He grinned and smacked her on the ass before walking to the fridge for a soda. “If you’d hurry up I wouldn’t be in your way. I’m starving.”
Regan glared at him with sharp baby blues, then smiled at Rhys and Makenna. “Can you do something about your brother?”
Makenna let her shoulders slump dramatically. “I’m sorry. We tried to get him professional help, but the only solution they had was admitting him to the asylum.”
Talon slapped her on the back of her head. “Hey! You women are mean!” He plopped down on a bar stool. “You just can’t appreciate the awesomeness that is me.”
Makenna and Regan both rolled their eyes. Makenna didn’t miss the hungry look that flashed in Regan’s eyes for Talon before she hid it. Or the way Talon always seemed to find an excuse to be close to the tall, fiery beauty.
Yep. Those two were circling each other. She wondered how long it’d be before Talon was trying to sneak her up to his room. From what she’d learned, he was very private about his love life. Not that she wanted to know. She just wanted her brother to be happy.
Regan pointed a spoon at Talon. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and set the table?”
“Bossy too.” Talon griped. But he rose from his seat and went to the cabinet for plates. “Somebody needs to tame you, woman.”
“Well when someone comes along with the balls to handle me, he can give it a try.” She made a face at him.
Rhys and Makenna laughed and walked into the living room for a few precious moments of downtime before the circus that was dinner. They collapsed in a heap on the couch, limbs tangled.
Rhys nipped her nose. “What do you say we head upstairs right after dinner? I think a long bath is in order tonight.”
Makenna tilted her head back as he ran his lips along her neck. “I say that sounds amazing.”
He’d just moved back to her lips when Trystan barreled in the door yelling.
“Rhys!” He skidded to a stop in front of the couch. “You need to come out here. Devin’s back.”
They leapt from the couch, nearly falling as they untangled their legs.
Rhys headed for the door, Makenna on his heels. Her heart in her throat. Devin was the messenger they’d sent to the other clans Kylian hadn’t taken over to warn them he was coming. If Trystan was this upset, Devin had to have brought back bad news.
Devin stood at the bottom of the porch steps. His muddy brown hair was ruffled and his cheeks red from exertion or anger, maybe both. A muscle ticked in his jaw. Every muscle in his hard-packed body strung tight.
Talon and Trystan came out behind them and Amanda joined them from her spot on the swing. Bowen rounded the corner and climbed the steps. Several pack members gathered in the yard.
Rhys shook Devin’s hand. “Good to have you back safe.” He rejoined Makenna on the porch. “What news?”
Devin shook his head. “I can’t believe he’s done it, but he has.” He raised his eyes, confusion and a hint of fear there.
“Who’s done what?”
“Kylian.” He sucked in air and continued. “He’s usurped the throne.”
The pack gasped.
Makenna’s blood began to boil. “He can’t do that! Can he?” She looked at Rhys.
His face had turned to stone. Those beautiful eyes were ice cold. “How?”
“I don’t know. Some of the clansman said they saw him wearing the ring. And he sent everyone this.” He handed Rhys a tattered paper.
Rhys glanced at it and red washed across his cheekbones. He looked at Devin. “You did well. Go rest now.” He scanned the crowd. “We’ll decide how to deal with this and call a meeting soon.”
The crowd dispersed, and Rhys ushered them into the house.
They gathered around the table. Rhys collapsed in his chair at the head. He held the paper in front of him, staring at it as if he didn’t understand the words.
Makenna put her hands on his shoulders. “Rhys, what is it? How can he take the throne?”
Rhys took a shuddering breath. “Once the king and queen mate, there’s a coronation. There are rings, not crowns. But they’re not on this plane. They don’t truly exist until a mage calls them forth at the ceremony.” He rubbed his brow, then ran the hand through his hair.
Bowen took over. “Only the two chosen by the gods can wear the rings. When they’re called, they appear on the hands of the king and queen.” He shook his head. “Only a mated pair can sit on the throne.” His gaze fell on Rhys. “He couldn’t have called the rings. It’s not possible. Unless...” he paced the floor.
Rhys stood. “Unless what?”
“Somehow, he had to have called them to himself and Brianna. His mate is long dead.” He cast a sympathetic glance at Makenna, Talon, and Amanda. “It would take powerful magic. More powerful than I’ve ever seen. Even then, I don’t see how it would be possible.”
“Fuck!” Rhys drew the knife from his waist and threw it at the wall. It burrowed deep, the hilt shaking.
Makenna addressed Bowen as she slid her hand over Rhys’ back to try and calm him. “What does this mean?”
Bowen exhaled forcefully. “It means the clans must bow to him. Whoever wears the ring is the ordained king. He can use them in whatever way he wants, and they can’t refuse. If they do, it’s treason. Punishable by death. He can also make law.”
“He already has.” Rhys balled the paper up and tossed it across the room.
“What law?” Trystan spoke up.
The fury burning inside Rhys took Makenna’s breath away. He moved to the window, out of her reach. She didn’t go with him, sensing he needed space.
Talon settled Amanda in a chair and came to Makenna’s side. He took her hand and squeezed. They all waited. After several deep breaths and one fist sized hole in the wall, Rhys turned.
Looking around the room, he made eye contact with all of them. His gaze stopped on Makenna. Sadness and apology laced his anger.
Talon released her and she moved into Rhys’ arms. He kissed her forehead and held her tighter.
Of all the things that could’ve happened, that she’d prepared for since she’d been in this new world, Kylian taking the throne hadn’t been on the list. She didn’t want to imagine what had her mate more upset than that.
Her power crackled in her chest. The fierce urge to protect her mate and her clan rose hard and fast, nearly taking her breath.
When he spoke, his voice was strong and harsh.
“He’s officially declared war. We’ve been branded as outlaws. There’s a price on our heads.”
Makenna growled. “All of us?”
“The entire pack.”
Stunned silence filled the room, then it erupted. Everyone talked at once and Makenna’s head began to ache. Her wolf growled, and the goddess screamed.
Then Rhys’ fist came down hard on the table.
Everyone shut up.
She stood tall at his side. Mutual determination and blood lust raced across their bond.
Bowen sat back and crossed his arms. “What do we do?”
Rhys looked at Makenna. She nodded and took his hand. They rested their joined fists on the wood. He eyed their warriors.
“We do what we were made for. He wants a fight, he’ll get it.” Fire flickered in his eyes as their power surged. “We unleash the dogs of war.”
Makenna growled in approval.
The Morrigan had truly awoken and she was thirsty for blood.
THE END
Musical Inspiration:
YouTube Playlist:
~ Chapter One: Keep The Streets Empty For Me by Fever Ray
~ Chapter Two: Bang Bang Bang by Dorothy
~ Chapter Three: Mad World by Unsecret
~ Chapter Four: No Good by Kaleo
~ Chapter Five: Point Of No Return by Unsecret
~ Chapter Six: Cages by Art Of Dying
~ Chapter Seven: Die Trying by Art Of Dying
~ Chapter Eight: Feral Hearts by Kerli
~
Chapter Nine: Can You Feel My Heart by Bring Me The Horizon
~ Chapter Ten: This Ain’t No Place For No Hero by The Heavy
~ Chapter Eleven: Bury by The Unions
~ Chapter Twelve: More Human Than Human by Rob Zombie
~ Chapter Thirteen: Hunger by Amaranthe
~ Chapter Fourteen: The Wolves by Cyrus Reynolds Ft. Keeley Bumford
~ Chapter Fifteen: Blood, Tears, Dust by Lacuna Coil
~ Chapter Sixteen: In Chains by Shaman’s Harvest
~ Chapter Seventeen: Fire And Ice by Within Temptation
~ Chapter Eighteen: Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Lordes
~ Chapter Nineteen: Psycho by Muse
~ Chapter Twenty: Voodoo Child by Brick + Mortar
~ Chapter Twenty-One: Paint It Black by Ciara
~ Chapter Twenty-Two: Tainted Heart by Adrian Von Zeigler
~ Chapter Twenty-Three: Go To War by Nothing More
~ Chapter Twenty-Four: Big Bad Wolf by In This Moment
~ Chapter Twenty-Five: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Raydia
~ Chapter Twenty-Six: Now You’re A Home by Christain Reindl Ft. Ruuth
~ Chapter Twenty-Seven: Believer by Imagine Dragons
~ Chapter Twenty-Eight: Heroes by Generdyn Music Ft. Zayde Wolf
~ Chapter Twenty-Nine: End Of The Dream by Evanescence
~ Chapter Thirty: Let Us Burn by Within Temptation
~ Chapter Thirty-One: Bottom Of The River by Delta Rae
~ Chapter Thirty-Two: War Pigs by Ozzy Osborne Rise Of An Empire Mix
~ Chapter Thirty-Three: The Morrigan by Adrian Von Zeigler
~ Chapter Thirty-Four: Never Tear Us Apart by Bishop Briggs
~ Chapter Thirty-Five: Dogs Of War by Blues Saraceno
Acknowledgements
After having been with a publisher for my first three books, it was quite an adventure stepping into the realm of indie publishing. But I’ve had so much help along the way.
First, my family for putting up with the late nights, the ramblings of a mad woman, the frozen pizzas, the blank stares, and the songs from the playlist on repeat. I love you.
Next, I have to thank Skye Turner. Girl, you are so much more than a fellow author. You’re a friend and confidante. You’ve helped me navigate these unfamiliar waters, answering stupid ass questions and being there with your support the entire way. Love ya, cha!
L.M. Montgomery and Victoria Flynn. Sprinters Anonymous! Goosey, Princess, and Momma are quite the team, knocking out word counts that’d make people’s heads spin. You guys kept me on track. Love ya more than chocolate.
Janeen Ippolito, my editor, friend, and keeper of secrets. There’s no way I could’ve done this without you. Blade swingin’ warrior chicks unite! We did it!
And finally, Liberty Speidel. I seriously have no freaking clue how I would have done this without you. All the late night convos, the nonsensical conversations, the hashing out of all things writing and marketing, the venting, the wine shared across the miles. You are invaluable and I adore you.
Most of all, thank you to my readers. So many of you have waited patiently for this book, supported me endlessly, and encouraged me. I do this for you and I could not do it without you.
About the Author
Author. Fighter. Survivor.
Amy doesn’t just write, she pours her guts on the page, honestly and brutally revealing herself in the process. Nothing is off limits. She faces the tough topics head on and doesn’t pull punches, confronting her own demons along the way. Her favorite question is “what if?”, and she believes fiction can be truer than our sheltered and controlled realities.
She’s a lover of music, chocolate, MMA, the beach, and cherry vanilla Coke. Most days, it’s a shock the neighbors aren’t knocking on her door, telling her to turn the music down.
It is her firm belief that everyone should have a theme song.
Originally from Arkansas, Amy currently resides in Indiana. She longs for the day when she can return to her Southern home, and write her adventures of love and war on a back porch overlooking the hills she loves. With her music ringing across the valley.
Website: Http://www.AmyBrockMcNew.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/AmyBrockMcNew
Instagram: @ABMCAuthor
Twitter: @AmyBrockMcNew
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/u1o4u2
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01ETQMC4W
Also by Amy Brock McNew
Now Available:
The Reluctant Warrior Chronicles
Reformation: The Beginning (prequel novella)
Rebirth
Reconciliation
Resistance
Rise of the Fianna
Sleeper
Coming Soon:
Resilience (Book 3 of TRWC)
Awakened (Book 2 of Rise of the Fianna)
Sleeper (Rise of the Fianna Book 1) Page 37
