Wolfish: Mateborne Read online

  Wolfish: Mateborne

  G.K. DeRosa

  Copyright © 2021 Mystic Rose Press

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  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, Mystic Rose Press.

  Print ISBN: 9798479932731

  Cover Designer: Sanja Gombar www.fantasybookcoverdesign.com

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  Published in 2021 by Mystic Rose Press

  Palm Beach, Florida

  www.gkderosa.com

  Created with Vellum

  To finding your true mate…

  ~ G.K.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Sneak Peek of Wolfish: Fateborne

  Also by G.K. DeRosa

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Hunter

  * * *

  I was doomed to a loveless life. Worse, I’d condemned Sierra to the same fate. With her grandmother gone, finding a way to break the curse seemed impossible. And still, I refused to let her go. I simply couldn’t.

  Glancing down at the incredible woman nestled in my arms as we soared over Moon Valley, I ran through all the reasons why I should let her go. I could never love her like she deserved. Being mated to me placed her in constant danger. It had stamped another target on her back. As if being the last Mystic wolf wasn’t bad enough, now she had to contend with my father. And my father’s enemies.

  I held her tight against my chest, and a faint whimper slipped through her perfect lips. Sierra had fallen asleep the instant I’d cradled her in my arms upon our return from the human world. I’d contemplated bringing her up to my den since Father was gone for the next few days, but with the disappearance of her grandmother and our hopes for a cure shattered, I needed to fly. I needed to let my inner beast loose and free my mind, even if only for a short time.

  I’d sent word to Vander, and he’d convinced the Alpha Trials commissioner to move the Lunar Pack competition to the last event of the day. At least that had bought us a few extra hours. With the third round beginning, all bets were off. Few non-lunar competitors remained, and the real contest was about to start.

  My mind flickered to the past, to my fourteen-year-old self. Like all Lunars, I’d made it to the final round. I wished I hadn’t. It would’ve been more merciful to be eliminated in one of the earlier events, but my father insisted I continue. Despite my condition.

  At fourteen, my wolf and I were only starting to get to know each other. I’d first shifted at thirteen, which was typical for alpha bloodlines but young for most wolves. I had zero control. I was barely a teenager with a killer beneath my skin.

  The flapping of my wings became more agitated as dark memories invaded my subconscious. I inhaled a deep breath and stilled my elevating pulse. Now was not the time. I didn’t need to start reliving those memories right before today’s events. I had enough to worry about with keeping Sierra safe. Slowing the beats of my reptilian appendages, I decelerated to a more leisurely pace once again. Pressing her tight against me, I burrowed my nose in her hair. I lost myself in her sweet scent of magnolias, allowing her natural lavender perfume to quell the brewing storm within.

  My mate.

  The desire to consummate the mate bond consumed my every waking thought. The more time I spent with her, the more I realized how perfect she was for me. It was as if the goddess Luna had created her from a sliver of my own soul. She was mine. Even if I couldn’t love her, the extreme range of emotions I felt for her were nothing like I’d ever experienced. They overpowered all rational thought, all self-control. Otherwise, I would’ve let her go a long time ago.

  Watching her read Grams’ note nearly broke me. Her devastation surged through our link, filling every inch of my body. What struck me most was the cause of her devastating grief. It wasn’t from the realization that she’d never see her grandmother again. No, it was from her belief that she’d lose me as a result.

  When I felt that pain, I knew I couldn’t leave her, even if it was the right thing to do. Without the high priestess of the Lune Sacré coven, we’d never succeed in breaking the curse, and Sierra would be tied to a mate who could never love her.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Sierra’s brilliant violet eyes glanced up at me.

  I’d been so wrapped up in my dark musings, I hadn’t felt her stir. Had she felt my anxiety through the strengthening bond?

  “With all that’s going on in my head, you’d owe me a lot more than a penny,” I finally answered.

  A smile split her lips, and I had to resist the urge to capture them. “That sounds like something I would say.”

  “Maybe this mate bond is effecting us more than we know.”

  She reached for my cheek, and her soft fingertips caressed the thick stubble. “You know you can talk to me about anything right? We’ve never really discussed what my grandmother did to you…” The light in her eyes dimmed, and she snagged her lower lip between her teeth.

  “There’s nothing to talk about, Sierra. It was a long time ago, and our families’ past sins should have no bearing on us. I don’t hold you responsible for what she did any more than I’d hope you’d hold me responsible for my father’s misdeeds.”

  Her lids lowered, and she didn’t answer for a long minute. Finally, she fiddled with her fingers, her gaze intent on a chipped nail. “I don’t hold you responsible at all, but what I worry about is what will happen to us when I seek my revenge on him. Tyrien may have done awful things, but in the end he’s your father, Hunter.”

  “In name only. That man doesn’t have a fatherly bone in his body.” My answer came out quicker than I’d imagined. I’d often wondered the same thing. I knew raising a hand against my father to protect Sierra would be innate, but what if there was no immediate danger? Would I be able to kill my own sire?

  Her arms tightened around my waist, and she nuzzled into my chest. My wolf chuffed happily at her proximity. “I’m sorry you had such a shitty dad. You deserved much better.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered. Sierra had never known her father, and yet he’d tried to protect her from the grave. I never knew that kind of love.

  I banked left and headed toward Sierra’s den behind Moon Valley University. As much as I would’ve loved to spend the rest of the afternoon flying across Marlwoods, they were waiting for us at the trials and Sierra had an event to win.

  Until I could ensure my father paid for his sins, I’d help my mate win his throne. Nothing would piss the supreme alpha more than for a she-wolf and a Mystic to snatch the coveted high alpha title. A smile curled the corner of my lips.

  “What are you so happy about? Don’t we have to get back to the arena?”

  I no
dded. “I was just picturing the look on Tyrien’s face when he finds out you won the first Lunar Pack trial of the third round.”

  “Oh yeah, I’m winning today?”

  “Absolutely. I don’t care if I have to take down every other Lunar male to make it happen. Today, you deserve the win.”

  Chapter One

  Sierra

  * * *

  The twelve Lunar Pack competitors stood at the edge of the forest as a few drones buzzed overhead. Hunter stood on one side of me and the faery wolves on the other. A trickle of sweat raced down my back. Today’s event would be broadcasted live into the arena so the spectators and remaining non-sparkly unicorn wolves could watch from a safe distance.

  The attendant dressed in white whispered to a monster of a man beside him as we shuffled impatiently. The stranger tucked his silver hair behind his ear as he murmured, a scowl marring his wide jaw. He definitely wasn’t happy about something. The man’s unique silver irises were fixed on a small box tucked under the attendant’s arm.

  A muttered growl turned my attention back down the line, then more snarls filled the air. The twelve of us all came from alpha bloodlines and with the competition ramping up, our wolves were becoming more agitated. The odor of dominance tinged the balmy breeze, and my girl clawed at my ribcage. She wanted out. She wanted to show these alpha-holes who was the top dog around here.

  Easy. Hunter’s voice echoed through my mind, and my wolf settled. Save it for the event. Remember, everything changes in the third round. We’re all allowed to use our powers now, which means Zuriel and Araton can fly, Ransom and Castor can use their compulsion, the faeries will have access to their elemental abilities, and so on and so forth.

  I gulped. Sure, my magic had made a few cameos, but it wasn’t exactly under my control. I had to focus on my training with Cass if I hoped to master my Mystic powers, but things just kept getting in the way.

  The arbitrator of the competition raised a hand, and everyone silenced. “For today’s event, you’ll be paired off and sent into the forest to retrieve this pixlet.” He lifted the small box for all to see and reached inside. A second later, opening his clenched fist, a tiny faery floated in his palm.

  I snorted on a laugh. “Seriously?”

  “This isn’t just any faery, wolf-girl.” Canyon leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “Look closer, look at its hands and feet.”

  I squinted and called on my supernatural senses. A pair of obsidian manacles dangled off the tiny pixie’s appendages. “What in the world?”

  “That little pixlet is serving a life sentence at the notorious Darkblood Prison in Draeko. He was the mastermind behind an assassination attempt of the Spring Court’s King Drake.”

  My brows slammed together. “That tiny little thing?” He was no bigger than a dragonfly. “So why is he out here with us?”

  “It’s the third round, little wolf,” Viceroy responded. “They’re upping the ante.”

  “And what if none of us captures him? He just goes free?”

  Araton’s wings unfurled, the silver feathers scintillating in the late afternoon sun. “Believe me, that traitor will not go free.”

  “Plus, there’s an impenetrable bubble around the forest, courtesy of one of our witchy friends,” Viceroy added.

  At the end of the line of competitors, I caught Ransom glancing in our direction. It was the first time I’d seen him since killing his mother. I’d written him dozens of text messages and deleted every single one. What could I say?

  Our eyes met, and crimson streaked across the profound obsidian of his irises. His lip curled into a snarl, and he spun toward his brother. A twinge of pain jabbed at my heart. Ransom was my friend, one of very few in Moon Valley, and I’d killed his mother. But she had tortured and murdered mine. Would we ever be able to forgive each other?

  Hunter’s words flitted through my mind, …our families’ past sins should have no bearing on us. Only problem was that I had been the one that committed the sin. I’d killed Sonia and enjoyed it. Shaking my head out of the gruesome memories, I focused back on the attendant as he continued explaining the rules of the game.

  “You have two hours to catch the pixlet and return him alive to Warden Logan.” He ticked his head at the imposing man beside him. The warden’s jaw tightened, a tendon fluttering beneath silver scruff. “I’ve assured him you’re up to the task. This is a high value prisoner, and this event is meant as punishment for him, not a little romp around the forest. Let’s make sure we provide the inmate with a day he won’t soon forget.”

  “Traitorous lesser Fae,” North hissed. “He’ll pay for what he attempted.”

  I didn’t know much about the Fae courts, but I understood enough to know the lesser Fae were treated only slightly better than slaves. No wonder he’d attempted to rebel against the king.

  The warden stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Don’t let Wynn’s small size fool you. He’s a killer. The assassination attempt was only the first in a long line of crimes. Keep your guard up, wolves.”

  A round of howls shot up around me, and my wolf took up the call.

  The arbitrator raised his hand, and everyone finally silenced. “Now, I will pair you off. Remember, you must return with the pixlet and your partner. No winner otherwise.” He started pointing, and a flock of monster butterflies took off in my gut.

  “You think we’ll be paired together?” I muttered to Hunter.

  “Never. Look who he’s chosen so far. Fighting your partner will be half the battle.”

  Great.

  The man in white pointed at Hunter, and I held my breath. His finger moved down the line before stopping at Viceroy. My mate mumbled a curse before stepping toward his new companion. I couldn’t help the smile from splitting my lips. At least you knew what you got with the demon. I would’ve preferred to be partnered with him than with one of the other devious hybrids.

  Hunter squeezed my shoulder as he passed. “Good luck,” he whispered. “I’ll try to stay as close as I can. If you need anything just yell.” He pointed at his temple, and I nodded.

  How was he going to help me win this trial? I doubted Viceroy would be cool with him handing over their prisoner. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind for now. As much as I wanted to win, I needed to keep my wits about me. Tyrien could’ve gotten to any of the Lunars and the pixlet might not be the only one hunted today.

  “And finally,” the attendant’s voice caught my attention. “Alpha Sierra, you will be paired with Beta Ransom.”

  My stomach plunged all the way down to my toes. I glanced to my side to see Ransom, the last wolf left. You’ve got to be effin’ kidding me.

  “I refuse to be paired with her.” Ransom’s voice cut through the turmoil in my gut.

  “Excuse me?” barked the arbitrator.

  “For personal reasons, I ask that I be reassigned.”

  “That is not an option. Either you compete with the partner assigned, or you forfeit. Up to you.”

  A slew of curses erupted from my former friend’s mouth as he skulked closer.

  “You’ll be joining in then, Beta Ransom?” he asked.

  “Yes,” he snapped.

  “Very well. Now that everyone’s been assigned a partner, we may begin.” He motioned to the sky and the floating timer appeared with two hours blinking in red. “Start at the second buzzer and may the best wolf win.”

  The warden unhooked the tiny manacles around the pixlet’s wrists and ankles, and the first buzzer rang out. The little creature took off into the woods, disappearing in seconds. Damn, he was fast. I glanced at my partner as we awaited the second signal. Too bad neither Ransom nor I had wings. Hunter and the angel hybrids would definitely have an advantage in this round.

  The second bell resonated through the rising tension and the competitors lunged forward, some shifting into wolf form before they reached the edge of the forest. I made it to the tree line when I realized Ransom was no longer beside me. Spinning back, I saw
him still standing at the starting line.

  “Um, are you coming or what?”

  Ransom trudged to the left, dipping between a thick copse of oaks.

  Ugh. I trailed behind, not wanting to lose my partner before the game even began. “Ransom, where are you going? The pixlet went that way.” I pointed in the opposite direction where all the other wolves had gone.

  “That’s all you have to say to me, Sierra?” he snarled. The venom in his tone sent goose bumps crawling up my spine.

  Okay, I guess we’re doing this now. I ambled toward him, dread unfurling with every step closer. “I’m sorry about your mom.”

  His eyes shot up to mine, rage burning through the bottomless black. “You’re sorry? Is that the best you have?”

  A wave of anger crashed over me, and a growl forced its way through my clenched jaw. “Your mom tortured and killed mine! I’m sorry you’re hurting, but so am I.”

  “You ripped her head off!” he barked.

  Bile rose up my throat. I’d hoped he hadn’t seen her like that. Despite what she’d done, no child deserved to see a parent like that. “I’m sorry,” I repeated. “But you weren’t there. You didn’t see what she did to my mom. They tortured her for days and murdered her right in front of me. I was only defending myself.” I choked on a sob as blood seeped into my vision. There was so much blood. “I lost control,” I murmured.