“Grandma.” My dad stood and went to grab for her but she held up her hand. “I’m not here, boy-o. Not really here. She pulled me to you with that.” She pointed to the book.“Your book of shadows. I thought it was lost.” He turned back to the book and hovered his hands over it. “It wasn’t lost, it was hidden.” She looked over at me and smiled. “It was found by who it was meant to be found by.” She walked over and hovered her hands around my father’s face, almost cupping it. “I’ve missed you. But I can’t stay. Watch out for the darkness.”“I love you.” His whisper was soft.“And I you.” She leaned down to kiss his forehead, and then she was gone.He looked over at me and I could see the devastation there. “You met her?”I nodded. “She helped me find myself, my inner self, anyway, so that I could find my power. Even then, the Moon Goddess had to give me a push.”“You met the moon goddess?” Ronnie lept up and rushed over.“I don’t actually know.” I lifted a shoulder and looked back at my
“A Lycan?” I traced my finger over the picture. “I thought they were extinct.”“Most are. Only one left is the king.” My dad pulled the book away from me and switched back to the page he had originally settled on. “Lycans have two forms. A wolf, much bigger than a normal werewolf. And a half human half wolf form, like the ones you see in the movies. Weres can partially shift, but nothing that comes close to the wolfman form.” He pushed the book back in front of me. “Now I want you to focus on this spell and try to create a wisp without losing the change in your scent.”“A wisp?” I looked at the page and skimmed it. It was a step to step spell on how to create a wisp of light. A spell useful for seeing in the dark and one that doesn’t create heat so you can hold it for long periods of time without being burned. “Yeah, this was the first spell I learned from my grandmother. She said it is the safest option as a wisp has no way to ‘burn down the village’.” He smirked as his eyes took on
“Ugh.” A groan from behind the chair had me slapping my hand over my mouth. “Are you trying to kill me, pup?”“I’m sorry.” I looked at my dad, but he was currently bent over, dying of laughter. “Dad?”“Did you see how far he fell back?” Tears were trailing down his cheeks as he cackled. “Rude.” Ronnie stood and dusted off his shirt. “The both of you are rude.”“I really didn’t mean it to do it.” I turned to my dad. “What did I do wrong?”“Well, for one thing, you definitely weren’t thinking about the size of the wisp. All your power rushed to fulfil your wish, and it was as big as it could get.” My dad wiped his eyes and his laughter finally trailed off. “But Ronnie, you know it doesn’t cause harm.”“I know, but I have never seen one that big, and it scared the shit out of me. Sue me.” Ronnie settled back into the chair. “Try to picture it the size of a softball.” My dad motioned me to try again. I closed my eyes. “Iccas lumin torcanta.” I pictured the light a lot smaller than befo
“What is it?” I turned back to face my dad, and he was grimacing. “This isn’t going to be comfortable. But it only has to happen tonight.” He hedged his words, and I just gestured for him to go on. “Ronnie has to sleep in your room tonight.”“What?”“What?” both of us screamed.“The last test is you keeping your scent changed while you are sleeping. Ronnie needs to be close enough to keep track.” My dad pointed to Ronnie, who groaned. “I have to be up all night, don’t I.” My dad nodded and he groaned again. “But you will have tomorrow off to recoup and sleep and I’ll have the Beck with me.” My dad clapped his shoulder, and he dropped his head. “I’m going to go nap then.” Ronnie waved and left the room after my father nodded. “You can go. Keep your scent covered all day.”“Okay. What’s next if I’m able to hold it during sleep?”My father grinned. “Shifting.” I widened my eyes. “What? Really?”“You are ready. Nix and Loki have talked about it and she is ready. She is just waiting
“You can do both.” I shook my head. “I know my dad doesn’t have many female warriors, but that is going to change. You won’t be the only one that wants to be a warrior now. But warriors can still live a full life, including kids.”“I know. But I don’t want to choose.” Cass looked down at her plate. “A mate, a good mate, won’t make you choose.” I patted her hand and finished my steak. “The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. Mates are supposed to be your other half. I think your mate will understand your want to be a warrior and will support you.”“You think so?” She looked at me with hopeful eyes. “I do.” I got up and grabbed more steak. I was starving. It’s your body getting ready to shift. You will eat like this from now on. Alpha’s burn a lot of calories because they need to shift more. Nix’s voice filtered through and I nodded. “You’re eating a lot.” Cass looked at me as I settled. “Nix said I’m getting ready to shift. Alpha’s burn a lot of calories because we have bigger wolves a
I watched Cass pale, and I wanted to hug her. So I did. “Give him a shot. He might surprise you.” I whispered in her ear and then I gave him a small wave. Cass’s arm gripped my hand. “Come on, little wolf, I think we have something to talk about.” Greyson stepped up next to Cass and wrapped an arm around her waist.I pulled my hand from her hand as her eyes pleaded with me. But I just gave her a wave and took off. I turned back in time to see Cass finally turn to face Greyson. She opened her mouth to say something, but he darted in and kissed her. I jumped a little before running the rest of the way to training. “You okay?” Tina called over to me as soon as I reached the training ring.“Yeah. Perfect. Why?”Tina raised an eyebrow. “You dad said you weren’t feeling well the past few days, which is why you missed training.”“Oh right. I’m good now.” I smiled at her and dropped down to stretch next to her. “How has training been?”“Good.” Tina bounced on her toes. “Mostly, anyway. Auro
After training, I headed back to the pack house and up to my father’s office. I heard voices from the other side, so I leaned against the wall next to the door and settled in to wait for whoever was to be done. My ears perked up when I heard my name.“Are you really letting Amy run our pack?” A nasally voice called out sweetly.“Our pack?” My father’s voice was soft and confused. “Yes, my love. Our pack. You promised to make me luna at the next full moon, remember?”“I did?” I leaned against the door and pressed my ear against it. “Aurora, what are you doing?” My father’s angry question caught me off guard. Something was going on inside. Something that my father didn’t like but wasn’t stopping.“Bonding with you.” I heard a ruffling, but I reared back and kicked the door open to see Aurora leaning over my father with his head tilted back. She was pouring something into his mouth, and I tackled her to the ground. My mind linked to Ronnie and Beck. Get to my father’s office now!I bar
“Pup?” Loki’s voice was icy as he stared up at me. “What happened to your face? Who did that to you?”“You did.” I felt my face swell as blood trickled from my eye and nose. “What?” His voice flashed, and he shook his head. “What’s happening?”“I would also like to know what the hell is happening. Why was your dad attacking you for Aurora?” Ronnie dropped into a chair and I let my father up. “I came to see my dad about something I can’t even remember what now, but I heard him talking to someone.” I rubbed my healing face and wiped the blood off. “Then I heard him asking what she was doing, and she said bonding, and something inside me screamed. So I kicked in the door and she was pouring something into his mouth. Then I tackled her and attacked.” “And then?” Ronnie pointed to my dad, and I nodded. “He attacked you?” Loki asked.“Yes.” I nodded again.“What the hell is going on?”“Loki, I need the book of shadows.” “Okay. Give me a moment.” Loki got up and left the room. I looked
“What? Did Nina not tell you that these applications were routed straight to the king’s email?”Thinius turned to look at Nina, and I watched her back up a step. “No, no, she didn’t. But it doesn’t matter. All applications need to go through the council.” He tried to rally and stepped closer. “The council has been already checking to see who is appropriate for the position.”I nodded. “I figured you might say that.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled back to the press release from Rowan. “And I quote ‘Any single and unmated female may apply. Regardless of age or rank. All applications will be considered.’ End quote.” I clicked my phone off and turned to look at Thinius. “But according to some ladies here, they attempted to apply through the council and they application was denied before even being reviewed.” I felt my eyes shift as Nix grew impatient. “Was that you? Or did another council member decide to go against the words of the King again?”He sputtered at that, and I watched his
Her words gave me goosebumps. It was obvious she was looking for a fight. The moon on her forehead glinted.I’m tired of holding back Amy, and Nina keeps poking at me. Nix looked a little rabid as she came closer to the barrier in my mind. She was standing with her hackles already raised, and drool foaming at the sides of her mouth. I took a deep breath and turned to the voice that was working its way through the crowd to stand next to Nina. I nearly rolled my eyes when I realized it was the council member. And not just any council member. It was Nina’s uncle Thinius and Nadine. “And what exactly are we waiting for?” I smiled as I tilted my head.“Do you know who this is?” Nadine snarled, but that only made my smile bigger.“I am assuming you are trying to intimidate me by bringing Uncle Thinius the council member, to my table.” I watched as Nina and Nadine smiled. “But I think you overestimated yourselves, and him.” I looked down at my nails. Then back to the trio now hovering by m
I ran to the caff to grab a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, then made my way to the table where the girls were already gathered. “Hey.” I took the last bite of my sandwich and slid into a seat, only to nearly choke to death when Hanna and Micca both yelled.“Amy!” The food hit the back of my throat when I inhaled and I started to cough. The two of them came over, bouncing while I tried to swallow the food that was currently trying to kill me. I finally swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah?” I coughed more and they at least looked apologetic. “Sorry.” Hanna patted my back, but Micca just pushed her away.“Look at your hair!” Micca pulled on my newly shortened strands. “Does it look bad?” I grabbed a curl, tucking it behind my hair.“No!” She fluffed up my hair some. “I think it looks amazing on you. Your curls seem to have more life, more bounce. It looks fantastic. Who did it?” Micca looked around. “I’ve needed a haircut for a long time.”I pointed to Toya. “She did.”“Oh my god
I stopped by the apartment to get ready, then I hopped into my truck to get to the main hall. I wanted to grab some food before the mayhem of today started. I had barely taken a few steps into the main building when there was a call. “Amy!” I stopped and turned to find myself facing Brandon and Vince. “Hey.” I forced a smile on my face. “What can I help you with?”Brandon came to stand next to me. “Good morning. I thought you were going to miss today…”I turned my smile up to his face. “Why would I miss today?” Brandon looked lost, staring at my face. He even leaned in, but I turned to face Vince. “Alpha Vince? What do I owe the pleasure?”He coughed for a second before he regrouped. “What exactly are you doing with the front hall?”“I created a way for girls to apply to become the King’s mate.”“There already is a way.” Vince started, but I held up my hand.“Sorry, I should have been more clear. I streamlined a way for the females here to apply to becoming the King’s mate.”“Why wo
We ran for a while, and we all heard when Erubus started running after us, but Nix snorted. We were far enough away that Nix had a plan. She ran for a little while longer and then she dove into a bush. “You turn Megan.” “What?” Megan jolted up, but Nix was already running back to us and then she pushed Megan forward. “Nix, what are you doing?”“It’s your turn to run. Now go.” Nix chuffed out a laugh as she pushed Megan to the front, almost forcing the shift from her form to Megans. Then I watched as Nix ran to the candle and added another.“What are you doing?” I walked over to her and watched as the second candle flair to life.“Changing our scent.” She looked at me like I was dumb, and in that moment, I felt it.“Why?”“Because we can’t have the same scent, and I want to see how this male treats my soul sister.” Once the candles were strong, she turned back to Megan, who had just finished shifting. “Now, run and be free, Megan.”Megan was frozen on the spot for a moment, but then t
Nix snorted. “You already told me you ran Tuesdays and Fridays, yet every day I looked for you, there was no one. I’m tired of inconsistent males trying to impress me.” Nix turned away from him. “If you are looking for a fling, or someone to mess around with, I am not your wolf.” “What?” His surprised sounded genuine. Nix snarled at his tone. “I said what I said.” She bunched her muscles, and I knew she intended to leave. “Wait.” There was something in his voice that made her pause. It wasn’t panic per se, but something like it. “What now?” She was at her wit’s end. The male had played with her too much and she was over it. “I don’t want a fling or some wolf to mess around with. I want a mate.” His voice was clear, and there was almost a desperation for her to understand. “Maybe think it over.” Megan offered, and I smiled. “This is the wolf you have thought about daily for months. Maybe something came up, and he was away. It’s not like you know his human and he can let you
After I kicked my two friends out of the elevator on their floor, I continued down to the main floor. I gave a tiny wave to Jora, who was wrapping up his shift, and I walked out the door. I am sure he called after me, but as soon as I hit the cool morning air, I was running. I ran around the building, straight into the woods, and shifted into Nix. She paused on a hill, feeling the wind ruffle her fur, and she closed her eyes. “I have missed this feeling for far too long.” I receded enough inside to sit next to Megan. “I promise we will make time for both of you to shift more.” I turned to look at Megan. “And I want to train in your form as well.”I felt her stiffen next to me and she turned her head to look me in the face. “You would have no reason to fight in my form.” I wrapped my arm around her. “It is always better to be prepared. What if you are running and are attacked? We won’t be able to stop to shift into Nix.” I ran my fingers through her fur. “If would make us vulnerable
I woke slowly. My alarm going off was probably the worst thing I had ever heard in my life. All I wanted to do was to stay in the soft, warm comfort of their arms. Their arms…what? My eyes sprang open to the soft glow of the recessed lighting in my bedroom. The room itself was familiar, but the arms wrapped around me were not. I turned my head slowly to the side, terrified to find the lost soul, the woman I thought I left behind beside me. I closed my eyes in relief when I saw it was Toya. I turned to the other side to see Wendy snuggled on my shoulder. The rest of the night flooded back to me and I remembered that my two friends had slept over. Whether it was for them, or for me, I was grateful. Toya finally cracked an eye. “Shut it off.” She groaned as she snuggled into my side. I started to laugh. “I would, but my phone is on the other side of you.” My voice was soft, but both girls flew off of me. Wendy fell off the side of the bed with a soft bang.“Fuck me. I forgot.” Wendy gr
Toya leaned over and kissed my head. “Let’s stop talking about it.” She pulled back a little more and fluffed my hair. “Wendy, hand me the blow dryer.”Wendy got up and handed the cast aside dryer. But I turned. “You don’t have to.”Toya pulled me back like my mom used to do when I was little. “Sit still. You can’t go to bed with wet hair. And you can’t get sick. We have a long day ahead and need to be up in a few hours.” She clicked on the hair dryer and Wendy came over and whispered in Toya’s ear, then she slipped her shoes on and left.“Where is she going?” I yelled over the sound.Toya leaned closer and spoke directly in my ear as she continued to blow dry my hair. “She needed to grab some things from our place. She will be back in a minute.” I just nodded because I was too exhausted to ask. I leaned against my own knees with my eyes closed as Toya dried my soaked hair. It was the most peaceful feeling I have had since I was a child. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until Wendy