Page 1 of Banishing Regrets

Prologue

Selene stareddown at the dragon bones in front of her. Ethern and Brayden were on either side of her, but Jessica had returned to the Glacial Blood mansion to check on the other members of the pack.

“This is what I was born to do? To harness, in a matter of seconds, a power that took Hayden fifty-two years to control?” Selene asked for confirmation.

“Yes, it’s the reason I gave my soul to become a reaper. I knew you were the chosen one,” Ethern replied.

“A multi-shifter with the ability to control the power of a dragon.”

“Yes.” Ethern’s answer was short, and they all fell into silence again.

Brayden held Selene’s hand, and she could feel her unborn child moving inside her. He was as unsettled as his mother.

“Did you ever try to touch them?” Selene turned her head slightly to look at Ethern.

The former multi-shifter, who’d been her mentor until he’d died and been reborn a reaper, bent down and picked up one of the bones.

“A number of times, but I knew it wasn’t my destiny. I’d done my part. I brought you to Brayden.”

Selene turned her head to the other side. “And how does Brayden fit into all of this?”

“I can answer that.” Kas’ voice came from behind them, and Selene turned around to face him.

Jane was at the alpha’s side, and Jessica stood a little way behind them. Selene instantly noticed the look of worry on Jane’s face.

“Mom?” Brayden let go of Selene’s hand and stepped toward his mother. “What’s going on?”

Kas took Jane’s hand, and Selene cocked her head in intrigue. The world seemed to have slowed down—it was as if she was witnessing it from a distance.

“It’s time for the truth, Brayden,” Kas explained.

“We’ll leave this part to you. Let us know what happens,” Ethern addressed Kas.

“I will,” the polar bear shifter replied.

Selene watched as Jessica and Ethern came together and disappeared into the ether.

“Kas, what’s going on?” Brayden asked.

“We’ve kept a secret from you for a long time now, Brayden, but no more. You have to know so you and Selene can both make the decision for yourselves,” Kas responded.

Selene flinched as Jane let out a whimper and begged, “Please don’t, Kas.”

“You know I have to—it’s what he wanted.”

Jane placed her hand over her mouth, and tears started to fall down her cheeks. “I don’t think I can relive the memories.”

“You can because you’ve always been strong. You’re the reason Brayden is the man he is today.”

“Enough,” Brayden snapped, and Selene jumped at the anger in her mate’s voice. “Stop with the riddles and private conversations. I’ve been lied to for most of my life about how my father died, and I won’t have any more lies added to the roster.”

“After this, Brayden, you won’t have anything kept from you,” Kas assured him.

“What do you mean?” Brayden shook his head in confusion. Selene made her way from where she was standing, by the bones, and took Brayden’s hand. Her mate looked at her.

“I believe Kas is going to finally tell you the truth about your father,” Selene explained.

Brayden’s head spun to their alpha. “Why now, when Selene has this decision to make?” he questioned.

---