by G. K. DeRosa
“That’s why you took Montana. You thought she’d know where they were hidden.”
He dropped his gaze, pivoting toward the hearth once more. “Either finish what you came here to do or leave my chamber, Aristaeus. I grow weary of this conversation.”
I willed myself to strike at him, to conjure up the hatred and put it into action. But I couldn’t. Tyrien deserved to die, but I—I was too weak.
I darted for the balcony and leapt off the ledge, plummeting straight down. My heart rammed against my ribcage as the deep greens and dark browns of the valley grew sharper. Five. Four. Three. Two… My wings unfolded at the last second, and I glided back up. I may never be able to bring the Mystics back, but there was one thing I could do for Sierra. And if I failed, I’d finally let her go.
Chapter Twelve
Sierra
* * *
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t focus on the trial. Today’s event had required concentration—something I had nothing of when my mind was spinning with news of Tyrien’s confession, worry for Connor, and my fight with Hunter. Tyrien had an affair with my half-aunt… All of this was a result of lust or love, who knew? I couldn’t wrap my head around all the destruction their illicit relationship had caused.
The event required us to race across the arena, avoiding sand traps, minefields, pits filled with venomous snakes, and a variety of other horrifying obstacles. Each quadrant was numbered and if a competitor succeeded in breaking the code, they’d avoid all the terrors. If Hunter and Ransom hadn’t led me through it, I would’ve definitely come in last place, if not worse. Broken appendages or even dead.
So much for killing it in the last round.
I stared up at the leaderboard in the Lunar Lounge and scowled. I’d slipped to third place behind Zuriel and Araton. Hunter and Ransom were right behind me in fourth and fifth places, respectively. I felt awful for slowing them down, and that they were giving up their own chances to let me win. Right now, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be an alpha, let alone a high alpha. Gods, why was everything so messed up?
“Don’t look so glum, Violet.” Ransom elbowed me in the side, and I let out a grunt. “Tomorrow is another day and surely, it’ll be better than this one.”
I hadn’t told him about the great reveal. That Hunter’s father had fallen in love with my aunt and when she rejected him, he took out his vengeance on the entire pack and blamed it on the Mystics’ uncontrollable dark magic. It was all B.S. Then Grams cursed his only son to get back at him, thereby ruining Hunter’s life and mine.
Dozens of questions tumbled around in my mind: where were Lily’s daughters now? Had they survived hidden all this time? And why had Grams kept her other daughter a secret? I’d never met my mom’s dad. He’d died before I was born, and now I wondered if he knew Grams’ big secret. She’d been hiding her illegitimate child within the Mystic wolves for years. Was Lily’s father a Mystic too? He must have been…
Ransom snapped his fingers in front of my face, and I jerked from the spiral of never-ending questions. “You still with me, Violet?” He picked at a bowl of grapes in the middle of the elaborate spread.
“Yeah, sorry. Just lots going on in here.” I pointed at my temple. I didn’t know how the guys ate so soon after the trials. My stomach was always tied in knots, and today even more so.
“I could tell. I thought I was going to have to carry you through the obstacle course today.”
“My head’s just not in the game,” I muttered.
“How’s your newest Mystic doing?”
After the massacre in the middle of the quad, news of the arrival and demise of the new Mystics had spread like wildfire. Ransom had shown up at my place last night to check in on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to see anyone then.
“Better,” I finally answered.
“Any leads on who orchestrated the attack?”
I chewed on my lower lip as I considered telling him the truth about Tyrien. I trusted Ransom, I did, I just wasn’t ready to relive the whole terrible story yet. “No, not yet.”
“Speaking of the Silverstalkers…” Ransom shot me a mischievous grin as Hunter appeared at the entrance and prowled closer.
Tension rolled off his bulky form as he strode between us, moving to my side without ever catching my gaze. He’d been distant and completely unreadable since he’d stormed out yesterday. Besides filling me in on his conversation with Tyrien in a cold, clinical, detached manner this morning, he hadn’t said more than two words to me. And he hadn’t returned to my place until this morning when he broke the news.
After what he’d told me about Tyrien and my half-aunt, I couldn’t find the energy to ask him where he’d slept, but now I was curious.
“I have to go back to Nocturnis this evening,” Hunter finally said.
“You’re going now?” I squeaked.
“The queen has summoned me herself, so I don’t have a choice in the matter. I don’t like leaving you unprotected with everything that’s going on, but there’s no other option. Vander will stay with you, and Braxton too.”
“I can offer my services as well.” Ransom dipped into a cheesy bow.
“Don’t you have a mate to attend to?” Hunter growled through gritted fangs.
He waved a dismissive hand. “Destiny doesn’t care what I do as long as I’m back to service her at bedtime.”
“Way too much information.” I shot him my most dramatic gagging sound.
He shook it off with a chuckle. “I’m just saying I’d like to help if I can.”
“Fine,” Hunter muttered.
I almost died of shock. “Guys, I don’t need a dozen babysitters. I think I’ve proven I’m pretty capable of taking care of myself.”
Hunter scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Just think of it as a night to catch up then.” Ransom weaved his arm through mine.
My mate’s jaw twitched, but he didn’t rip me out of the Royal’s hold as I’d predicted. Instead, he only watched as Ransom chattered on about pizza, movies, and popcorn.
I didn’t like the idea of Hunter leaving town with Connor so vulnerable, but I couldn’t rely on him for everything. I needed to protect my pack, and I vowed I would. From now on, I’d have to put them first. But that didn’t mean I’d walk away from Hunter, despite our fight.
I convinced myself he was just angry, the tidal wave of guilt too much for him to bear. I knew because I felt it too. But once things settled, and Connor woke up, he’d realize he was just speaking out of frustration. He couldn’t really regret completing the bond between us, could he?
I eyed him as Ransom continued on about the night’s activities. I opened the mate bond, poking around in his thoughts. I hated doing it, but I hadn’t gotten anything from him all day, and worry was beginning to carve up my insides. He must have been actively blocking me because I felt nothing besides the slight hum of tension.
Tugging on Ransom’s arm, I put a stop to his rambling. “Sorry, can you give us a minute?”
“Of course.” He released me and headed toward the other side of the table, where the assortment of drinks was laid out.
“Hunter—” I started.
“There’s nothing to say right now, Sierra.”
I grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the private changing rooms. When we reached the one with the Mystic emblem across the timber, I whipped the door open and pushed him inside. “There’s plenty to say,” I hissed before I slammed the door behind us. “I know you’re upset, that you’re blaming yourself for all of this, but NONE of it is your fault. How can I make you understand that?” I jabbed my finger into his stupid hard chest.
“I can’t help how I feel, Sierra,” he barked.
“Neither can I!” I inched closer and he stepped back, hitting the door. “Of course, things would’ve been easier if I’d just agreed to my father’s arrangement with Braxton. Of course, it would’ve been the right thing to do for my pack. But I’m selfish too, Hunte
r. You’re not the only one to blame here.” I closed the distance between us, pressing my body to his. A hiss escaped his clenched lips. “None of this is easy, don’t you see that? But it’s right. It’s so right.” I laced my fingers through his and moved his hand to my chest. My heart smacked against his palm. “Doesn’t this feel real to you?”
A rueful smile curved the hard set of his jaw. “Too real, Sierra,” he whispered. “But that doesn’t make it right.”
I locked my eyes on his, daring him to look away. “We make it right, Hunter. No one else but us.” Capturing his lips, he only fought me for a moment before his body relented to my whim. I wrapped my hand around his neck, drawing him closer to deepen the kiss. We needed this, this moment of release within all the uncertainty and pain. I reached for the zipper at his chest and tugged it all the way down past his bellybutton. The skintight suit sloughed off him and pooled at his ankles.
I reached for him, closing my hand around his hardness. He hissed before leaning into my touch.
“Sierra,” he growled, his hips already pumping against my palm. “We shouldn’t—”
I muffled his objections with a kiss, driving my tongue between his clenched teeth. “We need this,” I muttered against his lips. His mouth moved over mine reluctantly at first, but slowly, the fire began to build between us. His kisses became more urgent with each pump of my hand.
His mouth devoured mine for a few endless moments before his fingers moved to my zipper. Once my suit was off, he made quick work of my panties. He paused, releasing me to step back. His lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Gods, you’re beautiful, mate. You’re so stubborn and incredibly beautiful. You never give up on us, despite everything that stands in our way. I know I don’t deserve you, but I promise I will find a way to make this right somehow.”
“You do deserve me, Hunter. We were made for each other, and you need to stop doubting that.”
“I never doubted that.” Hungry eyes locked onto mine and his hands gripped my hips, tugging me toward him possessively. He draped one leg over his hip, then the other as he pinned me against the wall. I gasped as he entered me without warning. I clenched around his hardness as he began to move inside me, cradling my behind to deepen our connection.
Hunter groaned with each thrust, each plunge pushing me closer to the edge. I was so close, so ready. He slowed and fixed his gaze on me. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything, all the pain I’ve caused you.”
“Don’t say that. You have nothing to apologize for. I don’t regret a minute of it, Hunter.” I seared the words with a kiss, digging my fingers into his lower back and urging him deeper. He rocked his hips harder this time, and a jolt of pleasure ravaged my insides. The bundle of nerves at my core coiled tight, every pump inciting another wave of desire. “I love you,” I murmured against his lips.
With another deep thrust, I fell. A riot of sensations exploded within and surged through every inch of me. Hunter followed me over the precipice a moment later, his warmth filling my core. My legs wobbled and he lowered me to the floor, laying down beside me.
We lay there for a few minutes in silence, our breaths and heartbeats pounding in a matching rhythm. Once I could speak without panting, I rolled over and tucked an arm around his waist. “Please don’t ever say this was a mistake. Because I know in my heart that it wasn’t. We were meant to be, and there’s nothing you could ever do or say that would make me change my mind.”
Hunter nodded, but his eyes didn’t meet mine. Now that the lusty haze was passing, I could feel the turmoil raging through the bond again. He still wasn’t convinced. More than that, a terrible feeling buried its way in my gut.
“Hunter?”
He finally turned his head and met my gaze.
“We’re good, right?”
“Always,” he whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
Hunter
* * *
I hated leaving Sierra, and more than that, I hated lying to her. But I had to go see Garrix. He was our last hope. I’d promised myself that if the all-powerful high warlock couldn’t break the curse, I’d let her go. She’d win the trials, be confirmed as high alpha and I’d vanish after taking care of my father of course. She’d be upset at first, but surely Braxton would comfort her and with distance the bond between us would grow weaker. Eventually, she’d realize mating with Braxton was the right choice.
Yes, she’d be fine without me.
My wolf growled in response, his angry grumble reverberating across my chest. We have to let her go, buddy. If this doesn’t work.
I gripped the cold bag in my palm, tightening my fingers around the icy plastic.
Azara had assured me her grandfather Garrix was the strongest magic user alive and if he couldn’t break Hyacinth’s spell, all hope was lost. I wouldn’t let Sierra endlessly search for a solution that didn’t exist.
This was it for us. As I soared across the valley, I didn’t want to consider that the moment we’d shared in the changing room could’ve been the last time I claimed Sierra as mine. It had been so quick, so raw. The heated memories sent a wave of desire toward my bottom half. Stifling my urges, I focused on the territory boundary ahead.
Garrix lived just outside the Midtowne border, and he was expecting me. Vander had arranged it with Azara, his granddaughter who’d help us find Grams. My wings flapped more quickly, the need to get this over with becoming overwhelming. If this failed, my future with Sierra hung in the balance.
A tall, blonde male stood at the door, and I was certain I’d gotten the address wrong, until my eyes settled on the streak of white bisecting the slicked-back hair. I’d only seen the great warlock on a few occasions from a distance when I’d been allowed to accompany my father to the Etrian Assembly. But this man was not the gray-haired old warlock I’d encountered at the council. Azara had told me her grandfather had skin-walking abilities, but it never occurred to me that the man I’d met wasn’t his true form.
“You must be Aristaeus.” His piercing blue eyes leveled me, and my wolf stirred. Dark power oozed off the male and my wolf had sensed it, now on high alert.
“I am,” I managed.
“Azara told me you were coming. Please, come in.” He backed away from the doorway, and I followed him into the surprisingly modern house. “She let me in on your predicament, and I must say, I’m intrigued.” He motioned to the sparse, white living room and a pristine alabaster couch. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thanks, I’m fine. I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I understand you are quite a busy man.”
Garrix nodded. “That I am. But I’d do just about anything for my granddaughter and since this was important to her, I made the time.” He folded onto the couch, crossing his legs as he perched on the edge.
I took the seat across from him, settling into the leather sofa and placed the frosty bag beside me.
“Is that the blood?”
I cringed as I lifted the bag from the sofa, afraid the condensation would damage the luxurious material. “Sorry,” I muttered, heat rising to my cheeks.
“No need to apologize, just hand it over.”
I gave him the container of Hyacinth’s blood that Vander had collected on that terrible day. He’d kept it locked away all this time, and I hadn’t even told Sierra about it. Somehow, I couldn’t muster the strength. More so, I didn’t want to give her hope when I held little myself.
“Now, from what Azara told me, this is a blood curse spelled by the High Priestess of the Lune Sacré.”
“Right.”
“And I understand you’ve gone to see my old friend, Draven, about this.”
“How did you know?”
“He told me of it a few months ago. He was reticent in sending you to me, but I’m glad you saw him first. He was able to explain the situation.” He paused and fixed his icy blue gaze on me. “I don’t know how much Azara told you, but this sort of spell is not without its risks. The curse is embedded
within your very soul. Severing it could have unforeseen and life-altering consequences. I need you to understand that.”
I nodded. “I do.”
“You’re sure? I’ve seen severing spells like these go very wrong.”
“I’m positive. I’d take any risk for a chance...”
Garrix’s lips pressed into a tight line. “Very well. Then let’s get started.” He snapped his fingers, and a massive cauldron appeared along with half a dozen vials of potions in varying shades of the rainbow. He flicked his wrist and a flame appeared in his palm, holding the bag of frozen blood over it, the crimson liquid began to thaw. The pungent scent of blood wafted to my nose, and my nostrils flared.
Garrix’s brows knitted as he poured the blood into the container then added a few drops from the other vials. “This is a very tricky procedure,” he whispered slowly. “One wrong measurement, and it all goes very badly.”
My head dipped, and I swallowed hard. Better not to know what that meant. I wouldn’t be deterred, no matter the risk. I couldn’t give Sierra much, but my love was the bare minimum I could offer.
The contents of the cauldron bubbled and hissed as Garrix began to mutter. He gripped the side of the table as potent magic filled the room. I slid to the edge of my seat, my wolf pacing like mad, clawing at my insides. The air thickened as his chants increased in tempo, and my heart catapulted against my ribcage. The pounding intensified with each repetition of the foreign words until all I could hear was the roar of my pulse across my eardrums.
“Give me your hand,” Garrix called out and only then did I realize shimmering winds whipped around the massive chamber, adding to the chaos in my mind.
I offered him my palm when I saw the dagger clenched in his fist. He sliced the blade across my flesh and held my hand over the boiling cauldron. Another pop and hiss as my blood mixed with the concoction.
“Now take off your shirt.”