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Chapter 30

H ot

That’s how I awoke. Sweltering as if I were placed in an oven that’s been set too high. Rivulets of salty sweat ran down my forehead. Some of it caught in my eyes, causing me to squint and curse as it burned its way into my eye. Raising my arm to clean my eyes was a grisly mistake as pain swept through my arms. He’s beyond pissed. It clawed inside me against my ribs as I fought for control. Which hadn’t been easy since the moment I got to this hell compound. Never in my life would I have thought my wolf would work against me in the time I needed him the most.

Where the hell am I?

The fresh scent of metallic filled the small room, and I could only guess from a quick glance down at my wrist that I was the cause of the scent. Lifting my head just enough to view my new “room.” The dim light from the furnace provided just enough light to see my body and the room, but that hadn’t drawn my attention. It was the red welts that festered around my wrist. Sticky clear fluid pooled underneath my raw flesh. Repressing my shiver, I worked around the wolfbane metal cuffs. Whoever placed me here would die a slow death while I fed them piece by piece to my wolf. My heart became erratic the more my wolf fought for control.

Slamming my eyes shut, I counted until I reached ten, trying to refocus my attention on my safe place.

Back in the garden with my mother before it was reduced to nothing. When my father watched us with love in his eyes. Back to when she guided me in controlling the seeds that would nourish the pack. My mother held my hand at every step, which made my father resent me even more. Not that it matters because when she turned to me, I couldn’t hear anyone. The sun created a halo around her sunhat that she wore to prevent her face from burning. She looked so majestic as I remembered her bright smile that had canceled out the sun’s rays. If I tried hard enough, I could still smell the light rose scent she loved so much as she held the dying corn stalk in her small hands and said, “What’s meant to be, will be, my love.” It was the only peace I sought these past couple of days. I knew she was keeping me from turning into the beast my wolf wanted me to become, but each day away from my pack was becoming more difficult as the line blurred between my wolf and me.

I won’t cry…I won’t give in to whoever has kidnapped me.

My canine bit into my bottom lip, causing me to open my eyes. To face my reality, I had to wait until Kaydian found me. To rescue me like a worthless child, but how does that make me feel? Like horse crap. Ever since I all but barked at her, I’ve been feeling indifferent. And I couldn’t distinguish if it was my intrusive thoughts that had become ingrained in me since my mother’s death or if it was my wolf taking over. At this point, all I can do is pray that the Earth Creator guides me to get out of this situation and back to Kaydian to make it right because she’s all that matters.

It would be just my luck if Muller found me and decided to kill me before I had a chance to get my revenge for my mother. I don’t have anyone to blame but myself. I hadn’t meant to confront him at the dinner. It was my goal to be seen but not heard. Before I entered that castle, my wolf and I fought for control right before Kaydian came to take me to the castle, and seeing my uncle, who shared features I’d only noticed on my mother and me, made me slip. Rejection was similar to getting ran over by a train, brutal and painful. One would think I was used to it by now, but I guess I was only fooling myself. My magic had briefly reappeared as it helped push my wolf back into my chest. But it was fleeting as I felt it leave my presence within seconds later leaving me cold and confused. The jarring feeling had been foreign to me since I’d lived my life without using it, and that was when I knew I should have returned home and forgotten about finding out the truth. However, it was too late as my wolf sensed my weak moment and ruined the one time for me to find out any answers.

A screeching sound deafened my inner thoughts, drawing my attention to the metal door. Watching the person struggle to open the heavy door gave me some hope. If they were struggling with a door, then I had a chance. All I would have to do was get them to open these cuffs. The door finally opened fully as a girl walked into the tiny room. She rested on the open door as she wiped the strands of hair out of her face. Her blue dress stood out against her pale skin. She landed her blue eyes on me, which grew wider than saucers as she noticed me. A red flush decorated her face that traveled down her chest. Yes, she was nervous. I could see it in the way her hand trembled as she picked the tray off the floor, flinching when the metal door slammed shut with a loud bang. The silverware clattered against the tray so loudly that I was tempted to break out and just take the tray from her.

Finally, after painstakingly slow moving like a snail, she placed the tray on the small silver table. Rubbing her hands together while she stared at the wall as if I weren’t in the room, she muttered softly, “You can do this.” Was this the best my uncle could get? I thought. Kaydian would just have to get me to England, and I would take care of everyone.

Turning her face toward me with her eyes planted on the wall behind me.

“Good, you’re awake. I brought you whatever I could find in the kitchen.” Her voice was clipped, but she caught herself and continued. “I?—”

“I need to use the bathroom.” Cutting her off, hoping that it will work in my favor. “I need my hands to use the bathroom. Unless you’re going to help me use it…what’s your name?”

My capture turned another shade of red than before. She took a step back, colliding with the sink.

“I—I’m... My name is…it’s Tiffany. Yes, Tiffany,” she replied, shaking her head like both she and I didn’t know that was a lie.

“Ok…Tiffany.” I paused, drawing out the name. Watching her flinch was mildly enjoyable. “Can I please go to the bathroom? Maybe you can release one of the cuffs? I promise I’m too weak to take you on right now. Plus, look at my wrist. I’m damaged.”

Tiffany just stared at me. Her blue eyes were swimming with tears. Her scent was as bitter as coffee. She walked over to where the wolfbane cuff kept me imprisoned and glanced down. That’s when I wished I hadn’t had heightened hearing because her mouth opened, and an ear-throbbing scream drowned my senses. My initial instinct was to cover my ears, but all I was met with was the searing pain from the wolfbane. And though I wasn’t a child, I wept as I placed my hands back in the safe position. When the pain died down, I looked over at Tiffany, who had her head in the sink, throwing up as the acidic smell mixed with my newly burnt scent.

I almost felt sorry for the girl. She lived in this murderous compound and was scared of blood? Or my wounds? Or both? I wasn’t sure. The way she gripped the edge of the sink made me sigh in frustration. She could hardly get close enough to let me out. Banging the back of my head against the table. I prayed to the Earth Creator that if—when I get free, I will visit the Elder temple more frequently.

The heavy door opened and closed with ease this time. Craning my neck up to see my new guest, I couldn’t believe my luck. A shaky laughter poured out of me. Kaydian walked in like a vision straight out of my dreams. She had on a black silk dress with her long curls tied to the top of her head. Something was way off. Her floral scent that I loved and committed to memory smelled foul, almost as if she was withering away like a rose. Kaydian crossed the room with her mouth twisted in a grimace, staring at Tiffany, who had taken up to gripping the wall.

“Kaydian, thank the Creator! Finally, just take care of Tiffany and free me from this table.”

The minutes ticked by as Kaydian stood by the closed door. With her hand itching her damn wrist. She stared at me with those haunting, emerald eyes. Watching me. Assessing me like I wasn’t shackled to the table. I wanted to reach out and shake her. It wasn’t time for her to get lost in that head of hers. She was more powerful than Tiffany and could have us out of this place before my uncle knew we were gone.

“Tiffany?” she asked calmly. The puzzled look on her face made my stomach tighten. “Delphine, did you tell him your name is Tiffany?”

“I got nervous, and it was the only thing I could think of,” Delphine said, waving her hand through the air. “This is too much for me, Kaydian. His…” She paused to point at me with her head turned away from my wounds.

“Y-You did this?” Asking the most ridiculous question.

Everything in me wanted to believe this was all a horrible dream. Even though I lay here trapped on this table with my mate right in front of me, I didn’t want to believe it. Was this punishment for when I lost control of my wolf? A single tear rolled down my face as my wolf tried to push me to the back. Running through apologies in my mind, I realized I couldn’t get my mouth to form the words that I needed to say, and the only thing in my mind was thoughts of rage. My wolf coiled in the middle of my chest as the wolfbane worked its magic. I knew then that I was all alone.

Kaydian ignored my question as she waved a flippant hand, turning the light on in the tiny room. While my eyes adjusted to the light, she said, “It’s okay, Del. Thank you for helping out. I’ll take it from here.”

Delphine all but ran out of the room after Kaydian sent her off with a hug. Kaydian walked over to the small table, retrieving the tray. She lifted my head with her free hand. I wasn’t hungry ! Just the smell of the food when it was finally uncovered made my stomach churn. It was soup—chicken soup, by the smell of it. Thyme, chicken, and regret seeped through the room. She spooned some of the liquid and brought it to my mouth, but I kept my mouth clamped shut tight, pushing against her hand.

She sighed. The corners of her mouth pulled down into a frown. “Greyson, you have to eat something. You’ve been asleep for a whole day! I left you to rest after the spell had long worn off.”

That only made my lips pressed together even further. At this point, they will probably blend into my face, disappearing. Kaydian pushed the spoon back into my mouth. The end of the spoon wedged between the tight spaces as she fought to get the spoon in. Small streaks of the mouthwatering aroma dribbled down my chin and onto my chest. My stomach sang a song against my protest. I didn’t dare look up at Kaydian. Every fiber in my being didn’t want her to feel vindicated, but I had no other choice in my weakened state. Defeat was my only option, and I could only hope for a reasonable explanation. Stupid of me, yes, I know. But like my father once said, I was a silly boy.

Opening my mouth, Kaydian fed me the warm soup. The soft wisp of her breath tickled my cheek as she cooled down the liquid, causing me to shift on the cold table. With my entire being, I wanted to hate the food and hate her, but the small voice in the back of my head said not to. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t say that the soup wasn’t good. When she was finished feeding me the toast and water, she laid one of her soft traitorous hands on my cheek, rubbing it until my dick twitched in my pajamas. Truly, how pathetic! My mind struggled to focus on how I could get her to release me and how I would escape this dungeon. Even though she would probably send that big bastard to hunt me down.

Kaydian helped me to use the bathroom in a bucket she retrieved from outside of the room. When she came back, she had that fucking smile on her face. The one that made my heart twitch along with my dick. The smile that used to follow her sweet floral scent now left a bitter taste in my mouth. Goosebumps littered my body as my wolf bristled inside. It made me wonder if I—we had it wrong all along.

“We need to talk,” she said, hopping onto the small edge of the table. “I’m sorry I had to do this to you, but your actions…your actions were nothing but impulsive. I can keep you out of sight from everyone and save myself from being hurt again by your wolf…or you, for that matter.”

Kaydian paused, wiping her face with the end of her skirt. “I’ve waited a very long time for you, and I won’t let you be foolish. Sir Muller—sorry, your uncle and you come from the goddess Juna, Goddess of Judgment. Your family is the fourth strongest of the goddess descent behind the Crosses and mines. If you had killed your uncle in our coven, every last member of each witches’ coven would have your head on a golden platter. Luckily, you seemed to have frightened him off…Don’t think I won’t forget how you hurt me, Greyson. Your hands left my neck bruised and bloodied.”

Jumping off the table, she came back to my side. Laying her hand on my chest, she continued, “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you and I know your mother wasn’t innocent, and she took an innocent life herself. The goddess looks down on those things and they often seek revenge for their disobedient descendants. No matter how powerful your family line is, you’re not more powerful than the fate the goddesses have laid out for you. Your mother knew that and still proceeded.”

My gut told me years ago that there was a bigger story at play, but now that I knew the truth, I found myself unsure of how to proceed. My wolf won our internal battle. His painful growl shook every fiber of my muscles. The pressure built in my chest with his claws latching onto the soft flesh until my mouth opened. A torturous, animalistic sound from the depths of my chest escaped me. My eyes, wrists, and ankles burned, but none of that was worse than my heart, which felt shattered. It was like hearing the news for the first time. The raw pain in my throat was only minor, as my mother suffered worse than anything I could imagine. To be killed by your family was worse than any sin. I cried until nothing was left but a shell of myself and Kaydian’s soft hand on my chest. Her tears mixed with mine as she shared my pain.

At this very moment, I wanted to kill my mother’s killer. No family member of mine would ever kill one of their own. And deep down, I wanted to kill Kaydian’s parents even if they were blinded by my mother’s iniquitous brother.

Kaydian's soft, low voice broke my thoughts, “I want to let you out, but not only am I scared you might hurt me again, Greyson, but you will do something rash like kill your uncle. He would?—”

“I have no uncle other than my párah, Oni,” I said, my voice breaking from my raw throat.

“I understand, Greyson. I do, but will you promise not to do anything rash? We need the coven on our side to rule, and then we can go from there. Killing Muller now will only make matters worse! And I can’t help you if the royal coven wants your head.”

“No,” I said without looking at her, because it pained me to do so. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I’ve never lost control of my wolf before. The only thing I can promise right now is to fight the wolf into the corner before we can hurt you again.”

That was the first and only thing that ran through my wolf and my mangled mind. I can’t undo what my wolf and I did to her, and I never will let that happen again, but Kaydian’s audacity to ask me to be docile while my mother’s killer went free was galling. There was nothing I wanted more than to seek my revenge. That was the main reason I came to this fucking hellhole. Struggling against the cuffs, I ignored the pain until the flesh on my ankles and wrist became too much. Sinking down in surrender, I breathed deeply in order to get myself and my wolf back under control. The sickening throb eased against my burnt skin.

When I opened my eyes, Kaydian stood there, the front of her dress drenched with her tears as she wrapped her arms around herself. Her skin was ashen. It warmed my wolf’s and my heart to see the tears she cried for me because she was able to feel the pain I had bottled up inside of me, even if it was temporary. Nothing hurts more than knowing I would have to be tied to someone’s family who had a part in killing the one other person I needed.

Kaydian stood between the table and the door, shifting on her feet with her green eyes averted from mine. This was one of the few times I’ve ever seen her this nervous. Sensing my gaze, she fixed her posture and placed it back on her straight face.

“I want an heir, Greyson. It’s what I will need in order to rule once my parents step down…first an heir, and then we can work out a plan after I ensure my place on the throne.” She paused to clear her throat. Watching her fold and unfold her arms as she nervously shifted on her feet.

Was this a joke?

It had to be because she couldn’t be serious right now. My mind was blank as her gaze.

“…You want me to give you an heir so that you can rule?” I asked, with confusion riddled in my voice.

“I promise afterward we can make a plan to keep your people safe and watch over them?—”

“Kaydian or Your Highness… Are you serious? You have me chained to a table, and you want me to give you an heir. So that you can rule. My answer is no, not now and no tomorrow.”

For what it was worth, Kaydian looked sick to her stomach, standing there bobbing her head up and down. Rightfully so, and maybe I was being crass, but at this very moment, I didn’t fucking care. The main reason I came here was for revenge and for our future, but it was clear those plans had changed. Kaydian took my silence as a sign to leave, slipping out the door with nothing but a mumbled, “Sorry, I’ll be back.”

But did I want her to come back? That was the real question.

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