Wes

Wes gazed up at the pale blue eyes that greeted him and he knew in an instant that he was changed in more ways than one. As his new elevated senses clicked into place, he knew he was staring at Cali, but more than that, she was his mate.

He heard voices and commotion all around him, but it faded into the background as he focused on the rapid beat of Cali’s heart. He had a desperate need to quiet her fear. Wes reached up to put a hand on her tear-stained cheek and she practically leapt on top of him. Her scent overwhelmed him—wildflowers and citrus—it was heaven, it was home.

Wes pulled Cali’s quivering lips to his and kissed her with abandon. Kissing her with his new senses was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. He could feel and taste every part of his mate and he wanted more. But Cali pulled away, still reeling at the sight of him.

She examined his chest, watching it rise and fall like it was some sort of magic trick. “You’re alive,” she murmured with awe as his wounds began to heel.

“Of course I’m alive.” I’d like to show you just how alive, Wes thought greedily as he watched Cali bite her plump lips.

But suddenly he sensed another strong female by his side. Wes looked over to see Etti’s dark features floating above him. Her eyes mimicked Cali’s—wide with astonishment, like she was looking at a ghost.

“But you were. . . you were dead, Wes,” Etti whispered, touching his shoulder like she didn’t believe he was really there. “You-Derik stabbed you. I watched you die.”

Wes struggled to sit up, both Cali and Etti helping him. He looked around the Painted Wolf, taking in the blood stained floor and overturned furniture. As he did, memories came flooding back. He remembered it all—his old life flashed before him until it drained away, replaced by something stronger.

“I’m a shifter now, aren’t I?” Wes asked after a long moment.

“Wes, I’m sorry—” Cali began.

“Sorry? Why would you be sorry? I’ve never felt better. It’s like I’m more alive than ever,” he said looking at her again like he was seeing her perfection for the first time.

“You said you didn’t want to be turned,” Etti cut in.

“I did?” Wes asked, confused.

“Wes, what do you remember?” Cali asked.

He thought about it a moment and then the memory snapped forward, like his mind was finally waking up. He remembered everything—the fight with Derik, what led to it and the reason he was ready to die. Wes had thought he was supposed to be with Etti. And if he couldn’t have her, he didn’t have a reason to live. But relief flooded him as he looked at Cali, realizing how wrong he’d been. He’d never been more sure of anything in his life. Cali was the one he was meant for all along. Etti . . . well, she was Etti—his other half, his best friend, his family. She was the reason he’d come to the Painted Wolf tonight.

He turned to Etti, grabbing her hand. “I came back here because I had to-I had to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Etti asked.

“I know how to stop the hunt. But you’re not going to like it.”

“Why?” Etti asked, tensing.

“It involves your parents.”

“My parents?” Etti shivered. “What do they have to do with it?”

“They know someone who can protect you until your baby is old enough to break the curse.”

“Who?” Etti asked.

“Her name is Esme. She’s a friend of your family,” Wes said.

“I’ve never heard of her,” Etti protested.

“You wouldn’t have. She’s a witch and she’s very secretive.”

“What?”

Wes scratched his matted hair. “It’s a long story. But it’s how your father kept your family hidden from the hunt all these years.”

“And he thinks this witch will do the same for us?” Grey asked.

“Why?” Etti demanded before Wes could respond.

“I don’t know. Your father didn’t say,” Wes replied.

“Well, let’s go find her and see if she’ll help,” Etti said finally seeming to jump on board with Wes’s revelation.

“She’s in New Orleans,” Wes replied, watching Etti glance to Grey. He could read her expression. She already had one foot out the door. “There’s some things you need to know before you run off to New Orleans,” Wes warned. “And don’t we have a wedding to get to in a few hours?” he asked glancing at the clock on the wall.

They all followed his gaze. The sun would be rising soon and the lot of them looked like horror movie extras.

“I need to alert the Wolfe clan so they can put their enforcers on high alert after Derik’s attack,” Cali said.

“He won’t show his face again,” Etti snarled. “He’s lost the element of surprise.”

“I’m not taking any chances,” Grey said. “Talk to the Wolfes, Cali.”

She nodded and helped Wes to his feet. Marc helped steady him.

It only took Wes a moment to feel his strength fully return, and then some. “I’ll come with you,” he said taking Cali’s hand.

“And you two are coming with me,” Grey said pointing to Marc and Etti. “She needs to rest, and I need someone I can count on to help me keep an eye on her,” he said to Marc, who brimmed with pride.

“Wait,” Etti called as Wes turned to follow Cali out the door. She closed the distance between them and threw her arms around Wes’s neck. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Wes frowned. “For what?”

“For fighting with you, for doubting you—”

“For turning me into a shifter?” he teased, looking down into her molten eyes.

Etti grinned. “I’m sorry for a lot of stupid things. And I’m sure that I’ll be sorry for a lot more things to come, but I’ll never be sorry that I made a choice that saved your life.” She held his gaze. “But I understand if you hate me for it.”

Wes placed a kiss on her forehead. “I could never hate you, Etti. Besides, I decided I needed to stick around or you and Marc would fill little Izzi’s head with all kinds of terrible stories about me.”

Etti’s eyes lit up like a lightning storm. “You heard that?”

Wes only winked and headed toward where Cali was waiting by the door. He took her hand and turned back to face his stunned friend. “See you bright and early Mrs. West. Oh, and Marc, thanks for fillin’ in for me buddy, but I’m back, so I’ll be taking back my role as man of honor. You’re gonna have to settle for bridesman.”