ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 4: MOON CHILD'S WAR

“What the bloody hell was that!” Raul growled pushing his long black hair from his face the moment they arrived at the house.

Willow quickly pulled up the cloaking spell and joined the four shaken males in the entertainment room.

“That was no Varga, that’s for fucking sure.” Lukas settled on the sofa and sighed looking down at the shallow groove that ran down the length of his arm. It was slowly stitching itself closed thanks to the low luna energies that were increasing with the approaching full moon. He had to wait two more nights before he was able to fully rejuvenate.

Ruvin wished Willow and Tron were as susceptible to the luna energies as the lycans and nightwalkers but that wasn’t the case. The two high Mage were using up their energy reserves and he knew they were quickly approaching exhaustion if they didn’t return to the enchanted world to recharge.

“What’s going on?” Willow eyed them suspiciously. “Where is the wolf?”

Ruvin ran his hand over his face as he sank down on one of the chairs. He was exhausted but Shadow was content. He could still see the flashes of the beast ripping off the throat of that deranged animal. Shadow lived for such thrills that it made Ruvin wonder how he stayed for so long without turning into a Varga himself. If that ever happened, no one was going to be able to put him down. He was powerful. “We found a wolf attacking weakbloods but the air around it was foul. It was tainted.”

“A Varga?” Willow asked softly.

“No--”

Footsteps rushing towards the room caught Ruvin’s attention. A few seconds Vixen and Izzy appeared with Quentin and Tessa. As usual, Tessa’s face was white with worry as she wrung her hands together. She was always worried about them even though they assured her time and again that they were going to be alright.

“Are you guys alright?” Vixen asked eyeing Ruvin’s bloodied tshirt.

“We are fine but I don’t know about the weakbloods. One of them’s arm was entirely shredded into ribbons. If they manage to save it, he will not be using it for a long time....” Ruvin’s voice faded when he remembered the two girls he met. Shadow recognised them the moment he jumped out of those bushes. They were the ones Tyson was showing off to at the Black Shard. They are the ones that dissed Ruvin for buying them better quality alcohol.

He wondered what they were doing there with Titus. It was dangerous having them there and it looked like they didn’t even know how to protect themselves from danger because Tyson’s ex could barely keep a knife in her trembling hands. Ruvin didn’t know why he was so angry with her for being there in the first place. Something terrible might have happened to her. Even Shadow reacted to her immediate danger state and the beast didn’t want to leave her side.

Ruvin had to threaten to leash the beast during full moon if he didn’t get moving and reluctantly, Shadow went and joined the fight. It was such a confusing feeling he had when he stood beside her and the way she ran her fingers through Shadow's fur making him quake. Shadow didn’t snarl at her because he didn’t like it, he snarled at her because the feeling of her hands on him made him think of nothing else but mating her.

“Commander?” Izzy’s voice cracked Ruvin’s thoughts and brought him back to reality. “What do you think it is?”

Ruvin sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “In all my time fighting off Vargas and the like, I have never come across what we fought today.”

“Do you think a Sorcerer might be involved in this?” Willow asked. “I mean I have heard stories of very ancient sorcerers that are able to harness energies within the human realm.”

“Then that must be one very powerful son of a bitch.” Lukas gritted out.

“You should have brought the body with you. We would have done some tests.” Vixen said.

“The beasts were a little out of time as the weakbloods swarmed the place before they could even move.” Edon, who had been silent for a while finally spoke but by the look on his face, Ruvin knew the pup was utterly spooked. “I am very sure Corleen and her team had arrived in the scene and if I am not wrong she might have been thinking along the same lines as us, get that body checked out.”

“We could try and sneak in and steal the body.” Izzy suggested with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Stealing a body from Faelen’s fortress. That is by far the worst idea you could come up with.” Lukas turned to her.

“We don’t need to steal it.” Ruvin got up and removed his tshirt, revealing the sinew muscles underneath and the almost invisible silvery scars on his chest and back, courtesy of the Father. “The blood on this tshirt is from the wolf. You could do some tests on it.”

Willow nodded and took the tshirt.

“Where are the others?” Ruvin asked.

“Briar and Tron are running some tests on Conrad’s body samples. Briar is positive she will find something this time.” Vixen explained.

“Jake is out in town trying to get more information about the black beast.” Quentin stated.

Ruvin narrowed his eyes. “Alone? Beasts are dangerous and if this specific beast is a Varga, Jake’s life could be in a lot more danger than you think.”

“He is not hunting him down. Jake knows people. He is asking around. He is bound to find something. He is really good at being nosey.” Quentin chuckled.

“Let’s hope he doesn’t end up snooping too close. We, enchanted beasts, are not as civilized as the weakbloods. Most of us barely know the first thing about manners.” Ruvin assured him.

“I have dinner to prepare.” Tessa quickly turned away but not before Ruvin noted the concern in her face.

For the little time that she had been working for them, Tessa had become too attached to them to the point she worried herself senseless everytime they were out hunting or tracking.

Ruvin dismissed everyone else and made his way to the kitchen where Tessa worked quietly. He was greeted by the delicious aroma of roasting meat. It reminded him that he hadn’t been eating well for the past few days.

“What is it?” He asked her, startling her as she stood over the modern wall oven.

She turned her dark eyes to him and her lips turned tight. “You barely take care of yourselves and you expect everyone to be alright with that....well I am not.” She frowned as if recalling something dreadful, then asked. “Did you see how big that gush on Lukas’ hand is? That is not just a scratch. He was moments away from losing his hand!”

“Tessa, this is who we are.” Ruvin tried to explain. “This is our nature. We hunt, we track, we run with the wolves in the mountains. You knew of that before you came working for us.”

“I know!” She exclaimed then stopped what she was doing and ran her hands through her curly hair. In a more hushed tone she said. “I know....but you guys need to take more care of yourselves. I am....I am worried about you--all of you.”

Ruvin felt a grin etch on his face but Tessa quickly held her finger up to warn it off.

“Don’t use your dimples on me. I am mad at you--at all of you.” Tessa growled.

Ruvin pursed his lips, an action that brought his dimples out even more. He watched as Tessa’s face turned red and she quickly turned away to cover it. “Dinner in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks for worrying about us, Tessa. You are amazing, you just don’t know it.” Ruvin made his way out missing the sudden stiffening of her shoulders at the words.

Alli bit her lower lip in nervousness as she listened to Corleen speaking with Titus behind closed doors. She knew Corleen was past the line of being angry or annoyed. She must have been raging! But because she was talking to Titus, her superior, she had to keep her anger leashed.

Alli didn’t feel like it was Titus’ fault because if he had known the girls would be in immediate danger he wouldn’t have even suggested that they tagged along. For all they knew, the wolf was wounded and needed to be taken to the vet to get treated.

Manny was the one who was mostly wounded. Alli remembered the grotesque sight of his torn up arm right before her sister and her pack came charging in to save them. He had passed out when they carried him to the truck.

“I had no idea this would have happened or I would have not taken the girls out tonight.” Alli heard Titus try to explain to Corleen.

Alli could imagine how impassive her sister’s face was as she looked at Titus. “They were not supposed to be out of my office in the first place, sir.” Corleen answered, her anger barely contained.

“I know and I regret the moment I thought to take them out. I am sorry, Corleen.” Titus said.

Corleen was silent for a moment before she tightly said. “I have a report to write and a man down. I need to go check him out.”

“Corleen, cut the man some slack.” Alli’s eyes widened to the third voice. She didn’t know there was someone else in there. “I mean this is Alli and Donny we are talking about. They would do anything to get out in the field.”

“Louise, I have let it go. You should too.” Corleen burst out the door almost sending Alli to the floor.

Alli staggered back and cleared her throat with color rushing to her cheeks. She had been caught eavesdropping and it wasn’t the first time. The look on Corleen’s face told her to clamp her mouth shut.

She quickly dropped her eyes as Louise and Titus came out from behind Corleen. She must have been terribly disappointed in her and Donny but this time around it was not her fault. She told them that something was wrong. She warned everyone that something was not right but no one listened.

“We are going home.” Corleen announced.

The night was already coming to an end. Donny got up from the chair where she was sitting quietly trying to contemplate on what had happened that night and made her way to her brother. Louise opened his arms to her and placed a kiss on her hair muttering words of courage.

Alli turned to Corleen and almost laughed bitterly at the absurdity that Corleen might actually think to do that for her. Corleen loved Alli, that much she knew but she did not go out of her way to show it.

“Come on, Alli.” She repeated fishing out for her keys and started down the corridor.

Alli reached over to Donny and touched her shoulder. “See you after I get out of being grounded.”

Titus growled. “Corleen will not ground you and--” he moved forward and asked softly. “How did you know about the danger we were in? You felt it in the surroundings, didn’t you? Empath?”

“Alli!” Corleen called.

“Good night, Titus.” Alli said and turned away, following her sister out.

The ride back home was quiet and long. Alli couldn’t help but remember the Ghost Runners. Her head jerked up in excitement but when she turned to Corleen’s face, she was still angry.

She blew her breath out and rested back on the car seat. The pale wolf flooded each alcove of her head. His scent filled her lungs and the feel of his fur on her fingers branded it right to her bones.

He smelled wild and untamed, and though she should have feared that feeling, she found herself getting entranced by it. He screamed of danger, and that she should stay away. His amber eyes called to her and somehow they felt very familiar.

He protected them and when he killed that Varga, he was nothing short of a seasoned assassin. He knew exactly when and where to render the killing blow.

His body was built for the kill and he moved like the king of the forest. His paws didn’t even make a sound and when he vanished in the trees, it was as if the whole thing was imagined. She wouldn’t have trusted her mind if she had seen everything alone but Donny, Titus and Manny were all there and all witnessed what happened.

The sudden brush of warm skin on her temple brought Alli back from her little fantasy world. Corleen tucked a hair behind her ear and touched her cheek lightly.

“Are you okay, Alli?” She asked suddenly, all the anger drained from her face and it was replaced by concern.

Alli nodded and pursed her lips.

“Titus told me you warned them and something happened to you before the attack....” Corleen said.

Alli recalled the dreadful feeling that had her collapse and fight for her sanity. “It was something I have never felt before. Oh, it was terrible.” her skin crawled and her stomach churned just thinking about it.

“Was it the same feeling you always get when you sneak off to the crime scenes?” Corleen asked and there was nothing in her voice that told Alli she was in trouble. Corleen just wanted to know.

“Yes, but this time it was way worse. It was as if the thing that eminated this pure evil was right there with us. And then there was a voice....screaming for us to leave that place or we were all going to die!”

Now, Corleen had turned her entire attention to her sister. “Wasn’t it Donny?”

“No, it wasn’t Donny but it was a young woman and she was dead afraid for us.” Alli explained.

Corleen nodded silently and remained quiet for a little while before she sighed and said. “I don’t want you to come around the fortress. If Titus is curious about you and your ability it is only a matter of time until Lord Faelen hears about it and sends you to the Academy.”

“So, the Academy truly exists?” Alli asked wide eyed.

Corleen nodded. “It does alright. It is the reason why I don’t want you here when your transformation occurs. Lord Faelen has a telepath that tells him about everyone’s gifts when they transform and she is able to connect with the newly born wolf. Her name is Chrissa and she is bad news.”

Alli nodded listening attentively. “But where will I go? I don’t have anyone else but you. And wouldn’t Faelen get curious that I am gone?”

“We will figure out a way.” Corleen said in frustration.

“Or you could send me to the Ghost Runners.” Alli found herself blurting! She didn’t know where that ridiculous thought came from but somehow she felt she would be safer with them.

Corleen took a sharp intake of air. “Are you crazy? Do you want to get killed before you make your first run as a newly transformed wolf?”

“I saw them today, Corleen.” Alli finally let the heavy burden on her chest out. “Four of them came and saved us from the Varga.”

“Alli those are beasts from the other side. They are killers. They are powerful and dangerous more than you could ever imagine. I will not let any of them close to anyone in the pack let alone take you to them. I am trying to figure out where they are hiding so that we drive them back if the worst scenario does not befall them.”

Alli knew that the worst scenario meant killing them but the thought of them getting raided made her heart protest. “Corleen if it wasn’t for them we would have been dead today. They saved us and you want to kill them?”

“They are not like us. They don’t reason, they are not afraid to kill and be done with. They are wild and untamed, Alli.” Corleen said tightly.

“Their leader talked to me. Psychically I mean. And he didn’t seem all that bad.” She avoided the part where most of the words that shimmered in her mind were harsh, snarling at her telling her to go back to the truck.

That caught Corleen’s attention. “How is that possible when you have not transformed? No matter how strong they might be, they can only communicate with the wolf in you, not you.”

Alli never thought of that. “Maybe they are very very strong?” Her voice squeaked.

Corleen’s hand shot forward and touched Alli’s forehead. “Or maybe you are closer to transforming than I imagined.”

Alli shook her head. “I am telling you, Corleen, we need the Ghost Runners in this town or this whole place is going to hell. If what I felt in the woods is here to stay then we need all the help we can get and then some!”

“Lord Faelen gave me a job to do and that is what I am going to do.”

“Lord Faelen is a coward hiding behind his title. If he was the strength of the clan then he should come out and fight with the rest of you.” Alli snapped.

“Alli!” Corleen gasped in surprise.

Alli crossed her arms and sat quietly for the rest of the way home. Whether Corleen accepted it or not, Faelen was the biggest corward to ever walk the lands of Ashwick. That mouse of a man never went out of the four walls of his fortress and when the need for him to come out came, he carried an army. He currently was the leader for a reason. He challenged others to get the position and he won. With every passing year, his position was less challenged because he grew stronger but Alli doubted that very much.

Faelen didn’t look like the man to challenge anyone. He must have been using some other means to remain the clan leader.

When Corleen drove the car up their driveway, Alli jumped out before Corleen could say another word. She heard her sister push out some air before she said.

“Alli, you forgot to take out the trash again last night.”

Alli stormed into the kitchen and violently twisted the black garbage bag before she walked out and deposited it into the trash can in front of their house. A shiver passed her spine when she felt a presence watching her. She waited for the fear to grip her but when it didn’t she was able to immediately print out the pale wolf’s presence.

“I know you are there.” She said softly eyeing the front door to make sure Corleen was out of earshot. “How did you find me?”

She was greeted by silence but the presence was still very close to her. Her heart hammered hard in her chest, threatening to break through her ribs and flop onto the ground. She scanned her eyes in the shadows but she couldn’t see him nor could she pinpoint exactly where he might be.

You have an exceptional gift for trouble....the words shimmered into her mind startling her for a moment. She was not used to communicating with anyone like that, even with Corleen who they were related. She was amazed and frightened at the fact that a complete stranger was able to find a passage into her mind.

“It was my not my fault this time. I warned everybody but no one took me seriously.” She defended herself then repeated her question. “How did you find me? Why are you hiding? I know you are a Ghost Runner. You might as well come out before I call my sister.”

You are related to Corleen...It sounded as if he had just put two and two together.

“How do you know my sister?” Alli asked suddenly terrified at just how much this Ghost Runner knew about her and her sister.

Get back inside. The night is not as pleasant as it used to be. His voice commanded.

“Are you for real?” Alli crossed her arms while pinching her mouth tightly. “I don’t remember the last time a complete stranger dictated to me and I obeyed. If you are not coming out, I am not going in. Now, show yourself or we are both in for a long night.”

Alli felt a burst of wind behind her. Warm fingers touched her nape holding it in place. “Careful what you ask for.” A gush of hot air bathed her ear and Alli felt a scream bubble up in her throat when she realised the Ghost Runner was standing right behind her, holding her neck so that she didn’t turn.

She felt a hard wall of muscle behind her and he must have been quite tall because she felt the back of her head touch his chest. He was terribly strong because she found that she couldn’t even move herself to save her life. His scent engulfed her and it made her hideously calm. There was something about him that made her feel a lot more peaceful than anything yet she was very sure it was the sort of peace that came before the storm.

“Who are you?” She managed to stammer when her scream refused to come out.

“The question should be, who are you? Are you some sort of sorceress? Did you weave some sort of enchantment on me?” He asked but Alli had completely lost her voice and her heart felt as if it was making its was up her throat. “Speak.” He growled.

“I--I don’t know--what you are talking about.” She managed to say and as she tried to turn her head and look at him, his fingers tightened around her nape but not enough to hurt her.

“I’ll get down to the bottom of this and when I discover that you have enchanted me in any way, I am going to snap your neck the next time we meet.” He told her then released her.

Alli quickly turned around but he was long gone. She raced up to the front door and bolted all the doors.

“I’m preparing dinner. Want anything?” Corleen asked.

“No! I’m fine. I going straight to bed. Good night!” Alli yelled back and slammed the door to her room before sinking down on the floor. She was in deep trouble that not even Corleen was able to rescue her.

Ruvin watched Tyson’s ex’s window until finally all the lights went off. It was two hours until sunrise which meant she would be in until midday the next day. That meant Shadow would have a peace of mind knowing she was at home safe.

Ruvin regretted having the beast so close to her because now Shadow couldn’t concentrate on anything else other than her.

Alli.

It was an interesting name for a sorceress because that was what she was. Ruvin had never had problems with sorcerers before but this particular one must have been strong to get Shadow on protective mode.

She is no sorceress, Keeper. Shadow assured Ruvin.

Ruvin snorted as he uncrossed his arms from his chest and pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on while he was watching Alli’s room. She has you enthralled you hopeless pup. You have never been like this. It obviously she has done an enchantment on you.

Shadow sent a thrumbing pain across Ruvin’s head. You are the hopeless one that you can’t see what is in front of you.

And what is that supposed to mean? Ruvin placed his hands in his pockets and started walking down the block towards his car.

Right after dinner, Ruvin decided to take Shadow out running because the Beast was getting too tensed. The moon was filling up and hormones were raging. Lukas and Raul were out for the night with the reason that they were going after Jake but everyone knew better. The females, though better at keeping their hormones in check, Ruvin knew Tron was going to find himself in Briar’s bed again that month.

Briar and Tron thought Ruvin didn’t know about their secret relationship but come on, Ruvin could smell it from the enchanted world! Izzy, however, worried Ruvin the most because she tended to be violent and had to blow some steam down in the gym. She wasn’t the one to go around searching for a bed mate. She went around searching for trouble which meant she was in a higher risk of killing. It was normal for beasts to kill and eat prey such as wild animals but the moment a beast killed and ate another beast, weakblood or human then the feeling of power and the need to do it again turned it to a Varga.

Ruvin didn’t want Izzy to turn into a Varga and everyone watched over her closely whenever they went out hunting. It was also the reason why Ruvin let her remain at the house most of the times.

You can connect with her even though she has not yet transformed. It means you are as thick headed as you are blind, keeper. Shadow hummed lazily. Instead of Shadow running into the woods, he managed to follow the scent of the sorceress all the way to her home. Ruvin took over the moment he realised what the beast was planning to do and had to force himself to wait for her until she returned.

Shadow would not let Ruvin leave until she finally arrived with Corleen. Now that was an interesting addition to the puzzle. It made sense why she was with Titus in the first place. Ruvin didn’t know how he missed the connection. Not only did they resemble each other but they had the same courage that drove them to seek out trouble.

In Corleen’s file it had been written that she had a sibling but it did not mention whether it was a female or male. It must have been for security purposes, Ruvin thought.

Stop talking in riddles asshole and get straight to the point. What am I missing? Ruvin said irritably.

You are missing the fact that you just met your mate.

Ruvin froze in his tracks, his entire body going cold as if death had just passed through him. “What did you just say?” He asked loudly.

Alli is your mate and that is why you feel enthralled. The mate bond has been established tonight so there is no escaping it. Shadow drawled and Ruvin saw the wolf’s smirk shimmer in his mind.

The sheer fear and panic that gripped him was nothing he had ever experienced. Surely Shadow must have been wrong. For someone like Ruvin, the Heavens wouldn’t dish out a mate to him knowing fully well his soul was forever damned and heading to Hades. Was the beast trying to be funny because that was not something to joke about.

Ruvin felt as if his head was about to blow. This was utterly impossible. It couldn’t be.

It is. I know this because I am a beast, keeper. Shadow assured him.

“No!” Ruvin growled embracing for the change.

Shadow quickly obliged. Fur rippled on Ruvin’s body and his bones popped and realigned. Ruvin embraced the dull pain that came with the change. It was nothing like the first time but it was something that reminded him that he was neither man nor animal.

Ruvin was not cut out for a mate. He didn’t even know where to start with her and the worst thing was that she was a troublemaker. Alli was Tyson’s ex meaning the whole mate thing could bring more problems than it could solve. She didn’t know anything about mates and the mate bond so if he stayed away then maybe the mate bond would break and they would go back to being strangers.

Finding a true mate in the human realm was almost impossible because the human realm was larger and more scattered than the enchanted world. That was why the weakbloods were given the option of claiming a mate. A weakblood could claim another weakblood or a human but that didn’t mean for life.

Ruvin let Shadow carry him deep into the woods. His strong legs pumped hard until Ruvin felt the burning in the joints and muscles but he didn’t let Shadow stop. He needed something to counter where his mind was heading or he was going to lose his sanity.

Shadow entered deeper into the woods where even the other night creatures feared entering but this was Shadow they were talking about. Shadow feared nothing. He dug his nails into the crumbling mountain rock at the base and started the tedious climb up.

Ruvin felt the curious eyes watching him. The mountain wolves were curious as to who was brave enough to enter their territory and they must have felt intimidated by the sheer size of Shadow and the emanating power from him because none of them even dared to come out and try to challenge him.

But Ruvin was looking for a challenge. He was looking for a brawl, anything for that matter that would keep him from losing his mind.

Shadow shuffled about the steep rock, sharp edges biting into his skin and fur but the beast didn’t give up. Muscles pumped and bulged out at the intensity of the climb. A growl escaped Shadow with each steep climb he made until finally he made it to the highest part on that side of the woods. He puffed out hot air and arched his head back before letting out a wretched howl that tugged each tendon of his heart. The moon highlighted his coat, making it shimmer like silk in the light.

His pained howl was answered by the mountain wolves. Shadow howled again and again, telling everyone who could hear him just how wretched his keeper felt.

Alli didn’t have much sleep last night because one; she was still terrified that one of the Ghost Runners was so close to her and knew so much about her and two, there was a very sad lone wolf howling the entire night making her heart ache for it.

When she woke up close to midday, Corleen was already gone but brunch was left for her. She pulled on her worn out and shredded pale jeans, a candy blue loose sweater and her white sneakers before eating up quickly and grabbing her stuff then headed towards Donny’s place. She just hoped her friend had better luck sleeping that night.

“Donny isn’t fit to get out today.” Donny’s mother looked so worried when Alli showed up at their doorstep.

“If it is about last night, I am truly sorry that Donny was in great danger. I shielded her as best as I could.” Alli said sadly feeling like somehow it was her fault that Donny was caught up in her mess.

Levina shook her head holding up her hand before taking Alli’s hand. “Come on in, dear. Come with me to the kitchen.”

Alli’s eyebrows came down in confusion. Levina was acting very strange and Alli concluded that something was up. When she entered the house, several men were standing and whispering suspiciously to each other. Alli recognised several to be Donny’s cousins but the rest of them she had never seen before.

She saw Louise standing amongst them and when she waved at him, he gave her a quick smile and dismissed her entirely.

“What’s going on?” She finally asked Levina when they were in the kitchen and was annoyed to find Alyse there too.

Alyse quirked her eyebrow at her and a malicious smile appeared on her face. “Aren’t you the curious type. You should have seen the signs since you were close to her at all times.”

“What signs?” Alli pulled a stool and settled down. “What happened to Donny? Is she sick? Did she catch something? A bug?”

Levina shook her head softly. “Donny is not sick so to say. She is--she is going through her transformation.”

“What?” Alli felt as if someone had doused her with ice-cold water.

“The mood swings, the lack of appetite. I don’t know why we didn’t see all that.” Levina said as she removed a new batch of cup cakes from her oven.

Any other day and Alli would have scrambled from her stool to get them as hot as they came but at that moment all she could think of was how Donny was going through the transformation before her. They always joked about it, that Alli was going to go through it first.

“Late bloomer, just like your sister.” Alyse smirked as she sipped her cup of tea.

Alli narrowed her eyes and turned to the unbearable woman. “I don’t know what your problem is with me and my sister, Alyse, but it is getting old. No one listens to you anyomore.”

“My problem is the fact that your sister thinks she can come here and sleep her way to the top--”

“Enough, Alyse!” Levina eyed her younger sister vehemently, then turned to Alli. “Here have some cup cakes.”

“I’m not in the mood. I want to see Donny. Do you think Louise will let me?”

Levina sighed. “She is not going to fully transform until full moon tomorrow night so I think Louise will let you see her.”

Alli nodded and got up. She didn’t understand what Alyse meant by her accusation but the bitterness behind her voice was real. Alyse truly hated her and Corleen. She believed that somewhere along the line, they cheated but what Alli didn’t understand was how.

Corleen wasn’t a person who socialised as much as Alli did so she didn’t understand when she and Alyse actually crossed. Corleen and Alyse were almost the same age if Alyse wasn’t a little older.

“Hey, Louise.” Alli greeted Louise when she managed to find him alone.

He turned to her and tucked his hands deep into his pockets. “Hey.”

“Is Donny alright? Can I see her? I didn’t even know she was so close to turning--” Alli recalled the way Donny’s eyes flashed at her the time they were in the woods. “I should have known she was close. I am her best friend.”

Louise reached forward and touched her shoulder. “It is not your fault. The truth hits you more unexpectedly than theory.”

Alli frowned at the sudden uneasiness that flared from the point of contact where Louise’s hand laid. She found herself taking a step back away from him. That was very awkward because she always looked forward to having her biggest crush touch her. And the time she told Donny that was wanted Louise to claim her, she wasn’t kidding but now, the feeling made her want to run away from him.

“Are you okay?” Louise asked, concerning reflected in his eyes.

Alli quickly nodded. “I am fine. I think I am still shaken about what happened last night.” But she couldn’t make up her mind which part of the night had her truly shaken; the Varga in the woods that almost chewed Manny to pieces or the Ghost Runner who was able to communicate with her psychically and followed her home only to threaten her. The thought of him so close to her, his hot body pressed against her back, his hot breath caressing the hairs around her ear and his thick-velvety voice producing musical notes that cascaded up and down her spine made her tremble with excitement.

“Come, you can see Donny.” He wanted to usher her towards Donny’s room but Alli quickly jumped out of his reach and walked briskly forward.

Two men were standing outside Donny’s door chatting quietly. When they saw her and Louise approaching, they moved away.

Louise cracked open the door for Alli, and let her enter first.

“Donny?” She called out to the bundle of blankets and covers on her bed. The curtains were drawn over the windows making the room exceptionally dark but Alli always had a keen eyesight so she saw everything.

“Alli?” A pained and guttural voice escaped from the bundle of blankets as Donny turned to look at her.

Alli gasped when she saw the glowing amber eyes that overtook Idonea’s beautiful dark ones. She quickly raced to the bed and sat down running her hands into Donny’s tangled mane. “Oh, Donny! I didn’t know you were so close or I wouldn’t have pushed you so much. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It hurts so much, Alli. It is nothing like what they told us. All my bones are on fire and my head feels like it is about to explode.” Donny gritted her teeth.

“How long is this going to go on?” Alli looked up at Louise, desperate to hear the truth. She hated seeing Donny in so much pain.

“Until the full moon.” Louise answered softly.

Alli’s hand tightened its hold on Donny’s. She was burning hot but Alli knew her to be a fighter when the need arose. “Stay strong, Donny.”

Donny gave her a weak smile before her body was wrecked with a series of spasms and convulsions that had Louise hold her down. Alli burst out of the room gasping for air. She was terrified of seeing her friend in such a state and soon enough she was going to go through the same thing. She didn’t feel prepared even though Corleen talked to her about it over and over again.

“Don’t worry about it, Alli. She’ll be alright.” Louise assured her a little later when Donny was resting again.

“Why do you have so many male wolves in the house? What are they all doing here?”

Louise cleared his throat nervously. “They are here to make sure the transformation goes well.”

“I don’t think you need so many wolves to hold Donny down, Louise.” She chuckled incredulously.

“Newly transformed wolves are far stronger than anyone could comprehend because they don’t know how to merge their minds with that of their wolves yet. This could result ikillings that could be avoided or it could result in a mating frenzy.”

Alli’s eyes widened. “So, all these wolves could actually--you know--with Donny!”

“It usually happens but sometimes it doesn’t.” Louise shrugged his shoulders. “And it is not all of them. Wolves don’t do incest.” He made a digusted face.

“But how will her wolf know? You said it yourself, newly tranformed wolves are not able to merge their human minds with their wolf’s.” Alli was petrified!

“Wolves know. They can sense their bloodlines.” Louise assured her.

But Alli wasn’t convinced. “I am going to stay here until Donny makes the change. I will call my sister and tell her of the news.”

Louise chuckled as he reached forward and tucked a loose hair strand behind her ear. “I thought you would say something like that. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

Another shiver of repulsion went down Alli’s back. What the heck happened to her? Since when did she feel repulsed by Louise’s presence? Or was this the enchantment the Ghost Runner talked about? Did it also enchant her? She didn’t like the feeling one bit because this was her crush she was talking to. She was supposed to feel the quickening of her heartbeat, the sweaty palms and the fluttering butterflies in her stomach but none of that came.

She felt absolutely nothing for Louise at that moment and the feeling had her panicking beyond words!