Kerry walked over toward the infirmary the next morning, giving the professor time to chill out before he began his interrogation. One of the pack nurses was checking the bump on his head when he walked through the door.The professor jumped back against the wall, cowering behind the shewolf in fear. "No! Get him away from me! He's the one who did this," he said, pointing toward the bump on his head.Kerry halted in the doorway with a smile on his face. There was a fairly big bump on his face, and it made Kerry chuckle. He had seen much worse on humans. "I come in peace," he said.The nurse gave him a look. "Have a seat, Kerry. You can chat with Mr. No Name here, while I put a bandage on this. He's like a kid, adamant that he needs a bandage."Kerry plopped down in the chair and madeuncomfortable eye contact with him. "I'm not some supernatural human. I need a bandage."Kerry rolled his eyes. Weak human. "Mr. No Name, huh? You think Jane doesn't know your name and we can't find it ou
The tornado of leaves fell to the ground in a giant swoosh, and Demetria felt her pride swell in her chest. It'd felt like forever since she was able to use her powers, or had a reason to use them. Her witchery was a talent she was born with, but one she also took seriously.She didn't hurt people that weren't trying to hurt her and she didn't use it for evil. Never. She may have shoved her ex-boyfriend down a small hill once, but he was totally okay afterward.Demetria had grown up using it to shut doors and help clean her room, but even those things seemed unfair to her at times.She tried to live like a human most days because it made her feel safer. Normal. Not under someone's radar. She'd gotten herself into a mess with her magic before, and she promised herself after Ike was gone forever that she would never be in that predicament again.Cynthia jumped up beside her and clasped her hand over her shoulder. "I'm impressed, Demetria. You haven't practiced in a long time, and you're
Kerry spent most of the day talking things over with the Alpha, making final plans for the upcoming battle. The day felt long, and Kerry's body was sore when he walked into his house that night.He found Demetria sitting on his floor with Jane and Cynthia. They had an array of snacks, drinks, and what looked like Sabrina's diary, with music playing in the background. If he didn't know any better, he would guess that Demetria wasn't as suspicious about Cynthia as he thought.Her bright gaze lifted to meet his, and she smiled. "Hey! About time, you made it in. I have a plate of food for you in the microwave. I grilled you a steak."Kerry's stomach grumbled at the thought of a good steak. "Have you already eaten?"She nodded and flipped another page of the diary. "You know one day we're going to come in at the same time and sit down like a family should."She glanced up at him. "Alone?"He gave her a look. "What do you mean alone? Do you want to cook for the entire pack?""Just us? Or k
Right when Demetria felt they had a strong chance of beating the twins, more drama appeared at their doorstep like a slap in the face. They needed to focus on training, reading Sabrina's diary, and figuring out why her cat's mind was blocked. Not dealing with her brother-in-law's mating issues.Demetria reached over and lifted Jane’s jaw upward.The she-wolf with Dan bared her teeth at Cynthia, as if she lured him over with witchery. There was nothing witchy about the mate bond. Magical, yes, but not witchy.He glanced over his shoulder at the she-wolf, and turned to put himself between the two of them, protecting Cynthia. "Calm down, Kim," he hissed."Calm down?" she asked, putting her armsout wide. "You beg me to come here with you to meet your daughter and you find your mate! We've been dating for seven months-""You think I asked to come here and find her?" he asked quietly. "I never in a million years thought I would find a second mate after all this time, Kim. But I won't let h
The professor, Brad, was on the floor, face down, when Kerry made it to the infirmary. He was alive, because Kerry could hear his breathing and see him moving slightly.The pack nurse stood by the cell door. "Have you been inside?"She gave Kerry a frown. "I was checking on his bandage when it happened." She pointed toward the small window above the bed. "She appeared there. In the glass. Said something that put him in a trance. He became irate, and then passed out."Kerry frowned. "You didn't catch what she said?" he asked.She shook her head. "No, it was in another language. I called the wolves on duty, and they brought you back. I won't lie, it was scary."For a pack nurse to say something wascrazy, Kerry knew it must have been. Anything to do with possession and dark magic was way beyond what he was comfortable with.Kerry unlocked the cell with the keys hanging on the opposite wall. Brad didn't stir when Kerry walked near him. Nudging his leg with his foot, Kerry lifted an eyeb
The dang cat just talked to her. Not in her mind, but vocally. Kitty's intense eyes met Demetria's and held.She felt like bugs were crawling all over her skin. She had powers, yes, but she did not like an animal speaking to her like a human without being prompted. Demetria had been reading Sabrina's diary, which honestly was boring beyond belief.Who documented everything that happened to them in a day? She guessed that back then the lack of entertainment would make you do many boring things. Including writing down your every move.Maybe that was why women had multiple children back then, because there was nothing better to do than bang it out.None of it mattered anymore. Kitty told her what happened, and she had no reason not to believe the talking cat. The truth was that Demetria loved the thing. A werewolf reincarnated or not, he'd been there for her many times.Kerry glared down at it like it had grown two heads. "I don't like that," he admitted."Me either," Demetria said, put
Kerry woke to sunlight beaming into his bedroom window, warming his skin. Demetria was wrapped around him, one leg tossed over his, snuggled into his side as if the day ahead wasn't filled with plans to kill a warlock.His wolf had many ideas on how to spend the morning with her, but Kerry didn't want to miss the meeting at the pack house.Slipping from underneath Demetria, he dressed and walked into the living room. Cynthia stood in the kitchen, drinking a cup of hot tea while staring at Kitty from across the room.Kerry chuckled. "I see you saw Demetria's note."She cringed. "Yeah, how bizarre that he is a werewolf trapped in a cat's body. I mean," she said, clearing her throat, "isn't that ironic? A dog trapped in a cat's body?"Kitty hissed from across the room and raced out of the doggie door."I need to invest in a dog," Kerry mumbled,grabbing a cup of coffee.Cynthia bit the corner of her thumbnail and turned quickly to face Kerry. "What's it like if someone rejects their mat
The tension in the pack house was thick considering everyone that stood around chatting.It was casual, as they didn't plan to fight a warlock and witch in mere hours. Demetria twisted her fingers around Sabrina's diary, which held Sabrina's suspicion of Ivory loving her brother as more than just a friend.She wasn't sure if Jack knew about Ivory's feelings or not, but he would know Sabrina's suspicion once she showed him the diary. Then there was the issue of getting Kitty, or whatever his real name was, to talk with Ivory there. She should probably ask his name.Demetria tried not to think about it, because her nerves were already all over the place. Kerry rested his palm against her lower back and whispered in her ear, "I can feel your nerves, love. Calm down."Easier said than done. Demetria keptreplaying Jack cutting off her finger and the cruel stare in his eyes, the ghoulish look that took over him at any given moment. She didn't want the pack to deal with that, or see that k
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