by Amanda Carol
“She asked me not to say anything,” I sigh, running a hand down my face.
“Which is precisely why you should have told me anyway. She’s my sister. It’s her headaches, isn’t it?” Declan asks, directing the question at me this time.
I nod. He leans up against the awning of the porch.
“Who else knows?” He looks back up at me.
The look on my face must give away the answer, because he curses under his breath.
“Look, man, you’re right. I should have told you earlier when she passed out. We just figured out today that when we use our telepathic link, it causes her pain. Well, Ciera figured it out,” I explain as Declan pushes off the awning and runs a hand through his hair.
“Ciera knew?” He laughs, but there isn’t any humor to it. “And you…” He points to Knox. “You knew as well?”
Knox hesitates for a moment but then nods.
“Fuck. How many others knew?” he questions.
“Zayne, Kat, Abby, and Grace,” I say flatly, wincing when he curses again. “Aria asked me not to say anything to you. What was I supposed to do?”
“Um, not listen to her?” Declan spits.
He lets out a harsh breath and sits down with his elbows resting on his knees and his head in hands. I mimic his position, but on the opposite side of the steps. Knox walks over to the front step, watching the woods. The flames are gone but smoke is still coming up from the trees.
“I’m going to go see if there is anything I can do to help. Although I’ll probably be in the way.” Knox turns to us. “Declan, wolves are very loyal creatures. We are required to obey our Alpha and Beta. But when it comes to the requests of the ones we love or care deeply about, we cannot deny them.”
With that, he shifts midair as he leaps off the porch and takes off running towards the clearing.
“Is that true?” Declan asks, and I shift my gaze to him. “I mean, I know you care about my sister.”
“Yes. It’s true, to a certain extent. I mean, I care about Bennett, but I'm not going to listen to what he says.” I let out a humorless chuckle. “Wolves are loyal to a fault. We have each other’s backs, but when it comes to what Knox was referring to, he’s right. I care about Aria, so if it came down to it, I’d choose her. As selfish as that sounds.”
Declan takes a deep breath.
“Good,” he finally says after a few moments, and I glance over at him. “I just mean that it’s good that you care about her. She needs someone like you in her life.” He pauses a moment. “Can I ask you a question? And I want you to be straight with me, okay?”
I nod, unsure of where this conversation is headed.
“Has she ever talked about our parents with you, or about any of the time before our parents died?”
“She’s mentioned some things. But not much,” I start.
Declan holds up his hand, stopping me from continuing.
“That’s all I needed to know. She refuses to talk about what happened or about our old lives. She thinks I don’t know why she ran almost every night and left me alone to do my thing with the girls I picked up. She wants me to be happy, and I know she thought that was making me happy. And, I mean, it was definitely fun, but I wasn’t happy. Not until I came here and met Ciera.” He goes quiet for a few moments. “So, if she’s said anything to you at all, that’s what matters to me. But I’m still her brother and I will not hesitate to kick your ass if you break her heart.”
“I won’t,” I promise him, and I mean it. Aria has gotten under my skin these past few days, and I have no intention of letting her go.
He seems satisfied with my answer, so we sit in silence. After a few moments, I see everyone emerge from the woods, so I stand. Declan turns around and stands after he follows my gaze.
“How is she?” Abby asks, flying up the steps.
She has soot all over her face, and as I glance around, I see that she looks much better than everyone else.
“Kora hasn’t come out yet,” Declan sighs, reaching for Ciera.
She goes straight into his embrace. He kisses the top of her head and she melts into his arms, then turns her face up to his.
“Declan, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have kept this from you,” she says.
He cuts her off by cupping her cheeks and placing a soft kiss on her lips. I raise an eyebrow at the gesture.
“Don’t worry about it,” he whispers and kisses her again.
She wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. He wraps his arms around her shoulders, resting his chin on top of her head.
“What?” he asks when he notices me looking at him.
“If you hurt her, I’ll kick your ass,” I tell him.
He just laughs and shakes his head as Ciera narrows her eyes at me.
“Alright, anyone mind filling us in on what in the actual fuck happened out there?” Kat demands from the step she’s sitting on.
She looks at Zayne and then at Knox, who is holding Grace. The look that Knox and Zayne share doesn’t go unnoticed.
“It was a vampire attack. Duh,” Bennett jokes from the bottom step.
Kat narrows her eyes at him.
“You’re about as sharp as a beach ball. You know that right?” Kat shoots back at him as Abby snorts next to me. “And don’t think we didn’t notice that look you two gave each other. Spill.” She points at both Zayne and Knox
“Well…” Zayne starts, unsure of where to take it, looking to Knox for support.
What in the actual hell? Why won’t they say anything?
“It was a dark-haired vampire, that goes by the name of Ronan. And according to Aria, he was the one that killed your parents.” Knox looks at Declan as he speaks.
My entire body locks up and I feel all the blood drain from my face. A collective gasp emits from the entire group. I know I’m shocked at this revelation, but it’s nothing compared to how Declan looks. He’s just standing there, frozen on the spot, and is staring at Knox like he’s grown six heads. Ciera’s eyes grow wide as she glances up at him, loosening her grip around his waist.
“Are you sure that’s what she said?” Declan’s voice is shaky as his arms fall to his sides.
Knox and Zayne share another look before nodding in unison. Declan runs a hand through his hair with a pained expression on his face.
“Is he…” Declan trails off.
“Dead?” Zayne finishes for him, grabbing his ribs and wincing as he leans up against the wooden railing. “No, but we did injure him pretty good.” He pauses, then his gaze finds me. “Hunt, we’ve got to warn your dad. This vamp had powers. He tossed us around using the air element. This is a problem.”
“How in the hell can a vampire get powers to stick?” Bennett voices the question I’m sure we all want the answer to.
“It’s not really possible unless they got their hands on a really powerful witch.” Luna’s voice is loud as she walks up the pathway with my parents. “A witch would have been needed to cast a spell in order for the magic to take hold. The vampire also would have needed to drink the blood of another witch who possessed the air element as the spell was being cast.”
Abby rushes forward and embraces her mother as she walks up the steps. My mom is on Luna’s heels and walks right over to me, pulling me into a tight embrace.
“Mom, I’m okay,” I assure her.
My mom is always worried about me and it always gets worse whenever I get in a fight with a vampire.
“How’s Aria?” she whispers in my ear.
When she pulls back, her eyes are filled with unshed tears. My mom has always been overly emotional. She cried the first time I lost a tooth and the first time I shifted into a wolf. She even cried when Bennett first shifted. Man, was it funny to see his look of terror when she pulled him into a big hug, though.
“I’m not sure. Kora hasn’t come out yet,” I whisper back. “She’s definitely got her hands full in there.”
“Well, I’ll go in and see if she needs a
ny help.” My mom gives me one last look before squeezing my shoulders and walking off into the barn.
Kora has taught my mom the basics of potions and different herb pastes, just in case there’s a crisis or if Kora is out of town. I glance over and find my father finishing up a conversation with Knox. Then he turns to walk over to me.
“I had no other choice…” He trails off as he places his hand on my shoulder.
I clench my jaw shut because, really, what can I say? The fastest way of communication is through our link, so I understand why he used it. But it still doesn’t change the fact that Aria is out cold because of it.
“Calm down, my boy. Your eyes are starting to glow.”
My father places his hand on my face to grab my attention. My gaze slowly drifts to meet his and I blink. My father tilts his head slightly and studies me for a moment.
“You care about this girl, don’t you?” he asks.
I blink once more, then nod my head.
“I see. That would explain your reaction and you asking me not to use the one thing that gives us an advantage. You’re letting your feelings for this girl cloud your judgment.” He takes a step back then address the group.
I press my lips together so I don’t lose my temper. Because he wouldn’t be upset if it was Mom in that room, in a coma for all intents and purposes? Bullshit. Apparently he’s the only one who’s allowed to “care for” someone else that much.
“I am assuming all of you know about the connection between the telepathic link we use and Aria’s headaches?” My father stands tall and proud, with his arms crossed over his chest. When everyone mumbles a “yes” or nods, he continues. “Right. Well, what exactly do we know?”
“Nothing yet. We only just figured it out today. Grace, Kat, and I were in the barn doing research when the attack happened.” Ciera steps forward. “So far, we haven’t come up with anything.”
She shrugs and tucks a loose piece of her hair behind her ear. Declan grabs her hand, pulling her back to him.
“Well, I want all of you—” He narrows his eyes at Bennett. “—yes, that means you too, Mr. Monroe—to help Ciera and Kora find out what’s causing this and how to stop it. Now, tell me what happened out in the woods.”
Zayne and Knox step forward and explained everything to my father. I hear Luna chime in with the magic part. But I tune them out and walk along the side of the barn. I need to get away for a few moments to compose myself.
I hope we can figure out the connection between the headaches and our link sooner rather than later. It sucks having to watch Aria crumble with pain because she’s such a strong girl. And to top it all off, the vampire who killed her parents was here tonight and got in so easily. I went against every bone in my body telling me to keep my ass here all because my father ordered me to go. I hate following his orders most of the time, but I know one day, I’ll take over as Alpha. It’s not something that I want, and my father doesn’t think I’m ready for it.
Case in point: the remark he made tonight about me letting my feelings for Aria cloud my judgment.
“Hunter?”
I flinch, turning my head to see Sloane approaching me. She looks pale and thin in the moonlight. When she gets closer, I spot the nasty scar on her neck. She quickly covers it up with her hand.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She lowers her hand and fidgets with the hem of her shirt. It’s baggier on her, and I’ve never seen her so unsure of herself.
“It’s fine, Sloane. How are you feeling?” I turn to completely face her.
Her face looks sunken in too. She’s lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw her.
“Like I got attacked by a vampire and hit with a truck at the same time.” She shrugs and casts her eyes down. After a few moments, she looks up at me again. “I know you have questions about the attack. And I’m sorry I can’t give you more than what I already told the Alpha.”
I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Your father came to see me this morning. Look, I don’t remember much. I was out patrolling when I was knocked on my ass. This vampire, he can use elemental magic.” She pauses and shifts on her feet. “He said something to me before he…you know.” She motions to her neck. “He told me that I was to send Aria and Declan a message.”
I felt the muscle in my jaw tick as I waited for her to continue.
“He said that she is coming.” She shivers at the memory, then shakes her head then looks up at me again. “I didn’t tell your dad that, though. I figured, if anyone was going to make sense of that it would be you.” She gives me a small smile as she turns and leaves.
I watch as she descends the side steps and slowly makes her way back to her cabin. I run my hand down my face and think about the warning she just told me. This vampire targeted Aria and Declan. The question is why. Why Aria and Declan, and why now? None of this is adding up. We need to figure this out quickly, so we can get ahead of it.
I will not let my pack be caught off guard again.
I will not let anything hurt Aria again.
“Hunter.”
I turn as I hear Abby’s voice.
“Kora’s come out—”
I’m moving before she can even finish her sentence. When I round the corner, everyone is gathered around Kora.
“Is everyone here now?” Kora’s eyes move around our group. “Right. Okay, she’s stable. She’s got a few broken ribs and some cuts and bruises to her face. I’ve set her ribs and put some Gumba Paste on her cuts, so she will heal up nicely. As for what’s causing the headaches, I don’t know, as everything seems to check out normally.”
“When will she wake up?” Abby asks, clutching onto her mother.
“That, my dear, is up to Aria,” Kora responds sympathetically.
Her gaze connects with mine and her face softens.
“Can I see her?” Declan asks.
“Yes, of course. But only two visitors at a time. Unless you all want to be put to work. It’s very crowded as it is, and until I get order, only two of you can visit at a time.” With that, Kora turns and heads back inside.
Declan turns to Ciera.
“Go. I’m going to hit the books, try and figure this out,” she tells him, standing on her toes and kissing him.
Declan nods, kissing her back, then rushes inside.
“I’ll help you. Since its busy in the barn, we can grab the books and go to my cabin,” Kat offers, and Ciera nods.
“We’ll come too,” Grace declares, following the girls into the barn with Knox right behind them.
Zayne says that he’s going to check on Tessa and Micah before catching up with them at Kat’s. I try to talk him into stopping by and seeing Kora for his injuries, but he waves me off.
“I’m going to help Kora and Lydia. I’m sure they could use some extra hands. I’ll meet you back home, dear.” Luna squeezes Abby, then walks inside moments after Declan.
Abby turns to me and I can see the hesitation in her eyes. As much as I want to be near Aria, I can’t do that to Abby.
“It’s okay, Abby. You can go in to see her. She’s your best friend,” I tell her.
She throws her arms around me, which causes me to stumble back. I let out a soft chuckle.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she says into my neck. “I promise I will come get you soon.”
“Take your time. I’m going to run back to my cabin and grab some clothes,” I tell her.
A look of understanding crosses her features. She gives me a slight smile then turns and rushes off into the barn.
“Well that was very gentlemanly of you,” Bennett says as I walk past him toward the steps. He’s perched up on the ledge and I'm half-tempted to push him off.
I ignore him, continuing to walk towards my cabin. I’m grabbing my things as well as Aria’s. I’m sure she’s going to want to change when she wakes up. And I'm not leaving her side until she does. I know the room she’s in has a full-size bathroom, so I have everything I
need.
Bennett catches up to me. “Okay, Hunt, I know that look. What’s on your mind?”
I don’t answer him for a moment. I don’t want anyone else to overhear what I’m about to tell him. Bennett seems to understand that and doesn’t press me until we finally get inside my cabin.
“Out with it,” Bennett commands, blocking my way up the steps.
“I saw Sloane,” I say flatly, pushing past him and up the steps to my room.
He doesn’t put up a fight. Which is good for him because I would kick his ass if he did.
Bennett runs up after me. “Wait, what? When?”
I walk over to my closet, pull out my duffle bag, and set it on my bed.
“Tonight. She came up to me when I stepped away for a few minutes.” I gather up some clothes and shove them in my bag.
Next is the toiletries, so I head into the bathroom. I don’t plan on being back here for a while, so I pack enough for a week. Hopefully Aria wakes up before then, though.
“Okay, and?” Bennett motions his arms for me to continue.
I walk past him yet again and head downstairs. I set my bag down next to Aria’s and head for my kitchen. I need a drink, and something stronger than a beer. I reach into my cabinet and grab two glasses.
“Well, shit. It must be serious if you’re pulling out the whiskey,” Bennett comments as I pour our drinks.
I hand one to him and take a seat at my kitchen table. Bennett sits down opposite me. I take the double shot and pour myself another.
“Geez, Hunt. Slow down,” Bennett remarks as I down the second shot and then pour myself a third.
“Sloane said that Ronan had a message for Aria and Declan. He said that she is coming. Whatever the hell that means,” I finally tell him.
“She? Who is she?” He downs his drink, then pours himself another.
“Not a fucking clue. We have to prepare for anything, though. We shouldn’t take this lightly. You saw what he’s capable of, so if she is anything like Ronan, we need to prepare. We need to protect the Compound as well as the twins. Something is telling me this is bigger than us, and bigger than them.” I take a sip of my drink, not wanting to take a full shot again.
