My heart seemed to slow, its beats thick with dread.
“Torin said I was a guest,” I said weakly. The words sounded pathetic as they left my lips.
Blaze’s eyes glinted. “No. Not a guest, Matheson. You are the most prized and privileged member of the pride.”
“Privileged…?”
“Yes, for it is because of you that our society will be restored,” Blaze explained. “You will bear our children. You will continue our legacy.”
My stomach rolled.
This is happening. It’s really happening.
But in the midst of my inner turmoil and gripping fear, I’d overlooked something.
Flanking the king’s throne were a line of guards--all gryphons.
Except one.
A familiar grey wolf.
Chapter 2
My heart nearly stopped.
What was Neil doing here?
He caught my eye and my entire world flipped. I was living in a nightmare. The man who threatened to assault me, who threatened to steal me from my mates--
He’d ended up winning after all.
I wanted to say something to him, but my voice wouldn’t come out. The hopelessness consuming me intensified, and I wondered if I would ever get out of this place.
Would I ever see Colton, Ramsay and Eric again?
All I wanted was to feel their arms around me, to hear their voices telling me I was safe, and that everything was all right. To know they would step into their powerful wolf forms to protect me--and our unborn child.
My baby,I thought, my stomach clenching with fear.What’s going to happen to my baby?
My hands instinctively went to my belly as a shield. My hopelessness turned into sour defiance. I didn’t trust the gryphons, but I trusted Neil even less. Whatever he was planning, I couldn’t let him go through with it.
My baby depended on it.
I glared furiously back at Neil, whose quietly pompous expression didn’t change. He knew he won, and now he was basking in the spoils of his victory.
No. Hethinkshe won. I can’t let him win. I won’t.
King Blaze spoke again, his deep voice commanding attention. “Along with Matheson, we have another wolf to thank. He has offered us an incredible boon. Without him, we might not have known about the existence of an omega.” He spread his wings in a grand gesture. “But now, we have the ultimate gift--a life-bearer.”
I bristled. I knew what he intended to use me for, but at the same time, the scenario wasn’t what I imagined at all. I expected chains and dungeons, not being treated like some kind of idol.
And then there was Blaze’s voice. His eyes. When he spoke, my will bent, and I wanted to obey…
I shook my head sharply and tore my eyes off him in a slight panic. I’d never had those kind of thoughts before, not even with my own mates.
A terrifying thought struck me. Was Blaze using some kind of magic on me?
I can’t trust him or his words,I thought with determination.Whatever he’s doing, I can’t let myself fall under his spell.
