Shattered Strength: Shadowcrest Pack Series Book Two
Page 15
“He searched and searched. Contacted people he knew from other countries. Spread around sketches I made of those from my dream. He looked for four months before getting a hit out of Seattle, Washington in the United States. By the time Jimmy got the message, asked his contact to check in with the pack, and get there himself it was too late. Someone had already been there and buried the bodies. It wasn’t until I dreamt of Riley and her mates that I connected you, Enzo, to the pack from that horrific dream.
“I am terribly sorry we couldn’t find them sooner. That we couldn’t stop what happened. After I made my first contact with Wilder, I had another dream, this time of the past. That was something that had never happened before. The Gods needed me to see something, to understand it. To learn about the connection between Alastair and Azazel. The dream was of a conversation between them, about the attack and the missing son of the alpha. They are still hunting for you, Enzo. Azazel fears you and your retaliation.” Enzo grunts a response.
“And what about me? Did you dream about my connection to the men as well?” Reed inquiries.
Shaking her head, Grace replies, “No that was Killian. He overheard a conversation between Alastair and Azazel a few months back when they first learned about Riley finding her mates. They were excited to learn that one of them was their nephew. They started plotting the altercations and digging up dirt to find ways to drive wedges between you all. Causing distrust in the ranks, weakening Riley in hopes that she’d give up.”
“So, of all alpha heiresses, why is Alastair so hard-up on getting Riley?” Wild asks before glancing in my direction. “Nothing against you, love, because I think you’re fucking fabulous and hot as sin. I just don’t understand. Why you?”
“Because of our bloodline. Because of whom she is, who we are,” Grace states proudly.
“Just who are you?” Enzo questions.
“Riley isn’t a descendant of just any bloodline. She’s a descendant of a very ancient bloodline that was blessed by not only Fenrisúlfr, also known as Fenrir, the son of Loki and Angerboda, but also by Odin, the God of War himself. Because of this blessing we are stronger and more powerful than most shifters. That is why Riley was able to survive the years of abuse she inflicted on herself. Though untrained, she has the ability to wield magic. Which is why I asked Paxton to join me. He can help her learn to recognize the magic inside her and call it forth.”
Completely dumbstruck, I just sit here. Not saying a word about the fact that they are talking about me as if I’m not in the room. Assholes. My wolf asserts.
“So, what, that makes her part witch or something?” Cree’s confusion is hanging heavy in the air along with his frustration over this conversation. “She doesn’t smell like a fucking witch. She smells like Riley. Besides what the fuck does this all make you. A witch shifter zombie?”
At that, I snort a laugh, one of those high undignified laughs. “Sorry.”
“First off, no Riley is not a witch. She is blessed by the Gods. We don’t yet know the extent of her abilities or her magic. We won’t, not until she begins her training. Secondly, I’m not a zombie. I’m a valkyrie pterolycus.”
“Excuse me?” Reed asks at the same time Wild exclaims, “A what?”
“Not many have heard of a pterolycus. To be honest it would be easier to show you. To break it down, I can take three forms. That of a human Valkyrie, a wolf, or a cross between the two, which is my pterolycus form. However, not all pterolycus are valkyries.”
Wait a fucking second. A thought crosses my mind. “Wait a fucking second. You can fucking shift? You died because you couldn’t shift. Could you have? Back then?”
“I couldn’t then. I can now. It’s a long story but I’ll try to summarize it for you. When I died I was taken to Valhalla. I wasn’t a warrior but our bloodline is one made of warriors and blessed by Odin. There I met Fenrir and Odin, and before you ask, yes the real God of War, Odin. He explained to me that my dreams are a gift of the power of foresight, one that is a blessing from his bloodline.
“Fenrir helped me to find my wolf and bring her out. She was always there, locked deep within me by a curse someone had placed on me when I was younger. The curse made it impossible for me to feel her, making me believe I couldn’t shift. Between the two Gods, I was made a Valkyrie and shifter.”
“Alastair cursed you. Didn’t he?” Reed asks.
“Yes. He had the curse made that locked my wolf away. Look, I don’t want to keep hashing out the past. We need to discuss the war and how we are going to win this.”
Clearing my throat, refusing to dwell on the shit load of information that Grace just laid out there like it was no big deal I ask, “Where do we start?”
Jameson
“We’ve already started. Thanks to Grace’s dreams and Killian’s insider information, we’ve been able to stay for the most part one step ahead of Alastair. His brother is a wild card we have a harder time predicting. We’ve been able to reach out to packs before Alastair’s men. Warning them what was coming their way and making alliances with them. In some cases, we would get there just in time to help them fight off Alastair’s men. Cementing an alliance with little negotiation needed.
“On top of alliance building, we have also purchased land and set up a headquarters for you with a training ground. We have given all the packs a time to arrive at the headquarters so we can start training as a single unit, the ultimate pack.”
“How many packs are we talking about here?” Reed’s time as a military captain shining through as he aims for control.
“We have nine local packs on board, all within a day’s drive from the headquarters. Thirteen within a two-day drive. And in total, we have secured more than thirty packs over the last year. All of whom are willing to assist us in our quest to stop Alastair and Azazel.”
“Where is this headquarters you keep speaking of?” Reed continues his line of questioning. Well, this won’t make him happy.
Killian saves me from having to piss off the alpha ex-military captain or the bear. Neither of whom I’d like to tango with. Thank you, Killian. “We can’t tell you that at this time. If Alastair or his men were to get ahold of you, he could torture you to get that information. Right now, that is the only safe place for Grace. Next to Riley, she is the most powerful being, making her a prize in Alastair’s eyes. Therefore, until you are ready to go to the headquarters, we cannot tell you where it is located. I highly recommend moving there sooner rather than later, considering Alastair got his mitts on Riley already.”
A growl rings out from Riley’s mates with Killian’s last statement. Way to not start a pissing match, Killian. Thankfully, Riley speaks up before the guys have a chance to respond to Killian’s insult, even if he didn’t mean it that way.
“No, no, no. I can’t take this anymore. You have been sitting here talking about me and my life as though I’m not even here. Now you want me to pack up and move to fuck knows where to train so I can take on the man who tried to fucking rape and mate me when I was 16 fucking years old. Who then ten years later kidnaps me, beats me within an inch of my life, locks me in a coffin, and threatens to bury me alive. What makes you think I can defeat him? What makes you think he won’t succeed in taking me next time and doing as he wants with me?” Riley’s panic, frustration, and anger are thick in the air as she finally breaks. I have to be honest; I can’t believe she made it this long.
Grace moves in front of Riley, using her wounded animal voice to soothe not only Riley but her wolf as well, “Riles, do you really think I’ll let him get his hands on you again? Not a chance, my sister. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when he got to you. The timeline had changed and I wasn’t privy to the update in time. His move surprised us all. But Riley, I promise you I won’t let it happen again. The compound is secure and safe. You’ll be safe. You’ve come so far in the month and a half you’ve been with these guys. Imagine how much further you’ll get without having to worry about the outside world coming down on you.”
Wild cuts her off to interject, “Can you let us worry about our shit, please?” Her other mates sound an approving grunt and Riley just nods her head.
“Get yourself in order. The other packs will be arriving there within the week,” Grace informs them.
“Mo grá, I must be getting back before Alastair begins to question my loyalty.” Killian stands from his seat and kisses the top of Grace’s head.
“Be safe and don’t forget to check-in,” Grace commands. Taking her hand, Killian pulls Grace to her feet.
Cupping her face, he smashes his lips over hers, kissing her as though he’ll never see her again. To be fair, where he’s going that is a real possibility. Placing his forehead against hers he whispers, “Is leatsa mo chroí go dtí an buille deireanach. Is leatsa m'anam go deo.” Fucking suck up with his Irish shit.
Epilogue
Alastair
I’m on edge and my wolf is agitated. The conflict with Riley and Grace and their… mates, Gods how that word sours my tongue, has left me in a sore mood. I need someone to take this out on. A visit to an unaligned pack should do the trick. Either I’ll get a new follower or I’ll get to slaughter a whole pack. They both should please my wolf and put me at ease.
Three packs in and I’m still on edge and my wolf is close to erupting, free to slaughter the next being with a heartbeat he crosses paths with. Something is amiss. Every pack I have visited has either relocated or has been on the defensive. I have noticed in the last two weeks it has been much the same but I didn’t notice the pattern until now. It’s as if someone is warning them of our arrival.
Pulling on the Crimson Pack land, I take a deep inhale. Mountain fresh summer air, one of my favorite times of the year to be in the mountains. But there’s an underlying smell of fire, death, and honeysuckle all rolled into one mixed heady smell. I know that underlying scent of wolf. It’s one that now haunts my every waking moment, like a living nightmare.
“I know who you are now.” So that’s who has been messing with my plans, giving them warnings. How though? How does she know where I am going next? Is there a traitor in my camp?
Taking another sniff of the air, I don’t recognize any other scents so none of my guys have been here.
Thinking back to the little minx, I should have killed her when she was a small child, rather than using her to keep her sister in line. I knew the warnings of the prophecy. I cannot believe I read them all so wrong. I made the biggest mistake of my life the day I burned her rotting remains. I won’t make any more where she is concerned.
Taking a deeper inhale, I soak in her scent. “Big mistake, Grace, visiting one of my packs. I will find you now.” With her scent heavy in my mind, I’ll be able to trace her route back to where she was before she visited the Crimson Pack.
Looking in the rearview mirror at the passenger in my backseat I ask, “How would you like to see your fiancé again?”
His eyes widen as his brows lift. A sense of excitement and slight worry fill his features before he responds, “I’d love to, Alpha. However, I’m not sure she would be all that thrilled to lay eyes on me. You see, we didn’t leave things on the best of terms. I may have left her little to her name. Basically, just her clothes.”
“No worries, Son. I’m sure she’d love to see you. It’ll give you a chance to ask for forgiveness and maybe win her heart back. She’s clean, has moved past Grace’s death, and is finally holding a steady job again. I think she’d be in a good mindset to move forward with you as well. Give her a chance.”
Figuring this is another dead end and no chance of a release for my wolf it’s time to head back to base and hunt me a turncoat.
Killian
Fucking Alastair. I make it back to the mansion we are staying at while in Vancouver only to find he has the whole place in an uproar about a spy in our pack. I mean sure, yes, there is a spy, me. But still, shouldn’t he go about this quietly until he’s sure he can identify them, or they may just run. Running, though, is not something I am inclined to do.
Walking into my room, I find Alastair and Azazel sitting in the recliners by the fireplace.
“Alastair. Azazel. What are you doing in here?” I ask in disbelief.
Alastair stands and comes to stand before me. “Where were you, Killian?”
“Excuse me? Since when do you question my whereabouts?”
“Since we discovered we have a traitor in the pack and you have a habit of disappearing for hours without explanation.” Azazel stands, coming to stand behind me.
“If you must know, I was meeting with a girl. A guy has needs you know. Some of those are on the darker side that my lady doesn’t like. Therefore, I meet up with a hooker from time to time to satisfy those urges. Well, this evening after the bust in the street, I was left with some pent-up frustrations I needed to hash out. I was on edge more than normal.”
Azazel leans forward and asks, “So what, you went out after we left the street and found yourself a hooker to get dark on?”
“Yes.” I don’t know how Grace is going to feel about this turn of events, knowing how she feels about domestic abuse. I guess I’m fucked no matter what happens here.
Alastair moves in closer. Both brothers boxing me in as two of Alastair’s lower minions enter the room. Alastair leans in and takes a sniff of my shirt.
“You want to know what I think you’ve been doing? Doesn’t matter, I’m going to tell you anyway. I think you’ve been sneaking off to meet with Grace. Because Grace is your mate.
“You see, Killian. We shifters have incredible noses. I could smell Grace on you for months, however, I just couldn’t place how I knew her scent. It took a while for me to pinpoint all the new scents that make up Grace. Plus there’s the whole thing of thinking she was dead that masked her in my mind.
“Today though after seeing her again and catching a hint of her in the street, when I rode out to the Crimson Pack, I came across her scent again. That was when it all started to fall into place for me. The smell that tended to follow you around for a couple of days after one of your ‘outings’, that lingered in your room and your office. I used to chalk it up to your mate’s scent, but even now, in a different city, it’s stronger. You’re meeting with the same woman. Not different hookers as you claim.”
He leans in closer, one hand on my shoulder before whispering, “Grace is your mate. You are my leverage.”
Fucking hell. Grace is going to kill me.
Things are going to heat up even more as Riley — with the help of her mates — fights for life and love, a pack and home… her rightful place.
You’re not going to want to miss the final installment of the Shadowcrest Pack series. Pick up your copy of Shattered Pack today.
Beautifully Shattered
Shattered Strength
Shattered Pack
Death’s Gift
Norse Blessed, Book One
Grace and her men are back with their very own series, Norse Blessed.
In this series we'll learn more about what happened after the death of the Shadowcrest Pack Alpha and his mate.
We'll go for a walk in the land of Valhalla and come face to face with the All-father, Odin, himself.
Lastly, we'll finally get all the details of what happened during that year between Grace's resurrection and her reunion with Riley. Why did she really stay away?
This is a reverse harem, paranormal romance featuring one female with four males; that is a slow/medium burn containing M/F/M/M/M sexual themes suitable for +18 audience. This book does end on a cliffhanger. Trigger Warnings: This book includes a history of sexual assault, physical abuse and violence, PTSD, substance abuse, and of course swearing.
Keep reading for a sneak preview into Chapter One of Death’s Gift, Norse Blessed Series, Book One.
Sneak Peek
Grace
Have you ever had one of those dreams wh
ere you feel like your falling? You know the one where your arms shoot out to the side, you wake with a gasp, your heart is pounding behind your rib cage, and your breathing is ragged and heavy. Yeah, that dream. Me too, only this is not one of those dreams.
You see, I’m dead. In reality, I may have died only seconds ago but in here, in the nothing it feels like I’ve been falling for years. So long that I’m no longer trying to catch myself on something to make it stop. I’m no longer screaming in fear, and I’ve realized I don’t need to breathe, because I’m dead. Go figure.
Since we don’t know how long I’ll be falling here, let’s go back and I’ll tell you how I ended up here.
It all started ten years ago with the death of my parents.
Sitting at my kitchen table, my mind keeps replaying the nightmare I had last night over and over again on an endless terrifying loop.
Two bloody broken bodies lying in a shallow grave as a faceless man shovels dirt on top of them. In the distance, a car is a blazing inferno, small sparks of flame dancing in the air as bits of fabric and paper float into the night sky.
Turning away from the bodies, I run. Faster and faster my bare feet kick up twigs and stones as I fly through the forest back toward home. Back toward safety. I wish I hadn’t seen them. I wish I hadn’t seen him.
A tear escapes me as I hear the front door open and Riley stampedes through the house. Our home is only a small pack cottage in the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. So, when you drop a pin, it sounds as though you’ve dropped a 16-pound bowling ball. Finding her way to the kitchen, I try to avoid eye contact. I don’t want her to know I’m afraid.