by R L Medina
“The shifter you captured. I think it’s the same one that attacked me at school. It was in your territory because of me. They tried to kidnap me again at the prison, too. It’s about the blood promise. My mom promised me to Luna Negra. The shifters are working for the coven.”
“Working for the coven? Why would they do that?” Mateo interrupted.
He sat forward, hazel eyes studying me. To see if I was lying?
I shrugged. “I don’t know. They said something about the witches making them stronger somehow.”
“Stronger? How?” Mateo continued.
“I don’t know. They couldn’t say anything else because the GRIMM came.”
“So, what do vampires have to do with this now?” Rafael asked.
The three wolves stared at me. My cheeks reddened. How was I supposed to know? I’d barely passed the freshman class on vampires. Hardly an expert on their culture or history and I definitely didn’t know anything about their involvement with Luna Negra.
“No idea.” I shifted, wincing as we went over a speed bump.
A groan escaped Lucian. I glanced over at him. His face, no longer morphed into a werewolf, was pinched in pain. Noticing my stare, he looked at me, his dark eyes, still tinged with the bright red, though it was fainter.
He growled, making the hair on my neck bristle. Blood coated his clothes and face. I scooted further from him, closer to Rafael.
“We need to get him back, Raf,” Michael warned.
“I know,” he grunted.
I gripped the top of his seat as he made a sharp turn. The car fell silent, a heavy tension filling the air between us. I held my sword down, careful not to slice Michael’s legs. Me, in a fancy sports car with five werewolves, holding a freaking sword—what had my life become?
Back at the mansion, I waited for the others to file out before following. Though they were in worse shape than I was, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for myself. My brilliant escape and quest to find the wizard was off to a lousy start. One thing for sure—I couldn’t go back to the academy. No matter how much I wanted to. How was it that I’d been desperate to leave it and now I was wishing I could return?
I sighed.
“You’re bleeding.” Michael walked behind me.
I turned at the sound of his voice. “Yeah. Do you guys have anything for this?”
Rafael shook his head at me and walked past. My lip curled. Didn’t want to help me? I lifted my chin. I didn’t need him. Just some Advil, and maybe something to clean up with.
“I’ll get you something inside.” Michael nodded.
A hot shower and food that’s what I needed. Like the five-course dinner they served at the academy. Michael’s bar didn’t appease my spoiled stomach.
The entryway was filled with people. No, not people—werewolves. Their faces stretched and morphed. Chills crawled up my spine. I blinked, trying to focus. Was this what it meant to have my full sight? I couldn’t control what I saw?
“Are you okay?” Michael’s voice made me jump.
I made the mistake of looking at him to find he, too, had dropped his human appearance. Despite all he’d done for me, a tremor of fear filled me. I backed up. He flinched and let his hand drop.
“Take him to his room.” Rafael pushed Lucian into the crowd. “Chain him.”
Four wolves grabbed him, pulling him forward. He roared, trying to swipe at them.
“Rafael, what happened?” A woman strode toward us.
Her face returned to human, her dark eyes darting from the alpha to me. Tight, black curls framed her triangular face.
“Vampire attack.” He moved to the middle of the room.
Growls emanated from the pack as they made space for him. I’d been intimidated with just the five males but being surrounded by the entire pack was freaking terrifying.
“Where?” the same woman asked.
“Near the GRIMM school.”
Murmurs filled the room. My palms grew sweaty. How did they even know where the school was? You’d think the headmaster and council would have taken better precaution to hide the students from the extraordinaire. Didn’t they want to keep us safe?
“Who is this?” She frowned at me.
Who was she? Their alpha female?
“Rose. She’s going to be staying here with us.”
All eyes fell on me. I forced my face into a neutral expression though heat spread up my neck.
The woman scowled. “Here? A GRIMM, Raf?”
He advanced toward her. “Don’t start with me, Nadia.”
She fell silent and moved to let him pass. Her eyes snapped to mine as he disappeared into the crowd. I’d been around enough bitchy girls to know the look when I saw it. The ‘you’ll never be one of us so stay in your lane’ look.
Michael stood beside me as the twins brushed by, muttering something about needing a drink. What they needed was a doctor to look at their deep cuts and bruises, but who was I to tell them what to do? They were grown men… wolves.
“Come with me Rose, I’ll show you to a room where you can change if you like.” Michael’s voice echoed in the room.
All the other wolves stared at us, a mixture of curiosity and hostility on their faces. Ignoring the sliver of fear shooting through me, I followed Michael past their piercing gazes and down an empty hall.
“There’s a bathroom here if you want to shower and change. I’ll bring you something for your injury.”
I glanced down at my jeans and shirt. “I didn’t bring any other clothes with me. When I left… it was kind of an emergency.”
He blinked at me. “Oh. Do you want me to ask one of the wolves for extra clothes?”
“Are there any that would actually fit me? Everyone out there looked like freaking body builders.”
He smirked. “There are wolves your age and size in the pack. I’ll ask around.”
“Thanks.”
My cheeks flamed as I wondered if I’d said something insensitive. From what I’d learned at the academy, werewolves had begun as a mutation from humans, but the mutation could only be carried through their DNA. Not like vampires. Vampires were made, not born, but werewolves could be hunted to extinction. I distinctly remembered a passage in one of the textbooks saying just that, and that they were not allowed to breed with any other race.
“Are you okay? You’re not thinking about those vampires, are you?” Michael’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’d love a shower though. And a bed and some food.”
He smiled. “Here’s the room. Wait here and I’ll bring you some clothes.”
We stopped outside a door where he turned the knob and motioned me in. I stepped in and glanced around. It was smaller than my room at Tío and Tía’s house and much more modern looking too.
“I’ll be back.”
I nodded in acknowledgment as he left. Setting my sword down on the side table, I moved toward the window to look out. The view was breathtaking. We were nestled along the cliffs above the smooth, sandy beach. Bright, blue ocean spread as far as I could see. The sun was starting to set. I fiddled with the window, trying to pry it open to breathe in the sea air, but couldn’t get it up.
The hairs on my neck bristled. I turned to find Nadia, the suspicious wolf from before, standing in my doorway. My heart raced. I moved forward, trying nonchalantly to place myself closer to the sword. Her eyes traced my movement, lips smirking.
“What, you going to stab me?” she taunted. Her head moved while she spoke, her mass of curls shaking with the movement.
Though she looked human, there was something in her dark eyes that triggered my instincts. Danger. Danger.
I lifted my chin and tried to pretend she didn’t scare the crap out of me.
“Not unless you try something.” My voice was bolder than I expected it to be.
Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t give me a reason to.”
We stood glaring at each other, the tension in the air growing thick.
What did she want? To make sure I knew my place?
Please. Like I’m a threat.
Michael walked up behind her, frowning. “What are you doing, Nadia?”
“Just welcoming our new pack member,” she replied in a monotone, eyes never leaving mine.
He cleared his throat, motioning her out of the way. She stepped aside and watched as he handed me a bottle of medicine, a pile of clothes, and a bar of soap. I took them and thanked him.
“I’ll bring some food for you later. Unless you want to eat with the others?”
Nadia’s eyebrow arched at Michael’s question. A warning? I shook off the unease and squared my shoulders back.
“I’ll just eat in here. Thanks.”
He smiled and closed the door, shooing Nadia away. I stood and pressed myself close to the wood, waiting until I heard their footsteps fade away before turning the lock. I didn’t want them to know I was scared.
And hell, was I scared. I needed a plan and fast.
5
After the medicine and shower, I put on the fresh clothes Michael left for me. All except the underwear because clean or not, I just couldn’t bring myself to put on someone else’s underwear. Just no. The jeans were a little loose around the waist, but the tank top was a perfect fit. Even better, it was black.
I stood by the window, staring at the beach below, breathing in the salty air coming through the window I’d finally been able to open. The sky was a brilliant pinkish gold, the sun lowering. My stomach groaned, and I debated whether I should join the rest for dinner or wait for Michael to bring my food. The thought of sitting at a table with a bunch of werewolves made me shudder.
But this was my chance. I could talk to them and see if anyone them knew this wizard my mom sent me after. Would Rafael help me now that I’d saved his life? I flushed. Could I really call it saving his life when I’d been the reason, they’d been at risk in the first place?
Making up my mind, I threw on the bulky sweater over my tank top and ventured out of the room. Noisy laughter drifted from down the hall. My shoes thumped against the polished wood floor. It grew quiet. Could they hear me?
Not that I was one to shy away from strangers, but the thought of walking in and every eye turning to me made my heart drop to my stomach.
The smell of food lured me forward. I glanced around at the crowded room, hoping to spot Michael or one of the others I knew. Instead, my eyes met Nadia’s. She sat in some dude’s lap, guzzling down a beer as she stared at me. The guy’s face was pressed against her neck, buried beneath her curls. Growls and the sound of sloppy kisses came from their direction.
Gross. Talk about PDA.
Trying to get that image out of my mind, I walked on. Some sappy, old-timey, love song played, sounding way out of place for the casual mix of people there drinking their beers. Where were all the wolves that were supposedly my age? Everyone looked like they were pushing thirty. A couple walked past with plates topped with pizza. My eyes widened. Yes.
I looked up to find Michael walking up to me, dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a tight shirt. He smiled and handed me a paper plate with two giant slices of cheese pizza.
“Figured I couldn’t go wrong with cheese.”
“Thank you.” I took the plate from him.
A whiff of his cologne caught my nose, smelling more like something the rich academy boys would wear than the average werewolf. Then again, I doubted these were average wolves. The mansion itself easily cost more than my vineyard in Sonoma. The familiar ache filled my chest as the image of home flashed in my mind.
Would I ever see it again?
“What’s wrong? Should I have grabbed a different slice? There’s more,” Michael interrupted.
I waved away the memory. “No. I’m fine. This is great, thanks.”
The cheese was still too hot, so I blew on it.
“Where’s Rafael and the others?”
He shrugged. “Around. I wouldn’t suggest you go looking for them though. These dinners can get… a bit rowdy.”
My eyebrow arched. “Yes, I’ve seen.”
A look of concern flashed on his face. I bit back a smirk. Is that why they called him Ángel? His protectiveness reminded me of Javi. Papi would have liked him. Sorrow blossomed inside me. I glanced away, trying to compose myself before Michael could see me.
Don’t cry. Who the hell cries while they’re eating pizza, anyway?
“You want something to drink?” Michael’s question snapped me to attention.
I smiled. “Sure. I’d love a beer.”
He frowned. “Not alcohol.”
“Hey, you asked.”
“Come on, Ángel. Let the girl drink,” Leo interrupted. He strode toward us with a drink of his own.
“She probably needs it after the day we had.” He winked at me.
Michael scowled at him. “Don’t you have a poker game to start?”
Leo smiled, a big dimply smile that made me flush. There was a reason so many romance books featured werewolves and I was beginning to see it. Though the GRIMMs weren’t bad looking at all either. Grayson’s face flickered in my mind. I took a bite of pizza and pushed the vision away. Far, far away.
I couldn’t think about him or the others. Not when there was so much other crap to figure out.
“You two kids have fun then. Watch out, Michael. Don’t forget she’s jailbait. And a GRIMM.” Leo laughed.
He leapt out of Michael’s reach and strode away, laughing. Michael shook his head, brow furrowed.
“So, he seems fun.” I broke the awkward tension.
Michael grunted. “He’s trouble. Not worth the trouble. Stay away from him.”
My cheeks flamed. “That’s not what… I didn’t mean that. I have a boyfriend. And Leo’s like what thirty?”
“Almost,” came a voice behind us.
I turned to see Mateo, the mellower of the brothers, walking toward us. Though they were twins, I noticed Mateo was slightly shorter with less bulk, but still Malibu gorgeous. Did everyone that lived there have to look like a freaking model?
“Lucian recover?” Michael asked him.
I turned to him to hear his answer. I’d forgotten Rafael ordered him chained.
“Almost. Raf says he’s going to keep him caged overnight. The fight got to him,” Mateo replied.
“Is he going to be okay then?”
They glanced at me.
“He’ll be fine. Once the drug wears off.”
Mateo scoffed. “He won’t be fine if he develops an addiction.”
Michael’s jaw clenched. “He won’t.”
“It wasn’t his first time taking Midnight Rush. And it was double the dose he took last time.”
“Shit. You don’t think… he did it on purpose?”
I picked up my pizza and took a bite as I listened to their exchange. Lucian was an addict? That was a scary thought. Manny’s wild eyes came back to haunt me. I shuddered. Is that what made him kill my father or was he also working for the Luna Negra?
“I don’t know. I wasn’t there, but I recommended Rafael not let him meet any more clients alone.” Mateo shook his head, “He trusts him too much.”
“Yeah. But he’s his beta. He’d never betray Raf.”
Mateo sighed. “I hope so.”
They fell silent and glanced at me as if remembering I was still there. I swallowed another bite of pizza and stared back.
“Can’t you put him like in rehab or something?” I asked between mouthfuls.
“It’s not like any kind of drug you’d know,” Mateo answered.
I frowned. “What, it’s like a magical drug?”
Mateo shook his head. “We shouldn’t be talking about this.”
Michael nodded in agreement.
“Why? I’m not going to turn you in or anything if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Who would I even tell? I couldn’t face my tío or the others again. I shoveled in the last bit of crust and wiped my hands on my jeans. Stom
ach satisfied, it was time to figure out what to do next. I couldn’t just spend the rest of my life with the wolves, running drugs and whatever other shady things they did.
“Do you know who I can talk to too about the wizard? Someone who might remember when Rafael’s dad was alpha?”
Mateo and Michael blinked at me. My cheeks flamed at the pity I read in their stares.
I’m not crazy.
“All the wolves here would remember, but none of them can tell you about this wizard. Raf was about your age when he became alpha. 18. I was younger, and I definitely don’t remember any wizard.” Mateo stared into the distance. “There hasn’t been a wizard in Malibu in years.”
“Decades.” Michael grunted.
Mateo’s lips pursed thoughtfully. “I believe eighty years or so.”
My heart sank. That couldn’t be right. What did Mom’s letter mean? The one place, I was almost sure to find information would be back at the academy, but how could I get to it now?
The song changed to a Spanish ballad. One Papi sang to me as we worked the fields, harvesting the grapes. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to push the memories away. I watched as some of the wolves paired up and started swaying to the music.
Voices and drunken laughter echoed from the other side of the room where Leo sat in a poker game with a group of werewolves I didn’t know.
My eyes landed on Rafael as he entered from the hallway, Nadia close on his heels. It was too loud to hear what they were saying, but Nadia looked pissed. When had she abandoned Mr. PDA?
“Is she the alpha girl or something?”
Michael and Mateo frowned at me. Before they answered, movement caught my attention. Leo stood and flipped over the card table, sending the chips and money flying into the air and clattering to the ground. Angry shouts echoed over his laughter.
He shrugged it off and sauntered over to us.
“Who? Nadia?” Michael answered.
“Nadia isn’t an alpha,” Mateo added.
“Oh. I just thought since she was with Rafael…”
Leo walked up at that moment and chuckled. “Nadia with Raf? She wishes. Raf is a lone alpha.”
“I thought all wolves had mates or soulmates.”
