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“What?” He didn’t even look up at me. “I have to keep an eye on things, and I’m close enough you shouldn’t have pain.”
“You didn’t sleep,” I said. “I was hoping you’d hand things off to Jaylyn or Gavin so you could rest a little.”
“I will rest when all this is done and you’re safe,” he said. “I know this is a lot, but I promised to keep you safe. I promised to keep the pack safe, too.”
“I know,” I said, but deep down, I wanted this all to end and to finally live. The only thing bothering me was the amount of power I’d have after all of this. If my father were right and this was the only thing holding it back, I could hurt someone. I’d never forgive myself if that was worse than what my father had in store for me. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Don’t go out of the safe zone we set up,” he said, finally letting his eyes meet mine. They were dark around the edges, like he hadn’t slept at all, and I cocked my head.
“Maybe take a nap today while I’m gone. You look terrible.”
He smirked. “Already taking care of me?”
“We’re mates, aren’t we?” I grabbed my bag from the table near the door. I hadn’t had a chance to look at the books I got last time, but it was the perfect excuse to see Sam. “Don’t get too used to it,” I said with a smile.
“Never.”
I didn’t look back, but could hear his slight laugh as I made my way through the door. A part of me was excited for what came next. Not the power part, but for Erik and the mates part. Was it everything I’d heard about? I mean the sex was great, but that wasn’t everything a relationship was. It’s work and blending with each other’s personalities. What if everything I perceived wasn’t true? I pushed the thought away and let the sun hit my skin. It felt nice to be outside for a while and have a sunny day. Between the chaos of the vampires and the clouds in the sky, I’d almost forgotten the little things. Like the feel of the sun against my skin or taking a walk without worrying I was going to be attacked.
Once I got to the library, I put my books down and took a seat. It was quiet and it didn’t take Sam long to have a minute to talk.
“I found this book for you,” she said, handing me a tattered book that looked like it was sitting in someone’s attic for way too long.
I took it and glanced at her. “It’s pretty old. Where did you find it?”
“In the special collection.” She smiled and took a seat next to me. “My dad had a ton of books just stuffed in an old room in the back. He said they were books no one ever checked out. So, he rotated them to the back.”
I flipped through the book and realized what it was. The entire thing was about Moon Witches and how they operated. I read it for a minute and realized everything I was told was right. My full magick would come under the full moon tonight. “My magick it’s going to be stronger,” I said mostly to myself.
“It says you’ll have access to your full magick all at once. Not in stages like most witches.” She forced a smile. “I know it seems like a lot, but you’ll get through it. You have your mom and Erik and me.”
“I know. I just wish I knew a witch who already went through this so I could understand,” I said.
“I know, but if anyone can handle this power, it’s you.” Same smiled wider and touched the book. “Plus, it’s not all bad. You’ll start to hear your wolf after. Maybe even be able to access that in a few days to weeks.”
“That doesn’t make it better,” I said. “That makes it more to deal with.”
“No, it will help. The wolf knows things you don’t. It can help guide you through all this.” She sighed. “I know it seems like a lot, but my wolf is my best friend in a way. She tells me when there is something I’m missing or gives me that feeling of don’t do that when I need to wait.” She met my gaze. “It can help you navigate this power in a way that will keep you alive and protect your family.”
“You are my family, Sam. You and my mom.”
“And now, Erik. Make sure you let him in,” she said. “He needs you as much as you need him. Even if neither one of you wants to admit it.”

Erik

Maybe Ivy was right. The real fight was coming, and if I didn’t have at least a little rest, then I might not be able to keep everyone alive. I glanced up when the door opened and Jaylyn walked in.
“Everyone is ready for tonight,” he said, stepping into the room and taking a seat in the chair across from me. “You should get some rest.”
“And we’re sure Axl and the other pack will be here before nightfall?”
“They’re already staged outside town,” Jaylyn said. “You don’t need to worry.”
“I’m not worried because I don’t think you can do it. I worry because this place is my responsibility,” I said. Every wolf in this town was putting their life in my hands now. Everyone Ivy loved and that I’d come to respect here was depending on me. It was a lot to handle.
“I know you want everyone to be safe. They know also know you can’t protect everyone. They know what they’re signing up for,” he said. “The entire town is ready to take out the vampires and protect their own too.”
“I know,” I said. “They just shouldn’t have to.”
Jaylyn shrugged. “It’s part of living as a wolf. We’re not a part of the community at large. We don’t get protection from the warlocks or the witches. We have to look out for each other.” He leaned back on the couch. “And we will. Get some rest.”

***

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. My dreams were just as bad as real life, though. Vampires destroying the town and worse, killing everyone, including Ivy. I felt my wolf’s heart break at the thought.
I opened my eyes, my heart still racing from the horrible dream, but feeling surprisingly rested. At least I’d be able to think when I needed to and maybe do something good for Ivy tonight. While this wasn’t the formal ceremony, it was the true mating. The one not tied to anyone but her and me. She deserved it to be memorable. She deserved everything I could give her and more.
The sun was still out, so I hadn’t slept too long. I hurried down the stairs and grabbed my phone to see if everything was still good. It was. But I didn’t notice the other person sitting in the chair on the other side of the room.
“Are you preparing for something?”
I froze for a moment before looking up at him. “Just the possibility of the mating tonight,” I lied.
“Yes, I know that’s supposed to be tonight.” He paused. “Have you spoken to Ivy?”
“Not yet,” I admitted. “She wanted time.”
“Time to think about her future, no doubt.” He watched me. “I’ve been thinking about it too.”
“You have?”
“Maybe she would be better off mating you and then deciding what she wants once her power comes in,” he said, watching me. He was digging for a reaction.
“That wouldn’t be possible,” I said, keeping my face neutral. “Once a mating happens, that’s it.”
“Unless they die,” he said, letting his mouth turn up into a smile.
I smiled and stepped toward him. “Me letting you stay here was a favor to Ivy, but maybe it’s time for you to be leaving. I think you’ve spent enough time trying to manipulate things.” The masks were off. He knew what we were planning. He didn’t have to say it, just the way he was wording things told me everything I needed to know.
“You think you have me figured out,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, Alpha. You’re not the first I’ve taken out.”
“You won’t take me anywhere. This is my pack and you’re not welcome here. Ivy is my mate. Mine,” I stepped closer to him. My wolf was clawing under the skin to come out, to protect his mate. “If you’re not gone by moonrise, I’ll issue an order to kill.”
“You really are taking that Laric rumor to heart, aren’t you?”
“My father is many things, but merciful isn’t one of them. Maybe I did learn something from him.”
He kept his eyes on mine, but when I didn’t back down, he turned and walked away, making sure he took his sweet ass time.

Ivy

I left the library feeling a little better. At least I had a book that made this all make more sense. I hoped I would be able to read it some before tonight when everything happened, but it was already afternoon and I had one more person to talk to.
The pain in my stomach pulled at me. I’d been gone too long, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d be in trouble again, but I needed my mom. I needed to know what I was in for.
As soon as I got to my house, I felt a little better. The pain was still growing and instead of it just staying in my stomach, it was starting to almost crawl up my back. Like it were searching for its way into my bones. I groaned without thinking and sat on the familiar couch at my mom’s place.
“What’s going on?”
I glanced at her. “What do you mean?”
“You’re in pain. You gave in to the bond, didn’t you?” She sighed and shook her head. “I was hoping you’d stay away from your father, sure, but taking the bond is only going to make life harder for you.” She sat next to me. “There is no freedom for an Alpha’s mate.”
“I know,” I said. “But it’s bigger than that.”
“Because of the powers,” she finished.
“Did you know what I was?”
“No,” she said. “I knew it was possible, but not for sure, and there is so little known about half wolves, half witches. I thought it was just a thing people said.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted. The idea of everything happening at the same time was terrifying. “What if this power comes and I hurt people?”
“You’re not going to hurt anyone,” she said. “You just need to believe that Erik will look out for you and help you.”
“Even if it means I’m not free anymore,” I said. “He does love me.”
“Do you love him?”
I thought about everything, and even when I was denying it to myself, I did care about him. There was a pull I couldn’t explain that kept bringing me back to him. “I think I do.”
“Does your wolf?”
I snapped my eyes to her. “My wolf hasn’t come out yet.”
“It may not have shown itself directly, but you can still hear it,” she said. “What does it say?”
I hadn’t taken the time to find out. All I’d done was listen to what others were telling me, except that one time. That time when the vampire was about to kill Erik. The feeling that came over me to protect him and myself at the same time. Maybe that was what she was talking about. “I had an overwhelming protective feeling when that vampire wanted to kill Erik.”
“To keep him safe because you love him?” I nodded, and she pulled me to her. “Your wolf wants him. You really are a moon witch.” She sighed. “You have to mate him.”
“I know, Mom,” I said. Everything in me had already confirmed that. Erik was the only person I’d ever mate with, and I knew it.

***

I walked back to Erik’s house feeling better than I thought. My mother understood everything and agreed with my choice, but my father never would. He didn’t want me in his life because he loved me. He wanted to use me. The only person that truly gave a shit was Erik, and tonight I’d never have to leave him, and he’d never leave me.
When I walked inside, the house was insanely quiet. Everyone was gone but myself, and I figured Erik. The house lit with Christmas lights in reds and pinks, with small whites added in along the path up the stairs. I smiled to myself and followed them up towards the bedroom. They continued past the other rooms and stopped in front of Erik’s room. I slowly opened the door and peered inside. Red petals lined the floor and the top of the bed. Gentle music played from a speaker in the corner of the room and the lights were dimmed to a comfortable setting. He was sitting on the edge of the bed with a smile on his face.
“I thought maybe it would help make this more special,” he said.
“It isn’t Valentine’s Day, you know,” I said with a slight smile.
“No, it’s mating day,” he said, pulling me onto his lap. “It’s the day you become mine and I yours.” He gently kissed my neck. “The day I finally can make you my queen, my everything.”
“Because I wasn’t before?” I joked, and he pulled me into a kiss.
“You were always.”

***

Power surged through me the moment the mating was completed. The moment I admitted everything I felt and let myself become who I was always meant to be. I felt it push through every part of me until all I felt was power and love. Everything I’d been running from my entire life was the thing that truly gave me the power I’d always been looking for.
And then I heard the screaming.

Erik

I pulled Ivy to the other side of the bed out of instinct when I heard the commotion. It wasn’t in the house, but it was close.
“They’re attacking,” I said.
“They waited just long enough for me to get my power,” she said, shaking her head. “He really did just want the power.”
I didn’t say anything. It had to be hard to know your father only came back into your life to use your power instead of really wanting to be there for you. My own father had his faults, but he at least cared about what happened to me. He always had.
“Stay safe. I’ll get in touch with Jaylyn and find out where they’re coming from,” I said and pulled my clothes on. I glanced back at her and forced a smile. “Everything is going to be okay. We fight tonight and we have our whole life ahead of us.” She nodded and grabbed her own clothes. “Stay here for now. I’ll let you know if we need you.”
“Erik, I can help,” she countered.
“I know, but you’re also the target,” I said. I left out the part where I’d pissed her dad off earlier in the the day. He’d be ready to take me out just to get to her, but I wasn’t about to tell her that. She needed to feel like she could learn her power just a little more before she had to face him. The idea of putting her up against him now would be too overwhelming.
I hurried out of the room and down the stairs. Jaylyn was already coming to get me when I got to the front door.
“Erik, the vampires broke through the first line of wolves. Axl and his people are handling most of them, but there are several that we don’t know where they are,” he said.
“Someone needs to stay here with Ivy,” I said.
“Gavin is looking with his guys. I can stay and protect her,” he said. “Just make sure you don’t have a run in with Skyler on your own.”
“I’m not afraid of that guy,” I said with a little too much bravado I’m sure and Jaylyn cocked an eyebrow.
“You should be. He could kill you with a wave of his hand and then I’d have to keep Ivy safe,” he said. “Do not put me in that position.”
“I won’t, but we need to find him. If he gets to her now-“
“I know,” he said. “He won’t.”
I hurried towards the hall where everyone else was, but standing outside was a vampire who looked different from any of the others I’d seen. He was wearing an old style duster coat with dark jeans and a cowboy hat that had seen better days. He cocked his head at me and yanked the woman he was holding closer to him.
“We just want the witch,” he said. “None of your people have to die.”
My gaze flicked to the woman he was holding, and I sucked in a sharp breath. It wasn’t just anyone, It was Ivy’s mom. “She’s no use to you. She’s mated.”
“We just need her for a few days.” He glanced at Ivy’s mom and back to me. “Love is such an odd thing. You put two people on the same path and they end up creating the very thing you need.”
“Who are you?” I kept my eyes on him. He wasn’t just a bloodthirsty vampire. He was old and put together. Not just instinct and evil. He was more than that.
“I’m none of your concern. Just give me the witch,” he repeated.
“No,” I said
“Have it your way,” he said as he pulled her to him and sank his teeth into her. Before I could react, he was throwing her to the ground and had his hands on my throat. “Now Ivy has no mother, and it’s your fault.” He squeezed, and I felt my wolf react. He clawed at my skin, begging to get out. “Love makes you crazy, but it also gives you a reason to kill.”
I managed to get his hand off me long enough to pull my silver knife. The only thing I knew would kill a vampire. I shoved it into his chest and twisted, hoping it was enough.
The vampire stepped back and pulled it from his body, flinging it back in my direction. The blade slid into my side, and I roared in pain. Silver wasn’t just dangerous for vampires, but wolves as well.
“This would have been easier if you’d let us take her willingly. That warlock wants to keep her. I just want to barrow her.” He sighed. “Now, I’m going to kill you and take her, anyway.”

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