Elaine POV
I woke up in a pitch-black room. I sat up instantly with my heart hammering against my chest.
“Azaire?” I called.
I patted the space next to me but it was empty. I patted my legs too and I wasn’t wearing pants! I climbed out of the massive bed. The room smelt familiar but it was too dark to tell. After slowly waddling around I made it to the door, praying it was unlocked I opened It and a burst of light flooded the room.
Oh, I’m at Shaw Mansion in the Blood Moon Pack.
I’m home.
I followed the voices downstairs.
“Whoa, Elaine, pants!” Blazer laughed.
“Oh, sorry,” I said, tugging on the oversized shirt.
Lawrence punched Blazer’s shoulder. “Leave her alone. Do you feel better?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Nothing hurts.”
Blazer and Lawrence stood in the foyer. None of them looked like they almost had their brains melted, aside from some dried blood on Blazer’s shirt.
“You should be in bed you gave us on hell of a scare, “Lawrence sighed.
“I don’t want to remember what happened but… why did you come back? What if they killed you?” I swatted Blazer.
“Ouch! Four against a coven of dark witches? It wasn’t fair and I didn’t trust Nik to leave him with Rae and Isaura so I took him with me. I’m glad he knows the truth now.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Where is he?”
“In the Black Claw Pack,” Blazer replied.
I nodded. “And Dad?”
Their faces turned grim and I nodded in understanding.
“Did Azaire?” I trailed unable to say it.
Blazer sucked in a breath and wrapped an arm around my shoulder leading me back upstairs. “Azaire saved your life. Don’t ask us how he took you away and did some mate bond stuff. We don’t need to know.”
“Where is he?” I asked.
“Should be around. You need to get your curse sorted out little sis.” Blazer ruffled my hair as he spoke.
“Then you can be Alpha,” Lawrence said and I froze.
“Excuse me?” I lifted a brow.
“Alpha of the Black Claw Pack. The position’s open,” Blazer added.
“What makes you think I want it?” I frowned.
“Someone has to do it and you’re an Alpha female,” Lawrence said.
“And you’re an Alpha Lawrence, why don’t you do it?”
Lawrence shook his head. “After I gave up my vampire side I lost rank and became a beta. I don’t mind though I’m not interested in all that responsibility.”
There’s a possibility I’ll lose rank when I give up my magic.
“That leaves you, Blazer. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Blazer didn’t seem thrilled about the idea a part of it came from self-doubt he lived in Nik’s shadow all his life now pressure to prove himself and clean up our Pack’s image rested on his shoulders. I wouldn’t want to be him.
***
I had a lot of things on my mind. Avena’s death, my Dad’s demise and the chaos that could have been if they succeeded in their schemes. I wouldn’t return to the Black Claw Pack for a long time. The Blood Moon Pack was my home now.
The door opened and the man I’d been waiting for appeared.
“Where have you been?” I asked after a moment of silence.
He closed the door and slowly climbed into bed with me. His cold hands ran up my arms and I shivered.
“Are you mad at me?” Azaire asked.
“No… you saved me. Blazer didn’t tell me how.”
“Elaine, I killed your Dad.”
I turned around so I could face him in the dark. ” He had to be stopped. He wasn’t a saint.”
He kissed my forehead and pulled me closer to his rock-hard body. I felt the tension in his muscles. I ached to have his solid arms trap me in place and have him devour my flesh.
“The last thing I want is for you to hate me again,” he replied.
“Those days are gone, Azaire.”
“How did you feel?”
“Fine… what did you do to me to save me? Dad’s Alpha venom was strong and he didn’t hurt me that badly.”
“I bit you and the usual mate bond power.”
“You bit me!”
“On your shoulder, it should heal eventually. A werewolf bit can be deadly but with the right wolf can be beneficial.”
“Since you’re my mate it’s beneficial.”
He chuckled. “Exactly. I’m glad it’s all over. We have a lot to do.”
“Are you going to accept Richie’s offer to run the tribe Pack?”
Azaire rolled on his back. “I’m still thinking about it.”
In Azaire’s words, that means no.
“We don’t have to leave the Blood Moon Pack’s our home.”
He puffed out his cheeks. “Good. We’ll need our own place because my Mother’s coming back here and I don’t need her sticking her nose in our business every two seconds.”
“You’re just a hater. Your Mom’s awesome.”
“You won’t be saying that in a few weeks.”
I laughed. “I can’t wait to do life with you.”
“We have to get you enrolled in medical school first.”
“What about our babies!”
“Whoa, Elaine, there’s no rush! You’re not in heat are you?”
I pummelled him with a pillow. “I’m not. You would know if I was.”
“There’s no rush, babe. Anyway, Lynn will be back tomorrow to help with your magic. You won’t be cursed anymore.”
“Do you know what she did to Avena after she died?” I asked.
“A witch’s magic doesn’t die when she does. Lynn was smart enough to consume Avena’s magic before another witch did. So she became the supreme leader of the Dark Coven. Pretty cool.”
“Whoa, good for her. I hope we’ll still see her around.”
“Of course we will.”
“So, witches can consume other witch’s powers even while they’re alive?”
“That’s what I heard,” Azaire replied.
That gave me an idea. I jumped out of bed.
“What are you doing?” Azaire asked.
“Where’s my Mom?”
“Drinking tea in the living room. Babe?
Azaire followed me as I jogged downstairs. I glanced at the owl close above the front door. It was two in the morning but the house couldn’t be more awake.
“Mom!” I called.
I found her alone in the dining room in her elegant satin robe.
“What’s wrong honey? Nightmares?” she asked, soothingly taking me into her arms and stroking my hair.
“No nightmares. I don’t want a goat to run off into the forest with my magic.”
She tilted her head to the side and smiled. “That’s a very dangerous method to get rid of a young witch’s magic especially one as powerful as yours.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Any witch or warlock could find the magic and consume it. It’s a risky method that we don’t use anymore.”
“That’s great. I want you to have my magic.”
Mom’s jaw dropped. “I-I can’t take your powers. Are you sure you even want to give them up?”
“I have to. What do I do?”
“Well, just hold my hands and say the words. If you ever change your mind your powers will be right here for you.”
I smiled and took her hands in mine. “Alright, Mom. I transfer all my powers to you.”
“I receive your powers, Elaine.”
I felt a cold wind penetrate my back and exit my front taking with it my magic. I stumbled backwards and fell into solid arms.
“Did it work?” Azaire asked.
“I don’t know…”
“Dove? Did it work?” I asked my wolf.
“The magic is gone. It’s about time!”
“Yeah, Azaire it worked. I’m just a werewolf now.”
But did I lose my rank?
“Dove?” I asked in painful anticipation.
“You’re a badass Alpha female!”