Page 75 of Fastlander Fallen

“I see two paths!” Lucia yelled. “I see two! Now they have a fighting chance,” she said, pointing to Corey. “She will live now. There is heartbreak or triumph.” She gritted her teeth and swung her glowing gaze back to Gunner. “I just gave you two weapons for your new Crew. I gave them a way to protect themselves from what is coming. I saw you crying, Gunner! Crumpled by a grave. I saw it! But I also saw another way. I don’t give a shit about interfering,” she growled, lifting her chin higher. “Declare war with us if you want, but you should know one thing. I. Regret. Nothing.”

That’s the last of the day that Corey would remember. All that existed now was this growing, gnawing sense of violence and unrest. Now all that existed was pain as her bones broke into something other.

Corey didn’t exist anymore, and from the sounds of the chaos inside the house, neither did Hallie.

Now, there was only Monster.

Chapter Thirteen

Ace watched the two silver grizzlies through the trees. He crossed his arms over his chest and rested his back against the wide trunk of an oak. Everything had gone so wrong.

He heard Owen long before he saw him. “What do you want?” he asked tiredly.

“I figured you could use groceries.” Owen lifted a six-pack of beer. “Where’s Gunner?”

“Meeting with Damon.”

One of the silver bears came charging through the brush, and Owen jumped back. Ace didn’t hide his smile. He’d known that was going to happen. Corey’s bear was really protective of Hallie. She gave Owen a green-eyed glare and then meandered back toward Hallie’s bear, who was much more relaxed, especially this early into the transition.

“Why did she do that?” Owen asked.

“Because she can sense the loser on you.”

“Yeah, well, I was helping them, so you’d think she would be grateful.”

“Were you Turned, or born a shifter?” Ace asked.

“Born a boar. I was gifted with all the stereotypes you have heard about boars.”

“Dirtbags,” he murmured.

“Hey, I came here because Mason was my idol growing up. I got his picture autographed at a Lumberjack Wars event one time. Had it hanging on my wall.”

Okay, that was actually pretty cool, but Ace still hated him. “You’re going to be the one to betray our Crew, aren’t you?” he asked.

Owen cracked the top of a beer and handed it to Ace. “Maybe,” he answered honestly. “But if it’s me, I guarantee it won’t be from bad intentions. If I get your location busted, it won’t be on purpose.”

Truth. Fair enough.

“It’ll be one of my cousins on the throne now. I don’t remember much about them. I have no guess which one. I was young when we fled.”

“Do you think Gunner will hold to his war with the Warlanders?”

Ace shrugged, and moved through the woods as Corey and Hallie moved off. Owen followed, hauling his beer.

“I was thinking I could stay up here with you guys tonight,” he said.

“You want to camp out here?” Ace asked, confused.

“Well, it’s quiet at Gunner’s place. Plus there’s talk that the girls from the Warlanders want to come up here and help transition Hallie and Corey. Figured you could use some backup while Gunner is in town.”

Ace turned a suspicious glare on Owen. “What is this?” He lifted his drink. “Bringing me beer, wanting to help? Pretending you aren’t an asshole. What do you want?”

Owen took a long drink of his beer and glared at Ace over the top of the bottle, eyes narrowed. “Look, it’s not like I hated you. I just didn’t understand why Gunner was all up in your panties to get you into the Crew. I work with him. I prove myself. I deserve a spot.”

“Great. Not my problem. You got your spot.”

“Well yeah, now. Plus I was there when Hallie Turned. I saw Corey working on her. Dude, she’s a badass.”

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