† Sage †

I’d woken in an empty bed that still smelled strongly of Maddock and buried my face into the pillow to inhale him again. This fated mate thing

was serious. I was falling hard and fast.

It wasn’t like me at all, but I was finding it hard to care.

His lingering magic in the room eased any concern I had over him leaving without saying goodbye. I felt it deep in my heart with the same conviction that it would take its next beat, Maddock would always come back to me.

It wasn’t even our lovers promises whispered during the night or the fun we’d had in between that gave me this surety. This was fate. It was actually freaking fate. Its magic called to me.

But I wanted to prove we’d be an asset in this new place before I could accept his mark and bind him to me for the rest of his life. I wasn’t the type of girl who let some man just sweep me off my feet and carry me into the sunset without a backup plan.

Even if he was gorgeous and smelled amazing.

First things first, I needed to keep momentum rolling on the restaurant and then we had to work with Coral to get her in touch with her stubborn wolf.

*

I turned off the burner and let the oats finish cooking for the girls as I tiptoed into Coral’s room so I didn’t wake them both.

“I’ll be back later,” I whispered in Coral’s ear. “Breakfast is on the stove.”

She murmured something unintelligible and buried her head under the blanket. Kera let out a growling snore as she pulled the blanket back to her side and I had to stifle a laugh.

Their magic was unique. Blues and purple hues like little stars burst in the air where they touched. Maybe it was fate that these two girls were meant to find each other. I wondered if souls could be destined for friendship, too.

The drive to town was short with no movement in the woods except the birds hopping around the tree branches, playing peek-a-boo with the morning rays of sun, but I had to take it slow as I marveled in the complexity of it all.

Each leave that danced on the wind, each swaying plant, and the trees themselves all had a lifeforce that told a story or sung a song. Puffs of

magic were everywhere like breaths from the earth.

My eyes misted as I took in all the beauty.

Maybe it wasn’t Maddock who gave this to me. I might have been

able to see it eventually. But I’d forever be thankful to the man who opened my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was so blind before.

My plan was to run through a quick inventory this morning and visit Kathryn’s stall to stock up for tomorrow, then I’d have the rest of the day to find Maddock and show him how grateful I was.

Not just for the magic.

Those multiple orgasms last night…

Stop it, Sage! I pressed my lips together to hide my grin as I pulled up next to the sidewalk. The taste of him still filled my mouth and my body ached with the need to watch him come undone again.

Who’d have thought I’d be falling for such a growling beast of a

man?

Maddock filled my thoughts as I stepped outside the car into the

clean, non-toxic air.

An inky cloud of darkness filled my lungs like thick smoke from a grease fire and stopped me cold in my tracks.

I scanned the street, looking for chaos, but everything was calm and serene. Shivers ran down my arms despite the warmth of the morning as I turned back toward the restaurant.

It hit me hard.

Not smoke from a fire, but dark magic that lingered. It clung to the broken window fragments and swirled back like dust when I pushed open the heavy wood doors.

The air rushed from my lungs and I clutched my stomach as a strangled cry tore from my throat.

Why?

I shut my eyes, hoping this was all a bad dream and I could somehow wish it away.

The tables were flipped and busted. Shattered glasses and dinner

plates littered the ground. Tears escaped my closed eyelids as I struggled to breathe in the hateful magic that occurred here.

What did I do to deserve this?

Whoever went to these lengths had intended to send me a message.

I racked my brain as I worked to control the hysterical emotions building within me and tried to think of who would want to hurt me this bad.

I wasn’t sure if I’d done something wrong to one of the customers.

They all seemed so happy yesterday.

Don’t think the worst. Maybe it was an animal.

I opened my eyes to survey the damage almost expecting some radioactive bear to come charging through the mess. But I was fooling myself. This was intentional.

Ice water.

I imagined the stinging pain as I drew on the numbness I’d felt most of my life and pushed the magic away. There was nothing beautiful about this.

It was cold and ugly and brutal.

If I didn’t feel it then it couldn’t hurt me.

Detachment came as a sort of blanket I could bury my head under and I made my way to the kitchen without breaking down in tears.

Please, no. I worked so hard on this.

I sank to my knees in the corn flour I’d ground by hand that now covered the floors. All the eggs from the counter were smashed against the walls. Vegetables were stomped on and chewed as if someone sank their teeth into the flesh and spit them out. The icebox was dented and thrown to the side. The refrigerated food was decaying in the stagnant air that was still choked with the intent of hate.

I couldn’t breathe in here. I had to get outside.

Slipping over the mess of the kitchen that I’d left pristine last night, I pushed my way into the alley with tears burning my eyes.

This is your fault for thinking you can be happy.

Life wasn’t a fairy tale with magic.

I knew that in Ethica because no one bothered to hide behind the truth of human nature. Governing forces, steel walls, high rise buildings, the constant desire to be the best, purist, ideal citizen…

At least there I knew what was expected of me.

How could I do that here–how could I protect Coral–if I didn’t even know what I’d done wrong?

You’ll figure it out. You always do.

I took a couple of deep breaths and dried my tears. Feeling sorry for myself wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I had a restaurant to clean up and then I’d figure out who did this so I could make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

It hurt, but it wouldn’t be the first time I was left alone to handle the mess someone else had left without an explanation.

I nodded once to confirm my resolve. This was fine. I’d take care of it.

Taking care of things was what I did.

*

The broken glass scraped across the wood floors as I swept it into the dustpan and then dumped it into the garbage bin. I hummed to myself as I focused on the task at hand, ignoring any pained emotions that came with it.

Numb and distant would keep me going. I couldn’t stop moving right now.

I was on my hands and knees pulling out a piece of ceramic plate that had gotten wedged in the floorboard when the smell of caramel and burnt wood infiltrated my senses.

Maddock’s strong arms were around my waist as he lifted me to my feet and crushed my body against his, kissing the top of my head.

His pure white aura that burned so brightly last night was muted with a grayish tint. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew it was my fault. I was pushing the magic away, but I didn’t know how to stop.

“Are you okay?” Maddock tilted my chin up so he could look into my eyes. Worry lines creased his face.

“I’m fine.” I stepped out of his embrace and hugged my arms over my chest as I shrugged. “It seems like I have a lot of work to do today though.”

He ran a hand through his hair, turning to look over the damage. “I’m so sorry that I let this happen.”

“You didn’t do this.” I took another step back, confused. His eyes met mine and the sadness within them made my heart shatter like the glass that littered the dream of a future I was trying to create.

“I could have prevented this if I’d gone to Apollo last night.”

“Then it was my fault for asking you to stay.” I tried to crack a joke to lighten the mood, but it came out dry. I reached for the broom instead of caring to fix it.

Maddock snatched it from my hand, pulling me close again as he growled and his wolf wailed in agony. “None of this is your fault.”

“It’s not like I made this mess.” I pushed away, hating his pity. “Do you know who did?”

“Apollo.” Maddock hung his head while his brother’s name was spit like a curse.

“Why?” I asked the question I’d asked myself a thousand times this morning.

He set the broom down and flipped over one of the heavy wood

picnic tables like it weighed no more than a chair. I’d been struggling to right them alone, so I frowned, wishing I had his strength.

“It’s complicated,” Maddock explained. “For years, shifters have been speaking out against him, but they never do it to his face. We know who they are and they hide in the shadows. They’ve never banded together in the day. Remember when Kera told you Lennox was one of the more vocal

opponents of Apollo?”

I nodded, gears turning, as I already saw where this was going. I’d been a fool for not recognizing what was happening after all the Luna

conversations yesterday. “I’m assuming everyone invited to my launch were opponents of Apollo and that’s why they were being so nice.”

“That and you make amazing food.” He winked.

“I think that is the first joke I’ve ever heard you make.” I smiled despite the situation. Maybe I was rubbing off on him. “But if Apollo

already knew who the shifters were that didn’t agree with him, why did he wait until now to act and destroy this tavern in the process?”

Maddock caught my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles. “He’s growing bolder since you and your sister arrived.”

“Me and Coral?” I asked. “He can’t possibly think we’re a threat or want to challenge him.”

“It’s not that. Listen, I never meant to lie to you, but I’m starting to think this might be the problem after all. Apollo wasn’t always like this, but twenty-one years ago he met his fated mate. They were both young pups, barely sixteen, but she left him because he wanted to force her to stay here as his Luna and she had dreams for herself. It nearly broke him when she’d rejected their bond and he’s been on a downward spiral ever since.”

“Why are you telling me this now? What did you lie about?” If this had something to do with the fated mate thing, we could figure it out later when I was done with this mess.

As for the rest of it, I already knew Apollo was an asshole.

Maddock closed his eyes. “I think seeing Coral and knowing I found my mate is stirring something inside of him. He’s trying to act like an Alpha again, and although I wanted this before, I think he’s too far gone to ever be the leader destiny intended.”

“Apollo wants Coral as a mate?” I was going to be sick.

“No. Not like that,” Maddock said. “Melinda was Apollo’s fated mate and she was the one who rejected him.”

I snatched my hand away from his and staggered back. “Are you serious? You knew about this the whole time and didn’t tell me?”

He frowned as he reached for me again. “It’s not as awful as it sounds. The pup is under my protection and belongs here with her mother’s pack. Apollo agrees to this too.”

My hands grew warm as my vision tunneled.

“I don’t care who you are or who Coral’s mother was. I’ve been

there protecting her since she was a little girl. I’m the one who sacrificed everything for that child when I was half a child myself. I’ve lived every day with the fear that something might happen to me and she would be left alone. You don’t have the right to make decisions on her safety or keep information from me that could hurt her. Apollo hits his own daughter and now you’re going to tell me the reason he’s deranged is because Coral’s

mother left him. In what sick world did you think a lunatic like that would be okay with seeing a supposed reincarnate of the woman he blames his insanity on? You put my sister in danger!”

“If I’d have known it would distress you so much then I would have told you sooner.” Maddock’s face fell as he reached for my hand again. I felt his wolf surge forward, anxious with worry and wanting to protect me.

But I didn’t need his protection. All I could feel was anger.

That was the problem with letting my emotions out and allowing myself to feel it all. I couldn’t stop it when it started.

“Leave me alone.” I pushed him away, needing space to sort this through.

His wolf whined as Maddock’s hand brushed against my skin and fell to his side. The betrayal on his face would have torn my heart out had I been able to see through the rage clouding my vision.

“I apologize.” He nodded and turned to go.

A lump formed in my throat as I watched him leave. He didn’t look back. His magic left with him.

I stood there shaking, fuming, as the anger ebbed from my body and then I looked to my hands.

I didn’t mean for him to actually leave, did I?

It’s what the old me would have done. That woman in Ethica had only one goal and it was to protect Coral at all costs. I’d done it alone for so long that I didn’t know how to trust someone else to help.

Why did they keep this from me?

Maddock was blind if he thought his crazy brother wouldn’t react to my sister being here. I’d felt the strength of the mate bond which was quickly changing my whole world. I couldn’t even imagine what it would

be like to lose Maddock now.

Apollo would have loved Melinda. I only had fractured memories of my step mother, but she was beautiful and kind to me. I knew she loved my father. She’d have been a good mother had she lived through Coral’s birth.

If Apollo knew she’d been happy without him, would even a sane man be able to let that go knowing what his own life had become?

Maybe that’s what this really was, retribution of some sort for being my father’s daughter. Anyone in their right mind would know I had no

intentions to mess with the leadership of this pack. Why else would he lash out at his brother’s… Mate? Lover? Girlfriend?

I didn’t even know what to call us now.

You probably just messed it all up.

Tears filled my eyes again. This day sucked.

I needed to apologize. None of this was really his fault. After a

lifetime of holding back my emotions, I let fear and anger get the best of me. And he’d taken the blame, but I knew Coral was behind this. All her secret looks and whispers with Kera suddenly made sense.

My sister would have kept this from me because she would’ve thought it was no big deal, but she always trusted without hesitation. Maddock didn’t know me well enough to not withhold information.

We still had so much to learn about each other. The way his wolf whined…

My heart was breaking at the pain I must have caused him. I felt the ache in my own soul.

This was a mess.

Literally. I was standing in a giant mess.

Once I cleared my head and cleaned this up, I was going to fix things with him.

Right after I had a conversation with his asshole brother because this was going to end now.

I wasn’t a wolf. He didn’t own me.

I was a freaking witch for science’s sake.

*

Fury cleaning is cathartic, but it seemed like no matter what I worked on, I could barely make a dent. I needed to find some type of tarp or plastic sheeting to cover the windows to keep out any rodents who wanted to die in here or those creepy hanging furry bats.

I’d prefer not to deal with anymore bats.

There was a small attic above the storage closet that I had yet to

explore and I crawled into it with the slight hope I’d find some construction

materials. But unless I needed a lifetime supply of cobwebs, I was out of luck.

Shivering a little, I brushed off the strands of silk and dirt from my shirt, checking under the material and shaking out my hair to make sure no creepy crawlies had hitched a ride with me back down the ladder.

“Sage, are you in here?” Coral’s voice called out through the tavern.

Am I here? I clenched my teeth and stomped down the hall to meet my sister. “Just the girl I wanted to see.”

“Before you start,” Coral put her hands up, backing toward Kera for support as the friendship magic sparked brighter between them, “Maddock stopped by the cabin and told us everything.”

At the mention of his name, my chest deflated. “Is he alright?” “He’s fine,” Kera hurried to explain. “He is pissed at Coral, but he

understands why you’re upset. He told us to tell you that he has something to check at the borders and he’ll be back soon.”

I smiled at Kera, wishing she didn’t have to be a part of this. The girl had enough family drama to deal with. Unfortunately, Coral wasn’t getting off the hook that easy.

I narrowed my gaze at my sister. “What were you thinking? How could you keep something like this from me?”

“I was thinking that you’d blow up and be worried just like this. Then you’d whisk me away before I had any chance to find out more about who I am.” Coral rolled her eyes.

I knew she was right. But still…

“I love you so much and I get that you’re almost an adult, but these kinds of situations need to be thought through and discussed before you decide my input doesn’t matter.”

“We didn’t have time to think anything through before I found out I have a wolf inside me and our entire world was a lie.” Her cheeks flushed with anger. “This is my life we are talking about.”

“You do realize I gave up my life too and drove you here after we had a discussion and agreed together to come.” If I could growl like Maddock,

this was the equivalent.

“Oh damn, she’s got you there.” Kera chuckled and backed up when we both turned to stare at her. “Sorry. I’ll stay out of it.”

“I know you did.” Coral sighed as her shoulders relaxed. “And I’m sorry for lying to you. Thank you for always protecting me.”

My sarcastic retort died on my tongue. No way did she just thank me.

A smile spread across my face as I reached out my arms for a hug. I could never stay mad at her for long.

“Okay. Okay.” Coral accepted my embrace, allowing me to bring Kera into the circle before patting my back awkwardly. “Get it together now. The calvary is outside.”

My eyebrows shot up as I released her. “Calvary?”

*

Shifter women came pouring into the restaurant. Young and old, they paused to give apologies for the situation, and then got to work cleaning

things up. It was a little overwhelming.

I’d forgotten every name and lost count at twenty when broomsticks and smiling faces continued to come in. I didn’t even realize the pack was this big.

Where had they all been hiding?

The building hummed with a feminine energy that was a magic in its own. Voices rose like musical notes and shimmering auras of soft pinks and blues forced out the darkness that had tainted the walls.

It filled me with lightness and a new purpose. I’d rebuild and reopen just for them.

The elderly woman who’d flipped us off on our arrival was inspecting the broken shelves above the bar and grabbed my sleeve as I passed.

“You’ll turn a better profit with good spirits and beer. Shifters like to throw a party.” She looked me over with sharp eyes. “It just so happens that I know a man who brews.”

“What’s his price?” I asked, laughing at the mischievous magic that danced around her.

“I’ll get you a discount.” She winked. “My name is Laura by the way.

It’s nice to have you here.”

“If Matthew is bringing his beer, I’ll get my Leroy to come fix the windows now.” A young mother stepped forward and untied a small pup

from her waist. “Here. Hold her for me and I’ll shift to go get him.”

I tried to protest but a fuzzy ball was thrust into my arms. The little pup looked up at me with sleepy eyes and we stared at each other for a heartbeat, then it snuggled deep into the crook of my elbow with a big yawn and fell back asleep.

My heart freaking melted as the woman shifted and left me alone with her baby.

Except I wasn’t alone. Everywhere I looked was a stranger helping me out.

Sadie was in the corner speaking with Kathryn. The two women seemed to have mended whatever distance had caused their divide. They wore matching beaded hair strips and I caught the gleam of my swindled gems on the both of them.

Kathryn noticed me looking and moved closer, reaching down to scratch the pup behind the ears. “I’ll expect a cut of the profit for this round, but I’ll get you a fresh batch of produce and another bag of cornmeal.”

My arms were heavy with phantom aches that had nothing to do with the weight of the pup, but I nodded my thanks.

“I think I have some old glass cups from my grandmother you can borrow,” someone called out.

“And I’ve got the perfect linen to make napkins.”

Tears filled my eyes as the women continued to offer their support. Ethica may have prided itself on being a perfect society, but this kind of warmth had never existed there.

All my doubts about staying vanished at the sound of their comforting voices. Apollo may be the Alpha, but this was the pack, and they were welcoming us with open arms. Gratitude swelled within me. This was a place I could proudly call home, and I knew Coral would be cared for here.

As the buzz of commotion faded, a respectful hush settled over the room. A sleepy wolf snored contentedly against me, and I was still lost in the magic of it all when I glanced up to see Lisa entering the restaurant, a burlap sack in her hands. The charms in her hair danced as she walked, and a smile spread across my face.

The women parted to clear a path, tilting their heads slightly to the side, as if offering a gesture of submission.

Lisa surveyed them with a sigh. “I am not your Luna anymore.”

Whispers rippled through the gathered women, and they turned to me in unison.

“Wait a minute,” I squeaked, glancing around for the mother who still hadn’t returned, then thrusting the pup into Kathryn’s arms. “I’m not your Luna either.”

“Forget about that,” Laura said, giving me a hearty clap on the back that nearly sent me stumbling forward. “They’re just showing their respect.”

“But…” My protest was cut short as Lisa placed the burlap sack into my hands. A puff of white powder escaped, dusting my face and filling the air with a surprising scent. My eyes widened in astonishment.

“It seems your magic is more powerful than you thought.” Lisa gave me a knowing smile. “You turned cornmeal into wheat flour.”

*

I walked through the restaurant as the light faded, still in awe at all that had happened during the day. The windows were replaced with an amber tinted glass that gave the setting sun a warm glow on the tables. The kitchen and bar were fully stocked. New plates and glasses lined the shelves.

The last of the women were heading out, stopping to give me a

goodbye hug while making promises to take payment with a meal once we reopened. I’d be working for free the next few days, but everything was perfect again. Maybe even better than when I’d started.

I owed these women more than a few meals. They had my respect and gratitude for life.

“Come sit with us for a minute.” Lisa motioned to the seat beside

Kera as she worked a single skinny braid and charm into Coral’s long blond hair. She finished it off and tucked it under the locks right behind her ear.

“I still can’t believe they came to the rescue like that.” I fell onto the seat and pulled my legs up beneath me to rest my aching feet.

“I can.” Lisa laughed softly. “It seems you made quite the impression.

Once you earn a wolf’s respect, they are loyal to a fault.”

“I prefer that they give Kera that respect,” I said, cringing as I remembered the weird display. “But I’m not going to complain about getting help.”

“Actually, they did.” Kera leaned back against the table and folded her arms over her chest as we all turned to her.

“What?” She shrugged like it was no big deal. “That was the first

time I’ve had one on one chats with most of them and I made my position clear. I think it helped that I was able to work alongside them and really listen to their concerns. Dad has kept me pretty isolated from the pack. I didn’t realize how much that affected their opinion of me until today.”

“That’s awesome,” I exclaimed, but the mention of the Alpha brought a sliver of darkness back to the room. “Maybe it’s time we all have a discussion with Apollo about what this pack wants.”

“I agree.” Lisa rose from the table and gave me a smile so broken and full of sadness that my heart ached from the grief in it. “That time is coming sooner than you think.”

*

Lisa left and headed back to her cottage before I’d finished closing everything up. This was the most excitement she’d had in years and needed some silence again.

I didn’t blame her at all. The girls filled the car with a constant chatter, making plans to keep Kera engaged with the pack to gather her more support.

I listened half-heartedly, nodding when appropriate, but anxiousness clouded my mind. I’d figured Maddock would have come back to the restaurant since we’d been there all day. Even though Kera had said he’d understood my frustration, I couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong.

Did I push him away forever when I touched him?

I hated not knowing how strong this magic thing really was.

If it was based on intent, the universe had to know that pushing him away was the last thing I wanted to do.

The anxiety heightened as I pulled up to the dark cabin and turned off the car.

Kera frowned as she leaned forward between the seats. “Maddock’s still not here?”

With shaking hands, I removed the keys from the ignition. “Can you use the pack link to get in touch with him? I’d really like the chance to

apologize.”

“Of course.” She squeezed my shoulder and then jumped out of the

car.

“Hey. Don’t worry.” Coral grabbed my hand. “It’ll be okay. That guy

is crazy about you.”

“I hope so.” I forced a smile for my sister and went to join Kera in the

yard.

“I still can’t reach him.” Kera shook her head.

A heavy stone dropped to the pit of my stomach. “Is that normal?” “Yeah,” she assured me as she took off her shirt. “If he’s still at the

border, it’s too far away to communicate. I’m going to go for a run to see if I can bump into him. I’ll be right back.”

“You don’t have to do that for me.” I chewed my bottom lip, not wanting to worry the girls for nothing but knowing in my gut that something was wrong.

“Please.” Kera rolled her eyes as they morphed with her wolf. It would have been hilarious had an icy fear not been snaking up my spine.

“You’ve done so much for me and everyone else, this is the least I can do.”

Kera’s powerful wolf darted into the forest while the moon overhead lit her way. Silver glimmering magic tendrils landed and faded where her paws hit the leaves.

“Let’s go inside and chill out while we wait for your man to get

back.” Coral laughed as she draped her arm over my shoulder. “We haven’t gotten to spend much time alone together since we’ve been here anyway and I miss…”

The sound of a loud crack vibrated through the night and Coral slumped forward as her body went slack, taking me with her to the ground.

I caught my little sister in my arms and held her close as I landed on my knees.

“Coral!” I screamed.

My throat shredded with the cry of her name.

I struggled to pull her onto my lap and tried to think through the shock that was making it hard to breathe.

I ran my hand over her face and through her hair. Blood stained the earth, black in the moonlight, and stuck to my fingers when I pulled them away.

My sister’s blood. Tainted blood. The same blood that ran through both our veins no matter what their DNA tests said.

“Get up, baby. Please, get up,” I begged as I lowered my sister to the ground.

She didn’t move.

My pulse pounded in my ears as my heart wrenched itself from my

body.

No! This is a dream. Wake up, Sage!

Inky black magic curled around us and I whipped my head to the

side to find the source.

Pain exploded as my skull cracked in half.

Then all the magic was gone and the rest of the world went with it.