Maisy hiccupped as she watched everyone walk slowly away from Libby’s grave, not quite believing she’d not see her friend in the morning.
Libby wasn’t a morning person and invariably grumbled when Maisy brought her a cup of coffee with a smile and humming a song. “Maisy, why are you always so cheerful first thing?” Libby would ask, almost every morning.
“Because it’s a new day and you never know what’s going to happen.” Maisy would reply as she handed over the steaming mug.
“Yeah, I do.” Libby would sip the coffee, sighing. “We’ll get treated like crap and have to stay out of Marlon’s way or risk getting beat up, or worse.”
“You never know,” Maisy would grin. “Our Knights in Shining Armor could come riding into camp and whisk us away.”
“Keep dreaming, Maisy.” Libby would finally laugh. “You know I love you, girl, and I hope you find your Knight one day. I really do. Me? I just want some fucker to rip Marlon’s head off and taking out Jermaine too would be a bonus.”
Maisy would smirk cheekily as she left her friend’s room. “Well, Libby, dontcha know that Knights have big sharp swords? Perfect for lopping off someone’s head.”
Her heart almost tore apart inside her as she looked down at the new grave. Not quite believing her vibrant friend lay beneath the mound of earth. She’d never hear any more barbed comments aimed at Jermaine, Marlon, or the rest of their warped band of cohorts. Libby’s sharp retorts would never whisper in her ear as the Beta strode smugly past, Maisy doing her best to shush her friend for fear the spiteful Wolf would hear and lash out with a punishment that far outweighed the crime.
Maisy’s heart ached so bad she could barely breathe at the loss of her friend. “Libby, how can I go on without you?” she whispered in despair to the cold darkness that now surrounded her. Her tears falling onto the earth and seeping into the newly filled in grave.
She watched as they disappeared, sinking down to join Libby, her soul tearing apart at what her friend had given up for her. Maisy’s legs finally gave out and she fell to her knees, grateful she was alone and nobody would witness her weakness. Her hands digging into the soil as if she could bring her friend back just by pure will alone.
Maisy’s entire being full of sorrow, so much so, that it took her a few moments to realize she was no longer alone. Her Shifter senses picking up the presence of another nearby. She turned to look over her shoulder and came face to face with cold, ice blue eyes in the face of a huge Wolf.
One she’d remembered from earlier as it tore Marlon apart.
Despite its size, and the fact it stared at her with a look that seemed as if it were in a daze, Maisy felt no fear. Strange as she was certain that most would turn tail and skedaddle from the fearsome beast that was mere inches from her. So close, its exhale ruffled her hair as it huffed out a long breath before cocking its head to the side as its snout darted forward, inhaling her scent.
As the Wolf, Zohar, was so close to her she reached up, her fingers running through his thick dark fur. The company of the beast finally halting her flood of tears, a sigh escaping her as she leaned toward his massive head. She had no idea where he’d come from, or why he was here, but she was thankful he’d arrived. If he hadn’t appeared she imagined she’d still be sitting in the dirt come sunrise.
His aroma filtering through her senses and causing her heart to beat wildly in her chest, her blood roaring in her ears as her beast started to yip in her head excitedly. Maisy jerked away from Zohar who backed away, his gigantic paws leaving great claw marks in the soft grass. “What the . . .”
She didn’t get to finish her question as the beast turned and fled back into the forest. His speed astounding her as he disappeared within the blink of an eye, an eerie howl lofting through the night air as she sat dumbfounded at what her Wolf repeated over and over in her mind. Ours.
Maisy had felt something strange earlier, yes, she had, but this? No, definitely not. Zohar was a Council Enforcer and not just any Enforcer. He had the most feared reputation, well, from what she’d heard since earlier, and that had been plenty. He was cold, lethal, and completely devoted to the Council. He certainly had no time for her, or anyone else. Even if he did, would she want him?
Could she leave her Pack and go and live . . . where? Hell, she didn’t know where Enforcers lived and she was certain he’d be off on missions all over the place. Would she be expected to sit around waiting on him to give her a day here and there? No. That’s not how things were supposed to work for mated couples and not how she wished to live.
Just as she was about to tell her Wolf to shut the hell up a voice caught her by surprise, causing her to yelp and jerk forward, almost falling on her face. Strong hands grabbing her shoulders and lifting her to feet.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Danko. Zohar’s Second in Command held her steady, his eyes boring into hers with a knowing look before he turned to stare at the trees. “Was that Zohar?”
“What? Oh, yes, he must have heard me talking to Libby and came to see what mad person was out here in
