Part of me hoped he’d taken my advice and left. My wolf, she hoped he’d stayed. Grief tormented her, and she demanded justice for the death of her fellow pack mate. She begged to be released so she could execute him, and in my weakened state, I took down the walls and set her free.
I tried to do this the civilized way, and it ended in disaster. I should’ve let her out at the very beginning, letting her destroy the threat. If I had, Jasmine and I would be on our way home right now, laughing about ways to torture Mason.
I took a deep breath as I leaned forward and closed Jasmine’s eyes. I kissed her softly on the cheek and whispered I’d be back for her.
Something within me finally snapped, my wolf was in full control. Placing my hands on the ground to push myself up, I turned to face my enemy.
The gun was on the ground a few feet away, useless. The enemy stood a short distance away, shaking from shock as he stared at Jasmine in disbelief.
He didn’t have the right to look at her. He had no right to even breathe, and if I had anything to do with it, he wouldn’t be in a few short moments.
I took a measured step forward, power soaking my cells as I called on the change to happen. “You will pay for this.” My voice was an octave deeper, but steady as a rock, as I sized up my enemy. “You killed her so your life is forfeit. So says pack law.” I felt my face harden. “I told you to stop. You didn’t. I told you to run yet you stayed. Because of you, my sister is now dead. Run as fast as your vampire blood laced body can, because when I catch you, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”
“It was an accident, Darcy. I didn’t mean to shoot her. I loved her! I never meant for this to happen.” My enemy was frantic and began to back up slowly.
He mimicked the submissive gestures I’d shown Jasmine earlier. His hands held up in peace, but there would be none now. The wolf was here, and she was without mercy.
I took another step forward and jerked as my muscles and joints moved. It had been slow and painful for Jasmine, but Mason and I had been working on my changes. As the mate of the Alpha, he told me there would be times I’d be challenged and it was important I could change fast and often. If my enemy thought he had more time, he was sorely mistaken.
“You really should’ve run.” And with that, a savage pulse pushed through my body. One minute I was Darcy and the next I wasn’t.
Standing in all my wolfish glory, I saw my enemy cower as he watched me change into two hundred pounds of aggression and raw energy. I may not be as spectacular as Jasmine, but my chocolate brown fur was thick and luxurious, my fangs sharp and eager to shred.
My humanity whispered in my head, trying to convince me against attacking, but my grief held too tight of a grip. Somewhere else inside, I could feel Mason was close by, but I shut that sensation off too.
This was personal and something I wanted to deal with. By killing Jasmine, my enemy had crossed a line human Darcy couldn’t argue with. Pack dictated retribution, and the thrill of it set my senses ablaze.
I stalked toward my enemy as it backed up, looking over its shoulder for help. Hoping for privacy to enact its kidnapping, it had gotten just that, but it also meant no one would be coming to its defense now. No one would hear it scream in terror.
I faked a lunge, and it squeaked in terror. Head back, I howled, the noise jolting the enemy before me. It finally turned and ran.
My enemy became prey.
I paced back and forth eagerly, allowing it a few moments head start before leaping into action. Barking out a war cry, I loped after it, careful not to catch my prey too quickly. I wanted to draw out the uncertainty—torture it.
Down the street I chased, pausing to test the scent on the air. I knew exactly where it was, but also smelled the pack. They wouldn’t get here in time. Even if they did, this was my kill—my death sentence to execute.
I skidded to a halt at the opening of an alleyway. Instead of running into a populated area, or flagging down a passing car, my prey chose to hide where there could be no escape.
If it thought the filth that littered the ground could disguise its fear-riddled odor, it was about to be disappointed. The trash crunched under my feet as I entered the space and stood for a moment, taking in my surroundings.
I ignored the rats rummaging around. Howling out the equivalent of “ready or not, here I come,” I slowly began stalking. It took only a second to narrow down where the coward was hiding—a boarded over doorway. Its sweat drenched body radiated a “here I am” sign. I crouched down and waited.
Moments passed. Silence filled the air. I wanted it to think danger had passed it by, and everything was safe. I wanted it to relax before I pounced and ripped it apart. Slowly.
Cautiously, I saw it begin to move, testing each movement for a reaction. When it seemed appeased, my prey stood up and peered into the alleyway, scanning the area. It relaxed, releasing the tense breath it had been holding, and as it stepped out I growled. I snapped at the strangled response as my prey jumped back into its hiding spot. The smell of urine was strong as it wet itself.
Stalking to the opening of the doorway, anger and retribution drenching me, I faced the cowering lump in front of me. I could drag this out, make it suffer more, or I could end it.
Springing from my hind legs, I soared through the air and landed on top of it. With a feral bark, I demanded it to look at me.
Recognition of its impending death filled its eyes, and my prey mouthed a silent prayer—a plea for divine intervention. Pouncing, my paws dug into its chest, pinning it to the ground. I leaned in to take one last sniff.
This is for Jasmine, I thought as I opened my jaws and ripped at its body. Blood sprayed over the walls and into my mouth. Sounds of shredding flesh and limbs being brutally torn from the body filled the air, as well as the heady scent of copper. Agonizing screams followed, but it meant nothing as I focused on annihilating the pack enemy. With one quick move, I ripped its throat out—silencing it forever.
It didn’t take long before it ceased moving, and there was nothing left but carnage—blood and gore covering every surface. I stopped long enough to shake out my body, sending bits of flesh flying from my fur.
Nudging the lifeless mass with my snout, I growled a challenge for it to get up and fight some more. There was no movement.
Adrenaline still coursed through my body, but it was over. Justice had been served, with a side of ruthless vengeance, and it was time to change back.
I reached inside and called on the change, but my wolf refused to relinquish control.
I pushed, and she pushed harder.
I begged and coerced. She ignored it all.
It was then that I panicked. It had been a long time since the wolf had been this strong, and there was no budging her. She was adamant if she had been in control to begin with, this all could’ve been avoided. We were to stay wolf, and everyone would be safe.
Realizing I couldn’t reason with her at the moment, I began the journey back to Jasmine’s body. She’d been concealed so I hoped no one had discovered her and moved her.
My slow steps became huge bounding lopes as I pushed myself to get back to where it had all started.
Nearing the scene, my hackles rose, and I let out a warning growl. Some of the pack had arrived and were hovering over Jasmine’s body. I barked for them to move as I roughly pushed my way through those who’d come. Daniel. Jonas. Eric.
The looks on their faces were a mixture of anger, grief, and shock. Violence was something mostly seen amongst the dominant pack members. It was rare for it to touch the females, so the death of Jasmine would shake them to the core.
Each of them looked at me cautiously, trying not to make eye contact as they assessed the situation. They could see my aggression, hear it in my low growls, and tried to show they weren’t a threat.
Crouched over the body of his sister was Mason, his head bowed as silent sobs wracked his body. I longed to comfort him but couldn’t as a wolf.
&nbs
p; I nudged him with my snout, ignoring the bloodstain I left on his t-shirt. His hand reached out and ruffled through my fur. It came back sticky.
“Hi baby, you okay?” He gave me the once over, waiting to see how I would react to him. I leaned in slowly, taking my time to pull his scent into my lungs.
Mason sat still, and a feeling of security washed over me. I nudged him again. He threw his arm around me, pulling me in close.
I could feel his strength permeating into my body, trying to soothe away my anger. I began to whimper, trying to tell him all that happened as my body shuddered against him.
“I can’t understand you, Darcy. You’re going to need to change back. We need to move Jasmine and get back to the house. Come on, sweetheart, as soon as you’re ready.” He gestured with one of his hands to Eric and Daniel, and they moved forward to pick up Jasmine.
Instantly my wolf reacted, and I nipped at them. Standing guard over my fallen sister’s body, I forced them to back up—Mason included. No one was going to touch her, not until we could figure out how to bring her back. My grief demanded it.
“Darcy, you can let go and change back. No one is going to hurt Jasmine. Eric and Daniel need to pick her up so we can take her home. She needs the pack. She needs the rituals.”
Everything he said made sense. I just couldn’t let go of the belief if we waited a little longer, she’d wake up—alive.
The guys moved to step forward again and this time, I lashed out biting at the pant leg of Daniel.
“Darcy. Stand down.” The Alpha command battered against me, ruthless in its primal demand. No one could resist it, but I tried anyway.
“She’s fighting it!” Jonas exclaimed in shock. “Look at her. She’s got a hard set in her eyes, Mason. I don’t think she’s going to listen.”
“Darcy. Don’t make me force you,” Mason ordered, sadness filling his eyes. Pure Alpha compulsion coated my body and soaked into my bones, forcing me to relax. Pain caused me to yelp as I struggled to hold my position. I didn’t want them touching her.
“Darcy!” and with that one word, I crumbled. Eric and Daniel quickly stepped in, sweeping Jasmine up. As I watched them carry her away to the waiting car, I released a grief stricken howl that began in my stomach, and erupted from my mouth into the night.
On and on I howled, understanding all hope had been futile. She truly was gone, and the only “magic” ritual to perform now would be a burial one. I collapsed to the ground and buried my snout into my paws.
I barely heard the voices whispering. Footsteps came and went, followed by the sound of a car engine starting and the vehicle pulling away. Everyone had left—all but Mason, his hand gently stroking my fur. There was a soothing rhythm to his movement, but my wolf was far from being calmed.
I don’t know how long we sat there or why we weren’t found. I didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore, and nothing made sense.
His voice jolted me to awareness. “You’re not able to change back, are you? Is that why you’re still in wolf form? She won’t let go?”
I raised my head and looked into concerned eyes. Mason lifted his hand and gently stroked the fur on my face, each touch filled with love. I nodded slightly, the best I could do to communicate with him. I knew this was serious—I needed to regain control, but didn’t know how to convince my wolf it was okay.
“Well as Alpha, I can force the change. I’m worried if I do though, the wolf will resent me, and I don’t want it coming between us. We could wait and see if she relents, but something tells me tonight was too traumatic, and she sees this as a matter of survival for you both.”
Mason paused, looking thoughtful as he studied the problem out. I marveled at how amazing he was. He knew exactly what was happening, and it not only spoke volumes about the type of leader he was, it showed the kind of man he was as well. He was my mate, and it filled me with a sense of security to know this was the man who would swear to love and protect me for the rest of my life.
A thought popped into my head at the same time a smile spread over his face. The light sparkling in his eyes told me he had an idea and believed it would work.
“I know how we can convince her to release you. She’s always been there to protect you, keep you safe and out of harm’s way. It’s a natural response, but she needs to realize there’s another who can do that for you as well—someone who wants to and is ready to step in. She needs to relinquish control over to me as your mate.”
Relief coursed through me as Mason shared the same idea I’d had, and something in my gut told me this was the answer. Who better to keep me safe at the moment and in the future than my mate? Even my wolf couldn’t argue too long with that.
I felt her respond to the idea and stubbornly acknowledge that maybe Mason was right. She still needed a little convincing though. She wasn’t going to hand over anything just yet.
I didn’t understand the hesitancy. He was a good man and wolf. I’d seen Mason in action and so had my wolf. What she was waiting for was beyond me.
I looked at him again—trying to share what was happening and got up to sit on my haunches as he quickly pulled away. His body began to shimmer and pulse.
He was changing. It was one of those blink and you miss it kind of deals. One minute Mason was sitting there, and the next a magnificent wolf.
I would never tire of looking at him—if there was ever the poster child for werewolves, Mason was it. All sleek curves and muscles, he was the color of midnight, perfect for blending into the darkness.
His black fur was immaculate and covered every inch of his perfectly formed body. With strong legs and finely tuned agility, he was a lethal predator and competition to all who crossed his path.
And he was all mine.
With a quick shake, he padded over and prodded me with his nose. When I didn’t move and tilted my head in question, he nudged me again. Let her look, a voice echoed in my mind and I understood. If my wolf was going to release control, she needed to see and approve of who would also be protecting me.
I jumped up onto my paws, pushing at my stubborn wolf and showed her Mason’s wolf. Even she couldn’t deny he was glorious, and I begged for her to take a closer look.
Standing at attention, waiting for inspection, Mason’s wolf didn’t flinch as I began to nip and poke at him. Rubbing my body against his, energy emanated off of him, and caused my own to sizzle from the contact. Energy like that meant only one thing—power and lots of it.
My wolf nodded at the feel of it and approached the front of our mate. Without warning, she growled and barked at him, baring her fangs as she set back in a pounce like stance. She was preparing to attack. I screamed for her to stop. We don’t attack our mates, but she wouldn’t listen.
He stood stoically, never flinching as she launched at him. Landing on top of him, he let my body pin him to the ground as my wolf snarled and snapped. She was provoking an attack on purpose, wanting to see his reaction.
A rough tongue whipped out, licking the side of my snout. Seconds later, Mason’s wolf tilted his head and bared his throat—a sign of submission. Instantly, the fighting instinct fled, and I began to change. Mason had passed her test.
It took only moments before I felt myself being scooped up into strong arms. Mason’s scent wafted over me, and I couldn’t help taking in a deep breath. After all I’d been through, it spoke of comfort, and I wanted to submerge myself in it.
Everything was quiet except for the sound of our breathing, still slightly labored from our changes. For a moment, it was as if everything was okay and then the crushing weight of reality bore down and threatened to bury me alive.
“Oh my gosh, Mason. Jasmine." I couldn’t finish my sentence as a sob ripped from me. It was impossible to hold back the barrage of emotions washing over me as tears streamed down my face.
Over and over I cried. He gently rocked me back and forth, not speaking a word as he joined me in my grief. My sadness knew no end, and I felt like I was drowning as the e
vents of the night replayed themselves in my mind.
“Oh no, Mason. I ripped him to shreds!” Vomit forced itself up my throat, and I was barely able to pull myself free before it violently erupted out of my mouth. I could feel my hair being held back as my stomach emptied itself. I continued to heave even though there was nothing left—like I was trying to purge the events from my body.
When I finally settled, I wiped the back of my hand over my face and glanced back at Mason. He looked haggard, the worry and strain of tonight clearly written on his expression. Love shone from his eyes, as well as deep anguish over the death of his sister.
“Take me home please. I want to go to sleep so when I wake up I can say this was all a dream. That’s what this is right, it’s just a dream?” I begged for him to lie to me, to tell me anything but the truth.
“We’ll talk about it when you wake up, okay? Here, let me help you.” Scooping under my legs, Mason tenderly lifted me into his arms again. “Sleep Darcy, you’re safe. I have you now.”
My wolf howled in agreement, and I felt my body slowly begin to relax. Hesitating for a moment, I closed my eyes, and it wasn’t long before the blessed blanket of sleep embraced me. My last thought, please, let this be a dream.
Chapter Five