Page 49 of Forced By the Alpha

“No time like the present,” I said. “Let’s see what we can do.”

We linked hands and each held out one palm toward the wind-swept room. Concentrating on the energy that flowed through us, I closed my eyes. In my mind, I saw what it would take to put the room back to its current state—mainly focusing on removing the water and leaf debris—as we chanted our spell together.

“Reponere,reponere,sicca aquam,” we said.

I opened my eyes to see a tendril of light emanating from our fingertips and traveling throughout the room.

“Reponere,reponere,sicca aquam,” we repeated.

The water that had infiltrated the surfaces of the room began to evaporate, and the various papers, chairs, and other objects returned to their rightful places.

“Reponere,reponere,sicca aquam,” we said a third time, and the remaining displaced belongings returned.

“I’m impressed,” Franco commented from his place near the window.

He and Killian had moved the large limb out onto the grass, where another group was cutting it apart with chainsaws so it could be transported more easily.

“Maybe you guys won’t have to get your hands dirty with masonry after all,” I told him.

“I’m happy to fix it,” he said. “Besides, I’m sure that spell took quite a bit of energy. You and Tom should grab a bite to eat and get some rest.”

I smiled at him as he returned to helping with the tree debris and looked back at my dad. “Not a bad idea,” I said. “You hungry?”

“I could eat. I have to say, I’m surprised he didn’t accept your offer to use magic to fix the wall. It would have been a lot less effort for him,” Tom said.

“I told you, he’s changed,” I said. “You haven’t seen Franco in years. Did you expect him to be the same?”

“People rarely change unless they have a strong reason to. I’d be willing to bet it’s because of your influence, not some internal motivation,” Tom said.

I hadn’t considered that Franco had changed because of my influence, but looking back at our time together, it made sense. He had already started down the path before I had arrived in the Forsaken Shadows pack, but knowing me could have intensified his progress.

Chapter 24 - Franco

“I think those pieces are small enough, if you two want to start hauling them to the trailer,” one of the Sparkle Hollow wolves told us.

Killian and I each grabbed a piece, took them to the trailer, and then returned for more. As we approached the school again, one of the chainsaws slipped from a man’s hands and nicked the shoe of the man standing next to him.

“Dammit, Carl!” the injured man yelled. “Watch what you’re doing! You nearly took my leg off.”

“You shouldn’t have been standing there in the first place!” Carl retorted.

The injured man shoved Carl, pushing him into another of the wolves, who whirled around defensively. At the sight of the scuffle, a band inside me snapped.

My bloodlust was triggered.

Not here,I begged internally.Not now.

“Hey, Franco. Are you doing okay, brother?” Killian asked with concern.

I exhaled forcefully, attempting to release the pressure that was welling within me, telling me to escalate the fight. I was successfully fighting the urge, but I still felt the pain of going against the curse. A burning sensation coursed through my veins as though my blood was now made of fire and acid.

“I’m fine,” I replied shortly.

“You don’t look fine,” he pointed out.

I grabbed another tree limb and hauled it back to the trailer, fighting through the pain with every step I took. I tossedit onto the trailer bed and turned to go back for another, but suddenly, my legs wouldn’t support me. I fell to my knees and braced my hands against the ground.

Fuck. I can’t do this.

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