Chapter Twenty-One
Skylar Cathal
I marched up the familiar steps of the alpha’s manor. Shaw said he could smell the beta’s scent from inside the compound. Raising my closed fist, I pounded on the doorframe.
“Xander!” I shouted at my ex-lover, my anger rising, cursing my luck. “Xander, it’s me. Open the door. I need you to call the alpha back!”
A scuffle sounded along with hurried footsteps inside the manor. It was unusual for pack members to knock, as we were always welcome, but I had not sworn allegiance yet to our new alpha. In fact, I was preparing to do the opposite if he did not listen to reason.
The handle to the large double doors turned as Xander’s tall, robust frame filled the entrance. “S-Skylar?” he stuttered, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “How? When did you—”
I held up my hand to silence him. “I’ll explain later, but first, you must call Gilen and bring him back immediately.”
I was done waiting.
Xander shook himself, his back straightening, embodying his role as second in our pack hierarchy. “The alpha will return tomorrow,” he answered. “If you need a meeting with him, you’ll have to wait until then.”
“Bullshit!” I roared and stepped closer.
A low warning growl emanated from Xander’s chest as his cocoa-colored eyes sharpened on me.
“Call him now,” I demanded.
His threatening rumble didn’t frighten me. After the basilisk and the labyrinth, I wondered if anything could.
“Gilen will return tomorrow.” Xander didn’t back down, his bear likely close to the surface as a light shimmer of green danced across his tanned skin. “Watch yourself, Skylar. You may be the champion, but—”
“But what?” I growled, refusing to back down.
“You don’t hold a rank within our pack. You’re only—”
“Careful how you choose to finish your words.” Shaw cut in, stepping to my side, his magic flaring as he met Xander’s stare.
“As beta, it’s your job to help protect our pack and ensure our alpha is guided and supported.
I respect your position in this role. But if you dare speak of Skylar in that way again, you will feel my claws at your throat.
” Shaw’s voice was as cold as death itself.
I watched Xander’s brows narrow, his eyes fixated on my friend. “Brave of you to challenge me, Shaw. And here I thought you were the intelligent one of your little group.”
Shaw’s magic pulsed wildly from his center, followed by a deep, menacing growl at the back of his throat.
“Come on, Xander,” Talon said, stepping to his brother’s side to try and defuse the fight brewing at the alpha’s doorstep. “You know Gilen will want to see her.”
Xander’s eyes didn’t leave Shaw’s as he spoke. “And your point?”
“Call him back,” I said as Shaw’s power continued to build.
“Shaw, back down,” Talon whispered.
Shaw’s growl only deepened as his magic flowed around him in response to Xander’s challenge.
“Fat chance.” Rhea sighed, leaning over the railing and picking at her nails, unimpressed at the scene playing out before us. “Are we really going to pretend you can take him, Xander?”
The beta’s eyes dashed over to Rhea for a split second, his rage building. “That’s enough.”
“Really?” Rhea shrugged and rolled her shoulders. “Because we all know who our beta should’ve been. Who holds the most power aside from Gilen in this pack?”
Xander turned his attention to her. “You—”
“You can’t do it,” Rhea said, silencing him. “You can’t reach Gilen when he’s that far away, can you?”
I blinked, realizing what Rhea was insinuating.
“Can you?” Rhea challenged again. “You’re not strong enough.”
Xander’s temper was on the verge of unleashing. “I—”
“Stop this!” I roared, putting myself between them, my power flowing through my words as a command.
They all stilled.
“Good. Thank you,” I said, turning to Xander. “I don’t want to fight. War is already here, and fighting amongst each other will only weaken us when we need to unite. I know this, and so do you.”
Xander was difficult to read, but he remained silent, allowing me to continue.
“I need the alpha’s dagger for the final trial, Xander.” I helplessly watched as his expression fell on those final words.
“Sky.” Xander sighed, his aggression softening. “What you’re asking for is impossible.”
“I know,” I said, reaching for his hand, trying to find the rational male I once knew better than anyone. “I know the gravity of what I’m asking, but this is the final trial. I have to retrieve the dagger and return it to the Inner Kingdom.”
“Whoever holds the dagger is the alpha, Sky. Gilen won’t just hand it over to you.”
“He might,” I said, turning my lips in. “For me, Gilen might.”
“Ha! You always did have an active imagination.” Xander laughed, easing the tension.
I felt his magic simmer with Shaw following his lead. For the moment, there would be no blood spilled.
“But for you, he might,” Xander said.
I knew this was a dangerous game to play.
Xander paused for a moment and leaned in closer to me, inhaling a deep breath. “Your scent… It’s changed.”
“Daxton Aegaeon,” I said. “He is my mate.”
Xander stepped back, glancing at the nape of my neck.
“But since I’m in the trials and can’t shift, the bond is unsealed.”
“He didn’t mark you?” Xander asked slowly.
“No,” I answered, my stomach churning as I silently cursed myself for that fact.
“Hmm,” Xander hummed, stroking his chin. “Well, this may complicate things.”
“When is my life ever uncomplicated?”
“Never,” Rhea answered for me. “She does have a mate, Xander. Her scent and declaration alone are clear signs.”
Xander was quiet, but I could tell his mind was racing. “Well, as always, if you wish to stay here, you’re welcome to the rooms on the third floor. Dawn is fast approaching, and judging by the circles under Neera’s eyes, I would assume that your group has been awake all night.”
“Thank you, Xander,” I said and entered the alpha’s compound as he stepped aside.