23. Lumi
Chapter 23
Lumi
I didn’t hear so much as a twig move before his deep voice trembled through me. For a moment, I don’t move as I process my next move. I should tell Ambrose I’m in danger. But if Nyx wants me dead, I’ll be dead long before Ambrose could get here and save me. Rowena is miles away. I’m all alone with Nyx.
Chills race up my arms, but I calm my breathing as I turn and face him.
“Where is he?” my voice holds demands an answer, refusing to let a drop of fear tremble in my voice.
Nyx leans against a tree casually, like he just went out for a stroll and came across me. He sweeps a strand of his black hair out of his eyes.
“Kael is safe with the Bloodmoon wolves.”
I glare at him with a deep intensity, trying to figure out if he’s lying or telling the truth. I’ve only ever spent a couple of hours with the man. I know he’s the only other alpha that Ambrose is afraid of, the only one that rivals his powers. I know there is more between Ambrose and Nyx, more than just two competitive alphas.
“Why did you take him?” Keep him talking. I decide that is the best way to stay alive. Keep him talking; let the rage flow through my veins. And hope my wolf finally decides to make an appearance today.
Nyx stares at me, seemingly confused as to how I don’t already know the answer to that question. But when I don’t balk, he finally says, “Someone needed to make sure there were no distractions for you before the next full moon.”
“Kael isn’t a distraction.”
Nyx narrows his eyes playfully. “Isn’t he? He’s the male you care most about. He’s the male you shared your first kiss with. He’s the male that you dream about at night. The one you want to fu—”
“Stop,” I growl. “Just stop. Kael is just a friend. He’s not my lover. And he’s not my mate; Ambrose is.”
Nyx stares at me, unblinking. A cold breeze wafts toward me, making me shiver.
“If you say so. But personally, I’m not taking any chances. I want the curse ended as soon as possible.”
“Then return Kael, or I’ll refuse to mate with Ambrose.” I grind my teeth as I speak. I’m not even sure if I know if I’m bluffing or not.
“Shift, and I will,” he replies.
My eyes widen. That simple, huh? Just shift. He knows full well I can’t shift.
I huff angrily, letting my anger at this man fill me. This man who could kill Kael with a snap of his fingers. A man who could take the last remaining person of my past.
I take a deep breath, then another, and another, letting the burning feeling flow through me.
He chuckles. “That isn’t going to work.”
I glare at him. “Take me instead.”
“I can’t do that. I need you to break the curse. Although, at the rate you’re trying to shift, Kael has a much better chance at breaking the curse than you do.”
“Then. Let. Him. Go.”
“And what motivation would you have to learn to shift if I did that?”
“I don’t need any motivation. And I’m not going to complete the marking ceremony if it means freeing you from the curse. You deserve every ounce of pain you and your pack feel. You’re working with vampires and witches. You sent them to kill the entire Moonlight pack. You kidnapped my best friend. I’m not going to do anything for you.”
Nyx just stares at me, unmoving. I’m not sure if he processed any of my words or not. I’m not sure if he’s going to call my bluff or not.
I can’t not complete the marking ceremony. I have to break the curse for everyone, even if it means freeing Nyx as well. But Nyx doesn’t know that. Threatening to not break the curse to get Kael back is the only option I have. I can’t fight Nyx. I can’t shift.
“I could tell Ambrose your little secret. Tell him that you aren’t packless. That you belong to the Wintermoon wolves. That you are the reason for the curse.”
I swallow hard, unsure of how to respond. He’s got me. I’m powerless. There is nothing I can do to get Kael back, short of fighting him. Ambrose can’t know my secret. He’ll kill me in hopes of finding a better mate.
“If you did that, then the marking ceremony wouldn’t happen. Ambrose wouldn’t choose me as his mate. He’d kill me. And you’d still be cursed.”
“Won’t matter since you can’t shift anyway. And I’m not sure you’re worthy of being an alpha’s mate.”
I growl, hoping something kicks in. Claws, sharp teeth, speed—anything to help me attack this man.
Nothing appears. No new traits or senses. But I’m not going to let Nyx get away with everything he’s done.
I run at him with everything I have, throwing my arm back like I’m going to punch him and then sweeping my leg into a kick just like Emeric taught me.
Nyx simply takes a step to the side as I fly through the air, landing hard on the cold ground.
“You’re fearless; I’ll give you that. You and Ambrose have that in common. Along with that annoying, determined attitude that causes you to never give up. But let me stop you before you hurt yourself.” Nyx pushes a foot into my back, applying enough pressure that it makes it hard for me to breathe. I have no idea how to get out of this position.
He wins.
But if I can shift. If I complete the marking ceremony. If I become an alpha alongside Ambrose, then maybe together we can defeat him and his pack once and for all.
“Keep my secret, and I’ll end the curse. Hurt Kael and I’ll kill you. And I won’t end the curse. If Kael dies, I won’t have a reason for ending the curse.”
“Kael is completely safe as long as you complete the marking ceremony on the next full moon. If you fail, I have limited reason for keeping him alive.”
I wince as his foot digs deeper into my back. “I won’t fail.”
“I know; you’ll do anything for your friend. So I’ll keep your secret. But you’ll owe me a favor. You’ll learn I don’t do anything for free, little snow wolf. Especially not any favors for Ambrose or his mate.”
I growl, knowing I need to talk to Ambrose. I need to let him know where I am. And I need to know what happened between him and Nyx. I need the whole story. And I need a better plan to get Kael back before the full moon. Despite how badly I want this, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to shift in time.
“Oh, and one more thing before I let you go. Ambrose was the one who gave me Kael. He traded his life to me like it meant nothing to him. So if you want someone to blame for my capture of Kael, blame Ambrose.”