Desired Blood
Juno –
It was like I had always existed. I was asleep and one day I just woke up. “Juno, it’s time.” The Moon Goddess scratched behind my ear, waking me up. Then, there was Morgan. I remember thinking, wow, what an idiot, but she’s grown on me.
Then there’s our mate, Jupiter. He makes my heart flutter. He tried so hard to heal me after our encounter with the Vampire, but Morgan was so broken, I needed to put her first. We learned that we are the Child of the Moon Goddess and the power that unlocked was amazing but overwhelming.
I had been pent up for a week, waiting for this run. It had taken two days for her to confide in Damien, and a few more to heal. Then there was her time with Sasha. I felt so sad for Vesta, she was terrified of Klaus, and I could do nothing to protect her. She had become like a sister to me and to see a beautiful and strong wolf cower over a disgusting creature like him made me angry.
Jupiter was thrilled to go on a run with me. Our lack of connection had him just as pent up and I could feel his desire to dominate me. Naturally, I had some fun with it. If he wanted me, he’d have to catch me first.
‘Juno! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but slow down!’ He tried to keep up but with our newfound power, my speed and stamina overpowered his capabilities.
‘Where’s the fun in that? If you want me so bad, come and get me!’ I teased as I darted around trees and jumped over roots with ease. It felt like a stroll in the park. I used half the energy I was capable of.
His howl rang through the crisp night air, his desire only made me run faster. The snow across the earth made his footsteps crunch loudly and I was able to predict his moves, hearing him speed up. I slowed and hid in a bush, waiting for him to approach. As he ran by, I leapt from my hiding spot and tackled him to the ground, pinning him.
He growled and playfully snapped at me, frustrated that I had pinned him. I licked his nose then took off, making him chase me again.
‘You’re going to pay for that!’ He laughed and picked up speed. I could feel him gaining on me and the rush of excitement sent me into overdrive. I took off, outrunning him, blindly headed in no particular direction.
I had been lost in our flirtatious game I didn’t have time to react when another wolf jumped out and attacked me. Latching on to my scruff, they started to thrash, causing me to yelp out in pain. ‘Juno!’ Jupiter howled, hearing me from a distance. The attacker was thrown from me as Jupiter attacked.
I regained composure and looked to see him locked in a fight with a familiar wolf. ’Jupiter! No!
It’s Alice!’ He threw her to the ground, growling deep. I trotted over to him and looked at the wolf before us. She stood back up and I noticed her eyes were red.
‘What’s wrong with her?’ He asked, his breathing heavy.
‘She’s being controlled. Klaus, he’s here!’ I looked around, my ears flicking in every direction.
Alice prepared herself to pounce and Jupiter bared his teeth. ‘Don’t, we can’t hurt her!’
‘I’m not going to let her hurt you, controlled or not.’ He snapped at me, showing he meant business.
An eerie laugh caused us to turn, Jupiter doing his best to keep watch on Alice and the stranger at the same time. “Your mate won’t hesitate to kill your friend for you. If she wasn’t a key player in my game, I would be tempted to watch them fight.” I snarled and snapped, baring my teeth.
His presence made the air feel colder and my hackles were up.
In a flash, he raced towards me. Jupiter leapt, intercepting him as the two rolled and began to fight. Alice started to growl and stocked me like a predator. ‘Alice! It’s me! Morgan! Please!’ I heard her beg Alice, but the words bounced back, a strong block in place keeping Alice focused on her target.
‘Juno, please, try not to fight her, try not to hurt her!’ I understood Morgan’s desire and thought about how to handle this situation. My concentration immediately broke when I heard Jupiter yelp. He was thrown hard, his body breaking into a tree. I watched as his body involuntarily shifted so Damien lay unconscious, Klaus, stocking towards him.
‘No!’ I ran full speed, ready to attack, but Klaus turned and jumped over me, landing behind me.
I skidded as I turned to face him and he stood laughing, mocking me.
“It’s you I want. If you come with me, I’ll spare your mate.” He spat out.
I backed towards Damien’s body, trying to stay facing my threats. Alice joined his side and shifted back into her human form. Her eyes still red, she fell to the ground and started to scream. Morgan pushed forward, demanding control.
Morgan –
“Don’t test me, Klaus.” I stood guard over Damien, my eyes darting from Klaus to Alice. My heart ached as he tortured her with his mind control, using her pain against me.
“I’ll only ask for one thing for now. Give me your blood.” He smiled, holding out his hand.
“No!” I would have traded anything for Alice and Damien’s safety but regardless of reasoning, a vampire asking for my blood could not happen. I did not fully know the extent of my powers or what I represented but I could only imagine his desire for my blood could only lead to devastating events.
“I don’t even need your life…right now. Give me a vial of your blood or...” His eyes glowed and so did Alice’s. She shifted back into wolf form and started to approach, growling low.
“I won’t hurt her.” My eyes darted back and forth between the two. I didn’t want to hurt her, but if she advanced I may be left with no choice.
“Makes no difference to me. If you won’t harm her, it only makes it easier for her to retrieve what I’m looking for.” He rolled his eyes and then chuckled. “Stupid girl.”
Howls pierced the cold air. Vulcan. Another howl followed it. Vesta. I was grateful for Caleb and Sasha came to my aid, but I didn’t want to risk their lives either. The last time Sasha saw Klaus, he somehow controlled her the way he’s controlling Alice.
“Alice…quickly now.” Alice leapt at the command of her master and I shifted quickly, Juno pushing back, trying to protect us without harming her.
Alice, please! Reach out to me, fight it! I desperately linked for Alice but the block in place was firm. Wherever Alice was in the depths of her mind, she could not hear us.
Vulcan and Vesta appeared at my side. Vulcan quickly assessed the situation and stood in front of me, growling. Sasha was stunned to see Alice, causing Vesta to waver in her confidence.
Sasha, get the Luna out of here, I’ll protect the Alpha. Caleb linked both of us so I understood his intent.
No, I’m not leaving him Caleb. I’m not leaving him or Alice. I protested stepping up beside him.
Please, Luna, do not make me question rank, I will go against it if it means keeping you safe. His eyes never left our threat, I could feel him battling with the line of duty. Sasha! His voice roared in our heads shaking Sasha from her trance.
Morgan, come. Caleb will protect the Alpha, you need to get out of here. I looked at her and then at Damien.
No, I have to help. I need to protect him. There has to be some purpose for me, I thought bitterly. I caused this entire mess just by existing—a child of the Moon.
Not today. Let Caleb handle this. Please, Morgan. Sasha’s voice trembled with urgency, pulling me back to the present. I hesitated but finally nodded, agreeing to run with her.
My heart clenched as I left Damien behind, doubt gnawing at me. Had I made the right choice?
We didn’t get far before a familiar scent hit our noses. The sound of paws pounding against the earth followed, growing louder. Alice was closing in, driven by her master’s will.
Damn it, what do we do? I gasped, turning to Sasha as we raced toward the pack house.
I don’t know! I can’t stand the thought of hurting her, Sasha replied, her voice heavy with anguish. She was right—attacking Alice was the last thing I wanted. It wasn’t her fault; her mind wasn’t her own.
Split up, I said abruptly, the idea hitting me like a bolt of lightning.
What?! Sasha’s startled gaze nearly caused her to stumble, but we kept running.
If we split up, she’ll follow me. Klaus wants my blood. You double back, and we’ll try to trap her. Maybe if we can corner her, we’ll have a chance to reach her—to bring her back. It was a desperate plan, but it was all we had. Alice couldn’t overpower the two of us together. If we could just keep her contained long enough, perhaps we could break through to her consciousness.
I thought back to that night in my uncle’s house when I saw a tear slip from her eye. Somewhere, deep inside, the real Alice was still fighting.
The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows as Sasha broke away and ran off, leaving me alone with Alice hot on my trail. The chase continued for a few minutes until Sasha notified me she was ready.
Abruptly I stopped and turned, Sasha fast approaching from the other side. We pinned Alice on either side of us, near the edge of the pack house grounds. She was feral, her eyes glowing with unnatural intensity, her claws bared and dripping with the remnants of our earlier scuffle. Her chest heaved as she snarled, her body trembling with the force of Klaus’s control.
Alice, stop! I linked, trying to push through the block in her head. You don’t have to do this. Fight him!
For a moment, her eyes flickered—just a moment. But it was enough to give me hope. I saw you that night, Alice. I saw you fighting back. You’re still in there!
Morgan, don’t get too close! Sasha warned, circling to the left, her movements careful and calculated.
Alice’s lips pulled back into a menacing snarl, though I couldn’t tell if it was her or Klaus. You’re a fool, she hissed through the link, her voice layered with malice and pain. There’s no breaking free of him. You don’t know what he’s capable of.
She lunged.
I barely had time to react. Her claws raked against my forearm as I blocked her, the sting of the wound sharp and immediate. Blood welled up, dark and glistening in the moonlight. I gasped, stumbling back as Sasha dove in from behind, tackling Alice to the ground.
Hold her! Sasha growled, pinning Alice as she thrashed violently.
I shifted and pressed a hand to my bleeding arm, my mind racing. “Alice, please, listen to me!” I dropped to my knees beside them, locking eyes with her. “You’re stronger than this. Klaus doesn’t own you.”
For a fleeting second, her movements slowed. Her glowing eyes dimmed, and a tear slipped down her fur. I reached out, brushing my fingers against her face. “That’s it,” I whispered. “Come back to us.”
But then it happened—a flash of sharp pain. Alice twisted her head, her teeth sinking into my forearm before Sasha could pull her back. I cried out as she tore away, a crimson stain glistening on her lips.
Howls in the distance told me Damien was conscious again, feeling my pain.
Sasha tightened her grip.
Alice’s lips curled back to a snarl, Klaus’s influence surging back. She shoved Sasha off with unnatural strength, her movements jerky but purposeful. You’ll regret this, she hissed through the link, her voice dripping with venom.
Before we could react, she bolted into the woods, her figure disappearing into the shadows. I clutched my arm, the blood dripping between my fingers as Sasha shifted back and scrambled to her feet.
“Damn it, she got away!” I cried out in frustration.
I stared into the darkness where Alice had vanished, my heart sinking. “She has my blood,” I muttered.
Sasha froze, her eyes wide with realization. “Klaus…”
I nodded grimly. “He’ll use it. Somehow, he’ll use it.”
We stood there in the silence of the forest, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on us. Alice was gone, and Klaus had gained a dangerous advantage.
