QuarterbackLion

APARANORMALSHAPESHIFTERROMANCE

LILLYPINK

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AboutThisBook

NFLQuarterbackGregWildshaditall.Themoney.Thefame.Thewomen.

Butbeneaththathandsomegrinwasworry.

ThiswasbecauseGregWildswasactuallyashapeshiftingWereLion.And

hewasaLionwhowantednothingmorethantoleavethehumanworldand

rejoinhisfamily'spride.

However,todothisGregneededtofindhisfatedmate.Somethingthat

seemedimpossibleinaworldfullofsuperficialwomen.

ButjustwhenGregwasabouttogiveupallhopeofeverfindingher.There

shewas,inthelastplaceheeverexpected....

ThisisaParanormalShapeshifterromancefullofthrills,spillsandhot

adultscenes.OnlyreadthisifyouareinterestedinhavingaWILDtime!

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERELEVEN

CHAPTERONE

Greg'steammatestookturnsslappinghimontheshoulderincongratulationswhentheymadeittothe

lockerroom.TheyhadjustbeatentheGreenBayPackersandwerenowonlyonegameawayfromthe

SuperBowl.Greghadmadeaninsanetouchdowninthelastforty-fivesecondsofthegamethatlanded

themthewin.

Consideringhewasonthedefense,thiswasaprettybigdeal.Whenheinterceptedtheballafterithad

beenthrownbythePackers’quarterback,hejusttookoffrunningandnoonecouldcatchupwithhim.

Beforeheknewit,he'dmadeatouchdown,andthecrowdwentwild.

"Damn,Greg!Whoknewabigguylikeyoucouldmovesofast?Youhavetocomeoutwithustonightto

celebrate.Drinksareonme,”Stansaidwhilehegotreadytohittheshowers.Stanwasthecaptainand

Greg'sclosestfriendontheteam.

"Thanks,man.Notsureaboutgoingouttonight,though.I'vegotafamilythingtotakecareof,andoncemy

momgetsherhandsonmeitcansometimestakedaysbeforeIamabletogetfreeagain."

Theybothlaughed.StanhadheardenoughstoriesaboutGreg’smothertoknowthathewastellingthe

truth.Anytimehismothergothimtogohomeforavisit,shemadesuretosqueezeasmuchtimeoutofhim

asshecould.

WhatStandidn’tknowiswhatthe"familything"isthatGreghastodealwithbecausethatwouldrequire

tellingStanhissecret.Gregcouldn'ttellanyhumanabouthistrueidentity.Oneofthethingsthatmadehim

suchagreatrunningback,givinghimhisincrediblespeedandstrength,isthefactthatheisalion.

Greg'sfamilywerealllion-shiftersandthatcamewithcertaincapabilitiesandexpectations,especially

forGreg.Hislionpridehadcalledforhimtostepupandleadhispride.Upuntilnow,Gregwaslivinga

prettysweetlifedoingwhatheloved,playingfootball.HewasthenumberonerunningbackintheNFL

andwasdreadingthefactthathisfutureastheleaderofhispridewasabouttotakehimawayfromthe

NFLandthehumanworldaltogether.

Greg'sprideiscallingforhimtotakeamate,whichmeansleavingthelifeheknowsnowandreturningto

hispridepermanently.Itisacustomamonghiskindformalestoreturntothepridelandstochoosetheir

mateandstartbuildingafamilytoensuretheirbloodline'scontinuedprosperity.Oncethemalereaches

theageoftwenty-five,theyareexpectedtogiveupanyoutsidelifetheyhaveestablishedamongstnormal

humansocietytofulfillthisduty.

Gregisnowtwenty-eight,andhisprideneedshimtoreturn.Thelasttimehespokewithhismotherand

therestofthepride,hewasgivensixmonthstofindamateandstepupastheleaderhewasborntobe.

Gregwasdowntothefinalthreemonths,andifhedidnotchooseamateonhisownwithinthenextthree

months,hewouldbeforcedtomateSasha,afemalefromanearbypridewhohasbeenitchingforGreg's

attentionsincetheywerejustteenagers.Itwasn'tforlackofeffortonhispart,butsofarGreghadzero

luckfindinghismate.Themoretimethatwentby,themorehe'dbecomesurehewasn'tgoingtofinda

matebeforethedeadline.Downtoonlythreemonths,Gregfeltthatevenifhedidfindafemaletomate,

hewouldbehardpressedtoconvincehertodosobeforethedeadline.

Sohewastryingtogethismotheronhissidetohelphimconvincethepridethatheneededmoretimeto

findsomeonehimself.ForGreg,havingtogiveupfootballwasupsetting,tosaytheleast,buthe

absolutelycouldn'tacceptthepossibilityofbeingforcedtomatesomeonehedidn'tlove.

Greggotcleanedupandpreparedhimselftomeetupwithhismother.Shewastheheadfemaleintheir

pride,andifhecouldgetheronhisside,thentherewasagoodchancethathewouldbeabletoconvince

therestofthemthathedeservedmoretimetofindamatehecouldlovesincehe'dbespendingtherestof

hislonglifewiththem.

GregandStanleftthestadiumtogetherand,asexpected,therewasaswarmoffanswaitingoutside

hopingtocatchaglimpseoftheirfavoriteplayersandprayingtogetluckyenoughtogettheirsignatures.

Theyalwaysstoppedtospeaktothefans,takeafewphotos,andsignafewautographsontheirwayout.

GregandStanwereinagreementthatthefansweretheonlyreasontheywereabletoturnagamethey

lovedintoacareer,sotheymadesuretoshowthemtheirappreciationwhenevertheycould.Assoonas

theyhadwalkedoutsideGregsmelledherscent.Gregimmediatelylookedinthatdirectionandhiseyes

landedonthemostbeautifulwomanhehadeverseen.Shewaswearingaloose-fittingt-shirtandjeans,

buttheydidnothingtohidethesexycurvesbeneath.

Shewastallforawoman,about5'8"hewouldguess;itwasagoodthingGregwas6'5"himself.Her

shoulderlengthhairwasstrawberryblondeandwavy.Sheworenomakeup,andthatjustmadehermore

attractivetohim.Herintensehazeleyescompletedthedealastheydrewhimtoher.

Heturnedandheadedstraightforher,ignoringallofthefanswhowerecallinghisnameandyellingat

himtotakepicturesor"signthis"alongtheway.Ashegotcloser,Gregnoticedayoungboyina

wheelchairbesideher.Thankstohisenhancedhearing,Gregheardtheboywhenheexcitedlysaid,"Greg

Wildsiswalkingoverhere!"

Healsodidn'tmissthewaythewomanrolledhereyesaftertheboyturnedawayfromhim.Greg

wonderedifitwastheboyhimselfshehadrolledhereyesabout,orifshejustwasn'thisbiggestfan.It

didn'tmattereitherwaybecauseGregwasgoingtodoeverythinginhispowertomakesuresheagreedto

behis.

Olivia

Oliviawastryingtohidehercompletedisinterestintheplayerswho'djustcomefromthestadiumand

madetheirwayovertothecrowdsothatJimmywouldn'tnotice.Shedidn'twanttoupsethimorleave

himthinkingthatshehadsomehowbeenforcedintosomethingshehated.True,shehatedfootballandall

professionalsportsforthatmatter,butJimmylovedfootball,soshewastryingtoputonasmileforhis

benefit.

Still,shehadn'tbeenabletoresisttheurgetorollhereyeswhenJimmypointedoutthatGregWilds,who

wasapparentlythebestplayerever,wascomingovertothem.

ShewassurethisguyhadjustspottedakidinawheelchairandsawaPRopportunityifhecouldget

photographedgivingthecripplekidsomeattention.Fromwhatshecouldtellinthenews,footballplayers

werenotoriouslycockyandself-centered,sousingJimmyasanopportunitywouldfulfillthisguy'sneed

forattention.

"Hi,I'mGregWilds,"themansaid.

TheplayerthathadmadehiswaystraightforherandJimmywasstandingdirectlyinfrontofOlivia,and

whenheintroducedhimselftothem,hissmilenearlymadeherforgetthetiradeshehadjustbeenrunning

throughinherhead.Hewastallandmuscularwiththickgoldenblondehairandchocolatebrowneyes.

Hisfacewaschiseledperfection,buttherewasakindnessinhiseyesthatsurprisedher.

"It'sreallynicetomeetyou,"saidGregashesteppedevenclosertoher.

HewassoclosethatOliviacouldsmellhimnow,andhisscentwasintoxicating.Shedidn'tthinkitwas

colognebecauseitdidn'tsmelllikeanythingartificial.Shefiguredifsunlighthadasmell,thenthatwould

bewhatGregsmelledlike.

Shakingoffherthoughtsabouthowwonderfulhesmelled,OliviaturnedherheadtoJimmyandintroduced

himtoGreg.“ThisisJimmyColeman.He'sabigfanofyours,andwe'dappreciateitifyouwouldn'tmind

allowingmetotakeaphotoofyouwithhim,andmaybehecouldgetyourautographtoo,ifitisn'ttoo

muchtrouble."

Gregcontinuedstaringatherforafewmoreseconds,andshecouldhaveswornshehadheardhimtakea

deepbreathalmostlikehewassniffingher.No,shetoldherself,he'sprobablyjustgotacoldor

something.

“You’reGregWilds!YouarethebestrunningbacktheCowboyshaveeverseen!Ireadsomewherethat

teamswillbefightingtostealyouforthemselvesnextyearbecausenootherplayerintheleagueholdsa

candletoyourtalent.”JimmywasramblingonaboutGregintotalfanboyfashion.

Oliviacouldn’tstopherselffromsmilingathiseagerness.ShemightnotagreewithJimmy’stastein

entertainment,butatleastheknewwhathewastalkingaboutandwaspassionateaboutit.

GreghadchuckledbeforeheansweredJimmy."Yeah,son,I'mGregWilds.Idon'tknowaboutallofthat

otherstuffyousaidthere,butthankyou.Itmeansalotthatyouaremyfan.YouknowIhavethisgreat

idea,Jimmy,andIhopeyoucanhelpmeconvinceyourfriendheretoplayalong."Gregflashedhisbright

smileatJimmy,andOliviacrossedherarmspreparingforsomethingridiculous."SeeIwasgoingtohave

toeatdinneralonetonightandIreallyhateeatingalone,soIthoughtyouguyscouldjoinme.Whatdoyou

say?Nothingtoofancy,justdinneratmyhousewhilewehangout?”

"OHMYGOD!Olivia,wehavetogo!Please,please,please."JimmywasgivingOliviahisbest

pleadinglookandtuggingatherhandemphasizingevery"please"heuttered.OliviahadbroughtJimmy

heretosatisfyoneofhisgreatestwishesbeforehewasconfinedtothehospitalagaintoundergoanother

roundofchemotreatments.

Therewasnowayshecouldbethebadguywhotoldhimtheywerenotgoingtohangoutwithhisfavorite

playerforacoupleofhoursafterhehadpersonallyinvitedthemovertohishome.

“Yeah,Jimmy,wecango.Couldyougivemeachancetogetmycarsowecanfollowyoutowhereever

we’regoing?”sheaskedGreg.

"No,I'lldriveyou,"Gregsaid,lookingather.Shedidn'tmissthefactthathe’dsaidthatasastatement

insteadofaskingherifshe'dratherjustridewithhim.Forsomereason,shekindoflikedthewayhe

steppedupandtookchargeandshewasn'tsurewhy.

Surelyhewasjustbeingcocky,butshecouldn'thelpit.Consideringthefactthathewashotashell,like

sexonwheels,shewasn'ttooupsetaboutspendingtimeupclosetohiminhisvehicle.Ifshewere

completelyhonestwithherself,sheknewthatherattractiontohimplayedabigroleinhowfastshe

agreedtothisabsurdrequestGregmadeaboutdinnerinthefirstplace.

Shecouldalmostswearhisscentwasgettingstrongerthelongerhestoodtheretalkingtothem,anditwas

likeitwaspermeatingherbrainandsendinghercommonsenserightoutthewindow.

"Mr.Wilds,itisn'taproblemformetodrive.Youdon'tneedtoputyourselfoutanymorethanyou

alreadyareofferingusdinner.Plus,IdriveanSUVlargeenoughtomakegettingJimmy'schairinandout

easy."

Gregcutheroffbeforeshecouldsayanythingelse."No,itisn'taproblem.Iwanttodriveyou,andI'm

sureJimmy'schairwillfitjustfineinmyYukon."Hetookherhandandwenton,"Andit'sGreg.Only

strangersrefertomeatMr.Wilds,andIdon'tplanforustoremainstrangersforlong,Olivia.Ihopewe

gettoknoweachotherverywell."

WhenGregliftedherhandandkissedit,Oliviafeltitallthewaytohercoreasifhehadkissedherinher

mostintimatearea.Involuntarily,hereyesclosedandshemoanedasthesensationsentsparksthroughout

herbody.

WhensheheardJimmylaughshecamebacktohersenses,andhereyesflewopeninembarrassment.Had

shereallyjustmoanedoutloudinfrontofJimmy?Infrontofthisstrangemanwhoseemedtomakeher

bodytakeoverhermind'ssensibilityandtossitrightoutthewindow.Sheknewherfacewasredfromher

embarrassmentbecauseshecouldfeeltheheatradiatingfromhercheeks.Gregwassmilingatherlikehe

knewexactlywhathadjusthappenedtoherbodywithhisinnocentkissandhewashappyaboutit.Great,

justgreat.

OliviaglaredatJimmywhowasstillsnickeringunderhisbreathather.WhenGreglacedhisfingerswith

hersshewassurprised.Itwasaratherintimategesturewhichshedefinitelyhadn’texpected.Evenifhe

thoughthisfootballstarstatusandhisinvitationtodinnermeanthewasgoingtogetlucky,shewouldn’t

haveexpectedhimtoholdherhandandshowhersuchaffection.Therewasadifferenceintheaffection

youshowedsomeonethatyouactuallycaredaboutversussomeoneyoujustwantedtosleepwith,and

Greg’sbehaviorleanedmoretowardstheformer.

GregdidreleaseherhandafteramomentonlytograbthehandlesofJimmy'schairsohecouldpush

Jimmytohisvehicle.HehelpedJimmyintothebackseatandOliviamadesurehewascomfortablewhile

Gregputthewheelchairintheback.

Whenshewalkedaroundtogetinonthepassenger'sside,Gregwasthereintheblinkofaneye,andhe

openedthedoorandheldouthishandtohelpherget.Hekissedherknucklesoncemoreandwhenher

heartbeatbeganracingalmostimmediately,Gregwinkedatherlikeheknewexactlywhathewasdoingto

herbeforeheshutthedoorandwentaroundtogetintothedriver'sseat.

Afterhehadpulledoutoftheparkinglotontotheroad,Gregreachedacrosstheconsoleandtookher

hand,lacingtheirfingerstogetheronceagain.Whenshelookedover,heflashedheraquicksmile,andher

heartwasofftotheracesonceagain.Shecouldalsoswearthathisscenthadgottenstrongeragain.

Itmadeherfeellikeshewassurroundedbysunlightandtheforest.Itwasverymanlyandincredibly

intoxicatinglikepurepheromones,anditwasalmostlikehissmellwasherownpersonalaphrodisiac.

Shewastryingtoremindherselfthathewasastranger,andnotonlythatbuthewasabig-headedfootball

player.

However,hehadn'tdoneanythingremotelyselfishorannoyingyet.Andeverytimehegaveherthatsexy

smileortouchedher,shefounditharderandhardertorememberwhysheshouldn'tlikehim.

CHAPTERTWO

Greg

OliviaandJimmyseemedtoenjoydinner,andGreghopedthatOlivia'scomplimentsonhiscooking

meanthewasmakingsomepositivehead-way.GregknewthatOliviamightnotbefeelingtheimmediate

connectiontohimthathefelttowardher.Asashifter,hisinstinctswerefarstrongerthanthatofahuman.

Hehadtofindawaytomakeherhisassoonaspossible,butitwouldhavetobeherchoice.Therewas

nodoubtinhismindthatshewashisintendedmate,butconvincingOliviamightnotbeaseasy.Sofarhe

hadgottenthedistinctimpressionthatshedidnotlikehimforsomereason.

“Well,Iamsureyouhaveapartytogettoorsomethingafterthebigwintonight.Jimmy,pleasetellMr.

Wildsthanksfordinnersowecanbeonourway.”

Gregdidn’tlikethesoundofthat.Hewascertainlynotreadyforthemtoleaveyet,buthedidhaveplans

tomeetwithhismotherinalittlewhile.Althoughhewashopinghewouldn’tneedherhelpanymoreand

decideditwouldbebesttospendasmuchtimewithOlivianowaspossible.

Ifheweretrulybeinghonestwithhimself,heknewthathismotherwasnotlikelytoofferhersupportof

himwaitinganylongertotakeamate.Shehadbeentheonepushinghimthehardestoverthelastfew

years,afterall.

“Actually,Iamnotreallyafanofafter-parties.Iwasjustgoingtohangoutheretonightandrelax.I’ve

neverreallyunderstoodwhyanyonewouldwanttogooutandpartyallnightafteranexhaustinggame.

Anyway,Iwasgoingtowatchamovieifyouwouldliketojoinme.”

Oliviaopenedhermouthtospeak,butJimmycutheroff."OhmyGod,Oliviawehavetostay!Please,

please,please."

WhenGregsawthewayOliviasmiledatJimmy’senthusiasm,heknewthattheywerestaying.

“Iguesswecanstayforonemovie,”Oliviasaid.

"Great!"Gregrepliedwithalittletoomuchenthusiasm."I'vegotaprettylargemovieselectioninthe

livingroom.Whydon'tyougopickoutwhateveryouwanttowatch,Jimmy?"

Jimmy'sfacelitup,andhewheeledhimselfoutofthediningroom.

“Youdon’thavetodothis,youknow?Healreadygotwaymoreoutofyouthaneitherofusexpected.”

GregturnedtoOliviaandsawherstandingwithherarmscrossed,lookingathimlikeshewastryingto

accusehimofsomething.Hewasreallygoingtohavehisworkcutoutforhim.ConvincingOliviato

accepthimashermatewasgoingtobeevenharderthanhehadalreadyanticipated.

"IknowIdon'thaveto,butIwantto.Jimmyseemslikeagoodkid,anditmakesmehappytoknowIcan

helpmakehisdayalittlebitbetter.Sometimesallpeoplehaveareraremomentsofhappinesstohelp

themgetthroughtheirharddays.IgetthefeelingJimmyhashadalotofharddaysandisgettingreadyto

facemore.IfIcanbeapartofthehappytimesherememberstohelphimthroughthosebaddays,thenI

wouldconsiderthatatruehonor."

OliviastudiedhimandGregwassureshewastryingtodecidewhetherornothewasfullofshitand

Gregcouldn'tblameher.Mostoftheguysheplayedwithonlydidthingsforthoselessfortunateifit

wouldbenefittheirpublicimageinsomeway.

"LookOlivia,Iunderstandthatyoudon'tknowmeandhavenoreasontotrustme.ImeanyouandJimmy

noharm,Ijustthoughtitwouldbenicetohavesomecompany,andIthoughtJimmywouldreallyenjoy

hangingoutforawhile."

“Alright,”wasallshesaidbeforesheturnedandwalkedintothelivingroomwhereJimmyhadgone.

Gregsmiledashefollowedbehindher.Helovedthatshewasn’tsmittenwithhimbecauseofhis

celebritystatusbecausehewouldn’twanthertofallforhimbecauseofsomethingsosuperficial.Good

thingGregwasalwaysupforachallengebecauseOliviawasdefinitelygoingtomakehimworkforher

affections.

AstheyallsettledintowatchthemovieJimmyhadpickedout,CentralIntelligence,Gregmadesuretosit

besideOliviaonthecouch.Whetherornotshenoticed,hewasn'tsure,buthedefinitelyspentthemajority

ofthemoviewatchingOlivia.DwayneJohnsonandKevinHartwereentertaining,butOliviawas

mesmerizing,andhecouldfeelhisinnerlioncallingoutforher.

GregdecidedhisluckmustbeturningaroundwhenOliviabegantonodoffnotlongintothemovie.

Beforeheknewit,shewaspassedoutleaningonhisshoulder,andGregcouldn'tresisttheurgetoputhis

armaroundherassheslept.JimmyglancedoveratthemwhenGreghadfirstwrappedhisarmaround

Olivia'sshouldersandGregwinkedathim.Jimmysmiledandnoddedlikeheapproved,andGregtook

thatasapositivesign.

Hefigureditcouldn'thurttohaveJimmyonhisside,andhewouldtakeallofthehelphecouldget.Greg

rubbedhishandlightlyupanddownOlivia'sarmasheenjoyedthefeelofherskinbeneathhistouch.

Evenifitwasjustherarm,theheatthathefeltwarminghisbodywasastounding.

"Youlikeher,don'tyou?"JimmywaswatchingthemagainwhenGreglookedupinresponsetotheboy's

question."Iknowyoudidn'tinviteusoverherejusttohangoutwithme,butIappreciateitanyways.She

isreallygreat,bytheway,sojustpromisemeyouarenotgoingtodoanythingthatmighthurther,okay?

Shereallydeservestodosomethingforherselfbecauseallsheeverdoesisworryaboutothers.She

seemsalittlemeanontheoutsideuntilyougettoknowher,butwhenyoudo,thenyouwillseesheis

amazing.She'sprettymuchthecoolestpersonIknow."

GreglookeddownatOlivia,stillrestingagainsthisshoulder,andsmiled.HelookedbackupatJimmy

whowasstillwatchinghim.

“Fortherecord,Ihaveenjoyedhangingoutwithyoutonightaswell,butyouareright.AssoonasIsaw

herIknewthatIhadtofindawaytospendsometimewithher.Youknow,youareprettywiseforsucha

youngguy.”

Jimmylaughedquietly."Yeah,Ifigureditwasn'tmygoodlooksthatdrewyoutous.Don'tworry;I’mglad

Igottomeetyoueitherway,andIpromisetosaygoodthingsaboutyouwhenevershe’lllisten.Bythe

way,Iamseventeen-years-old,soitisn'tlikeI’machild.Plus,whenyou'velivedthrougheverythingI

have,youtendtogrowupalittlefasterthanyouraveragekid."

“Yeah,Iguessyouwould.ThankyouforstickingaroundsothatIcouldspendsometimewithher,

though.”GreglightlytippedhisheadtowardOlivia.“HopefullyIcanfindawaytobreakdownsomeof

thosewallsofhers.”

“Goodluck.Quicktip,shegenerallycan’tstandprofessionalathletes.Shedoesn’tunderstandhowyou

guyscanmakesomuchmoneyjusttoplayagamewhentherearepeopleworkinghardandstrugglingto

survive.”Jimmywassuddenlyseriouswhenhemadehislaststatement.

Gregwasn'tsurprisedbywhatJimmyhadjustsaid.Hehadassumedshewasn'tafanforsomereason,and

Jimmy'swordshadjustgivenhimthewhybehindit.

"ThenI’llmakesuresheknowsIamnottheaveragefootballplayer.Idon'tthrowmymoneyaroundon

dumbthings,andIcertainlyamnotapartier.Thanksfortheheadsup,Jimmy.Ithinkwearegoingtobe

reallygoodfriends."

WhenJimmysmiledatGreg'slaststatement,Gregwinkedathim,andtheybothlaughed.

OliviastirredandbeforeGregknewit,shehadjerkedupandoffofhisshoulderlikeshehadbeen

burned.

"OhmyGod!I'msosorry."

GregandJimmylaughedatherandsheglaredbackatthemboth.ThenextthingGregknew,Oliviawas

standingupandmovingtowardsJimmy,clearlyreadytogetthemoutofthere.

“Thankyouforeverything,Mr.Wilds,butI’vegottogetJimmybackhomebeforehisparentssendouta

searchparty.Icanjustcallataxitotakeusbacktothestadiumwhereweleftmycarifyouhavethings

youneedtodo.”

GregstoodandwalkedovertoOliviaandJimmyandgrabbedholdofJimmy’schairbeforeshecould.

“Firstofall,pleasecallmeGreg.Secondly,Iamnotgoingtositherewhileyouletsomestrangergive

youaridebacktoyourcar.Ibroughtyouhereandit’snoproblemtodriveyouback.Besides,itwillease

mymindknowingthatIsawyougetintoyourvehiclemyself.”

"Thankyou,Greg,although,Ifeeltheneedtopointoutthatyouarebasicallyastrangertoo,andthiswill

bethesecondtimewegotintoyourcartoday,"Oliviasaid,andGregcouldhaveswornheheardapealof

laughterinhervoice.

"Yes,butlikeItoldyouearliertoday,Idon'tplanonbeingastrangerforlong.Besides,youdidjusttakea

naponmyshoulderforthepasthour.Iwouldsaythatshouldmovemeoutofstrangerterritory,atthevery

least,"Gregretorted.Oliviawentbeetredathisreminderofherlittlenaponhisshoulder."Ithinkyou

mighthaveevendrooledonmealittlebit.Ithinkdroolshouldgetmeafewbrowniepoints.Whatdoyou

say,Jimmy?YouthinkOliviaowesmeforheruseofmyshoulderanddrool-relateddamages?"

"Oh,shetotallyowesyou,Greg.Ican'tbelieveshedrooledalloveryoulikethat.Olivia,youbetterbe

nicetohimbecauseIwouldhaveshovedyourightoffmeatthefirstsignofdrool.”Jimmywaslaughing

sohardGregwassurprisedhehadbeenabletogetallofthatout.

WhenGregturnedbacktoOlivia,hewaspleasantlysurprisedtoseethatshewassmiling."Good,thenit

issettled.Olivia,tomakeupforthedroolyouleftonmyshoulderyouwillhavetospendthedaywithme

tomorrow."

GregturnedaroundandheadedtowardsthefrontdoorpushingJimmyalongwithhimasifthematterwas

settled.Sincehehadnointentionoftakingnoforananswer,hesupposeditwasadonedealinhismind.

Oliviafollowedthemoutofthehouse,laughingthewholewaytohiscar.Theyallmadepleasant

conversationastheydrovebacktothestadiumtoOlivia'scar.Jimmydidmostofthetalkingashe

rambledonabouttellinghisfamilyandfriendsabouthisdayspentwiththeawesomeGregWilds.Olivia

andGregjustlaughedatJimmy'senthusiasmashewenton.GregwashappywhenhecaughtOlivia

glancingathimwhenshedidn'tthinkhewaslooking.

Whentheymadeittothestadiumparkinglot,Greggotoutofthevehicleandwentaroundtothepassenger

sidetoopenOlivia’sdoortoletheroutbeforegoingtothebacktoassistJimmy.OncehehadJimmy

transferredintoOlivia’scar,heheldherdooropenforherasshegotin.

“Hereismynumber,”GregsaidashehandedOliviahisbusinesscard.“WhattimeshouldIcomepick

youuptomorrow?”heaskedwhilehestoodbetweenOliviaandheropencardoor.

Olivia’seyebrowswentupinconfusionbeforeshesaid,“Ithoughtyouwerejokingaboutthat.Ireally

can’tjustdropeverythingtospendthewholedaywithyoutomorrowatamoment’snoticeevenifIdid

wantto.”

Gregwasdisappointed,andhehadn'tconsideredthefactthatshemayalreadyhaveplansforthenextday.

Hereallyhadn'tgivenhermuchtimetoplanforthespendingthedayoutwithhim,buthedidn'twantto

wait.

Hell,ifhehadhisway,Oliviawouldn'tbegoinghomerightnow.

Beforehehadbeenabletocomeupwithaplanofhisownforwhattosaynext,Jimmyspokeup,"You

aresofullofcrapOlivia!Youtoldmeearliertodaythatyouhadkepttomorrowcompletelyfreesothat

youcouldrecoverfromadayspentatafootballgamewhereyouweresuretobeboredtodeath."

Olivialeanedforwardandlaidherheadagainstthesteeringwheel,groaninginfrustration.Greglaughed

ashesaid,"Perfect.I'llseeyoutomorrowthen.Let'ssay11:30thatwayyoucanstillsleepinawhileif

youwanttoandthenIwilltakeyououtforalatebreakfastorearlylunch."

OlivialiftedherheadfromthesteeringwheelandlookedatGreglikehewascrazy.Hejustsmiledand

bentdowntoplaceaquickkissonhercheek,andwhenhestoodbackupitlookedlikeOlivia'seyes

weregoingtobulgerightoutofherface.

Smiling,Gregshutthecardoorbeforeshecouldprotest.Itwasgoingtobealongnightwaitingtosee

heragain,sotherewasnowayhewasgoingtostickaroundlongenoughforhertofindawaytogetoutof

spendingmoretimewithhim.

Hecouldn'twaittotellhismotherthathe'dfoundhismate.EvenifOliviadidn'tknowshewasmeantto

behisyet,hewasprettyconfidenthewouldbeabletogethertocomearound.Afterall,abondasstrong

ashecouldsensebetweenthemwasn'tsomethingthatcouldbeignored,notevenbyalesssensitive

humanlikeOlivia.

CHAPTERTHREE

Olivia

Oliviawasnotsurehowshewoundupgoingoutwithafootballplayer.Atsomepoint,itseemedlikeshe

hadletdownherguardandallowedherhormonestomakedecisionsforher.Asmuchasshewantedto

denythatshehadbeenattractedtoGreg,shefounditimpossibletocompletelyshuthimout.Instead,she

wasgettingreadytospendawholedaywithhim.

Whenthedoorbellrang,ittookheramomenttocalmhernervesandremindherselfthatthisdatewould

neverturnintoanythingpermanent.Withthatinmind,shedecidednottotakethedaytooseriously.She

wouldtrytoturnoffhermindandhavefun;afterall,itwasn'teverydaythatahandsome,richmanasked

herout,soshewasboundtoexperiencesomethingsshewouldn'thavehadtheopportunitytodo

otherwise.

Whensheopenedthedoor,GregsmiledlikeitwasChristmasmorningandhandedherabeautiful

arrangementoflilies."Youlookbeautiful,Olivia,”hesaid.Thenhebentslightly,tookherhandinhis,and

kissedherlightlyacrossherknuckles.

Olivianeverworemakeup,butforonceshewaswishingshehadonblushsothatitcouldcoverupthe

redshecouldfeelburninghercheeks.Thefeelingofhislipsagainstherhandwasenoughtosendher

heartracing,andshewasworriedGregcouldhearitasitbeatagainstherchest.

“Thanks.Youlookgreattoo,”Oliviasaidassheremindedherselfthatshewasgoingtotrytohaveagood

time,whichmeantsheshouldbenicetoo.

Aftershehadputtheflowersinavase,Gregtookherhandandledhertohiscar.Hehelpedherinbefore

goingaroundandgettingintothedriver’sseat.AfterGregdroveawayfromherhouse,Oliviaasked,“So,

whatarewegoingtobedoingtoday?”

Gregwassmilingashebrieflyglancedather.“First,wearegoingtoeatlikeImentionedlastnight.After

that,wearegoingonalittleroadtriptooneofmyfavoriteplacesintheworld.”

Oliviawasalittleshocked.Takingsomeonetoaplacesospecialwassomethingshewouldimaginea

personwoulddoaftertheywerewithsomeoneforawhile,andhaddevelopedsignificantfeelingsfor

them.Definitelynotsomethingsheexpectedtobedoingonafirstdate,orouting,whateverthiswas.

Gregsurprisedheragainwhenhetookhertooneofherfavoritelocallyownedrestaurants,Angie’s.After

theyordered,Gregtoldherthatthiswasoneofhisfavoriteplaces.

“Everyonehereissoniceandtheydon’ttreatmedifferentorhoundmeforautographswhileI’meating.

Plus,thefoodisamazing.Nothinglikehavingarealhome-cookedmealthatyoudidn’thavetocook

yourself.”

Oliviasmiledathim.“Yeah,it’soneofmyfavoriteplacestoo.”

Oliviafoundherselfanalyzingeverythinghesaidordidwhiletheywereeating.Shewasbeginningto

thinkthatGregmightnotfitintothestereotypicalboxsheusuallyplacedprofessionalathletes.Hedidn’t

seemtobearrogantorflashywithhismoney,andheactuallyseemedtohaveapreferenceforthesimpler

thingsinlife.Yesterday,hehadbeenthestarplayerforhisteamwhentheywonamajorgame,yethe

chosetospendhiseveningentertainingherandJimmyinhishomeinsteadofattendingtheafterparties.

Aftertheyfinishedeating,theysetoutforthenextdestinationonhislistofentertainment.Theentiretime

theywereinthecar,GregheldOlivia’shandinhisown.Shewasbeginningtothinkthatherbodywould

nevergetusedtohistouch.Thewayherbodywouldheatupandherheartbegantoraceeverytimehe

touchedheronlyseemedtogetmoreintenseovertime.

Itwaslikeherbodyhadbecomemoreintunedwithhis.She’dneverreactedthiswaytoanyoneinher

life,andsheusuallydidn’tgiveintomenorallowthemtochangeheropinionssofast.Oliviawas

confusedbyherbody’sreaction;yes,Gregwasgorgeous,butthatdidn’taccountforhowherbodywas

overheatingathiseverylittletouch.

TheyhadbeendrivingforoverhalfanhouralreadyandOliviawasbeginningtogetalittleconcerned

aboutwheretheyweregoing.

“Howfarisittothismysteryplaceyou’retakingme?”sheasked.

“We’llbethereinanothertwentyminutes,”Gregreplied.“Ipromiseitwillbeworththelongdrivewhen

wegetthere.”

“Itbetterbe,mister,”Oliviarepliedsarcastically.

“Yes,ma’am,”Gregdrawledoutinapoorimitationofasouthernaccent.

Theybothlaughedhard.Itwasnicetojustrelaxandbeherselfforonce.Oliviaspentsomuchtime

workingandtakingcareofothersthatsherarelyjustenjoyedlife.Shewasn’tcomplainingbecauseshe

lovedthatshewasabletomakeadifferenceinotherpeople’slives,butsometimessheneededtotake

timeforherself.

“Areyougoingtotellmewhereyou’retakingmeyet?”Oliviaasked.

Gregglancedather,thenlookedbacktotheroadbeforehesaid,“Youdon’tknowhowtohandle

surprisesverywell,doyou?”

“Iguessnot,butinmydefense,noonehastriedtosurprisemeinmanyyears.”

“Thatisashame,butoneIwillmakesuregetsremediedstartingrightnow.”

Olivia’sfacescrunchedupinconfusionassheasked,“Whatdoyoumeanbythatexactly?I’mnotsure

howyoucanremedysomethinglikehowmanysurprisesIhaveexperiencedinmylifetime.”

“Bynottellingyouwherewearegoinguntilwearriveandyouseeitforyourself,”Gregsaidwitha

smirk.

Shesmackedhisarmplayfully.“Asshole.”

Fortherestoftherideshewatchedthesceneryaroundthemgrowmoreandmoreremote.Everythingwas

greenandplushasshelookedoutthewindowtryingtogetanideaofwheretheywere,orwherethey

mightbegoing.WhenGregturnedoffoftheroadandbegandrivingintothewoodsshewasn’tsurewhat

tothink.

TheydrovethroughthebrushforacoupleofmilesbeforeGregparkedthecarandgotout.Oliviawas

stillsittinginthecarwatchinghimwalkaroundtothepassenger’ssidetoopenherdoor.Shewasn’tsure

whatwasgoingon,butshedefinitelyhadn’texpectedhimtobringhertothemiddleofsomeforest.

WhenGregopenedherdoorandheldouthishandtohelpherout,Olivialookedhimupanddownlikehe

wascrazy.Insteadoftakinghishandimmediately,shecrossedherarmsoverherchestbeforesheasked,

“Didyoujustdrivemetothemiddleofnowheresotherewouldn’tbeanywitnesseswhenyoudumpmy

body?”

Greglaughed,buthedidn’tanswerher.Instead,hegrabbedheraroundthewaistandliftedheroutofthe

vehicle.OliviashriekedattheunexpectedmovewhichonlymadeGreglaughharder.Whenhesather

downbesidehim,shepushedbothofherhandsintohischest,andshovedhimbackwardsawayfromher.

Heheldhishandsupinashowofsurrenderbeforehereachedoutandwrappedhishandsaroundher

upperarms.“IpromiseIamnotaserialkiller,”Gregsaidjokingly.“Wehavetomaketherestofthetrip

onfoot.”

“Justhowfararewegoingtobewalking?”Oliviaasked,gesturingdowntoherfeetandthesandalsshe

wascurrentlywearing.“Ididn’texactlyprepareforhikingthroughthewoodswhenIgotdressedtoday.If

youhadgivenmeaclueaboutwhatwe’dbedoingIwouldhavewornmysneakers.”

“Youwon’tbewalkingwherewearegoingsotheshoesyouarewearingwon’tmakeadifference,”Greg

toldher.

“Idon’tunderstand.Ifwecan’tdrive,andyousaidwehavefurthertogointotheforest,howelsearewe

gettingwhereveritisyou’retakingme?”

Oliviawasgrowingmoreuncomfortable.Sure,Gregwasaknownfigureinthepubliceyebecauseofhis

statusontheCowboysfootballteam,butthatdidn’tautomaticallymakehimtrustworthy.IfOliviawereto

sticktohernormalinstincts,trustingGregwouldbethelastthingshewoulddo.Somethingabouthimhad

seemeddifferent,though,andshewasdrawntohiminawayshecouldn’tunderstand.Becauseofthatshe

haddecidedtogivehimachanceandjusttrytoenjoytheday.Nowshewasbeginningtodoubther

decision,however.

“Iknowthatyoudon’tknowmeverywellyet,butIamaskingyoutotrustmerightnow,”Gregsaidashe

rubbedhishandsupanddownherupperarmsinagesturemeanttoputheratease;itwasn’tworking.

“Youarenotmakingiteasyformetotrustyou,Greg.First,youdrivemeouttothemiddleofnowhere

andwon’ttellmewherewe’regoing,thenyoudrivemeoutintosomeforestandtellmetotrustyou?

You’vegottogivememoretogoonhere,Greg.”

“Youwon’thavetowalkbecauseIamgoingtocarryyou.”

“Yeah,sureyouare.”Oliviawasstandingwithherarmscrossedagainandwasnowtappingherfootin

frustration.

Gregsteppedbackacoupleoffeetandbeganunbuttoninghisshirt.“Trynottofreakout,”hesaid.“Iwill

nothurtyou,ever.Igiveyoumyword.”

OliviawatchedasGregpulledoffhisshirtandshewasmomentarilydistractedbyhissculptedabsand

thatsexyVshapethatleddownbelowthetopofhispants.Whensherealizedhewasgoingtotakeoffhis

pantstoo,Oliviaturnedherheadsoshewasn’tstaringatGregwhilehestoodinfrontofhernaked.

“WhatareyoudoingGreg?”shecriedout.

Gregdidn’tsayanythinginresponse.

“Greg,dammit!”

ROAR!!!

Oliviajumpedwhensheheardawildanimalcryoutfromsomewherereallyclose.

“Greg!”shecalledout,butwhensheturnedtolookbacktowhereGregwasjuststandinghewasn’tthere.

Instead,ahugelionsatintheexactspothehadjustbeen.Oliviawasofficiallyfreakingout.Whatwasa

liondoinginthemiddleoftheforesthere?Shedidn’tthinkthatlionswereindigenoustothearea.

“AAHH!”shescreamed.

OliviastartedslowlybackinguptowardsthecarasshescannedtheimmediateareatryingtofindGreg.

Hewasnowheretobefound.

“Fuckingasshole,”shemutteredunderherbreath.Thatjackassdraggedherouthereandthenhe

abandonedherrightwhensheneededhim.

Thelionwasslowlymovingtowardshernow,nevertakinghiseyesawayfromher.Whenherbackhitthe

SUVshefeltawholenewroundoffearshootthroughher.Shewastryingtofigureouthowshewasgoing

togetintothevehiclenowthatthelionwasclosinginonher.

ThenextthingsheknewthelionwasgoneandabeforeherstoodanakedGregWilds.Olivia’seyeswent

wideandshebroughtbothofherhandsuptorubhertemples.WhenshefeltGreg’shandsonherforearms

pullingherarmsdownandawayfromherfacesheclosedhereyes.

“Olivia,lookatme,”Gregsaidinasoft,soothingvoice.

Shetookadeepbreathandtriedtocollectherself.Gregreleasedherarmsandtookherfaceinhishands,

andshefinallyopenedhereyestolookathim.Gregstoodthere,completelynaked,andgazedintoher

eyes.

“You’resafe,Ipromiseyou.”

Oliviatookamomenttoletherheartrateslowdownabitbeforesheresponded.“What’sgoingon,

Greg?”sheasked.

“Iamashifter.”

“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans.”

“MyfamilyandIarealllion-shifters.Oncewe’refullgrown,we’reallowedtoliveamonghumansociety

untilwereachacertainage.”

Oliviablinkedafewtimestryingtowakeupfromthedreamshewashaving,onlyshewasn’tdreaming.

“Atthattimewemustreturntoourprideandmate.”

Olivialookedhimintheeyes.“Whyareyoutellingmethis,Greg?Whywouldyoubringmehereand

showmeyourself?”sheasked.Theyhadjustmetthedaybefore,andshecouldn’tunderstandwhyhewas

sharingsuchabigsecretwithheraftersuchashorttime.

“Iwanttotakeyoutoseemyfamily’spridelands,”Gregtoldher,“andIwantyoutomeetmyfamily.”

Oliviajuststaredathimwithablankexpression.Nothinghewassayingmadeanysensetoher.Asmuch

ashermindwasrebellingagainstthenotionoflion-shifters,shehadseenhimchangewithherowneyes,

soshecouldn’treallydenythattruth.Whatshedidn’tknowwaswhyhewouldwanthertomeethis

family.

Asifhehadreadhermind,Gregwentonsaying,“Youaremymate,Olivia.Iknowyou’vefeltittoo.The

rushofheatwheneverwetouch,andthewayyouaredrawntomedespitethefactthatinyourmindyou

wantedtokeepawayfromme.”

Shehadtobedreaming.First,shewasseeingthings,andnowthisgorgeousman,whowasalsoafamous

NFLstar,wastellingherthatshewashismate.Whoevenusedthewordmate,anyway?

“Thisisn’treal.Thiswholethingmustbeadream,oranightmare.Ihaven’treallydecidedwhichyet,but

thereisnowaythatitisreal.”

Gregcuppedherfaceinhishands.“Youaren’tsleeping,Olivia.Thisisreal,Iamreal,andyouaremy

mate.”

OliviatriedtoshakeherheadandbreakfreefromGreg’sgrip,butitwasnouse.Hewasn’tgoingtolet

hergo.

“Greg,please,”shesaid,abouttobeghimtolethergobuthesilencedherwhenhepulledherupagainst

hisbodyandplantedhislipsagainsthers,effectivelyshuttingherup.

Initially,shestiffenedandtriedtopushhimaway,butherbodyhaditsownideas.Ifthefeelingofhis

touchwhenheheldherhandmadeherbodyoverheat,thenfeelinghislipsagainstherownlitheruplike

aninferno.Itwasn’tlongbeforeshewaskissinghimback,andinsteadoftryingtopushhimawayagain,

sheliftedherarmsuparoundhisneckanddugherfingersintohishair.

Whenhepulledawayandrestedhisforeheadagainsthersshemissedhiskissimmediately.Aftertheyhad

stoodtherelikethatforafewmoments,Gregkissedherforehead,thenhebackeduptolookherinthe

eye.Hewassearchingherexpressionforsomething.Oliviawassurehewaswaitingtoseeifshewas

goingtofreakoutandtrytogetawayagain.

“Greg,Idon’tevenknowwhattothinkrightnow.”

“Don’tthink,”hesaid.Gregtookherhandandhelditagainsthischest,justoverhisheartbeat.“Stop

tryingtorationalizethis,Olivia.Justlistentoyourbodyandheart;itwillleadyouwhereyouneedtogo.”

Oliviatookadeepbreath.“Greg,howcanyoupossiblyknowthatsosoon?”sheasked.

“It’sashifterthing,”Gregsaid.“Oursensesaremuchmoresensitivethanhumans’.Iknewthatyouwere

minethemomentIwalkedoutofthatstadium,andcaughtyourscentforthefirsttime.”

“Greg,Idon’tknowhowIamsupposedtotakeinallofthis.It’salottoaskmetoacceptrightaway.”

“Olivia,Iknowit’salot.PleasejustgivemeachancetoshowyouthatI’mtellingthetruth,andtoprove

toyouthatwebelongtogether.Comewithmeandletmeintroduceyoutomyfamily.Maybeonceyou

meetthemandseeourprivatelands,you’llknowforsurethatwhatI’mtellingyouisthetruth.”

OliviatookafewminutestothinkaboutwhatGregwasaskingofher.Sheconsideredwhatshehadjust

seen,Gregshiftingfromalionandbackintoaman,andthefactthateventhoughhecouldclearlyhurther,

hehaddonenothingbutreassureherthatthatwasthelastthinghewouldeverwanttodo.Oliviaalsofelt

thestrongconnectionbetweenthemthatGreghadsaidmeanttheyweresupposedtobetogetherasmates.

OliviawasbrokenoutofherthoughtswhenGregsaidhername,“Olivia?”Hesaiditlikeaquestion.He

waswaitingforheranswer.

Shedecidedtogowithhergutforonceandshenoddedheragreementwhenshetoldhim,“Yes,Greg.I

willgowithyou.I’mnotmakinganypromisesrightnowbecauseIamstillnotsurethisisn’talljustabig

dream,butI’lllcomewithyoufornowandwe’llseewherethingsgofromthere.”

Greggaveherthemostwonderfulsmileshehadeverseenandshecouldn’tresisttheurgetosmileback.

God,hewashandsome.Shereallyhopedthatshewasmakingtherightdecision.Inherhead,itallseemed

socrazy,butthedesiretobenearGregwastoostrongtoignore.Shewasgoingtogivehimthebenefitof

thedoubtandhopeeverythingworkedoutinthelongrun.WhenGregreleasedherandbackedawayshe

wasmomentarilyconfused.

“Remember,it’sjustmeandIwouldneverhurtyou,okay,”saidGregoncehewasafewfeetawayfrom

her.

Olivialookedathiminconfusionasshetriedtodecipherwhyhewouldbetellinghertotrusthimagain.

Whensherealizedwhathewasabouttodo,hereyeswentwideandshewasspeakingatanearwhisper

whenshesaid,“You’regoingtochangebacktothelion.”Itwasn’taquestion,eventhoughshewasn’t

surewhyhefelttheneedtodosonow.

“Yes,”hesaid.“ItishowIamgoingtocarryyoutomypridelands.Itwouldbefartoodifficulttoget

thereinmyhumanform,plusIwillbeabletoprotectyoubetterinmylionformthanasahuman.”

Gregneedingtocarryherinhislionformdidmakesense,butshewasn’ttoothrilledtohearhimsaythat

hemighthavetoprotecther.“IthoughtyousaidthatweweregoingtoseeyourfamilyandthatIamyour

mate.”

Gregnodded,“Yes,Idid,”hesaid.

“Thenwhywouldyouneedtoprotectme?IsthereaproblemwithyourfamilythatIdon’tknowabout?”

“No,youhavenothingtofearfrommyfamily,butlionsarenottheonlycreaturesinthisforestorinmy

pridelands.Itisrarethathumansareattacked,butitisn’tcompletelyoutsideoftherealmsofpossibility.

However,inmylionformotherswillrecognizemyalphastatusandtherearenotmanywhowouldrisk

attackinganalphalion-shifter.”

HesaidthoselastwordswithsuchconfidencethatOliviaknewhewassureofhisstrengthandabilities

outhereinthewild,butshewasstillalittlescared.Hehadsaid“notmany”insteadof“noone,”andthat

wasapointshehadn’tmissed.

Oliviaglaredathimandsaid,“GregWilds,ifyouletsomecrazywildanimaleatmeIswearIwillnever

forgiveyou.”

Gregbentoverlaughing,“WellIsupposeiftheyeatyou,therewouldn’tbeayoulefttoforgiveme.”

“Oh,Mr.SmartassishereIsee.IguessI’lljustgetbackinthecarandheadhome.Itwasniceknowing

you.”

OliviaturnedlikeshewasgoingtogetbackintotheSUV,andjustlikeshehadexpected,Gregwasright

thereblockingthedoor.

“No,don’tleave,Olivia.Iwasjusthavingalittlefun.IpromiseIwillnotletanyharmcometoyou.”

Greg’seyebrowsweredrawntogetherandshecouldseetheworrylinesformingabovethem.

Nowshewaslaughing,“Greg,don’tgetyourpantiesinawad.Iwasjustkidding,andIamnotleaving;

notyet,anyway.Besides,Idon’tthinkIcouldfindmywayoutofhereonmyownrightnowifIwantedto.

Don’tworry,Iamgoingtocomewithyou.”

ShesawthereliefsettleoverGreg’sfeaturesandthenhesmiledandwrappedherinafasttightbearhug.

“Great,nowlet’sgetgoingbeforewerunoutofdaylight,woman.”

Gregsteppedbackawayfromherandthistimeshemadesureshewaspayingcloseattentionwhenhe

shiftedintohislionform.Thechangewassofastthatshewasn’tabletopinpointexactlywhenhewent

frombeingamantowhenhebecamealion.

OneminuteshewaslookingatahandsomenakedGreg,thenext,themanwasgoneandagiantlionstood

beforeher.Shehadn’tnoticedthefirsttimeshesawGregasalion,becauseofherfear,justhow

magnificenthewas,butshenoticednow.Shehadneverseenalioninperson,butbasedonthosethatshe

hadseenontelevision,shewascertainthatGregwasthelargestlioninexistence.

Gregturnedsothathisbackwastoher.Withhisheadturnedbackwardstowardher,henoddedtohis

back,indicatingthatshewastogeton.Oliviaclimbedontohimandtooktwohandfulsofthefurthatlined

hisheadandnecktoholdherselfinplace.Nowthatshewasonhim,sheknewwithoutadoubthewas

largerthananynormallion.Shewouldhaveconsideredhimmorethesizeofahugebearthanofalion.

Shewassittingupstraight,straddlinghimlikeshewouldahorse,andstillherfeetwerenottouchingthe

ground.

Hisfurwasshininginthesunlight,abeautifulmixtureofyellows,golds,andbrown.Itwassosoftshe

wasn’tabletoresistpettinghimlikehewasaneverydayhousecat.Sheranherhandoverthefuraround

hisheadandearslightlyuntilsheheardandfelthimpurring.Realizinghewasenjoyingthefeelingofher

runningherhandthroughhisfur,shetookbothhandsandbeganstrokinghismanefromthetopofhishead

downtowhereshesatonhisback.

Whensheleanedforwardandrubbedhisfuraroundhisears,likeshewouldacat,thepurringgrew

louder.Afterafewmoments,Gregturnedhisheadandlickedherhandbeforenuzzlingitsoftlywithhis

face.Thenextthingsheknewheturnedhisheadforwardandtookoffatarun.

Olivia,alreadyhavingbeenleanedforwardtopetGreg,fellforwardandinstinctivelywrappedherarms

aroundhisneck.Hewasrunningfasterthanshewouldhavethoughtpossible,soshedecidedshewas

goingtostaywrappedaroundhimsothatshewouldn’tfalloff.Asshelookedaroundthemthefactthat

Gregwasrunninginhumanelyfastbecameexceedinglyobvious.Treesandwildlifeflewpastthemina

blur.Oliviacouldbarelymakeanythingoutotherthantheblobsofvibrantcolorsmeshingtogetherasthey

continuedonward.Shewasn’tabletokeeplookingaroundthemforlong,afraidofbecomingtoodizzy

andfallingoffGreg’sback,soshelaidherheadagainstthebackofhisneckandclosedhereyes.

Withherfacepracticallyburiedinhisfur,sheinhaledandwassurprisedbyhowwonderfulGreg

smelled.Itwasclearlynotcologne,thesmellfartoonaturalandwild,butitwasintoxicating.Itwaslike

hehadhisownuniquescent;likeamixtureoffreshlycutwood,sunlight,andspice,andOlivialovedit.

ThesmellhelpedtocalmhernervesandOliviaburiedherfaceinGreg’sfurandjustenjoyedhissoftfur

andwarm,intoxicatingscentfortheremainderoftheirjourney.

Itwasn’tlongbeforeshefeltGregcometoastopandheardhimmakealow,rumblingsoundasifhewas

tryingtogetherattention.Whenshesatbackup,shelookedaroundandwasimmediatelyengrossedbythe

beautyallaroundthem.Everythingwassopureandalive.Thegrasswasgreenandplush,andtheflowers

thatcoverednearlyeveryinchofgroundasfarasshecouldsee,werevibrantshadesofpink,red,blue,

purple,andwhite.

Theywerestandinginfrontofasetofcavesmadeoutofsomekindofrockorstone.Shelookedaround

forGreg’sfamily,butshedidn’tseeanyoneotherthansomebirdsflyingoverhead.

OlivialeanedforwardagainsothathermouthwasclosertoGreg’sear.“Whereisyourfamily,Greg?”

sheaskedquietly.

WhenGregopenedhismouthandletoutaboomingroar,shesatbackupstraightinahurry.Beforeshe

couldaskhimwhatwaswrongsheheardseveralansweringroarscomingfromtheopeningstothecaves

infrontofthem.Shelookedupandsawseverallionsemergingfromthem,approachingherandGreg.She

knewthatthishadtobehisfamily,butseeingtwentyorsolionsapproachingherwasstillunnerving.

Gregmusthavesensedherinnerturmoilbecauseheletoutashortgrowlandallofthelionsfrozewhere

theystood.AnotherlowgrowlsoundedfromGregandoneofthefemalelionsbeganslowlyapproaching

themagain.WhenshereachedGregandOlivia,thelionstoppeddirectlyinfrontofGregandnuzzledhis

facewithherown.

OliviaheardthesoundsofbothGregandthenewfemalelionastheypurred.Itwasashowofaffection

thathadOliviafeelingaburstofjealousysheneverknewshecouldexperience.Shefoundherself

wishingshealsohadtheabilitytoshapeshiftintoalionsothatshecouldplaceherselfbetweenthis

femaleandGreg;sothatshecouldstakeherclaim.WhenthelionsatdownandlookedupatOlivia,

Oliviaglaredather.

ThelionmadeasoundthatOliviacouldhaveswornwaslaughter,iflionslaugh,anditonlymadeher

madder.FirstthisfemalejustcomesoverrubbingupagainstGreglikehebelongstoherwhileOliviastill

sitsuponhisback,andthenshehasthenervetolaughatOlivia’sire.Whatshewouldn’tgivetohavethe

abilitiestotakeonthisfemalelionrightnow;she’dshowherathingortwoaboutkeepingawayfrom

anotherwoman’sman.

WhenOlivia’sthoughtsfinallyregisteredinherbrainsheburiedherfaceinGreg’sfur,embarrassed.

ThankGodlionsarenotmindreadersbecauseeveryoneherewouldthinkshewasabsolutelyinsane

rightnow.Whatthehellwaswrongwithher?Sure,Gregseemedtothinktheyweredestinedforeach

other,butthatdidn’tautomaticallymakehimherstoclaim.Whensheheardawomanlaughingshelooked

upandthefemalelionwasgone.

Inherplacestoodawoman,andtherewasnoquestionastowhothiswomanwas:Greg’smother.She

hadthesamegoldenblondehairasGreg,withchocolatebrowneyeswhichwerejustaskindasher

son’s,evenifshewascurrentlylaughingatOlivia.Shewastallandbeautiful,andOliviadidn’tneedto

lookanyfurthertodeterminewhereGreg’sgoodlookshadcomefrom.

Oliviatookhismother’schangeofformasasignthatitwastimetoremoveherselffromGreg’sbackso

shecouldmeethisfamilyproperly;nomorehidingbehindherlionsotospeak.OnceOliviawasdown

andstandinginfrontofGreg’smother,thewomanstoppedlaughingandgaveheragenuinesmile.

“Greg,sheisbeautiful,andherspiritisstrong.Youhavechosenastrongmatewiththisone,”thewoman

saidanditwasn’tuntilOliviasawthewomanlookoverherhead,andfeltGreg’sbodypressupagainst

herbackasheplacedhishandsonherhipspossessively,thatsherealizedGreghadchangedhisformtoo.

Itoccurredtoherthenthattheyhadchangedforherbenefit.Shecouldn’tunderstandthemintheirlion

forms,sotheywereforcedtochangeandstandbeforealloftheirfamilyinthenudebecauseshewasn’t

oneofthem.TheideathatGregandhisfamilywouldhavetoconstantlymakeconcessionslikethisforher

ifsheagreedtobehismateupsether.Shedidn’twantsomeoneshecaredabouttobeforcedtochange

justtoaccommodateher.

Greg’smotherchuckled.“Don’tworryaboutthatdear,”shesaid.“Firstofall,asshifterswe’renot

modestlikehumans.Wehavebeenseeingeachotherinthenudesincewewereborn.Itisonlynatural,

afterall.Anddon’tworryaboutuschangingforyoubecausewecanalreadyhearyourthoughts,soitis

actuallyonlyyouwhoiscurrentlyatadisadvantagewhilewe’reinourlionforms.Besides,onceyouand

Gregarematedyouwillbecomeoneofus,sothecommunicationbarrierwillbecompletelygoneatthat

point.”

Olivia’sfacehadtobeonfirebecauseshecouldfeeltheheatlightinguphercheeks.Shewasso

embarrassed.NotonlyhadGreg’smotherheardherthoughts,butapparentlysohadGregandhisentire

family.ThatmeanthehadheardherentirejealoustiradewhenOliviathoughtthathismotherwassome

femaleencroachingonherman.

ShenearlyjumpedwhenshefeltGreg’sbreathagainstherearashewhispered,“Oh,Iheardyoualright,

andIhaveneverbeensoturnedoninmylife.”ShecouldfeeltheproofofGreg’swordspressedagainst

herbackcurrently,andthatonlymadeherheatupforawholenewreason.“Good,”Gregwhisperedinto

herearagain.

Dammit,nothingwassacredapparently.

ThatwaswhensomethingoccurredtoherandsheturnedaroundinasplitsecondtofaceGreg,“Wait,are

youtellingmethatyou’vebeenabletohearmythoughtsthiswholetime?”Shecrossedherarmsand

waitedforhimtoanswer.

“No,”hesaid.“Wecanblockit,andIdosonormally.IonlydroppedtheblockonceIshiftedintomylion

formsothatIcouldproperlyreacttoyourconcernsorfears.Whenwithmypride,wedon’thavetokeep

theblockupbecauseweallhavetheabilitytochoosewhoweallowtohearourthoughts,soonlythose

wewanttocommunicatewithwillknowwhatwe’rethinking.”

WhileOliviahadtoadmitthatwhatGregwastellingherwasamazing,shewasalsoupsetthathehadn’t

warnedher.Maybeifhehaddonesoshecouldhavecontrolledherownthoughtsalittlebetterandsaved

herselftheembarrassmentinfrontofhisfamily,andespeciallyhismother.

“Olivia,trynottobetooupsetwithmyson.Heisjustsothrilledtohavefinallyfoundyou.Wewereall

beginningtothinkhewouldneverfindhistruemate,andhadresignedourselvestothefactthatwewould

havetoforcehimintoanarrangedmating.Anyway,yourreactiontomewasaninstinctualone,and

whetheryouhadknownaboutourmindreadingabilitiesornot,youwouldnothavebeenabletocontrol

thosethoughts.”

OliviahadturnedbacktoGreg’smotherwhenshestartedtalking,andnowshelookedatthewoman

confused.“Mrs.Wilds,I’msorry,butwhatdoyoumeanitwasinstinctual?GregandIaren’ttogether

officially,andIreallydidn’thaveanybusinessbeingjealousevenifyouwereagirlfriend.Jealousyis

justacrazyhumanemotion,andoneIamalittledisappointedtohaveallowedtotakeholdofmeso

quickly.”

“Firstofall,youcallmeJane,orMom,sincewewillbefamilysoon.Youmaynotrecognizeyour

attractiontoGregforwhatitis,butitisyourmatebond.Thatbondiswhatmadeyouimmediatelygoon

theoffensivewhenI,asanunknownfemale,showedGregaffection.Youmaynothaveagreedtothe

matingwithGregyet,butyouwill,trustme.Thematebondistoostrongtobeignoredbyanyone.WhenI

feltitwithGreg’sfatherIcouldn’twaitforhimtomakemehis.Luckilyforme,hefeltthesamewayand

wewerematedrightaway.”

Itmightsoundcrazy,butOliviabelievedwhatJanewastellingher.Shecouldfeelthebondbetweenher

andGreggrowingstrongerbytheminute.Afteronlyknowinghimforacoupleofdays,shealreadyknew

thatshewantedhiminherlife,andshecouldn’timagineanythingsadderthanifthatcouldn’thappen.

Gregwrappedhisarmsaroundherfrombehindandsqueezed.Thenheleaneddownandkissedtheside

ofherneckbeforehewhispered,“metoo,”inherear.Damn,thismindreadingthingwasgoingtotakea

whiletogetusedto,butatleastsheknewGregfeltjustasstronglyaboutheralready.

OliviaassumedthatGregsentoutamessagetotherestofhisfamily,orpride,becausetheyallsuddenly

changedintotheirhumanformsrightasGregmotionedforhertomoveforwardtowardseveryoneelse.

Gregintroducedhertotherestoftheprideandshefoundthatsheactuallyenjoyedtheircompany.They

allseemedtoaccepther,noquestionsasked,andwereeagerforhertojointhemasGreg’smate.

Theyspentseveralhourstogether,justtalkingandgettingtoknowherasshegottoknowthemandOlivia

hadtoadmitthattheyallmadeherfeellikeshewasalreadyamemberofthefamily.Whentheyfinallyleft

thatnight,OliviafeltlikeshealreadyknewGreg’sfamilybetterthanherownestrangedone,andshe

knewthatshehadsomeseriousthinkingtodo.Shewasalreadycertainthatshewouldn’tbeabletogive

Gregup,butsheneededtofindoutwhatthatmeantforherbackhome.Shehadafeelingherlifewas

abouttochangedrastically.

CHAPTERFOUR

Greg

GregandOliviaspentseveralweeksgettingtoknowoneanotherbetter.Whentheyweren’tworking,they

weretogether,andtheyspentalotofthattimewithhisfamilyontheirpridelands.Atthispoint,Greg

knewthatOliviawantedtobewithhimasbadlyashedidher.Thebigobstaclethattheyfacednowwas

thefactthattheirmatingwouldmeanleavingthehumanworld,astheyknewitnow,inthepast.

Oncemated,theywouldbeleavingtheircurrenthumanlivesbehindforgood.Greglovedfootball,buthe

hadalwaysknownitwassomethinghe’dhavetogiveuponeday.Olivia,ontheotherhand,hadnothad

anypreparationforleavingherlifebehind,andherjobwasnotasfrivolousasGreg’sasanNFLplayer.

WhatOliviadidmattered;shemadeadifferenceinthelivesofsomanypeoplewhowouldhave

otherwisebeenlefttofendforthemselves.Withoutherhelp,Gregknewthattherewerealotofchildren

alivetodaywhowouldn’thavemadeitontheirown.

TodaytheyweregoingtovisithispridelandssothatOliviacouldgooutonarunwiththewholefamily.

ItwassomethingGregwouldhavepreferredshewaitedtoexperienceaftertheirmating,whenshetoo

wasashifter,butoncehiscousinhadplantedtheideainOlivia’smind,shewasn’tgoingtotakenoforan

answer.Hereallyhopedhecouldfindsomealonetimeforthemtonightsotheycoulddiscusstheirmating

inprivate.

HewouldmateOliviarightawayifshe’daccept,buthewasgivinghertimetomakearrangementsfor

peopletotakeoverforherwithherkids.Shesaidthatifshecouldatleastmakesureshefoundthem

someoneworthyoftheirtime,thenshewouldn’tbeasupsetaboutleavingthem.

Hecouldtellthatitstillmadehersad,butitwouldbeeasierforhertomakethebreaknow,thanifshe

justupanddisappearedfromtheirlivesaftertheywereofficiallymates.GregpickedOliviaupright

aftershegothomefromvisitingJimmyinthehospitalandtheywereontheirwaytothepridelands.

“He’sdoingsomuchbetterthanthedoctorshadanticipated,”Oliviasaid.ShewastellingGregabout

Jimmy’streatmentplan.“They’veseensignificantimprovement,andthedoctorsthinkthatthisparticular

chemomightbetheonethatfinallyputsJimmyintrueremission.”

Shewassohappy,Gregthought,shewasgoingtobouncerightoutofthecarinherexcitement.He

couldn’tblameher,though.Jimmyhadbeenverysickjustacoupleweeksago,andthedoctorsdidn’t

seemtohavehighhopesthatthetreatmentwouldwork.GregwashappyforJimmy;hewasagoodboy,

plusithadbeenJimmy’sloveforfootballthatleadtoGregandOlivia’sfirstmeeting.

GregsmiledatOlivia.“That’sgreatnews,babe,”hesaidwhenOliviafinallytookabreath.

Shesqueezedhishandinresponse.Afterabriefmomentofsilence,Oliviaturnedtofacehimagain.“Iam

excitedabouttonight’srunwiththepride,”shesaid.

WhenGregfurrowedhisbrows,tryingtothinkofsomethinghehadn’talreadytriedtoconvinceherthat

sheshouldwait,sheheldupherhandandplacedafingeroverhislipstosilencehim.

“I’mgoing,Greg.Wehavealreadydiscussedthisenough,anditisn’tupfordiscussionanymore.I’llhave

youandthewholepridetheretoprotectme.Icouldn’timaginebeinganysaferthanthat.”

WhenOliviasmiled,heheldhisownsmileback.Shewassobeautifulwhenshegenuinelysmiled,andhe

wasasuckerforherbrightsmileandsheknewit.

Whentheyhadmadeitasfaraspossiblebycar,Greggotoutandshiftedintohislionsothathecould

carryOliviatothepridelands.Hedidn’twasteanytimegettingthemthere,andOliviahoppedoffas

soonashecametoaslowwalk.ShehadgrownquiteclosewithhismotherandhiscousinJessica,and

sheranovertothetwoofthemandgavethemeachahugaroundtheneckbeforesherubbedbehindtheir

ears.Greglaughedtohimselfathergesture.Oliviahadbeenterrifiedthefirsttimeheshowedherhistrue

self,andnowshewaspettingseveralofthelionsinhisprideliketheywereregularhousecats.

Theydidn’twastemuchtimebeforetheyallgatheredtogethertogofortheirrun.Everyonecongregated

aroundGregandOlivia,whowasonceagainonhisback,andtheytookoffexploringthepridelandsso

thatOliviacouldseethebeautythatawaitedheroncethisbecameherhome,too.Gregcouldhearher

thoughtsastheyranthroughthelushwildernessandshetookeverythingin.

“Greg,it’sbeautiful.Ican’tbelieveyoueverlefthere.IthinkifI’dgrownuphereIwouldn’thavebeen

abletoleave.”

GregletoutalowgrowlwiththenodofhisheadacknowledgingOliviasinceshedidnothavetheability

tohearhisthoughts,yet.Oncetheywereofficiallymated,shewouldbecomeashifterlikehim,andthen

shewouldshareinalloftheabilitieshepossessed.

Theyranuntiltheyreachedanearbywaterfallwheretheycouldalltakeabreakandgrabadrink.Greg

hadmadesurethepridebroughtOliviatoseethewaterfallbecauseitwasthemostbeautifulspotinthe

pridelands,inhisopinion.Thesoundofthewatercrashingintotheriverbelowwassoothingtohim.

ThemistcreatedbytheimpactofthewaterfallcreatedanethereallookthatmadeGregfeellikehewasin

amagicalplace,andtherewasaperpetualrainbowthatshinedthroughthemistandspannedfromone

sideoftheriver,upoverthetopofthewaterfall,andbackdownontheotherriverbank.

“Wow,”Oliviasaidinahushedtone.Gregcouldhearthewonderinhervoiceandhewasn’tsurprised.

Evenafteralifetimespentvisitingthisveryspot,thebeautyofitwasnotlostonhim.Thatbeautywas

onlymadebetterbyOlivia’spresence.“Greg,it’ssobeautiful.Ifeellikewejuststeppedintoafairytale

dreamland.”

Wantingtosharethismomentwithher,Gregshiftedbackintohishumanformsothattheircommunication

wouldn’tbesoonesided.“I’vealwaysfeltlikeitwasamagicalplace.Youseethatrainbow,”Greg

pointedtothebrightrainbowinfrontofthewaterfall,“itnevergoesaway.Youcouldcomehereamillion

timesandthatrainbowwillalwaysbethere.”

HewatchedasOlivia’seyeslitupwithwonderandexcitementasshelookedupontherainbowand

waterfall.GregtookaseatinthelushgrassaroundtheriverbankandpulledOliviadowntositinhislap.

Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherwaist,andwaspleasedwhenheheardhersighincontentment.

Sittingthere,holdingOliviainhisarms,andsurroundedbythebeautyandmagicthewateremanated,

GregwassuddenlyoverwhelmedbyhisfeelingsforOlivia.Heknewshemightnotbereadytosaythe

wordstohim,buthecouldn’tletsuchaperfectmomentgobywithouttellingherhowhefelt.

Hebenthisheaddownandlightlykissedthebaseofherneckwhereitmethershoulder,thenhe

whisperedinherear,“Iloveyou.”

Gregheardherinhalesharplyandwhensheturnedtofacehimhereyeswereroaminghisface,searching

forsomething.Figuringshewastryingtodecideifshehadheardhimcorrectly,Gregrepeatedhimself.“I

loveyou,Olivia.”

Shesmiledbrighterthanhe’deverseenandbeforeheknewit,shehadhimshovedtotheground,herlips

onhis,andherhandsburiedinhishair.Shetookhisbreathaway,andthewayherbodywaspressed

againsthisnakedonewasnearlymorethanGregcouldhandle.Atleastnotwhiletheyweresurrounded

byhisentirepride.

Shiftersmaynotbemodestabouttheirnudity,buthe’dbedamnedifheletanyoneelsewatchwhenhe

madelovetoOlivia.Thatwassomethingsacred,andprivate,evenamongstthewildestofhisbrethren.

Hedidn’thavetowaitlongtofindawaytodistracthisbodyfromthefeelingofOlivia’spressedagainst

himbecausealoudboomsuddenlyrangoutaroundthem.

Oliviajerkedup,andGregwasrighttherewithherpullingthembothuptotheirfeet.Thewholepride

wasnowupandstandingatalertastheyallscannedtheareasurroundingthemlookingforthesourceof

thenoise.Whenanothersoundboomedthroughtheairaroundthem,Gregquicklyturnedhisbodytowards

thesound,andplacedhimselfinfrontofOliviasothathewasblockingherfromwhateveritwasthatwas

causingtheunseemlydisturbance.

Gregfeltachargeintheairjustbeforefirebrokeoutallaroundthem.Justontheothersideofthefire

stoodatleasttwentyoftheDiochantis.Greg’smotherandJessicaflankedhimandOliviaandheturnedto

Jessica.

“Jessica,staywithOlivia,”hecommanded.“Don’tletanyofthosethingsnearher.”

JessicaletoutasmallroarofacknowledgmentthenpresentedherbacktoOliviatoclimbon.

“Whatisit,Greg?Whoorwhatarethey?”OliviaaskedglancingattheDiochantis.

GregliftedherontoJessica’sbackashesaid,“TheyaredevilsorcererscalledDiochantis.Idon’thave

timetogointodetailnow,butjustknowthattheyareevilandwon’thesitatetokill.Please,juststaywith

JessicasoIknowyou’llbesafe.”

Olivianoddedandgavehimaquickkiss.Jessicatookoff,withOliviaintow,andmovedtothecenterof

thepridesothattherewerecompletelysurroundedbylions.Gregdidn’twasteanotherminuteandshifted

intohislionform.

“Killasmanyasyoucan,andwhateveryoudo,don’tgetcaught.Youknowwhattheywilldoiftheyget

awaywithoneofus.”Gregsenthiscommandouttotheallofthelionspresent,andthenheledtheminthe

chargeontheDiochantis.

Thesorcererspossessedgreatmagicthatmadethemformidableopponents,buttheydidnotpossessthe

sheerstrengthandspeedthatGregandhisfellowshiftershad.Gregdidn’tfailtonoticethattheyseemed

tobeconcentratingtheireffortsonhim,asseveralDiochantiscameafterhimatonce.

“Oh,themasterwillbeveryrewardingifwecanbringinthekingofthepride,”saidoneofthecreepy

creatures.

TheDiochantislookedjustasevilastheytrulywere.Theywerewhatnightmaresweremadeof,with

theirgreenskin,blackeyesandteeth,andastenchsobaditcoulddriveawaythemostdisgusting

creatures.

“Yourmasterwon’tbemakingittoearthtorewardanyofyou!”Gregsentmindspeechtothecreatures

rightbeforehebeganrippingthemapart,usinghisteethandclaws.Greghadkilledfourofthesorcerers

whenheheardOliviascream.

HeturnedtoseeJessicaripthethroatoutofanapproachingDiochantis.Inthatbriefmomentof

distraction,moreofthesorcerersmusthavesneakedupbehindhim.Gregfeltasudden,sharppaininhis

back,asoneofthemsentaspellhurtlingathimthatrippedthroughhisflesh.Heletoutaloudroarasthe

painslicedthroughhim.

“Greg!”heheardOliviascreamhisname,buthecouldn’taffordtoallowhimselftogetdistractedagain.

WhenheturnedbacktowardstheDiochantis,threemoreofsorcererswererunningtowardshimand

conjuringupnewspellstohurtleathim.Gregchargedforward,andrippedeachoneoftheminhalf

beforetheyhadthechancetoreleasetheirmagicuponhimagain.

WhenheturnedbackaroundtocheckonJessicaandOlivia,hewasnothappytoseethatOliviahad

jumpeddownfromJessica’sbackandwasnearlytohimwithJessicarightonherheels.

“StopherJess!”hesentthecommandtoJessicawithsuchauthorityhecouldfeelthepowerchargetheair

aroundhim.

JessicaroaredinresponseandgrabbedOliviaupbythebackofhershirttostopherinhertracks.Olivia

immediatelybegankickingandscreamingasshetriedtoescapeJessicaonceagain.Greglookedaround

quicklytoseewherehishelpwasneeded,buthewaspleasedtofindthateveryonehadtakenoutthe

Diochantisaroundthem.Hecaughthismother’sgaze,andshenoddedasshesenthimconfirmationofthe

sorcerers’defeat.

“They’realldead,son.TakecareofOlivianow.Iwillmakesureanyinjuredlionsaretakencareof.”

HenoddedandranovertowhereJessicastoodwithOlivia’sshirtstillgraspedbetweenherteeth.

“Youcanreleasehernow,Jessica.Theyhaveallbeeneliminated,”Greginformedhiscousinandshe

gentlyplacedOliviadowninfrontofhim.

GregbarelyhadachancetolookatherbeforeOliviahadjumpedupandwrappedherarmsaroundhim

astightlyaspossible.

“Greg,ohmyGod!You’rehurt!”Oliviawascryingandnearlyhystericalassheclungtohim.

Henuzzledherfacewithhis,thenlickedherfaceinanattemptatgettinghertoreleasehimforamoment.

Whenshedroppedherhandstowipehissalivafromherfacehegavehertheequivalentofalionsmirk.

Whensheglaredbackathim,hequicklyshiftedbackintohishumanform.Hewrappedhisarmsaround

herandhermomentaryangerseemedtobeforgottenasshereturnedthegesture.

“I’malright,”hetoldherwhenshelookedupintohisface.“Supernaturallion-shifter,remember?”She

noddedslowly,buthecouldseeuncertaintyinhereyes.“Wehavetheabilitytohealextremelyfast,”Greg

toldher.ThenhereleasedOliviaandpulledherhandsdownfromhisnecksothathecouldturnaround

andshowherhisback.

GregfeltOlivia’shandsroamoverhisbacksearchingforthewoundheknewwasalreadyclosedupby

now.Heturnedbackaroundtofaceherandtookherhandsinhis.

“Now,let’sgetoutofhere.Weneedtogetbacktothecavessothatwecangetpatrolssetuptomakesure

theDiochantisarenotstalkingustoourhomes.Plus,Iamsurethateveryonecouldusesometimetorest

fromthefight.”

Oliviajustnoddedheragreement.

Gregcouldtellthatshewasstillinshockfromwhathadjusttakenplaceandhedidn’tblameher.Sure,

shehadseenviolenceinthehumanworld,andevenrescuedhelplesskidsfromviolentsituations,but

noneofthosesituationsincludedsorcerersandblackmagic.IftherewasawaythatGregthoughthecould

beartogiveherup,thenhewould.Hewouldlethergoandsaveherfromtheevilsofhisworld,buthe

wastoofargone.Therewasnowayhecouldlethergonow,hisinnerlionwouldneverallowit.So,he

wouldbeselfish,andcontinueworkingtomakeOliviahisineverywaypossible.

Whentheyarrivedbackatthepride’scaves,hewentintowhatwouldbecomehisandOlivia’shomeand

allowedhertoclimbdownoffofhisback.GregshiftedandtookOliviainhisarms.Afterafew

moments,hepulledbackjustenoughsothathewasabletotakeherfaceinhishandsandbendtoplacea

lightkissonherlips.

“Iwassoscared,Greg,”Oliviasaidafterhepulledhislipsoffofhers.“Ithoughttheyweregoingtokill

you.”

Gregwipedawaythetearsthathadbegunstreamingdownhercheeksatheradmission.“Oh,baby,don’t

cry,”hesaid.“Everythingisokaynow.Noonegotseriouslyinjured,andIamsurethatanyinjuries

incurredbyanyoneelsehavealsohealedupbynow.Weareverycapableofprotectingourselves,soyou

don’tneedtoworryaboutus.”

Oliviajuststaredathim.Itwouldtaketimeforhertolearnalloftheirstrengthsandabilities,andGreg

knewthathewasgoingtohavetobepatientwithher.Hewasn’tthefirstinhispridetotakeahumanas

hismate,sohehadlearnedafewthingsovertheyears.Heknewthathavingahumanmatewouldmean

havingpatience,andbeingopentoteachingthemeverythingalionshiftermatewouldalreadyknowabout

theirlives.

“Let’sgocheckinwitheveryoneelseandthenwecancomebackintorestforawhile,orIcantakeyou

backhomeifyouwish.Whateveryouwanttodo,okay?”

“Alright,”Oliviasaid,sohetookherhandandlacedtheirfingerstogether,thenheledherbackoutside

wheretherestofthepridehadcongregatedaroundafire,andwerewaitingonGregandOliviatojoin

them.

HismothersawtheworryandfearonOlivia’sfaceandquicklyshiftedintoherhumanform.Shecame

overtothemandpulledOliviaintoatighthug.

“Oh,honey,areyoualright?”sheasked.ShepulledbacktolookOliviaoverandcheckherforanysigns

thatshemayhavebeenhurtduringtheattack.

“Iamalright,”Oliviareplied.“I’mjustgladtoseethateveryonemadeitthrough.Thosethingswerenasty

andIdidn’tknowhowyouallwouldbeabletocomeoutalive,givenhowmanyofthemtherewere.”

OliviaandJanehuggedoncemoreandJessicajoinedthemastheyallthreehuggedandsharedintheir

reliefthatnoonehadgottenseriouslyhurt.Gregleftthemtoitandwentovertodiscussperimeterchecks

withtheothermalesinthepride.

Ashortwhilelater,withapatrollingschedulesetupforthepride,GregheadedbackovertoOliviatosee

whereshewantedtostayforthenight.WhenheapproachedOliviawithhismotherandJessica,hewas

surprisedtoseeexcitementandhappinessinhismotherandJessica’sfaces.Oliviawassmilingatthem

bothandhismotherhuggedhertightly,andliftedheroffofthegroundinherownexcitement.Hehadno

ideawhatcouldhavemadeallthreeofthemsohappyandexcitedallofasudden,butthesoundof

Olivia’slaughterwhenhismotherliftedherupwasoneofthegreatestthingshehadeverheard.

WhenGregreachedthethreewomen,hismothersatOliviabackdownandreleasedherfromher

embrace.Greglookedatthethreewomen,allwerestillsmilingfromeartoear,andraisedaneyebrowin

question.

“So,whoisgoingtotellmewhathasgottenya’llsoexcitedrightnow?”heasked.

HeputhisarmaroundOlivia’swaistfromthesideandlookeddownather,waitingexpectantly.She

smiledandglancedbackathismotherforamoment.Greglookedathismotheraswellandwatchedas

hersmilegotevenbiggerandshenoddedatOlivia.

Oliviaturnedherbodysothatshewasstandinginfrontofhimandputherarmsaroundhiswaist,andhe

followedherleadanddidthesametoherandhewaslookingdownatherexpectantly.

“Iwanttobeyourmate,”shesaid.

Gregblinkedinconfusion.TheyhadtalkedaboutitenoughthathehadalreadybeencertainOlivia

plannedtobecomehismateofficiallybeforehisthree-monthtimeframewasentirelygone.Therefore,he

wasn’tsurewhatmadehersaythisrightnow,andwhyhismotherandJessicalookedliketheyweregoing

tojumprightoutoftheirskintheyweresoexcited.

“Rightnow.”

Greg’seyesflashedbacktoOliviaandawayfromhismotherandJessica.WhenhelookedbackatOlivia

shewassmiling,andhecouldhaveswornhereyestwinkledupathim.

“Areyouserious?”Gregaskedher.Hisvoicewasbarelyaudible,butOliviahadheardhim.

Olivialeaneduponhertoesandkissedhim.Whenshereleasedhislips,shesaid,“Absolutely.”

Gregdidn’twasteanymoretimebeforehegrabbedherhandandquicklypulledherintotheirprivate

cave.JustasheturnedaroundtofaceOlivia,nearlyreadytoripherclothesoffofherbodyinafrenzy,a

thoughtoccurredtohim.

“Wait,whatmadeyousuddenlydecidetogothroughwiththisrightnow?”heaskedOlivia.

Oliviawrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandpressedherbodyintohisasshesaid,“IjustrealizedI

don’twanttowasteanothermomentnotbeingwithyouineveryway.”

Hestaredathertryingtodecideifshewastellinghimthewholetruthornot.Gregknewthatshefeltthe

samematebondforhimashedidforher,butwasstillskepticalaboutthetimingandsuddennessofher

decisionforthemtomatethatnight.

“Doesthishaveanythingtodowithwhathappenedtonight?”heaskedher.“WiththeDiochantisattacking

us?”

Oliviasighed,andheknewthatwashisanswer.

“Greg,therewereafewthingsthathappenedtonightthatledmetothisdecision;Iamnotgoingtolieto

youaboutthat.Seeingyougetattackedbecauseyoupausedtocheckonme,thennothavinganypowerto

helpprotectyouorourfamily,wasterrifyingandfrustrating.Iknowyouthinkitshouldalwaysbeyou

whoprotectsme,butifIwasalreadyyourmatewhenwegotattackedtonightIcouldhavehelped,and

youwouldn’thavegottenhurtatall.”

GregrestedhisforeheadagainstOlivia’sandsighed.“Baby,youcan’tmatemebecauseyouwanttofight

besideme.Whenwemate,Iwantittobefortherightreasons;notjustbecauseyouwerescaredintoit.”

ShetookhisfaceinherhandsandheldhisfaceupsothatGreghadtolookather.Oliviasearchedhis

faceforamomentandthenshesmiled.

“WellitisagoodthingIsaidthattherewereafewthingsthathappenedtonightwhichleadmetomy

decision.”

OliviapausedandGregstaredather,begginghertogoonwithhiseyes.“Youtoldmethatyoulovedme.

Ididn’trealizehowbadlyIwantedtohearthosewordsfromyouuntilthatmoment.Ihadn’trealizedthat

thosethreewordswerewhatIhadbeenwaitingforallalong;whatIneededtohelpmemakemy

decision.”

Greghadstoppedbreathing.Thiswasreallyhappening.Oliviareallywantedtobehismate,andnotjust

becauseofsomebigscarethatmadeherfeellikeshedidn’thaveachoice.Sheacceptedhislove,and

wantedtobecomehisforlife.

“Iloveyoutoo,GregWilds,andIdonotwanttowaitanothermomenttobecomeyourmate.”

Hedidn’tneedtohearanythingelse.GregkissedOliviahard,andcoaxedhermouthopensothathecould

massagehertonguewithhisown.Whenshemoanedintohismouthhenearlylostitrightthen.Hepulled

awaylongenoughtoremoveallofherclothes.

“Ineedtoseeyou,baby,”GregsaidashepulledoffOlivia’sbraandpanties.

Hesuckedinasharpbreathatthesightofherstrippeddownforhimforthefirsttime.

GregliftedherupandOliviawrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist.Ashecarriedherovertoanareainthe

cavethatwaslinedwithplushgrassandhayformorecomfort,Gregsealedtheirmouthsbacktogether.

HeloweredOliviatothegroundslowly,keepinghisarmsunderneathhertocushionherbackashelaid

herdown.GregpulledawayfromOlivia’smouthandtrailedkissesdownherjawtothesideofherneck.

“Youaresobeautiful,”hesaidsoftlyintoherearashewaskissingandnibblingherneck.“Ican’twaitto

makeyoumine.”

Oliviapantedandmoanedashetraveleddownherbody.Heusedhismouthandtonguetoworshipevery

inchofherbody,andwhenhepulledbackfromhercorebetweenherthighs,Oliviasatupandreachedfor

him.

“Greg,please,”shesaidinahuskyvoicethatdroveGregwildandhadhimreadytoexplodeinaninstant.

HekissedhiswaybackupherbodyandheldhimselfupoverOliviaonhisforearms.Hekissedher

passionatelyasheslowlypushedhishardlengthinsideofher.

“Gggrrr,”GreggrowledasheslowlyenteredOlivia’swetheat.Hehadneverexperiencedapleasureso

great.“Oh,baby,youfeel,agh…”Greg’swordswerecutoffasOliviashiftedherbody,grinding

upwardsasshetookhimdeeperinsideofherself.“Olivia,youfeelsoamazing.”

GregmadelovetoOliviaslowlyatfirst,butwhenhefeltherbodybegintoheatupandsawherbody

begintoglowbrightlikesunshine,heknewthatherchangewasuponher.Itwasmorebeautifulthanhe

everimaginedandhecouldn’tholdbackanymore.Oliviawasdigginghernailsintohisbackand

matchinghisthrustswithherown.

“OhGod,Greg.Ohhhh!”Oliviawascryingoutinpleasure,andherskinwasglowingsobrightlythat

Gregwasforcedtoclosehiseyeswhenheleaneddowntocaptureherlipswithhis.

WhenOliviaarchedherbackandGregfeltherback-pleasureripplethroughherbodythatwasallhe

neededforhimtoreachhisownclimax.

“Grrr,Olivia!”hegrowledouthismate’sname.

Astheybothtooktimetoallowtheirbreathingtocalmdown,GreglaiddownbesideOliviaandpulled

heragainsthischest.

Herbodywaswarmerthanithadbeenbefore,andherskinstillhadaslightglowtoit.Herhairappeared

tobeglowingalittleaswell,andwhensheopenedhereyesandlookedatGreghewasstunnedbyher

eyes.Herhazeleyeswerenowgold,andliketherestofher,theyglowedslightlyasshelookedathim.

“You’regorgeous,”Gregtoldherandheplantedasoftkisstoherlips.

Oliviasmiledathim.“Iloveyou,Olivia,”Gregtoldherasshelookedathim.

Shesmiledbrightlyandsaid,“Iloveyoutoo.”

GregpulledOliviatohischestandclosedhiseyes,andforthefirsttimehefellasleepholdingthewoman

helovedashismate.

CHAPTERFIVE

Olivia

WhenOliviawokeup,shefeltstrongerthanever.Shelookedaroundandwasamazedathowclear

everythingwasdespitethefactthatitwasstilldarkinsideofthecave.Shecouldheartheothersmoving

aroundoutsideasiftheywererightnexttoher,andshecoulddepicteverylion’sdistinctscent;notwo

smelledexactlythesame.Shesatupandlookeddownatherselfandgaspedwhenshenoticedthather

skinwasglowing.

Gregwokeupandgrabbedherhandsinhisownwhenshegasped.

“Baby,areyouokay?”heaskedher.

“I’mglowing,”shesaid,andshelookedupfromherbodytolookatGreg.

Hernewmatejustsmiledatherandnodded.

“Yes,youare.Itisbeautiful.”

“Idon’tremembermeetinganyoneelsewhoglows,Greg.Didsomethinggowrong?”Shewasbeginning

topanic,butGreg’ssmileneverwavered.

“Nothingwentwrong,Olivia.Youareperfect.”Gregsaid.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherashe

continued,“Youareamazing.I’veonlyeverheardstoriesofatruequeenlion,untilnow.”

Oliviathoughtshemusthaveheardhimwrong.“Whatareyousaying,Greg?AreyoutryingtotellmeIam

specialsomehow?”sheasked.

Hekissedherforeheadandsaid,“Yes.ThatisexactlywhatIamsaying.Everyfewhundredyearsatrue

queenisawokenwithinourpride.Aqueenwillglowbrightasthesun.You,Olivia,aredefinitelyas

beautifulandbrightasthesun.Yourskin,hair,andeyesareallputtingoffabeautifulgoldenglow,just

likesunlight.Ihaveneverseenanythinglikethis.”

“Wait!Yousaidthatmyhairandeyesareglowing,too?”sheaskedGreg.Herwordscameoutrushedand

edgy.Shewastryingtonotpanic,butshewasn’tdoingagoodjob.

“Olivia,babe,youneedtotrytocalmdown.Nothingiswrong,trustme.Ifanything,you’reprobablythe

strongestlioninourpriderightnow.Hell,thestrongestlioncurrentlyalive,actually.”

OliviasatstillandstaredatGregwhileshetriedtowraphermindaroundwhathehadjustsaid.“So,

you’resayingIamstrongerandfasterthanevenyou?”

Gregsmiledwide.“Maybe.”Hedrewthewordoutlikeitwasmerelyapossibilityinsteadofsomething

heknewforsure.

OliviajumpedupandaccidentallyknockedGregbackwardsinherhaste.“Shit!”sheexclaimedandshe

instinctivelyheldoutherhandtohelphimstandup.“I’mnotevensurehowIwasabletoknockyouover

likethat.”

Greglaughedandwrappedhisarmaroundherwaistasheusedhisotherhandtobrushherhairbackfrom

herface,andtuckitbehindherear.“Youarealotstrongernowthanyouwereyesterday.Don’tworry,

youwilllearntocontrolitsoonenough.”

OliviastaredatGregforaminute,absorbinghiswords.Afteramoment,sherememberedwhyshehad

jumpedupinthefirstplace.“HowdoIshift?”sheaskedGreg,andtherewasnohidingtheexcitementin

hertone.

“Youjustthinklion,andyouwillchange,”Gregansweredher.“Goaheadandgiveitatry.”

GregbackeduptogivehersomespaceandOliviatookadeepbreath.Oliviapicturedherselfasalion

andfeltarushofheatgothroughherbody,andthenshewasstandingonfourlegsinsteadoftwo.

Overjoyedathernewform,andthestrengthshefeltflowingthroughher,sheroaredloudlyatGreg,

hopinghewouldunderstandwhatshewantedfromhim.Apparentlytheywereonthesamepagebecause

heshifted,andinaflashtheywerebothlionsandshetookoffrunningoutofthecavewithGregright

behindher.

Shehadplannedtoheadstraightoutforaruntoseeifhernew“queenly”formwasfasterthanthatofher

mate,butwhentheymadeitoutofthecavetheentirepridewasthere.Assoonastheylaideyesonher

sheheardtheminherheadastheyallmadeonecollectivementalgasp.

Jane,hernewmother-in-law,sotospeak,wasthefirsttoletoutaloudroarbuttherestofthepride

followedsuitverysoonafterher.Astheircollectiveroarcametoanend,Oliviawatchedaseach

memberofhernewfamily,ofherlionpride,kneeleddownbeforeherandGreg.Shedecidedtheymust

bekneelingtoGreg,whowasofficiallytheirnewlionkingnowthathe’dofficiallytakenherashismate.

Nosoonerthanthatthoughtcrossedhermind,sheheardGreg’svoiceinherhead.“No,Olivia.They

aren’tbowingforme.Theyarebowingfortheirnewqueen.”

Oliviacouldn’tbelievethatthiswasherlife,thatshewasnowthequeenofnotjustherownlionpride,

butthequeenofallofthelionshifters.Ifalioncouldcry,thenshewascryingnow.WhenshefeltGreg

gentlypushhisheadagainstthesideofherfaceinasignofsupport,hernervescalmeddown.

Thiswasherfamilyshethought,andshesmiledtoherself.Shehadafamilynow,anditwasonethatshe

knewwouldstandbyhersidethroughanything.Feelingasenseofhappinessrushthroughheratthat

thought,Oliviastoodtallandroaredforalltohear.Thenshetookoffrunningandforthefirsttimeshe

wasgoingtoexplorethepridelandsonherown,andnothavetomissathingonGreg’sback.Therestof

hernewlionprideletoutonemoreunifiedroarandtookoffrightbehindher.Oliviahadbeenterrifiedof

whatitwouldmeanforhertobecomealion-shifterforthepastfewweeks,butnowthatshehadmadethe

change,shehadnomorereservations.Sheknewdeepinsidethatthiswaswhatshewasbornfor.Shewas

rightwhereshewassupposedtobe,andnowthatshe’dmadethechangeandbecomeGreg’smate,she

wasexactlywhoshewasmeanttobecome.

***

Overthenextfewweeks,Oliviawasbusylearningabouthernewselfandallofthenewskillsshehad

gainedwithherchange,likeperfectingthemindspeechthelionscommunicatedthrough,andblockingher

thoughtswhenshefelttheneed.Afterherinitialchange,andalloftheexcitementthatfollowed,ithad

suddenlyhitOliviathatshehadnevergottenaroundtotyingupallofherlooseendsinherhumanlife.

Shehadbeenexpectingatleastafewmoreweekstogetherthingsinorder,butwhenthemomentcame,

she’dknownthatshedidn’twanttowaitanylongertoofficiallyjoinGregandthepride.Unfortunately,

thatmeantshehadleftcertainthingsupintheair,includingsayinggoodbyetoJimmy.Whenshewentto

Gregtodiscussherconcerns,shewashappytofindthathe’dalreadybeenpreparingforwhatwouldhave

tobedone.

Apparently,hehadstartedlookingintothingsforbothofthemsincerightafterthepride’srunthemorning

ofherchange.

GreghadcalledinthehelpoftheWhytestoalterthememoriesofthepeopletheyknewintheirhuman

livesandgivethemclosure.Thiswastomakesureneitherofthemwounduponmissingpersons’flyers.

TheWhytes,Olivialearned,weremagicalcreatureswithtremendouspowers.LiketheDiochantis,they

possessedthepowersofsorcerers,buttheirpowerswereusedforgoodinsteadofevil.

Theymadeherthinkoffairies,withtheirflawlesspaleskinandsoftfeatures,andespeciallybecause

theycouldfly.Theydidn’thavewingslikethefairiesinhumanfolklore,buttheywereverysmall;noneof

themtallerthantwelveinches.

Oliviawasdiscoveringthatlionshiftersandsorcererswereonlyaverysmallpieceofthemagicalworld

shewasnowapartof.Itwasalottotakein,butshewaskeepinganopenmind.Oliviahadenjoyed

herselfsincehertransformation,butsheandGregbarelyhadanyalonetimetogether.Theydidhavea

hometogethernow,afamilyhomethathadbeenpasseddownthroughGreg’sfamilythatwaslocatedin

thewoodsnearthepride’scaves,buttheyhadreallyonlyuseditasaplacetocrash,sofar.

Sincetheirmating,theyhadspentnearlyeveryminutewiththeprideasOlivialearnedabouthernew

familyandhernewself.Thankfully,asshehadrecentlylearned,lionshifterslivedlongerlivesthan

humans.Theywerenotimmortal,buttheyliveduptofivehundredyearsonaverage.Thatmeantshehad

plentyoftimetolearnallabouthernewself,andtoliveoutherlifewithGreg.

***“Wearegoingtovisitaneighboringpridetoday,”Gregsaidwhentheygotupfortheday.“Itis

traditiontointroducethenewprideleaderandhismatetotheotherpridesinthearea.Sinceyouarea

truequeen,theothershavebeendyingtomeetyou,accordingtomymother.”Gregrolledhiseyesand

Olivialaughed.

Olivialaughed.“Youknow,youcan’tkeepmealltoyourself,mister,”Oliviatoldhermate.

GregwrappedhisarmsaroundOlivia’swaist.“Obviouslynot.We’vebeenspendingallofourtimewith

thepride,andnowwehavetogomakenicewiththeForesters’clan.”

WhenGregpokedouthisbottomlip,mockpouting,Olivialeanedintohimandplantedakissthere.

“Howaboutwegoaheadandmakethedecisiontospendalldaytogethertomorrow,”Oliviasuggested.

“Wecanlockourselvesinthebedroomandignoretheworldforafewhours.”

GregpulledOliviatighteragainsthisbodyandplacedasoft,lingeringkissonhermouth.Whenhebroke

thekiss,hewiggledhiseyebrowsupanddownatherandsaid,“Thenwecanworkoncontinuingthe

Wilds’familyline.”

Olivialaughedandsmackedhischestplayfully,although,shehadtoadmitthathisideawasaprettygood

one.“I’llseewhatIcanworkout,Mr.Wilds,”Oliviasaidplayfully.

“Good,”Gregsaid.“Now,let’sgogetthisvisitoverwith.Thesoonerwedo,thesoonerwecangetback

hereandstartthatpractice.”

ThistimewhenOliviatriedtosmackherridiculousmate,hedartedoutofherreachandranoutside.

Whenshewentouttomeethim,Greghadalreadyshedhisclothesandtakenoffrunningtowardsthecaves

wheretheyweregoingtomeetupwitheveryoneelse.

Itwasatwenty-minuterunfromtheircavestotheForesters’landandtheyheadedthatwayrightafter

meetingupwithalloftheWildsattheircaves.TheywereabouttenminutesoutwhentwolionsOlivia

didn’tknowapproachedthem.TheywerebothwindedandcoveredinbloodandOliviawasimmediately

onalert.Shecouldfeelachangeintheairastherestoftheprideallhadthesamereactiontothesightof

thesetwolions.Somethingwasverywrong.

WhenthetwolionsnoticedOlivia,shewassurprisedtoseetheireyeswideninshock,andthentheyboth

bowedtheirheadsdowntoher.

“Myqueen,pleaseforgiveourappearance,”oneofthelionssentthemthroughtheirthoughts.“Ourpride

wasattackedandEdmundsentustofindyouandwarnyou.”

Oliviacouldseethepanicintheyounglions’eyesastheybothstoodbeforeherandGreg.“Alright

Glenn,justtakeabreath,”Gregtoldthelionwhohadjustinformedthemofthesituationtheywereabout

towalkinto.“Doeitherofyouknowwhoattackedyourpride?”heasked.

Thistimetheotherlionanswered,“ItwastheDiochantis,sir.”

Oliviaheardalotoflowgrowlingcomingfromthemembersofherpride,andshewasrighttherewith

them.Shewasnewtothisworld,yetthiswasthesecondtimeshewaswitnesstoanattackbythe

Diochantis.Shewonderedjusthowoftentheseevilcreatureswouldbeanissueforthemandtheirkind.

“Howmany?”JaneaskedasshecameuptothefrontoftheirgrouptostandbesideOlivia.

Thelionslookedateachotherforamomentasiftheywerecommunicatingamongsteachother.Aftera

moment,thefirstlion,Glenn,said,“Wearen’tsure.Therearealotofthemthough;morethanwe’veever

seenatonetime.Thatiswhywecametowarnyouandgiveyoutheopportunitytorunforcover.Edmund

isworriedthepridewillnotbeabletooutlastthemthistimebecausewearegrosslyoutnumbered.”

Oliviawasoutragedandshocked.TheseDiochantiswerereallystartingtopissheroff,butwhatshe

reallydidn’tunderstandwasthefactthatthesetwo,andapparently,theirpride’slionking,thoughtthe

Wildswouldrunawayandleavethemtofightontheirown.Absolutelynot!

“Takeustherenow,”Oliviawassurprisedtohearherowngrowlinherprojectedthoughts,butrightnow

shewaspissed.

Shehadalwaysbeenverypassionateandwillingtofightforthosewhoneededherhelp,orcouldn’tfight

forthemselvesatall.Sincebecomingalionshifter,thatpassionandintensityhadonlygottenstrongerand

morepredominant.WhenshementionedittoGregseveraldaysagohehadtoldherthatitwashernatural

animalinstinctskickingin.Hehadalsosurmisedthatsinceshehadbeenborntobethetruelionshifter

queen,thatwasmostlikelywhythattraithadbeensostrongwithinherbeforeherchange.

Neitherofthemmoved.Insteadtheyglancedateachotheruncomfortably,andthenlookedtoGregasif

pleadingforhishelpwithsomething.WhensheheardGreg’svoiceinhermindagain,Oliviaknewthat

theyhadinfactbeenaddressingGregindividuallythroughtheirthoughts.

“GlennandNateareconcernedaboutyoucomingalong.Theywantmetotakeyousomewheresafeuntil

thisishandled.”

“No!Areyoukiddingmerightnow,Greg?”Oliviawasshoutingthroughhermind,butGregcutheroff

beforeshewasabletogoonanyfurther.

“Iknow,babe,”hesaid.“Ialreadyinformedthemyouwouldneveragreetosomethinglikethat.Youhave

torememberthatyou’retheirtruequeentoo,sotheyarejustaseagertoprotectyouasourfamilypride.”

“Okay,good,”Oliviasaidinacknowledgment.Whenshelookedbacktothetwolions,whosheknew

nowwereGlennandNate,sheletoutanauthoritativeroar.Theynoddedandturnedaroundtoleadthe

waywithOliviaandtherestoftheWilds’pridefollowingrightbehindthemandstraightintothedanger.

CHAPTERSIX

Greg

GregwaspissedandreadytoripsomeDiochantisscumtoshreds.Hecouldn’tbelievethatOliviawas

goingtobeputindangerbytheseevilcreaturestwicealready.Ithadonlybeenafewweekssincethey

wereattackedatthewaterfall.AlongwiththefactthatitwasstrangefortheDiochantistobeattacking

themsoclosetogetherwasthefactthattheirnumberskeptgettinglargerwitheachattack.

Inthepast,thedemonicsorcerersusuallyattackedthelesspowerfulmagicalgroupsorshifters.Aslions,

Greg’skindwerethestrongestbeingsinthemysticalworldonearth,sotheevilbeingsoftheirworld

didn’tusuallyattackthemheadon.Lionshiftersusuallyonlywoundupbattlingsucheviltohelpoutother

lesscapablebeings.

GregknewthattheDiochantiswereintodarkbloodmagic,andasthemostpowerfulbeings,lionshifters’

bloodwasrareandpowerful,sothesesuddenlargescaleattackshadhimonedge.TheDiochantiswere

planningsomethingbig,andheneededtofindoutwhatitwasandmakesuretheydidn’tsucceed.

Gregheardthescreamsandsmelledbloodbeforetheywerecloseenoughtoactuallyseewhatwasgoing

on.Thenextthingheknew,Olivialetoutawarrior’sroarandtookoffatfullspeed.

“Shit!Olivia!Waitforus,”heshoutedthroughhisthoughtsashetookoffrightbehindhismate.

HeknewOliviawasveryprotective,hehadpickeduponthatimmediatelywhenhemetherandshewas

stillhuman,buthehadn’texpectedhertojustrunheadfirstintoafightshedidn’tknowmuchabout.

Thiswouldbeherfirsttimefightingasalion,andfightingtheDiochantismeantkillingthem.Gregwas

afraidthatOliviamightnotbepreparedtokillevenifitwastosaveotherswhowereinnocent,andifshe

wouldn’tkillthem,thentheDiochantiswoulddefinitelykillher.

Unfortunately,asthenaturalbornqueenofalllionshifters,OliviawasfasterthanGreg.Bythetimehe

caughtuptoher,shewasalreadyinthemiddleofthefightbetweentheForestersandtheDiochantis.He

felthisheartfreezeupinpanicatthethoughtofsomethingbadhappeningtohismate.

WhenhewatchedOliviarushuptoagroupoffiveDiochantiswhowereattackingayounglion,andrip

theirheadsoffsofasthenearlymissedhermovement,hewasabletobreatheagain.Afterthat,Olivialet

outacommandingroarsopowerfuleveryonepresentturnedtofaceher,theDiochantisincluded.

HeheardacollectivegaspfromtheForesters’prideinhishead.Surely,seeingtheirqueenforthefirst

timewouldhavebeenabigdealnomatterwhat,buttoseeherforthefirsttimeasshefoughttosavetheir

liveshadtobeoverwhelmingfortheForesters.EvenasOlivia’smate,Gregfeltthesuddenneedtobow

andshowhisrespecttoherinthatmoment.Herpowerwaspalpableinthatmoment,anditpermeatedthe

airaroundthem.

Intheblinkofaneye,theDiochantisseemedtosnapoutofthehazeofOlivia’spower,andallatonce,

theyalltookofftowardsher.Gregwasbyhersidethough,andherippedintoeveryoneofthecreatures

thatcameclosetothem.Still,theywerevastlyoutnumberedandGregwastakinghitsrepeatedly.

“ProtectOlivia!”Gregcalledouttoalloftheshifters.“Protectyourqueen!”

Withinafewminutes,GregsawtheblackbloodandbodypartsofseveralDiochantisgoflyingallaround

himandOliviaasmoreandmorelionscametoprotecttheirqueen.Oliviawasholdingherownagainst

theevilcreatures,butthiswasherfirstbattleandGregwasn’tgoingtoriskherlifeifshebecame

fatigued,orsimplymadeabadcallandleftherselfopentoanattack.

GregwassofocusedonprotectingOliviathathedidn’tseethegroupofDiochantisthatswarmedhis

mother,Jane,untilheheardJessica’sscreaminsidehismind.

“Greg!”

QuicklyherippedtheheadfromthecreaturehewasfightingandturnedtoJessica.

“Yourmother!Theytookher,Greg.Icouldn’tgettoher.”Jessicawaspanicking,andhecouldhearher

tearseventhroughherthoughts.

GregrippedhiswaythroughtheDiochantisbetweenhimandwhereJessicaindicatedhismotherhad

beenattacked.Hepickedupherscenteasily,includingthestrongsmellofherblood,andburstintothe

forestinthedirectionshehadbeentaken.

Runningatfullspeed,itwasn’tlongbeforehecouldseethecreatureswhoweredragginghismother’s

limp,bloodybodythroughthebrush.Hecouldhearherheartbeating,althoughfaint,soheknewshewas

stillalive.Hesprungforward,buttheDiochantisheardhim.Hewatchedastheyallplacedahandonhis

mother,andinablackswirlofsmoketheyweregone;magicallytransportedaway.

Gregwasenragedwhenheturnedaroundandheadedbacktowherehe’dleftOliviaandtherestoftheir

pride.HerippedthroughtheremainingDiochantiswithvigor.Hedidn’tstoptothinkorworryaboutthe

painhewasinfromthewoundshehadreceivedthroughoutthebattle.Gregusedhisteethandclawsto

shredtheenemyapart,andbythetimethelastDiochantispresentwaskilled,hisfurwassaturatedbythe

blackbloodofthedemoniccreatures.

Helookedaroundtomakesurealloftheenemyhadbeentakencareof.HesawOliviaapproachinghim,

andshewasalsocoveredinquiteabitofDiochantisblood,butfromwhathecouldsee,shedidn’t

appeartobehurtherself.

“Greg,areyoualright?”Oliviaaskedonceshewasrightinfrontofhim.

Hecouldseetheconcerninhereyes.

Henuzzledherfacewithhisowninanattempttoshowherhewasfine,eventhoughhewasn’tallthat

great.Thosecreatureshadtakenhismother,andheknewthattheywouldtortureheranduseherbloodto

trytoraisetheirdemonicleader,Diocholos.Whenshewasnolongerusefultothem,thenheknewthat

theywouldkillher.Gregwasn’tabouttositbackandletthathappen.

“Wehavetogo,”hetoldOlivia.

Shenodded,andwithGreginthelead,theWilds’andtheForesters’pridesranbacktohisfamily’s

homeland.

OncetheyhadallmadeitbacktotheWilds’pridelands,theinjuredweretakencareofandeveryone

washedthebloodoftheirenemiesfromtheirbodies.Itwasnotlong,however,beforeGregcalled

togetheragroupofthehigherrankingshiftersfrombothhisprideandtheForesters’.Theyhadallmade

theshorttripfromthecavestotheWilds’familyhomessotheycouldmaketheshiftintotheirhuman

forms,andthereforecommunicateeasier.

“Greg,”Oliviaspokeupbeforeanyoneelsecould,“howarewegoingtofindJane?Shouldn’twebeout

theresearchingforheralready?”

“Weneedtonarrowdownastartingplace.Otherwise,wecouldwindupsearchingfortherestofour

livesandstillneverfindher,”Gregreplied.

EdmundForesterstoodupandaddressedeveryone.“Iknowaway,”hesaid.“Ifwecangetthepanther

shiftersonboard,theyhavethegiftofsight.IfyoucanrememberwhereyousawtheDiochantisfoldyour

motheraway,thepantherswillbeabletofollowthetrailtheyleftandseewheretheyhavehernow.”

Gregcouldn’tbelievehehadforgottenaboutthepanthershiftersspecialgift.Hewasonhisfeetinasplit

second.

“Icanshowthemexactlywhereshewastaken,”hesaidfirmly.

Hewasonedgeandheknewit,buttimewasoftheutmostimportance.Thelongertheywaitedthegreater

risktohismother’slife,aswellastheworldiftheDiochantishadthechancetoraiseDiocholos.

“I’llcallMarissaandseeifshecancomeandbringafewmembersofherfamilyalong,”saidJessica.

“WhoisMarissa?”askedOlivia.

Gregputhisarmaroundhismate,needingtofeelheragainsthiminthatmoment.Hehadlosthismother,

buthecouldhavelostherjustaseasilythewaytheDiochantishadthrownthemselvesintodefeatingher.

Heknewthattheyhadsensedherpower,buthewasn’tsureiftheyknewthatitmeantshewasthelion-

shifterqueen.

Greghopedthattheydidn’tbecauseheknewthattheywouldstopatnothingtogettheirhandsonOlivia,

sothattheycouldharnessherpowerfulbloodfortheirdemonicleader.Greglightlyshookhishead,ashe

triedtowipethosethoughtsfromhismind.

“Marissaistheleaderofthepanther-shifters,”GregtoldOlivia,“soshewouldbetheonetomakethe

calltohelpusornot.”

Afterafewminutes,Jessicare-enteredtheroom.“Marissasaidtheywouldbehappytohelp.Theycanbe

heretomorrowmorning.”

Greghatedthattheyhadtowaituntilthemorning,butheknewitwastheirbestoption.“Thankyou,

Jessica,”hesaidtohiscousin.Hisnextwordswereaddressedtotheroom.“Fortonight,everyoneneeds

togetasmuchrestastheycan.Tomorrowisgoingtobealongdayandwe’llneedeveryoneattheirbest

inordertopullthisoff.”

Afteragreeingtomeetbackatthecavesinthemorningatsunrise,everyonedispersedtogetsomerest

beforethebattlethatwastocome.Gregknewthattheyhadaroughbattleaheadofthemtomorrow,andhe

prayedthathismotherwouldhaveenoughstrengthtoholdonuntiltheycouldrescueher.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Olivia

Theydidn’twasteanytimethenextmorning,andweresoonontheirwaytothecavestomeetMarissa

andtherestofherfamilyofpanthershifters.Oliviawasscaredtodeath,buttherewasnowayshewas

goingtostaybehindwhileGregandtherestofhernewfamilywentouttofighttheDiochantisandrescue

Jane.

Thepanther-shiftersarrivedatthecavesimmediatelyfollowingthetwolion-shifterprides.Oliviawas

momentarilycaughtupinthebeautyofthemajesticcats.Therewereabouttwentyofthem,andtheywere

huge.Theirsleekblackcoatsoffurwereshiny,andOliviawascertainthattheywoulddisappearinthe

darknessexceptfortheirlarge,brightyelloweyesthatseemedtoglow.

GregmovedforwardandOliviawasrightbyhisside.“Marissa,thankyouforcoming,”hesaidtothe

panthers’leader.

Marissawaslargerthanalloftheotherpanthers,aclearindicationthatshewastheleader.“Ofcourse,

Greg,”sherespondedwithaslightnodofherheadinrespecttoGreg.“Iseeyouhavebroughtthe

Foresters’pridewithyoutoday,”Marissasaid,andhertoneseemedtoconveyaslighttoneof

disapprovalwhichconcernedOlivia.

MarissamovedclosertoherandGreg,andOliviaknewthatthenextthoughtssheheardwereonlyshared

withthetwoofthem.“Areyousuretheycanbetrusted,yourhighnesses?Iamsensingsomenegativity

withintheirgroupaimedatyou.”OliviawassurprisedatMarissa’swords,butshecouldalsotellthather

laststatementhadbeenmeantforher.ThewayMarissa’seyesweretrainedonOliviadidn’tleavemuch

totheimagination.

“Thatcan’tbetrue,”Oliviasaid.

ShewasfightingtheurgetoturnaroundandlookattheForestersasiftheculpritwouldsuddenlybe

surroundedbyatargetnamingthemastheoneagainstthem.TheForestershadallseemedreadytofight

bytheirsidestogetJaneback,andithadbeenEdmundForester’sideatocallinthepanther-shiftersin

thefirstplace.

“Itisjustalittleharmlessjealousy.Nothingtobeworriedabout,”saidGreg,butOliviacouldseethe

wayhelookedather.

Hewaswaitingtoseehowshewouldreacttothatpieceofnews.Shewasjuststaringathim,waitingfor

himtocontinue.Ifshehadbeeninherhumanform,thenherarmswouldhavebeencrossedoverherchest

andshewouldhavebeentappingherfootimpatiently.

“IthastobeSasha,Edmund’sdaughter.MymotherhadmadeanarrangementforherandItobematedifI

couldn’tfindmymateonmyown.Iheardthatshewasn’thappywhenwordofourmatingmadeittotheir

pride,butIneverthoughtshewouldbeupset.Weweren’tinlove,andwedon’tevenknoweachother

well.Ifanything,Ithoughtshewouldhavebeenrelievedtonotbeforcedintoanarrangedmating.”

Oliviadidn’tknowwhattosay.ShewasangryatGregfornevertellingherabouthis“arrangedmating”

butshewasalsoalittlesadforSasha.Eveniftheirmatinghadbeenarrangedbytheirparents,Oliviawas

surethatSashawasupsettohavelostGreg.Oliviacouldn’tsayifSashahadfeelingsforGreg,buthewas

thebornKingofthemostpowerfullion-shifterprideandshewassurethatmeantanyfemalewouldhave

lovedtobehismate.

Then,herecomesthishumanwhoknowsnothing,andsuddenlySashalosesherchancetobehismate.

Oliviatookadeepbreathanddecidednottosayanythingaboutit.Theyhadmoreimportantthingsto

worryaboutrightnow,likerescuingherkidnappedmotherinlaw.

“Nowthatthatissettled,IthinkweneedtogetbusyfindingJane.IdoubttheDiochantisarewastingany

timeharvestingherbloodfortheirspells.”

“She’sright,”saidMarissa.“Youneedtotakeustothespotwhereshewastaken,Greg.Wemustgetthere

beforetheirtraildisappears.”

“Right,”saidGreg.Hebrieflyturnedtowardstheothershiftersandwithalowroartheyalltookoffinto

theforest,withthepanthersbytheirsides.

OncetheymadetheirwaytothespotwhereGreghadseentheDiochantiswisphismotherawayina

swirlofblacksmoke,Marissabegancirclingthearea.WhenOliviabeganseeingimagesinhermindshe

wasworriedthatsomethingbadwashappeninguntilsheheardMarissa’svoiceinhermindaswell,

“Theyareinsidethemountainsbehindthewaterfall.”

OliviacouldseetheDiochantisworking,onwhatsheassumedwerespells,andinthemiddleofitall

wasJane.Shewasunconscious,inherhumanform,andchainedtoatablewithtubesrunningfrombothof

herarms.Adarkfluidwaspumpingoutofherthroughthetubes,anditwasonlyamomentbeforeOlivia

realizedthedarkfluidwasJane’sblood.

Iftheyhadbeendrainingherbloodatthissameratesinceshewastaken,Oliviawasafraidshewouldbe

bleddrybeforetheywouldbeabletomakeittoher.ThenextthingOliviaknew,shewasnolonger

seeinginsideofthemountain.Marissahadstoppedthevision,andwhenOlivialookedoverinMarissa’s

directionshewassurroundedbyWhytes.

“Icalledouttothem,”MarissashiftedherheadsidetosidetoindicatetheWhytesasshespoke.“Weare

goingtoneedtheirhelptosaveJane.”

“Hello,yourmajesties.IamJoseph,theGrandeWhyte.Wecansendyouallstraightintothemountain

fromhere,savingprecioustime,”hesaid,standingtoMarissa’sright.

AcohesivegrowlsoundedfromthelionsbehindOlivia.EveryonewasreadytogetJaneback,andtake

outtheDiochantisscumthathadtakenherinthefirstplace.

“Then,let’sdoit,”saidGregsharply.Oliviaknewhewasonedge,andhispatiencewasgone.

MarissaspokeupbeforetheWhytescouldtakethemintothemountain,“Wait,youallneedtoknow

somethingelse.”Shepaused,waitingforGregtogiveherhisattention.“IsawtheDiochantisspellthe

mountain.Anyshifterwhoentersthemountainwillautomaticallybetransformedbackintotheirhuman

form.”

“Isthereanythingthatyoucandotocounteractthat?”OliviaaskedtheGrandeWhyte,Joseph.

“Ican’tsayforsureuntilwegetthere,”Josephreplied,“butweshouldbeabletodetectthespellthey

usedandstopit.”

“Howlongwillthattake?”

Josephshookhishead.“Itwilldependonthestrengthofthespelltheyused.”

Gregshiftedbackintohishumanformandstoodsothathewasfacingeveryone.“Ifyouarenot

comfortablegoingwithusgiventhisnewinformation,Iunderstand.Forthoseofyouwhostillwishto

comealong,Ithinkitwouldbebesttogoinashumansotheforcedshiftdoesn’tdistractusandgivethem

anevenbiggerupperhand.”HeturnedtoOliviaassheshifted.

Shetookhishandandsqueezed,andwhenOliviaturnedtolookback,everyoneinbothlionprides,and

thepanthershadallshiftedintotheirhumanforms.

“Great,”saidJoseph,“thenwearegoingnow.”

Oliviafeltwindswirlingallaroundandthenextthingsheknew,theywereinsideofthemountainand

couldhearthesoundofthewaterfallcrashingintotheriverjustoutsidetheentrance.

JosephandtherestoftheWhytesbeganchantingaspelltoallowtheshifterstotaketheiranimalforms.

Olivia,Greg,andMarissatookofftowardsthecenterofthemountainwheretheyknewthatJanewas

beingheld.EveryoneelseworkedhardtofighttheDiochantistoclearthewayforthemtogettoJane.

WhentheycametothebackcavernwhereMarissa’svisionhadshownthemJanewasbeingheld,Olivia

couldfeelthehaironthebackofherneckstandonendandafeelingofuneasesettledoverher.Theyhad

gottentoJanesoeasily,andthatworriedOlivia.

Beforeshehadthechancetovoiceherconcerns,Gregwaspushingintothecavernandallhellbroke

loose.TheyweresurroundedbyDiochantisandatthecenteroftheroomwhereJanewaschaineddown

wasthescariestthingOliviahadeverseen.Allshecouldthinkwas“monster.”Itwaseightfeettall,with

glowingredeyes.

Themonsterhadscaledskinlikeanalligatoranditwascoveredinthickgreenslime.Ithadincredibly

sharpclaws,andaheadshapedlikeadragonfullofrazorsharpfang-liketeeth,anditsmelledlikerot

anddecay.

GregleapedinfrontofherandplacedhimselfbetweenOliviaandthecreature.

“Theydidit,”sheheardMarissasayunderherbreath.

“Didwhat?”Oliviawhispered.

GregturnedhisheadslightlysothathecouldquietlyanswerOliviawhilehekeptthemonsterinhis

sights.“Theysummonedademon,”hesaid.

Oliviafeltfearwashthroughherwholebody.“IsthatDiocholos?”

“No,”saidMarissa,“it’salowerleveldemon,butstillnotanythingtoplayaroundwith.Idoubtwestand

achanceatdefeatinghim,unlessJosephandtheWhyteshurryupwiththeirspellsowecanshift.Inour

humanforms,wedon’thavethestrengthtodefeatademon,nomatterhowsmall.”

Small?Oliviacouldn’tbelieveMarissawouldusethewordsmalltodescribethedemoninfrontofthem.

Ifthisdemonwassmall,OliviaprayedshewouldnevercomeacrossanupperleveldemonorDiocholos

himself.TheDiochantisdidn’twastetimeattackingthem.

GregandtheotherssurroundedOliviabeforeshehadthechancetofight.Everythingwashappeningso

fastthatOliviawasstrugglingtokeepup.Shesawbloodandheardscreaming.Somewasclearlythe

bloodoftheDiochantisasitwasblackandputrid,andtheirshriek-likescreamswereunmistakableas

well.

Oliviaknewitwasn’tonlytheenemybeinghurt,andpossiblyevenkilled.Allaroundhersheheardthe

shoutsandscreamsofpaincomingfromtheshiftersastheytriedinvaintowinthisbattleintheirhuman

forms.Suddenly,OliviawasthrownacrosstheroomasthedemonknockedGregbackwards,andshe

heardGregcryoutinpainasthedemon’sclawstoreintothefleshonGreg’schest.

OliviaheardGreg’sscream,andsawthebloodthatcoveredhischestwherehisfleshwasrippedopen.

RageconsumedherandforthefirsttimewithouthavingtothinkaboutitOliviashiftedintoherlion.

Withtherage,anatomicheatrippedthroughherbodyandlightasbrightasthesunexplodedaroundher

bodylikeakaleidoscope.Asherlighttouchedtheshifters,theywereimmediatelytransformedintotheir

animalcounterparts,lionsandpanthersalike.Thelightcomingfromherbodywasgettingstronger,and

Oliviacouldfeelitwithinher.

Itwasapartofher,anditwaswhatsheneededtokillthedemonsotheycouldgettoJaneandgether

home.OliviacroucheddownandleapedoffthegroundandovertheheadsofthelionsandDiochantis

surroundingher,sothatshewasrightinfrontofthedemon.

Thedemonleapedatherwithitsmouthopenreadytobite,butOliviawastoofast.Shejumpedtothe

side,whichcausedthedemontomissher,thensheturnedandleapedontohisbackandbitintohisneck.

Whileherteethwereburiedinthedemon’sneck,shecalleduponherlightandconcentrateditsforceon

thedemon.

Whenthelightpouredfromhermouthintothedemonwhereshehadherteethtightlyclampedaroundhim,

thedemonletoutabloodcurdlingscreamandsmokefilledthecaverninsideofthemountain.Withinless

thanaminute,Oliviaheardaloudpopandthedemonexplodedandturnedtoash.TheDiochantiswho

werestillaliveallletoutashrillcrythatmadeOliviawishshedidn’thavesuperhearing,andthenthey

allbeganblowingoutofthemountaininaswirlofblacksmoke.

OliviaandGregdidn’twasteanytimegettingtoJane.Theytorethroughthechainsoneithersideofher,

butshewasunconsciousandveryweak.Beforeanythingcouldbediscussed,Gregshiftedbackintoa

human,andcarefullyliftedhismotherintohisarmslikehewascradlingababy.Oliviafeltasmallhand

onherfur,andwhenshelookedback,JosephwasholdingontoherandGreg.

“I’vegotyou,”saidJosephjustbeforeOliviafeltherselfsurroundedbytherushingwind,andthenthey

werehomeintheirhouseintheforest.

GregputhismotherinherbedandaskedJosephtohelpherheal.

Josephshookhishead.“No,wecannothelp,”hesaid.“Sheistoofargoneforourmagictosaveher,but

yourqueenholdsthepowertoreplenishJane’slifeforce.”

Oliviahadn’tshiftedoutofherlionform;somethinginsideofherhadbeentellinghernotto,andwith

Joseph’swordssheknewhergutinstincthadbeenright.

“Whatthehelldoyoumean?Yourpeoplehavethestrongestmagicinourworld,outsideofthedarkarts.

Howcanyounothelpher?”Gregwasscaredforhismother,andOliviaheardhisvoicecrackwhenhe

questionedJoseph’sstatement.

Oliviawasabletospeaktohermatethroughherthoughtssothatshecouldreassurehimsheknewwhatto

do.“Greg,he’sright,”shetoldhim.“Iknowwhattodo.”

Greg’seyebrowsdrewtogetherashelookedherintheeyes.“Idon’tunderstand.”

“Ican’texplainitrightnow,butIcansaveher.”

WhenGregnoddedhisacceptance,OliviaslowlycrawledintothebedbesideJane.Shewrappedherself

aroundheruntilshecouldbarelybeseenbeneathallofOlivia’sfur.Oliviatookabreathtosteady

herself,thenshedrewonherlightagain.SheallowedherlighttoflowthroughherandintoJaneuntilshe

wasglowingjustasbrightlyasOlivia.

OliviacouldhearwhenJane’sheartbeatgotstronger,andshefeltJane’sbodymoveasherbreathing

becamemorenormal.Withinafewminutes,Oliviawasabletoputherlighttorestandgotupfromthe

bed,shiftingintoherhumanform.TheglowwasslowlyleavingJane’sbody,andonceitwascompletely

gone,Jane’seyesfinallyopenedandshegaveOliviaandGregasmallsmilebeforeclosingthemand

goingbacktosleep.

“Shewillbefinenow,”saidJoseph.“She’llprobablysleepforseveralhourswhileherbodybuildsher

strengthbackup,butthatistobeexpectedaftereverythingshewentthrough.”

WhenOlivialookedaroundtheroomsherealizedthateveryonewaswatchingherliketheyhadnever

seenherbefore.

Jessicawasthefirstonetospeakup,“Howdidyoudothat?”sheaskedOlivia.

“It’shardtoexplain.Thefirsttimeithappenedinthecavernitwasmybodyreactingoninstinct.There

wassomuchblood,andeveryonewasscreaming.WhenIsawthedemonstrikeGregandheardhimcry

out,Ifeltanoverwhelmingheatrushthroughmybody.Ididn’tevenconsciouslymakethedecisionto

shift.

ThenextthingIknewIwasinmylionformandbrightlightwaspouringfrommybody.Someinstinct

insideofmetoldmethatthelightwasthekeytodestroythedemon,andIjustdidwhatfeltnatural.”

“So,wereyouangryjustnowwhenyoutookcontrolofthelightwhileyouheldJane?”askedMarissa.

OlivialookeddownatJanewhensheanswered,“No,notreally.Iwasscaredthataftereverything,we

stillmightloseher,butassoonasJosephsaidIcouldsavehersomethinginmymindclickedintoplace.I

knewthatmylightcouldhealher.”

WhenOlivialookedup,Gregwasstaringdownatherandhesmiledsweetly.Herubbedthebackofhis

handalonghercheekbeforehebroughthismouthdowntohersandkissedhertenderly.Heputhismouth

toherear,andOliviafelthisbreathonherskinwhenhesaid“Thankyou.”

ThenGreglookedaroundtheroomandsaid,“Thankyouallforeverythingyoudidtohelpsavemy

mother.NowIwouldsaywe’realldeservingofsomerest.”

AseveryonelefttheroomtheyshookGreg’shand,andseveralofthemgaveOliviaatighthug,uttering

theirthanksinherearbeforetheypulledaway.Onceeveryonewasgone,GregpulledOliviacloserto

himwithbothofhisarmswrappedaroundherwaist.

“Nowthatwearefinallyalone,whatdoyousaytomecarryingyoutobedsothatIcangiveyouaproper

thankyou?”

Greg’svoicewaslowandhuskyandwhenhetrailinghotkissesdownthesideofOlivia’sneckshefelta

newkindofheatbringherbodytolife.

WhenGregsoftlybitheratthebaseofherneckwhereitcurvedouttowardhershoulder,she

involuntarilysighedandfeltsparksoflustshootthroughherbody.Olivia’sthighsclenched,andherknees

wentweakwithneed.Greglaughedquietlyandthenhebentdownandranhisarmunderherknees.

ThenextthingOliviaknew,shewasinGreg’sarmsandheheldherpressedagainsthischest.

“I’lltakethatasayes,”Gregwhisperedwithhismouthhoveringoverhersjustbeforehepressedhislips

tohersinahotkissandcarriedhertotheirroom.

Greglaidherontheirbedandranhistonguedownherbody.Hetookhistimeandslowlylavishedeach

ofherbreasts,pullingherhardnubsintohishotmouthandgentlybitingdownjustbeforehecircledhis

tongueandsucked.Oliviawasmoaningoutloudandarchingherbackup,pressingherbreastsintohis

faceashecontinuedtheslow,seductivetorture.Thenhewasmovingloweruntilshefelthiswarmbreath

washoverherachingcore.

WhenOliviafeltGreg’smouthpressagainsther,andhebeganexpertlymovinghistongueintoher,she

shatteredasherorgasmrippedthroughherbodyandshecriedoutasherpleasurepulsedthroughher.

“Oh,Greg!”

GregmovedbackupOlivia’sbody,wrappinghishandsaroundthebackofherthighs,andthrustinsideof

heratthesametimeheplantedahardandpassionatekissagainstherlips.Oliviamoanedandcriedout

herpleasureintoGreg’smouthashecaressedhertonguewithhiswhilehethrustintoheragainandagain.

WhenGreggrowledinhisownpleasureshefeltthevibrationstravelfromhermouthdowntowheretheir

bodieswerejoined,andOliviafeltherpleasurebuildingupagain.

WhenGregpulledhismouthfromhers,hepushedherlegsforwardandgrippedherthighsandbegan

slammingintoheroverandover,gruntingwitheverythrust.

“Olivia,fuck!Ugh!”GregcriedoutandOliviafelthisorgasmeruptinsideofher.

Feelinghermate’spleasurewasexactlywhatsheneededtopushherovertheedgeforthesecondtime,as

waveafterwaveofpleasurerippedthroughherandsentpleasurethrougheveryinchofherbody.

“Oohh,Greg,God,yes!”

Greg’smovementssloweddownuntiltheywerebothspentandhelaydownandpulledOliviaontohis

chest.Oliviaproppedherheadupsothatshewasabletolookhimintheeyes.Gregsmiledandkissed

hersweetly.

“God,Iloveyou,”hesaid.Hisvoicewasdeepandraspyfromtheirlovemaking.

Oliviaranherhandsthroughhishaironeithersideofhisfaceandkissedhimslowly.“Iloveyoutoo,”

shetoldhimwhenshepulledbackfromthekiss.

Gregsmiledandreacheduptopullherbackdownforanotherkiss.Itwasn’tlongbeforeOliviafeltGreg

growhardagainunderneathher,andhereachedoutandliftedherontopofhim.Theymadeloveallnight,

notsleepinguntilneitherofthemcouldholdtheireyesopenanymore.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Greg

Gregwassurprisedtofindhismotherawakeandmakingbreakfastwhenhecamedownstairsthenextday.

OliviahadsneakedoutbeforehewokeupandtheywerebothinthekitchenalongwithJessica,andafew

otherwomen,threeshifterfamiliescurrentlystayingintheWilds’homes.

HealsonoticedSashasittingatthecounterwithacupofcoffeeinherhandsandshewasglaringatthe

backofOlivia’shead.Gregcouldswearhesawhateinhereyesbeforethesoundofhimenteringheroom

distractedherandshedroppedherheadtotakeaswallowfromhercoffee.Gregdidn’tlikethewayshe’d

beenlookingathismate,andhedecidedthathemightneedtokeepaneyeonheraroundOlivia.

Hewasn’tgoingtostandforhergettinganyideasaboutchallenginghismate.Maybehewouldask

Edmundtohaveatalkwithhisdaughtertoensureshewasn’tcomingupwithanybrightideas.

HewalkedaroundthecounterandcameupbehindOlivia.Greghuggedher,pressingherbackagainsthis

frontandsheturnedherheadsohecouldgiveheraquickkiss.“Goodmorning,”hesaid.

“Goodmorningtoyoutoo.”OliviasmiledandGreglethergoandwalkedovertohismother.

“Howareyoufeeling,Mom?”heaskedher.

“I’mgreat,honey.Thankstoallofyou,andespeciallyOlivia.”ShelookedaroundGregandsmiledathis

mate.Whenheturnedtoofferherasmileofhisown,shewasblushingcrimsonred.“Now,getoutofour

waywhilewefinishcooking.”Shemockpushedhimoutofherwayandwentbacktoflippingpancakes

onthegriddle.

Gregheldhishandsupinsurrenderashebackedupandoutofherway.HelookedatSashaandcaught

herstaringathim.“Itakeittheykickedyououtoftheirwaytoo,”hesaidtoher.Shedrewhereyebrows

togetherandhecouldhaveswornshelookedguiltyaboutsomething.Heturnedtohismotherandraised

aneyebrowinquestion.

Sherolledhereyeswhensheansweredhisunspokenquestion.“Notquite.Missthingovertherecame

slumpinginherelikeshehadn’tsleptinagesandploppeddownonthatstool,soyourmateofferedher

thatcupofcoffeeshe’sdrinking.Ihonestlyhaven’tfiguredoutwhatshehastobesotiredabout.”Jane

lookedatSashaexpectantlyandGregcoveredhismouthashetriedtostophislaughter.

Hismotherhadneverhadmuchofafilter,alwayssayingwhatwasonhermind.Addthattothefactthat

shecouldn’tstandlazinessandSashajustmightbeinforit.

AfewsecondspassedwherenobodymadeasoundasJane,Greg,andOlivialookedatSashaandwaited

toseeifshewouldsayanything.Thedeadsilencemadeitfeelmuchlongerthanitwas.

Finally,Sashaapparentlyrealizedeveryonewaswaitingforhertospeakupforherself,andinaquiet

mousytoneshesaid,“I’mstilltiredfromthefightyesterday.I’msurprisedyouguysaren’twornouttoo.

MaybeyousleptbetterthanIdid,butIjustkeptreplayingtheimageofthatdemoninmymindanditwoke

merightbackup.”

ThatwaswhenMarissaenteredthekitchen,andshespokebeforeanyoneelsecould.“Consideringthe

factthattheonlythingIsawyoudoyesterdaywasmakesureyouwereasfarawayfromanyoftheenemy

aspossible,Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingaboutwhenyousayyou’rewornoutfromthefight.”

Sashastoodfromherchairandplantedherhandsonherhipslikeshewasgettingreadytodisputewhat

Marissahadsaid,butshedidn’tgetthechance.Marissawenton,“Andyouwerenevereveninthe

chamberwhereJanewasheld,sothereisnowayyoucouldhaveseenthatdemontobehavingnightmares

abouthim.AllIamsayingisthatclearly,yourlazinessdidn’tstartthismorning.”

“Ugh!”Sashagroanedoutherannoyancewhensheturnedandstompedherwayoutofthekitchen.

GreglookedatMarissaandthenbackathismotherwhowasstrugglingtoholdbackherownlaughter.

Whenshelookedathimtheybothlostitandburstoutlaughing.

“Damn,Marissa,”saidGregthroughhislaughter.“IthoughtMomherewasblunt,butyouarebrutal.”

Marissashruggedhershoulderswhileshemadeherselfacupofcoffee.“Idon’tseeanyreasontolie

aboutthings.Besides,withmyfamily’sgiftofsightwecanalwaysseeifsomeoneisn’ttellingusthefull

truth,soweareraisedtospeakthetruthregardlessofhowitmightmakesomeonefeel.”

OliviawascarryingfoodtothetablewhenMarissaturnedaround.“IknewtherewassomethingIliked

aboutyou,”OliviasaidtoMarissa.Theysharedasmilebetweenthem,andGreghadnodoubtthat

MarissaknewallaboutSashaandherfeelingsofjealousytowardsOlivia.

“Thatgirlhasalwayshadastickupherass,”saidhismotherwhenshejoinedOliviaincarryingfoodto

thetable.“ItjustwentinalittledeeperwhenyoutookGregoffthemarket.Ican’ttellyouhowgratefulI

amthathefoundyou.Iwastrulynotlookingforwardtoherjoiningthefamilypride.”

“That’sfunny,Mother,consideringitwasyouridea,”Gregsaidwhenhecarriedthelastofthefoodtothe

tableforhismother.

“IonlyagreedtoitbecauseIknewthatthreateningyouwithalifetimetiedtoSashawouldgetyouoff

yourass,sothatyoucouldfindyourrealmate.”

Marissachuckledwhenshetookaseatatthetable.“Well,itlookslikeyourplantoscarehiminto

adulthoodworked.”JanewinkedatMarissa.“Yep.Amotheralwaysknowsbest.”Gregpulledoutachair

forOlivia,andlookedathismotherlikeshewascrazy.“Don’tlookatmelikethat,GregWilds.You

shouldbethankingmebecauseyouwoundupfindingyourtruemate,whojustalsohappenedtobethetrue

lion-shifterqueen.I’dsayyouturnedouttobeoneluckylion.”

Oliviawasblushingagainwhenshepickedupaservingspoonandsaid,“Okaythen.Who’sreadyfor

someeggs?”

Gregsmiledatherobviousattemptatchangingthesubject,buthelduphisplatewhileshescoopeda

helpingofscrambledeggsforhim.Hestaredathismateforamomentandknewwithoutadoubtthathis

motherwasright.Hewastheluckiestmalealive,andtheamazingfemalewhosatbesidehimwasallthe

proofheneededtojustifythatfact.

***Inthemiddleofthenight,thedoortoGregandOlivia’sroomburstopenwithaloudcrashasit

slammedintothewall.Thecrashstartledthembothandtheyleapedoutofbedinsecondsandwereboth

shiftedintotheirlionformsbeforetheirfeethittheground,preparedforanything.Twopanthersstood

beforethem,justinsidetheirbrokenbedroomdoor.

“Whatthehell’sgoingon?”demandedGreg.

“Marissasentus,yourmajesties.TheDiochantisarecoming.”

Gregstiffened.“Whatdoyoumean,theyarecoming?Where?”

“Theyarecominghere,sir.Theywillbehereverysoon.Marissahadavisionwhilesheslept,andshe

hassentourfamilyaroundtowarneveryone.”

Gregwassopissedhewaspracticallyshaking,andhegrowledwithoutthinkingaboutit.Helookedover

atOlivia,andherangerwaswrittenalloverher.Herfurwasglowing,andthebrightlightthatseemedto

beapartofhernowwasclearlymakingitswaytothesurface.Whenshelookedathimhereyeswere

glowingasbrightlyasthesun.

Theybothroaredloudly,andGregsenthisthoughtsoutwardwarninganyonewhothepanthershadn’t

gottentoyet,andinstructedeveryonetogetoutsideandbeonthelookoutfortheDiochantis.Hewantedto

stopthembeforetheymadeitinsideanyoftheirhomes.

Theyrandownstairsandoutsidebehindtheirtwopanthermessengers,andmetupwithJane,Jessica,

Marissa,Edmund,andJoseph.

“Howinthehelldidtheyfindus?”askedJane,oncetheywerealltogether.

“Icananswerthat,butatleastoneofyouarenotgoingtowanttohearit.”GregnoticedMarissaglanceat

EdmundwhenJanemadehercomment.

“Marissa,nowisnotthetimetostartfilteringyourself,”Gregtoldthepantherleader.

Sheturnedtohim,andwithherbigyelloweyeslockedonhisownshesaidoneword,“Sasha.”

GregfeltthetruthofMarissa’sstatementslamintohim.Hehadknownsomethingwaswrongwhenhe

walkedinonSashaglaringatOliviainthekitchenearlythatmorning,buthe’dneverimaginedshewas

planningsomethingsounforgivable.WhenGregquietedhisinnerthoughtsdownenoughtopayattention

again,JaneandEdmundwereshoutingovereachother.

“Thatspoiledlittlebitch!”saidJane.

“No!Thatisbullshit,”Edmundretortedindefenseofhisdaughter.“MySashawouldneverputusallin

dangerlikethis.She’slying!”EdmundgotinMarissa’sfaceandgrowledthreateningly.

“I’llshowyoujustwhatyourrottendaughterdid,”saidMarissaandsheliftedherpawandplaceditatop

oneofEdmund’sshoulders.

GregwantedtoseeSasha’streacheryforhimself,soheshiftedhisbodysothathewastouching

Marissa’ssidewhensheshowedEdmundwhatshehadseen.Gregwastakenbacktothatmorningwhen

Sashastompedoutofthekitchen,pissedoff.Shewentoutsidetotheforestbeyondthehousesandshifted

wherenoonewouldseeher.

Thenhewatchedassheranuntilshecameuptosomecaveshiddendeepwithinthedarkforest,andshe

wasmetbyseveralDiochantiswhensheentered.WhenGregwitnessedSashatelltheDiochantiswhere

tofindtheshifters,andthensheallowedthemtotakesomeofherbloodsothattheycouldraiseanother

lowerdemontohelpthemwhentheyattackedGreg’spride,hewasoutraged.

TheonlythingthatshehadaskedoftheDiochantisinreturnwasforthemtomakesurethelionqueendied

aslow,painfuldeath.Whenthevisionended,Gregwasfueledbyhisanger.Noonethreatenedhismate!

HelookedatEdmundandsawthathiseyeswerefilledwithtears.HeknewwhatSasha’streasonmeant.

Heknewthathisdaughterwouldnotbeallowedtoliveafterabetrayalofsuchmagnitude.

“Please,justmakeitquick,”EdmundpleadedwithGreg.

Gregnodded.TherewasnowayhewouldallowSashatoliveaftertonight,buthewasn’tgoingtodrag

outherdeath.Nomatterwhatshehaddone,heunderstoodthatshewasstillEdmund’sdaughterandGreg

wasn’tgoingtomakehimsufferanymorethanhealreadywouldwiththedeathofhisonlydaughter.

ThatwaswhenGregheardthetreesallaroundthemrustling,andjustwhenheturnedaround,Diochantis

camehurdlingthroughthetreesallaroundthem;theywerecompletelysurrounded.JustbeforeGregtook

offtowardstherapidlyapproachingDiochantis,hewarnedeveryoneofSasha’sbetrayal.

“IfyouseeSashaForestersheistobekilled,”hetoldeveryone.“Donothesitate.Sheisourenemy.”

ThelionsandpantherschargedtheDiochantis.Gregcouldseethesurpriseontheirdisgustingfaceswhen

theDiochantissawthemapproaching.Itwouldseemtheyhadn’tfiguredoutthepanthers’giftofsightand

hadexpectedtocatchthemalloffguardandsleeping.MostlikelytheywouldassumeSashahadbeen

caughtorbetrayedthem.GreghadneverseensomanyDiochantis.

Lately,everytimetheyfoundthemselvesinafightagainsttheDiochantis,theirnumbersgotlarger.There

hadtobeatleasttwohundredoftheevilcreaturesconvergingonthem.Heknewthatevenwiththehelp

ofthepanther-shiftersandWhytestheyweregreatlyoutnumbered.Thelikelihoodthattheywouldsuffer

casualtiesfromthisbattlewashigh.

Olivia,whowasmuchfasterthantherestofthem,wasthefirsttoreachtheenemyandshedidn’twaste

anytimerippingintothem,usingherclawsandteethasweaponsassherippedthecreaturestoshreds.

Gregfeltamomentarysenseofpridewhenhewatchedhismatekilltheirenemieswithouthesitation.She

wasdefinitelybornforthislife.

SooneveryonewassurroundedbytheDiochantisandtheyallfoughtwitheverythingtheyhadagainstthe

evilcreatures.TherewerejustsomanymoreofthemandGregbegantotireasthebattleragedon,but

theyhadonlymadeasmalldentintheirenemy’sforces.GregheardJessicacryoutinpainandwhenhe

turned,hesawSashahadsneakeduponherfrombehindandshehadherjawlockedaroundJessica’s

neck.

JessicaflailedasshetriedtobreakfreefromSasha’sgrip,butSasha’steethweretoodeeplyimbeddedin

Jessica’sfleshforhertobreakfree.HesawOliviaandhismotherweretryingtobreakfreefromthe

DiochantisthattheywerefightinginordertogettoJessicabuttheyweresurroundedjustlikeeveryone

else.Gregwasgoingtotrytogettoherhimself,butbeforehecouldGregfeltahotsearingpainrip

throughhisback,andhewasliftedoffthegroundandthrownbackwardsintotheforest.

Hewasblindedbythepainthatcoursedthroughhisbodywhichwasonlyamplifiedeverytimehemoved

tryingtostandup.Gregfelttwogiantclawswraparoundeachofhisfrontlegs,andthenhewasbeing

draggedacrossthegroundbytwolowerdemons.TheywerepullinghiminthedirectionofOlivia.

Whenshesawhim,Oliviabegantoglowandthelightthatwasshiningaroundhergrewbrighterfast.The

nextthingheknew,aclawwaspressingintohisthroat,andthenheheardthelowgarbledsoundofoneof

thedemonstalking.

“Stop,oryourmatediesrightnow,”saidthedemonandhepressedhisclawharderintoGreg’sthroat.

Gregfeltthetippuncturehisfleshandhegroanedinpain,buthecouldn’tgetawayfromthem.“Youmay

befast,littlequeen,butyouwon’tbeabletokillmefastenoughtosavehislife.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”Oliviaasked.Hervoicewasboomingwithherpower,almostasifitwerealoud

echo.

“You.”

Gregwasthrashingagainandtryingtobreakfreefromthedemon’sholdonhim.NotonlywasGregtrying

topreventhimfromtakingOliviaashismate,butifthesedemonsandtheDiochantisgottheirhandson

Oliviaitwouldmeanhellonearth.Oliviawasthemostpowerfullion-shifterindecades,ifnotcenturies,

andhewassurethattheDiochantiswouldbeabletouseherbloodtobringDiocholostoearth.

“No!Only….”Greg’spleawascutoffatthedemondughisclawdeeperintoGreg’sthroat.

“STOP!”ThepowerinOlivia’svoicewassoastoundingthateveryone,eventhedemonsfrozeandgave

hertheirattention.“Iwillcomewithyouifyoureleasehim,butfirstyoumustallowmetohealhimand

her,”OliviatoldthedemonsandshenoddedtoJessica’slimp,bloodcoveredbodywhichwaslyingon

thegroundnexttoSashawhenshe’dfinallyreleasedher.

“Fine,”saidthedemon.“Dowhatyouhaveto,buthurryupanddon’ttryanythingoryourmateisadead

cat.”

OliviawalkedovertoJessica,andSashamovedinfrontofherinanattempttokeepOliviafromher.

OliviatoreintoSasha’sthroatwithherteeth,andbrightlightradiatedfromherbiteintoSasha.Inaflash,

SashawasnothingmorethanapileofashatOlivia’sfeet.Oliviadidn’twasteanymoretimegettingto

Jessica.ShecoveredJessica’sbodywithherown,andallowedherlighttowraparoundJessica’sbody

andhealherwounds,justasshehaddonewithhismotherthenightbefore.

Afterwards,OliviastoodandmadeherwayovertowherethedemonsstillheldontoGreg.

“You’llhavetoreleasehim,”Oliviatoldthedemons,andifGregwasn’tmistaken,itsoundedalotlike

shehadcommandedthemtodoso.

Asifithadbeenacommandthattheycouldn’trefuse,bothofthedemonsimmediatelyreleasedGregand

hedroppeddowntotheground.Oliviarepeatedthesamethingshe’ddonewithJessica,andwrappedher

bodyandherlightaroundhimuntilhefelthiswoundsheal.Justbeforehepassedoutfromtheintensityof

herpower,Oliviasaid,“Iloveyou,Greg,”andthenhewasoutandtherewasn’tanythinghecoulddoto

protectherfromtheDiochantisorthedemons.Hellwasdefinitelyabouttorise.

CHAPTERNINE

Olivia

OliviaallowedtheDiochantistoleadhertotheirdarkforest.Shewasterrifiedbutrefusedtoshowit.

Morethanshewasafraidforherself,shewasscaredforherpride,family,andfriends.Sheknewwhythe

Diochantiswantedher,andsheonlyhopedthatshecouldstopthembeforetheysucceeded.Herblood

wasincrediblypowerful,andtheywantedtoraisetheirdemongodonceandforall.

Herbloodheldthepowerthattheyneededtobesuccessfulintheirmission.Shewasafraidthatshe

wouldn’tfindawaytodefeatthemorescapebeforetheyusedhertobringDiocholostoearth.Olivia

knewthatDiocholoswasthemostpowerfulhighdemonintheunderworld,andthatifhemadeittoearth

itwouldmeantheendoflifeastheworldknewit.Unfortunately,thatwasallsheknewaboutthedemon.

Shewasstillnewtothemysticalworldandhadalotlefttolearn.Hell,shewasstilllearningabout

herselfasalion-shifter,discoveringnewthingsaboutherselfalmostdaily.

Theyenteredadarkcave,andthestenchoftheDiochantisandthedemonswasalmostenoughtoturn

Olivia’sstomach.Whentheydroveherdeepintothecave,theDiochantisbeganchantingaspelland

severalofthemcutthemselvesandwalkedaroundthecavesmearingtheiroily,blackbloodallaroundthe

cavewalls.

AfterafewminutesOliviafeltherbodyshiftonitsownandshewasinherhumanformagain.

Apparently,theyperformedthesamespellthey’dusedonthecavernunderthewaterfalltoprevent

shifting.Oliviawasscaredbefore,butasshestoodinthecenterofacold,darkcavesurroundedbythe

enemy,humanandweak,shewassuddenlyterrified.Still,shedidn’twanttoshowherfear,soshestood

tallwithherarmscrossedinasignofdefiance.

Oliviatriedtoremindherselfthatshehadbeeninthissituationbefore,forcedintoherhumanform,yet

shehadbeenabletooverridethespellandmaketheshiftintoherlionform.Shehadalsolearnedtocall

onherlightpower,whichallowedhertokillademonandhelpsaveherprideandfriends.Ifshewas

abletofindawayaroundtheDiochantis’spellthen,shewouldfindawaytodoitagain.

LasttimeshehadbeenfilledwithcompleteragewhenthedemonattackedGreg,andthatragehad

awokenthelightsourceinsideofher.Oliviahadsincelearnedhowtocallonherlightpoweranduseit

tofightherenemies,andhealthoseshecaredabout.Shewassureshecouldfigureouthowshehadused

ittooverpowerthespellandshiftbefore.

Thedemonsgrabbedherarmsandchainedhertothecavewallwithherhandsraisedupaboveherhead.

“Diocholoswillbepleasedwhenheisgrantedaccesstowalkonearththankstoyourblood,”saidoneof

thedemons.HeheldhisfaceinchesfromOlivia’sfaceandshehadtoholdherbreathtokeepfrom

gaggingontheputridsmellfromthedemons.“Yourshifterfamily,andthehumansofthisworldwillhave

youtothankfortheircorruptions,andultimatelyfortheirdeaths.”

“Theonlythingtheywillbethankingmeforisyourdeaths,”Olivia’ssurprisedherselfwhenshehearda

growlunderneathhervoicewhenshespoke.

Ifthelionwithinherwasbreakingthroughherspeech,thenshewassureshe’dbeabletofindawayto

shiftsoon.ItwaslikeOliviacouldfeelherlionjustbeneathherskin,itchingtobefreed.

Thedemonpulledbackandhitherintheface,andhisclawdugintoherfleshwhenhehither.Itwaslike

itsclawswerelacedwithpurehellfirewhentheyrippedintoherflesh.Oliviashriekedinpainasshe

feltlikefirehadignitedinherface,likeitweretravelingthroughherbloodstream.Shewrithedinpain

whenthesensationrushedthroughoutherwholebodywithinseconds.

TheDiochantisgatheredaroundherandsmearedtheirhandsthroughherblood.Theywerechanting

anotherspellandwavingtheirhands,soakedinherblood,andtheyeachwentuptoalargeblackcandle

thatwaslitinthemiddleoftheroom.TheyslungtheirhandstowardthecandleandOlivia’sbloodwas

flungontheflame.EverydropofOlivia’sbloodthatraineddownonthecandle’sflamemadetheflame

growanditwasturningblack.

Oliviastruggledtoseeeverythingthatwasgoingonbecauseherownbloodwassmearedalloverher

face,andshewasstillinexcruciatingpainfromthehellfireshefeltflowingthroughherbody.Afterwhat

feltlikeanhouroftheDiochantis’chantingandslingingherbloodontheblackflame,Oliviawatchedas

theflamegrewintoafigure.

ThecreaturewasmuchlargerthanthetwolowerdemonswhostoodoneithersideofOlivia.Shewas

surethatitwasatleasttenfeettall.Itsbodywasblack,andappearedtobemadeupofironandrock

scales.ItseyeswerethesolidblackorbsOliviahadlearnedtoassociatewithanythingdemonic.Ithad

long,sharpclaws,andteeththatlookedliketheycouldripthroughsteel.

Betweenthescalesthatcovereditsbody,redflamespeekedout,andsteamrolledoutofitsnostrilswith

everybreaththatittook.Totopitoff,thedemonhadcurvedhornsthatwereatleastafoothighonits

head,andtheyweresurroundedbycontinuousflames.Thedemonbreathedheavilyandgruntedwith

everybreath,remindingOliviaofthesoundbullsmadejustbeforetheycharged.

Shefiguredthatthedemonwasprobablypreparingtochargeher.Oliviawassurethatshewaslookingat

thedemongodworshipedbytheDiochantis.Theyhaddoneit;they’dusedherbloodtosummon

Diocholosandshehadn’tbeenabletodoathingtostopthem.

TheDiochantisdroppedtothegroundandbowedtotheirdemon’sfeet.Theywereutteringtheirworship

andpraiseforDiocholos,andifOliviahadn’tbeeninsuchagonyshewouldhaverolledhereyes,and

possiblygaggedattheirblindloyaltytothismonster.Diocholoswalkeduptoherandliftedherchinwith

thebluntedgeofhisclaw.

“Littlequeen,”hesaidtoher.Hisvoicewaspdeepandraspylikehe’dbeensmokingforthousandsof

years.WhenOliviaconsideredthefactthathehadbeenlivinginhellforcenturies,sheconcludedthather

assessmentofhis“smoking”wasn’ttoofaroff.“Thankyouforbringingmetothisplain.Thereissomuch

loveandhappinesshere.Ishallenjoydestroyingitallandleavingthisworldfullofsomuchhatethatthe

peopleinitwillwillinglyripit,andthemselvesapart.”

Oliviatriedtoyankherfaceawayfromhim,butitwasnouse.Betweenthepainandherbloodlossshe

wassteadilygrowingweaker.Ifshewasn’tabletobreakfreeandescapesoonsheknewthatshewould

passout.Ifthathappened,shewascertainthatshewouldneverwakeupagain,andwoulddieeitherat

thehandsoftheDiochantisorademon.Shewasfightingtostayawakewitheverybitofstrengthinher,

butshecouldfeelherselfsinking.

Diocholosshookherheadwhenhereyesdrooped,almostclosingcompletely.“Now,now,littlequeen.

Don’tgiveuponusjustyet.”Hepausedandsmiledather.Hissmilewasthesinglescariestthingthat

Oliviahadeverwitnessedinherlife.Itwassinister;pureevil.Hemotionedtothedemonsoneitherside

ofherbeforehewenton.“Webroughtyouagift,andIwouldhateforyoutodiebeforeyouhadthe

chancetoseeyourgiftandsaygoodbye.”

WhenthedemonswalkedbackintothecavecarryingJimmy’sbody,Olivialostit.Shehadheldstrong,

refusingtocryorshowthemherfearuntilnow.AtthesightofJimmy’slimpbodyintheirhandsOlivia’s

tearsbeganrainingdownherface.Hewasjustaninnocentboywhohadalreadysufferedfarmorethan

hisfairshareinhislifetimebattlingcancer.

Now,becauseofhisrelationshipwithher,Jimmywasprobablygoingtobeslowlytortureduntilhedied.

“Iknowyou’vebeenhopingforthechancetosaygoodbyetoyourpreciousJimmy,soasathankyoufor

thegiftofyourbloodIwillallowyoutosaygoodbyebeforewekilltheboy.Don’tworrylittlequeen,we

willmakesureyougettowatchhimdiebeforewekillyou.”

Diocholoslaughedathisownwickeddecree,andOliviathoughtshewasgoingtobesick.Shehadtofind

awayoutofthis.ShewasgoingtogetJimmyawayfromthemandgethimtosafety.

ThentherewasabrightflashthatbrieflylituptheentirecaveandinvoluntarilyforcedOliviatolook

awayandshuthereyes.

Whensheopenedhereyesandlookedaroundtheinsideofthecave,itwasfilledwithlions,panthers,and

Whytes.HereyesmomentarilylockedonGreg’sandthenhewasattackinganythinginhispath.Shecould

seethathewastryingtofighthiswaytoher.Diocholosreleasedhisgriponherfaceandmovedtowhere

theDiochantishadlaidJimmy.Hewasincrediblyfast,andhetorehisclawsthroughanyshifterthatstood

inhiswaybetweenherandJimmy.

Shelistenedasherfamilyandfriendscriedoutinagonyasthehighdemon’sclawsrippedopentheir

flesh,andshewascertainthattheytoowereexperiencingtheagonizinghellfirerippingthroughtheir

bloodstream.WhenhewrappedhisclawedhandaroundJimmy’sthroat,thatwasthemotivationOlivia

hadbeenwaitingfortooverpowertheirspells,andpushherownweaknessandpainasidetotakeaction.

Oliviafeltthechainsbreakawayfromherhandsasiftheywerenomorethandust.Sheshotherlightout

inalldirectionswhensheshiftedintoherlionform.WhenOliviaroared,itwassoloudandcommanding

thatthewallsofthecaveshookviolently,andcausedrockanddusttoraindownfromallaroundthem.

TheDiochantisscreamedwhenthepowerofOlivia’slightrippedthroughthem.Manyofthemwentupin

flamesandcloudsofash,whiletheothersfoldedawayincloudsofblacksmoketoescapedeath.Olivia

turnedtothedemonsoneachsideofherandrippedthroughtheirthroatswithherteeth.Sheshotherlight

intotheirwoundsjustasshehaddonewiththedemonwhohadattackedGregdaysago,andsentthem

bothbacktohellincloudsofash.

TheshiftersandWhyteswhowerestillcapablesurroundedDiocholos,whowasstillholdingJimmywith

hisclawwrappedaroundtheboy’sthroat,threateningtokillhim.

“Puthimdown,demon!”GregcalledouttoDiocholostoreleaseJimmy,butOliviaknewthattherewas

nopoint.

Thisdemoncaredfornothingbutdeath,destruction,andeverythingevil.

SheknewthatDiocholoswouldgladlydiebeforehewillinglyreleasedJimmy,justtoexperiencethe

pleasurekillingJimmywouldbringhim.HewouldrelishJimmy’spain,andhergrief.Oliviaknewthat

theonlywayJimmymightsurvivethedaywouldbeforhertospareDiocholos’slifeforthetimebeing.

“Giveustheboy,andwewillleavehererightnow,”shetoldDiocholos.

“What?”Gregwhippedhisheadaroundtolookather.“Wehavetosendhimback.Hewilldestroythis

worldifwedon’t.”

“IhavetosaveJimmy,”waswhatOliviasentthroughherthoughtsforeveryonetohear.Privately,she

toldGregtotrusther.

“Alright,”heresponded,“butIhopeyouhaveareallygoodplan;otherwise,youcouldbesentencingthis

worldtohell.”

Diocholoslaughed.“Oh,littlequeen.Iknowyou’reuptosomething,butIwillplayalong.Ifindyou

entertaining,andwhenyourplantodefeatmefails,Iwilltakegreatpleasureinmakingyoumypersonal

assassin.Then,Iwillhaveyoukilleveryoneyouloveyourself,startingwiththispunyhumanandyour

uselessmate.”

Thecavewasoverrunwiththesoundoflionsandpanthersgrowlingatthehighdemon’sthreat.Diocholos

sinisterlaughwasthelastthingtheyheardbeforehethrewJimmy’slimpbodyintothecrowdofshifters

thatweresurroundinghim.HethrewJimmywithsuchforceitsenttheshiftersflyingbackwardsintothe

cavewalls,andthenDiocholoswasgone.OliviawasoverJimmyinseconds,withGregatherside.

JosephappearedbeforeherandplacedhishandoverJimmy’sheart,thenhelookedherintheeyesand

said,“Theboyisveryweak,yourmajesty.”

“Joseph,canyousendusbacktoourhomeusingyourmagicthewayyoubroughtusallhere?”Gregasked

theWhyteleaderandhegesturedtoJimmy,Olivia,andhimself.

“Ofcourse,”Josephsaid.“Iwillsendyouthreenow,thentherestoftheWhytesandIwillgatherour

strengthtoreturneveryoneelse.Olivia,youwillneedtobeginthehealingprocessassoonasyouarrive

ifthereistobeanychanceoftheboysurviving.”

“Yes,”shesaid,“thankyou,Joseph.”

Josephnoddedinrecognitionofhergratitude,thenhemutteredsomespell,andthenextthingOliviaknew

theywereallinherandGreg’sbedroom.Gregwashumanagain,andheliftedJimmyontotheirbedso

thatOliviawouldbeabletolaywithhim,anduseherlighttohealhiswounds.

Gregmusthavesensedherworrybecausehetookherheadinhishandswithhisfingerstangledinthe

blood-soakedfuraroundherface.“Heisgoingtobefine,Olivia.IloveyouandIbelieveinyou.”Greg

glancedbackoveratJimmy,andthenhelookedbackather.“Jimmyisluckytohaveyoufightingforhim.

Weallare.”ThenGreggaveherabriefbuttighthug,beforehemovedoutofherwaysothatshewasable

toclimbintothebedwithJimmy.

OliviawrappedherbodyaroundJimmy,justasshehaddonewithJane,andletherlightwraparound

him.ShecouldfeelitasJimmy’swoundshealedfromherpower.Hewasclosertodeaththananyoneelse

hadbeenwhenshehealedthem,anditwastakingmorepowertohealhimthanshehadusedbefore.It

wasn’tlongbeforeOliviafeltherselfgrowingtired,butshewouldn’tletup.

ItwasherfaultthatJimmyhadbeendraggedintothiswarwiththeDiochantisandshewouldgiveupher

lifeifitmeantJimmywouldlive.Soon,Oliviapassedout,stillwrappedaroundJimmyandherlight

slowlydimmeduntilitwentcompletelyout.

CHAPTERTEN

Greg

GregwaspacingashewaitedforOliviatowakeup.IthadbeentwodayssincetheybroughtJimmyto

theirhomeandOliviahealedhim.Jimmywokeuptwelvehourslater,butforsomereasonOliviawas

stillsleeping.Gregknewthatshewasalive.Shewasbreathing,andherheartbeatwassteady;hecould

seeandhearthatforhimself,butsheshouldbeawake.

JosephhadbeencheckingonheronceanhoursincetherestoftheshiftersandtheWhytesreturnedtothe

Wildspride’shomes.HeassuredGregtimeandtimeagainthathismatewasstrongandhealthy,andhe

hadevensuggestedthathesensedshewasgrowingstronger.

“Greg,shewillwakeupwhenitistimeforhertowake,”Josephtoldhim.“Shegrowsstrongerbythe

minute.Ithinkthatshemayactuallybegoingthroughsomekindofchangewhichiskeepingherinthis

slumber.Wedon’tknowmuchaboutyourtruequeensandthepowerstheypossess.Sheisstillanewlion-

shifter,whichmeansshehasn’tdiscoveredallofherabilitiesyet.Iknowthatitishardforyou,Greg,but

youarejustgoingtohavetobepatient.Shewillwakewhenitistime.”

Gregcrossedhisarmsindefiance.HehadalreadyheardeverythingJosephwassayingoverandover

again.Itdidn’tchangethefactthathismatewasstillunconsciousaftermorethanforty-eighthours,and

noneofthemhadanyrealanswerswhichexplainedwhy.

“Thankyou,Joseph.”GregsatdownonthebedbesideOliviaassoonasJosephmovedoutoftheway.

Hismotherwasstandingattheendofthebedwithherarmscrossedasshewatchedhim.“Greg,I

understandhowupsetyouare,darling,butyouhavegottoeatsomething.”

Janehadbeentryingtogethimtoeatsomethingsinceyesterdayafternoon,butsofarthemosthehadbeen

willingtodowasdrinksomewater.

Gregcouldn’tthinkaboutfoodwhilehismate,theloveofhislife,continuedtolayinbedunconscious

andunresponsive.

“Lookson,youdon’twanttoweakenyourselfbynoteating.WhenOliviawakesup,youwillwishthat

youhadlistenedtomesoyou’dhavethestrengthtoshowherhowmuchyouloveher,andhowmuchyou

havemissedherwhilesheslept.”

Gregshotawide-eyedgazeathismother.“Mom,pleasetellmeyouaren’tseriouslyreferringtomy

havingsexwithmymate.”Gregcouldbarelygetthewordsout.Thereweresomethingsamotherjust

shouldn’tbeallowedtogivehersonadviceabout,andsexwasdefinitelyatthetopofthatlist.

Janeshruggedhershouldersathim,“Look,allIamsayingisyoumightnotbeabletoperformtoyourbest

abilityifyoudon’tkeepupyourstrength.”Nowshewassmiling.Hismothercouldbewickedwhenshe

wasdeterminedtogetherway.

Gregshuddered,“Fine,fine!I’lleat,juststoptalking.”

Jane’ssmilegrewwiderwhenhefinallygavein.“Great.Itisabouttimeyoulistenedtome.Mother

alwaysknowsbest,afterall.Iwillbringyourfoodinhere.Iamnotnaïveenoughtoassumeyouwould

agreetoleavethisroombeforeOliviaisabletoleaveitwithyou.”

Gregrelaxed,gladshewasoffthetopicofhissexlife,andhewasalsorelievedthatshewasn’tgoingto

fighthimabouteatinginthediningroomwitheveryoneelse.

“Thankyou,Mom.”

***

AtsomepointGregmusthavefallenasleep,becausehewaswokenupinthemiddleofthenight

whenhefeltOliviashiftinhisarms.Alongwithnotwakingup,shehadalsoremainedinherlionform

sincehealingJimmy.WhenGregopenedhiseyes,hewasnolongerwrappedaroundagiantfemalelion.

Instead,hewasholdinganakedwoman,andhismatesmiledathimwhentheireyesconnected.

“You’reokay,”GregsaidwhilehecontinuedtostareatOlivia.Hewastryingtomakesurethathewas

reallyawakeandnotjustdreaming.Hisvoicewasbarelylouderthanawhisper;thickwithemotion.“I

wassoworried…”

Oliviaplacedherfingeroverhislipsandsilencedhimbeforehewasabletosayanythingmore.“Greg,I

amfine,honey.Ifeelgreat.”

Whensheremovedherfingerfromhislips,Oliviagavehimasoftkiss.

“Ishouldn’thaveletthemtakeyou.Ishouldhavefoundawaytostopthem.”Gregwasrambling.Hewas

sosurehewasgoingtoloseherwhensheagreedtotradeherselfinordertosavehislife,andhehad

beentooweaktostopher.

“Shh,”Oliviasaidandsheplacedherfingerbackoverhislipsonceagain.“Greg,Idon’twanttotalk

aboutthatrightnow.Rightnow,Ijustwantyoutomakelovetome.Okay?”

GregwrappedhisarmsaroundOliviaandheldhertightlytohim.“Iloveyou,somuch,baby.”

“Iknowyoudo,andIloveyou,”Oliviareplied,thensheplacedherhandsoneithersideofhisface.

“Now,shutupandkissme.”

Gregsmiledandsealedhislipstohismate’s.Somehowhejustkeptgettingluckywhenitcametothis

woman.WhenOliviaopenedhermouthtoallowaccessforhistongue,hecaressedhertonguewithhisin

adeep,passionatekissuntiltheywerebothmoaningintoeachother’smouth.Hepulledhismouthback

forjustamomentandsaid,“Iloveyou,”again,beforeherolledthembothoverandmadesweetloveto

hismateallthroughthenight.

ThenextmorningGregwokeupwhenOliviawastryingtosneakoutofthebed.Hesatupandwrapped

hisarmsaroundherwaist,andpulledherbackdownontothebedwithhimwithherbackpressedagainst

hisfront.

“Andjustwheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”heaskedOliviaplayfully.Heplacedsoftkissesjustbehind

herearaftereveryword,andenjoyedthefeelingofherbodymovingagainsthisasshesquirmedagainst

him.

Olivialaughedandwiggledawayfromhim.“Ithinkthreedaysstuckinthisbedwithoutgettingupatallis

longenough,don’tyou?”ShewasoutofthebedandhadherhandsonherhipsstaringatGreg.Heleaned

backonhiselbowsandranhiseyesupanddownherbodyandwhenhemethereyessheraisedan

eyebrowathim.

God,shewasbeautiful.Gregsmiledback,andOliviajustlaughedandshookherhead.

“Youareincorrigible,Mr.Wilds,butIamstarving,soI’mgoingtotakeashower,thenheaddownstairs

tohavesomebreakfast.”Sheturnedaroundandwalkedintothebathroom.Thedoorwasalmostshut

whenGregheardhersayfromtheotherside,“Ofcourse,ifyou’reupforit,youcouldalwaysgetinthe

showerwithme.”

Gregdidn’tneedanymoreencouragementthanthat,andhewasoutofthebedinaflash.Thedaywas

certainlystartingoffinthebestway,andGregprayeditwouldstaythatway.

Whentheyfinishedtheirshowerandwentdownstairs,JimmyranandthrewhimselfintoOlivia’sarms.

OliviahuggedJimmyandlookedoverhisheadatGregwithconfusioninhereyes.Hereachedoutandran

hishanddownherarmandletitrestatthebendofherelbow.“Youhealedhim,remember?”

“Well,yes,”shesaid,“butIthoughtthatIonlyhealedhiswounds.”NowGregwastheoneconfused.

“Idon’tunderstand.Youdidhealhiswounds.”

“Greg,Jimmycouldbarelystandthelasttimewesawhim,andhehasn’tbeenabletorunlikethatin

yearsbecauseofthetollthecancertookonhisbodyandlungs.”ShepulledJimmybackandlookedhim

over.“Jimmy,areyoualright?Howdoyoufeel?”

Jimmysmiledbrightly.“Ifeelgreat,Olivia.IhonestlycannotrememberthelasttimeIfeltthisgood.All

oftheconstantachesandpainsI’vedealtwithsincetheyfirstfoundmycancerhavegoneaway.Maybe

younumbedthepainsomehow.”

Oliviaopenedhermouthtosaysomethingelse,butJosephbeathertoit.“Nochild,shedidn’tnumbyour

pain.Shetookitawaycompletely.”JosephsmiledatJimmybeforehelookedbackatGregandOlivia.

“Hiscanceriscompletelygone.Youhealedhimineveryway,Olivia.”

Olivia’seyeswelledwithtearsandshepulledJimmybackinforanotherhug,andthenGregwrappedhis

armsaroundbothofthem.

“Couldthatbewhyshetooksolongtowakeup?”GregaskedJoseph.

Josephnodded.“Yes.ItishighlylikelythattheextraenergyOliviaexertedtohealthecancerthatwasso

widelyspreadthroughoutJimmy’sbodyisthereasonbehindherneedingextratimetobuildherstrength

backup.”

“Isupposethatmakessense,”Gregsaid,andheplacedalightkissonthetopofherhead.

Greg,Olivia,andJimmyseparatedandweremakingtheirwaytothetabletoeatwhenJosephspoke

again.

“Or,Isupposeitcouldalsobebecauseofthepregnancy,”Josephsaid.

Theroomwentsilent,andGregandOliviafrozeinplace.Alleyeswereonthem,waitingforthemtosay

somethingaboutthebombthatJosephhadjustdropped.

OliviawasthefirstonetosaysomethingwhensheturnedbackaroundtolookatJoseph.“Whatdoyou

mean,thepregnancy?”

“Well,whenafemaleispregnantshecanoftentimesneedmoreresttorecoverfromextraneous

activities.”

“I’mpregnant?”ItwasbarelyawhisperwhenOliviaaskedthequestionandGregreachedforherhand

andsqueezedwhiletheywaitedforhimtorespond.

Josephlaughed.“Well,ofcourseyouarepregnant.I’veknownitsincewefirstmet.Greg,youshould

havebeenabletosmellitonherrightaway.”

Greginhaled,andJosephwasright.HecouldsmellthedifferenceinOlivia’sscentasclearasday.“He’s

right.IguessIhavejustbeendistractedwitheverythingthathashappened.”

GregwrappedhisarmsaroundOliviaandshelookedupathimwithtearsshimmeringinhereyes,butthe

smileonherfacetoldhimthattheywerenotsadtears.

“We’regoingtohaveababy,”shesaid,andhesqueezedhertightandkissedher.

“Yes.Wearegoingtohaveababy.”

“Babies!”Josephcalledoutfromwherehewasnowsittingacrosstheroom.“Twins,actually.”

OliviaandGregstaredatthelittleWhyteforamoment,andthenlookedbackatoneanotherbeforethey

bothbentoverinlaughter.Gregwassohappy.Heneverknewthathewantedchildren,hadn’tconsidered

tryingforthemforyearstocome,butknowingthathismatewaspregnantwithhischildrenwasthe

greatestfeelingGreghadeverknown,outsideofOliviaagreeingtobehisinthefirstplace.Hepulled

Oliviainforabigkiss.

“Iloveyou,”hetoldherwhenhepulledaway.

“Iloveyoutoo.We’regoingtobeparents!”Olivia’svoicedwashighpitchedwithherexcitementand

whentheymadetheirwaytothetable,finallyreadytoeat,everyonetookturnsofferingthemtheir

congratulations.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Olivia

Oliviawastryingtoenjoythenewsthatshewasgoingtobeamother,butshecouldn’tgethermindoff

thefactthatDiocholoswasstilloutthere.SheknewthattheyhadnotheardfromhimandtheDiochantis

forthelasttime.

“What’swrong,babe?”Gregaskedher.

Hisvoicewasgroggyfromsleep.Theybothlaidinbed,itwasearlyandthesunhadbarelybrokenthe

horizon,butOliviastruggledtosleepassheworriedabouteveryone’ssafety.Greggaveherasmall

squeezeandkissedherforeheadlightly.

“JustthinkingaboutthefactthatDiocholosisstilloutthere.Youknowhe’splanningsomethinghorrible.”

GregpulledherevenclosertohimandOliviapressedherfaceagainsthischest.“Hey,wewillfigureit

out,okay.WehavedoneaprettygoodjobagainstthemsofarandIamsurewecanfightthemoffagain.”

Olivianodded,butshewasn’tsosure.Sittingaroundandwaitingfortheirenemiestoattackorturnthe

worldintototalchaosdidn’tseemlikesuchagoodideatoher.

“Now,let’strytogetsomerest,okay?”

“Okay,”shereplied,andsheliftedherheadtogiveGregaquickkissbeforelayingbackdownandtrying

toconcentrateonthesoundofhisheartbeatunderneathhertolullhertosleep.

“YOUWILLALLBOWDOWNTOME!”

Diocholosstoodbeforethousandsandusedhispowerstoforceeveryonetokneelbeforehim.The

worldaroundhimwasonfire,literally.Whereverthefirehadgoneout,nothingbutashwasleft.The

Diochantisweredancingaroundalargefire,chantingandthrowingpotionsorsomethingintothe

blaze.JustbeyondthatblazeOliviasawseveralmembersofherprideandtheirfriendschainedup,

andbeingbleddry.TheDiochantis’chantinggotlower,andtheflamesgrewlargerandlarger.

“Hahahaha!”Diocholos’laughterwasevil.“Comeforthmybrothers.Joinmeandweshallrulethis

worldlikegods!”

Theflamesturnedblackandparted.Fromthecenteroftheflames,demonsemerged;hundredsof

demonswerecrossingthebarrierfromhelltoearth.Olivialookedaroundtryingtofindanythingleft

thatwouldhelpdistinguishwheretheywere.TheywereinavalleybetweentwomountainsandOlivia

noticedwhatcouldbehotspringsbehindDiocholos.

“Bringthemforward,”commandedDiocholos.

AfewDiochantisenteredacavebehindDiocholosandwhentheyemergedtheywerecarryingGreg

andOlivia.

Asshelookedon,Oliviagasped,notsurehowshecouldbeseeingherselfbeingpulledfromthecave.

Diocholosforcedthembothtothegroundtobowbeforehim,thenmadethemlookupathimashe

spoke.

“BeforeyoubothdieIwantedtothankyouforyourhelpmakingallofthishappen.Yourpureblood

wasthekeytoourfreedom,”hegesturedouttowardstheotherdemonswhohademergedfromthefire,

“butwehavenouseforyounow.”

DiocholosnoddedattheDiochantiswhostoodcloseby.Fourofthemraisedtheirhandsintheairand

mutteredsomething.Whentheypushedtheirarmsoutinfrontofthemredsparksshotfromtheirhands

andGregandOlivia’sbodieshittheground,stiffandlifeless.

Oliviashotupinthebedpantingandcoveredinsweat.

“Greg!”shescreamed.Herchestwasrisingandfallingrapidlyaspanicsettledinherheart.

“Olivia,baby,I’mrighthere,”Greghadhisarmswrappedaroundherinnotime,rubbinghishandupand

downherarminasoothingmotion.“Itwasjustanightmare.Everythingisokay;you’resafe.”

Oliviashookherheadedrepeatedlywhilehertearsfellandsobswerebeginningtorackherbody.She

triedtospeak,butherwordswerecomingoutjumbledbetweenhersobs,makingithardtounderstand

whatshewassaying.“You…theykilled…everyone…dead…fire…demons…oh,God…”

Gregcradledherheadinhishandsandranhishandsthroughherhair.“Shh,itwasjustanightmare.I’m

righthere.Nooneisdead.”

TherewasaknockatthedoorjustbeforeMarissaenteredwithoutwaitingforOliviaorGregtogrant

permission.

“Olivia,”MarissarushedovertothebedandgraspedoneofOlivia’shandsinherown,“areyouokay?”

Oliviashookherheadbecauseshewasn’treadytospeakyet.Shewasstilltooupsetfromherdream;it

hadfeltsoreal.

“Youwerenotdreaming,Olivia,”Marissatoldher.“Isawittoo.Somehowmygiftallowedmetotap

intoyourvision.”

Greglookedbackandforthbetweenthetwowomenwithhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherinobvious

confusion.

“Wait,Oliviahadavision?”

Marissadidn’ttakehereyesoffofOliviawhensheansweredGreg,“Yes,shedid.”

“Howcanyoubesure?Isn’titpossiblethatyoujustwitnessedherdreamsomehow?”

MarissalookedGregdirectlyintheeyeswhensheansweredagain,“No,itwasnotadream.Mygifts

wouldn’thavebeentriggeredbyadream,nightmareornot.Lookslikeyourmatehasyetanotherability.”

Oliviatookadeepbreath.Shewasforcingherselftocalmdown.Itwasonethingtoloseitinfrontof

Greg,butsomethingcompletelydifferentinfrontofMarissa,theleaderofthepanther-shifter.When

Marissalookedbackather,Oliviafoundhervoice.

“Ifthiswasavision,thencanitchange?IsthereanychancethatwecanchangewhatIsaw,Marissa?”

OliviawasdesperatelyhopingMarissawouldsayyes.Shewasnotwillingtoacceptthatthefutureshe

hadjustwitnessedwaswritteninstone.

MarissasqueezedherhandsandofferedasmallsmilewhichgaveOliviaalittlecomfort.“No,thefuture

isnotwritteninstone,”shesaid.“Thefutureiseverchangingandevolving.Nothingiscertainuntilit

actuallyhappens.Everysmalldecisionwemake,everytimewechangeourmindsaboutsomething,the

futuregetsaltered.”Marissa’ssmiledwidenedasshespokeandwatchedOlivia.“IfIhavelearned

anythingsincemeetingyou,Olivia,thenIamprettysureweareabouttochangethatfuturebeforeitcan

cometoactualization.Hell,justbyhavingthatpremonitionthatfuturehadlikelyalreadybeenaltered

slightly.”

“Wehavetofindawaytostopthem,”Oliviasaidalittlefrantically.“Ifwedon’tstopthem,notonlywill

itbetheendofus,butthewholeworld.”

“Getdressedandcomedownstairs,”GregtoldOliviaandMarissa.“IwillwakeJoseph,Edmund,Jane,

andJessica,andhavethemmeetusinthekitchensowecanworkoutwhattodo.”

Marissastooduptoleavetheroomandsaid,“Okay.I’llseeyoubothdownthereinjustaminute.”

Oliviajustsaid,“Alright,”andgotupfromthebed.

Gregthrewonsomeclothesandgaveheraquickkiss,thenhewasoutthedoortowakeuptheothers.

Oliviagotdressedandrusheddownstairs.Shehadn’tbeenabletotellwhenallofthiswasgoingtotake

placeinherdream,orpremonition.Foralltheyknewrightnow,theDiochantiscouldbeontheirwayto

kidnapthemallatthisverymoment.

***

“Wehavetofindawaytostopthembeforetheycancaptureanyofourpeople.”Janewasinfullleader

modewhenshespoke,thepositionshehadbeenaccustomedtoholdingintheWilds’prideforsomany

years,andnoonequestionedherwhenevershewentintohertakechargemode.

“Marissa,isthereawaywecanuseyourgiftofsighttofigureoutwhentheDiochantisplantostrike

againstusagain,sowewillbepreparedwhentheycometodefendourselves?”askedEdmund.

Marissanoddedwhenshereplied,“Yes,Ishouldbeabletofindthewindow.WithOlivia’shelp,Ican

explorethepremonitionmorethoroughlytonarrowdownatimeframe.Aslongastheydon’taltertheir

plansafterthatweshouldhaveasolidlead.”

Everyonebegantalkingallatonce,planningandschemingdifferentmethodsofprotection.Olivia

couldn’tgetoverthefeelingthattheirplanwasnotgoingtowork.TheDiochantishadalreadyattacked

themhereandtheywouldundoubtedlycomebetterpreparedthenexttime.Sure,theywouldhavethe

benefitofknowingthattheywerecomingthistime,butthatdidn’tmeanmuchinthegrandschemeof

things.

“Ithinkweneed--,”Oliviasaid.Shewastryingtomakeasuggestionbuteveryonewassobusytalking

overeachotherthattheywerenotpayinganyattentiontoher.Shestoodupandleanedoverwithbothof

herhandsplacedonthetableshoulderwidthapart.“Hey!”Oliviashouted,andeveryonewentsilentand

finallyturnedtolookather.“Idon’tthinkweshouldjustsitbackandwaitforthemtoattackagain.”

EveryonelookedaroundateachotherexceptforMarissawhosmiledknowingly.

“Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddothen?”askedEdmund.“It’snotlikewecanrunaway,Olivia.Theyare

sorcererssotheywillalwaysfindus.”

Oliviahadn’tmissedtheslightsarcasminhistone.“No,Edmund,Idon’tthinkweshouldjustrunaway,”

shesaidwithabitofasarcastictoneofherown.“Iamsuggestingwegoafterthembeforetheycomefor

us.Wouldn’tthatgiveusamuchbetterelementofsurprise?”

“Andjusthowarewesupposedtodothat?Wehavenoideawheretofindthem.”Edmundwasstillbeing

smugandifhewasn’tshutupsoon,Oliviawasgoingtoloseherpatience.

“DidyoumissthepartwhereOliviahadapremonition?”Jessicaspokeup.ShewasscowlingatEdmund

now,clearlynothappyaboutthewayhewasspeakingtoOlivia.OliviasmiledatherandJessicagave

heraquickwink.

Edmundstraightenedupinhisseatandlookedaroundthetable.OliviadidthesameandrealizedJessica

wasn’ttheonlyonescowlingattheForester’sprideleader.WhenshelookedatGreghewasgrindinghis

teethandshecouldtellhewasworkinghardtoholdbackhistemper.

Shesatbackdownandtookhishandandsqueezed.Whenhelookedather,shesmiledandmouthedIlove

youtohim.Shelovedhowprotectivehewasofher,butshealsoknewrightnowwasnotthetimefor

themtobeginfightingamongsteachother.

“Well,no,”wasallEdmundsaidinresponsetoJessica.

“ThatmeansshehasseenwheretheDiochantisare,”JessicafinishedonceEdmundhadfinallyresponded

toherquestion.

GregsqueezedOlivia’shandandsheturnedherattentionbacktohim.“Canyoudescribewheretheywere

forus?”

“Yes,”shesaid.Thatwholescenewaspermanentlyimprintedonherbrain.Consideringthatithadn’t

stoppedrepeatingthroughhermindsinceshewokeup,Oliviawascertainthatshewouldbeableto

describeeverydetail.

“Icanhelpwiththattoo,”Marissaspokeupagain.“Actually,IcanjustshowyouwhatOliviasawsinceI

waspulledintohervision.”Sheheldoutherarms.“YoualljustneedtotouchmewhileIrecallthe

vision,andyouwillbeabletoseewhatOliviasaw.”

EveryoneplacedahandonMarissa,exceptforOlivia.ShedidnotneedMarissatoshowherarecap.

Oliviacouldseethefearontheirfaceswhentheysawthehorrorsofherpremonition.WhenJane

screamedandyankedherhandsawayfromMarissa,placingthemoverhermouthtocoverupherescaped

sob,OliviaknewthattheyhadalljustseenherandGreg’smurderatthehandsoftheDiochantisandtheir

leader,Diocholos.

Oliviagotuptohughermother-in-lawandfeltGregwraphisarmsaroundbothofthemfromtheback.

Afterafewminutes,theysatbackdown,butOliviawasstillofferedthecomfortofherspouseandhis

motherwhoheldoneofherhandsintheirown.

EveryonehadtotakeafewminutestocometotermswithwhatMarissahadjustshownthembeforethey

werereadytodiscussthesituationfurther.Oliviawasn’tsurprised,consideringeveryoneofthemhad

beeninhervision.Everyoneofthemhadbeenchainedupwhiletheywerebeingdrainedoftheirblood,

sothattheDiochantiscouldbringdozensofdemonstoearth.

Afteramoment,Gregspokeuptogetthembackontrack.“Okay,Iknowthattheareatheywerelocatedin

wasallonfireorburnedtoash,butcananyonenarrowdownwhereitmightbe?”

“Itlooksfamiliar,butIcan’tquiteplaceitrightnow,”saidJessica.

“Marissa,can’tyoujusttakeustothelocationlikeyoudidtofindJane?”askedEdmund.

“No,”shesaid.“Ididn’ttakeanyonetothemountainwhereJanewasbeingheld.Iwasabletoseewhere

theyhadgonewithher,butitwasourknowledgeofthewaterfall’slocationthattolduswheretogo.”

“AnditwasJosephandtherestoftheWhyteswhoactuallytransportedusthere,sothatwewouldn’thave

towastetimegettingthere,”Gregchippedin.

Josephspokeupnext.“Yes,andifwecanfigureouttheirlocationnowwecansendeveryonethereas

well.”

“Alright,”saidGreg,“Edmundandthoseofusfrommypridecanworktogethertodeterminethelocation

inthepremonition.Wehavethemostknowledgeofthewildernessinthisareasoweshouldbeableto

comeupwithsomethingtogether.”Edmund,Jane,andJessicaallnoddedandgavetheiragreement.

“Marissa,yousaidthatyoucoulduseyoursighttofigureoutatimeframeforDiocholos’splans.You,

Olivia,andJosephcanworktogetheronputtingthattimelinetogether,thatwayJosephcangetitrelayed

totherestoftheWhytestoletthemknowwhentheyshouldbepresentforthemove.”

EveryoneutteredtheiracceptanceofGreg’splan.OliviawasjustsittingtherewaitingtowatchMarissa

andJosephgettowork.Shehadabsolutelynoideahowshe’dconjuredthepremonitioninhersleepso

shewassurethatshecouldn’tactuallyhelpthemfigureoutwheneverythingwasgoingtohappen.

ShefiguredGregjustpairedherwithMarissaandJosephbecauseheknewthatshewasn’tfamiliarwith

enoughoftheirlandstopinpointthelocationofDiocholosandtheDiochantis.Therefore,whenMarissa

saidsheneededOliviatohelpher,shewasshocked.

“Weneedtogointoyourpremonitionandexpandit.Basically,gobackwardsfromwhereyourvision

startedsothatwecanfigureoutwhenthisisgoingtohappen,”MarissatoldOliviawhenshelookedat

herlikeshewascrazy.

“IhavenoideahowIhadthefirstpremonition;IthoughtIwasjustdreaming.Ihavenoideahowtoforce

oneorifIevencan.”

“Don’tworryaboutanyofthat,Olivia,”Marissasaidtryingtocomforther.“Icanguideyou.Iwillbe

abletotapintoyourpsycheandguideusbacktoyourvisionandmoveusthroughoutittofindwhatwe

need.”

Oliviacalmeddown.ShehadwitnessedenoughtoknowthatMarissawasverygiftedandifshesaidthat

shecoulddothis,thenshecould.MarissatookherhandtomaketheconnectionandOliviaclosedher

eyesandbreathedindeeplytocalmhernerves.Sheknewthatthishadtoworkforthemtotakeouttheir

enemy,survive,andbasicallysavetheworldfromHellitself.

Withinaminute,MarissahadpulledOliviabackintohervision,andthentheyweremovingbackfromthe

timethepremonitiontookplace.TheyweregoingsofastthatOliviacouldn’tmakesenseofwhatshewas

seeing,butMarissawasn’thavingthesameissues.Itfeltlikeonlyafewminuteshadpassedwhen

MarissaletgoofOlivia’shandandshewasfinallyreleasedfromthehailstormofthevision.

TurnedoutthatithadactuallybeenmorethanacoupleofminutesandGregwashoveringoverOlivia

withaworriedlookonhisface.HebrushedhercheekwiththebackofhisknucklesandOlivialeaned

intohistouch.Thecomfortofhistouchandlovewasjustwhatsheneededtocalmdownandgetherself

backtogether.

“Anyluck?”GregaskedMarissaafterhesatdownandwrappedhisarmaroundOlivia’sshoulders.

“BasedonthechangesintheclimatewehaveabouttwoweeksbeforeOlivia’sinitialvisionbecomesthe

reality,andtheywilltakeuscaptiveaboutthreedaysbeforethen.”

“Okay,thenwedon’thaveanytimetowaste,”saidGreginresponse.“Weneedtostartpreparingour

attackrightaway.”

OliviaturnedinherchairsothatshewasfacingGregfullon.“So,youguysfiguredoutwheretheyare?”

sheaskedhermate.

“EdmundbroughtinNateandGlenntohelp.Apparently,theyliketogooutroamingthepridelands

regularlyandareveryfamiliarwitheverynookandcranny.Wewereabletodescribethelocationtothem

andtheyknewexactlywhereitwas.”

“Iwouldliketotalktothem,”saidJoseph,“sothatIcantakeafewofmypeopleandmakeatestrun

there.Idon’twantthedaywearegoingintofighttobethefirsttimeIheadouttofindit.”

“Icanhelpwiththattoo,”saidMarissaasshestoodfromthetable.“Let’sgofindNateandGlennandget

thistakencareofrightaway.”

Oliviawasfeelingalittlebitbetterknowingthattheyhadbeenabletogettheinformationneededtotake

actionandfighttosavetheirfamiliesandfriends.

“Wecanbeatthem,”shesaidlookingupintoGreg’seyes.Hescannedherfaceandofferedherasmile.

“Yes,wecan,”GregpausedandOliviaheardthehesitanttoneinhisvoice.

“Whataren’tyoutellingme,Greg?”Oliviaaskedhim.

Gregsighed.“Don’tgetmad,”hestarted.Oliviaknewthatwhateverhewasabouttosaywasundoubtedly

goingtopissheroff.Shecrossedherarmsandlookedathimwithhereyebrowraisedwhileshewaited

forhimtofinish.“Ithinkyoushouldstaybehindwiththechildrenandtheotherswhowillnotbegoingto

fight.”

“WhythehellwouldIdothat,Greg?”sheasked.Hertonewasalittlesharp,butheknewshewasn’t

goingtolikewhathehadtosaybeforehesaidit.

Gregreachedoutandplacedhishandsonhershouldersandmassagedherarmsupanddown.“Babe,you

arepregnant.”

“Iknowthat,”Oliviaresponded.

“Ineedtoknowthatyouandourbabiesaresafe,”Gregsaidasheplacedthepalmofhishandagainsther

stomach.

Oliviaputherhandoverhis.Itwashardtostaymadwhensheknewhewasonlytryingtoprotectherand

theirunbornchildrenbecausehelovedthem.“Iknowyouwantthat,Greg.Iwantthattoo.Wemayhave

onlylearnedaboutmypregnancy,butIalreadyloveourtwinsmorethananything.”

Greglookedherintheeyesandshecouldseethehopewritteninhisgaze.“So,you’llstayoutofthefight

then?”

Sheshookherhead.“No,Ican’tdothat.”

“But,”GregstartedtoprotestbutOliviacuthimoffandplacedherfingersgentlyagainsthislips.

“Greg,doyoureallythinkthatthoseofuswhostaybehindwillbesafeifyoualldon’tmakeit?”Olivia

asked,thenshetookholdofhishands.“Iknowyouwanttokeepmesafe,butIwanttodothesamefor

you.Ineedyou.”

OliviawassurprisedwhenGreg’svoicecrackedwhenhespokeagain.“Iftheyhurtyou,”hepausedand

Olivianoticedthathiseyeswereshiningwithunshedtears,“Ican’tmakeitwithoutyou,Olivia,andI

don’twantto.Youaremyworld.”

NowOliviawasfightingtheurgetocry,too.“Thatiswhyweneedtodothistogether.Ibelievethatwe

arestrongertogether,andtogetherwecandothis.Okay?”

Gregwasstaringather,takingallofherinforafewmomentsbeforehesaid,“Okay.”

Thenhetookherfaceinhishandsandkissedher,softatfirst,butitwasn’tlongbeforehiskissbecame

morepassionateandhestoodupandliftedOliviainhisarms.Hedidn’treleasethekissallofthewayup

thestairstotheirbedroom.Whentheymadelovethatnight,Oliviacouldfeeleveryounceofhisloveas

hepoureditintoherwitheverytouchandkiss.

CHAPTER12

Greg

Gregandtheothershadspentthepastfewdaysgoingovertheirplans,andOliviahadstayedbyhisside

thewholetime.Theyweregoingtospendeveryminutetheycouldtogether,andsincetheyweregoingto

attacktheDiochantisinthemorning,theywerehavingabigdinnertogetherthatnight.Everyonewas

tryingtobeoptimistic,buttheyweren’tnaïveeither.

Theyallknewthattherewasagreatpossibilitythattheycouldwindupdyingwhentheywentagainstthe

Diochantisandthehighdemon,Diocholos.OntheirowntheDiochantiswereaformidableopponent,but

whentheywerefightingwithDiocholosattheirsides,beatingthemwasgoingtotakeamiracle.

“Ugh!”Oliviagroaned.ShewasworkingwithMarissaandJoseph.Theyweretryingtohelphergeta

betterunderstandingandcontrolofherpowers,butshewasbecomingincreasinglymorefrustrated.“Why

can’tIhaveanothervision?SothatIcouldseewhatliesaheadofusnowsothatwewillbemore

prepared.Yousaidthateverysmallalterationthatoccurscanhaveaneffectonthefuture.Surely

everythingwehavedoneandwillbedoinghasmadeadifference.”

“Iamafraidthatpremonitionsdonotworklikethat,mydear,”saidJoseph.“Youareshownwhatyou

needtosee,whenyouneedtoseeitandthatisexactlywhathappenedwithyou.Youwereshownavision

justintimetoshareitsothatwewouldallbeabletocometogetherandsaveourfamilies;savethe

world.”

“Howdoyouknowthat,Joseph?”OliviaaskedtheWhyteleader.

“Imaynothavepremonitionsmyself,butmymotherhadthem.Plus,Ihavebeenaroundonthisearthfora

verylongtime.”

Greghatedseeinghismategetsoupset.Hewalkedupbehindherandwrappedhisarmsaroundherwaist

andkissedheronhercheek.“Olivia,baby,youhavedonemorethananyofuscouldhaveimagined.You

don’thavetowinthisbattleonyourown.Letuspitchinsometoo,okay?”

“He’sright,”saidMarissa.“Actually,theybothare.Yourpremonitionwasjustwhatweneededtogiveus

theheadstartneededtomakeadifference.Ifneededagainthenanotherpremonitionwillcometoyou.”

“Yeah,”Jessicawalkedupandjoinedthem.“Besides,thatisn’tallyouhavetoofferinthisfight.The

lightsourcepowerofyoursisprettyawesomeafterall.”

JessicasmiledbrightlyatOliviaandGregfeltherrelaxinhisarms.WhenJessicalookedupathimhe

mouthedathankyoutohiscousin.

“Yeah,Iamprettysureyoucouldkickeveryone’sasswhoishererightnow,”Glennsaid.

GlennhadwalkedoverfollowingJessica,andwhenhewrappedhisarmaroundhershoulders,Greg

lookedathiscousinwithhiseyebrowraisedinquestion.ShesmiledathimliketheCheshirecat,then

reachedupandplacedherhandoverGlenn’swhereitwasrestingonhershoulder.

Gregwasn’tsurewhatwasgoingonthere,buthewasdefinitelygoingtohavetofindout,iftheyallmade

itthroughthisfight.WhenOliviastartedlaughing,GregdecidedthathewasgoingtohavetothankGlenn

forgettingOliviatorelaxforawhile.

Throughherlaughter,Oliviasaid,“Yeah,thanksforyourvoteofconfidenceGlenn.Ithinkyoumighthave

lostyourmind,butIappreciateitanyway.”GlennsmiledbrightlyatGreg’smate.“Imean,sinceitlooks

likeyou’vebeenluredinbyJessica,youmustbecrazy.”

“Hey!”Jessicacried,thenherandOliviawerelaughing.

“Alright,everyone,”Gregsaid,breakingupthegirls’moment,“let’sallgohavedinnerandgetsomerest.

WehavealongdayaheadofustomorrowandweallneedtobeonourAgame.”

Everyoneutteredtheiragreementandheadedintothehousetogatheraroundthefamilytablefordinner.

Gregwasgladthattheyhadplannedthisbigfamilydinnerforeveryonetocometogether.Itwasagreat

wayforeveryonetogettogetherandtrulygraspwhytomorrowwassoimportant;thattheyweregoingto

fightfortheirlives,andthelivesofeverypersonthattheyloved.

GregwasalsoreadyfordinnertobeoversothathecouldtakeOliviatobedandmakelovetoher.He

knewthatitwasimportantforthembothtogettheirrest,buthewasn’tabouttogotosleeptonightwithout

lavishinghismatewithlove.

Nomatterwhathappenedtomorrow,hewasgoingtomakesurethatOliviaknewthatshemeant

everythingtohim,andthathelovedhermorethanlifeitself.

***Gregwasupbeforethesunthenextmorning;honestly,hewassurprisedthathehadbeenabletosleep

atallthenightbefore.WhenhelookeddownatOlivia’ssleepingformcuddledupagainsthischest,he

tightenedhisholdaroundhismate,smiledtohimself,andkissedheronthetopofherhead.

Thinkingbacktotheiramorouslovemakingthenightbefore,Gregwassurethattheirsatisfyingworkout

wastheonlyreasonhehadbeenabletofindenoughpeacetogetsomesleep,oncetheyhadfinallylaid

down.

Oliviawasbeginningtostirinhisarms,andwhenshelookedupathim,Gregkissedher.“Goodmorning,

beautiful.”

“Goodmorningtoyou,too,”shereplied,stillalittlegroggyfromhavingjustwokeup.

Thatwaswhenthewake-upknocksoundedattheirbedroomdoor.Theyhaddesignatedafewoftheir

earlyrisersasthewake-upcrew,andtheyweregoingtogoaroundtoeveryone’sroomsandmakesure

theywereupandpreparingforthedayahead.ThedoorslowlyopenedandMarissapokedherheadin,

“Goodmorning,yourmajesties.”

“Goodmorning,Marissa,”Gregreplied.“Wearealreadyawake,sowe’llbedownmomentarily.”

“Great,”shesaid,andsheofferedOliviaasmilebeforeshewentbackoutthedooranddownthehallto

checkonJaneandthenJessica.

GregandOliviagotreadyquickly.Sincetheywouldbegoingintothisbattleintheirlionformstherewas

noneedtoworryaboutwhattheywerewearingnow,soGregquicklythrewonashirtandsweatpants,

whileOliviaputonasimplesundress.Noneedtowearshoesoranythingelsewhenitwasonlygoingto

beonthemforthenextfewminuteswhileeveryonegatheredtogetherandpreparedtoheadout.

GregheldOlivia’shandtightwhentheywentdownthestairstowhereeveryonewasmeeting,sothatthey

wouldallleavetogethertoattacktheDiochantis.Jane,Jessica,Edmund,andJosephwereallalready

waitingforthemwhentheyarrived.

“Marissashouldbehereshortly,”saidJoseph.“She’salmostdonemakingherroundstomakesurethat

everyonesheagreedtogetupisawake.”

“Great,”Gregsaid.“Areyouallready?”

TheynoddedandJessicaspokeup.“Wearegoingtodothis,cousin,”shesaid.

“Dowhat?”OliviaaskedherbeforeGregcouldrespond.

“KicksomeDiochantisass,ofcourse.”JessicawinkedatOlivia.

“Hellyesweare,”saidGlennasheapproached.ThistimehetookJessica’shandinhis,andGregdidn’t

misstheaffectioninhiscousin’sfacewhensheturnedtolookupatGlenn.

“Iloveyouroptimism,”saidMarissawhenshewalkeduptotheirgroup.“Everyoneispresentandready

togo.Weshouldn’twasteanytime.”

“No,weshouldn’t,”Gregagreed.“Joseph,aretheWhytesreadytotransporteveryonenow?”

“Yes,theyareallinplaceandjustwaitingonwordfrommetogetthingsstarted.”

Onthatnote,theyallwenttojointherestoftheirfamilyandfriendssothattheycouldheadout.Greg

noddedtoOlivia,andtheybothshiftedintotheirlionformswithJane,Jessica,andGlennfollowingright

behindthem.

“Areyoureadyforthis?”GregaskedOliviathroughtheirthoughts.

“Yes,”shesaidwithoutanyhesitation.“Let’sgogetthesebastards.”

“God,Iloveyou,”hetoldOlivia.

“AndIloveyou,”shesaidrightbacktohim,thensheturnedsothatshewasfacingeveryoneelseandlet

outacommandingroar.

Herroarwasnothinglikewhatshehadusedduringbattleinthepast,butitwasstillenoughtocapturethe

attentionofeveryonepresent.Theyhadallbeenpreparingforthisday,sowhentheyheardOlivia,

everyonepresentwhowasashifterchangedintotheiranimalformsrightaway.

Greglookedoutatallofthelionsandpanthers,surroundedbytheWhyteswhowerealreadybeginningto

chantthespelltosendeveryonetothelocationwheretheDiochantis,andDiocholoswerehidingout.

Rightbeforetheywerealltransferredout,everyoneroaredinunison,asignofunityandcomraderyas

theywereabouttoenterintothebiggestfightoftheirlives.

ItwasonlyafewminuteslaterwhenGregfelttheWhytes’magicwraparoundhim,andwithaflashthey

werenolongerattheWilds’pride’sfamilyhomes.Theywereallcongregatedintheforestwhich

surroundedthemountainwheretheDiochantisandDiocholoswerehidingout.Thisclose,Marissawas

abletousehersightabilitytolookslightlyaheadandseewhatwasgoingoninsideofthemountain.

“Theyareallworkingonpotions,definitelypreparingfortheirplannedstrikeagainstus.”

“WhereisDiocholos?”OliviaaskedMarissa.

“Hewaswiththem.Seemedtobeorderingthemaround,tellingthemwhattheyneededmoreofandthat

theyneededtohurryup.”

“Weshouldconvergeonthemallatonce,”Gregtoldthem.Theyhadplannedforthisiftheopportunity

presenteditselfasithad.“Itisthebestwaytocatchthemoffguardandtakethemoutasquicklyas

possible.”

“Agreed,”theyallsaidinresponse.

“Joseph,”GreglookedtotheWhytes’leader.

“Alreadyonit,”Josephresponded.

ThatwaswhenGregheardthechantingoftheWhytes,whiletheyonceagainutteredaspelltomove

everyoneallatoncefortheattack.

Thistimetookevenlessthanthefirst,andthenextthingGregknewhewasinsideofthemountain,

surroundedbytherestofhispeople.Theynearlylandedrightontopoftheirenemy,andtheDiochantis

weresoshockedtoseeallofthemthattheyfrozetemporarily.That,ofcourse,workedintheshifters’

favorandseveralDiochantiswerekilledbeforetheywereabletoreact.ItwasDiocholoswhopulledhis

evilminionsoutoftheirshockedstuporandbacktoreality.

“Whatthehellareyouidiotsdoing?”heshouted.“Takethemout,now!”

ThatwaswhensomethingdawnedonGregthatnoneofthemhadthoughtofbefore:theycouldn’tkill

them.AtleastnotthosewhoOliviahadseeninherpremonition.TheDiochantisandDiocholosneeded

themaliveforthetimebeingsothattheycouldusethemtosummonalloftheotherdemons,andcarryout

theirplantobringhellanddestructiontoearth.

Gregknewthatgavethemanadvantage,andhefoundhimselffeelingalittlebitmoreoptimisticthatthey

wouldwinthisbattle,andthathismateandunbornchildrenwouldsurvivethisfight.

Gregimmediatelyrelayedhislittleepiphanytotheothers-anotheradvantageforthem,theadvantageof

beingabletocommunicatethroughtheirthoughtssincetheenemyhadnowayofknowinganythingthat

theysaid.

Justashehadimagined,everyonewhowasapartofhissuddenacknowledgmentjumpedintobattleand

heldnothingback.ItwaslikeknowingthattheDiochantiswouldneedthemalivemadethemallalittle

braver.GreghadhissightssetonDiocholoshimself.Afterall,hewasthepuppetmasterbehindallof

this,andtheonewhocalledforthemurderofOliviainherpremonition.

Eventhoughitwassomethingthathadnotactuallyhappened,andGregandtherestofhispeoplewere

fightingtomakesurethatitneverbecamereality,Gregfelttheragerushthroughhisbodyasifithadcome

tobe.

GregrippedthroughtheDiochantisandtheirblack,oilybloodwaseverywhere.Hewasmakinghisway

throughthemasfastashepossiblycouldashemadehiswaytoDiocholos.Thehighdemonstoodatthe

centeroftheroom.HewashidingbehindanarmyofhisDiochantiswhoweredyingleftandrightatthe

handsofGregandhispeople.WhenGreghadapathcleared,heranforDiocholosatfullspeedand

slammedintothehighdemon.HeclampeddownonDiocholos’sneckwithhislong,sharpteeth,and

yanked.

WhenGregyankedhisteeththroughthedemon’sneckhetorealargechunkfromhisthroat.Diocholos

screamedandwrappedonehandaroundhisbloodythroat,andusedhisothertoripintoGreg’sside.

“AHH!”Gregcriedout.

Thepainwasexcruciating.Beingclawedbyademonwasahundredtimesworsethanhavinghisflesh

tornopenbyanythingelse.WhenDiocholosrippedintoGreg’sskin,thesensationofHell’sfireripped

throughhisentirebodywithinseconds.

Momentarily,GregthoughtbacktowhentheDiochantishadtakenOlivia,rememberingthatshetoohad

beenclawedbyDiocholos.Nowheknewexactlyhowmuchpainhadbeeninflictedonhismate,anda

furygreaterthananythinghehadeverfeltfilledhim.Hisfuryhelpedhimpowerthroughhisownpain.

WhenheturnedbackaroundtoattackDiocholosagain,Oliviawasheadedstraightforthem.Thecloser

shegottothem,thebrighterherlightbecame.ItwasalmostblindingandGreghadtofighttheurgetoturn

away.GregnoticedthatJoseph,andacoupleotherWhytes,wereflyingoverheadandwatchingOlivia’s

back.TheyweretakingoutanyDiochantisthatwentforherfromupabove.

GregleapedbackontoDiocholos,anddughisclawsandteethintothedemon.Hewasrippingat

Diocholos’fleshasquickly,andwithasmuchforceashecould,determinedtokeepthedemon’sattention

drawntohimselfandawayfromOlivia.GreghadjustmanagedtosinkhisteethintoDiocholos’upper

shoulderwhenOliviaslammedintothedemonfrombehind.

Greg’smatewasnearlyasbrightasthesunwhenshesankherteethintowhatremainedofthedemon’s

neck.Gregheldontohimaswell,buthewasstillabletoseethedemon’sbodybegintoglowandsmoke

asOlivia’slighttraveledthroughhim.However,afterafewseconds,thelightbegantorecedefromhis

bodyandDiocholosletoutamockinglaugh.

“Didyoureallythinkthatyoucouldkillmewiththesametrickyouusedtotakeoutalowleveldemon?

Youstupidgirl,”DiocholoschidedOlivia.

GreglookedatOlivia,andwasshockedwhenhelookedintohereyes.Hereyeshadturnedcompletely

whiteandshewasjuststaringathimblankly.“Olivia,”hecalledouttoherthroughhermind,butshe

didn’trespond.Gregwasworried,butwhenhereyeswentbacktonormal,oratleastwhatwasnormal

whenshewaslituplikethesunandherlightwasshiningthroughthem,shelookedathimandsmiled.

Then,withouttellinghimanything,Oliviabithisclawthatwasclosesttoher,stilldugintoDiocholos.

“Olivia!Whatthe,”Gregcriedouttoher.

HewasconcernedthatsomethinghadgonewrongwhenshesentherlightintoDiocholos.Thatshemight

havesomehowtakensomeofthedemon’sdarknessintoherself,andwasnowtryingtokillhim.

Thenhefeltherlightrushingthroughhisbody,anditwashealinghiswounds.Withinsecondsthe

excruciatingpainofthehellfirewasgone,andGregcouldfeelOlivia’spower.Thatwaswhenhe

realizedthathewasstartingtoglow.

WhenOliviaunclampedherjawfromhim,Gregwasfeelingstrongerthanheeverhadinhislife.“Now,

bitehim,”OliviatoldGreg.“Sendthelightintohim.”

GregandOliviabothbitintothedemonatthesametime.Hewasn’tsurehowheknewwhattodo,but

GreghadnoproblemdoingexactlywhatOliviahadtoldhimtodo.ThistimeDiocholoslightuplikethe

FourthofJuly,andGregheardthesoundofhisfleshburningandsizzlingasthedemon’sbodybegan

smoking.Itwasn’tlongbeforeDiocholosscreamedinpain,buthewasunabletofightoffOliviaand

Greg.

ThenextthingGregknew,hewasonthegroundandDiocholoswasgone.Wherethedemonhadjustbeen

standingwasnothingmorethanasmokingpileofash.Gregwasn’tgoingtolinger,juststandingthere

staringattheashesofadeaddemon.However,whenhewenttojoinbackintheactiontofinishoffthe

restoftheDiochantis,hefoundthattheywerealreadytakencareof.Justashelookedup,hewatched

JessicaandGlennripapartthefinaltwoDiochantis,whileeveryoneelsestaredathimandOliviawith

wideeyesliketheywerenotsurewhattheywereseeing.

Gregcouldn’tsaythatheblamedthem,though,hehadnoideahowtheyhadjustdonewhattheyhadtokill

Diocholoseither.HeimaginedthatifanyoneknewitwasOlivia,buthealsowasn’ttooconcernedwith

figuringitout.Hewasjusthappythatwhatevershehaddonehadworked,andnowtheirenemywasdead

andgone.

CHAPTER13

Olivia

JosephhadbeenrightaboutOlivia’spremonitions.Whenithadbeenneededthemost,Oliviahadavision

thatshowedherhowtheywoulddefeatDiocholos.Shewouldhaveneverimaginedthatshewouldbe

abletosharehergiftswithsomeoneelse.Whenshehadbeenlearningabouttheabilitiesthatshiftershad,

noonehadevermentionedanythingaboutsomeonebeingabletotransfer,orsharetheirgiftswithanyone

else.

Thenagain,Oliviawasstilllearningaboutherselfandherpride.Itjustsohappenedthatshewaslearning

themajorityofherabilitiesintheheatofthemomentwhileshefoughtforherlifeandthelivesofthose

shecaredabout.

However,OliviawasprettysurethatwhatshehaddonewhenshesharedherabilitywithGregwasa

first.Everyonewasstaringatherlikeshewassomethingthattheyhadneverseenbefore.Inaway,she

knewthatwaspartiallytrue.Accordingtoeveryonehere,shewasatruequeenwhichmeantshewasn’t

justaqueenbymating,butbyblood.

Shehadbeenborntobealionshifterqueen,andmeetingGreghadbeenapartofherdestiny.However,

shehadseenthelookseveryonegaveherwhentheyfirstgottomeetherandtheyprocessedthefactthat

shewasthefirstqueenthelion-shiftershadseenincenturies.

ThewaytheyalllookedatheraftershesharedherpowerwithGregwassomethingmore.Whentheyall

gotbackhomeandgatheredaroundtheirkitchentableagain,everyonelookedatherdifferently.Theyhad

alllookedatherinawewhentheyallfirstmetherasthequeen,butthelookthatshereceivedafterkilling

thehighdemonwasclosertopureshockthantheaweofmeetingtrueroyalty.

“Holyshit!”Jessicaexclaimed.ShewasthefirstonetosayanythingandrunuptoOlivia.“Thatwas

amazing.Imean,Idon’treallyknowwhatyoudid,butwhateveritwasworked.Youguysturnedthat

jackassintoasteamingpileofash.”

“Howdidyouknowtodothat?”askedGreg.“Irealizewhatyoudid,Ijustdon’tknowhowyouknew

thatitcouldbedone.Idon’tthinkthatanyothershifterhaseverbeenabletomomentarilysharetheir

powerwithsomeoneelse.”

“Well,”Oliviasaid,”itturnsoutthatJosephwasright.”

“OfcourseIwas,”Josephscoffed.“ItoldyouIhavebeenaroundthisworldforaverylongtime.Why

don’tyoutelluswhatIwasrightaboutthistime?”

OlivialaughedatJoseph.Hecouldcomeacrosssosmug,butshehadlearnedwhatabighearthehad

underneathofallofthatbravado.“Aboutmypremonitions.Theydocomewhentheyareneededthe

most.”

“Well,ofcourse,”Josephreplied.“So,whenyoureyes--youwerehavingavision?”Gregwastryingto

askheraquestion,butheseemedabithesitant.

“Yes,Ididhaveavision,butwhatareyoutalkingabouthappeningtomyeyes?”OliviaaskedGreg.She

hadn’tknownanythingstrangehadoccurredwithhereyes,otherthanwhenherlightpouredoutthrough

them,butthatwasoldnews.

“Theywereblank,”Gregsaid.Whenshejuststaredathim,hewenton,“Theywerecompletelywhite.

Allcolor,includingyourpupils,weregone.Theywereliterally,blank.”

“Thatisbecauseshewaslookingelsewhere,”Marissapipedintotheconversation.“Herphysicalform

wasrighttherewithyou,Greg,buthereyeswerelookingintothefuture.”

OliviawasjuststaringatMarissanow,tryingtowraphermindaroundtheideaofhereyesbeingsome

placedifferentthanherbody.

“WhatIreallydon’tunderstand,ishowyouwereabletoshareyourpowerwithGreg.Ihaveneverheard

ofanyonewhocoulddothatinallofmyyears.”EdmundForesteraskedthequestionthatOliviawassure

wasoneveryone’smind.

“Throughherbite,”GregspokeupforherandOliviawasgrateful.Shewasbeginningtofeellikeshewas

suddenlyapartoftheSpanishinquisition.

“Right,”shesaid,acknowledgingGreg’sstatement.“IpushedmylightintohimjustasIdidtothedemons.

ThedifferencebeingGregislightandgood,soheabsorbedmypowersforuse.However,thedemonsare

darkandevil,sowhentheyabsorbmypower,itfightsagainsttheirdarknessuntiltheyimplode.”

Oliviayawned,exhaustedfromtheday’sevents.“Alright,thatisenough,”Gregstoodupandtold

everyone.“Olivianeedssomerest,soallofyourquestionswilljusthavetowaituntilanothertime.”

Janestoodupandmovedherarmsinagesturemeanttodirecteveryoneout.“Gregisright.Besides,it

isn’tjustOliviawhocouldusesomerest.Weallfoughtinanepicbattletoday,whichmeansweallneed

togetsomerest.”

Onceeveryonewasoutoftheirhouse,OliviathankedJaneforassistanceingettingeveryonetogototheir

ownhomes.“Thanks,Jane.Ilovethemall,butIamexhausted.”

JanegaveOliviaahugandakissonhercheek.“Don’tmentionit,honey.”JaneplacedahandonOlivia’s

belly.“Youandmygrandbabiesneedtogetsomesleep.Everyoneelsecangetoverthemselves.”

Olivialaughed.ShehadneverbeenmoregratefulthatJanewashermother-in-lawthanshewasinthat

moment.

Greghuggedhismotherandshekissedhimonhischeek.“Thanks,Mom,”hetoldher.“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,darling.I’llseeyouinthemorning.”

OliviaandGregwalkedtotheirroom,handinhand.Whentheylaiddown,Gregpulledhercloseand

wrappedhisarmsaroundher,andOliviagladlylethim.Sherestedherheadonhischestwithherhand

splayedoutalonghisbareskinjustinfrontofherface.Shewasexhaustedandhereyeswereheavyas

shelaidwithhermate.

“Iloveyou,Olivia,”Gregwhisperedintoherhair.

Oliviasmiledtoherself.“Iloveyoutoo,honey.”

***“Olivia,babe,wakeup,”Greg’svoicewascuttingthroughOlivia’ssleepfoggedmind.Shefelthim

gentlyshakeherandfinallyconcededandopenedhereyestolookathermate.

“Greg,issomethingwrong?”

“Youstartedglowinginyoursleep,”hesaid.

ThatwokeOliviaupcompletelyandsheheldherhandsoutinfrontofhertoseethathewasright.Her

backwastoGreg,sosherolledovertofacehim.

Whenshegotagoodlookathermateherbreathcaught.“Soareyou,”shesaidtohim.

Theexpressiononhisfacetoldherthathewasconfused.“I’mwhat?”

“Youareglowing,Greg.”Oliviatookoneofhishandsandhelditupinfrontofhisface,andwatchedhis

eyesgowide.

“Howisthispossible?”Gregsaid.HisvoicewassolowthatOliviawouldn’thaveheardhimhadshe

notbeenlyingwithinaninchofhisface.

“I’mnotsure,”Oliviasaid.“MaybewhenIsharedmygiftwithyouitwasmorepermanentthanwe

thought.”

“Thatstilldoesn’texplainwhywearebothrandomlyglowinginoursleepwithoutanyknowledgethat

weweredoingso.”

“No,”shesaidinacknowledgment,“itdoesn’t.”

“Itisn’thurtinganything,though,soI’mnotsurethatweneedtobetooconcernedaboutit.”

“Right,”Oliviareplied.Shewastryingtopullherlightbackinasshehaddonetimeandtimeagain.It

wassomethingshehadbeenabletodoevenwhenshefirstdiscoveredhertalentwithnoproblems.

However,shewasnotabletomakeherbodystopglowingthistime.“Greg,Ican’tcontrolit.”

“What?”

“Ican’tshutmylightdown.It’slikesomeoneelseinincontrolofmypower.”Oliviawasbeginningto

panic.

Gregrubbedhershoulderandtriedtocalmherdown.“It’salright,baby.”

“Canyou?”

“CanIwhat?”Gregwasobviouslyconfused.

“Canyoucontrolit?Thelightwithinyou.Canyoumakeyourselfstopglowing?”

“I’mnotsure.HowwouldIdothat?”Gregaskedher.“YesterdayIdidn’thavetodoanything.Thelight

recededonitsown,whichIhadassumedwasbecauseyouonlysharedenoughofyourgiftwithmeto

allowmetotemporarilyuseitsowecoulddefeatDiocholos.”

“Itwillprobablybeeasierifyoucloseyoureyessothatyoucanconcentrate.Then,youjustpicturethe

lightbeingpulledbackinsideofyou,anditwillbe.”

Gregclosedhiseyes,andOliviawatchedhimasthelightbeganfadingaway.Thefactthathewasableto

dowhatshecouldn’t,andwithherownpowernoless,madeOliviaevenmoreconcerned.

“Thatdoesn’tmakeanysense,”OliviasaidonceGreg’sbodywascompletelybacktonormal;nomore

glow.“Howareyouabletocontrolit,butIcan’t?It’smypowersoIshouldbeabletocontrolitfor

sure.”

Oliviafeltherselfgettingincreasinglyagitated.Gregtookherfaceinhishandsandmadeherlookhimin

theeyes.

“Olivia,listentome.Itisgoingtobeokay.Besides,youlookbeautiful.”Gregsmirked,andOlivia

laughedlightlyandsmackedhimonhisshoulder.

“Youareridiculous,”shesaidtohermate.

Gregwaskissingherneck,andhegrowledlightlyinherear.“No,youaresexy.”

OliviafeltheatrushthroughherbodyasGreg’sbreathcaressedherskin.Whenhebithernecklightly,she

archedupintohim.Gregtookhermouthwithhisandshepushedhisshoulderandrolledhimoveruntil

shewasontop,straddlinghiswaist.WhenshemadeherwaydownGreg’sneckwithhermouth,she

returnedthefavorandbithiminthespotwherehisneckmethisshoulder.OnceherteethtouchedGreg’s

skin,heletoutagrowlinpleasureandthenhiswholebodylitbackupagain.

Shepulledbacksothatshewassittingup.“OhmyGod,Greg,”Oliviasaid.

Gregsatupandplacedhishandsonherhips,staringintoherfacelikehewastryingtoreadhermind.

“What’swrong,Olivia?”

“Youareglowingagain.”

GreglookedathisarmsandgaveaslightnodbeforehelookedbackuptoOlivia’sface.“Yeah.IguessI

didn’thaveaverygoodhandleonitafterall.”

“IthappenedassoonasIbityourneck,butIwasn’ttryingtodoitthistime.”

OliviawaitedforGregtosaysomething,buthejustlookeddowntowardshislapwithhiseyebrows

drawntogetherlikehewasthinkingreallyhard.

“Greg,whatifsomethingwentwrongwhenIsharedmylightpowerwithyou?Orwhatifsomeof

Diocholos’essencesomehowgotinsideofme,orus,whenwebithim.”

“Olivia,babe,calmdown,”Gregwaslookingatheragainwhenhespoke.“Yourlightisagoodthing,a

beautifulthing.Alloftheothertimes,ourliveswereindangerandyouwereundergreatpressuretosave

peoplewhoyouloved.Maybetheurgencyofthosesituationshelpedyouwithyourcontrol.Now,we’re

safesoyoursensesarenotonedgesoyouaren’tabletocontrolitsoeasily.Itisn’thurtinganyone,soit

willbeokay.Wehaveplentyoftimetofigurethisout.”

Oliviastaredathimforamomentwhilesheallowedhiswordstosinkin.Shehadtoadmitthathehada

point.Theonlytimeshehadeverusedherlightheremotionshadbeenhighandshewassavingothers.

“You’reprobablyright.IguessIdon’thaveasmuchcontrolaseveryoneassumed.”

ShesmiledandgaveGregachastekissonhislips.“IguessI’mjustnotasextraordinaryaseveryone

thought.Iwillhavetotakethetimetomastermyabilitiesjustlikeeveryoneelse.”

Gregwrappedhisarmsaroundherbackandpulledherchestflushwithhisown,andOliviawrappedher

armsaroundhisneck.“Oh,youaredefinitelyextraordinary,OliviaWilds.Noonehaseverheldsomany

abilitiesandasmuchpowerasyou,butyourgreatestgiftofallisinhere.”Gregplacedthepalmofhis

handagainstherchest,justoverherheart.“Youhavethebiggestheart,andthewaythatyouloveothers

andfightwitheverythingyouhaveisamazing.What’smore,isthatyouweredoingitlongbeforeyou

transformedintoashifteranddiscoveredyourmagicalpowers.That,mylove,istrulyextraordinary.”

Oliviawasn’tsureifitwouldshowthroughherbrightlyglowingskin,butshecouldfeelhercheeksheat

upwithherblush.Withacoysmileonherface,Oliviasaid,“Ithinkthatyoumightbealittlebiased,Mr.

Wilds.”Shewrappedherarmsaroundthebackofhisneckandthreadedherfingersintohishair,pressing

herbodymorefirmlyintohis.

Gregdughisfingersintoherhipswhenhereplied,“Oh,Iamdefinitelybiased.”Heflashedheracheeky

grinbeforeheplantedahardkissonherlips.

Whenheswipedhistonguealongherbottomlip,Oliviaopeneduptohimandheputhistongueintoher

mouth.WhenOliviamoanedintohismouth,Greggrowledandshefeltitvibratethroughoutherbody.

Thenheflippedheroverandplungedinsideofher.

“Greg!”shecriedout,breathyandneedy.

Herwholebodywasburningwithneedforhermate,andshearchedupintoGreg,matchingeachofhis

thrusts.

Witheverywaveofpleasure,OliviaandGregbothglowedbrighterandbrighter,untiltheroomwaslitup

likeitwasindirectsunlight.GregclosedhismouthoverOlivia’sandkissedherpassionatelywhilehe

moveddeepinsideofher,growlinghispleasureintohermouthoverandoveragain.

Oliviawrappedherlegsaroundhimanddughernailsintohisbackwhilepleasurerackedherbody.Greg

releasedhermouthandliftedup,grabbingherlegsandholdingtheminfrontofhimspreadout,withhis

handswrappedaroundthebackofherthighs.Histhrustsbecamemorepowerful,andurgent.

OliviacouldfeelherpleasurebuildingupinsideofhereverytimeGregmoved.Gregliftedherlegupby

hismouthandlightlybitdownonhercalf.ThesensationsentshockwavesofpleasurethroughOlivia’s

body.Shearchedup,andherbodyliftedoffthebedasherpleasurepeakedandherclimaxtorethrough

herbody,sendingpleasurethrougheveryinchofherbody.

Atthesametime,Gregcalledouthernamethroughhisclenchedteethandshefelthisreleaseinsideof

her.Whentheirpleasurepeaked,bothoftheirlightsshotoutinabrightflash,beforerecedingbackinto

themsothattheywerebothnolongerglowing.

Greglaughed.“Well,Iguessthatisonewaytogetthelightundercontrol.”

Olivialaughedtoo.

“Iwouldn’tmindputtingitoutlikethateverytime,”OliviatoldGreg,wigglinghereyebrows

suggestively.“Idon’treallyneedtofigureitoutonmyown,right?”

Theywerebothlaughingagain,andwithinashorttimetheyhadfallenbacktosleepineachother’sarms.

CHAPTER14

Greg

GregandOliviarelayedtheirexperiencewakingupglowingandthefactthatOliviahadbeenunableto

drawherlightbackinonherown.Gregalsomentionedhistheorythatithadtodowiththefactthatshe

wasn’tusingherpoweroutofnecessityanymore,andwithouttheaddeddesiretosavethepeoplearound

her,Oliviawasnottappingintohergiftsasstrongly.Theyjustleftoutthepartthatleduptothemactually

gettingthelighttogoout.

“Itisdefinitelyinteresting,”hismotherreplied,“especiallysinceOlivia’spowertookoverwhileshe

wassleeping,butIthinkGregmakesavalidpoint.”

“Actually,”Josephspokeup,“itismostlikelythebabieswhoaremessingwithyourgifts.”

“Mybabies?”Oliviasaid.Itwasmoreofaquestionthanastatement.“Howwouldmybabiesbe

controllingmypower?”

“Theyareapartofyourightnow,sotheyhaveaccesstoeverythingthatmakesyou,you.Thereisalsothe

possibilitythatthelightpowerfromthismorningwasoneoftheirs,andnotyourpoweratall.Thatwould

explainwhyyoucouldn’tcontrolit,butGregcouldonceyouwerenottouchinghim.”

GregknewthatJosephwasbeingserious,buthecouldn’timaginethattheirbabieswerealreadybig

enoughtohavetheirownpowers.ItwasstillveryearlyinOlivia’spregnancy.

“Joseph,thebabiesarestillonlyfetusesatthispoint,”Gregsaid,addressingthebiggestholeinJoseph’s

theory.“Howcouldtheyalreadybemanifestingpowers?Thatisunheardof.”

ItwasactuallyGreg’smother,Jane,whorespondedthistime.“No,son,itisnotimpossible,”shesaid.“It

issomethingthatoccursinveryraresituations,however.ConsideringhowuniqueandpowerfulOliviais,

itwouldstandtoreasonthatyourchildrenwouldbeextraordinaryaswell.”

Greghadn’tthoughtofitlikethat,buthestillhadneverheardofanychild’sgiftsmanifestingwhilethey

werestillinthewomb.

“Itispossible,”saidMarissa.“Ihaveseenitinpanther-shifterchildrenaswell.Ifitistrulyyour

children’spowershiningthroughalready,thentheyaregoingtoberemarkablygifted.”

Gregsmiled;alreadyhewastheproudfatheroftwogiftedchildrenandtheyweren’tevenbornyet.

Olivialookedathimandsmiledwidelyandsaid,“Well,thatcertainlyisn’tbadnews.IhavetoadmitI

wasfreakingoutaboutlosingcontrolwhenallofthishappenedearlier.”

Hismotherlaughed,andwhenhelookedathershewasshakingherhead.“Oh,honey,”saidJanewitha

smile.“Itdoesn’tmatterifyourchildrenobtaintheirabilitieswhilestillinthewombornot.Themoment

awomanbecomespregnantshelosescontrolofherbody.Thatissomethingyoushouldjustgoaheadand

getusedtonow.”

“Oh,sheisdefinitelyrightaboutthat,”saidMarissa.

Gregwatchedasallofthewomensharedintheirlaughterandbeganswappingpregnancystories.Hewas

watchingOliviaasshetookineverythingtheyweresaying,andwhentheytoldstoriesofthehorrible

waystheirbodiesbetrayedthemwhiletheywerepregnant.

Whenevertheotherwomenmentionedthingslikethat,Olivia’seyebrowswoulddrawtogetherandshe

lookedalittlefrightened.Gregleanedtowardsherandplacedhishandonherbelly.Thatwasallittook

tobringheroutofthethoughtsthattheotherwomenhadplantedinherbrainaboutthehorrorsofbeing

pregnant,andshewasbackwithhim.

Shelookeddownatherbelly,thenplacedherhandsoverhisandlookedupandsmiledathim.Gregfelta

smallflutterunderhishand,andwhenOlivia’seyegrewwideheknewthatshehadfeltitaswell.He

quicklylookeddownatherbelly.Ifshehadn’treactedtothemovementaswell,thenGregwouldhave

thoughtthathewasimaginingthings.

Therewasnowaythatshewasfarenoughalongforthebabiestobekicking.WhileGregwasstaring

downatOlivia’sbelly,hefeltthemovementbeneathhishandagain.Then,Olivia’sbellybegantoglow

andlightwasbeginningtoshineoutfromher.Thelightstartedatherbelly,thenmadeitswayupherbody

untilOliviawascompletelylitupagain.WhenGregfeltafamiliarwarmthenterhimfromhishand,he

lookeddownatOlivia’sbellyagainandfoundthatthelightwasnowenteringhim.

Itstartedathishandwherehestillhaditrestingonherbelly,andthelightmadeitswayuphisarmsuntil

hiswholebodywaslitupjustlikeOlivia’s.

“Wow,”Jessicasaid,hervoicenearlyawhisper.“Thatisincredible.Howdidyoudothat?”Shelooked

atOliviaexpectantly.

OlivialookedoveratGreg’scousinandshookherhead.“Ididn’tdothat,”shesaid.

Greglookedupfromherbellyfinally,andlookedoverathiscousinaswell.“Sheisn’tjoking.Ithinkthat

everyonewasright.Thiswasthebabies’doing,notOlivia’s.”

“Howcanyoubesure?”Jessicaaskedhim.

“BecauseIwatchedthemdoit,”Gregtoldher.“ThelightbeganatherstomachrightafterIfeltthebabies

moveundermyhand.”

“Son,”hismothersaid,joiningtheconversation.“Thebabiesarefartooyoungforthat.Youwon’tbe

abletofeelthemmovingforseveralmoremonths,especiallyfromtheoutsidelikethat.”

“No,he’sright,”saidOlivia.“Ifeltthemmovingtoo.Icouldfeelthemmovinginsideofme,andIfelt

themwhenIlaidmyhandsoverGreg’sonmybellyaswell.”

“Amazing,”Josephmuttered.“Ihaveheardrumors,ormyths,ofthishappening,butIneverimaginedthat

itcouldreallyhappen.”

OliviaquicklyturnedherheadtolookatGreg,andhesawtheconcernwrittenonherface.Hedidn’t

blameher;hewasalsofeelingabitworriednow.

“Joseph,nowisnotthetimetobecryptic.Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”

“Yourchildrenwillcometotermmuchfasterthannormalchildrendo.”

GregsawOliviavisiblyrelaxbeforeshesaid,“Okay,soitisalion-shifterthingthen.”Shelooked

aroundattheirfriendsandfamily,waitingonananswer.Wheneveryonejustlookedaroundthetablelike

theywerewaitingforsomeoneelsetoanswerher,ortheydidn’tcomprehendwhatshehadsaid,Olivia

continued.“Lion-shifterbabies.Iamguessingthattheydon’ttakeninemonthsinthewomblikehuman

childrendoinordertocomefullterm.”

GregwasgladwhenhismotherrespondedtoOlivia.Hedidn’tknowmuchaboutthepregnanciesoflion-

shifterfemales.

“Lion-shifterwomenarenotpregnantaslongasahumanwoman,butitisstilllongenoughthatyoushould

notbefeelingthebabies’movementsalready.Normalpregnancyforalion-shifterisusuallyaroundthirty-

fiveweeks.”

“Sowhatwereyoutalkingaboutthen,Joseph?”Gregaskedtheirpuzzlingfriend.

“Yourchildrenwereconceivedduringyourmating,”Josephsaid.

“Okay,”Gregsaid,hopingthatwasallofthepromptingthatJosephwouldneedtogoon.Sometimesthe

wayhelikedtotalkinshortclipswasveryfrustrating.

“Whenchildrenareconceivedduringthematingofakingandhisqueen,theyareespeciallygifted,and

oneofthosegiftsarethattheyaredevelopedtofulltermwithintwotothreemonths.However,Ihave

neverheardofthiskindofconceptionwhereatruebornfemalequeenlion-shifterisinvolved.

ConsideringhowpowerfulOliviahasproventobeoverthepastseveralweeks,yourunbornchildren

maybethetwomostpowerfullion-shiftersevertobeborn.”

“Holyshit!”Jessicaexclaimed.“Iamsogladyoujoinedourpride,andthatIamofficiallyyourbest

friend.Seemsthatyouarethebestthingtohappentoourkindincenturies,andthereisdefinitelynevera

dullmomentwithyou.”

EveryonelaughedatJessica’swords,butGregcouldn’thelpbutfocusoneverythingthatJosephhadjust

toldthem.Jessicahaditexactlyrightwhenshesaidholyshit.Itwascertainlyalottotakein.Notbad

news,butdefinitelynotanythingthatGreghadbeenpreparedfor,andheknewifhehadn’tbeenprepared

forallofthatnews,thenOliviawasdefinitelynotexpectingthatkindofnews.

WhenGregheardOliviabeginlaughinghelookedatherinsurprise.“What,”shesaidbetweenher

laughter,“areyoureallysurprised?NothingwithmehasbeennormalsinceItransitionedintoashifter,so

whyshouldmypregnancybeanydifferent,ifwearehonestwithourselves.”

Gregsmiledbrightlyathismate.God,helovedhersomuch.Hismotherjumpedupandclappedher

handstogether.

“Ifthebabieswillbehereinthenextcouplemonthsthenwebetterstartshoppingforthem.”

Jessicajumpedupandshriekedinagreement,thenshegrabbedOlivia’shandstopullheruptojointhem,

butOliviapaused.

“Iamnotsosureitisagoodideaformetobegoingoutinpublicrightnow,actually.”

“Whynot,babe?”Gregaskedhismate.

“BecauseIcan’tcontrolmypowersrightnow,orthebabies’powers,whatever,”shesaidandshesighed

infrustration.“Anyway,Ithinkitmightbehardtoexplaintothepeopleinthebabystoresifraysoflight

suddenlystartshootingoutofmystomachandthenmywholebodylightsup.”

“Damn,sheisright,”saidJessica,whowasnowpouting.

“Well,thenthatmeansthatwewilljustbeabletothrowyouawonderful,surprisebabyshower,”Greg’s

momchimedin,tryingtocheerOliviaup.“Itisn’tanyfunhavingababyshowerwhenyouknowwhat

everyonegotyoubeforehandanyway.”

Oliviasmiledathismother,butGregknewthatshewasnottrulyplacated.Hecouldseethatshewasjust

tryingtohideherdisappointmentbehindabravesmile,onlyitwasnotgoingtoworkonhim.However,

hehadbeenwantingtodosomethingniceforhersoheknewthatthiswasagreatopportunity.

“Actually,thatwillworkoutperfectfortheplansIhadmadeforustonight,”Gregsaid,andOlivia

lookedathimlikehewastalkingaboutsomethingforeign.

“Whatplans?”sheaskedhim.

“Well,IknowthatyouhavebeenwantingtovisitwithJimmysinceeverythingwentdown,”Gregtoldher.

“So,IarrangedaneveningofdinnerandmoviesandJimmywillbejoiningus.”

GregwatchedasOlivia’sfacelitupwithhappinessforamomentbeforethesidelooktookherface

again.“ButGreg,won’twejusthavethesameissueatamovietheaterthatwewouldhavehadatthe

babystore?Hell,itwillbedarkerinthemovietheaterwhichmeansitwouldbeevenmoreobviousifI

startedtoglow.Nottomention,wehavealreadyfiguredoutthatifItouchyouwhilethebabieslightis

showing,thenthelightisgoingtotransfertoyouaswell.”

“Olivia,don’tworrybabe.Wearenotgoingtoamovietheater;wearegoingtohavethemovieshere.We

haveahugebigscreeninthebasementtowatchthemovieson,andIthoughtthatwecouldorderpizza

andhavepopcornwhilewehungout.Unless,ofcourse,thereissomethingelseyouwouldrathereat.You

aretheoneeatingforourchildrenrightnow,soyougetthechoiceofwhatwe’regoingtohavefor

dinner.”

Oliviacoveredhermouthwithbothofherhands,andGregsawhereyesbegintoshimmerwithunshed

tears.“Youareprettyamazing.DoyouknowthatGregWilds?”

OliviastooduponhertiptoesandplacedasoftwarmkissonGreg’slips.Whenshepulledbackfromthe

kiss,shekeptherarmsaroundhisneckandGregwrappedhisaroundherwaist.

“Actually,IwouldsaythatIamtheluckyone.IdefinitelywonthelotterywhenIfoundyou.”

Oliviasmiled,andGregheardhiscousininthebackgroundmakinggaggingsounds.

“OhmyGod,yousoguysaresickeninglysweet.Itmakesmewanttobarf.”

OliviapickedaclothnapkinupfromthetableandthrewitatJessica,andithitherrightbetweenher

eyes.

Gregpointedatherandstartedlaughing,“Maybeyoushouldn’tteaseyourall-powerfulqueenthere,

cousin.”

“Ha,whatever,”Jessicascoffed.“SheismybestfriendandIwillteaseherwheneverIwantto.Besides,

youtworeallyaregross.”

OlivialookedupatGregandrolledhereyeswithasmileonherface,andcouldn’thelpbutlaughagain.

Afterthewaythemorninghadstartedout,withherbeingsoafraidofwhatwashappeningtoher,losing

controlofherpowers,andseeingherrollhereyesathiscousin’slessthanwittyrepertoiremadefora

muchbetterevening.

CHAPTER15

Olivia

OliviawasoverjoyedwhenJimmygottotheirhomethatevening.Ithadactuallyonlybeenafewdays

sinceshesawhimlast,butwitheverythingthathadbeengoingon,itstillfeltlikeithadbeenforever.

WhenJimmycameandheimmediatelyranuptoOlivia,andembracedherinatighthug.

“Olivia,”Jimmysaid,“Ihavemissedyousomuch,andIwassoworriedaboutwhatwasgoingtohappen

toallofyou.Iamgladthatyoumadeitoutsafely.”

“Jimmyyoudidn’tneedtoworryaboutme,”Oliviasaid.Sheheldhimoutatarm’slength,andwas

runninghereyesoverhimeverywhere,scanninghimforanysignthathehadtakenillagain.Shestill

couldn’tbelievethatshehadsomehowcuredhiscancerwithherlightpower.

“Howareyoudoing?Howareyoufeeling?Haveyoubeenbacktothedoctoryet,togetnewscansto

makesurethatthecancerisreallygone?”Oliviawasramblingbutshecouldn’tstopherself.Becauseof

her,JimmyhadalmostbeenkilledbytheDiochantis,andsheneededtoknowthathewasokayforsure.

Obviously,theyhadn’tcausedhiscancer,butiftheonegoodthinghecouldgetoutofsuchaterrifying

experiencewastobecancer-free,thenOliviawantedtomakesurethatmiraclewasforreal.

Jimmylaughedatherandshookhishead.“Olivia,Iamfine,”Jimmytoldher.“Actually,Iamwaybetter

thanfine.Ican’trememberatimeinmylifewhenIeverfeltasgoodasIfeelnow.”

Oliviahadtearsinhereyesagainandshecouldfeelthemgettingreadytofalldownhercheeks.She

decidedthatithadtobeherhormonesfromherspeedypregnancythatwascausinghertobesoemotional

today.

“Jimmy,Icannotevenbegintotellyouhowhappythatthatmakesme.Ionlywishthatyoudidn’thaveto

gethurtintheprocess,byanenemyyoudidn’tevenknowexisted,bytheway,inorderforyoutoget

better.Thatpartisonmetoo.”

ThistimewhenJimmyshookhisheadthelookonhisfacewasmuchmoreserious,andhegripped

Olivia’sshoulderswithhishandswhenhespoke.“No,Oliviathatwasnotyourfault,andIdon’twantto

hearyoublameyourselfforthoseevilcreatureskidnappingmeeveragain.Youhadabsolutelynocontrol

overthem.Whattheydidwasanefforttohurttheentireworld.Itwasn’taboutyou,anditwasn’tabout

me.Itwasallaboutthemlivingouttheirevildreamofworlddomination,orwhatever.”

“Yeah,buttheyneverwould’vewentafteryouifithadnotbeenforme,”Oliviasaidandshesoundedso

guilty.“Itwasallaploytocatchmesothattheycouldusemybloodfortheirspells.Youneverwould’ve

beenontheirradar,Jimmy,ifithadnotbeenforme.”

“Thatisenoughofthat,Olivia,”Jimmysaidtoherinthesternestvoiceshehadeverheardhimuse.

“Now,enoughwithalloftheheavystuff.Iwaspromiseddinnerandamoviewithpopcorn.”

AtJimmy’smentioningoffood,Olivia’sstomachgrowled.Clearly,thetwinswerereadyfordinneras

well.

Olivialookeddownatherstomachandsmiled.Whensheplacedherhandsthereandsmoothedouther

shirtsheheardJimmygasp.Immediatelyhereyesflewbackuptohisface,thinkingthatsomethingwas

wrong.

“Jimmy,whatisit?What’swrong?”

“Howareyoushowingalready?”JimmyaskedherandOlivianoticedthathisvoicewasalittlehigh

pitched.“IknowthatI’monlysixteen,andI’veneverhadanychildrenofmyown,butIdoknowenough

toknowthatafteronlyacoupleweeksyoushouldnotbeshowingalready.Twinsornot,thatisnot

normal.”

“Jimmy,IknowthatyouknowIamnotonehundredpercenthumananymore.”Oliviapaused.Shewas

waitingforsomekindofsignfromJimmythathehadheardherwords,andcomprehendedwhatshehad

justsaid.WhenJimmygaveheraslownod,shewenton.“Well,itturnsoutIamalittlemorespecial

thanmostofmykind.Becauseofthat,itlookslikeGregandmybabiesarealsogoingtobe

extraordinarilygifted.”

“Thatmakessense,Olivia,butitstilldoesn’texplainwhyyou’realreadyshowingwhenyouareonlya

fewweekspregnantatmost.”

“Right.SinceIamspeciallygifted,andcombinedwithaveryspecialcircumstance,thebabiesare

growingatamuchfasterratethannormal.”

“Howmuchfaster?”Jimmyasked.

“Theywillcometofulltermintwoorthreemonths.”

OliviawatchedJimmy,studyinghisfaceandwaitingtoseeifhewasgoingtofreakout.Inthepastfew

dayshehadhisworldturnedupsidedownandlearnedwaytoomuch,waytoofastabouttheworld

outsideofthehumanrace.Shejustprayedthatthiswasn’tthestrawthatwasgoingtosendhimrunning

awayfromher.

ShehadhadtogiveupsomuchofherhumanlifewhenshematedGregandbecamealionshifterherself,

butJimmywastheonethingshehadbeenabletoholdontoevenifitworkedinamuchsmallercapacity.

Oliviadidnotwanttolosehimoutofherlife.Hewaslikeachildofherown,andshecouldnotimagine

neverseeinghisfaceagain.

“Wow,”Jimmysaid,andOliviacouldhearthewonderinhisvoice,“thatisprettyamazing.Ibetthatthere

arealotofwomenouttherewhowouldbeprettyjealousiftheyknewyouonlyhadtobepregnantfora

coupleofmonths.IknowthatIhaveheardmymothercomplainabouthowlongninemonthscouldbe

whenyouhadachildgrowinginsideofyou,whowassittingonyourbladderandkickingyouintheribs

twenty-fourseven.”

“Jimmy,yourmotherlovesyouverymuch.”Oliviasaid.

JimmysmiledbackatOlivia,“Oh,Iknowthatshedoes,butstilldoesn’tmeanthatcarryingmearound

forninemonthsdidn’tfeellikealifetimeforher.”

Olivialaughedandpoppedhimonthearmplayfully.“Alright,mister,let’sgoseeifGreghasdinner

readyforus.Meandthesebabiesarestarving.”

Notsurprisingly,Jimmydidnothaveanyargumentswiththat.Teenageboyswerealwayshungry.Justona

chancethathewouldbe,Gregwasmakingpizzafortheirdinner,andheevengotanactualpopcorn

makingmachinetomaketheirpopcornwith,sothatthemovienightexperiencewouldbemorerealistic.

“Hey,babe,”GregsaidwhenOliviawalkedintothebasementwithJimmytrailingcloselybehindher.

“Youhaveperfecttiming,thepizzajustgotdoneanditsmellsdelicious.Jimmy,itisgreattoseeyou

again.I’mreallygladthatyouwereabletomakeittonight.Oliviahasmissedyouaton.”

“Thanks,Greg,”Jimmyreplied.“Thankyouforinvitingme.Anddon’tworry,Ihavemissedhertoo.”

Gregcarriedthepizzasovertothecoffeetablethatwassetupinfrontofthecouchwheretheywouldbe

watchingtheirmovie,andsetthemdown.WhenJimmyrealizedthatthecouchreclinedontheends,he

grabbedtheplatefullofpizzaandproppedhisfeetup,readyforthemovietostart.

OliviawasrightupnexttoGregwhilehefixedherplateofpizza.Shesmiledtoherselfwhenshethought

abouthimcateringtoherasifshecouldnothelpherself.Ifhewasalreadybeingthissweet,andwanted

todoeverythingforher,shedidn’timaginehowmuchworseitwasgoingtogetbeforeshehadthese

babies.Oliviadidnotmindthough,becausesheknewthatGregdiditalloutofloveforherandfortheir

unbornchildren,anditjustmadeherlovehimevenmore.

***Luckily,GreghadthoughtaheadandaskedJimmy’sparentstoallowhimtostaythenightbecausehe

wascurrentlysnoringattheendofthecouchafterhavingfallenasleepbeforethemovieended.

“DoyouthinkIshouldcarryhimuptoabed,orjustleavehimthere?”GregaskedOliviawhenthemovie

ended.

“Yes,please,”Oliviareplied.“Ifhesleepsthereallnighthisneckwillbekillinghiminthemorning.A

grumpyJimmywhodidn’tgetgoodsleepisanightmarethatnobodyshouldhavetosee.”

GreglaughedatOliviaandsheraisedhereyebrowandstaredathim.“YoumightthinkI’mjoking,butyou

haven’tstayedwithhimovernightasmanytimesasIhaveinthepastseveralyears.Theboyisgrouchy

andsonotamorningperson.”

Gregheldhishandsupinsurrender.“Noproblem,babe.Ialreadyhavearoomsetupforhimanyway,

andheisn’tveryheavysocarryinghimupasetofstairswillnotbedifficult.”

“Thankyou,”Oliviasaid,andthenshecoveredhermouthbeforeayawneescapedfromher.“IthinkI’m

goingtoheadonuptobedmyself.”Oliviastoodupfromthecouch,andwalkedoverandgaveGrega

kissbeforeturningandheadingforthestairsherself.

“I’llbetherejustassoonasIgethimtohisbedroom,”Gregtoldherasshelefttheroom.

Thenextmorningafterhavinghadacommunalshowerwithhermate,Oliviamadeherwaytotheroom

whereJimmywassupposedtobesleeping,buthewasnotthere.Itwasonlyabout9:30inthemorningso

OliviathoughtthatitwasstrangethatJimmywouldhavealreadygottenupandlefttheroom.

ButshecouldsmellthebreakfastfoodinthekitchenherselfandthoughtthatmighthavewokenJimmyup

andluredhimtothekitchen.WhenthesmellofthefoodcookinginthekitchenmadeOlivia’sstomach

growlshealsoheadeddownstairs.ShewasexpectingtorunintoJimmywhenshegotthere,buthewas

nowheretobeseen.

“Goodmorning,everyone,”Oliviasaidwhenshewalkedintothekitchenandmadeherwaytothe

refrigeratortogetsomethingtodrink.Whileshewaspouringherselfaglassoforangejuice,shelooked

aroundtheroomandasked,“HasanyoneseenJimmythismorning?”

“No,darling,”saidJaneinresponsetoOlivia’squestion.“IhavebeenupsinceseventhismorningandI

haven’tseenhimcomeoutofhisroom.”

Oliviawassuddenlyovertakenwiththefeelingofpuredread,andshejustknewthatsomethingwas

wrong.“Didyoualreadycheckinhisroom?”askedJessica.

Olivianoddedherheadyeswhenshesaid,“Yeah,thatwasthefirstplaceIlooked.Jimmyisneverupthis

earlyunlesssomeonemakeshimgetup,soIhadjustassumedhewouldstillbesleepingandIwasgoing

towakehimuptocomehavebreakfast.WhenIfoundhisroomemptyIjustassumedhehadbeenwoken

upbythesmellofbreakfastcooking,andthathewasalreadyinthekitchensothathecouldeat.”

ThatwaswhenGregcameintothekitchenwithascowlonhisface,andOlivianoticedthathehada

pieceofpaperwaddedupinhisfistashestompedhiswayacrossthekitchen.

“Greg,what’swrongdear?Whathasyousoangry?”Greg’smotheraskedhim.

OlivianevertookhereyesoffGregbecauseshewantedtoknowtheanswertothosequestionsherself.

Shecouldfeelthefearandpanicrisinginsideofherwhenshecametotherealizationthatwhateverwas

onthatpaperinGreg’shandlikelyhadsomethingtodowithwhereJimmywas.Oliviawonderedif

Jimmyhaddecidedthathernewworldwastoomuchforhimtohandleafterall.However,shehadabad

feelingdeepinsideofhergutthattoldherthatwasnotthecase.

“Nate,”GregspitNate’snameoutlikeitwassomethingthattastedhorribleinhismouth.“Thatlittle

motherfuckerhasJimmy,andhesaidthathewillonlyreturnhimunharmedifwehandoverthequeen.”

Oliviafelteveryone’seyeslandonher.Shecouldnotbelievethatthiswashappeningagain.Forthe

secondtimeinjustafewweeks,Jimmywasbeingheldasahostageinordertogettoher.

Oliviawasbeginningtofeellikeshewasalwaysgoingtoputthepeopleshecaredthemostaboutin

dangerbecauseitseemedthattheevilbeingsofhernewworldwerewillingtodowhateverittook,and

hurtwhoevertheyneededto,inordertogettheirhandsonher.Shewasbeginningtothinkthather

specialabilitiesweremoreofacursethenagift.

Glenn,whowasbasicallyalwaysaroundnowthatheandJessicaseemedtobeathing,stoodupand

Oliviacouldseetheangerinhisfacewhenhesaid,“Wait,youmeanNateForester?”

“Yes,yourfuckingcousin,”GregsnappedbackatGlenn.

“Didyouknowaboutthis?”Gregwaivedthepaperintheairangrily.

“No!Areyoufuckingkiddingme,Greg?Iwouldneverdoanythingtohurtamemberofyourpride.Have

yousaidanythingtoEdmundaboutthisyet?”

“Icameherefirst,”saidGreg.

“DidIhearsomebodysaymyname?”Edmundwaswalkingintothekitchennow,andhadapparently

overheardatleastpartoftheconversationthatwastakingplace.

GlennrespondedtoEdmundrightawaybeforeanyoneelsehadthechanceto.“NatehastakenOlivia’s

youngfriendJimmyasahostage,sir.”

“WhatinthehellwouldNatewantwithJimmy?”Edmundproclaimed;hisvoicehadtakenonamuch

harshertonethenhehadwhenheoriginallyenteredthekitchen.

“HewantstoexchangehimforOlivia.HetookJimmybecauseheknewthatOliviawouldvoluntarily

giveherselfupinordertosavehim.”Greg’svoicekeptgettingloudereverytimehespokeandOlivia

knewhewasgrowingangrierbythesecond.Shedidn’tblamehim;shewasprettypissedoffherself.She

couldnotbelievethatNatehadbetrayedthemlikethisaftertheyhadallfoughtside-by-sidesorecentlyto

saveeachother’slives,andpreventHellfromtakingoverearth.

“Glenn,youwereclosertohimthananyone,”saidEdmund.“Canyouthinkofanythingthatmighthave

promptedhimtodothis?”

GlennwassilentforafewmomentsandOliviacouldtellthathewasthinkinghard.Shecouldn’timagine

whatthismustfeellikeforhim.SheknewhowcloseheandNatehadbeenandinawayNatehadjust

betrayedhimaswell.NowhewasinevitablygoingtolosehiscousinbecauseOliviaknewthattherewas

nowaythatGregwasgoingtolethimliveoncetheyfoundhim.Afterfewminutes,Greg’sfacechanged,

andOliviaknewthathehadjustfigureditout.

“Greg,whatisit?”sheaskedhim.“IknowthatyoujustthoughtofsomethingthatwouldexplainwhyNate

woulddothistousandtoJimmy.”

“NatealwayshadathingforSasha,andIwouldbewillingtobetheisdoingthistotakerevengeforher

death.”

OliviawascertainthatGregwasright.Peoplewoulddoallkindsofthingsforthosethattheyloved,and

ifNatereallydidcareforSasha,thenshewassurehewantedtotakehisrevengeonhersinceshewasthe

onewhodealtthekillingblowtoSasha.

Shehadbeendefendingtheirprides,andhadkilledSashatosavesomeoneelsebutthatwouldnotmakea

differencetosomeonewholovedher.Allhewould’veseenwasOliviakillingthepersonthatthey

loved.However,justbecauseOliviaunderstoodwhyNatehaddonethisdidnotmeanshewasgoingto

lethimgetawaywithit.HejustbetterhopethathewasnotstupidenoughtohurtasinglehaironJimmy’s

head.

Oliviawassuddenlyhitwithapremonitionandshewasnolongerseeingthekitchenorthepeople

standingaroundher.NowshewasstandinginaroomthatshedidnotknowandthenshecouldseeNate

pacingbackandforthattheendofthebed.

ShelookedpastNatetothebed,andsawJimmylyingthereandheappearedtobeasleep.Hishandswere

handcuffedtothebedrailingsohewasnotgoingtogetawayonhisown.Natelookedlikehellandshe

couldseethatthestressofwhathewasdoingwasgettingtohimbutshecouldnotfinditinherselftofeel

anyremorseforhim,notwhenshewaslookingatherJimmyhandcuffedtoabedandbeingusedasbaitto

captureher.

AmomentlaterOliviacamebackoutofhervision,andshewasstandinginthekitchenwitheveryone

staringatherwhenshereopenedhereyes.

“Whatdidyousee?”Gregaskedher.

“NatehashimhandcuffedtoabedinaroomsomewherethatIhaveneverbeen,”Oliviarepliedtoher

mate.

“Glenn,sinceIknowhowclosethetwoofyouareIwasthinkingthatyoumightknowwheretheroomis

ifyoucouldseeit.”

“Yeah,probably,”Glennsaid.

“Great,”saidMarissa,whowasnowholdingoutherarmssothateveryonecurrentlypresentwouldbe

abletotouchherwhenshetookthemallthroughthevisionthatOliviahadjustseen.

Afterafewminutes,Marissapulledherarmsbackandeveryonewasfocusedbackoneachotherasthey

remainedinthekitchen.

“Iknowwhereheis,”saidGlenn.“It’sanoldabandonedhousejustoutsidetheforestbehindourhomeon

theForesterpride-lands.”

“Alright.Thankyou,Glenn,”Gregsaid.“Ifanyofyouwanttoaccompanymetocatchthisjackassthen

you’vegotfiveminutestogetreadybeforeIamleaving.Glenn,IhopethatIcancountonyoutocome

withmeforsuresinceyouknowtheexactlocationofwhereNateisholdingJimmy.”

“Absolutely,”GlenntoldGreg.“Youcancountmein,sir.Iamreadytogowheneveryouare.”

“IsthereanywayIcouldconvinceyoutostayhere?”GregaskedOlivia.

“Notachance,”Oliviatoldhim.

Gregtookadeepbreathandgrabbedherhandinhis.“Alright,Ididn’tthinksobutIhadtotry.Please,

justbecareful.”

“Iwilldomybest.”

Itwasn’tlongatallbeforetheyall,Olivia,Greg,Glenn,Jessica,Jane,andMarissa,shiftedandtookoff

forthehousewhereNatewasholdingJimmyashisprisoner.OliviaprayedthatJimmywouldbetotally

unharmedwhentheyarrivedatthehouse.Natewasgoingtohavetopayforthis,butrightnowthattooka

backseattoJimmy’swell-being.OnceshegotJimmyfree,thentheycouldspendhoweverlongthey

neededtohandleNateanddeterminetheadequatepunishmentforhisbetrayal.

THEFINALCHAPTER

Greg

Gregwaslivid.Hecouldnotbelievethatthiswashappeningagain.Hecouldn’tbelievethatanother

memberoftheForester’spridehadbetrayedthem,andworstofall,theyhadbothdonesowithintentto

takeoutGreg’smate.Whenthiswasallover,hewasgoingtohavetohavealongconversationwith

Edmund.AstheleaderoftheForester’spride,Edmundwasultimatelyresponsibleforeverymemberof

hisprideandthistimeGregwasgoingtocallhimoutonit.Clearly,Edmundhadnotdoneagoodjobof

makingsureheinstilledsolidmoralvaluesinthemembersofhispride.

WhentheyburstthroughthedoortothedilapidatedhousewhereNatewasholdingJimmy,Nateleaped

throughtheairtowardsthebedwhereJimmywashandcuffedandshiftedmidair.Whenhelandedbeside

thebedandbaredhisteethatJimmy’sthroat,GregknewthathewasgoingtokillNatebeforetheygotout

ofthishouse.

BeforeGregcoulddoanythingotherthanletoutathreateningroar,OliviawasleapingatNateandshe

wasglowingsobrightlyitwashardnottolookawayfromher.Sheplummeteddirectlyintohimandthey

bothwenttumblingaroundonthefloor.

WhenGregsawNatecomewithinaninchoflockinghisteethontoOlivia’sbackleg,Gregfeltawhole

newleveloffurytakeoverhimself.ItwashardforGregtogettoNatebecauseheandOliviawerestill

entwinedwithoneanother,eachofthemtryingtotakeouttheother.

GregwasfinallyablegetcloseenoughtosinkhisteethintoNate’sbacklegandheyankedhimawayfrom

Olivia.JessicaandJanemadeitpasthimandshiftedintotheirhumanformstoworkongettingJimmyfree

fromhishandcuffs.OnceGreggotNateawayfromOlivia,hewentinfortheattack.

GregknewthathecouldtakeNateout,butNatewasfastandwhenhesankhisclawintoGreg’ssidehe

growledoutinpain.ThatwaswhenOlivialetoutoneofhercommandingroarsthatcouldnotbeignored,

andNatewasforcedtobowdownbeforeherastheirqueen.

“We’vegotJimmy,”saidJessicafromtheothersideofthebed.SheheldJimmyinherarmsandhewas

stillpassedout.

“Climbonmybacksothatwecangetbackhomeasfastaspossible,”GregtoldJessica.“Justholdonto

toJimmytight,okay?”

“Don’tworry,Greg,I’vegothim,”JessicarepliedwhensheclimbedonhisbackwithJimmy.

Gregheardaloudgrowlandagroanofpain,andwhenhelookedover,GlennhateNatepinnedtothe

floorandhehadhisteethbaredagainstNate’sthroat.

“Glenn,bringthatassholebackwithus.Wewilldecidewhattodowithhimoncewearebackhomeand

weknowexactlyhowJimmyisdoing,”GreginstructedGlenn.

WhenGlenntriedtogetNatetogowithhim,JaneflankedhimonNate’sotherside.Oliviawasback

besideGregastheyallpreparedtotakeoffforhome.TheyhadjusttakenoffwhenNateslammedinto

Gregfrombehind,knockingJessicaandJimmyoffhisback.

“ROAR!”Oliviacriedout,andthenshewasonNateandrippingintohisfleshwithherclaws.Nate

managedtogetawayfromherforjustamoment,butitwasabigmistakeonhispartbecauseGlennwas

rightthereandhetoreintoNate’sthroatandrippedhisheadrightoffofhisbody.GreggotJessicaand

JimmybackupandontohisbackandthentheywereallontheirwaybacktotheWilds’homesatfull

speed.

Whentheygothome,GregandOliviadidnotwasteanytimecheckingonJimmytoseehowhewasdoing.

“Hehithisheadprettyhard,”Jessicatoldthem.Jimmyhadaprettydeepwoundonhisforeheadthatwas

bleeding.

“Yeah,andwedon’tknowwhatNatedidtoputhimtosleepinthefirstplace,”Oliviasaid.“Idon’twant

toriskit.Iamgoingtohealhimwithmylight.”

“I’mcomingwithyou,”GregtoldOlivia.

“Okay,thankyou.”

GregcarriedJimmyupstairsandtheybothlaidoneithersideofhim.GregreachedovertoholdOlivia’s

handandwhentheytouched,bothofthembeganglowingbrightly.Theymadesuretheyweretouching

Jimmytosendthehealingoftheirlightintohim.Gregfelthiseyesgrowingheavyuntilhewasnolonger

abletokeepthemopen,andhewasasleepwithinminutes.

***Thenextmorningwhentheywokeup,Gregnearlyflippedoutwhenhefoundalionsleepingonthe

bedbetweenhimandOlivia.Hisfirstthoughtwasthatsomeonesneakedintobedwiththemwhilethey

wereinadeepsleep.

“Hey,”Gregsaidwhenheshookthelionwhoappearedtohavefallenasleepinbetweenthem.“Hey,you

needtowakeupnow,”hetoldthelionsleepingbesidehim.Gregwastryingtowakethelionup,buthe

wasnothavingmuchluck.

OliviastirredandsherolledoverandlookedatGreg.“Honey,whatareyou…”

Gregwatchedhereyesgrowwidewhenshetookinthelioninthebedwiththem.“Whoisthat?”she

askedhim.

“Idon’tknow,”hetoldher.“HewasherewhenIwokeupjustamomentago,andIhavebeentryingto

wakehimupbutI’mnothavinganyluck.”

“Ithoughtyouknewallofthelionsinourpridebysight.”

“Yes,”Gregagreed,“butIcanalsotelleveryoneapartbytheirscentonceIhavemetthem.”

“Okay,”Olivianoddedtothelionwhowasstillsleepingsoundly,“thendoyouknowhisscent?”

Gregfeltlikeanidiotforaminute.Hecouldn’tbelievethathehadnotthoughtaboutthat.Hewasgoingto

blameitonhistiredbrain.Oncehepaidattentiontothescentsintheroom,herealizedtheonlyscents

strongenoughtobelongtoanyonewhohadbeenintheirroomrecentlybelongedtoOlivia,Jimmy,and

himself.

“Idon’tsmellanyoneoutofplace.Justyou,me,andJimmy.”

“Howisthatpossible?”askedhismate.“Thereisobviouslysomeoneelseinhere.”Oliviawavedher

handoutoverthesleepinglion.

Gregmovedinsothathewasclosertothelionandinhaledhisscent.“Holyshit,”hemutteredunderhis

breath,butOliviaheardhimanyway.

“What?Greg,whatisit?”sheaskedhimimpatiently.

“It’sJimmy,”heresponded.

“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean.”

“Thelion,”henoddedatthelion,“isJimmy.”

Olivia’seyegrewwiderinsurprise.“But,how?”

“Idon’thaveaclue.Howaboutwestartbywakinghimup,andwewillgofromthere.”

Oliviarolledhereyes.“Well,thatisgoingtobeeasiersaidthandone.Jimmyhasalwaysbeenextremely

hardtowakeup.Thatwouldexplainwhyyouwerehavingsuchahardtimewakinghimupbefore.”

“Anysuggestions?”

“Rollhimoutofthebed.”

Gregscannedherfacetoseeifshewasjoking,butsheseemedtobeserious.“Alright,”hesaid,andthen

hepushedonJimmy’sshoulderandthelionrolledoutofthebed.

WhenJimmyhitthefloor,hejumpedupandgrowledbeforeherealizedwhatwashappening.Greg

watchedhimcloselyandwaitedtoseewhathewasgoingtodo.Jimmylookeddownandnoticedhe

wasn’thuman.

“Whatintheworld?”GregheardJimmysayinhisthoughts.

Gregansweredhimback,“Somehowyouseemtohaveshiftedintoalion.Iwantyoutotrychanging

back.”

“HowdidIbecomealion?”Jimmyaskedhim.

“Wehaven’tfiguredthatoutjustyet,”Gregansweredhim.

OliviagotupandplacedherhandonJimmy’shead,inhisfur.“Jimmy,justlistentoGreg,okay,”Olivia

toldhim.“Onceyouarebackinyourhumanformthenwecanworkonfiguringoutwhatisgoingon.”

“Allyoushouldhavetodoispictureyourselfinyourhumanform,andthenyoushouldshiftback,”Greg

toldJimmy.

Afteracoupleofminutes,thelionwasgoneandJimmywasstandingbesidetheirbedhuman,andnaked.

Oliviaquicklytossedhimablanketfromthebedtowrapupwith.

GregwentintotheclosetandgrabbedsomethingforJimmytowear.“Wewillgodownstairsandgiveyou

someprivacywhileyougetdressed,”GregtoldJimmywhenhehandedhimtheclothes.“Wecandiscuss

thiswhenyoucomedown.Josephmightbeabletoshedsomelightonwhatishappening.”

Jimmydidn’tsayanything.HejustnoddedhisagreementandtooktheclothesfromGreg,soGregand

Olivialefttheroomandwentdownstairs,hopingtofindJosephhavingsomebreakfast.

***“Ihaveneverheardofahumanbeingturnedwithoutamatingbetweenthemandashifter,”Greg’s

mothersaidafterheandOliviatoldeveryoneaboutJimmybeingalion.

“ThebestIcanguessisthatyousomehowsenthimintothechangewithyourhealingpowers,”Joseph

toldthem.“Sinceyouhealedhimtwicenowitmusthavesomehowmadehimbecomeashiftertoo.”

“OhmyGod,”Jimmysaid.Hewasclearlyexcitedabouttheprospectofnowbeingalion-shifterhimself.

“So,Iamoneofyouguysnow?”

GregcouldheartheexcitementinJimmy’stone.

“Itlookslikeit,”JessicachimedinandshesmiledatJimmy.

“Awesome!”

“Ithinkweshouldhaveyoutrytoshiftbackandforthacoupletimestomakesurethatyoucandoso,”

GregtoldJimmy.

Oliviaagreedwithhim.“Yeah,Iagree.Sincenooneknowshowthishappenedforsure,weshouldmake

sureitwasapermanentchange,andnotjustaone-timethingfromyourhealing.”

JimmystoodupandGreg’smothershookherfingerathim.“Notinthekitchen,youngman.”

“She’sright,”Gregagreedwithhismother.“Let’sallheadoutside.Youwillhavemoreroomthereand

youwon’thavetoworryaboutaccidentallybreakinganything.”

Oncetheywerealloutside,GregwalkedJimmythroughhowtoshiftonceagain.“Jimmy,youjustneedto

dothesamethingyoudidearlierthismorningtochangebackintoyourhumanform.Pictureyourselfasa

lionandtheshiftshouldhappen.Then,youwilldothesamethingtoshiftbackhumanagain.”

“Okay,”Jimmysaid.

Theyallwaitedamomenttoseewhatwouldhappen,andthenextthingtheyknewJimmywasnolonger

standingbeforethemontwolegs,butwasinsteadalargelionproudlystandinginfrontofthemonhisfour

feet.Anothermomentwentby,andthenJimmywasstandingthereagainasahuman.

“Well,Iguessthatanswersthat,”JessicasaidafterJimmyhadputonsomenewclothesagain.

Jimmywassmilingbrightlyandbouncingonhisheelsinexcitement.“ThismeansIamapartofthepride

now,right?”JimmywaslookingatGregwaitingforhimtorespond.

“Itlookslikeyouare,”Gregtoldhim.“But,youcanstillstaywithyourparentsandliveahumanlifefor

severalmoreyearsifyouwouldliketodoso.Thischangedoesnotmeanthatyouhavetogiveupyour

family.”

JimmynoddedquicklyandranovertohugOlivia.Oliviagiggledwhenhequicklywrappedherinatight

embrace.WhenJimmy’sembracebroughtthemcloseenoughtogethertoOlivia’spregnantbellytotouch

him,lightbeganshiningfromherstomachandafterafewmomentstheywerebothlitupcompletely.

“Well,”Janesaidwithasmileonherface,“IthinkthatitmighthavebeenthebabieswhomadeJimmy

change.”

“Shehasagoodpoint,”saidJoseph.

GreglookedattheWhytewhowashoveringbesidehismother.“Whatpoint?”heasked.

“ThatitwasthebabieswhochangedJimmy,”Josephreplied.“Itisaverygoodpossibilitythattheywere

theoneswhochangedhim.Whenashiftertransformsahuman,theyhavetodoitconsciously;theydoit

withthepurposeoftransformingthathumanintoashifteraswell.However,sinceOliviawasasleep

whenJimmywastransformed,itwouldmakemoresensetobelievethatitwasactuallyyourtwinswho

changedJimmy.”

GregpulledOliviaintohisarmsandplacedhishandsoverherbelly,whichwasnowprotrudingeven

morethanithadbeenjusttwodaysago.

“Ithinkthatourbabiesaregoingtobetrulyamazingpeople,”hetoldOliviawhilelookingherinher

eyes.

ShelookedoveratJimmy,andthenbacktoGregandsaid,“Oh,honey,Ithinkthattheyalreadyare.”

Gregsmiled.Heknewthatshewasright.Theirbabieswerealreadyamazing,andittheywerethisgood

now,hecouldonlyimaginehowmuchbettertheywouldbecomeoncetheywereborn.

Olivia

SeveralweekswentbywithJimmycomingbackandforth,learningabouthimselfasalionshifter,justas

Oliviahaddonerightafterherchange.Duringthattime,Olivia’sbellygrewlargeruntilshelookedlikea

womanwhowasinherninthmonthofpregnancy.Onlywassheabletofeelthebabiesmoving,butit

couldeasilybeseenanytimetheykickedorrolledover.

Luckilyforher,themanyoftheWhytesknewhowtopracticetraditionalmedicineincombinationwith

beingabletousetheirmagicalskills.Oliviacouldnotimaginehowaregularhumandoctorwouldreact

toherextremelyunusualandfastpacedpregnancy.

Josephhadtoldherthatthebabieswerebothfullyformedandwouldbereadyfortheirbirthsanyday

now,sosheshouldmakesurethatshewasabsolutelyreadytohavethematthedropofahat.Theyhad

outfittedoneofthespareroomsinherandGreg’shomelikeahospitalroom.Sincegivingbirthina

regularhospitalwouldnotbeapossibilityforher,theymadesurethattheywerepreparedtodosoin

theirhome.

OliviawaswatchingJimmypracticefightingtechniquesasalionwithJessicaandGlennwhenGreg

cameupbehindher,andshefelthimwraphisarmsaroundherfrombehind.Gregleaneddownandkissed

hersoftlyonthesideofherneck,justbehindherear.Shewasnotabletostopherselffromsighingatthe

sensationoffeelinghislipsonher,especiallyinsuchasensitivespot.

“Hello,beautiful,”Gregwhisperedintoherear.

Hishuskyvoicewashedthroughherandshefeltitsethercoreonfire.Whenshegroaned,Gregmusthave

knownexactlywhathehaddonetoher;afterall,Oliviaknewthatithadbeenhisintentionfromthe

momentheputhisarmsaroundher.

Sheturnedaroundinhermate’sarmsandputherhandsaroundhisneck.“DoyouknowwhatIthinkwe

shoulddo?”sheaskedGregcoyly.

“Hmm,”wasGreg’sresponse.

Sheleanedintohimasmuchasshecouldandwhisperedinhisear,“Ithinkyoushouldtakemeuptoour

roomsothatwecantakeanice,hotbathtogetherintheJacuzzitub.Then,whenwegetout,youneedto

takeyourtimeandmakeslow,sweetlovetomefortherestoftheday.”

Shedidnothavetotellhimtwice.GregwhippedaroundtowardstheirhousesofastthatOliviawouldnot

haveseenhimdosoifshehadn’tbeenrighttherewithhimandpayingattentiontohiseverymove.

Hegrabbedherhandandwasimmediatelyheadedinthedirectionoftheirhome.

Whentheygottothehouse,Gregfilledupthetubwithhotwaterandgotinandpulledherdowninfront

ofhimsothatshewaslayingbackagainsthischest.Hemassagedhershoulders,thengentlywashedher.

HewassogentleandlovingandOliviaclosedhereyesandsighed.“God,thatfeelssogood,”shesaid.

Gregkissedheronthecheekandsheturnedherheadsoshewasabletokisshimonthelips.Afterthey

sharedafewslow,languidkissesGregpulledbackslightlyandlookedather.

“Areyoureadytogetoutandtakethistothebed,baby?”heaskedher,thenheplacedanotherquickkiss

onhernose.

Oliviasmiledathimandkissedhimquicklyonhislipsagain.“Definitely,”shetoldhim.

Greggotupandoutofthetub,thenheheldhishandsouttohertohelpheroutofthetub.Shewasvery

carefulwhenshesteppedout.Herprotrudingbellymadeitdifficultforhertobalanceherselfsometimes

thesedays,andGregwasgrowingincreasinglymoreprotectiveofher.

Onceshewasstandingwithbothfeetbackonthefloorontheothersideofthetub,Gregwrappedherina

towelandturnedtograboneforhimself.

“Thanks,honey,”shetoldhimwhileshecontinuedtodryherselfoffwiththetowel.

Hesmiledathercheekily.“Well,ofcourse.Anythingforyou.”

Olivialaughedandgavehermateachastekiss.

Whenshemovedtoleavethebathroomandwalkbackintotheirbedroomandtothebed,Oliviafelta

suddenkickverylowdowninherwomb,andthenarushofwetnessfloweddownherinnerlegs.

“Babe,areyoucoming?”Gregaskedherwhenhewasstandingbesidethebed,andhepattedhishand

downonthemattressandsmirkedather.

“Well,Idon’tthinkthatwewillbeabletodoanythingelserightnow,”OliviatoldGregandhelookedat

herlikehethoughtshewasjustplayinghardtoget.Thatwasuntilshesuckedinasharp,fastbreathwhen

apainfulcontractionshotthroughherandshegrabbedatherstomachlikethatwouldhelprelievethe

pain.

Gregwasathersideinaflash,rubbinghishandupanddownherbackashetriedtosoothher.“Olivia,

what’swrong?”heaskedher.Then,hemusthavenoticedthewetnessthathadpooledonthefloorather

feetbecausehespokeagainbeforeOliviahadtheopportunitytorespondtohisquestion.

“Yourwaterbroke.Holyshit,you’reinlabor!”heexclaimed.Itwasastatementofrecognition,nota

question,butOlivianoddedinaffirmationanyway.“Wearegoingtobeparents,”Gregsaid,andshe

couldheartheexcitementinhisvoice.

“Yes,honey,weare,”Oliviasaid.“Rightnow,Ineedyoutohelpmegetintoagown,though,sothatwe

canmakeourwaytotheroomsetupformydeliverybeforeIwindupgivingbirthtoourbabiesright

here.”

“Oh,right,”Gregsaidandhebeganrushingaroundtheroomtograbherthingsandhelpedhergetintoher

gown.Thentheymadetheirwaydownthehalltotheotherroomwhereeverythingwassetupforherto

givebirth.

“Jessica!”Gregcalledoutwhentheysawherwalkingdownthehalltowardsherbedroom.

Jessicaturnedaroundandfacedthem.“Yeah,cousin,what’sup?”sheaskedrightbeforeOliviasawher

facechangeandrecognitiontakeoverherfeatureswhenJessicatookinOliviaandGreg.“OhmyGod!

Areyouinlabor?”shepracticallyscreamedwhensheranuptoapproachthem.

“Yes,Iam.Mywateralreadybroke.”ThatwasallOliviawasabletosaybeforeshewashitwithanother

painful,sharpcontraction.

“Jessica,canyougogetmymotherandJosephforus?”GregaskedwhilehetriedtosootheOliviaonce

again.

“Oh,yes,ofcourse!Iwillberightbackwiththem,”Jessicasaid,andthenshewasrunningdownthehall

intheoppositedirection.

Greghelpedherintotheroomandontothebed.Hercontractionswerealreadycomingreallyclose

together,andtheyweresteadilybecomingmorepainful.OliviawashappywhenshesawJaneandJoseph

comingintotheroom.Janewassmilingeartoear,andclearlyhappyaboutthefactthatshewasaboutto

becomeagrandmother.

“Hey,honey.Howareyoudoing?”JanesaidwhenshecametothesideofOlivia’sbedandtookherhand.

“I’mokay,”Oliviatoldher.“Readytogetthesebabiesoutrightaboutnow.”

“Well,Iguessthatitisagoodthingthatyouarealreadyreadytogorightnowthen,”Josephsaid.

“Wait,youmeanitisalreadytimeforhertopush?”GregaskedJoseph.

“Yes,thatisexactlywhatImean,”hetoldGreg.“Ihopethatyouarereadytobeadaddybecausethese

babiesarecomingintothisworldinahurry.”

“That’sgreat,”Oliviasaidbetweenclenchedteethasshewasbreathingthroughanothercontraction.“Can

wepleasegoaheadandgetthisshowontheroadthen?”sheasked.

“Absolutely,”Josephtoldher.“Youcangoaheadandpushassoonasyoufeelready.”

Oliviadidnotwasteanytimeandbeganpushingwhenhernextcontractionhit.GregandJaneremained

oneithersideofher,eachofthemholdingoneofherhands.Shepusheduntilsheheardthebeautifulsound

ofoneofherchildrencrying.

“It’sagirl,”Gregtoldherandshesmiledupathimjustbeforeanothercontractionhither.

“Okay,Olivia,”Josephsaid.“Onemoretimesowecangetyourotherbabyborn.”

Olivianoddedandconcentratedongivingbirthtotheirsecondchild.Oliviaheardanewcryandthen

Janespokeup,“Oh,it’sanothergirl.Olivia,theyarebeautiful.”

GreghelpedOliviasitbackupandthenhelaidbothoftheirdaughtersinherarms.Shecouldnotstopher

tears.

“OhmyGod,Greg,theyarebeautiful.”

Gregwasrighttherebyhersidewithhisarmwrappedaroundherwhilehegazeddownattheirtwo

beautifulgirls.“Theyaresoprecious,”saidJane.“Haveyoutwodecidedonnamesyet?”sheaskedthem.

OliviaandGreglookedeachotherintheireyes.“AvaandZoeyWilds,”theybothsaidtogether.

Fortherestofthedayeveryonefromtheirprideandalloftheirfriendsmadetheirroundstovisitthenew

twins.OliviawasexhaustedwhenJimmystoppedbytovisitthem.Hewasthelastonetocome.

“Hey,guys.Howareyoudoing,Olivia?”Jimmyaskedherwhenhewalkeduptothesideofherbed.

“Ifeelfine,justalittletiredrightnow.”

“Oh,Iwillgoandletyougetsomerestthen.Icancomebacktomorrow.”

Sheshookherheadno.“No,Jimmy.Youarenotbotheringmeatall.Stayaslongasyouwant.”

GregwalkeduptoJimmywithAvaandZoeyineachoneofhisarms.“Wouldyouliketoholdthem?”he

askedJimmy.

OliviawatchedJimmy’ssmilebrightenwhenhetoldGregyes,andthenheldouthisarmssothatGreg

couldplacethebabiesinhisarms.

“Olivia,theyarebeautiful,”hetoldher.

“Thankyou,Jimmy.”

Hewasmakingbabytalkwithherdaughtersandshesmiledathowamazingitwas.ThenOliviawatched

whilebothofherdaughtersbeganslowlylightingupinJimmy’sarms.

“Ohmygosh,”Jimmysaid.HelookedupatOlivia.“Areyouseeingthis?”

“Yes,Jimmy,Iseeit,”Oliviatoldhim.

“Ithinkthattheymustreallylikeyou,”Gregsaid.“Iguessitisdefinitelysafetosaythattheywerethe

oneswhoputJimmythroughthechange,wouldn’tyouagree?”

HermatelookedatherandOliviasmiledathim,thenshelookedbackoveratJimmyandtheirchildren.

Theywerebothstillglowingbrightly,andtheirlightwasfunnelingintoJimmy.

“Yes,Ithinkyouareright.IthinkthattheywantedtomakesureJimmyofficiallybecameapartofthe

family.”

“Iagree,”Gregsaidandhetookherhandinhisandsqueezed.

JimmyheldAvaandZoeyforafewmoreminutes,talkingtothemandplacinglittlekissesontheircheeks.

ThenhewalkeduptothesideofOlivia’sbedandhandedherchildrenbackovertoher.

“Okay,Iamgoingtoleavesoyouguyscanspendsometimetogetherandyoucangetsomerest.”Hebent

downandgaveherahug.“Iwillcomebackandvisitwithyouallagaintomorrow.”

“Okay,Jimmy.We’llseeyoutomorrow,”shetoldJimmyandsmiledathimbeforehelefttheroomand

closedthedoorbehindhim,leavingherandGregalonewiththeirbabiesforthefirsttimethatday.

GregclimbedintothebedwithherandtookAvafromherandwrappedhisotherarmaroundher

shoulders.

“Lookwhatwemade,”hesaidquietlywhilehestareddownatAvainhisarms.“Theyareperfect.”

Shesmiledupathim,andthenlookeddownatZoey,whoshewasholdingtuckedclosetoherchest.“Yes,

theyare,”shewhispered.“Absolutelyperfect.”

“I’vebeenthinking,”Gregsaidafewminuteslater.“Weshouldputtogetherapermanentbedroomfor

Jimmyontheothersideofthegirls’room.TheyobviouslyhaveastrongconnectionwithhimsoIthink

thatweneedtomakesurethattheyareallclosetogetherwheneverpossible.”

Oliviasmiledathermate.Sometimesitwasstillhardforhertobelievethathewasreal,andthatthis

wasreallyherlife.Hewastrulyamazing.

“Ithinkthatisawonderfulidea,”shetoldhim.“Ihaveafeelingthattheyaregoingtobeveryclose.”

“Metoo,”Gregagreed.

OliviastaredatAvaandZoeyforafewminutesandshecouldn’tstopherselffromsmiling.Whenshe

lookedbackupatGreghewaswatchingher,andhehadthemostbeautifulsmilespreadacrosshisface.

“Thankyou,”hetoldher,andshelookedathim,confusedbywhathecouldbethankingherfor.“Thanks

formakingourdaughters,andforagreeingtobeminefortherestofourlives.Iloveyou,OliviaWilds.”

Oliviasmiledandblinkedawaythetearsthatwerethreateningtospillover.“Iloveyoutoo,Greg.”

Gregplacedasoftkissonherlips,andshecouldfeelhisloveforher.Oliviahadbeenthroughsomany

changesinsuchashorttime,evencameclosetodying,butGregandtheirnewbornchildrenmadeitmore

thanworthit.Shelovedthemwitheverythingthatshehad,andshewassoexcitedtospendtherestofher

lifewiththemasherfamily.Intheend,meetingGregturnedouttobethebestthingthathadever

happenedtoher.

THEEND

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