Katherine’s POV It takes three days to find Cora and Dante. They lead the sisters who we call Agrios or The Feral. They have always been more wolf than human. Preferring to be outdoors in wolf form, not having to abide by restrictive confines of society's rules. About three thousand years ago, they decided to leave our pack and live peacefully as nomadic wolves. Watching them struggle with life in human form was painful. I still remember the day we watched the rusty brown wolves with red eyes happily bound off in different directions into what is now known as Germany’s Black Forest. As long as they stay away from prying human eyes in wolf form, they can live hundreds of years at a time. We only see Cora if Dante dies while she waits for him to be reincarnated. Occasionally, we need Cora and Dante to help us with family issues. The oil lamp coming to life with a flame was one of those issues. A harbinger that we need to come together and rally against an imbalance amongst our sisters.
“TESSA! AMARI! Where is she? What is the meaning of this?!” I roar as I throw open the door to the office full of monitors. Amari and Jasen jolt up at my outburst. Tessa doesn't seem bothered and continues to look at the monitors. “She insisted, Katherine. In case Iokaste is dangerous.” Amari holds her hands up. “What? You said to summon her,” Tessa tries to justify with a growl. She is still looking at the monitor. “Amari, can you and Jasen get the keys to Cora's suite and open it for the omegas so they can prepare it? She will also need your healing assistance later. We have lost Dante in this lifetime,” I request, trying to keep my voice calm. “Of course, Luna,” the pair say in unison before leaving the room. “I said summon, not kidnap, and lock her in the Waiting Room!” I snarl at Tessa, who continues to ignore me. Cora stands behind me, looking at us awkwardly. I look at the monitor. Iokaste sitting in the center of the room with her knees pulled into her chest, contemplatin
Bronx’s POV Mrs. Miller, our head chef, has her staff bring burgers and fries out to the garden gazebo next to the pool. I didn’t even have to ask, she knows it’s my favorite comfort food combination. She even adds a cup of chocolate pudding on my plate like she did when I was a little kid. It all looks and smells delicious, but I have no appetite. I just feel numb inside. All I can think about is Kas. Her mesmerizing violet eyes that practically glow and her glittery silver hair that she always fusses over, even though I think it always looks perfect. Her sweet laugh that makes my heart beat faster every time I hear it. And the adorable little growl she lets out when she’s frustrated about a recipe she’s testing doesn’t come out the way she wants. What if I never get to see her beautiful face or get to hold her in my arms again? What if I never get to hear that giggle or her melodic voice call my name again? Will the last memory I have of her be losing my temper? Goddess, help me.
Without a second thought, I dive in the water. As my feet leave the ground, time seems like it slows down, almost stopping. Just as suddenly as it slows, it speeds up to triple speed, then back to normal. I feel like I’m being jerked back and forth on a wooden roller coaster. The sensation is disorienting but I can't move to stop it. As the speed of time keeps fluctuating, I realize Kas is instinctively trying to save herself by using her powers, but she’s freaking out so she can’t control them. As I am stuck in mid-air, another concern comes to mind. When Kas gets too stressed out, she has premonitions. When that happens, she turns catatonic. Sometimes it's for hours at a time. It’s unnerving to watch her go through it. Stuck in her own mind, watching traumatic events that haven't happened yet. If I am frozen in mid-air and she turns catatonic, she is definitely going to drown and I won’t be able to do anything but watch it happen. I watch helplessly from above as she slides complet
The doctors run every test they can think of but can’t find anything wrong with Kas other than the fact that she's exhausted. They determine that she didn’t ingest known poisons. Thank the Goddess for that. They attribute the exhaustion to using so much energy when she almost drowned in the pool. Based on how much weight she lost since the last time she had a checkup, the doctor doesn’t think she has had anything to eat in the four days she was missing. I try to convince her to eat or drink anything. She appeases me by drinking a few sips of water, but pushes away any food we try to give her. She won’t even take a bite of a banana, which is her favorite. When I found Kas two years ago, she was severely underweight from not being allowed to eat regularly. It took weeks before she could adjust to a normal diet. Since then, she has become a ravenous eater. Never turning down a meal, always snacking on veggies or a piece of fruit. “Come on, Kas. Just a few bites of toast, at least. A li
“Kas? What’s going on? Talk to me, Baby,” I urge as her eyes flicker from black to purple to black. She looks straight at me, eyes turning back again, and gives me an angry snarl. Her fangs and claws extend as the snarl turns into a deep growl. She crouches all fours with a pained expression. “Lex? Lex, it’s Bronx. What’s wrong with Kas?” I put my hands up, reluctant to get too close to the angry wolf trying to take over Kas’s body. I watch as Kas struggles to take control, but it is a losing battle. Her flickering eyes look wild and out of control. I have never seen her like this. I’m not sure how to react. “Delilah, get out of here!” James warns, as he puts himself between his mate and Kas. Delilah is staring slack jawed at her best friend’s internal battle when James’s voice startles her out of her gawking. She grabs her bag and scurries out the door, closing it behind her. “Lex, no!” Kas’s yell turns into a howl. Before James or I can react, Kas begins to shift. Her clothes
The cool morning air combined with the dew dampening my cheek rouses me from my sleep. I pull Kas closer to my chest so she won’t catch a chill. She grumbles a little at being moved, but doesn’t wake up. My little sleepyhead. She hates waking up early. I smile as I take a deep breath with my nose buried in her hair. Her fresh rain and lilac scent is mixed with something else. Mud and a little blood. Hold up. Mud and blood? My eye snaps open and I see the sun is rising over the treeline. We are still out in the woods. I look around to find we are in the grass next to the Blood River. We are both naked and look like we have been rolling in mud puddles. There is a pile of rabbit remains nearby. I notice my face feels sticky. I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. When I pull my hand away, I see it's covered with goopy, almost dried blood that smells just like the rabbit carcasses. Gross. At some point during the night, Kas and I both shifted, but I can’t remember a thing after Saint
Lenora’s POV Musu and I meet in my office fifteen minutes after I mind link her to let her know we have new information and need her help immediately. She is dressed casually, a light blue tank top and white jeans. The combination makes her deep complexion look even darker. She has her hair wrapped in a blue and white silk scarf, hiding her beautiful twisted black hair. “I apologize for my appearance, Beta. I wasn’t expecting to leave the house today, but since Marco got called in, I got dressed quickly and came here with him,” her dark wide-set eyes are filled with an unneeded apology. “It’s alright, Musu. I am appreciative that you even agreed right now,” I praise her in return, “So here's what the Alpha told me. He wants information on a group called The Feral and the leader of the group. A woman named Cora, who may have magical abilities. He didn’t say she is a witch, but maybe?” “I don’t know about the name Cora, but I think I saw a book in Alpha Bronx’s private library that
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