Chapter 32
“I’m drained,” Priestess Caroline shouted, informing our side that she couldn’t use her magic.
It had been dangerously low before that, so it wasn’t surprising.
I slammed into King Jovian just as heat warmed my back, adding to the excruciating pain that burned like fire in my chest from the wolf’s claws. The only blessing was the fact that I was immune to their magic, so the sensation was merely warming and not charring my skin … unlike King Jovian if it had hit him.
The king grunted as he landed on his back, and my body covered his, but his grunt was cut off by a cry of pain as my body jarred. Pain pulsed through me, overwhelming me, and fatigue crashed over me.
Raffe’s hot anger boiled, and he snarled. I’m so damn tired of people trying to hurt you. This ends now.
Panic ripped through me, giving me enough energy to lift my head. Raffe leaped at Olwyn and sank his teeth into her throat. His paws hit her in the chest, causing her to stumble back, her eyes widening. The flames receded from her hands.
Josie hovered over her father, who lay on the ground, rolling to extinguish the flames torching his clothes. The stench of burned flesh and the way his skin had charred told me he had severe burns.
My body cooled, and Slade yelled, “No! Mom.” He tripped, trying to get over the fallen wooden pieces from the porch, then fell over a dead body.
Olwyn gurgled, her hands clutching her neck, blood seeping between her fingers. I lowered my head, unable to lift it anymore.
Raffe hadn’t been injured again.
Some of my panic receded.
King Jovian huffed and gently rolled me off himself and onto the ground. When my back hit, I whimpered as my pain doubled. My vision darkened. I could no longer ignore the exhaustion and the torture my body had endured.
Sky, Raffe linked, and I heard his unsteady paw steps as he hurried toward me. His concern swirled through our connection, along with his own fatigue and pain.
I cracked my eyes open as he ran past his father and laid his head on my stomach. His pain mixed with mine. We’d both been injured, but the buzz of our connection flared between us, comforting me.
King Jovian cleared his throat and rose to his feet, then turned to the chaos behind him. “This is over now.”
Sobs echoed in my ears as Slade mourned his mother. I hated that my heart ached for him and his loss after everything he’d done, not only to me but to all of us. He’d never been a friend, not a real one, and I shouldn’t let his sadness affect me. We’d done what we had to because his mother had attacked us.
“Does anyone else want to fight against my family or my species?” King Jovian’s voice echoed with authority. “If so, let’s finish this and kill all the people who want to rise against me.”
A lump formed in my throat as I waited for the fight to commence again. I didn’t see a way we would get out of here, not like this. Raffe and I were completely drained.
“You son of a bitch!” Slade screamed. “I’ll kill you for what you’ve done to my mother.”
My eyes flew open, my power pulsing through me at the mere thought of losing my mate. Raffe flinched, moving so he protected me. I locked gazes with Slade as he lifted his hands, aiming at me and my mate. I pushed my power at him.
“Kill him,” King Jovian commanded, and his ten men rushed toward Slade.
Water hit Raffe, the force of it driving his body onto me, making my chest and back throb.
Then Slade’s body lurched, and he clutched his chest, cutting off his magic. He dropped to his knees as his body shook then fell.
I had no doubt he was dead, but that last little push had taken me over the edge.
I sank into darkness.
My hand buzzed,and I heard slow, steady breathing to one side of me and purring on the other.
Something tickled my brain, but I couldn’t quite access what it was. I opened my eyes to familiar lilac walls and a poster of the woods right above me taped to the white ceiling. The picture I’d used to calm my power when I couldn’t get out into the woods.
I turned my head to find Raffe beside me. He sat in my leather office chair, which he’d pulled over from my purple desk on the other side of my childhood room. He was shirtless and holding my hand, and he’d listed sideways in a way that couldn’t be comfortable. Faint scabs dotted his side.
Some of my tension eased. His wound had been taken care of.
Parched, I tried to sit up, but pain stung my shoulder, and my chest burned despite my fuzzy head. Cat-Keith jumped from her spot at my feet, glaring at me like my movement had offended her.
Raffe woke and winced. “Hey, careful.” He squeezed my hand and leaned so that his shoulder brushed my arm. “Your injuries were awful, so it’ll take you time to heal even with your shifter magic running through you.” He kissed my shoulder, the warmth of his love and worry flowing into me. “I’m so damn glad to look into your eyes again. It’s been fucking awful to see you like this. I thought I was going to lose you.”
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I tried to swallow, but nothing happened due to how dry my mouth was.
He tensed. What’s wrong?
Water. Please.
His forehead lined. I’ll tell Lucy. Do you need anything else? His guilt swirled in my chest, tightening it.
I shook my head.
His eyes glowed quickly before he continued, Dammit, Sky. A tear trickled down his cheek, and his eyes glistened.His turmoil swirled between us. Do you know what that did to me when you blacked out? Your heart was barely beating, and it’s a miracle you’re alive.
This time, when I winced, it was from the heaviness in my heart. I’m sorry. Slade was going to hurt you, and I—
I was alert enough to know that I’d better not finish that thought. My words would only upset him.
Oh, I know what you thought, and I fucking feel the same way about you. His shoulders slumped. Luckily, everyone was arrested while Dru performed surgery on you to get the bullet out. With how much blood you lost— He stopped and took a ragged breath. At least, it was my turn to return the favor and give you some blood to get you through it.
I cringed. I’m sorry. It’s just, I love you and—
He exhaled. “Don’t. I’d have done the same thing. I’m just fucking glad this is over.” He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You better never do anything like that ever again. Do you hear me?”
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the discomfort as I reached up and cupped his cheek. I love you.
I love you too. He arched a brow. But when you get better, you’re getting a spanking.
Even feeling off the way that I was, I couldn’t help but smile. Promise?
He straightened. Don’t keep teasing. There’s no telling what I might do since I fucking need to be inside you again after damn near losing you.
As much as I loved the sound of that, even the thought of doing too much had me damn near in tears. Let’s try tomorrow.
His face softened. I doubt you’ll be able to even then, but at least you’re awake, and we can talk.That’s better than the way you’ve been sleeping the past two days.
Two days?
Mom and Dad. Panic clawed in my chest, forcing me upright. Agony shot through my body, but I pushed past it, needing to see what had happened to them. Josie, Dave, and Aldric? Dave had been shot, and Aldric hadn’t appeared well.
My door opened, and two of the very people I was concerned about walked in.
Mom held a glass of water and hurried to me. She’d pulled her short blonde hair into a small bun, and the skin around her russet eyes tightened. She had a scab on her neck where the dagger had been held against it in the picture. “Here, honey. Lucy told us you needed water.”
I took the glass from Mom and sipped, then turned my attention to Dad. His forehead was lined all the way up to where his hairline used to be, and his brown eyes darkened. “We’re just glad you’re all right. You gave all of us a scare.”
The water felt like sandpaper going down my throat, but I took another gulp, which went down a little smoother.
Josie went back with Dad to bury her father. Aldric didn’t survive the burns. Dave is with her and fine. Mom has been blowing up my phone nonstop, worried sick about us, but Dad needs her there next to him with all the fallout from Aldric’s betrayal, Raffe answered during a moment of silence.
My chest ached for Josie’s loss. I could only imagine, and I was thankful she had Dave with her through the process.
A knock came at the door, and I turned to find Dru standing there.
“Oh, come on in.” Mom took a few steps back, giving him room. “She’s finally awake.”
“I heard.” He smiled. “Go easy on the water. You haven’t had anything to drink in a few days, and even though we gave you an IV for pain relief and fluids, you could get nauseous.”
Reluctantly, I placed the cup in my lap. “Noted. Where is everyone? Are they all okay?”
“There were about fifty deaths, including the key players in the Veiled Circle—Olwyn and Warin.” Raffe took my hand and sat on the edge of the bed next to me. “And that damn cat is finally growing on me. She prevented Warin from reaching you so I could finish him.”
I swallowed my groan, not wanting him to move. I laid my head on his shoulder, needing to feel his touch. He rubbed a thumb over my hand. “Keagan and his pack went back to Seattle with Dad to determine their next steps, and both covens went with them, though Stephanie, Sedona, and Faith stayed behind.”
Do my parents know? I linked, not wanting to ask that question out loud.
He mashed his lips together. They do, and they don’t want their memories taken from them. They want to know about your world, but ultimately, Dad and I agree that the decision is yours to make. If you want us to get a vampire to alter their memories, we can do that. We already repaired the porch and took care of the dead. So we could do it at any point, you just name it.
That was a tough question and something I needed to discuss with them first.
“Are you doing that pack-link thing?” Mom asked, her gaze darting from him to me. “Because both of your eyes are glowing.”
I snorted, caught off guard that she’d noticed. Pain sliced down my chest, and I glanced down, ignoring the way my back screamed, to see deep scabs on my chest. “I asked if you knew about us.”
“Yes, we do, and we don’t want to forget it, Skylar Greene—er, Wright.” She clenched her fists. “I’m not even sure which name to say when you’re in trouble.”
Dad scowled, but he let out a breath. “We just wish you hadn’t kept anything from us.”
“In fairness, you would’ve thought I was insane. You were already worried about my attachment to Raffe.” I could still imagine them dragging me from EEU, thinking I’d lost my mind or joined a cult. “The only reason you don’t now is because of what you experienced.”
“That was something.” Dad shivered. “And you’re probably right. Though I’m still not thrilled about this man claiming you as his own without discussing it with us.” He glowered at Raffe.
“Dad, it was both of us, and I don’t want to talk about how we formed our connection”—I wrinkled my nose—“with my parents. Even if you had told him no, we’d still be with one another. He’s the other half of my soul, and I know it’s hard to understand, but we feel one another, thoughts and all.”
“And sir, I’ll do anything to protect her.” Raffe’s shoulders sagged. “I know it doesn’t look like it in her current state. She’s just so damn stubborn.”
Dad raised both hands in surrender. “Now that, son, I can agree with you on. And the animals circling our home made everything sink in. I always knew Sky had an affinity for nature, but I never imagined this. She’s the closest thing to a Disney princess that anyone could be.”
I snorted, remembering so many of us thinking the same thing.
Octavia stuck her head into the room, Fane and Lucy behind her. Octavia chuckled and said, “I’m not sure if that’s a strong enough description when it comes to her.” She winked at me.
The three of them joined us, standing in front of the desk.
“You have no idea.” Mom rolled her eyes but wore a huge smile. “Let me tell you some stories.”
Raffe settled closer into me, and we lay back with his arm anchoring me to him. Mom and Dad launched into stories of my childhood and how I wouldn’t take no for an answer when it came to things I wanted.
For the first time in my life, I felt like maybe everything would work out after all.
Two days later,the rest of our pack, which now included Sedona, Stephanie, and Fane, arrived back at Evergreen Elite University to meet with King Jovian, Queen Tashya, Keagan, Josie, Dave, Priestess Caroline, and Priestess Ednah.
Being back at the university was strange, but it also felt right.
The school was on fall break, so most people were off campus. The eight of us headed into the brick administration building, passing through the evergreen-painted halls to a back office used for board meetings.
A dark wooden, rectangular table took up the center of the room, with seats for up to twenty. Two things struck me as odd. First—Lafayette was there, and second—there were two open spots in the middle of the table. One on Keagan’s right and the other on King Jovian’s left. Queen Tashya sat on his other side.
“Please, come sit here, son.” King Jovian pulled out the thick wooden seat next to him. “We saved these two for you and Skylar.”
Queen Tashya jumped up and ran to Raffe and me, pulling us into a hug. She murmured, “Thank gods, you two are all right. I wished I’d forced my way into coming that night, but your father conveniently left out who he was rushing off to help, wanting to protect me.”
Raffe hugged her back tightly. “It’s okay. I need to learn his ways of doing that so Skylar won’t keep ending up in danger.”
Good luck with that. I cut my eyes to him. Not happening.
I detangled myself, my body slightly aching from her hug, to give them a moment together and sat down in the open spot beside Raffe.
Soon, Raffe took the seat between the king and me, across from Priestess Caroline and Priestess Ednah.
Raffe intertwined our fingers and rubbed his thumb over my wrist. He linked, Babe, I swear, I won’t let anything bad happen. Dad said he wanted to talk to all of us, including you and me.
I smiled tensely at him and nodded. I wasn’t sure if King Jovian still hated me, so I was a little on edge, but this was something we had to do, at least for Raffe. I didn’t want to come between him and his father.
Josie and Dave sat on the opposite side of King Jovian, and the others filled in spots, with Stephanie sitting next to her dad and Sedona taking the spot next to her mom and their mates beside them. Lucy and Fane sat on the end across from Stephanie and Adam.
When we were all settled, Keagan turned on the large screen on the wall at the end of the table. A female appeared on a live feed.
“Thera, so glad you’re here.” Keagan smiled and introduced each of us, except for Ednah, Stephanie, and Sedona.
The woman pushed her long black hair over her shoulders and smiled. “I’m honored to be chosen to take over for Warin. Hopefully, I can do a better job than him.”
That wouldn’t be hard.
“We wanted to have this meeting before Keagan headed back to Atlanta.” King Jovian placed a hand on the table. “I don’t want to drag this out since my decision is quite simple. My wife and I are stepping down as king and queen and handing the reins over to my son and his mate.”
My jaw dropped. Raffe tilted his head back, and his shock mixed with mine, but he smoothed his expression into a mask of indifference, whereas I couldn’t.
“Really?” Raffe’s hand tightened on mine, and he laughed. “What made you come to that conclusion? Not too long ago, you told me I wasn’t fit to lead and my mate was a liability.”
“Which is why you two should be the leaders.” King Jovian hung his head. “I was stuck in the old ways, and I let fear dictate my decisions. I trusted someone I shouldn’t have—though he did try to protect me in the end—and I didn’t listen to the one person I should’ve respected more than anyone. You and Skylar have proved that I was completely in the wrong and that now it’s time for new leadership to take over. I mean, Skylar did jump in front of the fire to protect me after I’d been so awful to you both.” He turned to Raffe and smiled. “If you and your mate are willing, I’ll submit to you, and you can take over officially.”
Warm hope spread through Raffe and flowed into me. This was the future he’d always planned—taking over and leading his people.
What do you think? Raffe linked and turned to me.
Out of all the possible scenarios, I had never imagined this. Not only was his dad accepting me, but he was also okay with me ruling beside his son. However, there was one problem. I don’t want to lead the same way. I don’t want to hinder the other species, so—
Maybe, at one time, I wouldn’t have agreed with you, but I do now. He turned his back on his dad and took both my hands, his blue eyes glowing brightly. We’ll make decisions together and figure out how we think our reign should be. You and me. Together. Forever. The way it was always meant to be.
I really like the sound of that. To make a difference, to help the rest of the species, and to allow each person to have a voice sounded better than being a vet. Maybe this was what Fate always had in store for me. Together. Forever. That’s the way I always want it to be.
Raffe stood, turned to his dad, and whispered, “I accept.”
When his dad lowered his eyes, submitting to him, thousands of pack links soared into my chest, and Tashya beamed.
For once, I felt balanced, inside and out.
A year and a half later
I heldon tightly to Raffe’s waist as he took each curve of the road, his bike moving smoothly and the wind blowing in our faces and hair.
We were heading back to campus to check in with Josie and Dave and meet up with my parents later for dinner. We’d wound up not removing their memories, and I was thankful we hadn’t. After getting past the nightmares of their capture, they’d acclimated easily to this world.
We’d all graduated from EEU, and I now had my bachelor’s degree in science. Raffe had stepped into the family business, working alongside his dad while I worked in a vet’s office as a technician, though not as the vet I’d once planned. I was happy with that because I could focus on learning how to use my power and finally controlling it. Between all that and my duties as Raffe’s mate, I found a new sort of future that felt even more complete. The best part was shifting into wolf form and running while communicating and connecting with animals and learning more about their species and how Raffe and I could make changes to better help everyone.
We’d set up a council with each supernatural species equally represented. Adam had moved to Atlanta to be with Stephanie, and having one of Raffe’s right-hand people there helped to bridge the gap between the East and the West. Problems were addressed and not discounted, and every species was free to honor their heritage in any way they saw fit, including the covens having access to the Books of Twilight, which we’d removed from the hidden library and made available to any supernatural, not only coven members.
Caroline took over as the supreme priestess, her family’s legacy falling back into the rightful hands, with Sedona joining her coven, though she and Keith stayed with the shifters to help with the West’s problems. Lafayette had quickly gotten on board with our plans, though we’d kept a watchful eye on him at first, unsure if he’d ever been part of the Veiled Circle. From what we could tell, he hadn’t been, but Dave and Josie joined the college board to make sure it was never used for recruiting again.
Surprisingly, Hecate and Zella were still friends of mine, though they’d graduated and gone back to their hometowns. They’d both acclimated to the way things ran now and seemed to enjoy it.
Overall, things were settled, and most everyone seemed happy with the changes.
Raffe pulled into the spot where he always used to park. Once we’d removed our helmets and stowed them, he took my hand and led me past the women’s apartments.
I tugged on him to stop him in his tracks. “I thought we were meeting Josie and Dave.”
“We are. I just want to check on something first.” He winked and nodded. “Come on. It won’t take long. I’ll make it worth it.”
I snorted. “Fine. But I don’t want to be late if they’re expecting us.”
“They’ll be okay.” He wrapped an arm around my waist, and we headed toward the woods where so much had happened, both bad and good.
As we stepped through the tree line, a strange emotion wafted from him, something he normally didn’t exude. “What’s—” I started, but a few feet away lay a lilac blanket on the ground with purple roses all around it. Raffe headed straight to it.
I inhaled sharply. “What’s this?”
We stepped onto the blanket, and Raffe rubbed his palms against his jeans. Then he dropped to one knee.
My entire world stopped, and I placed a hand on my chest.
He looked up at me through his thick eyelashes and cleared his throat. “Skylar, we’ve gone through a lot of shit in the last year, but ever since the day you ran into my chest here on campus, one thing has never changed. I fucking love you, and I fall more for you each and every day. I not only want you as my fated mate but as my wife and the mother of my children. I want you to be mine in every way.” He reached into his pocket and removed a jewelry box. “Skylar Greene, will you marry me?”
My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. My chest wanted to explode from how damn happy I was. I’d never imagined I’d have a friend, let alone a man like him who wanted me by his side forever. Not only was he kind, loyal, and caring, but he was also the sexiest man I’d ever known.
He fidgeted, our bond shrinking. “Uh … for the record, you saying no would probably kill me.”
I snorted and threw my arms around his neck as tears spilled down my cheeks. I kissed him and linked, Of course I’ll marry you. That wasn’t even a question with everything we’ve gone through. There’s no one else I’d ever want by my side. You’re the perfect other half of me and have always had my back when no one else did. I love you, but let’s wait a few years on the children.
He laughed, kissing me back. Fine with me.
Pulling away, he slipped the three-carat oval diamond ring on my finger, and it fit perfectly. My heart couldn’t be happier. “We need to call my parents.”
“Oh, don’t worry.” He stood and pulled me to his chest. “Everyone is waiting for us at the student center to celebrate. There was no way I was pissing your dad off again and not asking his permission first. Not when he just started liking me.”
“Everyone?” I arched a brow.
“Everyone.” He kissed me again, his tongue slipping into my mouth. The whole damn crew, including Octavia, Dru, and my parents. Adam, Keith, Stephanie, and Sedona even flew in from Atlanta.
And that right there made this moment even more perfect.
Best of all, I had the most caring mate in the entire world … for the rest of my life.
Do you enjoy completed wolf shifter fated mate romance trilogies? Then click here or scroll down to read the first chapters of Broken Mate, book 1 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf Trilogy and/or Destined Mate, book 1 of the Twisted Fate Trilogy.
If you enjoy fated mate wolf shifter romance stories that include betrayal and rejection themes, one click here for Betrayed Mate, Book 1 in the Rejected Fate Trilogy.
Do you love a villain gets the girl, fated mates, fae romantasy story? Then preorder The King of Frost and Shadows, Book 1 of the Fated to Darkness Trilogy here or scroll down to read the first chapter.