Chiara's lifeless body dangles in my arms as I sprint to Bruce's abandoned cabin. Critters scurried when I opened the door and dropped Chiara onto the floor. Deena's attempt to take her power failed.Deena's so-called spell left her for dead. I doubt Deena even knows she murdered her. But now I'm wondering if Deena is truly an Ancient.Bruce left this cabin intact, and the bedroom closets were filled with clothes. Dressed in a tee and shorts, I sit beside Chiara's body, contemplating what to do. My pack will never believe there was nothing I could do to save her. Wolf packs are loyal. They don't comprehend betrayal. Nor will they understand how their Alpha could allow Chiara to die. It will also appear as if Deena has more power than I do.Speaking of loyalty, I wonder if Melanie reached Ellie yet. Ajay's unwillingness to convince Ellie to join us is disheartening. I love Ajay, but something's not right with her. Her love and devotion to me is true, but she's too protective of outsid
My house is around the corner. We stop at the stop sign, and Jude reaches over and pulls me closer by my neck. Lips to my ear, he whispers, "I'll be waiting," then exits.I quickly park my car. By the time I jumped out, Jude had disappeared between my neighbor's bushes. Shrugging, I stare in his direction, wondering what he meant.Confused, I got back into my car and drove home. To my surprise, multiple vehicles were in my driveway and in front of my home. As soon as I parked and exited, Winnie exited her car. "What's going on? Did I forget it was my birthday?" I tease.With a straight face, Winnie answers, "I asked some of our members to help you deliver Jude."As several church members gather near and on my porch, glancing back, I chuckle, "Did you ask the whole church?"No one laughs, then Winnie asks, "May we go inside?""Uh, sure."Brother Charles tells me, "Sister Ellie, we brought water and juice. May I bring it inside?"Nodding, I answer, "That's fine."Everyone greets me wit
We all stare at Jude, awaiting his response. Only watching me, he answers, "Why the fuck would I know?"Micah scoffs, "How can we follow a liar?"Jude lunges his way, but all three of us block him. Squinting my way, Jude asks, "My mate is willing to turn on me?"Feeling guilty, I mumble, "Never, but I need answers, too. You have us here to help you, yet you won't tell us anything. You allowed Deena to let us think Chiara was healing when she wasn't in her room. But we have to trust you took her to the hospital? You came to me upset over Chris, yet you conceived a baby with Deena.""Deena had me under a spell!""It doesn't matter, Jude. You wouldn't have told me if I hadn't found out through Deena! Stop the lies and tell us the truth. Will you continue to lie to your mate?"Jude huffs, "Melanie's not here. She's in Michigan. She convinced Ellie to side with us."Flustered, I stammer, "Melanie? How?"Glaring, Jude answers, "Because she trusted me." Holding back tears, I look away. Jude
As we board the boat to the mainland, everyone looks stoic. Deena's facing down, looking at her belly. Jude tells Micah, "Take care of the family while we're gone. You're in charge."Micah nods with a faint smile. Jude then calls, "Deena!"Quickly, she looks up, and her eyes are filled with tears. They gaze into each other's eyes. Then he gives her a nod. She nods back and then leaves. Wilson boards with us. The closer we get to Florida, Jude tells him, "Go visit your family. We'll grab you on our way home. You have a whole month before the full moon."We dock, and Wilson hugs us, asking, "You guys don't need a ride anywhere?"Jude answers, "Nah, we'll catch a cab or ride share. Take care of yourself."Looking like a lost puppy, Wilson nods, "Yeah. You take care as well. Bye, Ajay.""Bye, Wilson."He jogs off as we head the opposite way. There's a liquor store about four blocks up the road. Jude holds the door open for me. We grab beverages and snacks and then wait on the curb for ou
I stutter, "Uh, it was Chris.""And what happened to him?" asks my dad."He, uh, he dumped me." "What? What a loser. Now you see why I disliked him before I met him," my dad says to Jude, laughing.Jude adds, "I met him. And he was a loser."Caressing my neck, I say, "Let's go inside and eat before the food gets cold."The day ends well. As soon as we enter the bedroom, Jude wants to make love. I'm telling him no because my dad is next door, but he has to have me. The quieter I try to be, the more passionate Jude becomes. I'm biting my lip and gripping his back so hard that I break the skin on both. When we wake up, there's blood on my sheets and comforter.I whisper, "Let me beat them up and have breakfast ready.""Why don't we go out then head to a jeweler immediately after."Smiling, I say, "Okay."Summer and my dad seem smitten by Jude. We're at a jeweler in a ritzy area in Michigan. Jude allows me to pick out whatever ring I want. The jeweler says, "Let me size it for you. And,
Daddy's words were valid. With nothing to discuss, Jude and I drove home in total silence. Anxious to be married, Jude suggested we go to the court and wed, but I refused and said, "I want my destination wedding, but not on Knight Island with monsters lurking and ready to kill."Jude sighs, "Make the arrangements. I need to talk to Ellie.""No, I want to speak with her too.""About what? Plan our wedding while I tend to more urgent things.""Don't you mean more important things?""Ajay, don't start whining over nothing. You know what's at stake!""Do I? I'm just following your orders like one of your servants...""Bye, Ajay!"He leaves, slamming the door in my face. I snatch it open and yell, "Make sure you invite her to the wedding!"Jude speeds off, and I call my dad. He wants to discuss Jude, but I interrupt him, "I only called to talk about my mother. I'm a witch dad. I need answers to why I've become what I am. This isn't a coincidence but on purpose."My dad starts, "I met Nika
The plan was for Irene not to tell her mother I lived with her. I thought I was nothing like my mother, but when Irene betrayed my trust, I became vindictive towards her. The betrayal made me feel she was treating me how our father treated my mother.Lucus always came around, but Irene didn't have a steady boyfriend. A few dates would be seen here and there, but Lucus seemed to live with us. He and I were together every day, but he was becoming a drunk.Irene knew I practiced witchcraft, but she saw nothing threatening about it. Often, when she'd see me with large amounts of cash, she questioned if I were selling drugs like Lucus. To prove my income was legit, I'd introduce her to customers or others in the occult who paid me for my services.She seemed okay with my lifestyle, but one day, she had her friends over and decided to deride me. They were in the living room having girl talk and sipping wine when Lucus and I entered. Lucus was tipsy and tripped over an end table while walkin
My dad ended our conversation, "I was in rehab when they found Nika lifeless on the front lawn. Her face and fist were clenched like she was shielding herself from an attack. Learning that sent me on another downward spiral. The only light was when I heard your Aunt Irene claimed you."I ask, "So you never witnessed my mom's power?""She had no power, Ajay. Everything she did was counterfeit or a scheme.""I don't believe that.""Let me ask this, and it should answer your question. Do you have any power?""Yes.""What?" "Daddy, just because mom didn't walk around boasting about it doesn't mean she had no powers. You haven't seen me do anything, but I'm feared by those who know me.""Wow, your mom told me those exact words. In fact, it was right before she started seeing things and hearing voices. Do you hear voices?"Not willing to admit that, I sat quietly. "Ajay, are you still there?"After clearing my throat, I answer, "Yes, I'm here. And no, I don't hear voices."Our conversatio