Savage Fate (Den of Shadows #5)

Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

Marissa’s hate filled the air like a bitter tang as she approached in her wolf form. A growl tumbled out of my mouth, clashing with the one she released as we circled each other.

Since we weren’t in the same pack, we couldn’t mentally communicate in this form, but the animosity sizzling between us needed no words.

We wanted to tear each other apart.

Her snapping and snarling didn’t threaten me. I could take her.

Are you sure about that, Tate?

There was that damn voice again.

You don’t have me anymore. And Marissa is bigger and more experienced in fighting as a wolf. Do you really think you can take her?

Now I was second-guessing myself.

Marissa darted forward, attempting to go for my neck, but I turned to my side and blocked her strike.

Shit.

This was not the time to lose my confidence.

My sickle claws swung in the air, almost catching her face.

If I’d been a fraction of a second faster, I could have plucked out one of her eyes.

The alpha’s daughter wasn’t deterred, though. She lunged for me again, this time her teeth grazing my shoulder.

When the metallic scent of my blood hit the air, she gave a satisfied growl. Crimson stained her lupine smile.

Anger rushed through my veins, and I pawed the ground, lowering my head. Soon, I’d be tasting her blood when I sank my teeth into her neck.

Before I could charge, Fane appeared a few feet away in his phantom form.

“Don’t kill her, Teague.”

“Are you serious? She attacked me!”

“You’ll regret killing her.” He kneeled next to me. “Don’t let her provoke you into making her a victim either. If you hurt her, she’ll go running to her father.”

He was right. Marissa wanted me to look like a psychotic monster in the hopes that Camus would side with her. The alpha knew the kind of underhanded bullshit she was capable of, but she was still his daughter.

Marissa bit the air with a savage motion, her teeth flashing as she waited for me to make a move, further proving Fane’s point.

He reached out to run his hand along my side, soothing me. “You don’t need to physically maim her to show her that you’re stronger.”

A low rumble glided out as I tried to choke back the bloodlust. “Fine. I won’t blind or kill her. For now.”

“Thanks for being so rational.” Sarcasm coiled around Fane’s words. “Do I need to stick around to make sure you don’t forget this conversation?”

“Thanks for reminding me that the thrill of killing your ex wouldn’t last for long.” I made a laughing sound at his wry expression. “Don’t worry. I’ll finish with her and meet you back at the house.”

As Fane slowly vanished, Marissa pawed the ground, annoyed that I wasn’t paying her attention. She was such a damn child sometimes. It was a wonder Dorian stayed with her as long as he did. Then again, the former beta wasn’t much better than her.

Marissa lunged again, but I caught her shoulder with my teeth like she’d done to me. The briny taste of her blood settled on my tongue.

I never said I wouldn’t hurt her a little.

Before she could counter, I released a bone-shaking growl that forced her to freeze in her tracks. Her eyes widened as my alpha power leaked into the atmosphere.

At least I’d inherited one good thing from Barric.

The weight of it had Marissa dropping to her belly, whimpering. Warmth twisted through my chest at the sight of her crawling in the dirt.

That’s right. Submit.

After making her squirm for a few moments, I drew the power back inside and trotted to my pile of clothes, shifting into my human form. Snaps and pops echoed from her as I drew my bra and underwear on.

“You’re lucky you inherited some kind of weird alpha power from Fane,” she said, flicking her raven locks over her shoulder, unbothered by her nudity. “You wouldn’t be able to make me submit otherwise.”

I shrugged, keeping my mouth sealed. Assuming it was from Fane was better than her knowing the truth. “You’re lucky he convinced me not to kill you.”

A twisted smile pulled at her lips. “Of course Fane wouldn’t want you to slaughter me. Like I told you a long time ago, Fane and I have a connection because we’re fated mates.”

“Were,” I corrected and dragged my jeans on. “You broke that connection, remember?”

“But something’s still there.” She crossed her arms. “You’ll understand soon enough now that you and Saint Grimstone have been revealed as fated mates.”

My jaw clenched as those words hit the air. “Fane and I are already mated, so there’s no bond with Saint.”

Her shrill laugh made me wince. “You have no idea of what’s coming, Tate. Just wait. A fated mate bond can’t be ignored no matter how much you wish it could. Trust me. I know.”

I yanked my shirt over my head, ignoring the sting from the shallow cuts on my shoulder. “You should also know how easily it can be broken.”

Something strange flashed over her expression, possibly regret. “Maybe it’s best if you let Fane go and stick with the one fate picked for you.”

“Fuck fate.” Not even a spell that made Fane lust for my death could prevent us from being together. This stupid fated mates crap was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“Saint won’t be easily tossed aside.” Marissa tapped her long nails on her arms as she studied me, smirking. “He might seem calm and levelheaded, but he’s still an alpha, and he’ll want his mate.”

I shoved my feet into my boots and bent to tie them. “I’m not his mate. And why do you suddenly care?” Of course, I could already see where this was going.

Marissa gave a casual shrug. “Maybe this is the universe’s way of correcting things.”

Tremors laced my muscles as I held back the anger threatening to consume me. “Stay away from Fane, Marissa. You had your chance, and you tossed him away.”

She peered at her nails, picking at the dirt under them. “I might have been wrong. Besides, you don’t belong with Fane, and you’ll only hurt him when you start to fall for Saint. He’s your perfect match, and unlike with Fane and me, you don’t have people whispering in your ear.”

“If others influenced you to cast your fated mate away, you’re even weaker than I thought.” As I stepped toward her, her nonchalant stance vanished. “What Fane and I have is bigger than any fated mate bond, and if you try anything with him, I will rip your throat out.”

Marissa backed up. “Nature usually has a way of winning out.”

“And I usually have a way of defying the odds,” I countered. “I’m not letting some—” My words cut off as pain tore through my abdomen.

What in the hell?

I clutched a tree trunk to remain upright. As the throbbing agony faded into a hot ache, memories of the Infernal Sol flooded my mind.

A rush of dizzying sensations drowned me. I wanted the Infernal Sol back. I wanted to feel the high its dark power gave me.

Longing for the amulet washed over me, turning the forest white and then red. My thoughts focused on the power that had once flowed through my veins. Delicious wickedness had swarmed me like a comforting blanket, and I’d loved every minute.

Come find me. Unite us and see how powerful you can really be.

“What is wrong with you?”

Marissa’s snarky voice yanked me out of the hypnotic haze but didn’t stop the yearning twisting through me.

Don’t you want to feast on fears and make the world fall to its knees?

The urge to breach Marissa’s mind and inhale her fears poured wonderful images through my mind. I’d make her beg and scream for mercy I’d never grant.

I wanted that so much it hurt.

“Are you going to pass out?” she asked, her top lip curling in a sneer.

A tugging feeling hit my gut, and I spun, marching away without another word. The Infernal Sol was calling me. I knew it would never be satisfied with Barric.

My fast gait turned into a full-on run, trees whipping by and branches snagging my clothes. Deep down, I realized how bad this was. If the Infernal Sol was near, so was Barric.

Unless the amulet had managed to get away from him and convince some poor sap to bring it to me.

A smile curved my lips.

That had to be it.

I ran with renewed vigor as joy filled my bloodstream. Soon, the amulet and I would be reunited, and the side effects weakening me would vanish. I’d be strong enough to stop this demon threat from slaughtering shifters. I’d be worthy enough to be Fane’s mate.

As I came to a small clearing, my whole body buzzing, prickles crawled over my flesh as eyes drilled into me.

“Come out!” I called, my ragged breaths filling the forest. “Give it to me.”

A sinister laugh shot chills down my spine and trepidation through my system. Moments later, a broad figure emerged from the shadows, the gleaming sun stone around his neck.

“Is this what you want?” Barric’s smile dropped me into a waking nightmare. “Come and get it, daughter.”

My heart crashed against my ribs as I studied the surrounding forest, realizing I’d run way past the border of Mohan territory.

“Why are you here?” I spat, my hands trembling as the craving for the amulet still seared within. Seeing it hanging from his neck felt like a slap in the face.

You betrayed me.

I wanted to smash the glittering red stone. Why had the thing called out to me? Did it simply want to lure me to Barric?

The stone didn’t respond to my seething anger.

“Can’t a father simply visit his daughter?”

“Stop with the games, Barric. You know Fane will be here in minutes.” Except I hadn’t called to him yet.

Why hadn’t I?

My gaze fastened to the amulet. This could be my chance to steal it back. But if Fane were here, he’d never let me keep it.

As if Barric felt my hesitation, his smile widened. “I’m sure we have some time before your mate arrives, don’t we?”

“What do you want?” I hissed, trying to clear the thoughts of the amulet from my mind, an impossible task. “I know you didn’t come all this way to say hello.”

Barric dragged his hand through his russet locks, the midafternoon sun glinting on the red flecks throughout. “What I want, dear daughter, is to cleanse the world of impurities like you.” He caressed the stone like it was his favorite pet. “And this will finally allow me to do that.”

Frost spread across my back. “How exactly will the demon amulet help you?”

His chuckle was colder than the frigid winter air. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Barric had to be stopped, and the Infernal Sol needed to be torn from his grasp.

Did I want the amulet back?

Yes.

Would taking it stop whatever demented plan Barric had?

Possibly.

Even as I justified stealing the Infernal Sol from him, I knew my real reasons weren’t so altruistic.

I just wanted the damn thing.

A growl burst out of my mouth as I lunged for him, attempting to release the alpha power within.

But Barric was ready.

Before I could sink my talons into his throat, he placed his hand on my cheek, and the forest swam in dizzying circles.

As fear infiltrated every cell in my body, Fane materialized a few feet away, casually leaning against a tree.

“We knew this was coming.” He gave a lazy shrug. “We were never meant to be.”

Pain sliced into my core, and I stumbled out of Barric’s grip.

When had Fane gotten here? Why would he say that to me?

“It doesn’t matter if we were meant to be,” I said, my voice shaky. “We are together.”

He pushed off the tree and took a few steps closer. “I only claimed you to save you, Tate. Don’t kid yourself into thinking it was by choice. I would never choose to be with you of my own free will. You killed my brother.”

His cruel words and the nonchalant way he delivered them had tears burning in my eyes, turning the forest blurry.

“You don’t mean that.”

“Of course I do.” He ran his fingers along my cheek and down my neck over the tattoo his bite had given me, but the usual warm tingle his touch brought was absent. “Besides, Saint Grimstone is your fated mate. You’re destined to be with him.”

Mocking laughter reverberated around me, and my mind attempted to push through the fog the fear had brought.

“I’m not destined to be with Saint. I want you.”

“And I don’t want you.” Fane gripped my shoulders, bruising my flesh. “Don’t you see, Tate? This is my chance to be free of you. It’s what I’ve always wanted. Biting you was the worst mistake of my life, and thankfully, the universe has finally given me a way out of your disastrous and disappointing orbit.”

My heart shrank and shriveled into a ball as anguish erupted through me. One of my deepest fears had materialized. It was like someone had cracked my skull opened and slithered inside to find what scared me the most…

As the realization hit me, I sucked in a ragged breath. That was exactly what someone had done.

This was Barric’s doing.

He’d used the Infernal Sol to latch on to my fears and make me hallucinate, something I’d done countless times when I had the amulet.

My teeth ground and hands curled into fists so tight my nails dug into my palms, spilling blood. I gathered my strength to break out of the fear hallucination.

Barric had the amulet, but I had more experience with it.

As the cruel visage of Fane vanished like smoke, Barric’s shocked expression came into view.

“Nice try, but I was much better at that than you.” My fist slammed into his cheek, and his head snapped around.

All I had to do was rip the chain from around his neck and take the Infernal Sol back. Once it was in my grasp again, it would realize how much better I was than Barric.

But before I could make my move, the forest stirred, and figures emerged from the trees surrounding us.

A string of curses tumbled out as I recognized a few members of The Collective Hunt.

Just great. This was an even bigger trap than I’d thought.