Shadow Forest: A Wolf Shifter Romance (Wolf Mountain Pack Book 3) E-Book

Mac Flynn

• Herausgeber: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Tranquility has returned to Greylock Manor, but their peace is soon broken by the arrival of another unexpected guest.

The spirit of the forest that covers Wolf Mountain pays them a visit and accuses Greylock of breaking their pact made long ago. In order to renew the bonds he must face the three trials he once overcame, but time and wear have taken their toll.

Alex knows this, and with Chris at her side she ventures after him as he makes his way to the location of the trials. The trouble starts at the first trial, and Greylock falls to his opponent. Stricken by more than just his grievous wounds, Greylock is unable to complete the trials. With no other option, all the pack members offer to take his place.

The spirit of the woods makes its choice, and Alex will be their champion. Chris pleads to help her, and the spirit agrees to have both of them face the trials. The catch, however, is they must face a fourth challenge, one that tests their bond. Win, and they confront its tests. Fail, and Alex must face the trials alone in the heart of darkness.

Unfortunately, one more player presents themselves at the trials, a player more formidable than they’ve ever faced. Together with their friends, Chris and Alex find themselves facing not only a threat on the entire forest, but their very lives.

Leseprobe

SHADOW FOREST

WOLF MOUNTAIN PACK BOOK 3

MAC FLYNN

Copyright © 2022 by M. Flynn

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Continue the adventure

Other series by M. Flynn

1

Secrets have a way of working their way to the surface, no matter how long they’ve been buried. Other times they arrive on your doorstep covered in a shroud of lies.

Greylock’s secret came in both forms.

I awoke that day to a dark and stormy sky. The patter of rain entertained me as I slipped into my clothes, though I paused long enough to glance at the bed where a large lump was nestled underneath the covers. Chris’ dark hair stuck out of the top like a horror wig.

I contained my snort and slipped out of the room. The hallway was covered in shadows and my feet seemed especially loud as I made my way downstairs. A fire burned in the hearth to ward off both the shadows and the chill. It didn’t really do much for either as I stopped in front of the mantel and stretched out my cold hands.

“The joys of living in the mountains…” I murmured as I glanced out the window.

A heavy fog surrounded the manor and cast everything ten feet beyond the building in a soft, floating mist that glided around us like ghosts. Except for the ticking of the clock in the living room, all was as quiet as the grave.

I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. “Do you have to do that to yourself, Alex? Couldn’t you just have imagined cotton candy balls floating out there?”

That’s when I noticed something outside that wasn’t mist or cotton candy balls. Some dark shape flitted about the edges of the mist, moving in and out of focus. I walked up to the giant window and squinted through the glass. Whatever it was stood a little shorter than Chris and seemed to wear some sort of black outfit.

I blinked, and it stood just on the other side of the glass.

I screamed and stumbled back. The back of one of the chairs caught me and I clutched onto the sides as the creature remained like a statue facing me. It wore a black cloak that covered every inch of its body, and the hood hid its face in the depths of shadows.

Footsteps from all over the manor hurried to me, and Bonnie and Duncan were the first to reach me. They slowed a little to gape at the hooded figure. Bonnie clasped my arms as Duncan moved to stand a little ahead and to our side.

He cast a quick look over his shoulder at me while keeping one eye on the fiend. “What is it?”

I shook my head. “I-I don’t know.”

“Alex!” The shout came from Chris as he raced downstairs wearing only his pants, his shirt clutched in his hand. He rushed over and looked me up and down. “What happened?” He noticed where we all looked and frowned. “Who the hell is that?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I know it’s not my fairy godmother.”

Duncan took another step toward the window. “Who are you? What do you want?” The figure didn’t so much as twitch.

Bonnie’s face showed confusion as well as anger. “How could anyone get onto the grounds without our permission?”

“Because they do not need permission.”

The reply came from Greylock as he limped out of the central downstairs hall. His full attention lay on the figure as he stopped beside our group. He clasped his hands over his cane and leaned heavily on it as he studied our ‘guest’ as welcome as our last ones.

Chris looked to our pack leader and jerked his head toward the figure. “Then you know who that is?”

Greylock had a grim look on his face as he nodded. “Yes, though their visit is unexpected.”

Bonnie’s voice held more fear than I’d ever heard in it before. “Can it get inside?”

Greylock shook his head. “No, or rather, we have an agreement that they not venture inside. However, let us see what has brought them.” He limped over to the door and opened it wide before he backed up almost to where we stood.

The fog that had given a buffer of twenty feet around the house swirled in closer and spilled into the room. The mist swallowed the figure in its white embrace, but I kept my eyes on the door and wasn’t disappointed, though I was more than a bit terrified. The figure floated in with the mist. I couldn’t see its feet, but the way it moved without motion reminded me of the phantom that had tried to take my werewolf powers from me.

This creature, however, gave off an entirely different vibe. I had the feeling that the thing in front of us was old, very old. Perhaps more ancient than we could imagine. Its mere presence was like Greylock when he entered a room, in that they commanded the room. The lights overhead seemed to dim on its visitation as the creature stopped a few feet from us.

Greylock inclined his head to the newcomer. “To what do we owe this honor, Lord Silva?”

The figure lifted its head slightly, but I still couldn’t see any face. When it spoke, it was like listening to the gurgling of a creek, or the rubbing of two branches together in a gentle breeze. “I have come to discuss our agreement.”

Greylock pursed his lips. “I see. What seems to be the problem?”

A slight hissing noise slipped into its words. “One of your own ventured into my woods and attacked one who inhabits my trees.”

Greylock sighed but gave a nod. “Yes, I’m afraid that did happen, and I profusely apologize.”

The creature’s head swayed from side to side. “That is not good enough. The pact is broken.”

Greylock started back. “Broken? Surely not on account of such a minor infraction after so long!”

I raised my hand. “Could you guys let us in on what’s going on?”

The creature turned its head slightly so that its empty hood faced me. A chill ran down my spine as I felt the thing, well, something look at me. Lord Silva turned its back on us and floated toward the door.

Greylock stretched out his hand and stumbled forward. “A moment, please!” Silva paused a few feet shy of the entrance but didn’t turn around. Greylock hobbled up to near his back. “Surely there is a way to reforge the pact. Some way I might make up for my foolishness in inviting evil into your lands.”

Silva half-turned to him. “There is only one way.”

Some of the color drained from Greylock’s face. “I see. If that is the only way-”

“It is.”

Greylock sighed and gave a nod. “Then I agree to your terms. When will it begin?”

“When you are ready,” Silva replied as he turned away and shuffled off into the fog. The mist retreated and revealed the empty doorway where the creature had disappeared.

“I don’t think I like what just happened,” I spoke up as I turned my attention to Greylock. He stood there with his eyes closed and his lips tightly pursed. “Who was that and what did you just promise him?”

Greylock opened his eyes, and they showed a weariness that made my heart ache for him. “Lord Silva is the spirit of the forest that covers Wolf Mountain.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “The spirit of the forest?”

“Spirits are better in glasses,” Duncan quipped before Bonnie jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow.

Greylock leaned on his cane and studied where the cloaked figure had vanished. “The forest around the manor is very, very old. Lord Silva has protected its mystical secrets since the beginning, and long ago he granted me leave to purchase the property and invite whatever other fantastical creatures wished to live on the land.”

Bonnie frowned. “And what about this pact?”

Greylock sighed. “In order for us to remain on this land, I must reforge the pact by completing three trials.”

Duncan swept his eyes over the ceiling. “What will happen if you don’t agree to do these trials?”

A bittersweet smile appeared on Greylock’s lips. “Then we will be evicted, and with no gentleness on behalf of our landlord.”

I shook my head. “I still don’t know what that means, or how Silva would do it.”

Greylock shook his head. “Nor I, and I would not wish to learn what that entails.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “So, what are these trials about?”

“They are a trial of strength, of determination, and of faith.” I noticed his hands shook a little, but he clutched his cane tighter so that his knuckles turned white.

Chris nodded at Greylock’s lame leg. “When was the last time you did these trials?”

Greylock closed his eyes and sighed. “Before my accident but having two out of three may get me through the other trial.”

Duncan stepped forward with his jaw stiffened and his eyes steady. “Then I’ll do it. I’ll take your place.”

Greylock shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I must do them alone.” He turned away from us and limped toward the doors.

I leapt over to him and clapped a hand on his shoulder. He paused and turned his face to me. “You can’t go alone.”

He smiled and patted the top of my hand. “I must do this alone, but don’t worry. I shall return in a short while.”

Greylock limped through the doors and disappeared into the fog, leaving me behind with a heavy but determined heart.

I spun around to face the others. “I’m going after him.”

2

Duncan nodded. “Then we’re all going.”

Bonnie scowled at him. “The more people who go the more likely they’ll be to get caught by Ethan.”

Duncan clapped a hand on her shoulder and grinned. “Come on, Bon-Bon. We’re trained professionals at following people.”

One of Bonnie’s eyes twitched. “Bon-Bon?”

He sheepishly grinned at her. “Honey? Sweety? Matey?”

She cast another look of death at him before she returned her attention to Chris and me. “You two should stay here. Me and this” She jerked her thumb at Duncan, “will follow Ethan.”

I smiled and nodded. “Fine, and we’ll follow you.”

Duncan cast a mischievous look at Bonnie. She grinned and nodded. The pair dashed over to the open door and out into the foggy night. As they did, they transformed into werewolves, and by the time they disappeared into the mist they were fully formed.

Chris pursed his lips before he turned back to my smiling face. “It won’t be easy following behind that act.”

I tapped the side of my nose and smiled. “Nothing tricks this nose, and besides” I took a deep breath and wrinkled my schnoz, “I don’t think Duncan has bathed in the last couple of days.”

The corner of Chris’ lips twitched upward as he grabbed my hand. “Good to know, but maybe a little too informative. Now let’s go.”

We swept out the door after our wolfy companions. Chris and I kept our human forms out of lack of experience, but I almost regretted it as we entered the fog. The misty air settled on us like a damp blanket and made me shiver. My nose, fortunately ice-free, led us down the sandy shores of the still lake and to the side opposite the manor. A path greeted us, and our comrades had left their paw prints in the damp earth.

Chris paused at the mouth of the trail and frowned down at the tell-tale marks. “Where are Ethan’s prints?”

I swept my eyes over the area and finally shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t see footprints or paws.” I took in a deep breath through my nose and frowned. “I don’t smell him, either.”

Chris pursed his lips as he studied what little of the trial we could see through the mist. “He must not have wanted us to track him.”

A thought struck me that made me furrow my brow. “But if that’s true then how are Duncan and Bonnie following him?”

Chris took my hand and shook his head. “I don’t know, but we’d better get to following them.”

We hurried forward at a jog that took us deep into the woods. Chris and I had been in the woods many times now, but this time something felt off. The air was heavy with tension and the soil thick with rot. The trees that rose were larger and more ancient than we’d seen before. Old vines hung from the thick branches and tickled our faces.

Chris’ whispered words floated over to me. “This is a very old part of the woods.”

“We could bottle the air as old spice,” I quipped as I ducked under a low vine. “You think that spook Silva knows we’re in here?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“And think we can handle him?”

“Probably not. However-” He grinned as he used his free hand to pat a pocket. “I do have a trick up my sleeve.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I hope it’s some breadcrumbs in case we need to find our way back.”

He chuckled. “Something almost as good, but I won’t say it aloud.” He swept his eyes over the canopy above us and some of his good humor fled. “I have a feeling the vines have ears.”

We ventured onward and the scent from our two friends were more powerful. The trail curved around a gentle bend and widened to present us with a small clearing. On the opposite side from where we stood was the beginning of a rugged mountain complete with loose fallen stones and a steep climb. The entrance to a cave sat in the middle of the sheer wall.

Chris and I slowed down and crept over to the mouth of the cave. The ground dove down at a forty-five-degree angle and disappeared into darkness so black even my werewolf eyes could hardly see more than twenty feet ahead of us.

A hand reached around from behind and clapped over my mouth, stifling my scream that followed. Another hand reached for Chris, but he grabbed the arm and swung the person over his shoulder and slammed them onto the ground.

Duncan let out a wheeze as the air was knocked out of him. Chris paused over him and frowned. “What are you doing?”

Duncan gave him a sheepish smile. “Just thought I’d take a nap.”

The hand was removed from my mouth and Bonnie came into view. “Sorry about that. We didn’t want you to cry out.”

Something about her words made me shudder. “What were you afraid would hear us?”

Duncan propped himself up with his arms and nodded at the opening. “Anything that might be in there.”

Chris walked up to the mouth and set a hand on the wall to lean in. “What’s in there?”

Bonnie shook her head. “We don’t know. We’ve never seen it before.”

Duncan tilted his head back to study the old trees and hanging vines. “Heck, I’ve never even seen trees this old before.”

“So, magic?” Chris guessed.

Bonnie shrugged. “Probably, but we can’t exactly smell magic.”

I studied the ground. There were still no signs of Greylock. “Speaking of smelling, how have you been following Ethan?”

Duncan climbed to his feet and brushed himself off before he grinned up at me. “That’s easy. Ethan has a ‘tell.’ He always leaves a little bit of his scent about ten feet off the trail in case he loses his way in this crazy maze.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “What kind of scent?”

Duncan coughed into his fist. “Well, that involves the story of the birds and the bees-”

Bonnie jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow. “Will you shut up about that? You know he only rubs his cheek scent sacs against the bushes.”

“Why ten feet?” Chris wondered.

Bonnie cast another look of warning at Duncan before she turned her attention to Chris and me. “It’s a sort of edge of the magic that moves the paths, a red line where they blend. The magic won’t move anything on it, so if you leave an indicator there you can find your way back along the same route. The trick is not to get lost in those ten feet.”

Duncan folded his arms and nodded. “And Ethan has the ten feet down pat. He could follow his trail back blind.”

Chris looked down the hole that was the cave. “If the scent is fresh then we can’t be too far behind him.”

Bonnie pursed her lips. “No, but I don’t think we should go down there.”

Duncan clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Bon-Bon” He received another look that promised death, but ignored it, “where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Behind my sense of self-preservation,” she retorted as her gaze settled on the gaping maw. “And it’s telling me there’s something not right about that cave.”

I couldn’t have agreed with her more. The ancient air of the forest swamped us, but the air that floated out of the cave beat that back with no problem. The scent was not putrid but was more like old rot mixed with something that tingled my nose. “What is that smell?”

“Magic,” Duncan told me as he wagged his eyebrows and a smile stretched across his face. “The kind of stuff so powerful you can smell it.”

I turned to the cave entrance and stiffened my jaw. “I’m still going after him.”

Chris stepped up to my side and gave me a smile. “Not alone.”

Duncan puffed out his chest. “I’m going, too!”

His air was deflated by another well-aimed jab of Bonnie’s elbow. While he clutched his gut she frowned at Chris and me. “This could be more dangerous than anything we’ve ever faced. Are you sure you want to risk it?”

I nodded. “To make sure Ethan is safe, definitely.”

Bonnie smiled at me. “That sounds just like him. Let’s go.”

3

“But gentlemen first,” Duncan announced as he puffed out his chest and marched past us into the cave.

Bonnie rolled her eyes as she followed behind him muttering a few choice words. “Yeah, but where are we going to find one of those...”

The dirt path blended with the loose broken rocks to become a sparse gravel path. The walls were covered in vines of large leaves the size of elephant ears which hid the ferns that grew underneath the stalks. I had to cover my nose occasionally to block out the ancient odor of magic, but I couldn’t cover the rest of my body from the strange vibrations it gave off. It was like being in a room charged with a slight touch of electricity and left me wondering if there wasn’t some hidden trap door in the floor that would open into a pool to oblivion.

“And I don’t swim too well…” I muttered to myself. Chris cast a raised eyebrow at me, and I gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry. My imagination got away from me.”

Duncan nodded as he swept his eyes over the walls. “I know what you mean. I keep thinking these vines are going to shoot out and grab us.”

One of the vines shot out and wrapped around my arm. I let out a yelp of fright and tried to jerk my arm back, but the plant held tight. More tendrils slithered out from underneath the broad leaves and grabbed us.

Bonnie and Duncan were quick to transform their hands into paws with sharp claws. They cut through our attackers while I in my panic couldn’t get enough focus to transform. Chris had all the focus for me as he sliced through his vines, and soon turned mine into limp pasta on the floor. The beheaded vines slunk back into their leafy homes, and I found a good chance to sink into Chris’ arms.

Bonnie whipped around to face Duncan and glared at him. “You just had to start thinking today, didn’t you?”

He shrugged. “How was I supposed to know this place listens to imagination?”

Chris furrowed his brow. “But they only attacked after you spoke it aloud, so maybe it can’t read our thoughts.”

“Thank God…” I muttered as I thought back to what my imagination had conjured up.

Duncan cleared his throat. “Well, whatever the magic can do, it wasn’t so tough. Maybe if it had sicced some-”

All three of us lunged forward and clapped our hands over his mouth. Duncan blinked at us before he sheepishly grinned or tried to. It isn’t easy doing anything with your mouth with three hands over it.

We removed our hands and Bonnie glared at him before she looked to Chris and me. “No unnecessary talking from here on out, understood?” We nodded our heads, and Duncan bobbed his noggin up and down.

Bonnie took the lead and we crept down the white tunnel. The vine leaves fluttered as we passed, but otherwise they remained clinging to the walls. A soft glow, however, emanated from the stalks and illuminated the passage. Their light reflected off the damp stones and cast everything in an eternal shadow.

I found myself following close enough behind Chris to read the waistband tags on his jeans. A joke would have been worth a lot right then if it hadn’t risked our lives telling it. We might have been facing some twisted rerun of the StayPuff Marshmallow Man.

We had walked for some fifty yards when a light appeared at the end of the tunnel. I made sure to pinch myself a moment to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, and that I was still alive.

A cry of pain came from the light. My hair stood on end when I recognized the voice. “Ethan!”

We raced forward as, well, a pack and reached the end where it opened into a circular room about fifty feet from wall to wall. The floor and walls were made of smooth cobblestones, and the walls arched up into a dome. Thick foliage dropped from the top like upside-down seaweed and hung in thick bands to within a foot of the floor.