Lupine Read online

  “I’m Killian,” the reaper says. “What’s yours?”

  “Kendall… But I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”

  Kendall glances my way, checking that he’s not about to get in trouble. I give him a little nod, encouraging him to continue his conversation. It’s not every day he meets another reaper.

  “I don’t know anyone else like me,” Kendall says.

  “You won’t. Most people like us don’t live here…”

  “In Silver Springs?” Kendall asks as he touches another flower, watching its color fade.

  “On Earth…” The reaper replies. “Most reapers are either in Hell or the Underworld.”

  “What are those?”

  “Places…” Killian says with a grin. “I’m from the Underworld. I answer to Hades, who is a Greek god. Though I have met Lucifer who rules over hell.”

  “Why don’t I live there?”

  “I don’t know,” the reaper answers, before glancing my way.

  If I knew the answer, I’d happily give it. I know how hard it is not knowing where you come from or where you belong.

  “Why do reapers… Why do we…” Kendall trails off. I know what he wants to ask, but I think he’s scared of what the answer might be.

  “Why do you kill things? Like the buttercups?” the reaper doesn’t bother to sugarcoat it for the little boy. “You’ve had no one to train you and your innate instinct is to release that energy. The safest place to release it is through nature. As long as you don’t want to use your ability to hurt someone for spite then you are doing nothing you weren’t born to do.”

  “I’m scared,” Kendall admits shyly.

  “Scared?”

  “That I might be broken… Good boys and girls don’t kill things.”

  “Who taught you that?” the reaper asks angrily, flashing me a glare.

  I certainly never taught him that. I’ve always accepted Kendall for what he is. I wouldn’t try to change him, that’s for sure.

  “The children at school.”

  “Well, the children at your school are stupid.”

  “Stupid? My teacher doesn’t think so.”

  “Well, maybe your teacher is stupid too,” the reaper says, “but maybe you shouldn’t tell your teacher that.”

  Kendall grins for the first time in ages and I panic that I might have missed something important. What if he’s being bullied for being a reaper? I want to wrap him up and protect the little one.

  “People are often scared of our kind,” Killian tells Kendall. “Mostly because death is scary but without death, there can be no life.”

  The reaper takes the ash that has gathered from all the decayed buttercups and piles it together before taking a seed from a nearby plant and burying it in the ash. “Death and life form a perfect cycle. Without one, you can’t have the other. The seed needs the nutrients from the dead plants to thrive.”

  Kendall is quiet as he stares at the small mound of earth.

  “Death isn’t scary, Kendall. At least not to those who understand it.”

  “I think it’s scary… I think I’m scary.”

  My heart breaks at his words and I want to rush over there and contradict him but the reaper beats me to it, saying, “I have escorted many souls to the Underworld. It is my face that they see and my voice that guides them to their new beginning. The reapers take that fear away. Once you learn what your true purpose is, you won’t be afraid anymore.”

  Closing my eyes momentarily, I try to stem the tears that are threatening to fall. I really can’t believe I didn’t know how he felt. I really need to up my game if I’m going to get this right. I get to my feet, planning to ask the reaper for his number so I can ask for his advice, so that I can be a better parental figure for Kendall but the man has disappeared before I can cross the clearing to where Kendall is sitting now alone.

  The Witch in the Wood

  When I can’t put it off any longer, I tell Jacqueline that I will be going to look for the witch with the guys. She gives me an encouraging pat on the arm, but her attention is quickly diverted to the children when she spots a pair of feet dangling from one of the tallest trees.

  Kalen takes my hand, giving it a supportive squeeze.

  This is all happening so fast. I wasn’t supposed to let myself get into this mess, but now it would seem that it’s not as simple as having found myself bonded to four mates… If that could ever be considered simple.

  I have questions and a heck of a lot of them. I’m pretty sure Wren is keeping something from me. I’m pretty sure if I ask him, I won’t get my answers. But I might get more out of Kalen, if I can get him talking at all, that is. He’s not one for idle chitchat.

  “Why did we…” I begin before feeling my cheeks begin to burn. I really don’t want to ask him about our arranged mating. It sounds archaic, like the sort of thing wolves might have done hundreds of years ago, but not today.

  “Why did we...?” he asks, his tone tender.

  “The arranged mating thing,” I say awkwardly, bringing a smile to his face.

  He brushes his hair away from his face with the hand that isn’t holding mine.

  “What do you want to know about it?”

  “Why? Like isn’t it old-fashioned?”

  “I told you,” he begins, “they wanted to join our families.”

  “Why did you agree?” I can’t help but ask.

  “It was decided before I was old enough to have a say.”

  “But didn’t you try, and fight it?”

  “Why?”

  “Didn’t you want to…” I hesitate. I’m not completely sure what I’m trying to ask.

  “Don’t know,” he says. “I was quite happy to go along with my parents’ request.”

  “So, you’ve been looking for me all this time?” I whisper.

  “I’d have searched the whole world to find you if it was necessary,” Kalen tells me, stopping abruptly. “You’re my mate. I had to find you.”

  His eyes are so sincere and it feels crazy to know that I’ve only known him a few days. It feels more like I’ve known all four of them forever.

  “Why did they want to join our families?” I ask even though I feel like a gooey eyed sap. It doesn’t matter how perfect Kalen might be, I can’t let that distract me from getting the answers I crave.

  “There was a prophecy or some psychic witch said something.”

  “About?”

  “Us…”

  “What about us?”

  “Kalen,” Wren says sternly and I get that feeling again. Wren is definitely trying to keep secrets from me.

  “Tell me,” I demand, staring him straight in the eye. They say I’m their princess… That means I have power. Or at least I should.

  “I don’t know, Lupine,” Kalen sighs. “I guess they were worried about a war brewing between the families. There was talk that our child would reunite the wolves, bring peace…”

  “It’s probably a load of bullshit,” Rehan says. “Your parents just believed it because it fit with what everyone wanted… you know… increase the power.”

  I’m not sure if I should feel angry. He’s talking about my parents after all, but I don’t know anything about them so it feels like trying to defend them would be a waste of energy.

  “It wasn’t like that,” Wren says irritably. “Your mum at least genuinely believed it. It’s why she called you Lupine… you’re the future of the wolves.”

  We walk in silence for a little while, none of us really knowing where we’re going, but I have more questions and can’t keep them to myself for long.

  “Wren, did you know my mum well?”

  “Not really…”

  I want to press the matter, but I stop short when I spot a small stone house just a little ahead. Pointing it out to the others, I begin to press forward through the woods. Wren’s hand goes to my wrist, pulling me back.

  “Wait,” he insists.

  “Why?” I grumble.

  T
hese guys seem to think I’m a little lady that needs protecting. I’m not! I’m a fucking wolf. If someone comes for me, I’ll rip my teeth into their throat and tear them apart. I might not have spent my life the way they have, but I’m hardly fragile.

  “Rehan, Kalen, you guys go ahead,” he states his orders and they don’t hesitate to obey. “Camden, shift and do a quick perimeter check.”

  Camden shifts immediately, breaking into a run, his massive paws thumping on the ground heavily. It’s the first time I’ve seen any of them in their wolf form and I have to say Camden makes a beautiful wolf. His coat is a glossy black. I wish he wasn’t running away from me. I’d love to give his fur a stroke.

  “Wren, you’re overreacting,” I try.

  “When it comes to your safety,” he growls at me, “there is no such thing as an overreaction.”

  We wait for Camden to return before continuing forward and when he does join us, Wren insists that he stays in his wolf form, not that I know why. We’re really not in danger. We’re going to see the witch who has been keeping me safe for the last twenty-four years.

  My heart is racing when she finally reaches the front door of the house. The stone cottage is a little bit eery and I’m not convinced I actually want to knock on the door, except I’m not about to let my wolves see my nerves.

  Then they really would think they need to protect me… Which they definitely do not!

  Rapping my fist on the wooden door, I hold my breath as I wait for someone to answer the door. I tell myself to stop overthinking it. Truth is, this might not even be her house. It could well belong to someone else… A little old lady who eats children, for example. Not that that would be an improvement.

  The door creaks open, but there’s no one there to greet us.

  “Hello?” I call out into the darkened house.

  There’s a chill in the air and Wren tries to pull me back but I shake him off, stepping over the threshold and entering the house. The door closes behind me. Turning back abruptly, I realize that I’ve been separated from the others.

  “Why are you here child?” a croaky voice calls out to me through the darkness.

  The voice sounds like it hasn’t been used in quite some time and I’m beginning to regret pulling away from Wren. I might like to think I’m a strong, independent woman, but this is scary as hell.

  “Er… Hello,” I try, hoping that good manners might help keep me alive.

  “Why are you here?” she asks again, stepping into the light, what little light there is.

  My mind immediately goes back to the story of Hansel and Gretel, and I regret my earlier thoughts about witches that eat children. I could definitely see her eating a child or two.

  “I have questions,” I whisper nervously.

  “Obviously…”

  “Can I come in?” I ask.

  “You already have child. The correct question would be can you leave.”

  You’re in Danger

  My heart stops, but then the witch flings her head back and starts laughing like a bloody hyena. Was that supposed to be a joke?

  The rumors that the witch in the woods is off her rocker are definitely accurate. She’s well and truly barmy.

  “Come sit down, child and stop looking so worried,” she says. “You’re too skinny for me to eat, anyway.”

  Again, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to laugh as I do as she says, taking a seat on a little stool she has near her fire. My eyes go wide with shock. Everything about the way she says it, makes it sound like she means it.

  “Your mates, on the other hand…”

  I feel a growl rumble in my chest, and she laughs again.

  “Don’t worry, child. They won’t fit in my oven.”

  Oh, my goodness! What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

  “Those children you brought with you, however…”

  She can’t be serious… surely? I need to get the hell out of here.

  “I’m joking, Lupine,” she tells me, her eyes momentarily softening. “I have no intentions of harming you or anyone you care about.”

  I hesitate, not really knowing which question I want to ask first. This is all happening a little too quickly, and it’s quite overwhelming.

  “You met my mum?”

  “Briefly…”

  “Why did you help her?” I ask.

  “Protecting infants comes naturally to most beings. You were in danger, child. You still are.”

  “I still am?”

  “If you leave Silver Springs, your enemies will track you down.”

  I don’t respond. It seems crazy to think I even have enemies.

  “But if you stay in the town, the spell I cast on you will remain, and you’ll stay safe.”

  “I don’t want to just hide.”

  “You’re not hiding. You should just continue to live your life. What you’ve learned about yourself and your parents doesn’t have to change things.”

  “It changes everything.”

  “Why? You’re still Lupine…”

  “They say I’m a princess.”

  “Do you feel like a princess?”

  “How does a princess even feel?” I retort angrily. “I don’t understand how they even found me.”

  “Your mates?” the witch asks. “I must admit that confuses me too. Without a break in the spell, it should have been impossible.”

  “And has the spell broken?” I panic.

  “No. No, dear, you’re still very much so safely cloaked from the world outside the town.”

  “How did I go to the academy? That’s not even in town.”

  “The academy is unplottable,” she tells me. “They could never find you there.”

  We talk for what feels like hours and it’s only when the witch tells me that my mates are growing angsty outside and are discussing breaking in that I realize that I haven’t even thought about how worried they must be.

  “I should go,” I mumble. “Thank you.”

  “I didn’t really tell you anything you didn’t already know.”

  ***

  Letting myself out of the house, Camden pulls me into his arms as the others crouch down on the ground in front of me, ready to pounce on the witch. They’re totally overreacting again. I’m beginning to realize that they’re good at that.

  “Don’t be silly,” I tell them before thanking the witch again. Not that she’s paying me any attention at all. Her door is already closing.

  “Are you okay?” Camden asks, examining me as if he expects me to have been hurt.

  “I’m perfectly fine,” I reply as the four of them crowd around me protectively.

  They don’t seem convinced, but we don’t have time to waste. It’s getting late and the children will be waiting, and what’s worse they’ll be hungry. It’s dinner time and the kids are always at their worst behaved right before dinner. I need to rescue Jacqueline.

  My mind is a mess as I try to wrap my thoughts around everything that I discussed with the witch. I walk almost aimlessly through the woods. The guys try talking to me, but I barely hear them over the sound of my own thoughts. They have questions, wanting to know what happened inside the house with the witch… It feels weird calling her ‘the witch.’ I can’t believe I never asked for her name.

  I didn’t really learn anything new today. I’m not saying it’s been a complete waste of time, but it hasn’t exactly been the productive visit I had been hoping for.

  Hearing the children before I see them, I force a smile onto my face. The guys are watching me nervously as if they think I’m about to snap or something. Which I won’t… Not now the kids are so close. My orphanage manager hat is back on and my personal feelings need to be put on the back burner.

  The children rush towards us as soon as we come into view, wanting to know where we’ve been. Jerome gives me a scared look as he asks, “did the evil witch get you?”

  Putting my arms around the young boy, I tell him that it was me that got the witch while giving
him my best vampire impression.

  “Time to head home,” I tell everyone with more excitement than I actually feel.

  Since Lewis is still out sick, I suppose I’ll have to cook dinner. I try to remember what’s actually in the fridge but I can’t for the life of me, remember. I’m frustrated and not just about the contents of the fridge, but because I still don’t know how the guys found me when I’m supposed to be protected by a cloaking spell…

  If the guys could find me, who else can? I tell myself not to think about it. There’s very little point worrying about something I can’t control.

  Gathering the children’s belongings, I begin to pack everything into the orphanage’s minibus as I try to clear my mind. It almost feels like this whole thing was a waste of time. I learned absolutely nothing. I wish I’d asked more about my mum. I’d have liked to know what she was like.

  Ariella comes to stand next to me, looking up at me with that creepy look her and her sister get when they’re about to tell me something that I probably don’t want to hear.

  “You shouldn’t feel disappointed,” she tells me. “At least you know you weren’t abandoned.”

  Looking down at her, I give her a wide smile. I feel like a right shit. She’s right. All this time, I’ve thought that I wasn’t loved, that I had been abandoned as a baby, that there might have been something wrong with me.

  And now I know that isn’t true. She left me because she loved me. It seems like a misnomer, contradictory in nature and it’s really hard to wrap my head around.

  Camden comes up behind me, his hand on my hip, he takes the keys out of my hand.

  “I’ll drive,” he says.

  “I can do it,” I try to refuse. It would be a relief to have something to do with my hands. I feel on edge and unfocussed.

  “You’re distracted,” he tells me gently, before kissing my cheek.

  He’s right and I can hardly fight him on it when his actions are in the children’s best interests.

  Fit in A Spell

  I keep myself busy on Monday morning, finding myself jobs to do that really could have waited. Jacqueline is annoyed with me. She wants to know what’s wrong with me. She thinks I should be happy that my mum didn’t abandon me instead of worrying about all the things I don’t actually know.