Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
“You have a choice now. Choose to stand beside me in a fight against that evil that holds you. Push him away and feel the goodness, the love you have for your mate, and fight him now,” she said.
The man clenched his teeth and cried out in agony.
Ariella reached for him. When she placed her hand on his shoulder, Orion and Palidor yelled but then the vision overtook the four of them.
She saw the black blood in his veins, the sharp fierce grip that held his heart in its talons. The creature was a mix of evil things, monstrous, dark horrible things.
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But hidden within the hold was love. A love so bold, so strong and beautiful that she focused her energy on it. She felt her men beside her. They, too, understood the bond between mates and the depth of that love and connection. They saw what she saw and what this man saw. Melanie. “No!” the evil voice roared. As the black liquid flowed away from the man’s body and a light so bright and pure circulated through them. Ariella immediately knew that the man was saved. That he would see his mate, his Melanie, and survive this ordeal.
As he became whole again, Ariella felt the strength leave her body and darkness overtake her.
* * * *
The man was crying and hugging Ariella as she slept in Palidor’s arms. He held her close and locked gazes with Orion.
“That was amazing,” he whispered.
“She is amazing,” Orion said as he caressed her cheek.
Ariella began to stir, as Palidor walked her to the SUV. The others followed.
“Is she okay?” Talib asked.
“What the hell happened over there?” Derry asked.
“That was freaking crazy. She saved that man,” Eamon added.
“I know. She’s special. She needs protection and I think we should get her someplace safe.”
“Take her to the Venificus mansion. She will be safest there.
We’ll secure the man she saved and the others. The circle of elders have been notified along with Samantha, Charity, Antoinette, and Lexi. We’ll take care of the rest,” Talib told Palidor and then touched his shoulder.
“Thank you. We’ll get her there now,” Orion said as they got into the SUV.
* * * *
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Palidor drove the SUV with some of their Omegas and security in another SUV behind them. Ariella lay her head on Orion’s shoulder.
Orion gently moved the hair from her face and inhaled her scent.
“She’s weak. Her breathing is so light. I’m worried.”
“She overdid it. Between shifting, fighting off the rogues, and then healing that man from the evil monster holding his soul, she’s in need of rest.”
Orion leaned over and kissed her forehead. She adjusted her body against his and snuggled closer. The feel of her safe in his arms calmed his wolf.
“She is quite beautiful in wolf form, didn’t you think?” Palidor asked.
“She is beautiful just like this.”
“You mean, quiet, soft, and in your arms. Not fighting us every step of the way?” Palidor asked with a smile.
Orion chuckled. “She is perfect for us.” He adjusted her body so that she was on his lap and closer to his wolf.
They were both quiet as they made the journey back to the estate.
The road was dark, their men behind them keeping close, but the feelings of fear were there. Something eerie and strange remained in the air.
“I’m worried, Palidor. She’s in danger.”
“I know. I’m feeling the same way. But it will be better once we begin the mating and bond one another together. Our wolves will feel more content, and there won’t be the added fear that she could leave.”
“She’s quite independent and stubborn. We’re the same way,”
Orion whispered as he stared at Ariella’s closed eyes and luscious lips. He wanted to taste her, make love to her, and stake his claim.
“The gods don’t make mistakes. We are meant for her, just as she is meant for only us. We’ll seal the bond, and protect her from harm.
I’m afraid this situation feels as if it will get worse before it gets better.”
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Ariella moved and tried to get more comfortable on Orion’s lap.
Feeling her ass on top of his crotch instantly hardened his cock. He pressed a hand along her waist up her belly to her breast. Her lips parted and he lowered his mouth to hers. When he felt her hand move up his arms and shoulder to his cheek as she kissed him back, relief flooded the uncertainty in his soul.
He used his thumb to caress over her nipple, the material not really a barrier to his touch. Her nipple hardened and she moaned softly into his mouth.
Opening her eyes, she gently pulled away.
“Are you taking advantage of me while I’m resting?”
He felt the magic between them, the love, the connection as his eyes sparkled.
“Hell yeah, baby.”
She chuckled and then suddenly hugged him tight.
Orion held her snugly in his arms as he turned toward Palidor.
Palidor smiled and so did Orion as feelings of contentedness filled both their souls.
* * * *
They got to the estate and their mother and fathers were there to greet them. Ariella was still so tired.
“Bring her to the guest bedroom. Let her rest while we discuss the next steps and what you have learned,” Maximus stated.
“No, I’m okay, Alpha. Please. I just need to sit down,” Ariella whispered as she held on to Orion.
Maximus moved closer. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave her a firm expression. Everyone knew he was an Alpha of authority.
Ariella smiled. “Okay, okay. I’ll go rest. But please don’t make any decisions without me. I know I can help.”
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“You’ve helped more than enough for one night, baby. Let us handle the rest, while you get reenergized,” Palidor said as he held her chin and gave her a firm expression.
She nodded her head and both Orion and Palidor felt triumphant.
Orion and Palidor headed up to the guest room while the others were updated on the night’s events.
As they laid Ariella down on the king-sized bed, they both stood to the side. Palidor covered her with a blanket as Orion kissed her softly on the lips.
“Rest. We won’t be far if you need us.”
“I’ll be fine, Orion. I’ll just rest for a little while. I want to check on that wolf and his mate, Melanie. Are they together yet?”
Palidor smiled as he moved beside her. His face was inches from her own.
“We’ll check and confirm. You rest, we’ll be up here to join you in a little while.”
“Promise?” she whispered.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Promise.”
* * * *
“So you’re saying that this man is one of Kamea’s relatives, from her family’s pack?” Charity asked.
“Yes. That’s what he told us. He mentioned that there had been threats or concerns over their safety after hearing about the other attacks across the world. Talib, Eamon, and Derry were going to question him and the workers thoroughly. Hopefully they will have more for us to go by,” Palidor said. His father, Luther, passed him a snifter of brandy.
“It seems that your chosen mate is indeed very special,” Dante stated.
Palidor looked at Orion. “We felt her power. The love and bond between that man and his mate.”
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“You were touching her when she helped the man?” Charity asked, sounding concerned.
“Yes. I think she wanted us to feel what she felt, and to know that she was safe as long as the three of us were together,” Orion added.
“That is amazing. I mean, I’ve brought your fathers with me in time travel to other realms when they insist. The bond between the three of you is very strong. But this evil, whatever it is, whoever has had the power to overtake souls and turn them to rogue must be of the darkest kind.”
“But what could possibly have that kind of power?” Luther asked her.
She thought about it a moment.
“Did Ariella describe the monster? Or perhaps you saw some of what it was?”
“It was very strong and very evil. It did have claws of some kind, almost talons,” Orion stated.
She inhaled quickly. “Wings or arms?”
“Not sure. The black almost liquid power that ran through the man’s veins was hard to see through. Ariella did all the work. She had her powers and ability to break whatever spell or evil power was over him,” Palidor added.
“Don’t forget that you both have powers of your own. They may not have come out in full, but they will. When the time is right and when they are needed, your abilities and powers will ignite.”
“I think you may be right. I know that seeing Ariella again and recognizing her as my mate has made things feel clearer. If that makes any sense,” Orion said.
“It makes total sense. It’s like there was a bit of something missing, almost a fog over my perception of things. It feels lifted,”
Palidor said.
“It is the power of the mating bond, the love growing deeper and stronger. It is special, just like my bond with your fathers is special, and Antoinette’s with her men and Lexi’s with hers. Some bonds run
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so deeply that the evil ones, out there roaming the realms looking to cause havoc and pain, become obsessed with gaining such power. I hate to say this, but I get the feeling that this is just the beginning. I think that is why our investigators and enforcers have not been successful in identifying the culprit,” Charity stated.
“Perhaps there is more than one?” Dante said.
Charity looked at him. “Let’s hope not. With power this dark, and strong, we may need more than what we currently have.”
* * * *
Draco knew that he was taking a huge risk here. But he was good at what he did. The element of surprise, of gall, and no fear always seemed to pay off. His magic abilities and guidance from the evil that unfortunately owned his soul kind of helped, too. As he climbed the side walls, evaded being detected by security, he entered the room.
He kind of felt badly for doing this. Ariella had always been so sweet and petite. He still didn’t know what powers she possessed just that these men wanted her.
As he approached the bed, he inhaled. His wolf, his being, immediately came to life and he growled. It was low, but it rumbled from his chest.
He shook his head in denial. As he moved closer and listened to her gentle breathing, he smelled his brothers’ scents on her. He denied what he was feeling and sensing.
Pulling the cloth from his pocket, he slowly reached over and covered her mouth.
Ariella’s eyes popped open. His heart sunk as the chemical rendered her unconscious.
Quickly he pulled down the blanket.
Ariella wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was a voluptuous, grown woman, a goddess.
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Lifting her up into his arms, her scent attacked his nostrils. His grip tightened. “No. It can’t be.”
He inhaled deeper as he headed toward the window and balcony.
He hesitated and then felt the indecisiveness. He nuzzled her close, holding her tightly as he maneuvered out the window, down the side of the balcony, using his wolf abilities to remain swift and undetected. As he carried her to the outskirts of the woods, he felt his wolf’s need to roar and claim this woman his mate. But then came the pain. The reminder that he wasn’t good enough, he wasn’t meant to be loved or cared for, and that was why he left. He owed no one a thing. He would do this job, get her out of here.
He heard the set of growls and then the sirens blaring.
In an attempt to escape being caught, he ran with her through the woods.
They weren’t far behind him, but he did have a lead.
Running in the direction of the field of wildflowers and lavender, an old trick from his childhood to evade capture during wolf hunt, he headed deeper, where no wolf would dare go because of the pungent, sharp smell. Beyond the flowers was a cave, a place he always hid in and felt most content. He could hide out there until it was safe to leave. They wouldn’t find him. No one ever had before. He could maybe gains some control of what he was feeling and this deep need to keep Ariella close.
* * * *
“Where is she?” Palidor yelled, running toward the window.
“Someone entered through the balcony and headed out the window to the woods with her,” the security guard stated.
Orion sniffed the air. Charity entered the room. She locked gazes with Orion and Palidor.
“Draco,” they said simultaneously.
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“What?” Maximus asked. “Oh my God, Draco has her. Draco returned,” Charity said aloud as Dante pulled her against him.
“Why would he return now? Why take Ariella?” Palidor asked.
“Because he is one of them. That’s why he disappeared. That’s why he left this family, this pack. He’ll bring her to the monster,”
Orion roared.
“Let’s move. We have to stop him,” Palidor said, and then they ran from the room.
“Why? Why would Draco do this?” Dante asked.
“I don’t know. I mean, I’m trying to get over the shock that he was here, in his home, and that he took Ariella,” Charity replied.
“You’re getting nothing from the Goddesses?” Luther asked her.
She shook her head.
“I don’t understand. It’s so frustrating. He’s my son, our son, and we love him. Why won’t they let me see where he is and why he took Ariella?” Charity asked with tears in her eyes.
“I pray to the gods that Orion is wrong. I hope they find him before he destroys this family, this pack, and the packs of all Weres around the world,” Maximus said.
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Draco managed to remain undetected through the night. Before the sun rose, he carried Ariella in his arms to another dwelling deep within Venificus territory. It had been a place he went to more often during his teenage years to get away from the feelings of inadequacy.