Filed to story: When Taken by the Dark Fate Free Online >>
I woke to Wesley shaking me. I hadn’t even remembered falling asleep the night before. We’d all been up late setting up tents and getting everyone settled, and then Mira and I had watched the other shifters for hours, before finally crawling into our tents and passing out.
“You said you wanted to see the Sun Witches bless the babies,” Wesley said when I groaned in protest. “It’s almost time.”
“I didn’t realize it would be this early,” I grumbled as I dragged myself out of my sleeping bag. I was so not a morning person, even on the best of days. If it were up to me, I’d stay up all night and sleep the day away.
Wesley had helpfully let me know that the food tents were close to where the Sun Witches performed the rituals, and I was curious about the blessings since I’d never seen magic in action before. I met Mira outside, who looked almost as sleepy as I did, her dark eyes still clouded and missing their usual spark. Despite her tiredness, she had a grin at the ready, and I couldn’t help but match it. Today was the Convergence, and everything would change.
It could only go up from here, right?
The smell of cooking bacon and eggs wafted from the food tents, and the low murmur of conversation let us know we were headed in the right direction. I grabbed Mira’s arm, excitement overtaking any apprehension, and before either of us knew it, we were lined up to get some breakfast along with dozens of other shifters I didn’t recognize.
I didn’t even pay attention to the food I was grabbing, too focused on the line of people bringing their newborns one at a time to the group of silent Sun Witches, all dressed in warm-hued robes as they stood in the bright morning sunlight.
Mira and I found a spot on the grass nearby while a Taurus female stepped forward. I paused, a piece of toast raised halfway to my lips, as the Sun Witch pulled the baby into her arms, cradling it gently. It fussed for a few moments, but the Sun Witch softly hushed it, putting her first two fingers on its forehead. She closed her eyes and murmured something, too quiet for anyone to hear. There was a slight shift in the air, like something settling, and a soft glow surrounded them both, like a beam of sunlight falling upon them.
If the Sun Witch didn’t bless the child, it would fall prey to the Moon Witch curse and turn feral at full moons. It was important that every baby was blessed, or they’d spend the rest of their lives in agony, going mad at the full moons, waking up without remembering what they’d done while they were shifted. This way, once our wolves were unlocked, we’d remain in control the whole time, without the Moon Witch curse turning us into the rabid monsters of myth.
Three more babies were blessed, that shift happening every time in the air. It wasn’t the fiery hands and sparks flying out that I’d imagined in my daydreams, but this subtle magic was almost as awe-inspiring. The female shifter would take back her child each time, smile down at it, and walk away with a dreamy expression on her face.
Mira nudged me. “Come on. We’ve seen enough. I think one of them is giving us dirty looks.”
I glanced over at Mira, and then followed the jerk of her chin. It was the same Sun Witch I’d noticed looking at me yesterday, her colorless eyes caught directly on me. I swallowed, throat suddenly dry, and got up quickly, brushing the grass off my jeans. The same, panicked feeling followed me as we headed back to the food tents to throw away our paper plates.
“What are your plans for today?” I asked. I hoped she’d want to go exploring with me, but Mira was always more social and liked spending time with other shifters, rather than in the woods. I was wary of other shifters, always worried they’d accost me rather than befriend me—and I was almost always right. Mira was a full-blooded shifter, had her Cancer powers, and didn’t have the same smart mouth that I did. She could worm her way into anyone’s heart with her easy smile.
One option was to stay and listen to the trade talks and watch packs squabble over things, but I had no interest in that. Mira didn’t either. She’d never been involved in pack politics, and I didn’t see her suddenly finding a long-lost interest in it. That was practically what I listened to on a daily basis living in the alpha’s house, and it sounded like a huge headache. I was thankful that the title of alpha was never going to fall on my shoulders. It wouldn’t fit me well at all, and Wesley was better suited to the job. He could keep a clear head during arguments, and that was essential to making it as an alpha.
“We could go explore,” I said, motioning to the forest. I’d read up on the site of the Convergence weeks before we were headed here, planning out hikes in my head. There was a set of falls I was excited to see and wanted someone to share the view with. “The forest is beautiful out here.”
Mira wrinkled her nose. “But there’s no ocean. You know I only like nature when it’s next to the water. I think I’ll stay here, try to make friends.” She leaned in and whispered to me conspiratorially. “Who knows, maybe I’ll meet my mate.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, even as I rolled my eyes. “Out of the hundreds of people here? That would really be lucky.”
“Well, it is the Convergence. All sorts of strange things might happen.”
With that, she flounced off, leaving me standing by myself near the food tents. I quickly tossed my plate, noting the strange looks from some of the other shifters. I didn’t want to draw any more attention than I already had, and I knew if anyone said something rude to me, there would be trouble. I remembered the tight grip Dad had on my arm a few days ago as he hissed the words into my ear.
If you cause any trouble at the Convergence, I’ll cast you out of the Cancer pack myself. And he had the power to do that, which was the worst part of the threat. I didn’t know if he actually meant it or if it was just empty words to keep me in line, but I wasn’t about to find out.
I quickly walked back over to my tent, nodding to everyone I made eye contact with. Most of them I didn’t know, but the Virgo alpha sent me a smile that bolstered my mood. Maybe everyone didn’t hate me here. Maybe there was a chance I wouldn’t remain an outcast for the rest of my life.
I pulled on my worn-out hiking boots that Wesley had gotten me for my last birthday, the second-best present I’d ever gotten, the first being my camera. I grabbed my phone to take some photos too, cursing Brad and Lori under my breath again, before stepping outside.
Dad was walking toward the tent, deep in conversation with the Pisces alpha, gesturing around as if he was plotting something out, and I quickly slipped away. I made my way back toward the cars, checking over my shoulder just to be sure he hadn’t caught sight of me. He was focused on everything else right now, but it would be my luck that he’d catch me at the wrong moment and force me to stay by his side. I didn’t want him to ask me where I was going because he’d say it was important that I stay here in case he needed me. For what, his own personal punching bag? I thought as I shook my head and continued walking quickly. If he’d had it his way, he probably would have confined me to the tent. No one would note my absence though. I knew that much. He spent so much of his time talking about Wesley that most packs forgot he also had a daughter, and a half-human one at that. It was an impressive feat he’d managed, almost completely erasing me from the minds of the other packs.
I found the trail head without a problem, and as the noise of the Convergence faded away, my shoulders relaxed. Out here in nature, I could be myself without any fear of repercussions. I could take pictures and hike, and no one would yell at me for simply existing.
I pulled out Wesley’s old, cracked phone and took a picture of the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves. It was a beautiful day, not a single cloud in the sky, and I wanted to take advantage of it. There wouldn’t be anyone out here except me. Everyone else was conversing with their friends from other packs, and humans were warded off by a spell the Sun Witches had cast across their lands. I could finally relax.
The further I hiked, the more at home I felt in this strange forest. It wrapped around me, comforting in its embrace, and I found myself smiling as I walked. The sound of rushing water grew louder, and before I knew it, I was crossing the stream. I was almost at the falls.
A few minutes later the falls came in view, the water feeding into an almost perfectly round turquoise pool. The sight took my breath away, and I felt the absence of my camera even more than I had on our drive here. I’d never be able to justify the sight with a phone camera, no matter how much editing I did.
I was so taken aback by the beauty of the waterfall that I didn’t notice the large, naked man crouched at the bank until he moved. I took a step back, shocked to see another person out this far away from the Convergence. The graceful way he moved screamed shifter, but I couldn’t see a pack mark anywhere on his exposed skin, and it was all exposed. His clothes were a pile at his feet, and his big, muscular body was fully on display. He was turned away from me, giving me a full view of a back corded with muscle and an ass so firm it begged to be slapped. Not to mention arms and thighs so thick they put the trees around us to shame.
I watched, unable to look away from his hands sluicing water over his hard body. His hair was dark, and water trickled down it onto his broad shoulders like a caress. Every inch of him was tan, and he looked like he spent more time away from civilization than in it, and was right at home in the forest. If I’d seen him in a city, he would have stuck out like a sore thumb.
Realizing I was staring like some kind of creep, I tore my gaze away with a ragged breath. As quietly as possible, I stepped behind a tree and wondered what I should do. It would be hard to hike back down without making any noise, and even the smallest crackle of leaves or snap of a branch would alert his wolf senses. It was a miracle I hadn’t stepped on any on the way up.
As I tried to slink away, a twig snapped under my foot and my theory was confirmed as he turned, eyes narrowed, searching me out. Definitely a shifter, and now he knew I was here. He lifted his head as if trying to catch my scent. I chewed on my lip, trying to figure out my next step. From where I was it looked like I was hiding, or even spying on him. I huffed in frustration. There was no good way out of this.
Before I could decide, he shifted. It was so easy, so smooth that I almost missed it. A huge black wolf with brilliant blue, intelligent eyes prowled directly toward me. There was no way I could outrun him on foot, not when he was in his wolf form. I stepped out from behind the trees, holding my hands up to show I wasn’t carrying any weapons.
A low growl overpowered the thunder of the falls, and he crouched down, heavy muscles bunching as if he was preparing to attack.
“Dammit,” I muttered. Without any Cancer armor, I didn’t stand a chance against his wolf’s teeth, and since I didn’t have my own wolf yet—really poor timing, Ayla—I’d have to depend on his mercy alone. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’m just hiking—”
The huge wolf lunged toward me, and I let out a startled cry as he rammed into me and knocked me to the forest floor. I tried to wriggle away from his sharp fangs and claws, but then he shifted back. Now a hard and very naked human body had me pinned beneath him. His knees dug into my thighs, and he captured each of my wrists with his hands. His tanned face was close enough that I could see that his eyes were just as blue as when he was a wolf, and he had some rugged scruff along his jaw that only made him sexier.
Stop it, I told my brain. You shouldn’t be noticing how hot he is, you’re seconds away from getting your throat ripped out if you say the wrong thing.
But as our eyes met, something passed between us, something that made my heart race faster and my breathing catch. Something that tugged on my soul and said this one. Desire and yearning like I’d never known before flared inside me, and I wondered if he felt it too.
“What are you doing out here?” His eyes dropped to my lips like he couldn’t help himself, and then his face lowered, his nose slowly brushing against my neck, sending a shiver through me. I thought he might press his lips there next, but then he pulled back. “Cancer pack?” he snarled it like an insult. “You should be down with the others.”
“I’m hiking, not lost,” I said again, trying not to let the words tremble like my body was doing, while the pulse at my throat beat rapidly. I was all too aware that he was completely naked, and I kept my gaze pinned on his face, not daring to look down. He’d notice, and I didn’t know if I could look away from his body if I broke his gaze. He radiated heat and it soaked all the way into my bones from where we touched. Even though I was terrified, I couldn’t stop the rush of warmth pooling between my thighs from the feel of his hard body on top of mine.
“Hiking?” he asked as if he didn’t believe me.
“Before the ritual tonight I wanted to take some time by myself. That’s allowed, isn’t it?” I felt a little braver, and my smart mouth was back online. “This is all neutral land.”
“Yes, but surely you have pack members who are missing you.”
I wanted to roll my eyes.Right. Mira was too busy chasing after anything that smiled at her and Wesley was probably lapping up Dad’s praise. “No one would miss me.”
“Funny.” His tone was patronizing, as was the slight smirk on his face as he took the rest of me in. His eyes lingered, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was checking me out. “And here I thought the Cancer pack was pretty tight-knit.”
I snorted at that, unable to help myself. “You obviously don’t know anything about me.”
The man’s face darkened. “And I don’t want to. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll forget you ever saw me.”
“Or what? You’ll kill me? Please, go ahead. I’d like to see you explain how you killed someone in Sun Witch territory during the Convergence. I’ll laugh at you from the afterlife.”
His gaze darkened further, his blue eyes going almost black. “You have a death wish, little wolf.”
Somehow that rankled more than muttor half-breed. He couldn’t have been much older than I was. “No, I’ve just got nothing to lose.”
He curled his lips back in another snarl. He looked ready to say something else, but his attention suddenly shifted elsewhere, his piercing blue eyes focusing on the brush a few feet back.
I heard it a moment later than he did, the rustle of something moving within them, something obviously human. I tensed immediately. I’d been in enough fights to know that the arrival of someone else wasn’t always a good thing. Especially this far out from my own pack. It would more than likely be someone from his pack, whichever one that was.
“Let me go,” I said, squirming in his hold once more, trying to get the heavy press of his body to give. No such luck, and all it did was rub me against every naked, hard inch of him. And oh god, he was definitely hard. And big too. Lust flared inside me like a bonfire sparking to life. I’d never felt anything like it before, and it made me gasp. He glanced down at me, lips ghosting up into a dark smile like he knew exactly what I was thinking about, before pushing himself away from me
“Get out of here, little wolf,” he said. “And forget you ever saw us.”
Before I could look him over further, he shifted back into his wolf and greeted the other two males who melted out of the brush with a soft chuff. I scrambled to my feet, stepping back toward the trail. Another low growl resonated from his wolf’s lips, warning me away. The two males looked between him and me, but I didn’t recognize either of them. It was likely I just hadn’t seen them before, but something about this whole situation set my teeth on edge. What were they all doing so far away from the Convergence?
Now that his body wasn’t on top of mine, a semblance of reason returned to my stupid head. Without looking back, I turned tail and fled, sprinting back down the way I’d come, trying to put as much distance between us as I could. It was only after I’d slowed to a slow trot that I stopped to wonder which pack they’d been from. The man had smelled like the forest, woodsy and heady, but I couldn’t yet recognize scents like full shifters could. I cursed my lack of wolf for the second time. If I’d been able to shift, I could have unpinned myself, and my keener senses would have alerted me to his presence before I’d stumbled upon him in the first place.
The strange sensation stayed with me the whole way down. There was something odd about that wolf and the two males who had been with him.
Something my gut told me was trouble.