A Wolf's Journey Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Book 1: The Missing Queen

  Book 2: The Ripple Effect

  Book 3: The Lost Tiro

  Book 4: The Long Journey

  Book 5: The Final Leg

  A Wolf’s Journey

  Wolf Mountain Peak 7

  Sarah J. Stone

  Copyright and Disclaimer

  Copyright © 2017 by Sarah J. Stone

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Website: www.sarahjstone.com

  Contents

  Title

  Copyright and Disclaimer

  A Wolf’s Journey

  Witch Academy Box Set

  Special Invitation

  More From The Author

  Chapter One

  “My head is buzzing: my knuckles are sore; my back is killing me; but, it is worth it. Helena and Cliff are worth it.”

  Exhaling a long breath, but with a smile of contentment and pride on his face, Dean set his drill down on the ground, keeping his gaze up at the brothers’ creation: Helena’s brand new cabin. After six weeks full of endless hours of work: arguments; setbacks; blood, sweat and tears; it was finished. Still, the construction was not the only thing that they’d had to worry about. Spring was just around the corner. Orders for new motorcycles were pouring in from Paxton as well as from neighboring towns. They had to split their time between building Helena’s cabin and their own business. Never before had the Bradford’s been so busy. At the same time though, they were in bliss, savoring a hard-earned peace. They had emerged victorious from their war against Redfield’s vampire clan, and they were merely enjoying the fruits of their effort.

  “It’s ready,” Dean announced, casting a satisfied glance down at Helena. “What do you say at times like this?”

  “I’d say ‘mazel tov’, but I doubt you’d appreciate it,” Kate winked down at her.

  “And you’d be right,” Helena agreed, nodding at the same time. “Keep religion out of such occasions. Speak straight from the heart. It’s more original.”

  “In that case, let this cabin be filled with fond moments between you and Cliff,” he stated, turning to his left to face her: “and never let sadness creep through your door.”

  “Awww, thank you so much, second son,” Helena sighed, closing her eyes, as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Not just for the beautiful wish; your gesture is so kind.”

  “Ahem…” Kate cleared her throat.

  “Yeah…” Dean gave a short laugh, looking down at her over his shoulder, as he eased back out of the witch’s embrace. “It was your idea. We know.”

  “It doesn’t hurt to say it, every once in a while,” Kate returned his smile, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Too bad Cliff isn’t here. When is he coming again?”

  “Tonight,” Helena replied, as her eyes sparkled with excitement. “He has to report for duty in Shandaken police station tomorrow morning.”

  “Are you guys sure you made the right decision?” Kate wondered, a hint of disapproval in her voice. “I mean, sure, you wouldn’t see each other much if he’d kept his job at the FBI, but wouldn’t it be better if we had someone who could tip us off, in case the government found out about us? Plus, isn’t it a huge step down for him?”

  “Oh, he doesn’t mind,” Helena waved her hand in front of her face. “I’ve been asking myself about that ‘government’ thing you mentioned, too. I told him about it, when he mention he was considering quitting. He said that even if the FBI did start an enquiry on Paxton, the only agents with knowledge of it, would be the ones carrying it out. Unless he was one of them, he’d be kept out of the loop. Anyway, would you like a tour of the house?”

  “You go ahead,” Kate urged, as she unfurled her arms. “I’ll be with you in a minute. I need to talk to my man first.”

  “Ok,” Helena chirped, turning her attention to her new home. Dean’s smile broadened to a grin, as she turned her back to them. He had seen her happy before, but this Helena was beyond happy. She was overflowing with joy. A woman more than a century old, seemed more like a child with five new playmates and ten new toys.

  “It’s amazing,” He told himself, as she made her way to the front door.

  “I hope you’re referring to me,” his Siren’s teasing voice interrupted his thoughts.

  “Look at her,” Dean pointed up at Helena. “Chirping, laughing, relaxed… She looks reborn.”

  “Well…” Kate started, tipping her head up, as she sauntered towards him. “She’s got a loving boyfriend, five wolves who would put their lives on the line for her, friends who love her…” She added, tapping her index finger on her chin in mock skepticism. “Should I go on?”

  “No,” He shook his head in amusement. “You could have just used that song you sang to me by the lake. Do you remember it?”

  “Of course I do,” Kate emphasized, halting in front of him, as she intensified her stare. “That’s the power of love,” She sang, assuming her sweet, cheerful voice.

  “Fantastic,” Dean praised, leaning over to her, as he snaked his arms around her shoulders. “I went by Clover Lake yesterday. The ice is gone. What do you say we…”

  “Hold it right there, Wolfy,” Kate interrupted, lifting her hands up to his chest. “The ice might have melted, but it’s still a little chilly for a night out at the lake. Besides, I have a gig tonight, remember?”

  “Oh, crap!” he grumbled, banging his head in a spasm of frustration. “I’m sorry, Kate; but, with all this work, I…”

  “You forgot,” she finished his sentence. “It’s ok. It’s no big deal. We can go to my apartment, though.”

  “By the time your gig is over, you’ll be exhausted, and I’ll barely be able to keep my eyes open,” Dean complained, as he dropped his gaze down to the ground. “I can wait.”

  “Well, I can’t,” Kate lowered her tone, as she slid her hands up his chest. “I’ll tell you what. As soon as I’m done, we’ll get a nice bottle of wine. We’ll put it in the freezer while I make us some Mac and cheese. How about we, uh…” she whispered, nudging the tip of her nose on his chin. “Drink it in bed? Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall asleep.”

  “You’re on, Siren,” Dean breathed, feeling chills rippling across his skin, as her fingers reached the sides of his neck. His beloved witch could always come up with new ways to entice him, and this case was no exception: a whisper; a look of desire; a kiss; or a caress was more than enough. He might have not appreciated the fact that his plans for a romantic night in Paxton were overthrown; but, for him, the location was of little importa
nce. What really mattered was that he would be with the love of his life.

  Chapter Two

  Dean had never hidden from Kate, or anyone else, that he preferred Paxton for romantic dates. Still, he couldn’t deny to himself that he had missed her concerts. Due to his workload, he hadn’t attended any of them in nearly two months. His mate mesmerized the crowds. Her fans adored her deep, melodious voice so much that nobody would speak during her performances. More than anything though, whenever he saw her live, it reminded him of what transpired on his first visit to “Tommy’s Pit”, her workplace, and his promise in her apartment, later that night. He saw through her pain, and conquered her, body and soul. After that, she became the woman he desired, the single focus in his life. She enchanted him, and the Alpha’s brother did not abandon her, even when they discovered, together, that she was the daughter of a very powerful witch.

  As usual, “Tommy’s Pit” was almost full, as Kate walked on the small stage. Willing to keep a low profile, Dean sat at the table in the upper left corner. A short round of applause filled the hall, as she bowed before the customers. His mate seated herself at the piano, and set her sheet music down in front of her, as she smiled to herself.

  “Good evening, everybody,” she greeted, speaking through her microphone. “On my way over, I remembered just how beautiful New York is in spring. Greenery, fragrances, tons of colors, people in a good mood… But, then suddenly, I realized why this spring felt better to me; it’s because I’ve been blessed with meeting my special one. He’s colorized my life, like the best painter that’s ever walked this earth. I’m going to dedicate this song to him, in the hope that we will spend all of our springs together. Here is Queen’s ‘Love of my life.’”

  Exclamations and a few cheers followed after her last sentence. The lights were dimmed, as Dean struggled to recall that particular song. However, his quest came to an end rather quickly. The beautiful, slow introduction gave him the answer for which he had been searching. For a moment, he wished that he could be closer to her so that he could view the veins in Kate’s delicate hands as they caressed the keys. He would love to catch a glimpse of all that tension on her face as the lyrics came out of her mouth. Even so, listening to her sing that magnificent ballad was guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience; a memory that he would cherish, for the rest of his days. Dean leaned his elbows on the table, as his mate parted her lips. Kate’s smoky, passionate voice reverberated through the hall, as she enchanted her audience. Keeping her eyes shut throughout the song, she sent wave after wave of emotion washing over him, taking him to a trip across the stars of their love, as each and every lyric intoxicated him.

  Love of my life

  You’ve hurt me

  You’ve broken my heart

  And now desert me

  Love of my life

  Can’t you see?

  Bring it back, bring it back

  Don’t take it away from me

  Because you don’t know

  What it means to me

  Love of my life

  Don’t leave me

  You’ve taken my love

  And now desert me

  Love of my life

  Can’t you see?

  Bring it back, bring it back

  Don’t take it away from me

  Because you don’t know

  What it means to me

  You won’t remember

  When this has blown over

  And everything’s gone by the wind

  When I get older

  I will be there to remind you

  How I still love you

  I still love you

  Back, hurry back

  Please bring it back home to me

  Because you don’t know

  What it means to me

  Love of my life

  Love of my life

  The echoes of her voice were still lingering in the air, when the crowd’s roaring applause literally rocked the hall. Kate snapped her eyelids open to gaze out at Dean, as she tapped her fingers on the keys for the outro. There was a silent promise in her eyes, as their gazes met. It was as if they were seeing right into his soul, pledging her all to him, just like they had done in their mating ceremony. Her big, brown eyes had faded in the dim illumination, resembling small globes of gold, inviting him into her heart and soul.

  “Thank you kindly, ladies and gentlemen,” Kate addressed her fans once more, averting her gaze from Dean. He leaned back in his seat, as her eyes swept the crowd. His mate was a special human; yet, every time he witnessed her connection with those listening to her, the same notion dawned on him. Even though she was a witch, she would never give up on her passion. Regardless of Helena’s fate or life choices, Kate was not going to be the one to replace her. The bond that had been forged between her and these people was too strong and too special to be replaced by witchcraft. His mate would provide a helping hand to the co-protector of his birthplace on occasion, but that would probably be the extent of her involvement with the ancient art that had enthralled Helena.

  For more than three hours, Kate did what she knew best: enchant everybody with her music and vocal skills. For Dean, anything she played after the song that she’d dedicated to him was of no importance. Fast-paced songs or ballads passed by him unheard, as her passionate performance replayed in his mind. In truth, he couldn’t wait for her concert to be over. Eager to be alone with her, and show her how much he appreciated her gesture; he checked his watch every few minutes.

  “I liked your idea about cooking tonight, but no, Siren,” He thought to himself. “You’re not doing it, not after what you did. I’ll do the cooking. It’s been a while since I spoiled you. I may be exhausted, but I’m going to try my best to give you a night you will never, ever forget.”

  Just before 2 a.m., the crowd had thinned to a handful of people. The chandelier lights grew brighter, signaling the end of the night. Kate picked up her sheet music from the piano, before flashing Dean a bright-eyed look. His anticipation peaked, as she turned right and out of the main room. The steamy night he had been planning was only minutes away. Still, as he found himself in the hallway that led to her dressing room, he realized that something was very wrong indeed. The smell of death flooded his nostrils, instantly bringing back the memory of their recent war against Redfield’s clan. A banging thump against the door sent a massive shot of adrenaline rushing through his veins. Dean burst down the corridor, clenching his fists, as a faint sound filled his ears. Kate’s muffled voice sent slivers of fear slicing through him as he closed in on the dressing room. The subsequent banging noise on the door confused him. But, his bewilderment vanished as his gaze shot down to the floor. Shadows blocked the light from coming through the narrow crevice. Without wasting any time, he raised his right leg in the air. The door was ripped off its hinges as he kicked it down. Immediately, he noticed Kate lying on her back, with her hands on her throat, coughing, as a tall, thin stranger lay beside her. His big, black eyes sparkled under the ample light as he jumped back up.

  “What’s that awful dog smell?” He smirked, sniffing the air around him.

  “It’s the last thing you’ll ever smell, you fuck,” Dean snarled, a red glow spreading over his eyes, as he moved in towards him. Dean’s rival didn’t wait for him. Instead, he lunged towards him, raising his upper lip, revealing his lengthening fangs. However, Helena had taught him and his brothers well. By then, Dean had been expecting the unexpected with vampires. Letting out a ferocious growl, he curled his fingers into fists, a mere instant before his rival’s hand made contact with his throat. A tremendous one-two combination to his stomach sent the vampire flailing back. The thump sent vibrations throughout the room as his body was slammed up against the wall. The vampire fell to the floor like a heavy log, moaning in agony, as Dean dropped to his knees beside him. He felt the coldness of the vampire’s skin, as he gripped him by the throat. Maintaining his gaze on his twisting face, he reached up to grab the handle of the top draw
er. With steady fingers, he slowly pulled it open, as his adversary squirmed beneath him.

  “Tell me who sent you, and I’ll make this quick,” he growled, his eyes smoldering with rage, as he felt the markings on the handle of Helena’s silver dagger in his palm.

  “Kill me,” the stranger choked out, his red eyes closed, as he tilted his head back.

  Understanding that speaking any further would not avail him, Dean chose to be silent rather than to address him again. He jerked his arm back, desperate to end the life of the wretched creature that had dared to assault his mate. Just then however, his eyes snapped open, as he ceased squirming altogether.

  “Go ahead,” he urged, his face twisting into an evil leer as his gaze met Dean’s. “End me. My brothers will avenge me. And you won’t even see them coming.”

  A sense of total confusion struck Dean, as the vampire uttered his last words. Dozens of questions immediately ran through his mind. Still, this was not the time to seek answers. It was the time for action.

  “Put that door back up, Kate,” he commanded, tightening his grip around the handle of the dagger. In a split second, his mate thrust her arm forward, as her face contorted in agony. Dean released his foe’s throat, only to cover his mouth, as the door clicked shut. The vampire’s muffled scream rang in his ears, his eyes opening wide, as he drove the knife into his chest. A puff of steam rose off his head, as the skin on his face reddened. A burning sensation in the palm of his hand forced Dean to pull his hand away from him as he caught a glimpse of a large blister on his right cheek. Breathing in pants, the Alpha’s brother watched, as the vampire’s skin peeled off his face, more steam rising from the floor, as sizeable chunks of it dropped on the gray carpet. Dean whipped his head to the left to face Kate, unwilling to bear witness to that gruesome sight anymore.

  “Alright…” he gasped. “Are you ok? What happened?”

  “I’m fine. He’d been waiting for me,” she heaved a long, heavy sigh, as she leaned against her shoulders. “The minute I walked in, he grabbed me. He pushed me up against the door. You know the rest.”