[Danica's POV]My eyes stayed locked on my daughter as Natalia busied herself cleaning and dressing her wound. Though I was still pissed, I knew that I needed to calm down, otherwise the darkness would come again. Each time it erupted from me, I felt like I was losing a little more of myself. Of course, that was a secret that I kept to myself. Mason and the others already had enough to worry about and didn't need to add my problem to their lists.After the incident with that cocky bastard picking on a kid, I was beginning to contemplate leaving anyway. If there was one thing I wouldn't tolerate, it was putting my children in danger. No amount of wanting to know about my past would make me stay here if anything like this happened again."This should do it." Natalia announced, snapping me out of my brooding. "You were such a good patient.""Mhm." Bryllie beamed. "That's because I am not a baby."Rolling my eyes, I moved forward and placed a hand on Bryllie's head and let out the breath
[Danica's POV]"Because," I began, my gaze fixed on my son."He is the silver wolf you came to see."I watched as Killian's eyes grew wide with shock from what I had just told him."And you... You actually were the missing silver wolf." He stammered."That's what I just told you." Mason huffed, stepping up beside me. "We discovered it when her curse was lifted.""Mmm." Killian murmured, continuing to process everything. "The others need to be informed of this."At his words, I felt another jolt of wariness."Rebecca or Talon aren't with them anymore." Mason murmured, wrapping an arm around me. "These are the elders you can trust.""I didn't trust them before?" I asked, looking from Killian to Mason."You didn't have the best memories with them." Mason confirmed."Mmmm."I watched as Killian continued to stare awe-struck at Xavier, who cooed away from where he lay.After a few moments, a loud wail escaped Xavier, ending the gawking and indicating it was time for lunch."That's my cue."
[Danica’s POV]"Who?" I growled, beginning to move. "I don’t know your damn master!""Danica!" Mason hissed, as I barely dodged the rogue's claws as he grabbed for me. "Careful!""Yeah," I puffed, holding out a hand and extending my claws. "I’ll be careful."The simple act of extending some part of my wolf began to rouse the darkness within, but I worked to control it. I needed to be aware of this, that much I knew."How can you say you don’t know your own brother?" A new voice boomed from the direction the rogue had come from.Whirling around, I found myself facing off with a man that looked vaguely familiar but completely foreign as well."Brother?" I repeated, snapping my gaze from the man to Mason. "I have a brother?"Mason didn’t respond to my question, but the look of confusion and bafflement on his face was enough of an answer for me. It seemed that even he himself had no idea about this."You don’t remember me, dear sister?" The man pouted, while eyeing everyone that stood beh
[Desmond's POV]"I'm sooooo bored." I groan, turning over and looking at Armond. "Entertain me, will ya?""Why should I?" Armond snaps, puffing out his cheeks. "If you're so bored, go find Tim or Greg to beat up on.""Don't wanna."I let out a hmph as I gazed out at the sea and found myself drifting to Bryllie. Where was she and how was she doing? Things had grown dull since Alpha took her away."You're boring." I hiss, jumping up and wiping sand from my shorts. "I'm going to find Bryllie!"Word around town was that Alpha had taken her to the darklands to live with Luna while her memory was gone. "How you planning to do that?" Armond growled, beginning to follow me. "You don't know how to get to the darklands, and if we just disappear, our parents will kill us!""You don't have to come." I point out.I didn't ask Armond to join me, and frankly, I wasn't up for listening to his whining if he did."Like I'd let you go alone." Armond responded, giving a huff. "You can't seem to stay out
[Mason's POV]"Now, explain to me what you two are doing here."I stared at Armond and Desmond as they sheepishly sat in front of me. I couldn’t believe these two trouble-makers managed to come to the darklands. I would have to give them a proper punishment once we got back to the cove pack."It was all Desmond’s idea!" Armond hisses, pointing an accusatory finger at Desmond."You little..." Desmond growled, shooting Armond a glare. "What about bro code?"I hold back the urge to laugh at how much Desmond reminds me of myself as a child. Now isn’t the time for that. I needed to get these two back to where it was safe. Especially with Danica’s brother and the harpies on our trail."What’s going on?"Turning, I watch as Danica enters the room with Bryllie and Xavier."Desmond and Armond!" Bryllie’s excited voice shrieks as her eyes find the two boys. "Why are you here?"I wait as Bryllie disentangles herself from Danica and rushes towards her friends. I felt an odd pang rush through me a
[Danica’s POV]The room around me was quiet, and all that could be heard were the sounds of Bryllie breathing and Xavier cooing. I was rocking my son alone at the time, and my mind wandered to how it would feel to return to where I belonged.I knew that things would be fine since Mason would be with me, but I still felt anxiety flare again and again every time I couldn’t locate my memories."Mommy," Bryllie murmured, drawing me out of my head. "Do you hear that?""Hear what?"Standing up, I placed Xavier in his crib and crept towards the window. Just beyond the glass, I could make out an odd glow, but hadn’t thought much of it. However, now that I was listening intently, I could hear what sounded like many paws hitting the ground."Bryllie," I hissed, turning and rushing towards my daughter. "I need you to take Xavier and get to the safe room in the attic."By this point, I knew something wasn’t right and I wanted to make sure my children were safe before I went out to investigate."W
[Mason's POV]Rage rips through, spurring me to increase my strength as I fight to get through the barrier that is separating me from Danica. "LET HER GO!" I roared, managing to finally burst through."Gladly." Danica’s brother responds, opening his hand and allowing Danica to crumple to the floor. "But you’re too late." He continues while cackling madly.Though everything in me screams to attack him, my only concern is the woman laying on the ground at his feet."See you later, brother-in-law." Danica’s brother called before turning and diving through a window, followed by his men who hadn’t been killed."Don’t let them leave!" Dax called as the enemy disappeared from sight.The room around me exploded with motion, but I couldn’t focus on it. "Danica..." I murmured, kneeling down and pulling her into my arms. "Hey!"The injury on her stomach was already beginning to heal, but where it sat was turning a dark purple and looked almost festered. What the hell was this?"What’s wrong?"
[Mason's POV] I stared blankly ahead as Killian examined the marks that were now scattered about Danica's body. I just couldn’t seem to wrap my head around the grim reality right in front of me. How could this be possible and why couldn't I have protected her? She would still be here if I hadn't agreed to her assisting in the fight. "Could you help me?" Killian asked, drawing my attention from Danica. "Do what?" I ask numbly. "We need to take a count of the injured and fallen." Killian responded, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I…" I stopped as a knot began to build up in my throat. "I can’t..." A sob escapes me as reality finally hits. Danica is gone. My mate is gone. What am I supposed to do from here on out? "I’ll leave you to be alone." Killian murmured, clearly realizing that I needed some time. "I’ll go check on the kids and break the news." "Not yet!" I gasped, fixing my wild gaze on him. "Just... wait." When Bryllie was told, I wanted to be there. I couldn’t possibly
[Bryllie’s POV]"I don’t want to hear that." I whispered, trying to contain the emotions that were rolling through me. "From you or from Armond.""Armond?" Desmond repeated, frowning. "Are you saying…""That’s right." I snapped, not caring if I drew attention to us anymore. "He said the same exact thing. It seems that I’m magically mated to both of you! I don't know if this is some kind of game between the two of you, but it isn't funny, and I'm not interested in being your target."Unable to control my emotions any longer, I stormed forward, shoving my way past Desmond and towards where my parents stood chatting with Grandpa and Uncle Killian, who must have just arrived."There she is!" Mom announced, motioning for me to come forward. "Come greet your uncle Killian."Nodding, I began to move but stopped as a hand wrapped around my wrist.Whirling around, I took in Desmond’s desperate expression."What?" I demanded, pulling myself free. "I don’t want to hear anything else you may have
[Bryllie’s POV]"Warned." I repeated, clenching and unclenching my fists. "Did you just say you warned me?"Nodding, Desmond let a smile spread across his ill-at-ease face, and I had to admit, that pissed me off even more."That’s correct." He responded easily.Nodding, I moved, slamming my fist into his cheek."You piece of shit!"Pulling back, I prepared for another attack as Desmond gave me a look of both shock and appreciation. Yuck. Did he actually enjoy getting hit or something?"I guess I deserved that." He chuckled, rubbing the spot I punched. "But it doesn’t change anything I said."Letting out a growl of warning, I reached for the door and pulled."Then you should just stay away from me." I sighed, yanking my bag from him and hefting it over my shoulder. "Consider our years of friendship the only reason I didn’t beat you black and blue."Giving Desmond one more look, I stormed out, this time not bothering to look back at all.I tried to avoid Desmond for the next few months,
[Bryllie’s POV]"Now boarding Flight 166."Frowning, I looked to where Armond sat sipping on his coffee."That’s your flight." I murmured, feeling my heart tug. "Shouldn’t you be getting up?"Nodding, he slowly got to his feet and then slung his bag over his shoulder."I guess this is see ya later." He announced, a sad smile on his face."Yeah," I agreed.Moving forward, I allowed myself to be wrapped in Armond’s strong arms and pressed against his chest. Letting out a sigh, I took in his warmth and smell while he plastered a kiss on the top of my hair."Don’t you dare forget me." He warned, pulling away. "And don’t you dare find someone new.""Don’t joke." I huffed, beginning to bristle. "Do I seem like that type of woman?""You never know."Letting out an indignant growl, I untangled myself and punched his shoulder while trying to stop the tears that were beginning to prick at my eyes.This was it. This was goodbye for at least two years.From what I knew about basic training for my
[Bryllie’s POV]I remained silent as my mind felt like it was shutting down due to my inability to process what just happened.Did Armond really just do what I thought he did, or did I imagine the whole thing?"You’re going to swallow a bug if your mouth continues to hang open like that." Armond sighed, brushing his fingertips from my cheek to my jaw before gently pushing my chin up. "And honestly, I’m feeling offended by your reaction to my kiss."Snapping back to my senses, I scurried backward before quickly looking around to see if anyone else had noticed. When I found that we weren’t being watched, I turned my gaze back to Armond."Why did you do that?" I rasped, trying to keep my voice low. "What if someone saw?""Let them see." Armond shrugged, "And if they didn’t see the first time I could always do it again."Gasping, I held up my hand and pressed it against Armond’s mouth as he attempted to kiss me a second time. What was this guy actually thinking? He had to be out of his mi
Three Years Later[Bryllie’s POV]I stood in front of the large full body mirror of my room staring at the woman in front of me. After hours of being dolled up, I barely recognized myself.Today was my sixteenth birthday, and my parents insisted on making it a grand event despite my insisting that it wasn’t necessary.However, in the end here we were. I looked like a damn debutante making her grand debut into high society while all my guests waited for me to appear.Letting out a huff, I took one last look at my reflection, taking in the light blue prom dress my mother insisted that I wear and my blonde hair that fell in ringlets down my chest and back.Turning, I made my way across the room just in time to sense my mother and auntie Bella just outside."Bryllie?" Mom called, slowly opening the door that separated us. "Are you…"No other words escaped my mother’s lips as she took me in with wide eyes that were quickly beginning to tear up."You look beautiful." She managed as Auntie B
[Mason’s POV]For the next few days, I spent my time going through physical therapy and then visiting Danica in the medical wing. Although she had healed up nicely, she had to stay for observation to make sure that there wasn’t any permanent damage.At first she fought tooth and nail to not have to do it, but in the end she caved and listened. Not without making sure everyone knew just how annoyed she was about it, of course.When I wasn’t training or with Danica, I was with Chris and Killian going over the list of prisoners from the battle between us and the harpies.Out of the many that attacked, only a few remained thanks to the valiant efforts of my pack, the hunters, and Black Forest. I had to admit that, despite my distrust of each group in the beginning, I now knew that if there ever came a time when we were in trouble again, they would be there for us. Likewise, we would be there for them too.After three days, our dead had been buried, and the remaining elders had managed to
[Mason’s POV]The last remnants of fighting drifted towards me, rousing me from the darkness that I am currently trapped in. ‘You need to get up.’ Grendal urged, attempting to help me wake. ‘Our mate needs us.’"Dan…" I manage as my eyelids slowly begin to lift. "What?"Prying my eyes open, I look around at the grounds, but I couldn’t see Danica or Bryllie anywhere in sight.‘Get up.’ Grendal growled. ‘In the packhouse.’Nodding, I began to sit up despite my body feeling like it weighed a ton. Once on my feet, I began to move."Just wait for me." I murmured, reaching the packhouse entrance.Bracing myself, I shoved open the door and gasped as the overpowering smell of blood reached my nose. "Alpha!" Bella yelped, drawing my attention to where she sat on the ground with Danica cradled in her arms.Immediately, my blood turned cold in my veins.The scene was too familiar, too similar. The only difference this time was that there were no signs of poisoning."No," I rasped, dropping dow
[Danica’s POV]I continued to exert strength as the harpie beneath me attempted to break free. By this point, over seventy percent of her body was burned by Bryllie’s white light, and her neck was dangerously close to snapping. Just a bit more and…Gasping, I jerked as pain shot through my abdomen."If I’m dying." Marie growled, a broad smile spreading across her face. "You’re going to die along with me."Confusion whirled as the pain I was feeling intensified and the smell of blood began to attack my senses.Slowly, I let my eyes trail down towards where the pain was coming from and found the hilt of a dagger sticking out of me."You…"Letting out a triumphant cackle, Marie twisted the blade in me and then pulled it free while I clutched at my now open wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding."MOM!" Bryllie gasped, reminding me that she was still here."Run!" I yelled, attempting to hold Marie in place. "NOW!""No, I won’t leave you!" Bryllie argued, letting her inner light radia
[Mason’s POV]I stared up into Rebecca’s blazing eyes as a wicked smile spread across her face. "Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment?"Did I? No, I didn't, and I truly didn’t give a damn."Sorry to disappoint." I huffed, "But you won’t be succeeding in whatever fucked-up plan you have in mind."At my words, a bark of laughter escaped Rebecca’s lips as she took in my current condition."Are you planning on stopping me?" She asked, pressing her foot against my chest. "How do you intend to do anything the way you are right now?"To prove her point, she began to press down harder until I could feel my bones beginning to give under her weight.Hissing, I reached up and dug my claws into her ankle, causing a yelp of shock to escape. Taking advantage of her distraction, I quickly scuttled from under her and scrambled to my feet. If I wanted to stand a chance, I needed to not be on the ground."You!" Rebecca growled, slashing a wing at me.Gasping, I braced myself as I flew back