The eerie laughter that followed sent shivers crawling up her spine.
She stepped back toward the door. “How do you know this?”
Lars arched one brow with a satisfied grin, looking beyond Aurora.
“I told them,” a woman’s voice announced.
Aurora’s gut twisted as she turned to see Victoria. The tall, red-head’s surprising presence jolted her.
“Victoria, what are you doing here?” Her palms felt hot. This was bad. Horribly wrong.
“Fixing what you’ve ruined, you witch whore.” Victoria slapped Aurora across the face.
The impact knocked her off balance, but she managed not to fall. Her cheek stung with a burning sensation. She covered it with her hand to soothe the pain.
Victoria’s eyes gleamed with golden fury. She raised one hand. Claws extended from them—sharp enough to pierce vital organs.
Aurora’s heartbeat echoed in her ears. The gravity of the situation settled on her like a bleak curtain that threatened to smother her. She was alone in a cabin with three wolf shifters who glared at her like they wanted to tear her into shreds.
Victoria stepped over and ran the tip of one of her claws over Aurora’s cheek. She didn’t dare move, holding in a shudder.
“Run, witch,” Victoria commanded. “I’ll give you a head start before I hunt you down and destroy you. I’ll leave you as nothing but a mangled carcass for Grayson to discover.” Her eyes narrowed and her lips spread into a malevolent grin. “He won’t want to touch you then, slut.”
The wind whipped at her face as Aurora ran back toward Franconia territory, hampered by the snow. She sank with each step of her boot, forcing her to keep from sprinting at the speed she so urgently strove to achieve. The slow trek could mean death.
Who was she kidding? Death was likely inevitable. Victoria flashed those talons not as a warning, but to stoke fear. She was playing with her prey before she tracked it.
And killed it? Aurora swallowed the icy shards in her throat. Terror would hamper her ability to think—and what she needed to do was find a way to survive.
When she faced three shifters intent to kill, adrenaline spurred her to choose flight over fight. Numbers weren’t on her side.
How much time did she have before Victoria caught up to her? Would Kane and Lars pursue with her, or let her savor the hunt on her own?
Fear and frustration clawed at her insides. Coming to the mountains to deal with quarreling wolf packs was a mistake—hopefully not a fatal one.
The sound of footsteps behind her sent a surge of dread within. She ran—or rather stumbled across pack land.
It wasn’t fast enough. She needed magic to help her. She invoked the element of the wind.
A cool breeze brushed along her back. She encouraged it to grow. Soon the wind stirred with more power behind her and around her feet. She no longer stumbled in the snow, but almost glided on top of it, almost as if she was ice skating.
“Grayson!” She called out. He said he’d be waiting on the border, but that was still so far away. Too far for him to hear her?
She glanced over her shoulder. A light gray wolf, barely visible against all the white, kicked up snow as she chased Aurora.
She called the wind once more. Please project my voice.
The magic filled her. She took a deep breath.
“Grayson,” she screamed his name. “Help!”
Chapter 11
Grayson
Did he hear something? Grayson stopped pacing and listened closer.
It was a woman calling for help—she was calling his name.
Aurora.
All the hair on the back of his neck rose. He peered across the snow. There she was, a tiny figure, rushing toward him. The way she moved seemed strange, almost like she was floating across the snowy plain.
He shifted to wolf form without hesitation, destroying his clothes in the process, and bounded across the border line. A flash of the irony flickered in his mind—this is what had started off the problems with the Sacco pack as Damon had trespassed into their territory to rescue his mate. Now here he was, doing the same.
Another figure appeared behind Aurora. A wolf. It was chasing her.
The damn Saccos. Grayson would tear them to shreds before letting them touch Aurora.
When Aurora saw him running in her direction in wolf form, she gasped. He didn’t have time to shift and explain who he was. Instead, he ran past to prevent the wolf from reaching her.
Only it wasn’t a Sacco wolf he faced, it was a Franconia one.
Victoria.
He slowed his pace as he approached her with trepidation. She was on Sacco land pursuing Aurora. None of this was good. At least Aurora was on her way back to safety as she approached the border.
Victoria, what are you doing? He communicated.
She attempted to navigate around him, but he stepped in her path. He growled in warning. Stop.
She slowed, changing position to one assessing him as she moved in a semi-circle.
I’m moving on, just like you told me. Her wolf eyes gleamed with fury.
He stared at her, incredulous. With the Saccos? It couldn’t be accurate.
Why should I stay with you after the way you’ve treated me?
Grayson thought he’d treated her with kindness and respect by turning her down gently and encouraging her to redirect her attention to find her happiness elsewhere. Elsewhere didn’t mean the Sacco pack!
You’re one of us, Victoria. Just because we aren’t mates doesn’t mean you should leave us. He glanced across the field. Kane and Lars had strode over in wolf form, but didn’t approach. The bastards would likely enjoy the strife in the Franconia pack.
Let’s move this to our territory before we start a war.
She trotted across the snow, and he quickly ran to catch up. No way would he let her reach Aurora.
I can’t get over it. I’d rather be with them than watch you parade around with that witch slut!
Grayson growled. Anger stirred in his veins. Don’t call her that, he warned.
As they ran back to Franconia land, Grayson quickly communicated to Rafe.
We have a problem. Victoria was chasing Aurora across Sacco territory. I don’t know what she’s done.
Where are you? Rafe asked.
Running back with her to our land.
Oh, fuck!
Victoria quickened to a sprint. Grayson’s heart jolted. She was running straight for Aurora!
Back down, he commanded.
Victoria ignored him and continued her pursuit. Aurora had passed back into Franconia territory.
Back down, he repeated.
No. That whore needs to pay.
Shit. Grayson never thought it would come to this, to have to choose between two important women in his life. Victoria was his pack mate, and he’d known her for much of his life. But her jealousy had driven her to betray her pack—and threaten Aurora’s life.
She was his mate. Although he hadn’t known her for long, Aurora was everything he’d dreamed of having in his life—a beautiful, caring woman who he could laugh with. Who he could take care of and love. Their relationship would develop and bloom with time. All he wanted was a chance for them to be together and explore this soul-deep connection between them.
He couldn’t let Victoria steal that from them. He wouldn’t let her touch Aurora, his beloved mate.
It’s my final warning, he declared as he caught up to her flank. I will fight you.
It should have been me! Victoria gnashed her jaws as she closed in on Aurora. It would have been if that witch whore didn’t steal you away.
It never would have been you, Grayson said as he prepared to leap.
With a vicious growl, she lunged at Aurora. Grayson bounded forward, knocking her on her side, and they tumbled together into the snow.
Aurora
Aurora’s heart pounded and her skin turned damp as the two wolves fought in the snow. She’d seen Grayson in the
distance as she ran back toward him. In the next pounding heartbeat, a wolf took his place, running toward her.
He was massive, even larger than the enormous form Victoria took in wolf form, and beautiful. His fur was a sleek, charcoal gray, but most striking were his eyes. They glowed with a piercing, golden amber hue.
After he pulled himself to four legs, he circled Victoria, now a sleek, silver-gray predator intent on killing Aurora. Although she knew they were both wolf shifters, it blew her mind to see them as wolves, gnashing at each other with sharp fangs.
Aurora glanced across the snow for the Sacco wolves. They hadn’t pursued her with Victoria. Of course not—she was doing their dirty work for them. They could just sit back and watch the Franconia pack begin to destroy each other.
Victoria leapt at Grayson and swiped with sharp claws. Grayson howled as he retreated, a trio of bloody gashes marred his fur and spread crimson drops across the white snow.
“No!” Aurora’s heart plummeted. He was injured and risking his life to fight a pack mate and protect her.
Growls pierced the air as the wolves circled and parried, lashing out at each other with swipes of fangs.
If anything happened to him, she couldn’t bear it. He was the most amazing person she’d ever met. Considerate, caring, selfless. Willing to do anything for others, even now—even to sacrifice his life to defend her.
More of Victoria’s swipes at Grayson tore at Aurora’s heart. More menacing growls ripped at her soul.
Both of them had been struggling to do the right thing, and yet it still ended with violence, destroying any hope of reconciliation between the packs. Over what? Jealousy, betrayal, and hurt pride?
Trying to stay apart had stolen the little time they could have together. If they both survived this, she wouldn’t waste another precious second. She couldn’t, because she’d fallen for him, and if he was willing to fight to save her, she was happy to fight to save them.
What could she do to help him? She was just a witch facing a massive, formidable wolf. She didn’t have the strength, fangs, or the claws to fight off Victoria.
But she had magic.
Still, how could she use it? Both Grayson and Victoria tumbled across the snow. Any spell she used would hit them both.
Somehow, Grayson managed to gain the upper hand. He stood on four legs over Victoria.
Kill her, kill her, Aurora encouraged. All he had to do was bend down and snap her neck.
She’d never chanted those two words before, but she’d also never been threatened by a jealous wolf shifter.
When Grayson stepped back, granting Victoria mercy, Aurora groaned.
Of course, he’d make that decision. His decent and honorable nature was one of the reasons she loved him.
Loved?
Although Victoria had been lying on her side, she shot up suddenly, lunging for Grayson’s throat.
“Grayson, watch out!” Aurora raised her hand and summoned the winds from the west. She gathered its energy like an iridescent whisper in her palm, and then hurled it at Victoria.
As the blast shot across the snow, it picked up snowflakes, gathering them together like a tsunami. The cold mass hit her like an avalanche, and she skidded on her haunches across the snow.
All were stunned, and no one moved. The sound of Aurora’s breath echoed loudly in the air, visible in wispy breaths before her. She caught Grayson’s amber eyes.
She stared down at her hand. What the hell had just happened?
A thunderous bellow shattered the air. It resounded like a warning beneath her skin.
From through the trees, an enormous wolf as black as midnight thundered toward them. The fury in its eyes was palpable.
Chapter 12
Grayson
Aurora had just saved him. Grayson stared at her in awe, before he dragged his gaze over to Rafe. His alpha was pissed. He prowled in between them in the snow in wolf form. Grayson had never seen him so angry. His black fur appeared to vibrate as his body trembled with rage.
Victoria attempted to stand, but Rafe placed one of his massive paws on her neck, an unmistakable warning that her moving would lead to her last breath.
Why have you betrayed your pack? Rafe demanded.
I didn’t, Victoria denied. It was the witch. She and Grayson have been sleeping together. I found them. They must be conspiring to overthrow you so they can take over the pack together.
She was accusing them? What a pathetic attempt to save herself.
And now you lie to me? To your alpha. Rafe sniffed her. You were over there. I smell their stench all over you.
Victoria whimpered. It’s because of her! Because of Grayson. How could he do this to me? She released a pitiful wail.
Grayson growled. First, you attempt to blame us for your betrayal. And then you play the victim?
I’ll deal with this, Rafe snapped.
Grayson glanced over at Aurora. She had backed away from them, watching the wolves with wary curiosity.
You have no claims on Grayson, Rafe declared. You’ve let your jealousy corrupt you.
She sniffled. Why are you taking his side over mine?
Grayson has been loyal, always putting pack first, while you… Rafe released a growl so loud that it echoed through the forest. You’ve endangered us all, leading us closer to war.
Guilt swelled in Grayson’s chest. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Victoria and somewhat responsible for her act of desperation.
Then again, she’d attempted to kill both him and Aurora—as well as endangering the pack. She was on her own.
You are banished from the Franconia Pack, Rafe told Victoria. Never show your flesh or fur on our lands again. He removed his paw from her neck. Leave now.
Victoria whimpered as she rose and then cast a hateful glance at Grayson and Aurora. I don’t want to remain here and see him carrying on with that filthy witch, anyway.
Grayson growled at the insult to his mate and stepped closer. Rafe raised a paw, stopping him.
Victoria turned and ran through the snow, heading back toward the Sacco lands.
Once her silvery form disappeared in the distance, Grayson turned to Rafe and bowed his head. I apologize. I feel responsible for what happened here today.
You’re not to blame for her actions.
That was true.
Are you hurt? Rafe asked.
I’ll heal soon. Grayson swallowed. The sting from the slashes from Victoria’s teeth and claws was nothing compared to the pain of almost losing Aurora. What do we do now?
Rafe replied with a low, vibrating growl. I need to sleep on it before I react.
By the fury pulsing from his alpha, Grayson had to agree that was a smarter choice. That’s a good call.
I’m beginning to believe what Damon believed is true.
What’s that? Grayson asked.
Rafe groaned. Mates are nothing but trouble. He turned and prowled up the mountain.
Maybe so, but Grayson wouldn’t change a thing now that he found Aurora. He shifted to human form and ran on bare feet in the snow toward her. “Aurora, are you okay?”
Her eyes were wide with distress. “Oh, Grayson, you’re covered in blood!” She fretted. “How can I help you?”
The warmth from his mate’s concern softened the sharpest of stings. He brushed the back of his fingers along her cheek. “Come home with me.”
In his living room, Grayson sat beside Aurora as the warmth from the fire heated them. He’d been fretting over her since they’d returned, unable to stop touching her and reassuring himself that his mate was okay. Even more than that, she’d returned to his home with him. The solace in having her there was more comforting than anything he could imagine. Even his wolf settled down inside now that the restlessness was gone.
Aurora held a mug of hot cocoa in both hands and told him what had happened over at the Sacco lodge.
Grayson rubbed his hands over his temples, an attempt to calm his anger. “I can’t believe Victoria
betrayed us that way.” He shook his head. There were more important things to focus on, namely that both Aurora and he were alive and together once more, something that seemed impossible not too long before. He caressed her soft cheek and stared at her with wonder. “I’m relieved you’re safe and here with me again. How you blocked her with your magic was amazing.”
A surprised laugh escaped her. “I didn’t know I could summon the wind to that extent until that moment. I’ve never used magic in that way before.” She blinked a few times. “I never had to.” She shrugged. “I’ve never been in a fight.”
“We can surprise ourselves when we’re under duress.”
She gazed at him with eyes wide. “Especially when someone we love is being threatened.”
Grayson blinked. Did he hear her correctly? “Love?”
“Yes, Grayson,” she replied. “One thing I realized today is how short and precious life is. If you’re lucky enough to find the one you want to be with, you shouldn’t waste it. So I don’t want to put my life on hold any longer. I love you and want to be your mate.”
Grayson couldn’t believe he was hearing those words. Aurora loved him and agreed to be his mate?
He stood and offered his hand to her. She put her mug down and took his hand. When she rose, he embraced her and spun her in his arms. He never thought he could be so happy.
His wolf pranced inside, jubilant. Our mate.
When Grayson put her back on her feet, she stared at him with bright eyes.
“I love you, Aurora. My mate.”
He bent his head and kissed her, and the sense of wonder filled him. Despite all the chaos outside, a new calm settled inside him.
As he deepened the kiss, the intensity rose. They grasped at each other, unleashing all the yearning they’d forced themselves to restrain from when they’d been apart. No more. Aurora came first. He’d put her before anyone else, including himself.
He touched her wherever he could reach and backed her into his room. They fell together onto his bed, passion exploding as they tore off each other’s clothes and ran their hands over each other’s bodies. He couldn’t contain the need to show her what she meant to him, and he kissed all over her soft flesh. The scent of her growing desire made him harder than ever, stirring the temptation to taste her before he buried himself inside her luscious body.
The Wolf and His Forbidden Witch: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 2) Page 10
