by Lori King
A sob got caught in her throat. Marie was really gone. There was no magic that could save her. I killed her. The realization hit her hard. No, she hadn’t intentionally hurt Marie, but dealing the final blow to Atticus had killed Marie too.
Some of Marie’s last words rang through her mind. I’m finally free.
She gulped and buried her face into Jace’s shoulder. Poor Marie had been a prisoner for ninety-five years, too. There was no doubt in her mind her sister had it far worse than she had. She couldn’t imagine the horror she’d faced being forced to mate with Atticus.
Eva sucked in a breath and pulled away from Jace. She turned and placed her hand on Marie’s forehead, gently gliding her hand over her face to shut her eyes. “Be at peace, Marie.”
“Everything okay?” a male voice asked.
Eva turned around but quickly averted her gaze, realizing there was another naked man standing next to Jace.
“We’re fine, Tom. This is Eva, my mate. She’s just lost her sister.”
“My apologies. I’ll give the two of you a few moments.” Footsteps padded away from them.
“Are you okay?” Jace asked, placing both his hands on her shoulders.
“I will be.” It was a cruel twist of fate to lose Marie again, but she could make peace with the fact that her sister was free of the man who’d caused her years of pain.
“We’ll make sure she gets a proper funeral.”
She nodded at his words. “Thank you.”
Marie was gone. At least she was finally at rest. Eva leaned down and kissed her sister’s cheeks. “Be free.”
* * *
Three days later
Eva smoothed a hand over the fabric that covered her legs. Denim. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. There were a lot of things that had changed in her ninety-five years of isolation. Clothing, dialogue, cars, and don’t even get her started on cell phones. The little devices were unreal and she couldn’t figure out how to switch them on, let alone actually call someone. Thank goodness she had Jace to help her out.
This new life was so different than her previous one. It was a good thing, though. Her future was looking bright.
Her bedroom door creaked open and she turned, smiling as Jace walked in, shutting the door behind him.
“Hey,” he said. “You look…”
“Different?” she asked, lifting her brow. “This material is strange and… revealing.” Her hands went to the deep scoop on her top that exposed a large portion of her chest. When one of the females from Jace’s pack had brought her the clothes she’d thought it was a joke – some weird prank to initiate her into the pack. But the woman was wearing similar clothes, and so was another woman who had stopped by to check on her.
“I was going to say beautiful, but I suppose these clothes are a little different than what you’re used to.”
She murmured in agreement.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around more to help with your adjustment, and that the pack has kind of taken over your house.”
“Don’t be sorry about that. Thanks to them, the house will be restored in a matter of weeks. I didn’t think it was possible. There’s already a new window in the library and they refinished the floor. I can’t believe how nicely it’s all coming along,” Eva said with a smile. The pack was doing everything she asked them to in regards to the house.
“I’m glad you like it.”
She clapped her hands together. “I love it. Thank you.”
“The house is ours. Tom has asked me to stay here and take control of the remaining members of the Mountain Pack. He’s named me alpha. Our pack at home has grown too large anyway. With development all around our pack’s lands, it’s safer for us to divide into two smaller groups. He asked for volunteers to stay here with us. There’s at least a hundred so far.”
“And they’ll all stay here?” Her house wasn’t anywhere near big enough for that many.
Jace shook his head. “No. This will be our house. The Mountain Pack owns the property that butts up against your land. Marie was named on the house’s deed. I’m working the necessary channels to have it transferred to you, and then we can combine the land or keep them separate. It’s your choice. We will build small houses and cottages for everyone else on the pack’s land. Our house will be for us and our family.”
“Our family?” she asked, placing a hand on her belly. Would she be a mother one day? Was that even possible after being dead for so long? She’d longed for a family during her solitude, but never thought it could actually happen. “What if I can’t have a baby? What if…”
Jace put a finger to her lips. “Let’s not worry about that. If it happens, then it’s fate. If not, then I’m perfectly happy spending my life with you.” A wry grin spread over his face. “That doesn’t mean I’m opposed to trying to make a baby every chance we get.”
Eva groaned as his hand went to her butt, giving it a pinch. She giggled and leaned in for a kiss. “I’m not opposed to that either,” she whispered against his lips.
Jace lifted her up and carried her to the bed. “There’s no time like the present to start trying.”
Eva laughed as he set her on the bed and climbed on next to her. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down on top of her. Their lips collided and she moaned at the contact.
A few days ago she’d dreaded each day like the plague. Now she had a whole future to look forward to. It was all thanks to Jace. Each day was a blessing, and she fully intended to enjoy every single one of them with her mate.
About the Author
Bethany Shaw lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Writing has always been her passion, and she loves sharing her stories with readers. When she isn't writing, she is spending time with her family enjoying bike rides, bowling, and board games.
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Also by Bethany Shaw
Werewolf Wars Series
Out of the Shadows
Into the Unknown
Finding Our Way
Lost and Found
Forbidden Hope
Hunted Series
Purrfect Match
Sanctuary
Off Limits
Wayward Wolves Series
In the Arms of an Enemy
On the Run
Bitten
Midnight Run
Healing Christmas
Times Journey Trilogy
Vanished
Lost
Homecoming
Rainier Pack Series
Shimmers in the Dark
Standalones
Rescued by the Bear
Claiming His Mate
The Best Mistake
Lucky in Love
The Valley of the Shadows by Melissa Bell
Custodians of America Series
Steeped in centuries of tradition and in accordance with the Laws of Lupine. When the daughter of an Alpha comes of age, she stands before her pack as the prized female. Held in the Valley of Shadows on All Hallows Eve is a twisted game of survival. Only the eldest unmated son of the Alphas may compete, for if they fail, it means they are dead. It is part of an ancient ceremony, one that will bring packs together from far and wide. It’s an honour to be chosen to run the gauntlet, and a disgrace not to accept.
Valley of Shadows is dedicated to everyone who likes to celebrate Halloween. I’d also like to dedicate this story to all the awesome authors who have taken the times to write for this project. Last but not least, Lori King for all her hard work and dedication to this project. Thank you, ladies. It’s an honour.
1
30th October – Colorado
“What the hell do you mean, I don’t get to have a say in anything?” Rainah abruptly lifted her head and stared at her parents. She pushed her untouched plate back away from
herself, her stomach suddenly rolling with nervous cramps.
Her father, Draven, slammed his fist down on the table, causing the plates to lift then chink as they landed on top of the table again, “Enough!”
Rainah’s mother, Willow, gently placed her hand over the top of her mate’s clenched fist, which remained on the table, “Sweetheart,” she looked at her daughter’s horrified expression. “We understand this all comes as quite a surprise to you, but this is how it has always been. It is an ancient tradition and one that we must follow. The Wardens of the North, South, East, and West have all been keeping an eye on you,” Willow stated.
Rainah felt a shiver travel down her spine, “Well, that just sounds creepy.” She curled her upper lip in a show of distaste.
“Your father spoke to the wardens, and after many heated debates, he successfully won you the right to attend college. However, you have now graduated, and there is no further excuse to postpone the ceremony.”
“Mother, arranged marriages are barbaric, to say the least.” Rainah crossed her arms over her chest, “I want a mating built on a love match, not a… a… cockfight.”
Draven growled and stood so fast that his chair flew backwards and clattered to the floor. “You will honour your family. The topic is closed.” When Willow tried to soothe her husband, he pulled away from her. “You deal with her, she’s your daughter. I’m going for a run.” Draven stomped out through the front door slamming it closed behind him.
“Rainah, if you denounce your role as the alpha’s daughter, you will bring great shame on your father.” Willow explained to her daughter, “It’s a matter of pride and honour, and you know as well as I, those are essential elements that your father stands by. If you walk away from your duty,” Willow sighed sadly, “You will be walking away from everything: your family, your pack and your heritage.”
“Yes, but at what price, Mother?” Rainah asked.
“You will meet all the prospective mates as they arrive for the feast of All Hallows Eve. Try not to display your temper in front of them. It will only encourage them to fight harder; they will want to win just so they can be the one to tame you when they claim you as their mate.”
“Like I said, Mother, at what price? Am I not allowed to find my own happiness, simply because I was born a girl instead of a son to be the pack’s future alpha?”
“I’ve never hidden the laws from you.” Willow reminded her daughter.
“No, but you did make them sound like fairy-tales and sweet dreams.” Rainah began to pace back and forth. “You told me about a prince charming, the one who would love me before all else.” She flopped down in her chair again to pick at her now-cold food. She should have known something wasn’t right when she walked in and found the table set and the smell of spicy chicken throughout the house. It was the one thing her mother cooked when she was trying to win Rainah’s confidence on an issue.
Even cold, the damn chicken tasted delicious, only it was washed down with a huge helping of ‘what am I going to do?’ Within minutes of finishing her dinner, Rainah felt extremely exhausted, unable to keep her eyes open or to even focus on the dancing flowers on the tablecloth. Willow quickly pulled the empty plate out from in front of her daughter as Rainah’s head lolled forward and her forehead bumped the table. “Mother?”
“It’s for your own good, sweetheart,” Willow replied softly as she moved around the table to run her hand over her daughter’s silky hair. Even in her present state of numbness, Rainah knew her mother had baited her, ultimately taking away any chance Rainah had of running away before the upcoming event.
Willow whistled for Rainah’s father to come back inside, “Carry her to the chamber where she will be prepared for the ceremony.”
“This does not sit well with me,” Draven growled at his mate. “She will hate us if this doesn’t end in her favour.”
“She inherited your stubbornness, so you have no one to blame but yourself. I am simply abiding by the laws of the ritual. The same laws that our ancestors followed.” Willow lifted her chin, “It doesn’t mean I love our daughter any less than I would if she’d been born a son.”
“Maybe…”
“Maybe she will learn to love the one who wins. I hope for the sake of the mating, that he will be honourable and respect our daughter when all is said and done.”
“You are right, my mate,” Draven carefully lifted his daughter into his arms and walked out of the house accompanied by Willow.
“What will we tell them at the banquette when Rainah is not present to greet the challengers for her mateship?”
“A night in the cave may be all the persuasion she will need to convince her to behave.”
“And if she is as stubborn as you say, it may not budge her an inch on the subject,” Draven argued.
“Regardless, if she is changed, she cannot run away from her duty as the alpha’s only daughter.”
“You make it sound like it is my fault that you bore a girl child instead of a son,” Draven accused his mate.
“Not at all, my beloved, I am the one who carries that burden. It is I who could not produce a future alpha after Rainah was born.” Willow sighed, “I have been thankful every day of our life because you did not walk away from me for such an injustice.”
“Woman, I am the man who mated you; we belong to each other. There is nothing to be ashamed of or feel sad about. Our daughter will mate with the strongest alpha, and they will rule the four corners as I have ruled with you by my side. It is how things are done.”
Rainah could only vaguely make out the voices which echoed off the walls. Her head and limbs felt heavy, too lethargic to lift more than an inch from the floor. The weight of the chains further impeded her ability to move freely. Even though her mind was still fuzzy, she closed her eyes and tried to bring forth her inner wolf, only to be met by utter silence, not even a whimper. Without the ability to shift, she had no way to escape the cuffs that were fixed to her wrists and ankles. Rainah’s father had told her of a place where the pack took rogue wolves to mete out justice. It was built of rock and possessed handcrafted chains to which only the alphas had the key. It took her mother’s blood to lock them and her father’s blood to unlock them, once the cuffs were firmly fixed into place. As some of the valerian began to wear off, Rainah could feel the grogginess lifting enough for her to think. Even though her head continued to throb, and she felt her stomach roll from the pain, she glanced around at her surroundings, looking for something, anything that could help her to gain her freedom. She quickly discovered it was more painful to allow her anger and rage to surface, as it only affected the pain resonating through her skull, so she opted to lie back down. Trying not to move again until she no longer felt nauseated, she closed her eyes and settled her breathing as she attempted to distract herself from the fact her own parents had chained her up like a dog. As she again endeavoured to reach her wolf, fury surged through her body like a well-timed lightning bolt, leaving behind in its place the sensation of having been body-slammed by Xena the fucking warrior princess. This time, when her stomach roiled in reaction to her unwarranted torture, she turned her head sideways and emptied the contents of her stomach onto the ground. Vowing never to eat her mother’s cooking again, she scurried sideways to get away from the area covered in puke.
Leaning her back against the rock wall, she looked to her right to discover at least they’d given her a bucket and some toilet paper to use. Feeling the sudden need to spend her bladder, Rainah pushed herself up from her leaning position and moved to stand in front of the makeshift toilet. Hoping like hell nobody was watching, she used it and quickly returned to leaning against the rock wall, wondering how long her parents planned on keeping her captive.
With every passing minute, the cogs in her brain slowly began to fully function and her symptoms from being drugged began to fade.
Bending her knees up to rest her elbows on them she felt her cell phone slide in the pocket of her cargo pants. Un-clicking the
stud, she slid her phone out and pressed the button to activate the home screen. She wept with relief as the face lit up and she entered her code to unlock it. Her joy was minute; frowning with a curse fit for a sailor’s wife, she was tempted to throw the useless thing across the cavern. No Signal, indicated by the word ‘Searching…’
“Yeah, fuck my life.” She sighed with resignation; it was officially after midnight, according to the time on her phone. “Yay for me.”
With nothing better to do, she decided to pick up reading the e-Book she’d started the evening before last, picking up where she’d left off.
2
30th October – Virginia
Boon threw down another shot of tequila and slammed the empty glass upside-down on the bar, both hands coming to rest on the edge as he searched for the right words to say to the woman wedged between him and the bar. Juniper had slid into place in the time it took him to lift the shot to his lips and swallow, “If you were mated, then you wouldn’t have to go,” she explained, before submissively turning her head to the side to expose the most vulnerable part of her neck to the pack master’s eldest son. He glanced over Juniper’s shoulder and shook his head at the owner and barman of the ‘Hussienda,’ when Ink lifted the bottle to ask if he wanted a refill.
He could feel the eyes of every one of his pack that was present in the bar at that time, all focused on his back. He needed to leave, to take the conversation he was about to have with Juniper elsewhere, away from prying eyes and over-sensitive ears. “Come on, trouble. Let’s go somewhere a little more private,” he offered. Sliding his hand down her arm to take possession of her hand in his, he turned and growled at the entire room, “Mind your business.” He saw Juniper’s surprised expression as she looked from one pack member to another. Her head bowed as she spotted Boon’s father leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Boon immediately stepped in front of Juniper, protectively cutting off his father’s harsh glare at the she-wolf. Boon narrowed his eyes at his father, he’d always watched out for Juniper ever since she’d been a pup. They’d grown up together, sort of. His best friend Syn, short for Synder, was Juniper’s big brother. With barely a shake of his head in his father’s direction, he dispersed the tension in the room.