by Julia Mills
“Don’t I always?” Grey laughed out loud as magic filled their bond of brotherhood.
“That you do,” Wolfe disconnected so his brethren could focus.
Making his way across the room, the Guardsman stopped as Daire approached with Darragh at his side, “I’m going out there.” He held up his hand as Wolfe began to argue. “I know we discussed this, and you said I needed to hang back, but that’s not me…it’s not the way I’ve ever dealt with a problem, and I’m not starting now.” Looking back at his brother who was nodding his head, the Alpha continued, “This Shapeshifter, whoever she is, does not get to come on my land and threaten my Pack without having to deal with me.” Daire looked out the door and added, “She fucked with the wolf, now she gets the claws.”
“I totally agree, but she is not on your land,” Wolfe countered. “She is standing on the west border. The magic you have in place is holding her back.” Sighing as Daire shook his head and edged forward, the Guardsman grabbed the Alpha’s arm and opened his mind completely. “Look!” Wolfe demanded.
Daire’s intrusion into his mind was quick and painless. The Guardsman watched the Alpha’s face as he took in the scene Wolfe was monitoring. He could hear Daire’s thoughts as he quickly made strategic changes in their original plans. Waiting until the Alpha pulled out of his mind, Wolfe commented, “Yes, I agree.”
Looking shocked, Daire asked, “You heard that?”
“Yes, all of it and I agree with both of you.” Wolfe looked back at Darragh, motioning for him to join the conversation. “I’m sure it’s a combination of the wards you set on the borders and the fact that the Shapeshifter will not be at full strength until midnight when the full moon is the highest and brightest in the sky.”
“But how did she blow the doors off the hinges?” Darragh asked.
“It was a show of force with the hopes of getting you and your brother to show your hand.” Wolfe looked between the brothers. “And it almost worked. What you’re planning now will give you the advantage to get close and be ready without giving anything away.” He stopped and thought, then added, “Because of my connection with Dannika and her connection to you, we can relay the information Angus and Grey send us to you two.”
“So, we’ll have eyes in the sky and on the ground.” Darragh nodded. “I like it.”
His brother turned around and snorted, “Look what happens when you pay attention,” the Alpha nodded, “You’re a damn good tactician when you want to be.”
“Alright, while I love the mutual admiration society, I think you better get out there,” Wolfe joked.
Nodding, the MacTavish brothers started striding towards the door with Daire calling to his most-trusted Betas and Trackers to follow, then over his shoulder he chuckled, “And Wolfe, you have the conn.”
“Oh my Goddess, did he just use a Star Trek reference?” Wolfe laughed out loud, “Dannika, I am gonna love being part of your family.”
“That really makes me happy, Wolfe, but can we talk about it after we kill that bitch?”
“Anything for you, honey.”
Chapter Twelve
Watching her brothers walk out the door, thinking she might never see them again almost broke Dani’s heart but then Wolfe’s smooth, calm voice filled her mind, and the dragoness knew she could handle anything with her mate by her side. “You have nothing to worry about. Those boys know what they’re doing and have every intention of coming right back here to make sure I take care of their sister for the rest of her life and beyond.”
“I know you’re right,” she chuckled sadly then made herself perk up and added, “Thank you, Wolfe. You’re just amazing.”
“Okay, now I’m gonna blush, and then Grey will find out and we’ll never hear the end of it.”
Laughing, Dani teased, “Maybe I’ll tell him.”
“Oh no, anything but that,” Wolfe answered back in mock horror, making Dani laugh all the more. “And speaking of Grey, I need to check in with him and Angus, but then I’ll be over right there with you.”
“See you soon, mo ghrá,” she answered, feeling the extra love Wolfe pushed towards her through their mating bond.
The rest of the day moved by at a snail’s pace with Wolfe constantly talking to Angus and Grey while Dani listened to the messages her brothers sent to Wolfe through the link she shared with all three men. It was disconcerting at times to be a bystander in her own mind, but at least she knew what was going on, which was infinitely better than having to sit and wonder and worry.
Watching the sun start its nightly descent, both Dani and the dragoness with whom she shared her soul became anxious, disconcerted and jumpy. Each moment that passed put them and all the people she held most dear in mortal danger from a Shapeshifter who literally stole her power from other beings. It was wrong, it was abhorrent, and it needed to end as soon as possible.
Looking to her left, Dani saw Becky, Olivia, Ellie and Caleb, all wolves and all people that no matter how long she’d known them held a special place in her heart. On the right, she looked at the man the Universe had made especially for her and thanked the Goddess of All for bringing him into her life, no matter how difficult their first days together had been. Turning around, she saw the Pack who had always accepted her and loved her like one of their own.
As she looked to the back of the huge reception area in the Lodge, Dani smiles at the last rays of the sun shining through the floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window making it look like the wall was decorated with massive jewels. Memories began flashing through her mind like a movie on fast-forward, jettisoning her back to the day her mother had placed the small jeweled box into her hands. Dacia’s words echoed through Dannika’s mind… This is your birthright mo banphrionsa beag. One day you will use it to protect not only all your hold dear, but all those blessed by the Universe.
Spinning around, Dani sprinted towards the back door, calling to Wolfe, “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going, mo maité?”
“To get what we need to kill that bitch once and for all.”
“Dannika, get back…” Wolfe’s words trailed off as Dani ran as fast as she could through the Courtyard, onto her porch, through the front door and up the steps to her room. Throwing open the large oak trunk Joshua had crafted for her on her sixteenth birthday, the dragoness threw everything over her shoulders until she found the velvet pouch she had used to hide the only thing she had left of her parents.
Loosening the strings, Dani opened the bag and let the tiny jeweled box fall into her hand. Memories of her parents flooded her mind. She felt the unconditional love they had always showered upon her and their constant need to protect her at all costs. A day did not go by that she didn’t miss them and wish things could have been different.
But that was not my path…
Pushing away the melancholy, she took a moment to look at the relic her mother had given her for the first time in many years. She studied the pattern emerging out of the beautiful jewels decorating the top. In the center, and most definitely the largest stone on the box, was a princess cut rose quartz the size of her thumbnail. From there, the four corners all contained a different gem, each with a specific purpose.
Running her fingers over the stones, the dragoness was immediately infused with the feeling of success from the citrine, power to do what is right from the agate, loyalty for those she loved from the emerald and warm wishes for many years of health for those she held most dear from the garnet. The longer she held the box, the warmer it became, and it wasn’t long before Dani felt it vibrating while the glow of magic filled her room.
Jumping to her feet, she ran back down the stairs and out the door she’d left open, shocked to see it completely dark and the full moon riding high in the sky. Shutting the door, she jumped off the side of the porch and began running towards the Lodge.
The more she ran, the brighter the glow from the box became until Dani’s whole body was bathed in the warm, purple light. Stepping onto the smooth concrete of the
sidewalk surrounding the Courtyard, Wolfe’s voice burst through her mind, “Dannika, dammit, answer me!”
“Answer you? This is the first time I’ve heard from you.” She sassed. “And why are you yelling at me?”
“Are you alright?” He demanded.
“I’m fine!” She spat, then felt the panic filling their mating bond and softened her tone. “What’s wrong, Wolfe? I was only gone a few minutes.”
“No, damn you, you were not.” He growled. “You were missing for damn near three hours. We searched everywhere, and no one could find you.”
“There is no…” Her words trailed off as she thought about the memories she had experienced while holding the box, the feelings touching each stone had filled her with and the closeness she’d felt to her parents, the feelings that had been missing over the last few years.
“Dannika? Dannika! What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, but I think you better see this,” she whispered in awe, as a memory she hadn’t known she possessed began to play out in her mind.
Standing on the same mountain where her parents had lost their lives, Dani now a full-grown woman, looked over at what still remained of the caves her Clan had called home. She remembered playing with the other vibrias and young drakes as the echoes of the people she would always think of as family continued to haunt every nook and cranny while most predominant of all was the vision of her parents – alive and smiling – still living in a place that time forgot.
Walking through the maze of caverns, tunnels and grottos she’d run through as a small child, Dani felt pulled to the center, to the place her Clan called the Grotto of Peace. It was where they went to pray, to commune with the Ancients of their kind and to receive the wisdom of the ages from their ancestors long since passed.
Walking into the cave, she was filled with peace. Kneeling at the side of the cool, clear pool of water, Dani listened to the tinkling of the mountain stream, flowing down the far stone wall. Lost in her memories, she nearly fell into the water when a voice rang loud and clear in her mind.
“Hello again, my little Morning Star. I see you have found the holy relic entrusted to you by your parents.”
“Queen Eistir? Is that you?”
“Yes, mo stór, it is I.”
“But how?”
“When you have need of me, I shall always be there for you and today, mo réalta beag…you have a great need. An old evil parading as a mere Shapeshifter has come to lay waste to not only all those you love, but to YOU, my little Morning Star, but do not fear. You have everything you need to defeat this enemy and save your people.”
More than a little confused and needing to return to her mate and her Pack, Dani asked, “I am the one who will defeat the Shapeshifter? Alone?”
“No, Morning Star,” the Queen chuckled. “You and that strapping young mate of yours. Together, you both will save not only your Pack but the whole Supernatural world. This is your Destiny, Morning Star.” Dani felt a strong sense of pride coming from Queen Eistir as she added, “One, I have no doubt you will live up to with all the grace and honor of our kind.”
Trying not to sound impatient, but feeling the time she didn’t have ticking away, Dani politely nodded, “I will do my best, but how? What do I do? My brothers, most of our Pack and Wolfe’s brethren are out there now, in danger, when it sounds like I am the one who is supposed to face off with this horrible bitch.”
Dani slapped her hand over her mouth, mumbling, “I am so sorry, Queen Eistir, please forgive my outburst.”
Laughing out loud, the Queen quickly assured the younger dragoness, “Dear Morning Star, I, too, was once young. It might also be said that in my latter years I was still quite a free spirit. Please do not worry, I am honored that you feel comfortable enough to be yourself with me and act accordingly. I have no doubts we will be in touch many more times over the course of your long life.”
There was a long pause before the Queen added, “Now, you must return to your people. You have the talisman and I have placed the knowledge on your heart. As long as you act in the best interest of those you hold most dear and with all the love in your heart, the answers will come when you need them.”
“What the hell was that?” Wolfe blurted out while Dani was still lost in the memory. “That Queen’s timing leaves a lot to be desired.”
“I know, but she shows up when we need her…at least so far,” the dragoness chuckled, walking into the Lodge and right into her mate’s arms.
As his arms wrapped around her, Dani was filled with so much unconditional love and overwhelming commitment, she just knew everyone else in the Lodge could feel it too. Pulling back, Wolfe looked her up and down then said, “I like the glow, but it’s really warm.”
“Oh, is it? Not that I can feel.”
“Well, trust me it is,” he nodded with wide eyes then pointed at the jewel box still vibrating in her hand. “And what is that? I can feel the magic coming off it like a fully charged power plant.”
“You saw the memory. This is what she was talking about.” She looked up at her mate. “This is all I have left of my parents.”
Pulling her into his arms again, Wolfe soothed, “Oh, Dani, I’m so sorry for…”
Her Guardsman’s words of comfort were cutoff as an explosive bolt of lightning struck the ground just outside the Lodge right before the entire structure shook from the thunder that boomed overhead. Daire and Darragh, as massive gray and white wolves, raced into the Lodge, returning to human form as they approached the couple.
“The Shapeshifter is now alone outside the western border and the rogues are covering the other three sides. The Betas and Trackers are guarding all sides, waiting for our orders. ” Daire turned to Dani. “Darr and I saw the memory from your Queen and came back to see what we needed to do to help.”
“Honestly, I have no clue.” Dani blew out a long breath, before looking up at Wolfe. “But I think we need to go out there and face the Shapeshifter. I believe what Queen Eistir said.” She smiled as her mate nodded in agreement. “This is our fight.”
“I’m right there with you, Morning Star,” Wolfe winked, using the name her mother and now the Queen continued to call her.
“Well, you’re sure as hell not going anywhere without us,” Daire and Darragh chimed in, looking more determined than she’d ever seen them.
“I’m in,” added Becky who appeared at Dani’s side closely followed by Olivia, Ellie and Caleb, who all said, “You’re going nowhere without us.”
Smiling, feeling more loved than she could ever remember, Dani nodded, “Alright then, let’s get this show on the road.”
“We’re right there with ya’, Dani,” Grey’s voice sounded in her mind. “Angus and I are hovering just below the tree line about a hundred yards from the Shapeshifter.”
“I cannot be sure, but it looks like she is in some type of trance,” Angus added. “She hasn’t moved in nearly four hours, but the power emanating from her is tremendous.”
Slipping the jeweled box into her pocket, Dani spoke both telepathically and out loud, “Thank you all so very much. I…we could not do this without you.”
Pulling her into a quick hug, Daire set her back by Wolfe and then acting like the Alpha he had always been ordered, “Move out people. Let’s put this old, nasty bitch down, once and for all.”
Chapter Thirteen
Their thirty-minute trip to the western border was done in complete silence and running as fast as they all could. Wolfe felt everyone preparing for battle, especially Dannika. He knew she was glad to have the support of her friends and family but wished they would’ve stayed back in the Lodge, safe and far from the Shapeshifter.
Stopping at the tree line, about a hundred yards from the Shapeshifter, the group looked at the sky as Angus and Grey descended, returning to human form right before their feet touched the ground. The Enforcer immediately went to his mate while Grey walked over to Wolfe and Dani and sighed, “I’m not sure what that old woman is up to,
but she’s conjuring something. Her magic just keeps increasing.”
Wolfe watched as Dannika pulled the box from her pocket, looking at it as if it might give her the answers. Shrugging as an answer to the questions swirling through his brethren’s mind, Wolfe waited until his mate looked up at him and said, “I have no clue what we’re supposed to do, but it only seems logical that we go out there and face her.” She looked around the group. “If this is our fight then I guess we better show up.”
Pulling her to his side, Wolfe looked into the faces of their friends and nodded, “She’s right, as usual.” He grinned as everyone gave a tense chuckle. “I understand if you want to stay here and see what happens. None of us have a clue what this Shapeshifter is capable of, but from what Queen Eistir said, that crazy bitch plans to wipe us all off the face of the earth. So…”
“Oh, shut the hell up,” Grey cut him off as everyone laughed out loud. “There is no way in hell any of us are letting you two traipse out there by yourselves, so save your breath and let’s go take this bitch down. I’m hungry and ready for a good reason to party.”
Everyone agreed with a loud war cry of, ‘Hell, yeah,” and Wolfe didn’t even try to stop the huge smile that crossed his face. “Alright then, if you’re all sure, let’s do this.”
Turning himself and Dannika around, the Guardsman let his mate slide out from under his arm but made sure to grab her free hand as they headed out into the open and closer to the Shapeshifter. Stopping thirty yards from the border, the Guardsman made his mate stay by his side as they both looked at the old woman, still in her trance, just outside the Blue Ridge Pack boundary.
Several tense moments ticked by while Wolfe tried to keep his dragon and himself from jumping the gun as Dannika stood beside him serene and calm like they were taking a walk on a nice Sunday afternoon. Feeling the tension growing in his friends who stood behind him, the Guardsman was just about to call to the old woman when the low, raspy voice of the Shapeshifter filled the space between them.
