Dark Heart of the Wolf
by L. Shannon

Dark Heart of the Wolf is the two part story of the destruction and rebirth of a vibrant man. 

Courageous and wild, Donnchadh falls instantly and deeply in love with young Cairistione. Together they find happiness, despite her family's fear and disapproval.  Her violent death turns him into a broken, dangerous man, tied to a family he feels he is destined to destroy. 

His only comfort comes from his distant, centuries long relationship with his twin children until the day he discovers Cairistione has been reincarnated.  He finally understands that they will have another chance at happiness if she overcomes her fear and agrees to tie herself to the man he has become.
Excerpt:

Death clung to him, to both his hide and his soul.

Cairi watched the wolf crawl into the dark security of the small cave. She could feel him seeking the death that would bring an end to his pain and guilt. His horrible wounds would heal if given enough time but the injuries to his body were nothing compared to those to his spirit.

She flowed into the tight space, wrapping herself around his shattered and torn heart, willing to do anything to ease his pain. Holding tighter, she reached out with her mind and joined his, reading his thoughts. Countering his fragmented pain with soothing love. Even as he shifted back to human form, she never loosened her hold. If she let go now, he would take his own life. She knew this and would do whatever was necessary to prevent it.

Their children would need him. Children that even now he mourned. She would forever be grateful to his brothers for saving the lives of the twins but now it fell to her to save the life of their father.

Despite her soothing efforts he reached for the wicked hunting knife at his side. He had taken many lives with that knife tonight and intended to take one more. Tears spilled from his eyes as his hand faltered, lacking the strength to draw the blade, to end his life, to reunite him with his mate. His bitter laugh and even more bitter thoughts tore through her. He would most likely never join her even in death, for if a soul's path depended on a man's deeds then he was damned for sure. Especially after this night.

Tears fell freely as he shook with wracking sobs. His arms wrapped about his drawn knees he thought about his Cairistione, the only heart he ever had.

She stroked the long black hair from his face and pressed her ghostly kisses to him. Still embracing him, she tried to fill his mind with kinder, calmer memories.

Odd how she was so much a part of him, the best part. Even now he could almost feel her arms holding him tight. Holding him together. And she blessed with a pure soul, never deserved her terrible fate. His strong and beautiful Cairi. Meeting her had been a light brightening his future.

Losing her burned out the light and left nothing but darkness.

“When we met...” Don felt the words deep within and they drew him into a memory that had no place in the darkness. The day they had met was bright and perfect in both life and memory and it tempted him to let go the pain and remember the joy of that day.

That day, the one they met, the beginning...




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