SYLVAIN
I rubbed at my chest as if it would alleviate the building ache there. It was something that was becoming a part of me. I didn't necessarily like it but I learned to appreciate it because it let me know that Tania was fine, wherever she was. My back still burned with phantom pain. I knew we were linked, so what was phantom pain to me, was real pain to her. I tried not to worry about it too much but my mind always drifted back.
Was she being tortured? Punished maybe? Maybe she escaped and ran into some other kind of trouble? So many scenarios ran through my mind and I had no clue how to put myself at ease.
There were times I could feel a gentle tug at my chest as if the bond was something tangible. As if she was tugging at the bond. I knew we weren't fully mated so the bond wasn't as strong however, those were the times I sent calming, soothing waves of tranquility and safety down the bond — at least, I tried to. It worked, I knew because she would calm down and stop hanging onto the tether linking us — until she needed that little reassurance again.
"They're scared," Tane, my beta, informed me.
I sat back in my chair with a sigh, "There's no need for them to be scared. No one from our pack was involved and we handled the situation as best as we could. None of our pack members were casualties."
"That's not why they're scared and you know it," Tane griped, scrubbing a hand down his face. His green-blue eyes were hooded with exhaustion.
"I know," I breathed, tipping my head back so I could glare at the ceiling of my office.
My pack was now scared that our defenses were down. That we were so pathetic at protecting our own all because some fae managed to get past our borders, somehow empty an entire lake, and make it her little lair. They had every right to be scared. Nothing I said would soothe them, even if I admitted to them that the woman who caused so much havoc was my fated mate.
Matter of fact, I was pretty certain most of my pack would run in the opposite direction if they knew she would be their future Luna. It would be fine if they were running off to other cities which were still under my rule but they wanted to escape this pack entirely. I had a major problem on my hands. Too many major problems.
"They just have to put their trust in me. They just have to believe that I'll find a way to protect us from these unfamiliar threats," I murmured but as I said the words I realized I was asking too much of my people.
"Having her as a Luna would be beneficial," Tane whispered, as if someone could overhear us — it was impossible with the room being soundproof.
I met my beta's gaze as he leaned forward in his seat and propped his elbows on the table between us, "If I can convince her not be a murderous b—" I choked on the word, "and convince her to accept me then maybe it could benefit us. The pack would have to accept her as their Luna eventually and if she can get a magical barrier around the pack to protect us, maybe they will consider trusting her."
"Sounds like a piece of cake."
"Yeah," I muttered, adding sarcasm to my tone and a smile to my face, "only the cake is made of stone covered in poisonous frosting."
"I mean, it could be worse," Tane shrugged, biting back his chuckle.
"Don't give me that shit," I cut him a glare that instantly had his lips thinning, "I still have a Hellhound to deal with. I am not looking forward to the conversation I'm about to have with him."
"On the bright side, he can't kill her. From what you've told me she'll just absorb his fire," Tane pointed out as if those words would make me feel better.
They didn't.
"That's not going to stop him from trying and I'm sure he can find other creative ways to get what he wants. Hellfire isn't the only way to kill a fae. An ordinary fae at least."
"You'll figure something out," this time, Tane's words held conviction as if he truly believed I'd find the answers, "Ebony and I are going to help a few of the pack members demolish that maze in the lake, remove that obsidian silver-laced powder and then return it to its original beauty. If you want, you can help."
"If I have time, I'll be there," I said curtly, waving a hand to dismiss him so he could get to his mate, "get going. The quicker I get this work done, the better it is for me."
Tane lowered his head submissively, a respectful gesture to his alpha, before pivoting on his heel and leaving the room. I hated being bowed to but there was no way to stop it. I had spent a month ordering them not to bow but it was compulsive. They did it as if it were a knee-jerk reaction.
A fist pounding on the thick mahogany door jarred me back to reality. I politely asked the person to come in, straightening in my seat with a grim smile. It was unlike me but worry cloaked me like a black cloud that I couldn't get rid of.
Thorne entered, his massive form ambling toward me. He was a fairly good-looking guy with deep brown skin and rich hazel eyes that held captivating flecks of gold. If one looked closely enough they'd notice the thin ring of fire around his irises that could easily be missed. His hair was cropped into a buzz cut and his smile was something that could light up Times Square. Only, now he was scowling at me, ready to barbeque me into the next fucking century.
"You wanted to speak to me," Thorne grunted. I noted the way his full lips pulled back into a snarl and the way the bags under his eyes weighed heavily with exhaustion.
"I did," I admitted, squaring my shoulders and readying myself for this conversation.
"You don't need to explain why you did what you did to me," Thorne said with a baritone voice, "but I'm guessing that's not why I'm here. I'm here because you're going to try to convince me not to kill her."
"Is that too much to ask?" I muttered under my breath.
"Cleo is in a coma," was all he said.
"I know," my voice softened because I did sympathize with him, "and I'm sorry about that."
"How many times have you said the word sorry in the past week Alpha Sylvain?" Thorne quizzed, his British accent thick in his words.
"Too many times," I supplied with a jaded sigh.
"How many times did you mean it?" He cocked his head to the side while holding me under his accessing gaze.
"You don't know me," I began calmly because I was a calm guy for the most part. Jovial and easy to get along with. But, just like everyone else, even I had a dark side, "so I don't expect you to know this about me but I'm not like your average Joe. I sympathize with you. I'm sorry that this entire situation ended up the way it did. I'm sorry Cleo is in a coma and that Julian's sister, Maddie, died. I'm sorry that Phillip, Julian's brother, had to be turned and I'm so fucking sorry that my mother had to be strapped to a chair in the middle of a bed of wolf's bane," I leaned forward, elbows resting on the table and fingers lacing together with a growl on my lips, "so when I say I'm sorry, I mean it. Every fucking time I say it."
"If she wasn't your mate would we still be having this conversation," Thorne asked, narrowing his eyes in on me.
I held his gaze because I needed him to see how much I meant my words so he would back off, "Most certainly not," I settled back in my seat and began tapping my finger on the desk, "I would have killed her for what she had done to my mother alone. My mother has been through enough, she didn't need that to happen to her, too. But she is my mate," I paused, swallowing even though my throat felt like sandpaper, "and I have to believe that there's a reason for it. So, now we are having this conversation. There's no point in wondering about what if's because this is the reality that we need to tackle. I need you to let me deal with her. Deal with this, accordingly."
"What you want, Alpha Sylvain," Thorne stood, attempting to intimidate me with his height and size, "is for me to let you fuck her and forget what she did to my woman and everyone else."
"Fucking her was the last thing that crossed my mind," I responded honestly, "I want to help her. Everyone deserves a second chance. Even the Devil."
"You prove to me that she can be helped and maybe I won't sever the bond between you two and tear her heart out. And trust me, Alpha Sylvain, rejecting someone isn't the only way to break a bond between two wolves," Thorne's words were spoken in the form of a promise and a threat, one I hoped he didn't follow through with because I had been searching for my mate for a long time, I'd kill him myself if he thought he could take this away from me.
A snarl worked its way up my throat, "We have a deal, hound."
"I can't take Cleo to a human hospital so we're stuck here until the doctor gives her the go-ahead," this was Thorne's way of asking me permission to remain on pack territory.
"You can stay for as long as she needs. The vampires have already left and my sister and her mate are eager to return home to their son. Alpha Victor," I paused because it was still so weird referring to him as an Alpha, "will be leaving soon as well."
"So, it will just be me remaining?" Thorne looked uncomfortable by that.
"You won't be made to feel like an outsider so relax," I reassured, "if you need anything feel free to ask any member of the pack. They will be more than willing to help you."
"This discussion is over then? I can return to Cleo?" Thorne asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
He couldn't wait to return to the woman he loved. I knew the feeling, sort of. I wanted to find Tania just to make sure she was okay before delivering a verbal beating to her for what she had done considering I couldn't offer a physical one. I wasn't prone to hitting a female but when they threatened my family I wasn't opposed to putting them down either.
"Go," I dismissed, casting my gaze down to the table where a mountain of paperwork waited to be attended to. It ranged from pack business to the family business — the multiple hotels we had in our name.
Thorne didn't have to be told twice, practically running out of the room and slamming the door shut behind him.
I felt a tug on the bond at that moment, forcing me to ignore the paperwork I needed to sort through. Leaning pack in my chair, I closed my eyes and focused on the bond. If I focused hard enough, I could see it flare to life — a glowing white thread weaving your souls together. It was beautiful and chaotic.
Instead of sending a usual calming wave down the bond, I tugged back, wanting her to feel that someone else was at the end and that she wasn't alone. I figured she didn't know about the mate bond or hadn't figured it out yet which had me wondering what her reaction would be if she knew she was mated to a wolf.
Fae, like vampires, could pick their own mates. It was said that even the King or Queen could pick their own mate, although, I wasn't certain how true that was considering Zephyr wasn't the rightful King. Whereas, a vampire and werewolf king and queen were fated mates.
I knew that my sister, being a half-blood, didn't appreciate her right of choice being stripped away from her. Would Tania give me the same reaction? I could only hope that she didn't reject me but I would make it clear to her that it was an option available. The only problem was the chances of surviving a rejection as a werewolf were slim. She'd probably get off unscathed. That was probably all that mattered, though.
I peeled my eyes open and pulled out the burner cell from the top drawer. My father and sister had been trying to get a hold of Zephyr for a few days but he refused to answer any of our calls. It was my turn to try. If he knew where his daughter was, I needed him to tell me.
I found his number under the contact list and pressed dial. The phone rang for a few beats before reaching voicemail.
I drew in a lung full of air before speaking, "Zephyr, it's Sylvain. I know you're ignoring us but I really need you to pick up the damn phone. I'm not going to hurt your daughter and I'm definitely not going to kill her. I'm the one that saved her for Goddess's sake. I need to see her. I just need to make sure she's fine. I'm not going to be at peace till I do, so please..."
I ended my sentence there and prayed that he would finally crack and call me back.
SYLVAINI was a light sleeper, always had been. So, when an unrecognizable scent filled my room and had my hackles rising, my sleep easily broke but I didn't stir. I kept my breathing even and waited for the stupid fuck that had the bright idea of sneaking up on me to get within arms reach. The floorboards let out a barely audible squeak beneath the person's weight and I knew, whoever it was, was coming at me from the right. I lay on my stomach with my hands beneath my pillow, so when my nails gradually elongated into claws, the person didn't know.I knew when they reached my bed because they were foolish enough to sit on the edge, shifting the weight. That was when I shot up, coiled my fingers around their throat, and slammed them down onto the mattress beneath me, effectively pinning them with a low growl.A hand instantly flew to my own neck, tightening with enough force to cut my air. I glared down at
TANIAI sat on the floor of my childhood bedroom with my knees hugged to my chest while rocking back and forth. My gaze had latched onto the painting of wings on the wall and it hadn't faltered since. This was a special type of torture. Not physical but psychological. They were mocking me, reminding me that I no longer had wings of my own as if the sharp stabs of pain emanating from my back weren't enough.My father had retrieved me from the cell after a day. He had been the one to bring me food and he had been the one to note that I ate not even a single morsel. Zephyr thought that bringing me here would help me. It did the opposite. It led me deeper into the darkness of my mind, allowing them to feed off my misery until I felt nothing. Not the cold of the room at nightfall. Not the heat of the sun when a sliver of sunlight caressed my skin. Not joy or pain or loss. I just didn't feel.It could have been
TANIAHe stayed with me as I ate, making sure I finished at least half the portion of mash, chicken, and peas that were brought up to us. Then, he ushered me into bed, jaw ticking mercilessly each time I winced at the sharp pain that lashed my back with every small movement. I laid on my side, ignoring the electrical current that shot through my body when his skin made minimal contact with mine.Using the tips of his fingers, Sylvain shifted my white locks off my forehead and tucked them behind my ear. His smile was gentle and it had my gut twisting because I knew, if it weren't for the stupid bond that wolves had between mates — the same bond that was inflicted on us — he wouldn't have been here now offering me that gentle smile.Some wolves couldn't wait to find their mates, from what I had learned, most didn't share the sentiment like me. I didn't like the idea of someone dictating my life a
TANIA I curled up at the bay window, hugging my knees to my chest, and glared at the gray clouds that hid the sun. My ears were trained on the sound of pelting water as Sylvain took a shower in the adjoining bathroom. My father had brought some clothes for him to wear and permitted him to use the forest within the wards whenever he needed to shift as long as he left our people alone. I was learning that Sylvain could be very compliant if it meant keeping the people he cared for happy. He could read a room and act accordingly, never making someone feel uncomfortable. The sound of the shower shutting off had me fumbling on a loose thread of the hoodie I wore. It was loose so it wouldn't brush against my back. My gaze didn't waver from the dull clouds when I heard Sylvain amble into the room with a growl vibrating the back of his throat. He seemed to have woken up in a bad mood and I knew better to get on his nerves when I
SYLVAIN One of the many guards in and around the estate led me to the library Zephyr and Tiana had beneath their home. The place was huge and the scent of dust, old paper and leather, ink, and wood filled the room. Tall walls were made of stone with veins grown with magic clinging to them—every vine had a vibrant flower which allowed an undertone of something sweet to longer in the air. I stuffed my curled fists into my sweatpant's pockets and clamped my molars shut so they wouldn't stutter against the cold draft. There were no windows, just ever-burning flames placed strategically across the vast expense of the library to offer a warm glow whilst keeping the books protected from their heat. It was beautiful and it made me feel almost envious that they had this sort of magic to bend to their will. For a brief moment, I almost understood how Tania must have felt. She gr
TANIA"We're looking for her, you know," my dad murmured in a soft whisper, seating himself at the foot of my bed."Not hard enough," I bit back, hissing at the way my body tensed at the mere mention of Kali. Running my fingers through my white locks, I added, "and even if you catch her, what do you plan to do? It's not like you could punish her for something you would have done anyway. Mum hasn't even spoken to me, let alone come here just to set eyes on me. ""You did threaten and almost kill her friends and the people they love," Zephyr deadpanned with a tight smile.A growl built in my throat and then left my lips before I managed to tamper it down, "Just because they are part of the council it doesn't make them her friends. Her priorities aren't in the right place.""And yours are?" My father challenged, peering up at me.I stood in front of him with
TANIAHis mouth stamped on mine and my eyes widened. Not in fear, or surprise. It was wonder that flooded my obsidian eyes. Wonder because his lips on mine were warm and soft pillows even with them being chapped from fatigue. But even that wasn't the most surprising part.No.What had wonder slithering through my body and infecting my blood was the sparks that somehow burst from our point of contact. I stood there, stunned into stone because I wasn't sure how to react. Sure, I wanted to push him away but the bond wanted me to whirl on him and tug him into me until there wasn't a stitch of space remaining. My mind and soul were playing a tug-of-war game with the bond and I knew, I just knew, that whoever my heart sided with would eventually win.I just stood there, with my front pressed against the wall and my back pressed to the hard ridges of his muscles. And, eventually, I moved my lips
TANIAWe were in the gardens that surrounded the estate. It had been a week since I had joined Sylvain on his almost nightly runs through the forest that was beyond the well-maintained gardens. We could have easily used magic to tend to the gardens. We could have easily kept the flowers in full blood as if it were a never-ending spring but we found that it sucked the joy out of the natural cycle of life. Everything was meant to die, to wither away and give space for something to grow anew.However, we did such a good job of maintaining the gardens that Sylvain initially thought we used magic until he saw fae tending to the gardens on their hands and knees.It was beautiful, watching a flower go through the cycle of life within a few days or weeks. The garden during the winter months was blanketed with knee-deep snow. Icicles would cling to the bare, thick brunches of the trees that lined the paved path thr