Christy didn’t breathe again until Ronan stopped outside the burned-out remains of his family home. Breathing hard, he put her down.

“Why are we here?” she asked as she straightened to her full height and glanced around. “Do you think they can track us?”

“No, not here. This place is – was protected by magic. It’s hard to track people here due to all the trees and flowers. That’s why my parents built it here.” Ronan sighed. “Chris–”

She pulled his head down, captured his mouth in a kiss and hugged him. “I told you I’d come for you,” she murmured. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I know. I brought you here to show you – tell you about who I really am.”

“I already know.”

He frowned. “What?”

“Josh brought me here. I saw what happened the night my mother died. Alec killed your parents too, didn’t he?”

Ronan looked away, hands balled into fists. “Yeah, he did. I never knew why though.”

“Our mothers were casting a spell to end the curse. They figured out a way to do it. Alec didn’t like that,” she told him. “He killed her, then left me there to die.” She touched his cheek. “You saved me, why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Ronan grabbed her hand. “It didn’t matter. I knew you could never be mine.”

“That’s not true. Not now.” She smiled.

Now they had a chance to be together, to explore their feelings for each other out in the open without the fear of reprisal.

“You know my father was the beta for the third clan then?”

She nodded. “I never knew there were more than two clans. My clan is gone now too, aren’t they?”

Ronan shook his head. “I don’t know. They kept Magda and I alive, maybe they spared others too,” he said. “I’m sorry I never told you the truth. We should head back, find the others.”

Christy frowned. Not the romantic welcome she’d been expecting. “Ro, I –”

“Christy, I can’t do this. Not now.” He turned and strode away from her. “I’ll see you back at the camp.”

“What?” She gasped. “What do you mean?”

But he’d already vanished.

 

Christy felt relieved to have Magda back, and helped the old witch into the wooden hut she’d been sharing with Lola.

“Mags, are you okay?” Christy asked.

“I’ll be fine, girl.” Magda slumped into a chair.

Christy got to work finding new clothes for her while Lola made them some food.

“So you and Ronan had a big reunion then?” Lola asked.

She scowled. “No, he walked off and left me.” She threw a log onto the fire so hard it broke apart. “I don’t understand why.” She glanced at Magda’s eyes which had now closed. “He said he wanted us to have a future together that night when – you know.”

Lola pursed her lips. “Maybe he just needs some time. He must have been through hell.”

“Maybe.” She knelt by Magda, sniffed. She smelt illness, the stench of decay. “Mags?” She touched her shoulder. “Are you sick?”

Magda blinked up at her. “Yes, child.”

A tear dripped down her cheek. “I could heal you. Just show me how.”

Magda shook her head. “No, girl. I’m old. Even witches don’t live forever.”

Christy passed by the small wooden huts and makeshift tents as she walked through the camp, but not many of the other outsiders were around. Most had gone on patrol after they’d fled the mansion. She found Ronan up in the ruined house again, searching through the ashes.

“What you looking for?” she asked. She decided confronting him outright would be the best thing to do to find out why he’d pushed her away. He must’ve been through hell, she knew, but she’d be there to support him no matter what. That’s what couples did.

Ronan glanced up at her. “You said our mothers cast a spell to reverse the curse. I thought I might find something to help.”

“Why do you keep running away from me?” she demanded. “I know you’re hiding something from me, and you’re pushing me away because of it.”

Ronan sighed, gritted his teeth. “Why can’t you just let it go?”

“Because I love you, and I know you love me too.” She folded her arms. “So stop trying to push me away.”

He looked away.

Christy felt her patience wearing out. What more would it take to get him to admit how he was feeling? “Fine, you don’t have to tell me what is right now, but if you think trying to push me away will work–”

The sound of screaming shattered through the haze of passion. They broke apart, hurried back towards the village.

Ronan grabbed her arm when she tried to rush in. “Don’t. You’re the one they’re here for.”

“Ro, you’re not my guard anymore and I’m not a princess either.” She pulled her arm away. “I have the strength and power of an alpha ascending.”

“I know that, but we can’t go up against Oren. I can smell him. Please just go back to the ruins and stay there until–” He gave her a pleading look.

Christy’s eyes flashed. “I watched you get captured once. I won’t do it again. Either we’re together, or we’re not.”

“I’ll die before I ever let anything happen to you.” Ronan ran away before she could say another word.

She gritted her teeth. When would he ever learn? She blurred after him, surprised when he didn’t use his own speed as he ran. She’d almost reached him, as she passed Lola’s hut, Magda grabbed her arm. “Stay behind me,” the witch said.

Christy tried to pull away. “I’m not letting him face Alec alone.”

“You’re not ready to face Oren.”

“Come out, little wolves,” Oren’s voice echoed around them. “Come out and play.”

Christy yanked her arm away from Magda and hurried outside. Oren raised his hand. Josh doubled over, screaming as bone cracked and muscle popped. Grey fur spread over his body as he shifted. He howled as blood seeped through his fur from the forced a change.

Christy felt fury burn through her. She hurled the white fire straight at the warlock. The fire bounced straight off an invisible shield, hitting one of the smaller huts and exploding in a burst of light.

Oren laughed. “You’re no match for me, princess. Come with me now and no one else will get hurt.”

“Not going happen,” Ronan warned. “Leave now. Alec has no claim on her anymore.”

“Henric’s contract with Alec is still binding,” the warlock spat. “Either you come with me, or I’ll tear every shifter in this miserable place limb from limb.”

This time Lola screamed, her body suspended in mid-air as her body started to shift. Bones cracked and claws came out as Oren worked his magic on her.

Ronan threw himself at the old man, cried out as Oren struck him with a bolt to the chest.

“No!” Christy cried, kneeling beside him. Blood seeped from his chest. “Ronan!”

I’ll be alright, he told her.

She clutched his hand, glanced up at Oren. “I know Alec only wants me because he thinks I can end the curse.”

Oren smiled. “Not the only reason. You’re an alpha ascending. The last of the Stargaza line. Imagine the dynasty you could create together. We wouldn’t need to worry about the curse anymore.”

Looking down at Ronan, she stared into his beautiful blue eyes and knew what she had to do. Forgive me.

Ronan leapt up, moved in front of her. “No, Christy is my mate. As the beta of the Amara clan, I challenge Alec to a duel.” Christy blinked. What had he just done?

“No, Ronan!” she hissed. You can’t do that!

Oren’s mouth opened, no words came out. “What?” he gasped.

“You heard me,” Ronan snapped. “The beta of each clan has the right to fight when an alpha hasn’t ascended yet. As a beta, I can and do challenge Alec. You know the law, now go scurry back to your master.”

“The Amara is no more. You can’t–” The warlock’s gaze hardened, knuckles cracking as he drew power.

Christy’s eyes flashed gold, signalling the power of an alpha as it pulsed through her veins. “Go!”

To her amazement, Oren vanished in a puff of smoke.