Page 150 of Awakened
TWENTY-EIGHT
The funny thing about two opposing forces fighting it out inside your body is—nothing. It fucking hurts.
Something dark wrapped around my heart, its flames licking it, squeezing it, making me fear it would never beat again. I could taste Matthew’s blood in my mouth, and I wanted more. I wanted domination, destruction, and death.
Hate consumed my thoughts as I obsessed over everyone who had been taken from me.
My ties to my human side wavered. I wanted to stay a wolf and never return to my human form.
As the thought appeared, something else pushed against the pain, trying to worm its way in. I felt Zach’s soft hair under my fingers, my dad’s bear hug, and Seth’s kisses. The gentle warmth pulled me away from the rage.
My mother’s voice rang clear as day. “Celeste, get it together. You’re stronger than all of this.”
The smell of her honeysuckle lotion enveloped me, making my breath hitch. “Mom?” Blinking rapidly, I tried to memorize every detail. She was every bit as beautiful as I remembered.
Her golden hair shined in the bright light, and her blue-green eyes squinted as she grinned at me. “Weird, right?”
“You could say that. My dead mom is just chilling in my psyche. No big.”
She laughed—she actually tossed her head back and laughed. “This is very real. I may not be flesh and bone, but I’m very real.”
“Where’s dad?”
Her smile only got bigger. “He’s moved on, which I’ll be doing in—” She tapped her naked wrist. “The next few minutes.”
“Uh.”
Her warm fingers pressed against my lips. “Shh. There’s no time. Put your trust in Marie and Rose. They will help you grow into your power.”
I nodded.
“The Howlers are at a crossroads. You will help decide if they continue to be a force of good or another enemy of the wolf. Question them. They have no right to risk your life without an explanation. Put yourself first and find the answers you seek. It’ll be what saves everyone else in the end.”
Another nod. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I tried to open my mouth, but she shook her head with a soft smile. “Oh, and quit with this martyr shit, Les. You deserve happiness. I love you, sweet girl, but it’s time for me to go.”
Her arms wrapped tightly around me, and I held her against me with every bit of energy I had. “I love you too, Mom.” It had been years since I’d felt her warmth, her love, and I couldn’t bring myself to let go.
A force crashed into our bodies, the collision causing my very being to pulse. Power I had never experienced surged through me, my body absorbing the intrusion, making it a part of me.
Cold water splashed against my face, startling me awake.
“She’s up.” Grandma Rose stared down at me. Dark bags had settled under her eyes, and a deep crease ran between her eyebrows. For once, she almost looked her age.
Marie stormed into the room. “Thank Goddess. I was about to round up all the witches in the area and force them to putthings back. You’ve really made a mess of things, Rose. What were you thinking giving her my curse?”
Grandma Rose slowly stood. All previous compassion and worry were gone from her face. “Watch your tongue, Marie. Don’t make me show you my teeth.”
I sat up, pressing their stomachs to push them apart. Cautiously, I stood, waiting for pain or some kind of discomfort. A person doesn’t have magic move through their body without a bit of damage, right?
My feet sunk into the soft carpet. Holding back a grimace, I made a show of doing a little turn. “I’m fine, Marie. Look.”
Both women peered into my face, searching for something.
“Uh. Wanna back up? Give me a little breathing room?”
Marie moved closer. “I need to try something.” She straightened and stared right into my eyes. After a few seconds, I shook my head.
“Marie, is there a reason you’re staring into my eyes? Not that your eyes aren’t mesmerizing, but you’re my alpha, and this is awkward.”
