Fallon POVThe three of us take Libby's car. I sit in the back because the thought of the two of them arguing over me is too much. Ryan drives. Mother Agnes was precise about what each person would do on the trip. She wanted to make sure there was no fighting or conflict. I am sure they will find something to argue over. Maybe they need just to beat each other up daily until they get it all out of their system. I make myself comfortable in the back seat. I think about both my mothers and then focus on the map. I lay it out on the seat beside me. It is strange to watch us move on the map. The map lights up when we move, shows where we are, and then goes blank when we stop. "I am nervous," I say. Ryan looks at me in the rearview mirror. "I know you are, but we are here with you," Ryan says. We ride in silence for hours—nothing, no talking, no radio, just the three of us in our thought. I watch the map, and I am sure Bruce is listening to my mind wander. I cannot help it. I have a lo

Fallon POVI wrap myself in a blanket and try to sleep. All I can think as I lie here in this oversized bed is, how did I get here? What happens to my old life? I snuggle down into the blanket and close my eyes. The truth is my old life is gone. Maybe that life was a lie and never meant for me. The bedroom door creeks as I almost fall asleep. I open my eyes and see Bruce. He looks upset with me. "I wanted to talk to you," Bruce says slowly. I sit up in the bed and move over to the edge, pushing the comforter to the end of the bed. I pat the bed for him to sit next to me. "Sit with me," I say, smiling at my friend. Right now, he doesn't look like my friend. Bruce steps inside the room. He looks around the corner of the door as he closes it. Who is he looking for right now? He is worried Ryan will say something because I am supposed to rest for tomorrow. Bruce sits on the side of the bed with me. I reach for his hand. I have been through so much lately, and I could use my friend rig

Ryan POVI drive Fallon to Mayhem's Wolf Pack. She sits silently, thinking. I know she has been through a lot. I wish I could help her more, but as her watcher and friend, it is my duty to be here and protect and allow her the chance to figure her magic out on her own. It is hard to sit back and watch. "Do you know him? My father, do you know him?" Fallon asks me. Her words break as she asks about her father, and I can hear the worry coming from her. How much more can she take? Who am I kidding? She is a reaper and a badass. She can figure this out. I slow down and make a turn onto a dirt road. We hit a few bumps before I pull off on the side of the road. "I know your father. Everyone knows him. He is a good wolf. I have heard stories about his affair with the reaper, but sometimes people and wolves talk when they should listen. It is best you ask him any question you have, not me or Libby. Speak freely with him and honestly. Your father will tell you what you need to know," I say.

Fallon POVI follow Ryan out of the packhouse and into the woods surrounding us. The night is enchanting, just like Ryan. "I will shift slowly, and then you follow," Ryan says. Ryan tries to go over every aspect of the shift, but as he speaks, the smell of rain and the whispers of my ancestors consume me. I can hear their whispers of encouragement. Ryan stops ahead of me. "Are you listening to me?" he asks me. He raises his eyebrows. He already knows my mind is elsewhere. "I am listening to you and them," I say with a smile. The moon is enormous and hanging just above the treeline. It seems to engulf Ryan as he shifts. He is talking to me as he shifts, walking me through the steps. I hear bones cracking as he growls. This is going to hurt like hell. Ryan stands before me on all fours. He is a beautiful wolf. His eyes glowing in the moonlight. He is perfection. "You try, go slowly, and take your time. Just think about shifting and let your body do the rest. It may not happen the f

Libby POVMother Agnes worries for Fallon every second of the day. We know she is safe. Ryan keeps us informed of her training and the decisions she has made concerning her future. Probably the most shocking was the decision to marry Ryan after she completes training. A summer wedding in New Orleans between the big bad wolf and the new reapers will happen soon enough. Mother Agnes is happy, and so am I. It was no secret that Ryan was Fallon's mate, but I did not think it would happen this fast. Maybe I did know but ignored it. Fallon took on new gifts when she accepted her wolf. When she is ready, I will teach her to use her magic. When all her skills are at her disposal, Fallon will be unstoppable. She will be the reaper we need, the protector of our community if that is what she wants. Otherwise, things could get bad for all of the supernatural community. Mother Agnes rocks on the front porch in her rocker and watches for Fallon to return every day. I am trying to understand why.