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
Arec and Eve spent the rest of the day together until the sun started its descent on the horizon. She looked toward the orange ball of light as it dipped below the horizon. Sighing, she said, “I guess that means it’s time for me to return to that room.” Arec followed her gaze and nodded. “I’m afraid so,” he said. “But after tonight, you won’t have to stay there for a while.” Eve wrinkled her nose and said, “Yeah, but I’ll have to do it again next month.” “And I’ll be waiting right outside the door as I’ve been doing,” Arec told her, picking up her hand and lifting it to his lips. She smiled at him and asked, “You know you don’t have to do that, right?” “And let you go through this transformation alone?” he asked, shaking his head. “I don’t think so.” “You’re so good to me,” Eve told him, leaning over to brush her lips over his. “You’re my mate, and I love you, Eve,” Arec told her. “I love you, too, Arec,” she said, smiling at him. “That will get us through anything, rig
“The werewolves are back?” Bella asked, getting to her feet. “They are, and they brought reinforcements,” Michael said, looking grim. Arec put his fork down and got to his feet. “How many are there?” he asked. “More than last night,” Michael told him. Bella looked at Arec, chewing on her lower lip. “Do you think we can take them all?” she asked. Arec pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. “We have no choice,” he said. “Let’s go.” Michael and Bella hurried down the hallway as Arec walked to the door. Putting his hand on the door, he whispered, “I’ll be back soon.” He heard a whine in response and closed his eyes before removing his hand and hurrying after his siblings. Arec found Bella and Michael with Ray and Julia in the living room. “How many are there?” he asked. “It looks like at least twenty,” Ray said, frowning. Arec frowned and pursed his lips. Bella twisted her hands in front of her and asked, “Can we take that many?” “Of course, we ca
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
“Is this really necessary?” Eve asked Arec, looking at Michael in his Lycan form on the other side of the gym. Arec looked at his brother, patiently waiting for Eve to finish warming up, and nodded. “You need to know how a Lycan fights so you can be prepared for what Sabrina may come at you with,” he said. “Michael won’t go full Lycan on me, though, will he?” she asked, still staring at him. “He will be full Lycan, but he won’t be using his full strength,” Arec told her. “He wants to teach you how to fight a Lycan, but he doesn’t want to hurt you while doing so. You won’t be able to fight a Lycan until you transform again during the next full moon.” Eve nodded, not taking her eyes off Michael, who noticed her staring and winked at her, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. She started, blinking her eyes rapidly. “Are you ready to begin?” Arec asked her, frowning. “Or do you want me to give you a few pointers first?” Eve tore her eyes from Michael to look at him. “You’d do
“What?!” Arec roared. “What do you mean this challenge is to the death?”“That’s how we settle things these days, bro,” Samuel said, smirking at Arec. “You’d know this if you attended more Pack meetings.”Arec looked at Michael and asked, “Were you aware of this?” Michael looked at his mother and said, “I had a suspicion that Mother might still follow the old ways when it came to this.” “What old ways?” Eve asked. Arec glared at his mother before turning to Eve and saying, “In the old days, Pack law was settled by a fight to the death, but these days, I thought we’d become more civilized.” Looking back to his mother, he added, “It seems that I was wrong.” His mother pursed her lips and looked away. “Too bad for your girlfriend,” Sabrina said, bearing her teeth in a grin directed at Eve. “Now, wait just a minute,” Arec said, starting to stand. Eve put her hand on his arm. He looked at her before sitting back down in his seat. “I’ve got this,” she told him, staring at Sabri