Forevermore Read online

  He tilted his head and I closed my eyes. That movement. It was an echo of mine. Of Rhiannon’s. Of the Goddess herself. It was something we all did. A shared trait.

  “Know what?”

  I opened my eyes and looked up at him. “That you are my descendent.”

  He nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I did.”

  “That means you are my only blood relative. I expect you to visit me regularly.”

  His smile widened into a grin. “I can do that.”

  “Good,” I said as a wave of exhaustion washed over me.

  Now that it was over, fatigue dragged at my limbs. Channeling the enormous amount of magic required to trap Rhiannon had leached away my energy.

  I swayed on my feet and hands caught me when I would have stumbled. I lifted my eyelids, surprised when I realized I had closed them. Above me I saw two concerned faces but I had no idea who they were.

  As if he read my mind, the one with dark hair and a wealth of suffering in his eyes spoke. “I am Marcus and this is Callum. We are Macgrath’s offspring. We came to help.” He leaned down and lifted me into his arms as my knees collapsed beneath me. “Though it turns out we weren’t needed after all.”

  Callum stared at Marcus with his mouth agape, as though he couldn’t believe he was speaking. I wanted to laugh at the expression on his face but my eyelids were growing heavier.

  “I’m glad you came,” I whispered as exhaustion dragged me down toward the darkness. I fought it, but it was a losing battle. All the power I had channeled through my body left me feeling empty and wasted. All I wanted to do was sleep.

  “I am as well,” he murmured, his gruff voice more soothing than I would have imagined. It was rough and deep, but his accent was melodic. “Rest, witch. You will be safe.”

  I wanted to tell him that my safety didn’t mean shit to me without Macgrath, but something between my brain and my mouth short-circuited and I merely sighed. I prayed to the Goddess that this would be the last time I passed out for the next few decades.

  I couldn’t have my mate and his offspring thinking that I was the swooning type.

  I rested my head against his shoulder and let the darkness take me.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Macgrath

  I had to get away from Ava before I said something I would regret. I was too angry, unable to control my reactions or my thoughts. Seeing her on the other side of that ward left me feeling helpless and I loathed the sensation. I shielded my thoughts from her, keeping her at a distance. I couldn’t let these emotions leak through our connection. I needed to remain in control.

  She was speaking but I couldn’t hear her words. All I could hear was the roaring in my ears and see the red haze around the edges of my vision.

  “I cannot listen to you say these things right now. You betrayed me.”

  As soon as the words left my lips, her face paled and I felt the sharp stab in my heart. But it wasn’t my pain. It was hers.

  Disgusted with myself, I did the only thing I could think of—I escaped.

  I traced away from the porch and into the trees at the edge of the property. I needed some distance. Some time to breathe and regain my control. I was enraged and in pain. The emotions were so tangled within me that I couldn’t separate them enough to judge where they originated.

  Breathing hard, I ran through the trees, feeling the scrape of branches against my body and my face. I pushed myself faster and faster until the forest was nothing but a blur around me.

  It wasn’t helping. Instead I stopped and roared, throwing my fist through the trunk of the nearest tree. It shattered, spewing forth a fountain of bark and splinters. The top half of the tree swayed drunkenly until it fell to the side, crashing to the ground.

  I collapsed to my knees, unable to handle the emotions any longer, and I roared again. The sound was ripped from the depths of my soul.

  The sudden rustling of leaves captured my attention and I smelled wolf.

  Without lifting my head, I spoke. “Go away, Harrison.”

  As usual, the wolf ignored me and trotted out of the trees, his eyes narrowed. He stopped in front of me and sat back on his haunches, his eyes still burning into mine.

  “Do not look at me like that,” I commanded. “She betrayed me. I need time.”

  His eyes remained narrowed and hard but he remained still, watching me.

  “Rhiannon deserves to die for what she did. As long as she’s alive, she will never stop trying to escape or to hurt people.”

  Finally, the wolf sighed and the air shimmered around him. A few moments later, he was human once more and naked as the day he was born.

  He approached me and sat on the ground next to me, completely unaffected by the late January air.

  “Running away into the woods and having a temper tantrum isn’t going to fix anything,” he pointed out.

  I glared at him and swallowed a growl. “I know that,” I finally admitted. “I was out of control. I didn’t want to say something that I couldn’t take back. I didn’t want to hurt her with my anger.”

  His brows rose. “So you abandoned her when she needed you? I’m sure that’s much less painful.”

  This time I did growl. “I didn’t abandon her,” I argued. “I left before—”

  He waved a hand. “Yeah, yeah, you said that already. Yet when I left moments ago, your mate was in the arms of one of your offspring, unconscious and drained from fighting the daughter of a Goddess. Now, I told you that I would keep my distance as long as you didn’t fuck up. Well, you just fucked up.”

  I snarled and twisted toward him. “What the fuck does that mean?”

  He stared at me, his eyes amber with his wolf. “What do you think?”

  I turned to face him fully. “You stay the fuck away from my mate,” I growled. “She belongs to me.”

  He leaned forward infinitesimally. “Maybe she shouldn’t.”

  I lunged at him, my lips peeled back as my fangs elongated. We rolled on the ground, snarling and fighting. I was too blinded by my anger to make my attack strategic. I only knew that I wanted to rip his throat out. I could have called for my power, but using my fists and fangs was so much more satisfying.

  A sharp jab to my ribs stole the air from my lungs, followed by a right hook to my jaw that had stars dancing in my vision. The wolf was stronger than any I’d ever fought before. He was no mere alpha.

  I redoubled my efforts, landing several punches that made him yelp. Then we rolled again. He elbowed me in the face, snapping my head to the side.

  “Fuck!” I snarled.

  I lunged at him again, my fangs crashing together a scant inch from his neck. He howled, more a battle cry than a sound of surrender, and threw me off his body. My back slammed against a tree and I fell to the ground.

  Suddenly, I was tired of fighting. I lay amongst the leaves and earth and stared at the sky. For millennia all I had done was battle. Against my enemies. Against myself. Maybe it was time to lay down my sword.

  Harrison’s face appeared above me. I felt a thread of dark pleasure at the blood that trickled from his nose and the bruise darkening his jaw.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  I huffed out a laugh, understanding then what he’d been doing. He gave me an outlet for the rage and wildness. Now that I was spent, all that was left was regret and an aching need for my mate.

  “Yeah,” I answered breathlessly.

  He held out a hand. I hesitated then took it and he helped me to my feet.

  “Are you ready to return to Ava?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “I understand, by the way.”

  I glanced at him and saw that his gaze was focused on the trees around us. “Understand what?”

  “Your anger,” he answered. “Your need for vengeance. We’re predators. We’re hardwired to chase down anything that threatens those we love. To destroy anything or anyone that has harmed us.” His eyes refocused and met mine. “But I al
so understand the curse that Ava placed on Rhiannon and believe me, it is much, much worse than any death you could give her. She will suffer and eventually go mad.”

  “It’s not the same as looking into her eyes and knowing that justice was given by my hand,” I replied.

  “So it wasn’t enough that Rhiannon paid, you had to be the one to take payment?” Harrison asked.

  I sighed, seeing his point. “You’re right. I’m being selfish. I wanted to be the one who made her pay, who saw the life go out of her eyes.”

  “Maybe someday you’ll get your chance,” he replied cryptically.

  Before I could ask him what he meant, he shifted, returning to wolf form and started back toward the house.

  I followed behind him, feeling both hollow and full of regret.

  The house was eerily silent as we entered. Harrison padded away toward the room he was using, presumably to shift and redress. Kerry, Finn, Savannah, and Rhys were nowhere to be seen, but their doors were tightly shut. Only Arien, Callum, and Marcus were in the living room.

  Callum and Arien were talking softly, but Marcus’ eyes were locked on me. He looked both thoughtful and annoyed. It was strange to see so much expression on his typically stoic face.

  He rose to his feet and approached me. “Your mate is sleeping in your room.”

  I frowned at him. “On the floor?” That was the only place she could have slept. I’d destroyed all the furniture just hours ago.

  Marcus returned my frown. “On the bed.”

  Curious, I turned and walked down the hall to the master bedroom. The door was cracked open. I pushed it the rest of the way and gaped in shock at the room.

  Everything had been repaired, down to the small dish on the dresser where I kept my change.

  “What in the hell?” I murmured.

  “I fixed it.”

  I turned toward the sound of Kerry’s voice behind us. “Thank you.”

  She regarded me warily. “Are you calmer now?”

  I nodded. “I’m sorry if I scared you.”

  Kerry crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not the one you need to apologize to,” she pointed out.

  “I know,” I admitted.

  “Good,” she commented. “Now, go take care of your mate. She needs you more than you realize.”

  I didn’t get a chance to reply because she disappeared back into her room and I heard the low murmur of Finn’s voice. I walked into the room on silent feet, stopping beside the bed to stare down at Ava’s sleeping form.

  “She passed out in my arms, Ewan,” Marcus stated.

  Another shaft of regret pierced my chest. “I should have been here,” I muttered.

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “Just be sure you’re here next time.”

  I heard him leave the room, shutting the door behind him. I sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch Ava’s cheek. She sighed in her sleep and settled deeper into the mattress.

  It rolled over me then, the enormity of what had happened today. All that I had lost and all that I had gained. My anger might have been justified, but Ava was a blessing that far outweighed vengeance.

  She was everything.

  I moved around the bed and lay down behind her, curving my body around hers protectively. She felt small and soft in my arms, and completely mine.

  I couldn’t sleep as I held her. There were too many thoughts, too many memories to sift through. But as long as she was there, that was all that mattered.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Ava

  I awoke alone.

  The light coming through the windows was pale. Disoriented, I thought I must have slept until sunset. Then I realized that the light was on the wrong side of the house.

  It wasn’t dusk, it was dawn. I’d slept for over twelve hours.

  Groggy, I sat up on the edge of the bed and looked around. I was in Macgrath’s room and every stick of furniture was exactly as it had been before he destroyed it. Kerry must have used a spell to repair the damage. I appreciated it because without it I wouldn’t have had anywhere to sleep.

  Rising to my feet, I wondered if Macgrath had ever returned last night. My heart ached at the thought of him staying away. I wanted to search for him, but I had more pressing needs at the moment. Mainly those of my bladder.

  I walked into the bathroom and stopped short. My toiletries were organized on the countertop and my favorite robe hung from a hook by the shower. Confused, I wandered over to the counter and looked at the bottles and creams that sat on the mirrored tray I used at home.

  A sharp pain bloomed low in my abdomen, reminding me that I had been unconscious for too long and I was ready to burst. I hurried to the small room that held the toilet and locked myself inside.

  Once I finished, I washed my hands and left the bathroom. I moved to the walk-in closet in the bedroom and opened it, my mouth falling open. Along one wall, my clothes were hung neatly, organized exactly as I liked them, by garment and color. I was a bit anal about my closet because I wanted to be able to find exactly what I wanted when I wanted it. The fact that someone had taken the time to note that and make sure they replicated it here was surprising.

  I left the closet door open and headed for the dresser against the wall. It had been nearly empty yesterday. Macgrath was only using one drawer.

  I pulled one of the empty drawers out and gaped when I saw my undergarments neatly folded inside. I knew it wasn’t everything I owned because I loved clothes and lacy underwear, but it was more than enough for a few days. More like enough for a few weeks.

  The house was quiet as I left the room and walked down the hallway. The guest room doors were all open and the rooms were empty. All the beds were made and there was no sign that my friends had even been there.

  I walked into the kitchen and found a pot of coffee brewing, but there was no one around.

  I looked out the front windows and saw nothing, so I headed toward the back deck.

  Enormous windows were set in the back wall of the house, overlooking an idyllic meadow surrounded by trees. The sun was coming up over the horizon now, hues of orange, pink, and red taking over the sky.

  I was transfixed by what I saw through the glass. Callum, Marcus, and Macgrath were all stripped to the waist and they were sparring. All three of them. Their breath steamed the cool morning air and their skin dripped with sweat despite the fact that they were shirtless.

  I watched as they moved slowly, then quickly, through defensive moves and different attack styles. It was a sight to behold. Especially considering Marcus’ very interesting tattoos.

  I decided to enjoy the view while sipping coffee and quickly fixed a cup for myself. I’d just settled into a chair on the back deck, a blanket wrapped around me like a large shawl, when Macgrath stopped in mid-motion and looked toward me.

  At the same moment, Callum lunged and knocked Macgrath on his ass. I lifted my mug to hide my smirk as a poof of dirt flew up when Macgrath hit the ground hard. I knew he wasn’t hurt. It was clear they weren’t using their full strength, just warming up or cooling down. Honestly, I hoped they were warming up because watching three beautiful, shirtless men work out sounded like the perfect way to start the day.

  Macgrath scowled up at Callum when he reached down to help him to his feet, but he took his hand, muttering something that had his friend laughing.

  He walked away, leaving Callum and Marcus to their sparring and bounded up the steps to the back deck. Macgrath stopped next to the chair and crouched down, his hands on the arm. I took a deep breath, inhaling his crisp, addictive scent. He smelled like cold air and spice, a combination that went straight to my head.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.

  “Good,” I replied. “A little groggy but more like myself. Twelve hours of sleep will do that for a girl.”

  His brows lifted. “Try thirty-six.”

  I nearly spit my coffee out. “What?”

  He reached out as if to brush my hair
off my cheek, but hesitated, as if he was uncertain if I would be receptive. “You slept for a day and a half. It freaked me out, but Kerry promised that you were fine. They left last night with Caleb.”

  “Who’s Caleb?” I asked.

  Macgrath’s jaw tightened. “The man that Rhiannon used Gaius’ spell on. She created another animavore like Rhys, only she made him easier to control.”

  “How is he?” I sipped my coffee and eyed Macgrath. He still had his mental shields in place so I couldn’t ascertain how he was feeling.

  “I think he’ll be fine,” he replied, his eyes moved to a spot over my shoulder. “He has a lot to learn and Rhys has offered to help him.”

  “That’s good,” I murmured, my face still buried in my coffee cup. I wasn’t sure if I was just desperate for caffeine or if Macgrath made a good pot, but this was the best fucking coffee I’d ever had.

  “Let’s go inside,” Macgrath insisted.

  Before I could reply or even stand, he reached into the chair and hauled me into his arms. I yelped, well, squealed really, and clutched my mug with both hands.

  “I can walk,” I declared.

  He ignored me and carried me inside, shutting the back door with his booted foot. I expected him to set me on the couch, but he walked through the living room, down the hall, and into the master bedroom.

  Once he set me on the bed, he moved back to the door, shut it, and locked it. He almost walked away, but hesitated. He grabbed the chair from the corner and wedged it beneath the door handle.

  I watched all this with raised brows as I drank more of my delicious coffee. “Planning something nefarious?” I asked.

  He shook his head as he walked toward the bed, his expression earnest. “No, I just don’t want to be interrupted.”

  I curled my legs beneath me and cradled the mug in my hands. “I’m listening.”

  “I’m sorry,” he stated. “I’m sorry that I blew up at you and that I walked away. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way.”

  He reached out and took the cup from my hands. I bit back a snarl because I really did want that coffee, but let him take it since it was clear he regretted his behavior. He took hold of both my hands in his and pressed them to his chest. Despite the coolness of the morning, his skin was slick and hot.