Hunters of the Gods 5_The Countdown Read online

  Hunters of the Gods 5: The Countdown

  Alusia was on a mission of revenge when fate stepped in, revealing her mates as well as redirecting her destiny. The powers of the gods are strong, just as they have been revealed to her friends, but finally she is seeing the purpose to her life and all she has to offer, with the powers hidden within.

  Finding her mates and securing the bond helps Alusia to find her way as a warrior, as a witch, as a wolf, and as a woman destined for greatness. Her battle is a dangerous one, but ultimately it will prepare her for the war she will embark on alongside friends that have become her family.

  Genre: Fantasy, Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 25,302 words

  HUNTERS OF THE GODS 5: THE

  COUNTDOWN

  Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  HUNTERS OF THE GODS 5: THE COUNTDOWN

  Copyright © 2018 by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-017-2

  First Publication: March 2018

  Cover design by Les Byerley

  All art and logo copyright © 2018 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  Dear readers,

  Thank you for purchasing this legal copy of The Countdown. I hope you have enjoyed the mini series, and I look forward to our next adventure together. With twists and turns, some surprises, and added excitement for the final battle, I am sure you won’t be disappointed. In The Countdown, Alusia is one powerful, vigorous, compelling, and passionate character. She is a fighter, ready to take on some of the scariest most evil beings in order to protect those she loves, as well as to enforce pack laws and avenge her family’s deaths. May you enjoy her journey.

  Happy reading.

  HUGS!

  Dixie

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  People seem to be more interested in my name than where I get my ideas for my stories from. So I might as well share the story behind my name with all my readers.

  My momma was born and raised in New Orleans. At the age of twenty, she met and fell in love with an Irishman named Patrick Riley Dwyer. Needless to say, the family was a bit taken aback by this as they hoped she would marry a family friend. It was a modern day arranged marriage kind of thing and my momma downright refused.

  Being that my momma’s families were descendants of the original English speaking Southerners, they wanted the family blood line to stay pure. They were wealthy and my father’s family was poor.

  Despite attempts by my grandpapa to make Patrick leave and destroy the love between them, my parents married. They recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

  I am one of six children born to Patrick and Lynn Dwyer. I am a combination of both Irish and a true Southern belle. With a name like Dixie Lynn Dwyer it’s no wonder why people are curious about my name.

  Just as my parents had a love story of their own, I grew up intrigued by the lifestyles of others. My imagination as well as my need to stray from the straight and narrow made me into the woman I am today.

  Enjoy The Countdown and allow your imagination to soar freely.

  For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Epilogue

  Landmarks

  Cover

  HUNTERS OF THE GODS 5:

  THE COUNTDOWN

  DIXIE LYNN DWYER

  Copyright © 2018

  Prologue

  “Who is the king? The wolf who is forcing the destruction of were packs across the United States, the one who helped you abduct Avi, the Alphas’ mate?” Rule demanded to know.

  Collink and Mosek Shay were in a dead stare at Rule as Temerec, Law, Preston, Lodge, and Puello stood to the side. They had just begun to interrogate the two wolves after rescuing Avi with her mates, and then bringing the two wolves to a secure location.

  Preston’s phone had been going off, but he refused to answer. It was Claspen, one of the leaders in the Circle of Elders. Word was out that they caught Avi’s abductors, that Shay pack members were killed as they resisted the invasion on the estate and compound, and an investigation was underway. They were short on time, and word was that the Circle questioned Saint pack and Keuric packs’ decisions to invade despite the evidence surrounding Shay pack. They could issue the order to release Collink and Mosek to them until their own investigation was done and information revealed. If they didn’t break these two wolves down now, then they could lose the lead they had.

  “We have nothing to say. You are nothing to us,” Collink said through clenched teeth as he tried moving his arms, but they were chained to the chair.

  “That’s where you are wrong. Saint pack and Keuric pack are the top packs in this area. We are the leaders. Your pack no longer exists, and your fathers, they have a lot of things to answer to before the Circle,” Preston replied.

  “The Circle,” Mosek said, and snickered as if that term, the organization itself, was a joke. “You keep following the old ways. When the master comes you’ll see,” he added.

  “Mosek, enough. They took Avi, give them nothing, and we can sit back and watch them die,” Collink said.

  “Who is the master?” Puello asked, giving Mosek a shove to his chest.

  Mosek’s eyes changed in color to a very evil looking reddish yellow. “You’ll find out, and when you do, it will be the end for all of you.” He started to really yank on the chains and roar out in anger when the door burst open and a series of soldiers, guards to the Circle of Elders, came into the room.

  The leader, Emeril spoke up. “Enough. We are here to take the two brothers into custody to be questioned,” he stated as his men began to unlock the chains on the two wolves, and then place them into secured cuffs with long chains that connected from ankles to their wrists.

  “We were interrogating them just fine,” Preston stated.

  Emeril looked at him. “You’re disregarding calls from Claspen. He is not happy with any of you. An investigation needs to be done in the proper way. That’s our jobs, not yours.”

  “Well, your pack isn’t part of the ones being crucified and attacked. A mate, and not the first one, has been taken against her will and these men tried to forcibly mate her. That’s an automatic ruling of death,” Preston replied.

  “If it is proven,
but that has yet to be established by the proper authority on this.” Emeril looked at his men who had the prisoner secured. “Get them to the van.” The men began to move out Collink and Mosek, but the others from Saint and Keuric packs stood in the way. “You do not want to do this,” Emeril stated firmly.

  “Step aside, men. When they get to the bottom of this and find the answer we are looking for, then they will inform us,” Preston said, and the men stepped aside and watched the guards take away the only clues they had to who this master was and what he was after.

  “Now what the fuck do we do?” Rule asked.

  “We do what we all do best—investigate and make plans to attack the leads we do have with full force and get to the bottom of this quickly before someone else gets hurt or killed that we care about,” Preston said, then looked at Puello. “Call for a meeting. We need to take action. I’m going to call Claspen back right now.”

  * * * *

  “I bring forth a ruling to strengthen the army, power, and free authority of the Hunters of the Gods to greater pursue the enemy of all were packs. We have held back on old rules and regulations far too long. Deaths are rising, so are the number of rogue wolves emerging throughout the United States and in Europe. At this rate, Saint pack and Keuric pack will be annihilated,” Claspen, one of the high rulers stated before some of the members. Not everyone was here, and rarely did all fifteen members come together at one location. It was done for security measures.

  However, Claspen was wondering if they would all be in danger sooner than later. His conversation with Preston Saint had been enlightening. There seemed to be a mix of information getting to the Circle. He had to be certain what sources were accurate and what could be deemed as suspicious. It wasn’t easy. With all the fears and uncertainty as to who was ordering these attacks, no one could be trusted. He respected the Alphas’ of both Saint pack and Keuric pack as they have been the ones to initiate counterattacks, uncover transfer stations and other illegal facilities assaulting and killing innocent were. They also had many members, children in fact, who were part of various armies including Hunters of the Gods. They were privy to things most weren’t, and he felt a little uneasy only because there was so much danger around.

  “You’re overreacting. Yes, the recent violence against Saint pack and Keuric pack Alphas’ mates has been upsetting, but the women returned alive and well. The fight is progressing and Keuric pack and Saint pack are building up their armies, their followers. They have the resources and connections to pursue further investigation into where the danger stems from and by whom. I say allow them to continue,” Vibes replied.

  “And by doing so, Vibes, are we all accepting that eventually Keuric pack and Saint pack will control everything?” Libertin asked.

  “Not everything, but obviously they are meant to be the ones standing, the ones with great power and authority over the land and all existing packs, for good reason. They enforce were laws, follow them in all they do. There haven’t been any controversial issues with either family ever. They are strong, capable warriors. The kind any council would want as leaders in any fight,” Claspen said to him and Vibes, who now squinted as if trying to understand the situation and make a decision.

  Libertin was a bit more pompous and cold. “Power that can go to their heads, and lead them on the same path as the ghosts we are trying to identify and fight? This has the makings for disaster, and in the end our destruction,” he countered.

  Claspen narrowed his eyes at him and then exhaled. “We have the final say. We are the Circle, the ones who establish the rules of were and enforce them through our various organizations. What we discuss here will be forwarded to the other members for final decision. Keeping in the loop of things is important.”

  “Not if the Alphas’ of saint and Keuric packs continue to make their own judgements and decisions based on their objective, which we don’t know what that is exactly. They had no right to invade Shay pack territory. They brought on the dispute as they took in weres of Merick pack and Shay that had left their packs. They are building an army, and you sit here and think we should just allow them all this control and authority? The Circle makes such decisions. I do hope Emeril and his men got to the interrogation location before the Alphas could kill Mosek and Collink. They had no authority to do that. It’s concerning, Claspen,” Libertin stated.

  “They are Hunters of the Gods. They have power and authority especially as a mate was taken against her will, children held hostage, and a complete disrespect to their authority and ours took place. The top authority handled the situation and it was resolved quickly and with few deaths,” Claspen replied.

  “The top one being Hunters of the Gods. I remind you, and therefore the power is in their hands. My concern is for the future of the Circle and this land. The were people,” Libertin stated.

  Vibes cleared his throat. “Might I add, that the Keuric pack and Saint pack Alphas have recently found their mates, women of great importance, and power. They can and are assets to the were community, and it would be best to keep them in our good graces. We don’t even fully know the powers they hold, so it would be wise to keep in control here as much as possible,” Vibes said to them.

  “See what I mean? You are already ready to bow down before them. To their women no less. The Alphas stand as the warriors, the leaders of all packs, of each pack, and the power the laws of the wolf must be maintained and enforced. How can that be done when we have not even met these women, learned of all their powers, or have even confirmed they’re all involved? What secrets are they withholding? Why is Cable’t Goustou constantly at the estate? A vampire like him? The power that vamp has is immeasurable, never mind associates of his,” Libertin stated.

  “Buschool the vampire has been seen with Bider, Viper, Scor, and their new mate, Avi. Why is that? Is there some sort of conspiracy going on? Perhaps some double crossing of their own against the Circle, and the gods? The Alphas, all of them have been secretive,” Libertin stated.

  “What is to confirm? The mating is in process. Their Alpha fathers have confirmed it. The vampires you mention are not enemies of their packs or of the Circle. Cable’t and Buschool have both assisted in investigations from time to time and are respectful,” Claspen replied.

  “Respectful? How about sneaky and untrusting. No vamp ever does anything out of the goodness of a heart they don’t have. They infiltrate, look to get what they can from whomever they choose as a victim, a weak prey. I am not and will not be prey to vampires. Sure, what you say is true about them assisting and being cooperative from time to time, but it is another thing to constantly be around the Alpha wolves and their mate. I don’t like it or trust it, and never meeting the Alphas’ mates myself, I don’t trust them either. We need not be complacent. There is darkness around us, and evil permeating the walls of packs, destroying them from within. Every decision we make can affect the final outcome, Claspen,” Libertin stated firmly.

  “They are loyal to the Circle. To the ways of were laws and regulations. All of them are warriors. Both Keuric and Saint Alphas sent their sons off to fight the great fight and destroy enemies from afar, keeping them from getting too close to our land,” Vibes said to them.

  “Have they confirmed that Preston Saint and Heracio Saint share their mate Alexandra, a woman with powers, with a bloodletter?” Libertin asked.

  Claspen and Vibes were both shocked at the news. There was some gossip floating around about Cable’t Goustou hanging around the Saint estate at night, and even remaining in the house of the Alphas with their mate Alexandra.

  “We need to take this more seriously then, the rogue wolves popping up, and the little battles between the Hunters of the Gods and these transfer stations. I’m telling you both, my sources indicate that there is trouble building from within, and a bloodletter potentially sharing a mate to Alphas as important as Preston Saint and his brothers is need for concern. I don’t think it is coincidence that a witch was involved, or that sorcerers and black
magic detected by local were packs either. Something is brewing, and the place to start looking is at the Saint pack and the vamp who is awfully close to those wolves. We all know vampires can’t be trusted. How could you respect wolves that would share their mate with a bloodletter? It isn’t normal, or acceptable,” Libertin stated.

  Claspen looked at Vibes and then at the notes in front of him.

  “It isn’t unheard of either,” Claspen said, and then exhaled.

  “However, considering the circumstances and the bloodshed, I suppose this information needs to be investigated. Put men on Goustou. Have some people keep watch of the Saint Alphas and the Keuric Alphas and who they interact with. I would hate to believe that these wolves who have always been so noble and just, are the ones responsible for all the acts of violence and destruction of were packs.”

  “Would you really be that surprised, Claspen? Considering that they already hold the greatest power, their mates they have chosen are blood connections to important packs not only in the United States but in Europe? They could be slowly building a monopoly that eventually will overpower all other packs and authority, giving them ultimate power over all. Perhaps the evildoers are they,” Libertin suggested.

  “By the gods I hope you are just paranoid, Libertin. Saint and Keuric packs have never given any problems, or any reasons to make the Circle think they are being untruthful or corrupt in their ways. They were the first packs to allow their sons, lead Alphas, future rulers, to go off and fight against the evil.”