Hunter's Blood Special Edition (Cursed by Blood Saga) by marianne morea

for Lily, as
well. The event of a premature conversion increased the likelihood of Lily’s
blood becoming tainted, and the end result was unthinkable.
    Parr’s eyes held a sly glint as they
narrowed. “I know full well the risks, Doctor. Then again, what good is our
future survival if we have nothing anchoring us to our past?”
    The room exploded as factions
splintered. Fights broke out between rival groups. Old grudges and slights long
buried were once again unearthed, and chaos ensued.
    Sean howled, a long piercing sound that
brought the room immediately to order. He looked at Parr whose white teeth
flashed momentarily in triumph. His adversary had managed a stalemate, a
decision required of the Alpha Council. Parr’s smile said it all, it had
happened just as he wanted.
    Sean knew he had been set up. He
should have anticipated this, but he thought for sure that the security and
health of the community at large would supersede any past disputes.
    Now he knew he was wrong. Personal
gain and power was at the root of this—as if they weren’t up against enough.
    He howled again, but this time the
pitch was higher, resonating in multi-timbres. The community fell to its knees
in shock. It was the timbre of the Alpha, and its significance unquestionable.
Sean was pissed. “This meeting is recessed till midnight.” Storming out of the
room he left every Were trembling in his wake, but he didn’t care, he needed
time to think.
    Lily went to follow, but Rissa held
her back. “No Lil. He’s in Alpha mode, and he needs to be alone. This is a
serious. He needs time to weigh everything, and your presence would only make
matters worse. It’s going to be hard enough for him to be impartial, without
you adding to it. Why don’t you let Mitch and me walk you back?”
    ***
    Lily shut her bedroom door, slumping
against the jamb. She hadn’t said a word the whole way back, but Mitch and
Rissa were just as quiet, neither knowing what to say. They were just as
stunned. As she stood in the dark, Lily couldn’t help but wonder which way Sean
would decide. Maybe Parr was right, and she didn’t belong here.
    “Why are you standing alone in the
dark?”
    Lily whirled, snapping on the light.
“Terry! Jesus , Mary and Joseph… where have you been?”
    “Just giving you a little space,
that’s all.”
    “Space, really? You have no idea what
just happened. I could have really used someone on my side tonight.”
    “I gather it didn’t go as Sean
expected.”
    “To say the least...” Lily exhaled,
flopping down on the couch. “Sean honestly thinks this can work, but I don’t
know, Terry. I’m starting to think I don’t belong here after all. Maybe we
should just go home, perhaps Sean will decide to come with us.”
    Terry didn’t answer. She just looked
at her friend, a bittersweet expression on her face.
    “What’s the matter? Don’t you want
Sean to come? I thought you liked him.”
    Terry laughed, her eyes shining with
unshed tears. “Oh, Lil, I love Sean, and I know whatever happens you two will
be happy. It’s just,” she paused, struggling to find the right words. “It’s
time for me to say goodbye.”
    Lily sat straight up. “Goodbye? What
do you mean goodbye?”
    “I finished what I stayed to do, Lily.
You don’t need me anymore; you’re going to be all right.”
    Lily was speechless for a moment. She
didn’t need this bull right now. “You’re full of it, you know. What could
possibly make you spew such garbage? If tonight proves anything it’s that I
certainly do still need you. Don’t be an idiot, Terry, you’re not going
anywhere.”
    Her friend smiled sadly. “You don’t
understand. You’ve grown so much, and you don’t even see it. You’ve learned to
let go, Lily. You’ve gotten past it all and learned to forgive. Especially
yourself. You’re going to be okay, no matter what.”
    Lily just sat there stunned. “You’re
right, I don’t understand. Where are you going, then? Does Sean