CALIFF “That’s the fifth time in one minute.” “What?” My eyes narrowed at Duke. “You, sighing. Shadow will come back. She’s probably just running into the forest.” “You’re not helping.” Kindra sat on the armchair and wrapped her arm around him. “Tor and Zack are back, and she wasn’t there when they woke up. Those two idiots slept when it was their duty to safeguard Shadow. Fucking awesome. Truly reliable!” “Calm down before you shift in front of us.” “I trusted them. If something happens to Shadow, I swear they will see my wrath that they haven't seen before." I blew out a breath. "The problem is, she left the car, Duke. Lyon can send men to look for her, but she clearly doesn’t wanna be found.” “Do you feel anything?” “Other than my wolf is fucking annoying, I’m pissed off, Duke. Why did Dad do what he did?” “I don’t know, man. I didn’t even notice you were small and weak. There must be another reason.” “Yeah, aside from the witches being scared of a Lycan and a witch ruli
SHADOW I hid my smile as soon as the elders left, leaving me just Califf, Duke, and Elder Eleanor. “What just happened?” Duke asked. “I think I just did my job on my first day as Luna.” I grinned at him, and he grinned back. I laughed silently. “Did I just threaten those Elders? They will plan a payback, will they?” “May I ask why did you do that?” Oh, gosh. I forgot Elder Eleanor was still in the office. My face heated. “I apologize for how I acted last night. It was just the rush of anger and a lot of emotions, and my wolf saw red.” “Please, don’t apologize.” She held my arms. “I should be the one apologizing on behalf of my mate. He just did what he thought was good for our son.” “That’s not an excuse, Mom. He murdered a pack. I can’t just ignore it and leave it unpunished.” “Do what you must, son. Your father would understand.” She smiled at me and kissed me on the cheek. “You will be a great Luna, my dear. You already are.” “Thanks, Elder Eleanor.” She nodded before she
CALIFF “Are you sure you wanna do this?” She was sitting on the passenger seat, focused on her phone, and hadn’t answered my question. “Shadow, I’m talking to you.” I put my hand on her thigh, squeezing to get her attention. “I heard you, Califf. And yes. If you’re concerned that I might snap his neck. No, forget about it. I won’t do that. You just have to trust me.” “I trust you. You know that.” Dad was already at home, resting. His disease was like cancer in humans. I’d never heard of a werewolf catching a disease like him. How would I fund research like this without exposing us? It was hard to accept his fate, but maybe he was paying for what he’d done as his way to repent all his sins. “Then why do you keep asking me if I wanna do this? Of course, I want to do this. I won’t lay a hand on your father and look at these two behind us. They will break my jaw before I can raise my hand.” “Where did you go when you woke up, Luna?” Zack asked. “I should also report my errands to
CALIFF Shadow sensed my anxiety. “Will you calm down?” she said to the link. “Why are we really here, baby?” She ignored me. Instead, she asked my dad. “How are you feeling?” “I haven’t apologized, and I know it won’t make up for it. What I did was horrible. All those innocent people, I haven’t forgiven myself either. I was consumed by ego and greed, and when the opportunity struck, I took it.” “It’s already been thirteen years. It is still fresh in my memory. Sometimes, I still have nightmares, but I have to learn to let go. I could have killed you last night, but I thought of your son. I can’t hurt Califf. I can’t kill his father, who raised him, and I can’t look at Elder Eleanor in the eye, and it would kill me to see Califf mourning for you because of what I did. Yeah, it won’t bring back my parents and those lives in that pack, but I can’t live in the past. I have to move on and start a life with your son.” I gripped her knee and kissed her head as my way of saying I was g
CALIFF “It’s been two fucking days. She hadn’t moved a finger. Why isn’t she waking up, doc?” I growled in anger. I didn’t know where to put my feelings. It was everywhere, and my wolf was beyond agitated. “I can’t watch her like this. You should do something or give her an injection to wake her like an antidote.” “This is beyond my expertise. I’m a medical doctor, and this is not science. We already did a brain CT scan. Her brain is normal. She’s in a deep coma, medically speaking.” “There must be something we missed here.” I could barely breathe properly. My chest was heavy, and my heart was bleeding. “The only thing I can do is keep her comfortable, monitor her vitals, and keep her hydrated. In Goddess’ will, she will wake up soon.” “Fuck!” I gripped the armchair harder, and it cracked in my grasp. “I don’t know what to do anymore. And I can’t feel her emotions. I can’t get through her thoughts. It’s like our bond is gone.” “What do you mean your bond is gone?” Dr. Sallie’s e
SHADOW The vast field was filled with colorful wildflowers in spring. Butterflies and bees flew freely and got on the black-eyed Susan and daisies. The sun was rising above. The fresh air wafted with scents of sweet blooms, “Mommy!” I ran over the field with my arms wide. My face kissed the freeze. The white train of my pretty white little dress flew in the air as if I was wearing a cape. My mom stopped picking flowers for her favorite tea and concoctions she did in her small room behind the house as she saw me. “Easy there, my love.” She smiled, opened her arms to catch me, and pulled me in her arms. “You’re sweaty and stink a little.” “Just a little?” I grinned as I raised my arm. “Just a little.” She picked up a purple flower and slipped it into my braid. “Now you’re the prettiest girl.” “Thank you, Mommy.” I pressed a kiss on her cheek. “I’m going to show it to Daddy.” “Okay, darling. I will be there in a few.” “Bye, Mommy!” I ran back out of the field. There was a big t
CALIFF “What’s happening to me?” Shadow just came out of the bathroom holding strands of her hair—her white hair. Since when did she get highlights? I held it to inspect. When I couldn’t give her the answers, she said, “Exactly.” “Zarah,” I called the witch. The door flew open. Zarah didn’t come alone. My parents, Duke, Kindra, together with Zack and Lyon.” “New hairstyle?” Duke asked with a deep line between his eyebrows. “I wish,” Shadow answered, chuckling as Kindra launched to her in a hug. “I have no idea how relieved I am to see you standing on your two feet.” “With a highlight.” “Good to see you, Luna.” “Thanks, Zack. You okay, Lyon?” “Yeah. What you did was a miracle.” Her eyes widened as her gaze landed on my father. “You really look okay.” “Beyond okay, Shadow. I feel like a reborn. I don’t feel pain anymore. And the scar was gone.” “You’ve been awfully silent, Zarah.” I looked at Zarah. There was sadness in her eyes that she couldn’t hide it, even for a witch.
SHADOW A swirling, glimmering blue liquid glass, the size of a small door, appeared before me, like a dark storm or a black hole pulling a dark material that could take me to another dimension. Or worse, I ended up on flowing lava somewhere on the island of Hawaii. Still, I trusted Zarah that I had enough courage to step into it. When I thought it would hurt or twist bones or spaghettified and take time before I arrived, I was wrong. The moment I stepped in, the same time I was in her living room. And it didn’t hurt. “Thanks for creating a portal for me. It was weird, like cheating space and time.” I kissed Zarah on her cheek. “Better than traveling long hours.” “Yeah. That’s pretty convenient. I still don’t believe this is possible.” “Let me guess. Alpha Califf doesn’t know about this plan?” I shook my head. I was suddenly nervous. “I only told him a half of it, that I am meeting you.” “And he let you go without questions?” “I think you earn his trust. And as long as I don’t