“Lasci, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Do you know that man?” Not wanting to tell Purity the truth just yet, Lasci shook his head, “No, I don’t. I thought it was your uncle or someone. I was going to say it was nice to see some of your relatives. That’s all.” He quickly took it from her and returned the picture to the bedroom. Coming out, he casually asked, “So, do you have everything you need?” Purity nodded, “Yeah, there were a few things from my room, some clothes and a photo album I wanted. I guess the rest can go in storage until after I’m done with college. Can you carry this out, and I’ll shut lights off before I lock up?” Lasci nodded, a bit regretful about not seeing her bedroom, but he grabbed the bag and headed outside while Purity locked up. He gave her a few minutes alone in the house. It was hard for her, but she had done great braving this. Now, however, there was a whole new challenge ahead. Who was Purity’s destined wolf? Lasci remembered that the shaman
Purity went into the kitchen and grabbed some water. She’d been so thirsty lately. Since everyone was upstairs in Amorous’s room, she decided to take a walk around outside. It was late, but the sun still shone above the horizon, giving her a little time to exercise. Grabbing her coat hanging by the front door, she went outside and took the little sidewalk path around to the back of the house. When she got around back, paved paths intertwined like a maze around a hedged garden. It was close to winter, and most flowers weren’t blooming. She could tell the garden was loved in the summer but neglected during the cold. She noticed a large pool was covered by a tarp in the middle of the massive garden. “I bet that’s fun,” she said, walking along it. A second later, a rustling noise came from her right side. She stopped and looked along the hedge but didn’t see anything and continued walking. Taking a path that veered towards the edge of the woods, Purity was able to admire some m
Lasci waited by his mother’s statue as he watched Purity run from the small enclosure of green straight into Tener. He saw their accidental embrace but didn’t have time to feel jealous. Instead, they had an uninvited guest to deal with. Once Purity was headed toward the house and safely inside, where he knew Johnathan, the demon butler, was waiting and watching out of view, Lasci let out an air-piercing howl to his brothers. Other than Tener, everyone else was one with their wolf. Unlike before, when the stranger had dared visit his room when Purity was recovering, this being was unmasked, not hiding who or what he was, a vampire. His two brothers responded with their own howls, which signaled they were ready. Lasci took off toward the encircling hedges and shot through, not caring what was on the other side. All he knew was it was not welcomed and had dared touch Purity. Breaking through the thorny brambles that hid within the lush leaves, Lasci caught sight of who was waiting
Purity had time to check the small room out, curious about the brother's childhood. Everything in the little hideaway room reflected that. What she found most fascinating was their love for wolves. There were books, little stuffed animals, and drawings, all in relation to wolves. So, thinking about it, she found it more curious because in the garden, wolf statues representing family members were scattered around. After hiding in the small room and seeing their childhood memories, Purity realized those statues were wolves, not dogs. After what felt like forever passed, she tried listening against the little hatch and debated trying to find a way out. When she was about to start yelling, calling out to anyone who could hear, she heard a click, and the hatch rose as the small shelf on the other side slid away. “You can come out now, the threat? Stranger? Uninvited worthless being is gone,” Johnathan said in a funny tone as he popped his head in and smiled. Purity nodded, crawling
“Wait, what? That doesn’t make any sense, Lasci.” Lasci sighed, “I know it doesn’t at this moment, but if you would quit being stubborn, I could explain everything!” He had lost his temper in the end. “I’m not being stubborn, and you’re being controlling!” Lasci was starting to get pissed, “How is this supposed to work if you won’t listen to what I say!?” He snapped at her, and she turned away, crossing her arms, “I was supposed to get better and go back to my normal life! But, instead, you are once again trying to keep me here! I'm not ungrateful, but I didn’t do anything wrong to be told I’m not allowed to leave suddenly!” Lasci was done arguing. If she weren’t going to listen, he’d make her. Before Purity could react, Lasci scooped her up from behind and carried her to the Great room. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing!?” He ignored her protests and finally dropped her down on the large sofa. “Sit, don’t move, or next, I will tie you up and gag you! At least that way, I
Pru took a deep breath and sat back. He told her about her grandmother saving a Shaman, who in turn offered a favor to the grandmother. Pru didn’t explain that Purity’s grandmother was a witch. He felt it wasn’t necessary to confuse her more involving a loved one. “I’m not sure why your grandmother never told you, but I am sure she had her reasons. She may have forgotten about the favor or kept quiet for another reason. Either way, the favor was a curse, I’m sorry to say. You were cursed to be a wolf's mate, and if, by chance, you miss the opportunity to find the said mate, you’ll eventually find yourself unhappy, miserable, in fact. You’ll feel like a piece inside your heart is missing. No amount of medicine, sleep, whatever, can fix or cure what you will start going through. All wolves were born with a destined mate, graciously granted to us by the ancient power, spirit, of the wolves we hold inside us.” He further explained about her birthmark, the paw, a symbol showing Lasci wa
Purity was at a loss for words. She felt trapped, and because she was finally feeling back to her old self, she refused to submit. “How is that not harming me? Keeping me captive in this house for two weeks, telling me to sleep with six men,” she started shouting, and Lasci interjected, “Four and only four. Johnathan doesn’t count, and I have no interest in mating with you. I could care less what happens to me, but I won’t take a chance with my brothers!” Purity looked around, her eyes fighting with tears and her heart stinging from Lasci’s comment. If she were forced to pick, Lasci would and has always been her first choice. He kissed her, for God’s sake, and now he is blatantly rejecting her? “WHO THE HELL WOULD WANT TO SLEEP WITH AN,” she said, looking and stepping toward Lasci, poking him in his chest, “AN OVERBEARING, CONCEITED, AND COCKY ASSHOLE LIKE YOU!” She suddenly was grabbed by Lasci as he turned to his brothers and growled threateningly, “LEAVE US!” Without a wor
Pru shook his head and looked away, “I’m just a messenger, Purity, so please don’t be upset with me. I don’t like the idea of it any more than you do and trust me, Lasci like’s it less than both of us combined. I’m just here to tell you that after looking up what you called speed dating, Lasci decided to do something similar.” Purity felt bad for snapping at Pru. Even though he was stern with his brothers, he was always gentle with her. His sweet preppy look helped too, she thought, looking at him before saying, “Okay, and?” Pru stood up and started pacing as he explained to her, “Starting tomorrow, you will be with Amorous. He decided youngest to oldest was the best way to go. If it’s Amorous you’re fated with, you will lessen the grief the rest of us will experience. At least partially. He’s closer to your age, so it’s more likely you could be his mate.” Purity let out a long breath, “I doubt that. The only thing I feel towards him is sisterly. He’s like that sweet game junky lit