“She has no fear of me,” Balen stated.
“No? Maybe not of you, perhaps. But what of your dark secrets? Yours and those of your bloodline?”
Balen knew that rumors abounded about the legend of the curse on his family. If there’d been any with proof against them, it would have surfaced by now. He laughed. “So you would believe stories told to you as a boy to keep you in your bed at night?”
“Not stories. I’ve seen your kind with my own eyes.”
“Liar!”
Alden grinned seeing he’d struck a nerve. “One night, when I was just a lad, my family traveled through this area. We were attacked—by wolves. When my father left the coach to aid the guards, he was set upon and killed. Our coach was ripped into. My mother and I were able to flee with help from the last guard before he was killed. We fled into the woods and hid. Much later, after my mother fell into a fitful slumber, I slipped away. I came upon the scene of carnage. My father, his throat torn, the guards, all dead. I heard a gasping sound and followed it. There I saw a wolf brought down with a pike still sticking from its chest. I crept closer, wanting to kill the beast for the devastation it’d wrought. Before my eyes the wolf, as it died, changed into a man.”
Balen shrugged as though not concerned. “Fanciful imaginings of a distraught child.” Years later, he’d heard this story from his own father, the pack leader at the time. It was told to him as a warning to heed. His father had not mentioned the boy.
“Your kind took my father from me. Now I intend to take someone that you love. Do not think to stop me or I will have you face so much scrutiny you will never escape being discovered. It is my wish to drive you and your cursed kind off the face of this earth. However, I will show mercy and leave you in peace. So long as I have Alena.”
“I will not barter her for your silence. You have no proof. Only a fabricated tale,” Balen scoffed. He wasn’t sure what to do. If he killed Alden, he would have the authorities down on his head.
Alden moved back and pulled a knife from his jacket. “Come out,” he cried. Three rough-looking men appeared from the forest and spaced out to surround Balen. Each of them held a large knife. “One way or another, I will have her.”
“You would attack me, lord of this land, and hope to get away with it?”
Alden smiled wickedly. “No one knows of my presence here. By the time your body is discovered, Alena will be my wife and will not dare speak against me.”
White-hot rage settled over Balen. One of the men positioned himself before Balen’s cloak, which lay on the ground and held his own weapon. Unarmed, he could not hope to survive the attack of four men. If he perished, Alena would be at Alden’s mercy.
Seeing no choice, he forced the transformation to come upon him, knowing he had better odds as the wolf. Soon, he faced his enemy, his clothing shredded around him. He could not allow Alena to be taken. He would ensure her safety, even if it meant his death.
He threw his head back and howled.
* * * *
Alena’s horse traveled only a short distance before she gained control of it and reined to a halt. She dismounted and sent it on to the stables before racing back in Balen’s direction. As she neared she heard the howl of a wolf. Fearing the worst, she tore at her clothing and quickly transformed into an owl and soared into the darkening sky.
Overtop the clearing where scant hours ago she’d been basking in Balen’s arms, a terrible scene greeted her. Four men, knives glinting in the dying light, surrounded a lone silver wolf. As they advanced upon the animal she recognized them as Rory and his band of thugs.
As she dove, she saw the wolf lunge. She knew it was Balen, the wolf who had saved her the other night. He’d risked his life for her then, just as she knew he did now. Softly, she came to land upon the ground just out of sight at the edge of the glen. She changed back into human form, and while the men were distracted, she reached out to snatch Balen’s cloak. Swinging it around her naked form she felt the weight of the weapon in the inner pocket. Pulling the knife free, she inched around the area until she came upon Rory. Silently, she stalked up behind him and poked the tip of the knife against his neck.
“Call off your men,” she hissed.
He spun around so quickly he caught her off-guard. She flung to the ground, but rose carefully, the blade still grasped in her hand.
“You heard me,” she said, noting he held his own knife in his grip.
“Alena! Thank God you’re safe,” he said.
Her gaze flashed between him and the melee going on. No one else took note of her—yet. “Of course I’m safe, you idiot. Now call off your men.”
“I have come to save you.” He appeared taken off-guard by her harsh tone.
A scream sounded as the silver wolf clamped his teeth on one of the men’s arm, stripping him of his weapon. The man shook free and ran off, holding his bloody limb.
“Save me? From my betrothed?” she snapped.
“Yes, that devil! He’s not what he appears to be, dearest.”
Alena cringed at his endearment. “I know exactly what he is.”
“He’s a wolf!”
“And you’re a chicken!”
He recoiled at her words. “What say you?”
She took a step closer to him. “I say you are a chicken! You gathered those brutes to fight one unarmed man.”
He bit his lip for a moment, thinking. “I could take no chances with your safety. You see what he is.” Rory waved his knife, indicating the wolf, who was now dispatching his second assailant, sending him fleeing into the woods.
“I’m here to even the odds.”
He slipped the blade into the pocket of his cloak and held up his hands. “You are safe now, I assure you. Put the knife away, Alena.”
“You mistake me, sir. I have not come to turn the odds more in your favor. I side with my betrothed.”
“Then you are a fool,” he snarled.
He rushed forward, surprising her. They struggled. Rory, being so much larger and stronger, soon wrested the knife from her. Fearful, Alena’s gaze flashed to Balen.
As though sensing her presence, the wolf paused in his pursuit of his last assailant. The moment he looked at her, Alena threw off the cloak and changed into an owl. She flapped her wings and began to lift up into the air. Just as she made to fly away, one of her sharp talons snagged upon the cloak. Weighted down, she could not escape.
Rory’s face portrayed his shock and rage at seeing her transformation. He raised the knife and aimed it at her breast. “Evil, vile freak of nature!” he spat.
Trapped, Alena frantically tried to break free. Rory halted her attempt, stomping his foot upon the heavy fabric.
“You must die!” he cried.
Just as Rory swung his arm, Balen leaped for his throat. Alena watched in horror as the pair fell to the ground. Swiftly, she landed and returned to human form.
“Balen!” She threw the cloak over her shoulders and crouched beside the wolf. She laid her hands upon his soft, silver coat. Beneath him lay Rory’s still form.
Howls and barks sounded, growing louder, and soon dozens of wolves burst into the glen. A lone rider appeared among the animals and reined in steps from Alena.
“Tristan!” she gasped, rising to her feet. “Balen was attacked by Lord Alden and his men. Alden lies here beneath him, the others have fled.”
He leapt from the horse. “Go! Scour the woods!” he hollered at the wolves who were pacing restlessly. The pack took off into the forest to hunt.
“He is so still. I am afraid,” Alena said.
Tristan lifted Balen and moved him aside. Rory’s throat was bloodied, and it was clear to see he no longer lived.
“No!” Alena cried, seeing the dagger buried in the wolf’s chest.
Tristan dropped to his knees and sunk his hands deep into the thick fur. “I can feel a heartbeat, but it’s faint.”
Before their eyes Balen transformed into a man. The knife came free and fell to his side. Ale
na feared that the wolf had died. She knelt and placed her hands on Balen’s bare chest and sobbed. “He fought for me. He died for me!”
Tristan reached out and laid his hand on hers, his own eyes filling with tears.
Off in the distance, howls and mad barking soon turned to shouts of men. Moments later, many of them appeared in the clearing, covering their nakedness with branches of leaves or their hands.
“We have changed!” one of them declared. “All of us. Something has happened.”
Silently, the men gathered around their lord who lay near dead.
“He must have broken the curse,” Tristan stated, no joy in his voice.
Alena stared at Balen in despair as his eyes fluttered open.
“My love,” he gasped. “You are safe?”
She nodded. “Yes, dearest. Thanks to you.”
Balen turned his gaze to Tristan. “Watch over her, cousin.”
Tristan nodded and grasped his lord’s hand.
“I cannot let you go,” Alena cried. “I love you. You must live.”
A sudden heat overcame her. She stared at her hands pressing against the bloodied wound in Balen’s chest. A glowing, white light appeared and encompassed Balen’s body, lifting him inches above the ground. It shimmered brightly and then faded away as his body lowered.
Miraculously, before their eyes, Balen’s wound began to heal. Soon his chest rose and fell with deep, strong breaths.
Alena and Tristan, and the men circling them, moved back with a start when Balen suddenly sat up.
“What magic is this?” Tristan cried, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Balen ran his hands over his chest in awe and blinked rapidly. The men cheered and Alena embraced him.
“You have broken the curse with your love,” she said, suddenly recalling the ancient tale her grandmother had told her.
“What do you mean, Alena?” Balen asked.
“When I was a young girl, my grandmother told me a story about a curse placed long ago on a man who had broken a woman’s heart. That woman was my ancestor, my grandmother said.” She recited, “And until such a time that a descendant from that cursed man enacts a selfless deed of love for someone from my bloodline, the curse shall stand.”
With Tristan’s help, Balen rose to his feet. Alena stood and pulled the cape tighter around her, feeling the rapt attention from all the men in the clearing.
Balen took her hand. “Are you saying you are descended from the woman who placed the curse of the wolf upon my family?”
She nodded. “I believe I am. Although, I must admit I never gave much belief to the tale. I’m surprised I remembered it now.”
“So my saving you broke the curse?”
“Yes. It took the life of the wolf, but not yours.” She felt a tear slip down her cheek. Balen reached out and brushed it away gently with his hand.
Tristan removed his cloak and passed it to Balen. “I will leave the horse for you. Come, you naked fools,” he said with a laugh to the men. “Let us give our lord and his lady some privacy. I will return later and bury the wretch.” He put his hand on Balen’s shoulder for a moment and gave Alena a wink. Then he turned and strode toward the woods and Terron Castle with the others.
Alena stared at Balen in silence, contemplating her next words.
“I saw…” Balen began.
“You saw me change,” Alena said.
“Yes. What a wonder! I never imagined such a beautiful sight.”
Alena smiled with relief. “I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid.”
He laughed. “I wanted to tell you as well, about the wolf. But I too was afraid.”
She took his hand. “There was another part of the tale my grandmother told me. She said when the two lovers conquered the curse, they would forever soar together.”
“What do you think that means?” Balen asked.
Alena stepped back and dropped the cloak. “Let us see, my love. Follow me.”
She changed into a snowy white owl and flew off, circling the man she loved.
Balen stilled for only a moment, then threw off his cloak and concentrated. Seconds later, he turned into a huge, silver owl. He stretched out his massive wings, acquainting himself with the sensation. Soon he lifted up to take flight.
Together, the pair soared off into the dark night sky, forever united in their love.
About Juliet Cardin
Juliet is the author of several sci-fi and paranormal books. She lives in Ontario with her husband, two sons, two cats, and a scruffy little dog.
Juliet’s Website:
www.julietcardinwebsite.yolasite.com
Reader eMail:
[email protected]
More Beachwalk Press Titles by Juliet Cardin
Alien Transaction
In His Alien Hands
My Eternal Love
Moonlight
by Ashlynn Monroe
Joslyn Jamison is a human woman that was raised by werewolves. After graduating college, she returns home, trying to decide if she should marry her long-time boyfriend. The man she really desires is Kane Wolfe, the secret crush of her teen years, but he’s very off-limits. She’s lived a life straddling two worlds, but she can never belong to Kane.
Kane Wolfe is used to getting what he wants. He patiently waited for Jossy to grow up and see that she belongs to him, but he waited too long. Convincing the human that she’s a fit mate for a werewolf is harder than he thought it would be.
When Joslyn is thrown into the middle of a pack war Kane is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect her and claim her as his mate, even if she’s too stubborn to claim him back. She’s brave enough to live in his world, but is she courageous enough to accept him as her mate?
Dedication
I dedicate this story to my awesome readers. This story is for everyone who asked for more of my Moonlight Series. I think you’ll be happy with this surprise bonus!
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank everyone at Beachwalk Press for the continued support and encouragement. Thank you for giving my wacky imagination a home.
Prologue
Blood. Joslyn Jamison held out her arms, looking at the palms of her upturned hands. Mayor Michael Wolfe carried her in his arms. Her stomach turned as the scent of smoke filled her lungs. Charred bits of her house floated in the air. She choked and closed her eyes. Please be a nightmare. When she looked again, her hands remained doused with her parents’ blood. A sharp sting of pain on her forearm was proof she was awake, and she watched the ember burn out on her skin. A strangled sob shuddered from her as the sound of windows breaking brought her attention back to her childhood home, the place she’d lived all thirteen years of her life. Flames poured out the windows.
Horror left her mind broken, and she focused on irrelevant details. Glancing up, she noticed how tight the mayor’s features appeared in the glow from her burning home. Shock kept her mute. Soot fluttered through the moonlit sky like black snow. The howl of a siren in the distance was a small comfort as the roof collapsed with a cracking rumble. If he hadn’t gotten to me, I’d be in there, dead. She shivered as the April evening breeze kissed her with its frosty touch.
Joslyn shook as fragments from the past hour replayed in her memory. She’d sat at the kitchen table doing her homework, soft music playing on the radio. A knock on the door interrupted her mom in the middle of washing the supper dishes. Mom opened the door and hairy creatures—men—pushed into the house. Her mother’s scream sent her father running into the room. One beast slashed Dad’s chest open, and he fell to his knees.
Not thinking is better than remembering. Not thinking about holding the spurting wound in her mother’s throat as Mom tried to speak her last words, but couldn’t, was easier. Not thinking about the pieces of her father’s body scattered around the small, homey kitchen was easier.
The mayor’s cologne reminded her of Dad’s Old Spice. Her stomach seized, and she moaned. The shock turned into anger as she s
hook herself out of the trance.
Joslyn wiggled in the mayor’s arms. “I’m going to be sick.”
Mayor Wolfe put her down, and she dropped to all fours. Her nightgown wasn’t long enough to protect her knees as she crawled away. The grass of her front yard prickled against her skin. She looked up at her burning house, and a gust of wind made her eyes water as smoke hit her face. Tears ran down her cheeks as she sobbed and retched in a simultaneous expulsion of emotion. She lost track of time as she knelt there, covered in gore.
Heartache burned in her chest as a wail of anger and grief tore from her throat, and she arched back, screaming her agony to the stars. Shivering in the cold darkness, she collapsed onto her side, emotion left her drained and exhausted.
The mayor scooped her up, and she went limp. He looked down, giving her a tight, sad smile. “You’re safe now, little one.”
Safe? Is there such a thing anymore? Her eyes fluttered closed.
* * * *
“What are you going to do?” Barbara Wolfe’s voice woke Joslyn.
The mayor cleared his throat. “She saw.”
Joslyn opened her eyes. She didn’t know where she was. The big house reminded her of the fancy hotel her family stayed at once, all modern art and neutral beige. They were in a foyer. A balcony ran along the second floor above them.
Barbara gave a choked sob and brought Joslyn’s attention back to her.
“I owe this child.” Tears sparkled on Barbara’s cheeks. “The girl is worthy of the truth. I want to adopt her. She’s lost so much.”
Michael sighed and held Joslyn tighter. “I understand.” He looked down at Joslyn. “Ah, awake already?”
Barbara came closer and put her hands gently on Joslyn’s shoulders. “Tonight you saw what most of our town is. Can you keep a secret?”
Joslyn nodded.
Barbara sagged with relief. “We will avenge your parents. What we are is dangerous, but those men are not like us. We are more human than animal. We don’t kill for the sake of killing.”
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