~Hunter’s Point of View~ We’d been watching Angel for a few minutes, unsure of what she was even doing when I smelled more wolves. The very second I smelled them, we were under full attack. Angel immediately levitated herself high above us, being in no position to fight against wolves. For what seemed like an eternity, I was fighting off teeth and claws non-stop with everything I had. Our vampires appeared to help but there were just so damn many of them. This had to have not only been all of Gunner’s warriors, but other packs he’d taken over as well. They were just literally … hundreds. We’d kill a dozen and a dozen more would come out of the tree line. I glimpsed a sea of bodies, fur, and blood. My wolf was already tired and I estimated that I’d killed at least twenty wolves myself. I’d also taken a nasty bite to my back leg and I could tell River was favoring his front leg but it had been awhile since I was clear enough to look for him. “YES,” I heard a woman yell. I recogniz
~Ellie’s Point of View~ The day had passed and neither Gunner or Kai came back. I felt like trying to run off again but I was sure Kai left some type of spell over the area so I couldn’t get away. I was passing the time singing some of my favorite Ipod songs. The sun would be setting soon, and Gunner should have come back for dinner by now ... not that I was missing him but I was desperate to know what was going on. I hoped him being gone meant the Shadows were getting somewhere. But then it dawned on me … if Kai is killed before I’m found, how would they ever know where I was? My mind raced with all the different scenarios, and none of them seemed to end well for me. I was taken from my thoughts when I heard a woman humming. I loved it, it was so comforting and somehow familiar. I didn’t even realize the maid was still here. I followed the sound and saw her in the garden, cutting flowers. She quickly stuck her nose in the air, and began running toward me. Had she been out here all
~Godfrey’s Point of View~ I looked around at all the shifters, completely exhausted by the day of fighting, but I knew they could go longer on anger alone. I stared up at the witch Katya being held by Felix, and I wanted nothing more than to squash her like a bug. “We have to take her out, if anyone should be able to get her, harness her power for their own...” Dina said, dashing to my side. “I agree, Felix … squash her,” I commanded, ordering her death as if she were a bug. Felix and I had a long history and we’d been around each other on and off for centuries but he still sometimes managed to surprise me. The demon let out a … a laugh? I was positively astounded and almost it had me scared. It was a low rumble from deep in his belly and before the witch could register what I’d said and figure out a way out, he fiercely made a fist. I floated up to his hand, just to see blood and other bodily fluids gushing out from between his fingers. Good one down!! But … we need more. “Bu
~Ellie’s Point of View~ I’d been out running with Grammy for so long, I didn’t realize the most obvious thing. We were stopped at a small creek when it hit me that we must now be miles from the house. There wasn’t a spell anymore? *We have to keep going, see how far we can make it,* I mind-linked to Grammy. *Yes, we must, but I’m afraid I’m so exhausted, I haven’t been able to shift and run for a decade, I can’t go much further today,* she said, and her wolf whined. We walked for another hour or so at a slower pace, when I caught it! I suddenly smelled the sweetest scent that made my entire body light up, the salty wind!! The ocean!! My River, he was here! *Mate, mate must get to mate,* Violet yelled in my head. I couldn’t even wait for Grammy, I took off like the wind, following his scent. I ran until I couldn’t run anymore, my legs ached and my lungs were on fire. But it didn’t matter, I made it. I came through a clearing and saw I was back at the house. Shit! Wait, no! May
~Ellie’s Point of View~ I must have blacked out, or Violet blacked out, I wasn’t sure what happened. I woke up in the grass, naked and it was pitch black out. I sat up and slammed my legs together, I had been laying with them wide open! How damn humiliating!! I did see the silver chain nearby and realized Violet probably got it off but maybe passed out. I didn’t notice any soreness or anything that would indicate Gunner had done anything. I got to my feet, my first thought being to go in the house for my clothes. I glanced at the house and it was totally dark, but I had no clue what might be lurking inside. I remembered Grammy and I had shifted in the side yard and I quickly went over there. My clothes were a bit ripped up but Grammy’s were okay. I quickly put on her maid uniform which was basic black slacks and a black and grey blouse. I swam in it, even though she wasn’t that much bigger than me. Better than nothing, certainly. Grammy! Where was she?? I moved quickly around the
~Ellie’s Point of View~ The house was pitch black and I joked to myself it would be nice to have my Ipod for the lit screen. I had no clue what a portal looked like or if I’d even be able to tell what the hell it was. I was also still on high alert for Gunner or anyone else. I crept through the front door, which was actually left open and I checked again for any heartbeats. So far, so good. I quickly moved around every corner of the living room, and I didn’t notice anything weird or have any vibes. Next was the kitchen/dining room and the two bedrooms. This is ridiculous, I could be looking for nothing! I gave up after maybe an hour, I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream. This was my only card to play, my only hope. I ran back outside to Grammy, and thanked the Goddess that she was right where I’d left her. “There’s nothing in there, I don’t think so anyhow but I don’t really know what I’m looking for either. It’s like there’s just no way out,” I whined. “You would know, it wou
~Lilly’s Point of View~ Godfrey had just landed with us back and Blood Claw and I smelled it. A sweet, fragrant scent of jasmine and an earthy, woodsy scent … pine? It filled me and gave me such a safe, warm sensation I couldn’t stand it. I had to follow it. Before I could even unwrap myself from Godfrey, my Grammy called out, “Jasmine! My sweet Jasmine!” I quickly looked around to see who she was looking at, and then … I saw her. An older version … of me. “Mommy,” I said, with a breath so low and pitiful I wasn’t sure if I said it or thought it. *Our pack,* Violet said. My legs felt like they were going to give out, my heart raced in my ears I tried to move, but I was frozen. I’d had this time with Grammy, I knew they were alive but to see them… My look-alike ran toward me and behind her was a shorter man, but he was bulky and hardened. He definitely looked like someone you didn’t want to anger. He looked like a warrior. Just when I thought my knees would give out they both
~Godfrey’s Point of View~ My, my that little mutt Tyson was actually proving himself to be useful, I just may have to spare his life after all. He’d done a rough assessment for Isaac to determine how many Blood Claw were either present or dead so we could determine if Gunner had hidden reserves somewhere. I had a telepath double check him to make sure he was being honest and so far he had been. Gunner was running scared now, no witches, no fairy, no heir and no Ellie. Hmm. I stood with the majority of the council and two dozen Shadows overlooking the pack where Gunner was hiding. The scouts were giving a rough estimate of only sixty wolves including women and children. What the hell was here for him, what does he want with such a small pack? “The only thing I can think is maybe he promised my sister to someone in the pack when she comes of age, she’s several years from her wolf though,” Tyson said. “Maybe he’s just starting over, making a whole new pack,” River said. “That’s abo