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Belonging – Prologue
As Brad watched the three Cains devour their porterhouse steaks, he realized he should have added a couple hundred bucks to the cost of his information, just to cover dinner. They were outside a steakhouse in Dallas. The June heat meant they had the patio to themselves, which was good for privacy, but it also meant the Cains were on their second pitcher of beer—and only two of them were old enough to drink. Seventeen-year-old Carter had already gone through a pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade and looked ready for a second. Brad was waiting until they’d eaten a little more before presenting his offer. It was never wise to interfere with a werewolf and his meal, and that went double for Cains. Brad was a werewolf himself, but at five-foot seven and a hundred and fifty pounds even the youngest Cain dwarfed him. The older two could eat him for dinner, then go looking for dessert. It was Carter who slowed first. He was small for a Cain, barely over six feet tall, maybe two hundred pounds. Good-looking enough that the teen server had been eying him. Must take after his mother—the Cains weren’t known for their looks. Or for their brains, and in this regard, Carter was definitely part of the family. “You said you’ve got information on some kid of Uncle Zack’s. But this here—” He pointed at the scrap of paper. “—says his last name is Souza, not Cain.” “He wasn’t raised as a Cain,” the boy’s grandfather—Theo—said. “That’s why Brad here is offering to help us get him back.” Theo was the clan patriarch. Also the brightest of the bunch, which wasn’t saying a lot, but it helped. Carter was the son of Theo’s youngest. The thirty-something guy between them was Nate, the son of Theo’s oldest. Zachary had been his middle child. Dead ten years now, when he got the damned fool idea to join an uprising against the Pack. Zack’s only known son had been killed by a rival werewolf a few years ago. The old man had taken that hard. Now Brad was offering him a replacement . . . with bonuses. “You say the boy was part of an experiment?” Theo said as he finished his steak. “Making him into some kind of super-werewolf?” “Exactly. The St. Cloud Cabal was running a secret experiment to genetically modify supernaturals in vitro, eliminating side effects and enhancing the powers of sorcerers, witches, necromancers, half-demons . . .” Three pairs of eyes glazed over. Brad wasn’t sure if they didn’t understand or they just didn’t care. Both equally likely. Most werewolves took no interest in either Cabals or other supernatural types. It was only when he added, “And, of course, werewolves,” that the Cains perked up again. “How many of these super-werewolves are there?” Theo asked. “Your grandson is the only subject left.” “Were the others Zack’s boys?” Theo asked. “I don’t know. I was hired to track four escaped subjects and bring them back to the study. They only told me the absolute basics.” “I don’t get it,” Carter said. “If you’re taking all the kids back, how do we get this guy?” “Brad isn’t returning them all,” Theo said. “He’s giving us the opportunity to take Zack’s boy first.” “Oh.” Carter still sounded confused. To be honest, Brad didn’t blame him. It was confusing and it raised lots of questions, but Brad had known better than to ask them. As far as most supernaturals were concerned, the Cains were representative of the entire breed. Dumb brutes who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time. Sometimes it was better not to disabuse them of that notion. Brad was just glad Theo didn’t ask exactly what modifications they’d done to the boy. He didn’t know—it hadn’t seemed wise to take too much interest. Theo, though, seemed happy with “super-werewolf.” “Are you sure he’ll Change?” Theo said. “That tinkering might have screwed him up. Nothing worse than a werewolf that can’t Change. Happened to a cousin of mine. Ripped him right apart.” “He’s already Changing.” “At sixteen?” Theo looked impressed. Carter scowled. Obviously he hadn’t started shifting into a wolf yet. Sixteen wasn’t unheard of, but it was early. “He’s smart, too,” Brad said. “Genius smart. Taking college math already.” “That’s just book smart,” Carter said. “Don’t mean nothing.” Only it did, and judging by Theo’s expression, he knew it. His clan had muscle and they had numbers. All they needed was brains. If this kid had that—in addition to other enhancements—he could be just the ticket to make the Cains serious contenders to the Pack. “Are you sure he’s Zack’s boy? I can’t see my son getting mixed up in some mad science experiment.” “He didn’t realize he was. He was seduced by a subject and seems to have died without realizing he had another son.” “So are we sure he’s Zack’s then?” It was Carter asking now, and by his tone, he really hoped the answer was no. Brad laid a photo on the table. “This was taken a few months ago.” Like Theo and Nate, the boy in the picture was dark haired with green eyes. And he was big—over six feet already, with shoulders almost as broad at the doorway behind him. His hair was shaggy, hanging in his face, which wasn’t such a bad thing, considering the state of his skin. If all that didn’t confirm he was a Cain, the scowl did, a perfect match for the one now on Carter’s face. “Uncle Zack had light hair,” Carter said. “I’ve seen photos.” “He took after his mother,” Theo said. “The boy is Zack’s. He has his eyes.” The old man’s voice softened as he picked up the picture. “You can keep that,” Brad said. “I also have some newer ones from my surveillance.” He laid those out. “I couldn’t get close enough for a good shot, even with a telephoto lens, but he’s had his hair cut and his skin is clearing, probably as his hormones settle after his Change. Still, he’s easy to spot.” “And you know where he is? And that he’ll still be there when we arrive?” “If he isn’t, come back and I’ll track him again. But he’s been living in this rented house for two months with his foster father, one of the doctors from the experiment and three other kids.” Brad eased back and let them look at the photos. “So, all that’s needed now is a yes and a cash payment. I’ll give you the address right now. Plus a sure-fire way to catch him.” “He’s sixteen,” Nate said. “We can catch him.” “Don’t be so sure. He’s smart and he’s a good fighter. You know a werewolf named Liam? Runs with a guy named Ramon?” “Heard of them,” Theo said. “Some folks hired them to track down your grandson. That’s why the St. Clouds hired me—they knew Liam and Ramon managed it, so they figured another werewolf could do the same. And they can’t hire Liam again . . . because he’s dead. Your boy killed him. His first challenge and he took down an experienced werewolf, and made another one decide he didn’t want the job anymore.” Now Theo was practically beaming. Too bad Brad already set the price. He probably could have doubled it. “But you know a way to catch him?” Nate said. “I do.” Brad slapped another photo on the table. A smiling teenage girl with blue eyes and blond hair streaked with red. “Cute,” Carter grunted. “Let me guess, this guy has a crush on her.” “More than just a crush. It’s his girlfriend.” They looked surprised. The cute smiling girl definitely did not seem like a romantic match for the scowling brute in the other photos. But Brad had done enough surveillance to be sure of his facts. “She’s another subject, one who escaped with your grandson and his foster brother. She’s a necromancer.” Carter’s face screwed up. “A what?” “Someone who can speak to the dead,” Theo said. “Like the Alpha’s girlfriend. The one on TV.” “She’s hot,” Nate said. “Little young for you,” Carter said, still eying the photo. “I meant the one on TV,” Nate said. “So the kid’s got it bad for this girl?” “He does, and he already has a werewolf’s protective instinct in spades. He’s the same way with his foster brother, which would be the backup plan, but the brother is a sorcerer and knows self-defense. A necromancer has no defensive powers and this one’s a tiny thing. She’s his weakness. That’s how Liam and Ramon got close enough to fight him. They made a tactical mistake, though. They settled for teasing and threatening her, which only pissed the boy off enough to fight. If you want him, you just need to take her. He’ll come running.”
The Cains paid. Didn’t haggle over the price, either. They even covered dinner. As Brad watched them struggling to calculate the amount of the tip, he felt a little sorry for Derek Souza. Being handed over to the Cains wasn’t a fate he’d wish on anyone, especially a bright kid like that. But business was business, and family was family. A werewolf belonged with his kin, whoever they were.
515 Responses to “Belonging – Prologue”
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duuuuude this is great derek is gunna kick sum asssss!!!!!
i know!!!hope theres another book ASAP
same. It would be great to hear more about Chloe and dereks romance <3
My friend told me that another book is coming out about the characters from the gathering and these meeting.
I like Chloe with Simon, I don’t about the rest of you Darkest Power fans out there. I just can’t get enough of these books!:)
I hope there’s a book on Chloe and Derek’s love coming out soon! Its soooo good!!!!!
RIGHT? I TOTALLY WANT THAT TOO! <3<3 DEREK<3
I totlay agree .I can’t wait.
ikr!!!they are so cute!!!
I can’t wait to read some more about Derek, Chloe & the gang! I wish Derek and Chloe could go to the Pack. I think Jeremy would help Derek and Jaime could help Chloe. They already have those other 2 young werewolves; Reese & Noah. I just love all these storis and I can’t wait for more!!
who is Reese, Noah, Jeremy and Jamie? Please help!
Wait, wait, wait. What books are those in? Or are they short stroies? I thought the only (other than the Darkest Powers Series) YA novel out by Armstrong is The Gathering.
look into her non ya books and you will find them. there great to.
Reese, Noah, Jeremy, and Jaimie are all from Kelley’s “Women of the Otherworld” series. It takes place in the same universe. It’s not YA so there’s more graphic content (i.e. sex, violence, gruesomeness, etc.). I recommend them, but consider yourself warned if you’re not sure you’re ready for that yet.
Jeremy is the Alpha of the Pack.
Reese and Noah are young werewolves.
Jaimie is a celebrity necromancer.
omg~! im sooooo excited, the next chapter comes out day before my 18th birthday~!!! what a present~!!! Thank you sooooooo much Ms. Armstrong, i love ChloexDerek and i love YOU~!!!
More, you must tell us more. I’m begging you here.
Dude!!! Is this gonna be a real book or just on the internet? Cuz I’d really love to read the book if it is not that I don’t love the internet. I practically live on it
I think Kelly plans to take down this short story when she’s done with it. So far it’s not definite but more likely.
Can’t wait until I get the next book! Yay!
OMG
WHEN IS D NXT ONE PUBLISHED???
omgosh!! <3 when is the next one coming out?!!!! i cried when i finshed The reckoning because i wanted more!!! so i can't wait!! i think i might of read September somewhere? i hope not though, i hope it comes sooner. :[
WHENS THE NEXT ONE? I MUST KNOW!
Oh my god ! Bad choice to mess with Derek . When will the next be ??
You mean the next chapter? Chapters are posted on the 1st and 15th of every month. Kelly might post earlier if we are lucky. You know that she’s already up to chapter 10 though right?
Do you know where we can read these chapters then because I can’t find them!
omg where !!!!!!
OMMMGG!! will this be a book?????!!!!!!!!! i cannt wait for more derek and chloe!!!!!!
omg i am like in love with this series and ive read it so many times and evry time its still amazing and i swear itll never ever get old. but i cnt stp crying evrytime i finish.
I am literally on the edge of my seat while reading this. Waiting for this book is unbearable for me, and I hope it will be out soon.
This is awesome!!!!!!!!! Boy are they going to get a surprise, Derek does’t play around when it comes to Chloe or Simon!!!!!!!!! I love all of Kelley Armstrong’s work! I was hoping another edition to the Darkest Powers trilogy!!!!!!
Mess with the bull get the horns,
Mess with Chloe get Derek’s teeth(and claws)
I can’t wait until the next Darkest Powers book is out(or is it actually called Darkness Rising? the one with Maya and Rafe)
also mess with Choe get Simon Tori and mr.Bea’s spells get wonked on the head by
Liz carring a plank of wood and get lauren fellows to shot ya to Canada(were i can
finish puverizing the after a bite to the neck!!!;)
his name is Kit Bae
omg plz tell me there is going to be another book plz im only eleven but im in
love with the series so many questines are an answerd and simon and tori
dont even know thier related!Got to do another book kelly Plz!!!:)
Omg! I want more of chloe and Derek I love them write another book about them!!!!!
AHHHH! This is beyond on of my favorite books, and this little bonus makes me so happy it brings tears to my eyes! Derek, is amazing. I hope we get more books featuring Chloe.
SO AWESOME I LOVED THE SERIES SO MUCH
I’m so confused! Does anyone know if this is becoming a book or not?
I love this series plz make more chapters Kelly because my friend and I LOVE UR BOOKS. And whenever the next chapter is up we read it fast and cry because we want more to read than what u put up there. We LOVE U KELLY!!!! Ur an amazing author Kelly.
i can only see the prologue
where is the rest of the story posted??
just finished the reckoning and drooling 4 more!!!im craving more stories plz keep up the good wrk
Love these books and what they are about and kelly ur an amazing author and writer.
For sure i want to hear more on Derek and Chloe and what happen’s to them. They are a good couple and Derek sound’s hot and they sound hot together and she’s up to chapter eleven. Can’t wait for the next chapter to come out and hope Chloe and Derek kick the Cain’s but and get to a safe haven where they don’t have to keep looking over their shoulder and see who’s gonna be there to get them or kill them.
i want them to find their safe haven as much as anyone but when that happens, then that will probably be the final book in this adventure and I’m selfish enough to say that I kinda hope that doesn’t happen for a while.*shrugs* But i am looking forward to the DerekxChloe romance and how Simon and Tori will react when they find out that they have the same father.>;D
Where can i continue reading the belonging on this site?
I absolutely luved it:]hope this comes out soon before my 18th b-day!
I love your work. I like the fact that it is realistic with a fantasy element which makes it believable and the mystery and action is the frosting on the cake. I truly ejoy your work
OMG. I want the books to come out. i have read the first three and want more. I can’t belive they think Chloe cant take care of herself cus if thats what they think then they have a HUGE surprise waiting for them. Derek, Chloe, Simon, and Tori are all going to take them down. but mostly Derek and Chloe. My FAV characters.
damn…..i really preferred the “chloe and simon” match though….
nooooooooo!! they are just both “too nice”..she needs someone who can challenge her..keep her motivated
Cant wait for the next book!! I love Chloe and Derek they are the perfect match!!! Wish there was more romantic scenes wit Derek and Chloe!! Can some1 please let me kno when the next book to the series comes out!! I need to kno even if I still gotta wait at least I will kno how long!!!! Kelley ur the best author u always leave me wanting more, so please give me more!!!!!!CANT WAIT
Omg loved the first 3 books but j was really hoping Simon and chole were together but derek and chole are cute 2 and thins better be a book cuz im dying for more romantic scenes<3 and derek and chole will kick some gain butt.
If this is narrated by Derek, then I’m confused.
yah me too…
omg i hope she makes this in a book i loved the first three i have them on my kindle i love books like this and god ples make this in a book your the best.ive read the books over and over again i love it
ohh no! im reading the otherworld series and this prologue totally gave away the relationship between jeremy(alpha) and Jaime-necro…but im happy bcuz they are together!!! woooo!!!! i need to catch up and read all the books!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Chloe should be with Simon! It makes more sense he’s cuter, nicer, and doesn’t have to go through werewolf Change! Plus, Simon is totally in love with her!
But that what makes it so cute. The akward guy gets the girl. How many books have u read that that has happened? This is my first time an I love it!!!!
Derek should be with Chloe its natural and hes kinds hot
Plus hes nice enough and Wat’s wrong wit Derek hes nice
awwww, that’s so mean!! how could he sell Derek!??!? so cruel..just for money! to a fellow werewolf!! sheesh!
I swear this is killing me! How am I supposed to wait for this? Suspense is going to drive me crazyyyy o;
AHHH, back story on Derek about time hope this turns into a book.
for those of you who want another of these books its not happening, its a trilogy meaning 3 books, no more. But they will meet up with the people from the darkness rising characters
can this be published? I loved it so much.
I hope the story continue on because I love it. It would be extremely interesting to read, good enough to read during school.
OMG! I loved this ^-^ I can’t wait until she makes another book about the gang. I really want to see it on the big screen too I think it would be epic.
I am going to die when the next book comes out, which I hope is soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM THE WORLDS BIGGEST FAN OF THE DARKEST POWERS BOOK I DON’T REALLY CARE WHAT U THINK I LURVE DEREK SOUZA, I CANT WAIT TILL SHE MAKES ANOTHER BOOK JUST WANT IT 2 COME OUT SOON
whoa I thought Chloe would be with Simon. Did I miss something? I have only been able to read the first two books. Maybe I have. Damn. Eh I don’t care. I could read those books over and over again they are the best ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh man, Derek is going to Kick ASS! I can’t wait!!!!!