Violet Moon by Jennifer Minton (1)

 

 

Violet Moon

Jennifer Minton

 

 

 

 

To my parents, thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me to follow my dreams.

 

 

 

 

Published by Jennifer Minton @ Smashwords

 

Cover Design Mirella Santana.
Model © Gromovataya

 

Text copyright 2015 Jennifer Minton

 

This book is licensed for your personal use only. This book may not be re–sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted without the written permission of the author. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to peoples either living or deceased is purely coincidental. Names, places, and characters are figments of the author’s imagination. The author holds all rights to this work. It is illegal to reproduce this novel without written consent from the author herself.

All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

 

 

When the dark one takes over our land,
A rule won without honor, respect but blood, death and fear.
Though be warned he is ruled by a much darker power,
A power that none will challenge in this dark hour.
The Lupa shall turn her back on this child that would have her people cower.
Locked in the forest shall his punishment be.
Only his Chosen, the jewel of his heart, can set him free.
But will she choose to save him from his suffering?
Eighteen years of war and death shall put the Lupa’s children’s faith to the test.
All is not lost, for two shall rise from all the rest.
With violet and silver eyes they see the world.
The greatest power since the first witches began,
Only when violet eyes meet silver can the journey begin.
If the dark one can be saved the evil may be cast away,
With violet eyes shall his jewel stay safe.
With the darkness gone their people may be free,
With violet and silver to rule peacefully.
– The Prophecy

 

Mina! Her sister’s voice in her head woke her. Mina! Open the door! Open the door quick! Her sister screamed in her head. Mina was up and out of bed before her next breath. She ran to the door and flung it open as a giant shadow crashed into the room.

 Shield the house! Her sister demanded. Mina closed her eyes and pushed her will out around the house.

“It is done.” Mina said breathlessly as she searched for the light. Just as her hand found the switch, the howls filled the dark forest around her little cabin.

The Northern Pack, her sister warned as she froze. Even knowing there was no chance they could see the cabin or hear them inside due to her spell, she held her breath until all was quiet outside then turned on the light.

They are gone. Her sister spoke through their mental bond again.

“What has happened?” She asked her sister as she turned to look at her. For the second time that night she froze. Before her, her sister stood in wolf form. Her usual white coat stained red with blood, at her paws a wicker basket. Mina rushed to her sister to check for injuries.

Gram is dead. She heard in her head, and then her sister collapsed on the floor. She stared at her sister’s body trying to comprehend what she had just told her.

Gram, the alpha, her sister’s mate, was dead. She mentally shook herself; she couldn’t focus on any of that now. She kneeled down to exam her sister’s injuries, thankfully her accelerated healing process had already taken care of the most serious injuries, which allowed her to be able to run such a distance, but she was still losing a lot of blood. Mina knew the best way to heal her sister’s injuries was for her to phase back into human form, which should prove to be difficult since she was unconscious.

Sasha. Sasha you need to wake up! Mina spoke through their bond.

Mina? Her sister’s tired voice responded. Mina I’m so tired…

I know you are tired Sasha, but you need to phase so you can heal. Mina told her.

Can’t… too tired. Sasha replied.

You can sleep once you have phased, I promise. Please Sasha you are not healing fast enough. I can’t heal you and keep the cabin shielded at the same time, you have to try! Mine begged.

Ok. I’ll try. Sasha conceded. With a deep whine the white wolf slowly phased into a young human girl. Her deep red hair lay tangled over her naked chest. Mina rose quickly to get a blanket to cover her sister. Mina saw that almost all her sister’s injuries had completely healed, only a few were left but she knew they would be completely healed by morning. Mina gently put one arm under Sasha’s shoulders and the other under her knees and gently lifted her and walked her to the couch. Silently thanking the Lupa for their species strength. As she turned to get a cool cloth for her sister’s head she saw the wicker basket.

What could have been so important that she would have carried it over 70 miles while injured? Mina thought to herself as she walked towards the basket. She knelt down to look inside and her heart stopped.

“A baby!” Mina exclaimed. She hadn’t even known Sasha was pregnant, and so soon after being mated. Most mated pairs waited at least a century if not longer before having a pup. With such long life spans there was no need to hurry.

What has been going on in the main village for her not to tell me? Mina wondered. Mina looked down at the sleeping baby, something was not right. No way would a baby have slept through such a journey. Mina thought to herself as she waved her hand over the baby’s head. Just as I thought, a sleeping spell. Sasha must have cast it to keep the baby quiet as she ran. Mina waved her hand over the child again lifting the spell. Piercing violet eyes met hers and her breath caught in her throat.

“Violet eyes!” she exclaimed.

“The wolf from the prophecy.” Sasha stated from behind her making Mina jump. “Our midwife was a spy from The Northern Pack. When she saw her eyes, she must have alerted the alpha because the next thing we knew our house was surrounded. We took on as many as we could, Gram called for the warriors but there were too many from Malcom’s pack. Gram was able to cause enough of a distraction for me to get away with her.” Sasha explained as she sat up.  “She needs to feed,” she stated and held her arms out for her child.

Mina rose from the floor with her niece in her arms and placed her in Sasha’s waiting arms.

“But if you escaped then how do you know Gram is dead?” She questioned.

“I can no longer feel him, when I reach out through our bond there is nothing there.” Sasha stated and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“Oh, Sasha!” Mina soothed as she wrapped Sasha and her feeding babe in her arms. “I am so, so sorry!”

“We have to leave, go far away where Malcom and his pack can never find us. He will stop at nothing until he gets his hands on Hanna!” Sasha stated.

“Hanna? You named her after mother?” Mina asked in awe as she released her sister from her arms to look her in the eye.

“It seemed right. She fought so hard to keep the packs from dividing, what better way to honor her then give her name to the child that is destined to bring them back together.” Sasha explained.

“You honor her well.” Mina replied with a smile. “But how do you plan to hide from Malcom or any other wolf pack. No matter where you go, every wolf that sees her eyes will know who she is, even if they don’t see her eyes other packs aren’t just going to let you stay in their territory without reason and I highly doubt you are going to be willing to give them one.” Mina explained as she got up to fetch her sister some clothes out of her closet. She handed her sister the clothes and opened her arms to take the baby who had fallen back to sleep after drinking her fill.

Sasha was quiet as she dressed; knowing that her sister would not like what she was going to say next. She sat back down on the couch once she was dressed, still exhausted from the nights events.

“Not if they don’t know we are wolves” Sasha said bracing herself for her sister’s reaction.

“You mean to bind your wolves?” Mina exclaimed, “You would keep her wolf from her?”

“She cannot miss something she does not know she has. We will have to bind her magic too; we will be living among humans, so we will have to be human, so to speak.” Sasha answered. “I do not want this life for her. Constantly running for her life! Any pack we go to for help will be putting themselves in danger. Malcom is now alpha of both the Northern and the Southern packs, now the largest pack in North America, maybe even the world! This is the only way to keep her safe!”

“What of the prophecy?” Mina asked.

“The prophecy will have to find another child, I will not have my child fighting and dying for a lost cause.” Sasha replied.

“But–” Mina started.

“Enough!” Sasha rose from the couch. “As long as Malcom is unmated I am still the alpha female of this pack and sister or no you will obey me. Do you realize that death is not the worst fate for Hanna? Malcom is only a year away from being 500–years–old. He will be allowed to take a mate who is not his Chosen. He could keep Hanna locked up until she is of age and claim her, no one would challenge his claim, he is far too powerful. I will not let that be my daughter’s fate! So you dear sister will bind her wolf and her powers! Understood?”

“Yes alpha.” Mina said automatically, “but I cannot promise how well it will work. She is to be not only a powerful wolf but one of the most powerful witches, there is not enough knowledge to know how this will affect her or if it will even work.”

“There is only one way to find out, and whatever happens cannot be any worse then what Malcom has planned. You have the day to prepare, we leave at night fall.” Sasha said. “I need to rest now, I have long journey a head.”

Mina knew better than to say anything else, she simply nodded and went to get the supplies she would need for the spell. She knew the spell would work; it would effectively bind both their wolves and Hanna’s magic, well most of her magic. Though she wouldn’t tell her sister that, nor would she tell her that this spell would only last until Hanna became of age. Mina believed that Hanna was the savior that the prophecy foretold and she would not condemn her pack or her species by taking that from them.

 

~*~

 

“It is time” Mina told her sister, once dusk had fallen. “I have packed you some food, a change of clothes, some cash and the key to mother’s safety deposit box. I think she knew this day would come; she was one of the packs best seers. She gave me this the day before she died and told me to give it to you when the time was right.”

“Thank you.” Sasha said hugging her sister. “You know you mustn’t tell anyone I was here–”Mina raised her hand to stop her sister,

“I won’t remember the last 24 hours.” She raised her hand to show her sister a vial full of a nasty brown liquid.

“A forgetting potion” Sasha said in awe. “You truly are the best Mystic this pack has ever seen. It is a shame that such a gift will be tainted by Malcom’s rule.”

“Never mind that, you must go. Malcom and his men are heading this way. I will shield you from them as long as you are in the woods. Once you are in the city the potion will do its job. Though I think you should do an altering spell until you are out of Canada. Everyone knows to look for a 17–year–old girl with red hair and a baby girl with violet eyes.” Mina warned and handed her the binding potions. “The purple one is Hanna’s it will bind her wolf along with her magic. Yours will only put your wolf in a deep sleep and hide your magic from others. I will not leave you defenseless in this world. Your wolf will only wake by you being in grave danger or by magic, but be warned once she wakes, she will not go back to sleep.”

“That will do, thank you Mina” Sasha said as she closed her eyes and concentrated on altering her and Hanna’s forms.

Mina watched and her beautiful pale skinned sister with deep red hair that hung to her butt turned into a mocha skinned beauty with shoulder length black hair. Mina looked down at Hanna and she too had turned into a mocha skinned beauty with black hair and chocolate eyes. Mina smiled at the both of them, knowing that no one from the pack would give them a second glance.

“I have a feeling the only reason I was Chosen to be the next pack mystic was because you had not come of age yet to have entered the Choosing ceremony.” Mina teased her sister. Sasha smiled back at her sister,

“That and I was never one for studying.” Sasha uncorked Hanna’s potion and slowly poured in into the infants mouth, then she opened her potion and said goodbye to her wolf then shot it back. She fell to her knees at the automatic loss she felt. Mina knelt beside her and rubbed her back, though she didn’t speak. She knew it would be painful. There wolves were part of them, it was no simple task being without them. When Sasha felt that she could stand again she nodded to her sister who helped her up off the ground.

“It is done.” Sasha stated, “Now we must go before Malcom and his wolves get any closer. I love you Mina, out of all our siblings we have always been the closest and I will miss you greatly!” Mina pulled Sasha to her,

“And I love you. Be safe and may the Lupa watch over you.” She released her sister and watch her wrap her newborn in a long scarf and then tie her to her chest before opening the door. She looked back at her sister and with one last smile she walked out the door. Mina cleaned up all the evidence that Sasha and her child had ever been there, and then took out her vial of potion.  Just as she heard the howls and beating of paws on the forest floor she smiled,

Until we meet again my dear Sasha, she sent through their bond. She downed the potion in one swallow, right as the banging and shouting started at her door. Her eyes clouded over and with a blink they were back to normal. Mina ran to her door, threw it open,

“What? What has happened?” she exclaimed.

 

 

 

 

1
Awakening

 

I’m standing in a forest, I have no idea where I am but at the same time it feels like home. The sky is dark but the full moon shines bright enough for me to see. The forest is alive with animals going about their nightly routines. I see a slight glow in the distance and start walking towards it. As I get closer I see that it’s a cabin nestled snuggly between the trees, covered in vines and greenery of all kinds. If it wasn’t for the light shining from the windows I would have missed it completely. As I step upon the little stone path leading to the door the forest goes quiet, in the distance I hear a loud howl that sends my hair on end and panic starts to flutter in my chest. The door flings open and a woman stands in the entrance her body nothing but a silhouette from the light within.

“Run child!” She shouts, “He is coming for you. Run!” I turn to run in the opposite direction and I trip over the stones that had seemed all so welcoming just moments before. I shakily pick myself up and start to run, I hear her shout over my panicked breathing, “you must get out of the forest! He can’t touch you if you’re not in the forest.” I run as fast as my legs will carry me, when I feel as though I can’t run anymore, I feel an electric shock run through my body and then I am running on all fours.

I skid to a stop, what is happening? I look around and see a small creek to my right; I slowly walk to it and look at my reflection, what the heck! A wolf with fur as white as snow and piercing violet eyes looks back at me. The piercing sound of a howl close by shocks me out of my daze and I am running again. Running faster than I ever knew was possible. I see the edge of the forest right as I hear the barking at my flank, I push myself harder, I can make it!

My heart is thundering in my chest, my lungs burning, begging me for a moments rest. Then I see something, or should I say someone at the edge of the forest. There is a boy, who looks my age, standing at the edge of the woods, I hear him calling my name, telling me to run faster, that I can make it. I am almost there but I can feel the other wolf on my heels.

“Jump!” The boy calls, “I will catch you!”  With all my might I launch myself the last few feet to the forest edge. He reaches his arms out to me and to my surprise my paws have turned into my hands again. I grab on to him and he pulls me from the forest. We land with a thud on the meadow floor. I look up into the most beautiful piercing silver eyes.

“You caught me,” I say in surprise, completely forgetting about the other wolf.

“I will always catch you,” he smiles and then brings his face closer to mine, I tilt my head up to meet him and–

“Hanna! Hanna wake up, you’re going to be late for school!” her mom shouts wake Hanna from her dream. She sits up in bed as the last of the adrenalin leaves her, her heart finally going back to its normal speed. “Hanna”, her mom calls again.

“I’m up,” She shouts back as she checks her phone for the time. 7:10a.m. “I can make that work” she says to the empty room. She looks across the room and see Gemma’s bed is empty. She jumps out of bed and heads into the bathroom she shared with her step sister and jumps into the shower without even giving the water time to warm up. She knows she is running late and can’t waste any time if she wants to be able to dry her hair.

Once out of the shower Hanna wraps herself in a towel and heads to her closet to pick out the perfect outfit for her first day of senior year. She decides on the new white frilly skirt she just bought and a dark green top with a deep V. With a second thought she grabs a white spaghetti strap cami to go under her shirt, knowing her mom wouldn’t let her out of the house with her girls on display. She checks her outfit in the mirror hanging on the back of her closet door. She takes in her 5’6” form, all the extra training for track and cross country really paid off this summer. She had dropped from a size 14 to a size 8 and actually gained two cup sizes putting her at a D cup.

Gemma had insisted on buying a new wardrobe so they had just spent the past week in Houston, shopping for back to school clothes. Once she confirmed she had the perfect outfit she headed back into the bathroom to work on her hair. Like her mother she had deep red hair, though unlike her mom who keeps her cut into a long bob, Hanna let hers grow down her back. It was almost to her hips but not quite. She had it styled with long layers, side bangs and shorted layers that framed her face.

She checked her phone again and saw that it was 7:25a.m and started drying her hair. As she ran her fingers through her hair, her mind drifted back to her dream and those piercing silver eyes. Those eyes that seemed to see down to her very soul, with a hint of danger and yet shining with so much passion and desire it made her chest ache. His hair was the color of midnight, he had high cheek bones, a strong jaw and his lips, well Gemma would say that they were made for sinning, and she couldn’t disagree.

“Hanna! Are you ready yet? Gemma is going to be back any minute.” her mom’s voice startled her back to reality. She turned off the hair dryer and ran a brush through her hair then grabbed her makeup bag. Putting on some eyeliner, mascara and finished with a little bit of gold eye shadow to make her eyes pop. She checked her reflection in the mirror then headed to the kitchen.

“I’m ready” Hanna told her mom as she walked into the kitchen. Her mother smiled, handed her a bag of pop tarts and then kissed her on the forehead.

“Have a good first day. Don’t forget this is Gemma and your last week of freedom before your brothers and sister come home from camp. They start school on Monday.” Her mother told her and then grabbed her purse from the counter and started digging for her keys.

“Why didn’t Gemma and I ever get to go to camp?” Hanna teasingly asked her mother,

“You two were always more interested in traveling with your dad. And he is the one that insisted they go for some reason. But as long as they enjoy it and want to go” She shrugs. “I have to go open up” she waves and heads down to the shop.

She is wearing a purple halter dress that stops just above the knee in the front, then sweeps down to her ankles in the back. She has on strappy sandals that give her an extra three inches. Most moms of 34 couldn’t pull this look off but Hanna’s mom doesn’t look a day over 25.

Hanna sighed, most women are jealous of her mom’s looks and the superstitious ones accuse her of using magic to keep herself looking young. Her mom runs a magic shop for the tourist of New Orleans, which is quite popular, called The Lupa’s Kiss. She opened it all by herself when she moved them to The French Quarter from Canada. She was just 17–years–old and has kept it running ever since. They lived in the four bedroom apartment above the shop with her step–dad Frank, his daughter Gemma and then her 9–year old twin brothers, Caleb and Lucas; and 6– year old little sister Sophie .

Her mom had a few boyfriends over the years but none ever stuck around once she told them she had a kid; that was until Frank came into the picture. He was a single parent too so he knew the struggle. They started dating about ten years ago, his daughter Gemma was in the same class as Hanna and they were always causing mischief and getting into trouble. Their parents met at a parent teacher meeting to discuss their behavior. Gemma’s mom had died right before they moved here and I guess they connected over knowing the loss of a loved one since Hanna’s dad died right after she was born.

Then a year later Hanna’s mom got pregnant, which really surprised her and Frank both. Her mom didn’t think she was able to have any more children, but apparently she was wrong because after the twins her mom got pregnant again three years later.

A car horn snapped Hanna out of her thoughts and she rushed to the door, slipped on her flip flops, grabbed her back pack and headed down the stairs. Gemma honked the horn again even though she saw Hanna walking towards the car.

Now Gemma was one of those girls who could look beautiful in a paper sack. She had bright blond hair that was almost white with a natural wave to it and hung right past her shoulders. She had bright blue eyes, a small nose and a round mouth. She was a size 6 and had legs for days.

“Let’s go Red! We can’t be late for our first day of senior year!” Gemma whined.

“How do you know I haven’t been waiting for you to get back from wherever you have been? How early were you up to have time to go anywhere, I usually have to bribe you out of bed with the promises of coffee and a blueberry Danish!” Hanna countered, as she climbed into yellow convertible VW bug. They had gotten it for their sixteenth birthday present. Frank offered to get them each their own car, but they told him it would be pointless since they were always together and on the rare occasion that one was out by themselves the other could walk to where they needed to go since everything was pretty much walking distance from the shop.

“Speaking of coffee and blue berry Danishes,” Gemma replied as she held up a cup holder with two to–go coffee mugs and a paper bag with said Danishes inside. “You think I would let us start our senior year without the proper nourishment.”

Hanna laughed as she stuffed the pop tarts her mom gave her into the front pocket of her back pack and took the offered coffee and Danish.

“This is why I love you, no one else could understand the need for coffee to survive like you do.” Hanna told her.

“Well considering I am the one that introduced you to the wonderful elixir, I think it’s a given.” She laughs as she checks her phone.

“Hey! Texting and driving!” Hanna shouted, “No driving for a week!” She held out her hand for Gemma’s phone. They had made the rule their sophomore year right after they got their licenses, when their friend Jamie had got in a wreck and died from texting while driving.

“Arrgg” Gemma groans and hands her phone to Hanna. “At least see what Whitney said then, something about a new kid”

“How can she possibly know there is a new kid, school hasn’t even started yet.” Hanna said checking the message, “Well apparently there is a Greek god coming to our school, he came into her mom’s bookstore this weekend and said he was starting at Henry this semester.” Hanna explained.

“We’ve never had a Greek god before, a walking Calvin Cline add, but never a Greek god,” Gemma joked as she pulled into the school lot. Hanna rolls her eyes and Gemma as she finds a parking spot. “I might just have a new date to the Summer’s End festival this weekend if he is so perfect.” Gemma states with a sly grin as they get out and start walking towards the school.

“Thought you were going with Chris?” Hanna asked.

“Please! We broke up last month, I’m going with Mike.” Gemma giggles.

Hanna shook her head at her sister then grabbed the door, stopped and looked at Gemma,

“You ready for this? There is no turning back once we walk through these doors. We will officially be seniors!” she tells her.

“Oh stop with the dramatics Red, our minions await!” She winks and then grabs the other door and they pull them open together and walk into to the building.

“Oopmf” Hanna grunts as she runs into someone’s solid chest and starts to fall. Suddenly strong familiar arms wrap around her waist catching her before she hits the floor. She looks up and sees the silver eyes from her dream last night staring down at her. Her breath catches in her throat and she can’t find her voice. She closes her eyes counts to three and opens them again. The same penetrating eyes look back at her.

“Are you alright”, he asks.

“You caught me” Hanna stated, still dazed.

He smiles and Hanna thinks she sees a hint of recognition in his eyes,

“I’ll always catch you.” He says then stands her back up, but doesn’t let go. They just stand there, his hands on her waist and her hands on his broad muscular shoulders.

“Uh earth to Hanna!” Gemma waves her hand between their faces. “The warning bell just rang we are going to be late for homeroom.” She crosses her arms over her chest and gestures with her eyes between the two. Hanna reluctantly stepped out of his hold but doesn’t take her eyes off of him.

Who are you? She wonders still entranced by his silver eyes. His eyes go wide in surprise and then he blinks and his face goes completely neutral.

“I’m Jared” he states then smiles at Hanna’s shocked expression, but before she could say anything he continued, “It was a pleasure running into you, Hanna was it?” He winks, “But I have to make my way to the office. Hopefully I’ll see you around.” He smiles then turns and heads in the opposite direction.

“Mhm, and that my lady Red is what a Greek god looks like. And from the look on your face I would have to say he is the god of L.O.V. E.” Gemma laughs as Hanna’s face turns the color of her hair. “Looks like I will be going with Mike to the festival after all.” Gemma elbowed Hanna, causing her to blush even deeper as they entered homeroom just as the final bell rang. They headed to the back of the room where there were three seats left open.

“Good morning everyone! I hope you all had a good summer.” Mrs. Jones greets them as she enters the room.  She sets her coffee on her desk and grabs a stack of papers. “I trust you all are looking forward to the Summer’s End Festival this weekend, don’t forget to sign up for the dunking booth, we are raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis research this year.” She tells them.

Mrs. Jones continues on to go over the morning announcements while everyone starts talking softly amongst themselves.

“When is dad, going to be home? He has never been gone this long before. Last week when I talk to him he said he was finishing up” Hanna asked Gemma. Frank is an Archeologist he gets to work at digs all over the world and then present exhibits at museums. He is usually only gone for a week or two but this last trip has lasted almost a month.

Gemma sighed, “I know, I talked to him couple days ago and he said that they accidently found an underground cave which was some type of treasure room or something like that.” She shrugs, “He said he hoped to be home for your birthday though, and that’s only a week away.” Hanna smiled,

“Good, then maybe he will help me talk you out of this outrageous plan of yours to celebrate–” Hanna starts.

The door to the class opened and the whole room went silent. Hanna knew it was him before she even turned her head. She could feel, actually feel his presence. She turned and saw him standing in the door way, he had to be at least six foot tall, wearing dark wash jeans, black Vans, and a plain black T–shirt that fit tightly around his muscled chest and broad shoulders.

Hanna looked back up at his face and saw he was watching her. He had caught her checking him out; he gave her a wink when she finally met his eyes. She blushed and turned away and looked at Gemma. Who was shaking her head smiling letting her know that she had caught her too. Hanna stuck her tongue out at her as she tried to still her racing heart.

Jared walked over to Mrs. Jones and handed her a slip of paper from the office, she looked down and read it then turned to the class.

“Class this is Jared Brooks and he will be joining us this year, let’s try to make him feel welcome.” Mrs. Jones introduced him. “Just find an empty seat, hun.” She told him.

Gemma’s eyes widened and she motioned to the only empty seat in the room, the one right next to Hanna. A wry smile spreads across her face and Hanna knew before she even opened her mouth that homeroom was about to get way more interesting.

“Hey Jared!” Gemma smiled big, as he sat down. “You remember Hanna right? You two had a crash course in chemistry this morning.” He laughed completely unfazed by her bluntness.

“My new favorite subject.” He replied smiling at Hanna.

“Yeah I be–”Gemma started.

“So where are you from?” Hanna cut Gemma off, knowing nothing good could be about to come out of her mouth.

“I was born in Canada, but shortly after I was born my dad wanted to move back to the states, which is where he grew up. We stayed in his home town in Washington for about ten years but then my mom got a job that requires us to move around a lot.” Jared answered.

“Wow, I can’t imagine having to pick up and start over so many times. It must be really lonely.” Hanna said sadly, then realizing that was a little too personal for someone she just met and back track. “I mean, not that you’re lonely or anything…”

“It’s ok” He said waving his hand. “I know what you mean.”

“So what’s your class schedule?” Gemma asks coming to the rescue. Hanna smiled at her in thanks and Gemma winked at her, then directed her attention back to Jared. Jared pulled out his schedule and handed it to Hanna.

Hanna looked down and realized they had all but two classes together. Gemma read over her shoulder, then smiled.

“Well it looks like we will be seeing a lot of you then”

“Most of your classes are on the second floor which is good, because the senior lockers are on that floor. Ours are right by the main stairs. I’ll show you after government, we’re gonna want to drop our books off” Hanna told him as she handed his schedule back.

Their hands touched and it felt like an electric shock ran up her arm. She looked up at Jared to see if he felt it too, and he was staring at his arm in shock. Thankfully the bell rang right at that moment and Hanna pulled her arm away as Jared cleared his throat.

They both stood up in a rush, nearly bumping into each other again, causing Hanna to back track losing her balance and start to fall. She prepared herself to hit the floor but she never did. For the second time that day Jared’s arms were around her, saving her from cracking her skull on the floor.

Hanna looked up into Jared’s silver eyes stunned, “You caught me again”

“I told you, I’ll always catch you” he whispered, as he set her up right. Just before he released her, Hanna would have sworn she heard him smelling her hair causing something inside her to stir and push at her.

“Um, are you two going to be making a habit of this?” Gemma asked, efficiently getting their attention and Jared took a step back.

Hanna grabbed her things without looking at either of them, and started walking to the door,

“Shall we start this adventure they call senior year?” She asked from the front of the room.

“Red you know I’m always up for an adventure” Gemma stated as she walked by her and out the door. “I’ll see you in Calculus” she waved.

Hanna waited for Jared to reach her and then started towards Government,

“You know I was born in Canada too” she told him.

“Really?” he asked, though Hanna didn’t think this surprised him, like she was telling him something he already knew. “Which part?” he asked.

“Um I don’t actually know”, Hanna shrugged. “My mom doesn’t talk about it; I think it’s too painful since my dad died there.”

“Oh, wow I’m really sorry” He said putting his hand on her arm. The feeling of electricity shot up her arm again, he pulled his hand away, looking down at his arm and his eyes widening in shock. Hanna looked from his arm and back up to his face. Not seeing anything, she shrugged and continued to their class. “Interesting” she heard him mumble as she turned the corner, but decided not to comment.

“Well, here we are”, Hanna said as she made a sweeping motion with her arm. Jared smiled and followed her into the room.

“No one sit down” Mr. Hennette instructed the class. “We are going to play a trivia game. Answer your question correctly, I give you your books, direct you to your assigned seat and you will have no homework for tonight. Get your question wrong, you’ll still get your books and seat assignment but you will have to write me a 200 word paper on the correct answer.” The entire class groaned, but lined up at the front of the class room. Hanna waited her turn and was pleasantly surprised when Mr. Hennette gave Jared a very hard question and he got it correct.

Looks and smarts, Hanna thought to herself and then blushed when Jared winked at her as if he heard what she was thinking. Mr. Hennette finally got to Hanna and after answering correctly ends up sitting next to Jared. After everyone in the class was seated, Mr. Hennette went over the course plan for the semester and all the usual first day stuff.

Once the bell rang, Hanna showed Jared to the senior lockers, where they found Gemma checking her makeup in her locker mirror. She smiled as they walked up and then pulled out some lip gloss.

“Wow you made it through an entire class period without ending up in each other’s arms, I’m impressed!” Gemma teased and winked at Jared. He laughed as he opened his locker to deposit his books,

“Well the days not over yet.” He replied wagging his eye brows at Hanna, causing her face to turn a deep shade of red and sending Gemma into a fit of giggles.

“You know Hanna; you wouldn’t get so embarrassed when a hot guy flirts with you if you actually dated someone in this century!’ Gemma stated.

“Gemma!” Hanna exclaimed, “I think you need to make a visit to the nurse. Your brain to mouth filter seems to be broken again.” Gemma just smiled and started to open her mouth again but Hanna cut her off.

“Well let’s get to math” Hanna turned to Jared “You have Trigg right?” when he nodded she continued, “it’s right next to Calculus, which is on the first floor.”

“Cool, let’s do it” he said and then stopped Hanna once she got to the stairs.

“You better let me go first,” he told her.

“Why”, Hanna asked confused.

“You know, in case you trip and need someone to catch you.” He answered.

Hanna stared back at him in shock, as Gemma burst into laughter. Gemma patted him on the back as she started down the stairs,

“I like you kid, you’re gonna fit right in.”

Jared made a waving motion with his hand for Hanna to go ahead of him. She looked at the stairs and then back at him standing there with the most innocent look on his face. Shaking her head, she followed Gemma down the stairs. They walk the rest of the way to class in silence then Hanna pointed Jared to his class and then turned her head away from him.

Jared started walking toward his class, wondering if he took the joke a little too far, when a foot slipped under his effectively tripping him.  He caught himself at the last second and turned to look at Hanna. She stood there staring back with a completely innocent face,

“Looks like it’s you who needs saving, not me.” She told him with a wink and then turned to go into her class. Out of the corner of her eye she saw his face break out into the most brilliant smile that took her breath away,

Beauty, brains and attitude, she heard but didn’t see his lips moving. She turned and looked at him confused, but he had already gone into his class. Still confused she turned and headed into her class and found a seat next to Gemma who was applauding.

“Beautifully done Red, I couldn’t have done it better myself.” Gemma told her. “Looks like you know a little something about guys after all. Are you going to ask him to the Summer’s End festival?”

“I think it’s a little soon don’t you?” Hanna asks.

“From how all the girls were talking in Theatre, I’d say if you don’t ask him by the end of the day at least five somebodies will, hell I might be one of them.” Gemma informed her.

“Really?” Hanna asks surprised. Gemma nodded, “I guess I could bring it up.” Hanna said just as Mrs. Gulley walked into the room and started the class.

Calculus seemed to drag by as Hanna drudged up the courage to ask Jared out. She hadn’t gone out with anyone since Matt and that was not an experience she wanted to repeat. The bell finally rang and everyone got up and started filing out of the room. When Hanna and Gemma walked out of class they saw Jared standing up against the wall talking to Gemma’s flavor of the month, Mike.

When they saw the girls, Mike walked over and wrapped his arm around Gemma’s shoulder and led her towards the stairs. Jared walked up to Hanna and smiled as they started back to their lockers,

“So what is the Summer’s ends Festival?” He asked. A little shocked Hanna looked up at him and answered,

“It’s like a giant carnival, to say goodbye to summer. Why do you ask?”

“Oh some girl named Whitney asked me to go with her” he replied.

“Oh.” Hanna said dropping her gaze to the floor disappointed that she missed her chance. Then she became confused and wondered why this upset her so badly, when she had just met him. Jared stopped walking and waited for her to look at him,

“I told her I was going with you.” He told her.

“You did?” Hanna asked smiling up at him.

“Yeah, is that ok?’ He asked returning her smile.

“Yeah” Hanna said with a smile and then continued to their lockers.

 

~*~

 

Later that night when Hanna was in her room doing her Mythology homework, Gemma came into their room.

“Are you doing homework? How do you have homework on the first day?” Gemma asked.

“Mythology” Hanna answered. “Mr. Lewis said ‘your seniors, if you don’t know how school works or what to expect by now, then the school has failed’. So now I am reading about the Lupa, the wolf goddess, and have to write a 300 word paper on her by Friday”. Gemma became super engrossed in the books on her book shelf as Hanna talked,

“Hmm sounds boring. Wanna take a break and go get a coffee?” She asked.

“I don’t know” Hanna started,

“Come on, we can plan out what you’re gonna wear on your date with Jared this weekend” Gemma teased. Hanna blushed,

“Ok but only for an hour, then I have to finish this” she agreed.

“Yeah, yeah” Gemma waved her off then grabbed her and pulled her out the door.  Hanna laughed then took a deep breath in

“Did you get a new perfume?” she asked Gemma,

“No, why?” Gemma asked.

“You just smell different, kinda like honeysuckle” Hanna told her. Gemma stared at her for a second in shock then finally shook her head.

“Nothing new, maybe mom is using a new detergent” Gemma replied.

 

~*~

 

The rest of the week flew by for Hanna and she noticed that Jared fit in with just about everyone. Especially the girl of the school, Hanna was convinced that by his second day every available girl had asked him out. When he noticed Hanna’s annoyance to all the girls flocking around him, Jared quickly shut all of them down Wednesday before homeroom.

Gemma and Hanna were standing at their lockers talking about the weekend, when Jared walked up followed by his little group of admires.

“What about next weekend?” Hanna heard one of the girls ask. As a reply Jared walked straight up to Hanna and wrapped his arm around her waist and faced all the girls.

“Sorry, but all my weekends are booked.” Then he turned and kissed Hanna on the forehead, which caused her heart to skip a beat. Her cheeks flushed not only from all the attention but from the confusion of why he affected her so much.

Hanna looked at the girls and realized if looks could kill she would have died seven times over. Olivia, the captain of the cheer squad, stepped forward.

“The virgin Mary of Henry High?” She sneered, “trust me Jared, there is no getting past that chastity belt; her mom makes her stay a virgin so she can use her blood to stay looking young forever!”

“Yeah, just ask Olivia’s older brother Matt.” Becca, Olivia’s best friend and co–captain stated. “He dated her our freshman year and tried every trick in the book.”

“Yeah.” Gemma scoffed, “including trying to drug her at your stupid Halloween party!”

“Like I said,” Becca shrugged. “He tried everything in the book and he was the one who ended up in the hospital.”

Hanna couldn’t breathe, she felt Jared’s arm tighten around her and she tried to focus on his touch, but just like that night three years ago, she started to see red. Just as she started to feel the tingling in her hands, a scream brought her back to what was going on in front of her. Becca was lying face up on the floor and Gemma was standing over her.

“I’m gonna put you in the hospital if you don’t get your stupid mouth out of my sight!” Gemma shouted. Olivia helped Becca up and they all went rushing down the hall.

“I think she broke my nose,” they heard Becca crying as they walked down the hall.

“That’s my girl,” Mike said as he wrapped his arm around Gemma. “I’m glad you did that because my daddy taught me to never hit a lady but I was seriously thinking about closing my eyes and pretending she was a he”

“Are you alright?” Jared asked Hanna.

“Yeah, let’s just get to class.” Hanna told him as she stepped out of his arms to hug Gemma “thank you, I don’t know what I would without you.”

“Die of boredom”, she answered and then linked elbows with Hanna as they walked to homeroom.

Hanna felt something in her other hand and looked up to see Jared smiling down at her as he laced his finger with hers. She felt a warmth spread throughout her body, and she wasn’t sure how, but she knew it was him. She looked down at their hands and then saw that he had tattoos on his arm. She looked up at him and them back down and they were gone, she blinked a couple times and then shook her head and really hoped she wasn’t going crazy.

By the time Friday came around Hanna had almost forgotten about the drama with Becca and Jared’s disappearing tattoos. She, Gemma, Jared and Mike were all walking to gym and Mike was trying to talk Jared into joining the football team.

“Sorry man,” Jared said. “But contact sports aren’t really my thing.” Hanna smiled as she heard Mike continue to try and talk Jared into joining as they disappeared into their locker room. Once they were changed Gemma and Hanna went and sat on the bleachers to wait for Mr. Newcomb. Jared came and sat next to Hanna once he was changed. He took her hand into his and started gently stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. She looked up at him and smiled; every time they touched she felt a type of pulling towards him, like some force was pulling them together and it caused something inside her to stir.

She looked down at his arm and saw the tattoos again but this time they didn’t go away. She looked up at him in shock and then back down to his arms. Jared eyes widened as her realized what she was seeing. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Mr. Newcomb.

“Ok everyone, we’re gonna go out to the track and do some racing. Everyone line up outside the doors.” Mr. Newcomb instructed the class. Everyone got up and made their way outside and lined up. Hanna was still staring  at Jared’s arms.

“I will explain everything after class, I promise.” Jared whispered to her as he lead her outside. Hanna didn’t know why but she trusted him, so she smiled up at him and nodded.

“Ok, the first two to the track are team captains. Winning team gets an A on their Timed Mile test this week.” The entire class started to get riled up and Hanna couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

“What are you smiling about?” Jared asked her. Before Hanna could answer, Gemma spoke up,

“Hanna is one of the fastest kids in school. She broke three county records in track.” She bragged.

“Oh! Well I think I’m about to give you a run for your money. I’ve never lost a race.” Jared said smiling down at Hanna.

“There’s a first time for everything” Hanna smiled back and then took her stance.

“Ready,” Mr. Newcomb shouts. “Set, GO!”

Everyone took off, Jared and Hanna were in the lead, with Gemma and Mike right behind them. Hanna laughed to herself as she listened to Gemma and Mike’s trash talk. Hanna pushed herself forward and got a head of Jared but only for a second then he was in the lead and they were almost to the track. Hanna knew they were both going to be captains, but she felt a deep need to win. She pushed herself even harder and got up beside Jared again. She looked down at her feet and back up at the track that was getting closer and closer. Hanna didn’t think she has ever ran this fast before, the wind on her face was exhilarating.

She started to feel a slight burning sensation in her arms and legs but pushed herself harder still. Then something inside her broke free, she was in front of Jared and the track was only a few feet away. She pushed off with her legs and jumped the last few feet to the track.

“I won!” Hanna shouted and did a little victory dance. While she was dancing Hanna noticed her arms and that she had markings that started on her hands and went all the way up to her elbows. She held her hands out in front of her and saw that the markings looked exactly like the ones on Jared’s hands. She looked up at Jared who was staring at her like she was a bomb about to explode.

“Yeah! I told you my girl was a champ!” Gemma said as she ran up and then she stopped as she saw Hanna’s arms. “How?” she started and then when Hanna looked up at her she froze, “Hanna your eyes are glowing!”

“What?” Hanna exclaimed “my eyes? Look at my arms!”

“Yeah, but your eyes!” Gemma told her as Jared shook himself and walked over to her. Gemma took a step back from him as he passed and Hanna could have sworn she heard Gemma growl at him.

“Act like you sprang your ankle” Jared told her, completely ignoring Gemma. Hanna looked up at him confused,

“What? My arms… the markings,” she stuttered.

“Just trust me and do it!” Jared pleaded.

Hanna looked between Jared and Gemma in disbelief

“But” she started.

“Do it Hanna! Humans can’t see the markings but they can defiantly see your glowing eyes!” Gemma told her. “Hurry before everyone gets here and sees”.  She turned to Jared, “how is this possible she’s not a–”

“Humans?” Hanna questioned.

“She is, she’s just been bound since birth, well until recently” He told Gemma and to Hanna’s surprise she actually looked like she understood what he was telling her. “It’s my fault, I knew she was close to becoming of age and I pushed her anyways. I was so stupid! What if she fully phases?”

“What do you mean you knew? How in the world did you, a stranger, know when I’ve lived with her for the past nine years and had no idea?” Gemma questioned as Mike came running up to the track.

“Dang you guys are fast!” Mike shouted as he slowed to a walk.

“Look we can talk about this later but right now we need to get her out of her before everyone sees her eyes, or worse she phases right here in front of everyone.” Jared whispered to Gemma.

“What in the hell are you to talking about? What is wrong with my eyes? What is phasing?” Hanna’s breathing started to speed up and she felt like she was going to pass out, pins and needles started to run up and down her body.

“Hanna, Hanna! I need you to calm down. I promise we will explain everything but right now you need to pretend you have a sprained ankle so we can get out of here.” Gemma tried to sooth her.

Hanna looked between the two of them. They obviously knew what was happening to her so she decided to trust them, for now. Hanna dropped to the ground and grabbed her ankle. She let the tears she had been holding back fall; she figured it would help sell the story. She looked up at Jared and saw a flash of pain go across his face as the rest of the class finally made it to the track and shortly after them Mr. Newcomb.

Hanna heard Jared talking to Mr. Newcomb, selling him some story about how she landed wrong and how he heard a cracking noise. Gemma was squatting down beside Hanna rubbing her back whispering calm things. The next thing Hanna knew she was in Jared’s arms and even though she was freaking out, her entire body warmed and the crazy stirring inside of her calmed a little. She laid her head on his shoulder and focused on his heart beat. He smelled like rain mixed with mint, it was intoxicating. Hanna closed her eyes and just focused on the feel of his arms and then everything went black.

 

 

 

 

Unbound

 

Hanna’s head was fuzzy, she could hear voices but couldn’t bring herself out of the darkness enough to speak or open her eyes. She knew she was in a car, her car, she recognized the smell of their coffee house air freshener. She could smell other things too, she smelled Jared’s, then there was that honeysuckle scent she had smelled earlier in the week. Then she realized that it was Gemma’s scent as her head started to clear and she was able to open her eyes. She was about to open her mouth and say something when she heard Gemma and Jared talking.

“So what’s going on, why couldn’t I tell you were a wolf until now?” Gemma asked.

“Because I was cloaking myself,” Jared responded as if that explained everything.

“Cloaking yourself? You mean you’re a Mystic? Gemma asked.

“So is Hanna and her mom” Jared informed her.

“How is that possible, I have lived with them for 10 years?” Gemma exclaimed.

“Both their wolves were bound and Hanna’s magic too, though her magic has been slowly leaking out for years. It was done by the Southern Canadian Pack’s Mystic the night she was born. The same night that Malcom Black killed her father.” Jared told her.

“Wait, Malcom Black! The Canadian Pack alpha! The power hungry maniac, that demands all the North American packs send their of age females to his Winter solstice ball every year or he will declare war on them. That Malcom Black? He’s the reason my dad took me and left our pack and moved here. He is the reason my mom is dead!” Gemma said angrily.

“The one and the same,” Jared confirmed.

“Why would he kill Hanna’s father–” Gemma began.

“Think about it Gemma, what color are her eyes?” Jared asks.

“They’re vi– No! No way is my sister is the wolf of prophecy.” Gemma said shakily. “How did you know it was her?”

“The Mystic who bound her, she sent my family to find her. She knew once she became of age she would need protecting and training. We have been searching for her for years. We were actually on our way to Houston and decided to take a detour through New Orleans and when we came into the city limits I could sense her.” Jared explained.

“Wow, she is gonna to be so pissed at you when she finds out all that ‘my weekends are booked’ and hand holding was an act.” Gemma said annoyed.

“It wasn’t an act! I was just supposed to confirm it was her and then find out where she lived so my parents could talk to her mom, but then the day before school started we shared a dream and then once we met, I heard her thoughts in my head and I am pretty sure she could hear mine. Then my Chosen marks appeared, and today when her wolf woke up, so did hers. Jared explained.

“The Chosen marks! O.M.G.  You’re telling me that she is your Chosen!” Gemma exclaimed, “Oh this day just keeps getting better and better. Mom is gonna flip her lid.”

“About which part?” Hanna asked, unable to keep quiet any longer. Surprised Gemma slammed on the breaks and swerved the car as both she and Jared turned to look at Hanna. The tires squealed and sent Hanna into the floor board as the car fish tailed.

“Gemma watch out!” Jared yelled.

 

~*~

 

Sasha was going through her inventory checks at her shop, when the front door opened ringing the little bell attached to the handle. She looked at her watch, not the girls. They should be headed for seventh period now. She thought to herself as she put down her clip board and headed to the front.

“Is there anything I can help–” She stopped midsentence as she heard the chanting. She looked up into the eyes of someone she never thought she would see again. “Natalie?” It was her best friend from her childhood and adolescence, she hadn’t seen her since she was mated to Gram. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry Sasha but it’s time to wake your wolf. Mina sent us, Hanna is in trouble. If Mina can sense her now then it won’t be long until the Mystics working for Malcom can too.” Natalie answered, and then continued chanting. Sasha was about to ask what she was talking about when all of a sudden her wolf woke up with a vengeance. It took all her strength to keep human form.

Run! We must run and hunt. Her wolf growled.

Soon, she answered, soon but right now we must protect our pup. Her wolf immediately calmed down. Nothing was more important than their pup! After Sasha was sure she was in control she turned back to Natalie.

“Tell me everything” She demanded.

“Where would you like me to start?” Natalie asked as she walked over to the sitting area of Sasha’s shop.

“Well you can start with how Hanna’s magic can be tracked while she is bound.” Sasha said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Her magic has been slowly unbinding for years, but now that she is of age both her magic and her wolf are unbound.” Natalie answered.

“But how? She was never meant to be unbound!” Sasha exclaimed.

“Did you really think a Mystic would permanently take someone’s wolf from them? It is a punishment worse than death, not even your sister could do that. It would take the darkest of magic’s to complete such a spell and you would be hard pressed to find anyone to do it to a normal wolf let alone to the savior from The Prophecy.” Natalie answered.

“It was not her decision to make!” Sasha shouted.

“No! It was Hanna’s!” Both women jumped up and looked towards the back door. Sasha’s breath caught. When she saw it was Frank who had spoken.

“Frank” Sasha began “What? How?” She stopped talking when Frank’s eyes started to glow. “You are a wolf?” She stood frozen staring at her husband. Then she came to another realization. “But that means. The children?”

“You would steal your daughter’s wolf from her. Refuse her half of who she is? Refuse our species the savior from The Prophecy!  So parents like me have to leave their packs, have the mother of their child die so they can hide in the human world to save their daughter from Malcom and his pathetic attempt to find his Chosen!” Frank’s voice rose with every word and his canines began to grow.

“How could I not know?” Sasha asked still in shock that her husband and father of her children was one of her own and she had no idea.

“Answer me!” Frank yelled as he took a step towards her. Sasha’s wolf burst forth taking control of her human body. Her canines grew along with her nails and her eyes glowed a bright yellow.

“Be still wolf!” Her wolf commanded, she was still an alpha, even without a pack and she pulled on that power, sending both Frank and Natalie to their knees. “I understand your anger but you WILL remember your place!”

Frank summoned his wolf’s power who was dominant enough to be an alpha but he had never Chosen that life.

“I know my place!” Frank said standing up and pushing against her. “Now answer my question.” Sasha gained back control of her wolf and then nodded,

“I am sorry for what you and the others must have had to endure because of my decision. But I was 17, I just gave birth to the child from The Prophecy, lost my mate and was being chased by a crazed alpha. I did what I thought best to protect my daughter. I may have been wrong in thinking I could bind her wolf forever, but I was not wrong in thinking we had to hide. Could you imagine what would have become of her if Malcom got his hands on her and decided not to kill her and just wait until she was of age! So he could claim her? Imagine the beast that he would have turned her into, all of her power for him to use at his will. He would have taken over the world!” Sasha explained.

“You should have trusted your pack to protect you,” Natalie stated.

“A pack that had just been taken over by Malcom Black? Who now had the power of both the Northern and the Southern packs? You fall to your knees before me; do you think you would have had any chance against him?” Sasha asked.

“None of that matters now.” Frank stated, “What matters now that you talk to Hanna and prepare her for the awakening.”

“What about the boys and Sophie? I have been waiting to see if they are going to be wolf or human. Since my wolf was bound and I thought you were human there was 50% chance but now I know there is a 100% certainty that they are wolf. The boys are about to be ten, how are we going to explain all this to them when they phase?” Sasha said panicking.

“They already know.” Frank stated, “That ‘camp’ in Texas they go to every summer, is no camp at all. My sister lives in Texas with her mate’s pack. I’ve been sending them to her. She has been teaching them our ways and the importance of keeping the secret.” Frank explained.

“Well, I am not the only one who has kept secrets” Sasha said, then bowed her head and rubbed her temples. “This is all so crazy. Should we bring them home or should they stay there until we figure out what Malcom knows? They are supposed to come home tomorrow.”

“I will call Silvia and talk to her tonight. They will be safe there while we figure this out and help Hanna through the awakening” Frank told her.

“Slight problem there,” Natalie sighs, “The awakening has already begun; that’s how we knew where to find you.”

 

~*~

 

Gemma woke with start, it took her a few seconds to get her bearings. She looked around and saw that her car had run off the road and hit a tree.

“Well hell, dad is gonna kill me” she sighed. “Is everyone ok?” She looked to Jared and saw that he was just waking up too.

“Yeah, yeah I’m good” He replied as he rubbed the side of his head where it had hit the window. “What about you Hanna?” There was no answer, “Hanna?” Jared turned in his seat to see the back seat was completely empty and the right side door was open.

“Hanna!” Gemma shouted as she and Jared hurried out of the car.

Jared started looking around the area of the car. He held up a torn piece of clothing to show Gemma, “she phased.”

“What?” Gemma shouted as she grabbed the torn gym shirt that Hanna had been wearing out of his hand. “Oh this is so bad! Mom is gonna have my head! We have to go after her!”

“No, you need to go tell your mom what happened. I’ll go after Hanna, her wolf has been bound for eighteen years, there’s a good chance it took over and I don’t know if she will recognize you.” Jared told her.

“But she’ll recognize you?” Gemma asked.

“I’m her Chosen.” He reminded her.

“You think! What if you are wrong?” She questioned.

Jared walked up to her and held out his hands, Gemma’s mouth popped open. She saw his Chosen markings on the tops of his hands, but that wasn’t what surprised her. She reached out and pushed the sleeves of his shirt up. When a wolf becomes of age they get cuff like markings on their wrists that can go up to their elbows, then on their upper arms there will be the mark of their pack.

Every wolf’s markings are unique to them and their personality, except for their Chosen markings. A wolf’s Chosen markings will match that of their Chosen, this is how they prove their claim to an alpha. If the symbols do not match the two will not be allowed to mate unless they are 500 years old or older. This is a safety net the great elders set forth for the continuation of the species since each wolf only has one Chosen, it could take a very long time to find them if they found them at all.

“You have multiple pack markings, how is that possible?” Gemma asked.

“I don’t know, they just showed up when my first markings did.” Jared said, “But you see my hands, if she wasn’t my Chosen I wouldn’t have markings on my hands. Unless there are any other wolves you go to school with.” Gemma shook her head,

“I’m sorry I doubted you; it’s just so crazy that you two would find each other so early in life. My dad hasn’t even found his Chosen yet and he is 106. He gave up once we left pack life and married Sasha” She told him.

“But, then how are you–” Jared started,

“He was lonely and he started dating a human, which is allowed as long as he didn’t plan on making a mate bond with her. He is only 106 years old so… you know. He never expected for my mom to get pregnant since it is so rare without a mate bond in place, though considering he and my step–mom have had three kids together I am not sure how true that is. Anyway he later found out that she wasn’t human after all. She was Fae and living in the human realm.”

“What ever happened to her?” He asked.

“I don’t know, we were living with our pack in Montana when we first heard of Malcom wanting every pack to send their females of age to his winter solstice ball so he can find his Chosen. My parents knew that if he didn’t find his Chosen it would only be a matter of time before it was my time to go so we left our pack. Malcom forbid anyone to not participate so we decided to live as humans the best we could. My mom sent my father and me here and she was to follow after using her magic to cover our trail, and she never came, we figured someone tipped off Malcom’s people that we were fleeing” She answered.

“I’m sorry” Jared said quietly.

“I should go tell my mom what happened” she replied changing the subject.

“Yeah and I should go find Hanna before she makes it to the swamps” Jared agreed.

“Ok” Gemma said as she started taking her shirt off.

“Wow, what are you doing?” Jared exclaimed, throwing his arms over his face.

“You really expect me to walk ten miles and not get there for hours, when I can phase and be there in like five minutes?” She questioned.

“Well at least let me turn around first.” Jared told her.

“Aww, you really are her Chosen. No other boy, man or wolf alike would give up the chance to see these goods.” Gemma teased, as she waited for him to turn around. “You better go on before she gets spotted by a hunter. There is now law protecting wolves here.”

“You’re right. I’ll get her home as soon as I can.” Jared said as he ran into the woods pulling his shirt over his head.

Gemma finished undressing, put her clothes and shoes in her purse and then phased into her wolf. Her fur was tan with dark brown speckling and she had a white patch on her chest. She stretched her legs, picked up her purse with her mouth and then took off towards home. She couldn’t believe how so much could change in one afternoon.

 

~*~

 

“What do you mean it’s already started, I would have noticed a wolf running around my apartment” Sasha stated. Frank coughed and then gave her a pointed look, she rolled her eyes, “you know what I mean!”

“Her wolf is still bound as far as we know but she has been leaking magic for a few years, that is how we have been tracking her and my son says she is showing signs of her wolf waking up.” Natalie answered.

“Who is we? And how would your son know this.” Sasha asked.

“My mate and our pup, I found my Chosen the same time as you did when I was visiting Washington. When we came back to the Southern Pack to be mated you had already gone to the main village to be mated yourself. Our pups were born on the same night.” Natalie answered. “And my son has been going to school with her”

“The same night? That is certainly interesting.” Sasha said,

“More like destined” Natalie stated.

“What do you mean?” Sasha asked confused.

“My son,” Natalie started. “He was born with silver eyes.”

Sasha sucked in air as she remembered the prophecy. “When violet eyes meet silver” she whispered. “And he has been going to school with her, so they have met.”

“We never told him that part of the prophecy; he doesn’t know he is meant to play a part in what’s to come. Hell I don’t even know what his part is.” Natalie whispered with her head down. “I too have lied to my child to keep them safe.”

“We can worry about all that later, the girls should be home from school soon and I need to prepare Hanna for when her wolf wakes.” Sasha said.

Just then a medium sized tan wolf came dashing into the shop. Both Sasha and Natalie shot up from their seats and took their battle stance. “Stop, stop it’s Gemma!” Frank told them holding up his hands.

Gemma walked up and with a whine nudged her dad lovingly with her head, she has missed him while he was away.

“I missed you too” Frank told her. She turned and started to the back room. When Sasha stepped forward in disbelief that her step–daughter had been a wolf and she had no idea, Gemma growled at her and even nipped at her feet as she passed her.

“Gemma!” Her father scolded, “What has gotten into you?” She continued into the back room where she phased and started pulling on her clothes.

“I’ll tell you what has gotten into me” she called from the back room and then came marching out once she was dressed. “My sister is a wolf! And because you”, she pointed her finger in Sasha’s face, “decided to keep it a secret from everyone! She almost phased in front of the entire gym class!”

“What!” All three adults exclaimed at once.

“Don’t worry, Jared and I got her out of there before anything could happen” Gemma told them.

“Who is Jared?” Sasha asked.

“Her son” Gemma said pointing at Natalie. Who looked back at her in question of how she knew this. “You smell like him, it’s the mint.” Gemma answered the unasked question.

“So where are they?” Frank asked,

“Well… that’s the problem. We kind of ran off the road and hit a tree. When Jared and I woke up Hanna was already gone and it looked like she phased.” Gemma answered. “So Jared went after her and I came here to tell you.”

“Why on earth would you send Jared after her over yourself? Her wolf has been bound for almost eighteen years, if she phased because of the wreck then that means her wolf must have taken over. At least with you she had a chance to recognizing your scent but she could very well try to kill him, we have no idea what she is capable of!” Sasha scolded.

“And whose fault is that?!” Gemma countered, “If you hadn’t bound her wolf at birth we would know exactly what she is capable of and Jared wouldn’t be off trapesing through the woods after her so sure that because he is her Chosen that she won’t attack him!”

“Her Chosen?!” All three adults shouted in unison.

“Oh, did I forget to mention that part?” Gemma asked “Well yeah he is her Chosen, I saw his markings myself.”

“We have to go after them” Frank said as he headed for the door.

“No. Jared was right in thinking that he is the only one who could get through to her if her wolf is in control. Her wolf wouldn’t even really know who Sasha is, she would have a scent memory, but I don’t know if she would be able to connect the memory to her in such a stressful state.” Natalie said, “We are just going to have to wait for him to bring her home, at least for now.”

 

 

 

 

Chosen

 

Jared phased once he was sure he was safe within the cover of the woods, he hid his clothes in a hollowed out stump and then shook out his fur. His wolf was black as night, with piecing silver eyes. He quickly made his way back to the car so he could pick up Hanna’s scent. He found the shirt he picked up earlier and took a deep breath in. Her scent was intoxicating, she smelled of freshly fallen snow and honey, he started off into the woods following Hanna’s trail. His wolf was impatient wanting to find his mate and find her now, but Jared was cautious, he didn’t want to scare Hanna’s wolf into using any magic before he could explain to her what was happening.

He had been following Hanna’s trail for about five minutes when he saw a flash of white and caught the fresh trail of Hanna’s scent. His wolf pushed him to run faster and even though he knew he shouldn’t he took off after her.

Hanna! Jared shouted through their bond. She stopped and spun around, her hackles up and teethe bared. 

How do you know our name? And how is it I hear you, we are not pack. She growled.

Be still mate! Jared’s wolf answered, I mean you no harm.

Mate? I would know if I was mated. Her wolf stated, as she moved closer to catch his scent. Once she caught it, she relaxed her stance, your scent calls to me but I know I am unmated. She told him.

I am your Chosen, Jared told her softly as he lowers his head to show he was not challenging her and walked closer to her. We have only known each other for a short time, but I am yours and you are mine. I will be by your side always and be everything you need me to be. He was right in front of her now.

How can this be, nothing makes sense to me, I was in the dark for so long unconnected and alone. She whimpered.

Its ok, Jared comforted.You are safe now, and everything will be explained. Is Hanna ok?

I think she is sleeping. I can feel her but we are not as one as we should be. She answered. Jared was surprise Hanna’s wolf was being so talkative, it was rare for their wolf halves to speak.

You need to wake her. It is not safe for you two to remain separate now that you are awakened. It will require both your strength to keep your magic balanced. Jared told her. She did not reply but seemed to be concentrating. She began to growl and then with a bark he felt Hanna’s consciousness connect to his. 

Hanna? Jared asked.

Jared? What is going on? How am I hearing you right now?  Hanna asks and then she realized she was on all fours. Am I a wolf!

Everything is fine, just stay calm. I am your Chosen, so our minds are connected. Pack mates can send thoughts to each other, but cannot enter another’s mind. Mates are different, their minds are connected. Jared answered, and… you phased into your wolf.

Yes, I can see that thank you.She replied sarcastically. Chosen? I heard you and Gemma talking about that in the car, what does it mean?

Humans would call it soulmates, but it is so much more than that. The Lupa made me for you and you for me. We are the perfect fit and no one else will complete our souls, like puzzles pieces the same but completely different at the same time. Jared answered.

Oh, is that all? She asked.

Sarcasm is like your go to defense isn’t it. Jared asked.

Um I just got into a car wreck that caused me to sprout fur, a tail and walk on four legs. I think I am allowed a little sarcasm. She stated as she lay down on the forest floor with a huff.

Ok, I can agree with that. He said as he wrapped his body around hers.  I know it is a lot to take in, but we should probably head home. Gemma and your mom are probably worried you’ve been eaten by an alligator or shot by a hunter.

You’re right. Hanna agreed, so how do I phase back?

Um, you might not want to do that just yet, Jared stated.

Why not? She asked.

Well, we are about four miles from where we crashed the car, and I don’t think you want to walk all the way back there or the ten miles to your house…um…naked, Jared explained.

Naked? She tilted her head to the side in confusion

Yeah, when you phased you shredded your clothes, but you know if you want to practice phasing before we head home… He teased which got him a nipped in the ear, Ouch, hey I’m just trying to be helpful.

Yeah, I bet you are. She said with a growl, though her tail was wagging. Her wolf enjoyed his playfulness and Hanna was thankful for it as well. 

How bad is the car? She asked.

It’s still drivable, we spun and hit in the rear, it’s gonna need some work but it can get us back to your place. He answered.

Good, because I think our neighbors would notice two wolves traipsing around. Hanna said standing up,  let’s get going, I am getting hungry and my wolf and I are not in agreement on how we should acquire our next meal.

You’ll get used to it, Jared said as he stood up and rubbed his head against her shoulder affectionately.  The car is this wa–

Keep up if you can! Hanna said excitedly as she ran past him and headed in the direction of the car. It was easy to find which direction they had come from all she had to do was follow Jared’s intoxicating scent.

Jared laugh to himself and barked as he chased after her. His wolf perked up at his mate’s playfulness and he wanted nothing more than to play with her. He caught up to her quickly and nipped at her flank. She yelped and growled playfully at him, then rammed in to him with her shoulder and nipped at his ears before shooting off a head of him again. They continued on running through the woods playing with each other, darting in and out of the greenery. Jared knew this was exactly what Hanna needed, to be able to forget the stress of everything she just learned if only for a few minutes; and he would always give her what she needed. They both skidded to a stop at the edge of the forest.

There’s the car, Hanna said. When she didn’t hear a reply, she turned to see Jared over by a stump. Then all of a sudden his wolf looked to be vibrating and there was a very naked Jared standing in its place. His back was to her, which she was thankful for, but that didn’t stop her from admiring him from behind. Her wolf perked up as she took in his beautiful markings on his strong muscular shoulders that spread across the top of his back. She wanted to touch them, and before she knew it her body started tingling and she was in human form.

She started to panic and cover herself, but her wolf stopped her. Do not hide yourself from your mate. He was made for you and you for him. She stopped covering herself and walked towards him, she couldn’t believe what she was doing but, the pull she felt toward him was so strong. She reached her hand out to trace his markings and he froze.

“They are beautiful” She told him.

“They are the markings of the packs, most wolves just have their pack’s markings and they don’t leave their shoulders, but I have all the packs” Jared said trying to distract himself from the fact that Hanna was standing behind him naked.

Jared had not expected Hanna to phase, but when he felt her hand on his shoulder, it took everything in him not to turn and take her in his arms right then and there; to his wolfs disappointment. She is ours! It is our right. His wolf stated. We have not been through the claiming ceremony, it would not be right. He told his wolf, which only got him a growl as a reply. His wolf did not agree with such ceremonies, he just knew he found his Chosen and they should mate, play and hunt. When he didn’t turn around he could feel Hanna’s embarrassment and her feeling of rejection. She thinks I am rejecting her! All Jared’s control broke then and he turned around. He grabbed her hands and looked her right in the eyes and her breath caught.

“I am not rejecting you Hanna. I want nothing more than to take you in my arms and show you what it means to have a mate. But you deserve better than that. You deserve to go through the claiming ceremony, a bed with silk sheets and you deserve time. Time, I could not give you here. When there is a chance that someone could come upon us at any second. My parents told me that the mate bond was strong and the pull to be together was even stronger, I just never imagined it would be this strong.” Jared explained. He looked down at her hands, at her Chosen markings and brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.

He followed the rest of her markings up her arms and sucked in a breath when he got to her upper arms and saw that she too had the markings of all the packs. He looked to her face and saw that she was biting her lip and wanted nothing more than to bite it as well. Hanna finally found her voice when she saw the fire building behind Jared’s eyes.

“Well, then we better put some clothes on.” She suggested.

He smiled and turned to pick up his pants and shirt. He handed her his shirt and then put on his pants. He turned and saw her standing there in his shirt, the hem fell right below her butt and her beautiful legs were left bare.

“I don’t know if that helped or made it worse”, he admitted. She smiled and bit her lip again as she looked up at him through her lashes. The look she gave him was full of wonder, admiration and need. That look is what broke him, the next thing he knew his hands were in her hair and he was kissing her as if she was the very element that kept him alive.

Hanna felt like her entire body was on fire, everywhere he touched lit her skin ablaze. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer. He groaned in her mouth as her chest pressed up against his and she revealed in the fact that she had caused him to make that sound. His hands moved from her hair and traveled down her body to her thighs and then he lifted her up and placed her back against a tree. She wrapped her legs around his waist as his hands cupped her butt. His lips were at her neck and she let out a throaty moan as he gently nipped at her collar bone.

Her scent was everywhere and Jared couldn’t get enough of her, her taste, the feeling of her body against his, the sounds she made. He slid his right hand up under her shirt and slowly traced her thigh, her waist, her–.

Jared have you found Hanna?  His mother’s voice rang in his head and because their minds were connected Hanna heard it too and they broke apart, both breathing heavily. Hanna looked around confused about who had spoken and where they were.

“To be continued”, Jared told her as he placed her on her feet and kissed her on her forehead. 

Yes mother, we are heading to her place now. Jared replied. Hanna’s eyes got wide,

“Your mother? Does she know that we were..”

“No, pack mates can talk to each other through the pack bound, but their minds aren’t connected like ours are. It’s kind of like sending a text message.” Jared explained. Hanna nodded and started to the car; looking relieved and a little disappointed about being interrupted. Jared grabbed her by the arm and pulled her against his chest and kissed her passionately,

“Our time will come, and I promise it will be well worth the wait.” He told her as he pulled back.

Hanna smiled up at him as they both hurried to the car. Hanna looked in the back seat and silently thanked Gemma for being too lazy to bring in the clothes she had bought this weekend. She climbed into the back and ripped it open the shopping bag taking out the jean shorts and tank top. She shimmied in to the shorts and looked up at Jared when she caught a few steamy thoughts he had let slip through their bond as he watched her. She slowly lifted his shirt over her head and tossed it at him and gave him a sexy little smile as she pulled on the tank top.

Jared caught his shirt midair and his eyes started to glow. She ignored him as she dug through the shopping bag in search of the sandals Gemma found on sale.

Great Lupa help me, she is going to be the death of me, Jared thought to himself. He pulled his shirt over his head and climbed into the driver’s seat. Hanna climbed up to the passenger seat and put her seat belt on,

I think you will survive, she told him through their bond. He smiled and took her hand and kissed it. When their hands came into view Hanna examined their markings more closely.

“So the fact that the markings on our hands match, means that we are Chosen?” Hanna asked.

“That, and the intense emotional and physical pull we have to each other. Plus the fact that we have the bond” Jared said tapping his temple. Hanna just nodded and continued to examine the markings on her arms. They were beautiful, just a few shades darker then her skin tone and they flowed with her body perfectly. Jared started the car and then drove back up the hill to the road.

“You ready for this?” he asked her.

“As ready as I am ever going to be” she answered.

 

~*~

 

“He has found her” Natalie informed everyone in the room, they had all gone up to the apartment while they waited. “They are headed this way now.”

“Thank the goddess” Sasha said, “is she alright?”

“He did not say she was hurt, so I am sure physically she is fine.” Natalie replied “though I get the impression I might have interrupted them.”

“Ooooh, interrupted them doing what pray tell?” Gemma asked leaning forward in her chair “It’s about time my girl caught up and got a little–”

“Caught up to who exactly and what exactly is she catching up on?” Frank cut off his daughter.

Gemma’s face turned pale and she stammered “Y–y–you know catching up on her wolf time, and running off all that pent up energy. You know what? I am starving after so much running, I’m going to go order some pizzas” She finished as she scurried out of the living room. Sasha shook her head at her daughter.

“Why do you think you interrupted something?” She turned back to Natalie.

“He called me mother. He only calls me that when he is annoyed with me.” Natalie answered.

“The mate bond is very strong in the beginning, and she hasn’t been taught our ways or traditions.” Frank started.

“But Jared has.” Natalie affirmed, “He knows the importance of the claiming ceremony.”

“It is hard to resist the pull, are you positive that he wouldn’t complete the bond” Frank asked her.

“Oh please!” Gemma exclaimed as she came back into the room. “Blood is the last of the bodily fluids that they would be exchanging. Even if they did do the deed, the exchange of blood is what completes the bond and I highly doubt Hanna is gonna be up for that”

“When you find your Chosen you will understand, Gemma. Your wolf will be pushing you to complete the bond so no one else can claim you or claim your mate. That and the pull of your Chosen is not something easily resisted.” Sasha explained.

“Well then shouldn’t they go ahead and complete the bond. So Malcom can’t claim Hanna?” Gemma asked. All the adults were silent as they thought about what she had said.

“You are still technically an alpha, Sasha. You could accept their claim to one another” Frank said.

“It would be one threat, we wouldn’t have to worry about any more.” Natalie agreed.

“Huh, maybe we should have just stayed in the woods after all” Jared said to Hanna with a sexy smile. She blushed scarlet and elbowed him in the ribs.

“Hanna!” Sasha exclaimed as she jumped from her seat and pulled her daughter into her arms. “I was so worried about you.”

“Technically she was worried that your wolf was in control and would eat Jared” Gemma stated “but then when Natalie told us that she interrupted something between you two, I think she was more worried about him eating–”

“Gemma!” Frank cut her off. “Go down stairs and wait for the pizzas!”

“Fine, fine” She said as she headed towards the door. “I want details!” She whispered to Hanna as she passed her. Hanna shook her head and pulled out of her mother’s arms. She walked further into the living room and sat down on the couch. Sasha sat next to her and took her hand.

“I know you must have a thousand questions about what you’re going through.” She told her. Hanna didn’t answer her right away, she was too busy looking at her mom’s arms. Then she turned at looked at her dad’s, then back at her mom’s again.

“Why couldn’t I see your markings before?” She asked them.

“Well your mom’s wolf was bound, so essentially she was a human, as were you and humans can’t see our markings” Frank answered.

“Hanna? Do you want to talk about what is going on?” Sasha asked.

“Well let’s see, the night I was born you discovered I was the child of some prophecy and an evil alpha from our rival pack came and tried to steal me or kill me. In doing so he killed my father and took over both packs. Then you decided that it would be a good idea to have some mystic bind my wolf, part of who I am. Then you moved us to New Orleans to live out this lie for however long. But you didn’t know that the binding spell would break once I became of age causing me to almost phase in the middle of gym class. So instead I get into a car accident and then my wolf takes over and next thing I know I am waking up as white wolf in the middle of the woods with him” She pointed to Jared, “Who then tells me he is my soulmate and then we…uh… well that’s not important. And to top it all off when I come home you are sitting here with dad, who fyi is also a wolf, and my ‘soulmates’ mom. Discussing rather or not I have had sex in the woods and if you should let us exchange blood, gross, and complete our bond. So the same psychopath who killed my father won’t force me to mate with him. Did I get everything?” Her breath had sped up and her eyes were glowing.

“Hanna, honey you need to calm down.” Sasha tried to sooth.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! What about the boys and Sophie? Are they wolves too?” Hanna shouted as she swung her arms out wide. The vase on the coffee table flew through the air and smashed into the wall next to the door as Gemma walked in with the pizzas

“Hey! What the hell?” She asked as she jumped out of the way. Hanna stared at her hands and then looked from the coffee table to where the vase lay smashed to pieces at the door.

“What was that?” She asked.

“You forgot the part, where our bloodline also desends from witches” Sasha stated looking at Hanna. “But everything else you were pretty much dead on about. And yes your brothers and sister are also wolves.” Everything in the room started shaking as Hanna started to freak out.

“That’s just great, let’s just add one more thing to the craziness that is my life” Hanna said angrily.

“Hanna,” Jared said getting her attention as he kneeled in front of her and took her hands. “I know this is a lot to take in and I am sorry you have to go through all this right now. But if you don’t gain some control over your emotions right now someone is going to get hurt.” Hanna took a deep breath and nodded,

“I think I am going to take a shower” she told him then stood up and walked out of the room. Leaving everyone in the living room to just stair after her.

“Well, now we know they didn’t have sex.” Gemma stated. “If they had she wouldn’t have all that pent up tension.” She finished as she took the pizzas in the kitchen.

“Gemma!” Frank scolded. “Who are you and what have you done with the young lady I raised?” He followed her into the kitchen and continued to reprimand her.

“Well, that went well” Sasha stated.

“There is still a lot she needs to know.” Natalie said “A lot she has to learn, soon Malcom will know she is here and he will send his people for her”.

“Is it true he can’t leave the forest?” Sasha asked.

“It’s true, he is stuck there until he can find his Chosen or until he has enough power to break the curse,” Natalie answered.

“Which he would get from Hanna” Sasha replied. Jared growled from the corner he was standing in, his eyes glowed bright silver.

“Hanna is mine! I will protect her from him. Even if that means killing him!” He told them.

“Jared, Malcom is over 500–years–old” Natalie tried to reason.

“I don’t care! She is mine!” Jared snarled and then walked off and went into Hanna’s room.

 

~*~

 

Hanna let the hot water pour over her, she leaned her head on the shower wall and tried to concentrate on not freaking out. Once the water started to get cold she turned the faucet off and wrapped herself in a towel and headed into her and Gemma’s room.  Jared was lying on her bed waiting for her.

“She lives!” He proclaimed. “I thought I was going to have to come in and recue you.”

“I wasn’t in there that long” She defended, as she walked over to her dresser and pulled out a bra, a pair of underwear then some yoga pants and a tank top.

“It’s almost five–thirty, you were in there an hour and a half.” He countered as he watched her get dressed.

“Oh” was her only reply as she pulled her clothes on.

“I brought you some pizza and a coke” he said pointing to her desk in the corner. “I didn’t think you were going to feel like being around anyone tonight so I told them we would be eating in your room.”

“How did my mom take that?” She asked, as she walked over to her desk and started eating.

“Surprisingly well, it was Gemma who had some colorful things say about it. I had to promise her you would give her a play by play of what went down in the woods for her to agree.” Jared smiled, wagging his eye brows at her.

“Like she would have let me get away with not telling her anyway” Hanna laughed as she finished her last slice and took a swig of coke.

“Do you want me to get you some more?” he asked “I remember my first phase, I ate my way through two meat pizzas and an entire meat loaf.”

“No, I think I am good for now, just really tired.” She stated as she crawled up onto the bed with him. He laid on his back and wrapped his arm around her pulling her close until her head was laying on his shoulder. Hanna snuggled into his side and closed her eyes letting out a deep sigh.

They were silent for quite a while, and Jared had actually thought she had fallen asleep when she asked,

“Do you think we should go ahead with the whole completing the bond thing?” Jared was surprised by her question and took his time answering.

“Well usually when Chosen’s are found before the age of 25 they are required to have a year of courting” Jared told her. “Though I think it would be one less thing you would have to worry about with Malcom. But I don’t want you to do this and then regret it later, wolves mate for life and there is no going back after the bond is complete. ” Jared said.

“I’m not really worried about Malcom. I mean he is stuck in a Canadian forest on the other side of the continent. And I know I won’t regret it, I know we haven’t known each other for even a full week yet, but now that you are here. The thought of my life without you...” She shook her head. “I can’t even picture it. I just… I have felt incomplete all my life, and now I know it was because my wolf was bound. And now she is free and I feel whole for the first time in my life but at the same time, something is still missing and that something is you. I know our parents will probably want us to wait and go through the courtship, but I don’t want to wait for something that is rightfully mine. Just because someone else doesn’t think it is something I need right now. I think it should be our decision and we shouldn’t have to give up being whole for anyone or anything!” Her eyes were glowing, and the lamp on her bedside table was shaking.

“Hey, hey, hey it’s ok” Jared soothed rubbing her shoulder. “I understand and I want the exact same thing and it will be our decision.  But I am not going anywhere, I found my Chosen and I am not letting you out of my sight. Plus we need an alpha to accept our claim as mates. We can talk to our parents and figure out what we want to do tomorrow.” He started rubbing her hair absentmindedly “we also need to work on your powers, they are too connected to your emotions and if you aren’t careful someone could get hurt.”

“Someone has already gotten hurt” Hanna stated.

Jared sat up on his elbow “What do you mean?”

“Remember when Becca and Olivia were giving you crap about dating me, and Becca said something about Matt ending up in the hospital?” Hanna asked, Jared just nodded so she continued; “well when he drugged me and tried to force himself on me, I got the exact same sensation as I did when the lamp crashed into the wall. The only difference was, Matt was the one that smash into the wall. He cracked three ribs and had a concussion.” She finished and dropped her head in her hands.

“Hey” Jared said as he tilted her chin up so she would look at him. “He got exactly what he deserved. Taking advantage of any women is not ok and it is actually punishable by death in our culture.” He kissed her on her forehead, “I am so sorry you had to go through that.  Not know what was going on or have anyone to explain it to you.”

“That’s just it. I did have someone to explain it to me! And I should have been able to go to her but she decided to not only keep my true self from me, she kept her true self from me as well. The mother I have lived with my entire life has been a lie” Hanna said.

“I know this is hard, and I completely agree that it was the wrong decision. But she was seventeen and she was scared. We’ve all made bad decisions, and I know that doesn’t make it ok, but just remember that as you move forward with her.” Jared said calmly.

“I know you’re right, but right now it’s just too fresh to be anything but mad.” She said as she snuggled up against him again. There was a knock on her door and then after a couple seconds Natalie walked through the door.

“It is time for us to go home, we will return in the morning to discuss what is to come” She told them.

“I’m staying.” Jared stated “I am not leaving her side now that she is unbound. We don’t know if Malcom’s Mystics have picked up on her magic yet.”

“Sasha has the city shielded, which could be why it took us so long to find them, she is safe.” Natalie said calmly. She expected Jared to be resistant, he had just found his Chosen, and she would be worried if he didn’t want to stay.

“I am still not leaving her.” Jared stated.

“That is not your decision.” Sasha said entering the room. “Chosen or not, you are not yet mated and it wouldn’t be right. She is perfectly safe here so you have nothing to worry about.” Sasha said in a no nonsense matter. It had been a crazy day and she wasn’t about to let her over emotional and over hormonal daughter sleep in the same room as her Chosen.

“You’ll excuse me if I don’t take your word for it” Jared spat back. Sasha’s eyes started to glow and she pulled on her alpha power,

“Do not test me boy! I understand your need to protect her but she is my daughter and I have been protecting her since she was born. Now you will leave with your mother and come back in the morning or I will forbid you from this house indefinitely!”

The room began to shake and everyone turned to look at Hanna. She was standing behind Jared, her eyes glowed bright Violet, her canines had extended and it was very clear that it was her wolf who was in control.

“You dare to threaten my Chosen! You have lost your right to make decisions for us when you bound me so many years ago. We will make our own decisions!” She said in a powerful voice.

“I am your mother and your alpha you will obey me” Sasha stated stepping forward her wolf pushing for obedience.

“You may be our mother, but you are not our alpha!” Hanna stepped forward “We are the first wolf and witch of old!” She shouted as the windows burst open and the room was filled with wind as it swirled around the room! “You have no power over us! We are the alphas of the alphas and you will kneel and show respect!” Jared had come up beside her and took her hand his wolf had also taken control. They both pushed their power forth and both Natalie and Sasha fell to their knees exposing their necks.

Frank and Gemma both ran into the room to see what was going on and they too fell to their knees and bared their necks from the power that filled the room.

“Yes alpha” All four of the said in unison. Then as suddenly as it has started, it was over. The wind stopped and the room was silent. Both Hanna and Jared were breathing heavily and staring at their loved ones kneeling in front of them in shock.

“What the hell was that?” Hanna asked no one in particular.

“That my dear Red, was your wolf letting mommy dearest know just how pissed off she is about being bound for eighteen years” Gemma said as she stood up. “Not that I don’t blame her, but what was all that about being the alphas of the alphas?”

“Because that is what they are.” They all turned toward the window and saw a beautiful women surrounded in light. She had beautiful lightly tanned skin, with white shimmering hair that hung to her waist. She had a round face with almond shaped eyes that were the color of the moon on its brightest night. Her lips had a fullness that would make Angelina Jolie jealous. She wore a shimmery pale white dress that flowed around her. Everyone in the room instantly fell to their knees and bowed their heads. Hanna could feel her wolf compelling her to the same, so she did.

“Lupa” Sasha said, “You honor us with your presence.”

“Please dear ones, rise” She told them. Everyone stood and Hanna couldn’t help herself,

“Lupa? The wolf goddess?” She asked stunned. “I read about you in my mythology class.” The goddess smiled at Hanna,

“I know and I am glad you took such interest.” She told her.

“Wait, wait, wait.” Gemma started “can we please rewind to what you said about these two being the alphas of all the wolves”. When the Lupa turned her focus on Gemma she bowed her head and added “Please”. The goddess laughed.

“Oh my dear Gemma I do love your no nonsense attitude. You remind me so much of your mother.”

“I do?” Gemma asked with a smile.

“You do.” She answered and then turned to Jared and Hanna. “I meant what I said, you two are the alphas to all. It is why you have every pack’s mark on your shoulders. Though that does not mean there are no other alphas, of course I do not expect you to rule all the wolf packs at once. But you will be the alphas of all alphas, they will bow before you. Especially in times when all my wolves must come together and fight against a great evil. And that time is coming. Malcom is only the beginning, he is just the puppet in an even bigger plan that he doesn’t even know he is a part of. There is a great war coming.”

“Wait, so Malcom isn’t the bad guy?” Gemma asked.

“He is being manipulated and controlled by a very evil and cruel Warlock who wishes to enslave the wolves and rule the world.” The goddess answered. “There is still hope that Malcom can be turned from his dark path–”

“Still hope!” Sasha exclaimed “That monster killed my mate!”

“No, my child, he did not.” Lupa answered “Gram was not your mate. Gram found his true mate at a young age but before they could make their claim before his alpha she was killed. You look very much like her, when he saw you he cast a spell to take on the appearance of mates but that is all it was”. The room was silent for a good minute after she had spoken. “When you bound your wolf and magic you bound your ability to find your true mate. Natalie was able to wake your wolf up but she is not completely unbound. Would you like me to unbind her so you can see what has been in front of you all this time?”

All Sasha could do was nod. Then suddenly she felt it, the pull, a connection like gravity was no longer the thing keeping her planted on the earth. She turned and saw that Frank was staring at her as well, looking just as surprised.

“Impossible.” She whispered and looked down at her hands then to Franks, their markings matched.

“I have always been watching and guiding you. You now know why you were able to have children with this man.” The goddess stated. “I bless you both and your bond, complete it with the exchange of blood and be whole.” Frank walked up and wrapped his arms around Sasha,

“Thank you Lupa, I have waited a long time for my Chosen and I will honor her well.”

The goddess nodded and turned to everyone else in the room. She continued her earlier statement

“Malcom does play an important role and you will have a greater chance of beating this warlock, with him on your side. But it may not be easy to persuade him and unfortunately that task will fall to you my dear Gemma.” She finished turning to look at Gemma.

“Me? Why me?” She asked.

“With violet eyes shall his jewel stay safe” Natalie said in a hushed tone and everyone turned to look at her. Frank was the first to understand.

“No! No please.” Frank begged as he kneeled in front of Lupa. “Please don’t let this be her fate; her mother gave her life to keep her from this.”

“I am sorry dear one, but it is already done. But who better to take on such a challenge then one who is the first of her kind. Though, she will not be the last.” The Lupa answered with a knowing smile. “It is time for me to go but I will still be with you all. I am sending some help, they will tell you what you need to do next.” She turned to the window then stopped. “Do not be angry with her when she gets here, she had no choice” She said looking to both Gemma and Frank. She then turned back to Hanna and Jared “I accept your claim to one another and herby give you my blessing” and then she was gone.

 

 

 

 

Company

 

Hanna and Gemma were sitting in the kitchen finishing off the last of the pizza, it had been two hours since the Lupa had showed up in Hanna’s room.

“Dude” Hanna said is awe of everything that had occurred.

“Seriously” Gemma agreed.

“Was it hard keeping that you were a wolf from me?” Hanna finally asked.

“It wasn’t at first, you know because it was something I had to hide from everyone. It’s one of the first things we learn. It got worse once the boys were born and our parents got married, and then even harder when Sophie was born. Dad actually gave me an alpha command that I couldn’t tell you, otherwise you would have known.”

“How could he do that if he isn’t an alpha?” Hanna questioned.

“Well technically we are not part of any pack. So we are a pack, he being my alpha. Until now that is, I guess that title goes to you” Gemma explained.

“Ah” was all Hanna said.

“You mad?” Gemma asked.

“Nah, I understand” Hanna said.

Jared came into the kitchen and plopped into one of the chairs and grabbed the last slice of pizza.

“Well my mom headed home, she and my dad will be back in the morning.” He told them.

“So, on a scale from 1–10 how crazy has this day been?’ Gemma asked as she got up to get the leftover spaghetti out of the fridge.

"Gemma!” Hanna exclaimed pointing at her arms, “Your markings!”

“What?” Gemma asked looking down at her arms in shock. “I can’t believe it! What are the odds that they would appear the same day as you are unbound?”

“I think it might have had more to do with the Lupa and the path she has set you on” Jared responded. Hanna stood up for a closer look.

“They are so beautiful!” she told her.

“I know right! Let me see yours.” Gemma instructed and Hanna held out her arms.

“So the ones on our hands are our Chosen markings?” Hanna confirmed.

“Yes” Jared replied as he got up and put his hands next to hers so she could see how they matched.

“They just stop at the knuckles, they look unfinished” Hanna stated.

“Once you complete the bond they will extend up your fingers and become complete” Gemma told her as she started dishing spaghetti into three bowls and placed them into the microwave.

“Oh, cool” Hanna replied. “So is being a wolf always this crazy or am I just a special case”

“Yeah, sorry Red but I think it’s just you. Though I don’t think it would have been this crazy if you wouldn’t have been bound.” Gemma answered as she took the bowls out and placed them on the table with some forks.

“Maybe the unbinding of your wolf had a domino effect on everything else.” Jared said as he dug into the spaghetti.

“Maybe, but I’m sorry the craziest of all was having the bomb dropping goddess of the wolves in my room” Hanna said. “I can’t even wrap my head around half of the stuff she said.”

“I don’t really want think about all the craziness she dropped on us.” Gemma said, “All except the little fact that you two pretty much had a claiming ceremony without all the vows and gift giving, so according to pack law you can now complete the mate bond.”

“That’s what all that meant, I thought she was just saying that she agreed with Jared staying the night!” Hanna exclaimed, which caused both Jared and Gemma to laugh.

“Well on that note, I am off to bed.” Gemma said depositing her empty bowl into the dish washer, “After today you never know what craziness is going to go on tomorrow.” She waved her hands around the room as she walked out. Hanna smiled at Gemma’s back and then turned to Jared,

“So? I missed out on a gift?” she teased Jared.

“Actually the gift is meant for the woman’s parents. Something that proves the male will be able to provide and care for their daughter.” Jared explained.

“Oh, like what?” Hanna asked.

“Well, a long time ago when people still traded and hunted to support their families. A male would present the parents of his Chosen with meat and other trade goods. Now days things are different and the male might just give them each a nice gift and then build or buy a house for his Chosen to prove that he can provide for her.” Jared told her.

“So… Do we complete the bond?” Hanna asked as she took both her and Jared’s bowls to the dish washer. Jared got up and walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I would love nothing more” he told her.

“But?” Hanna asked.

“But… I still think you need to discuss this with your mom. I have grown up in this world, I know the importance of having a Chosen, the blood ritual and mating. But this is all very new to you and I want you to understand everything that you would be agreeing too.” Jared told her.

She knew he was right, but still she wanted this so badly. The pull towards him was so strong and her wolf was going crazy about completing the bond. But what did she want? She really did need to talk to someone about this. She smiled up at Jared,

“You really are everything I need when I need it aren’t you?” Then a new thought struck her “But what about what you need?”

“You, and knowing you are safe, are all that I need.” He told her and planted a soft kiss on her lips that sent butterflies off in her stomach. She kissed him back and then wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Thank you. She told him through their bond. Hanna looked at the clock 9:45pm,

“Are you tired” She asked Jared. He shrugged,

“Yes and no” he answered.

“Want to watch the new Terminator movie? It just came out on VUDU.” She told him.

“Sure, I actually didn’t get to see it in theatres, we were checking out some leads in Southern Mexico about your whereabouts. The pack Mystic thought she picked up something there but as you know it turned out to just be another dead end.” Jared explained.

“Actually our dad took Gemma and I there with him to a dig site over spring break, so you might have actually been closer then you thought.” Hanna told him.

“Really? What about Florida earlier this summer” He asked.

“Yeah, dad was working on an exhibit in a museum and they gave him express passes to Disney World and Universal. We took my brothers and little sister too” Hanna confirmed.

“Have you and Gemma gone with Frank a lot” He asked.

“Yeah anytime we are on a school break, we usually go with him. Two summers ago we actually got to spend the entire summer in–”

“Egypt?” Jared said before she could finish.

“Yeah how did you–” she started but he cut her off again.

“And last winter, you were in New York” He stated.

“What? How did you know that?” She asked but he ignored her question and asked her another.

“The summer you were ten did you go to California?” he asked excitedly.

“Jared! What is going on? How do you know all this?” Hanna demanded.

“Because that was the summer that we started looking for you. The Mystic contacted my mom and told her she thought she knew where you were but she never told us how.” Jared explained, “I think you have been leaking magic since you were ten when you should have had your first phase and every time you left the city and were unshielded your magic was like a beacon to anyone looking.”

“Does that mean Malcom could know where I am?” She asked.

“We figured it out, so it’s only a matter of time until he does.” He stated.

“How did you figure it out?” Hanna asked.

“By complete accident actually, since the trail went dead in Florida we were headed to Houston–” He started.

“Gemma and I spent the week before school started there. We were celebrating all our hard work training this summer with a new wardrobe.” Hanna said.

“Well we were on our way there and as soon as we came into town, I recognized the magic we had been chasing since I was ten. That night I had my first dream of you.” He said with a smile. My parents followed your trail to the shop and when my mom saw yours we knew we had found you.”

“I leave a magic trail?” She asked as she started to pace.

“Yeah, because you haven’t been connected to your magic since it was bound it didn’t have anywhere to go. It’s the same now that it is unbound, you need to connect with it and become one like you did with your wolf. Then you need to learn to shield yourself, because once we crossed the city line it lead us right to you.” He said.

“Which means it can lead anyone to me once they enter the city.” She said as the realization of what he had been saying hit her. “Teach me to shield myself.”

 

~*~

 

The sun was shining brightly through her window when Gemma decided she couldn’t ignore the world anymore and she might as well get up.  She sat up in bed and stretched then swung her legs off the bed and slipped on her knit slipper boots. She pulled on a tank top over her sports bra, then headed to kitchen.

“I would kill for some coffee and a blue berry Danish” She said to herself. The next thing she knew she felt a dropping sensation and then she was standing in Meg’s Coffee Mug, her and Hanna’s favorite coffee shop. She held her arms out like she was balancing on a balance beam. When she noticed the man in front of her staring at her like she was crazy she put them down. What the hell, she thought as she looked around and no one seemed to notice that she just popped in from thin air.

“Hey Gemma!” Trina, the owner’s daughter said from behind the counter. “The usual?”

Gemma had to literally shake her head a few times to clear it enough to be able to talk

“Uh, no we got a full house this morning.” She pulled herself together and put in an order for everyone. She looked down at herself and was glad to see that it looked like she just got finished with yoga and was getting some coffee. Just play it cool and get home. You can freak out there. She got her order, put it on her tab and then waved buy to Trina and headed out the door. She was thankful that her favorite coffee joint was only a couple blocks from the home. Otherwise she would be really ticked she had to walk a long distance, when she just wished she was at home. Oh shit. Was her last thought as the dropping sensation returned.

 

~*~

 

“Hanna” Someone was shaking her shoulder, “Hanna it’s time to get up.” Her mom said as she shook her shoulder again. Hanna opened her eyes and looked at her mother and all her emotions from yesterday came crashing down on her. She sat up and hugged her mother,

“I love you mom. I’m still really upset about everything, but I’m completely freaking out right now.”

“I love you too Hanna. And I am sorry you are going through all this, I thought I was doing the right thing at the time”. She explained as she hugged her back. “But now I realize I have left you defenseless and I will never forgive myself for that.  If we are going to go up against Malcom and this warlock we need to start your training as soon as possible.”

“Kind of a head of you on that, mom. Jared gave me a few lessons last night–” She started.

“Yeah they better have all been about your magic,” Sasha said as she took Hanna’s hands and looked at her markings. She let out a sigh when she saw that her mating markings were still unfinished. Knowing what her mom was looking for Hanna asked,

“Would it have been so bad if we had? I mean he is my Chosen and the Lupa accepted our claim and gave us her blessing.”

“I know,” Sasha said as she cupped Hanna’s check. “But this world is so new to you, and having a Chosen is so much more than having a boyfriend or a husband for that matter. I just want you to be fully informed about everything and not make this decision for any reason besides the fact that you love him and accept his part in your life and yours in his. Not because you are upset with me for taking your decision about your magic and your wolf away from you or because you are worried about Malcom and his crazy warlock trying to claim you. And you defiantly deserve better than to do something so special and intimate on your living room couch.” She finished as she gestured with her eyes between where she and Jared lay on the couch. Hanna nodded,

“I know, Jared said the exact same thing, and I do have questions.”

“Well then, maybe he isn’t so bad after all. And I would love to answer any of your questions. We still have a little time before Natalie and Nathen get here if you want to go swing on the porch swing and talk”.The porch swing on the balcony behind the shop had always been Hanna and her mom’s go to place to spend time together and talk.

“That sounds really good” Hanna said. It had been awhile since she and her mom had, had one of their talks, and they defiantly had a lot to talk about now.

They both stood up and started to head out of the room when all of a sudden Gemma popped in out of nowhere and was standing on the coffee table end, causing it to become unbalanced and tip over sending Gemma and everything else on it to the floor. Lucky Gemma was able to land on her feet with her hands in the air where she held a cup holder full of coffee cups and a bag. Which Hanna could only guess was full of Danishes. Jared shot up from where he was sleeping on the couch and took a battle stance with one arm in front of Hanna.

“Oh thank the goddess I’m home!” Gemma exclaimed as she looked at Jared and rolled her eyes; then shoved the coffee and Danishes in his hand,

“Down boy”. She told him and then plopped onto the couch. Frank came rushing into the room like he was ready for battle.

“What happened” he asked as he looked around the room. Hanna and Sasha both pointed to Gemma unable to speak still in shock.

“Gemma?” Frank asked.

“Well dad it’s been an interesting morning. First I wake up with a killer craving for coffee and Danishes” she stopped and braced herself, when nothing happened she continued. “And then next thing I knew I am at the coffee shop. Then after having a little freak out and getting everyone coffee, your welcome by the way. I start to walk home thinking about how I do not want to be walking in my slippers and then poof I am standing in our living room, on the coffee table to be exact.” Gemma explained.

“Poof?” Frank asked.

“Ok, I am going to need coffee before we continue this, let’s go into– Ah, Damn–”She started and then she was gone. Everyone stood there staring at the spot Gemma had been. “–it to hell not again! Wait, where? Oh, I’m in the kitchen.” Gemma called to everyone. Everyone rushed into the kitchen and found Gemma standing in the middle of the kitchen, “Now, do you understand what I’m talking about? And can someone please tell me how to make it stop!” Gemma pouted.

“You just teleported” Sasha told her, “Which is completely amazing, I don’t know of any wolf that has this gift; and only the most powerful Mystics. The only other thing that I know of that can do that are warlocks and–”

“Fae” Frank finished Sasha sentence as he gave Gemma a knowing look. She bowed her head looking down at her feet.

“What?” Sasha asked looking between Gemma and Frank, “What is it?”

“Gemma’s mother was Fae” Frank answered. Sasha sat down in one of the kitchen chairs and stunned.

“That’s what the Lupa meant about her being the first of her kind.” She reasoned.

“Fae? As in Fairies? Seriously is there anything else? What about vampires or mermaids?” Hanna questioned, “No!” She held her hand up as Jared opened his mouth to speak, “I don’t want to know.” Jared smiled at her and handed her a Danish from the bag,

Yes you do, He told her through their bond.

“Well maybe–” she started as he handed her, her coffee.

“Um excuse me!” Gemma yelled “Can this conversation happen later? I am kinda in the middle of a crisis here. You know I can’t even think of going somewhere without magically ending up there. I mean, what if I have to go to the bathroom and then end up standing in the toilet?” Frank patted Gemma on the shoulder,

“It will be alright sweetie, we will figure it out.” He comforted.

Just then there was another body in the room. Frank pushed Gemma over by Hanna and Sasha as he and Jared took a protective stance in front of them.

“Be still wolves, The Lupa has sent us.” The stranger said. He was tall, with short blond hair, a strong jaw, and piercing green eyes. “I am Sabin of the Fae, Warrior and Fated to Amara Guardian of the wolves.”  Everyone relaxed a little. Except for Frank, he stared at Sabin as if he had just shot him in the gut.

“Did you say Amara?” he asked.

“Yes, he did” another voice said from the other side of the kitchen. Everyone turned to see who it was. Hanna thought she recognized the beautiful women in her kitchen, she had long white blond hair that curled in huge spirals down her back and she had the bluest eyes Hanna had ever seen. But she still couldn’t place her. The woman didn’t look at anyone else in the kitchen but walked straight up to Frank,

“Hello Drustan Franco, it has been a while” she told him.

“Amara?” Frank asked as he reached out to touch her cheek but stopped when Sabin made a disapproving sound in the back of his throat and Sasha started growling behind him.

“Sorry” He bowed his head in apology to Sabin, then looked back at Amara in question.

“Yes Drustan.” she said, as she looked down at her hands “I know I have some explaining to do”.

“Who is she” Jared whispered to Hanna, who just shook her head.

“My mother.” Gemma said in awe, she had tears running down her cheeks. That is when Hanna knew why she recognized her. Gemma had a picture of her and her mom on her bedside table.  Hanna looked between Amara and Gemma,

“Oh crap” She said to no one in particular when she saw the look on Gemma’s face.

Amara looked up from Frank when she heard Gemma speak. Tears formed in her eyes, she opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when she saw Gemma’s eyes start to glow.

“You were alive all this time?” Gemma asked. Amara went to say something again, but Gemma just shook her head and then she was gone. Amara looked at the spot from where Gemma had just been and then to Frank

“She can teleport?” she asked.

“As of this morning” Sasha stated. “And she has no idea how to control it. How do your powers work? Do you have to reach a certain age before you gain your powers?”

“Our powers develop as we age, there is no certain point in which we gain certain powers.” Sabin answered “though since Gemma is only half Fae, her powers could have remained dormant until she became of age, which she obviously has since we are able to be here.”

“But she hasn’t received her markings yet, she would have told me” Frank said.

“Yeah…” Hanna started, “She defiantly would have, if there wasn’t all that craziness with the Lupa dropping all those bombs last night and the fact that she has been teleporting all over town this morning.”