The Price of Power

The Birth of the Hybrid

The night was blacker than usual. An eerie silence settled upon the air, and even the wolves near the boundaries were quiet. Legend says that when hell freezes over and the borders go silent, a demon hybrid is born. Tonight, the prince was being born—the first wolf/demon hybrid in over 350 years.

The waters turned to blood. Wildlife ceased to live. The air became stale and thick.

In the middle of the mansion bedroom, a tiny, petite woman lay sweating and crying as the life of her baby moved inside her belly. As another contraction hit, the father, Lucifer, leaned forward and wiped her forehead with a wet, cold washcloth. Ice covered the room, as hell had frozen, but the heat from birthing the prince was still unbearable.

With one intense push, he was born. Lucifer grabbed his son from the bed. Instantly, the ice thawed, and boiling water rushed through hell. The baby let out a scream that echoed through the vastness of the dimension and struck the very gates of heaven. Lucifer’s wife smiled and closed her eyes. As she did, a door in hell opened, and two angels appeared and gently took her with them.

Lucifer smiled, knowing she was safe and happy. He looked down at the child in his arms with amazement and love. “I will call you Dominick,” he said aloud. A loud thunderclap sounded, and the image disappeared.

The Demon’s Curse

As I lay on the couch, recovering from what Selene had done, she began to explain.

"Your mother was a witch, as you knew," she said quietly. "But your father was a Demon hybrid named Dominick."

As she spoke the name, Logan’s Beta, who shares that name, shot a worried glance at Logan, whose own face was etched with a mixture of anger and grim understanding.

Selene continued: When I was around three years old, my father placed a spell on me. No matter what age I was when I met my mate, that spell would start to turn my inherent power dark. This would allow him to have some control over me when this crucial fight begins.

My mother was made aware of this, and she took a great risk, running from him to get me to safety. She knew that he would eventually come looking for me because I am the only one who can affect his plans. I was born with certain abilities he doesn't possess, as well as powers my mother didn't have. With his blood and my mother's coursing through my veins, I am stronger than him, and he knows it. He is afraid if he can't control me, then he will lose to me. The ritual Selene performed removed his spell and now allows my pure power to flow freely.

Now, we need to find out what I am meant to do and see what is going to happen with this whole mate thing.

Logan's POV:

As I sat and listened to what was happening with Sarah, I couldn't help but want to hurt her father. The fact that he shares a name with my Beta is unsettling, and hearing about him reminds me of Dominick's father—ruthless, arrogant, and hell-bent on destroying all witches. Her father is a Demon, which means he is still alive, and I can find him once all of this is over.

As I had this thought, I felt a sharp tug at my brain. I looked up to see Selene with a smirk on her face, but shaking her head no at me. Well, I thought it was a good idea, but apparently, she doesn't agree with me. I guess he will get what is coming to him naturally.

As we continued to listen, I started to understand why every she-wolf I got close to would never work out, even when they were trying to force a connection. With the intensity of the bond we share right now, there is no way I could have ever been with anyone but her. The level of completeness I feel right now, without us even having mated, is astonishing. I honestly don't know what I would do if I lost her now.

Dominick (The Demon Hybrid):

Awe, look here, my little princess has found her mate, and the Moon Goddess has stepped in to help. I can only imagine that has something to do with that bitch of a mother. Oh well, I took care of Rebecca years ago. Now it's time to deal with my offspring.

Looks like I'm going to have to make some changes to my plan, but I know this much for certain: the outcome will not be any different. Soon, very soon, Sarah.

While sitting in the living room, Selene suddenly got a very worried look on her face, and her eyes went completely white, as if she were speaking to someone far away. While that happened, I heard a man's voice telling me, "soon, very soon, Sarah," and I screamed. I knew the voice wasn't from someone sitting right there with me, but from someone who was watching me and is coming.

When I screamed, Selene instantly came out of her trance and started chanting. I have a feeling I know who the voice belonged to, and I don't want to be right. He really is coming for me.

The Vessel

Logan's POV:

I could see and feel Sarah start to panic. Her hair turned pure black, and her eyes started to glow an emerald green. She developed a look of stone on her face, and her eyes and hair changed more the longer that Selene chanted. I didn't know if the two were related, but I knew that I was completely out of my element and needed to trust Selene.

When the chanting finished, Sarah’s hair and eyes stayed the same, and her attitude shifted to that of a more seasoned witch. Then she started to talk, and I instantly realized it wasn't Sarah.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Rebecca," the voice said, though it came from Sarah's lips. "Sarah is a vessel right now because I need all of you to hear me and listen to what I am about to tell you. Dominick tricked me years ago, and I have never regretted anything more than what I agreed to that day."

The woman—my mate—took a shuddering breath, her eyes blazing green. "Sarah is meant to either unite our worlds or break them. If she breaks them, then Dom wins, and she will cause a lot of damage and harm. She will have no control as her dark power will be in command, and she will not. If she unites us all, then she will bring forth a power so strong that no Demon or Wolf will ever be able to try and take hold again. Her fate rests with the choices she is going to have to make here very soon."

Rebecca paused for dramatic effect. "There is one catch, though: she has to mate with Logan and allow him to mark her."

Logan's POV:

While I listened to what Rebecca said, I couldn't help but feel bad for either choice Sarah makes. I know it is going to be difficult. She is a good mother and wife. She is either going to leave her family and come to me to mate and be marked, or she is going to try to stay and make me suffer for eternity. The suffering won't be on purpose, but it will happen nonetheless. Either choice is going to hurt someone.

"The choice will ultimately be up to Sarah," Rebecca's voice continued through my mate. "Know this, though: no matter what she chooses, she will need support from all who love and care about her. Even if she chooses her father and to tear this all apart, someone who loves her and really cares will be who can get close enough to end it if that is what is needed. Think about what I have said, and tell my daughter that I love her very much!"

As I felt my mother leave my body, I realized that I have a serious choice to make, and no matter what I choose, someone is going to get hurt—and badly. I don't want to be in charge of a decision like this, and I really just want to talk to my husband about it. I know that will hurt Logan, but I barely know my mate, whereas I have been married to my husband for half of my life.

As this thought left my head, there was a knock at the door. When the door opened, there stood Steven with a look on his face that showed he knew exactly what was coming. Apparently, Selene made sure that everyone involved, other than my father, knows what is going on and is here to help make this decision easier. I think the only thing that would make this easier is if someone else made the choice for me.

Now I really don't want to do this.