-MILA-"Milly! Is my lunch ready?" My boyfriend Lowell asked as he walked into the kitchen.I jumped, rushing away from the documents I had been peeking at.He would have a cow if he knew I was reading them."Here you go." I handed him his lunch.He eyed the documents n the countertop, "Mila, were you reading those?""Maybe?"He sighed, annoyed with me, "Baby, you know that's confidential." He was right, I did know that. But I didn't care. I was tired of my boring life with Lowell and I wanted some excitement.He was one of the best detectives in town and he was leading the investigation on a case of murders that had started happening a month ago.He gave me a disapproving look before kissing the top of my head and walking out.I sighed and leaned against the counter while looking around the kitchen.Lowell was nice, but something was missing. Years ago when I still lived with my parents I had been annoyed when they pretty much sold me off to Lowell. But I knew they thought they were
This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.-MILA-I stood in front of the full-length mirror inspecting my outfit of choice; a simple purple dress that sat about mid-thigh, I had teamed it with black heels.Lowell sighed from where he sat on the bed, "I don't think this is a good idea, Milly. We have a deranged serial killer on the loose, you should be staying home where it's safe."I turned to pout at him, "I know, but I haven't been out in so long. I won't be there for the whole party, just a few hours. Why don't you come with me?"He shook his head, "I can't, I'm going over the files tonight and I need to be ready if there are any more murders.""Do you think it's a Lycan?""I can't discuss that with you, Milly." He re
-MILA-Lobo and I walked into the clearing of the party and I immediately noticed the look on Selene's face when she saw us.Her brows furrowed in confusion and her eyes held a slight hint of hurt."Milly, how do the two of you know each other?""Lobo? He's Lowell's big brother," as the words left my mouth I suddenly realized what was going on. My eyes widened as I realized that Lobo was the man she had been speaking about.Selene visibly relaxed, "Oh my gosh! What are the odds of that? Best friends interested in brothers." She shot me a wink."Um, I have to get home to Lowell. I seem to have dropped my purse, have you seen it?"Selene shook her head, "No. But you can borrow-"Lobo cut her off, "I'm taking her home. I'll see you when I see you, Selena."I made a face at him for getting her name wrong.I could tell she was disappointed by this. Pulling her into a hug I promised we would all have dinner sometime before I walked over to the car with Lobo."Her name is Selene, not Selena
-MILA-Lobo helped me to my feet from beside the bed, but when I glanced over I took a frightened step back, covering my mouth with my hands to stop from screaming at the sight.The one who had tried to attack me was pretty much decapitated.The others were laying on the floor in one piece."You... How?""Don't worry about that, come on." I glanced back over at the dead body as Lobo pulled me from the room."Don't look," Lobo spoke in a demanding voice.Although I was terrified of Lobo, I figured my chances with him were better than staying in the room when those other Lycans woke up.As we passed the living room I could spot a pair of legs laying on the floor."How many were down here?" I asked."Not enough." He pulled me behind him and as we stepped out of the house I noticed Lowell walking toward us from his car."As if this night can't get any worse," I muttered to myself. Lowell looked up at us and I could see the look of confusion on his face when his eyes set on Lobo."What a
-LOBO-I walked into the old building fuming in anger."Where the fuck is Merrick?" One of the female werewolves walked over to me in her human form, "Why so angry, baby?"I ignored her pitiful attempt at gaining my attention and shook her grasp off of me as I walked passed."Where is Merrick?" I repeated, a little louder this time.The werewolves fell silent, knowing simply by my tone that I was in a bad mood today."What do you want with me?" Merrick asked as he came out from the back.He was the Alpha of this pack."I want to know why one of your wolves attacked my," I caught myself before continuing, "My brother's girlfriend. It happened last night in the woods."His eyes widened slightly, "I know nothing of this.""Merrick," I took a step toward him, "You are the Alpha of this pathetic excuse of a pack," another step forward, "Do you expect me to believe that you don't know what your members are getting up to?"His eyes faltered, looking towards the left before meeting mine agai
-MILA-My head ached and my eyes felt heavy and scratchy as I opened them.I was in my car, but I battled to make sense of anything around me.My head hurt so I touched my hand to my forehead, and when I pulled my hand away it was sticky with blood.The front of my car was smashed into a tree, and I immediately realized that it wouldn't start again after that."Where is my phone?" I glanced around the seats for my purse, but I couldn't see it. With shaky hands, I opened the door and climbed out of the car, but as my feet touched the ground, I fell to my hands and knees, my legs giving way beneath me.The dirt crunched under my hands as I crawled over to a tree, slumping against it. I could feel every bit of pain like a sharp volt through my system.Looking over, I saw my bag laying a little way from the car, so I pushed myself to my feet and stumbled toward it.I dropped down to my knees once again, sifting through the bag for my cell phone."Come on."My heart skipped a beat when my
-MILA-"Baby, what happened?" Lowell asked as he rushed over to my side. His voice was filled with emotion as he gently caressed my face.I noticed the way Lobo stood at the door, his face showing annoyance."I was driving and I got a sharp pain in my head. The next thing I know, I'm waking up in a wrecked car. I guess I lost consciousness and Lobo found me and brought me here."Lowell briefly looked back at Lobo, "How did you know where she was, Lobo?"Lobo cleared his throat, "I, uh, I don't know, Lowell. I could feel she was in trouble."I noticed the look on Lowell's face, although it was only there for a brief moment, I had seen it nonetheless."Lobo, thank you, but I've got it from here. You can leave." Lowell's voice was cold and I felt guilty.Lobo had saved my life twice, he deserved better than to be treated like he was nothing."Thank you, once again you came to my rescue." I smiled over at him.He nodded, "I'll leave you guys alone. Lowell, you and I need to have a talk la
-MILA-I was released from the hospital and was just busy unlocking the door when I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder.I turned to see Lobo."Lobo, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise, I wasn't expecting to see him."How are you feeling? I wanted to come by the hospital, but..." He trailed off, shaking his head."But?" A small part of me wondered why I was asking this. Why did any of this matter to me?"But, my brother made it very clear that he doesn't want me near you.""Right," I looked down at the keys in my hand, "Look, Lobo, you know that I am pretty much terrified of you. But, all of that aside, I really do appreciate the fact that you've been there both times when I needed you. I could have been dead if it wasn't for you. So, thank you." When I looked up at him I was surprised at the intensity in his gaze as he stared back at me."I realize that I probably shouldn't be here right now either," he frowned, "I just wanted to make sure you're okay.""Thank you." I watche
-MILA-Lobo.I paused mid step, Theo was forgotten.I fell to my knees as I shifted back into my human form and Lobo immediately came over and placed his jacket around me."Are you okay?"I shook my head. The fever was worse, my limbs were weak and shaky, my body flushing between chills of ice and boiling heat.Betty came over to help me to my feet, "The fever is worse."Lobo looked between the two of us, "Fever? She's sick?"Betty nodded, "Yes.""Why the hell are you running around on this stupid scavenger hunt then?!"Despite the growing pain in the joints of my body, I straightened, "Now is not the time for arguments, Lobo. I need to get to the cure.""The cure?" He looked at me in disbelief, "You're burning up hotter than a furnace and you're worried about the cure?"Betty cleared her throat beside me, "Mila, I'm with him on this one.""We must go on, we are so close." Theo piped up.Lobo glared at him, "Who the hell are you?""A friend of Elena's. I know how to get to the cure."
-MILA-My eyes widened as I looked at the hilt in Elena's pocket. Betty was walking slightly ahead which gave me no chance to warn her about what I was seeing and my heart rate sped up in panic.Was Elena the one who would kill Betty?My mindwas racing, I had to find a way to stop the vision from happening, but I didn't have the slightest clue how to do that.An idea struck me,but I wasn't sure if it would work or not.I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on Lobo."I don't know if you can hear me-""I hear you, baby, what's wrong?""I need your help. We're on our way through -" My thoughts were interupted as Betty yelped, a figure running at such a speed it was blurred came rushing passed us."What was that?" I asked, pausing to look around."Mila?"Theo seemed calm, "It was a vampire.""Excuse me?" I spun to him with wide eyes, "You said there weren't any vampires here!"He chuckled, "I guess I was slightly mistaken." He spoke with a comical tone to his voice. He spoke as if
-MILA-The test was all but burning a hole through my pocket. But I couldn't go anywhere near it with Theo right beside me.Betty's eyes were glued to the road ahead as we drove toward the spring with the cure.Theo was barking directions and Elena was dead quiet.I turned to look out the window, and said a silent prayer that the test would be negative.If it was positive I wouldn't be able to take the cure. And if I couldn't take the cure, all of this would have been for nothing."What test, Mila?"Shit! I jumped with fright, I hadn't realized that Lobo could hear me. I wasn't even trying to communicate with him at all."Mila?"I didn't look at Elena when I responded, "I'm fine. This fever is killng me." It wasn't a lie, the fever did seem to be getting worse.Theo turned to me, "Perhaps I can distract you a little?"I turned with a frown, "And how do you plan to do that?""I would like to know more of your mate."It seemed strange to me that he would ask about Lobo so suddenly."Why
-MILA-I sat with a blanket around my shoulders curled up on Theo's sofa after having emptied the contents of my stomach. The nausea was strong and I was extremely fevered.Elena and Theo stood together talking in hushed tones while Betty sat on the arm of my chair."I don't trust him." She whispered."Neither do I. Something is up.""Are we going to go with them to the spring?"I nodded, "Of course we are. I need that cure. For all we know I'm getting sick because the Goddess is pissed at me."Betty frowned, "Or you're getting sick because the prophecy is already underway."My head spun in her direction, "What?" A shiver ran down my spine, that was a possibility I hadn't thought of."You have the symptoms."I shook my head, "No." I was in denial. I didn't even want to think that it could be true.Not now when I was so close to the cure."How about you take a test before we leave?" Betty suggested.I glanced over at Elena and Theo, "I don't want them knowing anything about this.""Don
-MILA-We arrived after sundown in the small homely town. The cottage styled houses lined the roads with picturesque front yards and trees set behind them.The moonlight cast blue hues along the bark of the trees."It looks like something out of a fairytale." I commented, slightly in awe of the beauty of it as we drove along."It's a pretty old town. They try to keep it as close to the original as possible." Elena spoke with pride in her voice.I wanted to ask why she left such a beautiful place, but I didn't want to pry."Why did you leave?" Of course, tact was not one of Betty's strong suites.Elena shrugged a shoulder, "I fell in love with a man who shattered my heart and in an attempt to heal, I ran away."The silence that fell between us was dense with sadness. When Elena spoke, she spoke with such emotion that I could feel the heartbreak rolling off of her."Is he the one who thinks wolves are monsters?"I wanted to reach over and smack Betty.She really didn't know when to stop
-MILA-"Can you turn that racket down?" I asked while holding my pounding head.We were drivng toward Elena's hometown and the music on the radio wasn't helping my already pounding head."You're suffering because you refuse to eat." Elena stated matter-of-factly.I rolled my eyes and laid on the back seat. My head felt as if there were tiny construction workers in it, hammering away."When will we get there?" I wanted this all over and done with, the sooner it was over the sooner I could attempt to move forward."It takes a few hours." Betty responded.A few hours? Although it was only now reaching sundown I was already growing impatient."Mila. You better get your ass back here."My eyes darted open but I didn't dare tell Betty and Elena what I had heard.With the way the pair had panicked earlier, I didn't want to risk spooking them any further."When we get to my friend, let me do the talking. He's a little panicky." Something in Elena's voice told me she was hiding something.I sa
-MILA-I stood with my arms crossed over my chest while leaning against the hood of the car while staring at the little motel. Elena was inside the motel arranging rooms for us."I thought Lobo would be mad and want nothing to do with me after this." I spoke suddenly.Betty scoffed, "Like I said before, you clearly didn't think this through.""Obviously not. And now I've put the two of you in danger.""Elena has her own reasons for this, that's not on you. And as for me, I haven't belonged in that Pack for a very long time. I just needed a shove to leave."Her words surprised me, I always assumed that Betty wanted to be apart of the Pack forever.Before I could question her, Elena stepped out and came toward us giving a thumbs up."We've got rooms. We need to check out tomorrow at eleven. But we'll probably be gone before then, right?"Betty nodded, "Yeah, we need to get to your hometown as soon as possible," she looked around the parking lot, "Is there anywhere I can stash my car? If
-MILA-The trees blurred as we drove past. Betty and Elena were talking up a storm in the front while I sulked in the back seat. Although it was by my own doing, I still couldn't get over the pain I was feeling over my choice."Mila?" Betty glanced into the rearview mirror before turning her attention back to the road."Yeah?" I asked, the single word seemed to take more effort than usual, feeling as if it sucked a boat load of energy from me."Are you-""Don't ask if I'm okay, because I'm not, and I don't know when I will be."Elena turned in her seat to face me, "I think you did the right thing. You made a selfless choice based on love. Not many of us would be able to do that.""Well, it doesn't feel like I've done anything good.""Why is it so important to become human again?" Betty asked."When I was with Lowell, I knew the day would come where I would be marked. But he made it sound easier. Since I've been marked it's been hell. I hate this. And now with the prophecy... I can't d
-MILA-I woke up feeling a heavy dread in my stomach and a sense of anxiety beginning to set in, complete with nausea.I looked over at Lobo who was asleep beside me, it was one of the first times he was actually sleeping in for a change, it was also one of the few times where he looked completely peaceful.It calmed me slightly to look at him and a smile crept onto my face, a feeling of warmth spreading through me.I sighed, snuggling closer to him while admiring his beauty.It came to mind that he was misunderstood in many ways. It was easy to see why, he had a way of oozing power.His very presence demanded respect.But that was only his outward appearance. Deep within, he was a soft and caring man.I would even go as far as saying he was emotional and fragile.Suddenly a frown came to my face at the thought. He was willing to give up his whole life for me. Was it fair of me to expect him to do that?The answer was no, it wasn't.I was being incredibly selfish. With a heavy heart,