"So you think Tessa and Katherine are Manae?” Milo looks at the pictures of Tessa. Simply not believing what he is seeing. “Well, we know that Cornell took Katherine's name when they got married. It was all over the news when we were younger. Don't you remember?" "Oh yeah. I remember thinking he must have come from a weak pack since he joined hers instead of her going to his." "Yeah, so we know they are sisters and now we have photos of one of them looking the same age for over a hundred years. We know she isn't a vampire. Do you have a better explanation?” “Aliens?” “Milo, we don’t have time for humor,” I stop pacing and rub my hands over my face before putting my hands on my hips, “We need to be downstairs in fifteen minutes.” “Okay, one problem at a time,” Reggie says calmly, trying to defuse the situation, “I will have extra guards, and an omega put in the hallway where this Persephone woman’s suite is. If she leaves the room, the omega will be there to escort. We can say the
As we leave the conference room, I agree to let anyone who wants to go for a run on pack territory after dinner go, as long as they are escorted by one of our guards to make sure they don’t get lost or end up going over a cliff into the Blood River. She thanks me deeply and scurries off to let her sister know the good news. Katherine steps forward, “Alpha Mason, thank you so much for making our pack members feel welcomed. Persephone will be relieved, I’m sure.” “Please, you can call me Alpha Bronx. Save the formalities for business hours,” I bow slightly to her. We watch as the blonde and red-headed women all head up to the guest suites, with the couple of men on their team following dutifully. “What in the Goddess name is happening right now?” I ask out loud, “Uh, Milo, have a couple of senior guards escort anyone who wants to go for a run. We need to monitor whatever the Hell is happening right now.” “Yes Alpha,” he nods with his hands on his hips. “D-did Amari say Persephone i
I quickly set the table, take the food out of the boxes, and put it on real plates just as Lenora steps in the room with my guards. “Oh, I thought it was just take out. This looks gourmet,” Lenora looks impressed. “Well, the plates help. Come on, sit down and let’s eat. I still need to get a shower before we get our day started,” I wave them over to the table and take my spot. The distraction of being able to eat with my pack members is exactly what I need to get my mind off of Bronx for a while. When we finish eating, I get myself together for the day and we get started. Lenora and Tyree get settled in the conference room to help families with the relocation registration while Marco, Elder Randall and I push through building after building, house after house, assessing the value and determining what we can sell at auction. The pack members who choose to come to Blood River will be allowed to take their belongings, but most of the furniture and things like that are the property of S
Bronx’s POV I have some pretty dumb ideas sometimes. I’m man enough to admit that. Sending Kas away for five days, that is probably the dumbest I’ve had in a long time. I know because when I roll over to pull her into my arms, but she’s not there. It’s my own stupid fault. I have to settle for her green and gray blanket to get her scent. I growl into the empty blanket, upset that it is not my mate. Only one more night, Bronx. You can do this, I tell myself. I look at the ceiling, thinking about the conversation I had with Kas last night. I was so proud to hear her tell me about her conversation with Randall. And glad to hear they only have to finish assessing the packhouse while Lenora finishes registrations. They will leave first thing tomorrow. I let out a heavy sigh before I pull myself out of bed and get a shower. I grab a towel and dry myself off. I throw it over my head and rub it through my hair, drying it as much as possible. When I pull the towel off, I swear I see a glowi
I throw open the door to my office, letting it slam against the wall, and pace in front of my desk as everyone else files into the room. My rage is flowing off of me but I don’t care. “Conference table,” I snarl, pointing to the back of the room. James and Delilah quietly go to the table and take a seat. James looks at the table with his neck exposed to me. Delilah just looks terrified. I don’t think I have ever seen her eyes so dark blue. A moment later, Musu pokes her head in through the open door. Her eyes widen when she senses the anger. “Alpha, you sent for me?” she asks innocently. “Sit!” I growl at her, still pacing. She scurries over to the table and joins James and Delilah. Saint is raging in my head, not because of a random portal opening in the packhouse, but because of the intruder who looked like Kas being attacked by a woman who looked like Lenora. “Saint, knock it off!” “We have to go after her! We have to help her!” he howls desperately. “And how the fuck are
“Musu, I am sorry, but you are about to see a side of me I rarely show to pack members. I’m just going to step over there,” I point to the other side of the room, trying to sound as calm as possible, “Please don’t be scared. I will be right back.” Musu nods slowly, like she is questioning my sanity. Can't blame her. I'm questioning it too. I walk to the far side of the room and grip the back of the leather loveseat, with my back to her. My entire body tenses up and I feel my claws extend, tearing into the brown leather. A deep rumbling growl rips through me, making the entire room shake until my voice is a full on roar. When I have let out as much of my frustration as I can, I stand up straight and take a deep breath. When I turn around, I see Musu standing against the door to exit the library. “I feel much better now, Musu. Again, I apologize for the outburst, but every dam has a breaking point,” I explain. When she doesn’t look like she is going to run for her life, I ask her to si
Kas’s POV “Good morning, Luna!” Tyree chimes in a sing-song voice and gives me a toothy grin when I open the door. Lenora and Marco are right behind him, looking just as happy, “Ha HA! Today’s the last day! We get to go home tomorrow! Come on, time for breakfast. The sooner we finish, the more time we have to relax later.” “Yeah! Last day! I can’t wait to get it started!” I smile at his enthusiasm and let him in the room with the to-go boxes of food. “I noticed they didn't have a whole lotta fruit in the deliveries. I swiped this from the kitchen for you,” Marco pulls a banana from his jacket pocket before he cuts up his pancakes. “Thanks, Marco,” I reply gratefully. I eat the banana first, then cut the rest of my food, thinking about what needs to be finished today. “Earth to Kas,” I hear Lenora say. “Huh? What?” I look up at her. “You’ve been poking at that same piece of food for ten minutes. Have you heard anything I’ve said?” she looks at me, concerned. “I-uh, no, honestly,
Tyree’s POV As soon as the Luna opens the door, the smell of blood is overwhelming. It isn’t old and stale, like you would normally smell in a dirty dungeon. This smells like someone just sloshed buckets of it down the hallway. How is that possible? The door was locked. I look over at the Elder, who looks pale and if I didn’t know better, guilty. I send a mind link to Marco and Beta Lenora, letting them know I need backup. Honestly, the Luna can handle anything going on down there. Even if she wasn't one of the strongest wolves I've ever met, with her powers she can defeat any threat, but it’s my job to protect her, not the other way around. My wolf, Slayer, paces in my head, "High alert, my man. This clearly ain't right." "Agreed, Slayer. Let me know if you see anything. If memory serves me correctly, there isn't a whole lot of room to move down there. We won't be able to shift if there's an actual emergency." "Ten four," he growls. I let him come forward enough for my eyes to t
I sit on the edge of the bed in the silent room. So this is what twenty-five feels like. I wonder if a hundred and twenty-five will feel just as good. What about two hundred and twenty-five? I laugh to myself at the thought as I head into the bathroom. I look in the mirror and run a brush through my white hair. None of the sparkly gray came back when it grew in four and a half years ago. I examine the mirror closer. It looks like there are some more violet flecks in the light gray of my irises, but maybe that’s just me being hopeful. I still don’t have any abilities other than being able to shift and mind linking other pack members. I splash water on my face and brush my teeth. There will be time to shower later before the pack Summer Solstice party and pack run. I pick up some toys that made their way into the closet room and find a dark blue sundress to wear. Once I am changed, I look at myself in the full-length mirror and smile. When I get into the living room, Marco comes up an
The smell of pine needles and lavender fills the room. I keep my eyes closed and hide my smile as the giggles get closer. “Mommy? Are you awake?” Maya’s little voice whispers loudly. I can feel her weight climbing onto the bed. “Shhh, Maya, Mommy gets to sleep, because it’s her birfday,” Andreas giggles at her while he climbs onto the bed as well. I roll over and pretend to yawn with a big growl and stretch my arms out wide, grabbing them both and bringing them toward me. Their happy squeals fill my heart with joy. “Hello, darlings,” I squeeze them tightly in my arms. “Mommy, happy birfday!” Andreas says happily and gives me a wet kiss on the cheek. “Mommy, Auntie Delilah said she’s made a cake for you,” Maya says with big gray eyes. She lays in my arms and plays with my white hair. She gives a sly little smile, “I think she made chocolate.” “Oh, she did, did she?” I smile back. The twins talk excitedly at the same time, telling me about all the things they want to do with me to
Kas’s POV I sit in front of him, even though he doesn’t know I’m there. I’m afraid if I look away, I may never see him again. Elexis’s black snout pushes under my elbow so I will put my arm around her while she sits next to me. I let myself lean heavily against her while we watch our mate realize that my spirit has left my body. “He broke the mate bond, Kas. Our spirits’ journeys are finished,” Lex says quietly, “There are no more lifetimes for us.” “I understand,” I nod slowly as I run my fingers through her silky onyx fur, “Lex, through everything, I forgive him. I’m sure it seems foolish, but I don’t have the desire to hold on to hate or malice when I move on. So, I forgive him.” “Of course you do. You have a good heart, Kas. I know how much you loved him over the centuries.” “I’ve made my peace, and I died knowing I did everything I could do to save my sisters and keep my pups alive. There is nothing else I need to fulfill me.” “It has been a pleasure being your wolf, Kas. I
“She’s pregnant?” I ask out loud, no one in particular. “Twins,” Reggie says dully. “Based on how big she is and comparing her to when Musu was pregnant, we think she’s due any day. Since she hasn’t eaten, her babies are basically using her body for nutrition. For lack of a better term, they’re eating her alive,” Milo says, as he brushes his hand against her cheek. He sits back on his heels and looks at her with tears in his eyes, “We don’t know what happened to Lex. She hasn’t been able to heal her for over three weeks now.” “What did the doctor say?” I gulp hard. I plant my feet to the ground, afraid to move. “You said no fucking doctors,” Reggie hisses at me through gritted teeth, “or have you forgotten?” “LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO HER YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Saint’s first words in weeks are pure rage against me. He tries to claw his way forward to take control and get to Kas, still protective of her. I take a step forward. A small piece of me, a deep down part that has been hidden awa
Bronx’s POV “Come on, man. It’s been a month. We’re sick of this shit. If this is your order, if this is truly what you want, then man the fuck up and come to the dungeon so you can see your damn handy work,” Milo’s steel-gray eyes bore into me, “Like you said, you don’t give a fuck anymore, so prove it. Come see what you’re doing.” “Watch your tone, Milo,” I stand up, growling at him. “Look, Bronx, you can come with us right now or you can find Blood River another Beta. I have plenty of packs who have already said they would give me asylum. Fuck being a Beta. I’ll take a job as a front gate guard and call it a fucking day. I’ll pack my shit, take Codi, and leave today if that’s how you really want this to go down. Your choice,” he crosses his arms and stares me down. Behind him, Reggie has his hands on his hips, looking at the floor. “What about you, Reggie? You're awfully quiet. Are you part of this ultimatum, too?” I lean forward against the desk, giving him a chance to speak u
Milo’s POV Marco had told us to find her binder before Bronx ordered us to lock him in solitary confinement. He said Kas kept note cards and binders for everything. We just had to find the correct binder to figure out what she was up to. He couldn’t tell us anymore because of some sort of potion he had swallowed. He was right. We rifled through dozens of binders in her office until we found one in her desk drawer that had a sticker labeled ‘Manae Notes’. It detailed everything, complete with cute pictures of rooms and furniture she wanted to use magic to create so her sisters would be comfortable in the home she was building for them. Some of the note cards were actually thin sheets of parchment that looked like they were hundreds of years old. Others were thick handmade papers that were crumbling on the edges. There were at least six different languages among the cards. Musu helped us translate most of them, but a few she said were in dead languages she wasn’t familiar with. Regardl
Kas’s POV I wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore. I slide out of bed with a groan and look in the mirror. Even more than yesterday, I don’t recognize the reflection I see. Pale skin with dark bags below my eyes. All the violet from my irises is gone, replaced by a gray so light, it could be mistaken for white. I gently run a brush through my brittle, thinning hair. It is no longer gray and glittery. It’s turned into a dull shade of white that matches my eyes. I put on a loose dress and a heavy long cardigan to hide the joints protruding from all my angles before I go out to address my sisters for one last time before escorting them to Kardiá tou Manae. When I first met Lenora, bruises from my nose being broken upset her. What she would think now at my self-imposed deterioration. I turn to the side and admire my growing belly. I let myself smile when I feel the impatient little kicks coming from inside. I spend time with each team of sisters and make sure they are still on
Bronx’s POV Halloween comes and goes. Thanksgiving comes and goes. Winter Solstice is only a couple of weeks away. The frigid Montana winter trudges on. The world keeps turning as if Kas never existed. Last week, I heard Katherine Santoro’s abandoned estate in Greece burned down to the ground. No fatalities and no signs of the other residents and staff who lived there several days prior. A few days later, hunters found Katherine’s naked body, along with an unidentified woman, both mauled by wild animals in a wooded area of Mongolia. The artist's sketch of the other woman is clearly Cora. As soon as they confirmed Katherine was dead, I had my people get to work on acquiring Santoro Enterprises. Within several months, I will be the CEO, absorb the company into MasonCo and create a logistics division. If there are any Manae hiding among Santoro Enterprises staff, I will flush them out and throw them into the dungeon to rot. It’s what they deserve. If Kas ever dares show her face aga
Katherine’s POV The estate is unusually quiet when I get home from work. I don’t notice the usual hustle and bustle, but I chalk it up to coming home later than I normally do. I push open the door to my darkened office, pour myself a glass of scotch, and make my way over to the desk. I turn on the desk lamp and sit down, taking a deep sip of my drink. “Hello, Iokaste,” I lean back in my chair, addressing the woman in the tall wingback seat across the desk, “You look like shit.” “Hello, Katherine. Thank you for the compliment,” she snarks at me and leans forward from the shadow, letting me see her pale skin and sunken eyes be more clearly. Her spindly hand supports her chin. The longer I look at her, the more I realize she is way too thin. “K-Kas. Are-are you alright?” I stammer when I see her true condition. “Don’t worry about me, darling. You never have before. I’m here because I need you to do something for me. I’m going to give you a choice on how you do it,” she says, steepl