Trista’s POV“It’s a trap,” Dagny said. Her brows furrowed and I could see how stressful this was for her. “These people don’t care about the police. The police are scared of them. They operate in a criminal, underground world. The police can’t protect us. No one can.”I side-eyed Liam and Darren. They both had concerned looks on their faces.So the police were out. If Dagny thought it was a bad idea to go to the police, then I trusted her judgement. But were we supposed to do? “I waited here, for Johnson,” she said sadly. “Otherwise, I would have left as soon as I saw those curtains. I just couldn’t bear the thought of my poor Johnson walking into a trap. It’s another reason I had to risk exposing myself and go to the funeral. I was afraid he would just show up. I tried calling him but I can’t get through to him on his phone. I’ve been worried sick,” she said. A single tear fell from her eye as she wrung the handkerchief in her lap. “I just kept hoping he’d come and I’d get to him
Trista’s POVI stared in disbelief as Dagny and Darren smiled at one another.“I wasn’t sure if you’d recognize me. Time has been kinder to you, I’m afraid. I’m an old man now,” Darren said.They knew each other? But how was that possible?“I’m sorry, “ Dagny said. “That probably took you by surprise. Let me explain.”All eyes turned to Dagny as she began her explanation.“The Cartwright family is very well-known in both Italy and France. As I’m sure you’ve surmised, they own many successful businesses. But that’s just on the surface. Most of their businesses are just fronts because their ancestors gained control of the largest underground mafia organization this region has seen in several generations.”She paused to let the words sink in.“How about some tea,” she said. “I think there’s still some in kitchen, as well as a kettle. This is a lot to process and a hot cup of tea might help.”Before any of us could answer, she scurried off the kitchen. Honestly, I failed to see how a cup
Trista’s POV“Johnson?” I asked, trying to figure out how he played into all of this.“Yes. Shortly after Johnson was born,” Dagny explained, Steward and Felix agreed to part ways. They each had a share in the family business and decided to stop the feuding. They thought it best if they just each focused on their respective fields and leave each other well enough alone. I had the herbal medicine from Darla and Darren that could suppress my wolf, so Steward and I integrated fully into the human world. We decided to raise Johnson there, figuring it was best for him. That’s the last time we saw each other,” Dagny said to Darren. “And I must say, it’s lovely to see you again.”“Likewise,” Darren smiled back. They shared a knowing smile. Although I was surprised that they knew each other, I was happy to see that they seemed to genuinely like one another.Liam shifted in his chair then. I glanced at him, just as he winced.“Are you okay?” I asked him. His face was still pretty pale. His wou
Trista’s POVI glanced over at Liam. He’d been listening to the whole story, completely silent. But now he spoke up.“I remember him,” Liam said. “The man from Milan.”“What do you make of all this?” I asked Liam. I was curious to know his thoughts on everything. All eyes turned to Liam. He inhaled a sharp breath.“Well, first off, I have to say I’m surprised to hear that Johnson comes from a mafia wolf family. I mean, I’ve only met him a few times, but he seemed pleasant and courteous enough. I never would have known that he was involved in the mafia.”I could tell that Liam didn’t particularly like admitting that Johnson was pleasant and courteous, but I appreciated that Liam was setting his personal grudge against Johnson aside and giving his honest opinion.Dagny smiled proudly. “We did our best to raise him right, Johnson. I instilled manners in him. I’m happy to hear he’s upholding the values I taught him.”Liam side-eyed me. It wasn’t exactly a compliment. Liam was pointing out
Trista’s POVThe overall feeling in the room plummeted the moment the word ‘lycan’ left Dagny’s mouth. It was as though the very air had turned ice cold. The tension was palpable.I suddenly realized that maybe Dagny was right. Because Lycans are so rare and they basically only exist in our legends and moldy ancient books, we basically know nothing about them.Dagny sat, perched on the edge of her seat, her chin jutted high in the air, looking like a royal queen. Liam sat beside me, completely shocked.“Does that clear things up, dear?” Dagny asked sardonically. She smiled smugly at Liam. Her entire demeanor had shifted. The once friendly and warm Dagny had been replaced by this indignant Dagny. Her attitude towards Liam was clearly unfriendly now. In fact, it was almost antagonistic.At first, I thought Dagny’s shift in attitude was because Liam had offended her by making fun of her blood pack. But I could see now there was something much deeper going on. Dagny said the word ‘Lycan’
Trista’s POVI glanced around the room, stunned. The walls were lined with assorted weapons: guns, knives, and other things I didn’t recognize. There were tons of weapons there. I hadn’t expected to see a room like this, a secret, underground room stocked to the hilt with weapons.“What is this place?” I asked Dagny.“It’s our armory. We built it and stocked it in case anyone found us out here in the forest and we were attacked.” Her voice was flippant, as though this room was commonplace. I thought otherwise. I’d never been so close to so many weapons before. It made me feel uneasy.It felt so odd standing in that room. From the outside, the cabin looked so quaint. It looked like a nice little place to escape to for a relaxing weekend away. But now? This room had enough weapons to launch a pretty hefty attack. I never would have imagined there was a secret room beneath the cute little main floor. I stepped forward and lightly brushed my hand over one of the machine guns.“I think I k
Trista’s POVHer question came out of the blue. I was taken aback by the boldness of her question. It came out sounding accusatory and her eyes remained fixed on mine in an intense glare. Was that part of the reason she’d been so hostile to Liam? Because she thought that he and I were involved? It would explain why she disliked him so much. “If you are still involved with your ex-husband,” Dagny continued before I’d even had a moment to reply, “then I think it’s best for you to leave with Liam once he’s healed.”I hesitated, unsure of what to say.“I’ll also ask that you not interfere in the Cartwright’s affairs any further. Surely you can understand my position. I have an obligation to protect our family, and that includes Johnson.”I did understand her position. I appreciated how blunt she was being. The questions and demands were a bit off-putting, but she was a mother and I knew first-hand a mother’s desire to protect her family. I’d showed up here, at the church, with my wounde
Trista’s POV“The Cartwright family has a mysterious gene,” Dagny told me. “We’ve often believed that it’s a curse, although we don’t know where the curse came from.”“A mysterious gene?” I asked. “What sort of gene?”“Twins,” she said, her expression serious. “You see, every time someone in the Cartwright family gets pregnant, it’s always with twin boys. Sometimes, the two books like similar, almost like identical twins. But other times, they look completely different. Either way, they never get along. They’re destined to war with each other from the day they take their first breath. It doesn’t matter when any one does. It’s just their fate. One twin always ends up killing the other. It’s a tragic ending.”Dagny paused.“That’s awful,” I said quietly. I couldn’t even imagine what that must be like for the parents, knowing their children’s fate was written in stone and that there was nothing they could do. How strange, I thought to myself, to have the excitement of birth marred by thi
Trista’s POVI turned the words over in my head.The Lycan Erasthai?“No, I don’t think I have,” I told Dagny. The words were unfamiliar to me.She nodded. “Well, the Erasthai is a special bond that Lycans experience. Werewolves have matebonds appointed by the Moon Goddess. But Erasthai is an emotional bond that comes from the heart.”“It’s like a matebond for Lycans? This Erasthai?” I asked.“Yes, sort of. But it’s much stronger. Much more serious,” she told me.I found it hard to believe that anything could be stronger than a werewolf’s matebond, but I had no point of reference since I wasn’t a Lycan. So I had to take Dagny’s word on that.“I’ve sensed Johnson’s feelings for you. I sensed them when he came to visit us at our estate. I think you might be Johnson’s Erasthai.”I also knew Johnson had feelings for me, but I thought they were just human feelings, since I thought Johnson was human. But now Dagny was telling me that his feelings might be something much deeper. If Erasthai
Trista’s POVI was speechless.Me? Had I just heard her right?She looked at me intensely.“Like I said, Trista, I can’t be entirely sure. It’s only a guess. But something has changed. Something has instigated his wolves and I know how he feels about you. I think you might be his mate. And his wolves are reacting to that.”She stated it so matter-of-factly. But her words sent my thoughts whirling. I was relieved we were downstairs in this secret room. I was grateful for the privacy as I grappled through the enormity of the things Dagny was telling me.I was the reason his wolves had awakened? Me? I didn’t like that thought. It was bad enough that Liam was upstairs right now, injured by a mystical Silvery because of me. If what Dagny was saying were true, then I’d activated Johnson’s dormant wolves? But how? And why? I considered Johnson to be family, but up until a little while ago, I’d thought he was human. I’d known him for five years and there hadn’t been a single day I thought he
Trista’s POV“The Cartwright family has a mysterious gene,” Dagny told me. “We’ve often believed that it’s a curse, although we don’t know where the curse came from.”“A mysterious gene?” I asked. “What sort of gene?”“Twins,” she said, her expression serious. “You see, every time someone in the Cartwright family gets pregnant, it’s always with twin boys. Sometimes, the two books like similar, almost like identical twins. But other times, they look completely different. Either way, they never get along. They’re destined to war with each other from the day they take their first breath. It doesn’t matter when any one does. It’s just their fate. One twin always ends up killing the other. It’s a tragic ending.”Dagny paused.“That’s awful,” I said quietly. I couldn’t even imagine what that must be like for the parents, knowing their children’s fate was written in stone and that there was nothing they could do. How strange, I thought to myself, to have the excitement of birth marred by thi
Trista’s POVHer question came out of the blue. I was taken aback by the boldness of her question. It came out sounding accusatory and her eyes remained fixed on mine in an intense glare. Was that part of the reason she’d been so hostile to Liam? Because she thought that he and I were involved? It would explain why she disliked him so much. “If you are still involved with your ex-husband,” Dagny continued before I’d even had a moment to reply, “then I think it’s best for you to leave with Liam once he’s healed.”I hesitated, unsure of what to say.“I’ll also ask that you not interfere in the Cartwright’s affairs any further. Surely you can understand my position. I have an obligation to protect our family, and that includes Johnson.”I did understand her position. I appreciated how blunt she was being. The questions and demands were a bit off-putting, but she was a mother and I knew first-hand a mother’s desire to protect her family. I’d showed up here, at the church, with my wounde
Trista’s POVI glanced around the room, stunned. The walls were lined with assorted weapons: guns, knives, and other things I didn’t recognize. There were tons of weapons there. I hadn’t expected to see a room like this, a secret, underground room stocked to the hilt with weapons.“What is this place?” I asked Dagny.“It’s our armory. We built it and stocked it in case anyone found us out here in the forest and we were attacked.” Her voice was flippant, as though this room was commonplace. I thought otherwise. I’d never been so close to so many weapons before. It made me feel uneasy.It felt so odd standing in that room. From the outside, the cabin looked so quaint. It looked like a nice little place to escape to for a relaxing weekend away. But now? This room had enough weapons to launch a pretty hefty attack. I never would have imagined there was a secret room beneath the cute little main floor. I stepped forward and lightly brushed my hand over one of the machine guns.“I think I k
Trista’s POVThe overall feeling in the room plummeted the moment the word ‘lycan’ left Dagny’s mouth. It was as though the very air had turned ice cold. The tension was palpable.I suddenly realized that maybe Dagny was right. Because Lycans are so rare and they basically only exist in our legends and moldy ancient books, we basically know nothing about them.Dagny sat, perched on the edge of her seat, her chin jutted high in the air, looking like a royal queen. Liam sat beside me, completely shocked.“Does that clear things up, dear?” Dagny asked sardonically. She smiled smugly at Liam. Her entire demeanor had shifted. The once friendly and warm Dagny had been replaced by this indignant Dagny. Her attitude towards Liam was clearly unfriendly now. In fact, it was almost antagonistic.At first, I thought Dagny’s shift in attitude was because Liam had offended her by making fun of her blood pack. But I could see now there was something much deeper going on. Dagny said the word ‘Lycan’
Trista’s POVI glanced over at Liam. He’d been listening to the whole story, completely silent. But now he spoke up.“I remember him,” Liam said. “The man from Milan.”“What do you make of all this?” I asked Liam. I was curious to know his thoughts on everything. All eyes turned to Liam. He inhaled a sharp breath.“Well, first off, I have to say I’m surprised to hear that Johnson comes from a mafia wolf family. I mean, I’ve only met him a few times, but he seemed pleasant and courteous enough. I never would have known that he was involved in the mafia.”I could tell that Liam didn’t particularly like admitting that Johnson was pleasant and courteous, but I appreciated that Liam was setting his personal grudge against Johnson aside and giving his honest opinion.Dagny smiled proudly. “We did our best to raise him right, Johnson. I instilled manners in him. I’m happy to hear he’s upholding the values I taught him.”Liam side-eyed me. It wasn’t exactly a compliment. Liam was pointing out
Trista’s POV“Johnson?” I asked, trying to figure out how he played into all of this.“Yes. Shortly after Johnson was born,” Dagny explained, Steward and Felix agreed to part ways. They each had a share in the family business and decided to stop the feuding. They thought it best if they just each focused on their respective fields and leave each other well enough alone. I had the herbal medicine from Darla and Darren that could suppress my wolf, so Steward and I integrated fully into the human world. We decided to raise Johnson there, figuring it was best for him. That’s the last time we saw each other,” Dagny said to Darren. “And I must say, it’s lovely to see you again.”“Likewise,” Darren smiled back. They shared a knowing smile. Although I was surprised that they knew each other, I was happy to see that they seemed to genuinely like one another.Liam shifted in his chair then. I glanced at him, just as he winced.“Are you okay?” I asked him. His face was still pretty pale. His wou
Trista’s POVI stared in disbelief as Dagny and Darren smiled at one another.“I wasn’t sure if you’d recognize me. Time has been kinder to you, I’m afraid. I’m an old man now,” Darren said.They knew each other? But how was that possible?“I’m sorry, “ Dagny said. “That probably took you by surprise. Let me explain.”All eyes turned to Dagny as she began her explanation.“The Cartwright family is very well-known in both Italy and France. As I’m sure you’ve surmised, they own many successful businesses. But that’s just on the surface. Most of their businesses are just fronts because their ancestors gained control of the largest underground mafia organization this region has seen in several generations.”She paused to let the words sink in.“How about some tea,” she said. “I think there’s still some in kitchen, as well as a kettle. This is a lot to process and a hot cup of tea might help.”Before any of us could answer, she scurried off the kitchen. Honestly, I failed to see how a cup