Page 6 of Isabel and the Werewolf Beast

His voice taunted and teased me the way a younger brother was cocky knowing his big brother always had his back.

“That’s what creeps me out the most. Haven’t you ever read a horror story?”

I’d read many. Perhaps that was why the castle appeared to be alive. I must have read too many horror stories.

“No, and I don’t want to.” He tossed back his beastly head. “I’m going in. Are you coming?”

“I’ll wait for you here.” I folded my arms over my massive chest, the hairs dug into my palms as I rested them on my biceps.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged in the nonchalant way Asher always did and walked toward the open gate. He was always prone to running headfirst into things. I tossed up once again if it was his personality, our absent parents, or if he had no regard for his life.

He stepped across the threshold, and a dark stain swirled around the perimeter. I stood straighter, eyeing the pattern as it dissipated into the air and disappeared.

“Are you okay?” I called.

“That felt a little weird.”

“In what way?” I asked, already walking closer to him, my protective older brother urges coming roaring to the surface. If he didn’t protect himself, then I would.

He shook his entire body like a dog shaking off water from his coat, but nothing flew from his fur. My entire being vibrated with nervous energy. He turned and walked back toward me, a cocky grin on his face, but uncertainty shone in the depths of his eyes. As he reached the gateway, his body fell backward as though he’d walked straight into a wall.

“Asher?” I ran forward. Ran to my brother.

“Stop.” He sat up, rubbing his forehead. “Don’t come through the gate.”

I skidded to a stop, dirt and grass flying up from my heels. “Why not?”

“I don’t think…” He glanced to his left then right before his gaze landed back on mine, imploring me to stay put. “I can get out now.”

A blur of white flashed across the ramshackle grounds, and then there was a woman beside Asher. She was heart-stopping beautiful. Long, dark hair hung to her waist in curls that bounced with her sudden movement. As did the white gown she wore. A vision of loveliness under the glowing moon.

“What do I have here?” she asked, kneeling beside Asher.

He scooted back as though he was afraid. The flare of white in his eyes widened more and more with each passing second. Since when was the great werewolf Asher afraid of anyone?

“Leave my brother alone,” I said.

“And if I don’t?” She lifted her face to look at me.

Her eyes hit me with the force of blue ice crystals. Deadly and beautiful at the same time. My focus stayed on the beautiful woman. It was hard to look away from her. I’d seen no one like her.

“He’s my little brother.” I inched a tiny step forward. “Please, I’ll do anything for him.”

“Anything?” She arced a delicate eyebrow. Even that was beautiful. “Trade places with him then.”

“Gladly, but he said he can’t get out.”

I’d do anything for my younger brother. Always. I’d trade my body, mind, and soul so he’d be free.

Her ruby-red lips tugged into a smile. “That is a problem. Perhaps if you pass at the same time, it’ll work.”

“Is this your castle?”

“It is.” A touch of sadness tinged her eyes, but then it disappeared before I was certain I’d seen it.

How did she not understand how to get my brother out if this was her castle?

“You own it?”

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