1

Myths.

Henley

My stomach twists as I look out my bedroom window and see a familiar red Jeep pull into the driveway. It's ridiculous how excited I am about going to school, though maybe not so ridiculous when I think about the boy I get to see between each class.

Parker Thorne is my soulmate, the one person handpicked by fate just for me. And even though it's been a few weeks, the news still feels so exhilarating.

I rush down the stairs, ready to see him. Even though he stayed until nearly midnight last night, it feels like it's been forever since I last saw him. As I open the door, Parker is standing there, waiting for me. My heart races a little bit faster. My cheeks grow warm as I realize he can hear, but I don't really care. Judging from his smile, he's just as delighted as I am.

Parker steps forward, wrapping me in a tight embrace. I sigh, leaning further into him.

Thisis what soulmates are made of. The feeling of complete peace. Nothing is better than being in Parker's arms.

The sound of a throat clearing behind me has us breaking apart.

Parker extends his hand toward my dad. "Mr. Stone, nice to see you."

Dad shakes his hand. "Parker," he says curtly.

I nudge my dad with my elbow. "Dad, come on. It's Parker. Be nice."

Dad narrows his eyes at me. "I'm your father. I'm supposed to interrogate any guy you bring home."

"Yes, but he's my soulmate." I can't help but beam as I say the words out loud. "He's going to be around for a long time. So there is no need for you to go all fatherly on him."

Dad ignores me, looking instead at Parker. "You'll drive safe, right?"

"Of course," Parker says, nodding solemnly.

"Dad." I groan, rolling my eyes. "He's been giving me a ride for months now. It's fine."

"And you'll bring her home after school?" Dad asks.

"Yes. Or, er… actually, I was hoping she could come to my house after school," he says, then quickly adds, "My mom will be home."

Dad nods. "That will be all right. I will be at work, so I prefer the two of you have a chaperone."

My cheeks grow warm.

We may be soulmates, but we're still teenagers in high school. Apparently we're not trusted to be alone. Even Parker's parents and siblings have been watching us closely. We're rarely ever alone anymore.

"But be home by nine." Dad gives me a stern look. "It's a school night."

I grab Parker's hand. "Anything else you want to lecture us on, or may we leave for school now?"

Dad sighs. "Go."

I grin, tugging Parker after me toward his Jeep. He waves at my dad with his free hand. "See you later, Mr. Stone."

We're too far away for me to hear Dad's response, but I'm sure Parker can hear just fine with his shifter hearing. When we get to his Jeep, he opens the passenger side door for me. I turn to look at him, then I remember my dad is standing by the front door watching us. I smile at him and rush to get in.

My dad is going to be a problem. Why is he taking an interest now? He's always been too busy before.

Once I buckle my seatbelt, I grab the coffee that Parker's mom made for me and take a sip. I can't figure out what today's flavor is but it's delicious, as always. Parker gets in the driver's seat and smiles at me before taking off.

"I'm sorry about my dad." I hold the paper cup in my hands, letting it warm my fingers. It's still early fall, but it's already getting cool in the mountains.

"Your dad is fine." He reaches across the center console and grabs onto my left hand. He laces our fingers together.

I sigh at the feeling of peace that his touch brings. Though I've always felt like this about him, the feeling is magnified since the mate bond revealed itself. I didn't know it was possible to be this happy.

When we pull into the parking lot at school, I reluctantly let go of Parker's hand. While having Parker close helps, he can't protect me from the voices when we're not together. I dread the classes that we have to be apart from one another.

Parker opens my door and holds out his hand toward me again. "Are you okay?"

I force myself to smile and nod. He's already rearranged his schedule so he can be in more of my classes. Him knowing how miserable I am won't help.

Together, we walk up the cement stairs that lead to the school. When we walk down the hallway, the other students turn to watch us. They've grown used to us holding hands, but I know they're curious if we're together. I ignore them, knowing their thoughts will be overwhelming the second Parker lets go of my hand.

"Is this what I have to look forward to now?" Will's voice sounds behind us.

I turn around to face him and see that his nose is wrinkled as he looks between Parker and me.

Even though Will and I have a sort of truce between us, I'm glad to know he hasn't completely changed his point of view toward me. I like his sarcastic and, dare I say, bitter attitude. He makes life more interesting.

Parker chuckles and pulls me closer. I wonder what he's doing a moment before he kisses me. All other noise is forgotten the moment his lips brush against mine. My heart races and my stomach muscles clench in the best way possible.

I stand on the tips of my toes, trying to reach him better. I feel his hand cup the back of my neck.

"Really?" Will scoffs.

I jerk back from Parker. I lower my head, letting my brown hair make a curtain in front of my face. Hopefully it hides my red cheeks.

Parker puts his hand under my chin and gently nudges my head up. "Will's just jealous."

"I'd be jealous too. You're a fantastic kisser."

He laughs.

Will groans. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Parker frowns and I wonder what's wrong until I see him pull his phone out of his pocket. "Hello."

Will looks from me to Parker, concern on his face. He can hear whatever the person on the phone is saying perfectly fine, but I have no idea what's going on.

After a long moment, Parker sighs. "Fine. I'll be right there." He ends the call and slips his phone back into his pocket before turning his attention to me. "I have to leave. My dad needs my help with something."

"Oh. Okay." I chew on my bottom lip.

"But Will and Blaine will be here. If it gets to be too much, they can take you home." He pulls me into his embrace. "And I will see you after school."

I force myself to smile. "I'll be fine. Go. I know you have alpha duties to attend to. I'm sure Will can entertain me in your absence."

Will narrows his eyes. "Don't think I'll be nicer to you just because you're mated to my alpha now."

I stick my tongue out at him.

Parker puts his hands on my shoulders. "All right. I'll see you soon."

I wave him on. "Go. I'll be fine."

He bends over and kisses my forehead before he turns toward the exit. As soon as his hand leaves me, I hear a roar of voices in my head. I had almost forgotten we were in a crowded school hallway. But now, I know what everybody is thinking about…

That kiss.

Well, I think Parker just confirmed the dating rumors. And, unfortunately for me, it's all anybody is thinking about.

"Are you okay?" Will asks, taking a step closer.

I nod, but my head swims from the movement. I lean against the wall, trying to regain my equilibrium.

"Let's head to class," he suggests.

I step forward and Will puts his arm around me. I gladly let him take my weight, but our proximity has everybody talking even more.

I groan. "Don't they have anything else to think about other than my love life?"

"I don't know," Will says. "I'm not sure what humans like to think about. You have a better grasp on their thoughts."

"Half of the girls are jealous of me, the other half think I'm cheating on Parker with you."

Will rolls his eyes. "As if you're my type."

I laugh. "Thanks for keeping me humble."

To my surprise, Will actually laughs. I lean into his side, letting him take the bulk of my weight. I regret it as the move only makes the roar in my head louder. I groan at the throb in my skull.

"Vixen, you okay?" Blaine's voice has me looking up. "You look a little pale."

I know I must look as bad as I feel because Blaine isn't smirking. Instead, his eyebrows are turned down in concern. He takes a step closer like he wants to do something, but he can't. Nobody can help me except Parker and he's off doing his alpha duties.

"Is it too late to ditch?" I put my head against Will, closing my eyes at the wave of dizziness.

How could she cheat on Parker like that?

What's so special about her?

Henley looks kind of pale.

I wonder what Mom's making for dinner tonight.

Why is everybody so obsessed with Henley? It's not like…

Henley and Paker…

The nefarious three…

Henley…

Will…

Parker…

I feel something warm ooze from my nose. Before I can attempt to reach into my backpack for a tissue, something is pressed against my nose. I open my eyes and see Blaine standing in the middle of the hallway without his shirt on. His shirt is currently pressed against my face.

I grab the fabric and glare at him. "I have tissues. You didn't have to ruin your shirt for me. Trust me, the blood is impossible to get out."

He shrugs, flexing his muscles.

A couple of girls giggle as they walk by.

Blaine is so…

I close my eyes, trying to focus on something besides the thoughts of the hormonal teenage girls. It doesn't help. I get to hear what they think of Blaine's chest and arms in great detail. If I wasn't feeling nauseated before, I certainly am now.

"Do you want to leave?" Will asks, his brown eyes scanning my face. He looks like he wants to throw me over his shoulder and bolt out of here. And I want to let him do exactly that, but I can't. Parker can't always be here and I need to learn how to deal with all the noise.

I force myself to stand up, but I do keep a firm grasp on his arm. "Let's go to class."

Will hesitates but eventually nods when he sees the determined look on my face. "Fine."

"I'm going to go grab a shirt." Blaine winks at me. "See you fourth period, Vixen."

I wave at him, ignoring his flirtatious remarks. Part of me thought he would stop flirting with me since I'm soulmates with Parker, but I should've known better. Blaine likes to flirt. The fact that I am very taken only makes it that much more fun for him.

Will leads me toward our classroom. He doesn't even complain about the grip I have on his arm. I keep Blaine's shirt pressed against my nose, knowing the bleeding hasn't stopped yet.

"Are you sure going to class is a good idea?" Will eyes me warily.

"It's fine," I manage to mumble. I trip over my own feet and the only thing that keeps me upright is Will.

"Even if you could lie to a wolf shifter, your own clumsiness gave you away." He huffs loudly but still leads me to our first period class. We come in right as the bell rings and take our seats in the back. Everybody turns to look at us.

Henley…

Will is…

Blaine looked so…

Can't believe Parker…

Henley…

Will there be a pop quiz today?

Will…

This class is so boring…

Henley…

The noise reverberates in my skull, making the world spin.

"Will," I say quietly, but I know he can hear me. "I'm going to pass out."

I don't stay awake long enough to know if he catches me or not.

Parker

I hate leaving Henley at school without me. Dad knows it's torture for her to be there without me. Still, he called me away. I know he wouldn't do it if it weren't important, but sometimes I wish I weren't alpha. What if one of my younger brothers had been alpha instead?

I park my Jeep in front of the house. Dad is standing, waiting for me. I join in, not bothering to mention how annoyed with him I am. I know he already knows.

"Parker," Dad says.

I turn my attention forward, not bothering to listen to whatever he wants to say. I'm sure it would be some kind of apology, but I'm not in the mood.

"I called you because someone is snooping around pack land."

That has me turning to look at him. "What species?"

He hesitates before answering. "Something different."

"Different?" I raise an eyebrow.

"It reminds me of the way Henley smells, but it's different," Dad says.

I suck in a sharp breath. "You think there could be more like her?"

He shrugs. "There has to be, right? She was dropped off at the hospital by somebody."

Of course I know that. I just haven't thought of all the logistics.

Dad clears his throat. "You know, there are legends about creatures that can do what Henley can."

My head jerks up. "What do you mean? Do you know what Henley is?"

"Possibly." He clears his throat. "There are myths about phoenixes."

"Human myths," I counter, shaking my head. "She's not a phoenix. They aren't real."

Dad shrugs. "Human myths have some truth to them. There are myths about werewolves."

I snort. "We're nothing like the monsters portrayed in human fiction."

"But we are men who turn into beasts." He cocks an eyebrow. "And you have to admit, there are similarities between what Henley can do and the legend of phoenixes."

I open my mouth to respond when I feel something strange in my gut. It's… fear and pain, but it's not my own.

Henley.

I jump into my Jeep, ignoring my dad as he questions what I'm doing. I take off toward school, where Henley is. It takes me a good thirty seconds before I remember that I can mind link with Will and see what's wrong.

What is happening to Henley? Is she okay?I try to keep the panic out of my words, but I'm pretty sure I'm failing.

Blaine and I have her. We're on our way. We'll meet you at your house,Will responds.

My house.

They're coming.

I'll meet you halfway, I command, leaving no room for argument. He doesn't bother responding, which makes me think he agrees with my decision to meet them. It's then that I really begin to panic.

What happened at school after I left?

I press down on the gas pedal a little harder, wishing that I had Henley's teleportation powers. I don't want to wait another second to be with her.

It isn't more than five minutes when I meet Blaine's truck. I pull over on the side of the road and jump out, meeting Will halfway. In his arms, he carried Henley's limp form.

"What happened?" I practically growl the words as I reach them. I take Henley from his arms. She doesn't even stir at the movement, not even as my hand brushes her skin.

"She just passed out." Will's face is pale as he looks down at her limp form. "After you left, I could tell the voices were getting to her. Everybody saw the two of you kiss in the hallway and it was a lot. I tried to get her to leave, but she was stubborn."

The kiss. Of course that would cause an uproar. Do human teenagers seriously not have anything better to talk about than romantic entanglements that clearly don't involve them?

"After she got a nosebleed in the hallway, Blaine took off his shirt in the hallway, which didn't help things." Will grumbles.

I keep my eyes on Henley. "Why isn't she waking? She should be snapping out of it by now."

Will steps forward. "I don't know. It was pretty bad. Maybe she just needs some time to wake up. She already getting some color back to her cheeks."

He's right—she is significantly less pale, but it does little to ease my anxiety.

"Can you drive me back to my house?" I ask Will, unwilling to put down Henley.

"Yeah, of course." He runs to open the passenger side door for me.

"I'll follow," Blaine says.

I keep my eyes on Henley as we take off. Her brown hair is disheveled, so I push the waves back from her face. My heart pounds painfully in my chest as I wait for her to wake.

"You know she can't keep this up," Will says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

He waves his hand toward her unconscious form. "She needs to figure out how to block the thoughts of humans. She can't keep doing this to herself."

I sigh. "I know, but what can I do to teach her? We don't even know what kind of supernatural she is."

My mind goes back to my earlier conversation with my father. I didn't have time to think about it before I came for Henley, but maybe he has a point. Maybe phoenixes have stayed hidden from other supernaturals. I wouldn't blame them for that—history hasn't exactly been kind to powerful supernaturals. The Dragon War is proof of that. And, of course, the elves, which were completely wiped out of existence. If Henley is as powerful as I believe she is, her species was smart to stay hidden.

So how do I go about helping her with her powers? It's not like I want to alert others to her existence. What if they do think she's too powerful and they come after her? How many times can she evade death? There has to be a limit to these things.

"We have to protect her," Will says as if he can read my mind.

"Do you think we can talk her into homeschooling?" I ask.

Will snorts. "Not likely. She's stubborn. As long as we go to school, she will too. Unless you can convince your father to change his mind, there is no chance she'll stay home by herself."

He's not wrong. My mate is as stubborn as she is beautiful.

"We'll figure out something." Will stops the Jeep in front of my house. My dad is standing on the front porch and he runs toward my Jeep when it comes to a stop.

"What happened?" Dad asks when he sees me carrying Henley in my arms.

I narrow my eyes at him. "This is what happens when you force me to leave her at school. She needs me."

"I need you. You're going to be alpha one day and you need to know how to run this pack," Dad practically growls the words. "And when there is an unknown supernatural on pack land, I expect you to be here. Your mate will be fine. She is strong."

She is wrong.

As much as I hate to admit it, he's right. I do need to learn how to run the pack. I just hate leaving Henley.

"I'm sorry." Dad sighs. "I shouldn't yell at you when your mate is unconscious. Take her upstairs to your room and I'll call Steve."

Steve is our pack doctor. He's a magical healer, but he also has a medical degree. There is nobody better than him to take care of her.

Will rushes ahead of me to open the door to the house. I walk inside, Will and Blaine both following behind. Neither of them are willing to leave Henley's side until they know she's all right.

When we get to my room, I lay her on the bed. I take her shoes off and Blaine puts a throw blanket over the top of her. I sit down by her, taking her hand in mine. I'm not sure if physical contact will help her wake up sooner, but I don't want to take any chances.

"What was your dad talking about?" Blaine asks. "About an unknown supernatural on pack land."

He probably doesn't want me telling anybody, but this is Blaine and Will. I don't keep secrets from my best friends. And considering one of them will be around Henley when I'm not, I'd rather them know what's going on.

"Somebody has been on pack land. Dad said it's an unfamiliar scent, but that it reminds him of Henley." I keep my eyes on my mate as I say it.

Blaine gasps. "Seriously?"

"Do you think there are more like her?" Will asks thoughtfully.

I glance up. "There must be, right? How else would she exist?"

"If that's so, why doesn't this supernatural make their presence known?" Blaine asks. "Unless they're hiding something."

Which is what scares me.

Henley's parents obviously gave her to her dad for a reason. They knew exactly who was working at that hospital.

Will sits down on the edge of the bed, by Henley's feet. "We're going to have to keep an eye on her. This supernatural might be waiting to get Henley alone."

"My thoughts exactly." I frown. "We have to protect her."

"We will." Blaine steps forward. "I'll help in any way that I can. It's almost my parent's mating anniversary, so I'd prefer to be out of the house anyway."

Blaine's parents fight like crazy, but it always gets worse around their anniversary.

"You are always welcome to stay here," I tell him, though I know he will turn me down. He never stays more than a night or two. He worries his parents will try to kill one another if he's not there to stop them.

As I predicted, he shrugs, not committing either way.

"I'm going to head back to class," Blaine says. "You two will tell me when Henley wakes up?"

I nod but turn my attention back to Henley.

Just how long will it take for her to wake up?