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Without thought to herself, Cassia ran through the flames toward an injured beast. It snarled at her but she refused to give up, to give in to her fear.
“It’s okay … I promise … just let me … the spell.” She held up the coin and closed her eyes, praying they wouldn’t attack. Julian screamed at her through the din as he leapt into the circle.
But she was far gone, compelled to save the shifters. She placed her hand onto the tortured beast, and released the spell a third time. “Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis.”
A crack of thunder sounded from above, instantly extinguishing the fire. Smoke billowed in the air as the flames sucked back into the earth, leaving nothing behind but scorched earth.
Cassia watched with fascination as the hound before her metamorphized into a naked man. His dark brown eyes flickered with the same green she’d seen in Sayuri’s. “Julian!”
“Cassia. Are you okay. Jesus Christ, you scared me.” Within seconds the Alpha crouched next to her.
“I’m fine…please, Julian. He’s hurt.”
Cassia’s heart beat as Julian laid his hands on the man. The energy of the Alpha reverberated through the air. Within seconds, the tortured man transformed into a wolf. Standing on all fours, it howled in pleasure, running circles around them.
“It’s a wolf.” Cassia broke down in tears of relief. She had no idea of how many hellhounds they’d saved, but one had survived.
“Kenji!” Sayuri cried as she rushed towards them. Crying, she fell to her knees, embracing the wolf. “Oni-chan.” She looked to Cassia and Julian. “My older brother. I need to find Otouto. He’s here somewhere. Makoto.”
* * *
Cassia stared out the glass windows, watching the snow fall. She contemplated the fate of the wolves. One by one, Cassia and the Alpha had saved them all, transformed each beast. Though nearly twenty-five hellhounds had survived and shifted into wolves, one tiger also emerged. Though Julian and Cassia had found Sayuri’s younger brother, Makoto, he hadn’t quite recovered.
Cassia considered how she’d ignored Julian’s wishes to remain outside the circle, but instinct had driven her to save them. While wolves followed their Alpha, submitted no matter the circumstances, chameleons lived their lives alone. A solitary, independent life. Desperate to save the wolves, she’d had no other choice. She hoped he understood, though mated, instinct would continue to drive her decisions.
Cassia sensed Julian’s drained energy, and she also had retreated, pondering their experience, attempting to rally for what came next. The wolves had been taken inside Sayuri’s home, extra servants brought on board to care for their needs until they could transform to their human forms. Julian, as Alpha, had spent hours with them, sharing his energy, providing guidance.
The sound of soft footsteps drew Cassia from her contemplation and she gazed up to see Sayuri entering the great room. Dressed in a black and silver jumpsuit, her fur-lined hood surrounded her face. Wearing silver sneakers, she appeared to glide across the floor as she approached them.
Sayuri beamed with happiness. “You have done a great service. My brothers are alive because of you.”
“How are they?” Cassia asked.
“Makoto is weak. But his wolf is good. He’s going to make it, though. After all these years…I can’t believe he’s still alive.”
“I’m so happy they’re alive.”
“The wolves. They’ll need to be in a pack. Of course, it’ll be their choice. But they will benefit from Julian’s leadership. You do think he’ll take them?”
“It is not my place to speak?—”
“But you’re his mate. Your actions saved them all.”
“Yes, I’m his mate, but Julian…he must make the decision. I’m chameleon not wolf. A wolf must lead them…the Alpha must make the decision.”
Cassia felt his presence before he stepped into the room. Greyson looked up from his game of chess with Rafe, holding a pawn between his fingers. As Julian entered, all heads turned, their focus on the Alpha.
“It’s okay, guys,” Julian assured them.
“What the sitch?” Rafe asked, his spirit remaining light.
“I’ve talked with Logan. He’s agreed to help get them acclimated.” Julian faced Greyson. “I need your help getting them flashed back to New Orleans. Once things are over, I’ll be settling them back in Idaho. Dimitri’s going to help out too.”
“My brothers will remain with me,” Sayuri told him.
“Yes, of course,” Julian assured her. “Kenji is the only one who has been able to transform so far.”
“Makoto will soon. His dragon is strong.”
