Chapter 18 #2
The start of his threat, because it was clear that was what it would be, was the breaking point for Caedmon.
He stood, pulling his hand from mine as an explosion of power broke out of his skin, causing everyone in the room to look towards us.
Surprise registered on his father’s face before he could hide it as Caedmon’s voice came out filled with anger.
“Do not ever threaten my mate or my pack again.”
His voice was filled with such intense command that my spine straightened, everything inside of me wanting to listen to him.
No one was speaking in the room anymore, and his father held his gaze, his own magic building.
For just a moment, I worried that it would turn into something far more violent.
Then his father straightened himself and looked over the group of us, delivering his parting words. “This isn’t over, Caedmon. You know what happens when you go against me.”
His tone sent chills up my spine, and as he walked away, Caedmon deflated, sitting down and taking my hand once more.
Ryder offered him a clap on the shoulder but didn’t say anything.
Tore made his way back over to us and sat down, Julian and him exchanging a look, as I finally saw Dakota.
His expression was no longer angry. Instead he looked partly relieved and partly sad, his gaze on Caedmon’s father.
Before we could comment on what had just happened, the lights dimmed and Hastain walked to the front of the room, a dark grin, nearly sinister, forming on his face.
“Good evening, everyone,” he began, looking around before continuing, “It is amazing to see so many prestigious lines gathered here today. I want to thank each and every one of you for making time to attend this important event.”
For a second, I thought that maybe he would keep it celebratory—after all, that was the email he had sent to everyone, right? I should have known that thought was too good to be true.
“Unfortunately, it’s an event marked by some rather disappointing news.” His feigned sadness had me feeling nervous. “As you know, the reason that we form blood-bonded packs is to ensure unity. To ensure that four prominent wolf lines share one mate and prosper.”
He paused for a moment, allowing the tension in the room to grow.
“I was joyous to discover that one of our blood-bonded packs had found their mate, assuming that it would go off without a hitch,” he explained. “But what I realized today was rather startling. These young men have chosen to not mark their mate.”
Shocked murmurs filled the room as my cheeks tinted in embarrassment.
“Not only that,” he continued, “but they have allowed their mate to form a relationship with one of our professors. A kitsune.”
All eyes were on us, I could feel it.
“They have broken the bond they made, the promise they made, and have left her unprotected from those who may want to hurt a bitten female.” Hastain hissed as if disgusted by the very thing he made a habit of doing.
“And because of that, I have joined all of you together to announce a decision that I don’t make lightly. ”
That sense of trepidation caused my gut to churn as Ryder’s hand slid onto my thigh, all of my men seemingly ready to stand at a moment’s notice. Ready to leave.
It had been a mistake to come here.
“I propose to forcibly dissolve the blood-bonded pack bond between the four undeserving individuals and therefore remove the mating bond.”
Silence reigned supreme as my mouth fell open in shock.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Dakota had stood, his face contorted in fury. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”
“We aren’t breaking any bonds,” Caedmon snarled, standing as well.
“You have no right to propose that,” Ryder joined in.
It was then that I realized Julian was saying something to Tore, who looked like he was about to lose it.
Ever since we had officially mated, there had been a subtle shift in Tore’s energy, slightly more aggressive and dominant.
Not towards me, but everyone else. I felt like he was trying to hide it from me, and I didn’t like that at all—I wanted all of him.
Always. Even the part that was more than a bit intimidating right now.
I stood up then and took a shaky breath, knowing this was the moment that I needed to be strong for them. I spoke up, actively working to keep my voice from shaking. “You have no right to decide that for them and for me—”
“Yet she defends them,” Hastain growled, looking surprised I’d spoken up. “She is blinded by the bond, clearly.”
“You are the one who is blinded,” I countered, my hands shaking with anger. I didn’t feel like myself, not fully, and I could feel a sensation moving over my skin that probably meant my magic was showing to some extent. I didn’t care though.
“Why is that?” Hastain asked, his eyes filled with a malicious yet happy light, as if this was all going the way he planned.
“Because I have been marked by one of my mates,” I said, pushing back my hair to show off the mark. The room broke into surprised conversation as fury filled Hastain’s face. I knew he didn’t understand when that had happened, and while I wasn’t proud of it, I took pride in catching him off guard.
“Then we break that bond.”
What had he just said?
My ears started to ring as I considered what he was saying. He wanted to rip my mates and I apart. A pink glow began to surround me, my wolf urging me to shift. I fought myself, trembling with effort, not knowing how I would react if I moved.
“It’s clear the girl isn’t normal.” Hastain motioned towards me. “It probably wouldn’t work the same—”
“A mate bond is a mate bond.”
A deep, masculine voice had me looking towards my right, where Tore’s father stood. “You will not threaten my son’s mate bond again.”
Hastain swallowed and offered his hands out in a friendly gesture. “Your son and her could go to a different blood-bonded pack.”
I finally hit my limit. I was about to absolutely explode, I could feel it under my skin… But then the room suddenly shifted.
A cool wind swept through the space from above, and I looked up to watch the ceiling disappear.
Not metaphorically, either—the ceiling became transparent, revealing a gorgeous moon and stars shining light on us from above.
A white fog filled the room as people broke out in sounds of concern, but my magic coated my mates and I, the feel of a familiar power meeting my own.
A smile broke out onto my face as a feminine voice echoed through the room.
“Now, now, now… That is not how we talk about a young woman’s mating bond.”
Mona. The blue-haired goddess-like woman appeared out of nowhere, floating down to stand near Hastain, who paled, nearly tripping over himself and falling.
To be fair, she looked like a literal goddess, her white gown with silver stars surrounding her like a cloud.
She offered me a kind smile before turning her gaze to Hastain.
With a flick of her hand, she had him up in the air. “A mating bond is sacred and should be celebrated, honored, far grander than this…”
She trailed off before offering me a secretive smile.
“…especially for my daughter.”