Sacred Altar

Scarlett

Shit.

My heart skipped a beat and without looking at Titan, I bolted out of the room, thankful I’d put my clothes on already.

I didn’t think he followed me, but I didn’t look back to check either.

Cole was cleaning the bottles behind the bar and his lips perked into a smile when he saw me.

“Heyyyy, so someone was—”

I never got to hear the last of his words because I slammed the door open and stepped out into the breezy morning.

Last night had been…incredible. Exactly the kind of mindblowing distraction I’d desperately needed.

But I refused to let myself catch feelings. Not after Chris. I wasn’t going to let another man—especially a werewolf—get under my skin.

It was a mistake and it would never happen again.

Sucking in a deep breath, I glanced towards the mechanic shop, letting out a relieved breath as I realized he was already open.

I immediately made my way to him. “Is it ready?”

“Hey, for a second there, I thought you were staying even longer.” he laughed, looking up at me. “How did you enjoy our town’s little guesthouse?”

“The bike?” I cut him off, glancing over my shoulder at the bar. “Is it ready?”

“Not the chatty type, are you?” he teased, chuckling as he rolled my motorcycle out. “The gears were weak but I fixed it up for you.”

“Thank you,” I said quickly, hoping to leave before Titan came out. “Can I have it?”

He handed my keys over and I instinctively reached into the hidden compartment to make sure the urn was still there.

“Don’t worry. I never touched the ashes.”

His words made my heart jump. How the hell did he know what was in there?

A strange feeling of my privacy being invaded washed over me but I decided not to push it.

But as I climbed on it, he dropped a new bomb.

“I know exactly who you are, Missy,” he said quietly. “Alpha Reign would be proud of the woman his daughter had become.”

Alarm shot through me and I froze. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about.

But he only smiled, waving me off.

A little freaked out, I tried to pay him the money for the repairs, but he refused. “Your father was the Alpha of Shadow Ridge, Missy. That respect extends to you.”

“I don’t—” I tried to argue again, but he just turned around and walked away.

Reluctantly, I put the cash back in my wallet, checking my phone for service.

No signal. Of course.

With a long breath, I started the engine. But before I could pull away, the mechanic called out to me one last time.

“You’re heading to the beach to scatter his ashes, right?"

God, did this man not understand how creepy this was? Shit.

I ignored him, but he continued anyway, giving me clear directions.

I didn’t thank him as I drove off because it would be confirming his words. But I was grateful.

As I rode off, I couldn’t stop replaying last night in my head and embarrassment burned in my chest, mixed with lingering desire I didn’t want to acknowledge.

Fuck. Once I scatter these ashes, I’m gone.

The sun had already slipped beneath the horizon by the time I finally reached the secluded beach.

Moonlight danced across the calm water, making the whole place feel strangely sacred and peaceful.

I guess Father chose his final resting place well.

As I walked in, my eyes noticed an old stone altar near the entrance.

It was covered with strange looking symbols.

Hmm. Whatever. It was probably just another relic from this weird town’s history.

I carried the urn down to the edge of the water, cringing when I realized I’d dropped my father’s photo somewhere along the way.

Normally you were supposed to burn it during the rites. But I’d just make do.

I sucked in a deep breath, preparing to do what I came here for.

But when I tried to open the urn, hesitation gripped me hard.

Once these ashes were gone…that would really be the end.

All the resentment I carried for years, my unanswered questions as to why it was so easy for him to abandon us, never helping my mother when she fell ill and then died, leaving me to suffer—it would all be scattered into the wind and waves.

I wasn’t sure I was ready to let it go.

Still, I gathered my strength and tilted the urn, letting the ashes drift into the ocean breeze.

They floated across the sand and water until they disappeared.

For one brief, strange moment, I almost felt as though he was there with me, watching.

A lump filled my throat, but I shoved it down.

I’d fulfilled my obligation.

As I turned to leave, my eyes again were drawn to the ancient altar.

And I quickly noticed that the silver cup on it had fallen to the ground, spilling a strange blue liquid.

Shrugging, I walked over to put it back.

But the second I reached for it, its sharp edge sliced across my palm, deeper than was normal.

“Shit!” I hissed as pain tingled up the cut.

Blood welled on my palm and dripped from the cut. Several crimson drops landed directly on the strange blue liquid before sliding into all the cracks on the altar in a strange fashion.

My brows knotted into a frown and before I knew what was happening, the beach began to tremble violently.

I screamed, trying to grip somewhere as the sand shook beneath my feet. Was this an earthquake?

Oh god.

Terror flooded me as an overwhelming force suddenly surged inside my body.

My blood felt like it was boiling, blue veins the color of lightning rising under my skin.

Agonizing pain tore through every inch of me and I collapsed onto the sand, crying out as I writhed.

I couldn’t understand what the hell was happening.

Everything became blurry. My senses twisted in impossible ways and I could suddenly smell blood in a way I’d never smelt it before.

I tried to stand up, but my legs felt like jelly.

On my second try, several unfamiliar men surrounded me, watching me as I collapsed back to the sand.

“Who… who are you?” I choked out between my tears. “Help me.”

But they ignored me, talking urgently amongst themselves. “Who is she?”

“I don’t know, but she just activated the altar no one has been able to in years.”

“I think we need to take her to the council immediately.”

As they tried to lift me, a familiar deep voice cut through the chaos.

“Stop.”

Weakly, I raised my head as a mix of relief and shock washed through me.

Titan.

“Help me. Titan.” I mouthed, the pain so fucking dizzying.

One of the men asked him, “You know her?"

“Yes.” Titan’s voice was nothing like the sexy, heated voice from last night. It sounded icy cold and angry as he stared down at me. “She’s Alpha Reign’s long lost daughter.”

The man around us let out surprised noises.

“Damn. Your stepsister?”

Titan’s jaw hardened. “Yes.”

WHAT?