An Everlasting Bite

To my editor, Tracey, who is my go-to-girl, savior of my bad grammar, and most of all, my friend. None of this would be possible without you!

The damp ground parted under Rynn’s sharp claws and the wind breezed steadily across her fur. Sounds of the world came sharp through alert ears. Quiet noises hidden to human ears sounded crystal-clear with these new senses of hers—brushes of air against the trees, bugs crawling along the earth, even a deer nibbling on grass a mile away.

She scanned her surroundings, her acute vision taking in everything around her. The sharp colors, shapes, everything was just so powerful as a wolf. It made everything brighter—more vivid.

Her four legs trembled as the force of magic swept through her in pure need to find her human form. She reminded herself of her small framed curvy body, long brown hair, deep silver eyes, and cheeks she always thought were a little too chubby.

This was the most difficult part about being a werewolf and the control over the wolf within her was a struggle. Of course, it would be since she’d been thrust into this life only a few days ago. She shouldn’t be so hard on herself. Still, it came with frustration that the shift came as a challenge.

It didn’t help much that Rynn’s focus was off—still reeling from a conversation she had only an hour ago with new friends, Nexi and Kyden. To the supernatural world, they were Guardians. Well, Nexi was part Witch too. They’re also part of the Council’s Guard—the leaders of the Otherworld. As Guardians, they policed the supernatural races that live within the Earthworld.

The memory of the shocking conversation replayed in her mind.

Nothing about Nexi was normal
.
Sure, her to-die-for body, dirty blonde locks,
country home girl features were all the same, but it was her hazel eyes that sank Rynn’s
heart. The spunkiness that lived within them was gone—darkness and despair was all to
be seen. Something wasn’t right.

“Nexi?” Rynn questioned, as she examined her further.

What was going on here? This wasn’t how she remembered Nexi. The Nexi she met
was full of zest, happiness, and extremely strong in confidence, not the anguished woman
before her.

Sure, she didn’t know her all that well—they’d only met a few nights ago after the
brutal attack in her hometown of Plymouth, Minnesota, that now allowed her to stand on
all fours.

After she first experienced herself in fluffy form, she was too frightened to shift back
to her human form, too terrified to accept that this was now her life. Then came Nexi who
shared her story, which in turn, showed they had very similar paths. Both were normal
young women who came from rural cities in the United States who had awakened to the
world of the supernatural.

The connection with Nexi was instant. The bond of friendship allowed the fear to
settle in Rynn and kept her to calm enough for the magic to release her back to human
form, which was an entirely desperate situation.

If she hadn’t been able to shift back, the wolf within her would have taken over,
which would have caused her to go mad. Crazed by the animal inside her that would
need to seek out blood and kill. If that happened, Valor would have to destroy her.

Needless to say, Nexi was a Godsend.

Rynn was happy to note that Valor had no intention of harming her. As the
Patriarch, ruler over the Alphas of the United States it would have fallen on him to take
care of her. He fit the part of Alpha too. He was big and powerful with strong shoulders,
thick dark hair and dark eyes that demanded you kneel at his feet. Rynn often wondered if
that was the power he held over her as a wolf, or if that was just his thing. She still hadn’t
figured it out.

Rynn knew enough about Nexi to know something was off. She searched deeper into
Nexi’s eyes for any sign of the woman she had met. Finding none, she glanced at Briggs,
bewildered. “Something is terribly wrong. What’s happened?”

Kyden cleared his throat, drawing Rynn’s gaze to his. Kyden was always serious but
calm. He wore his warrior look well. It wasn’t just his sculpted body and strong cut
features—it was his aura. Tonight however, he seemed weakened—distraught. “It has
become known that Nexi is the destined to Magnus.”

Briggs interjected before Rynn could comprehend Valor’s words, his brows raised in
surprise. “Magnus, as in The Lord of the Underworld?”

Kyden gave a firm nod, his jaw clenched tight.

Rynn didn’t understand any of this. “But I thought…” she hesitated, remembering
the past few days. The last she heard, Nexi had accepted Kyden as her mate. They were to
be bonded soon—a marriage of non-supernaturals. She cleared her mind and asked,

“Aren’t you being bonded soon?”

Kyden nodded again. “Indeed we are.”

Rynn glanced at Briggs who looked desolate. “What does that mean?” She couldn’t
comprehend any of this. Nothing made sense.

“Destined bonds overrule the bonds of the heart,” Briggs replied, his eyes sad.

That was all that needed to be said for Rynn to understand. Nexi’s time with Kyden
would soon to be over. She could see the heartbreak in every pair of eyes around her. No
matter how much Nexi loved Kyden, wanted him, her soul wouldn’t allow it.

Rynn wanted to know more, but it wasn’t her place to interrogate them. A sense of
dread filled her as something else bothered her. Rynn glanced at Briggs, needing
clarification. “There is an Underworld? Like demons and scary things like that?”

Briggs nodded hesitantly.

She suspected he never told her because she was just coming around to the idea of
there being an Otherworld. Home to Werewolves, Vampires, Guardians and Witches.

Even though, the only ones allowed to live there worked for the Council directly, all
others, including the werewolves, lived in the Earthworld. The Otherworld was nothing
to be afraid of and she’d seen for herself that what existed there was good. But she knew
enough to know anything that lived within the Underworld couldn’t be good. Even if she
didn’t know for sure, the horrified expressions around her would have told her as much.

Still, she couldn’t wrap her head around it all. She needed more answers.

“And you are going to be mated to their leader?” As Nexi gave a soft nod, Rynn’s
mystification turned into disparity. She had enough common sense to understand that this
is about as bad as it gets.

“We have to do something to help you.” Nexi had been nothing but kind to Rynn, she
saved her life, and Rynn felt compelled to do the same. She glanced at Briggs. “What can
we do to help her?”

Briggs sighed, and the simple sound said it all . Nexi didn’t stand a chance at
overcoming this. Rynn breathed deep, tears filled her eyes. Instead of comforting her,
Briggs stepped toward Nexi, reached down and embraced her. He hugged tight and
looked at Rynn, “Nothing I’m afraid, darlin’.”

Just as his grip tightened, Nexi stiffened immensely and Kyden ripped Nexi from his
arms, latched onto her.

Kyden glanced over Nexi’s head. “She needs the connection.”

“He can’t let me go,” Nexi whispered.

Rynn’s stomach clenched in horror. It was already that lost. The full reality of the
situation hit.

Nexi was losing herself without Kyden’s contact. Her mind drifted from the love they
shared. Rynn would have thought it strange, if she’d hadn’t felt it for herself. The mate
bond was powerful. Her own connection with Briggs showed her that. She understood
what was happening—it wouldn’t be long before Nexi’s heart belonged to another.

After a moment of silence, Kyden said, “We have some news of the attack on Rynn.”

Briggs gave Kyden a curious look. “The attack on Rynn?”

Rynn was equally confused. She assumed the wolf had attacked her, bit her, then left
her there when he was finished. She wasn’t expecting there to be more.

Before she could ask, Nexi whispered, “It was the beginning.”

“The beginning of what?” Rynn exclaimed.

Kyden looked at Briggs. “A revolution in the Underworld.”

“Against Magnus?” Briggs inquired.

Kyden nodded. “You know of the Warlock, Pye?”

“Aye,” Briggs replied, then looked at Rynn. “He’s a powerful Warlock who wants to
rule the Underworld, but has never succeeded to gain control.”

Kyden continued, “To dethrone Magnus, Pye needed to further his strength. His
followers bewitched wolves to kill women of a pure nature.”

Rynn blushed. It was true that the night of the attack, the man had stolen the one
thing that would forever scar her soul. He stole her virginity—her purity. “So…” she
said hesitantly, reminded of the horror of that night, and also trying to piece together this
new information. “If they needed their virginity, why did they…” she paused again and
gulped deeply. “Take it away.”

“It was the process. By taking the woman’s virginity, they were draining the purity
of the soul. It’s how they gained power from it.” Nexi replied.

Rynn placed her hands on her heart, confused. “But I still have my soul.” She
glanced at Briggs. “Don’t I?”

Briggs wrapped his arm around her. “Of course you do, darlin’.” Then, he looked at
Kyden. “Why did they go to such measures as to overtaking these wolves, and not just do
it themselves?”

Kyden embraced Nexi tighter, and she melted into him. “If the Witches were not
killing themselves, Magnus would not know Pye was plotting against him. It was a
decoy.”

Rynn couldn’t put it all together. “Why then? Why do I still have my soul?”

“Magnus destroyed the wolf attacking you before he could drain you,” Kyden
replied, his tone cold.

Rynn glanced at Briggs, who looked equally befuddled. “Why would he do that?”

She never met or heard of this Magnus. Why would he help her?

Rynn glanced back at Nexi as she continued. “Magnus knew of Pye’s plan and
intervened to stop him. He knew of my relationship with Valor and helped Rynn so that I
would be close to Valor. Then, he stole Dante’s soul knowing that I would do anything to
get it back. He agreed to return it to me, only if I destroyed his only threat in the
Underworld, Pye.” Tears filled her eyes, her lip quivered. “Now, of course we know that
wasn’t the only reason he wanted me close.”

Briggs growled deep and low. “To know the danger that was caused because of
Magnus’ desires.” He growled again. “And Dante’s life could have been lost. Now,
you…” His voice drifted away, sadness filled his expression.

Rynn remained silent. What could she say? This was horrible.

“Valor had not made me aware that Dante was in danger at the time and said
nothing of it until he returned with him intact. As he told to me, Nexi had killed Pye in
return of Dante’s soul.” Briggs clenched his teeth. “I should have been there to help her,
Maybe I could have changed the outcome so Nexi wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Nexi shook her head. “There is nothing you could have done.”

Rynn put a hand on Briggs’ arm. As he glanced down at her, some of the torment
running through him eased, immediately.

He looked torn as he said, “If Magnus hadn’t concocted this plan of his, Rynn’s life
would have been lost the night she was attacked but now, Nexi is losing hers.” He finally
looked away from Rynn and glanced at Nexi. “This comes with mixed feelings.”

“I know,” Nexi replied just as soft. She reached forward, kept her hand connected
with Kyden and hugged Briggs. “I wouldn’t change any of this if it meant Rynn
survived.” Her gaze hit Rynn’s. “Remember that.”

Pulled back into the present, Rynn’s heart throbbed in pain for Nexi and Kyden, probably because she could relate. She had someone taken from her too.

Her Grandfather,
Pops,
had been stolen years ago by the crippling horror of Alzheimer’s. It’s the reason she took all this werewolf business in stride. There wasn’t only herself to think about here. Rynn wasn’t selfish.

Besides, thanks to Valor, Pops now resided in an upscale hospital in Utah. That reason was why she sucked up this wolf stuff and accepted it. He’s somewhere better and nicer. That was her priority.

When she was four, Pops stepped in to raise her when her parents decided being junkies was more important. Did they object? No. Why would they? Drugs ruled their lives.

Pops was the kindest, gentlest soul on earth and treated her like a treasure growing up. Now because of his disease he couldn’t even remember her. He was like a vacant vessel. Gone forever, yet still alive. A cruel disease in every way. Death would’ve been better, but Rynn would never admit to that. She needed him. Loved him.