Chapter Twelve

Colin.

I sat alone in the dark the rest of the first day in this form. Trapped in my own body. Christian came to me that night and has come every night since. He is my babysitter, watching me to make sure I don’t lose my mind and leave the barn. I have contemplated going to find Sam again and again. But I fear what I will do to her if I find her. I saw her blood-covered body on the floor before Alec carried her away from me and further from our future together.

The next two days, I sat alone in the dark of the barn, hiding my shame during the daylight hours. Kept hidden from the family like their dirty little secret. Day three was when I figured it out. I needed to look deeper into myself for the cursed magic that controls me and try to harness it. Once I started playing with it, I found the trick quickly. I stand now, on my own two feet, human again.

Looking out of the crack in the door of the barn, I see no signs of life and decide that if I’m going to go, then now is the time. The sun is still high in the sky, and Christian won't be coming to watch over me again until sunset. They must think I am so ashamed of myself that I wouldn’t dare show my face in the daylight and I’m only a flight risk in the night.

When I find the old pair of overalls and flannel shirt in the barn, I quickly slip them on. Deciding if I am spotted, being naked is more likely to draw attention. An old pair of work boots by the door complete my outfit and I slip out of the barn. Looking back over my shoulder as I go. When I reach the top of the hill and see the small cottage in the distance, I stop and tip my head back. I can smell her already. She is in there with him. I turn and see the barn behind me, shrunken into a small dot on the horizon.

Go get her! My inner wolf growls and I feel it rumble in my chest. The thought of her being in there with him is bringing my rage back to the surface and I struggle to maintain my control for far too long, losing time and daylight. I run down the hill and head straight for the back of the cottage, across the field I stood in mere days ago, being chastised by my younger brother. I scoff at the memory.

As I reach the tiny house, I can smell her even more. I recognize the scent she is putting off. Arousal, she is in bed with him. I see red and must squeeze my eyes closed, my body shaking as I again am close to losing my thin control over my temper. When I approach the back window of the cottage, I see her inside, sitting up on the bed. I adjust my angle to get a better look at her. A plate of food lays forgotten on the bed next to her and she is smiling at Alec.

Growling, I startle myself and quickly gain my composure. If I have any hope of remaining unnoticed, I need to be quiet and smarter about my watching them. I shift my position again and see her now, lying back on the bed, Alec kissing her neck and breasts. Envy of the wizard fills me, I know what her skin tastes like, the scent of her fills my nose even through the window.

I am fully aware from her scent that she is ready, but there is something else in the air. Him, I can smell him on her. He has been breeding her. My inner wolf rattles his cage and my muscles tense.

“I shouldn’t be here. I need to learn better control,” I tell myself, but I can’t turn away. He continues to kiss over her body. Down the length of her, over her hips and thighs. She is giggling, and the sound is music to my ears. I smile and close my eyes. Thinking back to the first night we were together. Letting the memory flow over me and picturing myself sliding inside her wet pussy. She was so eager, so ready for me.

When I open my eyes, I watch as he does the same now, fucking my woman. Her arms and legs are wrapped around him, holding him to her body as she grinds herself on him like the whore she is. Once I get my hands on her, I will show her who she belongs to, remind her I own her body.

Mine! My wolf roars and my skull feels like it is going to splinter. I turn, unable to watch anymore.

As I step away from the window, I hear her words. “Sir, I’m going to come. Please?” That piece of shit is not her master. I am. I can’t help myself and turn back to the window, taking a step back towards it and fighting the urge to push my face against it. I watch as he fucks her hard now, back on his knees, pounding into her pussy. I can hear their bodies colliding as he continues his pace, his groan and her moans fill my ears as I watch them reach their climax together and he fills her with his cum.

Now! The wolf inside me growls again, and I know I’ve lost the fight.

I run far and fast, kicking out of the borrowed boots and pants before I shift. I hit the ground on all fours and let out an ear-shattering howl. I will make her mine again.

***

Sam.

As we finish making love for the second time this morning, I hear a howl in the distance and I flinch. The pain in it tells me exactly who it is and I turn to look out the window. Rising from the bed I press my hand against the cold glass and look out, a tiny figure out in the field catches my eye, his head tossed back as another howl breaks through the quiet of the day and the glass rattles under my hand.

I feel Alec at my back before he speaks. “Sam, I don’t know if we are safe here.” When I turn to look at him, the fear in his eyes breaks my heart.

“I’m so sorry that all of this is happening. I don’t know what to do, or where to go.”

“The city. We can go back to the city, and I will get an apartment. At least until Finn has the situation under control. It will be safer for us there.” I nod at his words, agreeing wholeheartedly.

I know I have no future with Colin and that I want to explore my relationship with Alec. I need to shut the door on this part of my life and move forward. I never want to look back.

***

Alec.

When Sam agrees to go to Dublin with me, I immediately start making calls. “Ocoee,” I call his name into the air of the living room. I know he is nearby. He promised to stay and watch over her to help if this were to happen. As the eyes appear in front of me seconds before his entire body materializes, I nod.

“He was here?” I ask.

“Yes, he is still close by.” The disembodied voice fills my ears, and I don’t like what he has to say, but I suspected as much.

“Watch her. Go to Sam. We are leaving. As soon as we can, we will go back to the city. It isn’t safe for us here.”

He nods and pads towards the bedroom, the door opening for him and then closing behind him as he slips in. Watching his tail disappear through the crack as it closes, I rub my hands over my face.

After I make the arrangements for an apartment in the city, I head to the car and take the short drive to the main house to see Finn. He and I need to talk and I need to know how he plans to handle his brother. Parking out front of the castle, I head for the door and knock. While I wait for someone to answer, I look around. Deciding that I’ll talk to Donnie while I am here too. My old friend is loyal to me and while I know Finn may be on my side in this, he will still have loyalty to his own blood over me, at least on some level.

I catch a break when Donnie is the one who opens the door. He steps aside and lets me in. “We need to talk,” I tell him as I slip out of my coat and boots.

“Honestly, I expected you days ago.” His words have me regretting that I hadn’t come sooner, and that I trusted the wolves to control the situation.

“Where is Finn? We need to include him in this. I have information for him. But first, I need to speak with you in private.” Donnie nods once and leads me to a small study lined with bookshelves off of the main hall.

I settle into one of the red leather armchairs in front of the fireplace. Snapping my fingers to start a fire, I wait for Donnie to settle.

“So it seems you have the wolf problem now,” Donnie chuckles at me, and a smirk crosses his face. “What’s your plan?”

“I came here intending to help you. I stayed because I befriended Finn and he offered me a place to stay. I don’t think I should betray that friendship now by killing his brother.” Rubbing my hand along my jaw as I speak, I search my brain for the solution.

“Then what are you thinking?” Donnie asks, earnest curiosity on his face.

“A binding spell. I think, if I can convince Finn to help me, we can bind Colin to his human form, preventing him from shifting. Maybe then we will be able to reason with him better. If he isn’t struggling to maintain his hold on his humanity on his own, he may see reason and leave of his own accord.”

“He might, he might not. He seems to have it in his head pretty good that Sam belongs to him.” Donnie sits back, placing his hands together in a triangle. He pushes his fingers against his lips. “Would you be willing to give her up if you were him?”

I mull over his question, knowing the answer. If roles were reversed, I would die before I gave up Sam. We have only been together for a short time, but I know from the way I am drawn to her, she and I are fated to be together. Colin feels the same way. I shake my head at my own thoughts.

“It’s not what she wants. If she wanted me to leave and to go to him, I would let her and slink away with my tail between my legs, but she doesn’t want that. Doesn’t want him.” I sigh, still unsure of how we will convince a half-mad werewolf to let me bind him. “We’re leaving when I get back. Going to Dublin. He was at the cottage just now. It isn’t safe for her here.”

Sam is my only priority now. If I can get her off of their lands and into the city, I can leave Ocoee with her and come back here.

“You’re probably right. I think it’s best—” the door opening cuts Donnie’s words off. When we both turn to look, we see Finn standing in the doorway.

“Good, you’re here. We need to talk about Colin.” I stand and make my way towards him at the door.

“He’s gone. Christian just left. They’re out looking for him now.” I nod and motion for him to take the seat I vacated.

“He was at the cottage, in his human form. He is gaining some control over it, and I have an idea to help us both. I think you have as much of a need to keep your brother from gaining more control of his powers as I do.”

“And what is that?” Finn asks, anger filling his voice.

“Well, if the older brother of the family learns to shift and control his wolf, then the Alpha magic would fall to him, would it not?” I let my words sink in before I go on. “I’m suggesting a binding spell. If you can get him under control and to me in his human form, we can bind him to it. That would prevent him from ever shifting again, from what Sam has told me he may even be willing to allow us to do so, as he believes he is cursed.”

“You can do that?” Finn shifts in his seat uncomfortably, and I can tell he is weighing my words.

“I can try, but I’m going to need your help and it would be much easier if he does it willingly. He is losing his grip on his humanity and the longer this goes on, the more dangerous he will be to all of us.”

Finn runs his hands over his jeans as if he is drying sweaty palms on them. When he turns to look at Donnie, I can tell he trusts him and is looking for his advice.

“I think it is worth a try,” Donnie tells him.

“Then we’re all in agreement?” I ask them.

Both men answer at the same time, “Yes.”

***

Sam.

I’m lying on the couch. Ocoee is curled in front of the fireplace and I’m trying to stay awake, fighting the exhaustion taking me over again. Alec says that I will have another week before I feel back to normal. I spent the rest of the afternoon after he left, with Ocoee, packing our bags, and getting ready to head to Dublin when he gets back. I’m just dozing off when there is a knock at the door.

I jump, nearly out of my skin, and Ocoee raises his head and shakes it at me. Telling me not to answer it.

“You know who it is?” I ask him, and he stands, closes the small space between us, and rests his head on my knees.

Colin. I hear his voice in my head as he tells me who is at the door, and I hesitate for a moment.

Don’t. Ocoee tells me in a commanding tone. I watch him roll his eyes and chuckle at the sight of seeing the dire wolf roll his eyes.

“You’ve got my back, right?” I ask him as I stand and make my way to the door.

When I open it, I see Colin standing barefoot in the snow, wearing a tattered pair of overalls and nothing else. “Sam,” he breathes out my name when he sees me, and the pain in his eyes takes my breath away.

“Colin, you shouldn’t be here. Go home, go back to your mom. We’re through. I told you that on Christmas, I’m done, Colin.” I see a flash of something in his eyes, and I step back into the cottage. Ocoee puts himself between Colin and me, and I exhale a sigh of relief at having him here with me now.

“Sam, I love you,” his voice is rough and I can tell he is struggling not to cry or yell. Which one it is, I’m unsure.

“I thought I loved you too, Colin, but we aren’t going to be able to make this work. Please, please go back to Maryland and let me live my life.” He lunges at me, his eyes glowing amber, and I watch as he drops onto all fours, fighting not to shift in front of me.

His back arches and he growls, the rage coming off him is palpable, and Ocoee lowers himself to the ground, growling back at him, ready to pounce if needed. After a while, he gains control of himself again, but the process looks painful, and my heart hurts for this man whom I cared for not too long ago.

“Sam?” Colin asks, holding his hand out to me, but when I look in his eyes, they’re a dark amber color and I know this isn’t the kind, loving man I knew.

Don’t. He isn’t in control. It’s not safe. Ocoee warns me in my head, the dire wolf form in front of me whimpers.

I stay where I am, not moving a muscle towards him. When I raise my hand and put it on the door, ready to close it on this page in my life, he steps toward me again.

“So, it’s him then? The wizard?” His words are harsh, and he is clenching his fists against his anger now.

“Yes, Colin. I’m with Alec. I want to be with Alec. We’re through.” I step back and punctuate my words by slamming the door. I leave Ocoee outside of the cottage as my own personal bodyguard. When he is ready to make his way back in, he won’t need my help. The growling sound fills the room and a snarl rips through my body, making me flinch. I turn and head towards the bedroom, ready to grab my bags and leave as soon as Alec returns.

***

Colin.

When I make it back to the barn, the sun is setting, and Christian’s truck is parked nearby. They know I was gone. As I slide open the door, I see five figures standing in the dimly lit barn, the fading light of the day the only light for us.

“What’s this?” Angus asks as I step inside.

“I can control it, Uncle, surprised? You all left me here to rot for the week while you waited for the full moon to solve your problem and then thought you could ship me off back to my Ma, I’m not having it.”

“Colin,” Finn’s voice is loud as he calls my name and steps towards me. “You don’t have it under control. I can see it in your eyes. It’s controlling you.” Stepping closer to me as he continues to speak, I roll my shoulders and let the anger move through my body.

“You don’t know shit, little brother!” I roar at him and close the gap between us. The other four men step towards us. As the setting sun's light fades more, the barn grows even darker.

“Colin,” Alec says my name and I spin to face him.

“Don’t you fucking talk to me,” I growl the words out at him.

“We want to help you,” Christian says putting himself in front of Alec and standing next to Finn.

“Colin, this isn’t you,” Finn tells me, trying to reason with me. “Let us explain. Alec can cast a binding spell. He can help you control yourself—”

“Control! That bastard wants to talk about control?” I laugh. “Oh, that’s rich. He couldn’t control himself from slipping into my bed before it was even cold and enjoying my sloppy seconds. He is one to talk about control.” I glare past Christian at Alec and watch as my words make him grimace. Good, let him think about me being with Sam. She is mine!

“I’ll be damned if I let him cast a single spell on me. There is not a chance in hell.” I step towards them and watch as Angus moves up to stand in front of his son. His stance protective.

“Son, think it through. This isn’t you. You have spent your entire life fighting this. Just like yer’ Da’, let us do this for you. Let us help.” Angus is holding his hand out to me.

“For the last fucking time!” I yell at them, and I feel my wolf taking over. I’m losing my control again as I fall forward onto my hands and knees. I snarl up at them. “This doesn’t help, and I will not tell you no again!”

“Back up! He is going to shift.” Finn hollers to them as he shifts before I do and puts himself in front of the group of men at the back of the barn.

I’m laughing from my position on the floor, shifting quickly back and forth between my forms as I fight the rage growing within me.

“He isn’t in control of it,” I hear Angus’s words, but I pay him no mind. I am fighting my own inner battle and losing badly this time. Sam’s rejection of me earlier in the day, seeing her with Alec. It all comes rushing back into my mind. Tossing my head back, I howl and the pain rips through my chest, burning from the inside out. When I rise, I’m on all fours. My wolf won the battle and I lunge forward towards Finn.

He meets my movement with one of his own and we collide. The barn shakes around us. I quickly lose my battle against him and he almost instantly has me pinned to the ground, his fangs digging into my neck. It is obvious who the Alpha Magic has chosen, and it is not me.

That’s fine, I don’t need it. I only need one thing. Sam, my wolf growls.

***

Alec.

I watch the brothers fighting on the ground of the barn. As soon as Finn has Colin pinned, I make my way towards them. Hoping that I have the chance to work my magic and cast the binding spell. I need to work quickly. I’m unsure how long Finn will be able to keep him down. I approach the two quietly, trying to remain undiscovered by Colin. Kneeling down behind Finn, I recite the spell. As I do, I see Colin begin to struggle and fight his brother off him. I need more time. Please, I need more time. Hang on, Finn. I try to push my thoughts into his mind, but am unsure if it works.

I repeat the spell a third time, but just as I am drawing the symbols in the air, I hear Finn yelp and he is thrown off Colin’s body. Colin stands and snarls in my face, spit hitting my cheeks. I freeze.

As I slowly rise, holding my hand out to him, I toss a fire ball at him and force him backward out of the barn.

“No!” Finn yells, back in his human form standing by my side, “Don’t hurt him.” He shoots me a glare, and I nod back at him. When he steps in front of me as Colin reenters the barn, I listen to him carefully, keeping a ball of magic banked low in my palm, ready at a moment's notice.

“Colin, if you want to kill him, you’re going to have to go through me first. We aren’t doing this. She doesn’t want you. I’m sorry, Brother, but it’s the truth.” As he finishes his statement, he lunges, shifting again before he hits the ground. The two disappear into the darkness of the night. The four of us who remain walk out of the barn into the night, and look up into the sky. I see the nearly full moon.

“I have to get back to Sam. We’re leaving in the morning,” I say to Donnie, as he turns to look at me. He nods at my words.

“I’ll be out to help you two get settled tomorrow evening. Summer and I will come for dinner.” Holding his hand out to me, I clasp mine in his and pull him into a one-armed hug, patting my friend on the back.

“Thank you two for your help,” I call to Angus and Christian. “I hope that you’ll be able to keep him here on your lands and he won't be any more danger to us.”

“Och, that wee one is just throwing a wolf-sized temper tantrum. It’s not my first. We will handle him. Tomorrow night is the full moon, and the entire pack will be here. We will teach him a lesson. You and your woman stay safe.” Angus nods at me then turns to head towards their truck. Christian follows. I make my way back to the car and down the road towards the cottage and Sam.

***

Sam.

The howling breaks through the night as I sit on the couch. Ocoee is next to me, too big for both of us to sit here, and his back legs are on the floor. His head is in my lap as I scratch between his ears.

I told you so. Ocoee’s voice fills my mind, and I roll my eyes at him.

“I know. I shouldn’t have answered the door. But he needed to hear it from me. I needed to tell him we were through.”

You already did, on Christmas. A real man should respect a woman’s wishes and not push her. He should never have come here.

“You’re so wise, Ocoee. Tell me about one of your adventures. Plea—” I yawn out the word and he nods at me. I curl my feet under me and listen to the adventure Ocoee tells me about traveling to different worlds across the planes and the magical creatures he has met there.

When the front door opens, I wonder for a moment at how Alec’s magic works and how he could restore the cottage to its former beauty after Colin attacked us. But I lose my train of thought and smile up at him as he comes to me on the couch. Kissing me gently on the lips.

“How’d it go?” I ask him as he shoos Ocoee off the couch and takes his place next to me.

“We’re leaving in the morning. It went as well as I expected it to. The pack says they will handle it tomorrow with the full moon and assures me we will be safe in the city.” Nodding at his words, I let him take my feet into his lap and rub their bottoms.

“He was here today.” The confession makes the room quiet, and Alec looks me in the eye.

“I know, Ocoee told me. It’s okay. Are you all right? How are you feeling?” His dismissal of my time alone with Colin surprises me, but I’m unsure what else I expected. He knows I choose him.

“Tattletale,” I turn to Ocoee and stick my tongue out at him.

He chuffs out a laugh at me before he disappears into the planes, unseen but more than likely still near enough to know if there is trouble.

“I’m still tired. I made dinner. There are leftovers in the fridge.” I get lost in the normalcy of our conversation then, forgetting about werewolves and magic and all the problems we face.

When it is late, and the fire is low in the stone fireplace, my eyelids feel heavy and I’m struggling to stay awake, I let Alec carry me to bed and wrap me in his arms as I drift off to sleep.

***

Alec.

“You need to eliminate him,” I hear Ocoee’s words as I lie in bed, Sam still wrapped in my arms. My friend appears in the room with us, standing next to the bed.

“I know,” I whisper the words softly, not wanting to wake Sam.

“He won't stop unless you eliminate him. He thinks she is his mate.”

“I know,” I tell him again, still softly, but with more force in my voice this time.

“If you want to protect her, it is the only way. Taking her away from here is only a temporary solution.”

“I know,” I growl out at him for the third time. “Why is it you always insist on telling me things I already know instead of sharing any more of your infinite knowledge with me?” I’m tired and grouchy from the past few days, on edge, and ready for all of this to be over. I’ll feel better once I have Sam off the wolves’ lands and safely in Dublin.