Spring's Wolf (A Court of Shifters Chronicles #2)

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  Spring’s Wolf

  A Court of Shifters Chronicles

  Alyssa Rose Ivy

  Copyright © 2020 by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover Design: Cover Couture

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Lacey

  2. Creighton

  3. Lacey

  4. Creighton

  5. Lacey

  6. Creighton

  7. Lacey

  8. Creighton

  9. Lacey

  10. Creighton

  11. Lacey

  12. Creighton

  13. Lacey

  14. Creighton

  Thank You

  Afterword

  Flight

  Preface

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Lacey

  And this was how I died. Marooned in another world after my best friend opened a chasm between worlds. Not exactly how I pictured it. But then again, not many twenty-somethings give much thought to their death. At least not in my world. Even being the heir to the Spring Court throne I never worried about anything so heavy. Although that’s not to say my life was all fun and games. If it were, how the heck did I end up in the mess I was in?

  “It’s not so bad.” Wren twirled around as if life as we knew it wasn’t at stake.

  “Okay. I get it.” I didn’t bother to hide the slight edge to my voice as I looked out across the icy land. There wasn’t a single flower in sight. Nor a tree. Nor anything but ice and snow and an infinite whiteness. Spring Court was as much a part of me as I was of it. It went against my nature to spend time in such a completely different landscape.

  “You get what?”

  I considered how to put things delicately, then discarded that idea. What was the point? “Frost is good in bed.”

  She laughed. “Come on. That’s not the only reason I’m in a good mood.”

  “Not the only reason?” I raised an eyebrow. “I guess it’s good you at least admit that’s part of it.”

  “Weren’t you the one encouraging me to sleep with him?”

  “Yes.” I had, hadn’t I? That felt so long ago. Back before thoughts of leaving our courts to go to a different world even seemed possible. How had our biggest problems just a few days ago been whether it was time to settle down with a mate? “But that was back when we were all happy and safe at home.”

  “Happy?” She raised an eyebrow. “Speak for yourself.”

  “You mean to tell me you are happier here?” I spread my arms out at the white expanse that seemingly went on forever.

  She nodded. “At least I know my purpose. I know my gift.”

  “You can open chasms. That’s amazing. But I learned nothing about mine. I’ve always known what mine would be.” I sounded whiny, and I knew it, but somehow I didn’t care. If I couldn’t complain to my best friend when I was freezing and stressed, then who could I ever complain to?

  “But now you get a chance to use it.”

  “I can’t use it until I find my mate, and I won’t find him here.” That was the downside of being Fae royalty. We usually got gifts—cool ones—but we couldn’t fully come into them until we found our mates. Staying single meant we’d never get them. It would also mean the end to the royal line for your court, so I was positive that was part of why things worked that way. The desire for powers could serve as some serious motivation.

  “Is that for sure?” James took out a piece of fruit from his jacket pocket and started to peel it with a pocket knife. It was a bright purple fruit I’d never seen before, but it was the only color around, and my eyes were immediately drawn to it. “I mean does your mate have to be from your world, or could it be any wolf?” He seemed to notice my eyes and held the fruit out.

  I shook my head. I liked the color, but that didn’t mean I was trying something that had been sitting in his pocket for goodness knew how long. “No, thank you. But come on. Be real. My mate is one of your arctic wolves here?”

  “My arctic wolves?” James raised an eyebrow. “Not exactly. But why not? None of this exactly follows a rule book, does it?”

  “He may have a point.” Wren looked out in the distance. “Maybe it’s good to maintain an open mind.”

  “Maintain an open mind?” I laughed. “Here? Now?”

  “Do you have any other suggestions?” Wren sighed. “Because I know you want to get home just as much as we do.”

  “You are the one who trapped us here.” I didn’t intend the words in a mean way, hopefully she knew it, but no way the pressure was all going to fall on me.

  “To save us and everyone in our courts from those dreadful shadows.”

  “True. And I appreciate the hard work. It was crazy cool and impressive, but you can’t hang forever on those laurels.”

  “They are some pretty crazy laurels.” She grinned.

  “I just called them impressive.” I loved Wren, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to give her a hard time. “Do you want me to kiss your feet too?”

  “No need to kiss them, but a little foot rub wouldn’t hurt.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “You don’t have to put up with that.” Matilda frowned. “You know you are of equal level.” Matilda was loyal. I’d known that when I got her involved in the first place, but I hoped she realized all bets were off now. Defending me from my best friend was not part of her job description.

  “But she will because she loves me.” Wren put an arm around me.

  “A little cocky now, aren’t you?” James ate the last of the fruit, leaving a tiny round pit behind.

  “A little?” I nudged Wren. “Right. Just a smidge.”

  “Okay. I’ll stop. I know there is a lot to do.” Wren removed her arm from around me. “But you can’t blame me for enjoying the moment.”

  “Frost will be back soon.” I knew she was anxious, and it was totally reasonable. Worrying about your mate when he was off with a virtual stranger in a different world made a whole lot of sense.

  “I know.”

  “I doubt they went far.” James slipped the small pit into his pocket. “Elron knows his way around just about anywhere. They will be back soon.”

  I wondered if James was going to plant the pit. Did it act as a seed? Being from Spring Court meant I couldn’t help but think of those sorts of things. “Is all of Energo like this?”

  “Covered in ice and mostly barren?” James’s nose wrinkled. “Not by a long shot.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with ice and snow.” Wren put a hand on her hip.

  “Not trying to say there is, although personally I enjoy the more temperate climates.” James wrapped his arms over his chest.

  “Like spring.” I was more than a little bit cold. I really wasn’t designed for cold weather, and I certainly wasn’t dressed for it. As a Fae I could control my temperature some, and I wasn’t going to freeze to death or anything, but that didn’t mean it was comfortable at all.

  Wren frowned. “Of course. Who doesn’t like spring more than winter?”

  “Probably the Arcos that live here.” James yawned.

  “That you say live here.” Wren turned around slowly, looking in all directions. “I still haven’t seen any.”

  “They are around. I would go look, but I would rather not leave you all alone.” He let his hands fall to his sides.

  “Because we ar
e women?” Matilda took a step toward him.

  “Uh, no. I have no doubt you can defend yourself, but splitting up now will make it impossible to split up later.”

  “Uh… what?” I tried to follow.

  “Meaning we need to have a decent number if a threat comes. If we have to disperse, then so be it. But not now.”

  “Makes sense.” Matilda nodded. “But you better not be lying.”

  “I see no reason why I would lie about this at all.” James dug the toe of his boot into the ground, sending a sliver of ice flying.

  “To protect yourself from three irate women.” Matilda rolled her shoulders.

  “Irate?” James raised an eyebrow. “Did not realize you were angry.”

  “We don’t take well to being written off by a man.” Matilda did not sound appeased. I’d never seen this side of her before, not that I’d really taken the time to really see her. That reality hit me hard in the gut.

  “After seeing Wren yesterday? Seeing you guys? You think I’m stupid enough to think that?” James put a hand to his chest.

  “Men think plenty of stupid things.” It wasn’t a completely fair comment. Women did their share too, but I was feeling punchy, and I was too stressed and cold to worry about having a filter.

  “Do we?” A voice called from behind us.

  I spun to see a man who hadn’t been there seconds ago. He was shirtless. Gorgeous and shirtless. And I shouldn’t have noticed how muscular his chest was, but I did. So were his arms. And his legs were covered by dark trousers, but I was pretty sure they were muscular too. I needed to say something, but I couldn’t. I was completely tongue-tied, which was not a feeling I was at all familiar with.

  “Where did you come from?” Matilda slipped slightly in front of me as if to protect me. I would have to make sure she was rewarded for her loyalty to the court when we got home. If we got home. I hated to think that way, but I wasn’t feeling particularly optimistic.

  “Where did I come from?” He took a few steps toward us. “There are a lot of ways to answer that question. I don’t suppose you mean in the biological sense.” He smirked.

  “You know exactly what she means.” I finally broke out of my shocked silence. He was obnoxious. Of course. A man couldn’t be that hot and also decent. There was some sort of universal rule that attractive guys were arrogant.

  “I am designed to be stealthy.” His smirk grew wider. “We are all designed to be something, right?”

  “In theory. Not always in practice.” James looked between the man and me, and his lips twisted into a light smile, as if he could tell just how attracted to this stranger I was. “I am going to go out on a limb here and guess you are Creighton.”

  “In the flesh, James Mendel. I see my reputation precedes me as much as yours precedes you.” Creighton was talking to James but looking at me with a puzzled sort of look on his face.

  “These are Wren, Lacey, and Matilda.” James nodded toward each of us.

  Creighton moved his eyes from me and looked at the others. “How does Ainsley feel about you traveling with three attractive women?”

  James frowned. “The rest of our party stepped away for a short while.”

  Creighton grinned. “She has no idea.”

  “Have you met my Ainsley?” James seemed to be legitimately curious.

  “No. Cannot say I have. But I do know women.” Creighton raised his chin.

  I half-snorted.

  Creighton looked over. “Lacey, was it?”

  I nodded.

  He cocked his head to one side. “Would you truly be fine if your mate spent his time in the company of beautiful women?”

  “I suppose it would depend on the nature of that time, now wouldn’t it?” I agreed with him. I knew I had quite a jealous side in me, but that didn’t mean I was ready to admit it to this man I’d just met. This man I should have only been annoyed with, yet who I somehow couldn’t shake my physical reaction to.

  “Then we do see eye to eye.”

  “I’m not sure I’d go that far.” Was I imagining things, or did everything he said sound suggestive?

  “Lacey, is it?” He pivoted so he was directly facing me.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you the one causing all the trouble?”

  It took me a few seconds to understand what he was talking about. “No. That’s Wren.”

  “Gee, thanks, best friend.” Wren rolled her eyes.

  “Sorry.” I sent her an apologetic look. “I assume you mean, well, you know..”

  “The chasms.” Creighton put his palms together and then pulled them apart. “Yes. But I like the way you described it. The well, you know.”

  “Hey, what did I do to you?” I snapped.

  “What do you mean?” He asked with mock innocence.

  “I’ve been through enough crap in the past day. I don’t need you making fun of me.”

  “I am teasing you. That is something entirely different.” His eyes locked on mine.

  “How is teasing different than making fun of?”

  “One is mean. The other is sweet.”

  “Sweet?” I shook my head. “Teasing isn’t sweet.”

  “She is not from around here, Creighton.” James broke in. “I suggest you save your breath.”

  “Where are you from?” Creighton studied me again.

  “You wouldn’t know it.” Wren gave me a funny look. Hopefully she hadn’t picked up on the way I’d been looking at Creighton. And the way he seemed to be looking at me.

  “Exactly. You wouldn’t.” I don’t know why I decided to just agree with her, maybe because I wanted his eyes on me again.

  “Try me.” The way his eyes locked on my lips, I couldn’t shake thoughts about things far different than our conversation. I was pretty sure that was his intention.

  “You are addressing the heir to Spring Court.” Matilda frowned. “Show respect.”

  “A Fae, eh?” Creighton looked me over again.

  “You couldn't tell?” James seemed doubtful.

  He shrugged. “I try not to jump to any conclusions.”

  “Everyone jumps to conclusions.” They did. Whether they were wrong or right, we all did it.

  “Not everyone.” He spoke quietly. It was the first thing he’d said without smirking or looking at me like I was his next meal.

  “And what about you?” My curiosity got the best of me, and I had to ask. “What are you?”

  “Oh. I thought you knew.” An amused smile slipped out onto his lips. His far too enticing lips.

  “Not everyone jumps to conclusions.” I threw his words right back at him.

  “But you do.”

  “Not always.” Technically true. Sometimes I could resist.

  “I am an Arco.”

  “A wolf then?” A jolt of excitement ran through me. Which was stupid. He was a wolf. But he wasn’t my wolf.

  “You like wolves?” His eyes danced.

  “Yeah, you could say that.” James laughed.

  I glared at him. I barely knew the guy, and he was going to be that much of a jerk? I’d had enough of jerks.

  “Sorry, I could not help it. I find your set up fascinating.” James put his hand in his pocket, and I expected him to pull out another piece of fruit. Instead he took out a small coin.

  “Set up?” Creighton’s brow wrinkled. “Do tell.”

  “Don’t listen to him.” I glared at James. “He barely knows anything about me or my world.”

  “So you tell me. Why let it be him?” Creighton had moved closer to me while I was focused on James. I could feel his closeness. It was a good feeling, yet one that was also incredibly terrifying.

  “We don’t have time for that.” I had no interest in explaining the mating situation.

  “Oh, is there something else we should be doing?”

  “You mean aside from figuring out where Wren sent the Shadows and how we can get home?”

  “You mean you are unaware of where you sent them?” Cr
eighton’s eyes widened.

  “No. I don’t know where I sent them.” Wren shrugged. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “Are they always this uptight?” Creighton looked over at James.

  “I have not known them long.” James tossed the coin in the air.

  “We are not uptight.” Generally Wren was accused of being the opposite, and it’s not like I didn’t know how to have fun. “We are trying to focus on what’s important.”

  “How about focusing on why you are here.” Creighton’s eyes were back on mine.

  I blinked, needing to break the intensity of the gaze we shared. “We were here to track the Shadows and keep them from our Courts.”

  “Courts. Plural?”

  “Wren here is princess of Winter Court.” James grinned.

  “I am not the princess.” Wren sighed. “Please.”

  “Are you not the daughter of the queen?” James asked.

  “Yes. But my title is ‘heir to the throne’.”

  “What about you?” Creighton turned to me. “Can I call you princess?”

  “No.” Was he serious?

  “Why not? I like that title better.”

  “I don’t care what title you like better. I go by my true title or none at all.”

  “Okay, future queen.” His grin was positively wicked now.

  “Are you serious? Are you going to call that teasing too?”

  “It is.” He moved his arm, flexing his bicep in the process. It was probably intentional. “If you are unable to tell the difference, you have been spending time with the wrong people.”

  “Oh?” I should have let the comment go, but I just couldn’t do it. “And you are the right kind of people?”

  “Yes.”

  “Confident much?” Wren laughed.

  “Anything wrong with being confident?” Creighton looked up at the sky and then back over at us.

  “No.” Wren seemed to consider his words. “There isn’t.”