My mind reels and I stand from the couch, needing air. My eyes fall on the archway toward a long hallway, only to find Seth watching me with sad eyes. He twitches like he wants to move toward me, but I shake my head. I can’t have him… I will never have him.

  Chapter 18

  ⟣⟡⟢

  Seth

  I just want to hold her in my arms. I can almost feel her heart breaking as she runs out of alpha Nate’s house and sits roughly on the porch stairs. It’s not like she can run off, anyways. She wouldn’t get far before being dragged back here for her own safety.

  I heard everything Maia’s father told her, and I have to say that I’m grateful somebody finally filled her in on all of the details about her past. I didn’t even know most of what Mathew just spoke about. Nate was supposed to be mated to Maia’s mom, and they were to run the pack as alpha and luna. Now I understand the stories I was told as a child a little better.

  I knew there was a baby that was supposedly killed inside of her mother when the lupercus came, but that baby was Maia. She was born and hidden, never to be spoken of in the pack again. A half-human baby who had all of the right to rule as alpha to my pack, instead of me. Maia would be an incredible leader, even though she has so much to learn about our kind… but the wolves would never be okay with a hybrid leading them. If only they knew her like I did.

  I step onto the porch, quietly watching the beautiful miracle that is Maia Collins. Her face is in her hands, and her heart is racing. I move closer to her, and before I can think any better of it, I sit behind her with my legs caging her in on the sides. “I’m here,” I say, not knowing if it will reassure her in the slightest.

  The warmth from Maia’s back spreads across my abdomen and chest, filling me with something I’ve never known before. Maybe love, or maybe desire. To my surprise, Maia grabs my hands and pulls my arms around her. Gah, this is amazing.

  I look out into the forest. The fresh snowfall glistens against the morning sunshine, and the cool breeze does little to calm the heat I feel from being this close to Maia. We sit quietly for a moment, and then she speaks.

  “I don’t have a future, do I?” Her voice is so heart-wrenching as she speaks the words.

  I pull her closer to me and draw her zesty scent into my nose. I swear my mouth waters, but I try to control my animalistic side. Maia’s head falls back to my shoulder so that my face is beside hers. Her skin is the softest thing I’ve ever felt, and I rub my scruffy cheek against hers.

  “Snow,” I can’t help the silly nickname. It has become her. “What do you mean you don’t have a future? You’re more special than you know.”

  She scoffs softly and shakes her head. “Right, special. I’m a weapon of war, Seth. That’s my purpose, is it not?”

  My heart hurts just hearing the pain in her voice. I let go of Maia and move quickly to kneel in front of her. I can’t let her feel like this. My body won’t allow it. I grab her face in the palms of my hands, and stroke my thumbs along her soft cheeks. A small gasp leaves her perfect lips, and my mind fogs momentarily. Pep talk time, Seth! Not attack the pretty girl time!

  “Maia Collins. Your blood is only a weapon if you allow it to be. You have a future, but just as the rest of us, that future isn’t promised. All we can do is fight for what we want to see in our lives.” Her hazel eyes seem to brighten slightly, and I can’t stop my smile. “I saw that, Snow.”

  The corners of her lips tilt up, and her eyes fall to my mouth and then meet my gaze again. “Stop cheering me up. I’m not used to this Seth, and I think I like the alpha jerk better.”

  I laugh and raise my eyebrows as I release her cheeks, but not before I steal a small touch of her parted lips with my thumb. “So you do like at least a part of me, then?”

  “I never said such a thing!” She rolls her eyes and shoves my chest, but I grab her hand before she can pull it back. Thank you, wolf reflexes.

  I press my lips to the palm of her hand, needing just a taste, even if I can’t have all of her. Maia’s smile drops and her eyes lock onto where our skin touches. “Seth,” she whispers my name like a siren call, but another voice speaks behind me.

  “Um… Can I have a word with Maia?”

  I drop her hand and turn toward Luna Lydia. She’s chewing on her lower lip as if concerned about something. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s not a fan of my close proximity to her niece.

  I stand and dip my head in respect to her like usual. “Of course, Luna Lydia. I’ll go check on our guests.” I look back at Maia, and her cheeks are stained a dark pink, but she avoids my eyes. She isn’t sure about me, but now I’ve had a taste of my Snow White. There’s no turning back.

  ♢♢♢

  Maia

  Dammit! Why does he have to be so addicting? I can’t possibly stay away from Seth for his own safety if he keeps touching me like that. It’s like I crave the alpha heir, and everytime we’re together I get my fix, which only makes me want more. A girl only has so much self control… and I’m at my breaking point.

  Thank heavens for Aunt Lydia and her impeccable timing. “Hey, Aunt Lydia. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  Now that Seth has walked away, her serious expression softens and she sits beside me. Her blue hair practically glows against the light reflecting off the white snow. “Nate just told me that you talked to your father. He said he overheard your conversation and thinks I would be the best person to comfort you.” One of her thin eyebrows raises as she stares knowingly at me. “It looked like you had plenty of comfort from Seth, though.”

  I shake my head and try to stop the stupid blush that wants to permanently stain my cheeks. “It’s not like that. Seth is my protector, right? It’s his job to help me when I’m struggling.”

  Aunt Lydia snorts as she laughs and my eyes go wide. I have never heard her do that. “Oh, my sweet baby girl. I love you with all of my heart, but I know you are not that naive. You are a strong woman with a good head on your shoulders. You have to see what’s building between you two.”

  She’s absolutely right, but I’m also stubborn, and a pro at the subject change. “So, what’s up with Uncle Nate being practically engaged to my mom? I need to hear your side of this story.”

  She sighs, the sound very exasperated. “Oh, Lord. That feels like an eternity ago. I’ll tell you, but I’m also not done with the Seth talk, young lady.” How is this woman not a mom?

  Her eyes close as she thinks back to before I was born. “Your mom was my best friend in the entire world, you know that?”

  I shrug. “I knew you guys were close, but I thought it was because of some relation to my dad. I’ve never thought much about it, I guess.”

  She nods. “Well, your mom and I were the same age, so we grew up in this pack together. We even shifted for the first time together when we were eighteen. It was so much fun getting to run through the woods with Jade. She was so fast, though. Faster than any wolf I’ve ever known.”

  I sigh, and shake my head. “You were BFFs, like me and Bree. I can’t believe I never knew this.”

  Aunt Lydia’s eyes sadden as she takes my hands in hers. “I’m so sorry, Maia. All of your life, we have tried to protect you by keeping you in the dark. It meant keeping the past a secret, and never getting to connect with you like I always wanted.”

  I sniff past my tears, and squeeze her hands. “So, you stole Uncle Nate from mom?”

  She smiles, and I’m glad for the mood change. “Well, your father stole Jade from Nate, actually. Your Uncle Nate was not happy about the fates pairing your mom with a human, when she was supposed to marry the alpha heir himself. I was so happy for Jade when I found out that she got to have a fated mate. It wasn’t until after her passing that Nate and I began connecting.”

  “So, you two aren’t fated mates, then?” They seem so perfect together that I can’t imagine it not being fate.

  She shakes her head with a smile. “I like to think fate had a say in our life together, but we are not technically fated mates. We just fell in love in the midst of tragedy, and when Nate was forced to be the alpha after his parents were killed, he wanted me to be by his side forever.”

  “Wow. So true love does exist.” I want that so badly.

  Aunt Lydia touches my cheek softly. “Oh, hon. True love exists in a million different ways. I had a kind of true love with your mom. It’s why I had a witch spell my hair to always be blue. Your mom is the one who dyed my hair this color in the first place.” She giggles at the memory, and my mouth drops open.

  “I have always wondered why your hair is never any other color, but I had no idea it was a spell! That’s amazing!” I grab a chunk of my white hair. “Do you think Bree could do that to mine?”

  Aunt Lydia shakes her head. “Honestly, I tried to get a witch to spell your hair brown when you were just a toddler. The spell never stuck, or you’d be a brunette right now. Your father believes it’s because the cure has poisoned your wolf side, causing your hair to die in a way.

  “Like a disease that kills the melanin in my hair? That’s super creepy.”

  She nods. “I would give anything to get that poison out of you, Maia…” she trails off, lost in thought so I nudge her shoulder.

  “What’re you thinking about?”

  Her eyes are sad again. “Do you know what it means when someone has a blood disease? Like, the restrictions for them?”

  I shrug, but my heart sinks at the question. “I know that my blood couldn’t get into another shifter’s blood stream. Bree told me it would kill them.” Just the thought makes me shiver.

  Aunt Lydia nods as she looks around us, as if making sure nobody is listening. Oh no. “Hon, you are absolutely right, but there’s more. I am not about to pry into your personal life, but you need to know that you can’t be with Seth, or any other shifter, for that matter.”

  It’s not a surprise, but her implications make my skin crawl. “It’s not just poisonous through blood, is it?”

  She shakes her head. “I am not a doctor, but I have to warn you before your heart gets in too deep. If you were to be… intimate with a shifter, it could very likely kill them.”

  It’s too late though, isn’t it? My heart is in way too deep.

  Chapter 19

  ⟣⟡⟢

  Maia

  “How’re you doing, Mai?” Bree steps beside me in Uncle Nate’s large kitchen.

  The dark wood cupboards and granite countertops make the room cozy, and I’ve been spaced out staring at who-knows-what for a few minutes. I come out of my fog and look up from my chair to see Bree’s concerned gaze searching my face. Standing behind her are Will and Qadira with the exact same looks of worry.

  “Guys! I’ll be fine. It’s just a little blood, right?”

  Bree nods and I grab her hand to comfort her. I’m not sure why I feel the need to comfort Bree when I’m the one who is about to get my blood magically drawn by an elderly witch. I can tell she is really worried about me, though, and I just want her to be her normal silly self.

  Last night, after I spent the day depressed over all of the new information that Dad gave me, Uncle Nate suggested that we test my blood and see exactly what it can do. Apparently Bree’s grandmother is the head witch of her entire coven, so she’ll be the one running the tests. As far as I’ve been told, all of the shifters need to stay out of the room during the blood draw, leaving me, Bree, her grandmother, and the faeries.

  Dad left back to our house today to get me some supplies since I’ll be staying with the Shaw pack from now on. I didn’t have any say in the matter, but here I am. Basically a prisoner. I can’t really complain, though, because the land is gorgeous and everyone has been really nice. Of course, it’s going to be torture having to be around Seth and knowing I can never be with him.

  Wilk kneels beside me while we wait for grandma witch to arrive. He pats my knee and smiles in the way I love so much. “Did you know that a faerie has green blood that boils when it hits sunlight?”

  My mouth drops open at the disturbing image. “Are you serious, Wilk?” I practically shout at him.

  His neon green eyes shine brightly as his grin stretches nearly to his ears. “I am not serious. It was a joke.” His clipped tone pushes me over the edge and I double over in laughter.

  “Sheesh, Wilk! I was seriously mortified!”

  He laughs, making a deep twinkling sound that I love, and the girls join in. Bree shoves Wilk on the shoulder. “Is that the first joke you’ve ever told, Wilk?”

  He shrugs and steps back to Qadira’s side where he seems to feel the most at home. “Joking is not something the faeries do for entertainment, right Qadira?”

  She looks at him and nods. “Yes. I did not know it could be so funny.”

  I want to smack my head as I watch them. They’re like adorable robots made of bright colored metal. “What do you guys do for entertainment, then?” I ask.

  In unison, they both say, “fighting,” and I’m laughing all over again.

  I nod and tap Bree on the shoulder. “Okay, then. Bree, remind me to never pick a fight with the faeries.”

  She grins. “Same, girl.”

  “There’s my granddaughter!” A woman’s shaky voice echos off of the high ceilings of the kitchen.

  All of us spin toward a small hunched over woman with light gray hair. Her skin is wrinkled and dark from sun exposure. She smiles at Bree first, and then her gaze finds the rest of us.

  “Oh, what a beautiful sight. Faeries, witches, and wolves. All together under the same roof.”

  Bree runs to the woman and hugs her warmly. “Grandma Em. This is Maia Collins,” she waves a hand toward me and then the faeries. “And these are our good friends Prince Wilk of Fae, and Qadira.”

  Bree’s grandma bows to the faeries in a surprising show of respect. When Bree first saw the faeries, she was more than a little hostile. “It’s an honor to be around other magic-wielding creatures such as yourselves.” Wilk grins from ear to ear, and then the woman looks me up and down. “And our young hybrid. You look so much like your mother, Maia.”

  My heart stutters. “You knew my mom?”

  She nods. “I’m the one who placed that cure inside of your body on the day of your birth. Your parents struggled so hard with that decision, but I believe it was the right thing for the pack, and all of the shifters, really.”

  I just nod, not sure I agree, but I hold my tongue on that subject. “So, you are the powerful ally of the Shaw pack that I’ve heard about.”

  She smiles, causing the dark canyons across her cheeks to deepen. “To everyone in this room, I’m just Grandma Em, sweetheart. No more, and no less.”

  Maybe I do have a grandma, after all. Just being near her makes my heart feel a sense of being in the presence of family, even if we are technically a different species. If I were less of a chicken, I’d go hug her, much like Bree had, but I just stay seated, ready for my blood test.

  Grandma Em steps closer to me on slow legs, and she reaches out to touch my cheek. In a voice so soft that I swear I’m the only one who can hear her, she says, “This thing inside of you is only temporary. Do not lose your spirit or hope for the future.”

  I can feel my eyebrows press together as my head tilts in confusion. “What do you…” My words are cut off by the sharp sting on the inside of my right elbow. I gasp and look down to see no needle, but just a thin stream of red flowing from a small hole where I’ve seen nurses draw blood before. I’ve never been poked with a needle before, but I imagine this is what it would feel like.

  My blood collects inside of three small tubes that Grandma Em holds in her hand. I didn’t notice those before, but this woman is sneaky for a grandma. Once the tubes are filled, she pulls out three stoppers from inside her sweater pocket, and places them inside the opening of each vial of my poisonous blood.

  “That should do it, then. Who’s hungry for some lunch?” She’s a crazy old bat, that’s for sure. Still, I can’t help but love her.

  Bree giggles and jabs her grandma gently. “You couldn’t have warned Mai before doing the blood draw voodoo, grandma?”

  Grandma Em just shrugs and looks from Bree to me like she has no idea what the problem is. “Why would I do that? A sting is a sting whether you see it coming or not. Why cause stress for the things we cannot control?” And with that, she just huffs out an exasperated breath and saunters out of the kitchen with my blood in tow.

  Yup, I love her.

  ♢♢♢

  Seth

  “Hey, Snow.” I stop beside her in Nate and Lydia’s front yard. She’s alone for the first time since yesterday, so now is my chance. Watching her be swarmed by this world that she knows nothing about makes me want to take her away from it all, or show her the good side of being a shifter.

  “Oh, hey,” she says, less than enthusiastic to see me. Her hazel eyes meet mine and I immediately forget why I stopped her in the first place. Damn, she’s so flippin beautiful in the setting sun, and the full moon tonight is already making my senses run on overdrive. I can hardly stand so close to her and not be touching her.

  Right, full moon. Cool it, idiot!

  I shake my wolfish thoughts away. “So, tonight is the full moon. I know it may not mean much to you, but us wolf shifters gather during the full moon for a night run. Our senses and abilities are heightened, so it makes the experience in wolf form pretty incredible.” I suddenly feel shy, which is not like me at all. “I thought you’d like to come with me. There hasn’t been any sign of rogues since the other night, so we should be safe.”