Previously...
After Steven—Tessa’s fraternal twin brother—connects with Tessa telepathically and finds her location, the Breedline Covenant prepare to rescue her and take down Sebastian Crow. But before they come up with a plan, Sebastian uses his powers to create a portal and kidnaps his son Arius and Mia. When the Breedline find out they are missing, something triggers the outside alarms. While viewing the security cameras, they are shocked when dozens of Dr. Crane’s unearthly creations of Breedline hybrids topple over the gates and surround the Covenant.
Meanwhile, Thomas Carlyle—Sebastian’s twin brother—is threatened by Dr. Crane. With no other choice, Thomas lies to Sebastian and turns over Tessa and Lilith—Tessa’s biological mother—to the evil physician for research. And now, Thomas must continue to betray his own brother.
Left with no other choice, the Breedline go up against Dr. Crane’s hybrids in battle in order to defend their Covenant. During the battle, the Breedline are hit with grenades, knocking everyone unconscious except for Steven, Jem, and Casey. While Sebastian and Thomas escape through the portal, taking Jace with them, the rest of the Breedline regains consciousness and takes Samuel Mercier—a Breedline traitor who is helping Thomas—into custody.
When Sebastian found Eve’s note she’d left behind telling him good-bye, he was desperate to get her back. But that had to be put on the back burner. Now that the Breedline had their location, Sebastian and his twin brother had no choice but to go with Dr. Crane’s men when they came for Jace and hide out at the research facility where they had taken Tessa and her mother Lilith.
As Dr. Crane forces Jace—who is drugged and chained—to his research facility, he demands him to bring forth his Beast. When Jace refuses to give in, the evil physician orders his men to punish Jace with a whip made of silver. Enduring the torture, Jace continues to resist. But when Dr. Crane threatens to harm Tessa, his anger fuels within him, unleashing the Beast. With a compelling desire to save his beloved, the Beast breaks free of his restraints and attacks his enemies. Managing to elude the Beast’s attack, Dr. Crane orders his hybrids to be released.
Meanwhile, as Casey and Kyle finally find Tessa—who is unconscious and barely breathing—and her mother Lilith—who appears unconscious inside a plastic, cylinder tube—Sebastian and Thomas catch them off guard. With a gun held to Kyle’s head, and a knife to Casey’s throat, time is ticking as the rest of the Breedline fight in battle alongside the Beast against the hybrids.
When Lilith comes around, she is furious at the sight of her daughter Tessa, who is unconscious, and demands answers. Angered by Thomas’s weakness, Sebastian rats his own brother out and confirms his connection with Dr. Hubert Crane. As Thomas begs Lilith for forgiveness, gunfire blasts from outside the room, catching Thomas in the crossfire.
Continued...
A fervent howl suddenly rang out across the many dead and wounded hybrids, proving that there was no chance up against the Beast and his deadly companions.
To the astonishment of both Jem and Steven and his compatriots, the remaining hybrids swept through the facility without attacking further, retreating the battle. Steven blinked in surprise, frankly amazed to see them tucking tail and running. He watched the huge pack bound away—as though they had no other choice but to make a run for it.
He shared a pointed look with Jem and the rest. Awareness dawned on their faces as well. A wolfish grin crossed Drakon’s face as he grasped the full implications of what was happening. He raised his snout high in the air and howled with a deep-throated roar. Casting all doubts aside, he sprinted eagerly after the pack, making sure they didn’t change their mind.
The Beast’s shaggy hide receded as he reverted to human form. Naked and bleeding, Jace dropped to his knees. Despite the pain and weakness, he refused to give up until he brought Tessa back home to safety.
Moving to his aide, Steven and Jem helped Jace to his feet. He leaned heavily on Jem as they stood a moment to allow Jace to get his bearings.
“I have to tell you,” Jem said to Jace, “you look like shit, brother.”
Jace cracked a grin. “Thanks,” he said hoarsely, making light of the situation. “Did Kyle and Casey find—” He was interrupted by the sound of an explosion and heavy gunfire.
Steven heard the noise and jerked his gaze in the direction of the blast. “Sounds like Kyle and Casey might need backup.”
Despite the injuries inflicted by several hybrids, Jace straightened his spine and managed to stand on his own. Gasping for breath, he turned around and spotted several guards charging forward, with Dr. Crane following closely behind. A chorus of shots rang out, hitting the walls nearby.
After missing his chance to sedate Jace and take him captive, Dr. Crane was not likely to make that mistake again. Grimacing, Jace tried to regain his strength, but he was too weak from the change and loss of blood. There was nothing to do now but put his faith in the rest of his comrade-in-arms to fight alone in the battle.
Jem contemplated his brother’s wounds, his gaze shifting from the bloody gashes in Jace’s back to the deep bite marks covering his entire body. “We’ll take care of this while you heal, brother,” Jem said, reaching toward a lifeless guard laying a few feet away. He retrieved the corpse’s pants—who would not be needing them any longer—and handed them over to Jace. “Here, put this on. It’s the best I could do under the circumstances,” Jem said lightly.
He hesitated, and Jem pressed. “You need time to heal, Jace. You’re in no condition to fight.”
As Jace made an effort to slip into the pants, dizziness assailed him, and he slumped against the wall to keep from falling. He closed his eyes briefly while he struggled to keep his balance. Already he could feel his body healing as the wounds upon his back began to close, the Breedline healing restoring him once again.
“You’ll need to check on Kyle and Casey,” Jem said as he handed Jace the radio. “Tell them we’re heading their way as soon as we take care of the physician.”
Jace stared down at the radio in his palm, his hand trembling as Tessa weighed heavily on his mind. Lifting his chin, he stared at his brother with dread edged over his face.
“Don’t worry,” Steven said, mustering a wicked smile, bringing forth his transformation once again. “This will be a piece of cake.” He nodded at the human guards coming toward them. “Let’s get this over with.”
Not entirely happy about leaving Jace alone, Jem nonetheless rushed off into battle once more with Tim and Drakon following behind—who were still in wolf form—and charged ahead.
Jace took a moment to catch his breath, but no longer. Now was the rise of the Breedline, he thought. It was time for Dr. Crane and his men to taste our wrath... and Sebastian most of all.
As a rule, the Breedline went out of their way to avoid harming humans, whom they regarded as defenseless up against their species. These particular humans, however, were not exactly innocent bystanders.
****
Sebastian stood back watching as Lilith rushed over to Thomas and knelt down. He lay partially on his side as she rolled him onto his back and saw the profuse amount of blood covering his chest.
“Thomas,” she said, her voice casting in an echo around the room.
Thomas’s eyelids flickered, and he trained an unfocused stare on her. “I’m sorry, Lilith,” he gasped.
Tears slid soundlessly down Lilith’s cheeks as she shut out everything else around her. There was a loud crash, and a section of the wall collapsed. From outside the room more guns fired, and the sounds of voices drew near. She hunched over Thomas, pulling him into her arms, surrounding him with the brilliant glow resonating from her body.
He raised a hand to wipe her tears. “You’re alive... that’s all that matters.” He smiled faintly, and his face whitened with the effort, lowering his hand. “Forgive me... I love you. I should... have... told... you... the truth,” he coughed, blood pouring from his mouth.
He raised a shaking hand to touch her cheek and then he closed his eyes, going still beneath her.
“Thomas?”
His name came out brokenly from a voice filled with so much agony she didn’t even recognize.
Sebastian gently put a hand on Lilith’s shoulder, but she shrugged him away, unable to bear his touch. Overwhelmed by human emotions she hadn’t felt in years, she buried her face into the crevice of Thomas’s neck and wept. It came to her then. This nightmare was all Dr. Crane’s doing. He was like the devil himself, and the only way to kill him was to use the very weapon he’d created years ago. And that was her.
Pulling from Thomas, Lilith locked gazes with Sebastian. He was puzzled at first, but then understanding came into his eyes, and he smiled and nodded.
Putting forward his hand, Sebastian summoned a portal out of thin air and spread it wide until it covered Lilith like a cloak. As they stepped into the light, Kyle and Casey watched as Sebastian and Lilith disappeared.
They shifted their focus in the direction of two guards as they entered the room, which was barely visible from all the dusty debris. Kyle drew his pistol and stalked stealthily through the dense particles of smut. As he crept up behind them undetected, he pressed the barrel of his gun to one of the guard’s head. “Drop your weapon, asshole!”
The other guard, who oddly resembled Barney Fife, whirled around and tried to charge him. Rolling his eyes, Kyle stuck out his foot and quickly yanked his arm back as he went down.
Before the other guard could react, Casey aimed a gun to his forehead. “Don’t even think about it,” he said with a growl, his lavender eyes shimmering through the cloudy dust.
The man shrunk about three inches, his eyes so wide that he looked like a deer in headlights.
Kyle shoved Barney Fife’s look-alike over and kicked away his weapon. He grabbed the scruff of his shirt and dug his pistol into the side of the man’s neck, getting face-to-face with him. “Talk, asshole. Where is Dr. Crane?”
The guard spat at him, and Kyle punched him. “You’re starting to piss me off. Don’t make me shoot an important part of your anatomy,” he said lowering the pistol at the man’s fly. “You might want to keep those.”
“I’d listen to him. He gets crazy when he’s pissed off,” Casey drawled.
Kyle looked up to see Casey with a gun trained on the other guard’s head, amusement glittering in his glowing eyes.
Kyle turned his gaze to the guard when the smell of urine assaulted his nose. “Well hell, he pissed himself, Casey.”
“Okay, okay!” the guard shouted. “I’ll talk! Dr. Crane sent us in here to retrieve the women.”
“Where is he now?” Kyle demanded.
“Dr. Crane and the rest of the guards are after the man-beast,” he said. “They’re headed to the north side of the facility.”
Kyle rose to his feet but was careful to keep his weapon aimed at the man’s head. “Get up, asshole.”
****
With retribution blazing through his veins, Steven rushed at the guards and engaged in brutal combat. With the sound of bones snapping and guns firing, Steven fought his way through the chaotic free-for-all toward Dr. Hubert Crane.
A foolish human guard got in his way and paid for it with his life. Steven tore out his heart, producing a geyser of crimson blood. The guard fell backward screaming and was immediately trampled by Drakon’s massive rogue-wolf.
Steven caught sight of Jem hurling a blazing inferno, instantly incinerating a man aiming his weapon at Tim as he tackled another guard, digging his claws into the man’s throat.
As they fought side by side in battle, a host of howling hybrids burst from behind. Ready for another strike, Jem locked on his target and blasted in their direction. The impact cratered the concrete wall, sending debris flying amidst a cloud of powdered stone. A blood stain covered the floor as dead hybrids slid lifelessly on the slick surface.
Dr. Crane whirled in surprise, caught off guard by Jem’s extraordinary power. His dark eyes bulged behind his silver-rimmed spectacles. He faltered and looked about in confusion, as though realizing for the first time that he might actually lose this fight.
Just as the physician opened his mouth to spout out his commands, a flash of light suddenly came from nothingness, the golden glow momentarily blinding his vision. Quickly shielding his eyes, he blinked, trying to focus on the images before him.
When the light dissipated, he shrank back in shock as Lilith and Sebastian appeared. Standing back, Sebastian watched as Lilith strode relentlessly toward Dr. Crane. Drowning out her surroundings, she locked onto her enemy. All she saw now was Dr. Crane—a monster from the past—caught in her sights. With hands balled into fists, Lilith’s unwavering eyes narrowed to vengeful glowing slits.
As Steven watched Lilith in all her glory, he wondered if the evil physician finally tasted fear. If not, he was ready to introduce him to the sensation.
To be continued...
Author Notes
NOTE: This is not part of the chapter. A reference for terms and cast of characters:
BREEDLINE - A species of humans that have the ability to change from human form into a wolf. They are not like the old legend of the Lycanthropy myth. Breedline species can shift into their wolf at will. The moon has no power over them. They do not pass their ability to other humans with a bite or scratch like the Lycanthropy myth.
The Breedline gene is passed down to offspring that are born identical twins. Although they live amongst humans, their species must be kept secret.
In wolf form, they have super strength, speed, and heightened senses. Compared to humans, Breedlines have tremendous advantages when it comes to health. Their bodies heal fast and are not subject to illnesses or diseases. The only thing that slows their healing process is silver. It is their kryptonite. Besides old age, a silver bullet to the brain is the only thing deadly to the species. All males change into their wolf at the age of eighteen. Females do not go through the change until they make love to their Breedline bonded mate.
BREEDLINE TWINS - Identical twins that are born from either one or both parents of the Breedline species. They have a strong, unbreakable bond from birth, are born with telepathic abilities, and have the power to sense the other's emotions or injuries. In some cases, the bond between twins are so strong that if one dies, the other twin may pass on, especially if they don't have a mate.
BREEDLINE BONDING - The male Breedline spends their life in search of their bonded mate. When the male comes in contact with her, he instantly feels a simultaneous, desirable attraction and she becomes the most important thing in his life. He is there to love, protect, and cherish her until death. Once they are mated, they bond for life. It is possible for them to have more than one mate in their lifespan.
BELOVED - A word used by a Breedline to express the bond to their mate.
DOUBLE BONDED - In some cases, male Breedline twins bond with the same female but one will carry a stronger bond. Usually one of them must sacrifice for the other twin.
BREEDLINE COVENANT - The Breedline species must live within the boundaries of a Covenant, which is only formed with their species. The Covenant is governed and ruled by a head council. The council keeps their laws in order and oversees the species population.
THE BREEDLINE QUEEN - Over centuries the Breedline Covenant is ruled by a true queen. If there is no queen living, the Covenants are governed by an appointed head council until another one is born. A Breedline queen is born once every one hundred years. Her massive stature, black fur, and red eyes are the queen's trademarks. Her alpha wolf has twice the strength, speed, and size of any Breedline. The queen is expected to rule over all the Breedline Covenants where she will be respected and obeyed by all Breedline. This is their absolute True Law.
THE QUEENS RING - This ring has been passed down to all Breedline queens for generations. When the new queen places the ring on, it instantly shifts in size to fit her finger.
TRUE LAW - All Breedline Covenants have an ancient book of laws. If either sex disobeys the Breedline laws, they can be shunned, or no longer protected by their Covenant. If a Breedline takes another life out of revenge, or evil - other than protecting their life and the life of another - they will never have the ability to shift back human and will be cast out as a rogue wolf.
ROGUE WOLF - A Breedline shunned by their Covenant for taking another life out of revenge or evil and forced to live as a wolf until death without the ability to change human again. Some rogue wolves form into packs, which can be dangerous for other Breedline species.
RED (BLOOD) MOON - When the full moon passes through the amber shadow of the earth, producing a midnight eclipse visible across North America. So begins a lunar eclipse tetrad, a series of four consecutive total eclipses occurring at approximately six-month intervals. This incredible light beams into the heart of earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the moon into a great red orb. During this time, all Breedline species that are mated have a strong desire to create offspring. This is also a time when Breedline females are more fertile for the conception of twins.
CHIANG-SHIH DEMON (Kiang shi, a.k.a Ramael Arminius) - An ancient demon that inhabits the body of a Breedline fetus before it's born, or during a Breedline's death. It continues to take the soul over the natural lifespan of the child, or the deceased Breedline. When the demon possesses a fetus, it breaks the bonding and telepathic abilities of their twin when they are born. If the demon possesses a deceased Breedline's body, it must do so before the soul passes on. If the soul is not intact, the body will soon die.
In most cases, the Chiang-shih demon will take the life of the other twin, even before their birth. The twin that is born with the demon will bring only evil to whomever they encounter. Their sole purpose is to gain full control of another soul and seek world domination.
There are two ways the demon is cast from the soul it possesses: by its firstborn son, and by the Angel of Mercy, Zadkiel. The Beast is the only one who can kill a Chiang-shih demon.
THE BEAST - He is the second born son of the Chiang-shih demon. When provoked into a rage, he will shift into his Beast instead of his Breedline wolf. The Beast is an enormous, dangerous two-footed creature that has wolf-like features. One bite has enough venom to kill the Chiang-shih demon and leave the soul of the person the demon possessed unharmed.
SHADOW WALKER (a.k.a Shadow Figure, or Black Mass) - The perception of a patch of shadow as a living, humanoid figure, particularly interpreted by the Breedline as the presence of a malevolent entity. When a Breedline species dies and does not pass on to the other side, they are left to roam the earth as a shadow of themselves - a ghost. They will not pass on until they have settled unfinished business before their death.
ZADKIEL (Tzadqiel, a.k.a "Righteousness of God") - The Archangel of freedom, benevolence, and mercy, and the Patron Angel of all who forgive. Breedline species tradition considers him to be the Angel of Mercy.
SUCCUBUS (a.k.a CREEPERS) - Creatures that search for, and feeds off the blood of the Breedline species. Creepers are skilled at extreme sexual pleasure, and the ecstasy they create is exceedingly intense and highly addictive. They cast off a scent that hypnotizes Breedlines into overwhelming sexual urges. They use their human-like bodies and beautiful features to control and influence their thoughts.
They have the ability to reach into the Breedline's mind during sleep, casting a spell of dreams about sexual contact, or intercourse. And one much less obvious manifestation of Creepers is nightmares - realistic, graphic, terrifying nightmares that rob the Breedline of sleep. Over a period, it can lead to severe fatigue and depression, leaving them emotionally and spiritually drained. Death can occur if they completely take over the Breedline's body.
HALF-BREED - This species is born with the genes from both Breedline and succubus. They can bond with either a full-blood Breedline or another half-breed. They do not have the ability to change into the Breedline wolf, but they do need blood from them to survive. With the power to hypnotize, most Breedlines have minimal respect and credence toward the half-breed species.
WICCA (or Wise One) - According to the Breedline species, a Wicca is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts, and necromancy. A Wicca is also considered to be a demonic spirit. It is unclear to the Breedline if they act under the orders of the devil, or they are simply not understood and treated as outcasts. They have the ability to do white magic (good) or dark (evil).
GUARDIANS (a.k.a Spirits of the Forest) - They originated during the Middle Ages with the purpose of protecting all creatures, especially the Breedline, from the destruction of any creation made by a dark Wicca. They have the ability to stay invisible with the power to move through any barrier and over any distance instantly.
THERIOMORPH - This species is born with the genes of a Breedline, but do not have the ability to change into a Breedline wolf. They shape shift into an enormous black panther. They possess powers of mind manipulation and random visions of the future. They must use the drug dopamine to suppress their urges. Their eye color shifts into a glowing lavender when their Theriomorph nature takes over. The Breedline see them as a threat to their species.
Jace Chamberlain (a.k.a The Beast) - He is a Breedline species who later discovers that his birth father, who is possessed by the Chiang-shih demon, murdered his mother when he and his twin brother were four years old. Raised by their new foster family and their uncle Jacks, he later discovers he was born with a curse of the Beast. With the help of his twin brother Jem, and his bonded mate Tessa, they help him cope with his rage to keep the Beast at bay. He's an IT engineer and is the lead singer and plays acoustic guitar in the band Chaos.
Jem Chamberlain (a.k.a The Chosen Son) - He is a Breedline species and Jace's twin brother. He carries the gene of the Chiang-shih demon that gives him the power to create a portal, and a force of electric energy used as a weapon and other powers he discovers later. His bonded mate is Mia Blackwood, and he's an IT engineer and the drummer in the band Chaos.
Tessa Fairchild - (a.k.a The Breedline Queen) - She was born into the human world and later discovers she's a Breedline. Abandoned by her parents, she was raised by her aunt and uncle without the knowledge of being born a twin. After she meets Jace, they become bonded mates. During her first change into her Breedline wolf, she is the new Breedline queen. She is an inspiring artist.
Mia Blackwood - She is a half-breed and Jem's bonded mate. Abandoned at birth and raised in human foster care, she later finds her twin sister, Eve.
EVE - She is a half-breed and Sebastian's bonded mate. Growing up in human foster care, she spent her entire childhood abused until Sebastian saves her. Scorned from her past, she lashes out in anger, living a life of crime later to discover her twin sister, Mia Blackwood. After realizing the Chiang-shih demon possesses Sebastian, Eve clings to the past in hopes of reuniting with her beloved. Now that Sebastian is finally free of the demon, she has trust issues, worried he has an alternative plan for their sons.
Sebastian Crow - He is a half-breed, and Eve's bonded mate. After he had been killed by Jace in self- defense, he was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon after the Angel of Mercy cast him out of Alexander's body. As he tried to portray Sebastian's life, Eve finally figured out his secret. Keeping her captive only to survive on her blood, he later develops feelings for her. The demon creates a death army, determined to dominate the world and unleash his wrath among humans and the Breedline. Now free from the demon, he is determined to reunite with his beloved Eve who is kept prisoner by the Breedline Covenant awaiting trial for her past crimes against them.
Alexander Crest - He is a Breedline who was possessed by the Chiang-shih demon before birth. Murdering his family, Alexander kidnapped his twin's bonded mate, Katlyn Gray. Keeping her prisoner against her will, she becomes pregnant with his twins. As she managed to escape before she gave birth, Alexander eventually kills her in a fit of rage. Returning for his chosen son twenty-two years later, he is determined to convince him to join his army. After the battle between the Breedline, the demon is finally cast out of Alexander setting his soul free. For the demon's past crimes, Alexander is pardoned and must reside in the Breedline Covenant. Praying for forgiveness, he reunites with his twin sons, Jace and Jem. As he fights to keep his new family safe, romance blossoms with Dr. Helen Carrington.
Tim Ross - He is a Breedline species and head council of the California Covenant. Angel, his bonded mate - who is a half-breed - has Tim's daughter they named Natalie, after her sister.
Angel - She is a half-breed and Tim's bonded mate.
Natalie - She is a half-breed and Tim and Angel's daughter.
Kyle Jones - He is a Breedline species that resides in the California Covenant. Having lost his family to a house fire at childhood, his uncle Tim Ross has raised him since. Celina Baldolf is his bonded mate. He's a mechanic and also Jace and Jem's close friend, and plays bass in the rock band Chaos.
Casey Barton - He was born of the Breedline species, and lives in the California Covenant. He was adopted by Tim Ross's brother and carries a deep dark secret, afraid to reveal to the Breedline. He is a clothing model and plays backup bass and keyboards in the band Chaos.
Dr. Helen Carrington - She is a Breedline species and a physician at the California Bates hospital for both Breedlines and humans. Later, she discovers Jace and Jem carry a gene, possibly used for a cure to stop the aging process in her species. After Alexander's demon is banished, he is pardoned for all past crimes and welcomed into the Breedline Covenant. When he meets Helen, they become bonded mates.
Drakon Hexus - He is a Breedline species. At a young age, his first bonded mate was killed by her father. In a rage, he hunts and kills her murderer, breaking the Breedline's True Law. Shunned by his Covenant and forced to live as a rogue wolf, he's promised his humanity back if he joins the Chiang-shih demon's army. After Drakon discovers the demon's plans to destroy all humans and half-breeds, he betrays him and joins forces with the Breedline. As time passes, he bonds with another mate, Cassie Chamberlain.
Samuel Mercier - He is a Breedline and a council member from France that has secretly turned against his own Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon. He and his other Breedline traitors go into hiding after the Breedline destroy the demon, desperate to seek revenge against the Covenant.
Fredrick Mercier - He is a Breedline and Samuel Mercier's identical twin. Also, he's a council member from France that has secretly turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
Corbin Azzo - He is a Breedline and a council member that has turned against the Covenant to help the Chiang-shih demon.
Steven Pasquale (a.k.a Steven Craven) - He inherited the genes of a Breedline and an Adalwolf. He was taken from his mother and forced to endure a life of endless, painful experiments by a German physician's, Dr. Hans Autenburg and Dr. Hubert Crane. Without the knowledge of his real family, Steven finally manages to escape his captors, locating his biological parents and fraternal twin, Tessa Fairchild.
Lisa Wellington (a.k.a Lilith) - She is a Breedline with the gift to heal. After she becomes pregnant with twins, she mysteriously disappears. Taken against her will by Dr. Hans Autenburg, she is forced to endure a life of torture. After years of experiments, her human form is altered into a creature that goes against the laws of nature. With her memory completely erased, Lisa is transformed into Lilith. Her bonded mate, Kenneth Craven desperately searches for Lisa for years. But when their telepathic connection is severed he losses all hope of locating her and his unborn twins.
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