Arec turned his head so fast that his neck cracked. “What is it?” he asked as he got to his feet. “What’s going on?” “We have trouble at the gates,” Michael said, skidding to a stop next to his brother. Arec frowned and asked, “What kind of trouble?” The door thudded once more. Michael nodded to it and said, “That kind of trouble.” Arec’s eyes grew wide. “You mean werewolves?” he asked. Michael nodded, his face grim. “It looks like a whole damn pack has come onto the grounds,” he said. “What? How is that possible?” Arec asked. “You tell me,” Michael said, jerking his head toward the door. “You think she had something to do with this?” Arec asked, glaring at his brother. Michael shook his head and said, “Not her, directly, but someone did change her, so I’m assuming it’s her sire.” Arec frowned and looked at the door again. The door thudded again as Eve threw herself against it, but it held firm. Sighing, Arec turned to look back to his brother and asked, “How
Walking down from the roof, Arec and his siblings headed toward the living room. “So, what’s the plan?” Bella asked. “The plan is that we take them out,” Ray said, grinning at her. “We need a little more planning than that, Ray,” Julia told him, rolling her eyes. “Agreed,” Michael said. “The last time I counted, there were fifteen of them. If we each take three, we should have no problem.” The rest of his siblings nodded. “Before we go out there, I want you to know that the big one with the brown and gray fur is mine.” Everyone turned to look at him. “He’s the one that turned Eve,” Arec told them. “We’ve fought before, and this time, I want to make sure he can’t hurt anyone else.” Michael and the rest of their siblings nodded. “That one’s all yours,” Ray said. “Leave the rest to us.” They discussed how they would go out of the house and onto the grounds unseen before turning into their wolf forms. “We’ll take them by surprise, and it will be over before we know it,
Arec turned back into his human form, as did Ray and Julia. “They got to her,” Arec said, slamming his fist into the wall. “They couldn’t have gone far, Arec,” Ray said, sniffing the air. “I can still smell the stink of them.” “If we can smell them, then we can track them,” Julia said, putting her hand on Arec’s shoulder. Arec froze with his fist on the wall before turning his head to look at his sister. “You’re right,” he said, smiling grimly. “We are going to get Eve back.” “That’s the spirit,” Ray said, grinning and clapping his brother’s shoulder. “Let’s go.” The five siblings explored the area, determining how many werewolves had entered and which direction they’d gone. Arec caught the scent of the werewolf who had turned Eve and growled. The others heard him and came over to investigate. “This scent right here,” Arec told them. “This werewolf is mine to take. He’s the one who turned Eve, and I need to make him pay.” Everyone looked at him and nodded. “Does every
The werewolf slammed into Arec, knocking him to the ground. It sunk its teeth deep into Arec’s shoulder and shook its head, tearing at Arec’s flesh. Arec growled in pain and grabbed the werewolf’s head, prying its jaw open to loosen its grip on his shoulder. Suddenly, the werewolf was torn away from Arec as Eve tackled it, breaking its hold on Arec’s shoulder. They tumbled over one another until Eve had the other werewolf pinned to the ground. She stood over it, baring her teeth and growling. The other werewolf growled back at her. It tried to move away from her, but she snapped at it, causing it to remain in place. Arec sat up, clutching his injured shoulder. He watched their interaction with a frown. The werewolf turned to look at him before looking back at Eve and growling. Eve growled and snapped at it, causing it to turn away from her. She growled at it again as it looked back before walking toward Arec. He watched the other werewolf through narrowed eyes as Eve walked
Arec spent the rest of the uneventful night sitting against the wall, staring at the door while he listened for sounds of Eve within. He was surprised at how quiet she was compared to the night before. In the morning, Bella returned with Julia trailing behind. They both carried a tray for him and Eve. “Is she awake?” Bella asked. Arec shook his head and said, “I’m not sure, but if it’s anything like yesterday, she is and is in her human form again.” Julia looked at the door with one eyebrow raised and asked, “Are you willing to find out?” Chuckling, Arec said, “I think with the three of us, we could take her if she isn’t.” “Should we change first?” she asked. Arec shook his head and said, “As long as the moon is down, she’s not in her wolf form.” “And it is,” Bella said, glaring at her sister. “So, we should be perfectly safe.” Julia raised an eyebrow but remained silent. Arec got to his feet and walked to the door. He put his hand on the door before opening it. Bella
“It is pretty rare for a Lycan to be mated with someone other than another Lycan,” Arec nodded. Bella nodded and said, “I haven’t heard of it happening in a long time, though.” “Me, neither,” Julia said, shaking her head. “When was the last time it happened?” Eve asked. Arec shook his head and said, “I honestly don’t remember.” “It was one hundred and fifty years ago,” Julia told him. Everyone turned to look at her in surprise. “Oh, don’t be so shocked,” she told them. “You know how much Lycan history fascinates me.” “So, what happened to the couple?” Eve asked. Julia shrugged and said, “I’m not sure. Once they became mates, they left their pack, and no one ever heard from them again.” “Did they leave willingly?” Bella asked. Julia looked at her before glancing at Arec and Eve and shaking her head. “They were forced out by the pack leaders,” she said. Eve gasped, her hand covering her mouth. She looked at Arec and asked, “Do you think that will happen to us?”
A knock on Eve’s door a few hours later caused her and Arec to jump. Eve grinned at him before she called, “Who is it?” “It’s Bella,” she said. “Is Arec in there with you?” “I’m here, Bella,” he called. “What’s up?” “The others sent me to ask when you would be down,” she said after a moment. Arec glanced at Eve and grinned. “Tell them that we’ll be down soon and to have a large meal waiting for us,” he called. “We’re going to be starving by then.” Eve giggled and reached up to twine her fingers in his hair, drawing him to her for a kiss. Thirty minutes later, Arec and Eve walked into the kitchen. They held hands and grinned at the others gathered around the table in the room. “It’s about time you two came down,” Ray grumbled. “Don’t mind him,” Bella said, elbowing her brother in the ribs. “He’s always grumpy when he’s hungry.” “Well, I wouldn’t be hungry if they hadn’t taken so damn long,” he said, rubbing his side. Turning to look at Arec, he added, “I hope it was w
“Hello, Mother,” Arec said. He felt Eve’s hand tighten in his, but when he looked at her, she stared at his mother without expression. “Hello, Arec,” his mother said from her seat. She didn’t stand but waved him over to her. “I’ll stand, thank you,” Arec said. His mother’s eyes narrowed as she sniffed. “Suit yourself, son,” she said. When she remained silent, he sighed and asked, “What brings you by today, Mother?” His mother’s eyes glanced at Eve before returning to her son, and she said, “I think you know.” He nodded once and narrowed his eyes as he said, “But I’d like you to say it aloud.” She glared at him before breaking his gaze and sighing. “Fine,” she said, waving her hand. “I’m here because of her.” She pointed at Eve, who gasped and looked at Arec, who turned to smile at her as he squeezed her hand again. Eve’s face screwed up in a scowl, and she stepped forward. “What is it that you have against me?” she asked. “You don’t even know me.” “I know enou
“What?” Arec asked, scrambling to his feet. “You mean to tell me Michael lost Craig and Linda’s trail?” Bella nodded, not looking up as a tear falling from her eye and rolling down her cheek. “He’s still out there, looking for them,” she said, “but he lost it on the other side of the creek.” “Damn it!” Arec swore, hitting the palm of his hand with his fist. “I knew we shouldn’t have left,” Eve said, scowling at him. “We should have stayed to help him search.” Arec walked over to Eve and put his arm around her shoulders. She shrugged it off, glaring at him. “I wanted to stay to help, but you told me Michael would be able to find Craig’s trail,” she said. “Now look what happened. Linda’s out somewhere with Craig, and we don’t know where they are.” Arec reached for her again, but she stepped out of his reach. “You should have let me stay,” she told him before stalking out of the room. Arec started to go after her, but Bella held him back. “What are you doing?” he asked his
When Eve met with Arec in the gym, she had changed into her workout leggings and tank top. She saw he had put on an old t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts and had spread the gym mats across the floor in preparation for their session. He was already warming up for their session and grinned as he spotted her. “Ready to warm up?” he asked her, leaning with his hands pressed against the wall to stretch his legs. She nodded, stretching her arms and shoulders as she walked toward him, and said, “Let’s do this.” Squatting, she moved from side to side to stretch her leg muscles. She stretched her legs out before standing. Arec stood from the wall and stretched his arms before jerking his head toward the center of the room. She nodded once. They walked to the center of the room and faced each other. Arec crouched into a fighting position and nodded at her. “Aren’t you going to transform first?” she asked, frowning as she waited for him to do so. He shook his head and said, “Not to warm
Eve waited, holding her breath, as Arec listened to Michael on the other end of the phone. Arec listened, then looked at Eve and nodded. “He found them?” she asked, hurrying to his side. Arec moved the phone away from his mouth and told her, “He has their trail.” Eve put her hand over her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. She hurried to the couch and sat down. As she waited for Arec to finish his conversation with his brother, she leaned forward with her hands clasped so tightly that her fingers turned white. After Arec hung up the phone, he looked at Eve and said, “He’s going to track them and call back when he has more information.”“Do you think it will take long?” she asked, her brows drawn upward in concern. “I’m not sure,” Arec told her, walking to the couch to sit beside her. “Michael is an excellent tracker, so I don’t think he’ll lose their scent.” He reached over to unclasp her hands and held her hands in his. “Linda’s going to be okay,” he told her. “How do
Eve gasped as Arec made the suggestion that Linda had been abducted. “Do you really think someone took her?” she asked. Arec and Michael sniffed the air before looking at each other and nodding. “What is it?” Eve asked, looking at them. “What do you smell?” She inhaled, then shook her head. “I don’t smell anything,” she said. “That’s because your senses are dulled when you’re not in your wolf form,” Arec told her. “Whereas we can still access our Lycan senses when we’re not in that form,” Michael said. “So, what are you smelling?” she asked. Arec and Michael glanced at each other again before Arec said, “We smell Craig.” “What?” Eve cried. “You think he has Linda?” Arec looked at Michael before nodding. “His stench is all over Linda’s car,” he said. Eve ground her teeth, and her hands balled into fists. Her eyes narrowed as she sniffed the air. She shook her head before she said, “I can’t smell anything, but I will find him and make him give Linda back!” “You
“So, how was your day with Linda?” Arec asked when Eve returned to the house, carrying her purchases inside. “It was nice to see her again,” Eve told him, smiling as she set the bags down. “You look like you had a good time,” he told her, grinning and nodding toward her shopping bags. Her smile widened into a grin as she waved toward the bags. “I think we bought out the entire shopping area,” she said. “At least, it felt like it.” Arec smiled and shook his head. “Should I even check the bank account?” he asked. Giggling, Eve shook her head and said, “It’s probably best that you don’t.” “Then, I won’t,” he said before picking up some of the bags in his left hand while holding out his right arm for her to grasp. She picked up the rest of the bags and slid her arm through his. They walked out of the living room toward the staircase. When they reached her room, she dropped her bags and dug her phone out of her purse. “Let me text Linda and tell her I made it home safe,”
Linda craned her head to follow Eve’s gaze and gasped. “That sure does look like Craig,” she said. “What is he doing here?” Eve scowled and took her napkin off her lap as she stood. “I don’t know, but I’m going to go out there and find out,” she said. Linda put her hand on Eve’s arm, stopping her friend. “Are you sure that’s wise?” she asked. “How well do you actually know that man? What if he’s dangerous?” Eve glared at him through the window and balled her hands into fists while she said, “He’ll find out who’s more dangerous when I go out there and confront him.” Linda frowned at her friend, then released her arm. Eve glanced at her friend and told her, “I’ll be right back.” Linda nodded and watched Eve leave the cafe. Eve marched out of the cafe, glaring at Craig, who leaned against a light post with his hands in his pockets. He spotted her and stood up. Linda continued to watch the scene as it played out. Eve marched out of the cafe, her eyes trained on Craig, who co
“Where?” Eve asked. “Where is Craig?” Linda pointed to a man standing on the other side of the pond. When Eve looked at him, he grinned at her and walked away. “That sure looked like Craig,” Eve said, staring at his retreating back. “I wonder why he was out there.” “I wonder why he didn’t come in and say hi,” Linda said, frowning. “Maybe he knows about Arec and didn’t feel comfortable talking to us,” Eve said, turning to look at her friend. She chewed on her thumbnail as she looked back out the window toward where Linda said Craig had been. Linda leaned forward and grinned at Eve. “So, how are things going with Mr. Right?” she asked. Eve turned to look at Linda and smiled. “We’re doing good,” she said. “You must be,” Linda said. “I haven’t seen or heard much from you lately!” Eve’s face fell, and she said, “I’m sorry about ignoring you lately, Linda. I didn’t mean to shut you out.” Linda reached across the table to pat her friend’s hand and said, “Don’t worry about
Eve’s phone rang, startling her from her thoughts. Looking at the screen, she smiled before she answered it. “Hey, girl,” she greeted Linda. “How have you been?” “Long time, no talk,” her friend said. “I’ve been good. How about you?” Eve paused as she thought about the events since she’d last spoken to her friend before saying, “I’ve been good. What’s new?” “Just the same old, same old,” Linda said. “Still single and trying to mingle to find that special someone. Speaking of a special someone, how’s your man doing?” Eve felt her face warming as she smiled and said, “He’s doing good. We’re doing good.” “I haven’t seen you in a bit, so I wanted to give you a call,” Linda said. “I figured you’d been spending time with your man and forgot all about me.” Eve shook her head and said, “I could never forget about you.” “Glad to hear that,” Linda said with a chuckle. “So, what’s new with you?” Eve asked. “Found anyone who has stolen your heart yet?” Linda chuckled and said, “Not
Eve’s mouth dropped open at Arec’s announcement. “Fight you?” she asked when she found her voice. “Are you serious?” Arec nodded and said, “Of course I am. I’m the best option you have.” He held up his fingers as he counted the ways. “I’m your mate, so I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. “I know you better than Michael, so I should be able to anticipate what actions you’re going to take. Also, if you injure me, I won’t react like Michael would.” Turning to his brother, he shrugged and said, “No offense, Michael.” Michael shook his head and changed back into his human form. “None taken,” he said before asking, “Do you think it’s wise to do this, Arec?” “I would rather be the one to train her so that I can take the blame if any information gets out to the werewolves,” he said. “Plus, she’s my mate, so I don’t think she’ll tell them anything if it’s me she’s fighting.” “He makes a good point,” Bella said, tilting her head and pursing her lips as she studied them. “I don’t thin