“Bronx, what are you talking about?” I ask confused, “You didn’t bring me home? You didn’t know I was in here?” “No, Baby. I didn’t know where you were. No one did. I felt you reach out to me, so I ran back to the packhouse. I was going to let Lady Camille know, but then I smelled your scent and I was able to follow it down here,” he explains into my ear, still holding me against him. He gives me little kisses on the side of my face while he talks, leaving little sparks behind with each one. I close my eyes and smile, grateful to be home and in his arms. “I’m sorry, Bronx. I didn’t mean to scare you,” I apologize even though there is nothing I could have done about it, “All I know is I fell into a vision in the dungeon of the Silver Moon packhouse and I woke up here in our meditation room.” I feel him smoothing my hair and nodding, but he doesn’t say anything. “Bronx, w-what’s going on? What’s wrong?” I ask, sensing there is a lot more to his look than just my reappearance. “Oh
I pull away from her but find myself still holding her hand as I turn toward my friends. I don’t want to let go. This warm, comforting feeling can last forever as far as I'm concerned. “Reggie, I’m going to try. Anything for Ashley. I just need to speak with these ladies first. I want to make sure that I won’t do anything that will hurt her or your baby, okay?” Reggie exhales a ragged breath and pulls me into a tight hug, “Thank you, Luna. Thank you.” I hear Bronx clear his throat behind us, “Gamma. Do you mind?” Reggie looks up and quickly lets me go, “Oh, uh, sorry Alpha.” “Kas, we will be over in the weight room. Just let us know when you’re ready,” Bronx says with a loving look. I smile as he brushes his fingers against my chin. I lean against his rough palm, holding it against my face with my hands. Even though I didn’t know I was missing for two days, I hadn’t seen Bronx for five days before that. I miss him. I move my nose into his hand taking a deep breath of his dark ch
Lex’s POV Delilah stands in front of me, “Kas, please, I know it sounds cruel, but hear her out.” She’s a sweet girl and all, but a little naïve right now. “No,” I state simply. She takes half a step back when she hears my deeper voice coming from Kas’s petite human form. Her eyes turn a deeper shade of blue and I can smell fear coming off of her. She should be scared. Delilah is supposed to be Kas’s best friend. She let them waltz Amari in here just to tell Kas all this bullshit. Lady Camille stands up next. I presumably to talk sense into me, “Elexis, please-” Okay, now I’m getting mad. Why are they doing this to Kas? They are supposed to love her. This isn’t love. This is manipulation. “I said NO!” I curl Kas’s fingers into a fist, willing her energy and stopping time for all three women. I look at them, satisfied that they won’t be able to stop me when I walk out the door. “Lex, did you know all that? Did you know about everything Amari just told us,” Kas asks in my mind as
Kas’s POV As I walk back down to the meditation room, I feel a little storm cloud brewing in my mind. I feel justified in my anger. While I need time to process all this new information, it sounds like I have only heard a fraction of what there is to know. I know I need to keep a cool head and hear everyone out. Flying off the handle isn’t helping anyone. We’ve lost almost an hour to help Ashley because I had a stupid tantrum. I open the door to the meditation room and hold my fist up in the air, unfurling my fingers. The women all take deep breaths and look around with relief. “Lady Camille, Delilah, may I have a few minutes with my sister? I know you’re trying to help, but this does not involve you,” I stand with my hip cocked and arms crossed in the meditation room doorway. I watch the witches look at each other and nod before standing up. Lady Camille bows to me silently before she walks out of the room. I feel a pang of guilt watching my mentor walk away from me without a word
Reggie and Amari step into the room. I follow them, but Bronx holds me back. “Kas, please be careful,” his face is full of worry. He places his palm on my face and caresses my cheek with his thumb. I can feel his worry flooding through me. I close my eyes to concentrate and block it, hold my hands against his so he doesn’t pull away. Selfishly want to feel our mate bond for a moment. “I’ll be back out here as soon as I’m done healing Ashley. No sooner, no later,” I don’t want to promise him anything. I don’t feel like right now is the time to be careful. It is a time for action. He leans down and gives me a soft kiss, “I’ll be right here waiting, Baby.” I give him one last look before I go back into Ashley’s room. Amari has situated herself on the far side of the bed. Reggie is holding Ashley’s hand up to his mouth, kissing it. When he sees me, he moves to the other side of the room with Ashley’s mom. She rubs his back while they both watch with worry. “Alright, Kas. Lay your hand
“Amari, what the fuck are you talking about? Kas is a werewolf. She may be a goddess, but she is not a hybrid, and she’s definitely not a vampire,” Bronx snarls at my sister. I feel his body tense up as he holds me a little closer, showing his protective nature over me. I watch as Amari takes a step away from Bronx. I sense her fear skyrocket at his reaction to her statement. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” I put my hand flat on his chest to stop Bronx before he says something we will all regret and address my sister, “Amari, I don’t know what an energy vampire is and right now, I feel like I should care, but I don’t give a shit what kind of vampire you think I am. This conversation needs to happen after I’ve had time to rest. Because I’m not making it through any discussions about anything without falling asleep in the middle.” Even trying to speak those few sentences takes everything I have in me. “Yes, I think that’s probably for the best,” Amari says with a quick nod, “It will give m
There's a glint in Leticia's eye as she watches the words absorb into my soul, "Feels good, doesn't it?" I put my fork down and clear my throat, trying to play it cool, "It kinda does, yeah." “That’s because there's power in those words. They are yours, Kas. You own them," she puts her chin in her hands and watches me more closely. "What do you mean, I own them? A person can't own words, Leticia," I try to rationalize with her, but it seems fruitless. "It's your faction, Kas. Mavri Magea is Greek for Dark Magic. Nowadays, I think our sisters call us ‘The Dark’. Rude isn’t it? We didn’t pick the name. Mother gave it to us. We are the youngest of the Manae. And you are the youngest of all of us. Mother saved the best for last, I guess. Can you believe she had to ask permission to change the calendar just for you?" she chuckles as she shakes her head at a memory. I push the vegetables around on my plate, “So we have dark magic to counteract how ‘light’ our other forty sisters are?”
I smile warmly as my friend recognizes me. “Delilah, why are you here? Where’s Bronx?” I ask with a yawn and a big stretch. She yawns too, stretching her long spindly arms, before she pushes her light brown hair out of her eyes. Her French accent is thicker than usual as she wakes up, “He’s downstairs with everyone else completing the Santoro deal. Oh, except Musu. She’s in your living room doing research.” “Oh, okay,” I nod with acceptance while the fog in my brain clears, “Wait, why does that mean you and Musu need to be here? Not that I mind.” “You have been asleep for a day and a half. The Alpha wanted someone keeping an eye on you at all times when he is not here. I volunteered this time. Musu and I have been taking turns.” “Musu is here too?” This gives me an idea. I could really use a good chat with both of them about Leticia, but before that I want to spend time with my best friend. I have missed her so much. Other than Bronx, I spent most of my time with Delilah. She a
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