Page 21

chapter twenty

Michaela

T he night after the Beta and I killed the vampire and feral, I truly expected to wake up to Chayton kicking me out of the pack. I just knew that after the Beta told him I was once a member of the legion, the very people that were often called upon to hash out punishment on shifters on behalf of the vampire council, he was going to demand me off his land. That was three weeks ago.

A lot has changed in that time. The very next day, the she-wolf that was attacked with Torak, showed up at my door to ask if Marley wanted to go to breakfast with her. Since then, she and Anya have been inseparable. This has made life with the wolves much better for her.

“I’m telling you, Michaela, you need to go out. There are plenty of local guys around here.” Elizabeth says as she rubs her nearly seven-month pregnant belly.

We were in the dining hall preparing for the festival. Tonight was some kind of moon holiday for the wolves. There’s going to be a huge feast and dancing. I have to admit, I was excited. Vampires had celebrations too, but they were always so stiff and formal. From what Liz has been telling me, this is like a big backyard party.

“Why are you so hell bent on me dating?” I ask my best friend as I hand her the flowers I’m holding. She’s making centerpieces for the tables tonight.

She turns to look at me. “Because after I thought about it, I realized I’ve never seen you date anyone. I mean, you’ve gone on dates here and there, but not once have you been in a serious relationship.”

Probably because the last one was so damn bad.

“I don’t need to date.”

“Lies, everyone needs to date,” Rue says, placing another empty jar down in front of us.

I didn’t think that after saving Torak, I’d be so well received. Yet, here we are.

It started the morning after it all went down. Phaedra showed up on my doorstep with tears in her eyes. As soon as I stepped onto the porch, she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me while apologizing and thanking me profusely. That day, we sat down and talked about her husband and her anger toward vampires.

It broke my heart to explain to her it sounded like her old Alpha may have sacrificed her husband to the vampire. Often, in order to find favor with vampires, other beings would show their loyalty by offering members of their pack or coven. I think this was the case with her husband. She cried even more when she realized the truth.

Despite what these wolves may think, vampires aren’t inherently violent. They don’t just go around killing for fun. There is always a reason. Since our conversation, she and I have grown closer.

“I’m not interested.”

“And how long has it been since you’ve …. spent time with a man?” Phaedra asks.

“I spend time with men every day at training,” I say, even though I know that’s not what she’s talking about.

Rue laughs.

“She’s not talking about being around the opposite sex. She’s talking about when’s the last time you’ve slept with a man?” Elizabeth asks.

Just as the words come out of her mouth, the door to the dining hall opens, and the Beta walks in. The guys have been back-and-forth today. They’ve been busy preparing some type of arch thing for the celebration. Apparently, it requires a lot of exertion, because the Beta is shirtless.

His tanned skin glistens with sweat. There is a light dusting of dark hair that trails down his stomach and disappears behind his loose-fitting shorts. He has a toned body, a good balance of muscle and a little fat. The dark tattoo on his shoulder down to his elbow stood out against his skin. It was a lot different from the marks on my chest. His symbols and shapes were soft, less sharp than the lines I have.

He makes direct eye contact with me as he lifts the cup in his hands to his full lips. I watch as they part and he places the rim of the paper cup to his lips before drinking.

His throat moves up and down as he swallows the liquid. Like clockwork, anytime Enzo is near her, the green-eyed she-wolf finds her way over to him.

She’s pretty. Her long thick brown hair hangs to her ass. Her body is what we call thick. She has ass and titties with a little stomach. She’s short, maybe 5’4. The dainty type. Nowhere near as tall as my 5’10. Of course he likes her.

Laughter to my left has me turning to look at a smiling Liz.

“You should see your face,” she taunts.

“What are you talking about?”

“You look like you want to storm over there. Let me find out my bestie is crushing on my children’s godfather.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I cut my eyes back to the Beta and the she-wolf. She’s clinging to his arm like she’s going to float away or something. Meanwhile, he’s talking to Zyion. I didn’t even notice he’d walked in.

As if he could sense my gaze on him, the Beta turns to look at me once again before turning back to his pack mate.

“So you don’t know what I’m talking about?”

Glancing over at my best friend, I roll my eyes at her.

“Look,” I say, getting her off this topic. It’s meaningless. “I have given up on all things dealing with relationships. I’m happy and celibate.”

“How long have you been celibate?”

I think back to the last time Markis and I were together. The memory unearthing old wounds.

Letting out a deep breath, I pull a flower from my pile and hand it to her. “Three hundred.”

“Three hundred what?” Liz asks. “Months? Weeks?”

“No,” I say, bringing my voice down. “Years.”

She gasps. “You haven’t fucked in 300 years?”

The entire dining hall goes silent at my best friend’s outburst. Everyone is staring at me as if I’ve just grown another head. However, there is only one set of golden eyes that I search for. The Beta is watching me with a smirk.

My entire face heats up.

“Did you really need to shout that out?” I turn and ask Liz.

Tossing the flowers down on the table, I head to the back of the dining hall where the kitchen is. I step into the empty space, just needing to get away from all the prying eyes.

Look, I wish I could move on. Trust me, I’d much rather not have Markis looming presence hanging over my sex life. But he didn’t give me an option.

The door to the kitchen swings open and Liz walks in. I turn to look at her, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I’m sorry,” she says, poking out her bottom lip in a pout.

I can never stay mad at her.

“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.”

She walks further into the kitchen, rubbing her belly. “How do you go that long without sex? Especially when you gave me such a hard time the night I mated to Chayton.”

I chuckle as I think about the night she told me she was going to have sex with her supposed pen pal boyfriend.

“Despite what you think, the opportunity doesn’t really come up that often,” I lie. “Plus, there was a lot going on.”

“For three hundred years?” she laughs.

She had me there.

“Let’s just say my ex wasn’t a good guy. He made it so that I never wanted to be vulnerable with a man again. Even if it was just sex.”

She nods. Standing beside me near the sink, she places her back against the aluminum edge.

“I understand. When you’ve been hurt, it’s hard to move on sometimes.”

I scoff. “You have no idea.”

“But what about now? What about you and Enzo?”

I turn to look at my sweet friend, wondering if she’s lost her mind.

“Are you serious?” I chuckle.

“Yeah, it looks like you like him.”

“Liz, I don’t know if you’ve been on vacation for the last few months, but he hates me. If he could rip my head off my shoulders without you being upset with him, he would. Plus, he looks very much happy with green eyes.”

Look, all this acceptance is great, don’t get me wrong. But I’ve lived long enough that I can see through the fog. Our belonging here is connected to a thin, frail string. The first sign of any problems that string breaks and we are back to being public enemy number one. Even if I saved this entire pack with my blood, it wouldn’t wash away the many years of war between vampires and werewolves. If I told them I was here to save their entire race, it still wouldn’t make them stop hating me.

“Chayton told me he’s not serious about Nadia.” She shrugs. “And I feel something brewing between the two of you.”

I laugh. “It must be that baby because—”

“Mizani,” his voice cuts into my head so sharply, blinding pain has me gasping for air.

“Michaela?” I can hear Liz calling me, but it’s almost as if she’s miles away.

Looking around, I’m no longer in that kitchen on Dark Woods’ grounds. I’m in a large bedroom. The walls are pristine white and curved, giving the room an octagon shape. A large four poster bed is behind me, its black silk sheets are disheveled across the bed. However, it’s the person lying shirtless in the center of the mattress that has my heart pounding.

“My sweet wife,” Markis calls out to me. He climbs from off the bed and strolls over to me.

How the hell is he doing this? I fight to gain control of my body, but no matter what I do, I can’t move from this spot.

“Where are you, my love?”

I stop trying to move, and instead apply all my strength and focus on putting up my walls, protecting everything in my head. Suddenly, it feels as if a sledgehammer is ramming against my brain.

I scream out in pain.

“Enzo! Enzo!” I can hear Liz calling out, but again, I can’t see her. I’m stuck in this limbo state with Markis.

“What are you protecting so strongly?” he asks stroking the back of his hand down my cheek. However, I can’t feel his touch. It’s then I realize he has pulled me into his thoughts. I’m not really here.

“Get out of my fucking head,” I snarl as I use every source of energy I can find to push him out of my head and get the hell out of his.

He roars as I feel the pressure leaving my skull. The moment the relief comes, the bedroom walls melt away and I am back in the kitchen.

“Hey. Look at me, vamp.”

Turning my head, I come face to face with those golden eyes. I then notice I’m on the floor, but Enzo is holding me in his lap. The warmth of his arms causes my belly to flutter. Well shit, that hasn’t happened in a long time.

“You okay?” He asks.

Is that concern on his face? I must still be out of it. Looking past him, I spot Liz with tears in her eyes. Phaedra, Rue and a few of the other she-wolves are here. Even Zyion and Nadia are here staring down at me.

I quickly go to sit up, but my head swims. I shut my eyes and try to catch my breath.

“Come to me, wife,” Markis’s deep voice calls out to me.

He’s never had the ability to pull me out of my consciousness and into his. This is bad. Not only has he regained his full power, but it seems he’s grown his ability. It’s time to admit I need help.

Enzo helps me stand.

“I’m alright,” I say to Liz. “If you all will excuse me.”

I quickly scurry out of the kitchen. Time to face the facts. I can’t do this by myself. Unfortunately, I need to call on someone with the knowledge to help. Stepping outside, I let out a deep breath.

“Alright, Moira,” I say out loud, knowing she will hear. “I need your assistance.”