Carly’s words had my stomach dropping. I finally looked around and realized everyone was staring at me, but I couldn’t blame them. This place, this place was still so fresh in our mind from last night. “We need to move this to a new spot.” Micca offered, but I shook my head. This was the spot that I needed. “We can’t.” I looked down at the ground, blood still a dark stain that I didn’t see. But now I understood. “This is the only place for this spell, and I think Carl knew that.” I sank on to my feet and waited.“What do you mean, this is the only place for the spell?” Toya crouched in front of me.“The spell has to be cast at the north point of the property. The spell, the barrier, stops people from finding those within. My father cast one to keep Carly safe, but since he went into hiding, he wasn’t able to come here to renew it.”“Renew it?” Micca looked around. “How do you do that?”“This spell is powered by a sacrifice. The hair or the cloaked, and blood.” I swallowed. “Normally
I sat silently. My entire focus on the bubbling liquid. The timing had to be perfect. I watched as the silver slowly disappeared, the magic sucking it away. Once the last flash of silver could be seen, I pushed the bowl from the rocks, dumping the dark black liquid over the grass, smothering the fire, and dumping out silver statues.“What the fuck?” Micca pointed. Hanna’s mouth dropped open. “Those were wood.” She walked over and stood over them. “Can I touch them?” I nodded, hiding my smile. She bent over and grabbed the first one. “Holy shit.”“What?” Toya walked over and grabbed another. Her gaze snapped to mine. “It’s metal.” I nodded. “How?”I gave her a look, lifting my eyebrow. “It’s magic.” I laughed as they all looked at me with the same look of disbelief. I waved them off and stood, bending to grab the other two statues. “They aren’t really metal. The magic, the blood, coated them in the magic I need to create, the barrier, the shield for the cabin. For Carly.” I studied th
“Please don’t do this.” I begged over and over, but no one was listening. I thrashed against their hold, but nothing. “I am your luna.” I screamed at the top of my lungs, but then his laugh from the other room broke all the fight in me. “Luke please.” I begged once more time, my voice horse.“Kill it once it’s done. Toss her out. She will have to survive on her own from here on out.”He can’t mean that. This was our baby. “Our baby.”“Is a mistake from the Moon Goddess. One I will rectify.” His voice called again from the other room. He wouldn’t even face me. “Now do it. That’s an order.”“Yes, Alpha.”It was a mistake to come here.It was a mistake to give him everything.“Oh, and doctor?” Her sweet voice called from the other room. My stepsister, Shannon. I gritted my teeth. “Don’t use any anesthetic. She should feel everything.”“Yes, Luna.” The doctor turned back to me with sad eyes, but when he picked up the scalpel, I knew I was screwed.I’m sorry, baby. Momma couldn’t save you.
I opened my eyes to find myself surprisingly alive. “Amy hurry, you’re going to be late.” I jolted up and look around, confused. What was going on? Where was I? “Amy!” The voice called again and I shook myself. I stood up from the bed and looked around again. I recognized this room. It was my childhood bedroom. I hadn’t stepped foot in this room since I found my mate, Brandon. I heard a knock on the door and my mother opened it. Before I could process what was happening, I ran into my mother’s arms. “Mom, you’re here.” I started to cry. “I’ve missed you so much.”“Amy. My girl.” She laughed as she patted my back. “I saw you yesterday.” She pulled back and I looked into her amber eyes that matched my own. “Happy birthday, baby.”I leaned into her hands and realized that today was the last day I spent at home. I found my mate on my eighteenth birthday. “Thank you, mom.”“Hopefully, you will meet your mate today and start your new life.” She smiled at me and I felt my blood freeze. I di
“Pack your bags, Amy.” My mom came in, surprising me from the list I was making. “What?” I looked up. “Why?”“You are going to spend the summer with your father. I already got the approval from the Alpha.” Mom smiled down at me. “Come on, baby. Pack your bag and get ready.”I jumped to my feet and ran to my mom. “I can go?”“Just for the summer, baby, then you will be back here with me. I had to promise that you would be returning here.”I pouted. “Mom, I really don’t want to be here.” I wanted to make them pay, but I wouldn’t risk him finding me.“It’s okay baby, you will understand once you see your dad.” She patted my hair and kissed my cheek. “Now get ready.”“Okay mom.” I kissed her back then she left me alone. I grabbed my phone to lock it and then turned back to my closet. I packed my bag and then headed into my bathroom when I heard the downstairs door slam open. “I fucking knew it.” I heard Shannon scream down stairs. I ignored her as I grabbed everything from my bathroom a
I slipped into the back of the car after putting my bags in the back and buckled in. I had barely takin a breath before I launched myself over the seats and into the driver’s arms.His laugh made my eyes prickle. “Hey love bug.”“Uncle Ronnie. I’ve missed you.” I climbed over the seats and sat up front. “What are you doing here?” Ronnie was my dad’s beta. Not related, but he had been there for most of my life. “You think I was going to let my cheeky niece come to pack lands alone? Not on your life.” “Dad sent you?” I laughed.“Dad sent me. He is a worry wart your da.” He smiled over and laughed with me. “As soon as your mom called, he sent me with the jet.” “He didn’t have to.” I just shook my head and buckled my seatbelt. “Of course he did. He never gets to see you enough, and now you’re sending in the summer. What’s going on?” My uncle looked at me and I just shook my head. “I don’t want to be here.”“Why?”I looked down at my hands that were twisted. “I’m afraid that my mate i
“I lived another life, and I died.” I stumbled over my words and I felt my father freeze. A quick look to Ronnie had him locking the door and waving his hands. I felt the air still, but I was focused on my father’s eyes. “This morning I woke up six years in the past after living until I was twenty-four, and growing my own pup only to have my mate to rip him from my body.” My father’s and Ronnie’s snarl shook the walls, but I raised my hands. “He betrays me for my step sister who convinced him that I cheated and the pup wasn’t his, so he killed us both using silver scalpels, and killing any love I had for him at the same time.” I looked up at my father and the tears rolled down my face. “Pup.” His voice was choked up, but I raised my hand. “I don’t want him to be my mate, daddy. I know I won’t survive it. I need to change it. Everything, and it starts with hiding my scent. I told mom what I needed, and she called you. How are you going to help me?” I was starting to panic. “I don’t
I walked to my room and screamed when I was tackled to the ground. I started laughing as Cassie got off me. “Why the heck didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She punched my shoulder as I stood. “I didn’t know until this morning.” I hugged her to my side. “I missed you.”“I missed you too.” She pulled back and tossed me a small box. “Happy birthday.”I laughed again. “With everything that has happened, I had pretty much forgotten that it’s my birthday today.” “The big eighteen. Have you shifted yet?” Cassie jumped up and down with excitement. I just shook my head. “I don’t shift. You know that.” My face fell. I heard chuffing inside of my head. “I think you are just blocking it. You have a wolf. We all feel her.” She bumped her hip into mine. “I can feel she wants out.” My wolf chuffed in agreement.Cassie is smarter than you. My wolf’s voice ricochetted in my mind and I just smiled. There are things I cannot tell you, even now, but eventually, if we are lucky, you will find out y
I sat silently. My entire focus on the bubbling liquid. The timing had to be perfect. I watched as the silver slowly disappeared, the magic sucking it away. Once the last flash of silver could be seen, I pushed the bowl from the rocks, dumping the dark black liquid over the grass, smothering the fire, and dumping out silver statues.“What the fuck?” Micca pointed. Hanna’s mouth dropped open. “Those were wood.” She walked over and stood over them. “Can I touch them?” I nodded, hiding my smile. She bent over and grabbed the first one. “Holy shit.”“What?” Toya walked over and grabbed another. Her gaze snapped to mine. “It’s metal.” I nodded. “How?”I gave her a look, lifting my eyebrow. “It’s magic.” I laughed as they all looked at me with the same look of disbelief. I waved them off and stood, bending to grab the other two statues. “They aren’t really metal. The magic, the blood, coated them in the magic I need to create, the barrier, the shield for the cabin. For Carly.” I studied th
Carly’s words had my stomach dropping. I finally looked around and realized everyone was staring at me, but I couldn’t blame them. This place, this place was still so fresh in our mind from last night. “We need to move this to a new spot.” Micca offered, but I shook my head. This was the spot that I needed. “We can’t.” I looked down at the ground, blood still a dark stain that I didn’t see. But now I understood. “This is the only place for this spell, and I think Carl knew that.” I sank on to my feet and waited.“What do you mean, this is the only place for the spell?” Toya crouched in front of me.“The spell has to be cast at the north point of the property. The spell, the barrier, stops people from finding those within. My father cast one to keep Carly safe, but since he went into hiding, he wasn’t able to come here to renew it.”“Renew it?” Micca looked around. “How do you do that?”“This spell is powered by a sacrifice. The hair or the cloaked, and blood.” I swallowed. “Normally
“Amy.” Carly ran after me, her sweet voice calling for me, and I skidded to a stop. “Yeah sweet pea?” I panted. The need to protect her warred with my need to take care of her. She pointed to a box on the fridge. “Daddy told me to show you the box.” She bounced on her toes. “He said it was important, but I forgot about it till now.” She looked worried.“It’s okay, baby girl. You did great.” I ran back to the box and pulled it down. Another note was taped to it. I wanted to laugh, cause the man thought of everything. I brought it to the table and Toya stood from the couch when I slammed the box down. “What’s going on?” She walked over to us and patted Carly on her head. “Are you okay?” I opened the box only to find more herbs and four little statues. “What’s this stuff for?”But I knew. This was the start of a new barrier spell. I grabbed everything from the box and thought back to the spell in the book. The herbs were here. The statues were here. There was a lock of hair from every
Carly whirled to face the end of the grave only to see Carl settling down on to the ground. “Daddy.” She stood to run to him, but he waved her back down. “I’m not here baby.” He looked down. “Well I am, but I’m not.”She settled back on her knees. “You’re under here?” He nodded. “Yeah baby. Amy laid me down here so that you can spend some time with me if you want.” He smiled as he settled in. “I know I won’t be able to come every time you need me, but today seemed important.”Carly nodded her head. “I miss you, daddy.” She swiped her hand at her face, smearing snot across her cheek.I pulled a tissue from my pocket and I wiped it away. Carl smiled, watching us. His eyes met mine. “I miss you too, baby girl, but Amy here has you.”Carly looked up at me. “I like Amy, but it’s not the same.” Hey eyes held an apology.I chuckled. “It’s okay sweet pea. It’s going to be different. And it should be.” I kissed her and then we turned to Carl. The smile on his face was bright. “Go on and say
Carly met my eyes, and she sniffled. “What will you call me?”I froze. “Well, I haven’t thought about it. I’ve called you a few names, but that isn’t fair to you either.” I looked around the table. “What would you like us to call you?”She looked at her hands. “Daddy called me pup. Or baby girl.” I nodded when she looked up. But she worried at her lip. “We can call you other things.” I offered. She shot up. She raised her hands and waved them. “No, no, no, no.” She whipped her head back and forth. I grabbed for her hands, worried that she would slip from the chair. “Sweet pea. It’s okay.” I slid my hand to her cheek. “If you want us to call you pup or baby girl so it helps you remember your daddy, we will. If you want us to come up with different nicknames so that only your dad called your those two, we can do that too. What ever you want, we will do.”Toya stood and came over to her chair, kneeling. “If you want Amy to call you certain names, and then rest of us something else, we
Tiny sobs racked her body. She cried herself out before she looked up into my face. “Did daddy really say that?” I nodded and showed her the letter. “You’ve seen your dad’s hand writing right?” I asked softly, but she shook her head. “Well, this was written by him.” I watched her tiny finger trace the words. “I can’t read it.” I leaned my head against hers. “I’ll teach you.” She took the letter gently. “Is this mine?”I kissed her head. “Your daddy wrote you a ton of letters, and you get to keep them all.” I was going to push up from the ground, but Carly stopped me. She handed it back to me. “I don’t want to lose it.” I took the letter and folded it back up. “Can you keep it for me?” She sniffled and then stood. She made her way over to the mirror and twirled in a circle. “My daddy is right.”“Oh?”“You made me beautiful.” She gave me a tiny smile as I got up off the floor. “No, Carly girl. You are already beautiful. I just did your hair.” I tucked the letter into my sweatpants
My alarm was screaming at me, and I rolled over with a groan. “Please goddess. Let me sleep.” I cracked open my eyes. Then, like clockwork, everyone else groaned. I heard a distant ‘please goddess no’ and that made me laugh.There was a soft knock, and I called out. “Yeah?” Thinking it was Toya, I stood and stretched. I turned to the door to find a small face staring up at me and I hurried over. “Hey Carly.” I pulled the door wide and crouched down. “Good morning.”She stared at me for a few minutes and I could see tears gathering in her eyes. “Can…” she trailed off and rubbed her nose on her sleeve. I reached for her. “What’s wrong?”She worried at her lip for a minute. “Can you help me pick out my clothes?” I smiled softly. “Of course I can.” I didn’t realize she needed help with this still. I was out of my depth. Almost as if she read my mind, she sniffled again. “I normally pick my clothes, but.” She stopped and wiped her eyes. “But what, baby?” I pulled her closer to me. She
“You come from a family or travelers.” She winked as she moved onto my next friend. Then she looked around and smiled. “All of you do. But you three, you lost your roots because of it.” She watched as the three of them all nodded. “Now. Refinding your stories, finding your roots will become something important to you. And it should be.” She leaned over and kissed Hanna’s brow. “While Japan is dear to your family. China is where they stem from. Your goddess calls you home.” She moved to Micca, and she tugged on her strands. “It should come as no surprise that your roots are Welsh. Rich in culture and redheads.” My grandmother laughed. “Arianrhod of the silver wheel and weaver. Tell her stories and bring her home.” Micca smiled as she played with a lock of hair as my grandmother moved past me. She stopped next to Wendy and kissed her brow. “A god brought forth your line. Norse roots date your family back years. Yet in their exploration, your men turned their back on their god. And now y
Silence. I looked around the room, and everyone was staring at Hanna, who was frozen in her chair. We waited another minute before I squeezed her hair. “Are you okay?” Hanna blinked a few times before she sat back in her chair. She turned to me and her mouth opened, but still, nothing came out. I wiggled her hand and then she seemed to almost deflate. “Talk to us.”“My family is from Japan, though.” Hanna finally collected her thoughts. “And they might have been for a few generations, but they could have moved to Japan from another country, right?”Hanna considered it. “I mean it’s possible.” She looked at me. “I don’t know where from, though.”“That’s easy.” I closed my eyes.“Wait!” I opened my eyes and turned to Wendy. “What’s wrong?”She blushed. “Before you figure out where Chang’e comes from, I think you should do Micca and I first.” She started to pick at her nails again.“Why?” Toya reached across to stop her picking. She looked up. “I’m not familiar with gods.” I wanted to