"Dante? How could it possibly be Dante?" I demanded.
Ben began pacing in front of us,
"It makes sense Carrie. Dante wasn't born into the Gliddian pack. His original pack kicked him out, and he was a rouge until my mother took him in."
Ben looked away, his eyes dull as his memory played out in his head.
"We were twelve at the time."
My eyes widened as listened, but thinking back to the fight. It made sense. Dante had been respectful of Ben, but he was far more comfortable around him than the others. Like a brother.
"As far as I know they kicked him out after his father died. But, but the name of his original pack,"
My tea was tasteless in my mouth, the heavy thoughts racing through my mind seemed to have numbed my taste buds. The boys had been talking for ages about where the pack that had Meg was. The pack was big, the second biggest in England. Their head of security is the best in England full stop."So there's nothing we can do."The boys stopped talking and turned to me."That's not what we're saying, Carrie."I set my mug down and stepped forward. "But you might as well be! Megan is stuck in some hell hole, god knows if she's even alive."I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair "and we've wasted enough time."Ben stepped toward me, "No, I know that look, Carrie. You're going to
I had insisted that only Dante, Ben and I head into their territory. I wasn't even that comfortable giving them Dante, and I knew Ben wasn't going to let me do this on my own. The idea of wolves risking their lives for my sister and I felt unjust. But now, surrounded by wolves of all shapes and sizes I was beginning to regret my own demands."We have come to see you're alpha, we have no violent intentions. Please, bring us to him."The wolves around us growled, showing their disease. Until one particularly big wolf with a blind eye stepped forward. He transformed in front of us and Ben stepped slightly in front of me, I bit my tongue to keep from growling. Protection isn't something I want, or need, especially if we're currently facing an enemy."You're from the Gilddian pack?" We nodded and the man smirked,"The great future Gliddian alpha brought with him only one fighter, and a girl for protection."I snarled and stepped in front of Ben.
The alpha gave us no time to talk, he had Dante uncuffed and the wolf who had brought us in, lead him and Ben away. Then he sent Megan back to her room, and I turned to follow her."I've been alive a long time Carrie."I froze in the doorway and looked back at him."In that time, I've made a small observation."I smiled politely, "is this small observation your tiny brain capacity?"The alpha grinned easily at my insult. "No, it's the protectiveness of a male over his mate."I rolled my eyes and gave him a slow sarcastic clap. "How genius of you."The alpha smiled and shook his head. "Clap all you want Carrie, the fact remains, you're the one that strangled me, not Ben."My hands tightened against the doorframe, "what's your point?"He raised an eyebrow, "your sister's fiance wasn't passionate enough to attack me for her, but he put a bomb in his neck the minute you were at risk."The alpha grinned and prete
"You're an idiot.""Dante,""A bloody idiot Carrie."I growled and Dante snarled, he flew at me, pummelling me into the bookshelf. He was painfully close, and he spoke his words into the crook of my neck."We had a plan, Carrie. I get the cup, then we find a way to make a replica. When did we agree on you throwing yourself into the mission?"I breathed hard against him, gripping his shoulders."I'm not sorry. I wasn't going to let you do this alone."His grip tightened and he glared at me."Look, I've already gotten this from Ben. The facts remain, I'm coming with you, I'm not sorry and it isn't going to change."He searched my face then slowly pulled away, "You're one stubborn girl Carrie Stewart."I smiled bitterly, "so I've been told."He shook his head watching me, and I smiled as his tense musc
Ben woke me before sunrise. It didn't really matter, mainly because I hadn't slept all, and lying on a soft mattress for hours gets boring. I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Megan.The pack had supplied us with clothes fit for long-distance missions. I kept my dark denim skinny jeans from the day before, pulled on the soft leather hiking boots that were just a little too big. Then nibbled my lip looking, at the shirt options.Eventually opting for a deep purple tank. Dante, Ben and the wolf who brought us to the alpha met me in the hallway. From there we made a beeline for the weapons room.The clicking of metal was the only sound as we suited up for the mission. I lifted up a pair of sleek knives and began spinning lightly in my hands."There's something about a girl with a weapon."I turned around and Dante was smirking at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ben stiffen, but
We were making good ground, it was only 7 am but our quick pace helped us make the distance. I kept fairly quiet, trying to strategize in my head. Once we had the cup, things became unpredictable.Essentially it was Rent and his goons against Dante Ben and I. And with bombs in our necks, I didn't like our odds.Somehow we had to get a replica, replace it with the original, all while trying to stay in the clear with Rent and his boys.It felt impossible and it was more than likely going to end in a blood bath. Suddenly there was a harsh cry from our front line. I rushed forward and was quickly pulled back by my shirt."What the hell happened?" I asked.Rent shook his head next to me. "It's some type of underground den, the floor just caved in."I peered past him, a huge deep hole loomed in front of us. It was as wide as a house and too deep to see the bottom. Dante was pacing n
DANTE'S POV!!!!!"Where did you learn to do this?"Carrie asked quietly, admiring her reflection in the river. Her gorgeous green eyes glinted wildly, a strange mindblowing contrast to the dark blue patterns on her face.Rent smiled at her, "art runs in my family, my mom taught me to paint before I could walk. "A kind warm smile pulled gently at her lips and her eyes softened on him.My wolf whined restlessly. I stepped toward them, "in that case, what happened to my disguise? I look ridiculous."A mixture of splotchy mud stains and sludgy water plants stuck unevenly to the body at odd angles.Rent's eyes snapped to mine, immediately hardening. "What's wrong pretty boy? Afraid the mud makes you look fat?"I growled, "I look like I swam halfway across the river.""You smell like it too." Rent replied.
It was beautiful. Ina weird, wonderous sort of way. It felt like we had stepped into a painting. Fresh sweet grass covered the floor. Windy trees grew up from the ground on small grassy hills. Miniature waterfalls trickled and ran everywhere, and spotless white flowers grew about our feet. However, the atmosphere was anything but tranquil.Everywhere fairy folk danced. While musicians played light wooden instruments I didn't recognize on a black granite platform that patrolled out of a grassy hill. A mind-blowingly beautiful black woman with swirling inky patterns running along her smooth skin and around her bald head stood and sang in a language I didn't recognize.The pink liquid is thick purple petals were being passed around by tiny winged goblins, it was like a nature-themed club. My mind couldn't fathom the amount of magic it was taking to create the illusion of the dark starry sky that was above us."Holy shit,"&n
I sat on the edge of my bed, trying hard to focus my mind. While both boys were barely on speaking terms, they were both in firm agreement that they would find a way for me to back out of the tournament. I wasn't optimistic.My mind was still racing, it made no sense, what was the queen gaining with me as a competitor? I had a feeling, a gut feeling, this Tornment would end up being a lot more than just a competition. Something darker, deeper and far more important was going on. And I intended to find out what.
For the next half hour, we were too busy sorting through what's been happening, for Ben to yell at Dante and me for making contact. I knew it would come later though. Right now, both boys were furious at mefor keeping the recent attacks on me a secret.Ben called for a handmaiden, and under his orders she got off every scrap of makeup on my body, revealing dozens of nasty wounds, scrapes, and bruises.
I woke up in the bedroom Ben had offered me the day he put the crest on my palm."Bet you never thought you'd sleep in that bed."My eyes snap to my left, Ben is watching rain patter onto the balcony through the glass window in the french doors.
BEN'S POV!!!!!!"This is ridiculous.""I don't care.""Ben!"
I fell onto my bed, gripping my bleeding side. Goblins. They had attacked the house, and they weren't the first. Someone had leaked my location, all kinds of creatures were attacking throughout the week, trying to recapture the "Future Valderian Queen."Rent had called, he still hadn't gotten a confession from his guards. The mole on our team was still unknown.
The alpha gave me the prophecy, but I knew the others were waiting. So I stuffed it into my pocket, and stumbled out to the car, knowing my face was as white as a sheet. Everyone bustled, saying goodbye, and getting into the right cars. I came face to face with Rent, and immediately my eyes welled with tears."Oh Carrie," he breathed fondly, pulling me warmly into his arms, "
BEN'S POVEverything began to happen very quickly. It took us another night and another day before we reached the border.Carrie kept a space between us that was way too big to be natural. Her face was a constant flat stone plate. Her usually sparking eyes, dull and walled over. I'd never seen t
CARRIE'S POVI cried until pale light splattered across the dark sky. I knew Ben wasn't going to change his mind about this. It was over. My sister had lost her fiance, and it was my fault.Ben set out a breakfast of pheasant cooked for my benefit on a small fire. He said nothing, I didn't touch the food, he didn't push me to, and we ignored my red-rimmed eyes.
BEN'S POVTwo days. Two days of walking and camping. But I barely noticed. Time melted, waving around us like soft silk.Carrie's link was still open, her contentment warmed my body, her happiness swirling in my chest.Her chocolate hair was thrown up into a