What the fuck had I done? I had reacted on Willa's instruction and leaped without thought.

Big...no huge mistake.

I felt weightless. What if I'd leapt too late, and I'd jumped into nothing? Stuck here between the unknown... dark, cold and unforgiving.

Brows drew together in confusion—where the hell was I?

I sensed I wasn't alone, but I'd never been consumed in utter blackness. Was the witch here too?

The witch—my sister.  My dead sister! I'd only learned of her being alive a few hours ago from the Elders. In their usual frustrating cryptic manner. Whatever they had done to her had returned to repay their recklessness. Tenfold.

In the vortex of obscurity, my eyes caught a pinprick of light as it grew at a rapid rate. From the light I could see the trees and the Elders House... and Pearl knelt on the ground, hovering over one elder.

Pearl... the tether connecting us caressed my wolf's enormous frame. Her name whispered through our shared minds.

Mate.

A snarl ripped from me as it catapulted me from the void. Landing on all fours, upright, my body righted itself as the hum of energy from the portal dissipated behind me.

Pearl's delicious, sweet scent teased my senses as I found myself momentarily distracted by the roundness of her ass as she bent over an elder. My wolf whimpered at the sight.

Elder Ani?   Fuck!  Blood pumped from her throat as her jaw hung slack. I'd arrived too late.

But what had attacked her?

My eyes visually checked over Pearl for any injury—I sensed none.

Anger rose in me at an alarming rate. Growling, my gaze found Ember who hadn't been ejected from the void as I, she was graceful in her movement but Astonishment darkened her gaze, having not expected to see me.

Claws dug into my neck as from nowhere something landed on my back.

Baring my teeth, I reared on two legs and flung whoever from me as I heard a screech and a thud to the ground. Fury blanketed me as I turned, snarling to see in my surprise the small girl we had brought back from the Blue-Night Pack massacre.

She righted herself quickly but remained crouched on her knees, inching backwards. Blood covered dress as she wiped away more from her mouth. Gone were her pretty blue eyes I'd remembered, replaced with black slits as her lip lifted and she sneered.

"Ahem." Ember said, drawing the girls or thing's attention. "Come." My head shot left as Ember commanded the girl, who growled at me before she sprung towards her.

Pearl let out a desperate cry as her hands hovered, shaking over the Elder. Panic shifted through her frame, along with fear. Elder Ester rushed from the cottage and now dropped to her knees, a gold glowing sphere in her hand as she chanted.

"It's not stopping! She's losing too much blood." Pearl gasped out, her face pale and anguished.

Ember stalked towards them. "What, did I miss all the fun?"

Ester's head shot up. "Esse abiit mali spiritus intus, ego præcipio vobis."

Ember paused, but then took another step forward. "Your magic holds no sway over me, you old crone." She snickered.

Enough, as it spurred me to action. Violence rained through my veins.

Maim... Hurt... Kill.

Sister or not, I would kill without mercy or hesitation.

She turned, lifting her hand and muttered something I didn't catch, but felt. An invisible force, something more powerful than me, stopped me in my tracks.

Dread on my heels and frozen in place. I tried to push against it, but instead the change forced upon us. My wolf withdrew but was still as pissy as fuck as he growled and fought against her magic. And I was being forced from within. Fur receded and hot flesh touched the cool night air. Bones cracked and shifted into man; my vision diminished, and it swallowed me into darkness.

Fury rolled over me as my jaw ticked. I was useless as a man, weak—pathetic. How could I protect the elders... my mate? "What have you done to me, witch?" My keen sense of hearing aligned itself against my blindness.

"What—no hello or great to see you, sis?" she mocked.

"You are no sister of mine." I spat out. "Whatever you seek here tonight, will bring nothing but disappointment—be assured of that witch."

Silence.

My heart beating faster than I thought possible, I remained on all fours, listening. Leaves crunching, I sensed her walking towards me. My nails elongated as I tried to force a shift. Cursing whatever spell she had me under, apparently unbreakable. I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, frustrated at my weakness being overpowered by the witch.

"Awe, poor Alpha. So weak and pitiful." She came closer, her heat brought a coldness like no other. "What can you not see me, dear brother?" she taunted.

I snarled.

"Leave him alone." I heard my mate threaten as Ember's movements halted.

"Oh, and who do we have here?" Her footsteps shifted away from me. "Don't tell me, you're my brother's mate?"

Pearl ignored her.

"I asked a question, female!" Ember spat out.

"I ignored you the first time—you do not have to repeat yourself."

Again, silence before a snort of sarcastic chuckle shook Ember's shoulders. "Ooh, smart ass. I like you. Pity I will have to kill you."

"Better to be a smart ass than a dumb ass!" Pearl quipped. "But please, humour me and try."

I couldn't stop my top lip lifting into a grin as my wolf huffed his delight. My mate, although perhaps a little reckless, was brave. Why I hadn't mated her the second we met was now beyond me and my own stupidity.

Ember laughed menacingly. "Tempting, but I'm on a deadline. I have elder souls to collect and a brother to torture. And if you're lucky, I will let you live long enough to see me drive a blade into his heart."

Pearl hissed. "No! You or that rabid bitch touch him, I will tear you to shreds."

"Silence." The single word was spat as I heard Pearl cough and splutter. What had she done to her?

Elder Ester continued chanting, and I sensed Pearl's rage and fear rolled into one.

The air chilled as Pearl sucked in a sharp breath before panting heavily.

"What—what are you doing?" I heard Ember ask, her tone elevated. Worried?

Pearl's heart-rate escalated.

It was then that I felt it... the earth vibrated. Trees breathed with life and vitality as their branches waved gently sharpening in my ears. The taste of something sharp and acidic laced my nose and tongue. It was the same entity I'd felt earlier. Whatever was inside Pearl had somehow been released... escaped?

Ember spoke words unknown, but I recognized it was the language of the Elders. She inhaled a sharp gasp.

As I breathed, the cold breached my lungs, spreading and tightening across my chest. But this time, when it spoke, there was no hiss or mistaking its words.

'Do you yield to your desires?'  Its masculine voice boomed in my head.

Yield—Desires?

'You know what I offer Alpha Cassius Wolf, King of the Kings Moon Pack.'

I did - this thing, whatever it was, offered me what I desperately craved... sight.

'I can give you what you so desire,' it teased.

My heart thundered inside my chest and my blood rang loud in my ears as I answered without a second thought. 'Yes.'

'Breathe deeply brave Alpha.'

In a whoosh and a single intake of breath, it bared down inside me. The tightness that spread through my chest ricocheted through my entire body. My arms, hands, legs shook as my veins heated and vibrated at a rate I thought I might pass out.

A curse, a hiss of pain as I placed pressure on my forearms, holding me up.

My eyes burned with rapid blinking colour white... then black.  No—not black it was the dirt beneath my fingers.   My fingers!

I could see.

I snarled as I lifted my head to hone in on the witch, my supposed kin, and then my gaze flicked to Pearl who was doubled over, cradling her head. Her eyes met mine, and fear and confusion stared back. The witch had put a spell on her, as she was unable to talk.

'You want to drown in her blood?' asked the voice, as my eyes returned to Ember. 'I can feel your desire Alpha—do it.'

'I'm unable to move. The witch has me under a curse or spell.'

It scoffed as if the suggestion of me being unable to move insulted it. 'You need only desire to be free, Alpha.'

I only needed to desire it? I desired it with every fibre of my being as the power within me radiated, electrifying, pulsing, and I pushed myself to my feet.

Quick as a snap, Ember stepped back. "Attack" she issued the command to the thing that paraded itself as a child... a girl.

It bounded towards me at speed and as it launched at me; I reached out with one hand and held it by its throat. My reflexes were so much sharper. It screeched a cry unfamiliar to any creature I knew as something else distorted its face and its teeth changed. Sharp as daggers teeth snapped at me. I brought it closer, its red eyes held mine. My jaw twitched.

'Do it.'  I heard the voice.

I didn't hesitate as I twisted and its neck snapped as its hands dropped to its side. Its red eyes returned to blue and the life that was there moments ago, slipped away.

The spirit inside me delighted in its death.

I dropped its small body to the ground. My glacial glare now on Ember. She studied me with the intensity that bordered on cruelty. But I swore there was also a touch of fear in those icy blues.

The creature, demon or spirit—whatever it was inside me, cackled as a shiver ran down my spine. 'Kill her—let us taste her heart.' It spoke.

I was too far gone to think of the consequences of doing its bidding. My mate and the Elders, needed my protection.

"You have breathed your last breath sister." The moment the words left my mouth, I fisted my hands and ran at her.

Hands thrust up to the skies, she spoke words muffled words. A spell?

A ripple of energy pulsed over me, forcing me to stop in my tracks. The trees surrounding us bent and I blinked, and she was gone - vanished. Not a trace of her remained.

There was no doubt in my mind that she would return.

I heard Pearl splutter in a breath. "What the fuck?" she said.

Her language astonished me. I strode towards her, almost yanking her from the ground as I ran my hands across her hair, face, shoulders, down her arms, the memory of her last kiss flashing, forcing a shudder.

She smiled. "I'm okay. I think? Are you... okay?" her eyes narrowed as she studied me. "Blue..." she muttered. "You can see me... yes?" She nibbled her bottom lip, disbelief in her eyes.

I cradled her face; she shivered. My mate was hauntingly beautiful, as I truly looked upon her as a man for the first time, it almost hurt my eyes to gaze upon the pure radiance. Her skin, so soft under my hands. Strands of her loose, dark hair whispered across her delicate features.

I wanted to taste, to touch... devour.  The urge to have her suddenly powerful... possessive. The dark spirit inside and my wolf rumbled in agreement. She was perfect—mine. My dark one. A heartbeat of time passed as the hairs of the back of my neck rose, awareness of her heady scent and my mouth watered, needing the feel of those plump parted lips.

My lips landed on hers, demanding they open to me.

A whimper passed between us, our mouths mashed as my cock hardened to the point of pain as it pressed into her core. The heat of her, as my need to claim her roared through me, tensing every muscle in me.

'Yes, take what is rightfully yours.'  The words in my head caught my attention, and I froze, pulling away sharply.

Pearl's eyes were wide and slightly glassy.

Had that been my wolf talking or the spirit? I pushed the thought to one side.

"Beautiful." I breathed deeply, running my thumb across her bottom lip.

"Hi," she said as a bemused smile decorated her lips.

"Forgive me, I couldn't wait a second longer."

She double blinked, as if pulling herself back to reality. "Fuckity-fuck! The Elder."

I frowned slightly at her use of coarse language. But she was right. I'd been so wrapped up in her I'd forgotten about the Elders. Glancing down, both Elder Ester and Elder Olive were on their knees at either side of their lost sister. I knew no life remained.

I had failed in my duty to protect them. Guilt twisted my guts.

Both Elders rose. Olive disappeared inside the cottage without a glance in my direction, and Ester's eyes lifted to mine. Sadness marred her ageless features. "We protected her soul." She ran her hand across the glowing sphere. "This body is lost, but it did not reward your sister this night."

"Do not refer to that witch as my sister." I spat out.

Ester bowed her head. "As you instruct Alpha." Her tone was neither angry nor sarcastic. "But may I request you to dress yourself? I think I've seen quite enough of you for one night."

Being naked was the least of my concerns. "What did the witch want?" My eyes fell on the fallen Elder, the wound to her throat deep.

"I suspect all our souls," smiling upon the glowing sphere she held.

Pearl shivered, wrapping her arms around herself for comfort. "I tried to stop her... that... it!" Pearl pointed to the girl that I'd unwisely brought back to my lands. "I ran out as soon as I heard her scream and ripped it from the Elder—I couldn't stop the bleeding." Her voice wobbled.

Elder Olive returned, offering me clothing. I took them with a grateful smile, sliding them on.

Elder Ester placed her hand on my mate's shoulder. "You did not fail. What came to pass would have always been beyond your control, young Pearl."

I sighed. No stranger to death, but each loss of life stained my soul. "We found Willa unharmed. She is safe."

Satisfied, an unaffected smile breached her lips for a mere second as she nodded in acknowledgment. "Our loss has not been for naught."

"Is Sylar okay? Is he with Willa?" Pearl questioned.

"Yes." I answered abruptly, then regretted my harsh tone. I was not pleased with the Gods choice of a mate for my sister and even less so with his clear intentions toward Ember. He couldn't be trusted. "We shall retire unless you have need—"

Elder Ester shook her head. "We will reinforce the wards. Come tomorrow." Her eyes studied me for a moment. "Matters of urgency need to be aired." She glanced toward Pearl. "I bid you both goodnights."

I nodded once and took Pearl's hand. A jolt of blistering arousal swamped me as my brain slipped from my head back to my dick. My wolf and the spirit both groaned in appreciation of her body so close.

Pearl froze. "What about?" Motioning towards the body of the dead girl and the Elder. "Do you need help to bury them?"

Elder Ester looked upon her fallen sister. "We have our way to deal with the dead. You need not worry Pearl, but I thank you for your consideration."

I gave Ester a curt nod and tugged on Pearl's hand. I needed some time alone with my mate.

Several minutes ticked by in silence, something obvious on my mate's mind and once a safe distance from the Elders. I turned, pulling her into my arms.

"We need to talk," she said against my chest.

I didn't want to talk. I wanted to tear the clothes from her beautiful body and slam her against the nearest tree as her scent filled my nose, my lungs. Her arousal hardened me once again as images from my dreams were suddenly an option—a very real option. I could see her. Lick down her body, worship every curve. Taste what was mine.

"Cassius?"

I looked into her dark grey eyes. "Say it again?"

"Say what?"

"My name."

"Cassius," she whispered, and my eyes closed for a second. "I like it when you say my name."

"I'll keep saying it." I sensed a but. "But we need to discuss the elephant in the room."

I didn't understand. "What elephant, where?"

Pearl pulled away from me, her expression slightly confused. "Not an actual elephant—it's an expression, has meaning. It means we can't avoid a conversation." She took one step back and breathed in. "About what's inside you, that technically belongs to me," she clarified.

Ah... My wolf grumbled. He, too, didn't seem to enjoy sharing us, but the spirit was quiet.

"We need to get it out of you and back into me."

"—What? No, I will not allow it." My hands clenched into fists. "It stays within me."

She huffed muttering, stubborn male, under her breath. "Now come, I need you and I will not wait a moment longer."

I scooped her up in my arms before she had time to argue.

Tonight, she would be mine.

Ours—my wolf chipped in

Yes. Ours.