FaguaIt was as if I’d never left and the last two weeks in Vegas had never happened. Well, it had been a little over two weeks. Vegas had been the most adventurous thing I’d ever done in my life, everything else had become insignificant. I’d been back home for two days. I had expected to be grilled, but Pa said I could tell him and Ma what happened in time. Apart from asking why I came back, she hasn’t said a word to me.Every morning she left before breakfast. Pa said she’s hurting and to give her time. Apparently according to him, Ma was so upset when I left, which seemed weird since she asked me why I had come back when she first saw me again. There was nothing sympathetic in her tone, let alone her attitude. She never asked me how I was feeling or if I was okay. Normal things I’d expect her to say, but she was harsh as if she were disappointed to see me. I wanted us to stop playing this game. I cleaned the dinner dishes, wishing for the millionth time my folks would invest in
SkyI felt weak, not the same wolf I once was. It was as if the strength to open my eyes was too much so I just closed them. Even my sense of smell was lost, because before I could tell when both Husk and Winter were in the room. Except the last time I opened my eyes, I could see Winter, and I hadn’t even smelled him. I wasn’t just losing my wolf, but I could tell by the sadness in Winter’s eyes I was clearly losing my life. I was only thirty years old, but I felt as if I was in my nineties.Typically, I would have a healthy appetite and want to eat. Now I didn’t feel like doing anything. My mind was trapped in this feeling of all the things I wanted to do and hadn’t done. Like I wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, swim with the dolphins in Barbados, which was pretty hard considering I couldn’t swim. A sadness crawled inside of me, the feeling of death and not having completed everything I wanted to do in life. The bucket list I should have been checking off instead of trying to find
HuskBack home I paced inside the main suite's living room. "We should be bringing Sky back here with us. Not waiting for the damn doctor and nurses to tell us it was hopeless.” I had the stink of illness and death on me, and all I wanted was a shower to scrub myself. But I couldn't relax, not with our brother dying. I couldn't stay here, I'd go back after I cleaned up."I know." Winter sank down onto the couch. He looked miserable, like he hadn't washed his white hair in days. There was a yellow-dullness to it I'd never seen before. But the fact he’d been here and fucked Fagua while I tended our sick brother makes me want to choke him. I snatched a metal vase from the coffee table and hurled it at the patio door. It shattered, making the glass fall like an avalanche."This is your fucking fault." I whirled to Winter."Mine?" He glared at me. "You're the one who threw the vase.""Not the fucking vase or the glass." I clenched my fists. "Sky. If it wasn't for your selfishness, Sky wou
FaguaI backed away from the vehicle with Keith’s lifeless, bloodied body in the trunk and shook my head. Ma’s words and everything crashed into my head and my heart pounded.“Hush, Fagua,” she cooed and used her magic to shut the trunk before leading me away to the alley on the other side of the diner.I didn’t even realize I was making any noise until she told me. I wiped at the tears falling freely from my eyes. True, I hadn’t known Keith long, but I’d married him. He was my husband and now I was a widow.“What did they do to him?” I asked, my voice cracking. Even though he’d ran out on me and everything, he didn’t deserve death and certainly not in the grisly way it appeared like he’d died.Ma licked her lips, looking around before answering. “He wouldn’t tell your father where you were. He was caught on the road from Vegas. Someone had beaten him up, but paid for his medical treatment. They must have used magic on him because he couldn’t remember anything else. Not how to find yo
FaguaMidnight took forever. I swear, I think all the clocks in the house and on my replacement phone I’d picked up were sabotaging me. Every time I looked, it was only a minute or two later.I couldn’t wait any longer. I grabbed my backpack I’d stuffed with as many clothes and a spare pair of shoes, then tucked my phone into my back pocket. My fingers went to my throat as I tried to remember if I’d forgotten anything. Keith’s necklace was cool against my fingertips. I debated yanking it off as I didn’t want to remember his mutilated dead body in the trunk. Then my vision blurred until I saw Husk, Winter, and Sky giving the necklace to Keith.“This is for Fagua. Make sure she wears it or she won’t be able to leave the town,” Husk said. “We’re counting on you to bring her to us.”“Drugging her and kidnapping would be a whole lot easier.”“You lay one finger on her and I’ll break your legs.” Husk growled.“Easy,” Winter said and both Husk and Keith relaxed, which led me to believe he us
FaguaI stumbled backwards as the wolves closed in. His words promised to deliver exactly what he’d said. I didn't know what he'd do to me, but I didn't like the gleam in his eyes or the wolves around me."How come you've never turned, girl? Got too much of your damn Ma in you." He sneered. "All you need is a few bites to get the change fever going. Handy it's a full moon coming up soon."I'd never been bitten by a wolf my entire life. "That won't work. If I haven't become a wolf now, I won't ever.""Only one way to find out. Get her, boys."The wolf closest to me leapt up, and I screamed, ducking out of the way. Luckily, the wolf missed me and sailed over my head. The man only laughed like he watched the greatest comedy show ever while I experienced a horror movie.Another wolf charged but stayed low. His fangs dug into my calf. I tripped, falling forward onto my stomach. Pain shot up my leg, and I shook all over. Mud caked all over my body. Another wolf snagged my arm. His teeth pi
WinterSky's heart monitor blared an alarm, and I jumped. His breathing had stopped."What's happening to him?" I rushed to his hospital bed."I don't know." Doc placed grabbed the defibrillator pads and amped up the power. He placed them on Sky's chest. "Clear." The machine buzzed. Electricity arched through my brother's body, and his back bowed.The machine showed a straight line on the screen."Again."My stomach clenched as I watched the doctor and nurses try to bring my brother back. This was all my fault. I had known Sky was sick, but not this badly. After I'd gotten the first message from Husk about he and our brother hanging out in town, I didn't question. I was too busy enjoying my time with Fagua and had never checked my phone again until she disappeared.Now my brother is dead because of it.I leaned against the wall, feeling like I was going to be sick while they used the paddles two more times.A faint beep made the breath lodged in my chest loosen. Another beep sounded.
HuskMy knuckles bled and were sore from punching the brick wall outside the hospital. And I still didn’t fucking feel any better. Upstairs, Sky was hooked up to more machines than I’d ever seen in one room before. He was fighting for his life while I walked around and doing whatever I wanted.And Winter... I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to return outside and punch the bricks again. Well, he’d screwed our brother over for her, a flighty woman who’d fled at the first fucking chance she got. She wasn’t my mate, no matter what Winter or Sky or anyone else bloody thought. My mate wouldn't have left; she’d have fought.Sky was in a coma and Doc didn’t think he’ll come out of it. I didn’t get to tell him goodbye. Or that he’d made me proud to be his older brother. Tears burned the back of my fucking eyes and I grumbled as the elevator took too damn long to open.This morning Doc planned taking Sky off life support. Said he’d been on it too long and we’re just prolonging his pain. Do
Sparks danced around Fagua as she took a step closer to her mother. My wolf shuddered as the power rolled off her in waves. The other wolves felt it too because they snarled and howled, shaking their heads and scampering backward.Husk was on the ground, unconscious, but he was too far for me to check on him. Winter and I had our own issues with wolves surrounding us and Fagua's mother able to use magic.The power around Fagua grew thicker. Her eyes were as bright as two fiery coals. The heat of her magic seared through the air."What is taking so long?" Fagua's father barked. "Kill all the wolves except our daughter.""You're not worthy of being an alpha," Fagua spat. "You're not even a wolf; you're a monster.""A monster who has saved us.""At what cost?" Fagua gestured to her mother. "She—you killed my mate."Husk was dead? A pain hit my chest and I couldn't breathe.Her father roared, throwing his head back. "None of these are your mate. I've agreed to your bonding with the Storm
Winter fought a cluster of wolves while I bit another attacker and tossed its mangy ass across the street. Sky, in his human form, grabbed two wolves and flew up in the air with them. Their snarls turned to whimpers and yips as he let go and they crashed to the ground. Everywhere I turned, wolves were attacking us and Fagua's friends.Blood and fur flew.A huge wolf lunged, mouth open with long teeth glistening. I hopped back, just avoiding its teeth.I lunged and sank my teeth into its throat. Blood spurted as I ripped it open.The wolf shrieked and I choked, the blood hot and salty in my mouth.It fell, legs kicking, and then went still, a second body to add to the heap.Stones rattled under my feet and I looked up to see a huge magic ball hurtling through the air directly toward me.I dodged out of the way and the boulder crushed the wolf I'd just killed. It burst from the hips, shards of bone and stone mixed together.Another magic spell whipped through the air, striking a gray wo
All too soon, Sky kissed my shoulder to rouse me from sleep. It was still pitch-black outside, but instead of groaning and snuggling down into the covers, I leapt out of bed. My nerves raked my insides as I quickly showered and dressed. My hands shook as I brushed out my hair.As much as I knew this was the right thing to do, going against my father and the pack wasn't going to be easy.My entire life, I thought he was a great alpha. Now I'd seen why he'd kept me in SmallHeath like a cage. Used my mom's magic to keep me trapped. How I'd wanted to go to Vegas ever since I was a teenager, except every time I got to the limits of our small town, I had an overwhelming desire to hurry back home.It had been him keeping me where he wanted me. Until Keith. A human who had snuck into our town, paid by Winter, Sky, and Husk, to get me out. I hadn't thought it odd when he asked me to marry him and I said yes. I'd never been so impetuous in my entire life. We had a slam-dunk wedding in Vegas. B
It was nearly dawn and I hadn't been able to sleep much at all after my fight with Husk. And I was too freaked out about facing my dad. I needed to get some energy out, something physical, but both Winter and Sky were passed out and sleeping.I needed to get some fresh air. And I hadn't gone on a run in a long time. The guys would chew me out if I went alone.Husk.We both needed to work this out. I needed to spend more time with him. To give him another chance as he would die if I didn't. Having his death on my conscience wasn't something I wanted. I would be the bigger person and hold out the olive leaf. Though it was hard in times like this to do so when I felt like he didn't meet me halfway. Like when we had the magical moment in the woods and made love, it was so open and raw and I couldn't help myself.Our flight was early tomorrow and this might be the last chance we had to patch things between us before going back to SmallHeath. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least
"Oh, I thought Sky was here," Fagua said as came in, wearing a black lace lingerie set that left nothing to the imagination. Her breasts and nipples were on display, and I wanted to leap up and touch them, but I couldn't. Not after my erection, which appeared at the mere sight of her, was put down the moment she asked for Sky."It's just me," I barked as I walked past her. Trying not to be intoxicated with her perfume. Her hair was tied up and she had on light makeup—not that she needed it—and all this effort was for Sky, not me. She reached out her hand to stop me from leaving her room. "Sky was going to join us, but he said the tension between us meant that maybe we should be alone again."I shrugged. "Maybe it's because of the time I locked you up. I've apologized, but we don't seem to get past that."She turned away from me, avoiding my stare. It infuriated me even more. It was as if the sight of me repulsed her. "Apologized? I must have been absent for that," she whispered, as
I checked on Fagua, who was sleeping in Sky's arms. My brother was softly snoring while the TV was showing the end credits to a movie they'd been watching. After I clicked off the movie, I pulled up the blanket over both of them.A shadow drifted on the other side of the glass doors and I tensed. Husk.He was out on the balcony, pacing like a damn caged lion. I joined him outside and cracked my knuckles, readying for a fight. He and Fagua had argued over an innocent phone call, and I was Team Fagua right now because he'd crossed the line."Your ego is going to fuck you up one day," I said, leaning against the iron railing.He nodded his chin in her and Sky's direction. "How can you deal with that? Knowing that she's sleeping with all three of us?""She's a beautiful woman. She could have as many men as she wants." Maybe I was biased since I was with Fagua first. That she chose me without the sickness hanging over my head that Sky and now Husk dealt with."I wish she'd just pick one of
Fagua stared out of the window at the pool. It was weird because usually, she would be out there doing laps or simply soaking up the sun. She wouldn't be looking at it as if she was pining to swim but had been shut in here. "A penny for your thoughts," I said, walking up behind her.She jumped up as if I'd awoken her from a dream. Then she rushed into my arms. "Hey, what’s up?" I was going to check the back room, but I could see that my girl wasn't happy. That wasn't good. "Here, here," I whispered as I hugged her lightly, and she squeezed me tightly, but not like before. I could feel that she was using every force inside of her. Yet, she felt so light. I didn't know what to think. I dismissed it, thinking that her trip with Husk had probably tired her out. "Nothing." Her voice hitched. She was so emotional and her gaze raced around the room. I hadn't seen her like this in weeks. "Fagua." I smiled and pulled her closer. "Are you okay? I’ve never seen you like this."She nodded, s
I pulled the car into my normal parking space. Then, I sat in my car as if I were in a trance. I just couldn't get over the change in Fagua. One minute, it was as if she were dead. Then, all of a sudden, she just sat up and looked at me.What the fuck happened? I was so confused at the time, and I still am. I let out a deep sigh, trying to make sense of it all. I remembered her talking and then leaving the car. I looked at the seat that she once sat in, to confirm if it was a figment of my imagination. I should go inside and check on things, but then again, I was sure Winter and Sky were taking care of everything. The one fucking thing I had to do, and I couldn't even do it right. When did I get weak?"Fucking hell!" I shouted. As I looked to my left, there beside me was Winter. Tapping on the window and scaring the shit out of me. He backed away as I took off my seatbelt, then opened the door and walked toward him."Are you okay?" Winter had a look of concern on his face as his e
I had to pretend I didn't know what Husk was talking about because if I told him the truth, then he would panic and think I couldn't use my magic at all. I knew I could, or so I thought, but something had changed. I wasn't as strong as I used to be, but I assumed within a matter of time I would be. I had mated with Husk, but then at the same time, it felt like we were back to square one. No, we were even worse than before. At least before we had some kind of rules; by keeping our distance, there was no conflict. Now, we'd mated and it felt as if we were being forced to be something that we could never be.I just had to get over the idea that he was neither Winter nor Sky. This morning, it was like a rude awakening, that for over six weeks, we'd hardly spent any time together, and the little time we had, all we'd done was fight. It was as if we were enemies, being forced to be lovers.How do you make that change so quickly? We had to forget the past and all the tension between us in