Chapter 20 #2
How long had we been in here? It appeared my mates were nearly as frozen as myself, and while I could tell it was nighttime, I couldn’t tell how late into the night.
My gaze darted to the sky. The beautiful stars shone brightly, no clouds in sight, but a frigid wind carried the winter air into the caves along with the waves.
One thing I did realize was that this huler was lower than the other one had been.
Or maybe the waves were higher…either way, they were easily crashing in again and again.
“He used magic to attack, but it was a magic like I’ve never seen before.
It was more akin to poison gas. We all started waking up only a few minutes ago,” Ryder explained, his expression tight as if striving for control.
I didn’t think he needed it, especially not now.
I craved for his magic to lash out, for it to fill the space in an explosion of heat that would melt all of the cold away and fill our connection with the vibrant strength it normally held.
“Bastard was waiting,” Julian bit out. “I should’ve known that he was waiting—it was way too easy to get back on campus.”
It had been. I pulled my knees further against my chest, only getting so far because of the chains on my ankles, and my chest squeezed painfully at his words.
Despite being in the same space together, the way he had us chained apart was so isolating.
I wanted to be close to my mates, to be able to weather this storm as one.
I realized in that moment just how often we were together and I was able to touch them.
These restraints made me appreciate each of those moments ten times more.
“We need to get out of here,” I said, my brain moving a million miles an hour. “I can try to heal everyone from over here, but I imagine after being exposed to the cold for so long… Well, eventually I won’t be able to. And Ryder’s magic is cut off because of those cuffs they put on him.”
“It’s a good thing,” Ryder said evenly, “that they didn’t put them on you.”
I blinked, realizing he was right. But Hastain knew that I had some type of true magic…
so maybe those handcuffs were just for kitsune magic?
If that was true, I would still have access to that.
Even if my other magic wouldn’t help us get out of here, the kitsune magic would.
I looked around, seeing that all of my mates were reaching the same conclusion, but no one said a word out loud. They thought someone was listening.
“This is fucked,” Tore bit out. I blinked, then nodded, agreeing with his analysis completely.
“It’s going to get worse,” Caedmon predicted, his gaze on the lake. “He’s not going to just let us sit here all night—that’s far too passive for him.”
“You think?” My throat threatened to close up at the idea of my mates being in so much danger.
The door at the back of the cave opened, nearly hitting Julian, who barely managed to get out of the way, his chains not giving him much leeway. My entire body went tense, dread trailing down my spine.
“He’s not wrong.” Hastain strolled in as if he was on a relaxing evening walk, four security guards standing behind him in the hallway.
A growl left one of my mates’ chests as I narrowed my eyes at the man who’d put all of us in this situation—the man that seemed to be waiting around every corner, ready to ruin everything.
To shatter my new, happy reality—my snow globe.
“Why are you doing this?” I demanded, tears of anger warming my cheeks. Normally I hated that emotions incited tears for me, but right now I didn’t care. Right now I just wanted answers.
“I could ask you the same question.” He regarded me with a bored expression as he crouched in front of me, tugging on my chain.
“Get the fuck away from her,” Dakota growled, the rolling sound causing me to shiver as Hastain’s gaze darted over cautiously.
“As I was saying, I could ask you the same question,” he drew out.
“Why are you doing any of this, Effie? You say these men are your mates, yet you continuously put them in situations where they’re punished for your insubordinate behavior.
They would be fine and safe if you’d just agreed to be my son’s mate from the start. ”
“He’s not my mate,” I said through clenched teeth, trying to ignore the guilt surging through me. Hastain was right. I knew my mates wouldn’t view it that way, but I did. “His pack has a fated mate.”
“Yes,” he spat in disgust. “I’m aware. In fact, my son was the one who unintentionally led me to where you were staying—it was how I realized you were friends with their mate, if you can call her that. I should’ve known what a traitor he was.”
I froze up, wondering if he’d heard our conversation, but considering he didn’t immediately mention it, it made me think not.
I also couldn’t help but pray to the Goddess that Ruby would realize that something bad had happened.
I mean, there would be proof at the house.
Maybe they could follow our scent and find us…
“I had to use magic I promised I would never use.” He clicked his tongue, and I saw Ryder tense.
My eyes widened as I realized that had been…
his magic? How powerful was this guy? His lips pressed into a smile at my obvious realization.
“But you see, it’s worth it, Effie, because of you.
You are a prized possession that I never expected to purchase—one that the Whitepaw pack didn’t even realize the value of. ”
My stomach churned as he continued. “I’ve made many purchases through the years—brought together lines and created successful deals—but you…
You’re different. You don’t even come from this realm, Effie.
You’re a goddess, aren’t you? One that comes from a long line of lykos.
One that has an extraordinary amount of power at your disposal. ”
Oh no.
Hastain’s gaze moved to Ryder. “I suppose I should’ve known when you showed interest. Lykos and kitsune, two halves of a whole…
although that won’t be happening here. No, Effie, I’m here because I have a deal for you, one that will work in both of our favors.
One that will allow you to keep your mates safe and will give me what I want. ”
“What are you talking about?” Caedmon demanded, his voice and the alpha command in it causing Hastain to freeze for a moment before rolling his eyes, trying and failing to hide his fear of my lycan mate.
“I want one thing from you,” Hastain drew out. “If you agree, I’ll release your mates and you’ll come with me. I won’t touch them. Won’t harm them. They can continue their lives as normal.”
“No,” Julian bit out, but I continued to stare into Hastain’s gaze.
“What is it?” This was going to be bad.
“Break the mating bond.” His gaze sparked with challenge. “Break the mating bond so—”
“Your son has a mate!” One of my mates snapped.
Hastain chuckled darkly, grabbing my chin. “I don’t want you to mate with my son—I want you to break the mating bond and mate with me.”