Kylest nods, his eyes on me as we pass by. I like him. There’s no instinct telling me to fear him or be careful. I’m at ease and so is my wolf. Even though we just met, he’s someone I can count on. I feel it deep in my soul.
The Avynwood Pack falls in behind us, a gentle, reassuring presence as we approach the cat pack. The Quivakond Pack stays off to the side, but Merrick and Zayda step beside Ford. All the wolf shifters are in human form except for Orion, Aries, and me. We stop in front of the pack, who just lost one of theirs, thanks to me. They remain humans as well.
A man with dark, shaggy hair falling onto his forehead, partially covering his eyes, steps forward. He jerks his head, the hair sweeping to the side, revealing a pair of light amber eyes. The rest of the pack and Merrick’s might as well not exist to him. His eyes are only on me. Orion steps in front of me and widens his stance, a low growl emitting from him.
“Easy, Orion. I’m not going to harm your mate,” the man states. “But I do wish to speak to her.” Orion turns, walking up along my left flank. I have no doubt if this man were to lunge for me, Orion would have him by the throat in a matter of seconds.
My legs plant hard on the light grey pavers, which line the drive in front of the mansion. There will be no moving me now. From the corner of my eye, I watch as Ford crosses his arms and Merrick’s hands ball into fists. Zayda doesn’t move, but she’d fight for me as well. That’s what family does.
“We weren’t formally introduced,” the man says. “My name is Ezra, and I’m the alpha of this pride. From what I’ve been told, you’re a young and very new shifter. I remember what it was like when I first shifted. It was scary; however, I easily adapted. But you weren’t raised like us. You didn’t grow up knowing you’re a shifter. I understand what happened. I witnessed Jasmine put her hands on your mate. There is no excuse for her actions, and none of us in the pride hold you responsible for her death. She knew she was playing with fire and she underestimated you. Most of us did. You were justified in your killing.”
My wolf must be happy with what he said, because she relents control over me and allows the ripple to race through me again so I can shift back to a human. I wobble a bit and Ford reaches out to steady me.
“I’m not sure when that will seem normal,” I mutter.
“You’ll get the hang of it eventually, princess.” He gives me a gentle squeeze before releasing me.
I face Ezra as Orion and Aries remain in wolf form. Aries is this gorgeous white and tan wolf, one I never stopped to marvel at before. I do for a moment longer before focusing back on Ezra.
“I’m sorry for what I did.” He raises a hand to stop me, but I cut him off. “Please, let me finish. Whether it was provoked or not, taking a life should never be brushed aside. I’ve seen a lot of death since I entered this world of paranormals—more than I ever want to see.
“My friend and my father were both killed, as were members of Merrick’s pack. Even some of Travis’ pack members were killed as well. I don’t like death. I don’t want anyone to lose their lives, but I understand I need to accept it. That it’s part of being a shifter. Jasmine did touch my mate, and it sent a rage through me. I wasn’t thinking, only reacting. Please, I implore you,” I state, looking over the crowd around us, “don’t touch my mate. I don’t want this to happen again, and I can’t control my wolf yet. She and I are still getting to know each other. I don’t want to kill anyone, but I know if challenged, I will. You might not think I’m much—a mere wolf shifter. But there’s more to me than that.
“For those of you who don’t know, I have the strength of a vampire. I can teleport. I can transfer my memories to others. The dreams I have are premonitions. And there’s only one way to kill me. To find out I’m a wolf as well, it’s like the perfect storm inside of me. My wolf knows she’s nearly immortal. She’s going to use that to her advantage. There’s a lot going on inside that I’m learning how to deal with, and the last thing I need is someone trying to take my mate from me.”
Placing my hand on Ford’s arm, I add, “This is my best friend. I will fight to the death for him, as I will for Merrick, my uncle, and Zayda, my aunt. The same goes for their pack and the Avynwood Pack. You’re here to join us in our fight against Travis and his pack. Please don’t create issues here. It will only make us weaker when the time comes to face him and those who’ve gathered at his side. We need to be stronger, and the only way we can do that is to get along and work as one solid unit.”
A slow smile forms on Ezra’s face. “You’re much wiser than I expected. I think we’ll get along fine.”
“I meant it when I said I was sorry. Those words aren’t nearly close enough to the guilt I feel over what I did. I can’t take it back, but I can try and be a better person going forward.”
He nods, stepping forward. Orion growls. Placing my hand on his back, I soothe him, letting him know it’s okay. I don’t want any more fighting with those who are here helping us. I meant it when I said we need to get along.
Ezra stops a foot from me. “We’re here to help in any way we can. If anyone steps out of line from my pride, I will handle them. Please count us as your allies.” He glances at Aries. “Some of us go way back, and we’d never want to create a rift between us.”
“Thank you,” I reply. “I appreciate that.”
Laughter off to my left side catches my attention. I turn and find Solomon with the group of vampires who showed up before my fight with the cat. They’re all laughing and joking around. Seriously? I’m over here apologizing, laying everything out there, and he’s having a good time with his buddies.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say to Ezra, then stomp over to Solomon and the other vampires.
His eyes assess me in a seductive way as I make my way over. “Why, Ariane, we were just talking about you.”
Crossing my arms, I say, “Uh huh. I’m sure it was very flattering.” With a quick peek into his mind, I find that they were talking about my looks, my strength, what happened, and how they all would like a chance to be with me in bed.
“All right,” I start. “Listen up, bloodsuckers. I want no part of any one of you.” I hold up my wrist. “I’m mated. Taken. So keep your dirty thoughts to yourselves.”
“Bloodsuckers?” a man with silver hair and flawless skin says from the back of their little group. “You dare talk down to us?” Oh, for the love of—.
“If you didn’t spend your time discussing ways you’d like to have me on my back for you, then maybe I’d have more respect for you. But as it stands now, I have none. I’m a person, not an object. I deserve as much respect as you do. Until you can grant me that, keep me out of your thoughts,” I growl and so does my wolf. I may like this side of me after all.
“You’re so feisty, Ariane,” Solomon states. “It’s one of the reasons I adore you.”
He reaches up and brushes his knuckles over my cheek. I’m about to smack his hand away when Orion comes charging in, knocking Solomon off balance. He doesn’t fall but falters instead.
His fangs descend as he hisses at Orion. “Try that again, wolf.”
“Hey!” I shout. “If you were listening instead of talking about things you shouldn’t be, you’d have heard me. We don’t have time to fight each other. You touched me; Orion reacted. Keep your hands to yourself and your head in the game. Take your aggression out on the wolves, vampires, fae, and whoever else Travis is bringing to our doorstep, not the ones who are here to help.” One of his thoughts floats to me. It has to do with me and him in a position I don’t even want to think about. “For the love of all that is good, stop thinking about me that way!”
I spin and stomp back to where Aries is standing, no longer in wolf form. “There was a time when I worried about you, Ari, and how you’d fit in. You prove time and time again you don’t need anyone to fight your battles for you.” He smiles proudly.
“I want to lock myself up in that mansion for a solid month and not face anything out here. I’m not strong, Aries.
I’m scared to death.”
Putting his arm over my shoulders, he says, “You’re a shifter now. Your wolf will know what to do to protect you and the ones you love. When everything starts happening, put your trust in her and give over to your instincts. She’ll never guide you wrong.” His words are similar to the ones Orion said to me. I need to take their advice and hope it will all work out.
“I wish I had more time to get to know her and understand how this works before getting thrown into a war where it’ll be life or death.”
What if, when things finally start happening, I freeze and don’t know what to do? What if I block my wolf from coming out somehow? I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m going to be expected to fight and defend the land. Travis will come for me. That much is obvious. He’s much older and wiser. If he has mages with him, there’s no way I can fight their magic. I might be nearly unkillable, but that doesn’t mean others are. Shifters can be killed. They need time to heal. If someone hurts them gravely and they don’t get the chance to shift to heal, their life could end. I have no idea how I’m going to do this.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Aries says. “Each step you’ve taken has brought you to this point. Stop thinking of the how’s and what-ifs. Start believing you can do anything you put your mind to.”
“I hope you’re right, because I feel like I’m being thrown into the deep end of the pool with no idea of how to swim.”
13
Everyone crawls into bed soon after. The vampires find a few rooms to share, and the fae go out to the forest to sleep. Kylest said they prefer the outdoors to the mansion. He said where they sleep at home is in the trees, and everything is organically made with what they have around them. There are also wards covering wherever they live so humans don’t stumble upon them. I wonder how often they go through the portals and what the realms look like. I’m going to have to sit down with him and ask all my questions. That is, if we make it out of this alive.
Hours later, the sun streams in from the window, waking us. Or maybe it’s the shouting downstairs that rouses us. Either way, it takes me a minute to catch my bearings and throw on some clothes. When we went to sleep last night, we did so with nothing on. I wanted to be warmed by my mate. I also noticed my name was gone from his chest. Instead, my wolf’s paw print was there. Once I was warm and comfortable in bed, I passed right out.
Downstairs we find people running every which way. Dante strides through the entryway, a look of pure hatred on his face. His eyes settle on us. “They’re coming.”
“How did you find out?” Rion asks.
“The fae were bored, so they ventured out to Travis’ home and saw them assembled out front. The vampires are teleporting them to our borders. We have minutes before they attack.”
“Why didn’t someone wake us?” he shouts.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was too busy trying to alert every paranormal in this place. I didn’t make my way to your room yet.” He steps forward. “Do you know how many we have here?” Rion shakes his head. “I don’t either because I lost count!” he snaps.
It’s about to start. The war I’ve heard about since I first started having premonitions. The war that could make North Carolina a state where all paranormals are welcome and not only in the sanctuary of the Avynwood Forest. This has the chance to make a big impact. Everything is going to change for the better or worse when all is said and done.
The hunger I felt when I woke is gone. Nothing is inside of me but pure nervousness and a wolf who is ready to burst through.
Rion turns to me, cupping my cheeks in his strong hands. “I’m going to be with you every step of the way. I’ll have your back. Travis won’t get you.”
“I’ll be there, too,” Ford says, appearing by my side.
My eyes jump from him to Rion. “What about you two? I’m not worried about me. It’s everyone else that concerns me.” Reaching up, I place my right hand over Rion’s on my cheek, while my other hand reaches for Ford’s. “I can’t lose either of you. I need you both in my life.”
Ford squeezes my hand. “You’re not going to get rid of me that easily. I plan on fighting by your side through the whole thing and then annoying you for many, many years to come.” I smile, but Rion pulls my attention back to him.
“Nothing will part us, Ariane,” Rion says softly. “You’re the love of my life, and I will fight with every fiber of my being for us.” I nod as emotion clogs my throat. They can’t die. Not today or any day for a very long time.
Aries rushes through the door. “Outside! Now! There’s no time left!”
The three of us race out the door, and the sight before us has me stopping in my tracks. There are shifters everywhere; most in their animal forms. Jaguars and cheetahs. Cougars and snow leopards. And that’s only the cats. There are enormous grizzly and polar bears, who arrived sometime while we slept. Foxes, too. Vampires and fae. Two packs of wolves. Even some mages.
I swear our numbers doubled overnight. There are at least twenty vampires. I spot Ford’s mother, Eloise, next to a man slightly taller than her, with blond hair neatly combed back and a strong jawline. That must be Ford’s father.
And the fae, I’m not sure how many of them there are now. All tall warriors ready to fight what’s coming. Long gone are the sweet and mischievous faces. What’s left are severe, menacing creatures. Whatever or whoever brought them all here to our side, I’m grateful. My only hope is none of the paranormals fighting with us lose their lives.
“We must move!” Dante shouts above the crowd.
Rion shifts by my right side, stronger in wolf form. Ford is on my left. The two wolf packs have merged as one, with Merrick and Aries leading them in human form.
I read Aries’ thoughts. He wants one last shot at negotiating with Travis. Shaking my head, I know there’s no way he thinks he’ll agree to a truce and allow everyone to walk away unharmed. But Aries can’t start this war without at least trying. I have to give him credit. Travis has shown no mercy. Aries is better than me. I’d be going for Travis’ throat.
Shifters, fae, mages, and vampires walk together in one large group. Some head straight to the clearing, while others take indirect routes through the forest, up the mountain to try to surprise those who might be hiding there. We’re not foolish enough to think everyone will be in one spot. Far from it. This battle will take place over many acres of land.
There are a few from each group who are hanging back at the house to prevent anyone from doing damage to it. This is the Avynwood Pack’s home. They don’t want anything to happen to it or anyone else to try and take it over. Plus, Desmond and a few others are hanging back in case someone is in need of serious medical care. If the Diaminsey Pack were to try and take hold of the mansion, it would give them a stronger footing. We need to prevent that.
Halfway to the clearing, I realize I’m in the middle of this massive movement of paranormals. How? I’m not sure. They all move around me, some walking faster to get ahead of us; others lagging behind.
Ford leans close. “You’ve won them over.”
His words cause me to falter, stumbling as I walk. “I won them over? I’m not sure how that’s possible.”
“Well, you already had Merrick and his pack on your side since his mate is your aunt. The fae leader is completely impressed by you, so that gives you them, especially after you proved yourself against one of their own. The cat pride has respect for you and shows no ill will. I’ve read their minds. None are angry. Sure, a few are upset at the loss of a pride mate, but they don’t hold you responsible. And the vampires? Well, it helps that you’ve already won Sol and me over, so that counts for a lot, especially my brother. He doesn’t like most shifters. As a matter-of-fact, you’re the only one I’ve seen him joke and be friendly with. Plus, my mom likes you.” He winks. I still can’t grasp that all these people are on our side even after I killed a shifter.
“But Solomon first met me before he knew I could shift.”
“Yes, an
d that helped, but you shifting only made him realize how strong of an ally you really are. Think about it, princess. You have all these powers and you can shift into a wolf. There aren’t many shifters out there like you.”
I cock my head as I continue the trek. “Couldn’t there be, though? Couldn’t more vampires grant powers to shifters, giving them an edge over others?” One-off transfers of power, that is. I don’t want to think about Ford growing closer to me every time he bit me. As a friend yes, as the other… No.
“Shifters are a very proud group of paranormals. They think their animal is enough to keep them safe.” Orion growls at Ford. “See? Case in point right there. Your mate doesn’t want my powers. He’s so sure being a wolf is enough. There’s a lot that can be learned and changed by you. You’re a walking example of what happens when different races come together to help someone. The Avynwood Pack welcomed you into their family, and I gave you some of my powers, as did my mother. We won’t even talk about how rare it is for her to bestow that on someone. You fascinate most and more than fascinate others.” He mumbles the last part. I don’t need to read his mind to know what he’s thinking.
“Well, let them look and try to figure me out. Maybe they will before I can, because I don’t have a grip on everything yet.” Just as I say that, my wolf claws at the inside of me. She wants out in the worst way, but I won’t show my hand yet. She must agree since she hasn’t pushed me hard enough to force the shift. And she could at this point. I’m not familiar nor strong enough to understand how to keep her at bay.
We finally reach the clearing. There, standing in the middle of it, is Travis. His blond beard is full and his hair shaved close to his head. His jeans are dark and his shirt untucked. But that’s not what draws my attention to him. It’s the wide grin he’s wearing like he’s already won this battle and gotten everything he wants from it.
His pack flanks him on either side; an array of paranormals fills out behind him as far as I can see. They are only a portion of them, as the ones around us aren’t all we have either.
The Crucial Shift (The Ariane Trilogy Book 3) Page 9
