We pull up to the pack house. It's asprawling place on a ton of wooded property. It is absolutely beautiful and I automatically feel at peace.
“It's beautiful here,” I tell Sam as we are getting out.
He grins, “Wait until we go for a run later. I can't wait to feel your soft fur.”
“Huh?” Now I am confused.
He kisses the top of my head, “You'll see my Precious One.”
I scrunch up my nose, “I hate surprises.”
He laughs, “Oh well, for someone that hates them, you're sure full of them.”
I smack him as I say, “Just stop!” I am having a hard time keeping my hands off of him. This is going to be a long few days.
He goes to grab my bag, “Mister I can carry my own!”
“I know,” he says.
“Hand it over,” I demand.
He rolls his eyes, “Fine!”
I grin, “I win!”
He yells, “Eva!”
Then we both start to laugh.
Still giggling I say, “Speechless just the way I like my men.”
We hear a booming laugh drown out our own. I turn and see a petite older lady who is accompanied by a young man who seems familiar approach us.
“You must be Eva because that was spoken like a true Luna. You can call me Gran,” she says as she hugs me.
Usually, I shy away from being touched by people I don't know, but I feel comfortable around her. “Pleasure to meet you,” she says.
“In a few days you might rethink that,” I retort.
“I know I have,” Sam sighs.
I smack him, “Stop it!”
He chuckles. I think he likes me hitting him. What an ass!
“Steven your savior is here, come and take her bag, please,” Gran says.
“I'm not,” I blurt out.
Sam cups my face in his hand, “You took on three vampires and he'd have died. You are who you are, Eva. Now acceptit!”
“Eva?” Steven inquires.
“You’ve grown!” I exclaim.
In just a short time it seems like he has aged years. I look at Sam and he nods. Apparently, this is normal for
wolves so that they reach maturity faster and can live longer lives as adults.
“You've changed,” Steven says.
I pull back in shock, “Um.”
I look at Sam.
“How?” Sam asks Steven.
“Her scent, I thought it was just her perfume that was lightly floral. But it's her isn't it?” Steven asks.
“Yes,” Sam says.
Gran tries to quell the impending questions, “Boys it's nothing. Just means she's where she needs to be.”
I know she's lying and I think Sam does too.
She continues, “After all, she's family now. Right Sam?”
He gets a huge grin on his face as
he blushes a bit, “She is.”
“What?” Steven asks.
“She's his fated mate,” Gran says.
Now it is my turn to blush.
“Put her bags in Sam's room,” Gran tells Steven.
I just look at her. “We don't keep mates separate here, Dearie,” she says.
As we are walking to the house, Steven asks, “Does this change the ceremony?”
Sam says to him, “You can still take the oath, but you will listen to Eva and me. Also, under no circumstances will you go rogue.”
Steven asks, “What's going on besides the vampires harassing us to move?”
I remember Sam briefly mentioning it and it involving Victor. I know that it does, I can just feel it. I want to see if I can glean any more information.
“Hold up, which ones?” I ask as we stop walking.
“Why?” Steven asks me.
I say, “I have friends among them.”
“Now that's very interesting. Sam we three are talking later,” Gran says and he just nods.
Steven turns to me, “Some creep named Victor and his goons were by a few nights ago.”
I know my face must light up, “Oh really, funny we discussed him the other night.”
“Eva, we did but you will not go near him!” Sam bellows.
I glare at him, “No this is too good. I must do something. When is he due back?”
“Any day now, why?” Steven asks me.
I laugh, “Because I've got plans for him.”
Sam takes my hand, “Eva the Prince wants him alive.”
I let go of his hand, “Well that will depend on how much of a fight he puts up. If I kill the slime bag Eric will just have to deal with it.”
“And how do you know the Prince?” Gran asks.
I know that I can't say exactly how I know Eric but I can some.
“I write for him. Working on the turnings and
unauthorized feedings currently, but if Victor is responsible for trying to start a war too,” I explain.
“Write?” Gran inquires.
“She's a journalist,” Sam says.
I feel comfortable so I say, “Midnight Rose.”
Shocked, “No Way!” Steven exclaims.
I nod.
He continues, “You're famous at school!”
I laugh.
“I'm serious,” Steven says.
“Steven that talk makes her uncomfortable. She won't say so but I will,” Sam says as he puts his arms around my waist.
“How do you..” Steven starts.
“When you find a mate, then you'll understand,” Sam explains.
Confused, “But she's not a wolf. She doesn't scent wolf or shifter. I can't place it,” Steven says.
Gran raises an eyebrow, “I wouldn't be so sure of that young one.”
Does she know what I am?
“Her scent though,” Steven says.
“She doesn't scent wolf. What does she scent like?” she asks him.
“Flowers tons of flowers misted by dew,” he tells her.
She nods, “Yes and?”
“Nothing scents like that,” Steven says.
Gran smiles, “She does.”
Sam laughs, “Come on Snow White, let me show you the obstacle course you'll run shortly.”
We leave Steven and Gran as Sam leads me around. We walk a ways out back and come to a military-style obstacle course.
“Do wolves only run in human form or shift accordingly?” I ask.
He says, “We use our strengths if that's what you mean.”
I grin evilly as an idea comes to me.
“No shifting for you until I announce you as my mate. No powers either at all while you're here,” he demands.
I grin, “Oh I'll be slick and extremely cunning.”
“Eva!” Sam growls.
“Oh, and I'm racing the men too,” I add.
“No!” he yells.
I don't care. I am doing this, but can I get him to agree?
I look at him defiantly, “Oh I am. Try and stop me!”
“Why?” he asks.
I remember some stuff that I read, “Status, it's one of the few things that garners respect is it not?”
He concedes, “Fine but be careful.”
“You sound like Vincent,” I say.
He strokes my arm, “Well I'd agree with him if he were here now. The pack already owes you.”
Maybe so, but I need to do this then I get a feeling, “It's not just your pack that's here.”
“No! How?” he asks.
“Smell and sense them. They're not as warm as your family and more confrontational,” I say.
He shakes his head, “You're something else.”
I shrug, “I'm something alright.”
We start walking back. “Let's get changed and a
snack. Gran will want us in her office before the competition,” he says.
“Are you racing?” I ask because I think it would be fun to beat him.
“No,” he says.
“Why?” I ask.
“Alpha doesn't. You can only because we haven't announced you yet,” he explains.
Once back, we go and change clothes. I come out of the closet and spin around.
“Go change,” he commands.
I laugh because I don't blame him for saying it. I'm wearing a form-fitting top paired with short Jean shorts. These shorts have a zipper running up my crack to perfectly frame my ass.
I start walking to the door, “Nope! I gotta look good from the back because that's the view everyone will be seeing,” I say.’
I just feel so confident around Sam. I feel free. He lets out a booming laugh as we approach a small group near the kitchen.
“So this is the girl that saved Steven?” a guy that resembles Sam asks.
“I'm no girl!” I irritatedly say.
I sense my eyes flash and feel this odd sensation.
“Eva!” Sam exclaims as he reaches for me.
“Don't! Let's see you take on three vampires without
shifting or using your abilities, and then we can talk!” I tell Sam and the guy.
Sam leans down and whispers, “Be careful.”
“One got away,” the arrogant guy said.
I glare at him, “She's dead now. Ask your brother he saw her turn to ash because of me.”
“We didn't hear of that,” he says.
Nonchalantly I reply, “It's because it happened right beside the Prince. Eric had to take care of things Feel free to question the Prince if you wish.”
He scoffs, “Big talk.”
“I could call him right now if you like?” I ask.
“Eva!” Sam growls.
I lean into Sam, “Why, I doubt he'd like anyone questioning me or him?”
He chuckles as he asks, “What are you going to do?”
I grin, “Depends, Simon do we have a problem?”
Yes, I figured out who the guy was and his name too.
“I never said my name,” Simon says.
Still grinning I say, “You didn't need to. Your eyes gave you away and I do my research.”
I can't say that I know because Sam told me in his mind, at least not yet. I feel Sam run his hand along my back. I shudder.
“Nope, not now,” I think.
Sam responds, “We gotta tell Gran.”
This mindlink thing isn't so bad.
“Sam she's here for more than the debt, isn't she?” Simon asks.
Sam chuckles as he answers, “Have fun losing to her in the race later.”
Simon laughs, “That’ll never happen.”
Just then I have a vase tip that had water in it from an above shelf. I catch the vase but Simon is covered in water.
“Wow look at that. I guess nature disagrees with you Simon,” I say.
I put the vase on a nearby table as Sam and I walk to meet Gran.
“I can't believe you,” Sam says with a huge smile.
“Hey, I was slick!” I tell him.
He smirks, “Do I have to tie you up?”
“You think you could I might like that,” I flirtatiously reply.
We laugh as we enter Gran's office.
“Sam lock the door,” she orders.
“Did you?” I ask her.
“Yes I saw you Eva. I'm impressed,” she tells me.
Still irritated, “He had it coming,” I answered.
“He did. He took too much after his grandfather and father,” she says.
As I was about to offer my condolences she stopped me, “Dear it's fine. Time makes it easier.”
I changed the topic, “What am I?”
“Well, I can tell beyond a doubt that you're Sam's mate,” she beams.
“About that, the haze?” Sam asks her.
She grins, “Oh to be young! The regular haze will be ten times more intense for you both now that you're mates.”
“It's happening now though,” he tells her.
“Oh! Well that's something special. Enjoy it!” she says. But I can't help but feel as if she knows more than she's saying. I can’t read her mind. It's as if it's shrouded or at least parts of it are.
“Um, the timing isn't so good,” I say.
“It never is. You're mates, you'll always crave each other. No need to doubt or be nervous, dear,” she tells me.
“But I'm not normal,” I inform her.
“Shift Eva,” Sam commands.
I do and then back again.
She sighs, “Ah, the prophecy.”
I beg with my eyes for her to continue and she does, “There was an order that protected the balance between humans, wolves, vampires, and witches. There was a bloody battle. The last leader was a white wolf with the abilities of a witch. Her forces won but at a great cost. She died after vanquishing the vampire king.”
“Well I'm not like her. I am not a witch who was turned,” I explain.
“But you are at least you appear to be. You're white as she was,” she adds.
I suppress her will and she touches her temples, “How?”
“I have vampiric abilities and they work in the sun,” I say.
“All vampiric abilities?” she asks.
“Yes and I can see their memories,” I reveal.
“Oh my!” she exclaims.
“She can control animals too,” Sam adds.
“Suppress? Yes,” she says.
“No control. Show her Snow White,” Sam commands.
I have a bird come and tap on the window. Sam opens it and I have it sit and look at Gran.
“Can I touch it?” she asks me.
“Sure,” I say. And after she does, “Now I'll escort it back outside and set it free,” I tell her.
“Absolutely amazing!” she beams.
“There's something else,” Sam tells her.
I sigh, “I can kill with just a thought.”
“Show me!” she demands.
Sam puts a plant in front of her and I think the killing curse. It withers and dies.
“Eva, try to bring it back,” Sam says.
“I've never tried,” I reply.
“Try,” he orders.
I do and it slowly comes back.
“How?” I ask him.
“I just thought you could,” he replies.
“Well no one must know this,” she states.
“Do you think she's the last of the order?” Sam asks.
“The first of the new maybe because she is far more than
any of them were This is more than the prophecy returning. I need to
know more. Something is still missing or just hasn't surfaced yet,” she answers.
“So why?” I ask.
“The ritual,” Sam says.
“Our lore talks nothing of it. Ask the vampires,” she tells us.
I laugh.
“What?” she asks.
“About that…” I start.
“You said that you do have friends among them,” she says.
“Much more than that,” I tell her.
“Her mate is one. Well, both are. One I just like better,” Sam informs her.
“Sam!” I yell as I smack him.
“Who are they?” she asks me.
“Prince Eric Wood,” I say.
“When?” she inquires.
“Night of the gala,” Sam says.
“He had a queen,” she states.
“In name only. He gave up waiting and settled,” I inform her.
“The other?” she asks.
“Vincent Black,” I say.
She sucks in a breath. “Yes he's an ass.”
She laughs, “He also has a lot of blood on his hands.”
“As do I, none was done for joy or sport,” I add. I have to defend Vincent, “He lost it after he suffered a great loss during the war.”
“During the vampire and wolf war dear,” she tells me.
“But the order….” I ask.
“Yes they stopped it,” she says.
“A vampire turned Vincent back then,” I say.
“Could've been a rogue or part of the order. It's connected somehow,” she says.
“Where's that vampire Eva?” Sam asks.
“Old world, I think he said the Netherlands,” I answer.
“We need to tell them,” Sam says.
I know that we should tell Eric and Vincent, “We will later, let me finish pissing them off first,” I tell him.
He chuckles, “I wonder how Vincent is handling the zoo you left him.”
“Horribly, I'm sure,” I reply.
“Katie is loving it though,” he adds.
“I know she is,” I smile.
“Katie?” Gran inquires.
“My human best friend,” I tell her.
“And the great Vincent Black is babysitting?” she laughs.
“He and Eric,” I say.
She laughs harder, “Oh this is hilarious!!! You're such an Alpha my dear way more than I ever was! Welcome to the pack!”
Sam blushes, “Um.”
“Oh Sam you haven't? Why?” She asks him.
“Was going to discuss that on our run later,” he tells her.
“Sorry,” she says.
“Sam!” I yell.
“Eva! Stop trying to pry,” he commands.
“No!” I answer defiantly.
“I'Il sing,” he threatens.
We both sing We Will Rock You by Queen out loud.
Then we all burst out laughing.
“Oh that was priceless,” she says.
We all laugh. So there was a war that involved a hybrid, but I am more than a witch who was turned into a wolf. Vincent was made a vampire during
that war. It is all connected somehow. We have to figure it out.