Ryan POVI drive Fallon to Mayhem's Wolf Pack. She sits silently, thinking. I know she has been through a lot. I wish I could help her more, but as her watcher and friend, it is my duty to be here and protect and allow her the chance to figure her magic out on her own. It is hard to sit back and watch. "Do you know him? My father, do you know him?" Fallon asks me. Her words break as she asks about her father, and I can hear the worry coming from her. How much more can she take? Who am I kidding? She is a reaper and a badass. She can figure this out. I slow down and make a turn onto a dirt road. We hit a few bumps before I pull off on the side of the road. "I know your father. Everyone knows him. He is a good wolf. I have heard stories about his affair with the reaper, but sometimes people and wolves talk when they should listen. It is best you ask him any question you have, not me or Libby. Speak freely with him and honestly. Your father will tell you what you need to know," I say.
Fallon POVI ride on Ryan's back. I lay into his fur as the wind rushes over us. I feel at peace. Peace is hard to come by for me lately. It may be time for some peace in my life. But first, more family drama to contend with and then maybe some peace. "You okay?" Ryan asks me as he runs fast through the woods toward a light. That must be the packhouse. I am holding on so tight that I worry I am pulling his fur. "I am fine," I answer him. Am I fine? I think so. "We are almost there," Ryan growls. My head rests on his back as I hold his fur. I listen to his heart beating and the sounds of his paws digging into the ground. The sounds of peace and love are soothing. It almost lulls me to sleep. Ryan stops in front of a house. I assume this is the packhouse. A young woman comes out as Ryan shifts back into his human form. She is staring at me hard. "Fallon, I assume," the young woman says, not breaking the cold stare. "Yes," I answer. I step toward her, but she backs away. "Let her
Fallon POVI follow Ryan out of the packhouse and into the woods surrounding us. The night is enchanting, just like Ryan. "I will shift slowly, and then you follow," Ryan says. Ryan tries to go over every aspect of the shift, but as he speaks, the smell of rain and the whispers of my ancestors consume me. I can hear their whispers of encouragement. Ryan stops ahead of me. "Are you listening to me?" he asks me. He raises his eyebrows. He already knows my mind is elsewhere. "I am listening to you and them," I say with a smile. The moon is enormous and hanging just above the treeline. It seems to engulf Ryan as he shifts. He is talking to me as he shifts, walking me through the steps. I hear bones cracking as he growls. This is going to hurt like hell. Ryan stands before me on all fours. He is a beautiful wolf. His eyes glowing in the moonlight. He is perfection. "You try, go slowly, and take your time. Just think about shifting and let your body do the rest. It may not happen the f
Ryan POVFallon digs into learning the art of reaping, being a wolf, and being a witch. She consumes every ounce of knowledge I give her. She fights with her heart and the desire to kill the ones that are responsible for the death of her family. The ancestors watch as Fallon trains. I watch them as close as they watch her. At times, I do not trust them. They want her to be a reaper. I only want her to be happy. Fallon flashes a smile at me, catching me watching her as she takes out a wolf being than her. "I think they let me win because of my father," Fallon says, laughing. The wolf crawls from the practice mat. "I would never insult you, Fallon," the wolf says. He is injured. Fallon has no idea just how strong she really is. To think she hasn't accepted all of her gifts yet. "I think you can kick their ass, and probably mine too," I say, moving closer to her. I brush my hand through Fallon's hair. Our eyes meet, and we look into each other's eyes for what seems like forever. I wa
Libby POVMother Agnes worries for Fallon every second of the day. We know she is safe. Ryan keeps us informed of her training and the decisions she has made concerning her future. Probably the most shocking was the decision to marry Ryan after she completes training. A summer wedding in New Orleans between the big bad wolf and the new reapers will happen soon enough. Mother Agnes is happy, and so am I. It was no secret that Ryan was Fallon's mate, but I did not think it would happen this fast. Maybe I did know but ignored it. Fallon took on new gifts when she accepted her wolf. When she is ready, I will teach her to use her magic. When all her skills are at her disposal, Fallon will be unstoppable. She will be the reaper we need, the protector of our community if that is what she wants. Otherwise, things could get bad for all of the supernatural community. Mother Agnes rocks on the front porch in her rocker and watches for Fallon to return every day. I am trying to understand why.
Alpha Mayhem POVFallon is coming along great. Her training is exceeding everyone's expectations, including mine. Ryan knows how to push her just enough for her to complete any mission he sets up for her. She is coming into all her reaper and wolf abilities beautifully. Ryan, how do I feel about him marking Fallon? At first, I was furious. I want her to be a wolf, not a reaper. This may be the first step toward her finding herself as a wolf. Fallon has her mate and her pack. Why does she need to prove herself as a witch and a reaper? Honestly, watching Fallon train, I can see why she needs to be the reaper. Yes, the supernatural community needs her, but what about her needs? When does Fallon get to be Fallon? My thoughts are interrupted by my wolves approaching. "Alpha Mayhem, there is a woman and an older woman at the gate to see you. I believe both are witches. The older one is demanding I let her in or else," Beta Staggs says. He looks shaken. Only one older woman can make a you
Fallon POVSeeing Libby and Mother Agnes brings me so much joy. I hate that something is happening with Bruce, but part of me worries it is a setup. Maybe that is why Alpha Mayhem is on edge. He looks more worried today sitting here with Mother Agnes than the day I showed up wanting answers. I feel a strong arm come around me and pull me in for a warm embrace. "Ryan, I need your help. Are you willing to help Bruce?" I ask him. I close my eyes and try to enjoy his embrace for a moment. Any moment in Ryan's arms is heaven. "I will help you in any tasks you ask for my help and the ones you don't. You are my future wife, my love and my mate. I am yours and you are mine," Ryan says. He kisses my temple. I notice Mother Agnes watching us. I try to listen to her mind. He loves me, I say to her through a link with her mind. I know she answers and then looks away. She terminates the mind link. I am not sure what is going on with her either. Everyone is on edge. It cannot be just because Um
Bruce POVThe room is cold, and I feel alone. My wounds are not healing. It feels like there is salt buried deep in my wounds. Everything hurts and stings. I try to think of her. Fallon, I loved you so much, but you rejected me. I knew the plan was for me to keep her in constant agony, but I did care for her. I grew to love her as I watched over her, and then she picked Ryan over me. "ARGHHHH!" I scream out. The door creaks, and someone pushes it open. The darkness of the cold room becomes illuminated by the light from the hallway. "I know you loved her, Bruce, but she did not love you that is why she let you leave. She only loves him. Tell me where she is, and I can stop all of your pain and her pain," Umbra hisses at me. I worshiped Umbra and followed her teachings for so long, but Umbra is drunk on power and destroying lives. Did I have a choice in getting involved with Umbra? No! "Stop all this thinking and rationalizing, Bruce. You knew it was your responsibility to watch Fal
Fallon POVSix months after my rescue, I finally made a full recovery. Umbra is dead, and most of her witches are. Libby and Crane have worked hard to restore peace to the supernatural community. They are doing great and are making great reapers. Their teenagers have become permanent members of our pack. Alpha Mayhem gave them jobs and educational resources while their parents did what was necessary to keep us safe. After Umbra's death it was baffling to the pack doctor why I was healing so slow. No one could figure it out and I guess it did not matter. I had my mother's magic and Mother Agnes's life force, but my body was slow to heal. Now I am able to walk and do things on my own again. I know this was hard on Ryan, but he took care of me. I sit on the porch sipping a cup of tea alone for a moment, watching the sunrise. It is relaxing to me to just be alone. I see my father coming my way in his human form. I know he usually runs at night with Charis, but he is coming alone. "How
Fallon POVGrace and a strange-looking bald man took me from my home. I hope Ryan is okay. I know Grace put a spell on him and me. I am supposed to be so powerful, but I cannot protect myself or my home. What good am I as a reaper?"You still haven't tapped into all of your power. That is why you are weak," a voice growls at me. I hear drops of water hitting metal. I look, hoping the ancestors are coming to rescue me, but it is water pouring in from above me. I am underground. That is why it is so cold. "Who are you?" I ask the woman. She steps into the light so I can see her better. She is thin with long red hair. It is the girl from the gas station. "I knew who you were the first time I saw you. You are here to screw up the life we have. You want to reap the ones who step out of line and kill Umbra. That is why you must die. I told mother you would never come over to our side," she says. "I am sorry. Who are you?" I ask her. She leans in close to me, smiling. "I am Jenny, daugh
Ryan POVI open my eyes slowly. There is blood on the floor. I touch my face, and it is sticky. "Fallon!" I call out for my wife, but there is no answer. "Fallon!" I call out for her again. Libby is running through the house. She is screaming for Fallon. Alpha Mayhem comes in behind Mother Agnes. The commotion does nothing for my headache. "What happened? Ryan, open your eyes. What happened?" Alpha Mayhem asks me. His words echo. I shake my head and try to get to my feet. "They used a blocking spell on him. It will take a while for him to pull himself together. He is drunk on the magic they used," Libby says. Alpha Mayhem shakes me. "Stop, that will not help, Alpha," Mother Agnes says. "Help me to my feet, please," I ask Alpha Mayhem. I am so weak. I cannot stand it. Alpha Mayhem pulls me to my feet, but my knees buckle. Alpha Mayhem leads me over to a chair in the kitchen. "Sit," he commands. Libby brings me a glass of water. My head aches, and everything echoes as the three o
Fallon POV"What do you want?" I scream at Grace. Libby pushes me behind her. Ryan has left to run off some steam, and it is only us here. I wish Ryan were here. "We don't need him. We are okay," Libby says, reading my body language and anxiety. "She is right, you know. We do not need your husband, Ryan. Now the three girls can have a little chat about the reaping and who and how this will happen," Grace says. Grace moves faster now than earlier. I have no idea why she appears so mechanical or wicked, but something is different with her. I do not like it, and neither does Libby. "What do you want?" I ask Grace again. Libby and I keep backing further into the house. Grace follows us. Why are all these people so damn crazy here. Maybe Ryan and I should get away from here, no, I want my family, and I am going to have it. "I want Libby to take up the reaping finally, but first, you have to die to secure her place," Grace says. Libby begins to scream as Grace charges toward me. "Sh
Fallon POVI am snuggled in the arms of the man I love when our front door comes open. Wind and rain blew inside the house. It has to be the ancestors. I guess they are coming to warn me not to give up the reaping or to be happy that Libby is taking my place. I get up and walk toward the door with Ryan behind me. For some reason, Ryan grabs me and pulls me behind him. "What are you doing?" I ask him. The ancestors would never hurt me, and he knows this. I can see the worry on his face, and then I see why. An older woman with long white hair walks through our door. The elements seem to follow her as she comes into her house. "Who are you, and what do you want?" I ask her, but she does not get the chance to answer or explain herself. "Back off, Talone," another witch screams. Ryan and I back up. There is about to be a fight, and I do not think I want any part of it. "Get out of here," Ryan begs me. I grab Ryan's hand. There is no way I will leave him in this mess. I can hear voice
Libby POVCrane gets the girls and tries to calm them as I pack a small pack for each of them. I know they are old enough to do it, but we have to move fast. Talone will be back soon, and I have to get my family safe. Crane and I rush into the garage with the girls behind us. We get into the car, each with a small bag to live out of until this is over. I smile at Crane, who I can tell is worried. Crane trained his entire life as a hunter. He is damn good at it, a natural-born killer, but he gave that life so I could have a normal life and a family. It is the exact same thing Fallon is doing to be with Ryan. She is giving up the reaping to be a wife and mother. I smile at that thought because I know how much joy my family has given me. "STOP!" an old voice call. The garage door begins to vibrate. She is back, and she will kill us. I close my eyes to start another protective shield. The one around us must not be strong enough to keep Talone out. The car door opens, and a woman gets
Libby POVI return home, leaving Fallon to spend time with her husband and build a relationship with him. Fallon deserves some peace and happiness. I hope she finds it. I honestly think Ryan and Fallon will be happy. Fallon will be an amazing mother, and Luna. Ryan will be a wonderful father and Alpha. The two of them have a bright future together. I can hear you. We need to talk. A voice is calling out to me. I step outside and listen to the wind. At first, I thought it had to be the ancestors calling out to me, but that was no Onya, Sonya, or Anna's voice. I listen again. Nothing! I return inside my house. My children are upstairs doing their thing, and my husband is in the backyard cooking dinner. I have to talk with him about the reaping. My husband was born a hunter, but he changed his name and chose me all those years ago. He turned away from everything he was born to do. Why? For a family and a life with me. Now, as the children are almost grown, I can give him all that back
Fallon POVOver the next few weeks, Ryan and I were together to improve my reaping skills, Libby helped with my magic, and Alpha Mayhem helped with my wolf training. By the end of the month, I am ready to take on my role as the reaper of the supernatural community, and the most important thing I need to do is kill Umbra. It is all I can think about it. Killing Umbra consumes my mind and my body and infects every part of my life. "You have to let the hate go. If you do not, you will end up like your mother, BITTER!" Libby fusses at me. She is correct, but I cannot stop thinking about it. I want Umbra dead for what she did to my family. She needs to die. I sit down in the grass, and Libby joins me. We have spent most of the day working on spells, but my mind is elsewhere. Consuming my mind is nothing but these thoughts every day. I want this to stop. "Your mind should be on your husband and your new life, not on death. You have to move past this. Your life and your magic will suffer,
Fallon POVRyan sets me down and pushes me behind him to protect me. "You think you are strong enough to defeat me," Chaos howls at Ryan. "Run, Fallon," Ryan screams at me. "I will not leave you," I say. I stand beside Ryan, ready to fight. Surely, my father's pack will hear the howling and come to help. We do not need help, and you can take him down quickly. Use your magic. Ryan is in my head. He doesn't want me to run, but he wants Chaos to think I am running away. I run in the opposite direction until I am deep in the woods. I can hear Ryan and Chaos fighting. I wait until Chaos is not thinking of me. I want all of his attention on Ryan. I feel a hand touch my shoulder. I look behind me to see Alpha Mayhem and several wolves. "We are going in, and you stay here, Fallon," Alpha Mayhem instructs me. I protest. This upsets me. Why does everyone still treat me like a child? "I can take Chaos down. I am not a child!" I argue. "Rush Chaos!" Alpha Mayhem instructs his wolves. "I k