The following day, Darcy hoped she’d have a chance to speak in private with Adrian.

No such luck. He had breakfast before she woke, and when she went downstairs, a cheerful Lupine named Beth, who was Aiden’s niece, informed her that Adrian and Aiden had gone out on the ranch.

She grabbed a bite and busied herself with reading from the lodge’s extensive library. Not knowing everything about Lupines, but figuring she’d better learn, Darcy settled on the sofa with a volume about Lupine history.

Adrian didn’t show up for lunch either.

In the afternoon, she felt stir crazy and went to look for him. Darcy tugged on her parka, boots and gloves and trudged outside. The stables weren’t too far from the lodge, and she needed a walk to clear her mind.

A truck was parked before the building when she reached it. Maybe Adrian was in here with Aiden. Surely he couldn’t ignore her anymore, not with the alpha here.

But when she opened the door and went inside, disappointment filled her. No alpha males.

Just a tall, muscled cowboy feeding hay to the horses.

The smell of horses, hay and warmth flowed over her. Boot heels clicking on the floor, she looked around. The cowboy turned, saw her and tipped his black Stetson.

Jackson, one of the cowboys on the Mitchell Ranch. She’d met him last night at dinner.

Wearing a sheepskin jacket, a blue chambray work shirt opened at the throat, and dusty jeans, he was cute. Tall. Nice-looking Lupine, as were all the males on this ranch. But she felt nothing for him, unlike the stormy emotions Adrian conjured in her.

He paused, leaning on the handle of the fork. “How are you settling here? Everything okay?”

“Fine. It’s really pretty here,” she told him.

“Life on the ranch ain’t perfect.” Jackson forked more hay into the stall. “The pack ain’t perfect either, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other life.” Pausing, he turned and gave her an intense look from his dark eyes. “The only way I’d leave is if Lexie wanted to go elsewhere. I’d do anything for my mate.”

Such loyalty. Devotion. Caring. All the things Darcy longed to have as well. Why couldn’t she? Because you were dumb enough to fall in love with an alpha who always puts pack first.

He finished and set the fork aside. Outside, a truck rattled along the road and then stopped. Soon, the stable door opened and a petite, young Lupine walked inside, her hips swaying gracefully. Snow dusted her black cowboy hat and long, dark hair and covered her thick work boots and jeans.

Jackson’s polite interest flared into fierce intensity as he looked at the arrival.

“Speaking of the devil lady herself,” he murmured. “Hey there, sweetheart.”

Lexie, Jackson’s love. The Lupine rushed forward, engaged her mate in a long, passionate kiss that raised the temperature in the stable by twenty degrees. Darcy busied herself with studying the horses.

The couple broke apart. The tenderness in Jackson’s gaze and the adoration in Lexie’s made her chest hurt. It was sweet, but suddenly she felt jealous of their devotion. She wanted the same from a relationship.

Jealousy never served a good purpose. Darcy pushed the feelings aside and focused on petting the horse in front of her. The couple almost seemed oblivious to her.

“I was out on the ATV, checking to make sure the roads are all clear in case of an emergency.” Lexie smiled at her mate. “Maybe we can duck out later and go visit our favorite spot in the woods. Build a bonfire.”

Jackson chuckled. “Little minx. It’s a date.”

Darcy suspected the bonfire wasn’t the actual reason for the “ducking out.”

Then Lexie turned to her. “I’m sorry, Darcy. Didn’t mean to ignore you, but I haven’t seen Jackson all day. Are you settling in here okay?”

Everyone seemed worried about making sure she felt comfortable. Maybe the Silver Wizard had threatened them. Or maybe everyone on this ranch was simply nice.

“Fine. Just admiring your horses.”

“You want to ride? Diamond needs exercise, and Jackson has chores to finish.” Lexie gestured to the row of horse stalls.

Anything was better than moping around, wishing and hoping for a glimpse of Adrian like a lovesick schoolgirl. Or a lovesick pup. “Sure.”

In no time, two horses were saddled and ready. Lexie led the horses out of their stalls and outside of the stable as Darcy accompanied her.

“The horses need a good workout. You’re doing us a favor. With Nia so close to giving birth, a lot of our people are tied up in things like babies and renovations and birthing,” Lexie said.

Babies. Birth. Families. All the things so far removed from Darcy’s world, and yet they were common to Lupine packs. I’d like a family. But the only guy I will ever love will never settle down with me.

“Jackson and I are trying to get pregnant.” The pretty Lupine’s mouth wobbled, and emotions flashed in her dark gray eyes. “Nia’s my aunt. I’m happy for her and Aiden, but…”

“You want a family too.” Darcy understood.

“Every Lupine on this ranch seems to get pregnant if the guy just looks at her. Not me. We’ve been trying since earlier this year. I stopped competing on the rodeo circuit, and Jackson stuck close to home. The pack physician said to give it time and we’re both young.”

A cold wind swept across the snow-covered meadow, but the sun sparkled on the ice-laden trees and the crisp, white snow. So much land and space. It gave Darcy a feeling of freedom she never felt before. And yet the pack was close-knit and liked to stay together.

She cast a dubious look at the mare, who lowered her head and studied her with large, liquid eyes. She stroked the velvety nose. At least Flower wasn’t as large as Diamond, Lexie’s horse.

After Lexie swung up into the saddle, Darcy did the same. Leather creaked as she settled into the seat. It had been a few years since she’d ridden a horse.

They started out on the trail paved with the snowplow.

“Have you ridden much?” Lexie asked.

“Some, when I had an assignment on a ranch in Wyoming. I’m more used to being ridden,” Darcy admitted.

“I like being on the bottom too,” Lexie confessed.

Darcy laughed. “I wasn’t talking about sex. I was talking about turning into a horse and having someone ride me.”

A cute blush tinted Lexie’s cheeks. “Oh! Duh. Jackson told me rumor had it you’re a Changeling Shifter.”

“Was. Not anymore. Long story.” She flicked the reins, and Flower plodded along.

Silence fell around them for a few moments, broken by the steady swish of snow under the horses’ hooves and the wind billowing through the pine trees.

“It’s not easy having your life turn around. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you, having all that power and losing it,” Lexie finally said. “But I’ve learned that even when you think you’ve lost it all, there’s something better just around the bend.”

Darcy wished she could believe it. “That’s nice. Maybe I can find something better like working in a convenience store instead of serving the goddess.”

Sarcastic? Yeah, but she hurt. This Lupine with her glowing love for her mate couldn’t understand what Darcy faced. Suddenly Lexie dug her heels into Diamond’s flanks and pulled the horse to a stop. The Lupine turned to her with a fierce look.

“I’m serious. I may be younger, Darcy, but I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime. My parents abandoned me when I was young because I was deformed. It took Jackson, and this pack, to convince me that I was normal and to find acceptance.”

Darcy stared. “My parents abandoned me too.”

Lexie nodded. “You know what it’s like. It hurts like hell. I had a deformed foot, caused by not eating enough raw meat to shift all the way into a wolf. After I joined this pack, Aiden and Jackson both encouraged me to keep eating, and eventually, the deformity went away. But for the longest time, I felt so alienated and alone. All I had was barrel racing and my horse, and that purpose. And I found something better. I found Jackson.”

Darcy smiled. “I am glad you found him. You two are obviously very much in love.”

“We are, but our relationship was stormy at the start. It happens with many couples.”

“Not as stormy as mine,” she muttered. “Ours was more the hurricane variety.”

Sympathy colored Lexie’s expression. “It’s none of my business about what you and Adrian are going through. But my advice is if you have feelings for Adrian, talk to him. He’ll come around.”

She quietly thanked Lexie as they continued their ride.

Talk to Adrian. Impossible when he kept avoiding her.

Darcy felt ready to give up on him.

Because clearly he’d given up on her.

---

On the third day since their arrival at the Mitchell Ranch, Adrian realized he could no longer keep avoiding Darcy. He felt like a heel, leaving her in the care of the other Lupines. But Aiden Mitchell had wanted to talk, alpha to alpha, about what had happened in the mine.

He’d busied himself with learning about the ranch from Aiden and Darius. Might be a good investment for his pack for the future.

And at dinner the second night, Darcy hadn’t shown up for the much-smaller gathering in the lodge. Nia informed him that Darcy had eaten earlier. Alone.

By the time Adrian had gone to bed, Darcy’s door was firmly shut.

Planning on joining her for breakfast this morning, he showered and dressed and then started down the stairs to the second floor.

Darcy was leaving her room. She saw him, ignored him and kept going.

“Darce, wait.”

No answer.

Adrian sighed. “Okay,” he called out. “I know I’m a louse, but will you at least stop for a minute?”

That got her attention. Darcy whirled, her green eyes storming. “Why? Aren’t you afraid I have some disease you’ll catch? Isn’t that why you’ve been avoiding me?”

Temper rising, he forced himself to speak in a level voice. “I had to meet with Mitchell. Business and pack politics. Speaking of which…” Adrian craned his neck to look down the hallway. “It’s quiet in there. Too quiet. Where is everyone?”

“Most of the pack left earlier this morning. Some kind of big baby shower celebration or something.” Darcy narrowed her eyes. “So breakfast is on your own. I’m sure as hell not cooking for you.”

“Thank the powers,” he shot back. “Your cooking could be used as rodent killer.”

She glared at him and started for the stairs. Adrian silently cursed. This was all wrong. How the hell had he screwed up this much?

“Darcy, wait,” he called after her.

A harsh cry drew his attention down the hallway.

They looked at each other. Then Adrian raced to the rooms claimed by the alpha couple.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Can I help?”

Nia sat on the bed, Aiden beside her, equally pale and distressed. Nia’s scared, wide-eyed gaze found his. “The baby’s coming. I’ve had back pain all night, and then my water broke. And the midwife isn’t here. She and her team are at a baby shower on another part of the ranch.”

“A baby shower?” Aiden roared. “When my mate is about to deliver our child?!”

Nia glared at him. “Hush up. I gave her permission. She’s been hovering, everyone’s been hovering around me, and I just wanted a little time alone.” A grimace tightened Nia’s face. “I didn’t think the baby would come this soon. I thought the aches and pains in my back were just backache!”

Aiden’s expression smoothed out, and he became a concerned mate. “It’s all right, sweetheart. We’ve got this. It’s just like the classes we took. Breathe through it.”

Nia uttered another moan, and her mate paled, but he clutched her hand and murmured assurances as she took cleansing breaths. Like their wolves, Darius and Samantha paced the room, the couple looking distressed.

“I can’t believe all the females with birthing experience are at this shower. No one’s here to help. I’ve never delivered a baby before,” Darius said, jamming a hand through his hair.

“Me either,” Samantha echoed.

“I’ve delivered a horse and a calf.” Darius looked hopeful. “Can’t be much different.”

“I,” Nia grated out, her face contorting with either pain or rage or both, “Am. Not. A. Cow!”

Her mate stood, cracked his knuckles. “Of course you’re not, sweetheart. I’ve done this before. I’ll deliver my child.”

“No.” Adrian rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. “Your mate needs you at her side. I’ll deliver the baby.”

Darcy’s jaw dropped. “You?”

“I’ve delivered five babies in my pack.” His gaze locked to Aiden’s, who seemed to struggle with the idea. “Do you trust me?”

A brief nod.

“Good.”

Lovely, capable Darcy shook her head. “You amaze me, Adrian.”

Ordinarily he’d be quite pleased at her praise, but there was no time. He thought of all the things they’d need for this. Snow billowed outside, a hard wind pushing at the windows in the bedroom.

The baby needed to be kept warm upon birth. He looked at Samantha and Darius. Like in his pack, they were not only the beta couple but best friends to the alpha pair. “Turn up the heat in this bedroom. And then I’ll need warm blankets, disposable sheets, and something to cut the cord.”

“What about something to suction out the baby’s airwaves?” Samantha asked.

“No. Wiping his face will suffice. Suctioning will only impede his progress on breathing on his own.”

“Are you sure?” Darius, full of concern but arrogant.

“Yes. Now go.” His voice, low and quiet, carried the lash of command. Darius and Samantha scrambled to obey.

Aiden went to Nia. “C’mon, sweetheart, we can do this. I’ll help you. I’m right here with you, and I’m not leaving.”

Tears shimmered in Nia’s lovely eyes, and she grimaced, holding her stomach. Another contraction? Adrian counted. This was going to be quick. Good thing he was here and knew what to do. Cool, logical thinking overcame him. He forgot about all else except the child he intended to deliver and the couple before him. Aiden, worried, but in control. Nia, scared. Her heartrate soared. He could hear it from where he stood.

He must soothe her and assure her all would be well.

Giving a reassuring smile at the alpha female, he patted her hand. “It’s going to be fine, Nia. I know this is your first child, but I know what to do. I won’t let you down.” His gaze included Aiden. “Either of you. I promise.”

His gaze shot to Darcy. “I’m going to clean up. Help Aiden get her ready.”

In the adjoining bathroom, he scrubbed his hands and arms with the plain soap in the dispenser. Drying his hands, he emerged to find a naked Nia propped up in bed, Aiden behind her, rubbing her belly in long, soothing caresses. Samantha and Darius stood in the corner, the supplies they’d found arranged on the bureau.

He looked at Aiden, who was remarkably pale but calm. “Talk her through the pain. Take deep breaths, Nia,” he advised.

Nia suddenly moaned like an animal. Her face contorted.

He’d done this five times, and each time was different. Adrian bent down, massaging Nia’s bottom. He saw not the mate of another alpha, but a scared and worried female, about to become a mother for the first time. All his training and instincts kicked in as he crooned to Nia. “You’re doing great, Nia. Keep pushing.”

“How can I help?”

Darcy. Quiet, confident. He wanted to trust her.

How could he trust her? She was a creature of the Dark Kingdom.

But Nia and Aiden looked at him, and the tension rose in the room. Darcy hadn’t done anything wrong. Rather, it was his own vow to his people that held him at bay. The Mitchell pack wasn’t involved.

Instantly, he knew he needed her presence here. “Go on Nia’s other side. Hold her hand. She can use the assurance of another woman. Keep encouraging her to push when I say so.”

Darcy sat on the bed, murmuring encouraging sounds that made no sense but sounded right.

Nia’s face contorted as she grunted, strained and screamed to deliver her child. Her mate murmured soothing words while Adrian focused on delivering the child, telling Nia to push.

A radio crackled. Darius removed the instrument hanging on his belt. “The midwife’s on her way.” He gave Nia a hopeful look. “I don’t suppose you could hold off on this for a few minutes? Maybe think of something else, like baseball?”

A low growl rumbled from Nia’s chest. Her pretty blue eyes turned amber, her wolf rising. “That’s for men and sex, you dolt!”

Darius drew himself upright. “I’m not a dolt, just trying to help.”

“Honey, hush up. You’re not helping.” Samantha tugged at her mate’s arm. “Let’s go out and get her.”

The beta pair left the room, much to Adrian’s relief. He focused on Nia and timing the contractions.

It would be fine, he told himself, his confidence rising. He would not let them down.

Never.

---

She’d always admired him, but now Adrian’s clear leadership capabilities came to the forefront. Darcy gripped Nia’s hand as the Lupine struggled to deliver her child. Darcy fell silent, awed at how his commands made Nia focus even as she cried out, how cool and steady he seemed. And suddenly, his big hands held a furry, dark head that emerged from between Nia’s legs.

Fascinated, Darcy watched Adrian slide a tiny bluish form from Nia. A bloody wash of water spilled out, bathing his hands and the child. He massaged the newborn’s back, crooning to the squalling babe. A collective gasp rippled through the room.

Nia sagged against her mate, as Darcy felt an absurd urge to weep. She squeezed Nia’s arm instead and smiled. “You have a baby.”

“A strong, healthy girl.” Adrian looked up, the infant in his arms. To her surprise, moisture filled his eyes. “She’s beautiful.”

Life, in all its incredible, brutal and awesome force, had taken place before her. Darcy stared in marvel as Adrian handled the newborn with all the tenderness of a new mother. Then his usual aplomb returned as he tied string about the bluish-white cord winding from the baby to its mother. Adrian cut the cord, wiped the baby down, covered her in a warm blanket and handed her to Nia.

Darcy smiled through her tears. This was the most thoroughly unconventional, unpredictable and wonderful male she’d ever met.

Samantha rushed into the room with a middle-aged woman, who wore blue scrubs and carried a bag. “She’s here! Darius rushed out to get her. Her truck had a flat.”

“I’m so sorry, Aiden. I didn’t count on the storm, and oh my.” The woman beamed. “Good job.”

“Let’s give them some privacy,” Adrian suggested to Darcy.

They left the alpha pair with their friends and the midwife. Adrian hooked a right into a hallway bathroom. Blood from the birthing had splashed on his clean, white shirt. Leaving the door open, Adrian stripped off his bloody shirt. The taut flesh of his broad, naked shoulders captured her gaze. He bent over the sink, used water to scrub his hands and arms fiercely.

“You were magnificent,” she said softly, standing in the doorway.

Adrian stopped. Soap lather coated the dark hair on his arms as he braced himself over the basin. Beneath the smooth skin of his back, muscles rippled. Dark, fathomless eyes studied her with intensity.

“I was doing what I know how to do, Darcy. What any capable alpha would do for a woman in distress.”

Heaving a deep sigh, she stared at the black and white tiled floor. “You’re never going to forgive me for who I am.”

He finished washing. Drying his hands off on a clean, white towel, he gave an elegant shrug. “What’s there to forgive? It is what it is.”

“You bastard,” she whispered, backing away. “How can you be like this? You just delivered a baby, saved the mother and child, and you’re more frozen than winter. And I loved you. I guess love will never be enough for you, huh? No, you have to have perfect. Well, damn it to hell, Adrian, I’m not perfect, and I never will be!”

Darcy stormed away but not before she caught his look of loathing as he gazed into the mirror.

As if he’d seen into a glimpse of his soul and hadn’t liked what stared back at him.

What did it matter? The joy of watching a new life enter the world soured over her own personal fate.

She’d fallen for Adrian, for his wicked charm, his gentle side, and he turned out to be as cold and unforgiving as her family.

But Darcy knew she couldn’t keep wandering forever. She tired of the nomad life and, after the glimpse of hell she’d seen in the mine, knew she lacked the energy to keep fighting evil alone.

Her powers depleted, she wasn’t useful to the goddess anymore. Time to ask Danu to release her.

It stopped snowing, but a cold wind blew as she stepped out of the lodge’s back door and headed to a small copse of woods. Darcy huddled into her thick parka. Snow crunched beneath her boots. Sparkling icicles dangled from the fir limbs overhead, and she heard the scurrying of wild animals nearby.

After a few minutes, she found a clearing with a large ring of stones and the ashes of a bonfire. Wood seats ringed the fire pit.

Good of a place as any. Darcy knelt on the packed snow.

“Honored Danu, great goddess who created the race of OtherWorlders, I, your servant, Darcy Chambers, call upon you to beg a favor.”

A brilliant green flash filled the clearing. She knew, without looking, that the goddess stood before her.

Darcy lifted her troubled gaze to Danu’s serene visage, the lady’s thick, red hair tumbling down to her waist, her body clothed in a simple, green gown, her eyes like sparkling emeralds. So lovely. So capable of many things.

Can you give me my heart back? Or shut it away so it doesn’t hurt anymore?

“What do you wish, child?”

“I wish to be free of serving you as a Changeling Shifter.” Shame crept over her. “I lost my powers and my abilities to shift into other forms when I fought and killed Lars in the mine.”

“Are you certain this is what you wish?” Danu’s sweet, gentle voice reminded Darcy of wind chimes in a gentle breeze.

Being a Changeling had been a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it gave her freedom to be whatever she wished.

A curse because other shifters looked upon her with suspicion. She could never have friends, never join them because they didn’t trust her.

Darcy nodded. “If you will allow it, my lady.”

“Very well. You have served me faithfully, Darcy. You showed tremendous courage and strength in the mine. I now release you of any obligation of further assignments. I have provided money for you, enough for you to live on for many years, in your bank account. You are free to go wherever you want, do what you wish.”

Bowing her head, she felt the goddess lay a hand on her shoulder. Warmth tingled down her spine.

“Remember, Darcy, your heart will lead the way if you ever get lost.”

And then Danu vanished, as quickly as she’d arrived.

A lump clogged Darcy’s throat. She was free to do whatever she wanted. Go where she wanted.

Why, then, was she so miserable?