by Bryce Evans
Olivia was married and mated to Cale McDonald. The story of their romance was told over and over, sitting around the fires at night. Olivia was born in Ashland and gained a lot of her magic from the land. Everybody spoke about Olivia and how she could make her flowers and garden grow, and have the best tasting vegetables and the sweetest fruit. The Elders said Olivia was unique and could speak to the trees. Nobody knew for sure or had ever seen her conversing with the trees, but the Elders always smiled when the story was told of the female Alpha.
Dalley Cord was an evil witch. She sent the spell out to Olivia while Cale was away on business. Dalley knew Afton Mackenzie was in town visiting his sister, Isabella. Dalley waited one night in the shadows as Olivia was serving a drink to Afton at the bar she owned with her husband. Dalley willed the lust spell toward them. Olivia and Afton couldn’t control themselves. The lust spell was too powerful to fight.
Olivia knew the next morning, upon waking up and finding Afton in her bed, black magic had been used against her and Afton, but the deed was done. Olivia was with Afton’s child and that is how Adrianna was conceived. Olivia and Afton confessed to Cale what had happened and Cale forgave them both. He knew his best friend and wife would never betray him. It was decided by the three of them to keep Adrianna’s real father a secret. Not even Adrianna knew the truth. She would find out this weekend, along with Mace.
Afton met Selena a year before the incident involving Olivia. Selena informed Afton about the vision she had involving him and Olivia. She told him Dalley Cord was the witch who cast the spell. Afton and Selena met with the Twister’s Council about Dalley Cord’s lust spell.
The Twister’s Council was the elite of the witches and wizards of the Seven Covens. The Twister’s Council arrested Dalley Cord and placed her in a prison bound by magic. She was found guilty and sent to her cell forever. Dalley Cord used black magic, on an innocent, which was against their laws.
Dalley Cord was a powerful witch and had tried to escape numerous times. If it hadn’t been for Selena’s predictions of escape, Dalley would be free today. Selena’s ability to see the future had kept Dalley bound to her cell. Eli Cord and his brothers didn’t possess any of their mother’s abilities. They were found a month later after Adrianna was almost raped, beaten close to death and her parents were killed. They were still residents of the Wolf and Vampire Prison.
Chapter Three
The Supreme Alpha sat at his desk, thinking about Adrianna. Afton had so many secrets, sometimes he didn’t know where the lies ended, and the truth began. He never meant for it to get so far out of control. With all the things, which had happened to Adrianna, there was no way he would be able to tell her the truth yet. No, she needed space and time.
He loved his daughter so much; telling her the truth would hurt her. Adrianna loved him but she always believed Cale McDonald was her father. Afton hoped Adrianna would forgive him for keeping it a secret. Selena advised him Adrianna would never hate him. Adrianna hid her heart but loved so much on the inside. She continually fought this within herself. Adrianna’s heart was too big to hide. Selena had seen deep inside her heart and knew how much love Adrianna had just waiting to share. Afton knew he needed to tell her now before he informed everyone else. He needed Mace here also so Adrianna would have her brother to lean on.
Afton sent a message for Adrianna, instructing her to come to his office once Mace arrived at the Oakland Hills Resort.
Adrianna knew the moment her brother Mace walked into the Oakland Hills Resort. She could feel his energy and anticipation when he arrived. Adrianna ran to Room 303 to surprise her brother.
When Adrianna knocked on the door, Mace asked, “Who is it?”
Adrianna jokingly disguised her voice and said, “Room service, sir.”
When Mace opened the door, Adrianna jumped into his arms, laughing. Mace knew it was his sister and grabbed her, laughing along with her. Mace threw Adrianna on the bed and tickled her. Adrianna couldn’t control the laughter. Mace sat up, and then kissed his sister on the forehead.
“I’ve missed you, Peanut.”
“I missed you, too, Bubba.”
Mace smiled at the nickname Adrianna used for him. Adrianna couldn’t say Mace when she was little but she could say Bubba. Ever since she was two years old, Adrianna had called him, “Bubba,” even after she could pronounce Mace.
“Bubba, I know we were going to eat, but Afton wants to see us together before the dinner in the dining hall.”
Mace looked concerned at Adrianna. “Do you know what the Supreme Alpha wants?”
Adrianna sighed. “No, he never said. He’s acting strange and even nervous.”
“Oh, well, let’s go get this over with,” Mace said.
Mace and Adrianna knocked on Damen McDonald’s door, waiting for Mace’s Protector to go with them. As a Protector, Damen McDonald was one of the best. He had mad skills and he was Adrianna and Mace’s cousin. Damen opened the door and smiled. “Hey there, gorgeous,” he said.
“What’s up, Mad Max?”
Damen picked Adrianna up and whirled her around in circles, laughing.
“Put me down, you big oaf,” she said.
Damen loved how Adrianna called him Mad Max. She was always coming up with nicknames for people. Damen remembered the day he asked Adrianna why she called him Mad Max. Adrianna just giggled and smiled.
“Because you look like him a little—dark and mysterious,” she had answered.
Since then, everybody else started calling Damen, Mad Max.
When Adrianna, Mace, and Damen walked into Afton Mackenzie’s suite, Afton was pacing impatiently and Selena was standing by the window.
Adrianna immediately went to Afton’s side.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Sit down, all of you.”
Afton shook hands with Mace and Damen. He thought the best way to approach the subject was just to put it all out on the table at once.
“Sit down, gentlemen. I need to tell you something. I know you will find this hard to believe. This will come as a surprise to you, Adrianna and Mace, but I am Adrianna’s real father.”
Adrianna gasped and stared at him for a moment before putting her head down.
Mace looked at Adrianna, who kept staring at the floor.
Mace looked at Afton and asked, “What the fuck are you talking about, Alpha? Cale McDonald is Adrianna’s father.”
“I know it was what you were told. We didn’t want anyone to know, but circumstances have changed and Adrianna has to know the truth.”
Mace’s face turned red, the power pulsing off him in waves. Mace’s eyes narrowed and his teeth were grinding against each other. The energy in the room became heated.
“Alpha, this isn’t funny. I don’t know what’s the fuck is going on, but I don’t like my father’s name to be disrespected.”
“No, no, Mace. I loved your father but they—well, we felt it would be best to let everybody believe Cale was Adrianna’s father.”
Adrianna never looked up, but the energy in the room was palpable. Adrianna never moved or made a sound. Her ears were ringing. She needed to get out of the room.
Selena stepped from the window and placed her arm on Afton’s shoulder. Selena sent him calming thoughts.
Selena sighed. “As you know, Cale and Afton were best friends. One night while Cale was out of town on business, Dalley Cord used her magic and sent a lust spell toward Afton and your mother. Afton was in town visiting his sister, Isabella. Dalley Cord was a powerful witch. Your mother and Afton couldn’t control themselves. Your mother was in heat and—well, Adrianna was conceived. When your mother and Afton woke up the next day, they knew black magic had been used against them. They waited for your father to return and then confessed to him about what had happened. Your father was a great man who loved his wife and knew your mother would never have betrayed him. Cale forgave them because he knew it wasn’t their fault. He never thought any differently
of Adrianna. In their eyes, she was his daughter. Cale loved you, Adrianna.”
Afton looked at Adrianna. “I’m sorry, Adrianna. I never meant to hurt you by keeping this a secret. I know you feel lost, as if you can’t trust anyone, but…”
Before Afton could finish his comment, he closed his eyes. He could feel Adrianna’s pain.
“Adrianna… please say something,” Afton said.
“May I be excused, please? I’ve got to go over the security details with the Protectors who have arrived,” she said.
“Adrianna, please—just stay and listen,” Selena said.
Everyone turned and stared at Adrianna. They could feel her pain. Adrianna jumped up and left the room. Afton dropped his head, knowing he had caused his daughter more pain. The girl had been through enough.
Mace looked at Afton angrily. “Why—why would you keep this from us—from Adrianna? Has she not been through enough shit?”
Mace was so angry about the secrets, which had been kept from him and his sister. He was Adrianna’s Protector. Now he felt as if Adrianna would be taken away from him, too.
“Damn it, she is still my sister. Nobody is going to take her away from me,” Mace said angrily.
Afton went to his knees in front of Mace. “Please forgive me. We thought we were protecting her. We felt if people knew she was my daughter, they would try to capture her in order to hurt me. Now we know we did the right thing. Selena has had visions, Mace, where your sister would have been hunted. We couldn’t let that happen. Then Selena had the vision about the Trinity. The Trinity will rule the packs, the Vampire Council, and the Twister’s Council. Mace, I don’t know how to say this, but your sister is the Trinity.”
“What are you saying? It’s a myth—a legend. Adrianna isn’t a witch, a wolf, or a vampire.”
Selena answered, “Yes, Mace, she is. When Eli Cord left your sister for dead, I gave her my blood. I saved her life by giving her my blood. It’s never happened before, but Adrianna changed with my blood. Her DNA is unique. Nobody else has it. She is special. I didn’t know at the time your mother was also a witch. I am both, you know. I am a vampire and a witch. Afton is her father. He is the strongest Alpha. She has all three of our blood in her. She is the one. She possesses the mark on her neck. Her hair covers it. Adrianna thinks it’s a birthmark. She is more powerful than all of us. Adrianna will be the one who will bring us all together. Adrianna is the Trinity.”
Selena continued. “She will need all our help now. Trouble is coming, Mace. I have seen it in my visions. Something terrible and strong is coming to destroy us all. It wants Adrianna. We have to prepare her and everyone else. She will need a mate, a strong Alpha to help her rule. She will need you also, Mace—your strength and your love. Nobody is trying to take her away from you. She is your sister, Mace, but Afton is her father. I have had visions about a powerful witch and vampire who have come together to kill Afton. I can’t see whom they are protecting, but they wield dark magic. It is something very powerful. They must be stopped.”
Mace noticed Damen was not saying anything and it was odd—especially the way he felt about Adrianna. Mace looked at Damen and asked, “How long have you known damn it?”
“Ten years. I was sworn to secrecy by the Supreme Alpha,” answered Damen.
Mace was so angry at being kept in the dark. He was mad at Damen, too. Why didn’t they trust him enough to tell him the truth? Mace got up from his chair and stood in front of Afton and Selena.
“The secrets stop right now. What else do I need to know before I go to find my sister?!” Mace yelled.
Selena looked at Mace with sympathy in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mace. I love Adrianna and I was only protecting her. I know her mates will be here at the Conference. Their protection for her after the announcement will be needed.”
“Mates… what the fuck… as in two?” Mace asked in shock.
“Yes, mates. I see two mates who will protect her and love her. That’s what she will need,” Selena informed Mace.
“I don’t understand why my parents didn’t tell me this. I understand they needed to protect Adrianna from danger, but not from me. I’m her brother.”
Nobody said anything but looked at Mace with sadness in their eyes.
“Okay, I need to find Adrianna,” Mace said. “I also know she needs honesty. I can feel her pain, the betrayal, and the loneliness. Okay—if she needs protection, then I’m in and don’t try to talk me out of it. It’s time to think about her, but I can’t protect her here. She needs to come home.”
Afton stood up and faced Mace. “I’m sorry, Mace, that we kept this from you, too. I only want the best for Adrianna. I need your help. She will listen to you and needs to be near you. So I agree, we need to change our base of operations and move Adrianna home to Ashland. You are the Alpha; it would mean I would operate out of there also. You would be in charge of the Ashland Pack. I will continue running the packs until she is ready to take over with her mates. Do you think it would be alright with you, Mace, for us to move to Ashland?”
Mace didn’t know what to say. He looked at Damen, then answered, “Yes, I can handle it. My sister needs to come home. She needs her family more now, than she ever did.”
“After the Conference, we will leave for Ashland,” Afton announced.
Adrianna ran to her room, not wanting anybody to see her cry. When she closed the door, she threw herself on her bed and let the tears run down her cheeks. She replayed everything Afton had said to her. Adrianna needed to run before she exploded.
She pulled her clothes off and then shifted into a beautiful, white wolf. Adrianna needed to feel the wind against her face and the dirt under her paws. Adrianna went out and ran until she collapsed at the end of the property. She lay in the sun until she fell asleep. When she woke up, the light was fading. She knew she had to get back. The Conference would start soon. On returning to her room, she found a note taped to her bathroom mirror.
NEED TO TALK, NO MATTER WHAT, I LOVE YOU, AND WE WILL HANDLE THIS TOGETHER. LOVE, BUBBA.
Adrianna smiled, she knew Mace would stand by her through this. At the moment, she felt strange, no emotions, no anger, either. After taking a shower, she dressed, walked to Afton Mackenzie’s door, and knocked.
Afton opened the door and grabbed Adrianna, hugging her tightly.
“I’m sorry, so, so damn sorry. Please forgive me for not telling you the truth.”
Adrianna let go of Afton and ducked her head in respect before speaking.
“Sir, I don’t know what to feel about this. I have always looked up to you as a father since I arrived ten years ago. You saved my life and taught me things I would have never learned. I need time to process this.”
“I understand. I love you, Adrianna; you will always be my heart. I am sorry for all this. I know you need time; however, time isn’t on our side. Adrianna, I never stopped watching out for you. Your mother and father made sure to send me photos of you growing up and sent me letters with pictures you had drawn. I loved getting those. I still have them today. I visited as much as I could. I always said I was visiting my sister. We couldn’t let anyone know you were my daughter. Life would have been so different and harder for you if anybody found out. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt because of me. We need to talk later tonight about Selena’s visions.”
Afton moved away from Adrianna.
“We need to go. The Alphas and the Vampire Council are waiting in the dining room.”
Adrianna opened the door and walked behind the Supreme Alpha to the dining room. Standing guard outside the door to the dining area were six Protectors, standing at attention, awaiting the Supreme Alpha. When Afton approached, all six stood up straighter and bowed their heads in submission, showing their respect for the Alpha. They then bowed their heads to Adrianna. She had trained them all.
Once Afton was in the dining hall, he walked toward the Vampire Council to greet them. Protectors and Guards surrounded the dining hall where the Council and Alpha
s were seated. Adrianna walked behind Afton, sweeping the area.
The fifteen Alphas were seated at a large table beside the Vampire Council. All the eyes of the Council members and Alphas looked toward Adrianna. Her beauty was breath taking. Adrianna’s reputation preceded her. She was known as the great Protector and trainer.
Samson Ward was a Vampire Council member. He was a good-looking man with blue eyes, dark black hair, and a body with lots of muscles. Samson was next in line to take over the Vampire Council. He came from a long line of Leaders in his family.
He was known as a Diplomatic Leader. Samson’s family sent him to human schools and then on to Harvard to learn about business. Leadership came easy for Samson. He was already leading his Clan. His leadership had already produced more money than any other clan had. He had a mind for business and leadership.
Samson was a dominant vampire. His looks granted him lots of female attention and the males’ allegiance. Samson was devoted to the Vampire Council. However, he planned to change some of their customs. He felt the Council had not changed with the times or advanced. He had many goals to initiate when he became the leader. Samson had neither the time for love or time to chase any women, but his eyes immediately looked toward the beautiful Adrianna.
His skin started tingling and getting warm just from her beauty. Samson had beautiful women before but the moment he saw Adrianna, he felt this was somehow different—she was breathtaking. First, the scent coming to his nostrils was unbelievable. The aroma of cotton candy was in the air. Her fragrance was sweet, mixed with a little spice. Samson had heard stories about the mating pull. He was feeling his mate who had just entered the dining hall. Samson looked down at his shaking hands and then at his Mentor, Wade Sims, sitting beside him.
Wade looked at Samson with a worried look on his face. Then he realized Samson was looking at Adrianna. Samson whispered to himself, “Please, not now, not now.”
