However this played out, Katy could cling to one truth—Azure’s depravity would not win.Life would find a way.Still, the thought of sacrificing herself filled Katy with bone-deep dread.She had only just found Gage, her mate.If their love had a chance of being even a hint of what she read about in books, then she wanted that chance.Could she truly give that up to spare the others?She wiped at her eyes and drew a shaky breath.
As if sensing her turmoil, Visata spoke again.“Be guided by what is right—what is good, pure, and noble—not by fear.Set your feet on the path that is straight, and do not turn to your left or your right.Keep your eyes on me.I will guide you.Katy Dire, beloved mate, you know deep down what must be done.Trust your instincts when the moment arrives.Have courage, Daughter Wolf.You do not walk alone.”
Katy closed her eyes, centering her chaotic thoughts.She searched within for that still, small voice and listened intently until, at last, the answer became clear.Her path forward would require courage and sacrifice.But she understood now why this burden had fallen to her.Because when push came to shove, Katy didn’t give up.And she wouldn’t give up on these women.She was strong enough to bear it.Opening her eyes, Katy lifted her chin with resolve.“I’m ready,” she whispered.“Tell me what to do.”
Though she could not see Visata’s face, His tone held profound love and pride.“You are truly brave, Noble Heart.I picked you for him because he needed one with the heart of a warrior, but also one encased in compassion.Now listen closely…”
As the first light of dawn peeked through the windows, Katy awoke with a sharp gasp.The dream flooded back in a dizzying rush.She clutched the blankets to her pounding heart, praying for the strength to see this through.
She looked around and noticed a cell phone lying on the bedside table.Her heart soared.What she needed now was to see the faces of her two best friends.She needed to cry.Like a good, ugly cry because damn.Just damn.
Katy snatched up the phone, thankful there was no password.She dialed Lola’s number and hit video call.Then she waited eagerly to see the two most beautiful faces ever.And the two people she knew would understand how to comfort her.
“I’m going to kill you Gage-No-Damn-Last-Name.”Lola’s face suddenly appeared on the screen in all its pissed-off glory.
“I call him Grouchy Pants Gage.”Katy grinned, even as her eyes filled with tears at the sight of her beautiful best friend.
“Is that Katy?”Maddie’s voice came from somewhere in the background.A second later, her face showed up, her blonde hair a mess from whatever acrobats she’d performed in order to get there so quickly.Maddie brushed the hair from her face, and a huge smile appeared.“I knew you wouldn’t die!Not this girl!”Maddie pointed to the screen, as if anyone needed to know who she was talking about.
“Gage texted us last night that he had you, but he wouldn’t let us speak to you.”Tears streamed down Lola’s face.She tried to wipe them away, but they fell faster than she could catch them.“He’s an ass.”
Katy laughed.“I don’t really know him all that well, but he saved my life.So I think that makes up for a good deal of ass-ness.”
“That’s a terrible word.Do better, dammit.”Lola glared at her.“I’ve missed you.And we were worried to death, and he said you needed sleep.And I just wanted to hear your voice.”Suddenly large arms surrounded Lola, and Maddie took the phone.Callon enveloped Katy’s best friend in his huge frame, and he leaned down so his mouth was close to her ear.He whispered something, and she nodded her head.Then she let out a small huff of laughter.
“He just promised to buy Gage a shock collar for a mating present,” Maddie said.“You do look tired,” she added quickly.“Maybe it was a good thing that he let you sleep.What’s going on?”Maddie’s eyes narrowed.“Lo, pull yourself together and get over here.”
Lola pushed away from Callon and joined Maddie, and both girls just stared at Katy.
“I’m fine,” Katy assured them.Now she wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell her friends everything.They were so excited she was alive, and she was going to burst their bubble.“I’m just worn out.Azure is a piece of work.”
“I’m going to have a new pair of snakeskin boots when we’re done with him.”Lola’s voice dripped with spite.“And a purse, and a dress, and whatever else that big-ass snake can make.”
“Dang, girl.”Katy pointed to her hands.“You have claws.Literally.”
“Oh, she can change into a lion!”Maddie clapped her hands, making the phone bounce.“It’s amazing.”
Katy’s eyes got big.“That’s freaking awesome.”
Lola waved her off.“You’ll be able to change into a dire wolf, whatever the hell that is.I’m sure it will be freaking awesome, too.”
Katy’s stomach turned into a knot, and she felt as if she’d swallowed a brick that now just sat at the bottom of her guts.
“Okay, Kat, I’ve known you your whole life.”Lola folded her arms in front of her and cocked a hip to the side.“And I don’t care what your words are saying.Everything else is saying the complete opposite.Spill it this instant, or I’m going to make Callon get the private jet and fly me wherever the hell you are now.”
Katy took a shuddering breath and then she did what she always did with her two best friends.She trusted them.By the time she was done filling them in on what had happened with Azure, little Otto, and the dream with Visata, all three of them were sniffling, and Katy was pretty sure she was going to puke.
“Callon,” Lola called out.
“Sazzi,” his deep voice responded.
“Have they found the snake yet?”
“You know I will tell you the minute he’s found.Don’t doubt me.”Bossy.It had to be a Damarian thing.
“I want to cut him.Chop him up into little pieces and make a stew.Then feed it to pigs so he can be pooped out of a pig’s ass.That’s what he deserves.”
“This is a new side of our friend I’m seeing.”Katy looked at Maddie.
