Dreaming of the Shifter (Shifter World - Book Five) (Series of 13 Short Stories)
Chapter Six: A Friend’s Death, Is Bittersweet

Sebastian Bensing walked up to the table with a bright smile. “Hey, guys,” he said as he looked around the table. “So, what is this? I don’t have a mate, so everyone has a party without me?”

“Bastian!” Dustin shouted as he got to his feet and gave his friend a man-hug.

Sebastian chuckled.

“We still don’t have a mate,” Daryl said, pointing to himself and Drezden.

“Neither do I,” Gerald said, holding up his hand.

“Oh, new people,” Sebastian said with a grin.

“Sebastian, this is Josie’s twin sister Maddy, her mate Rolando, and their friend Gerald,” Dustin said with a smile as he introduced Sebastian to the new members.

“Great to meet you all.” Sebastian grinned. “And I see Dylan found his mate,” he said, looking Pearl up and down.

Pearl smiled at him. “Hello, Sebastian.”

“Do I even get a mate?” he asked with a frown.

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Pearl said with a wide grin.

“Can’t even get a straight answer from a witch,” Sebastian grumbled.

Everyone at the table chuckled.

“What are you doing back so early?” Dustin asked.

Sebastian shrugged. “We decided to come home early. The tour wasn’t going as we’d hoped. And….” He paused as he looked around the room, then leaned in closer to them. “Did you know that Marry-Beth sold this place?”

Everyone at the table—except the three new members—burst into laughter.

Sebastian snorted as he stood up from the table. “Yeah, whatever, assholes.”

Dustin pulled his friend closer and looked into his irritated eyes. “We did, you dipshit.”

Sebastian’s eyes widened as Dustin let him go. “You? Holy fucking hell.” He laughed. “So, I guess we haven’t lost our spot here then?”

“Fuck no.” Dylan chuckled.

“Yeah, who are we going to throw tomatoes at?” Raj said with a grin, making the others laugh.

“Fuck you, Cunningham,” Sebastian snarled.

“Ah, poor panther, got his panties in a bunch,” Raj said, giving the other man kissy faces.

Everyone laughed, and Sebastian launched himself across the table. Drinks spilled, and the women squealed.

“Tate!” Sharissa hollered.

Tate appeared before them and grabbed Sebastian by the back of his neck. He yanked him off the table, which spilled even more drinks, then lifted Raj out of his seat.

“Hey, I didn’t do anything,” Raj complained.

“Take it outside,” Tate said as he dragged them to the door.

“What’s up with Sebastian?” Shar asked, shocked that their friend was acting so aggressively.

“Something isn’t right,” Pearl whispered.

A loud bang outside had their group on their feet and headed for the door.

“Keep everyone inside!” Dustin yelled at Tate.

Their group made it outside just in time to watch a panther take Raj down.

“Raj!” Lyvia screamed.

“What the fuck, Sebastian!” Dustin bellowed.

The panther turned to them; the gleam in his eyes made them back away. Shar took hold of Lyvia and pulled her back when she moved toward her mate.

The panther jumped at them.

Bridget stepped between the panther and the others.

“Stop!” the vampire shouted as she stared into the panther’s eyes.

The panther stopped and stared at her.

“Go see to your friend,” Bridget said, not taking her eyes off the panther.

The others moved around her and ran to Raj, who was just coming to.

“Raj,” Lyvia cried as she fell to his side.

“Fuck, me,” Raj said with a growl as Lyvia held him.

“What happened?” Dustin asked.

Raj shook his head. “I have no idea. I was laughing and told him that he knew I was just fucking with him, and, all of a sudden, he shifted and attacked me. When I didn’t go down the first time, he attacked again. That was about when you guys came out, I guess.”

“Shift,” they heard Bridget say.

Sebastian shifted to human form, and the vampire kept eye contact with him.

“Bastian, dude,” Dustin said as he moved closer to one of his closest friends.

“Don’t touch him,” Bridget hissed.

“He’s not himself,” Pearl said, watching the vampire and shifter.

“Who’s in there?” Bridget asked, concentrating on Sebastian’s eyes.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” his deep voice responded.

Everyone stared at Sebastian. That’s not his voice.

“I do; that’s why I asked,” Bridget said, irritation in her voice. “Now tell me!”

“Vampire!” the voice hissed.

“Warlock!” Pearl shouted.

Sebastian turned his head to Pearl, and Bridget cursed.

“Witch.”

“Get. Out. Of. My. Friend,” Pearl hissed.

The voice laughed as Sebastian’s head fell back. “What easier way to kill the Fated Mates than through one of their own.”

“You idiot,” Pearl sneered. “The Goddesses will know you did it and not Sebastian.”

“Besides,” Dylan said, moving to stand next to his mate. “The Goddesses won’t allow us to die, no matter who tries to kill us.”

The warlock continued to laugh.

“Didn’t you get the message?” Dylan asked as he moved toward his friend.

“What message?” the warlock asked, studying Dylan.

“The message she had me send to your kind, by way of wizard spirits,” Dylan said with a grin.

Pearl whispered some words as her hands moved in front of her. If she can get this right, they can end this. She’s so tired of dark witches and wizards.

“There’s been no message!” The wizard yelled.

“But there is,” Dylan said as he stopped in front of Sebastian—who was still somewhat under Bridget’s command.

“Your vampire won’t hold me forever,” the wizard growled.

“I’m so tired of the fucking dark side of shit,” Daryl growled.

“Makes you feel like we’re in a Star Wars movie,” Maddy mumbled.

“Or an episode of Supernatural,” Josie said with a chuckle.

“I don’t feel like I’m in no fucking movie or TV series,” Drezden grumbled.

“Sour puss,” the twins said simultaneously, then giggled.

“I’m going to kill you, then the rest of your brothers,” the wizard controlling Sebastian said.

“Not if we kill you first,” Pearl growled.

“You wouldn’t sacrifice your friend. That’s what made this the perfect plan!” the wizard hollered, then launched himself at Dylan.

“Dylan!” Pearl shouted as she tossed something through the air to her mate. “Go for his heart!”

Dylan caught the item and knew he could trust his mate. Whatever she’d given him will save them all. He looked at the weapon, which looked a lot like the bolt which had killed him earlier that day. He took a deep breath and slammed it into his friend’s heart.

Sebastian’s eyes opened wide as blood gurgled from his mouth.

“Sebastian!” Dustin yelled as he ran to where his brother held the dying man in his arms.

“What the fuck, Pearl!” Daryl shouted as he and the others ran to where Dylan stood, holding Sebastian up.

“Always knew a Kraftman was going to be the death of me,” Sebastian gurgled.

“Is he gone?” Dylan asked, his voice so calm it made him sound like he’d enjoyed killing one of his best friends.

Sebastian coughed up blood and nodded his head.

“Oh, Sebastian,” Shar cried as she turned away. She couldn’t watch him die…

“What have you done?” Dominic asked as he stared at his brother, then glared at the witch.

“It was either watch all of you men die or just one,” Pearl whispered.

“There had to be another way,” Lyvia cried.

“There wasn’t,” Bridget whispered.

Dylan slowly moved to the ground, still holding Sebastian.

“So, what happened to the wizard who was controlling him?” Raj asked.

“He’s dead,” Pearl said as she moved closer to Sebastian. “This was the only way to do it,” she whispered to him.

Sebastian snorted. “Thanks, babe,” he said, then sucked in a final breath, and his eyes dulled.

“Oh, God!” Shar cried as she fell to her knees.

Dylan laid his friend on the sidewalk.

“What was that thing you pulled out of thin air?” Dustin asked, looking at Pearl.

Pearl saw the hatred in the shifter’s eyes, but what did they expect her to do? Let the wizard kill all eight men? No, it was easier to kill one.

“It was a bolt, like the one the dark wizard killed Dylan with. Only this one killed the wizard who resided inside him. Idiot shouldn’t play with spiritual possession around a white witch.”

“Damn it, Pearl! Stop acting like this was so easy for you to do!” Daryl bellowed.

She looked at him. “But it was.”

Dustin growled and moved toward her—his fists clenched.

“Stop it!” Dylan shouted as he got to his feet and glared at his brothers.

“What the fuck, Dylan? She just killed our friend,” Dustin said, glaring at Dylan.

“Technically, I killed him,” Dylan said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It’s okay, Dylan,” Peal said as she moved around her mate and placed her hand on Dustin’s arm. “Please, Brother,” she whispered. “I knew what I was doing. He was going to kill all of you. Every male shifter mate, he hadn’t gotten the message yet. He has been with Sebastian, traveling here to get to all of you. Did you not hear what the Goddess said to Dylan? You five are their favorite. Along with your other halves. I had to help Sebastian….”

“Help him?!” Dominic bawled. “By killing him?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“I swear to God, witch. If you weren’t my brother’s mate….” Dustin stopped talking when he heard a noise.

They turned to Sebastian when they heard him take in a breath.

“Sebastian!” Dustin hailed as he moved to his friend’s side.

“Fuck.” Sebastian sat up and placed his hand against his head. “That is some funky ass shit.”

“What the fuck?” Daryl asked as he stared at their friend.

“He’s one of us.” Pearl smiled.

Every eye turned to her.

“You knew the Goddesses wouldn’t let him die,” Dominic whispered.

She nodded.

“So, I am a Fated Mate?” Sebastian asked, his eyes wide.

Pearl grinned. “I can’t tell you that.”

Everyone laughed.

“I knew she knew something.” Dylan moved to his mate and kissed her cheek. “I trust her.”

Dustin looked at Pearl, a sheepish smile on his face. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”

She smiled at him. “I understand, Dustin. Just remember that everything I do is to help our cause, not hurt it. I wanted to make sure the wizard never came after us again. Besides,” she said the last word with a wicked grin. “Don’t cats have nine lives, anyway?”

Sebastian snorted as the rest of the group broke into laughter.

“Okay, I don’t know about the rest of you, but this day has been too much.” Shar scowled. “I want to get drunk.”

“Amen!” Dominic hollered.

“I’m up for getting drunk,” Sebastian said as Dustin helped him to his feet. “As long as you lot are paying.”

“It’s on the house.” Dustin grinned.

Sebastian nodded. “Deal.”

Pearl stayed back and watched her new family pile back into the bar.

“Great thinking,” Dylan said from behind her.

She sighed with pleasure when his arms wrapped around her middle.

“It was purely selfish,” she said, laying her head back against his chest. “I couldn’t stand to watch you die again.”

He snorted. “Did the Goddesses tell you he was one of us?”

She looked up at him. “Dylan, my love, I was told hundreds of years ago who they all are. I just have to replace them.”

He smiled. “While replaceing your own.”

She sighed. “You were the first to come to me.” She turned in his arms. “You were but a boy the first time I saw you. I knew for hundreds of years who you were, and when you were born, I felt you. But I couldn’t go near you until it was time.”

He frowned, then his eyes lit up. “You’re the woman I saw watching us playing at the park. My brothers thought I was seeing things. But I kept telling them that you were real.”

She smiled. “The moment you saw me, I had to leave. You couldn’t come near me, not yet.”

He smiled, then he kissed her. “I love you.”

“And I you, Dylan Kraftman, more than words could ever say.”