by Emily Dawn
“Fuck,” Hayes says under his breath, the muscles in his jaw ticking. “Could still be a trick. The fae are known for their cruelty and trickery.”
“Not a trick, human,” Calum says without turning around.
“If you are truly her mates, you’ll be marked as well eventually if you aren’t already.”
Hayes is already checking me. “I’ll be damned. You have the same mark.” He turns so I can check him.
“As do you,” I clap him on the back, “time to embrace the mate bond.”
“So are you her mate, too?” Vance asks Calum.
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“I am soul bound to her and have been since the day she was born. It seems her magic was bound, so when the time came for me to seek her out, she was hidden from me. I was pulled to her as soon as she broke the binding.” He pulls his hair up into a knot on top of his head. “It’s common for those who are soul bound to each other to become lovers, sometimes actual mates.
Having her hidden from me puts our bond in jeopardy. I’m done talking until she wakes.”
Calum slides down the door to sit on the floor, still watching the night for threats unseen. Hayes pulls a chair over beside the bed. I take my shirt off and climb into the bed beside her, opposite of where Ross is still curled up. Vance lies across the foot of the bed. We all settle in to wait for our mate to awaken.
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Thirty-Six
Lenna
For a second, I open my eyes and think it was all a terrible, terrible nightmare. Then I look around at the five pairs of eyes looking at me with varying emotions, love, sadness, empathy, and anger. Wait, five pairs of eyes? I reach under my pillow as soon as I see he’s fae and throw the knife I hid under there at him. He catches with his thumb and forefinger on the blade.
“Decent attempt, your Grace,” he kneels on one knee and crosses his right fist to his left shoulder. “I am Calum, your soul bound protector. I was pulled to you as soon as you broke the binding of your magic. I’m sorry for your loss.” He bows he head again and doesn’t make a move to get up.
“You can stand up,” I say awkwardly. “My name is Lenna.
Call me that.”
He stands and goes back to standing by the doors to my balcony. He’s actually beautiful, probably the most attractive male I’ve ever seen. His hair is a deep midnight blue, and his
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ears are pointed delicately. He has straight eyebrows over deep ocean blue eyes, almost as dark as his hair. His nose is straight and regal, his lips perfectly full and his jaw chiseled. He’s as tall as Hayes and Aleksandr but not as bulky. He kind of looks like a blue-haired Legolas. He meets my gaze with one just as interested like he’s taking everything about me in.
Aleksandr puts his hand on my cheek and turns my head toward him. “I am so sorry, amica mea. What do you want? Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Not hungry,” my throat is dry and scratchy, though, “I could use a glass of water.” Vance steps into the shadows and disappears; it’s dark outside so I either haven’t really slept or I’ve slept a long time. “How long was I out?”
“Two days,” Ross says.
“Two days!” I try to launch myself out of bed, but two sets of arms are holding me back. “Let me go! I have to help make arrangements for Gloria and Zora.” Saying their names feels heavy on my tongue, and tears start burning my eyes, my breathing becomes labored. The pain swamps me, pulling darkness over me like a heavy black veil. Then I feel a cool hand on my cheek, and darkness claims me again.
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The next, my eyes flutter open the sun is coming up. I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, and my hair is smoothed away from my face. When I roll over, I see Ross, he has a sad smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, which are full of concern.
“You ready to get up? Try to eat something? Hayes made cinnamon rolls and chai tea for you.” His hand moves up and down my arm soothingly. “Sit up slow, okay? You’ve been asleep for three days.”
I push myself up to a sitting position and look around my room, “where’s the fae? Calum?” I’m surprised he’s not right where he was before I passed out the second time. What was that even, one minute I was panicking about getting the funerals arranged, and the next sleep swallowed me? “Why did I pass out the second time? Have arrangements been made for Gloria,”
my eyes well with tears, and I barely choke out the rest of the questions, “and Zora’s funerals?”
“The fairy,” he growls angrily, “put you to sleep when you started to spiral into a panic.” He takes a deep breath. “Hayes almost threw him through the window for that. Calum is outside your door.” He nudges the cinnamon roll toward me, but the thought of eating makes me feel nauseous, and I push it away.
“Everything is taken care of for the funerals. Gloria and Zora 261
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will be honored tonight at a Pack Funeral. Last rites will be given to Zora from her coven leader before the shifter ceremonies take over. I’ll be there with you, and the others have all been extended invitations from the Alpha. Your choice who comes.”
“All of you.” It’s not even a question in my mind that I need all my men with me. I don’t know how I will face everyone who loved my aunts, knowing I’m the reason they were murdered.
The looks on their faces as they told me they loved me right before Hunter slit their throats. My heart feels like it’s been ripped out of my chest and shredded thinking about the level of his betrayal. I can’t stop the tears that start rolling down my cheeks anymore. Ross lies down behind me and pulls me close.
He lies there holding me through the storm of tears and sobs until all that’s left is a hollow pit of regret and heartbreak.
Hayes comes in a few minutes after I stop crying and lays down in front of me, so I’m now surrounded by warmth, strength, and stoic support. Hayes props his head on one of his arms and uses that hand to play with my hair. His other hand lands on my waist where he traces circles with his thumb. “You need to eat something,” it’s an order, not a request. “It’s been days.” When I start to shake my head no, he puts a finger to my lips gently; “you are going to need all your strength when we go 262
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to war with Hunter-Troyan, whatever the fuck his name is.
We’re going to destroy him and his court and anyone who helped him. I didn’t spend very much time with your aunts, but what little time we were together I could tell they were special and amazing women.”
If he’s trying to appeal to my feral instincts, he’s on point.
My bone-deep desire to destroy Hunter sings with the promise of retribution. I still can’t think about eating, though. I sit up and start scooting toward the edge of the bed. “I’m going to shower.
Come, fill me in on everything that’s happened while I was sleeping.”
When I walk toward the bathroom door, I notice my ferns from my office in the corner, looking healthy and vibrant. Then I notice picture frames on the dresser and nightstands. They’re all from my apartment. The guys must have gotten my stuff for me.
An overwhelming surge of gratitude sweeps through me and when I look at Ross and Hayes my eyes are full of tears again, but I keep them from falling when I nod my head in their direction. I’m afraid if I speak my thanks I’ll end up in a heap on the floor.
I leave the bathroom door open and start the shower. I don’t care who comes in a while I’m showering, and I need someone 263
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to fill me in on everything. Hayes and Ross walk in as I wet my hair. They each lean against the counter and cross their legs at the ankles at the same time. I’d laugh if I had it in me but everything is just numb right now.
“Well, I guess to start we should ask you if you remember breaking the binding on your magic? Shifting into your wolf for the first time?” Hayes asks.
“I don’t really remember any of it, aside from the pain of my first shift,” I
answer as I work shampoo through my hair.
“You broke the binding, first, in a huge release of energy, almost like an explosion. Then, you leveled the trees and your aunts’ house,” he notices I pause in the middle of rinsing the shampoo, “don’t worry, we went through the rubble and saved everything we could for you. Vance is already taking care of everything at the site.” He pushes away from the counter and comes closer to the shower. “Lenna, your magic exploded from you in darker colors that I’ve seen from you. I put shields up to protect us but the magic you’ve always had access to mixed with mine and fortified my shields against the explosion. Then it was like your magic sheathed us, burned us, and released us. We didn’t realize it right away, not until Calum showed us your mark on him that we all have them now.”
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I stop washing myself, “show me.” He leans his head in the shower and shows me behind his left ear. A deep purple knot of vines is there, and it’s new. “You all have it? Even Calum?”
Ross comes and shows me his. “We all do. Calum said he got his as soon as you were born. You have one behind your ear too.”
I finish rinsing the conditioner out of my hair and grab a towel. I wrap it around myself without drying off so I can look for myself. I gasp when I pull my hair back and notice I now have pointed ears. “What-” my eyes widen in surprise, “what happened? I have fae ears?”
“Our best guess is that you were glamoured to look fully human when your magic was bound,” Ross runs his finger over the shell of my ear. “They’re beautiful.”
“Can I have a few minutes to get ready alone?” I ask.
There’s a lot to take in from what little I’ve already been told and shown. They nod and leave me alone to stare at my reflection.
My skin is pale, and even though I’ve been sleeping for three days, my eyes have dark circles under them. My cheeks are sunken in, and my face looks lifeless. I can’t even bring myself to fake smile. My eyes look as empty as my heart feels.
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After I dry off, I go over to the closet to look for clothes suitable for a shifter funeral. It won’t be a somber event. Gloria and Zora’s bodies will be burned in a pyre, probably together.
Then the drinking and sparing will start, followed by a run in their honor. I plan on getting completely drunk and sparing with any and everyone willing. I grab a pair of black leather pants and a black tank top. I don’t bother with makeup and use my fae glamour to dry and style my hair. I touch my hips where I’d normally sheath my katana. I’ll want it to be with me tonight; I hope they brought all my weapons here.
I open the door to go downstairs, and Calum is leaning against the wall. Before he can say anything, I have the knife from under my pillow pressed against his throat. “Never use your magic on me like that again. I will tell you what you can and cannot do to me. If you are supposed to be my protector, you can protect but not decide for me. Do you understand?” I say through gritted teeth.
“Yes, your Gra-” he starts to say.
“None of that ‘your grace’ bullshit either. My name is Lenna, and that is all I want you to use.” I pull the knife away from his throat and start walking down the hall.
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I stop at the bottom of the stairs to take a few deep breaths. I know the guys are in the kitchen and I’m afraid of what I’m going to feel going in there. I’m just about ready to push through the anxiety, but a cool hand lands on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t get there in time for you. That I’m just now finding you,” Calum says from behind me. “I’ve spent 28 years looking for you, and I’m not leaving your side ever again.”
I don’t want to risk talking, so I turn my head toward the side and nod without making eye contact. I walk into the kitchen, and the guys all stop talking and look at me. Vance and Aleksandr move toward me, but I hold my hand up and shake my head slightly. “I can’t right now,” I take another deep breath.
“Here’s what I need from each of you. No pity. No sympathetic looks. No sad smiles. I’m tapping into my wolf’s rage and savagery tonight. Do not stop me. Do not coddle me.” I look at each of them, “understand?”
Aleksandr nods, I knew my vampire would understand.
Ross dips his head in agreement. Vance says yes but doesn’t look convinced or happy about it. Hayes is scowling and clenching and unclenching his jaw; he won’t answer me. Calum moves his right fist over his heart and bows, which I guess means yes.
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“Where’s my katana?” I ask Aleksandr.
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Thirty-Seven
Lenna
I had thought we would have to take two cars but to my surprise, Vance has an SUV with three rows, so he and Hayes take the front. Aleksandr and I are in the middle row, and Ross and Calum took the third row. I can feel all the guys shooting me concerned looks on the sly, so I shut my eyes and lean my forehead against the cool window until we pull up to the pack’s compound.
There’s already a gigantic bonfire burning out back. I wait for everyone to climb out of the SUV and the guys flank me two to each side with Calum walking directly behind me. They’re all dressed in casual clothes, jeans and gray or black t-shirts. Hayes and Vance’s tattoos are peeking out from under their shirts.
Calum either borrowed something from one of the guys or glamoured himself to blend in with everyone. He’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt like the rest of them, his midnight blue hair pulled back in a knot on his head. He looks he belongs in a punk rock band.
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The Alpha sees me and beckons me over. We discuss whether or not I’ll speak before I light the pyre. He gives me condolences, and we talk about Gloria and Zora and what they meant to the pack. I know this is a hard night for them. He pledges pack resources for me as I embark on my mission of retribution. Anything I need from them, I’ll receive.
I drift back over to the guys as the coven leader says a prayer for Glo and Zora. The women from the coven are dressed in white flowing dresses and surround the pyre holding hands.
They chant an incantation for peace and guidance into the next life. It’s beautiful and peaceful and the complete opposite of what is about to happen with the shifters. The Alpha takes over and says kind words and then lights a torch from the bonfire that’s already burning. He calls me over and hands the torch to me so I can speak.
“My aunts shouldn’t be dead. Gloria should be here right now, with her family, with her pack. Fighting, drinking, protecting like the badass warrior she was!” I lift the torch into the air and howls erupt from the crowd. “They were murdered by a man I thought was my best friend, who I loved as a brother who Gloria and Zora loved like a son. He infiltrated our family to gain influence over me. He has no idea what he’s unleashed. I 270
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will have blood!” More howls break out. “I will have vengeance!
I will make it hurt, and I won’t stop until he takes his very last breath. Then I will burn his court to the ground!” The crowd yells and howls as I turn to say my final, personal goodbye to my aunts and light their pyre with my torch.
I watch as the flames catch and start crawling up toward my aunts’ bodies, which are positioned side by side and holding hands, exactly how they died. Someone thrusts a bottle of whiskey in my hand, and I chug straight from the bottle while watching the flames. I feel the presence of my guys surround me, but I don’t look at them. I can’t. Instead, I focus on the burn of the whiskey I’m downing like a lifeline.
I turn away from the fire and jump on a log that serves a bench. “Who wants to fight?” I yell. Hands fly up, and I point, bottle still in hand, at the shifter closest to me. He’s a few years older than me, and I can’t remember his name, but he’ll do. We walk over to the flat area that’s used by the pack for training and sparring outside.
I toss my phone to Ross and hand my katana to Aleksandr.<
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The shifter refereeing the fight asks what our terms are, shifting, partial shifting, or staying in human form. Most of the shifters here still don’t know I can shift now, so he answers human form.
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We take our positions, and when we’re given the signal to start, we run toward each other. Our bodies collide and his fist swings for my face. I block him and then hit him with a right hook to the stomach. When he folds over, I bring my elbow down on his back. He swipes my feet out from under me, but I regain my balance before falling all the way down. We trade punches, and I hear a crack when he connects to my nose. I see Calum from the corner of my eye trying to move forward, but Ross blocks him. I refocus on the fight and dodge a left hook to my face. I tilt back and kick him in the chest, which knocks him to the ground. I jump on him and rain down punches and elbows until he yields.
The night goes on like this for several hours. I spar with three more people, two without weapons and one with. I’m bruised, bloody, and just as broken on the outside now as I am on the inside. This is what I needed, violence, bloodshed, and brutality. The guys never left my side once, nor did they try to intervene. I fucking love them for giving me this; I know it’s not in their protective natures to watch their mate get her ass beaten and bloodied.
When I decide to leave, they walk behind me to the car, keeping me from collapsing. I’m sure I have broken ribs and a broken nose. I don’t wince or whimper; I let the physical pain 272
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distract me from the vortex of emotions churning within me.
When we get home, I walk up to my room without saying goodnight. I’m going to take a bath and hope my healing increases now that I’m no longer magically bound.
I slip into the scalding hot water with a hiss. After I acclimate to it, I rest my head against the rim of the tub and close my eyes. I sense Aleksandr before he’s even in the bathroom. He has an ice pack, Tylenol, and a bottle of water. I take the Tylenol and water. He squats down beside the tub.