“You will learn to appreciate your place at my side as we create the strongest pack that has ever existed.” His words are quiet but they are laced with a growl. “With your powers gone I can make decisions for you that will keep you safe and happy. I'll provide you with a life that will appease Zeus and maybe, if he is merciful, he will grant you back your power in order for you to better serve your roll as my Mate.”
“Fuck you.” I spit. The rage I feel at his entitlement burns through my veins like acid. “You don't get to make decisions for me. I make them for myself and I am saying no!” I kick out with my leg, hitting his knee and he lurches forward. The second he lets go of my face I twist away from him.
He growls gutturally in his throat then he grabs my ankle pulling me back to him.
My power thrums through my veins begging me to use it to protect myself but I can't show my hand yet. I need to buy as much time as possible.
“Why do you resist this?” He shouts as he pushes himself on top of me. The weight of his body on mine makes it almost impossible to move. I struggle to breathe as I try to wriggle free but he's everywhere. His thighs bracket mine and he pins my arms either side of me.
“Why are you forcing it?” I yell back. “You've turned into a monster. Are you a rapist now too?”
Hurt and shock flashes through his green eyes but it's quickly smothered by molten amber. He snarls in my face and I notice his teeth have lengthened. His canines pointed like a wolves. Capable of shredding skin like it was butter.
“Submit and Gwen will stay safe.” He demands. The fury in his face tells me that he means it. He'll kill her unless I obey. The heart wrenching realisation that he would do this rattles me to my core. The Lukas I know is gone. My power rises through me like a tsunami. I embrace it this time. Letting it fill me up until it's ready to explode in a torrent of vengeance. And then-
“Submit dog, or I will put you down.”
My head whips towards his velvet soft voice. His slightly husky, low register caresses my soul. There is an undertone of menace as he speaks that would garner fear from most people. He stands a few meters away, shirtless. His powerful, athletic frame is marred by a wide jagged scar that bisects his chest. From the top of his right pectoral to just below his ribcage on his left side. Smaller raised seams branch off from it in all directions. It's silvery in the moonlight but still has that pink undertone from being freshly healed. Shadows curl up his arms and pool at his boots swirling around his black fitted jeans that sit low on his hips. His eyes are that stormy grey that promises violence as he glares at Lukas. He's power, beauty and terror all rolled into one breathtaking vision.
Lukas stands and faces Alistair. A growl rumbling in his chest. I quickly get to my feet and let my power continue to boil under my skin.
“Alistair. Is she-”
“She's safe. I promise you Psychi Mou.”
Truth rings through his voice and I see it in his eyes. A pulse of warmth pulses beneath my feet and through the wind. Gaia's energy thrums along my skin in reassurance. My mum is safe. I know that to my very soul.
I sigh a breath of relief and flood our bond with gratitude. Alistair's lips quirk slightly in the corners but his gaze doesn't stray from Lukas, who seems a second away from losing control of his wolf and changing right in front of us.
“How?” Lukas growls baring his teeth.
Alistair tilts his head to me, raising one eyebrow with a devilish smirk.
Lukas spins, his eyes flaring more amber than I have ever seen. His fingernails elongate to claws and his face crumples in fury.
I stop trying to hide my smile which only enrages him more. He screams up at the sky and it lilts into a howl. Then almost too quick for my eyes to follow he lunges at me. One clawed arm raised aiming straight for my face.
I don't flinch. I don't move.
The ground trembles and suddenly roots explode from the earth. They coil around his arms and legs, tight and unyielding. All around the trees groan and shift towards us, blocking out the moon. They lean in like imposing body guards. I smirk into Lukas's panic-stricken expression, his clawed hand inches from my face. He cries out in rage and tries to pull at the roots but they don't budge an inch.
I take a step towards him. Past his outstretched hand as the roots pull him down to his knees. I regard him in disdain.
“You cannot control me no more than you can control nature itself.” My voice full of quiet wrath.
“You Bi-”
His words are cut short when I take control of the air filling his lungs. His eyes bulge as his chest desperately tries to get air.
“You threatened my mum and were going to rape me!” I spit through clenched teeth. “Nature is loving and protecting, but it is also terrifyingly vengeful to those who threaten it.”
I release the air in his body as his eyes turn bloodshot. He heaves and coughs. Spittle dripping from his mouth. I take a step back and command the roots coiled around him to retreat back into the soil. He falls forward still taking lungful’s of air.
“I will not become a murderer for the sake of you!” I snarl as I turn from him. Striding too Alistair who watches me with smug pride.
I feel Lukas get to his feet behind me and I pay attention to the soil at his feet to predict his next move. He doesn't budge.
I stride past Alistair who turns to walk at my side.
