by Eve Newton
“It is my business, all of our business, my dear,” she replies.
“How so?” I ask, keeping my distance from Draven now.
“I offered, but she refused,” Draven pipes up with a look at me that speaks volumes. “She is unbelievably stubborn.”
“I—I—” I can’t say anything else. How can I tell him that I don’t want to use him in that way? It is different with him. He is special and I don’t want him to feel that he is dinner and that’s it.
“You must, Ember,” Traela, Mother, says to me. “The more together you are, the more powerful you will be.”
All eyes are on me and I clear my throat. “Humph. You can look away,” I say haughtily. “I am not doing it now, in front of all of you.”
“Thank God,” Aria mutters and looks back at her mom with a smile that reaches her eyes.
“Now…tell us why you have brought us here,” Alessandra says. “Cahl is correct. This spell will not last long.”
“Cahl has told us all about your failsafe plan. Is there anything you can add that will help us?” Draven asks, taking charge.
“Sadly, not,” Orna says shaking her head in sorrow. “We are in no position to help you now. It is up to you three to complete the Circle.”
“What exactly will that do?” I ask, getting a nod of agreement from Aria.
“It will bind your powers together, the three of you will be unstoppable against the Jurisdiction,” Traela says.
“But how?” Aria presses. “There are only three of us. Four of us,” she amends at Cahl’s, “Ahem.”
Soon all will be revealed,” Alessandra says, as she starts to fade away. “Do the ritual, complete your destiny.”
“Mom!” Aria yells as the three women flicker out of our vision. “Don’t go! Not yet.”
“I love you, Aria,” she whispers and blows her daughter a kiss.
“Let your guard down,” my mother whispers to me. “Learn to love, Ember.”
“Get her to bite you!” Orna snaps at Draven and then gives him a sassy wink, before they all disappear from sight.
“Fuck,” I breathe out. “That was intense. And yet, not exactly helpful.”
“It was very helpful,” Cahl states. “Now you can all stop doubting me and do what needs to be done.”
I blink at him as Draven’s nods his head slowly. “I will make sure that the ritual to bind us together is ready in the next day or so.”
“Excellent,” I say and clap my hands together, happy and confident in myself again now that the ghosts of our mothers have gone. “I’ll be out in the woods and surrounding area if you need me.”
“What for?” Draven asks me, with a frown.
“Looking for lost hikers,” I say and spin on my heel.
He grabs my wrist. “Did you not hear what our mothers said? You need to feed from me.”
“And I will,” I say removing his hand from my wrist forcibly. “But I am so hungry, if I bite you now, I will kill you.” And with that, in a flash, I am gone, hoping that he remembers to drop the wards so that I can get out.
Chapter 23
~Aria~
“Yeah? Good. That's good,” I tell Carter, speaking into my cell phone as I pace up and down the courtyard of Draven’s mansion. He’s just informed me that my pack is well.
“There hasn’t been any talk of reprisals over Tony,” he continues.
“I wasn’t expecting any.”
“You weren’t?” he asks, surprised.
“Tony wasn’t the most beloved of Alphas. He had many enemies, even among his own pack. Many wolves will be glad he’s…incapacitated.”
“There’s…something else,” he says, hesitantly.
“What?”
“While Tony’s situation itself hasn’t caused any calls for vengeance, something else has.”
“And that is?” I press, agitated with him beating around the bush. Argh. “Fuck, Carter. Spit it out, will you?”
“Did you…uh…screw around with the Ambassador Commander?”
His really personal question instantly gets my back up and I bark, “You know my personal life is never up for discussion. It’s not a pack matter.”
“It’s become one,” he argues.
“How?” I snap.
“You’re in danger.”
“When aren’t I?” I scoff.
“You did it—fucked the Ambassador Commander—around Tony’s wolves. They all heard you. Smelled you. They know, Aria. They all see it as a betrayal. Sleeping with the enemy. Not only them. They’ve spread the word. The entire wolf community sees what you did as a betrayal to your species.”
“They’re misinformed. Cahl is helping us in the fight against the Jurisdiction. He’s not working with them. He’s defected.”
“Cahl now, is it?”
“Give it a rest.”
“Aria, I—”
“He’s on our side.”
“He’s still one of them.”
“Look, I don’t give a crap about being in good PR standing in the wolf community, Carter. It’s the least of my worries right now.”
“Do you love him?”
“What?” That came out of left field in a major way. “Why are you asking me that?”
“Because we can spin this…if you kill him. If it was just a slip up and nothing more. What happened between the two of you on Tony’s territory can be spun as a ruse on your part to get close to him, so you could take him out. He’s a very powerful figure in the Jurisdiction. He’s not just a regular Ambassador foot soldier. He’s Commander. You’ll be seen as a hero if you take him out.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Aria, listen to reason.”
“No. You listen to my reason. He’s defected. He’s no longer Commander. He’s on our side now. He’s an extremely powerful ally. Look at it from a strategic point of view.”
“Unfortunately, while I can, the rest of the wolf community can’t. All they see is your disloyalty and betrayal.”
“Then they’ll just have to get over it.”
He blows out a breath and then tells me, “I have to take control of the pack.”
“Excuse me?”
“Having ties to you right now is dangerous to the pack. We have to separate from you.”
I tighten my grip on my phone, fighting to get a hold of my rage that is now simmering right at the surface. This is a direct challenge to my leadership. Under normal circumstances, a challenge like this would be dealt with through a fight to the death, because Carter isn’t technically family. Not by blood anyway. But, to me, he might as well be. He’s stood by me unlike any other member of the pack. He also stood by my father. Besides, no one can actually kill me. Carter knows that. After my demonstration with Vicki, my entire pack does. I’ve commanded my pack for years. It’s been my mission. My father groomed me to become Alpha of them all—his pack originally.
But now…now everything is different.
I have a higher calling. It’s my duty to protect the entire wolf species, not just a single pack anymore. It’s become far bigger than that. It’s been thrust upon me. I haven’t had a choice in the matter. It bothers me to no end, because wolves crave nothing if not the feeling of freedom and being able to live their lives as they choose. But I can’t turn my back on it. Three of us are needed to perform the ritual and to defeat the Jurisdiction. If I turn my back on it, I’ll be turning my back on our only shot of defeating them, once and for all. It’s not just duty to me, though. It’s personal. After what they did to my father, how could it not be?
“Take it,” I tell Carter.
“What?”
“Take control of the pack.”
“Really?” he asks, a noticeable nervous waver in his voice. I guess he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop and for me to follow up with a threat.
“You don’t need to challenge me. The pack is yours. It’s what’s best for them.”
“Thank you, Aria.”
I just grunt.
; “Be careful, okay? With your quest against the Jurisdiction and the disgruntled wolves I’ve warned you about.”
“They should be watching their backs.”
He chuckles. “Yeah.” There’s a brief pause from him and then he goes on, emotion heavy in his voice, “Take the Jurisdiction down, Aria. The wolf community may not know what you’re doing for all of us, but I do. Your father would be proud.”
“Thanks,” I tell him, trying not to get too choked up at his mention of my father. My Achilles Heel. “Gotta go now. Good luck. You’ll make a good Alpha.”
As we hang up and I stuff my phone back into my leather jacket pocket, I draw in a deep breath.
I can’t believe any of this. So much has happened. So much has changed. So quickly. Up until now, I’ve just been taking it one step at a time, dealing with each new thing as it comes up. Now, though, Carter announcing that he’s taking command of my pack, has really brought it all home to me. I no longer have a pack, because of this mission. I no longer have a family. With both my parents dead and no other relatives, the pack was all I had. And now…now that’s gone.
“Aria?”
I turn towards the mansion entrance to see Cahl approaching. He closes the distance between us quickly with his huge, powerful strides.
“Hi,” I say with a weak smile.
He studies my face for a few seconds and then he frowns. “You are upset.”
I look down and shake my head. “No. I’m fine.”
He lifts my chin with his index finger, guiding my eyes back to his. “You are not. What has happened? What has upset you?”
When I hesitate on responding, he smiles and jokes, “Who do I need to hunt down and destroy?”
I can’t help it; I choke out a small laugh. “You’d do that, huh?”
He smiles and rubs my arms gently up and down. “For you, I would do anything.”
Not long ago, I would’ve run a mile from a man showing me such caring and tenderness. But after our time together the other night, everything has changed between us. Things shifted from that moment on. I’m willing to risk being vulnerable and open in front of him, because, with him, it’s not so terrifying. The trust is there and that’s not something I’ve ever had before. Unlike other men I’ve come across in my life, Cahl doesn’t have an ulterior motive. He’s not using me in any way. Not for power. Not for a good fuck. He’s genuine. Very open. I know exactly where I stand with him. Things are easy with him. Comfortable. It feels like we’ve always known each other. It doesn’t feel that new. It must be how that whole we’re-bound-together thing works.
“I…Carter’s taken control of my pack. Kicked me out.”
“What? Why is that?”
“Word’s spread about…us…you and me being together. The wolf community sees me as a traitor.”
“They do not know the truth, that you are in fact destined to protect your species. As we must keep that quiet to avoid unwanted attention, they do not realize the hero you truly are.”
“Hero?” I scoff. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
He cups my face in his hands. “I would. You are willing to do what must be done. You are courageous, noble and you possess a warrior’s heart.”
I roll my eyes. “The things you say to me.”
“You do not do well with compliments, yet your ego is rather large.”
“Hey!” I cry, slapping his arm. “I don’t have an ego.”
“Believe me, you do.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “Wow. That was a quick shift from compliment to insult.”
“I would not insult you, princess. It was merely an observation, as it is an amusing contradiction. You are often a contradiction, in fact.”
“I’m difficult. That’s what you really mean.”
He steps into me and slides his hands around my waist. “You are actually very easy to please.” He winks at me. “When you allow me to please you.”
His innuendo isn’t lost on me and my dirty mind. “Like the other night.”
“Mmm…yes. Like that.”
“You wanna do it again?”
“Very much so. Whenever you are willing.” He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Perhaps, now?”
The combination of his hot breath in my ear, his words and the anticipation has a shiver of excitement running through me.
“Aria! Are you ready?”
We both break apart, caught off guard by the sudden interruption. We turn to see Draven standing at the mansion entrance.
“I’ll be right there!” I call back.
He nods, turns on his heel, and heads back inside.
“Why are you meeting with Draven?” Cahl asks, frowning with concern.
“Oh, he’s gonna give me an amulet, or something, to help control my wolf.”
He shakes his head. “You do not require such an item, Aria. Your proximity to me controls your wolf.”
“The amulet will help me to control it. I can’t rely on you all the time, Cahl.”
“Why not?”
“Well, what if you’re not around?”
“Not around? Why would that be the case?”
“I don’t know. It could happen. Maybe you might need to leave the mansion for a reason. Who knows? It’s safer this way. Besides, you know I don’t like being dependent in any way.”
His eyes narrow and he tells me sternly, “You will not take the amulet from him.”
“Excuse me? Is that an order?”
“It is for your own wellbeing. Believe me, princess.”
“You don’t get to order me around, Cahl. Ever. You hear me?”
“That is not my intention, but ensuring your wellbeing is.”
“It’s my choice. My wolf,” I tell him, making a move to head back over to the mansion.
He grabs my arm, bringing me to a jarring stop with his incredible strength. “Cahl,” I growl in warning, eyeing him fiercely.
“I know of the magical item that Draven offers you.”
“Oh, really?” I demand, shifting my weight agitatedly and folding my arms across my chest. “Fill me in then. What’s so dangerous about it? Cuz, from where I’m standing, it seems like you’re just overreacting and being fucking controlling while you’re at it.”
“You confuse controlling with protecting, Aria. I have told you that I do not wish to control you, or to tame you.” He steps into me and glowers down at me. “That amulet is a Lunar Barrier. It deflects the power of the moon from a wolf, hence how it is able to control it.”
“And? I’m not seeing the problem here. As long as I’m wearing it, I’ll be in control of when I shift, right? I won’t have that awful crippling sensation trying to force me to wolf out. I won’t be at its mercy.”
“Your wolf is not only the animal that emerges via shifting, Aria. It is a deeply ingrained aspect of your being. A vital part of you. To inhibit that will mean you will not be whole.”
“How do you know so much about this…Lunar Barrier?”
“I would rather not tell you.”
I give him a look to let him know that isn’t gonna fly with me. Really? Does he expect me to let it go now he’s shown how much he knows about it? Like hell.
An uncomfortable look comes over his face. He shifts his weight, looking really awkward, and then he says, “Lunar Barriers are used by the Jurisdiction to control the wolves they capture and bring back to the Realm.”
“What?” I bark. “Capture? They’ve captured wolves? I thought their mission was to kill, not to take prisoners?”
“They capture a select few to…research…more efficient methods of annihilating the species. They do the same with vampires, warlocks, witches and all those who possess tainted blood. Those who are half supernatural and half human.”
“You’re telling me they torture them? That’s what you mean, right? It’s what you’re too afraid to say. That’s what ‘research’ means, isn’t it?”
He nods, regret in his eyes. “Yes. They are tortured. I am sorry.”
“Are? Not were?”
“Correct.”
“Well, I need to…they can’t stay there…I need to do something…help them.”
His brow furrows. “You cannot.”
“I can cross into the Realm, right? Can’t you take me? I have to Cahl. I have to do something. Torture? That’s beyond fucked up.”
“I am sorry. That cannot happen.”
“Why not?”
“Firstly, I cannot travel between the human world and the Realm anymore. Secondly, you may be stronger than a regular Alpha wolf, but you are not yet strong enough to be comprehending such a battle. Not until the ritual is complete. You saw that for yourself when you and I came to blows upon our first meeting. It was very difficult for you to best me.”
“I don’t get it. You’re an Ambassador. Of course you can travel between this world and yours. How else would you be able to do your job?”
“I am not doing it any longer, princess.”
“Oh,” I say, realizing. “So, they’ve locked the gates, or something, because you’ve defected?”
“In a manner of speaking. I can return to the Realm, because they will wish to punish me there. But I will not be permitted to leave again.”
“A one-way trip,” I murmur.
“Yes.”
“Well, there has to be a loophole. There always is.”
Something flickers in his eyes then that I don’t understand. He breaks eye contact and clears his throat. “We are veering off topic here, Aria. We were discussing you acquiring the Lunar Barrier from Draven.”
“I can’t just let it go now I know wolves are being tortured, Cahl. And not only them. You said all Tainted creatures. Vampires. Witches. Warlocks. Once the ritual is complete, I will be strong enough and I’ll cross into the Realm. My mother was Queen. There must be a way for me, as her daughter, to gain access.”
That strange look I can’t place is back on his face again.
“What?” I press. “What aren’t you telling me? You know something?”
“Once the ritual is complete, this conversation will be of no consequence. Shortly thereafter, the Jurisdiction will fall at the hands of the three of you. We need to concern ourselves with the immediate situation, Aria. Your wish to use the Lunar Barrier.”
