Текст книги "Turn of the Moon"

Автор книги: L. P. Dover

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

Bailey

When I walked into the temple, there were candles all around with a pool of water in the center. Dressed in a white robe, my mother stood off to the side with a sad smile on her face and a washcloth in her hands. There was an opening in the ceiling allowing the moon to shine through.

“I need you to drop the blanket and get in the water,” Maret commanded, flourishing her hand toward the shimmering pool.

I peered down at the water. “What’s in it?” I could smell various herbs and perfumes wafting off the steam.

Maret put her hands on my shoulders and I jerked away. “It’s all natural ingredients from the earth. It’ll cleanse you before the bonding and prepare your body for mating. It’s also been known to help with bearing a child.”

Scowling, I stepped away from the water. “Why don’t you get in it then? You’re the all-powerful witch . . . you should just mate with Kade. That way, you can have witchy wolf breeds running around.”

She burst out laughing. “It doesn’t work that way, sweetheart. Only wolves can mate with other wolves. Besides, Kade doesn’t exactly do it for me. Now get in the water.”

Standing my ground, I glared at her and refused to move. I knew the pain was about to come before she even opened her mouth. Bursts of light exploded in my mind and I screamed, falling to the ground. It felt like a thousand knives jabbing me all over my body.

“Maret, stop! Please,” Annika begged. After a few more seconds, the pain dispersed and I sucked in a ragged breath. She held me protectively in her arms, shielding me.

Maret pulled her hand back and huffed. “Get her in the pool, Annika. We don’t have much time.”

She lifted me up and walked with me over to the steaming water. “Please, Bailey. Do as she says. I can’t stand seeing you in pain.”

“You should’ve thought about that before you took me from my family.” She flinched and then lowered her gaze to my blanket, gently prying the edges out of my hand. Knowing I had no choice, I gave up and let her unwrap me.

“I’m going to give you some time to gather your thoughts. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Maret announced. Over my shoulder, I watched her disappear out of the temple. Even with her gone, I could feel her magic oozing all around me.

“Why are you so stubborn?”

“Maybe I get it from my real parents,” I spat.

Huffing, she finished unwrapping me and threw the blanket on the ground. When she got a good look at my body, her eyes flashed. “What the hell happened?”

I looked down and found a messy bite mark on my breast. “It’s the work of your future son-in-law. You must be so proud to know that each and every night, he’ll be forcing himself on me. He’s already informed me that he likes it when I scream in pain. It should make it fun for me, you know, to be a baby factory for your pack.” Walking past her, I stepped into the warm water and sank down into it. Whatever was in it couldn’t be any worse than what awaited me once Kade was ready.

Kneeling down beside me, she soaked the washcloth in the water and rubbed it over my skin. “I didn’t know it was going to be like that. I thought in time you’d grow to love Kade, just like I did with your father.”

My head snapped and I glared at her. “My father was Marrock Storm.”

Releasing a heavy sigh, she lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry. Just like I did with Darius.”

“This is all bullshit and you know it. I have a true mate. This isn’t the way to bring back magic to our packs. By forcing me to do this, it’s only going to cause destruction. One way or another, I will get out of here, even if I have to take my own life. I refuse to be a slave.”

She finished washing me up and helped me out of the water. I knew without a doubt that whatever happened with Kade, I would rather die than have to bow down to him. The light blue dress my mother helped me in was long and silky, but I didn’t see the use in it. It was going to get ripped to shreds once Kade had his way with me.

Through the hole in the ceiling, the moon was almost at its apex. My wolf clawed at me from the inside, desperate to get out. She was trapped just like I was. The weight of the necklace around my neck was a constant reminder of my weakness. With tears in her eyes, Annika brushed my hair and put it up, decorating it with tiny blue flowers that matched my dress. She touched me with tender hands just like she did when I was a child. Even though she deceived me, I had no doubt that she loved me. I could see it in her eyes.

“You’re so beautiful,” she murmured.

Eyes burning, I grabbed her hands, clasping them with mine. It was the last time I would ever see her. “Whatever happens, I want you to know that I forgive you. You weren’t the one who killed my parents, Rollin did. There was never a time I went without because you always made sure I was happy, even when I wanted to go to college.”

A small smile splayed across her lips. “You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that.”

“All right, it’s time,” Maret called.

I glanced one more time at Annika and kissed her on the cheek. She pulled me into her arms and I closed my eyes, breathing in her lavender scent. “Thank you for loving me.”

She stepped back, brows furrowed. “Why are you saying this?”

Maret took my arm and ushered me toward the door. “Enough talk, Kade’s ready for her.”

Giving her one last look over my shoulder, I smiled and let the tears fall freely down my cheeks. “Goodbye, Mother.”

Everything moved in slow motion at that point. I couldn’t seem to grasp what was happening because everything went too fast. The sound of my mother’s growl echoed in my ears just a mere second before I was knocked to the ground. My head hit the side of the stone temple and everything went fuzzy. I could hear the sound of Maret’s screams and the ripping of flesh. When I was able to focus, Maret’s blood was all over the temple, her body torn to shreds. I gasped when I found not just one, but three wolves standing guard over me.

“Tyla?”

The large, gray wolf stared back at me, baring her teeth in a large grin. The wolf beside her was Micah. If they had gotten inside the wall, then that meant Ryker was there too. My mother shifted and tore the necklace off my body. The second it was gone, not only did my strength return, but my memories came back as well.

I remembered everything about my parents and what happened the night of the attack. My siblings and I were playing Monopoly in my room when my mother burst in and told us to run. Micah had come to get Faith, but Sebastian was with my parents. I didn’t know where my brother was, so I had no choice but to go alone. Before I could get out of the house, Maret’s magic struck.

I had no clue who I was or what was going on. I just knew I had to run. Then, every single moment with Ryker appeared; from the time he found me in the woods, to the time I had to leave him to go to the Northern pack. We were inseparable and I loved him even then.

“You remember,” Ryker murmured in my mind. I could feel him again.

“Where are you? Tyla and Micah are here.”

He flashed an image in my mind of a group of wolves closing in on him. “We ran into some trouble. I promise I’ll find you.”

“Bailey, snap out of it. We need to get you out of here. Go with your friends.” Annika grabbed my hands and helped me up, pushing me out the door.

“I remember everything.”

Tyla and Micah ran out of the temple, growling their impatience. Howls erupted all around us and I knew we didn’t have much time. Annika ignored it all and brushed a hand down my cheek. “Cherish those memories, my dear Bailey. Maybe one day you’ll cherish the ones of us. Now go.”

Tyla bumped me in the leg and pushed me toward the woods. “What about you?” I called over my shoulder.

She shrugged. “This is my pack. Yours would never accept me.”

I shook my head. “That’s not true. Come with us. I will accept you. That’s all that matters.” Holding out my hand, I waited for her to come to me. When she took that first step, I knew I had her. Until, death came up behind her. “No,” I screamed, taking off toward her.

Kade grabbed her by the neck and slit her throat right to the bone. He dropped her body to the ground and I fell beside her. There was nothing I could do, but watch the life leave her eyes.

“Mom!”

“There’s no escaping, Bailey. You’re coming with me.”

“Fuck you,” I spat, getting to my feet. His wolves surrounded us, edging closer by the second.

Grinning wide, he bit his bottom lip. “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of that tonight. Say goodbye to your friends.” Lifting his hand, he waved toward Tyla and Micah and his wolves charged.

I rushed into the fray, but pain exploded in my right shoulder and I hollered in pain, falling to my knees.

“Why do you have to make things so fucking difficult?” Pulling the blade out of my shoulder, he hauled me over his shoulders and carried me away from the fight. Tyla and Micah were fighting for their lives, as they were strongly outnumbered. Ryker and Sebastian were somewhere else, in the same situation. He was still alive. I could feel his desperation to get to me.

“It’s over, Kade. Maret’s dead. You have nothing keeping you safe anymore.”

“Wrong. You didn’t think we depended solely on that bitch did you? We’ve always been a step ahead of the game. The only thing I have to do is fuck you under the moon and you’re mine. Unfortunately, it’ll have to be quick tonight. Such a pity. And then once I’m done, we’ll be on our way.” The fighting grew farther into the distance and everything went quiet. Kade stopped and I focused on our surroundings. “All right, this’ll have to do.”

He dropped me on the ground and the breath whooshed out of my lungs. I gasped for air and tried to get to my feet, but he came up behind me and pushed me back down, lifting my dress above my waist.

“Now, this is the way to fuck a woman,” he growled, nipping the back of my neck.

His weight held me down, my energy depleted after being stabbed. I knew I had to fight, even if I didn’t have the strength. “And this is the way to break an arm,” I spat. I grabbed his wrist and snapped his arm as hard as I could. He bellowed in pain and I was able to roll out from underneath him, but he came back after me. Turning me around, he held my chin in his grasp, pushing his body into mine.

His arm snapped back into place and he slapped me across the cheek. “Is that all you got?”

“Not even close.” I elbowed him in the nose not just once, but three times. His blood splattered all over me, and it gave me a chance to get some distance.

“You stupid, worthless cunt,” he shouted, his eyes flashing. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and concentrated on my wolf. I willed her to break free, but before I could let her loose, a growl erupted from the woods. Gasping, I opened my eyes to find two steadily approaching white wolves.

“Well, well, look who’s here. It’s been a long time, brother,” Kade taunted.

Ryker stood his ground and shifted, his gaze meeting mine before turning his lethal stare to Kade. “Yes, it has. And tonight will be the last.”

Kade scoffed. “You’re challenging me?”

Ryker narrowed his gaze, his fists clenched at his sides. “I am.”

Sebastian growled at something, and everywhere I looked, glowing eyes stared back at us. We were surrounded.

Kade burst out laughing. “Suit yourself, dear brother. I think I’ll make you watch when I fuck your woman and then I’ll make her watch when I rip off your head. It’ll look nice on our mantle.”

Ryker’s eyes glowed. “What the hell happened to you?”

Kade circled around me like I was his prey. My strength slowly started to return and at any moment I’d be able to shift, but then two snarling wolves appeared at my back. Fuck.

“She happened, little brother,” he said, glancing quickly back at me. “She was supposed to be mine, but you came in and fucked it all up. Even mother took your side when I wanted to claim her.”

“And yet you aligned with the man who killed our parents. Your own fucking family,” Ryker roared.

“I didn’t want mother dead. The plan was to kill you and Soren, and then I’d have her back. But no, she jumped in the way to save you.”

Ryker’s confusion hit him hard; he didn’t know the truth. “Soren wasn’t Kade’s father. Your uncle was,” I explained quickly. His eyes darted to mine and the tension in the air spiked.

“How is that possible?” I showed him what Rollin had done and Ryker’s lethal glare turned to his brother. “Finally, I know the truth.”

Kade laughed. “I see your mind mojo shit is working again.” Then he turned to me. “Thanks for telling him the truth, love. Maybe you should tell him what we did together just this afternoon.” Moaning, he licked his lips and faced Ryker. “She sure does taste good.”

Ryker trembled with rage. “You worthless, piece of shit. No wonder you’re so fucked up. You’re just like your father.”

“I take that as a compliment, dear brother. I’ll be happy to tell him that once this is all over.”

“Aww . . . no one told you he’s dead?” A fake concerned look splayed across Ryker’s face as visions flashed through his mind of what’d happened. He tutted out loud as he shook his head.

“You lie,” Kade thundered.

One of his wolves shifted and bowed his head. “It’s true, alpha. We found his body on our way out here.”

Kade trembled with rage and he started to shift, his voice a deep growl. “This ends now.”

“Say goodbye, Kade,” Ryker taunted. He looked at me one more time before the shift overtook him and Kade both.

Baring their teeth, they approached each other and stopped in the middle of the field. If Ryker was to win the fight, there was no way we could get out. Not with over a hundred wolves surrounding us. I was about to shift myself when Sebastian came over and growled at the two wolves behind me. They backed up and he shifted.

Flinging my arms around him, I finally let myself break down. “Thank God, you’re okay. What are we going to do?”

He squeezed me quickly and let go. “You are going to stay as you are. When this fight is over, all hell’s going to break loose. I need you out of here.”

“Screw that. I want to fight with you and Ryker.”

“No. We didn’t come all the way out here to save you, just to have you wind up dead. Don’t let this all be in vain.”

Tears fell down my cheeks. “What about Tyla and Micah? The last time I saw them . . .”

“They’re fine,” he promised, nodding at something over my shoulder. “Take a look.”

Glancing back, I watched as both of them approached cautiously, passing the other wolves. Once they were past, Tyla ran up to me and nudged me with her nose. I bent down and wrapped my arms around her neck. Sebastian bent down to her level.

“Tyla, whatever happens, make sure to get Bailey out of here. That goes for you too,” he said to Micah. “You are the only one who can reunite Bailey with her sister. We can’t afford to have anything happen to you.” They stared each other down, but then Micah huffed again and stood by my side.

Ryker and Kade still circled each other. They were similar in build, both twice the size of a normal Arctic wolf. Sebastian tensed and looked over at me. “It’s time.”

Holding my breath, I watched as both wolves attacked, moving around the field like white blurs of lightning. The sound of their feet against the ground rumbled like thunder. They were vicious in their strikes, both snapping at each other and drawing blood. Their white fur coats were stained red. The second I heard Ryker’s howl, my heart dropped. Their blur of movements stopped and all I saw was Kade on Ryker’s back with his teeth sunk into Ryker’s neck.

“No,” I screamed, taking off toward them.

Sebastian chased after me and gripped me around the waist, pulling me back. “There’s nothing you can do. It’s his fight.”

Ryker was on the ground, his body so perfectly still. Kade stood by with his head held high. “Ryker, get up. You have to get up.” The link to his mind shut down and there was nothing but a blank wall. “Ryker? Ryker! Goddammit, you can’t leave me now!” The ground trembled under my feet and I gasped.

“Get out of here, Bailey. Now!”

“I can’t leave him,” I cried, tears falling down my cheeks.

The pain in Sebastian’s eyes only made me cry more. “I know, but you have to. Don’t let this all be in vain.” He pushed me toward Tyla and Micah and they flanked me. “Go!”

When I turned around, I was faced with an army of wolves running at us. There were white, gray, and red wolves, all banded together. It was Ryker’s pack and all of his allies. I glanced at Sebastian one more time before he shifted and disappeared into the battle. My heart felt like it had been torn out of my chest. The pain made it almost too much to bear.

“Bailey, we have to go,” Tyla urged. I was so wrapped up in my despair, I hadn’t even noticed she had shifted. She pulled me in her bare arms and kissed my head. “I’m sorry about Ryker. There will be plenty of time to mourn, but it can’t be now. Our pack will need you after this. We need an alpha.”

How can I be strong without him? Instead of shifting back, Tyla grabbed my hand and we ran the rest of the way out of the woods, with Micah guarding us. By the time we reached the edge of the forest, my body was numb. Seraphina was there with Cedric, waiting by Ryker’s truck. The second I saw it, my soul ripped apart.

“What happened?” Cedric demanded.

He approached me, but Micah shifted and lifted me in his arms. “Not now. I’m getting the women out of here.” Tyla opened the back door and he slid me inside. Seraphina jumped in next and held me while Tyla and Micah took the front.

Cedric passed Micah the keys, his face distraught. “You know where to go. I’m going to join the fight.”

Micah nodded and started the truck. “Be safe, my friend.”

Cedric rushed off and Micah got us out of there. Seraphina murmured something in my ear and I had no clue what she said. Before I could ask, everything faded away. There was only darkness.

Bailey

Light blared through the window, right into my face. When I opened my eyes, I squinted and rolled over. Breathing into the pillow, I laid there as everything came flooding back. The connection with Ryker was gone. I reached out to him, but there was nothing.

“It’s about time you woke up,” Tyla announced. I sucked back the tears welling in my eyes and glared at her. She picked up a slice of apple and chewed it, not even attempting to close her mouth.

Groaning, I turned over on my back and stared at the ceiling. We were in a cabin, but it wasn’t mine and Ryker’s. “Maybe it was the incessant smacking of your lips that woke me. How long was I out?”

“Two days.”

“Figures.” I shot out of bed, straight to the door.

Tyla scrambled to her feet and came after me. “Where are you going?”

“To get answers,” I snapped back. I rushed down the stairs and everywhere I went, there were people milling about from the other packs. They stared at me as I thundered past, but my only focus was the people I could see through the window. Bolting out the door, Seraphina jumped and grabbed her chest while Micah averted his gaze.

“You scared me, child. I wasn’t expecting you to wake so soon,” Seraphina cried.

“Yeah, about that. I’d appreciate it if you don’t ever do that shit again. Maret put me under enough.” She lowered her head and I instantly felt bad for snapping at her. Micah tensed when I stalked over to him. “What’s going on? Where is everyone? Surely, this isn’t all that’s left,” I said, waving at the crowd of people.

“Bailey,” a voice shouted. I jerked around and Kami came barreling toward me. She threw her arms around me and wouldn’t let go.

“Kami, where’s your brother?”

“He should be back soon. A lot of the men went back to gather the fallen and bury them. I heard it was really bad.” Letting her go, I turned to Micah and Tyla.

“Where’s Sebastian?” We were too far away from the Yukon Territory for me to feel any of our wolves there.

He sighed. “He’s alive. There was a lot of work to be done after the fight.”

“And I should’ve been there. I’m going back now.” I took off for the woods, but Micah grabbed my arm.

“You’re not going anywhere, Bailey.”

Growling low, my fangs lengthened and I hissed. “I suggest you tuck tail and run, because I’m not listening to anybody but myself from here on out. I have to be there when they bury Ryker, when they bury my mom. I need to say goodbye.”

He immediately let me go, but Tyla and Seraphina flanked him. “This is exactly why we had to put you under,” Tyla exclaimed.

“What are you talking about?”

“We knew you’d be irrational and stubborn. If you’d just calm down and listen, you’ll understand why we did it.” Her gaze focused on something over my shoulder and that was when I felt them.

“They’re back,” Kami shouted, taking off toward the woods. I turned around and watched as the men from my pack and the others appeared. Kami found Tate and jumped in his arms while the other alphas started approaching. They were all alive.

“Sebastian’s coming,” Micah replied. As soon as he said it, I could feel him drawing near. When he came through the trees, he looked tired and worn out. I ran toward him and he opened his arms.

He held me tight and I breathed him in. “Why did you make me stay away? I could’ve helped,” I sobbed into his chest.

“It was a battle out there, Bailey. You’re a strong woman and one hell of a fighter, but we all need you alive. We couldn’t risk you.”

“What good does it do me now? Ryker’s gone.”

“No, I’m not, angel,” his voice whispered in my mind. Gasping, I froze in Sebastian’s arms. Was I hallucinating? “Nah, you’re not going crazy. I’ll be there soon.”

“Did you hear him?” Sebastian asked.

Taking a step back, I peered up at him, confused. “I don’t understand.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “It’s a long story, B. I’ll let him explain. But this is why Seraphina put you out of commission for a while. We needed you out of the way.” Taking my face in his hands, he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’m sorry we hurt you.”

For the first time since the fight, I could feel Ryker’s presence. Sebastian stepped out of the way and I stared out into the woods. The last of our people came through the trees, yet I couldn’t focus on anyone but Ryker. He was so close. I took a step forward and then another, until I was at a full sprint. I couldn’t wait any longer. By the time he came into view, my heart felt like it burst out of my chest. His clothes were torn and he was covered in dirt and ash, but it was him.

Closing the distance, he scooped me into his arms. “I’ll explain everything. Just don’t hate me when I do.”

I squeezed him so hard my arms started to shake. “Shh . . . we have the rest of our lives for talking. Right now, I just want you to hold me.”

Holding me in his arms, he slowly knelt down on the ground and never once let me go. “I love you, angel.”

“I love you more.”

“Did he hurt you?” We’d been out in the woods for hours, without saying a word. I had hoped he wouldn’t ask that question. “Bailey?” He turned me around in his arms and made me look into his eyes. “Are you going to answer me?”

“It was nothing I couldn’t handle. I’m here and I’m alive.”

His jaw tensed. “Did he rape you?”

“No.”

“But he bit you. Before I killed him, he made sure to let me know in great detail.”

Swallowing hard, I averted my gaze. I felt ashamed and dirty for being so weak. “I wanted to fight him, but I couldn’t. Maret made sure of that. It was one of the worst feelings, not being able to protect myself. Hopefully, you made him suffer.”

He sighed. “I did more than that. It’s one of the reasons I shut my mind off from you. I know I hurt you, making you think I was dead, but I would rather you think that for a couple of days than see what I did. I didn’t think you were ready for that.”

“What did you do? It couldn’t be any worse than what I’ve already seen,” I said, furrowing my brows.

“Trust me, it was. The thought that I had to do it to my own brother made it even more difficult. At the beginning, I made him think he had the upper hand by letting him bite me. When I howled, that gave Cedric the cue to attack. When our wolves came through the wall, it gave you the chance to escape. The Yukons were more focused on defending their own lives than trying to keep you captive.”

“How many of our people were killed?” I really didn’t want to know. The last thing I wanted to do was face the packs when we got back and see the pain in their faces. It would all be there because of me.

He sighed. “We lost eight men in total. One from our pack, the rest from the others.” My eyes burned, but I was tired of crying. Ryker lifted my chin and I took a deep breath before looking at him. “They all knew the risks, angel. I didn’t force them to be here. With any battle, lives will be taken.”

“I know, but I didn’t want them to be because of me.”

We sat in silence for a few more minutes before he got to his feet and held his hand out. “I think it’s time we get back. I’ll tell you the rest on the way.”

Taking his hand, I didn’t let go when he helped me up. Very slowly, we made our way back to the cabins. We were still in Canada and I couldn’t wait to get back home. “So what did you do to Kade and his pack?” His body tensed and I could feel his reluctance. He was trying to hide the images from me, but flashes of Kade and blood replayed in his head. “Stop blocking your mind from me. I’m not going to think less of you, or be afraid of you if you tell me. If you could hear what I was thinking a few days ago, you’d be scared of me.”

He chuckled. “I’m shaking now.” I smacked him on the arm and that seemed to loosen him up. “After you left, all I could think about was you, my family, everything. I wanted to rip Kade apart and be done with it, but I couldn’t. I needed him to suffer. I knew he wouldn’t bow down to me, so I gave him a choice; submit, or I’d literally rip him apart, limb from limb.”

“He wasn’t the type to submit,” I stated the obvious.

He shook his head. “No, he wasn’t and I bet on that. I didn’t want him to submit. When he refused, I took out one of his eyes, and then the other when he refused again. It only went downhill from there, as I dismembered him piece by piece. His people watched and some ended up pledging their loyalty to me. Those who didn’t were killed on the spot. I wasn’t about to show them mercy when none was given to me.”

“What about the women and children?” I hadn’t seen any while I was there, but I knew there had to be some in their community.

“We let them go, with the understanding they would find new packs and not cause any trouble.” We were almost back at the cabin when he stopped and turned me to face him. “I was so angry at my brother for taking you from me. It was as if I was someone else. I know we’re violent creatures, but after what I did to Kade, the thought of you seeing me like that scared even myself. I tore him apart and enjoyed every minute of it. When he roared in agony, I smiled. I took satisfaction in his pain.”

He was ashamed and I could see it in his eyes. “If I was there, I would’ve smiled too. There’s nothing wrong with punishing an evil man—brother or not. Kade was soulless. He was filled with greed and a lust for power. Don’t ever feel ashamed of doing what you did.”

His lips turned up in a small smile. “So you don’t hate me for shutting you out?”

Lifting up on my toes, I kissed him gently. “No. You did what you had to do,” I murmured against his lips.

“I’ve missed you too fucking much.”

“I can think of something we could do to remedy that, but I don’t think we’ll have much privacy in the house. There are a ton of wolves everywhere.”

He bit my lip and grinned. “Then they’ll just have to mind their own business or get out.”