Dead Wicked

Erin

It has been weeks since we left the boarding school, and I feel at home here with Joseph and his pack. Once they accepted me as Joseph’s mate and someone who could help protect the pack, I became part of them.

I smile as I pass a group of youngsters all aged between five and nine. “Miss. Erin, can you show us your trick again?” Blossom, one of the young girls there, beams at me.

“What are you all doing?” I go over and join them.

Joseph is off with his father and some of his pack to do some form of training. So, I am wandering around outside to get some fresh air, and also to see if I can do anything to help people in the pack. Sometimes I feel left out because I’m not a wolf and I can’t mind link to anyone.

“We are playing War Dragons.” Another kid answers.

It reminds me of the project Max and I did at school. I miss him and Lexi.

They have several miniature model dragons, a castle on either side, and armored knights riding horses on the ground. When they explain one set is fighting the other and they want me to use my magical abilities to make them battle, I chuckle softly.

“Is there going to be a winner?” I ask them.

“You decide.” Blossom giggles.

They all sit around, and I take a deep breath as I focus on the pieces. Next, the men on the horses charge at each other, and the dragons take flight above them. It is like bringing everything to life for them. Squeals of excitement come from them as I let little puffs of fire out from the dragons. Swords clash from the mounted soldiers as horses ride past each other, and dragons swoop low to set fire to things. I let it go on for about five minutes, then I create a mini rainstorm above them, and they all fall to the ground.

“Aw, I wanted my men to win.”

“But that is the thing about having dragons. They are so powerful that no one can beat them.” I ruffle the kids’ hair.

“Have you seen a dragon before?” One kid asks me.

“Yes, my friend, Max is a dragon, and he is beautiful.” I smile and touch the bracelet he gave me.

“Do you think I will ever meet a dragon? Mom says they live in a different realm.” Blossom picks up one of the figurines.

“If you go to the same school I did when you are older, I’m sure you will meet lots of different beings, dragons included.” I smile.

“I hope so. I think they are special and I’d love to see one.” She beams so brightly. “Do you think I’m pretty enough to meet one?”

“I’ll tell you a secret. You are the prettiest girl I’ve met here.” She really is sweet for a five-year-old.

I leave them playing and wander to where some of the pack are training in the arena. They are in wolf form and two are circling each other. I sit down on the wooden seating around the edge and watch.

I’ve met vampires, zombies, and other beings at the school, but werewolves, along with dragons, are the only ones I know of who physically change form. Messing with them would be a mistake; you can feel the raw power radiating from their massive forms.

“Ah, my favorite girl,” Harrison appears from behind me. He slides down next to me and slings his arm around my shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“Watching how you guys fight in wolf form.” I tilt my head toward him.

“You secretly came here to watch me strip, didn’t you?” he winks and jumps up to join those down in the arena.

It happens so fast, I barely have time to react before he’s completely naked and shifting into his wolf. Yes, I get to witness his full human form before he transforms, and the smirk on his wolfish face afterward always tells me he knows just how embarrassed it makes me. The sight of nudity, by anyone, always brings a flush to my cheeks. Harrison likes to tease me about it, and Joseph likes to beat him up for doing it in front of me when it isn’t necessary.

When they get older and Joseph takes over the pack, Harrison will become his beta.

I don’t know what Joseph is doing; he didn’t know either when he left me this morning, just thought it was training with his father.

I watch Harrison’s wolf, Jagger, fight against the others. They all do one-on-one combat in wolf form. It is impressive fighting. Claws slash and rip fur, but without seriously injuring each other. When the wolf fighting Harrison digs his claws into Harrison’s side and his wolf falls, I gasp and jump out of my seat, gripping the railing in front of me.

Harrison changes back to human and lies on the ground. The others walk away, leaving him. “What are you doing?” I rush down into the ring, Harrison’s back is facing me. “Harrison?” I fell to my knees. Blood covers his side. I know werewolves heal, but I don’t know how deep the claws went. “Do you need medical assistance?” I can try to help heal him, but I haven’t ventured into mending people yet.

He groans and lifts his arm. “Can you check to see if I’ve still got everything?”

“Oh my god! Harrison.” I shove him and turn away. “What is it with you and teasing me?”

“I enjoy seeing you blush.” There is a mischief in his voice, and I’m sure he is smiling.

“Well, if you don’t stop it, I will make your penis shrivel up and balls nonexistent.” I walk away from him.

In two seconds, he is next to me—pants on—and slings his arm around my shoulder. “You wouldn’t, would you?”

I stop and hold my hand up. “There is a difference now. I’m Joseph’s mate. I don’t want to see you naked.”

“Oh, so you are saying before you were his mate, you wanted me?” He smirks, and I know he is teasing me again.

I jab his wound on his side. It is still bleeding, but the wound is not deep, so he will heal by morning.

“Try me. And I’m telling Joseph about this.”

Harrison pouts and holds up his hands. “Okay, I won’t do it anymore, but you can’t go getting all shy on me if there is an emergency and I have to change.”

“You need to get a dressing on that side of yours before you bleed to death.” I smile.

“Well, someone went and poked me.” He sticks out his tongue and we both chuckle.

As we reach the pack house, Harrison grabs my arm, his head tilts, and I know he is communicating with someone.

A shiver traces its way across my skin, causing the fine hairs on my arms to prickle. I can sense Joseph’s quickening pulse, his heart thumping rapidly. The nature of our mate bond allows me to feel him when he is in close proximity.

“He is running,” I spin on my heels and take off in the general direction I sense him.

Harrison is at my side. “Something attacked them, ten men injured, and they are running.” It seems like the rest of the pack is on alert as they all start running in the same direction as us. It has been peaceful here until now. With my legs not able to keep up with the others, Harrison picks me up with a wink, and we move faster.

By the time we reach the border, he places me down and tells me to stay back. The pack members slip through the imperceptible barrier, and soon after, a few return, bringing the injured with them.

“Where is Joseph?” I can feel him but not see him. Harrison is holding my arm.

Alpha Luc, Joseph’s father, comes limping towards us, his arm around another injured pack member. He shows his power by lending aid to his pack members.

“Everyone get back,” he shouts. His eyes meet mine, and I rush forward, ignoring Harrison and pulling my arm free.

“Where is Joseph?” My heart is pounding in my chest.

“Behind me,” Alpha Luc grunts, and the man he is helping falls into the hands of others.

Driven by an instinctual pull toward Joseph’s presence, I quickly move in that direction, with Harrison following closely behind me.