Chapter 22 #2
“Maybe I want to be his mate? Better than being a blood bag in the underworld.” I reply sarcastically. “Jealous?”
He replies with the same sarcasm.
“You know when he bites you during the mating ceremony that he will steal most of your power right? Then through that fake Moira bond, Zeus has entry to your mind like he has to theirs?”
A coldness floods my veins.
“You cannot let him bite you and you cannot tell Gwen.
We are unsure whether your parents bond was genuine.
If Carter never bit her then her mind and power is her own.
I'm hopeful though, but right now we can't risk it.” His voice is heavy with apology.
His emotions coming through the bond like a gentle river.
“What else aren't you telling me?” I whisper as I glance around the camp.
At Izzy, Penny, Jason and Lukas. Suddenly feeling more alone than ever.
Do they know about this? About the oppression on Nymphs that they cause?
After learning about what they expect of us I'm almost certain I know the answer.
“This is so much bigger than you think Krista. So much hangs in the balance and I can't risk telling you all of it yet. But I will. Once you're safe. You are more powerful than you think. We need you.” He pauses and his eyes meet mine through the light of the fire. “I need you.”
A warmth fills our bond. It flows through me touching every nerve and consumes my chest. I catch my breath and manage to somehow hide it with a cough as Lukas lifts his head.
Mum gives me a small side glance and I stare intently at the fire.
I hide my trembling fingers as I lift the bottle of cider to my lips and swallow.
“What do you need me to do?”
*
Later that night, the moon is high in the sky when Lukas finally gives us permission to rest. My mum and I rise from our seats and head into the house.
I turn to speak to her but she shakes her head pointing to her ears then to the pack outside.
Without our powers we can't create an air shield to stop them eavesdropping on our conversation.
Instead I hug her tightly then go straight to my room.
I pick up my phone to check the time. 12:30am.
I look out the window to the moon. It's a waxing gibbous. The full moon is tomorrow.
There’s a single knock on my door. Lukas enters before I respond. Claiming the space as he strides in.
“No need for me to sleep along the hall now.” Lukas smiles. “I'll have Gwen's' things moved here in the morning to free up the master suite for us.”
I give him a small smile as I grab my shorts and cami from the wardrobe and head to the bathroom.
I lock the door behind me then cross the room and lock the other to Lukas's room.
I turn on the shower and take my time washing my hair.
I let tears fall with the water down my face as I mentally prepare for what's next.
I step out the shower and dress before heading back into the bedroom.
Lukas is already laying in the bed with his arm behind his head as he looks me up and down appreciatively.
I cross the room to the other side of the bed and get in.
I keep my back to him as I stare out the open balcony doors.
I see the Strix circling the sky outside.
Her barely noticeable shadow crossing in front of the stars her only give away.
She glides over to the tree by my window and stares into my eyes.
I know what's coming and I don't react as visions invade my mind.
I'm back at Gaia's oak tree and I watch through the Strix's eyes as she rests on one of the branches.
A Stag walks around from behind the tree and bows it's head in greeting.
The voice that flows from the Stag is soft and kind.
A woman's voice filled with love and warmth, but it's far away, like an echo.
“Krista I need you to go against every one of your instincts. Trust your soul not your mind. Let my son bring you both to the underworld. I promise, you and your mother will be safe.”
The stag bows it's head once more and then I'm back in my bedroom looking out the window.
The bed shifts as Lukas moves then I feel his hand on my shoulder. He pulls me to the bed and I lay down. My back to him. His thumb brushing the bare skin of my arm.
“This feels nice. Having you in my bed.” He murmurs.
I don't respond. This isn't his bed.
“I wanted to apologise.” He says as he pulls me to look at him. His eyes are no longer amber, but the green isn't as bright as it usually is. “I couldn't help Carter but I promise you that I will keep you safe.”
“And how will you do that?” I ask.
He takes my hand and brings it to his lips.
“Tomorrow, under the full moon we will have the mating ceremony. I'll make you mine and beseech Zeus to keep you safe.” He smiles as he kisses my knuckle.
“And what about what I want?” I say narrowing my eyes.
“What more could you want? You will remain here under my protection. The pack will respect you again once the ceremony overalls your bond with Alistair. We will keep him prisoner to ensure Hades behaves and you and I will create the next generation. That is how it has always been done. What Zeus asks of us.” He pulls me into him.
“Sleep. You've had a hard day. I'll always keep you safe.”
I rest my head on his chest and close my eyes. Sleep won't come. I won't let it.
I decide to take a risk as I lift my head to look at him.
“You threatened to kill my mum today.” My voice breaks. “You saw my dad brutally murdered and was going to slaughter my mum as well.”
His gaze hardens and the green fades slightly. The amber of his wolf coming to the surface.
“The Nymph does not outlive her Alpha. With the Alphas passing his Beta claims the pack. I can't have her threatening my position. Taking her powers from her is a...compromise. To respect what she means to you.” He says in a soft tone that grates my nerves.
He means to ensure my co-operation.
I smile up at him with what I hope comes across as affection.
“Thank you.” I whisper.
Then I open my mind to Alistair. Bracing against his pain as I have done all evening. He tries to hide it but I feel it none the less.
“Instead of waiting for my powers to return to heal you, would my blood work quicker?”
I feel his shock before he masters himself to respond.
“I won't drink from you.”
“Why? If it can get us out of here faster than you can have it.”
Laying here with Lukas makes me feel sick. Alistair says my powers will return tomorrow evening but will it be before the ceremony? I know what it will entail and I won't do it. But if the poison hasn't worn off in time then how will I stop Lukas killing my mum?
“I won't take that from you out of necessity. Stick to the plan.” His wall of shadow flares up ending the conversation.
Fucking men. As if he would get it under any other circumstance.
I prevent my teeth from grinding out of pure will and close my eyes.
Hours pass and I watch the dark sky turn to blue. Preparing myself for what I must do and the risks Mum and I will be taking. I'd always known my fate would lead me to the underworld one day but Gaia said we'll be safe. How?
I'd managed to sleep on and off but only once I had pretended to nonchalantly roll over far enough away from Lukas that he wasn't touching me.
What little sleep I got was sparse. Waking up at every one of his movements.
Maybe Lukas slept but given that Lycans hardly need to sleep I doubt it.
He just wanted to be close to me. A gilded guard.
Pretending to care for me. My mum and I are just as much prisoners as Alistair.
I sit up, pretending to blink sleep away.
“Good morning.” Lukas purrs, brushing his fingers through my hair.
I suppress a shiver.
“Morning.” I reply, feigning a yawn.
“Sleep well?” He asks.
I shrug as I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I can't wait to get my powers back. I never want to be at the mercy of anyone again for as long as I live. Having to play this part of docile women isn't me.
When I come back out Lukas is gone. I let out a deep breath of relief and get dressed.
I choose jeans and a simple t-shirt with trainers then tie my hair back in a three strand braid.
I go to the window and look out at the small field that leads to the lake.
It has a thin layer of mist hovering over the grass.
I smile as I see a Doe with her young fawn grazing peacefully.
I recognise them instantly and my heart warms.
I look down and see Alistair in his cage leaning against the bars. One leg outstretched and the other bent with his hands clasped round his knee. He looks up at me and winks with a sultry smile.
“I don't rate this place. Quality of sleep isn't even worth a one star review.”
I smile and shake my head.
“Don't think I ever want to visit this place again.” I reply.
The tree my mum grew last night rustles in the gentle breeze and my heart twists.
So much has changed in such little time.
Will mum even want to leave? I need to talk to her but Alistair thinks her mind could be compromised if my Dad bit her.
Not to mention the four pairs of ears that we no doubt have listening in at all times.
I head to her room and knock gently on the door. It opens and Mum pulls me through the doorway into a massive hug. Kissing my cheek and my head then leaning back as she studies my face.
“Are you OK?” She asks as she studies every inch of me.
“I'm fine mum.” I smile reassuringly.
I turn and close the door then move to her en-suite and turn on the tap. She follows me knowingly. I keep my voice barely above a whisper as I speak to her.
“I need to know something. Did Dad ever bite you? I only ask because I want to know what to expect with Lukas.” I say to sound innocent. Just in case.
She smiles warmly and brushes my cheek with her thumb.
“No sweetheart. I promise you. Our Moira bond was genuine.”
Tears fill her eyes at the pain of losing him but I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.
After Alistair's warning I'd felt split in two. Not being able to confide in my mum about anything and everything was like losing a limb. I know in my gut that she's telling the truth. The relief washes over me in a wave.
“Listen, Alistair and I have a plan.” I all but mouth to her. “And Gaia sent a message.”
Her eyes sparkle with pride as she listens intently.