"What?" Kerry asked, his voice stuck deep in his throat, threatening to strangle him. "He took her? He's going to take her soul. What…why wouldn't she say anything? Where did he take her? How did no one know about this-," it all poured out of him like uncontrollable word vomit.Alex stepped forward and carefully put his palm on Kerry's shoulder."Calm down. We're going to get to the bottom of this. Let's get back to the pack house and talk to Dad."Kerry swallowed the urge to cry like a little pup. He hated pity, and that included self-pity, but he'd already lost his first mate, he couldn't lose his second chance.He refused not to be there for her as he wasn't for Chelsey. She'd died in battle, a battle he was a part of, but didn't get there in time. He would get to Demetria in time. You don't get three chances, and he refused to let her die at the hands of some crazed warlock that thought he was God.Kerry nodded slowly, and slid into the driver's seat of Alex’s truck. Alex didn't
Jack’s scream roared in Demetria's ears along with the growing wind of the portal. She'd never been in one, or created one, but they were well known for traveling throughout the witchy world. Demetria held onto his coat, praying she wasn't sucked out of it, and a house tossed on top of her or something. When the wind began to die, the portal fizzled out, and she fell to the wet dew covered ground. The smell was woodsy, like she'd been dropped into a forest after a big rain. The field around her was wet from morning dew, and the sun peeked over the distant hills. The scenery wasn't doom and gloom like the one she expected. It was ... nice and poetic. There were wild purple flowers growing tall, and the sound of a river close by. It almost warmed Demetria's soul to be there, until Ike stood up from a place several feet away, and dusted off his outfit. His clothes were bloody and ripped to shreds. It made Demetria smile. Way to go, Jane. When he looked over, she could sense the ang
Kerry watched the bird fly away as his wolfskimmed the surface. The mocking spun in his head like a broken record, burning his blood to a boil. Before he could stop himself, his wolf ripped from within, and jumped into the air, grasping the tail feather of the bird. Kerry fell to the ground with a mouth full of feathers, as he flew away squawking."Kerry," Alpha Davis said. "Calm down-,"He stumbled to his feet, his paw digging into the wet ground as he chased underneath the bird that disappeared into the canopy of trees nearby.His wolf howled, spinning circles beneath a huge oak, while Alpha Davis called after him. "Kerry, shift back now."His wolf fought him, but Kerry shifted, fell down to all fours, and braced his forehead against the rain soaked leaves. "Son," Alpha Davis said, bending down beside him, his palm placed on his shoulder. "Get up. This isn't helping."Kerry wasn't stupid enough to think his wallowing in self-pity was helping, or chasing after a damn bird. But with
Jack monopolized their dinner with small talk that made Demetria want to vomit. She wouldn't lie and say the food was terrible, because it wasn't, but knowing who prepared it was enough to churn her stomach. She had no idea what he had planned to get his pendant back.How would he get back to the pack house, light…years away, without bringing her along? At that moment, it was her only source of hope on escaping. Then it hit her."Where is your bird?" she asked, remembering he brought it with him before. It sat perched on his shoulder like a stupid parrot.Jack glanced up from his plate, over the rim of a wine glass, and smiled. "Around. She does my bidding. Her name is Libby," he said, swishing his wine around. "Are you sure you don't want a glass of this? I'm told it's good for the soul."She clamped down on a bite off her fork, and slipped it from her mouth, taking careful bites of her pasta. At least he was feeding her, but she knew he needed her in good shape to take her life.It
"You want me to do what?" Lucas asked.Lucas was one of the pack's warriors. He enjoyed bow hunting in his free time, and that sounded just like what Kerry needed to kill the lyrebird.Kerry tapped his fingertips against an oak tree where Lucas stood before his run. "I want you to kill that lyrebird. He's been following me around and I think he's following me."Lucas narrowed his eyes to slits, and cracked his neck. Kerry became impatient as he stretched and jogged in place. "I don't know, Kerry. I'm not for killing animals for no reason. I mean, that bird isn't even native here. I'd hate to kill it.""The bird belongs to the warlock that has my mate, Lucas. He's flying around and keeping an eye on me. Not to mention, he's mocking me. I need you to kill it."He sighed, and scratched the back of his neck. "I…” He sighed, and scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't realize. Sure. Let me grab my bow, and I'll meet you there after my run.""Thank you," Kerry said, watching him jog into
Demetria hardly slept a wink the night before. That overwhelming feeling of being watched haunted her well into the night. She knew exactly when Jack woke, and began to move around the house because she was awake when morning came.Pulling the covers back, she rubbed her fists against her eyes, and walked over toward the door, finding it unlocked. The smell of coffee and breakfast wafted up the stairs, and actually made her stomach growl.Maybe she should indulge in Jack’s meals, and try to reach out to him. It would make it easier to get away when the time came, if he trusted her. If being the operative word.She backtracked into her room, finding an outfit, jeans and a t-shirt sitting on the edge of her bed. She changed into it, and pulled her hair into a half ponytail before making her way downstairs.Jack stood in the kitchen, wearing more modern clothes than the day before, humming to himself while flipping bacon in a skillet. "You know air fryers make those perfectly," Demetria
Kerry stared at the ceiling of one of the spare bedrooms in the pack house. Maybe they were right, and he didn't need to stay alone in that house. Not that sleep was coming to him either way. Every creak in the house, or an animal in the neighboring woods, sent him into high alert.He couldn't get the feeling that someone watched him-most likely that stupid bird-out of his mind. Did the warlock use the bird to see what was happening? He didn't doubt it. His span of knowing what a witch could do was limited. Until Demetria, he'd never met a witch, not unless you counted the one they pulled from the lycan's kingdom.Kerry shot up in his bed. Cynthia, he thought, was her name. Did anyone know where she came from or where she went after being freed?He shoved from the bedroom, and raced toward the opposite end of the hallway where Alpha Davis slept.He banged on the door, not caring that it was hardly four in the morning. "Hold on," he shouted, and Kerry listened as he neared the door, w
Jack maneuvered his way throughout the building, while Ivory stared at Demetria from head to toe. She matched her glare, daring her to step out of line, not that she could do anything about it since she couldn't use her powers, but she wasn't above swinging on another witch.Ivory made a slow circle around Demetria eyeing her clothes that Jack had put her in that morning, and back up to her unbrushed hair. It seemed Ike's bathroom lacked a hair dryer or straightener."So your mother decided to have two of you," Demetria blurted out.Jack chuckled from across the room, while Ivory stared death glares at her. "Well, since we came at the same time, it was too late to take one of us back," Ivory said.Twins. How nice. The world thought there should be two of them."Now that I look at you two more carefully, I can see the same sinister twinkle in your eye."Ivory walked toward Jack. "I don't like this one. Let's hurry and get this pendant back so you can kill her."Demetria ignored her thr
EpilogueThe smell of freshly cleaned hardwood floors and bittersweet excitement lingered in the air as Kerry stepped into the banquet hall with Demetria.They'd spent the last week alone in his house, healing from the guilt that Demetria held inside.It'd taken Kerry days to convince her to go shopping for a dress for the coronation.It'd taken him even longer to convince her that none of this was her fault. He wasn't sure she really believed him, but she believed him enough to attend the coronation. It was her niece being announced as Luna. She had to be there.Kerry tucked Demetria into the crook of his arm and admired the way she twisted her hair into a braid on top of her head, and the way it exposed her slender neck. He'd made her pick out an expensive dress, one that curved to her body, and showcased just enough, but not too much because Kerry's wolf wasn't having any of that.Kerry caught a glimpse of Dan and Cynthia sitting at a round table in the midst of the main floor. The
Demetria walked with Cynthia from the pack house to Kerry's with nervous butterflies in her stomach. Dan and Kerry stayed back at the pack house to deal with some pack-related issues surrounding the upcoming funerals.She was glad to have something to do other than stick around for that. She felt bad enough, and dealing with funeral arrangements made her skin crawl. Grace had been kind, but she didn't miss the absent look in Alex’s eyes. She worried about him the most. That was his father, and he looked up to him."You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Cynthia asked.Demetria glanced over at her pretty face, and the way her smile warmed Demetria's heart."Yeah. I can't help it. It's just ... engraved into my thoughts, ya know."She nodded. "I do. It will fade with time, but in the meantime, we'll focus our energy on Sabrina. I'm sure she's ready to get out of that thing. I don't get it. Of all things to put her in, ya know. Why not something you can actually cuddle with?"Demetria sm
Demetria followed quietly beside Kerry on their way to the pack house. It'd taken over an hour for her to gain the courage to leave the room. Even with Jane reassuring Demetria, and Kerry on her side, Demetria was hurting.The guilt felt like it would eat her alive.It showed she had a soft heart, but it made Kerry fear that it would weigh her down just after she freed herself. He interlaced his fingers with hers. He hadn't been to the pack house since the night before, but he figured it would be doom and gloom. He sensed the pack's heartache well into the night, until hefinally had to block his mind from any mind link so that he could sleep.The closer they walked to the pack house, the harder Demetria's heart pounded."There is no need to be nervous, D."She pressed her mouth into a hard line. "I don't know if I can face them right now. Grace, Alex…all the pack..."Kerry turned her to face her. "We need to see them now. Waiting will look like we don't care." He tipped her chin upwa
Demetria let the warm water rain down on her back, her face pressed into Kerry's chest as she sobbed. She cried because of Alpha Davis. She cried for the pack and Alex. She cried because she felt guilty. Though deep down, she felt so much relief that it came out in tears.She'd held it in for so long. The pain. The agony. Now they spilled from her like a broken damn. It was finished-mostly. She still had to make a decision about Ivory and Dom, and free Sabrina's spirit from her tortured life inside a bird. What had Jack been thinking?Kerry smoothed his palms down her back.He didn't ask questions about her tears or even try to cheer her up, he just held her. She appreciated it. She needed silence and comfort.They stood there under the waterfall until it turned cold. Demetria hardly noticed.Finally, Kerry picked her up and carried her to his room, where he carefully dried her hair and helped her into some sweats and a t-shirt."I need to go check on everyone, and see what I can do a
Watching Demetria make her way toward the portal sent vomit up Kerry's throat. As if the sound of the wolves tearing into the dragon behind him wasn't stressful enough, and the death of his alpha, now his mate was risking her life... again.The inky blackness crawled upward from the ground and molded into Jack’s form.When he blinked, realizing everything that happened, what little resolve he had leftevaporated. Dan still cradled Cynthia to his chest, daring Jack to make a move and touch his mate again.Jack’s deep chuckle melted into a low hum, and then a roar like he was the animal, not the pack. Putting his arms outward, his body shook, and he began to seethe. It reminded Kerry of a deranged 'Dragon Ball Z' character, and he fought his laugh.Demetria made eye contact with him from across the yard and nodded. Stepping closer to the portal, Kerry curled his fingers into a fist. He could see the heat licking at her body, forming sweat against her skin. He went to step toward her, t
Demetria's body went numb, any idea ofmovement vanquished from her being, Ikerendering her helpless. The hope she had slowly leaked out like a pierced balloon, and her air went along with it. They should have never let their guard down, not even for a second.Cynthia put her hands outward, and Demetria knew it wouldn't work. He was using her to get what he wanted, the pendant. Because Jack would die trying to fight for Sabrina. If he wasn't so hateful and selfish, it would have been romantic."Don't even think about it," Jack said. "That dragon will set this entire yard on fire in seconds, and Demetria will be tossed into the portal forever."Kerry shifted, quickly, and stepped toward Cynthia. "He's not going to toss her in there," he whispered to Cynthia. "He needs her to bring Sabrina back, and she is his vessel."There was a twinkle in Jack’s eye. "You're right,” he said, tossing Demetria to the ground and lifting Cynthia up. Cynthia screamed, but invisible hands wrapped around
The ground broke open beneath Kerry's paws. Frantically, he searched the grounds for Demetria, seeing Jane beside her,while Jack wreaked havoc around them.‘The hellhounds are almost gone’, Alpha Davis said through the mind link.Kerry glanced around at the wolves fighting the last two, while Roan fought Dom like he'd been waiting his entire life for it. Kerry would have unleashed hell on the siblings too if one of them turned him into a cat. Of all things to be turned into.“We need to bring Jack down”, Alpha Davis said.Kerry nodded. Walking over the cracks in the earth, his wolf stumbled to stay upright. What Kerry would do to have the balance of a cat right about now. Jane protected Demetria, but Kerry sensed Demetria's anger growing by the second.Cynthia clung to the porch railing of the pack house as the earth moved beneath them. If they didn't get them away from the house, it'd collapse, and he was sure an earthquake caused by a deranged warlock wasn't covered by insurance.Al
Demetria's senses kicked into overdrive.Everything, everyone, around her shifted in one second, the wolves transitioned into their wolf forms, while Cynthia and Demetria braced themselves for impact.Kerry's wolf landed before Demetria, blocking her from harm. She knew he meant well, but she needed to see to use her magic. The beast the evil twins brought with them roared, and it sent a shiver down Demetria's spine.She knew better than to radiate any fear because creatures like that fed off it. Though, while peering around Kerry's hulking wolf, she noticed several wolves attacking the beast in teams of three and four, tearing him down inch by inch.Ivory cowered down against the base of the tree where Kitty had been hiding. Ike had her trapped there because of her betrayal. Demetria wasn't sure if he would let her go or not, but she looked terrified that he knew the truth.Kitty, who was a very attractive alpha, was helping fight two hellhounds at once."We have to move," Demetria s
Kerry's wolf skimmed the surface, begging to be let free from his chains at the sight of them. The tension that formed in the air crawled over his skin. As if his wolf needed another reason to hate Jack, he eyed Demetria like he'd missed her.It sent anger up his spine and into his throat like fire. His wolf growled lowly, howling in the midst of him, making Kerry's body shake with a need to shift. Demetria reached over and grabbed Kerry's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.It wasn't just the siblings that had his wolf on edge, it was the hellhounds crouched and ready to fight beside them. Then the creature lurking in the back. His coat was so black that it nearly blended into the darkness around them. His ghoulish red eyes were vibrant and shifty. Kerry couldn't be sure, but he thought the creature smiled. He'd never seen anything like it before. He stood nearly eight feet tall, burly like a bear but cunning like a person. He looked plucked from Hell, right along with the hellhou