by G. K. DeRosa
Cass’s smile widened. “There’s nothing to tell really. It got late, and I didn’t feel like trudging all the way back home so I crashed at his place.”
“And?”
“And what?” She sipped her drink nonchalantly.
“Did you guys talk? Are you a thing? Did you sleep together? Hello, give me something!” My friend used to rave about every single one of her conquests back at Arcane so the fact that she was being so tight-lipped about this was driving me nuts.
“We’re taking it slow,” she finally said.
“You? Slow?”
She punched me in the shoulder playfully. “Very funny, Sierra. I guess, it’s just different with Vander. I’m not in as much of a hurry for it to be over.”
My thoughts flew back to her last fling at the academy. Gods, I’d hated Rafe. He was the most haughty, egotistical warlock I’d ever met. “Good,” I said. “Because I think Vander’s great, and you guys deserve to be happy. Hunter mentioned something about him not having the best luck with girls.”
She slowly nodded. “Yeah, he’s had kind of a dark past. It took him a while to open up about it, but it actually made me feel better about him. He’s not as perfect as he seems, and I’m good with that.”
My brow arched. I couldn’t imagine anything dark about the SIA golden boy. I held my tongue despite wanting to ask more. It wasn’t Cass’s secret to share and if Hunter hadn’t mentioned it, it must have been big.
“Anyway, things are good, Sierra. How about you? What are you going to do for your week off?”
I shot her my are-you-kidding-me look.
“Okay, okay,” she laughed. “Besides hunting for your traitorous grandma, anything else planned? Maybe a little practice completing the bond with your fated mate?”
Now I laughed. Cass had never been Hunter’s biggest fan, but now she was full on team #Hunterra which I loved. But she still couldn’t understand his reluctance. I doubted she ever would, not being a wolf. The mate thing was more complex than I’d ever expected, and Braxton’s appearance had only cemented that.
I’d forsake everyone and everything for Hunter.
“I guess there will at least be some practice based on the silly look in your eye and that ridiculous grin,” she said when I didn’t answer.
Ha! If only she knew how difficult it was to seduce my mate. “Right…” I muttered. She nudged my glass closer, and I took a big gulp. “Any leads on Grams?”
“Nothing, I’m sorry.” Cass squeezed my hand. “Vander’s been on it too, scouring the SIA database and consulting with his connections in the FBI. It’s like she’s disappeared.”
“Well, she’s been hiding out for decades, so I figured she’d be good at it. I’d really hoped Aunt Hilda or the Lune Sacré would’ve been the answers, but now… I’ve hit a dead end.”
“You’ll figure it out. I know you will. And I’m not giving up either. I’ll scry until my fingers fall off, and I drip you dry of every ounce of your blood.”
I laughed again and took another big gulp of the beer. Either the alcohol was finally taking its effect, or my bestie was just that awesome. Blood. The word bounced around my skull. It was always about blood with the supes. I made a mental note to try a new spell tomorrow.
The door of the pub whipped open, and the steady chatter abated as all eyes flitted to the supreme alpha heir. His power blasted into the room, and I wondered if he was even aware of it. For the millionth time, I also wondered why it didn’t affect me. A second later, he dipped his chin and the noises of the bar resumed as normal.
Hunter and Vander marched toward us, and every single female’s gaze followed my mate’s movements. My she-wolf let out a growl, and my chest inflated, heat surging through my veins.
“Whoa, Sierra, your eyes!” Cass squealed.
“What’s wrong with them?”
Hunter slid into the booth beside me, his eyes intent on mine. “They’re glowing. Just like your wolf.”
What the frick?
“Ooh, ooh, it must be because you stopped taking the potion,” Cass supplied.
“But they never did that before she started taking it,” said Vander.
“Maybe because she hadn’t come into her powers yet.” Hunter’s brows furrowed as they continued to discuss me like I wasn’t even here.
“Um, hello?” I waved my hand at my friends. “I’m pretty sure it was my wolf. She got all fidgety when those females were looking at you.” I ticked my head at the group of girls still eyeing my supreme beta.
“Aw, how sweet.” Hunter grinned.
“My gods, what have you done to my friend?” Vander quipped. “I’ve never seen him so amenable, and funny even.”
“That’s what love will do to you.” The words were out before I could stop them. Damn me, and my loose, beer-soaked tongue.
Hunter stiffened beside me, and a wave of anguish pummeled my chest. I hoped it was mine, but I knew better. Why couldn’t I keep my stupid mouth shut?
“Where’s Braxton?” Cass interjected. Not exactly the greatest topic of conversation, but I appreciated her effort to change the subject.
“I put one of my wolves on guard,” Vander answered. “He doesn’t know what he’s guarding, he just knows no one is to come in or out.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” I said.
“No problem. We all deserve a night off.” He waved down the bartender and ordered another round of drinks.
I guzzled down the remainder of my beer and slid my hand to Hunter’s thigh. He didn’t flinch or remove it, so I relaxed. I’m sorry. That was so stupid. I broadcasted through the bond.
Not your fault, he shot back too quickly.
The moment the bartender brought the drinks, Hunter’s hand closed around the frosted glass. He drained the entire thing in one gulp. It was the most I’d ever seen him drink since we’d met. I wondered if something had happened with Braxton when they’d gone back to my place earlier. Or maybe it was just the reminder of his presence that had Hunter out of sorts. Either way, I resolved to turn the night around somehow.
Full of liquid courage, I skated my hand up Hunter’s thigh. He squirmed, and his knee bumped the table. I froze, but Vander and Cass were too consumed in their own conversation to notice. When my heartrate settled, my fingers continued their voyage up his jeans. When I reached the metal button, Hunter sucked in a breath through clenched teeth.
“Sierra,” he hissed.
I scooted closer and whispered in his ear, “Relax. We’re supposed to be celebrating, aren’t we?”
“Not like this,” he gritted out.
I snatched my hand back and tucked it beneath my armpit. Why the hell was he in such a mood?
Hunter stood, muttering something about using the bathroom, and fled toward the back of the pub.
“What’s going on with him?” I asked Vander as soon as he was out of earshot.
“Braxton had been drinking when we found him at your place. He and Hunter got into it, so he’s just pissed.”
“What did Braxton say to him?”
Vander’s eyes dipped to his drink. “It wasn’t pretty. He called him out on his commitment as supreme beta. He said as future alpha he should be more concerned about the welfare of all his packs, including the Mystics. That by being with you he was standing in the way of bringing back the seventh Lunar Pack.”
“That little bastard,” I growled. “How could he question Hunter like that? He’s always thinking about his wolves.”
“That’s what I said, but you know what a martyr he can be.”
“I’ll be right back.” I scooted out of the booth and marched toward the bathrooms. My head felt fuzzy, but I inhaled a deep breath clearing the haze. First, I had to make sure Hunter was okay, then I could enjoy my buzz. No wonder he was spiraling in anguish after my stupid comment.
Following the sign to the restroom, I turned the corner and ran into a hard body. The tether around my chest tugged, and as I looked up, I fully expected to find Hunter
. Only it wasn’t.
Braxton stared down at me, amber eyes ablaze as he tightened his hold around my waist. The scent of liquor clung to the air between us.
“What are you doing here?” I screeched.
“This.” His mouth crashed into mine with the fury of a category five hurricane. It took my fuzzy brain a second to react to the unexpected onslaught. I smacked my palms to his chest and shoved him back.
As we separated, a familiar dark shadow coalesced behind Braxton. Shit.
Hunter’s wings snapped out, fangs extending over his bottom lip, and he lunged. Wrapping his arms around Braxton, he tackled him to the floor as I shouted. He jerked his arm back and brought his fist down hard on Braxton’s face. The repeated smack of bone against flesh sent a chill surging up my spine.
“Hunter, stop!” I cried. “You’re going to kill him!” And as I spoke the words, I knew they were true. My mate would kill my only surviving packmate and then he’d hate himself for it. “Hunter, no!” I climbed onto his back, avoiding his outstretched wings, and tried to yank him off Braxton, but he was too strong.
Snarls and growls rent the air of the crowded pub, and Vander and Cass finally raced toward us.
“What happened?” Cass cried.
“Just help me get him off Braxton,” I shouted at Vander, ignoring my friend’s question. There was no time for explanations.
Even with the two of us pulling, Hunter was completely immoveable. I even tried reaching out to him through the bond, but he was blocking me. With each punch, he drew further and further away.
Hunter, please!
A few of the other wolves at the bar were making their way to the back now, and before long, all eyes would be on the new Mystic. I couldn’t let that happen. Summoning my wolf, I let her magic bleed through my insides, until it filled every last vein and artery. Energy strummed from my core, rippling to my fingertips.
I threw my hands out and shouted, “Ferme immediatum!”
The entire bar went silent.
I never thought I’d be so happy to see my ratty old couch. I dragged Braxton across the kitchen and dumped the big bag of wolf fur onto the sofa, then collapsed beside him. Panting from the exertion of carrying-slash-hauling my stupid arranged fiancé from the pub all the way back to my den, I leaned back and drew in a deep breath.
Bringing my hands up to my face, I stared at my fingers like they belonged to a stranger. Somehow, I’d frozen every single customer at Howl at The Moon, including my mate and my friends. The problem was I wasn’t exactly sure how to unfreeze them. I figured the spell would die out eventually, right?
I glanced over at a bruised and still very unconscious Braxton, but I couldn’t quite tell if that was the result of my magic or the beatdown he’d received from Hunter. A chill skirted up my spine. I’d never seen such rage in his eyes or felt a fury like that before. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that my mate would’ve killed him if I hadn’t gotten him out of there.
“Why did you have to kiss me, you idiot?” I hissed at my unconscious betrothed. Deep purple and blue splotches marred his face, one eye already swollen shut. A cut raced across his cheekbone covered in remnants of dried blood.
It was a good thing he was a wolf with heightened healing, or he would’ve been bruised and banged up for days. And marks like that called attention. Attention he didn’t need.
Hunter was right. This living situation wasn’t going to work, but what could I do with Braxton? I couldn’t send him back to the human world, and I couldn’t keep him hidden in my apartment forever. Maybe it was time we let Terra in on our secret so she could help with some sort of spell. I stared at my fingers again. Or maybe I could do it myself.
I ran through my mental catalog of enchantments, but there was nothing specific enough to hide the true bloodline of a wolf. It looked like I’d have to consult with Terra after all. She’d been living with the shifters long enough to come up with the potion to hide my purple wolf so surely, she’d have something for Braxton.
The tense set of my shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. That would take care of one problem, but the bigger issue still remained. Braxton was dead set on following through with our fathers’ wishes, but I couldn’t. Despite the guilt eating me up inside, I wouldn’t leave Hunter. There had to be another way to save the Mystics. We needed to find out more about the other betas’ children. If my dad and Braxton’s had found a way to hide us, there could be others.
Releasing a breath, I added it to my ever-growing to do list.
Break Hunter’s curse
Win the Alpha Trials
Get revenge on Tyrien
Find the other Mystic wolves, if there are any
* * *
Easy, right?
A muffled groan turned my attention to Braxton. His lids fluttered, and he grumbled again. “What the hell happened?” he murmured as he tried to get up and failed. “I feel like I was runover by a truck.”
“No, just a very pissed off wolf.”
He gave up his attempt at sitting upright and scooched up on the couch instead to prop his head on the armrest. I could’ve sworn his cheeks reddened, but it was hard to tell beneath the blanket of black and blue. His hand came up to his head, long fingers massaging his temples. Between the alcohol and the fight, he must’ve been hurting pretty bad. I only felt slightly sorry for him.
It was his fault after all.
“I vaguely recall running into Hunter’s fist?” he muttered.
I nodded. “Yup. Repeatedly.”
“Damn. I knew I should’ve waited to kiss you until we were alone.” He attempted to wink but winced instead, his swollen eye sealed shut now.
“Or you shouldn’t have kissed me at all!” I swatted at his leg. “What were you thinking? You know he’s my mate, and there can never be anything romantic between us.”
“Yeah, but we’re supposed to be together. You read the letter, you know what our fathers wanted. You don’t even care about bringing the Mystics back?”
“It’s not that easy.” I jabbed my fingers through my hair, pulling at the thick strands. “Of course I care about my pack, but Hunter is my fated mate. You’ll see one day when you find yours. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for that person.”
“What if I already have?” His one amber eye settled on me, his lips squeezed in a thin line.
“It can’t be, Braxton. It’s not a one-way thing. If we were fated, I’d know it too.” I couldn’t help the tiny voice in my head reminding me of the connection I’d felt and still feel with him. I shook it off, convincing myself it was the pack link and nothing more. I couldn’t exactly discuss it with Hunter. Normally, I would’ve asked Ransom but since that went to hell, I didn’t exactly have any other alpha heir friends.
“Then why haven’t you and Hunter completed the bond?”
I bit down on my lower lip and shook my head. “It’s complicated.”
He pushed himself up, wincing. “Well, until it’s done there’s still a chance for us, for our pack. I’m not giving up.”
That damned tether around my heart tightened, and a pang of guilt jabbed at my insides. “I’m sorry, Braxton, I really am. If I hadn’t met Hunter, I probably would’ve given it a try, but I just can’t. I’ll find another way to save the Mystics though. I promise you that.”
The front door whipped open and Hunter barreled in, his golden wings taking up half of the apartment. I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or disappointed that my spell had sputtered out. I didn’t have time to because Hunter stalked toward us, his power pulsating the air.
To Braxton’s credit, he didn’t cower in fear this time. And Hunter’s glare was murderous, golden flames flickering across a black abyss. I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t have if that anger had been directed at me.
He pointed a finger at Braxton and growled, “This isn’t over.” Then he turned his lethal gaze on me. “We need to talk in private.”
“It wasn’t Sierra’s fault—” Braxton began before Hunter c
ut him off.
“Don’t speak,” he snarled and my packmate’s mouth actually snapped shut. “I know it wasn’t her fault. She’d never willingly kiss you, so get it through your thick skull. She’s my mate so stay the hell away from her, or I will kill you.”
Braxton’s nostrils flared as he screwed his mouth into a scowl. I could hear the string of curses streaming through his thoughts, but he couldn’t spit out a single one.
Interesting. I’d always wondered if I could ignore Hunter’s beta commands because I was a Mystic, but they seemed to work just fine on Braxton.
“Sierra, please.” Hunter reached for my hand, but I tucked it into my pocket and followed him into my room. A swirl of pain streaked through my insides at the rebuff, but I didn’t care. He’d behaved like an animal today, and while I understood it, I didn’t have to like it.
I slammed the door behind me and crossed my arms over my chest ready for the fight. The tornado of emotions roiling through the bond were inflaming my own, and the storm was about to break.
Hunter lowered himself onto the edge of my bed and inhaled a slow breath. After an endless beat of silence, he asked. “How did you do that?”
“Huh?”
“How did you freeze the entire bar like that?”
I shrugged and released my defensive stance. “It was a spell I remembered from Arcane. I’d never been able to master it back then, but I figured it was worth a try. I couldn’t let those other wolves see him, and I sure as hell couldn’t let you kill him.”
“So you just snapped your fingers and stopped time?” His eyes were wide as if what I’d done were truly mind blowing.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I hadn’t had time to think about it. Sure, it had been a high-level spell, but at the time I was just going on instinct.
“The potion really was dampening your magic.” He gnawed on his lower lip as he considered. “And that means this is only the tip of the magical iceberg. Who knows what else you’re capable of?” Though he looked at me when he spoke, it felt like he was having an internal monologue aloud.