Things That Go Hump In The Night (64 page)

From the Authors

Thank you for purchasing our book. It's that sort of support that allows us to continue doing something that we love every day. If you liked the read, please consider leaving a review so more people can find and enjoy our books.

Best!

Terra Wolf & Wednesday Raven

Fated for the Alphas: Part One

By Lily Thorn

Chapter One

“Come on,” Lia whispered into her cupped hands. “One little spark. Just for a second.”

But the space between her palms remained as dark as the moonless sky. What a night for her magic to fail her.

Magda struck the ground with her staff, making Lia jump. “Nadine! Step forward.”

The slender girl obeyed, and the circle of witches and acolytes closed around her. Nadine faced the pile of logs before her, face set, brow furrowed.

“You know the test. Light the bonfire,” Magda pointed her staff at the logs, making them burst into flame, “and put it out.” She slashed her staff downward, extinguishing the flames and making it appear as though the logs had never been burned at all.

“Ready?”

Nadine gave a small nod.

“Then show us what you’ve learned.”

Spinning, Nadine threw an arm toward the pile of logs, fingers outstretched. Fire roared from her hand, crackling as it greedily devoured the wood. Nadine watched the flames for a moment, then opened her other hand and called the fire back to her.

“Very good,” Magda said. “You may reenter the circle.”

Nadine stepped back into place, her knees almost buckling with relief. Lia watched, unable to help the envy that flooded through her. Acolytes could stay in the coven as long as they passed one test. Lia was unwilling to pay the price blood magic required, and hopeless at scrying, so conjuring was her only chance. Even then, she was only capable of little magics. She could never dream of producing a rush of fire, but a spark could be enough. If only it would appear.

Isadora, Blanche, and Mayella all stepped into the ring and passed the test in turn. That must mean…

“Lia,” Magda called. “Step forward.”

She wished Magda hadn’t used that mocking, singsong voice that seemed reserved just for her. Lia had always held the awful suspicion that Magda thought her to be unfit for the coven, and tonight the old bat might finally realize her dearest wish—driving Lia out.

Taking a shaky breath, Lia stepped into the circle. She stared at her palms, her mind racing.

“Have you learned nothing with us?” Magda asked. “Would you like a final demonstration?”

Lia stared at the pile of logs. If her anger alone could cause them to combust, they would have by now.

“Let me show you one more time.” Magda pointed her staff, her movements slow and exaggerated. “Set the fire.” Flames leapt at Lia, threatening to consume her. Magda languidly swung her staff. “Put it out.”

Magda was definitely mocking her. Lia clenched her fists, trying to ignore the ringing in her ears.

“Well?” Magda asked. “We don’t have all night. Would you have us wait for the winter snows?”

In the circle, some of the witches tittered. Lia recognized the laughs of Margot, Lucasta, Perpetua. Bellerose outright chortled. She’d show them. She’d make them wipe the smiles off their faces.

Come on,
she thought fiercely.
Give me a flare. A blaze. An inferno. Let me show them what I’m capable of.

She felt it then, deep within her. A rush, a surety. This was it. Setting her feet, she threw her magic on the logs. She couldn’t wait to see what force would erupt from her hands.

It was the tiny spark she had called for earlier. The faint spot of red floated down between the logs, where it promptly flickered out and died.

The wrenching silence was broken by Bellerose’s screeching laugh.

Magda grinned. “Well, at least you tried. Back in the circle, let someone else have a chance. Lizabeth, step forward.”

Lia’s friend gave her a sad smile as she entered the circle, but it did nothing to fill the hollow place that had formed in the pit of Lia’s stomach. She had only one more chance, and if she failed she’d be cast out of the coven.

Watching Lizabeth, Lia felt numb. Effortlessly, Lizabeth conjured salamanders of flame that crawled over the logs, lighting them as they went. She shot Lia an apologetic look as Magda crowed over the advanced magic. Lia couldn’t fault her, though. Fire was Lizabeth’s strong suit. There was no reason for Lizabeth to fail just because Lia had.

Coralene and Ruth both took their turns, and passed without incident. Lia looked at her feet so she wouldn’t have to face the stares she felt prickling her skin. She hadn’t even attempted the blood magic. She was the only one who hadn’t lit the logs, and there’d been nothing to put out. She was the only acolyte who had failed two of the three tests.

Magda tossed her mane of white hair. “Onward to the scrying pool.” Her eyes swept over Lia, triumph in her gaze. “Last chance, for some.”

Lia hung back as the other acolytes followed the witches. They were lithe and willowy, every one. They looked nothing like her at all. Of the witches, she was closest in height to Hecuba, who was blind and bent double with age.

She took a last look at the bonfire, which had been left to smolder. The branches on the edges were blackened and twisted, useless like her fickle magic. Lia kicked one, and it exploded in a cloud of ash. She could run into the forest. Abstain from the final test, forgo the inevitable humiliation. She could leave quietly rather than be cast out.

Far off in the distance, Lia could make out the soft glow of city lights. That wasn’t an option. Humans had fearsome magic of their own. Tiny pieces of lead they used to kill their enemies. Stout metal tubes they could use to kill everyone. In fact, humans seemed to spend most of their time coming up with more and more clever ways to destroy each other.

Lia shuddered. At least when they were preoccupied with killing each other, humans tended to forget that other creatures existed. The witches had the foothills to themselves, and they preferred it that way. No one forgot what had happened in Salem all those years ago. Humans were not to be trusted.

“Hey.” Lizabeth tugged on her sleeve. “Aren’t you coming?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Lia laughed nervously, hoping it hid her fear.

“Don’t talk like that. You still have a chance.” Pulling on Lia’s robes, Lizabeth dragged her toward the pool.

“It’s scrying, remember? I’ve never seen more than my own reflection.”

“Don’t give up. You could be a great witch, I know it.”

Lia tried to smile, but it felt false. No one was nice to her, save Lizabeth. No one cared if she left. In fact, Magda would probably throw a party. But the coven was all she knew. Better to stay with the witches who could keep humans away, as well as the monsters rumored to live in the mountains. Being on her own could lead to a quick and nasty death. Next to that, putting up with Magda was bearable.

She realized Lizabeth was staring at her.

“All right,” Lia said. “I don’t promise I’ll pass. But I promise I’ll try.”

“That’s what I want to hear!” Lizabeth hugged her around the middle until Lia’s ribs hurt. “Come on!”

They made their way to the pool at a run. The others were already assembled around the edges. Lia skidded to a stop, accidentally sending a pebble flying. It shattered the still surface of the water, earning her a glare from Magda.

Panting, Lia braced for the explosion.

“You know the test,” Magda said calmly.

Why wasn’t she furious?

“Look into the pool,” the old woman continued, “and foretell your fate. It’s the roundest pool for miles, nearly perfect, so even the weakest of you should be able to see at least a glimpse.” Her eyes roved over Lia and she broke into a grin. “Before we begin, can anyone remind us of the first rule of scrying?”

Coralene raised her hand. “The stillness is sacred.”

“Very good.” Magda clasped her hands behind her back. “As Lia has violated this rule, I think she should be the first to look into the pool. Don’t you agree, Lia?”

She didn’t have much choice. Cursing silently, Lia knelt beside the pool. Of course it would end this way. Even on a night with no wind, with the calmest water imaginable, she would have only barely stood a chance. With the water violently rippling, there was no way she could See.

“We’re waiting.” Magda’s voice was laced with glee.

Her last chance. Tamping down the fear that threatened to swallow her, Lia touched a finger to the pool’s surface. To her surprise, it stilled somewhat. To her greater surprise, there was something in the pool.

It was ghostly, it was faint, but it was more than she’d ever Seen before. She stared at it, fascinated. The longer she watched, the brighter it glowed, until it almost blinded her. It spread, filling the pool to its edges. Lia squinted, but she couldn’t make out more than a few gray splotches.

“What do you See?” Hecuba turned her white, sightless eyes toward Lia. Despite being unable to use her eyes, Hecuba was the best at scrying.

“She won’t See anything,” Magda said. “She can’t.”

“No,” Lia said. “I see something. I See.” Her eyes darted over the pool, desperate to See something worth telling them about. After producing a single spark, the coven wouldn’t be impressed that she saw a bit of light. Trying not to think about the sweat beading on her forehead, Lia studied the splotches until her eyes watered. There had to be something there, enough to impress the witches and earn her place among them.

“The ripples are dying away,” Magda said. “Your time is almost up.”

“Please!” Lia said. “There’s something here.”

“Then share.”

“All right.” Lia thought through her options. The light and the splotches weren’t enough. She needed more. “I see gray splotches. Only they’re not splotches… They’re turning into people. There’s me, as a witch. I’m sitting beside a fire. I’m talking, and I’m… I’m surrounded by children. I think they’re my grandchildren. One of them is flying off on a bough of pine. She’s a witch, too.”

She looked up, heart thumping against her ribs. Magda, for once, was silent. Had she bought Lia’s vision?

Hecuba straightened, her white eyes wide. She pointed at Lia. “Liar!” she shrieked. “Falsifier! Did you think I would not See?”

Magda hauled Lia up by the back of her robe. “Failure at conjuring, blind to scrying. Afraid of blood magic.” She spat out her contempt. “What use are you to us?” Throwing Lia to the ground, she brought up her staff and pointed it at Lia’s heart. “Go, Lia No Name, and take with you the only thing you had when you came to us. The coven has no use for your magic, and you will never be a witch. You are henceforth cast out.”

It felt as though ice had claimed Lia’s heart.

“Lizabeth,” Magda called. “Step forward. Look into the pool and foretell your fate.”

Lia stood. She stared at Lizabeth, desperate for something, anything. Surely Lizabeth wouldn’t completely forsake her.

Her friend wouldn’t meet her eyes. Lizabeth knelt beside the pool, and the witches closed around her.

Biting back a sob, Lia turned and ran. Blinded by tears, she headed for the forest, leaving behind the only people she knew in the world. She left the coven with nothing but her name.

Chapter Two

Kane made his way down the mountainside, carefully avoiding the scree. He cursed as he almost tripped over his own two feet. That was the problem, of course. He hadn’t taken this form in ages, and it felt so clumsy. On four legs, he could have made it down and back up the mountain by now.

“Everything good?” Ronan bounded out of the underbrush, dislodging a pair of stones. They tumbled down the mountain, clattering all the way.

Kane growled low in his throat. “You want the whole mountain range to know we’re here?”

“No one heard.”

“I heard.” Turning his anger to something useful, Kane picked up the pace. “Shouldn’t you care more than me? This is your mission.”

“Our mission.” Ronan fell into step, though he seemed to be placing his feet more cautiously. “It’s for the good of the pack, remember?”

Kane scoffed. “According to who, Della?”

“She is the one who told us the prophecy.”

“Prophecy.” Kane rolled his eyes. “Right. You don’t believe that stuff, do you?”

“Della does,” Ronan said softly.

“I’m not Della’s obedient dog. If she wants it so badly, why doesn’t Della fetch the female herself?”

Ronan narrowed his eyes. “Della’s done a lot for us, in case you’ve forgotten. And she said it should be us. We have a chance to make a good impression.”

“Do I make any other kind?”

Ronan remained quiet, and Kane could tell he needed to back off. Still, he didn’t know why his brother was so moody. Wasn’t it enough that Kane had come on this stupid mission in the first place?

The trees thickened as the mountain’s slope grew gentler. Kane’s senses strained to pick up any hint of company. They were outside their territory, and a meeting with a rival pack was the last thing they needed. What he wouldn’t give for his wolf ears, which could hear the hushed flight of an owl’s wings.

“Tell me again why we have to be in human form,” he snapped at Ronan.

“We’re meeting the female for the first time. We don’t want to scare her.”

“Uh huh.” Kane tugged at the collar of his shirt. “And remind me why I have to wear these stupid clothes?”

“I just told you. We don’t want to scare her.”

Kane snarled. He stalked ahead of his brother, trying to suppress the urge to turn and challenge him for such an impudent remark. But no, that would not do. Ronan was his other half, his fellow Alpha. Kane couldn’t fight him every time they quarreled, even if the wolf inside him whined for battle.

“If I scare her,” he said, trying to maintain his dignity, “then she’s not worthy of me.”

Ronan sped up, until he drew level with Kane. His chin pointed down slightly, a conciliatory gesture. Though it was tiny, Kane appreciated it.

“I shouldn’t have said that,” Ronan said. “But the female’s important. Della dreamed the prophecy.
Della
. She’s a wolf, not a witch. It must be powerful if it can reach those without magic. What if someone like Shade caught wind of it? Would you rather he got to the female first?”

Kane stopped, sniffing the cool night air. A hint of pine, the smell of earth, nothing more. He wrinkled his nose, disgusted at his deadened sense of smell. Were human bodies good for anything?

“You’re right,” he said. “The female must be important. We should go faster.” Before his brother could stop him, Kane tore off his clothes. Bounding forward, he shifted into his wolf. He was himself again. At last he could hear, he could smell, he could see. The forest came alive around him as he filled his lungs with the surrounding dusk. The night was young, and he was strong and ready. He felt a charge in the air, like the possibilities were endless.

The wind changed, bringing him the faint scent of a human. It was far off, it smelled of a flower he could not name, but it was
her
. He knew it.

Then Kane lost himself to the wolf. There was nothing else but him and his quarry. Taking the useless human garments in his mouth, he set off at a run.

Behind him, Ronan sighed, shifted, and followed. Just like he always did.

Kane’s paws slapped the earth. He couldn’t trust prophecies, but he could trust his nose. And that scent—she had to be the one. His female. His Alpha. His fated mate.

***

Lia stumbled deeper into the trees, not caring where she was going until she tripped over a gnarled root. She caught herself on a tree trunk, gasping as her palm scraped over the rough bark. How was she supposed to fend for herself when she couldn’t even walk through the woods?

The coven has no use for you. You will never be a witch.
Magda’s words rang through her head in an endless loop, mocking her with every step. She had no one. Nothing but her name.

You are henceforth cast out.

“Shut up!” Lia clapped her hands over her ears.

You will never be a witch.

Pain bloomed across her forehead as she smacked into a low-hanging branch. A traitorous sob escaped as she touched the trickling wound. She examined her fingers, now tacky with blood.

Great.

Lia dashed her eyes, not knowing whether they were clouded by blood or tears. She couldn’t continue on like this. It was stupid.

“Breathe,” she told herself.

She felt better after a few breaths of spring air, but they didn’t change the fact that she was alone. And lost. She had never seen these trees in her life. Where was she supposed to go now, assuming she could find the way?

It would be easy enough to find the humans, with their lights that never went out. She could blend in with them, couldn’t she? If she couldn’t be a witch, could she at least pass for human? Lia didn’t have much magic. It wouldn’t be hard to stop using it, to pretend to be like them. Slow and dull witted, blind to things they didn’t want to see.

But she didn’t turn toward the city lights. She couldn’t. She might only be capable of little magics, but they were hers. On a good day she could light a candle, dry a wet cloak, convince a seed to sprout. That was worth something, surely. Maybe not to Magda, but to Lia it was all she had.

That old bat had lied. Lia had more than just a name. She wasn’t alone as long as she had her magic. She just had to find out how to make it work.

A thorny vine caught the sleeve of her robe. Rather than free the cumbersome garment, she slipped out of it. Let the forest have it. She wouldn’t be needing it anymore.

Lia strode into a clearing, her steps lighter now. There was hope after all.

She froze at the sound of soft footfalls. Had someone come after her?

“Lizabeth?” she whispered.

Two wolves slunk out of the shadows. They were both huge, easily as tall as Lia, their coats brilliantly white even in the darkness. By the look in their eyes, there was no doubt they were hunting her.

She had to laugh. Of course this would happen tonight. It was like the dark god needed to make sure this was the worst day of her life.

“Stay back.” She glanced around, looking for something she could use as a weapon. Damn this clearing. Nothing but trampled grass.

One of the wolves stepped forward, sniffing the air. It actually licked its lips. Since when did wolves get so massive?

Lia backed up slowly. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

The other wolf opened its mouth, tongue lolling out as if laughing at her.

Lia’s foot bumped into something solid. Without looking, she picked it up. A hefty stick. It wasn’t much, but maybe it would make them think twice.

“You’re big, but you don’t frighten me. Magda’s scarier than you.” She leveled it at the larger wolf, pointing it right at his heart.

He growled at her. Lia snarled back. If they were going to eat her, she wasn’t going to make it easy for them.

The wolves looked at each other, as if surprised. It would have been comical if she weren’t on the menu. The larger wolf moved forward. He was shockingly graceful for such a big animal, but Lia couldn’t focus on his beauty. He clearly wanted to kill her.

The smaller wolf snapped at his fellow. The larger looked back, rumbling his discontent. This was her chance. But what could she do?

A branch hung over the clearing, right above the wolves. It looked like the one she had run into. That had hurt, but not nearly as much as being ripped apart would.

She had it. The dark god must not want her yet, because she could feel her magic surge. The branch had a weak point where it met the tree. It was going to fall in two weeks, but with a little nudge, it could be persuaded to…

“
Fall
,” Lia said. The branch gave way with a mighty crack, pinning one of the wolves who collapsed with a yelp. The larger wolf roared when his fellow would not rouse. Lia called for nettles to grow beneath his paws, sprinting away as he howled in pain.

She had to run. There was no time to think. Maybe they’d stay away from her, but she couldn’t take that chance. She sprinted through the forest, heart hammering in her chest. Branches reached out to tear at her clothes. Vines whipped her arms and tried to tangle her legs. Lia forced her way through, not caring about the stings and scratches.

Trees closed in around her. Hopefully the larger wolf couldn’t follow her here. She looked back, but saw nothing but darkness. At least the lack of a moon couldn’t help them, either. Lia ran as long as she could, until she had to bend over gasping, her hand over the stitch in her side. She couldn’t go on like this. There was no way she could outrun them if they gave chase. To truly be safe, she’d have to hide.

She cast about, as quickly as she could. Maybe she could hide up a tree somewhere? No, she was even more miserable at climbing than she was at running. She needed something now, before it was too late.

Lia stubbed her toe against a fallen tree. The pain brought her to her knees, and she had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming out. It wasn’t fair. The dark god must be laughing at her, and at the insult he’d just delivered before what would undoubtedly be a terrible injury.

She cursed under her breath, wondering why she didn’t bother to shout aloud. Why not just call the wolves to her, and end all her suffering?

Lying back, she wondered if she should just give up. That was when she saw that the log was hollow.

She scrambled in, pulling a handful of last year’s dead leaves in behind her to cover the opening. It was a tight fit—her left leg was already protesting by cramping in three places—but she was hidden. Lia tried to quiet her ragged breath. She couldn’t hear anything over the pounding of her heart in her ears.

Maybe they weren’t chasing her. Maybe she’d scared them. Maybe they’d leave her alone, and move onto an easier target.

Her heartbeat slowed with each passing minute. She closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. She was safe.

A hand shot through the leaves, grabbing her wrist. Lia had only a second to stare in horror before it yanked her from her hiding spot. She screamed as she tumbled out of the log. Jumping to her feet, she balled her fists and prepared to fight. She tried not to think about how ridiculous it would be to fight a—

A naked man stood before her. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a heavily muscled torso. She might have run if he weren’t holding her firmly in his gaze.

“There’s no need to scream,” he said. His voice was deep, and from the tone he sounded accustomed to being obeyed.

Lia took a step back. “You don’t understand. There are wolves out there.”

The man curled his lip. “I’m aware.” Turning over his hand, he dug a nettle out of his palm.

She gaped. “You’re a werewolf?”

“If you like.” He examined his palm. “Personally, I prefer ‘wolf shifter.’”

Lia sat on the log as her legs gave way. “I thought you were supposed to be monsters.”

“Monsters? Us?” The man snorted. “If I recall correctly, you’re the one trying to rack up a body count.”

“You growled at me, then chased me. What did you expect?”

He crossed his arms. “We expected a failed witch. It seems that’s not the case.”

His words felt like nettles in her heart. “How do you know about that?”

“About what?”

Lia put her head in her hands. “I failed tonight. They kicked me out of the coven. I’m not cut out to be a seer or a sorceress. I couldn’t start a bonfire or tell my fortune.”

“Lucky for you, we can do both.”

“Oh? And what’s my fortune, then?”

“To come with us.” The man reached out a hand.

Lia glared. She was almost angry at how confident he was, how sure of himself. “Who’s ‘us’?”

“Me and my brother, once I pull him out from under that beam you dropped on him.”

Lia picked at her torn shirt sleeves. “He may have deserved it.”

The man’s eyes narrowed.

“Why would I want to go with you, anyway?” Lia asked. “You don’t seem to like me very much.”

“I don’t have a choice. Neither do you. It’s fate.”