Danica desperately tried to open her eyes so that she could fix her gaze on her adoptive mother. It had been over a month since she last saw Martha and the sudden longing she felt at just hearing her voice left her in a state of struggle.
"Who are you?" Nigel asked. "Why are you here?"
"I can help." Martha said once more with a long sigh.
"Help us?" Mason asked sounding unsure.
"May I come in first?" Martha asked.
Danica could hear the sound of feet shuffling before Martha's high heeled steps made their way across the floor and to her side. She could feel the sensation of her cheek being touched as Martha took in a shaky breath.
"Now that you're in what do you plan on doing?" Nigel demanded.
Trying to open her mouth Danica wanted to reprimand Nigel for the way he was talking to Martha, no one was allowed to disrespect her.
"I can lift the curse that is on Danica." Martha said.
Shocked Danica tried to fi
Still lost in confusion Danica just watched as Martha looked around the room at everyone before finally resting her gaze on Danica."I'm sorry for keeping so much from you." Martha said moving forward and placing a hand on Danica's cheek. "I know it wasn't fair to you, but I did it for your own good.""What are you talking about?" Danica asked grabbing ahold of Martha's hand.Mason who was still holding Danica let a low growl escape him, clearly now seeing Martha as the enemy that put his mate through torture."Mason...." Danica warned as Martha simply chuckled."It seems that he cares deeply for you." Martha said looking happy. "I'm so glad you've managed to find your one person.""Why are you talking like that Martha?" Danica asked.The way she spoke it was beginning to sound like this may be the last time she were to see her. It wasn't like she would be disappearing from her life, right?"Danica
Jumping up Danica frantically looked around the room trying to locate Martha. Even though her rational brain understood that Martha was gone, the other part was convinced that she had just disappeared and reappeared in a different location."MARTHA!" Danica screamed urgently searching the room. "MARTHA THIS ISN'T FUNNY!"Danica's vision was blurred from all the tears that were falling and her heart felt like a ton of needles were stabbing into it one after another. To her Martha was the only family she had known since losing her parents, and in a way she had been much more of a parent. She just couldn't believe that Martha was gone, there was no way she could be gone.As she continued to search Danica could feel the dark being emerging within her once more and it was livid.It seemed that the loss of Martha had hit the being hard as well and now with the curse gone there was nothing holding the being's full force back.&
Danica sat alone outside in the training grounds staring up at the night sky. The moon was almost full, a sign that soon she would finally shift to her wolf form for the first time since she discovered that she wasn't actually human. A tingle of anticipation and fear ran through her as the reality of the whole thing hit her. With Martha's passing she had had no time to think about it at all.It had already been a week since Martha's death, a long agonizing week of constantly reminding herself that the woman who was her only family was truly gone. During the week Mason had been a saint allowing her space and not taking offense from her cold shoulder and need to be alone."You should have a jacket." Came Mason's voice just as a coat was draped around Danica's shoulders.Turning Danica gave him a small smile, "Thanks." She didn't know when he had arrived, but his presence was soothing."Are you ready for your first officia
The day of the full moon came leaving Danica a nervous wreck. Even though she had told Mason that she wasn't worried about the change, she had gone through those two torturous no changes after all, she couldn't quite keep good to her word.As the days passed and the day grew closer she couldn't quite help but feel the dark being within her growing more and more irritable.Before when it wasn't helping her it would simply go dormant and remain nonexistant in her mind, but now since the curse Martha had put on her was lifted she could constantly feel its presence along with that of her wolf."You're making me dizzy with that pacing." Mason said drawing Danica's attention to him.She had been busy pacing back and forth like a ferile creature while Mason lounged lazily on the bed watching. He had remained quiet up until this point, but it seemed that he had grown annoyed with Danica's frantic energy."Sorry." Danica murmured stopping.
"You okay?" Danica asked Mason as they returned to their room.The sun outside had already begun to go down indicating that soon the moon would rise and Danica would have to undergo the change from human to wolf. She had already begun to feel the flu like symptoms that she had experienced during her previous attempts at changing and with them came even more fear, but at the moment she was pushing that down due to her worry for Mason.Turning Mason gave Danica a smile as he placed his hand on her cheek. Using his thumb he began to rub gentle circles across her skin sending waves of warmth through her."You should worry about you and not about me." Mason said smiling."Are you refusing my concern?" Danica asked bristling.Laughing Mason leaned in kissing her. "Of course not baby, I would never refuse my loves concern.""Better not." Danica huffed.Even though she wanted to be annoyed with Mason she couldn't find it wit
'Danica...' Mason's soft voice drifted towards Danica's ears drawing her attention from the darkness that was consuming her. 'You've got to fight.'The desperateness in his words tugged at Danica's heart as she felt herself beginning to drift once again. She knew she needed to fight, that she couldn't let the rogue within win, but she was feeling so very tired. The exhaustion she felt was all consuming and no matter how hard she tried to break through it she just couldn't.'Baby.... you've got to fight!' Mason's voice was growing stronger tugging at Danica keeping her from drifting entirely.Attempting to claw her way back again Danica felt herself coming to slowly but surely. Looking around she found herself in a dark space, no light was anywhere to be seen. To the side she could see two glowing red eyes that were watching her warily.'You....' Danica spoke fixing her golden gaze with the creatures red one. 'Are
'Do you understand now?' The rogue wolf asked Danica as she began to come back to her senses. 'You are too weak.''I am not weak.' Danica insisted trying to shake off the image of her dead mother. 'I am much stronger than back then.''Prove it.' The rogue insisted baring it's teeth once more.'What do you want me to do?' Danica asked as she cautiously watched the wolf begin to extend its body preparing for a fight. 'You want me to fight you?'Danica wasn't quite sure if she was guessing right, but if she was then that meant that this rogue wolf actually wanted to take her on while she was in human form. That would mean in the end the wolf had the advantage with its size, teeth, and claws.'You've taken down a weak wolf, but you haven't taken down a powerful wolf yet.' The rogue said making what sounded like a snicker.Danica watched as the rogue began to circle around her, it was clear by the way it was crouched that
'Mason,' Danica tried as he continued to hold her tightly."I can hear you." Mason confirmed as his smile grew bigger. "I'm so glad you're back."'What happened?' Danica asked as she continued to take in the area around her.The moon was already high within the sky and it's white light glowed down on the field she and Mason currently occupied. She couldn't quite place her finger on it, but something about the moon exhilerated her, made her want to run and enjoy her new found limbs."I can tell you later if you want to go for a run." Mason chuckled sensing Danica's building energy.Standing Danica stretched her limbs getting a feel for them as Mason stood up. Fully naked already he gave a stretch as his body began to contort and shift until his large golden wolf remained where he had been minutes prior.'Ready?' He asked through the mindlink now.'Are you okay to do this?' Danica asked looking at the scratches that st
"Any news?" Danica asked Bella as she hovered around fixing her hair. "How many times do I have to say it? Mason will let you know if they find the harpies and trolls." Bella huffed slamming down a blush brush. "Now, could you please be still so I can finish your makeup." "Yes ma am." Danica replied snapping her mouth shut. A month passed by in a blur, no matter how much Mason's scouts searched they just couldn't seem to find Marie or her army. It was an odd occurence, because anytime they would get a trail it would vanish as quickly as it appeared, leaving everyone at square one once more. Though they had recruited the help of sorcerer's to see if they could possibly find the harpies with their abilities, even they came up empty handed. It was almost as if they had disappeared from existence entirely. After two weeks of this is was almost as if the war was nothing more than a bad dream, aside from the casualties that b
"Acting tough now are we?" Marie laughed taking Danica in. "Do you really think I'm scared of you?""You should be." Danica growled as she felt something within her begin to stir. "I still owe you for my parents, a life for a life sounds fair."Tilting her head back Marie let out a loud laugh, "Come then little wolf, show me what you can do."Lunging forward Marie held out her clawed hands ready to grab Danica, but Danica was faster, moving out of the way before turning and grabbing Marie by her wing. Heaving she yanked and threw Marie to the side causing the harpie to stumble.Not giving her a chance to regroup Danica pounced tackling Marie to the ground. Shrieks escaped the harpie queen as she fought for Dominance against Danica."Get off me!" Marie growled as she clawed at Danica's face. "How dare you a puny wolf think that you are any match for me!""Seems like this puny little wolf is the one in control rig
"Let's go." Danica ordered beginning to move forward only to be stopped by Mason. "What?" She demanded meeting his gaze."You can't possibly think that I'm going to let you step anywhere near any of that fighting." Mason hissed."Why not?" Danica demanded trying to break free of his grip. "You can't possibly think I'm just going to sit here and wait for who knows what!""Yes, that's exactly what I expect you to do." Mason responded seriously. "You are pregnant now, your priority is keeping our child safe."Mason's words felt like a slap to Danica. Even though she really wanted to be beside him fighting, he was right, she was pregnant now and her top priority was to protect the life that was growing within her. No matter how she wanted to try to deny his logic, she simply couldn't."What am I to do if they breach the dorms?" Danica sighed conceeding to Mason's point. "Should I not fight back then as well?"
"You going to be okay?" Mason asked wrapping his arms around Danica."Yeah, I'll be okay." Danica responded leaning against him.After returning home Mason decided to run a nice hot bath for the both of them, his way of trying to help Danica feel the slightest bit better about the news they had recieved.Stripping had been slightly awkward for Danica due to Mason's blanching when he saw the scars that now permanently littered her back from Marie, but once she had submerged her body she couldn't help but admit that the bath was helping."Do you think this little one will be born into a peaceful world?" Danica asked closing her eyes.Mason who had slid a hand to rest on Danica's stomach let out a long sigh, "I hope so.""You don't have confidence in beating them?" Danica asked eyes widening. "I thought that was what all the preperations were for.""When it comes to war you never know what will happen." Mason pointed out pulling Da
Two weeks passed in a blink. After the night of Danica's rescue, Mason began to gather all reinforcements across the entire continent, preparing for an outright attack on the trolls and the harpies. Arlo, who remained neutral, had decided to stay out of the entire thing along with his elven brethren, a fact that surprised Danica greatly given his strong aversion to her.Nigel and Ash busied themselves collecting the sorcerer clans from the darklands that were willing to help the werewolves with the war as well, though their numbers were few they would still be a major asset when the time came.For the entire two weeks signs of army building was detected by scouts that Mason hid within the darklands, from what was being reported it wouldn't be much longer before Marie and Talon waged their attacks and this time Mason was well prepared.The room Danica and Mason shared had been converted into a mini headquarters where Mason held meetings and planned at
"I'm going to be a mom?" Danica asked not sure if she had heard the doctor correctly. "What do you mean I'm going to be a mom?"The air around Danica had grown thin and she was having a very hard time breathing. After everything that had happened in the past two days, she wasn't sure she could even handle anymore surprises. Not to mention, there was about to be a war, how could she possibly have gotten herself pregnant?"Exactly as I said Luna." Dr. Gerald chirped oblivious to the fact Danica wasn't happy about his news. "You're about a month along already."Turning her gaze to Mason Danica tried to make sense of what was going on. Unlike her Mason was smiling from ear to ear as he met Danica's eyes."We're going to be parents!" Mason exclaimed laughing. "Are you sure Dr. Gerald?""Yep, pretty positive the hormone levels don't lie." Dr. Gerald confirmed passing his clipboard over to Mason. "Congratulations
"Any brilliant ideas?" Danica asked while looking over her shoulder at the harpies that were quickly gaining on them.'Just a little further.' Mason responded picking up speed. 'There is a portal ahead and reinforcements waiting.'"What about the ones that were in the harpie palace?" Danica asked as fear clutched her heart. "You've got a lot of explaining to do when we get back."'Sure.' Mason chuckled."Now's not the time to be laughing."From behind Danica could hear the harpies and trolls gaining on them. It seemed that if they didn't reach the portal soon they would be recaptured."They're gaining on us!" Danica shrieked while ducking as a harpie swooped down towards her from above.As the harpie attempted to right herself something unseen slammed into her sending her flying to the ground. Hissing and shrieking the harpie tried to break free from whatever had hold of it.From the wounds that we
Danica bolted as quickly as her injured leg would allow her down the brightly lit hallway looking here and there for a room to sneak into in an attempt to throw Marie. She had managed to lock her in the stairwell, giving herself some time to make some distance, but the door wouldn't hold the furious harpie queen much longer.Turning to look behind her Danica didn't expect a strong set of hands to grab and yank her into a dark room before wrapping around her mouth to stop a scream that tried to escape."It's me." Mason's voice whispered in Danica's ear sending a wave of comfort through her.Turning slightly Danica looked into his warm green eyes as all her fear and worry immediately washed away."About time." Danica sighed pulling Mason's hand away from her mouth. "I was beginning to believe you wouldn't be able to find me.""Nothing in this world would stop me from finding you." Mason insisted with a small smile.Feeling her hear
'Danica...' the soft voice drifted into Danica's mind as she hovered between awake and unconcious. 'Please....' The wolfs bane that ran through her veins kept Danica from truly being able to be aware. She could only guess that Marie was worried if she was fully alert she would try to contact Mason through the mindlink and give away what was going on. 'Please respond.' The voice seemed to be growing desperate. 'Where are you?' Trying to collect all her strength Danica did her best to connect with whoever the voice belonged to. In her delirious state she wasn't fully able to place a finger on who was calling out to her, but she had a feeling it was Mason. 'I don't know.' Danica's voice came out in barely a whisper as she fought to stay aware long enough to communicate. 'Some underground holding cell.' 'Did you see the scenery when they brought you there?' Mason demanded as Danica felt his anger beginn