Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild) - By Kate Douglas Page 0,119
victims and made sure they weren’t discovered. Your father was a brilliant, charismatic man, I’ll give him that, but he let his need for power corrupt him.”
Sebastian turned away and stared toward the dark forest. “I saw things in his mind as he died. What he did to those young women. He used fear to increase the power of the magic. He’d rape them with the wolves all around, snarling and snapping at them until they were incoherent with terror. He fed off that. It made the magic stronger. Then, when he was done, he let the wolves tear them to pieces. They died so horribly, Anton. He stood there gloating, stealing their life force, watching them die in agony.”
Sebastian shuddered, almost as if he tried to shake off his connection to the man who had fathered him. His struggle to maintain his composure was painful to watch, and when he finally turned and looked at Anton, he was hollow-eyed with the horror of what his father had done. “I’m afraid I’ll live with those images forever.”
Anton put his hands on the young man’s shoulders and looked into eyes unlike any wolf he’d ever seen. Teal blue eyes, so troubled now, shadowed by terrible acts that would never be forgotten. Sometimes a man had to learn to live with evil deeds—horrible things that could not be altered—but that’s where the strength of the pack came into play.
“What happened is over. You ended it, Sebastian. Without you, he would still be killing innocent young women. Think of the good you’ve done, the fact that your bravery and your magic have ended a nightmare. It’s ended, now. It’s part of the past.”
Sebastian stared at the mountains bathed in moonlight. Just last night, he’d faced his own father on that mountain and had discovered strengths he’d never known he had. Anton wondered how that affected him, that experience with such power. Did he have his father’s need for more?
“No,” he said, smiling at Anton. “I seem to have come through last night’s experience with more power than I ever imagined. Your thoughts are clear to me. I couldn’t read you before unless you projected.”
“How?”
“The lightning that killed him. I drew it down and it struck Aldo, but I felt the blast ground through me before it hit the Berserkers. My father had worked a spell that would take my life force and add it to his. Somehow it appears to have reversed when he died. I’ve got my father’s magic, but not his darkness.”
“Amazing. Does Lily know?”
“Not yet. I’ve only just figured it out myself. I can feel the power. It’s not an easy melding, but I think it will settle down eventually.” He turned to Anton then and smiled. “I’m going to need some training. Are you up to the job?”
“I think so.” He felt the excitement growing. There hadn’t been such a fascinating challenge in his life for much too long, and he loved the idea of the chance to get to know Sebastian better. The boy had spirit. He was smart and he obviously loved Lily. It was hard to find any fault with that.
“Lily’s talking about taking a leave of absence, staying here until I learn more about being Chanku, about handling my magic. She wants me to get to know the pack, and for them to know me. Alex and Annie said they’d move into the Marina house for a while, take care of things for Lily at Cheval International.” He chuckled, sounding more relaxed by the minute. “Personally, I think Alex wants time with Annie far from her father. I don’t blame him. Tinker’s got a scary side.”
“Tinker works very hard to project that image, but Annie’s right. He’s a softie.” Anton sensed Keisha awake and waiting for his return. He pushed himself away from the railing and clapped a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. “You are a son any man could be proud of. Welcome to the family, Sebastian.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
“Just don’t ever disappoint Lily. She’s the one who matters.”
“Yes, sir.”
He headed back to Keisha, feeling terribly pleased with the way things had worked out. He’d often wondered if Lily would find a man who could challenge her. It appeared she’d found exactly what she needed.
Sebastian wasn’t certain how long he stood out there on the deck, leaning on the railing and watching the moon slide across the heavens, but he took the time to thank Eve, to honor the