Legend of the Lupa
By
Kimberly Hunter 

Prologue
120 BC, In What Is Now France

“Are you sure, Diona?”

Diona smiled, seeing Nikos in the man before her, his son in every way. “I’m sure. I made this puzzle box so you could give it to your True Mate as a First Mating gift.”

“But this is too much,” he protested. “Surely such a valuable creation should stay with you, to hand down in your family.” He eyed the beautiful and exquisite box in his hands, noting the craftsmanship of every inlaid stone wolf and gold accent.

“At my age, I can pick and choose what I wish my family to have. This,” she pointed to the box, “was made for you long before you even knew you had a True Mate.”

He looked at Diona, understanding then why she was giving him the box. He nodded in acceptance.

“Good.” A smile wreathed her weathered and wrinkled face. “And when your time as Alpha draws to a close, this box will go to the next Alpha for the same purpose as I’m giving it to you. Understand?”

He nodded again, having the feeling that the box in his hands was a lot more than it seemed. And being the Pack’s most powerful seer, Diona seldom did anything without a reason. But he wouldn’t question her motives. All would be revealed, of that he was certain.

“Off with you then.” She waved him away. “Your True Mate is probably wondering where you are.”

He chuckled, used to her abrupt manner. “Yes, ma’am.” He turned to leave.

“And Rynn?”

He paused. “Yes?”

“I expect many babies from you and your True Mate.”

He winked at her. “Anything for you, Diona.”

She snorted at his playfulness, shooing him out her door. He was so like his father, she thought, hobbling over to her hide recliner on the hard packed dirt floor.

After she eased her old bones down, she took a last look around her home, knowing it wouldn’t be long before she too ended like Nikos and his True Mate, Tala. Both gone now, but not forgotten. She had made sure of that.

She must have dozed because when next she looked, Neena was standing in front of her, a wild and crazed look in her sky blue eyes.

“Are you ready, old woman?” Neena sneered.

“I always knew this day would come. Knew it the moment I saw you,” she replied calmly, not afraid to die. Her work on this plane of existence was done.

“Knew I would win, did you?”

Diona smiled sadly. “So you think you have won?” she shook her head. “No, Neena, you haven’t won. Only postponed the inevitable.”

Neena growled, taking a menacing step closer. “What are you talking about, old crone? I’ve killed everyone who knew about your prophesy. Even that bitch Tala, though loosing Nikos was hard, Tala still had to die. And I’ve made sure both torques will never be found. Now the only one left is you. Once you’re gone, I’ll be safe to take the Pack like I was always meant to.”

Diona shook her head again, this time with great sadness. “You were never meant to lead the Pack, Neena. Your greed and jealousy have clouded your mind.”

“No, old woman.” She reached down and grabbed Diona with one hand, brandishing a knife in the other. “It’s you who has the clouded mind. Spouting your lies, turning Nikos against me. If it wasn’t for you, we could have ruled it all,” she growled, her eyes starting to glow with blue fire.

“You’ll never win. No matter what you do or where you go. The Pack will never accept you as their leader.” Diona tried one last time to make her understand.

Neena clutched the knife tighter, raising it to strike. “The Pack will accept me. They will, for I am the strongest, the most powerful. I’m the one who was born to lead. Me!” Then she plunged the knife into Diona’s chest, piercing her heart. “Only you won’t be around to see me rule.”

“Nor…will you,” Diona gasped, her own blade stuck deep in Neena’s side. It was her last act to save her Pack and ensure their safety. At least for now.

Neena looked down at the blade piercing her flesh, letting Diona’s lifeless body fall to the floor.

“No,” she whispered, feeling her life’s blood drain away. “No!”

She pulled the blade out and let it clatter to the floor then fell to her knees, looking at the dead seer.

“You think you have defeated me.” She laughed, coughing up blood. “No, old woman, never. For this I vow on my own blood, I’ll return until I get what is mine, even if it takes me eternity.” She swore as a chill wind blew into the room. “Nikos and the Pack are mine. You hear me. Mine!” she screeched then doubled over as a wave of pain sliced through her, clutching where the blade struck deep.

She could see her blood soaking the dirt floor as it poured from her body, taking her life with it. Then, as the last breath left her dying body, one word escaped. “Nikos.”

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