"Very good," Avianna's voice is soft, as if she doesn't want to break my concentration, "Now for some scrying. I want you to find someone. Let's start with your mate." I stare into the wolf's eyes, and she begins to growl. She doesn't want to look for Hendrick-she wants to get out of the cage. My hands fist up as I try to will her to do what I want her to, but she turns her head away. The wolf huffs like she's just as frustrated as I am. Meeting my gaze briefly, she flattens her ears against her head. A whine scrapes out of her throat and my breath hitches. She paws at the gate of the cage and whines again. It's okay. My whisper ceases her movements for a second before she begins to frantically claw at the gate again. I reach out and open the gate but block the entrance when she tries to fly out. Her snout wrinkles, hackles rising like she's trying to threaten me. I stare at her with wide eyes, overwhelmed with emotion. She...is me… Alora. She's calm again. Our eyes meet again and
The wolf lies on her side, shutting her eyes contently as the woman's hand run against her pale coat. She's less on edge around Ariella and the hooded woman. "Don't take offense, child," the woman speaks, "Iphigenia has to keep her guard up until you learn how to defend yourself and her. But here....here I can protect you." Here I can protect you. I look back at the wolf and then back at Ariella, who sits beside me quietly. "You're Hekate..." "I am." She continues to stroke the wolf... Iphigenia. That must have been who Leon spoke to whenever we came face to face. He wants to reach my Guide for some reason. "Be careful what you let consume your thoughts in your current form," Ariella whispers, "He can sense you." "That's how he found your sister," Hekate's voice is wispy again. A snake slithers from underneath her mask but she continues to fawn over my wolf, "She was searching for him after her room was broken into." My mind flashes back to the times where Leon had found me in
I'm surprised when I open my eyes and find myself in Hendrick's bedroom. It's dark outside now. I must have been in my vision for hours. Sitting up, I grab the glass of water beside the bed and gulp it down. My stomach growls and my muscles are stiff from laying still for so long. A glance at Hendrick's alarm clock tells me that it's just before midnight. I have been asleep for over eight hours... Hushed whispers catch my attention, and I crawl to the edge of the bed to listen. It's Hendrick, Jayden, and Avianna. "I just don't understand how she's been out of it for so long," Jayden murmurs quietly. "It happens," Avianna says simply, "Tapping into that kind of spiritual energy is tiring. I get like this too-" "I've never seen you lie around like a vegetable for the whole day and night, Avianna," Hendrick snaps. "I'm not a lycanthrope. Alora's body will react differently to mine." "What did you really do?" He asks but there's no response. He sighs loudly. I can imagine the muscle
The pain in my chest only strengthens, to the point that I kneel under the force of the immense sadness. Loss. Rage. It churns and twists my heart like butter. "Avianna didn't tell me..." "Why is she sending you? She wouldn't have left that out unless you didn't have a choice." Though I'm crippled by his pain, I remember what Avianna told me-and what Hendrick reminded me weeks ago. No one can know what I am. "Because she's not sending me to The Order...not if I don't want to..." "But then why..." He regards me carefully, "Alora, don't lie to me." Even Hekate has now emphasized the importance of me not telling anyone. Not until the time is right. I need to know more before anything. I'm also becoming increasingly aware that there's something more between Hendrick and Ashenia than just an old relationship. They have a history that seems to not be entirely in the past. Despite everything, he refuses to push her away. She isn't his mate, but he feels connected to her. That has to say
Moron. Iphigenia's whisper fills my head. I tut and she growls annoyedly. Brat. I chuckle, "Old bat." "Who is?" I spin around, not expecting Hendrick to be standing right behind me. His lips are tilted up in the most delicious way, hair messy and in his eyes. I grip the sleeves of my flannel to keep from brushing those thick, black strands out of his face. "You can talk to her in your mind," He chuckles and tap my forehead, "She'll hear you." "I know," The kettle clicks, and I turn around. I'm tear between tapping that smirk off his face with my palm and tasting it. "I...It just takes some time to adjust to." "I'm just teasing," His hands are braced against the counter, caging me in between his body and the counter. "Well don't," I quip, "Only an idiot makes fun of his angry girlfriend. You don't get out of the doghouse by being an ass." "Was that a dog pun, Alora?" "You're impossible!" "My bad," He is quiet as I pour hot water into the mugs. The only sounds between us is the
All the air in my lungs escapes as I connect with the ground. I get up quickly, but not before Aiden's leg shoots out and into my chest. I'm down again, landing on my back with a loud umph. "You're still leaving yourself wide open when you get to your feet! No Wolf is going to let an opportunity like that slide-they're not going to let you recover!" He barks out as I pull myself to my feet again. "We don't fight fair, Alora." "How's she doing?" We both look up at Mira. She's walking into the ring with an easy smile, looking at the blood and dirt that covers me approvingly. "She's a good fighter. Good endurance and agility," He nods my way, "But she plays fair. Assumes everyone else does too." "Aiden's right-you don't have the brute strength of a werewolf, or even alycanthrope of your age that's grown up as a Wolf," Mira crosses her arms and regards me carefully, "You need to use every advantage you can get." I nod, wiping my mouth, "I can go again." Aiden shakes his head, "You'r
Just as I gather the courage to ask him, his gaze meets mine. I falter and my knees go weak as he flashes me a charming smile. My cheeks flush and I quickly look away."Is there something bothering you, little wolf?" He asks. Kiana and Mac shoot him a look to which his grin only widens to. "You look a little flushed.""Just hot... from my run.""Ah, I see," He looks forward again, and quietly adds, "I thought that you might be in your Heat.""You filthy, mutt," Mac pinches his nose, "You were just dying to point that out, weren't you?""I just think it's interesting since last we were here the Beta's son was a miracle-case. What with having a human mate," Kennedy studies me with that same, cocky and crooked grin, "But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore, is it?""Get over yourself, Mac," Kiana laughs, "This isn't the sixteenth century. Besides, I don't see you complaining when my Heat rolls around!"He lets out a nasty snarl, and Kiana bravely plants a kiss on his cheek. Kennedy
The beach where the bonfire is happening is only several minutes away from the docks. I've packed a change of clothes and change in the back of my car after my shift. Denim shorts and a fluffy, white sweater. In the back are also some blankets, just in case it's cold. Growing up by the water, I'm almost immune to the icy bite of the sea breeze, but sometimes the night winds can be rough.When I pull into the parking lot, there are already several cars there. Young Wolves from the pack are gathered in the parking lot, chatting and laughing, while others lug things down to where a group of boys are building a massive bonfire. Hendrick is with them, a wide grin plastered along his face as he and his packmates mess around."Hey, you!" Jayden hugs me as I approach her and Camilla, "I was so excited when I found out you were coming.""Yeah, thanks for having me," I grin at Camilla as I wrap an arm around Jayden's waist.Camilla opens up the trunk of her car with a smile, "Of course! I thoug
She has his gaze. Orion's gaze. That same, sickening yellow pierces me as I meet her eyes. But she simply watches me. This woman who stands above me seems so familiar...yet I don't know her at all.All I know is her name. Kaltain.She and I look nothing alike, so I know that she isn't a reincarnation of Iphigenia's soul. She is one of Cecily's daughters. She is also one of Orion's.She extends her hand and they're webbed with black veins, like her skin is rotting or crumbling away like ashes of a burnt log. Flames dance off her fingertips like her nails are candlewicks. I flinch away and she tilts her head."You're newer than I thought," Her voice is deep and wispy. Those sharp eyes scrape over me in mild interest. And finally, a twisted, crooked grin takes over her face, "You and I will have much to talk about, Alora. Much to work on in the coming years.""Alora," I whisper, "You know who I am-""Of course. I have known about you long before you knew of me. We share more than just bl
"Congrats," I wave as the couple walks out of the clinic."Thanks, Alora," The pregnant female smiles back at me before taking her mate's hand."Hey Alora!" Addison comes running up beside me. Kiana and Eamonn are next to her.Eamonn sprints into me and wraps his arms around my legs, "Alora! Hey, nene."Addison looks at me with hopeful eyes, "Can you play with us?""What are you playing?""I was going to show Addison how to throw a rugby ball!" Eamonn bounces up and down, "Please come! I want to show you too!""He's really good," Kiana squeezes him tightly in her arms, "Taught by the best, obviously.""Yeah, Mac," Eamonn teases her."You little shite! Who do you think taught Mac, huh?" She grows quiet and glances up at me. I don't smile back at her and she cringes."I have a couple more things I need to do. But when I'm done, I'll come out for a little," I smile at the two pups. They cheer and run off together, but Kiana lingers, "Kiana...'m not angry with you so please stop looking”
Maybe I'm a lot more like Zemira than I have ever been willing to admit. It's a thought that crosses my mind as I watch Hendrick sleeping quietly in front of me. He's here...but I feel nothing. I'm callous, just like she was. The difference is that she craved Orion's love... only crave Hendrick in the most basic and primal ways. The Heat has completely lifted any fog or doubts I had over my feelings for him. I care for him deeply but not in the ways I had before.My trust and faith in what we had has been completely shattered.Which is why this can't go on.I crawl over him, rousing him from his sleep, and brush my fingers through his hair. He grins lazily and encircles my waist with his hands. Our kiss is slow and easy. But it doesn't feel right...out of place like a piano key that was tuned incorrectly."I need to go," I whisper against his lips and tug lightly on the ends of his spiky hair.He blinks, "Where?""I need to check on Kiana-she texted me just now and asked for me to go
I jolt upright at the sound of a loud bang. Immediately, I scramble for my athame and sprint towards the bedroom door. A large, black silhouette in the hallway has me snarling lowly."Alora, it's me!" Hendrick whispers before I can lob it at him."Wha-Hendrick, what the hell are you doing?" I lower the knife and tiptoe past Jayden's room. I can hear neither her nor Olivia breathing softly. They must be sleeping at Olivia's tonight. "I could have hurt you.”"Sorry-I just needed to go for a run," He slips out of his boots and sets them out on the porch. He gives my thigh a pat as he walks by me, "Sometimes, I feel like this apartment is going to suffocate me."I understand how he feels....ever since my Heat had come into full swing, being near him was almost unbearable. We could barely be in the same room alone for more than a few minutes without one of us having to stop the other from doing something stupid."We're nearly done," I lean against the sliding door and watch the Moon hang a
I keel over for a moment, hands on my knees and breathing deep. Nancy lays a hand on my back but she lets go when I smile at her. Throughout the day, my body periodically has cramped up like most of the females.The time for the pack's seasonal Heat has begun, and so have the fights between females too. Avianna has gone back to help Abrego with its Heat, which means that Nancy and I are left to deal with the waves of injuries and fights.After a long day, I sprawl out on the couch in the apartment and kick off my shoes. Jayden is out for the evening to meet Olivia's family- something I know she's really nervous about. I send her a quick text of encouragement.As I set my phone down, the door opens. Hendrick walks inside but doesn't make it a foot inside before he freezes. Our eyes lock onto one another. "Mi reina," His voice is deeper nowadays, and I can't believe how much he has changed in just a short amount of time. It makes me hope that he actually has changed....but I can't belie
"You can't go in there-”I push the meeting room doors with both hands. It's only Mac and Kiana inside, leaning over the center table and setting up a computer. Gracie is behind me with her eyes popping out of here skull."Lass? What is it?""Where's Kennedy?" I look around the room but he's not here. He was though-his scent is fresh here!""Right behind you."I turn around. He's not smiling but he's not unfriendly either. But Hendrick's words haunt me almost as much as the spirits that stalk my every move. Packs like Solari and Ameku take advantage of their connections to The Order to gain advantage over everyone else.Are you using me?I want to believe that he isn't. I've never felt that Kennedy has ulterior motives for helping me. But he also hid Orion's attacks on this pack from me. And he neglected to tell me the tension that existed between the Lycans and the Werewolves. He never lied...he just never told me the truth.His head tilts so innocently when I look away from him. Both
"I don't think this is a good idea, Alora."Jayden sets up a pillow for me as I set up my scrying bowl. We're in the backroom of Nancy's clinic, who was kind enough to not ask any questions. I, however, have plenty of questions to ask-all of which are in desperate need of answering."I have to find him, Jayden," I crush the last of the lupine I brought with me from Palawan. "Remind me to ask Avianna to bring some Kinkaid's Lupine next time she's-""Okay, but Alora-""You're not going to talk me out of it," I understand her concerns. Truth be told, I'm trembling in fear. Nothing good ever came out of seeking him...but I don't have much of a choice. Every other lead or clue I've had isn't panning out right now. "Stand outside the door. Make sure no one comes in...""Fine, but I don't think we should be doing this-I don't care if Kennedy knows-""What does Kennedy know about?" Hendrick walks into the backroom but stops the moment he takes in the scene in the room. Jayden holding a chest
What am I doing?I mix the two potions together in the scrying bowl. To my pleasure, they light up in a green mixture the moment they mix together. I yip in delight and clap my hands. At least I'm not messing up entirely on thisThe same cannot be said in regard to how I'm dealing with the personal feelings towards two certain men in my life. Again, I ask, what am I doing?Quickly, I pop a couple of the crystals I have been using lately into the green potion. It's supposed to help cleanse crystals and other tools quicker than just placing them in the sunlight, moonlight, and running water.Lying back on the wooden floor, I stare at the white, wooden paneling on the ceiling above. Today has been quiet and left me a lot of time to focus on practicing all that I had learnt from Avianna and Nancy.It's also given me a lot of time to reflect on my own feelings. I still can't forget the way Jayden glared at me when she saw Kennedy and I together in the hospital...and I can't get either Hend
"I can do it," I say as Hendrick tries pick me up from the car. Despite the mending ribs, I'm not tired. I feel strong and have to keep reminding myself to take it slowly."Just be careful," He steps back to give me some room, but not much. His eyes keep darting around at the Solari Wolves that have come over to see how I'm doing.He doesn't expect me to put my hand on his arm, "Hendrick, it's alright..."Just as I took him by surprise, he returns the favor by pushing me up against the car. I'm wide-eyed and stiff as a board when he cups my face. He searches my face but I'm not sure for what. Maybe he's still paranoid about any injuries I have, or maybe it's the fact I'm alive and breathing. Whatever his reasons, I can't fill my lungs up with a sufficient amount of air to keep from becoming lightheaded.His face is so close to my own. His lips brush against the corner of my mouth...and just when I think he's going to kiss me, he pulls away. My mind is buzzing while he pushes my hair f