by G. K. DeRosa
My pulse quickened, and my heart tapped out a rapid beat against his chest. He must have felt it because sadness dimmed the deepening gold of his irises. “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to be near you and not want you.” He paused, and his teeth ground together. “The pain is excruciating.”
My head snapped back at the shocking confession. I risked a glance up and regretted it instantly. The storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface stole my breath. “Then why keep fighting it?” I choked out, my own voice much too breathy for my liking.
“Because it’s not fair to you.” He dropped his gaze, staring out into the darkening forest.
“You keep saying that, but when I’m with you, I’ve never felt so protected, so complete, so cherished. You say you can’t love me, but I feel more from you than I’ve ever experienced with anyone else.”
He slowly shook his head. “I want more for you, Sierra. You deserve to have it all.”
“What if I don’t want it? I’d rather have half of you than all of Zuriel or Viceroy.”
His lips curved into a frown. “What about Ransom?”
I smirked. I knew he’d been jealous of the Royal beta. “Yes, Ransom too.”
The ghost of a smile tipped up the corners of his lips and gold lit up his irises. “We’ll discuss it further when this is all over.” I nodded, but he didn’t release me. He leaned closer and brushed his lips against mine, pulling me tight against his torso. “I wish we could have it all.”
“Me too,” I whispered against his mouth.
“Araton Turiel of the Celestial Pack and Vix Langid of the Demon Pack have been disqualified.” The robotic voice boomed over our quiet moment.
We separated, putting some much-needed space between our heated bodies. Hunter ticked his head toward the shore. “We should probably dry off so no one gets wind of our little secret.”
I waded toward the edge of the pond, and he followed close behind. I craned my head back before getting out. “What are we going to do when there’s no one left but us?”
He threw me an indulgent smile. “I’ll give you my armband, and you’ll win your first trial.”
Chapter Seven
“I still don’t understand how you managed to evade us.” Ransom’s watchful eye skimmed over me as I threw my damp bodysuit in a hamper by the changing room. He was back in his normal clothes, a tight t-shirt and jeans. He’d been one of the last eliminated and wasn’t happy to have been robbed of his armband by my mate. “And tell me again how you managed to take down our great alpha heir?”
I shot him a wink and tossed my backpack over my shoulder. “I’ll never tell. A girl’s gotta have some secrets, right?”
He towered over me, and his lips curled into a pout. “Hunter let you win, didn’t he? He’s completely taken by you, so much so he’d throw a trial.” He mumbled the last part as if he were putting the pieces together.
I scoffed. “You’re giving my feminine wiles a little too much credit.”
He leaned closer. “Then tell me how you did it.”
I stood on my tiptoes and jabbed my finger into his chest then whispered, “Maybe I used a little magic.”
Ransom’s eyes widened as I stepped back and slammed my changing room door shut. With a wry grin, I sauntered past him. The rest of the guys were huddled around the feast laid out for us. Except for Hunter. He’d mysteriously disappeared at the end of the event, and he hadn’t been back since. We were supposed to see Terra about the potion to hide my purple wolf, so I hoped he’d return soon.
Ransom caught up with me and weaved his arm around my shoulders. “How about a little snack before you go?” He motioned toward the mountain of food. Whatever animosity flourished between the males was laid to rest when food and drinks were involved. The Lunar Pack leaders chatted and laughed easily as they sat around the table.
Zuriel shot me a grin and patted the chair beside him. “Come, little alpha, sit and enjoy.” A masseuse rubbed the angel wolf’s broad shoulders, a pleased smile on her face as her fingers stroked his well-muscled form.
I glanced at the door and with no sign of Hunter, I folded into the chair beside Zuriel. “Sure, why not?” We hadn’t exactly set a meet-up spot, but I’d assumed we’d go together after the trial. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since my scant breakfast.
Viceroy popped up and handed me a plate. “Or would you like me to serve you?” He winked, and a mischievous grin pulled at his lips.
Ransom rolled his eyes at the wolf. “Don’t waste your time, Demon. Sierra would never lower herself to become part of your harem.”
Viceroy’s cleft tongue slid out, tasting the air. “What do you know of her desires, Ransom? There’s enough of me to satisfy multiple females, while you, you haven’t even acquired one.”
A chorus of deep chuckles filled the room as the other males watched the battle of wits, but I was getting tired of being the prized bone tugged between the wolves. I pointed at the bottle of wine on the opposite corner of the table. “I deserve a celebratory drink today, gentlemen, don’t you think?”
“Agreed!” Aquor boomed as he reached for the bottle. The mer-wolf’s azure hair undulated over his shoulders like waves in a tranquil sea. Grabbing a goblet, he filled it with the deep crimson wine and offered it to me with a bow. “To the winner of the first real trial.”
All the males raised their flutes, and the clinking of glasses filled the air. I took a deep sip of the fruity wine and leaned back in my chair. I could totally do this. If all the special Lunar Pack trials were like the one today, not only could I manage to survive unscathed, but I could also win this. Assuming Hunter helped me of course.
“Come on now,” Ransom interrupted. “Aren’t any of you the least bit curious as to how Sierra managed to squirrel away Aristaeus’s armband?”
“Don’t be jealous because our supreme beta knocked you out of the game,” said North. The faery wolves hadn’t said much since I’d met them. He and Canyon seemed to prefer to keep to themselves.
“At least I wasn’t one of the first out, faery.”
A growl tore from North’s lips as he seared Ransom with a glacial glare. “The lambs are always at a disadvantage as I’m sure you’re aware. Wait until the next one, Royal, you’re mine.”
A chill slithered up my spine at his tone. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t all going to be fun and games.
“Well, would you look at that.” Vix ticked his head at a screen that had flickered to life overhead. “It looks like our little she-wolf has finally moved up in the standings.”
I glanced at the leaderboard, and for the first time since the trials started I wasn’t on the bottom. I’d moved up two spots, ahead of North and Triton. Apparently, the special trials must’ve been worth more than the regular ones from the first two days.
“Sierra should get extra points for stealing our supreme beta’s armband.” Zuriel beamed at me, raising a glass. “That is quite a feat.”
“Oh stop sucking up to her, Zuriel,” Ransom spat. He scooted his chair closer to mine and clinked his goblet against mine. “I’ve got dibs on this little she-alpha.” I jabbed him in the ribs as he wrapped an arm around me and leaned closer, puckering his lips.
Such a damned flirt.
The door whipped open and Hunter stormed in, his face a mask of fury. His eyes locked on Ransom, and a wave of rage crashed over me. Relax! I blurted through the bond. You’re going to blow it for both of us.
He stalked closer, but the anger contorting his features dimmed. His nostrils flared as he drew in a deep breath, and the gold eclipsing his irises returned to the deep green. “Sorry to break up the party, but I need to see my newest wolf.” He seared Ransom with a venomous glare until the Royal released me.
I hopped up, anxious to get away from the other males’ curious gazes. They would’ve had to have been blind to miss the tension radiating from the supreme beta. For someone who couldn’t love me, he sure had a hell of a time controlling his jealousy.
/> “Why in such a hurry?” Ransom crooned. “We were all just discussing Sierra’s remarkable win.”
“Yes, Aristaeus, won’t you tell us how she managed to get the slip on you?” Viceroy asked.
He leveled the males with one of his fiery glares and his beta magic pulsated, thickening the air. “I was so bored with the competition I must’ve dozed off. When I awoke, the little wolf was already on me.” He threw them a wicked grin. “Straddling me. I had no choice but give the girl what she wanted.”
A roar of laughter erupted from the table of wolves and heat burned my cheeks. Ass.
“Well played, my friend.” North patted Hunter on the back, a knowing smile stretched across his face.
Unbelievable.
Hunter’s hand moved to the small of my back, but I jerked free of his touch, growled and shot him a warning glare.
More laughter bounced around the room. “Careful with that one, she’s feisty,” said Viceroy. “Just the way I like them.”
“So not happening,” I hissed at the demon wolf.
“Looking forward to tomorrow, alpha girl,” one of the males called out as I spun toward the door.
I darted in front of Hunter, keeping a few steps in front of him down the narrow corridor. The last thing I needed was to accidentally touch him, ignite the stupid mate bond and forget how pissed I was. He stomped behind me, his footfalls growing quicker.
I doubled my pace.
Hunter lunged forward and reached for my arm, but I whirled away from his grasp. “Sierra, come on,” he growled.
I whirled at him as anger bubbled up and awakened my wolf. “Gods, Hunter, you made it seem like I threw myself at you.”
“It was all I could come up with. How else was I going to explain your miraculous victory?” He fisted his hands at his sides, and the sharp crack of knuckles echoed down the passageway.
“I don’t know. I could’ve punched you in the face or something.”
The corner of his lip lifted. “Unlikely, little wolf.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared up at him. “Just wait till my magic kicks in, you wolfish wanker. Then we’ll see who’s the baddest alpha in town.”
His lips parted, and a full-out belly laugh burst free. He must have noticed my murderous gaze because once the peal of laughter ended, his expression grew serious. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let the other guys assume—” He cut himself off, cocking his head to the side. “Actually, it’s not a bad idea to let them think we’re messing around.”
“What?” I barked. “But I thought you didn’t want anyone to know about the bond.”
“I don’t.” He dragged his hand over the back of his neck and stared down at his dark boots. “But it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that there’s something going on between us. If we can chock it up to a fling, it could keep everyone from suspecting anything more serious.”
I considered his words. He had a point; I just didn’t like the idea of everyone thinking I was trying to get with the alpha heir. “I guess it could help. Maybe it would keep the horny dogs off my back too.”
He laughed. “No, I’m afraid not. Nothing would excite them more than the thrill of stealing what’s mine.”
I inched closer, my traitorous body reveling in his words. Mine. The rational side of me said it screamed of alpha male possessive BS, but my she-wolf was purring. She wanted nothing more than to be his. I stopped when I hit the wall of cedarwood and vanilla and pressed my back against the earthen corridor to keep from moving closer. “I’ll think about it,” I finally muttered.
“Fine.” His big hand wrapped around mine before I could wriggle free. “Now, let’s get going. We don’t want to keep Terra waiting.”
The healer’s private quarters were nestled in the heart of Silverstalker Lair, in the lower depths of the mountain. It seemed like we’d been descending the dark passageways forever when Hunter finally stopped at a door. Like the one that led into my dorms, it resembled the bark of a tree more than finished wood. It was like someone had slapped a doorknob on the trunk of an old oak and hung it across the entryway.
Hunter knocked, and we waited in silence. We hadn’t talked much on the way over. My brain was too busy considering the possibilities of being able to shift freely. If Terra’s potion worked, I could finally let my wolf out. Her excitement thrummed through my veins. She was tired of being locked inside my human skeletal confines.
The door swung open, and a tall, willowy figure appeared in the threshold. The elder woman beamed, a perfect reflection of the smile on the broody alpha’s face. I didn’t think I’d ever seen him so happy, so at ease.
“Thank you for doing this, Terra.” He pulled the healer into a hug before stepping back and ushering me into the small chamber. The scent of magic, a sweet, charred scent made my nose twitch.
“Anything for my boy,” she murmured. Then she turned to me with a knowing smile. “This must be the infamous Sierra.”
Infamous?
Hunter’s cheeks warmed to a deep shade of crimson, and I nearly died of shock. I’d never seen the great alpha heir embarrassed. I didn’t think it was possible. He cleared his throat, and she motioned us toward a small bench against the wall. Towering bookcases covered the remaining three walls, filled with vials, beakers, bottles and all sorts of witchy items. I recognized some of the ingredients on the labels from my years at Arcane. Potions and Poisons was one of my favorite classes at the academy. Even with my non-existent magical ability, I’d managed a few concoctions.
I lowered myself onto the bench, my eyes still intent on the never-ending shelves, but Hunter remained standing. “I appreciate your discretion with this, Terra.”
The old woman pulled her long, white hair back into a neat tie at the base of her neck, then grabbed a few bottles from a shelf and placed them on a table in the center of the room. “Of course, my son, there is no need to mention it. You know I’m always at your service.” She moved toward me, her kind eyes skimming from head to toe. “Now, let me take a look at you, child.”
I tensed as she neared, but the warm smile on her face quelled my wolf’s fears. “Is there something you can do to hide my purple wolf?”
Terra clucked her teeth as she continued her slow scrutiny over every inch of me. “I certainly hope so.”
“Do you know why I glow like that?”
“I have my suspicions.” She leaned in and wrapped a lock of purple hair between her fingers, then sniffed it. I forced myself to sit still in spite of her odd behavior. “I have ever since Hunter mentioned it when he found you,” she continued.
“Care to share?” Grams still hadn’t gotten back to me on her suspicions either, which only made me more suspicious.
She placed her hands on my shoulders and slowly ran her wrinkly fingers down my arms. Her eyes closed, and her thin lips began to flutter. My anxious gaze shot up to Hunter’s, but he gave me a reassuring smile. A long minute later, Terra’s eyes opened, the mossy green focusing on me. “Bea shared that your family hails from the Lune Sacré coven. Your ties to their magic runs deep.”
I arched a skeptical brow. What magic? “I do, but I don’t know anything about them. My mom never had powers and my Grams isn’t really practicing anymore.”
“Still their signature is strong in you.”
Guess that’s why I’d ended up at Arcane instead of Moon Valley when I’d taken that stupid Half-Blood test back in the human world. That and my grandma’s little wolfish cover-up spell.
“It is said that the goddess Luna herself gifted your coven with their powers. The great huntress also created wolves.” Her eyes darted toward Hunter before settling back on me. “You turned on the blood moon, also known as the hunter’s moon. It is my belief that the goddess has bestowed special powers onto you. What they may be, however, has yet to be determined. I came across a tale from ages ago, of a Mystic Pack wolf born with a glowing aura. She was gifted with extraordinary abilities, even beyond that of a typical Mys
tic.”
“Like what?”
“She had healing powers as well as the gift of foresight. You see at the time, the Mystics were fighting a war with the Royals. The vampiric wolves were winning with their enhanced abilities, and the Mystics suffered tremendous casualties. The goddess imbued the girl with the powers her pack needed to vanquish her enemies.”
“That’s interesting,” Hunter mumbled.
“Except I have zero powers. I can barely shift on command.”
Terra motioned at Hunter and smiled. “Your beta will be able to help coax your wolf out. From what I understand, your connection is strong. I am fairly certain she is the root of your problems. Once she is set free, everything else will fall into place.” She turned back to her table of jars and tinctures and handed me a small vial filled with a thick, black liquid. “Take a spoonful of this every morning, and it will keep your wolf’s true color hidden, but you must take it daily or the cloaking effect will not last.”
I eyed the small glass container and swirled the dark sludge around. Bleh. “Okay.”
She turned to Hunter and squeezed his shoulder. “Work with her until she is comfortable with her wolf. Do not be afraid to open up to her. Your mate needs you.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, and I lowered my eyes to the potion clenched in my hand. Sheesh, I guess he’d told her everything.
“I will, Terra, thank you.” He dipped his chin and deposited a chaste kiss on the top of her head.
He took my hand and led me to the door. As his fingers closed around the handle, Terra’s hand closed around my arm. She leaned closer and whispered, “Do not fear, your magic will come. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Thanks again,” I muttered as Hunter tugged me out into the corridor.
Chapter Eight
We walked in silence for a few beats, each processing Terra’s cryptic words. Tension streamed through our bond, mine and his intermingling and amplifying. Could I really be some special wolf blessed by the goddess herself?