Lukas checks on mum and me then stares at Alistair’s cage. I force my heart to keep a steady but fast, fearful rhythm. I can't let the skip of hope I feel show. Alistair sits with his back half turned to us and his knees to his chest. His hands draped over his knees with his fists clenched in a pained but arrogant manner.
“Sounds like you have a Skinwalker problem.” He calls out.
Lukas bares his teeth.
“They were no doubt drawn here after Hades presence.” He accuses.
Alistair shrugs then hisses with pain at the movement. Lukas smirks then turns to me, holding out his hand.
“Come, my Mate.” He says with a smile as he holds out a hand.
I take it, allowing my fingers to tremble slightly. We move into the trees down a winding path.
“Don't worry I'll keep you safe.” He says reassuringly.
“Safe from you or the Skinwalkers?” I ask.
He bristles and holds my hand tighter as he ups his pace.
“Why would you need protection from me?” He all but growls.
I plant my feet into the ground and half-heartedly try to pull my hand from his grip.
“You know this is not what I want.” I say as I watch his eyes flash amber.
“And what do you want?” He says as he grabs both my wrists.
I wince as his nails half turn to claws and dig into my skin.
“This will break your bond with that vampire and you can live a safe, happy life as it should be. Carter betrothed you to me. Promised that you would be mine. That we would lead this pack and protect Yellowstone together.” He turns from me. His teeth flashing in a determined snarl.
He continues to drag me through the forest for another mile. We step into a small clearing ringed with candles and a blanket with a basket in the centre. The moons shines directly above us through the circle of tree tops. It's beautiful and romantic. Everything a girl could want when spending time with the man she loves. This is not that. This is a cage wrapped in a pretty red silk bow.
“I don't want to do this Lukas.” I say pleadingly into his eyes.
A part of me hopes to break through to him. To speak to the man I know and grew to care for. He wouldn't do this to me. Not against my will. I wish so much for the man I had that night at the hot springs. When all his emotions shone brightly in his eyes. Lukas is kind and caring. Not cold and misogynistic. Deep down he can't be the man that's standing before me. But as his eyes flare in warning I know that the Lukas I know is gone.
It's hurts deeper then I want to admit to myself as I watch him. That cold determination in his expression to take what he feels he is owed no matter how I feel about it.
If I didn't have my power coming back to me I would be terrified, but thankfully I feel the last of the poisons grip on my power wane.
He lets go of my hand and sits down on the blanket. He reaches into the basket pulling out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He gestures for me to join him as he pours. I move to sit opposite him. He passes me a glass but I don't drink. He studies me as he downs half in one gulp.
“Why are you so reluctant to break your bond with him?” He asks.
I stare down at my glass as I chew on the inside of my lip.
“It's what Gaia wants. I follow her guidance above any other.” I shrug.
Lukas looks up at the moon. The light from it shining in his eyes. He really is beautiful. Handsome in a rugged way with his trimmed stubble and long blonde hair. His bulky, muscular frame only adds to that Viking look he has going on. But underneath it all is a man that I barely know any more. I know what I have to do to keep my mum safe but I'm reluctant. A part of me can't let go of the Lukas I have known all this time. Not this beast sitting beside me but Lukas. My friend.
The forest is silent around us. Everything has gone to ground. Probably to hide from the Skinwalkers that must still be prowling the area.
“Zeus is who I obey.” Lukas states as he reaches back into the basket and pulls out a pomegranate. “He will not stand for that disgusting bond you have. Ours is the righteous bond. Zeus will help me save you from that cursed fate.”
He holds out the pomegranate to me but I don't move. The irony of this fruit being the one Lukas chose is not loston me. In the stories Hades used pomegranate seeds to bind Persephone to the underworld. Forcing her to always return to him. The smirk on his face tells me this was intentional.
I lean back from him and watch his jaw tick as I let my contempt for him show. His eyes once again flash amber and he moves into my space. The glasses of champagne and the pomegranate fall to the blanket as he cups the side of my face. His fingers curling into my hair hard enough to hurt. I stare up at him defiantly.
