[Diego’s POV]I walk slowly up the long path that leads to the temple, and once I arrive at its entrance, I try to ignore the negativity that presses against me. Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I wait to see if the woman feels it, and when her body shakes and she wraps her arms around herself, I know that she does.“What the hell?” She murmurs, narrowing her gaze. “Are you bringing me to my doom?”“Not quite,” I respond.Lifting a hand, I grab the rope that rings the temple's doorbell and then wait until the door in front of us moves inch by inch so that a glowing blue eye can take us in.“Diego?” A raspy voice announces from the other side. “Is that you, boy?”“Yes, elder Marin.”At my words, the door opens more, allowing us entrance into the dark space beyond. Gritting my teeth, I ignore the energy that continues to press against me while my eyes take in the decrepit space around me.Once upon a time, this place was beautiful with a pure white interior, and it radiated with suc
[Rosalie’s POV]I sit alone in a corner, watching as the phantoms slowly slink toward me, their grotesque mouths open so I can see their rotten teeth that want to sink into my skin.“No,” I whisper, tightening my hold on my knees. “Stay away.”Why was I back here in this place? It was so long ago! I was sure that I managed to escape, but here I was in this place again, surrounded by these dark beings that wanted to devour me alive.“Go away!” I hiss as one wraps its clawed hands around my ankle. “Don’t touch me!”Where the creature's hand connects turns cold, and that cold begins to travel up my leg. It’s painful, and I can feel it sinking through my skin, into my muscles, and toward my bones.“NO!” I scream, kicking out and jumping up so that I can take in the area behind them. It’s my old home in the village with my mother, but it isn’t the same at all. It is decrepit, and the ceiling and walls are beginning to crumble. Even the floor beneath my feet is starting to rot.“Why?” I whi
[Rosalie’s POV]I continue to stare up at the serpent-like creature as it continues to drop, its mouth growing closer and closer to Diego. It was becoming increasingly clear that he was the creature's target, but why was it after him?‘Let him die,’ the darkness huffs. ‘Then we will be free.’‘No, we won’t,’ I hiss, beginning to move. ‘We will just be sent somewhere else, and the cycle will continue.’Diving forward, I push Diego out of the way just as the serpent's fang sinks into my leg. Hissing, I pull it free, leaving a long gash along my skin that reveals the muscle beneath.“What the hell is happening?” Diego growls, taking in my injury. “Where did that even come from? Is this some fucking trick on your part?”As he shoots his accusations at me, the creature prepares for another attack.“CAN YOU JUST THINK WITH YOUR FUCKING HEAD?” I snarl, jumping up and grabbing him before the creature strikes again. “We have to get out of here!”“Not without Annemarie!” He hisses just as the s
[Diego’s POV]I let out a snarl as the serpent’s weight continues to push against me, threatening to not only crush me but the unmoving woman beneath me. Cursing, I try to figure out just how the hell I got here. Why was I even bothering to help this woman? I should have just fucking left her there and gotten out.Questioning all my decisions, I begin to fight against the beast's weight, slowly forcing it up enough until I’ve got enough room to dive forward. Once I’m free, I sit up and take in the woman as she lays motionless.Shifting back into my human form, I begin to shake the woman.“Get up!” I snap as she continues to not move. “You won’t be killed that easily.”Maybe she thought she could fool another with that, but with her connection to the netherworld, I knew better. Of course, she could be killed; that much was obvious, but to die from some simple injuries that were already beginning to heal was impossible.“Alpha!” Elder Marin calls, rushing toward me. “What are you doing?
[Rosalie’s POV]“Right.”Sighing, I close my eyes while the pain I’m feeling continues to radiate through me. I didn’t know why, but I was disappointed by Diego’s answer to my question, even though I now knew what he wanted from me. I was a tool to him, nothing more, nothing less. Once I absorbed the darkness that was plaguing his land, I would no longer be useful.“Don’t try to feign passing out again.”Snapping my eyes open, I look toward Annemarie, who is sleeping peacefully just on the other side of the room we are in.“She’s suffering greatly,” I murmur, remembering how harsh the darkness he forced me to absorb from her was. “She must be strong.”“The strongest,” he admits, taking me. “Much stronger than I could ever imagine being.”Eyes widening, I take in Diego’s expression as he takes in the woman on the bed. What was she to him? A lover, maybe? For him to be so desperate to help her, she had to be important, but how important?This was the second time that he spoke so gently
[Diego’s POV]I sit in my office waiting for Giddeon and my delta, Abigail, to arrive. Since returning to the pack grounds, I called this emergency meeting to discuss exactly what happened in the village.Sitting across from me, the woman slumps forward, clearly still exhausted from the whole ordeal, but since she was the only one that could see that giant fucking serpent, she had some explaining to do as well.“You can’t pass out here,” I warn, drawing her bleary gaze to me. “Not until you explain everything.”“I’ve got it,” she sighs as the door opens and Giddeon enters with Abigail on his trail. However, they aren’t alone, and to my dissatisfaction, my father follows closely behind with Armond, his right-hand man beside him.“Why?” I demand as Giddeon takes a seat beside me while Abigail takes my other side. “I thought.”“She,” Gideon hisses, looking to Abigail. “Told him.”Looking over, I find that Abigail’s expression is blank, but by how nervous she looks, it is clear that she k
[Rosalie’s POV]After the meeting, I’m led silently back to Diego’s room, where I know my cage is waiting for me. It seemed that even though I managed to help him get his father to go along with his plan to bring the villagers here, he still considered me nothing more than a tool.When we arrive at our destination, I begin to make my way to my proper place, only to be stopped by a hand wrapping around my wrist. Frowning, I turn to see Diego’s dark eyes examining me.“What?” I ask as silence falls around us. “Was there something else you needed my help with?”“Where are you going?” He asks, taking me by surprise.“Isn’t it obvious?” I huff, nodding toward my cage. “I was going to my home.”For a moment, Diego doesn’t speak as he looks from me to the cage and back. Whatever he is thinking is hidden, but I’m almost certain I see a hint of regret there.“You’re still recovering,” he says slowly, shocking me again. “You should rest somewhere a bit more comfortable.”“And where is that?” I
[Rosalie’s POV]My eyes widen as I try to make sense of what exactly is happening. The scent of Diego’s arousal is attacking my nose, and I can feel his bulge pressing against me.“Let me go,” I hiss, realizing where this is going. “I don’t know what is wrong with you, but you need to get your shit together!”With each passing minute, my panic was building due to the memories of being in this same situation in another place at another time. Just the thought of being left helpless by another man scared the shit out of me.“I said let go!” I repeat when Diego doesn’t move. “I’m not one of those whores!”“Are you not?” He counters, leaning down so that his breath tickles my skin. “From the way your body is reacting, I’d say that you are. Look at you; you’re shaking like a leaf.”Because I was panicking! How could he mistake that for actually being excited? Was he that fucking self-centered?Yes. The answer was yes. Even if he showed the slightest bit of kindness to me today, it was clear
[Ciaran’s POV]I lead my little mate through the bar and out toward the parking lot while everything in me screams to stop this and just leave her. However, unlike the first time we met, the bond feels so much stronger, and I can’t stop my wolf as it begs to have a taste of her. And frankly, this evening I wasn’t in the mood to be cautious, not when fate was continuing to bring her to me. However, there was something that didn’t make sense and that bugged the fuck out of me.She recognized me and my threat.Frowning, I reach my car and yank open the door to the backseat, and not wasting any time, I throw her inside and then climb in, slamming the door behind me. And once inside, I’m trapping her wrists between my hand, taking note of how fucking tiny they feel in my grasp. All I had to do was squeeze a little, and they would break.A human. I was mated to a fucking human. Me. Mated to such a weak being. What kind of fucking joke was this?“Why?” I grunt, trying to make sense of what w
[Chanel’s POV]My body buzzes with a delicious energy due to Anthrose marking me. Even though I’m exhausted from the ordeal that I’ve suffered through, I feel so invigorated that it leaves me stunned. However, by the looks of Anthrose and even Gil, who silently slumps to the side, I know that not all of us are going to be able to search for the artifacts needed to save Rosalie and Diego.“Anthrose,” I say quietly, letting him slump against me. “We should let Sam and the others find the artifacts.”“What are you saying?” Anthrose demands, jerking away. “How can we possibly…”He doesn’t finish his words before he is collapsing again, and I know that he isn’t going to fight me if I drag his ass out of here. But I know that even I won’t be able to do that, not when I needed to support Gil.“Are you able to walk?” I ask, deciding to not scold him for trying to act like he was fine. “Or should I…”“I can walk.” He assures me, slowly standing. “What about you?”“I’m fine,” I admit, joining h
[Anthrose’s POV]Joy rushes through me as the taste of blood explodes on my tongue. Goddess, it tastes so good, especially mixed with the fear that is trickling from the one that I’m slowly ripping limb from limb. It’s all I can taste, all I can feel, all I can focus on.That’s it. The darkness in me purrs. Kill. Kill everyone.Kill everyone. Right. I needed to kill everyone because they’re the ones who did this. This was their fault. They were the reason I was left with no other choice but to embrace the beast that I always kept in the shadows.Kill.The word repeats itself in my mind again and again until I feel hands wrapping around me, pulling at me, all of them attempting to stop me from killing the one beneath me.“Anthrose.”“Stop it.”“We need him alive.”Bullshit. We didn’t need this bastard alive! He deserved to die because he…The rest of my thought gets lost as a sweet scent slams into me, drawing my gaze to the single figure who lays on the ground clutching their abdomen.
[Chanel’s POV]I stare on, watching as Anthrose and the rest of his group surge forward, attacking the guards who were just sneering at me, and I can’t help but laugh at the difference in their demeanors.“Cowards,” I spit, sitting up and snapping my thumbs back into place. “Acting all high and mighty until actual danger appears.”As I speak, I grab the chains that are holding my ankles and begin to pull while ignoring the pain that shoots through me. Fuck, they were strong, but I was stronger. Soon enough, they begin to crack and then break apart, allowing me to finally get up and move to Gil’s side.“Just hang in there a bit longer, alright?” I tell him, clutching his cuff and starting to fight with it. “Then we will get you out of here and…”“No!” Gil gasps before breaking into a coughing fit. “We can’t just leave!”Frowning, I take in his words, trying to make sense of what it is that he is saying, but I don’t get to question him further before pain shoots through me and my body a
[Anthrose’s POV]The next morning we move out the minute the warm sun begins to paint the ground that we sleep on. After a quick breakfast, we head out with me leading the way since I’m the only one who can get a feel for the location that we are searching for.Together, we silently move across the island while keeping our senses alert in case of a surprise attack. However, the expected never happens, and by the time we are close to our destination, I can’t help but feel like all of this is too easy, and by the tension I feel from my companions, I know that they’re feeling the same.“Up ahead,” Sam murmurs, coming to my side. “I can see it.”Nodding, I take in the shining figure that I’m certain is the temple, noting the dark aura that radiates around it. Even from here I could tell that the things residing within were something the normal wolf wouldn’t want to approach, but given what we were fighting for, I wasn’t going to let it stop me.“Prepare yourselves.” I announce, letting my
[Anthrose’s POV]For the rest of the day, I search the island for a sign of where Chanel and Gil may be, but come up empty. And when my group can’t seem to move anymore, I have to call the search to a halt. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t continue to keep my connection with the earth, searching while dinner is made.It’s a silent ordeal, as I’m certain that the entire group is feeling the weight of what is at hand and what we may encounter when we find the ones we are searching for. I could only assume that a fight was waiting for us, and it was because of that that I even agreed to res.Sighing, I close my eyes and let myself slip deeper into a trance, searching until I feel something press against my consciousness that snaps me to alertness as hope flares through me along with a longing that I’ve never felt before.‘Chanel,’ I whisper, not daring to truly believe that I’m feeling what I am. ‘Is that you?’For a moment, all I’m met with is silence, causing me to believe that
[Anthrose’s POV]My body screams at me, begging me to stop, to take a break, but I can’t stop moving. Behind me, I can hear noises of complaint and exhaustion escaping my companions, making it clear that they’re feeling the same thing as me. However, I can’t stop moving; I won’t stop moving; just the thought of stopping makes me so damn anxious I want to fucking destroy something. I can’t stop the feeling that if I stop looking even for a second, Chanel will vanish completely.Shivering, I try not to think of a world where she doesn’t exist somewhere. Sure, it was one thing to keep my distance and allow her to live the life that she deserves, but to even think of her not being somewhere alive and happy damn near kills me.‘Chanel.’ I call to the darkness, hoping and praying that by some miracle she will respond to me. ‘Where are you? Why aren’t you answering me?’“Anthrose.”I immediately freeze as the voice reaches me, but I realize a moment too late that it wasn’t Chanel’s voice, it
[Chanel’s POV]I look around me, taking in the stone walls around me, noting how they’re cracking, allowing vines to grow through them while my intrusive thoughts try to get the better of me. They’re screaming things like what if this place were to collapse. What if you find yourself at a dead end? What if you run out of air? It’s irritating as fuck, and even though I keep telling them to shut up, they just won’t.“Hey,” I call to Tyson, who leads the way in hopes of distracting myself. “Are you certain that we are going in the right direction?”Since he was the one to choose our path and take the lead, I could only hope that he somehow could track the way out of this place, but what if he was just leading us deeper into this underground labyrinth?“Hey,” I repeat when he doesn’t respond to me. “I’m talking to you.”Frustration growing, I move forward and grab his shoulder, forcing him to turn and look at me, but I’m not met with the same gaze that I was used to. Instead, I’m met with
[Anthrose’s POV]We spend the rest of the day searching for any sign of Chanel or Tyson, but all we come up with is nothing. It’s almost like neither of them existed or were somehow spirited away from earth.“We should rest.” Henry, one of Ulrick’s warriors, suggests later that evening. “We will be useless in helping them if we are exhausted.”“Are you saying that this little bit of action exhausts you?” I demand. “If that's the case, you are more than welcome to rest, but I’m going to keep searching.”“But, sir…”“I said I was going to keep searching!” I growl, not giving two fucks if I came across as argumentative or defiant. “There’s no fucking way that I’m going to stop until I find her.”Even though only a couple of hours had passed, I couldn’t help but feel like days, even weeks, had already gone by without Chanel’s presence. It was fucking maddening, and I was beginning to feel like a crazy man. How the hell did I manage to stay away from her for so many years in the past?No.