ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 4: MOON CHILD'S WAR
Chapter 16

“This is where I sleep.” Alli opened the door to the room she was given and her sister stepped inside. After breakfast, which suddenly became a silent affair. Corleen managed to dampen everyone’s day for real with whatever argument they were having. Alli gave Corleen quick navigation through the house while they talked. Alli was happy when she found that the argument had quietened somehow and she didn’t even ask for details because everyone was angry. “The bed is really comfortable.” She went and sat on the edge.

Corleen looked around then her eyes flew to the corners of the room. Alli knew she was searching for cameras. She rolled her eyes and sighed. “There is nothing here, Corleen.”

Corleen’s eyes turned to her. “I can’t believe you exposed yourself to danger like this, Alli. I taught you better but it seems I failed.”

“What are you talking about?” Alli thought her sister trusted her to make the right decisions.

“The night we were attacked in the forest by the hunters, the Ghost Runners came and saved my life and the lives of my team. I am forever grateful for what they did because I believe that, although they are sneaky, they don’t mean any harm if they could come there and save us. When they brought me here I was unconscious but when I woke up, I was able to talk to Ruvin, their leader.

“Up to that moment, I didn’t have any say really but I remembered that my duty came first and then suddenly...you were involved in all of this--in them?” She asked incredulously. “I can’t have that because my last promise to mother before--before she died was that I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“But I am safe, Corleen. We both are safe here with them. They are not killers. They only help where they can--”

“Then why are they hiding?” Corleen asked.

Alli gave her sister the are-you-kidding-me look. “Do you think they will stand a chance trying to explain themselves to Faelen with all the stories that we have heard about them? And by the way, did I mention to you that those stories are so far-fetched it’s not even funny?”

“They are not like you and me, Alli--”

“But neither are they demons or killers. I mean we are demons to the humans but the Ghost Runners are closest to resembling us than the humans. Why should we ostracize them?” Alli asked.

“Do you know that most of the incidents that happened to the wolves during full-moon were caused by them? So many Wolfen wolves were sent to hospitals with broken bones because of them. They face death if they show their faces.”

“The Wolfen deserved it,” Alli muttered.

“Alli!” Corleen exclaimed.

“What? Is it alright for them to go around bullying everyone just because they are Wolfen? I happen to be stronger than most of them and I haven’t even had my first transformation yet but you don’t see me going around bullying anyone!” Alli gritted her teeth. It was so frustrating how Corleen was so into law and wolf codes that she was blinded from what was really happening. She was in the system and now that she was the HOS, she was straying from what took her there in the first place.

She suddenly grabbed Alli’s shoulders, her eyes serious and slightly cold. “Alli, I want you to promise me something. I want you to promise me that you will never show your true abilities in public even after your transformation. I know sometimes it is harder for you to control it but when you transform, your wolf will be able to help you control it.”

“Why is it so important to you that I hide? It was your idea for me to go so far away from here for college and I did, then you refused for me to hang around people in the fortress which I also did--and now, you want me to hide a curse that pops up whenever it feels, are you for real? What are you hiding from me, Corleen?” Alli snapped.

Corleen ground her teeth to keep calm and said. “I am not hiding anything--”

“Who was that Varga from last night and what does he want with me? I know you know who it was. He said he found me. What does that mean?”

Corleen’s eyes suddenly widened. “He--he spoke to you?”

“No--yes--I--I heard his voice--his hiss.” Alli stuttered trying to recall what happened. Just thinking about it brought goosebumps on her skin.

“He said he found you?” Corleen was suddenly standing so rigid that she looked like a pole. “And--and--you didn’t bother to tell me this earlier?”

“How could I have told you when you looked like you were about to pass out at any moment?”

“That’s it.” Corleen suddenly turned to the door. “We are leaving right now. It’s not a negotiation. This thing could be back for you this very night and I am not gambling your life with it.”

“What? We can’t just leave!” Alli exclaimed.

“We can and we are. Ruvin gave me the permission--not that I needed it but he said to take you away. Now, pack your stuff. We are going home.” Corleen stalked out leaving Alli feeling as if someone had poured cold water over her.

Was Corleen telling her the truth about Ruvin telling her to get her out of that house? Her heart felt like it was cracking in her chest. It felt like rejection but she wasn’t sure if it was. There was nothing going on between the two of them, to begin with. She had also warned him not once, not twice but several times to stay away from her.

Her hand rubbed softly over the ache that had taken residence within her heart. Why would it affect her so much that Ruvin said those words? Maybe he finally saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere with her and decided to get rid of her. But why didn’t he say anything when he came up to tell her that her sister had woken up?

Alli took a deep breath and turned to the wardrobe where her backpack was. She stuffed her things into it as she told herself that it was for the best and that she should be grateful that Ruvin finally saw reason and decided to let her go. The more she thought about it, the painful the aching became until she couldn’t breathe.

Tears threatened to overwhelm her as she got the last of her stuff and turned to the door. She swallowed back the painful lump in her throat and cleared it. Pushing the aching of her heart aside, she held her head up and walked out. She was a very strong girl and she didn’t need this. She survived being dumped by Tyson, she could survive rejection...but was it really rejection? Why was her heart convinced she had been rejected?

“Are you ready?” Corleen came back looking like the HOS she was. Alli could tell by the tight-fitting clothes she was wearing, that they weren't hers. They were Vixen’s. They stood at almost the same height but Vixen was a little slender than Corleen.

Alli didn’t trust her voice so she just nodded. Corleen took her backpack and as they were making their way down, Zach showed up. He frowned at them when he saw the bag.

“And where do you think you are going?” He asked.

“We are getting the hell out of here,” Corleen growled at him.

Zach crossed his arms and Alli’s heart suddenly sprouted a certain hope. “The commander is not here and you can’t leave without his permission.”

“I got the permission this morning and you were present when I did so.” Corleen gritted her teeth as she went around Zach but he stepped between her and Alli, blocking Alli from following her sister.

"Hey!" Corleen tried to get him out of the way but Zach created an invisible wall that she couldn't penetrate. "Let her go, you idiot!"

“He said tomorrow, not today.” At Zach’s words, Alli’s heart sank into the depths of despair. So, Corleen wasn’t lying aboutRuvin allowing her to be taken away.

A bitter feeling curled deep in her stomach. Perfect! The last thing she needed was to have to see his face after practically shoveling her out on her ass.

“I want to leave today!” Alli said catching both Zach and Corleen’s attention. They both turned to her and she repeated herself. “I asked Corleen to take me away from here today and since I am not a prisoner, I am free to go, right?”

“Why don’t you wait for Ruvin--”

“I don’t want to. I want to leave this place now--today.” Alli interrupted Zach.

Zach’s eyes darkened and his jaws clenched as he made his way to her. “You can’t leave like this. You can’t leave him like this.”

“I can,” Alli answered simply. “If he asked my sister to take me away from here, it means there is nothing between him and me.”

“Alli, he is a pureblood ultibreed. Staying far from his mate for a long period of time will have drastic consequences.” Fear skittered in Zach’s eyes which made Alli’s guard falter a little.

What did he mean by that?

“It’s not my problem.” Alli lifted her head stubbornly.

Zach’s teeth worked against each other, his eyes fiery with anger but he didn’t say anything more. He stepped aside and let her pass as he allowed the wall to disintegrate.

Alli quickly rushed to her sister before her nerves got the best of her. They met Jake fishing for the keys to his car at the entrance door.

“Hey, Jake. Can you give us a lift into town?” Alli asked him.

He frowned and was about to object when Zach appeared behind them.

“Take them away from here.” Zach said and something in Alli’s heart twisted in a painful way. Even Zach’s final words were so painful. She looked up at her sister and the pain lessened. At least there was one person that was going to remain constant in her life.

“Sure. Aren’t you going to say goodbye to everyone else?” Jake asked warily.

“It’s better this way.” Alli gave him a sad smile.

Jake gave a small nod and they went out to his truck instead of the Mustang. Within a few minutes, they were making their way down the driveway. Alli knew the moment she left the safe cocoon of the hideout because as she turned around to look at it, she could no longer recognize it. It looked old and uninhabited but they all knew what lied inside those iron gates. Zach was a very powerful Mage and she was sad she never got a chance to sit down and get to know the man.

An encouraging squeeze came from Corleen who was sitting beside her.

“I need you to tell me the truth, Corleen. Tell me the truth about everything that you have kept hidden from me.” She said.

Corleen pushed Alli’s hair from her face and nodded. “You are old enough to know the truth now, Alli so I will tell you everything.”

Alli gave a curt nod, stealing a side glance at Jake who didn’t look happy that they were leaving but it didn’t matter anymore. Ruvin gave the permission and she heeded it, end of the story.

Ruvin sat at his favorite seat waiting for Blake as Sheyster called the half-blood over. He tried not to think too much because the last time he met the half-blood, he was worried about his mate. The conversation he eavesdropped on when Alli was talking to Donny, told Ruvin that he had already made his presence known to her.

It was a good beginning although, come rain, come shine, Ruvin was the only hottest and sexiest Lycan there. Ruvin smirked almost hearing Alli berating him on that comment. He was making baby-step progress with her. She no longer refused for him to touch her and last night, she allowed him to comfort her and kiss her.

He was on the edge, barely keeping it together with her. The beast side of him was on fire, throbbing with the need for his mate. Just having her in his arms and having her soft body mold against the hard planes of his was enough to have a male crumbling to his knees with the indescribable thirst for his mate. She managed to crack through the facade he had taken years to build and enter places he forbade others.

You are nothing but filth and you will never know love or warmth and you will never be free of this life.

The Father once told him after he decided to walk away from an assignment because the person he was sent to kill was an innocent young woman. Ruvin could still remember her molten brown eyes as she begged for her life. Ruvin couldn’t get himself to kill her because even Shadow knew she was innocent.

When he returned, the Father locked him up in a cage for so long that Ruvin didn’t even know when was daylight and when it was night. He only saw another person once a day when they brought him a single meal and water.

After two weeks in that hellhole, the Father took him out and gave him fifty strokes. Ruvin thought the worst was over until he found out that someone else was sent to kill the girl and he succeeded.

It ticked to Ruvin at that specific moment that maybe the Father was right. People like him didn’t deserve peace of mind, love, or warmth. He killed so many and did other unforgivable things that still haunted him at night.

But now, that mentality was slowly diminishing because for the last few days that he had been with Alli, he had experienced warmth and peace of mind. He always teased her that she slept better in his arms but he never mentioned that she, too, kept his demons at bay. Alli also let him sleep in peace without the gruesome nightmares of his past life. The only other time he had had that type of peace was when he was lying dying in the ditch after beheading the Father and barely escaping out of the orphanage alive. The same people who he was trying to protect turned against him and tried to end his life at the command of the Father. Ruvin was able to get the younger ones out though...right before he torched the place.

A small smile appeared on his face as Sheyster came over and placed a cup in front of him, bringing him back to reality. He looked up at her and Sheyster smiled before sitting opposite him. She leaned her cheek on the back of her hand and eyed him knowingly.

Ruvin shifted uncomfortably on his seat. Sheyster usually did that when he was in trouble. “I wasn’t out too long last night so whatever happened, it was not me.”

“Lotta called me last night. She is safe and happy wherever she is.” Sheyster said softly.

Ruvin stiffened and hissed. “She is not supposed to contact anyone--”

Sheyster quickly raised her hand up to stop him. “She is no longer reachable--and Tonny’s bail was posted already. He will be out quite soon.”

Ruvin gritted his teeth as he dialed Briar’s number. “We need that body tonight.” He hung up and turned to Sheyster who looked shocked. “We are killing Lotta this evening, in a fire in her apartment--”

All color leeched from Sheyster’s face and Ruvin groaned softly before saying.

“It’s not her, just a body so that Tonny doesn’t go looking for her again.” The relief that washed over Sheyster’s face made Ruvin smile. “What did you take me for?”

“After what happened between you and Serensa, I don’t really know.” She said.

How could he forget? Thanks to her, he became the ultibreed. “How is she doing?”

Sheyster shrugged. “I haven’t seen her today. I think the Nosferatu I sent her way must have hel--”

“Wait, you exposed her to a Nosferatu?” Ruvin echoed.

Sheyster scowled. “Not every species is enemies with the Nosferatu. The dragons did nothing to them plus Aro owes me.”

Ruvin frowned slightly remembering Aro. “She was a pleasant surprise.”

“She is an ancient, over a thousand years old.” Sheyster glowered. “Don’t piss her off.”

“I didn’t.” Ruvin raised his hands up. “We just had a talk but it was like talking to a brick wall. She wasn’t very informative.”

One side of Sheyster’s mouth curved up. “She isn’t the talkative type.”

“She did however mention a name. Asari.” Ruvin sat up straight. Though Aro didn’t really mention the name, it looked of great importance to her. “Ring a bell?”

“Asari, the rogue slayer?” Sheyster asked with her eyes brightening. “Timid little thing. She hardly comes out of the woods. I have only heard about her but I have never seen her.”

“Rogue slayer?” Well, at least this was going somewhere.

Sheyster nodded. “Yes, she hunts down Vargas and vampyrs; Nosferatu rogues.”

“Where can I replace her? I need to talk to her.” Ruvin could almost hear the tidal wave of his blood in his ears.

Sheyster sighed and sat back. “You don't replace her, she replaces you.”

And yet another brick wall! “Fuck.” Ruvin said under his breath just as Blake entered.

The male looked sleek and untouchable in his all-black clothes. Did all black make a male appear sexy and lustful? Ruvin always went hunting in black yet he had never heard Alli say anything about it.

It was frustrating how the two females would replace one measly half-breed attractive. It weighed hard on a male’s ego!

“Let me leave you two to talk.” She turned to Blake and scowled. “Thanks to your little performance the other day, my customers aren’t returning thinking I am keeping wild dogs!”

Blake grinned meekly. “Sorry about that, Sheyster.”

She rolled her eyes as a smile appeared on her face. “But I am glad you showed those weakbloods who was boss. Pompous prigs. I’ll get you a coffee.”

“And a cream bun,” Blake added sitting in front of Ruvin.

Ruvin stared icily at the male in front of him. Was it his charm that won even Sheyster over? The male had nothing going for him!

“Looks like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed,” Blake commented warily.

“Don’t even get me started...and just so we are clear--stay the fuck away from my mate.” His eyes glowed in a warning.

“You are...comforting this morning.” Blake drawled. “There’s something different about you, changed your haircut?”

Ruvin upper lip curled up in a snarl, his canines elongating and a storm boiling over in his eyes. A cruel smile appeared on his face as it dawned on the half-blood just with who he was dealing.

“No fucking way.” He slowly settled back on his chair. “How?”

“It took a pissed-off and powerful dragon to push me to the edge,” Ruvin answered.

“I hear you can’t hear your wolf again once you go ultibreed.” Blake cringed visibly.

Ruvin sighed and placed his hands on the back of his head with a smirk on his face. “Utter bliss.”

Blake chuckled. “But I can see the sudden change in your attitude.”

“But that is not what I called you here for,” Ruvin answered irritably.

Blake clamped his mouth.

“What happened last night? Is Donny alright?” Ruvin finally asked.

Blake’s expression changed suddenly becoming almost unreadable. “She is safe. I managed to prevent her from joining her brother in the woods. I think I might have just made it to the most wanted beast on this side of the world list....after you guys of course.”

“The Varga came for my mate instead. If it wasn’t for her sister...” Ruvin’s voice faded before anger replaced the fear. “You said you knew the pattern but why would he go after my mate who hasn’t even had her first transformation?”

“Wait, what?” Blake blinked blankly.

“Just what pattern did you see to make you think Donny was next?”

“Finn, the first boy to die lived with his mother but his father died before he was even born. They say it was a lie and that his mother had an affair with a member of the Wolfen. Finn had prominent blood running in his veins. So did Maura and Conrad. Both Conrad’s parents died and he was living with his uncle since he was a toddler.”

“So Conrad and Finn lost a parent or both when they were young, what about Maura?” The wheels in Ruvin’s head were turning. What was the link here?

“Maura was adopted from a foster home. She was living in a lap luxury when a rich and childless family took her in.” Blake explained.

“So we can’t really tell where their bloodlines map to especially since they don’t have any blood left in their bodies. So what does that have to do with Donny?”

“Donny’s father was a member of the Wolfen. He was ‘accidentally’ killed in a Varga incident years back. She and Louise have Wolfen blood running in their veins but Donny doesn’t know this. I doubt she even met the man. ”

Ruvin breathed in hard. This was getting even more complicated than he had thought. So how was Alli connected to all this? And what about the human hunters?

“Here you go.” Sheyster placed a steaming cup of coffee and a creamed bun in front of Blake.

Ruvin watched as Blake’s eyes brightened when he forked the cream bun and placed it in his mouth. He chewed for a moment his eyes narrowing as if he couldn’t quite make out the taste.

“If you didn’t like it, why did you order it?” Ruvin growled.

“I like it...it’s Donny’s favorite snack.” Blake took mouthfuls of the bun.

Ruvin sat up suddenly. What was Alli’s favorite food? He made a mental note to ask her.

“By the way, how is Corleen?” Blake finally looked up after finishing his snack.

“She is back to her usual self...intimidating everyone in her wake,” Ruvin muttered recalling when she made an appearance at breakfast.

He couldn’t believe how blind she was to think that Alli was safe in what Vixen referred to as Faelen’s toy-house. That place only looked safe because of new technology and fancy uniforms for the lame-ass guards. Truth be told they were just role-playing.

Ruvin planned to let them get comfortable enough to forget that they were in danger then strike at the least expected time. Once he was able to get Alli back, he was never going to let anyone take her away from him again.

“You look like you are about to kill someone,” Blake asked.

Ruvin slashed his eyes towards the half-blood. “I intend to. Claimed your mate yet?” He sniffed the air around them then snickered. “Coward.”

Blake’s teeth worked against each other. “I am respecting her tradition. She will be introduced to the weakblood community this Saturday and I will claim her in public. At least I am following code, unlike you who abducted a baby.”

That ticked Ruvin off and he felt his mouth curl up in a snarl. “I don’t need petty codes to dictate to me on when and how I should take my mate. She is mine, no one else’s.”

“You could be beheaded for that.” Blake frowned in concern.

Ruvin didn’t need the fool’s sympathy. He was a pureblood ultibreed. He dared anyone to try and keep him from what was his. He could almost see himself gloating in the blood of his challengers.

“They are welcomed to try,” Ruvin smirked.

“I wish I had your confidence.” Blake grinned sheepishly.

Ruvin rested back. “Comes with the territory....and the physic.” He flexed his biceps catching the attention of two females whose faces turned red as they giggled and scurried away.

Blake shook his head and chuckled.

“Call off the raid, Titus.” Faelen droned quietly on his phone as Alli stood at the large window of his office staring blankly at the activities outside. A gut-wrenching feeling settled stubbornly over her heart and she couldn’t quite control her rapid heartbeat.

It wasn’t the same anymore because she felt a part of her was missing. It was as if she couldn’t quite figure out exactly what was missing and it frustrated her. She was aware of the two people present with her in that office but none of them gave enough significance for her to pay attention.

From a distance, she could hear Corleen updating Faelen on what happened to them. Corleen told the truth to a point. She was rescued by an unknown team and nursed back to health. She was permitted to leave afterward but she didn’t remember exactly where she was.

Faelen sighed rubbing his hand over his face. “I am just glad you two are alright.”

Alli wanted to scoff out loudly but clamped her mouth shut. She was too tightly strung that she just wasn’t in the mood to start arguing with anyone.

“Corleen, I can see you are still recovering. You should stay here until you are better.” He suggested.

Corleen nodded. “We plan to.”

Alli turned her attention back to the two just in time to see relief and satisfaction flash in Faelen’s face. Was he really relieved that they were alive? Wasn’t there something calculating or conniving behind his facade?

Soon enough, someone came to take them away. Before Alli left, Faelen turned to her and gave her a small nod. “You managed to do what Louise and Titus have been trying to do for the past several days. One day you will make a great tracker if not hunter just like your sister.”

But Alli didn’t want such a life for herself. She just gave him a nod. She didn't understand why she started feeling a little nervous around Faelen. This was not the same cold man that had her sister knocked out for grieving. Something about him had changed but that didn’t mean she was going to start liking him. With another awkward nod, Alli followed her sister outside.

She sighed and collapsed on the bed when she was shown to her room for the meantime. It was more luxurious than the one in the Ghost Runners’ hideout but it felt colder and very impersonal. She closed her eyes trying to relive the events that occurred to her since the first night she saw Ruvin in his beast form. He had sleek lines and when he pawed the ground, power and strength emanated into the surrounding. He commanded nature like the way a tempest commanded a storm.

Alli could never forget those bright amber eyes of his that warned her away yet seemed to allure her in with mysteries and silent promises only to lose her into their depths.

Ruvin had changed drastically after he went through the ultibreed transformation but Alli was sure it was still him. He was suddenly too cocky for his own good, teasing her and making her so irritated that she just wanted to scream.

A humorless smile appeared on her face as the aching in her chest made itself known. She rubbed her hand over it wondering how long it was going to take her to get rid of it. She needed to concentrate on other things like going back to school for one. The fun days were slowly coming to an end and soon they were going to have to return to school.

Alli looked forward to leaving Ashwick for a while because she was a little overwhelmed by everything that happened around her and she needed some normalcy which consisted of assignments and studying.

A short knock sounded over her door. Thinking it was Corleen, Alli jumped to her feet and went to answer it. She dreaded opening the door when she came face to face to the younger version of Faelen.

Tyson stared down at her with his dark eyes and his hands in his pockets. If he wasn’t watching her so closely, Alli would have rolled her eyes and told him off.

“Hey.” He prompted doing a little knee-bend in order to try and level his eyes with hers. “I heard the guards speaking about you and Corleen.

The fortress was big and it had four wings; the North wing where Faelen resided with his family and the most important people such as visiting Councilors or Wolfen members, then there was the East wing where other guests such as her and Corleen stayed. The West wing was for his security guards, fortress hunters and trackers, and the servants, and also rooms where newly transformed wolves within the Fortress underwent their transformations. The South wing was for the official offices, conference rooms and different departments such as security.

“Hey, Tyson,” Alli muttered softly. It was better to remain calm and polite because she was in his house to start with.

One side of his mouth curled up into a smile. “You’ve grown a little taller than the last time I saw you.”

“You were watching me from above.” Alli voiced it remembering the incident at the Black Shard.

Tyson shrugged. “Can I come in?”

“I was actually going to rest for a while. I have had a rough few days and I just need to rest.” The last thing Alli needed was to have Tyson in her room. Just standing in front of him, her body hummed in repulsion. His scent had her queasy and just the sight of him made her want to run the other way.

“What happened to you and Corleen? I had never seen my father so edgy like the way he was when you suddenly disappeared from home.” Tyson asked quietly.

Now, why would Faelen worry over her? She wondered. Was it the guilt of what he did that was eating him now? Or perhaps he was dying and he was trying to repent for his past sins! “We were at a friend’s place. He helped Corleen, nursed her back to health and once she was okay to leave, we left.”

“He?” Tyson asked.

Alli shrugged. “Yep, what is so wrong with my friend being a ‘he’?”

Tyson sighed digging his hands deeper in his pockets. “Alli, I don’t know if you received my messages but we need to talk.”

“No, we don’t. I think it was pretty clear to me when you moved on to Larimar and took the opportunity to rub it on my face. Believe me when I say I understand you. I mean who would want to waste their time with a late-bloomer?” Alli frowned at him.

Tyson’s eyebrows snapped up his forehead. “It has nothing to do with your late transformation, Alli. I want to claim you when you have done so.”

If he had said that a few months ago, Alli would have been ecstatic! But at that moment, Alli’s heart heaved in her chest. “I don’t want you to claim me, Tyson. I want you to officially break up with me today-- now. Tell me that it is over.”

“Alli!” Tyson exclaimed in bewilderment.

Alli held her hands up to stop him. She didn’t have the patience to deal with him. ”Claim Larimar since you two have been spending quite a lot of time together and get along pretty well. Just leave me the hell out of it!”

“You’re seeing someone else, aren’t you?” Tyson sniffed the air between them softly and removed his hands from his pockets then fisted them beside him. “Who is he?”

Alli’s mind suddenly traveled to Ruvin. Where was he and what was he doing? “It doesn’t matter, Tyson.”

“It does.” Tyson gritted his teeth. “And I will see to it that I know who this guy is.” He turned on his heels and walked off.

“Stubborn idiot,” Alli muttered to his back, seeing it stiffen slightly but he didn’t change his pace as he disappeared around a corner.

Alli sighed and returned to the room making sure she locked her door behind. Corleen’s room was right next to hers. She wondered why her sister didn’t come out to say anything knowing that she must have heard what transpired between her and Tyson--unless the rooms were soundproof. Alli was surprised that she was able to say everything to Tyson truthfully. There was nothing she said that made her feel guilty because that was how she truly felt.

Tyson was a great guy--some of the times. He hung out with the wrong crowd, most of his friends comprising of Wolfen boys and girls. In the wolf community, they were like the icing on the cake. They hardly associated themselves with commoners which also raised a lot of questions as to why Tyson dated her in the first place. It could have all been part of a show for his friends or to pass time until he was able to claim a Wolfen girl.

Larimar, on the other hand, was from a prominent Wolfen family of Geordan. She had it all, the looks, the status, and now the guy. It should have hurt Alli at least a little bit that she wasn’t going to have a happily-ever-after with Tyson but it didn’t. On a strange twist, it made her feel a little relieved--until she thought of Ruvin, and her gut wretched mercilessly deep within her.

It seemed like she was already missing Ruvin’s childish and egotistical ways and she needed to get her head straight so she quickly reached for her phone and dialed Donny’s number asking to meet her somewhere.

“Come into town at The Treasure-house in an hour. I have a pie in the oven for Father Malcolm and his family. I could barely get Blake out of my head so I decided to bake.” Donny explained.

“Is it that bad?” Alli asked laughing in disbelief.

“Yes.” She groaned. “I just want Saturday to be here like two hours ago!”

“Let’s meet up at this new place of yours and talk about it.” Alli chuckled. “Aww, I can’t believe that you are all grown up.”

“Just you wait until you go through it.” Donny hissed then the phone went dead.

Alli looked at the phone and tsked. It seemed Donny just got a little bolder than usual. Alli set her alarm clock for an hour and tried to drift into sleep but her mind was plagued by cold and calculating red eyes, the voice from the woman in the forest, and Conrad’s gurgling sounds just before he died.

You promised! You promised you wouldn’t hurt me. You said you wanted to know me--and I wanted to know you! Conrad’s voice echoed and Alli jumped up with a start, opening her door and rushing into her sister’s room.

“Conrad knew who his attacker was! He knew who he was meeting that evening, Corleen!” She cried out hysterically.

Corleen already had her gun in her hands. “Sweet Jesus, Alli!” She hissed her eyes darting about in the corridor then she closed her door. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. I could have hurt you.”

But that wasn’t the point. Alli swallowed hard hating what she was about to say and breathed in hard. “I need to go and see Conrad’s body. I think there is something we might have overlooked.”

“Conrad’s body was already taken for burial by his uncle, Alli. What is this you are talking about? Are you okay?” Corleen placed her gun back on the bedside table and touched Alli’s forehead.

Alli shook her sister's hand away. “I was sleeping and I had another vision. Conrad was talking to the thing that was killing him. They knew each other. The thing that killed Conrad knew him and that’s why we need to go to his grave, tonight.”

“Alli.” Corleen sighed. “I can’t do that--”

“Maybe I should talk to someone who is willing to listen--like Titus.” Alli turned to the door when Corleen’s arm shot out to stop her.

“Wait!” She exclaimed and took a deep breath before sighing and nodding. “Fine, I’ll take you...but if you come up empty, Alli, you let this go. Promise me that you will not follow up on any of this again.”

“I promise,” Alli answered. Her skin was still crawling with a cold that was an odd phenomenon within the atmosphere because it was quite warm inside. “Right now, I am going to see Donny but I will come back early so that we go to the cemetery.”

Corleen leaned against the footboard of the bed and crossed her arms on her chest. “Alright--but be careful out there, Alli.”

Alli nodded. “I will. See you later.”

“She left.” Zach crossed his arms when Ruvin returned and found Alli’s room empty and cold. That familiar shift inside him that he had every time she was close didn’t happen and he knew immediately that she was gone.

“What happened?” Ruvin asked quietly, touching the covers of her bed that still had her scent lingering.

“Corleen and Alli were having a little argument, can’t tell much about the details but suddenly Alli wanted to leave the house as soon as possible. It was as if she was running away from you.” Zach explained.

Ruvin was not in the mood to deal with anything at that moment. He had so much to do and follow up and his little mate just had to wait. They both hadn’t felt the full blast of the mating bond because Alli had not yet transformed which meant Ruvin could still hold on for a little while longer, as he prepared to go steal her back.

A malicious smile appeared on his face. She wouldn’t even know what hit her....but first things first, he had a Rogue Hunter to replace...