It’s been an easy few days’ journey since we left. The two temples we have left to search are the farthest away from our pack. I have noticed the towns and villages further from the pack have not been messed with like the ones closest to us. I don’t know if it’s because Duncan didn’t get to those in time or after taking the ones closest to us, he felt he had enough on his side.It’s a welcome sight when we see a town up ahead. At this point, we have all slowed and started lagging from the few days on the move.Before we get to the town, four wolves step out into the street, blocking our way. When it is clear they have no intention of moving aside, we come to a halt a few feet away.We tense as one wolf shifts. “We know who you are, Raven Hale, of the Black Moon pack. And we will not let you go any further. There is nothing you can do to stop this war. This is the end for you and your friends. Then your pack and you goddess will soon follow and meet their fate.” He wastes no time shift
“Where are we going?”“Oh, we are going-”I cut a sharp look over at Lucy and she clamps her mouth shut, not finishing her response.“You will see when we get there,” I tell Rafe.He narrows his eyes at our group, trying to figure out what we’re hiding.Finn picks up the conversation in the awkward silence, not giving Rafe a chance to think too much about what we’re not telling him. We’re about a day away from the temple, and I’m hoping Rafe doesn’t recognize this area and works out where we’re heading until it’s too late.I’m still unsettled by the dream I had last night. At least I think it was a dream. I have become used to talking issues out with Finn and Lucy about the witches, but with Rafe here I can’t. I could mind link Finn about it, but Rafe would notice. So I’m stuck in my head for this trip wondering what that dream was. It was too far away for me to see what scenes were flashing across the crystal. Are they using that to track us? Is that how they knew where we were? If i
After finding recent correspondence between the witches and some wolves that back them regarding the war that is still going to happen, I pushed everyone on the way back to the pack. I didn’t want to give Rafe a chance to see or hear too much or to fall asleep. Granted, that was wishful thinking since we all had to sleep at some point. But when I noticed he was getting groggy a few times, I push us harder, trying to get us on pack lands as quick as I could. It frustrates me to not know how often they check in on his memories. Is it every time he sleeps? Every few days? It would help me out if I knew. And sadly, Rafe does not know when they do, since he’s asleep.We’re taking a break when I walk over to where he stands on the edge of the stream. “What have you been searching for in the library?” I stand staring at the slow-moving water as it trickles and flows over rocks and branches in its way. My arms crossed in a defensive position.“I’ve been looking up what I can about the Moonsto
We collected some more spellbooks while we were at the temple and one talks about centering and clearing your mind before performing any spell or potion. So I take those tips into mind and practice meditation before I try the potion again.Lucy and I are just corking it when Finn strolls into his kitchen carelessly tossing the Bloodstone around. “What are we going to do with this?”“Finn!” I yell as I march up to him. I snag the stone with one hand while my other one pushes the completed potion into his free hand. “Give me the stone and you can hold on to this.”He gives me a crooked grin as he holds the potion up for his inspection, as if he could tell a difference by looking at it. “Do you think this one will work?”With a sigh, I shrug my shoulders. “I have no idea. I don’t know what went wrong the last two times, but here’s to hoping the third time is the charm.”I gaze into the Bloodstone and you can see a murkiness in it swirling around. It’s not a perfect, clear gem. No, it’s c
RAFEI blow Raven’s hair out of my mouth, where it landed after she fell on me after our last round.I tap her ass, and she mumbles into my neck.“Baby,” I get nothing from her. So I wrap my arms around her, one hand holding her fine ass and the other between her shoulder blades. With my grip firm, I roll us so she’s on her back and I’m on top, but I quickly flop off her onto my back. Then I move us into the spooning position. I can breathe now without her hair in my mouth.A small smile soon grows into a tooth-eating grin as I lay here marveling at our bond. This is something I swear to never take for granted, having a mate and being able to feel her love for me.‘Yes, please forget about me,’ my wolf snarks.‘Trust me, I didn’t forget about you. We talked last night.’ I roll my eyes at him. He’s been talking to me non-stop since our bond has cleared. Typically, he is the opposite of me when it comes to attention. I like to be alone and sit in the library's silence. He needs to be ar
Raven“Tell me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe you two have met yet. Lucy, this is my mate, Rafe. Rafe, this is Lucy. She used to be a templar before the witches took over the temples.” I pull out a chair and sit down at Finn’s table while Rafe hoovers at my side.It’s nice being able to share this with him, to have him involved in this aspect of my life.“No kidding, a templar? Wow, I would love to pick your mind and ask you some questions when we get a chance. If you don’t mind, of course,” Rafe says in awe. I glance over at Finn and he gives me an amused smile. I’m sure he warned Lucy about Rafe and that he’s similar to Finn when it comes to academics and wanting to know and learn it all.Lucy smiles her sweet smile. “It would be my pleasure.”Rafe beams and steps behind me, gripping my shoulders. It’s a firm grip, so I know he’s trying to hide his giddiness.“What is the plan for today?” Finn asks while pushing away from the wall to walk closer to us.“I want to make another bat
RAFESilence. I get being in a hurry and wanting to get to your destination, but we’ve shifted forms a few times and could have made conversation. But Billy is the silent yet grunt in response type. I like silence, more than most, but I also like getting to know the people I work with. It’s part of my inquisitive nature.I know he talks. I’ve heard him carry on with Raven during training and patrols. We are at our last stop before we get to the camp. “I think you should stay on the outskirts just outside the forest line while I go in,” I say to Billy.“I will get as close as I can. No closer, no further. I know your mate and what she would do if I let anything happen to you, because I wasn’t where I should be.” His look is sharp.“I wouldn’t ask you not to do your part, I just meant-.” I trail off. No purpose in trying to explain what I meant since he’s already shifting and runs further out waiting for me.With a deep breath, I adjust the bag on my back and shift. Another hour and the
RAVENThe room is silent as we stand watching in amusement as Phil runs around like a chicken with its head cut off. Only I know what he’s searching for while the others look on with interest, wondering what is happening.I called a meeting with the rest of the council members and told them about my mixed heritage. I gave a demonstration at Phil’s insistence, and I went as far as telling them the truth about how Rafe was still under the witches’ control, but I assured them I fixed that problem with a potion. So now, here we are as I test out my manipulation ability on Phil. A smile broadens my face as he finds the apple I hid and brings it to me.With the apple in my hand and a pleased Phil in front of me, I close my eyes and sink into what I now refer to as my mind space. I envision myself breaking the link I forged with Phil that let me take control. Once it’s broken, I open my eyes as he staggers back, staring at me with wide eyes.“Is that what you asked him to do? Bring you an ap