Willow's Choice

Nineteen

I smiled as I stared down at my family from the top of the stairs.

I felt Valor's familiar arms glide over my hips as he held me against him, planting a kiss on his mark.

I turned, smirking at his display of affection.

"You are so persistent." I whispered to him.

"I will forever remind you of how loved and appreciated you are." He answered.

I smiled at his words as we walked downstairs.

"Holy shit!" I heard in my mother's voice.

I turned in confusion as she pointed at me.

"What happened to your hair?!" She asked.

"I'm not quite sure. I shifted and my wolf was black and I guess my hair is too." I said.

"Damn, I've never realized how much you look like Dad." James whispered.

I chuckled as Valor pulled me under his arm.

"I think she looks even more stunning." Valor voiced.

I smiled as I sat with him in the couch, my mother handing Ava back to me and I held her, her big eyes opening as I smoothed the pad of my thumb over her cheek.

"She looks so much like you. So beautiful." I told Valor as I stared down at our daughter.

"I hope she has your spirit. She'll be unstoppable in the pursuit of what she loves." He said.

I kissed his lips softly and he stood up.

"Where has Pierre and Kieran gone?" Valor asked.

I noticed all the men were gone and I was confused.

"Ugh, they swore they saw a man outside the window. They went to go check it out." My mother said rolling her eyes.

I stared at Valor and he made to move, when suddenly the glass door to the patio shattered and I heard Valor's hiss.

I clutched Ava, covering her from any of the glass that rained as the windows of the house continued to break and just as soon as it began it was over.

I looked up, frozen as I saw Valor clutching his arm, but it wasn't a bullet that had hit him, it was a dart and he plucked it from his arm, bringing the tiny glass vile to his nose, his eyes darkening as he tossed it to the side and gripped his arm.

"You all need to get away from me. Tie me down, anything." He whispered, backing himself against the wall.

I was confused but, a gust of wind drafted through the door, and the scent hit me.

Human blood.

"Upstairs. Now. Go! Lock yourselves inside our bathroom!" I ordered as I kissed Ava's head and handed her to Raven.

She nodded and immediately went upstairs, my mother, Aunt Alina, Giselle, and Lily hesitated.

"Go! Now." I hissed as I watched Valor slide down against the wall, hissing as he clenched his fist, his guttural instincts beginning to take over.