by K. R. Grace
That’s how I felt. Like Drake was staring at my insides, taking away something vital in me that I wouldn’t ever get back.
Weird.
Mr. Thomas started the band in what sounded like a stair of notes. I didn’t learn until the end of the year that it was called a “scale” and there were twelve major scales plus a whole bunch of other special ones. Thank goodness I only had to worry about one note.
Drake never took his eyes off me, even when we worked on the music…well, when the band worked on the music. I sat on my stool hopelessly lost. When the bell finally signaled the end of the day, I’m pretty sure I almost wept for joy.
Mom was waving me down in the parking lot. As if it was even possible to miss her bright red cat sweater. I honestly didn’t care about what others thought of me, but I really didn’t want the label given to seniors who still got rides from their mothers. The driving code in high school was simple. As soon as you were of age, you either: (a) drove yourself to school, (b) walked to school, or (c) got a ride from another student who could drive to school. There was no (d) none of the above.
I dashed into the car as quickly as possible. God, if kids got wind of Mom and her animal sweaters, it would totally kill my dark vibe.
As Mom drove off the parking lot, I spotted Drake leaning against a silver Jeep with its cover off. He looked so casual: legs crossed at his ankles, arms locked in front of his chest, and his blue eyes hidden behind aviator sunglasses. How could he stand so relaxed like that if he really needed crutches? Even though I couldn’t see his eyes, I knew he was staring at me. I felt powerless and it scared me more than I liked to admit. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything anymore, but around him it was like all my emotions were starting to come back to life.
The second we left the school property, all the heartache came back tenfold. My chest constricted violently as I drew my knees up to my chest, staring blankly out the window as tears fell down my face. Unwanted memories wrapped around me, pulling me back into the darkness.
Chapter Two
~*~*~*~*~*~
Drake
I should’ve known something was up when I climbed out of bed without the aid of my crutches. It’d been a close call when a kid from my anatomy class caught me waltzing into school sans the sticks. One weird look from him reminded me I needed to be careful with how I transitioned back to “normal.” It’d been a while. Almost forgot how good it felt.
What the hell was she doing here?
Damn, but she was beautiful. Her black hair hung around her pale face and her large, haunted green eyes stared at me like I was the only person in the room. It wasn’t until she realized I was returning the favor that she suddenly got shy and avoided all eye contact with me. A very strong part of me wanted to grab her and take her as far away from here as possible.
She’d seen me walk into school without my crutches. Her thoughts screamed her confusion so loud it was hard to focus on anything else. I couldn’t fix things now. I just prayed like hell I hadn’t completely turned her off. If she thought I was pulling one over on everyone pretending to be crippled, she’d hate me. I didn’t have to know her to know she was one of those rare people in this world who demanded truth and honesty from every person she came in contact with.
There had been talk in the pack that Helena’s descendants were back. I hadn’t given it much thought since the last time I saw her she was dead in a ravine. The legend died with her. Descendants were impossible. Right?
It didn’t matter who she was. I needed to distance myself from her. I didn’t do the right thing last time. Now that Star was here, I had a chance to fix things.
When Star and her mom drove past my Jeep in the parking lot, I specifically made sure I was in her line of vision. There was something different about her. I saw the resemblance to Helena instantly in those green eyes, but Star had a restrained strength Helena hadn’t possessed.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Meliena as I drove off the lot.
“I told you she was coming,” Meliena answered immediately.
I sighed as I struggled to hold back my sharp retort. Meliena was a great friend, but she had a tendency to throw salt in gaping wounds. “I don’t need the ‘I told you so’ crap, Liena. I need to know what I’m supposed to do now that she’s here and I’ve seen her.”
“Did you feel the pull with her like you did Helena?”
“More than before.”
“Okay. I think we need to have a meeting and decide where to go from here. If she’s anything like Helena, she’ll drag this out until it’s too late.”
“I agree about the meeting. Call everyone down to the cave. I need to stop by Mack’s and see about securing extra protection from the pack.”
“Are you sure about that? You aren’t exactly on friendly terms with them.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m going to need them on my side if the Sterlings come back. As soon as Raeb gets a whiff of her, he’ll be on my tail, too. It’s not just me I’m thinking about.”
“We’ll be fine, but if you think the pack’s protection is necessary, then I support you.”
“I knew you would. See you in an hour.”
I ended the call and headed in the direction of Mack’s house. If there was anyone who could help me this time around, it was him. He assumed my position when I gave up being Alpha. Over the years, he’d handled some crazy stuff. This would be a cakewalk for him.
Sunrays beamed into my eyes as I made my way down the winding back road. I reached over and punched the glove compartment open in search of my aviators. Should’ve never taken them off when I got in the car in the first place. Damn blue eyes. They were a constant thorn in my side. It was hard to miss a full-blooded Cherokee with blue eyes. Not to mention they watered like shit whenever the sun was out. With my eyes now shielded by my sunglasses, I returned my focus to the road twisting in front of me.
The pack headquarters was in Townsend. Mack relocated them after my split, saying being so close to the Bear tribe made it difficult during hunting season. It wasn’t my deal anymore, but it was a hell of a long drive from Seymour. I spotted the discreet gravel driveway overgrown with weeds on my right and made a sharp turn left into the woods. Every Wolf compound was the same. No road meant no uninvited visitors. The only people who knew where to go were pack members and other shifters following their scent. Humans were oblivious.
Mack was waiting for me beside a beat up Chevy when I halted in front of the large white double-wide mobile home. His long hair hung in a braid over his shoulder, stopping right above a large grease stain streaking across the midsection of his tattered t-shirt. His Alpha tattoo flexed on his bicep as he linked his arms across his chest. Instead of motioning me into the house, he led me to the back where the rest of the pack sat around his barren fire pit.
“So, you’re confirming she’s here?” Mack asked as he took his position at the head of the group. Since I wasn’t a member of the pack, I remained standing outside the circle.
“Yeah, it looks like it.”
“Do the others know yet?”
I shook my head negatively. “I don’t think so, but it won’t be long before they do.”
“This legend is going to kill us all,” the pack beta Rafe growled. “I say we do her off and be done with it.”
My fists clinched as I felt my hackles rise. “No one touches her. Do I make myself clear?” I asked, letting the Supreme Alpha come forward in me. I might’ve given over my position as Alpha of this pack, but it didn’t change the fact I outranked them all.
Rafe cringed as he automatically bared his neck to me in submission. I almost felt guilty. His dad had been my brother before everything went to shit. But, the thought of Star’s body being ripped to shreds by sharp wolves’ teeth quickly wiped the guilt away. I didn’t think about how unnatural it was to be so protective of someone I’d never spoken to. I’d grown accustomed to my jacked up life a long, long time ago.
“Drake is right. Killing her isn�
�t the answer. Our best option is to keep an eye on the others. We’ll take shifts watching over her. The Sterlings still want us to pay for what happened to Raphael. I don’t trust them to play fair this time around.” Mack looked directly at me as he spoke. The others nodded in agreement. Thank God he backed me. He wouldn’t be able to touch her because the Supreme Alpha had made a decree, but he could make her life miserable.
“Chances are she doesn’t know about what happened before. The family no doubt kept it a secret. We have to make sure she doesn’t notice us.” I looked around at the people sitting in the circle. All had families and loved ones counting on them. If anyone died during this, their blood would be on me. On the other hand, Star’s death would have the same impact. Only worse. Damn, I was screwed either way.
“We’ll start patrolling tomorrow night. Do you know where she lives?” Mack asked.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t thought to scan her brain for the information. “I’ll have to get it from her tomorrow. I’ll send you a message as soon as I know.”
Mack nodded before looking at his pack. “We’ll take care of her, Drake. You have our word.”
When he trained his gold eyes on me, I knew I’d been given the promise of the pack. It goes deeper than anything a simple man could ever guarantee. If one of them broke the promise, they died instantly. My body relaxed knowing I didn’t have to worry about them turning on me later when things got bad, which they would. Nothing about Star seemed easy.
I shook Mack’s hand and excused myself to head back to my place. Star invaded every space in my mind as I drove. Those unwavering green eyes and the way she looked in all her black clothes. She’d aimed at making herself invisible, but everything about her stood out to me. Might sound lame, but it was like she was a lighthouse and I was the tired, relieved ship lost at sea. She wasn’t racked and stacked like a pinup model, which suited me fine. I preferred her lean body, because it was hers. I wondered if she played any sports at her old school.
Everything about her was proportional to her tiny frame. She couldn’t be more than five-three, if that. She brought out every protective instinct in me. I wanted to pull her into my arms and shield her from whatever could go wrong in the weeks and months ahead. She looked like she already had enough going on in her life to be worried about the shit I was about to dump into her lap.
I could already hear the others talking when I pulled into the cave and parked my Jeep. Grabbing the jar of peanut butter, I made my way toward the group. It sounded like Rake and Stella were going at it again. Some things never changed.
I squeezed my shoulders through the small mouth of the cave and made my way through the tunnel to where they were all gathered around a few battery-operated lanterns. As soon as they sensed me, all talking ceased. I looked over at the corner where Bugsey sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, nervously surveying the others. I smiled at her as I tossed her the jar. She clutched it to her chest as a huge smile spread across her face. Before I could take another step, she had the lid off and was spooning the thick spread out with her fingers.
“Wh-what’s going on?” Sly asked from his perch in the other corner. My eyes watered the instant his odor reached my nose. It reminded me of rotting garbage and parmesan cheese. Damn, it was stronger than usual, though. Something must’ve freaked him out today.
I looked over where Rake and Stella glared at each other. Their thoughts were so loud even people who couldn’t read minds could hear them.
Idiot thinks coyotes are the superior nocturnal creatures. Raccoons are far better with their gripping capabilities and their ability to reach high places. All coyotes are good for is that creepy whooping sound they made. Mangy mutt. Obviously Stella was pissed at Rake over the same issue they fought about all the time.
Why does she tick me off and make me want to kiss her all at the same time? Whoa! So Rake had a thing for Stella? Looking at both my friends, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she ever knew he liked her. She’d probably claw his eyes out.
Stella was all of four-eleven with short silver and black streaked hair. Dark shadows circled her dirt brown eyes, and her little nose twitched the longer she stewed on something. She looked so seemingly innocent, but anyone who’d ever provoked her learned just how deep her claws went.
Rake stalked over to an old metal chair and threw himself into it. His short red hair stuck up in all directions, and his sharp green eyes scanned the room as he fought to control himself. Nothing about him was soft. From his high cheekbones to his long, pointed nose, he looked menacing. Most of us knew he was harmless, but to anyone who crossed him, he was as inviting as the death angel.
I glanced over at Meliena who was playing with the tip of her thick, long braid. The black strands sifted through her fingers as she stared mindlessly into the light. I read her thoughts and realized she was thinking about her husband, John. Every time I saw his face in her mind, guilt twisted in my gut. I doubted I’d ever forgive myself for his death. He’d died because of my beef with the Sterlings. Another victim of this damn legend. Not this time around. Star wasn’t going to cause the same wreckage Helena did if I could help it.
“D-Drake? Wh-what’s g-going on?” Sly reiterated his question, bringing me back to the present.
“Helena’s descendant is in the area.” I sighed as I yanked my fingers through my hair, pulling the hair tie out in the process.
“That’s bad,” Bugsey said as she clutched her precious peanut butter closer to her like a newborn baby.
“Yeah, it’s bad. Her name is Star. I’ve already talked to Mack. He’s given me a pack promise they’ll help us keep her safe. What we need to focus on now is how to keep history from repeating itself. Either she’ll pick one of us and stops the curse, or she won’t pick any of us and we could all turn on each other. Worst case scenario, she makes a decision that puts an end to the Guardians forever.”
The hierarchy of the Guardians went like this: Destiny, Supreme Alphas, Alphas, Soldiers, and Supporters. Only those with the mark of the Supreme could speak directly to Destiny. And, as of two years ago, I was the only one left. Since no Supreme Alpha had mated and produced an heir in over two hundred years, it all rested on my shoulders to reproduce or the Supreme Alpha line ended with me. No Supreme Alpha, no communication between Destiny and the Guardians. Exhibit A of why Fate wanted me dead.
“What do you mean?” Stella stopped her internal fuming long enough to ask.
“If Star is destined to be with me, and she picks someone else, it’s over for The Guardians.”
Meliena scowled as she looked up at me.
Do you really think she has that much power over us, Drake?
I shrugged as I started to pace. I don’t know. It’s been a few centuries since I’ve had to worry about this.
“D-do you th-think wh-we’ll b-be able to f-fight if i-it c-comes d-down t-to i-it?” Sly stuttered all over himself as he began to fidget. I prayed he kept himself under control. If he sprayed, we’d all be dead…literally.
“With the pack on our side, we can.” I answered with a confidence I didn’t really feel.
I looked around at the gang. Each had a problem keeping him or her from functioning unsuspected in society.
Rake, the Coyote shifter, was a kleptomaniac and physically couldn’t tell the truth if he tried.
Stella, the Raccoon shifter, had a non-existent fuse and was so severely OCD about germs she made herself physically sick worrying about whether the doorknob was washed or if her food had been rinsed properly.
Sly, the Skunk shifter, had an extreme stuttering problem caused by his fear of everything that existed, which caused him to spray all the time.
Bugsey, the Squirrel shifter, was a nut hoarder. Her entire kitchen was stocked with bags of nuts, hazelnut spread, and peanut butter. Whenever she felt her stash was in jeopardy, she went postal and bit the intruder. After the fifth time she’d taken a hunk out of the mailman because she thought he’d find her mound of pi
stachios in the garage, I decided it was best to keep her with us where we could monitor her. I’d had to pay the postal worker a hefty sum to keep him quiet.
Meliena and I were Wolf shifters. Both of us had disassociated from our packs in favor of being loners. I promised John I’d take care of her, but more often than not she was the one who took care of me.
We were our own colony of misfits.
“Where are your crutches?” Stella asked; the first to point out their absence.
“The strength’s back in my legs. I think it has something to do with Star coming into town.” Which might or might not be a clue that she was my destined mate. It all depended on whether it was an act of Destiny or Fate.
“What kind of name is Star?” Bugsey crinkled her nose before she sucked the peanut butter off her fingers.
“Her name,” I shrugged. Did it really matter?
“So, what’s the plan, boss?” Rake asked as he stretched his legs out.
“I was hoping we could come up with something together.”
I glanced over at Meliena and saw the wheels turning in her head. “You’ve gotta play for keeps this time, Drake. That’s all there is to it.”
That’s what I’d been afraid of. Could I really do this and hold my heart intact? Did I fight to the death, or did I remove myself when the pressure became too much for Star?
“I don’t know, Liena. It’s not a board game where the end result is winning her heart. If she is destined to be with one of us, it doesn’t matter what the others try to do.”
“I know. It’s just a figure of speech. If you say the pull with her is stronger than it was with Helena, then you have a good chance of being the victor this time. You can’t think of any other possibilities. She either chooses you or she chooses no one.”
This was going to be much harder the second time around. I could already feel it. I paced the length of our cave, wondering if I had what it took to be Star’s all in a way Helena never allowed me to be. I still had a hard time accepting Helena hadn’t been my destined.
