And Then There Were Four by Lilith Carrie

“Mom, what are you talking about?”

Never did a thought occur to me that my mother would know about werewolves and hide it from me.

My mother and I never hid anything from each other before.

“Well, I have always known about this sort of thing. In all honesty, I was about your age when I learned the truth.” Her soft words weren’t comforting this time and instead made the sting of betrayal sink deeper.

She had always been my rock in any situation.

To know she kept it from me broke my heart.

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” The pain building behind my eyes threatened tears to fall as I tried to comprehend why everyone around me had been lying to me.

“It’s complicated, Ivy.” She sighed softly, “trust me, my love, I wanted to tell you so many times and I couldn’t. Not to mention your father forbade it, and I was terrified he would make good on his promise and take you from me if I did.”

Of course, he would threaten her.

A sneer of disgust crossed my lips as I took in the information she was giving me. I felt horrible that he had treated her that way, but I learned rather quickly the type of man he was.

“It’s okay, mama. I understand.”

“Ivy, think of this as a blessing. They chose you to be the mother of the wolves. To help encourage and love those unable to love themselves…” My mother’s words weren’t making much sense, and as I listened, I tried to take in what she was explaining.

Is a Luna like a mother to the pack?

There was a lot that had crossed my mind since my conversation with Caleb, and I found myself curious to know more. But for now, I was going to have to be patient with the way things were.

The guys were not too overly pleased with how I had been acting, and I wasn’t too overly pleased with them. I had been considering whether I made the right choice by mating with them, and yet even thinking about leaving broke my heart.

I felt trapped and wasn’t sure how to escape.

A knock on my door caused my breath to catch, and as I glanced at it I froze. “Mama, someone’s here. Let me call you back tomorrow, okay?”

“Of course, sweetie. Be safe, I love you.”

“I love you too,” I whispered as I hung up my phone and moved towards the door.

It didn’t take a genius to realize who was on the other side of the door.

Damian.

Taking a deep breath, I stilled my racing heart and slowly opened the door. His cold eyes stared down at me, but something else within them made me question my sanity.

“Damian, what are you doing here?”

“They said you were back, and you looked fine.” The sensation of his eyes scanning my body made me shudder in a mixture of fear and delight.

“Then why did you come out here if they told you I was okay?”

“I wanted to come check on you myself.” He replied through gritted teeth.

His attitude wasn’t what I was used to.

Instead of the cold, arrogant, and angry man I was used to, he had become something else. He was calmer and more maintained as if struggling to hold back from responding as he frequently did.

“Oh, okay. Well—” reluctance filled me realizing what I was going to do, “w-would you like to come in?”

Without answering my question, he strode past me into the cottage and glanced around. This wasn’t the first time he had been in my home, but it was the first time he had ever willingly come. I wasn’t sure why the change.

“I figured you may have some things you want to discuss.”

“Discuss?” Caleb had already told me so much, something the guys should have done.

The blank stare upon his face was unmoving, “about what you are, and your situation.”

“What I am is human, and I have been destined to be mated with the four of you.” I rebutted, moving past him to get a drink of water.

“Who informed you of that? Damian’s derided comment made my eyes roll. “Was it Hale?”

“Hale only explained that we were all mates and how you form a mate bond. He explained nothing else. I am more than capable though of getting my information from elsewhere.” Turning to face him, a smile resting upon my lips, I observed his eyes narrow.

“The only way you would know is if another wolf told you.”

Ah, so he is finally putting two and two together.

“Yes, that’s correct.” I replied weakly as I sat on the sofa.

“Ivy, who have you been talking to?” There was the question I was waiting for.

He is curious.

“Just a friend, Damian. You guys aren’t the only wolves in this area, just the largest pack.”

A groan of displeasure left him as he pinched the bridge of his nose and glared at me.

“For g o d ‘ s sake, just tell me.”

I had accepted for a long time that this was my fate now. That being mated to them was not the worst thing that could happen to me. No, I had thought things would get better.

“No. I won’t reveal who I speak with Damian.”

With quick movements, I found him hovering inches over me, with my heart racing.

As much as he angered me, I wanted this. I wanted him. We may fight and argue, but part of me wondered if he accepted me. Would that fighting and arguing turn into intense passion?

“Tell me, Ivy.” He growled, the gold swirling specks within his eyes enticing me.

“Make me.”

Who knew those two words might change everything between us? Intense fiery passion spread throughout my body as his lips descended upon mine, and his fingers danced along my skin. The moan that escaped from my lips was more intoxicating than anything I experienced with the others.

Pushing and pulling, we fought against each other for control.

Both of us had waited so long for this moment, and now that it was here, neither of us wanted to stop. The scorching touch of his fingers upon my flesh was agonizingly painful—but not in a way that physically hurt.

No, it was because I craved him so much I didn’t want to wait.

“Come with me.” He growled, hoisting me up over his shoulder, racing towards my room.

A sense of happiness washed over me as I realized that it was finally about to happen.

Damian had been a pain in my a s s since I had arrived, but now I would be linked to him eternally.

Mated for life—or so I was advised.

My body bounced upon the mattress as he dropped me. Slowly crawling up as his lips possessed mine again, he trailed down over my jaw. The rough kisses had me begging for more.

That is until he stopped.

The flicker of confusion in Damian’s eyes swam back and forth before settling upon me. With lightning-fast reflexes, he pulled back and put space between us. “Where were you when you left?”

His question was soft and full of confusion. His gorgeous eyes swirled with black and gold as he stared at the navy blue sweater I had worn the night before. I didn’t understand why he was acting the way he was. Only a moment ago we were fine.

Our lips were still swollen from the evidence.

“I went to a friend’s house. I met up with them in the cafe on campus. Why?”

“A name, Ivy,” Damian demanded with a sterner note.

“Excuse me?” The way he was acting astounded me. “I am not telling you. It isn’t my place.”

“Tell me who the hell it is, Ivy!” Damian exploded in irritation, causing me to slink back slightly in fear.

“Leave.” It was the only reaction he would receive from me.

I refuse to sit here and be treated the way he was treating me.

I wouldn’t condone it, and he should realize that by now.

“Not until you tell me where you were.”

Disbelief swarmed over me as I shook my head and stood to my feet. “Leave now, or I will take off again.”

As soon as he realized I was serious, he moved from the cottage, slamming the door behind him.

My personal life was my own, and they would have to respect that.