Chapter 23 #2
The poisons control on my power lessens just a little bit more and I flood Alistair with everything I have. I don't have time to be meticulous in how he's healed. Only that he is. Alistair arches his back at the barrage of power as it forces his bones, muscles and skin to seal together.
“Fuck Krista.” He groans down the bond.
The packs footsteps draw nearer and I pull my hand away. Alistair inhales deeply as I rush to the centre of the clearing to stand beside my Mum. We portray worry and fear in equal measure as they clear the curtain of trees and shadow to stand in the glowing fire light.
“Are you sure that poison hasn't completely worn off because that power was like a fucking thunderbolt.” He groans down the bond.
I hide my smirk by biting my bottom lip anxiously.
Lukas checks on mum and me then stares at Alistair’s cage.
I force my heart to keep a steady but fast, fearful rhythm.
I can't let the skip of hope I feel show.
Alistair sits with his back half turned to us and his knees to his chest. His hands draped over his knees with his fists clenched in a pained but arrogant manner.
“Sounds like you have a Skinwalker problem.” He calls out.
Lukas bares his teeth.
“They were no doubt drawn here after Hades presence.” He accuses.
Alistair shrugs then hisses with pain at the movement. Lukas smirks then turns to me, holding out his hand.
“Come, my Mate.” He says with a smile as he holds out a hand.
I take it, allowing my fingers to tremble slightly. We move into the trees down a winding path.
“Don't worry I'll keep you safe.” He says reassuringly.
“Safe from you or the Skinwalkers?” I ask.
He bristles and holds my hand tighter as he ups his pace.
“Why would you need protection from me?” He all but growls.
I plant my feet into the ground and half-heartedly try to pull my hand from his grip.
“You know this is not what I want.” I say as I watch his eyes flash amber.
“And what do you want?” He says as he grabs both my wrists.
I wince as his nails half turn to claws and dig into my skin.
“This will break your bond with that vampire and you can live a safe, happy life as it should be. Carter betrothed you to me. Promised that you would be mine. That we would lead this pack and protect Yellowstone together.” He turns from me. His teeth flashing in a determined snarl.
He continues to drag me through the forest for another mile.
We step into a small clearing ringed with candles and a blanket with a basket in the centre.
The moons shines directly above us through the circle of tree tops.
It's beautiful and romantic. Everything a girl could want when spending time with the man she loves.
This is not that. This is a cage wrapped in a pretty red silk bow.
“I don't want to do this Lukas.” I say pleadingly into his eyes.
A part of me hopes to break through to him.
To speak to the man I know and grew to care for.
He wouldn't do this to me. Not against my will.
I wish so much for the man I had that night at the hot springs.
When all his emotions shone brightly in his eyes.
Lukas is kind and caring. Not cold and misogynistic.
Deep down he can't be the man that's standing before me.
But as his eyes flare in warning I know that the Lukas I know is gone.
It's hurts deeper then I want to admit to myself as I watch him. That cold determination in his expression to take what he feels he is owed no matter how I feel about it.
If I didn't have my power coming back to me I would be terrified, but thankfully I feel the last of the poisons grip on my power wane.
He lets go of my hand and sits down on the blanket. He reaches into the basket pulling out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He gestures for me to join him as he pours. I move to sit opposite him. He passes me a glass but I don't drink. He studies me as he downs half in one gulp.
“Why are you so reluctant to break your bond with him?” He asks.
I stare down at my glass as I chew on the inside of my lip.
“It's what Gaia wants. I follow her guidance above any other.” I shrug.
Lukas looks up at the moon. The light from it shining in his eyes.
He really is beautiful. Handsome in a rugged way with his trimmed stubble and long blonde hair.
His bulky, muscular frame only adds to that Viking look he has going on.
But underneath it all is a man that I barely know any more.
I know what I have to do to keep my mum safe but I'm reluctant.
A part of me can't let go of the Lukas I have known all this time.
Not this beast sitting beside me but Lukas. My friend.
The forest is silent around us. Everything has gone to ground. Probably to hide from the Skinwalkers that must still be prowling the area.
“Zeus is who I obey.” Lukas states as he reaches back into the basket and pulls out a pomegranate. “He will not stand for that disgusting bond you have. Ours is the righteous bond. Zeus will help me save you from that cursed fate.”
He holds out the pomegranate to me but I don't move. The irony of this fruit being the one Lukas chose is not lost on me. In the stories Hades used pomegranate seeds to bind Persephone to the underworld. Forcing her to always return to him. The smirk on his face tells me this was intentional.
I lean back from him and watch his jaw tick as I let my contempt for him show.
His eyes once again flash amber and he moves into my space.
The glasses of champagne and the pomegranate fall to the blanket as he cups the side of my face.
His fingers curling into my hair hard enough to hurt. I stare up at him defiantly.
“You will learn to appreciate your place at my side as we create the strongest pack that has ever existed.” His words are quiet but they are laced with a growl.
“With your powers gone I can make decisions for you that will keep you safe and happy.
I'll provide you with a life that will appease Zeus and maybe, if he is merciful, he will grant you back your power in order for you to better serve your roll as my Mate.”
“Fuck you.” I spit. The rage I feel at his entitlement burns through my veins like acid. “You don't get to make decisions for me. I make them for myself and I am saying no!” I kick out with my leg, hitting his knee and he lurches forward. The second he lets go of my face I twist away from him.
He growls gutturally in his throat then he grabs my ankle pulling me back to him.
My power thrums through my veins begging me to use it to protect myself but I can't show my hand yet. I need to buy as much time as possible.
“Why do you resist this?” He shouts as he pushes himself on top of me. The weight of his body on mine makes it almost impossible to move. I struggle to breathe as I try to wriggle free but he's everywhere. His thighs bracket mine and he pins my arms either side of me.
“Why are you forcing it?” I yell back. “You've turned into a monster. Are you a rapist now too?”
Hurt and shock flashes through his green eyes but it's quickly smothered by molten amber. He snarls in my face and I notice his teeth have lengthened. His canines pointed like a wolves. Capable of shredding skin like it was butter.
“Submit and Gwen will stay safe.” He demands.
The fury in his face tells me that he means it.
He'll kill her unless I obey. The heart wrenching realisation that he would do this rattles me to my core.
The Lukas I know is gone. My power rises through me like a tsunami.
I embrace it this time. Letting it fill me up until it's ready to explode in a torrent of vengeance. And then-
“Submit dog, or I will put you down.”
My head whips towards his velvet soft voice.
His slightly husky, low register caresses my soul.
There is an undertone of menace as he speaks that would garner fear from most people.
He stands a few meters away, shirtless. His powerful, athletic frame is marred by a wide jagged scar that bisects his chest. From the top of his right pectoral to just below his ribcage on his left side.
Smaller raised seams branch off from it in all directions.
It's silvery in the moonlight but still has that pink undertone from being freshly healed.
Shadows curl up his arms and pool at his boots swirling around his black fitted jeans that sit low on his hips.
His eyes are that stormy grey that promises violence as he glares at Lukas.
He's power, beauty and terror all rolled into one breathtaking vision.
Lukas stands and faces Alistair. A growl rumbling in his chest. I quickly get to my feet and let my power continue to boil under my skin.
“Alistair. Is she-”
“She's safe. I promise you Psychi Mou.”
Truth rings through his voice and I see it in his eyes. A pulse of warmth pulses beneath my feet and through the wind. Gaia's energy thrums along my skin in reassurance. My mum is safe. I know that to my very soul.
I sigh a breath of relief and flood our bond with gratitude. Alistair's lips quirk slightly in the corners but his gaze doesn't stray from Lukas, who seems a second away from losing control of his wolf and changing right in front of us.
“How?” Lukas growls baring his teeth.
Alistair tilts his head to me, raising one eyebrow with a devilish smirk.
Lukas spins, his eyes flaring more amber than I have ever seen. His fingernails elongate to claws and his face crumples in fury.
I stop trying to hide my smile which only enrages him more. He screams up at the sky and it lilts into a howl. Then almost too quick for my eyes to follow he lunges at me. One clawed arm raised aiming straight for my face.
I don't flinch. I don't move.