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  “Hopefully far, far away from this place,” Nic said, praying it was true.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Jenna walked into Aidan’s office. He put the phone down when he saw her. His gaze warmed as it settled on her swollen stomach.

  “Did you know that Nic took a mate?” she asked.

  Aidan slowly nodded.

  “Were you going to tell me?” she asked.

  Jenna made it sound like a simple question, but Aidan knew it was anything but. His bondmate never went the simple route.

  “I only just learned about the situation when the police arrived,” Aidan said. “There hasn’t been time to have a true discussion.”

  Her long strawberry-blonde hair bounced as she lowered herself into the chair. “Don’t you think we should’ve met her first?” Jenna paused. “Nic’s tough on the outside, but he’s tender-hearted on the inside. I don’t want him to get hurt.”

  Aidan melted inside. “I understand, but as you recall, I didn’t have much to do with the decision of taking you as my bondmate,” he said. “My wolf was determined to claim you with or without my permission.”

  Her brow arched. “Are you saying that you didn’t want me?”

  His lips canted and his eyes narrowed. “The first time I laid eyes on those legs of yours, I wanted to bend you over my desk and wrap my fist around your long hair.”

  Aidan looked at her stomach pointedly. “Obviously that’s something my wolf and I could agree on.”

  Jenna giggled. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “Yes.” He grinned. “But you love me anyway.”

  She heaved herself out of the chair. “I have to go. The baby is hungry again.”

  She’d been using that excuse every time she needed to raid the kitchen. Aidan had ordered the chef to prepare a shelf just for her.

  “You coming?” She waddled toward the door.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” Aidan said. “I have to make a phone call first.”

  “Don’t take too long,” Jenna said. “Or there won’t be anything left.”

  “I won’t.” Aidan waited for her to shut the door, then lifted the receiver. He hit speed dial and waited for the Lycanian High Council to answer.

  “What do you need, Aidan?” Tristan asked, forgoing pleasantries.

  “A Darkling has entered our realm. It has killed one of my pups and has infected a human woman,” Aidan said. “She’s been hospitalized.”

  Silence met his statement.

  “Tristan?” Aidan asked.

  “Do you know where it is now?” Tristan asked.

  Aidan could hear drawers opening and closing, then the sound of a zipper. “Not for certain. It was in the woods outside of Telegraph Road, but we haven’t been able to find it. I have my best trackers scouring the area. It’s possible the Darkling has moved on,” he said.

  “Where?” Tristan asked.

  Aidan thought about what Nic had told him. “Perhaps New Orleans.”

  “But you are not certain,” Tristan said.

  “No,” Aidan replied. “It’s able to mask its scent.”

  “Why would it go to that city and not another?” Tristan asked.

  “There is a Sighted-One down there,” Aidan said. “Isabel’s related to the mate of one of my wolves.”

  There was more shuffling and a grunt. “Is the human woman in the hospital a Sighted-One?” Tristan asked.

  “No,” Aidan said softly.

  “Then she will die,” Tristan said matter-of-factly.

  “I’m aware of that,” Aidan said, gritting his teeth.

  Tristan didn’t care for humans and never hid his disdain for them. He’d shown up on Aidan’s doorstep after he’d bondmated Jenna to ensure that the bond was real and that he’d bred true. Like other Elders, Tristan didn’t like that two of the Alphas had chosen humans for mates. As if they’d had a choice in the matter. Aidan snorted.

  “Stop gritting your teeth. I will begin the hunt now,” Tristan said. “You may not sense me when I enter your territory.”

  Aidan could hear the smile in Tristan’s voice. “I’ll know you’re here,” he said. “Use caution with this one. The Darkling took down one of my biggest wolves. He’s powerful.”

  Tristan laughed, the sound cold enough to freeze water. “So am I.”

  “Be sure to bring Selene,” Aidan said.

  “I never go anywhere without my sword. I’ll use the lodestone to track him,” Tristan said. “You’ll know when it’s done.” He hung up.

  Aidan dialed another number. This time the call went to his new assistant, Carson. “I want you to call all the wolves back to the estate. No one lives off property until the Darkling is found.”

  * * * * *

  Four hours later, Tristan lingered in the woods outside of a small house off Telegraph Road. The scent of the Darkling was fading quickly, but he’d definitely been here. In this very spot.

  Tristan ran his gloved hand over the ash stain, then studied the house again. It was small, well kept, with white walls and green window frames. He waited for the woman to leave her house, then broke inside.

  The scent was nearly overpowering. A dog and cat rushed him, but one growl sent them scurrying away. Tristan followed the aroma down the hall. It led straight out the back door. He was about to leave when another scent caught his attention. This one lighter, almost citrusy in nature.

  He stopped outside the door where the scent seemed the strongest, and inhaled. Tristan’s head swam. He clutched the doorknob and twisted. The door creaked open and a comfortable bedroom came into view.

  Tristan stepped inside and shut the door behind him. The citrusy scent filled the room. It was followed by a snap of magic. A Sighted-One had been here.

  He scanned the area and saw a dresser shoved against the wall in the corner. There were framed photographs sitting on top of it.

  He walked over and picked one up. There were two fair-haired girls smiling back at him. One had shoulder-length hair and looked a lot like the woman who’d driven off.

  The other had a wild mane that didn’t want to be tamed by the barrettes in her hair. Their arms were wrapped around each other, but the one on the left seemed distracted. Haunted.

  “Isabel.” He tasted her name on his tongue. The sound was as sharp and tangy as her scent.

  Tristan ran his finger over the photo and smiled to himself. If he were a Darkling, he knew whom he’d pursue.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It had been a month since Celina’s funeral. The doctors still had no idea what had killed her, so they’d burned her clothes and suggested cremation. Since that was what Celina had wanted, Mindy had complied.

  She hadn’t seen Nic since the funeral. Mindy had told him that she needed time to grieve, time to digest, time to decide what she was going to do next. She still hadn’t gotten over the fact that the hybrid had killed Marco and Celina because of her.

  Guilt weighed heavily upon her shoulders, though she was aware that there’d been nothing she could’ve done to stop him.

  Nic stayed away, but Mindy thought she’d caught glimpses of him in his wolf form, patrolling the edge of the woods. Occasionally, there’d been a single flower left on her steps. When that happened, she was reminded how much she missed him.

  She had no idea how or if a relationship between them would work, but Mindy would regret never giving it a try.

  The phone rang and she flinched, debating whether to let voicemail get it. It continued to ring. Mindy sighed and walked into the other room.

  “Hello?” she asked.

  “Mindy?” Izzy replied.

  “Where have you been?” Mindy asked. “I’ve been trying to reach you for over a month. I thought something had happened to you. I was planning to fly down to Louisiana to find you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Izzy said. “It’s been kind of crazy around here.”

  “Celina’s dead, Izzy.” Mindy choked up
.

  There was a pause on the line, then Izzy said, “I know.”

  “If you knew, then why didn’t you call?” Mindy asked.

  “I couldn’t,” Izzy said.

  Mindy opened her mouth to rip into her sister, but stopped short before she said something she’d regret. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry for what?” Izzy asked.

  “Sorry that I didn’t believe you,” Mindy said. For the first time in her life, she truly understood her sister. “How were you able to live with the knowledge that there’s more in this world than what meets the eye?” she asked. “I’m struggling, Izzy. Really struggling.”

  “I wish I could hug you,” Izzy said. “It took a while to get past thinking I was crazy. Once I did, it took even more time to understand that the monsters weren’t all evil. They’re a lot like humans in that respect, but they do tend to be more loyal. Not that I hang around any of them. It’s better if they believe I can’t see them.”

  “How are you doing?” Mindy asked. “Do you need money?”

  “I’m fine,” Izzy said, but her voice cracked when she said it.

  “Izzy, do you need me to come down there?” Mindy asked. “I can be on the first flight out tomorrow morning.”

  “No, I can handle what’s going on. Remember, I’ve been doing this my whole life,” Izzy said. “Besides, you’re safer there.”

  A tear streaked down Mindy’s cheek. “You were right about evil being here, but are you certain it’s gone?”

  “Yes, I am,” Izzy said without hesitation.

  “Then why don’t I feel safe?” Mindy asked.

  “It’ll take time to adjust to your new reality,” Izzy said. “I’m sorry I brought darkness to our door. I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now, but in case you haven’t, you should know that it was after me.”

  Mindy had figured that out over the past few weeks. It had been the only thing that had made sense. “There’s no need to be sorry,” she said. “We handled it.”

  “We?” Izzy asked.

  “I met someone.” Mindy paused as she searched for the right words. “Well, something. We had a good thing going before I found out what he was, before the Darkling killed Marco, before Celina died, and everything fell apart.”

  Izzy sighed. “The world is complicated,” she said. “We don’t always get what we want, but sometimes we get what we need.”

  Mindy snorted. “You did not just quasi-quote a song.”

  Izzy laughed. “Maybe, but seriously, I have to lay low for a while. I may be out of touch.”

  “I’m coming down to get you,” Mindy said. She wasn’t about to let the Darkling or anything else get her sister. She’d already lost a friend and the man she was falling in love with.

  “No!” Izzy shouted. “It’s better if you stay where you are. He’ll protect you.”

  “You haven’t met him,” Mindy said.

  “I don’t need to,” Izzy replied.

  “What’s going on, Isabel?” Mindy asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Izzy said. “I think I’m being followed.”

  “By the Darkling?”

  “I’m not sure,” Izzy said.

  “You need to call the police! Call them this instant!” Mindy demanded. “I’ll phone Nic, he’ll know what to do.”

  “Is that his name?” Izzy asked.

  People laughed in the background.

  “Yes,” Mindy said.

  “Nice name,” Izzy said.

  The sound grew louder. “Izzy, where are you?”

  “I’m in a bar, but I have to go. It’s getting crowded. Stay safe. I’ll be in touch when I can. And remember, he will protect you. Celina’s spirit told me so.” She hung up.

  It was as close to a blessing as she’d ever get from her sister and from her dead friend.

  Mindy’s first reaction was to ignore Izzy’s request to stay away and go to her aid, but she had no idea where her sister was staying or if she’d be there by the time she got to New Orleans. Was she being followed? If so, by whom? She prayed it wasn’t the Darkling.

  She plugged the phone into the charger and walked down the hall to the backdoor. Mindy opened it and stepped outside, then sat on the stairs. Darkness closed in around her. Had she ever felt this alone? Mindy couldn’t recall.

  In the distance, a lone wolf howled. The mournful sound echoed through the night and was answered by one much closer. Mindy stepped off the porch and scanned the tree line.

  At first, she didn’t see any movement, but as she continued to watch, a dark figure appeared out of the woods.

  For a heartbeat, she thought it was the hybrid, then the animal came into focus. “Nic?”

  Bones popped, muscles reshaped and fur faded, until the wolf was gone and Nic crouched in its place. He slowly stood, tall, trembling and fully erect. He didn’t have a stich of clothing on as he hovered near the trees, and seemed completely at ease with his current state.

  “I’ve missed you,” Nic said.

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  “Can we start over?” he asked.

  She’d asked him the same question after their first night together. He’d said yes without hesitation. Could she?

  Mindy turned and climbed the stairs. She stopped at the top of the porch and looked back. “You coming?”

  * * * * *

  Nic could hardly believe his ears, but he didn’t have to be asked twice. He covered the distance between them in record time and pulled Mindy into his arms. His lips found hers tentatively at first, then he allowed the passion to ignite inside of him until they were both swept away.

  * * * * *

  Epilogue

  Two months later...

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Nic asked. “You don’t have to do this right now. We could wait until you have received word from Izzy. I know you’re worried about her. We all are.”

  It was sweet of him to offer, but Mindy had made up her mind. There was no telling when she’d hear from Isabel. Her sister had made good on her promise to drop out of sight. No one had seen any sign of her, not even the man who’d been sent to New Orleans to find her.

  She was still alive. Mindy could feel it, but Izzy wouldn’t be in touch until she was ready. Besides, she’d given Mindy her blessing the last time they spoke.

  Celina’s death had taught Mindy that you couldn’t put off happiness. You might not make it to that future moment, which was why she found herself standing in the middle of the woods surrounded by Nic’s people.

  “Let’s do this,” she said. Mindy took a deep breath.

  “I’m right here with you.” Nic smiled and squeezed her hand, then faced the pack. “I would like to present my bondmate to the Moonlight Kin.”

  Howls rose, growing in volume until the sound deafened.

  Mindy’s knees quivered as she stepped forward. Don’t throw up. Don’t fall. Don’t throw up. Don’t fall. The howls stopped instantly. Even the air seemed to still, waiting for what would happen next.

  “You can do this,” Nic murmured. “It’s just like we practiced.” A long claw slid out from the tip of his finger. When it surpassed four inches, Nic sliced the side of his neck.

  Mindy’s first reaction was to want to press her hand to the wound to stave off the bleeding, but she didn’t. Instead, she waited like they’d rehearsed.

  Once the blood flowed steadily, Nic leaned down so she could reach him.

  Mindy framed his face with her hands and gently pulled him toward her. Her stomach gurgled, but there was no going back now. She pressed her lips against the wound and sucked. The coppery flavor on her tongue seemed unnatural, but she kept going.

  Nic’s body tightened and his arms locked around her waist. “More,” he ground out, and shuddered.

  Mindy sucked harder. Blood poured down her throat. She swallowed convulsively. How much would she have to drink to complete the ritual? She didn’t think she could stomach much more.

  Nic stopped her wit
h a tender touch. “That’s enough.” He stroked her hair.

  Mindy drew back and wiped the blood off her mouth. It stained her hands and shirt.

  “It is done!” Nic shouted, and grinned at the pack. His teeth seemed longer than usual and his blue eyes were glowing.

  A huge black wolf stepped forward, shape-shifting as he did so. Aidan turned to face the rest of the pack. “Let us welcome our new member with a hunt.”

  The wolves howled joyously.

  As Mindy listened to their baying, her limbs began to tingle. “What’s happening?” she asked Nic.

  “It has begun,” he said. “You’re strong. You can do this.”

  Heat swept through her body. Mindy cried out as her first bone snapped. The pain was excruciating and she dropped to her knees.

  “It’s only painful the first time,” Nic said, brushing her arm.

  More bones broke and pale fur rippled over her arms. Mindy screamed as the world dimmed around her, then suddenly sprang into sharp relief.

  She looked around and everything glistened with a silvery-gray hue. It was night, but Mindy could see every detail as clear as day. A massive brindle wolf nudged her, then nipped at her haunches.

  Mindy took off through the woods with the pack running along beside her. The wind whipped through her fur, bringing with it all the tantalizing secrets that the trees kept.

  She yipped excitedly.

  The brindle wolf nudged her again, this time away from the others. Mindy was reluctant to go, but there was no fighting him.

  When they were alone in a meadow, the wolf brushed its mouth against hers, then sniffed and licked her hind end with renewed interest. Fire swept through Mindy’s body again as muscle and bone reshaped, but this time the pain wasn’t nearly as numbing.

  Nude and trembling, Mindy looked down at Nic and brushed his head with her fingertips. “I’m not sure that I’m that kinky,” she said.

  He gave her a toothy smile and slowly shifted back into human form. “There will be plenty of time for that later, bondmate,” he said mischievously.