What was he doing right now?
What were Eric, Colton and Ramsay doing?
Were they worried about me?
Of course they are, idiot,I thought.They didn’t abandon you here--you were stolen.
A dark part of my mind wondered if they weren’t going to show up at all--if it was easier just to let me go and forget about me.
But then I realized I was being fucking stupid. I was carrying their child, and after all we’d been through together, they wouldn’t just leave me to suffer my fate here.
I imagined Eric’s voice, speaking his logical words in my ear:The mountains are a long and difficult journey for anything without wings. It’s going to take us time to get to you, Matheson.
I imagined Colton’s gentle tone:We’re coming, little fish. Please don’t give up hope.
Ramsay’s voice:Don’t you worry, Mathe. When we get there, we’re gonna kick some furry and feathery gryphon ass!
Despite everything, I smiled.
No, I wouldn’t give up hope. I had to believe in my three alphas, who I loved more than anything. They would never let me--and our unborn child--be left here.
Our journey down the hall finally stopped. At the end of the hall stood a gilded throne, but it was shaped more like a long, luxurious armchair with red velvet cushions and gold accents.
And on top of it lay the biggest gryphon I had ever seen.
I sucked in a breath.
The beast was massive, even without his wings spread. He had a sharp eagle’s face and a dark gold mane that bled into a powerful tawny body. His big paws looked strong enough to knock a man’s head clean off his shoulders. His expression was intense and hard, and it didn’t soften when he made eye contact with me.
All my hope began to dwindle. My legs trembled again, and I forced myself to keep standing. If I buckled here, I didn’t know if I would ever get back up.
The great gryphon’s voice boomed, echoing throughout the marble hall. “I am King Blaze. Come forward, omega.”
I couldn’t move.
Silence followed his command. The gryphons waited, ever patient.
The king didn’t speak again. His gaze penetrated my soul, threatening to bring me to my knees.
In that moment, all thoughts of escape vanished. With the king’s eyes pinning me to the spot, the idea of going back to my normal life ever again suddenly seemed impossible. I felt mesmerized in a sickening way.
I took a step forward. And another.
Soon I stood before him.
I shook like I was going to be ill. This beast--this king--he was powerful. His presence was overpowering. It made me feel the smallest I’d ever felt. He was going to strip my identity away, and I couldn’t stop it.
And for some horrible reason, I almost didn’t want to.
The king didn’t smile. He flicked his tail once in satisfaction.
“Welcome to our pride, omega,” Blaze said. “Tell us your name.”
I didn’t hesitate this time. I couldn’t. Everything about him commanded me to obey. “Matheson of East Pack.”
A soft chuckle went up around the hall.
“You are now Matheson of Mountain Pride,” King Blaze corrected.
