Authors: Belinda Boring
“That’s impossible, though. I’m a werewolf. The only magic I do is shift.” I wrapped my arms around myself, a bad feeling starting to settle in my gut.
“How else do you explain it, sweetheart?” Mason sounded just as baffled.
There was a knock on the door before it opened and Daniel rushed in. “What was that noise? Are you both okay?” Daniel glanced between us, seeing our worried expressions and when Mason pointed at the bathroom, he went to check for himself. “Damn!”
“Before you say it, it’s not what your dirty mind was thinking. Darcy was in there by herself when it happened. We both felt her have some kind of power surge right before . . .” Mason gestured at the mess again, not finishing his sentence.
“How are you feeling?” Daniel crossed over to me, kneeling on the floor. He studied my face, assessing any damage.
“I’m fine. In fact, I’ve never felt better. I still don’t think I had anything to do with it. See,” I jumped up and repeated the dance I’d done earlier. “Nothing.”
“Did you also make some crazy noise?” Daniel asked, standing to his feet and joining Mason. “I swear I heard someone declaring their love for this fool over here.” He affectionately slapped Mason on the back.
“I did. But I don’t think that was it.” I tried not to roll my eyes when they didn’t respond, waiting for me do the same thing. “If it helps, here . . . I love Mason O’Connor!” My yell wasn’t near as loud as earlier or as heartfelt, but I tiled my head back and made my declaration to the ceiling.
There was nothing at first. Everything was quiet, but even I couldn’t deny the small niggle I felt in my chest. A slight flare of energy stirred within me and before I could tell Mason, the ceiling fan crashed to the floor, narrowly missing Daniel.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but that was you. I don’t know how, but yeah, something’s not right.” He came to sit by me and I raised my hand, stopping him.
“If you’re right, don’t come any closer. We don’t know what else triggers this and I don’t want to hurt you.” Fear trembled inside me, trying to override my need to remain calm.
“But . . .” He tried reasoning, but he knew what I was saying made sense. “Let me call Vivien or Devlin. See if they’ve heard of anything like this before.”
“No need to call us.” Vivien’s concerned voice drew our attention to the door. “We believed something like this might happen once the two of you completed the second part of the mating ritual.”
Entering the room, Vivien stood aside as Devlin came forward. Worry filled his features, his red eyes scanning my body before taking in the rest of the room. “So, it’s true. The prophecy.” He glanced over at Vivien, who nodded in confirmation. “Even with the signs at her birth, I’d hoped we were wrong.”
“Prophecy? Birth? Hello? Are either of you going to answer my questions?” I stood, moving away from the bed and came to stand beside Mason. He was also staring at the only two people in the room who seemed to know what was going on.
“I’m going to ask the same thing. What prophecy?” His voice was edged with steel. “Someone better start talking, and now.” There was no mistaking the unspoken threat if we continued being ignored.
“Where do we even begin?” Vivien looked around her, as though she was surrounded by her thoughts. “I knew this day would come and you would need to be told of your heritage. I’ve worried about how to answer you, how to ease your anger at being kept in the dark for so long. Please believe me; it was always for your own good. We felt too much knowledge, too soon, would only bring on danger. We wanted to keep you as safe as possible for as long as possible. It’s why we bound your powers, your second nature.”
Nothing Vivien was saying made sense. Instead of providing answers, my mind was rapidly filling with more and more questions. I glanced over at Devlin, hoping once again my beloved friend would speak, or at least interpret Vivien’s cryptic comments. He stood there, sadness filling his eyes. And for the first time ever, I knew he would fail me.
“Devlin, you tell me. Don’t sugar coat it. No more cryptic words of powers and second natures. What is happening to me? Please, don’t lie to me.” I moved away from Mason and came before Devlin. “You are my friend.”
“He’s more than a friend, Darcy.” Vivien interrupted. “He always has been.”
“Enough. I demand someone start talking sense,” Mason exclaimed, his temper surfacing. He wasn’t used to being ignored, nor was he used to not knowing how to protect his mate.
“You are part witch, Darcy. We bound your powers when you were a baby, after we were certain you were the one he would come for. The one he’d waited for. We suppressed your witch nature, letting you believe you were a pure werewolf and set guard over you as you grew. Neither Devlin nor I were ever very far from you. We kept you safe. Kept you hidden.”
I thought that my brain was going to explode, the new information was so overwhelming and I struggled to process it. Every time I attempted to speak, I stuttered and I staggered back, landing on the bed again.
So many lies. I looked around the room, not knowing what to believe or who to trust. “Did you know any of this?” My question this time was directed at Mason. “Tell me you didn’t.”
He shook his head, instantly coming to my side. “I swear I had no idea. I would never keep something like this from you. I promise you, no one, me or anyone in the Pack knew this.”
I stared into his eyes and saw his sincerity. I felt it along our connection, the perfect conviction in his heart and the outrage stewing within him.
“Why?” The one word came out, filled with disappointment.
“It was the only way we knew how to keep you safe,” Devlin replied. “I know you’re angry; but it was never our intention to hurt you.”
“Only to deceive me,” I answered. “I trusted you . . . both of you. Why couldn’t you trust me enough to tell me?”
“I didn’t want to burden you with this. I knew once you understood, you would struggle with it and I didn’t want you always looking over your shoulder. I wanted to give you as much time as possible.” Devlin took a step forward, his hand outstretched as though his touch could not only convince, but comfort me. “I have always wanted what’s best for you.”
“Who died and made
you
boss of me?” I finally shouted. “You were meant to be my friend, not lord and master.”
“I told you. Devlin is much more than that to you,” Vivien interjected quietly.
“Fine, what are you then?” I stared at him, bracing myself for the truth. Nothing could’ve prepared me for the words he next uttered.
“Darcy,” he began, “I’m your uncle.”
Coming next . . .
Forever Changed
Book Four in the Mystic Wolves series.
About the Author
A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for books on her blog The Bookish Snob.
With all that excitement, it wasn’t long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can’t help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn’t be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.
Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!
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