Cole

“Ummm, Cole… Who the hell are these people?”

Cole hadn’t even realized that he’d probably sent out some sort of distress signal. Olivia, Dax, and Sam had all come running. And his phone was vibrating, so Liam was probably trying to reach out to him too. He must’ve panicked. It wasn’t like him, though; he was always steady and calm. But as he held the practically unconscious woman in his arms, he just knew that something was unbelievably wrong with her. It was such a different feeling than he’d ever felt before.

“It’s okay, Juliet, this is my family. My brother and sister, and my sister’s mate.”

Juliet tilted her head at the word mate, but she didn’t comment. “Nice to meet you all. I’m Juliet.”

Olivia spoke up next. “We got that impression. But who the hell is this girl? And why are you carrying her?”

Cole looked down at the woman in his arms. She still had a terrified expression frozen on her face, her eyes wide open and her mouth just slightly agape. What had happened to her?

“We don’t know. We found her in the middle of the square and she’s bleeding. Long story short, my cousin Maxine is a phantom, possibly a dark one. And we think she cursed this girl. She did some type of blood magic on her, and I don’t know how to fix her.” Juliet looked devastated.

“You’re a witch? Cole, why didn’t you tell us that you’re seeing a witch? I mean, one, you’re seeing someone, so that’s kind of a big deal, but two, she’s got magic? I didn’t even know that was a real thing.”

Sam put his arm around Olivia’s waist, pulling her into him. “Magic is very real, but you’re not a witch, are you? You’re a phantom.”

Juliet nodded slowly, clearly surprised that he knew the difference.

Sam continued. “I spent a lot of time in New Orleans. Had a couple friends that were pretty heavy into voodoo. Phantoms are similar to that, right? You channel your ancestors and it gives you power. It can easily turn pretty dark if I remember correctly. And if your cousin is doing some blood magic, she’s trying to solidify a curse.”

“A curse?” Dax said, looking around the group. Suddenly, he spun around and narrowed his eyes at another figure walking into the dark alley. Cole heard the clicks of her heels on the pavement before he saw who matched them. She had a strong shifter scent, a wolf. Clearly this was the shifter that Dax had claimed was just passing by in the woods right after Christmas. But why had he lied? It took Cole only a moment to figure it out.

Nova.

Dax and Nova had history. And that was putting it lightly. They dated on and off for years, mostly just sleeping together whenever one of them was single. But there was a connection there, something deeper than either of them were ever willing to admit, and when the Windego wolves left Crescent Valley and promised never to return, Dax was heartbroken. But that was the last they’d seen of them—their winery, which was practically famous, had been run by humans ever since. What the hell was she doing back here?

“Bradwicks.”

Cole shifted the woman in his arms and then passed her off to Sam. Immediately upon releasing her, he felt like the world shifted around him. Everything was suddenly just a little bit lighter. He looked back at Sam to see the same pained expression on his face that Cole was sure had been on his own. Blood magic? Intense.

“Nova. I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Are you? Because Dax isn’t.” She gave him a flirtatious wave but he just rolled his eyes.

“What do you want, Nova?” Olivia countered, looking thoroughly annoyed by this turn of events.

“Listen, I’m just here for information. My father is in trouble. And it has something to do with the phantom coven that used to live here. So I’ve been following your little phantom here, thought it was really odd when I saw her with you and a dead body.”

Juliet panicked. “She’s not dead!”

Cole moved in front of her, placing his hands out on either side of him. He knew how Nova could get—she was vicious when she wanted to be.

“Tsk tsk. I expect that she will be very soon. You can feel the magic. Blood magic is some pretty dark stuff, but you’re not the one who cast the spell. So who is it? I’ve been following her for days, but I’d like to know her name.”

Juliet didn’t even try to hide it. “My cousin, Maxine. She’s new to town. And she’s definitely up to something.”

Nova rolled her eyes. “Yes, she’s up to something. She’s trying to kill my father. By sucking the life force out of my father and giving it to my brother and I. Making us immortal and he and my mother not. And let me tell you something, little witch, I’m not losing another family member tonight. So where the hell is your cousin? I have some neck breaking to do.”

“I don’t know…” Juliet said, clearly afraid. Cole could feel her fear rolling off of her. His bear stood underneath his skin protectively, and he noticed that Olivia and Dax both stood up a little bit straighter as well. If the alpha went into a battle, his soldiers fell in line behind him, regardless of the reason.

“Well, I suggest you find her. Because I’m not screwing around this time. I want her, and I want her dead. It’s just that simple. I’m not letting my father die for some little witchy woo to complete some crazy incantation. Can’t you talk to your ancestors? Tap into them and tell them that this is a bad idea?”

Cole looked over his shoulder to see Juliet shaking her head. “No! I hardly use the magic. I don’t even know that I could tap into them if I wanted to. But I don’t understand, why would Maxine want to finish that curse? It’s been a rumor in our family for generations, apparently. But I figured it was just that, a rumor. Why now?”

Nova shrugged, pulling her white coat around her neck. “No idea. I assume it has something to do with all of you, but the fact that you’re surprised to see me here makes me think maybe not.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cole seethed.

“You’re all busy finding your mate, that means you’re growing the clan. I assumed that you wanted my father out of the way so you could finally take over Crescent Valley for good. Isn’t that the case?”

“Humans have run your business for years. I don’t give a damn what you and your brother and father are up to. And I certainly didn’t sic some phantom on you in order to change that. Whoever’s doing this, it’s not us. You’re barking up the wrong tree, dog.” He knew it would piss her off, but he didn’t care. She was on his turf.

Nova’s eyes glowed bright gold and she opened her mouth, baring wolf’s fangs, a growl emitting from her body.

“I’d like to remind you that you’re a lone wolf here, Nova. Against an entire family of bears. Get yourself in check.”

“Cole? Cole, the girl…”

Cole spun around to see the woman that Sam was carrying had gone limp. Her expression was no longer one of terror and her eyes had closed. He listened closely, but realized that her heart was no longer beating.

“Told you,” Nova said, looking at her nails like she suddenly wasn’t interested in the conversation. “Looks like now we have a common enemy. I know how much you like to keep the little humans safe around here.”

“What do you want, Nova?”

“The phantom. And now I have a feeling you’re going help me get her.”

Cole turned around to see that Juliet’s mouth had dropped open in horror, looking at the dead body that Sam was now carrying. He wouldn’t put anyone else in danger, especially her.

“Fine, we’re in. Olivia, Sam, you two go with Nova and try to figure out where this girl is. Juliet, you’re coming back to stay the castle with me. Dax, go find her aunt and take her home, she’ll do anything you say as long as you flirt with her little bit. We’ll take care of the body.”

“We will?”

Cole put his hands around Juliet’s waist and pulled him close to her. “We will. I have friends in the sheriff’s department. We’ll take care of her, I promise. And then I’ll take care of you.”

Juliet shivered beneath his touch, but when her eyes met his, he felt a sense of relief come over him. That girl could’ve been Juliet. He wouldn’t let Maxine touch even the smallest wisp of her beautiful red hair. He would stop her, no matter what.