Page 60

RICK

I stalked through the dark alleyway, a lone street light flickering overhead.

How dare that asshole ignore me? Even after all the shit we’ve been through. He loses his fucking mind over some piece of tail.

My thoughts raced back to my meeting with Damon in his office.

The werebear alpha’s rage over me speaking against the female werewolf was so palpable I could taste it.

His lust for her stung my nostrils. I scoffed.

So, our leader had fallen for the werewolf.

I wouldn’t stand by and let our clan suffer because of it.

Nothing good ever came from an encounter with werewolves.

I stepped deeper into the shadows. The scent of trash and rotting food curled into my nostrils, the bitterness causing me to hiss in disdain.

Thunder roiled overhead, a dark swath of clouds amassing together.

A bolt of lightning streaked through the sky, illuminating the alley in front of me in a glorious white haze.

A door stood off to the side, tucked away in the corner, the top of the frame just visible behind a dumpster.

A fine sheet of rain fell as the heavens opened up, pelting my shoulders with tiny droplets.

I approached the door, my boots trudging through the puddles.

If our alpha wouldn’t protect us, then it was up to me.

Because I could see through the deception.

Sasha did not have me wound around her little finger.

I stopped in front of an unobtrusive door, the painting the same dingy gray as the faded brick that comprised the building.

I’ll be damned if I let that she-wolf become my alpha female… not after what her kind did to my mate and cubs.

I slammed my eyes shut against the rush of pain that struck my heart like a barb. Images of blood staining the floor, streaking the walls, and the figures slumped in the corner hunched together speared my mind.

My eyes snapped open, renewed determination boiling in my blood.

I will make sure that no one dishonors the memory of my family.

I knocked on the door—two quick raps followed by one loud one and stepped back.

After a long pause, the sound of a lock clicking met my ears over the pouring rain. The door creaked open on squeaky hinges. A broad-shouldered male with shoulder-length blond hair stared back at me. Hard green eyes slid over me.

I opened my mouth and allowed my fangs to jab out.

The male, a lion-shifter, released a fraction.

He gave a curt nod and moved back from the door, allowing me entrance.

I fought back a growl of annoyance and entered the were-club.

The were-club had a rule that prohibited humans from entering, and to gain admission, each shifter had to show their abilities.

Once entering the dim corridor, my ears started ringing with the blare of dance music, deep bass rumbling through my insides like an earthquake.

I could hear loud laughter and the low hum of chatter.

Up ahead shone a kaleidoscope of lights, the brilliant beams whirling around the ceiling.

I walked around the bend and stepped onto the fringes of the dance floor.

Weres of every kind filled the space, the club brimming with bodies.

Couples gyrated on the dance floor, their bodies melded together, bringing to mind a sexual intonation more so than mere dancing.

The citrusy scent of lust and a sharp bite of alcohol permeated the air.

I slipped past the dancing were-kind and hugged the edge of the club, making my way to the bar spanning the rear of the room.

After approaching the elongated metal bar, I slipped into a seat and gestured toward a young witch who stood polishing a glass.

Her eyes sparkled as she set the glass down and neared, her hips swaying with seduction.

She leaned over the bar top, her generous breasts cresting into view, the bounty almost spilling from the low cut shirt she wore. My voice dropped just above a whisper, and I leaned toward the female, my lips grazing her ear.

“I wish to know where one can gain the ingredients to summon a Dark Fae.”

The female recoiled as if I swiped at her with my claws. A shutter flitted over her eyes and her features transformed into one of cool nonchalance so fast, I wondered if I’d imagined her shock.

“Who’s asking for such information?” She narrowed her eyes.

A slow smirk creased my cheek. “Someone who can help the cause.”

The female gave a knowing smile. She realized I was there to aid the Dark Fae against the Werekind. She shot a brief glance around the bar. “Not here,” she whispered. With a flick of her chin, she swept around the bar and padded away.

On cue, I followed her, keeping my movements sleek and unhurried so as to not draw attention. She strode onto the edge of the dance floor, her body swaying to the music, her movements enchanting; and would’ve piqued my interest if I had come for mere pleasure.

I drew close, and she turned her ass to me, rocking her hips against my groin. I swayed to the beat, mirroring her. She moved her head, angling her lips near my ear.

“The ingredients you need are snakeskin, mandrake root, myrrh, and burdock root.” She stopped speaking as a couple of panthers drew too close before they slipped back into the throng. “You will also need some nightshade.” She rushed to add, “And the blood from a witch of fae.”

I nodded. “All of that won’t be too hard to gain… but fae blood…”

She rolled her eyes. “You bears are so hard of hearing.” She pointed at my hand around her waist. “Unsheathe a claw.” I frowned, but did as instructed.

She raised my hand and nicked her palm with my claw.

Before I could protest, she dropped my hand and withdrew a vial from her jean pocket.

After uncorking the top, she allowed her blood to run from her palm and fill the vial before she capped it closed.

“Take all the ingredients, mash them into a pulp and pour them onto the ground. You’ll have what you seek.

” She whispered, “You now owe me a favor.” With a coy smile, she handed me the vial of blood.

My stomach rolled at the thought of being indebted to a witch. Who knew what magic she would coerce me into? But I had already come too far, and circumstances had pushed me to this point.

After thanking her, I hurried from the were-club and stomped into the night. I had some shopping to do.

It was hell on earth trying to find the ingredients, especially killing and skinning a snake with my own claws.

I now stood on the outskirts of the Stoneclaw territory beneath the shadow of a tall pine.

I placed the ingredients I gathered inside of a cloth sack and opened the bag, pouring them into a bowl I’d brought with me.

Then I set to work grounding the materials with a pestle.

Once they were small enough, it satisfied me, and I turned the bowl and sprinkled them on the ground.

I stepped back and waited with bated breath.

Several heartbeats passed with no sign of anything taking place.

My frustration grew like building clouds.

Did that bitch lie to me?

A low wind howled through the trees, the sound building in intensity. The ground in front of me glowed a brilliant maroon hue, the light arcing upward to form a translucent wall. I shrank back, claws unsheathed. My inner bear chuffed in agitation.

The wall expanded, then condensed into a swirling ring before dissipating to reveal a portal.

My jaw slackened. Through the portal, I could make out sand stretching as far as the eye could see—a barren wasteland.

Swallowing, I glanced around. No sign or scent of anyone nearby.

I approached the portal with hesitant steps.

I slid one arm inside, the feeling of pressing a limb through what resembled gelatin gliding over my skin.

The hairs at my nape lifted. I shoved away my uncertainty.

After a deep breath, I dove into the portal. My stomach slammed upward. I fell to the other side in a tumble of limbs—the portal having deposited me several feet off the ground. I clambered onto my hands and knees, emptying my stomach contents.

I wiped the bile from my mouth and staggered to my feet, shaking my head.

My brows raised as I took in the sight before me.

Ahead, miles in the distance loomed a dark castle, its spires like jagged mountaintops prickling the violet sky above.

Two moons hovered in the above, one somewhat larger than the other.

I blinked, realizing I had entered the Fae Realm. But it was nothing like I had imagined.

Our parents spun a lavish tale as bedtime stories of the Fae Realm, a world with exotic plant life and an array of foliage that grew lush with plentiful rain. A paradise that spanned the land, one surpassing our wildest imagination.

Instead, sand sifted beneath my shoes, the wind that whipped my face was acrid.

I made my way toward the foreboding castle with its skeletal-like frame, frowning.

Within almost two miles from the castle, a low rumble sounded.

Plumes of sand all around me shot into the sky like a bomb had detonated.

I yelped, racing across the desert plains as waves of sand rocketed upward.

A plume shot in front of me, barring my escape. I skid to a stop, chest heaving.

The sand dissipated in the wind to reveal a tall figure.

Its body was slender, unlike most weres, with long dark hair flowing like wind whipped vines.

A pair of pointed ears framed its angular face.

Eyes of gleaming silver stared back at me.

Pieces of armor outfitted its body, and a long broadsword lay sheathed, strapped to his waist.

The other plumes of sand faded to reveal more Dark Fae. They closed in around me.

Soldiers!

My head whipped about as I sized up my opponents.