Bitter Change

by Mara Lee

  “Oh Sophie,” Ethenia's teeth began to chatter, “It's him, I know it's him.”

  Sophie gave Ethenia a determined look. “Well, don't just stand there, go find Lothos and Venus.”

  Ethenia rushed out of the room, leaving Sophie to prepare.

  * * * *

  Kieran conjured the power to his hands easily. The spell that he had mastered long ago allowed elemental fire to be wielded with the ease of one picking flowers. When the flames danced at his fingertips he thrust his hand forward and watched as fire shot out of his hands and took out the entire south wall of the house.

  It was as they had promised. The dark forces had given him the power to destroy his enemies and be master of the world, all for one small fee—his soul.

  He laughed. It seemed a cliché, a devil's pact, but only he knew it for what it was—truth. There was only one truth in life. Power. And now he had the power to rule all others.

  Kieran stepped into the house, past the fire that was still eating through the wall and looked around.

  “Ethenia, my sweet little bitch, I'm coming for you.” Where was she? Where was his property?

  * * * *

  Sophie felt the dark magic before she saw it. Her head began to pound and her heart beat erratically. Kieran was here, and he was indeed wielding black magic.

  Sophie fingered the talisman around her neck. It would not be enough protection against Kieran but perhaps it would afford her a little time to build up some fortification.

  She closed her eyes, concentrated, and began to chant. In her mind's eye she could see him—Kieran, enraged and shrouded in darkness. Surprisingly she detected no other presence, save the demented Pack Leader. Was he alone? Where was the rest of the Pack?

  * * * *

  Ethenia felt nausea threaten to overtake her. She braced her hand against the railing in the hallway and tried to breathe. She was so frightened. Her fear had her rooted to the spot, and she knew she was as good as a sitting duck. She could hear nothing but the wild beating of her own heart and the pounding in her head. She knew that she had to find Lothos and Venus and warn them of Kieran's arrival, but she could barely see past the hazy film across her eyes.

  He had come. She had been a fool to think that he wouldn't find her here, a damned fool. And now, now she had led him straight to the ones that she loved most, the people closest to her heart.

  Ethenia's eyes darkened. Well, he couldn't have them. Damn his black soul, he couldn't have them.

  * * * *

  Kieran turned a corner and couldn't believe his good fortune. There she was, his impetuous little bitch. Standing gloriously naked in the hall, golden hair falling free, she was a sight to behold.

  Kieran felt strangely affected, why had he never seen her thus? She was beautiful, stunningly so. Her honey-hued skin was gleaming, as if a burning light were emanating off of her body. Her eyes were deep and fathomless, filled with secrets that he wished to know. She had never looked so ripe, so lush, and he couldn't wait to put his brand on her, again.

  “My bitch,” Kieran whispered out, a frightful smile twisting his face.

  Ethenia stood her ground.

  “Never yours, Kieran,” Ethenia answered back, her voice even and calm. “You should have let it be.”

  Kieran still commanded fire, and his hands were like living torches. He shot them out toward Ethenia and cackled when a ring of fire surrounded his conquest. So easy, it was so easy. Who would ever deny such power?

  * * * *

  Ethenia sucked in a breath when suddenly she was surrounded by fire. The heat was scorching her sensitive skin and her eyes were watering. He meant to burn her alive.

  Ethenia began to cough and was thankful when she found her voice. “Is this it, then? Do you mean to roast me, Kieran? You have decided upon burning me alive?” Ethenia sank to her knees as the flames burned higher and hotter.

  Kieran's laugh was sharp and grating. “Burn yes, you shall burn, but you shall not die, yet,” Kieran shot out. “You still do not understand, do you? I have the power of the gods in me. I can tame and temper the very winds which bathe us, the flames that now sear your skin.” With one slash of his hand Kieran subdued the raging fire. The flames were now mere flickers around Ethenia. “I will burn that luscious skin of yours Ethenia. I will burn it, then heal it, and then burn it again. You will suffer agonies untold for the humiliation you have caused me.”

  “The humiliation?” Ethenia fell into another fit of coughs. God, he was truly mad. She had known he was evil and cruel, but now … now the madness crawled over his skin like a living flame. He had not broken her spirit, she could not forget that. She was shocked at the change that a couple of months had made. Her Pack leader was no longer a handsome wolf. He looked three times his actual age, with lines and creases marring his once smooth skin. Stands of white ran through his hair and his eyes were red and filled with untold madness.

  “Yes, the humiliation!” Kieran screamed. The fire roared to life once again, and Kieran watched with satisfaction as Ethenia began to pant and gasp for breath. “You ran from me. You dared to defy me.” Kieran's eyes clouded over. “I could see them … they said nothing, but their eyes mocked me … laughed at me.”

  “Who?” Ethenia choked out.

  “My Pack, your brother and sister wolves,” Kieran answered. “They said nothing, they would not dare, but they watched me avidly. They knew that you had escaped, and silently they stalked and reveled in such knowledge. I could not have it. I would not have it.”

  Suddenly Ethenia saw it … the truth of destruction under his mad gaze. “Oh God, oh my God, what did you do?”

  Kieran looked up, as if just realizing that she was there. “What I had to do. I destroyed them.”

  “What?”

  Kieran walked slowly toward Ethenia and the ring of fire. A sad smile curved his face. “I had no choice. Eventually one of the Pack might have gotten the idea to challenge me. I could not have that. They were all expendable. I can find new Pack members anywhere. There are always those who are eager to serve, eager to find a home and a protector.”

  Ethenia felt white-hot rage pour through her body. He had murdered them all. He had taken out his Pack. It was a crime that could not be forgiven. “You're a monster.”

  Kieran grinned. “Not a monster, a wolf, dear one.” Kieran stepped up to the fire and brought his hand down. Instantly the flames died down until they were but a slight ring around Ethenia's shuddering form. “How did I not see how beautiful you are, dear one.”

  Ethenia growled, baring her teeth. “Don't call me 'dear one'.”

  Kieran was delighted. Ethenia had never shown such spunk before, and he loved her new-found courage. Of course he would have to beat the disobedience out of her. Kieran brought new power to his hands. He watched, satisfied, when Ethenia began to levitate. She struggled but of course it was to no avail. He had the power. He had, and would always have the power.

  Kieran kept Ethenia levitated and brought her until she was but an inch from his smiling face. He reached out and brushed a strand of her molten gold hair, enjoying it when she flinched. “We are going to go somewhere more private, dear one.”

  Ethenia struggled against the invisible barrier that held her prisoner. It was obvious that her Pack Leader had grown in power as well as madness.

  Kieran led the way, stepping through the hole he had come through. “Ethenia, Ethenia, some things have changed … and some things will never change.” He eyes turned dark and stormy. “You are nothing. That will never change, dear one. Everything you are is because of me. I created you. I gave you purpose.”

  Ethenia struggled to find her voice. “To serve you, to fear you … that is the only purpose you gave me.”

  Kieran nodded. “Is there any other purpose for a bitch?” Kieran sighed. “You were the perfect submissive, Ethenia. I groomed you to be the best and most beautiful star in my collection. Eventually I might have sold you to another Pack Leader. You would have brought
me great wealth.”

  Suddenly Ethenia understood. The years of pain and torment came welling up and everything was made so very clear. “You kept me isolated. You beat and tortured me so that you could make me into the perfect footstool.” Ethenia laughed a mirthless laugh. “So stupid, I can't believe I was so stupid. You planned this from the beginning. I was nothing but some piece of clay for you to mold to your exact submissive specifications.”

  Kieran continued to walk. He didn't spare her a glance. “Of course, why else would I take in some stupid orphan? I had enough mouths to feed, enough wolves to support, why would I take you? You were a gangly child. Your eyes were too big, your face too pale, you were never pretty, but there was something there … something I saw. Something I could make use of. I knew that I could make you into what I wanted.” Kieran clenched his fists. “It would have worked, too, if not for that stupid servant, Pierre.”

  Anguish tore at Ethenia's heart at the mention of Pierre's name. “Pierre did nothing…”

  Kieran turned to Ethenia then—his eyes were alight with fire and madness. “Pierre did everything. He gave you strength, both physical and mental. He made you believe that you could have better, do better. He helped you.”

  Ethenia's stomach was churning and twisting. Heat was rising and she could feel every hair on her body stand on end.

  Ethenia gasped when pain spiked through her body. She twisted and gasped. Oh my God, what was happening to her? It felt as if she were about to shift, but that was impossible, she couldn't shift now. She was held prisoner by dark magic … how could she shift? She eased her head up to look at Kieran. He seemed intent on the path before him. He was paying little attention to her. He was right … some things never changed. Another spike of pain hit her and she swallowed a groan of pain.

  “Where … where are we going?” Ethenia managed to get the question out past her sore and aching throat.

  “Why, back home of course.”

  Ethenia couldn't keep back the snort that erupted.

  Kieran stopped and turned towards Ethenia. He flicked a finger and watched happily as blood streamed down her face. He repeated the gesture with the same results.

  “You see, dear one, it is best not to anger me.”

  Ethenia felt rage boil through her. She had had enough of this bullshit. Kieran had tortured and killed fellow Pack members. He was truly evil.

  She felt her body crawling with thick, raw energy and for the first time in her life she embraced it.

  Ethenia blinked as rivulets of blood clumped her lashes and fell unhindered down her face. Anger such as she had never known ripped through her, and her beast answered the call. Nothing mattered now except to show Kieran that she was not the meek, submissive wolf he thought she was, and to pay him back for all the hurt and pain he had caused. She would pay him pack three-fold.

  Ethenia allowed her beast to roll through her body. She allowed her shift to take place and she welcomed the pain mingled with pleasure. Ethenia's face elongated first. Her nose stretched and morphed to a large snout and her eyes widened, pulled and turned to bright molten gold. Her body was next. The pain of the shift deepened and Ethenia bit her lip to keep from screaming out loud. She could not alert Kieran to her change. She had the advantage as long as she could keep her power from him. Kieran anticipated no threat from her, and that was his greatest weakness. She was Loopin. She would always be a threat.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lothos was unaware that he had carved deep grooves into his thighs, grooves that were bleeding steadily. His eyes were stormy and his lips curled so that his long canines were exposed. He sniffed the ground and growled.

  “I will rip out his heart!” Lothos ground out. His words were muffled as his wolf features were almost completely manifested.

  Venus pawed the ground by Lothos and nuzzled his leg. She jumped back when Lothos snapped at her with his teeth. “Don't!” Venus growled out. “I am but trying to calm you. Your anger will work against you. You cannot think clearly right now.”

  “I am thinking very clearly. I am thinking I will take that bastard's heart last so that he can feel each torture I will inflict upon him.”

  Venus sighed. “Exactly. You must use your mind as well as your might, Lothos. Think, don't just feel.”

  Lothos buried his snout in the dirt and sifted around. When he brought his head up and about, his eyes were glowing hot. “You are cautioning me? You, the one that always leaps before looking?”

  Venus snarled. “I wish the return of your mate as much as you do, Lothos. I also wish for your head to remain attached to that handsome body of yours.” Venus rushed on before Lothos could interrupt. “This Kieran, he wields black magic. You are strong, Lothos, but black magic … it is an unknown factor, an erratic variable. Who can guarantee a positive outcome when one opponent has sold his soul to the devil?”

  Lothos breathed heavily. “I will guarantee it, Venus.”

  “But…”

  “I will guarantee it, because that is how it must be. I will have Ethenia safe and sound by my side and I will have this Kieran's head on a platter, and his fur gracing my floor.”

  * * * *

  Ethenia tested the bounds of the portal holding her prisoner. They were strong, but her will was stronger. Kieran was still walking confidently in front of her. He didn't bother looking at her. Who was she anyway?

  Ethenia bore down and forced herself through the invisible binds. The pain was excruciating, fire and cutting heat tearing at her body, but she knew she had no choice, she had to escape.

  Once she was free, she scoped out the wood. She was unfamiliar with this part of the forest, and wondered if she was still on Sophie's land. It was obvious to her that Kieran had mapped out his escape route. He knew where he was going—Damn him.

  Well, she was going to have to take a chance. She had Loopin senses. She prayed that they wouldn't fail her now. She took off running.

  * * * *

  “You cannot escape me, Ethenia.” Kieran screamed. Kieran was pacing furiously. He felt as if there were a million burning needles poking and prodding at his brain. “Goddamn you.” Kieran stopped moving and took in the stillness of the forest. He had to gain control of his anger. He could not even scent the forest, what with his fury riding him. And if he could not scent the forest he would not be able to locate his wayward bitch.

  Kieran dropped to the ground. He huddled close to the dirt and pine and sniffed. It was there. It was faint but it was there—her scent. He would find her yet and when he did…

  He let the thoughts of the punishment he would exact from Ethenia fill his head and comfort him. Oh, it would be so sweet.

  * * * *

  Ethenia made it as far as the water before she collapsed. She could see no life-threatening wounds on her body and yet she felt as if she were losing blood and strength by the minute. The pain was so great. She could only assume that Kieran had put some spell on her, or had done something to sap her strength. It could be the only explanation for her pain and weariness.

  Ethenia ducked her head into the water and let the cool liquid bathe her flushed face. It was fleeting relief.

  “You've grown stronger.” Kieran's voice was gritty and menacing as he stepped from the wood to the water.

  Ethenia drew herself up. She would not give in without a fight. She had not come this far to die here alone, without her mate, by the water in the wood. “I will fight you, Kieran.” Ethenia was amazed to hear her say so. There was a time when nothing could have convinced her to stand up, or even speak out against Kieran. But Lothos's love and Sophie's friendship had given her strength of will and being. Kieran's threats were now beyond her. She saw deep into that dark heart of his and knew him for what he was.

  “Your fight will make my victory even sweeter.” Kieran advanced slowly.

  “I will not let you harm my friends.” Ethenia clenched her hands.

  Kieran sighed. “If you had just come when I first abducted you then I wouldn'
t have even considered harming your friends. But now that I know how much they mean to you … well it'll teach you a lesson.”

  “What will?”

  “Their deaths,” Kieran answered flatly.

  “If you even…”

  “What? If I even … what? I will do anything I wish. Do you know why?” Kieran laughed, “Because I can. You see, Ethenia … only the strong survive, and know this … I am strong.”

  “You're evil.”

  “Perhaps, but perhaps it is necessary. I offer no apologies. I am Pack Leader and my rule is absolute. You test my strength and I will strike back.” Kieran smiled evilly. “And you, dear one, tested me.” A second later there were giant claws in place of Kieran's once human hands. “And this … this is me striking back.”

  “You may kill me but…”

  Kieran made a tsking sound. “Now, dear one, whatever gave you the idea that I wish to kill you? I am not going to kill you. Hurt you, yes, perhaps even maim you … but I won't kill you. I still have use for you.” His eyes gleamed. “And you will still be able to service me … even minus a limb here or there.”

  “You're completely mad.”

  Kieran threw back his head and laughed. “People are so quick to pass judgment. They condemned Napoleon, called him crazy, when all he wished to do was change the face of the world. He was a genius whose brilliance was touted as madness. I, too, am a genius, Ethenia. I will change the Pack structure as we know it. I will bring all Packs to heel under my rule. Soon there will be no need for anonymity, as I will make sure that we, the strong, rule the weak. Do you understand? Soon we will not need to fear humankind. We will enslave humans. They will become our servants.” Kieran's voice lowered and turned wickedly deep. “It is a disgrace that puny humans hold such importance in this world. They are food, Ethenia. Food. We should not have to share our lives, our wealth with our food source.”

  Ethenia shook her head in disbelief. “And me, Kieran.”

  “What?”

  “I am not human. I am Loopin, but you treated me as a slave.”

  Kieran waved his hand nonchalantly. “Oh, but you had no bearing in the Pack. You were not strong enough to defend yourself, or to rise in the ranks, thus you were but so much meat to be used and cast aside. You are lucky that I found you and that I took you in. A Loopin such are you are would have been killed by now. I made your survival possible. I taught you the ways of the wolf, the ways of the Pack.”