Page 93 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

Phoenix shared a look with her mates. “Why?”

“Many reasons.” Amara shrugged. “Your mother lost her way for a while, and then she found a purpose when she had you.” She grasped Phoenix’s wrist, the warmth from her touch infusing a calming sense of peace in her soul. “I know she wasn’t perfect, but her love for you was the purest kind of love.”

“You don’t know what your words mean to me.”

Her eyes lit up with memories. “I’m both mother and daughter, so I do know.”

“What are those?” Damon pointed at the firefly jars.

“Soul fragments.” Amara rocked on her heels, a note of pride in her voice. “I collect them for souls waiting to be reborn.”

Reborn? Like her mother? All moisture evaporated from her mouth. “Whose souls?”

“Wolf shifters, mostly, but I’ve collected others.” She slipped one of the lanterns off a nearby branch. “This one I just started for Jezebeth.”

Her legs suddenly weakened, and she had to rely on Cadmus and Damon for support. “You—You’re collecting my mother’s soul?”

Amara flashed a dazzling smile. “I am, and when the jar is full, I shall release it.”

“Where will it go?” Back to her?

“To you, hopefully,” Amara nudged her in the ribs. “She’ll be reincarnated as someone close to you.”

“Oh.” She could hardly believe it. She looked into the lantern. It only had a few balls of light that bounced against each other while floating in the glass. This was her mother’s soul, or at least part of it. Phoenix felt as if the sun had finally peeked through the clouds on a dreary day.

“I’ve been collecting soul fragments for two thousand years.” Amara cradled the lantern as if she was holding a delicate egg. “The souls are safe here, but I’m willing to let you have the jar if you think you can take care of it.”

Phoenix wanted so badly to take the lantern, but she held back, clenching her fists. “I will if you think the fragments will find the jar in hell.”

“They will always find a way.” She pressed the lantern into her hands. “Keep it safe. One day, after the jar is full, you will find it empty. That’s how you’ll know she’s been reincarnated.

When she took the lantern, she swore she felt her mother’s phantom fingers grazing her neck. “Thank you.”

Four wolf shadows appeared at the edge of the forest, their howls punctured with urgency.

Amara laughed, rolling her eyes. “I must go tend to my mates.” She squeezed Phoenix’s hand, whispering in her ear. “And I’m sure you’re eager to be alone with yours.”

She smiled at that, but before she could answer, she and her mates were pulled through the clouds at an alarming speed, the forest disappearing into a fine line and then blinking out altogether. The wind battered her face as she clung to the lantern. Suspended somewhere in space, falling through the air like a skydiver, she reached for Cadmus’s hand. He flung himself forward and pulled her into his arms, cradling the lantern between them. They fell together through an endless chasm as if they’d been tossed out of an airplane.

And then she woke up, blinking up at the ceiling of their bedroom floor. She looked over at Cadmus, who still clung to her hand. The lantern was lying on its side between them. The startled moans of her mates echoed off the walls. She leaned up on her elbows. Damon was face down on a rug, Drakkon was lying in front of the hearth, and Helius was sprawled out on the bed.

She turned the lantern right side up.I never want to do that again.

Cadmus slowly stood and held a hand down to her.Me, neither.

She took his hand and let him lead her to the bed. The room swayed and her head spun, but at least they were finally home.

* * *

EILEA WOKE UP IN Afog. Her back was frozen, and her boobs and head ached. With a groan, she rolled onto her side, snow crunching beneath her as she looked at Tor Thunderfoot lying beside her. He blinked at the moonlit sky, shafts of light cutting through the thick canopy of trees. She sat up, her breath fogging the frigid air as she rubbed the chill from her arms. Her thin gown and slippers did little to protect her from the elements. She noticed that her skin was no longer dusted with a silver sheen. Her hands flew to her head. No horns, but she still had the crown her sister had insisted she wear. She thanked Tor when he knelt and wrapped his coat around her. Unlike the others, he’d refused to change into the fancy court finery, and he still wore his same jeans and winter clothes.

She scented the air, recognizing the smells of her mates and children, a unique blend of sage and warmth that called to her soul. Home. She was home. She also caught the distinct smell of diesel fuel and heard the rumble of her uncle’s truck. Knowing her uncle was involved only made the situation that much worse. She was sure to get an earful from him, too.

She recognized the fencing and the barn just beyond the tree line. Her backyard! Her shoulders slumped in relief when she spied a light shining in the back window of their cabin home. Voices carried from inside the house. One was distinctly Boris, a cutting edge of panic to his voice as he yelled at Marius to hurry. She cringed at that, for she suspected where they were going—to save her.

She thanked Tor when he offered her a hand up, then cringed when she heard Boris yelling again. She hoped they’d be relieved they would no longer need to go rescue her, though that was wishful thinking. They would be furious. Now all she had to do was convince her four overprotective mates to forgive her and not kill Tor.

* * *

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