15. Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Eliza
“ S o, this is it,” Eliza said as she looked over the campsite. The area was sparsely covered with trees and was near a stream. “Is your family the only one who uses this land?” she asked Malcolm, who’d been looking along the edge of the site.
She’d been surprised when he’d told her how far away the place was from the compound. He’d borrowed his uncle’s truck, which was currently parked a few feet away. He was searching through grass when he looked up, his brow creased. “No, it’s not common for Packs to cross each other’s borders without an invite.”
The wind brushed her chin as she turned in a circle. Her skin prickled as she moved along, and her brow creased. She put out her hand, and a magic circle appeared over it, the center spinning in the opposite direction of the outer ring. “You were right about your assumption.” She closed her hand, ridding herself of the magic circle. “I can easily open a portal spell here.”
“I knew it,” he said as he walked towards her. She couldn’t help but appreciate how the man fit in blue jeans and a black T-shirt. However, she wasn’t averse to his previous outfit. He’d looked like a warrior from ancient days. She’d felt her stomach drop when she’d seen him; the urge to touch him had filled her, and her damn mind had rebelled against her attempt to pull herself together. Some part of her always felt as if he belonged to her already.
“Can you possibly track the spell that was used here?” he asked as she stopped by her side.
She frowned, her eyes narrowing in thought. She snapped her fingers and watched as the light dimmed around them till only a few glowing balls lit up the area. “There isn’t much Magic residue left here.” With another snap, the lit balls rushed into her hand, gathering until they combined and morphed into a white transport spell. “We can at least see where they spelled from with this.” She squeezed her hands together,
When her hand lifted on its own her brow creased. A line of black light escaped from between her fingers, drawing into a pentagram. She leaned forward and blew on the center. A blue light flashed in the center, and she plucked it up.
“If you have a map, we can place this on it, and the blue light will land on where it was ‘from’ and ‘to’,” she explained, facing Malcolm.
Malcolm’s gaze brightened before he frowned. “Can that last till we get back?”
She stared at the blue flame in her hand. She wasn’t the one who thought it up. She hated it when her body moved without her consent, and while a part of her wanted to let the goddess have it, she was glad she could be helpful to Malcolm.
“It should be fine,” she answered.
“How long will it last,” he asked as they approached the truck.
She closed her hands. “I will put it aside for now; once we get there, I can bring it back to place it on the map,” she said. She opened the door to the passenger side and got in.
Malcolm got in and started the truck. Soon they were on their way back to the compound.
Eliza said, “It looks like you’re going to be busy soon.”
“Yeah, it looks it,” Malcolm said, his voice holding a wealth of feeling.
She glanced at him. “I didn’t ask before, no time like the present. Why did you leave?”
Malcolm didn’t immediately clam up like she expected, though a dark emotion did flicker over his face. And for a second, she felt that she didn’t know the man beside her. Which was crazy because it was obvious that there was more to him than what he showed her. Obviously, he’d have some parts of himself she wouldn’t be privy to.
Yet, she couldn’t stop the feeling of ‘loss’ she felt at her realization.
“I won’t hide it. I fought the previous Alpha, and after killing him, my father banished me from the land,” he said. His voice held little emotion, only a tad bit of anger entered it. “The more I think of his reasoning for it, the more I get angry. He assumed I’d be unable to deal with the men left behind.”
Eliza sighed. “Isn’t that how parents are? Always trying to protect their children, even if that protection makes them worse?” She looked away. “So, will you become the Alpha? At least that’s what the women were saying at the creak.”
He snorted. “Yeah, I decided to become the next Alpha until my uncle finds a better candidate.” And they found out just who was behind the taking of their people .
She nodded, turning back to him. It was better for him to stay here; she could travel from this place much easier than from within the Veil. “You’ll have to prove your worth, huh?”
He glanced at her; at his look, she frowned. “What?”
“You don’t have to worry. I won’t ask you to get involved. It isn’t something you should worry about.”
She stared at him before she laughed. “Is that your way of telling me to ‘stay out of it’?”
He grimaced. “I didn’t mean it to sound like that, I just don’t want you to be putting yourself in danger.”
She laughed. “I don’t exactly have anything else to do.” She shrugged. “I'd rather be helping you than sitting around with my own thoughts. I like your people. They have welcomed me and let me get underfoot. I know you went out on a limb for me, and I want to repay you for it.”
“I didn’t save you for you to pay me back,” he growled, tightening his hold on the wheel. The words barely passed his lips when he realized what he had said. He whipped his gaze to her expression, but she wasn’t staring at him in terrified shock; instead, a thoughtful look graced her face.
Her eyes dropped to his lips. “Malcolm…I don’t—” She paused before sighing and meeting his eyes. “I know there is something else to why you saved me, but something tells me that that reason doesn’t matter right now. I only know two things: one, you saved me, and you didn’t have to. And two, you brought a weapon developed by your enemy to your home. You don’t know what I’m capable of; I could hurt everyone here, and yet?—”
“No, you are the one who doesn’t know what I’m capable of.”
He said as he suddenly stopped the truck, reaching out with his right hand; he placed his hand on the back of her head and gently pulled her closer, his green eyes nearly glowing with the heat he’d suppressed so far. “You are my life, and I want to claim you as mine.”
The minute the words left his lips, Eliza felt her heartbeat kick up a notch. The intensity in his eyes told her he wasn’t joking. She had felt the attraction between them, and she knew there was no one else she felt as close to. Malcolm had been a gentleman and handled her with kid gloves, but now, with him looking at her like she was a homemade dinner, and he was a starving prisoner, she could feel the heat between them.
“But—” he drew back, his hand falling away from her head. “I am patient and will wait till you’re ready.”
“Stop,” she said, reaching out to grab the collar of his shirt and pulling him close. “Don’t be patient.”
She whispered before she lifted her chin just so her lips could touch his. The scent of him, masculine and forest, filled her mind. He captured her lips, letting their noses brush against each other. His taste was fruity and clean. His lips told her who he was: dominant, demanding, and all-consuming. Her seat made a squeaking sound as he moved his hand, grabbing her by the waist.
Their lips played against each other; she felt as if she was flying. Her stomach tightened as her body demanded more, her fingers brushing along his arms. His skin was warm, making the palms of her hands tingle. She felt as if something was locking into place inside her, the vision of it melted away. Too fast for her to catch it.
She pulled back with a gasp; she stared into eyes that held fire-like burning emeralds. He stared at her like she was the answer to all his prayers. She sucked in a quick breath at it. “Y-you shouldn’t look at me like that?”
“And how am I looking at you?” he asked gruffly. She could feel the warmth of his eyes on her skin.
“Like, I’m the answer to your prayers,” she said, avoiding his eyes.
He reached up, gently grabbing her chin, and turned her so she looked at him. “You are.”
She bit her bottom lip; she couldn’t do this right now. Lowering her eyes, she pulled away from him. As she faced forward, she tried to say something to fill the silence, but it was impossible. Her heart was in her throat.
She wished she’d met Malcolm before she’d become this thing. This person, who couldn’t trust the things she saw and heard. Before her hands had become stained with blood, and her destiny became locked in the direction of vengeance.
Malcolm was a nice guy, but she couldn’t be any more than a passing fancy. The idea that he believed she was something more to him made her stomach hurt. She’d never truly believed in love, especially after being raised by a man like her father. All of those she’d tried to build something with had betrayed her. Though with Malcolm she didn’t feel like he’d do anything like her past boyfriend, instead he be the one who’d feel betrayed.
She swallowed, but there was nothing she could do about it. If she didn’t fulfill her side of the contract with the goddess, she wouldn’t be able to cut out the voices that screamed at her at night for blood and revenge. She had to do something, or her heart wouldn’t be able to bear the nightmares she ran away from.
So, she let the silence stretch between them.
It was for the better.
Oye
“He’s hiding something from me.”
Lanias looked up from the thick folder Tiller had handed her after she’d threatened to skewer him. “What makes you think that?”
“He keeps glancing at me in that way that irks my nerves, and then when I go to stab him, he doesn’t dodge,” Oye explained, as she casually juggled two short blades single-handedly, her eyes glowing a soft silver. She sat on a stool, one leg hanging down as she bit her lip in deep thought. “I first assumed he’d done something like give the kids some ice cream or sweets before bed, but nope. That wasn’t it.”
“He killed your father, maybe?” Lanias said, flipping a page in her book. “My money is on him having done that.”
The door cracked open; Sabina entered, a bag from a fast-food restaurant swinging from her fingers while she licked the ice cream in her other hand. “Same. He’s seeming like the type to kill family secretly.”
“Tsk, I was hoping that was it, but sadly, no. Dad’s still alive.” Oye suddenly frowned, dropping her hand; the two daggers stopped midair and melted. Twisting into two flat circular disks. “I think it’s something he hasn’t told me. He’s frustratingly blunt; nine times out of ten, I have to take his tongue for him to shut up. So, for him to be closed lip all of a sudden is a fucking red flag.”
“Maybe Tiller’s asked him to do something he can’t tell you about,” Sabina suggested as she dug into the fast-food bag, pulled out what looked like fried pickles, and dipped them into the ice cream in her hand, tossing the ice cream coated fried pickle into her mouth she released a moan of pleasure. “God, I’m so glad to have normal cravings again.”
Oye nose wrinkled. “What was it before?’
“Raw meat,” Lanias answered for her, as she gave a mock shiver. “It was horrifying, I felt for my poor niece. She would barely seer the steak, and then the most horrifying part was watching Raijin watch her eat. The man damn near sighed when she licked her blood coated fingers.” She shuddered. “It was sickening to watch.”
“Shut up; you’re the one who pushed me to come over for dinner," Sabina groused as she dipped another pickle into her ice cream. “And I’ll have you know, Raijin is awesome. He’s been amazing with Kahlia.” She pressed a hand to her rounded belly, which was more pronounced now. “I just hope this child understands that mommy cannot carry a giant to term.”
Lanias snorted, lowering her sharp eyes to her sisters’ hips. “Well, it may be possible with how you’re eating.”
“Lanias,” Oye snapped.
“I only wish to reinforce her hopes,” Lanias said as she scooped up the file and stood. “Now, excuse me while I go meet our favorite rodent.” She walked around the desk into oblivion. Disappearing from sight.
Oye sighed. “You know your sister, she’s not for speaking delicately. She and my fiancé share that common trait.”
Sabina scoffed. “Something about overpowered beings always leaves one feeling like those born with great power naturally develop asshole-like traits.” She shrugged. “But she was trying to be nice, I guess. I can’t lie and say I am not worried about what would happen if my child were more ogre than a witch. I can’t change my shape or size like Raijin.” She smiled, though it shook slightly. “Lanias is just as worried.”
Oye hopped off her stool and walked over to her cousin, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Bina. We’re here for you, and nothing will happen while we’re here.”
Sabina took her free hand and laid it atop Oye’s. “Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better,” she said, offering her a smile. “Now, let’s think over what Castian could possibly be hiding. Being pregnant is more boring than I thought it would be. Especially since I’ve been banned from crafting.”
Hearing this made Oye quirk a brow in question.
Sabina shook her head. “You don’t want to know.”
Oye side-eyed her. “I guess you’re right.”
Tiller
“So, the detective is dead, and all of the test subjects have been taken. And the only possible clue you or I could get to solve this issue is hidden in the middle of Werewolf territory with Malcolm. Whom you failed to inform me had acquired one of these damn test subjects?”
Tiller's voice carried through the room; sadly, it had little effect on the three fuckers who dared to stare at him like he was the crazy one. Tiller wanted to claw their eyes out. “Let me rephrase this,” he turned his focus on Raijin, “the singular clue that could help us find the people who kidnapped your fiancé and give us an inkling into the Lords plan, that we so far don’t have a single clue to is in the middle of fucking nowhere. In a place I can’t just waltz into because I have an itch for a dog.”
Raijin’s eyes narrowed, “Malcolm is not one to do something as dishonorable as to run off with the girl.”
“Oh, is that so?” Tiller said, his voice holding a wealth of sarcasm. “And yet, where is he?”
“He is currently in Tennessee, but in his defense you sent him there.” Castian cut in.
“Shut up, Castian,” Tiller growled, his golden eyes flashing. “You knew, and not only did you not report it but hid it from me. If it weren’t for the fact you’re still useful, I’d throw you back in the bowels.”
Castian blue eyes turned black as he smiled coolly at Tiller. “You could always try.”
Alek sighed, drawing everyone’s attention, though it was hostile in Tiller's case.
“The man isn’t weak if he has the female, he can learn the truth from her. Send a message to him, requesting he question her,” he said calmly. “Though, I cannot say if he will do it.”
“And why—wouldn’t he?” Tiller demanded; his teeth gritted as he tried to keep his calm.
“She’s his mate,” Alek retorted, flashing his teeth.
Tiller stared at him for so long that the three males weren’t sure he heard Alek. Then they heard something crack; looking down, they saw his claws embedded in the table. He withdrew his hand slowly. He licked his lips, “Raijin, send three of our men to Clarksville; if I recall correctly, that’s where one of the gates to the compound is.” Raijin back tensed at the hard tone of Tiller's voice, “Alek, I want you to send two shadows, one to Malcolm and the other to the female. The minute they enter the human world, I want to know.”
With that, he turned and exited the room. His best bet was to observe from a distance. The werewolf laws only allowed so many from the council within their territory.
He would wait for Malcolm to complete his task, and once the man was back, he’d tear into him.