As if his own words somehow brought him peace, the tense line of Gage’s shoulders eased.He drew her close, pressing his forehead to hers.They stayed that way for long moments, simply breathing each other in.When their lips met, it was a promise.Whatever darkness lurked ahead, they would face it side by side.The dire wolf and his mate, bound by an eternal bond.Visata had told her thatwhere there is selfless love, there is always hope.Katy would hold on to those words of promise.Just as she would hold on to Gage for as long as she could.
“You have a warrior’s heart, Katy Dire,” Gage said into the quiet of the room.“Our enemies will come to regret ever crossing you or those under your protection.”
* * *
Gage watched his mate sleep.Curled up in the enormous bed, she looked even smaller than she was.He’d held her while she’d cried until there seemed to be no tears left.Even after she’d fallen asleep, he kept holding her.He didn’t want to stop touching her, or take his eyes off of her, afraid that the moment he did, she’d be gone.
Katy’s sleep was fitful, her breath hitching as if in the throes of dark dreams.Gage clung tighter, willing his own strength into her fragile form.Even asleep, he could feel her suffering, the stolen life forces warring with her spirit.
“I won’t let you go,” he growled, pressing his face into her hair and inhaling her sweet scent.“We’ll find another way.”
A radiant light filled the room, forcing Gage to squeeze his eyes shut.The wolf knew instinctively who was standing at the bedside, warmth emanating from his very presence.He would know his Creator anywhere.The purity and holiness filled every inch of the room.
Visata.Here in the flesh, not just in visions and dreams.Gage’s heart seized in his chest with hope and fear.
“She does not deserve this fate,” Gage choked out.“I will trade my life for hers if I must.Please.”
He could feel that the Creator’s ageless gaze held infinite compassion.“Your mate’s generous heart is a gift, not a curse.Have faith, wolf.Death does not hold sway over true love.”
Gage’s heart picked up the pace.“Then there is another way?Tell me how to save her, please.”
Visata touched his shoulder with a gentle hand.“You cannot fight this battle in her stead.But you can give her the strength to face the darkness unafraid.”His voice held endless wisdom and care.“She is more than a match for it.Trust this.”
Humbled, Gage bowed his head, tears slipping free.“Forgive me.You gave your life for us once out of love.I should not doubt you now.”He rubbed a hand over his face.“I just cannot fathom losing her so soon after finding her.”
“Oh, my child.”Visata’s voice was infinitely kind.“Have you not already fulfilled your purpose here?The dire wolves live on through you.But your mate’s destiny is only beginning.Take heart and care for her.Greater things than you know await you both, whether in death or life.”
Gage clutched Katy to him as the light slowly faded.“I will trust,” he whispered.Whatever came, they would face it together, trusting in a love greater than fear or death.Visata was right.This was not the end of their story, but only the first chapter.
Epilogue
Because I’m The Crazy One.
“Death is never the end.It’s simply a new beginning.”~Nico
“Why don’t we just go to the Kingdom of Venom mansion and kill all those females?”Nico put his palms out.“Then she wouldn’t have to die.”
“Who are you, again?”Maddie sat on the floor, cross-legged, flipping through one of the many books she’d found in the Kingdom of Claws library.
“Nico, I’m the Shaman representative for the Kingdom of Chaos.”He was handsome, if not a little scary.
“Uh-huh.”Maddie nodded.“Makes complete sense now.”
Lola figured she was talking about all the tattoos and piercings.The dude was literally the walking definition of chaos.
“We’re not killing innocent people.”Taras’s voice was harder than usual.“They don’t need our help dying when Azure is doing it for us.”
“Wait.What?”Maddie and Lola said at the same time.
Taras held up his cell phone.“Rafe called.He, Wyatt, and Drystan were the ones to set off the explosion for Gage to get Katy out.I asked them to stick around and keep an eye on the mansion, especially since Gage told me that Azure had gotten away.They just went into the building where Azure was holding his captives.Every woman in the building is dead.”
“Does that mean Katy will live?”Lola immediately felt guilty for not caring about the other women.It’s not that she didn’t care, but Katy was, well, Katy.She was Lola and Maddie’s best friend.How was Lola supposed to care about strangers more than she did about the fierce girl she’d grown up sharing an unbreakable bond with?
“I don’t know what it means, other than innocent human females are dead,” Taras said bluntly.
“I didn’t want them dead.”Lola folded into Callon’s arms.
“Of course you didn’t,” Lyra spoke up.“You’re scared for your friend.That’s understandable, Lola.Nobody faults you for that.”
