Buried and Shadowed (Branded Packs #3) Read Online Free PDF

a way to make something happen.
    Because her Pack was in a state of change, and Mandy was about to change right along with it.

 

Chapter 3
     
     
    Death clawed at him, digging its talons into his back and soul. Oliver tried to fight off the dark caped soldier of fate but knew that if he didn’t find a way out of the depths of his own subconscious, he would lose.
    Oliver shook himself within the dream that was no dream but found himself trapped. He sighed and took a look around at his surroundings, knowing this could be important once he woke up.
    Tall trees blocked the moonlight from hitting the soft ground below his bare feet. He let out a breath. So he was in the den’s small, forested area, devoid of homes. This was where his people would go on hunts within the den walls to allow their beasts to feel the moon and nature. Though in this vision, the moon wouldn’t help, and it would have to be Oliver alone who got himself out of it.
    Because whatever happened to him within the vision, also happened to his body outside the scope of this dream that wasn’t a dream. That was why with each vision, each glimpse into the future, he knew he was one step closer to death.
    While others thought it was merely the weight of the visions taking their toll that tired him and took from him, that wasn’t all of it. He lived the deaths he saw, lived the pain and torment.
    And if he weren’t as strong as he was—or at least as strong as he once was—he’d have died long ago.
    That was why it was the bear that held the mantle of Foreseer. Ursines possessed the strength to hold off death for as long as possible. The wolves held the Omega, for they were the ones closest to their beasts and hearts, able to comprehend every emotion and trace of empathy. The cats were the wily ones, the ones who held themselves closest to the vest, so they held the Shaman, the magic wielder.
    Oliver was the fate bringer, Gibson the fate soother, and the unknown Shaman of the Felines, the fate changer. Together, they would one day be able to bring pure health and depth within the Pack. Without each facet, the way the bonds of those they led, those they followed would never be whole.
    Of course, Oliver had been alone far too long with his duties, and they had taken their toll. Maybe now that Gibson had found his true calling things would change, but he wasn’t so sure. The wolf was too far gone down his own path of what he thought he would be, and Oliver couldn’t hold the mantle forever.
    And they didn’t have their Shaman to complete the circle.
    A growl sounded within his vision and he turned toward it, knowing he needed to get his head out of musings of what the future could bring and into this future.
    The vision darkened, and he did his best to focus. Things weren’t always easy to understand within the foggy darkness that was his mind during a new scene.
    He blinked as his nephews, Anya and Cole’s cubs, Lucas and Owen, ran through the clearing, their panicked growls hitting his gut like a lead hammer. He ran toward them, but the trees spread out around him, blocking him from the little boys. Cole jumped out of a tree then, blood coating his fur as he fought off a dark enemy.
    Oliver couldn’t see who it was, only that it wasn’t human. Whoever would put his family in danger was a shifter, and that put Oliver on edge. His body shifted into his bear, his hump rising, his jaw unhinging as he roared.
    He went to Cole’s side, trying to help, but couldn’t reach him, the darkness overtaking him once more.
    Oliver blinked, and instead of Cole and the cubs in front of him, two wolves fought, back to back. Or rather, one wolf battled and the other limped behind while they tried to keep the fighting wolf’s back safe from whoever attacked them.
    Oliver inhaled and staggered on four paws. Mandy was hurt, and even though she was a submissive wolf, she was doing her best to protect Gibson. The male wolf, Gibson, fought with his heart, but it wasn’t