by Anna G Berry
I got up from my spot on the rocks. I wanted to show her where I went when I wanted to escape everything. I looked down at her, her beautiful face turned up, looking back at me.
“I’d like to show you my special spot.” I told her looking at her then back out toward the water.
“Okay, it seems only fair.” She said as she got up and stepped toward me.
I took her hand and headed back to my great grandmothers and grandfathers house, leading her over to my pride and joy, a 2019 Audi TT RS in matte black, the inside was black with red trim, two of my favorite colors. I loved this car. It was my favorite out of the four cars I owned and it could kick some serious ass when I put it in gear. We got in and I mind linked Harper and Paul.
Hey, Claudia and I will be over at my grandparents’ house. We will be back soon. If you find anything, hide it. I don’t want anyone to find it and don’t tell anyone either.
Yes, sir, They responded.
We drove the short distance to my pack house, where we were welcomed by Reese, Wen, James, Felix, and Elliot. I parked the car and gave her a warm smile.
“We have to tell them as well. Let’s do that before I take you to my spot.” I said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
I got out first and went around to her side of the car. I grabbed her hand and she stepped out. She gave me a smile and then gave a small smile to the guys as well.
“Can we all go inside? I have some things that I would like to share with you all.” She said as she looked from one to the other.
They all nodded and turned around to head back into the pack house. We followed them inside, each called their respective packs and one by one, they walked into the downstairs living space. It covered the living room, dining room, and kitchen, everyone was spread out between the rooms. Their eyes all fell on Claudia and I waiting for one of us to speak.
“We called you all in here today is to tell you that Carson and I are expecting a baby.” Claudia said before I could say anything.
“Congratulations to both of you,” exclaimed Wen. The rest followed in congratulating us.
“Thank you, we really appreciate it.” I said to them.
I moved my left hand and put it in the middle of Claudia’s back when the excitement died down, to lead her to the back door. We waved goodbye to the packs and turned to the woods that hid my grandparents’ house. I dropped my hand and gave her a wink as I took off into the woods at a run. I could hear her feet hitting the earth behind me, I ran faster and let out a laugh.
I could hear her getting closer. I looked back to see she was about five steps behind me. She got up close, gave me a wide smile and took off deeper into the woods where the path ended next to the big run-down house. She stopped dead when we came upon it, overwhelmed at how big it was. I walked up to her and wrapped her in my arms.
“This is where I go. Come on let me show you.” I told her as I grabbed her hand.
We walked to the back door and I opened it, letting her go in first so I could shut the door behind us. I grabbed her hand again and took her toward the stairs. We carefully made our way to the second floor. I opened the door to the bedroom that used to be mine. I let her go in first and take it all in on her own. Everything was still the same, the four-poster bed with black and red bedding, except for the layer of dust on it. The desk that stood on the opposite wall still had the schoolbooks from my senior year of high school sitting there, along with pictures of my grandparents and parents on the mirror. My two bedside tables with lamps on them still sat untouched, a phone sat on the table to the left of the bed. My dresser was the first thing to your left as soon as you walked into the door. The big bay window had a bench on it, that was the first thing you saw straight ahead; it had a few pillows that covered both ends of the bench. It looked out to the beautiful fields that I now owned; green as far as the eye could see. It reminded me of Romania, the fields there were always green and lush just like the fields here.
I looked over to see Claudia by the bookshelves that sat next to the desk. I walked over to her to see what she was looking at and I found her flipping through the pages of Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
“That’s my favorite play, you can read it if you like.” I said looking at her.
“Thank you, I’ll definitely give it a read. Wow, is this your room? I could sit on this bench and draw till I fell asleep.” She said as she looked around.
“Yeah, this was my room. I loved it here, when the new pack house got built, I left everything behind and started fresh.” I said as I looked out the window.
“Was the new pack house built when your uncle took over?” she asked, rubbing my arm.
“Yeah, he thought that if Harper and I had something new that maybe it would help. It did at first, then things that we weren’t ready for started coming at us.” I couldn’t help but close my eyes as I said it.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I wish you didn’t have to go through that.” She said as she wrapped her arms around me.
I gave her a smile and a kiss on the forehead. I couldn’t help but fall deeper in love with this woman. She was the air that I breathed, the sun that woke me every day and she was the moon that lights my darkness, she’d become my drug.
She walked to the window and she sat on the bench, pulled up her knees and patted the spot beside her. I took the seat next to her, we watched the sun go down and the moon come up. We sat like that for a few hours. I wanted to pick her up and bring her to my old bed, but I didn’t know how she would feel about that.
Alpha, we found something very important that you both need to see. Harper said.
This can’t wait either, Paul said after Harper.
We will be there as fast as we can. Meet us in the library with everything you found and if Lavender is done have her meet us there as well, I told them both.
I looked at her and took a deep breath, “The boys found something, we can always come back later.” I said kissing her on the top of the head.
“Okay, let’s go see what they found.” She stood up and started to make her way to the door.
We walked out of the house and made our way to the woods. I decided to run back to the house and waited to see if she followed me. I took off at a run and left her staring at the trail I left behind. Not soon after, I reached the house. She came up behind me with a not so happy look on her face. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not funny. Let’s go. I want to know what they found.” She said as she walked toward the front of the house, and out to the car.
“Wanted to see what you would do; it was just for fun. Oh, come on Claudia cheer up.” I called after her as I followed her to the car.
Chapter Seven
Carson
We got in the car and made our way back to the pack house. I couldn’t stop thinking about how she looked when she sat by the window. I didn’t realize that she was talking to me until she nudged my arm.
“What? I’m sorry,” I said shaking my head.
“I was saying that I hope they found a lot more information on Waylon and I hope Lavender is digging up some good shit.” She said as she looked out the car window.
“I hope so, too. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.” I said giving her a smile.
She gave me a smile in return and continued to look out the window. I pulled into the driveway and put the car in park before unbuckling my seatbelt. I looked at her and noticed the worry in her eyes. She tried to hide it, but she knew that I saw it before she looked away and got out of the car. I decided that I should deal with that later and made my way inside toward the library.
As I walked into the library, Lavender stood next to Paul waiting for us.
“What is it that you found?” I asked as I crossed the room to the sofa.
“Well, I think you should read it. It’s a lot to take in.” Harper said as he handed me a document.
I looked around at their faces and they all wore looks of concern. I looked over at Claudia who wore a puzzled look on
her face, obviously nervous, as she came and sat down next to me.
I looked down at the document to see:
Carson Garrett Blackman
King of Rivershore pack
Height: Six feet and four inches
Weight: 210lbs
DOB: October 16, 1991
Eye color: Dark Green
Hair color: Raven Black
Title: Alpha
Address: 247 W Ave Ln, Goose Creek, SC, 29445
Education: University of South Carolina
Siblings: Harper Ryan Blackman (brother) DOB: June 13, 1997
Mother: Reyna Amadrya Blackman DOB: May 17, 1971- 2013
Father: Nero Dorin Blackman DOB: September 6, 1968-2013
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Relationship: Claudia Lillie Stonewell
Tattoos: All over the body
Piercings: Both ears, nose, lip, nipples and eyebrow
Scars: 6” scar on right middle finger to wrist, scar on bottom left ear lobe/neck, approximately three inches, scar along left rib cage.
Killing Score: 630 kills
Dominance: 202
Summary: Carson is the Alpha of Rivershore and is mated to the Alpha of Coldstone, Claudia Lillie Stonewell. Carson’s Beta is his brother Harper Ryan Blackman, mate unknown. Mother and father murdered; killer never found. Took over father’s pack after uncle got sick and passed away. Active member of the Alpha Council sits in his father’s former place, beside the oldest and youngest on the Council. Born in Goose Creek, South Carolina departed for college and then returned home. Holds the title King of Kings. One connection with a voodoo Priestess but she is young and can be easily fooled. Pack is small but powerful under Carson’s leadership. Use caution.
Carson Garrett Blackman
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!!
I looked up to see everyone’s faces were pale. I turned to see Claudia looking at something in the document. I turned my attention back to it, there was a picture of me attached.
“There’s more than just that one, look at yours.” Paul said handing Claudia a similar one.
Claudia Lillie Stonewell
Queen of Coldstone Pack
Height: Five feet and seven inches
Weight: 148lbs
DOB: March 3, 1996
Eye color: Purple
Hair color: Red
Title: Only female Alpha
Address: 591 E Lane Blvd, Charleston, SC 29403
Education: College of Charleston
Siblings: Paul Joel Stonewell (brother) DOB: November 25, 1991
Mother: Amelia May Stonewell DOB: January 1, 1972-2012
Father: Frankie Jameson Stonewell DOB: December 23,1970-2012
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Relationship: Carson Garrett Blackman
Tattoos: One on the right wrist and one on the left ankle
Piercings: both ears
Scars: None
Killing Score: 713 Kills
Dominance: 335
Summary: She is the first and only female Alpha. Claudia holds the title Alpha of the Coldstone pack; she is mated to the Alpha of the Rivershore Pack. Mate is Carson Garrett Blackman. Claudia’s Beta is Paul Joel Stonewell, brother. His mate is Abby Elizabeth Stonewell. Mother and father murdered; killer never found. Took over her father’s pack after he was killed. Joined the Alpha Council when she turned eighteen, sits very highly. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, ran pack while attending school. Her abilities are, as yet unknown. She is the Queen of all Queens. She has one connection with a Voodoo Priestess, but she is young and can be fooled. Pack is large for such a young Alpha but is very cohesive and can ambush a pack twice their size. Use caution.
Claudia Lillie Stonewell
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE!!
I could see the worry and tears in her eyes as she finished reading it. I took her hand in mind and kissed her forehead.
“How did you find this?” I asked.
“We hacked Waylon’s laptop, don’t worry we put up blocks so he wouldn’t figure out who hacked in. When we came upon those, we had to print them out and show you both. There’s more, he did it on everyone in both packs.” Harper said as he sat in the armchair in front of us.
“There is something else you both should know. Waylon was the one who sent those attacks on the other packs. He also has a witch who can astral travel, she is the one who has been putting those horrible dreams in your heads. I can give you something each night to block her, but until she is found and stopped it will continue. The only way to stop her is to get to Waylon, he has her imprisoned, so she is only doing what she’s been told to, in order to stay alive.” Lavender said as she handed us each a cup of tea.
“We should break her out and ask her if she wants to be granted our protection. We also need to set up meetings with the Fae, Head Demon and vampires to find if they have any information on who is helping Waylon. What about that item that Reese had that Elliot took to run tests on? Did he find anything?” I asked, looking at Claudia to gauge her reaction to what I had just said.
She nodded and laid her head on my shoulder as she sipped her tea.
“Yes, we just got it back today. We couldn’t find anything on it, but we have Lavender doing her own tests.” Paul said.
“I can’t seem to find anything yet, but the road that I see has four points. vampire, demon, Fae and water creature. It seems strange but it is possible, once I get a better feel for it, I can give you more information.” Lavender said refilling the teacups.
“Thank you, is there anything else we should know?” Claudia asked as she sat up.
Silence filled the room; the only sound was people drinking their tea. I looked around and all three had their eyes cast down. I could see Paul had a few tears that wanted to escape, the same went for Harper.
“What’s going on guys?” I said, placing my teacup on the table in front of me.
“There was a file on what happened to both of our parents, we can give it to you if you like.” Paul said.
“Yes, please.” Claudia said before I could answer.
Paul handed me the files on the murders of our families. They had happened a year apart, on the same day.
I opened the folder labeled “Blackman” so I could get it over with. I wasn’t there when they got killed. I had been away at school and it hadn’t the best news to get during finals.
It read, “Reyna and Nero Blackman killed on April 27, 2013 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in their hotel room during an annual Wolf Gala. Both victims shot with silver bullets, both victims had their throats cut with a silver blade. Appears as though victims may have known the perpetrator. Nothing appears to have been taken. Reyna was found in the bathroom, on the floor of the shower. Nero, however, was found in the bedroom. Appears he may have put up a fight, victim may have wounded the attacker. Victims were discovered by the hotels’ housekeeping staff. Victims leave behind two sons.”
“I don’t get it… why would he have these if he killed them?” Claudia asked.
“Just wait, read the one on our parents.” Paul said, looking at me.
It read, “Stonewell” I opened it up and read, “Amelia and Frankie Stonewell killed on April 27, 2012 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in their hotel room while attending the Wolf Gala. Both victims shot with silver bullets, both victims had their throats cut with a silver blade. Appears as though the victims may have known the perpetrator. Nothing appears to have been taken. Amelia was found in the bathroom, on the floor of the shower. Frankie, however, was found in the bedroom, appears he may have put up a fight, victim may have wounded the attacker. Victims were discovered by the hotels’ housekeeping staff. Victims leave behind a son and a daughter.”
“I still don’t get it.” Claudia said through tears.
“He had them in a file marked “Kills” on his laptop. We took all the files he had in there so we can get a better feel for what he wants, what he’s after,” Harper said.
“My guess is that these f
iles allow him to go back and relive what he has done. Every file is of a murder that occurred during the annual Gala. He has been doing this for quite a long time. The first file is dated April 27, 1956. He won’t ever stop until he’s caught.” Paul said as he walked over and placed a hand on Claudia’s shoulder.
Chapter Eight
Claudia
I looked around the room in shock. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. I placed my hand over Paul’s and sat there taking in what Carson had read. There was only one thing that I could think of to do and that was to go to the Gala next month.
“We have to go to the Gala. If we bring Maxi, Emmet, Ryden, and Nikko there, he won’t think anything of it.” I said looking around the room.
“No, you’re pregnant. I won’t let that happen.” Carson said as he stood up.
“Well…what do you have in mind?” I asked looking up at him.
“I go alone.” He said as he walked to one of the windows.
“He’ll know something is up if you go by yourself.” I said shaking my head.
“Claudia is right, if you go by yourself, he will think something is up and will call it off until next year.” Lavender said.
“Fine, but you’ll have to stay as close to me as possible. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Carson said as he turned around.
“Okay, but it is considered rude to turn down a dance from someone I know.” I said with a smile.
“What do you mean, Pisoi?” Carson cocked his head to the side with a confused expression.
“If someone asks me to dance with them and I know them well, I will dance with them. Plus, it will free one of us up to look around the mansion, it is his mansion after all.” I said with a big grin on my face.
“How do you know that it’s at his place?” Paul asked.
“I heard mom say something about it, the night they got killed. I remember everything from that night like it was a very bad dream.” I said looking down at my hands.
“Really? I thought you forgot about that night.” Paul said a bit confused.