Chapter Eight

Lying motionless with his eyes shut, Panahasi tried to figure out where he was. The unimaginable pain he'd felt in Christian's office was now only a low hum, and he knew he was back in his human form.

But as he lay there, the guilt of what he'd done was still a crushing weight. The keeper had been right. Panahasi was imbued with great power. Greater than all the Ultionem members combined. He should have taken a step back and thought about the consequences of adding his blood to the mayotenz spell.

That night had been hell on everyone. A chaotic mess filled with loss and suffering. Raidh had died from the curse, Jaytee wanted to die because he couldn't live without his mate, and his father was begging his son not to seek death. All while the family stood over Jaytee's twin's body, thinking Damon was dead.

Panahasi had felt their pain and only wanted to ease it in some way. He hadn't meant to seal Damon and Casimir's bond, robbing them of experiencing it together.

You're a little too fucking generous for your own good. You need to be more careful with your generosity before you do something you can't undo. Jaden's words echoed in Panahasi's mind.

Death had called it.

If it was possible to undo the tragic disaster Panahasi had caused, he would do it in a heartbeat.

But there wasn't, and now Fate wanted retribution.

As he lay there with his eyes closed, Panahasi felt the softness of grass underneath him as the sweet smell of nature filled his nostrils. Somewhere in the distance, animals were scurrying, and there was a symphony of insects all around him.

But something was very wrong.

As Life itself, Panahasi was deeply connected to all living beings. He constantly felt every life force like a quiet vibration. He could hear the sounds of life around him, yet he couldn't sense a single lifeforce.

Unsure where he was, Panahasi released a faint pulse of energy. His powers spread out in all directions, searching for any hint of his surroundings. But as he delved deeper, a sharp sting glided along the tendrils of his power, as if the very air itself was riddled with razor-sharp teeth.

He yanked his powers back to him then opened his eyes. Within that sharp sting he'd felt a presence watching him. Pushing to his feet, he glanced at the tall and twisted trees, their gnarled roots snaking through the earth.

As he turned, he saw a castle on a sloping hillside. Its weathered turrets stretched toward the darkened sky. The full moon hung low behind the structure, casting an eerie glow over the ancient stone walls.

A lone wolf's mournful howl pierced the silence.

Everything around Panahasi appeared tangible, but this place was not what it seemed. It was nothing more than an illusion crafted to deceive him.

The air became thick and heavy, as if it was pressing down on him, turning the once-sweet smell of nature into a foul odor that brushed against his skin like icy fingers.

As the wolf continued to howl, a swirling mist slowly weaved through the trees, heading in his direction. The mist was the reason for the change in the air.

Fate was coming for him.

Panahasi's gaze flashed toward the castle. The wolf was Damon's. The castle represented Casimir—a king's guardian. It was howling because it couldn't find a way inside the castle. Inside the bond.

Panahasi's heart was heavy with pain and guilt as he listened to the desperate howls of the wolf. He had never intended for things to go so horribly wrong, and now the innocent creature was suffering because of his mistake.

A hard, burning lump formed in his throat. "I never meant for any of this to happen, sweet wolf," he whispered, but it was too late for apologies.

Regardless of how unintentional his actions were, Fate would show no mercy.

It was about to strike back at him in full force.

The thick, swirling mist gradually slowed and began to rise, transforming into a tall, dark-haired man with sharp features and a trimmed beard. As Fate strode forward, a trail of cobblestones materialized beneath his feet before each step. The stones were perfectly smooth, glistening like jewels adorning the ground. The remaining mist seemed to part in reverence, as if it recognized the power this figure wielded.

There weren't many things that made Panahasi nervous, but right now, he was definitely wary. Fate had the power to alter someone's course in life. Before Panahasi was mated, if Fate had wanted to mess with him, so be it.

Now that he had two mates that he cherished more than his own life, Fate could fuck him sideways.

No lube.

No kiss.

Fate stopped a few feet away from Panahasi. He wasn't sure what to expect, so he braced for the worst.

With a deep exhale, Fate closed his eyes and shook his head, his silky black hair falling around his face. "You and your brother are the banes of my existence." His jaw clenched tightly before he continued. "I've lost track of how many times you two have interfered with my decrees."

His eyes snapped open, revealing an ominous glint in their green depths. "This wolf belongs to Damon, as I'm sure you've already figured out." He took a step closer, his presence radiating pure power and authority. "It has been howling incessantly because you took it upon yourself to seal their bond prematurely. Damon and Casimir's souls may be intertwined, but because of your recklessness, the wolf has been locked out of its rightful place in that sacred connection!"

Fate's handsome features contorted into something twisted and demonic, revealing the true nature of his power. His entire being seemed to morph into a dark force, radiating pure fury. "You have truly crossed a line this time."

He let out a deafening shriek, and Panahasi was yanked off his feet and thrown through the air like a rag doll, his body contorting in unnatural ways. Panahasi's true form tried to break free in a desperate attempt to protect him, but Fate kept it trapped inside him.

Every living creature inside of Panahasi coalesced then detonated into a roar. He threw his head back as the unearthly sound erupted from him, shattering trees and sending shockwaves through the ground. And still Panahasi screamed, feeling a sensation like a Band-Aid slowly being peeled off.

Only, the pain was far worse.

Fate was severing Panahasi's bond with his mates. The pain was unbearable, mind-bending, like his very soul was being ripped from his body. Please no!

Suddenly, Panahasi dropped to the ground. He sobbed violently as he clutched his chest, rocking back and forth while praying the pain would kill him. He couldn't do it. Panahasi couldn't live without his connection to his wolves. He wheezed heavily, digging his fingers into his chest, wishing to god he could slide his claws free so he could rip out his own heart.

Jaden! Hear my pain and reap my soul!

"That was just a taste of what the wolf is feeling," Fate snarled, dripping with venom.

"Enough!" The Primal Source flashed in next to them, rage burning in his eyes. "You know damn well Panahasi unintentionally sealed their bond."

"Do you hear Damon's wolf howling in pain?" Fate jabbed a finger at Panahasi. "He is the cause, Aldrin! Should Life be given a free pass because it was an oopsie?"

"Brother, you need to get laid more often," Aldrin said. "You're wound too damn tight."

Fate shot him a deadly glare. "And you need to stop being so soft on Panahasi. Coddling him is what made him careless."

"Like you always get it right," Aldrin argued. "Not every couple you destined to be mates is perfect for each other. Not every path you set is the right path."

Fate balled his hands into fists. "So what am I supposed to do, just let him off the hook?" He narrowed his eyes. "And how will that teach your pet a lesson? He and Jaden have been interfering with my decrees since man first walked this planet."

"And you're just as flawed as the rest of us, dickhead. So get off your high horse before you fall off and break your neck," Aldrin countered.

"One day your pet is going to kill us all."

Aldrin grinned. "We all gotta die sometime."

Fate curled his lip and shook his head. "I like you better as the keeper. At least then your twisted outward appearance matches your personality. This handsome version is a jackass."

"Stop flirting. I'm mated, you moron." Aldrin chuckled.

Fate arched a brow. "Gee, I wonder how that happened."

"My mates." Panahasi snarled as he rolled to his feet, breathing heavily. "Give me back my bond with my mates, or I will kill Death and end us all!"

Because his existence without his bond with Casey and Drake was unimaginable.

"I never severed your bond," Fate spat. "As much as I detest you and your fucktard brother, I would never put your wolves through that kind of suffering. I just buried your connection to them deep inside of you so you would know the pain Damon's wolf feels."

Panahasi choked on a sob when he felt his bond with Casey and Drake pulse strongly inside of him once again. Several breaths shuddered out of him, nearly bringing him to his knees as he clutched his chest, thankful he felt it again.

Fate stabbed a finger at him. "Heed the Primal Source's warning, Life. You need to be more careful how you wield your powers before you really do end us all."

Panahasi growled at him. "Get me the fuck out of this place, or I might do it just to end you ."

"Will you two stop measuring your dicks?" Aldrin glared at them. "Life and Fate should not be enemies."

Fate jerked his chin toward Panahasi. "He started it by interfering in my decrees."

Aldrin sighed. "Just fix this. Destiny isn't my department. It's yours. Stop having a hissy fit and unlock the goddamn bond so the wolf can get in."

Panahasi slowly tilted his head, tears still clinging to his eyes. "This was about some petty grudge you have with me?" His voice thundered, unleashing his powers in an explosive burst of rage. His fists clenched so tightly his claws cut into his palms, causing him to bleed. As the drops hit the grass, small flowers blossomed.

With a loud whoosh, his massive leathery wings unfurled behind him, at the same time his fangs extended to razor-sharp points, resting against his chin.

Closing the distance between them, Panahasi was consumed with pure hatred toward the petty bitch who had caused so much torment.

Aldrin held up a hand, locking Panahasi's body in place. "You don't have the juice," he warned.

"Release. Me." Panahasi snarled. "This tantrum-throwing toddler could have fixed everything from the start, but instead, he's allowed Damon and Casimir to suffer this entire time! Unlock the goddamn bond right now, or I will end this entire fucking world!"

Aldrin shrugged and turned to Fate. "Man's got a point."

"There you go coddling him like a child again!" Fate's jaw clenched as he glared at Aldrin.

Panahasi dug his feet in, shoving against the barrier as his wings flapped behind him, determined to break free from Aldrin's hold. He had never hated anyone more than he hated Fate right now.

"And there you go shoving that branch up your ass again," Aldrin countered coolly before he turned to Panahasi. "Trust me, I understand the urge to play with his entrails, but first, you have to eat your veggies. Second, killing Fate means no more mated couples, because dickhead wouldn't be around to pick who should be together based off of their cutesy smile or how tortured their soul is."

Panahasi was too enraged to care. Even if Casimir and Damon continued to hate him for the rest of their lives, he was going to make this right.

"One snap of my fingers…" Fate narrowed his eyes at Aldrin.

The darkness shattered with a relentless barrage of blinding lightning strikes, filling the sky with a million electric veins. The eerie moon seemed to pulsate in response.

Panahasi swayed unsteadily as the ground quaked violently beneath their feet, sending shockwaves through his body as the distant castle crumbled into a heap of jagged rocks.

Fate was a dumbass. Even Panahasi was careful not to piss off the Primal Source. He'd never seen the keeper this angry before.

Aldrin took a step toward Fate, his face twisted in a terrifying display of fury, his eyes transforming into swirling galaxies. "You dare threaten me ?" he snarled menacingly. "I brought you into existence, and I will wipe you from it, boy. Now unlock their bond. They have a purpose, and I will not allow you or anyone else to stand in their way."

As he continued to glare at Aldrin, Fate snapped his fingers. But Panahasi had seen a flash of fear in Fate's green eyes, as well as pain and humiliation. Fuck him. He'd allowed Damon, Casimir, and the innocent wolf to unnecessarily suffer. Fate could go to hell.

The lightning ceased and the moon stilled as Panahasi growled, "Release me from this illusion."

Fate looked at him with utter contempt. "Have Daddy Aldrin take you home, pet." He transformed back into mist then shot into the sky, spiraling around the clouds before disappearing completely.

"He's a pain in the ass, but you have to admit, he exits with style." Aldrin chuckled.

"Wait." Panahasi held up a hand. "Did you know all along that Fate could fix this?"

If Aldrin had known, Panahasi would feel the greatest level of betrayal. He'd known the Primal Source for billions of years, and although they hadn't always seen eye-to-eye, he'd never once screwed Panahasi over.

"No." Aldrin shook his head. "I saw the truth in Fate's eyes. He was out to teach you a lesson, but he knew how to let the wolf in."

"He better pray we never cross paths again," Panahasi snarled.

Aldrin grinned and patted his arm. "Let's go home, junior."

He scowled. "Call me that again and I'll hunt Jaden down and gut him."

Because Life could not exist without Death. If one died, so did the other. Balance always had to be maintained.