“You already have been. And to take the pack you’d have to challenge Nate, but you issued a challenge to me.”
“A worthless sorceress, with a little Fae blood. You’re nothing, Savon Roantree. Just like your foolish parents.”
Fawn stepped forward, anger in her voice. “She’s better than any of us. So is Nate, no matter how far his father tried to beat him down.”
Savon ignored her mother, watching Canagan as the last of her dress fell from her half-beast body. Canagan hit the ground and charged.
Savon ducked, and Canagan soared over her shoulder. She spun, facing the she-beast. “You’ll never have the pendant, and you’ll never have the pack.” She sent a request to Canagan’s natural wolves. Tear her down.
“I will have the pack. No blood of Killian shall ever enforce their will on anyone. Nate will not enforce his will on you, either!”
Savon lunged forward, infusing magic into her fists as she hit Canagan in her throat and gut. Canagan slid back a couple feet.
She roared and lashed out with a swipe. Savon rolled to the side, careful to keep the wolf from scratching her. Going furry didn’t appeal to her.
Savon crouched low, calling magic to her fingertips. Heat roared around her as the molecules vibrated. She waited for Canagan to make a move.
Nate’s tension rose. Too many colors burst from him.
Canagan’s aura danced with reds and veins of black and shades of purple, hinting at madness. No surprise there.
Canagan ran at her, and Savon moved. The wolf crashed into a tree at the edge of the lot.
Savon threw her hands out, commanding the bushes to rise up, twisting branches reshaped into vines that wrapped around Canagan, pinning her to the tree. The vines hardened, growing thin, hard branches that drove into her body.
Canagan screamed but it was more of a gurgling sound.
Savon stepped forward, running her hands over the leaves. The plant burst into flames as the twigs tore into Canagan, growing and ripping her to pieces as the branches doubled in size, splitting and spreading wider.
Backing away, Savon said, “I’m sorry Killian wronged you. I’m sorry your revenge didn’t come the way you wanted, but you will not destroy my family, my mate, or anyone else.” She opened her hands, and the branches enlarged exponentially. Canagan burst apart, blood, chunks of flesh, and bones flying in all directions.
The roots of the tree and bushes sprang from the ground, wrapping around the remains of Canagan, drinking her in.
Hands closed over her shoulders, and Savon looked back to find Nate. “Scared me when you decided a physical attack was necessary,” he murmured. “But you proved you can handle anything any of them throw at you.”
“Told you.” She turned and licked her lips.
His mouth descended on hers. Before he stole her breath, she pushed him back and nodded to the werewolves.
Nate turned back to the pack and pulled her with him. “Anyone else want to challenge me or my mate?”
Savon held back a snort. His words were necessary and proved he had faith in her.
They all knelt, dropping their heads in submission.
Nate’s voice carried across the lot. “My second is Bran Roantree. And I’ll discuss the enforcer positions with those I want in the role before announcing them.”
Bran stepped forward, a nervous glint to his eyes, and glanced at Clay. “What about him?”
Nate walked to Clay, who knelt while Preston and Robert stood behind him. “Are you staying here as a loyal wolf? Or leaving?”
He looked up, confusion on his face. “You’re giving me the option after what I tried to do?”
Nate nodded. “You’re under probation. One wrong move and I will mete out punishment, but you weren’t fully in control of your actions, and we all deserve a second chance.”
“Stay, but I reserve the right to leave if I choose to later.”
Nate nodded. “I’m not my father. I won’t force anyone to stay if they want to leave. Things are going to change. I’m willing to give everyone a chance. You should give me one to prove things can be better.”
One corner of Clay’s mouth tipped up, but he shot a glare at Savon. “And you? What do you want?”
“To live my life and love the man who holds my heart. I don’t want anything from the werewolves. If pack business doesn’t involve me, I won’t be asking questions. I trust Nate to take care of you all.”
Clay frowned, leaning back on his heels. “Canagan said otherwise.”
“Lies. Why don’t you see for yourself? Just don’t plan an attack against me. You won’t live to correct that mistake a second time.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m only asking the same common courtesy I expect from the rest of you.” Savon walked away, finding her mother across the lot from the wolves.
Her mother beamed at her. “I’ve never been so proud of anyone in my life.”
“Thanks. Would have helped if you or Dad taught me something useful.” She glanced over at Ceridwen, who appeared beside them. “I don’t believe Ceridwen is very happy with you.”
“Don’t imagine she is. However, it was the best way to resolve all the issues before Jay could alter our course. Besides, he never wanted to stick around after he killed Killian.”
Savon shook her head. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Made my bed, I’ll lie in it. We can talk when you go home.”
Savon winced. “I’ve made the home my own. Didn’t think you were alive.”
She nodded. “The home is yours. I don’t imagine I’ll be staying in Silvertail Ridge. I’m certain my purpose here has ended.”
Ceridwen nodded. “We have a lot to discuss. Your solution was better than I’d envisioned.”
“Shall we?” Fawn asked.
“You can go to the house. I’ll be there once we’re done here. I’m not leaving Nate, though.”
Fawn smiled. “Don’t expect you to. It’s why I brought Killian back when I did.”
* * * *
Jay leaned against his motorcycle, watching everything unfold. He wanted a word with Nate before he made any final decisions. Sooner or later, he’d move on. This wasn’t his home, and there was a piece of him that still felt a connection to Savon.
There were two options. Stay and torture himself. Or leave to find his own mate. Maybe then the new emptiness would fill up.
Bran, Evangeline, and Nate were the only wolves left in the lot. Nate crossed the distance. “What’s your plan?”
“What’s yours?”
“Depends on your decision.”
“I have business to settle before I leave. If you need me for a few months, I’m willing to stay. After that, I need to roam. Find my own way.”
“Until I get the other enforcers in place, will you act as one?”
Jay smiled. “No hard feelings about before?”
“No. You’ve earned my respect and trust.”
“Then yes, I’ll stay. But remember, when you have the enforcers settled, I’m leaving town. I may be back, but I need to find someone to fill the gaps that opened when I realized I might find another mate.”
“I can’t be sorry she chose me.”
“You shouldn’t be. You both are happy, and I’m glad I met her. She pushed me to find my own direction.”
“Should tell her that.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s better left unsaid.” He climbed on his bike.
Chapter 40
“That was too easy,” Savon told Tremaine.
He snorted. “According to who? You damn near gave me a stroke. Hand to hand with a shifted wolf?”
“I still remember the moves you showed me. Not to mention I infused magic behind my strikes.”
He sighed. “What’s with the three wolves?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’ll let Nate sort that out. They were assholes in school, but they did hel
p me move in when I came back to town. And they attacked under Canagan’s influence.”
He chuckled. “Ever wonder why weres tend to flock to you?”
“What? They do not.” Savon protested.
He half-laughed. “I can think of a dozen shifters who wanted you badly. And Jay, he felt a bond coming. That dissipated the moment you mated Nate. Still, he wasn’t the first, either.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I can think of a few men who tried to woo you before you were ready to start thinking about other men.”
“Don’t remind me of the other men.”
He nudged her. “You kept a few of us as friends after.”
“Yeah, only when we both realized it wasn’t meant to be.”
“Your heart was already claimed, you just needed to realize it.”
“Same for you. Though Robert? That I couldn’t have guessed.”
Tremaine looked across the lot at his man. “Yeah, neither did I, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Hey, if it works, it works. And I’m going to want to visit. You know I want to meet your baby.”
“We’re having a boy,” he offered. He nodded at Nate. “What about you two? Now that you’re together again, think you want a little one?”
Savon lifted a shoulder. “If it happens, it does. Right now, we need to discuss a few things before making any decisions.”
“Yeah, but what do you want?”
“I’m not in a rush, but I do want kids, eventually. I can’t imagine he’ll ever be the asshole his father was.”
“Doubtful.”
Jay rode off, and Bran caught up with Nate as he made his way over.
“Well, I think we’re done here,” Tremaine said. “Call if something comes up, but I’ll let you settle into your new life.”
“Thanks.” She smiled.
Nate nodded at Tremaine. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m glad Savon had you as a friend all those years.”
“Me too. She helped me as much as I helped her. Good luck, you two.” Tremaine reached for Robert’s hand.
Robert smiled. “A pleasure to meet you both. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of both of you.”
Preston smirked. “Later.”
They were gone. Savon turned to Nate. “What’s up with Jay?”
“He’s going to stick around a few months, but then move on. I suppose we need to see what your mother and Ceridwen have to say?”
“Yeah, though Ceridwen seems okay with the outcome. I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen in the end.”
Bran put his arm around Savon. “Not sure how to feel about Mom being back.”
She laughed softly. “Yeah, I’m with you there. You coming over?”
“Sure. May as well get this over with.”
* * * *
Nervous energy flowed through Savon. Ceridwen sticking around was probably a good thing…in a way.
Nate took her hand. “What’s going on in your head?”
“Wondering what happens next.”
“Tell me you don’t regret me taking the pack.”
“Not in the least.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Told you, I want to be with you. And we both have a brother here.” Her brow pinched. “I’m going to have to ask my mother about that. I can’t not.”
“Yeah, I want to know why too. My father was not a good man.”
Savon shuddered. “Don’t have to worry about him now.”
“True.” He pulled up in front of Savon’s house. “So, you want me to move in?”
Savon grinned. “Yes.”
“After they leave, I’ll bring some stuff over.”
“Sounds good.” She slid from the car and hurried to the door.
Fawn opened the door and wrapped her arms around Savon as Bran walked up to Nate. “Think we were all manipulated?”
He snorted. “A little, but I don’t mind the outcome. I was heading this direction anyway.”
“True.” Bran started for the door.
Fawn took Bran into her arms. “I missed you. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you everything.”
“Will you now?” Bran asked.
“Everything.”
Bran squeezed her back and stepped inside.
Nate came up the steps. “You’re happy Savon and I are together?”
She hugged him. “More than anything. You two should have had your happiness all those years ago. Come, you need the whole story.”
He dipped his head, and they gathered in the living room. Savon sat curled on the couch and held her hand out to Nate. He sat down beside her. Bran took a seat in a chair.
Ceridwen stood in a corner, while Fawn dropped onto the loveseat.
After a deep breath, Fawn launched into her explanation. “I wish things weren’t so complicated between our families, though I suppose if it wasn’t the case, you two would never have been together.”
Bran snorted.
“I fell hard for your father, Nathan. In the beginning he was a charming rogue. The first year was wonderful. And then he learned I had the Wolfssengen Pendant and he wanted it. That’s when Vanessa walked into our lives. He didn’t resist the mate bond. I’m not sure he could have. She wanted the pendant for HARP.”
“I left, Darron came to me, helped me pick up the pieces, and while I was away, I learned I was pregnant with Bran.” She turned to him. “I didn’t want Killian to find out. It’s why you didn’t know. Only, he knew, thanks to Vanessa, who was a Dreamwalker.”
“Then Darron and I had Savon.” Fawn turned to her. “You were so powerful, sweetheart. Your father tried to teach you at first, but he didn’t know how. You made it impossible for him to control the entities. And then the spirits destroyed a library in New York, and we fled. We had someone bind your magic, only it never fully worked. There are parts of your magic that are so inherently part of you, nothing could alter that. So we brought you back to Silvertail Ridge.”
She took a long breath. “I never wanted to come back. Killian was vengeful, vindictive. He found out I took another lover, and he went ballistic, but he wouldn’t touch me. No, he was afraid of me because Vanessa made sure he knew what I am.”
“Because of Canagan?” Nate asked.
“Believe so. She tormented him. He deserved it. If I had known that story I never would have trusted Killian, but Canagan wasn’t here when I first met Killian. She came later, when she learned I had possession of the pendant. Both Killian and Canagan worked together to try to take it five years ago. Darron died to ensure Killian couldn’t interrupt my portal in the basement. I took the pendant to the Sylvan Forest in Faery. When your father died, he followed me across the veil, and because his soul is bound to a spirit, much like those you hear, he’s stuck between planes. I can see him, hear him. I’m never truly alone now.”
Savon blinked back tears.
“He’s sorry, Savon. We thought we were protecting you from the Branches of Emrys, but that was never the problem. Not really. He was afraid you would wind up like him. Bound to a spirit who never released you. It’s why he can’t move on. A spirit latched onto his soul.”
Savon leaned into Nate. He hugged her closer. “You won’t,” he whispered.
Fawn laughed. “No, I don’t imagine you will. Darron sees that now too. He’s watched over you. You don’t make his mistakes.”
“Wish he could have seen that sooner.”
“Me too. Maybe if we hadn’t blocked your magic, you would have had your little girl.”
Nate turned to Savon to wipe the tears from her face. “I love you,” he whispered.
She buried her face against his neck.
“When you’re ready, we’ll have all the babies you want.”
She laughed, squeezing tighter.
Fawn stood and reached toward him with a small box in her hand. “I believe this is yours.” She winked.
The velvet box that caus
ed the accident.
“Vanessa left Killian when she realized he would continue to beat her—that not even tormenting him in dreams would ever stop him. She wasn’t a werewolf. She wouldn’t have survived another beating. So she left. And later, she saw Killian’s car and drove him off the road. I was driving back from town when I saw the accident. I rushed over.”
She wiped at her own tears. “She pulled you out of the car. You were so banged up, bloody, and you weren’t breathing. She thought you were dead. She’d brought a gun to finish Killian and shot herself when she thought you were beyond saving.”
Nate looked up. “My father told me my mother ran me off the road, but I didn’t really believe it.”
Fawn nodded. “You had the box wrapped in your hand. She figured out what was going on. She knew Killian would kill her, so she took her own life.”
Savon sat up. She bit her lip, her eyes slamming shut.
“I know,” he whispered. “You told me not to go.”
Nodding, she shrugged.
Ceridwen spoke up, “Things would have been a mess for a long time. The baby was never viable. That had nothing to do with anything. Killian would have changed Nate anyway. He would have torn you both apart, one way or another.”
Savon let out a sigh. “So now what?”
Ceridwen walked to the center of the room. “Join us. I’ll tell you everything. I trust you to hide the pendant in a realm between realms. Something you can reach, but no one else can.”
“Why me?” Savon asked.
“Because you don’t want to use the pendant, and you know what it can do. Fawn will leave with me, and anyone who wants it will believe it came with us. Please, Savon. There are places in the house only you can reach, thanks to the thin veil between worlds.”
“All right,” she answered.
“Is that what you want?” Nate asked.
Savon half-laughed. “Makes sense. And I always felt as if Ceridwen was grooming me for something.”
“I want Bran to help you.” Ceridwen turned to him. “Will you?”
“If I can.”
“Me too,” Nate answered.
Ceridwen laughed. “Already expected that.” She placed the pendant in Savon’s hands and closed them.
Sleepwalker Page 29
