From Darkness to Destiny: Author's Extended Version

By Crystal Sisco

Destiny had been alone for so long taking care of her parent farm since their death that she felt as if she would never know what being part of a family was again. She knew nothing of her heritage or what was to come in the days ahead. She was surrounded by silence and the loneliness that had become her v

• Language: English
• Publisher: Silverwolf Chronicles
• Release date: Aug 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088250945

Crystal Sisco

I have always had a love of writing, especially when my feelings are at their strongest. I can feel the emotions I put into my poetry and into the characters of my stories. My passions outside of writing are my family, singing, and Renaissance Faires. My parents have always set an example for me in following my dreams and writing is no different. My father, a retired Army 1st Sgt, who spent years of his life giving up so his family could have everything they needed, along with my mother who has helped me with so many challenges in life and love, have always supported me in whatever dream I was chasing, whether it was in love or life.Though they are the two biggest influences in my life, there have been many artistic influences as well. My cousin Adam who always chased his dream and is now living it as an artist. Several friends from high school doing what they love. From Nurse Heidi to Leslie who has always loved singing is lucky enough to have found her calling in that. My best friend Katie owner of Sweet Thangs (baker extraordinaire) as well as a massage therapist for her day job, and so many more. It took effort and sometimes years, but in the end knowing it is worth the effort reminds me that every thing happens for a reason. My two main influences when reading is concerned are actually worlds apart from each other. I adore the works of Piers Anthony & still love his Incarnations of Immortality series. As I have grown older though I have found I am very intrigued by the ideas behind paranormal romance. I am very intrigued by the writing styles behind a couple of authors in that genre at the moment.I have spent many years writing down words in poetry form, in short stories, in memory, and in song. I used to think it was just for my own healing or understanding and at the time it may have been because I was not ready to share them. Now I write my emotions into my stories. Every thought or picture with each character I can see. I can see the story unfold in my mind and I will write until I can see it unfold on paper as well. I only hope that anyone who buys my books, whether they are poetry or short story or even novel once it is written can see the story in their mind as well. Then I will feel like I have done justice to my stories, my thoughts, and my dream. I think that is the test of a true writer; to be able to give someone a bunch of words and have them see in their mind their own version of your story.

Book preview

A shiver went up her spine as she stepped out into the cold winter’s night from the dilapidated barn on the far end of the property. She sensed something was not right as she gazed into the full moon shining brightly above her. All at once she heard a series of low growls and snapping twigs to the left of where she stood. Looking around her she realized she was surrounded by the glowing eyes of wolves. They never came this close to town! What could she do?! Her mind raced with every possible solution. If she ran they would surely kill her. She had nothing to fight them off with, had brought nothing with her out into the stillness of the night, and was too far away from the house to head to safety there. After she glanced in every direction, she finally saw a path through the fearsome pack. In a moment of despair and self-preservation, she bolted through the snapping line of teeth towards a manor she had never seen before not knowing the fate that awaited her beyond…

Chapter 1

M’Lord Dominic! Arman! Come quick! The young maid shouted breathlessly The morning patrol found a young lady half-frozen near the gates! The poor dear looks like she ran here from god knows where, what with all the scrapes an’ blood on her feet. What should I do? She was out of breath as she stopped in the doorway to the study.

With a shrug of dismissal, Dominic Silverwolf waved his hand. Why should I care. She does not belong here. Send her away. Without so much as a second thought he went back to watching the fire on this cold and dismal night; A night which had haunted him since his beloved Jasmine had been slaughtered on this very night 5 years ago. He would not give this matter any more attention. He didn’t want a filthy beggar here. There was no place in his world for anyone as his light, and his heart, had been shattered long ago. There was no place in his home for anyone who would be a distraction to his grief.

His butler, Arman, who had also been a confidant and Dominic’s truest friend since he was a boy, touched his arm. M’Lord you must see to this girl. She needs your help or she will die. The guards say she was attacked by wolves. She may have been bitten... With a heavy sigh Dominic braced himself for what needed to be done and came out of his study.

It appears the entire household surrounded the doorway to the tiny room next to the kitchen where the mysterious young lady had been brought. Slowly, in awe, the staff and guards moved out of Dominic’s way without a sound as he walked through the hall. He stopped abruptly, his eyes widening and heart skipping a beat, as he slowly entered the tiny room. The vision before him was something he never expected, and it momentarily took his breath away. He found the stranger needing his help delicately laid out before him was the spitting image of his late wife Jasmine. His knees went weak for a split-second wondering if she had come back to him. He shook his head hard trying to rid himself of this delusion, this dream… no this nightmare. She looked just as Jasmine had when he found her all those years ago ravaged by the wolves, beyond the gate, fighting to take her last breath.

As soon as he shook the memory from his mind Dominic’s eyes softened at the sight of her, gasping almost inaudibly. He looked around the hall at all the servants slowly moving away from him and He entered the room to get closer to his guest. No one made a sound while he moved cautiously through the staff. They continued to watch on in awe at their Sovereign. They all knew that tonight of all nights Lord Dominic did not come out of his study for any reason.

Dominic slowly made his way to the side of the bed that this young lady was carefully placed on. Dominic looked to his trusted friend, moved toward him slowly, and touched him gently on the arm. Arman, I need everyone to please leave the room at once he said in a hushed tone so as not to disturb the beautiful creature in front of him. Dominic just watched the young lady, curiosity starting to rise, wondering if this was a truly real. How was it possible that there were two people in the world so strikingly similar and yet they both somehow came to find him?

Arman hurriedly ushered everyone out of the room and softly closed the door behind him with one last glance at his old friend. He knew that look on Dominic’s face. That was the look of love he would see so often when his boyhood friend would look at his bride. She had always been his pride and joy. Arman had not seen Dominic so entranced in a very long time. Come to think of it, this woman almost looked like Dominic’s dear departed Jasmine didn’t she…

Dominic began cleaning all the wounds slowly and methodically with a special solvent made for killing germs and infused with silver. His hands moved lightly over her face as his mind began to fill with questions. Moving strands of hair out of her face as he gently rubbed in the cure that had been passed down in his family for generations. He hadn’t used it in years. He stopped believing it worked when he couldn’t save the one woman who had truly held his soul.

Dominic knew he was forever broken as soon as he became a hunter after Jasmine was taken from him. Providing the solvent to the injured was part of a Guardian’s training. Anyone bitten on the full moon never knew if it was a wild wolf or a werewolf and there were no chances to be taken this time. He wouldn’t allow this angel to be turned into such a horrible beast.

In order to get her completely clean Dominic had to forgo a woman’s normal modesty. He thanked the gods she was passed out from the ordeal. He didn’t want her to be frightened by the amount of healing she would need. He cringed at how much she had endured to make it to his home. Her fatigued state gave him time to adore her beauty as well as do a thorough check for bite and scratch marks.

Dominic softly touched her arms and shoulders, rubbing as he went, melting into the bed beside her as he got closer to her amazing locks. He ran his hands across her soft copper hair just for a moment, wondering what it would look like when it wasn’t full of dirt and blood. It fell nearly to her waist and was so full and bouncy, it was probably as hard to tame as she. His eyes darted to her voluptuous body so scarred, and he timidly smiled as he dabbed all the cuts as lightly as a feather’s touch. He didn’t want her to wake up and see her skin so ravaged by her escape. Her sun kissed skin was already showing the dark marring of the bruises left by the branches and rocks she had hit while running away from the wolves.

What kind of woman would try to outrun wolves? Was it fear? Stupidity? Sheer lunacy? Dominic wasn’t sure whether to be shocked or in awe and he had not even had the chance to speak with her yet. Dominic wrapped her up in a thick robe to keep her warm and cover her beauty from wandering eyes. He had thrown her torn and tattered dress away. There would be no saving it after the damage done to it by the animals and the forest. His hands lingered on her full sensual hips as he tied the robe. The likeness she bore to Jasmine had taken his breath away.

Dominic felt a stirring in his heart that he had not had in years, and this truly surprised him. Was it just her beauty that had drawn him out of his darkness? He didn’t quite know, but something about her caused him to take notice. He was sure she looked familiar somehow, and yet he wasn’t sure how. Dominic wasn’t sure he wanted to explore the possibility of another courtship, but something had awakened within him. That much he couldn’t deny.

With some reluctance he covered her with the down blanket, letting his hands linger just a moment longer, and opened the door to find the whole household waiting for his orders. She is not to be disturbed. Clean the room as quickly and as quietly as you can and make sure she has water in there as well as fresh fruit. I want 3 dresses made for her by tomorrow evening. She will be dining with me tomorrow night if she is not too tired. When she wakes notify me immediately. Do you all understand? Dominic was not going to take any chances that she would awake without him knowing.

Yes M’Lord was the unanimous reply. They all stood still and waited for him to depart. Everyone looked at each other in amazement. Their Lord and Master, the darkest among his family for so many years, had welcomed a stranger into his home. What spell had been cast to change him so suddenly?

As Dominic slowly made his way back to his room, he heard howls just like that fateful day. He turned and ran to the window to see one set of glowing eyes staring at him through the gates. It was the green-eyed wolf and she had done this! The same damned creature that had taken his beloved Jasmine; had nearly killed this beautiful woman! She was taunting him, his pain, his sadness, and on this day of all days!

Like a mad man, Dominic bolted for his private exit to the garden and ran outside. The rage boiled up inside him as he ran towards those glowing eyes, staring him down as it howled again.

Dominic stopped within feet of the fence, staring into the glowing eyes of the wolf, yelling How could you do that! She is so young! So innocent! Why do you kill! Is it for sport! For Fun! They did nothing to you! NOTHING! For the first time since he lost Jasmine, Dominic fell to his knees and wept. He felt the emptiness and the pain that he had kept locked away behind his anger for so long.

Through the tears Dominic thought he was hallucinating when he saw the golden-haired wolf changed to her human form. Dominic sat in amazement as he saw his beloved Jasmine before him through his tears. Hello my darling Dom. Do not weep for me. I know you deserve so much more than my deceit and for that I am truly sorry. You have always deserved love and a family. I couldn’t give that to you. Your guest, your sleeping angel, is my young cousin Destiny. You knew her many years ago. Destiny can give you the future and family you so rightly deserve.

Jasmine grasps a rail on the gate lightly. I did not kill her, but merely led her to you. She was alone for far too long as were you in that prison you called home. I am lost to you but will forever be your guardian as will my pack. She has my blood, but not my curse. Love her as fully as you loved me. Dominic reached out slowly to touch her through the gate to the forest as if she was a dream, but she backed away. No, my sweet, dark Dominic. I have chosen my path. Remember me this way. I will love you always. With that she changed back into her wolf form, howled, and bolted into the forest.

Dominic sat for a moment in disbelief. What had just happened? He had to be seeing things. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him, or he was finally going mad. Had seeing the girl wounded brought back the image of his wife to him? He had seen Jasmine take her last breath in front of him. He saw the wounds that had killed her. He had even hunted all the wolves out of the forest for years because of what they had done to his mate. Dominic shook his head in disbelief. She had spoken to him as if she knew of today’s events. As if she was still alive. Could it really be possible?

Out of nowhere Dominc feels hands on his shoulders and looks up to see Arman placing a blanket around him. You need to get up Sir. You will freeze if you don’t come inside. Jasmine has said what she needed to say, and I don’t believe she will be coming back now.

Dominic got up and looked at Arman with bewilderment in his eyes. You heard that? How much of it did you actually hear? Did you know about her? That she was still alive?!

Arman shrugged nonchalantly. Yes Sir, but I’ve known she guards your estate for years now. My son Michael runs in her pack. He was turned a few years ago by a rogue wolf while he was hunting to feed his family. She took pity on him and brought him in as one of her own. She had to teach him how to hunt their way and to protect the pack, the estate, and the Sacred Forest. She was even kind enough to let him say goodbye to me and his children. She begged me not to tell you. Lady Jasmine said it would be easier for you to move on if you believed she had died the day she left. With each passing year she grew more worried for the darkness that has grown inside you.

Dominic nodded slowly. I remember when you brought them here to live with you though you never did tell me why. Dominic sighed and put and arm around Arman’s shoulders. You were always a good friend to both of us Arman. Just as loyal to her as you are to me. Thank you for that.

Arman led Dominic up the stairs past the stranger’s room just as they heard the loud smash of glass breaking. Dominic’s eyes opened wide, and they both rushed into the room. There stood the beautiful stranger backed up into a corner scared half to death. Oh my god! You two must help me! This thing is going to kill me! she screamed at them holding her robe tight as if it would protect her. The wolf was crouched down and poised ready to strike at any moment.

Not in my house! Dominic grabbed the wolf around the neck while Arman grabbed the first thing he could find to tie it up; a curtain tie. The wolf reared back, snapping and snarling as Dominic fought it to the ground. Once he got it on the ground unable to move, they bound its feet together and got its mouth tied shut. The stranger ran into Dominic’s arms as soon as he stood up. Holding her tight to comfort her, he soothed her hair, and whispered in her ear everything will be ok. We are not going to let anything hurt you while you are here.

Dominic looked at Arman as he continued to shield his guest from the rogue wolf. Arman get the guards to hold this one down in the dungeon until we can find out who it is. He had to be inside my home to get in here and know we were occupied. This is not acceptable! Arman dragged the beast out of the room and closed the door behind him.

Dominic looked down at the frightened woman in his arms. He reached down and lifted her chin until her lashes fluttered up. He was instantly mesmerized by her deep blue eyes looking back at him. I apologize for us meeting in such a manner. I am Lord Dominic Silverwolf and this is my home. You were brought here last night after you were found injured in the snow outside my gates. Now that you know who I am, who might you be? Dominic did not want to frighten her by letting her know he had just talked to her cousin. He was still reeling from the information himself.

Trying to hide her face but unable to bend her head out of Dominic’s grip she lowered her eyes and softly spoke. My name is Destiny M’Lord. Destiny Rosechild. He looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled. I do believe I remember you. You were a spirited young lady when you visited my home last. My late wife Jasmine was your cousin. She called you Desi if I am not mistaken?

Destiny looked sad for a moment, looked up at Dominic, and replied Yes M’Lord. We were all greatly saddened with her passing. Dominic noticed his copper haired beauty was relaxing a bit more into him as she remembered her beautiful cousin. She used to call her Jazzy. They were only able to meet as young adults because Jasmine’s father didn’t want his daughter to have anything to do with Destiny’s family. At least that is the story Destiny’s mom had told her. When all the adults were gone the cousins were finally able to reconnect. They had a few good years of being the best of friends, becoming close, and telling stories of their childhood growing up. Dominic could see tears welling up in Destiny’s eyes as the memories came flooding back to her.

Dominic let go of her chin and wrapped his arms around her. He saw the longing in her eyes to have back the one companion she had ever really known. It hurt him to see such sadness in his young visitor. You know Destiny; this house has not really been a home without a woman here. You are welcome to stay and make it a home again if you wish… It was a bold move, but he would not take Jasmine’s gift for granted. We would move you into a suite of rooms of course. I can have Arman set them up immediately if you say yes, but the choice is yours.

Destiny wasn’t sure what to say. Out of the blue someone not only rescues you, but asks you to move in? What do you say to that? It was a big decision. She had been living on her own since her parents had died. He wouldn’t know that taking care of the farm was a big responsibility and the only thing she had known since she was young. Who would take care of the farm if she left it now? No one knew the crops like she did. Destiny wasn’t sure she could just move away from it on a whim. She knew she wouldn’t want for anything here, but could she handle being waited on hand and foot when she had done everything on her own for so long? She knew she couldn’t stay. It’s a wonderful offer M’Lord…

Please call me Dominic, Dominic stated softly as he saw Destiny hesitate.

I couldn’t do that M’Lord. Destiny shakes her head to stop her eyes from tearing up once again. It’s a wonderful offer, but I have a farm to take care of and responsibilities of my own that need tending to. I can’t just sit in a house and be taken care of like my cousin was. That isn’t who I am. I appreciate the offer to stay, but I need to get back to my life. I am not trying to be ungrateful Sir, but I do not belong here.

You are so much like Jasmine and yet it seems you knew very little of her. She was very independent Dominic explained. This house ran around her schedule and her wishes. She liked to do her own cooking unless we were having a party and she adored gardening. She had her own little vegetable garden out back that she tended to every morning come rain or shine and some days she would come in sopping wet and just stand there dripping and look at me saying ‘at least the gardening was done!’ It was the least I could do not to laugh at her stubbornness when it came to those tiny little plants At that Destiny laughed.

Dominic smiled as he saw light fill her eyes for just a brief moment. He continued This is not a place where you have to be waited on hand and foot, but where you can be content to be yourself. I can even tell the staff not to wait on you at all if you prefer that though it is kind of nice to be able to ask someone else to get you a drink if you want one and aren’t stubborn about it.

Destiny was thoughtful for a moment. May I stay for a couple of days and just get a feel for the house before I make a decision? This is not something I was expecting, and it all seems to be happening so fast.

Dominic smiled and knowingly answered Of course you can. You are family and I would have it no other way. He would have her begging to stay in no time.

Chapter 2

The next morning Destiny paced back and forth in her room. She didn’t know how to approach everything that had happened in the last two days. Her head was spinning as she looked at the beautiful dresses laid out before her on the bed. A young lady named Arianna had pulled them out for her to choose before she had asked for a moment alone. How was she ever going to ever be able to live in a lifestyle such as this? She was a simple girl who grew up on a farm. Picking out elegant dresses for breakfast and having someone to dress her just would not work for her. Arianna dear, would you be so kind as to get Lord Dominic for me? she said softly. Arianna nodded softly, but she could tell there was fear in the young girl’s eyes. It is nothing you’ve done wrong, but I believe I will go home today. I am feeling better and I really don’t belong here and with that Arianna flew out the door almost in tears.

Dominic walked in the dressing room doors just moments later with a stern look on his face Why was poor Arianna in tears? She was muttering something about you wanting to go?

I’m grateful for all you have done for me M’Lord, but I am not comfortable here. I grew up on a little farm where I worked hard all my life and dressed myself. I had simple things, and after my parents died, I made my own way. I have 3 beautiful dresses on the bed I just can’t imagine wearing because they are too gorgeous for everyday wear. This isn’t who I am. She began sobbing as he sat down next to her and quietly took her into his arms.

You have had a traumatic past couple of days my sweet Destiny, Dominic cooed softly as he stroked her hair gently, But don’t let that scare you away from me, from this life, from a home that wants you. Before you were injured you didn’t even remember we existed. We want nothing more than to be your family and I want nothing more than to take care of you. If you don’t like the dresses I can have different ones made…

She pulled back with an appalled look on her face. I love the dresses! She sighed