The Mystic Wolves

lifted me into his arms again. “Sleep Darcy, you’re safe. I have you now.”

My wolf howled in agreement, and I felt my body slowly begin to relax. Hesitating for a moment, I closed my eyes, and it wasn’t long before the blessed blanket of sleep embraced me. My last thought, Please, let this be a dream.

Chapter Five

A deafening blast broke the silence and dragged me screaming through the choking darkness. Gasping for breath, frantically seeking for something to cling to, I faltered for a moment when I found the space beside me empty. I struggled to focus, my hands restlessly moving about, but there was nothing. That’s when the terror began to pull me back under.

Flashes of images, so shocking, fired rapidly at me. They were jumbled at first, but slowly they began to make sense, and it came with a gut wrenching pain that stole my breath. Suddenly, my ears were filled with the fury laden howl of a wolf. My wolf. She was furious and in no way consolable. The nightmare had triggered memories in her also.

My heart raced, beating hard against my chest, and I let out a strangled whimper as I fought to regain control. Closing my eyes, I tried to block out the thoughts bombarding me as the events of the night began to replay themselves. Without realizing, I started to rock back and forth.

Jasmine. Beautiful, sweet, perfect Jasmine. Gone, and it was all my fault. It was my stubborn pride-thinking I could protect us, which had led to the fateful encounter. It was because of my inability to act that I couldn’t stop him from stealing her from me.

Bile rose in my throat, bringing with it a taste that caused my wolf to suddenly stop her howling. A new feeling surged through me, one of triumph and a strong sense of retribution. She was pleased with her part in the evening, and I couldn’t help the shudders overtaking my body as I connected the unique flavor filling my mouth.

Flesh and blood. His. I couldn’t hide away from the small sense of satisfaction I felt. Even though I hadn’t been able to take care of it, she had. She’d taken a firm hold of the situation, pushed me into the background, and hunted the monster down. Without mercy. Without hesitation.

Tearing him limb from limb until he was unrecognizable, she refused to give back control, adamant she was the only way to keep us safe. Looking down at my body as it nestled under piles of soft, warm blankets, I strained to remember how I managed to convince her to release me.

A name whispered in my mind, and my muscles instantly relaxed as if the mere mention of him was enough to ease the tension. Mason. He had come, and his help had restored me. He’d seen the devastation, how I’d failed him, and still he had patiently been there.

Shame pounded into me. How could I possibly look him in the eye again, knowing I cost him his beloved sister? Sure, he brought me back, but it was more from the duty of being the Alpha, and I doubted he would still want to mate with me.

Just the idea of never completing the bond stirred up fear and an agony so acute, tears began to stream down my face. I pulled my knees up into my chest and hugged them, continuing my steady rocking.

What am I going to do?

Thoughts raced through my mind and I could feel the hysteria building. The nightmare had finally released me from its grip, but now a new one, a world without Jasmine, Mason, and my pack began to take shape, and it was by far the most terrifying.

A noise erupted into the air, disturbing the silence of the room. It took a moment to realize I was the one making it. I was shocked to hear how weak and destitute I sounded. There was nothing confident about it. It belonged to someone who had just lost everything, and the weight of it crushed me.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, desperate to stop the noise before it brought people to my room. The last thing I needed was everyone trying to figure out what happened. It would come soon enough if I knew the rumor mill at all. I was part of a pretty amazing pack, the Mystic Wolves, but like most, we enjoyed a little gossip, and I wasn’t ready to face it.

Another thought shot through my mind, one that made me wince. I can’t let anyone see me like this. Vulnerable and weak. Being almost mated to the Alpha came with authority and a position of pride amongst the pack-a greatly coveted position for those looking to advance. I’d made sure to maintain friendly relationships with everyone, but who knew when someone would get it in their head to throw down the gauntlet.

Maybe that’s the best thing. Have someone challenge me and let them win. It would solve everyone’s problem. Even before the thought was completed, it made me choke. Yes, things felt dire at the moment, but this wasn’t me. I wasn’t a wolf to just lie down and bare my throat without a fight. I may feel like a failure, but I would never do something so cowardly-so unbecoming and faint-hearted.

No, I need to just leave. Get out of bed, pack a few things, and go into hiding. Mason will eventually forget me and stop looking. If I run far enough, maybe I can start again.

My wolf growled at the idea, showing me just how distasteful my musings were. Mason had reached her earlier and she was now fiercely loyal to him. She didn’t want to hear any nonsense about leaving. Besides, she warned me, Mason would never stop looking, and he’d bring in other packs to help. The only way to avoid that was to go rogue, and the idea bristled against my pride. I was too much of a “pack” girl to ever go it alone.

What am I going to do?

You’re going to stop thinking and just let me hold you, a voice as warm as melted chocolate echoed through my mind and slid over my body. I stopped my rocking and opened my eyes, looking for the source.

“Mason?”

I’m here. Just waiting and watching.

A rustle from the corner of the room drew my attention, and I found him-the man who made my heart sing and dance, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. A closer look showed he was still in the same clothes from yesterday, giving him a crumpled look I couldn’t deny was sexy. Each time I looked at him, it stole my heart, and it hurt to know I’d lost him.

“What are you doing down there? Something wrong with the chair?” I looked over to the plush armchair I had everyone drag in for me, and I instantly saw the problem-it was covered with piles of unfolded clothes. Being a procrastinator, I’d never got around to putting them away.

“I wanted you to rest, but couldn’t bring myself to leave. You tossed and turned a lot.”

Speaking aloud, Mason’s voice had the same effect over me. To some, he just sounded like an ordinary guy, but as a werewolf I could feel the authority and power flowing through it. I could also hear his weariness and sorrow.

“You didn’t want to share my bed?” I couldn’t believe how small I sounded as I spoke my fears. It hurt knowing he found me so repulsive he’d rather sit on a hard floor than beside me.

I closed my eyes again, hoping to hide from his answers. If he was going to break it off with me, I’d rather not see it coming. Maybe I was a coward.

There was a slight noise before I felt the mattress lower as Mason sat down beside me. I instantly began rocking again, my body moving involuntarily, and it was seconds before I was encased in strong arms.

“I’m sorry about Jasmine. I’m sorry I couldn’t save her. I’m sorry…” I couldn’t finish my sentence.

The calming, potent scent of wolf mixed with Mason hit me and I filled my lungs with it, memorizing it for future use. My heartbeat sought out his and slowed itself to match. My chest rose and fell in time with his. For the first time since I awoke, I felt some semblance of peace.

“Darcy, you think too much,” Mason whispered, and he tightened his embrace. “It hurts me to hear you.”

“It’s true though,” I murmured, “Why would you want me?”

“Because you’re mine.”

With that simple declaration, I fell apart.

Wave after wave of every emotion I lived through in the past twenty four hours washed over me, filling me up before erupting out in short, hard gasps. Drawing breath was near impossible as I panted through the pain and