Shifter Crown: Valley of Truth and Denial (The Shifter Crown Series Book 1)

by Desni Dantone

  Luca blinks as if the answer has only just now come to him. “Me.”

  “I don’t . . . what?” I sputter.

  “I hurt you. I know I did,” he says softly. “You may not remember, but you still feel it when you’re with me. Your wolf has forgiven me, but you . . . the jury is still out.”

  “I don’t understand.” I shrug.

  “You’re scared that I’m going to hurt you again,” he tells me. “You’ve convinced yourself that I’m something I’m not as a way of protecting yourself.” He squints at me. “I can see that now.”

  “I’m glad one of us knows what is going on here,” I mutter.

  “I haven’t made it easy for you,” he admits quietly. “I’ve struggled with knowing that you don’t remember, and my hang-ups regarding that have only confused you more. You can’t forgive what you don’t remember, and I wanted your forgiveness before . . .”

  I wait until it’s obvious he has no intention of continuing. So I push.

  “Before what?”

  He flashes a dimple. “I’m here because I want to be here, and it’s not out of guilt or duty or any of the other silly reasons you have convinced yourself to explain my presence. And, for the record, I’m not playing games.”

  I may not have followed much of this conversation, but I get Luca’s final message loud and clear. He doesn’t have to come right out and say it for me to understand he feels the same way I do. I want to know more about his “hang-ups” and this forgiveness thing he seems so worried about, but first I want to let him know the jury is in with a verdict.

  Wolf in my head, or not, I like him. Me.

  I don’t get the opportunity to say what I want to say.

  A twig snaps behind me, from somewhere in the forest that surrounds us. Luca is at my side in an instant, nudging me behind him. We face the trees, both searching for a glimpse of what is out there.

  I don’t see anything, but I hear the heavy, panted breaths of something big. Something patiently waiting for its chance to strike. Something deadly.

  “Luca,” I whisper. “Is that a—”

  A throaty huff cuts of my question, simultaneously giving me the answer I fear most.

  “A grizzly? Yeah.” Luca’s eyes are wide when he peers over his shoulder at me. “Run.”

  Chapter 19

  The trees that border the road splinter and crack as the beast crashes through them. A deep, rumbling clap of ground-shaking thunder barrels toward me, nipping at my heels, as I sprint toward the Range Rover. I am steps from the door when the howl of a wolf joins the deafening sound of total destruction and impending death.

  I reach for the handle as a throaty roar comes from behind me. My fingertips graze the metal as my momentum propels me past the door. My shoes kick up loose gravel and dirt as I skid to a stop. I glance over my shoulder at the brown monster charging me on all fours. Then I lunge for the handle again. This time, I grab it.

  The bear is nearly on top of me now. A scream rips from my throat. A streak of silver leaps into the bear’s path, giving me the extra two seconds I need to climb inside the safety of the vehicle and shut the door.

  With my nose pressed to the glass, I watch as the wolf springs at the grizzly. All four of his paws dig into the bear’s back and his jaws latch onto the back of its neck. The bear twists, easily tossing the wolf to the ground. They clash again and roll toward the rear of the vehicle.

  I can no longer see them, but I hear their growls and feel the sheer power of their fight when they crash against the rear window. My fingers dig into the dashboard as the vehicle rocks violently. I can’t bring myself to look, to see the wolf take the beating I know he is.

  I fear that this is one fight he may not win. The bear is record-breaking big, and it’s not a simple bear, acting out of instinct. It is a shifter, and its mission is clear.

  I search the inside of the vehicle for an idea. Any idea. Anything that might help.

  I find Luca’s cellphone and call Ryse. No answer. Ryder doesn’t pick up either.

  “Shit.” I toss the phone.

  Calling emergency services is out of the question, and I can’t drive down the road to find help. There are no keys in the ignition, which means Luca pocketed them when he got out.

  I spot some shredded clothing lying on the road, in the headlights, and I suspect the keys are somewhere in the mess. Worthless to me now.

  I spin around to search the back seat and find my bag lying on the floor. I toss items out of it until I uncover the can of bear spray. I pop off the cap with trembling fingers.

  Outside, the growls grow louder, more ferocious. Luca is in a desperate battle to the death. I don’t know if I can help, but I have to try.

  With a quick look out the back window, I push the door open. My legs nearly buckle when I put my feet on the ground. By some miracle, I find the courage to stand upright.

  Metal crunches from somewhere near the back bumper and the Range Rover lurches violently. I release my death grip on the door handle slowly, hesitant to leave the safety of the vehicle.

  But I will do it. Because the wolf needs my help. Because Luca needs me.

  I don’t look back. The sound of my feet slapping the blacktop momentarily drowns out the snarls coming from the back of the vehicle as I run toward the pile of shredded clothes basked in the headlights. I toss aside pieces of fabric until I find what, I think, were once Luca’s shorts. With one hand holding the bear spray, I search the ground for keys with the other.

  The growls get louder, closer. I look up as the two animals round the back of the Range Rover. The bear spots me. The wolf latches onto one of its hind legs, ensuring it cannot charge. Not yet, but I have to hurry.

  I spin in a circle, searching the ground all around me. The headlights glance off of something shiny a few feet away, and I scamper closer for a better look.

  Keys. Finally.

  I snatch them up with a sigh of relief. My reprieve doesn’t last long.

  The bear roars. I stand and turn toward the vehicle as the beast darts in front of the headlights. Its massive shadow swallows me. It’s coming and I have nowhere to go.

  I thrust the can out in front of me and press the button to release a thick white cloud of hot pepper directly in the grizzly’s face. It rears back with an angry growl, standing on its hind legs to tower over me. One massive paw swipes at me. I lunge out of its reach and raise the nozzle to spray again, higher.

  The wolf leaps onto the grizzly’s back, giving me the opening I need. Nothing chases me when I run back to the Range Rover. I climb into the driver’s seat, shove the keys in the ignition, and start the engine. Then I freeze.

  I don’t know what to do next. I can’t attack the bear without hurting the wolf—not when they’re locked in battle. Besides that, I’m not convinced ramming a grizzly of that size with a vehicle would do anything besides anger it further.

  What I need is for Luca to get in here before the grizzly kills him. Then we could drive to safety. But I don’t see how I’m going to make that happen anytime soon.

  Indecision cripples me. I am useless and powerless to stop the inevitable.

  And then it happens.

  The bear rakes the wolf in the side. Huge claws gouge him from shoulder to hip, and he goes down.

  I scream.

  The wolf staggers to its feet, favoring its injured side, and faces the bear as it roars in its face. Blood drips to the ground beneath the wolf as he puts himself between the bear and me.

  I beep the horn. “Shift! Luca, shift! Get in the damn car!”

  I don’t know if he hears me, or understands my panicked screams, but I don’t stop. I keep honking the horn to get his attention, knowing it’s the only way we will both get out of here alive.

  The bear charges the vehicle. The wolf leaps into its path. They clash again.

  Tears spring to my eyes. “No!” I yell.

  Gaze fixed on the battle in front of me, I fumble to find the can of bear spray where I laid
it on the seat. Once I find it, I throw the door open.

  I will not let Luca die for me.

  I stride toward them with fierce determination.

  A chorus of yaps and howls erupt behind me, interrupting my march for vengeance. Three large wolves race by me and launch themselves at the grizzly. It forgets about the silver wolf, and me, as the new threat surrounds it. Working as a unit, the wolves drive the bear toward the edge of the woods.

  Finally, the massive beast turns and runs. Two wolves follow, howling and nipping at its hind legs.

  One white wolf stays behind. It trots over to the silver wolf, where he now lies in the middle of the road. The white one stands over the silver one and sniffs. Then it turns to look at me.

  I grip the can in my hands tightly, ready to defend myself and Luca if necessary. I take one assertive step forward. The white wolf snorts. Then it runs into the woods and disappears out of sight.

  I lunge forward and drop to a knee at the silver wolf’s side to inspect the deep gashes in his side. Blood mats his fur, and a steady stream of blood collects on the blacktop. He lifts his head with a whimper, and I know he is hurt bad.

  “I’m going to get you help,” I promise, though I have no idea how I’m going to manage it. I can’t carry him to the car. I can’t exactly call 9-1-1 to request an ambulance for a wolf either. I lower my forehead to his snout. “Shift, Luca. Shift back so I can help you.”

  Stubborn wolf doesn’t listen, or doesn’t understand. Instead, he staggers to a stand. He nudges my arm with his snout before he limps toward the car.

  “Okay. We’ll do it your way.” I get up and hurry to open the door for him.

  He makes it halfway before his legs give out, and he crashes to the ground again. My heart shatters. I try to pick him up, but he is too heavy. I can’t do it alone.

  I find Luca’s phone and dial Ryse again. The call goes straight to voicemail, and I toss the phone onto the seat with a frustrated scream.

  I spin around to jab a finger at the wolf lying at my feet. “You can’t die on me! Not now. Not . . .” I sigh. “Not ever. Okay?”

  I kneel beside him and run a hand over his fur. It’s thicker and softer than I thought it would be. I don’t know why I notice such insignificant things like that now, of all times. It could be shock. It could be denial. Whatever it is, it has a strong hold on me.

  “You’re beautiful,” I whisper. “You know that?”

  His ears twitch and I know he can hear me. Whether or not he understands me is the question.

  “You were right earlier,” I tell him softly. “I am scared. You . . . scare me. Not because you’re a shifter. I’m okay with that.” I pat his head affectionately. “You make me feel something I’ve never felt before—not that I can remember anyway—and that terrifies me. Maybe it is latent memories and resentment manifesting as fear and self-preservation, but I don’t think so. I think I would have forgiven you.”

  The wolf lifts his head and whines.

  “Do you understand me?”

  I wish I had thought to ask Luca how much of himself is present when he shifts. Then again, it’s probably better this way. Not knowing for certain makes the truth so much easier to tell.

  “Don’t you want to move past the things that are holding you back? I know I do,” I continue. “So get up. Help me help you. Because I’m not going to let you die for me. I won’t . . .” I swat away a tear. “You feel guilty about leaving and not coming back? That’s nothing compared to the guilt I will feel if you die. Whatever wrongs you think you did in the past are not worth your life. Besides, you haven’t even kissed me yet.”

  He blinks.

  “Get up,” I urge. “Come on. Get in the car.”

  He pushes up on one leg. Then another. He inches forward, leaving behind a trail of blood. Steps from the open door, one leg gives out.

  “No!” I tug on his neck. “You have to keep going.”

  He licks my hand. My arm. My chin.

  “That doesn’t count,” I chide. “You are going to kiss me someday, but not when you’re a wolf. Now get in the car.”

  The other leg gives out, and he goes down. The tears I have been holding back pour out of me.

  “Get up,” I plead between sobs.

  I pull on him, but my efforts to move him are futile. He’s too heavy, and I’m not strong enough to do this alone. I stand and spin in a circle, debating whether to run back into town to find help or drive to my house to get Ryse and Ryder. I hate to leave Luca here like this, but I don’t know what else to do.

  Indecision cripples me.

  “Sav!” Dom sprints out of the shadows, wearing nothing but a crooked pair of mesh shorts that must have been pulled on in a hurry.

  I nearly crumble in relief. “Dom, help him.”

  My friend glances at the injured wolf at my feet with mild concern. “My dad and uncle have chased the grizzly off, but it will be back. We need to get you out of here.”

  “Luca is hurt. He needs help.”

  “He needs to heal.” Dom shrugs nonchalantly. “For injuries like this, he will need a lot of magic.”

  “Magic?” My eyes bulge. “Where do I find magic?”

  “You don’t. This realm doesn’t supply that kind of magic,” he explains.

  “The Imperial Kingdom,” I murmur under my breath. “He needs his realm.”

  Dom nods. “Yes.”

  “How do I get him there?”

  “I would start by getting him to Silver Lake,” Dom answers. “I’m sure he can access the realm from there. Do you know where it is?”

  “Yes.”

  Dom scoops the wolf into his arms like the weight is nothing, and deposits him onto the back seat. Turning to me, he adds, “You don’t have much time.”

  I start toward the driver’s side door, then stop. “Wait. Come with me. Help me. I don’t know if I can do this alone.”

  “You’re going to the Caspan’s land,” he argues. “I can’t . . .”

  “They’ll understand,” I assure him. “Please, Dom.”

  My voice cracks, giving my plea an extra dose of desperation. I’m convinced that is the only reason Dom agrees. Nothing like tears in the eyes of the girl you crush on to really motivate a guy—even if those tears are out of concern for someone else.

  I don’t care how or why Dom agrees. All I care about is that Luca gets the help he needs.

  The drive to Silver Lake is the longest twelve minutes of my life, despite going triple the speed limit the entire way. I try to call Ryse two more times, and Ryder once, but get no answer. I assume they are in wolf form, still watching the perimeter around my house. They can’t help.

  Luca’s life is in my hands. Fear of letting him down pushes me faster. It doesn’t let up until I see the lake and the moon’s reflection sparkling on its surface. I ease off the gas and release a sigh of relief that help for Luca is imminent.

  He will be okay. He has to be okay.

  “So this is it?” Dom asks.

  I ignore his cynical tone as I slam on the breaks in the driveway. “Yeah. Welcome to Silver Lake.”

  No lights are on inside the house, and it doesn’t appear that anyone is home. I haven’t decided yet if that is good news or bad news. Good because I don’t want to encounter Luca’s family under these circumstances, and bad because I don’t know what I’m doing.

  At least Dom is here to help, albeit grudgingly.

  He takes the injured wolf into his arms, and follows me toward the house and up the stairs onto the deck. I don’t expect the front door to be unlocked, but I try it anyway. It opens.

  “Where to?” Dom asks.

  “I don’t know,” I admit. “I’ve only been here once. I don’t know where they keep their magic.”

  “It’s not like that,” Dom explains. “There should be an access point to the Kingdom.”

  “Access point? I have no idea. I don’t—”

  The wolf snorts and squirms until Dom sets him on the floor. Together
, we watch as he limps off into the dark interior of the house.

  “He’s going,” Dom says.

  “Where?”

  “Home.”

  I glance at Dom, and he gives me the go-ahead wave. I leave my friend in the foyer, and trail after the wolf as he staggers up an extra-wide flight of stairs. At the top, he turns to the right and continues down a long hallway wide enough to comfortably fit a car. He stops outside a door and nudges it open with a paw. I follow him.

  I step into an empty room illuminated by the moonlight that shines through the open windows. A narrow swath of light angles across the floor to reflect off of the only other thing in the room—a large mirror.

  With one glance, I can see that it is no normal mirror. For starters, it is the width of a large hearth and extends nearly to the ceiling. It doesn’t appear to be an accent piece so much as it seems to be the focal point of the room—as if this room exists solely for the mirror. The air around it hums with energy.

  The wolf comes to a stop in front of it, and I tiptoe farther into the room to see what he is doing. The reflection in the shiny glass blurs. I lean slightly to one side, then the other. Still blurry.

  The wolf steps closer, and the reflection warps. It takes me a moment to realize I am no longer looking at a reflection. I am looking into an entirely different room—this one with a bed and furniture and posters on the wall. The wolf approaches the mirror as if he has no intention of stopping, and he doesn’t. He walks right into it. He doesn’t bounce off of it or smack his snout against the hard glass. He vanishes. Into the mirror.

  I blink. “What the . . .”

  I creep closer, wide eyes on the reflection that isn’t a reflection. The palpable energy hums over my skin as I extend a hand to touch the glass.

  It’s not there. I touch . . . nothing.

  A surge of light bursts from the center of the mirror, forcing me to cover my eyes. Then darkness. The energy dissipates and the ripples in the glass smooth until my own wide-eyed stare reflects back at me.

  I don’t know how long I stand there, waiting for something to happen. It feels like forever. I touch the glass at least a dozen times, but the blurry-rippling thing doesn’t happen again. I search every corner of the room for the wolf, or Luca, but find neither.