced with anger. A testament of their youth and poor training. Anger is a heavy emotion that has no place in a fight. It is nearly impossible to control oneself when you are fueled by anger alone. It is too unpredictable.
They began to dance on their front paws as they waited for me to make the first move. I held my ground. It was no small feat to keep my wolf in check, but I knew I needed to stay vigilant. I let out another warning snarl that was countered by a choir of enraged hisses before the panther that had placed himself in front of the others took the first leap.
13
CHLOE
I woke with a start. An ominous feeling overtook me. It could have been another nightmare. I had them often enough. Details always lingered long after I awoke. This was different though because I couldn’t remember dreaming. Something wasn’t right.
Unable to shake my uneasiness, I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders and tip-toed toward the large bay window. Moonlight streamed in through the glass allowing me to maneuver without tripping over furniture or a sleeping body. Both Ari and Mazie were still fast asleep in their pallets on the floor.
I peered outside and was able to survey the front yard. The moon was so bright that even the shadow areas were visible tonight. The tingling sensation that I had yet to get accustomed to startled me as movement coming from the side caught my attention. My nerves settled some with the knowledge that my wolf was close by. Every night he was there. The relief was short lived when the wolf stepped out into the full cast of the moon. It was red. Col
ton’s wolf. Why would he be out there? It was strange. I had never known him to be on guard at night. I had thought that the guys had all left hours ago. I hadn’t felt them loiter. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as an icy feeling descended over my body. Something was definitely wrong.
“Falcon...” I called out to him with no reply. He always replied. For the first time I attempted to push into his mind. He never closed me out but now his mind was completely blocked. It was like running into a brick wall and a deep fear began to crash into me. I spun from the window – losing my blanket in the process – and ran to where Aribelle was asleep on the floor.
“Ari, wake up.” I shook her shoulder a little harder than necessary. “Something’s wrong. Colt is outside and I can’t connect with Falcon.”
She sat up in bed and rubbed her face. A faraway look took over her gaze. Suddenly, she sprang from the mattress and all the color quickly bled from her face. Oh no, please let him be okay. Please. Aribelle began to nod as if Connell were giving her directions. Seconds that felt like hours passed before she snapped back into the here and now. Her glassy eyes shone with a deep sympathy when they finally met mine. I almost crumbled from the weight of that one look.
“Please,” I croaked. “Tell me he’s alright.”
“He has a broken leg and some minor injuries.” Her voice was small like she didn’t believe the words she spoke.
“What happened to him?” I already knew the answer. The panthers were back. Cyrus was back and my worst fear had come true.
“There was an ambush. They tried to set a trap.”
“Tried?” I looked up to meet her eyes.
“He caught their scent and was able to avoid them.” Of course he did. There wasn’t a more vigilant wolf than Falcon. “He was waiting for Connell but the wind shifted and outed his location. He had no other option but to fight. It was three on one until the panthers fled when Connell arrived.”
Intended (The Potential Series Book 2) Page 7