Into The Shadows (The Shadows Trilogy Book 1)

by Claremarie

  No she did, but I’m a new wolf shifter, our metabolism is faster and she doesn't realize we're one of her kind, she didn't plan for this. All paranormals have extremely fast metabolism but during the first few months of newly shifting or conversion in vampire cases is when it’s the most rapid. I suppose nature's way of giving us newborns a fighting chance out in the wild". My wolf and I are talking for the first time, and I knew it was coming cause Kyran told me that we are one together but could be separated in mind if we didn't bond and work as a unit.

  Still hazy I ask, "We've bonded?" I hear a happy yip in my head.

  "Yes we did, we did as soon as you trusted my instincts about Lauren you opened yourself up letting me in and used my senses to help you." I'm taking this in and confusingly ask, "So it wasn't mine I was listening to it was yours and if I didn't listen then I would have denied you?" I ask in horror.

  "My instincts yes, but working together make them yours too and yes you would have but you didn't. Lauren is in the van with you up front we need to know what she's up to and the more we do, the more we will be able to tell our mate when the fuzzy reception of the mind link is back". I panic for Kyran's sanity, he must be beside himself and guilt fills me, how could my first thought not be of him?

  "Because you're drugged, and you are slow at responding to everything, and I talked to you before you could understand what's going on so don't feel bad. Whatever Lauren gave us messed with the mind link, not the bond". I decided to listen for Lauren and remembering in my sluggish state I have powers, try to use them but a massive headache is my response almost making me cry out in pain but not wanting to alert them I'm awake, I bite my lip and pay attention.

  "Why did you agree to help us take this Ava chick when we came to you yesterday in the park?" an unfamiliar male's voice asks followed by Lauren's.

  "She was in my way."

  "I'm no saint I hate paranormals that is why I joined this group, but I would never betray one of my own." He replies.

  "What group are you in?" Lauren enquirers.

  "Do you think I'm dumb enough to tell you?" He responds.

  "Well, already sold my soul and believe this is my only option now. They aren't ever going to let me back." She answers.

  "PHS" He admits after a minute’s pause.

  "Can I know where you are taking us at least? I got her didn't I and what does that stand for?" I make a note the guy is driving.

  He sighs "Paranormal Hunter Society, we hunt down paranormals and destroy them for taking over our planet, mainly the animals and the blood sucking leeches".

  "Where are we going?" Lauren questions again.

  "To an abandoned warehouse to have some fun with that bitch before ridding the world of one less animal."

  "What are you talking about she's not an animal, you mean me, don't you? I did what you asked, you promised you'd allow me to leave" Silence is the only reply.

  "You weren't told, were you? She's a wolf like you, we put up hidden cameras in the woods and caught her changing into one, we couldn't get any of the other wolves they are too strong and well trained, so she was perfect and by taking her they will come to us". He says, laughing with excitement and Lauren is quiet after that.

  A few hours later the van comes to a stop hearing two doors close then the side door slides open, Lauren and the guy stand there watching me, he grins, and she appears regretful. I think he’s around fifty or more with wrinkles and fat he doesn't take care of himself, Lauren changed from her dress to blue jeans, a navy blue hoodie with sneakers and hair scraped back into a pony.

  "Grab her" the old man hisses at Lauren who moves forward taking me by the arms and pulling me to my shaky feet. There is no point in trying to fight yet I would fall over, and I wanna learn more about these people. The metabolism may have worn off enough sedative to let me wake up earlier, but it is still in my system, and I don't want any more by not cooperating.

  We enter an abandoned warehouse where a chair is left in the middle of the room with chains attached surrounded by men who are all either fat, old and smell vile. I'm pushed into the seat by the old man and hooked into the chains. Another man walks out from the fringe of all the others who is much younger probably late twenties, thin but with muscles and into fitness by the looks of him. He's got short brown buzz cut hair, hazel eyes and pale skin clearly someone who spends all his time indoors and apparently the ringleader of this group.

  "Hello, Ava Lewis," I say nothing but keep looking him dead in the eyes I'm not going to show any fear, my wolf growls in agreement.

  "We hunt people like you and one by one we're ridding the earth of you but some come in handy, I can either kill you now or perhaps we could make a deal?" Still not answering but keeping the eye contact sitting still in my bonds.

  "We'll give you some time to think since you aren't going anywhere" he smirks and begins to clear the warehouse before stopping to add "but not too much time eh?"

  "Ava, Ava, Ava, Ava," Is being shouted in my head.

  "Kyran?"

  "Oh babe, you’re ok. I couldn't feel your heartbeat beside mine I didn't know if you were…" he pauses.

  "Who took you? Where are you? I'm checking everywhere for clues, how the hell did anyone get past us?"

  "Lauren drugged me in my tent, and I woke up in a van not long after and we drove for a few hours and now we're in a warehouse."

  "Lauren did this?" He roars his rage and betrayal.

  "So that's how they got past." Kyran hisses.

  "They planted cameras in the woods to spy on us, they know I'm a werewolf." I'm cut off by Lauren untying me.

  "Come on let's go before they come back," not having time to question her motives I hurry to remove the chains, and we run to the doors opening it quietly checking the coast is clear. Six army looking men are stood outside, very different to the ones I saw earlier. These are outfitted in combat gear including weapons, not sure what to do yet I think through the training I had with Kyran while letting him watch what's going on through me.

  "You've got this babe, try to avoid fighting if you can but if needed to, you can do it" Kyran assures.

  "Where are you?" Lauren panics.

  "I'm right here," I reply touching her arm, she jumps.

  "Why can't I see you? And holy crap why can't I see me?" She almost shouts but lowers her voice before we can be heard and looking at where we both stand and not seeing either of us, it is easy to figure out a new power is added to my list and what's the bet on it being invisibility since we can't view one another and with the situation am in I have no time to be surprised just grateful but then why aren't my current ones working?

  I try using my teleportation power but I almost fall to my knees with sickness and pain from attempting to use my abilities, so I stop trying instead deciding to use the new power available.

  "Stay close" I whisper to Lauren and squeeze my body through the tight space between the door and the outside not wanting to make a sound and pulling her behind me. The steel door bangs alerting the six goons someone is there and in my nervousness, I accidentally drop the invisibility and now all eyes are on us. Everything happens in a blur after that, we're ganged up on by six men, one grabs me by the throat I lift my legs up using my upper core and kick him in the abdomen sending him flying to the ground. I'm picked up and thrown to the grass landing with an oomph but instantly jump back on my feet ignoring any pain but it fades so fast healing automatically. And just in time to knock away a fist swinging my way and growl my annoyance. My hands change into paws with my claws out and slash the arm coming at me, I turn searching for Lauren and find her taking a blow to the face which she returns to the guy holding her own.

  "Yes baby, kick ass" Kyran encourages proudly.

  My wolf is excited by the scent of blood now in the air and is growling her mix of joy and discontent at the battle, turning away from Lauren to find another idiot about to throat punch me I snarl at him and do a round kick straight for his crotch area putting him out the fi
ght. He falls down with a high pitch squeak clutching himself, looking around Lauren has killed two with her teeth and claws with blood pouring from her nose down to her lips, chin and spilling on her shirt. Three men are left standing but spotting a clear path I go invisible hearing one of them exclaim in surprise at my disappearance. I change my paw back to take Lauren's hand giving her invisibility and we run not daring to look back but after a few minutes of running we stop in a back alley I let go of her, and she comes into view.

  I close my eyes picturing myself visible and at first my hands are the only part of me to appear then my legs and eventually my whole body.

  "I helped you cause of the kind of the person I am, won't sit and let someone be hurt, now tell me what did you give me?" I demand from her.

  "A drug they are testing that stops paranormals from using their powers. But by the surprise on your face to the invisibility power, it's a new one so it has flaws and appearances can lie. They have another drug to hide what they look like, and I heard them mentioning there are old CIA operatives".

  "How do you know all this?" I ask watching her trying to read her mind, but is still blocked off to me.

  "They made me take an injection to prevent any powers you may use from working on me, and used paranormals’ DNA to make drugs against us and as for knowing what they already appear like? I think the drug works too well cause when they first came to me they were old and fat but after I took it they became big buff men with CIA logos on the shirts. And they expected it to stop your powers from working on me, but it also stopped whatever it is they are using for the disguise.

  "I'm on my way to you. I'll be there in a minute Abby is doing a spell to bring a mate to its mate so stay there," Kyran tells me, reading my mind he knows I'll be here.

  "He’s coming you better leave," I advise Lauren, and there's a flash of jealousy but goes when a shadow crosses her face, a lot like guilt. Kyran appears and rushes to me hugging me so fiercely I can barely breathe.

  "You're squeezing me too tight," I say in a strangled voice. Stepping back Kyran is asking repeatedly if I'm ok and once assured I am he spins around on Lauren roaring his anger.

  "Why did you almost get my wife and mate killed? Did I EVER lead you on or make you think there was something between us? No, I didn't because you knew I never liked you in that way so Lauren, why did you do this? Why did you ruin our friendship?

  "I'm in love with you" she screams back. I must say having your husband in an argument with a girl about their status of relationship or lack thereof is slightly weird but more so on your wedding day.

  "Well I don't love you at least not like that and if you did, you wouldn't want to hurt me so bad as to kill the woman I do love and betray one of your own. I'm going home with my wife to enjoy whatever is left of our day and try figure this mess out. But I don't want you near her or me, Alpha told me to tell you your fingerprint privileges are revoked, and no more spending on the pack account so go back to LA." Kyran turns around to me taking my hands in his and whispers Abby Dale. The floor goes out from under me then I'm back inside the tent. Everyone is crowded around two tables worried the band isn't anywhere around, so I assumed they let them go home.

  "Ava" my mom breathes seeing us first and rushes to hug me followed by our family.

  "I'm ok. I'm fine." I assure them.

  "No thanks to that bitch" Una mutters and turns towards Kyran in apology.

  "No, you’re right," he replies to her.

  "What the bloody hell happened, we searched and found twenty cameras you mentioned to Kyran about now tell the rest," Gabriel demands more worried and stressed than angry.

  "Anyone got a drink?" I ask.

  "Here," Augy says, handing me his.

  "I meant alcoholic" I smile back, he looks sheepish.

  "It is," mom and dad give him a frown. I take the glass and swallow down the champagne in one gulp.

  Axel is going nuts at my feet, so I bend down to hug and pet him "I'm here Ax, I love you," I tell him, and he jumps on my body making sure to be seen on my arm. When he first did that after the change my wolf and I had to work things out. Having a dog even if he is a familiar on me sharing space she wasn't pleased to, in her words, share her territory but we worked it out, and now they’re best buds.

  "Can someone get her a jacket she's cold?" Kyran asks, immediately my dad takes off his, walking over he puts it around my shoulders kissing my forehead, worry all over his face.

  Sitting down on Kyran's lap not wanting to be away from him I tell them everything I saw. No one had ever even known of PHS.

  "We need to hire someone who can hack into computers, do background checks, someone good with people but able to be invisible. Someone with valuable contacts to help us find the PHS and learn everything we can about The Government. It's time we do our homework, and when the time comes we’re ready to fight back, we must stop these people from not only being threats to Ava and us but to all paranormals.” Gabriel says with determination.

  "Come on let's get a drink," Kyran tells me adding on that he thinks I would need it after my experience tonight. I put my arms into my dad's jacket to keep warm we go up to the bar we hired, and I order a beer, champagne isn't doing it for me now. Leaning towards me he gives me a kiss.

  "God, baby when you didn't come back after about ten minutes, and your heartbeat in my chest faded into a dull noise my world stopped I ran for your tent and found nothing went searching, sniffing everywhere, I was going crazy. Our family was so scared I'm surprised they are not making it a bigger deal" he muses in thought.

  "Oh believe me they are, their emotions are hitting me strong but know me well, and I hate fussing plus they keep watching me, it's affected them more than they are showing," I tell him only then realizing my powers are back feeling relieved.

  "I have a surprise for you, a wedding gift I’ve been planning for two weeks now. Hope you’re gonna love it and that it was the right move." He says taking a long drink of his beer leaning in kissing me hungrily at the bar. Kyran wraps himself around me tightly but embarrassingly remember we're not alone and reading my mind he pulls back.

  "Sorry, I just needed to touch you," Kyran whispers in my ear.

  "Tell me all about this surprise," I ask impatiently smiling up at him.

  "Ave" I hear, turning around, my brothers are there with worry still on their faces and both rush me with a hug.

  "We were scared Ava," Addy and Augy say together, twin connection equals freaky sometimes but then, I have a guy's heart beating in my chest letting me find him anywhere in the world unless of course you’re drugged slowing your heartbeat down so slow making it impossible to sense.

  "I'm going to be just fine," they may act grown up a lot but in reality they’re only fifteen which is easy to forget sometimes.

  "Party hug? I want in" Aaliyah chimes in as I’m still hugging my brothers and that finally brings everyone closer wanting in on the action, I'm like a damn hugging factory, but so sweet to be loved I don't honestly care.

  A few more hours of being with my family and my wedding day is officially over, and I think the emotions of what almost happened to me tonight finally hit, and I start to cry. Kyran casually walks me outside and puts my head on his chest, allowing me cry on it, resting his chin on my head.

  "I was wondering when it would catch up with you babe, and believe me I got most of it out of my system roaring for you and we all broke down in our own ways. We thought it was The Government who took you and we are aware whoever they take are never seen again".

  After I stopped crying, he wipes away my tears "I love you, Ava James Lewis, It’s now 3:30am please let me take you to the surprise and to rest up since we got some days off work as a little honeymoon. And afterward we can return to training if you want but I'm also going to be busy checking into the PHS and Clark Taylor so let's make these days about us". Smiling and looking into his eyes I nod kissing his lips.

  Going back inside to say goodnight to everyone, Mom and M
ollie tell me they will handle my dress, our belongings in the tents and calling the company to take them down. I'm told to go home and enjoy my wedding gift. I'm so curious to what it is, and start thinking but couldn’t figure it out. My mind comes to a blank and with Kyran it could be anything.

  Helping me inside the Hummer and driving towards Central Park Condos I ask.

  "You taking me home?” He smiles mischievously.

  "Well, I hope so," I'm just so confused by this point that I just nod and watch New York's city lights shine, it is so beautiful at night. I love the way they twinkle in the distance.

  Getting into the elevator, Kyran presses for the fifth level using his fingerprint for access. I look at him wondering why he’s pressed five not ten and even more why the system allowed his prints to work on that floor. He keeps looking ahead avoiding my eyes.

  "Kyran?"

  "Ava" he replies smiling, I huff. The doors slide open on the fifth floor, and we walk to the door of the condo, his prints working again to unlock the main door, and we enter.

  "Welcome home baby, happy wedding day well technically not anymore, but you get the idea." I spin in a circle amazed. It’s identical to Mom and Dad's but empty.

  "The owners moved out a month ago and when you agreed to marry me well I wanted to live with my wife of course so went apartment hunting and found out this condo was for sale. And thought it was perfect so I asked your parents for advice and everyone else got involved came to see it, loved it and helped me secure it. There were a few other couples interested. I hope I made the right choice?"

  I fling myself into his arms kissing his cheeks then his lips "I love it, and I love you, now we got to buy furniture the fun part" I smile, and I see the look of dread appear on this face, “why do men dislike shopping?”

  "Because we’re constantly going from shop to shop and never able to decide on what you want and babe we’re men it is in our DNA to hate it, it doesn't interest us but for you, I'll roll out the welcome mat." I laugh and lightly punch him on the shoulder.

  "Where are we going to sleep? I ask.