A wave of Catherine’s pain rolls over me, nearly making me pass out. This time I sense bitterness with it. I realize that, too, has always been in the mix, but the older she-wolf kept it hidden before. Tamped down with the butterflies. She kept herself half-dead just to exist with us.
This realization startles me.
Catherine drops the Seeress’ hand and stands, looking down at her with an undisguised contempt. “I hate you for what you did to me. I don’t forgive you. I never will.” No one has ever spoken to the Seeress this way. She is never paid anything but the utmost honor and respect.
It shocks me to hear the hatred in Catherine’s voice, but even more, it shocks me to realize what I failed to see until now. Tears fall freely from my eyes, but I’m not sure who they belong to-Oma or Catherine. Or perhaps they’re mine.
Because it’s the first time it has occurred to me that a female in this pack-other than the seeress-can and should have a will of her own.
Catherine’s story was fed to me in a way that celebrated her sacrifice. Her role for the good of the pack. But now I suddenly understand her deep, deep pain. It’s a wonder she’s even alive with that much pain.
Time suspends for a moment. The air shimmers and hums with potential energy. I don’t know what it’s for-whether Oma is cursing Catherine, or Catherine has cursed Oma, or it’s just the pulse of life hanging by a thread.
But it seems Catherine’s will triumphs. The butterflies I saw trapped inside her suddenly break free, exploding from her center like a glitter bomb, showering me with thwarted lifeforce that makes me shiver and shake. And then I understand the image. It matches that same spark of hope I felt about Oma’s impending death. It’s the sensation of a tamped down spirit coming to life.
I release it all with a sob, but I’m not crying over the end of our Seeress’ reign. I’m releasing the negativity and darkness that’s governed this pack for so long.
I stand and rest my hands on my knees, coughing and coughing until I’ve exhaled all of the smoky mist.
When I finally straighten, Catherine’s watching me with wide, frightened eyes.
A mantle of strength settles over me. Oma may still be alive, but my moon is rising.
I will be the new Seeress. And I know exactly what must be done. I take Catherine’s arm and lead her out of the room.
“Your son is in grave danger.” My voice has the echoey timbre of the new pack Seeress.
She gasps, turning pale.
“He is not free of the moon madness. The infection crawls beneath his skin. It will return if you cannot repair the wound of his father’s death.”
“What? How?”
Her phone rings, but she doesn’t move, still staring at me. As it goes on ringing, I point. “That is his mate calling. She needs your help.”
Brick
“Just fuck one and see,” Vance says. He’s talking to Nickel, but my wolf bristles like I’m being told to cheat on our mate. As if I’d be tempted by any other wolf when I have Madison.
“That’s Vance’s solution to everything,” Jake says. We’re standing in the hotel lobby, waiting for our ride to the site of the Swedish Pack Games.
This trip is torture. Every second away from Madison, I grow more grouchy and more on edge. I barely speak. Eat little. Bare my teeth at my friends for harmless jokes.
“I hear there are a handful of new female wolves in attendance.” Nickel faces the glorious view showcased by the hotel windows. There are mountains in the distance, and in the foreground, pine trees bow under the weight of the snow. “But we can always sod off and go heli-skiing.”
“Heli-skiing? Like, jump out of a helicopter with your skis on? The resort has that?”
“They must. I heard a helicopter go by a few minutes ago.”
Their voices fade into the background. My wolf is growling, a constant low rumble in my chest. I need to get him under control before we’re in front of the other packs.
“Car’s here,” Vance says, and I lead my wolves towards the front door. The place is full of shifters. Representatives from packs all over the world mill around, putting my wolf on edge even more. Mostly European-Spanish, Italian, German, French-but there are a few wolves from a Brazilian pack climbing into a big white van ahead of our SUV. They’re dressed like they’re ready for an Arctic adventure in puffers of bright yellow and green.
I wear my baleful expression like a concrete mask. My wolf is still on edge, and everything feels like a threat.
I’m about to hop in the front seat when a familiar voice calls, “Brick!” A strawberry blonde in a bright pink ski outfit bounces up to us, her eyes sparkling.
My baby sister, Scarlett, who I haven’t seen since last summer.
She’s fresh-faced and glowing, as beautiful as a supermodel on a runway. Head after head turns to watch her pass. I snarl, showing my fangs, and they all look away.
She skids to a stop in front of me, arms thrown out for a hug.
“Where have you been?” I snap. “I don’t like you hanging out here unescorted.”
“Geez.” She catches me glowering at a nearby wolf-a Norwegian, judging from his big Viking-esque beard. “Easy, big bro. Protective much?”
“Scarlett.” Nickel motions for her to tone it down. She stops, notices my amber eyes, and sobers.
She knows nothing about Madi or the moon madness. I don’t want her caught up in New York politics while she’s over here in school. My own college experience was ruined by pack politics. I don’t want hers to be, too.
“Excuse me, Alpha,” she says in a more respectful tone. “I had a project I was working on with a professor for a grant deadline. I got in late last night.”
“All right.” I force myself to calm down and pull her into my arms for a short hug. My wolf wants to tear apart every male wolf who’s sniffing her scent, even though she’s old enough to mate, and that is the whole purpose of the pack games. “It’s good to see you. And yes, baby sister, I’m protective as hell.” Especially since she has no father to act as her guardian.
“Understandable.” She pulls away, still grinning. “Hey everybody.” She exchanges hugs or fist bumps with everyone, including Billy, who’s lurking a few feet behind us. She gives him an extra pat, as if to comfort him. The past few weeks have carved grooves of tension deep into his forehead and around his eyes. He looks older, tired.
“So what’s the deal?” Scarlett asks, her mood bubbly as pink champagne. “This is my first time at the games.”
“No, really? I never would’ve guessed,” Vance deadpans, and she punches his arm. He yelps and clutches his arm, pretending her punch hurts.
“C’mon, noob, I’ll show you the ropes.” Jake throws an arm around her shoulder and steers her to the side of the SUV. “First we ride to the site of the games. There’ll be a big bonfire where we all gather and the organizer tells us how the game of the day is played. It’s usually a competition of some sort-strength, speed, tracking ability. And the purpose is for us all to mingle and find our mates.”
“Right.” She wrinkles her nose. “And how many of these wolves have you slept with, player?”
Vance howls. “Oh, she has your number.”
I know they’re having fun, but I’m on edge, and if I don’t get my wolf under control, someone’s going to lose a jugular. “Come on,” I order, and we all climb in the SUVs to head to the games.
The sooner I get through the stupid Games, the sooner I’ll get back to being with Madi where I belong.
* * *
Madi
It’s weird waking up alone. And it’s weird that I feel weird because how long have Brick and I been waking up next to each other? A few days?
So much has changed, I have whiplash. I stare down at the giant emerald-cut rock on my finger. Did a billionaire werewolf really chase me down the beach last night to make me wear his diamond ring?
The same guy who then told me he’s going to mating games in Sweden where he’s pretending to be single.
Asshole.
No, he’s not an asshole. Things aren’t so black and white. There’s a ring on my finger. A promise that he wants to make a life with me. It’s just that right now the life he’s offering me sucks eggs.
I throw my legs over the side of the bed and climb out to look at the view. At least I’m on a beautiful island. I might as well enjoy it. The windows show an idyllic day-brilliant blue and sunny skies, balmy weather. It’s cool enough I might need a light sweater in the shade, but I bet I’ll heat up on the beach. I throw on a blue sundress and toss a pair of pretty white sandals and cardigan into a woven seagrass tote. A pair of designer sunglasses, and I’m set for the day. I now have the Coastal Grandma wardrobe of my dreams, and all it took was dating a billionaire to get it.
Back in my normal life, I’d be scrambling across freezing sidewalks to the sweaty subway with my second-hand bag and practical, well-worn flats. Now I’m alone on a private island in a billionaire’s mansion. With werewolves patrolling the beach to guard me.
Life sure comes at you fast. The sand is shifting beneath my feet. I need to remember who I am. He can’t take that away. I won’t be swept off my feet by all this glamor and the whirlwind of wealth and privilege. He can hide me away, he can keep secrets from me, but he can’t make me someone I’m not. I won’t allow it.
I just wish I could figure out what to do. I check my phone to see if Catherine let me know her plans. She said she would come, but I’m not sure when. My phone is dead-I forgot to plug it in last night, so I head to the huge room I think of as the living room to find my cord.
And stop short when I see Brick’s mom sitting by the pool outside. I called her last night and asked her to come, but I didn’t realize she’d get here so fast.
I throw the door open. “Catherine?”
“Madi.” She turns with a warm smile. Her cream color lounge set and cashmere cardigan would make Diane Keaton jealous.
“You’re here,” I blurt because my brain is still catching up. Catherine is here? Already? I need a latte.
“I took the jet overnight.”
“Oh.” Right. The ultra wealthy don’t have to book tickets. They can just order up their private jets, spend the night in a comfy bed, and wake up at their destination. No big deal.
I’ll never get used to this.
Catherine chuckles. “I wanted to be here sooner rather than later. How about we have some coffee out here? I instructed Ariadne to make you your favorite. Vanilla latte, right?” She points at the second mug of coffee on the table.
“Right.” She’s more at home here than I am. Which makes sense-she’s probably used to beach-front mansions filled with everything you could desire.
The tight muscles in my back and neck relax. “That would be lovely, thank you.”
I sit with her in the sunlight. The patio furniture is pristine, and there’s not a speck of sand on the pavers. The only sign of anyone is a dark shape walking the beach-one of the guards on patrol, holding a nasty-looking gun. He strolls out of sight only to reappear in five minute increments.
Catherine notices me studying the guard. “Security is tight. It has to be. Brick wouldn’t leave you undefended.”
“He shouldn’t have left at all.”
“What’s going on?” An ocean of kindness warms Catherine’s voice.
I swallow down a lump in my throat. I don’t know how much I should tell her. Even though I believe she’s in my corner, Brick doesn’t trust her, and she is still from the enemy pack. I keep it vague. “I need to understand everything about the history and rivalry of the two packs as well as everything there is to know about what it means to be alpha.”
“Oh, is that all?” Catherine lets out a chuckle. “No, of course, I’m happy to help get you up to speed. I know you’re very bright. I’m sure you feel out of your depth with your sudden indoctrination into our world.”
A sense of relief moves through me. I was right to bring her out here. “Yes.”
“Where do I begin? The Adalwulfs and the Blackthroats have been rival packs since New York City was called New Amsterdam. My family came over from the royal bloodlines of Germany. The Blackthroats were British pack royals. Nickel and Brick are distant relations.”
I absorb that. British royal wolves. It gives new meaning to the song “Werewolves in London.”
“As with the human immigrants to the new world, the goal was to seize ownership of land, resources and wealth to establish new, powerful packs in America. Both packs were part of the original Wall Street trading.
“The rivalry ran deep. Challenges and killings were ordinary occurrences in the old days. Then over the years, things grew more civilized. An uneasy truce developed after World War II. Instead of outright grabs for power, the focus became on undercutting each other in business. Stealing clients, buying up land for hunting, and a continuous attempt to lure the other pack’s members into defecting.”
A gorgeous young woman with long black hair and thick lash extensions comes to our table. “Good morning. Can I bring you something to eat?”
“Hi Ariadne. I would love a little fruit and yogurt,” Catherine says. I marvel that she already learned our waitress’s name. Catherine is classy. She embodies a very different leadership style from her son.
“I’ll have the same,” I say.
After Ariadne walks away, I whisper, “Is she a wolf?”
Catherine nods. “Yes. The Blackthroats bought this island to preserve it from development and then granted permanent hunting rights to the local pack. In exchange, they serve the Blackthroat pack alpha. And they are well-compensated, of course.”
Whoa. How feudalistic.
“Is there a way to tell if someone is a shifter? Signs to look for apart from the changing eye color?”
“For you? No. We go by smell.”
I nod. “Sorry, please continue about the pack rivalry.”
“Well, Brick’s in a difficult position now. His pack members will perceive mating a human as a weakness to the royal bloodline and to the pack as a whole. My brother and nephew will surely exploit it to the fullest when news gets out.” She lowers her sunglasses and arches her brows. “I haven’t heard that news is out yet, though?”
I hide my pain with a sip of coffee.
“I’m sure it’s the reason he waited until it was almost too late to claim you. Or perhaps that was more about my family’s treachery in throwing you two apart with the breach in Moon Co’s security.” Catherine sips her tea. “Although I can’t understand why Odin or Aiden would want to throw you apart. It seems it’s more in the Adalwulf’s interest to exploit the relationship as a weakness.”
“So they don’t tell you their machinations?”
“I haven’t been privy to any decisions regarding the Blackthroats since the day my father allowed Bruce Blackthroat to claim me on an altar before the entire pack.”
I draw back in shock.
“Oh yes. It was quite disgusting. He claimed me, left a pup in my belly, and was forced to leave. That was the arrangement made between our packs. He paid massive amounts of money to my pack in exchange for stolen moments with me. The rules were that he could keep the pups-but my pack would keep me.” Catherine’s eyes fill with tears.
“What? That’s horrible!”
“The Blackthroat pack would never accept me into their own, and mine wouldn’t let me go. After the pups were weaned, I only got to see them one day a week.”
“I can’t imagine how awful that was for everyone involved.”
“I don’t want my son and his mate to suffer a similar fate.”
“Well, for what it’s worth I don’t think it was your family who drove the wedge between us with the security breach. It was Billy who believed me responsible.”
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