Stealing His Mate - part 2

Michelle Torlot

First part here: Stealing His Mate

Chapter 13

Skylar

I watched Sebastian exit the room, a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. I'd been introduced to more new faces in the past week than I had in my entire life.

My family had a history of questionable actions, but I hadn't known they were wrong at the time. I'd grown used to them. The only women I'd ever interacted with were my mom and my sister.

I found myself wondering about this Jade character. Would she be kind or would she despise me? After all, we were the same. Both omegas, but she was a servant and I was...well, I wasn't quite sure what I was.

She managed a smile as she approached, a bag in her hand. She set it on the table when she reached the couch. Inside, I saw hairbrushes and a variety of other items.

I sat as still as possible.

I wasn't sure what Sebastian meant when he told me to 'be a good girl.' Even more, I didn't know what he'd do if I wasn't. So I sat quietly, hands folded in my lap, while Jade fussed with my hair.

It was pretty dull. No one had ever bothered to style my hair before. The most anyone had ever done was brush it. I never wore it up, not like Emmeline used to. But that's what Jade was doing now.

After drying and brushing it, she put it up, pulling a few strands down to hang in front of my ears.

Once she was done, she stepped in front of me, tilting her head to the side.

"I think he'll like that," she murmured to herself.

I assumed she was talking about Sebastian.

She managed another forced smile.

"I'll send someone to get you." Then her brow furrowed.

"Where are your shoes?"

I shrugged.

"I don't wear shoes," I answered.

It was true. I never had.

When I was little and living with my mom, we couldn't afford shoes. When I moved into the pack house, I never went outside, so I didn't really need them.

It was one of the things that irked my father. He'd always scold me about not wearing shoes.

Jade shook her head at me, walking over to the bed and returning with a pair of white shoes.

"You have to wear these," she insisted.

I shook my head.

"I'm not," I countered.

She huffed and placed the shoes next to me on the floor before gathering up the hair items. She stuffed them back into the bag.

"The beta will be back to get you," she huffed.

As she headed for the door, I heard her mutter under her breath.

"He'll make you wear them soon enough."

I waited patiently on the couch.

I didn't want to move too much, in case the pins fell out of my hair. I hoped I wouldn't have to wear my hair like this all the time. Mostly, I hoped Jade wouldn't be the one sent to do it.

Even though she hadn't hurt me, not like my sister sometimes did when she brushed my hair, I had the feeling she didn't like me much.

When the door opened, the man who had been with Sebastian at my father's house walked in.

He was dressed nicely too, though he didn't look as good as Sebastian.

He smirked when he saw me.

"Well, don't you clean up nicely?"

I looked at the floor and mumbled, "Thank you, Beta."

"Jade tells me you won't wear the shoes?" he asked.

I gently shook my head, not wanting to mess up my hair.

"I don't like wearing shoes," I whispered.

He hummed and walked toward the couch, extending his arm.

"In that case, we should go," he said.

I stood up and took his arm.

As I did, he leaned in and whispered in my ear.

"You can drop the formality, you can call me Kyrian."

I looked up at him.

"Ok," I whispered.

As Kyrian led me out of Sebastian's room, I marveled at the rooms we passed.

I vaguely remembered seeing some of them before, but that was when they first brought me here.

I had been so scared that I hadn't really taken it all in.

Kyrian stopped in front of a set of double doors.

Two large warriors stood guard. I remembered the doors from last time.

Behind them was Sebastian's throne room where he had ordered me to kneel and submit.

I looked up at Kyrian.

"Will... will I have to kneel?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"You will. Is that going to be a problem?"

I swallowed nervously.

"Do you think..." I looked down at my beautiful dress. I didn't want to get it dirty.

"I don't want to get my dress dirty."

I looked up at Kyrian hopefully.

He chuckled and shook his head.

"I think we can arrange for you to kneel on something. Will that be okay?"

I smiled and nodded.

"One more thing," Kyrian began. "I know that Sebastian has allowed you to call him by name, but during the ceremony, you will call him alpha, and Skylar?"

I looked at Kyrian, waiting for him to continue.

"You only speak to answer the alpha, do you understand?"

I nodded. Unsure as to why he would think I would say anything to anyone.

He grinned at me, then his face became more serious.

Kyrian nodded to the guards, and they pulled open the huge doors.

My heart pounded in my chest as we entered the large room. When I had been here before, it had just been me, Sebastian, Kyrian, and his guards.

Now the room was filled with people. People I didn't know. Sebastian's pack.

Sebastian sat on the large throne at the far end of the room. There was a path up the middle of all the people.

Kyrian let go of my arm.

"Go ahead," he whispered.

I swallowed nervously and looked from side to side. I had to walk up here alone.

I tentatively took a step then another. I stared at the floor in front of me. Not daring to look either side.

When I reached the end of the path, I gasped.

Uncle William! What was he doing here? I had the urge to sprint to him and envelop him in a hug. Could this be the surprise?

Uncle William caught my eye and gave me a warm smile.

He put his finger to his lips, signaling me to keep quiet. I returned his smile.

My attention shifted to Sebastian as he rose to his feet. He seemed so much larger now.

He was always taller than me, but in this room, he seemed to grow even more.

Sebastian glanced at me, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

As soon as our eyes met, I quickly looked away. It was considered rude to stare at an alpha.

Especially during a formal ceremony. Uncle William had taught me that.

"William, formerly of the Moonstone Pack, please step forward," Kyrian called out.

My eyes darted to Kyrian. When did he get there? He had left me at the entrance.

I figured he must have slipped away while I was making my way down.

I watched as Uncle William stepped forward, his head slightly bowed.

Sebastian moved a step closer.

"Kneel and submit to your alpha," he ordered.

I watched as William knelt before Sebastian.

"William, do you swear obedience and loyalty to me and the Tenebris pack, for the rest of your natural life?"

Sebastian's voice was powerful and authoritative.

Even more so than my father, even when he used an alpha command. And Sebastian wasn't even using his alpha command.

"Yes, Alpha, I do," Uncle William replied.

I watched as a young boy stepped forward from the side.

His head was bowed and he carried what looked like a cushion. On top was a knife. The blade shimmered under the light. The handle was made of dark wood and engraved with wolves' heads.

Sebastian picked up the knife.

"Hold out your hand," he demanded.

From his kneeling position, Uncle William extended his hand, palm upward.

I winced as Sebastian sliced his hand with the blade and then cut Uncle William's.

Then he clasped Uncle William's hand in his.

"By the joining of our blood, I welcome William to the Tenebris pack. Rise William, I bestow on you the rank of gamma."

William stood up and bowed his head.

Sebastian let go of his hand.

The room erupted in applause and cheers as William backed away from Sebastian, before joining the crowd.

I swallowed nervously. It would be my turn next.

While Uncle William had joined the crowd, I had noticed the young boy clean the knife, and pass a towel to Sebastian, to wipe the remaining blood off his hand.

Once he had discarded the towel, I knew it would only be a matter of seconds before Kyrian called my name.

I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess, hoping that the blade wouldn't sting too much.

"Skylar, formerly of the Moonstone Pack," Kyrian announced.

I walked forward nervously, my eyes on the floor.

I relaxed slightly when I saw the cushion which had been placed exactly in the same position that Uncle William had knelt in.

I glanced at Kyrian and mouthed a silent thank you.

"Kneel and submit to your alpha," Sebastian commanded, although his voice seemed softer than when he had commanded Uncle William.

I slowly knelt, stealing a quick glance at Sebastian as I did.

He didn't smile, but the glint was still in his eye.

"Skylar, do you pledge yourself to me, and promise to be obedient and loyal to me always, as long as you have breath in your body?"

I swallowed nervously.

The words were different, but they meant the same, didn't they?

"Yes, Alpha, I do," I whispered.

Sebastian looked at me and smiled.

"Give me your hand, Skylar."

I extended it to him.

When Sebastian had cut Uncle William's hand, he had just sliced it with the knife. Only holding his hand when the blood was flowing.

This time Sebastian gently took hold of my wrist, his thumb gently stroking it.

My breath hitched in my throat. I really wanted to clamp my legs together, to try and stem the feeling that was building between my legs. The same feeling I had when he kissed me, and when we showered.

Sebastian slowly leaned forward, and I felt his breath on my neck as he whispered in my ear.

"You look beautiful, Skylar, always remember the promise you made."

He whispered the words so quietly that I knew they were only meant for me. No one else would be able to hear.

I felt my face flush. I was glad that I was facing Sebastian so that no one else could see.

Except someone else did see. Kyrian was standing slightly to the left of us, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smirk.

Sebastian let go of my hand, and I realized he had already made the cut.

Once he had cut his own hand again, he took my hand in his. As the blood mingled I gasped as I felt the connection.

Not just between myself and Sebastian, but his whole pack. Something I had never felt before.

"By the joining of our blood, I welcome Skylar to the Tenebris pack. I do not bestow a rank to skylar; however, I do bestow a title. From this day forward, Skylar will be known as consort to the alpha."

There was a gasp from the crowd.

I panicked. Had I done something wrong?

"You've done nothing wrong, you are perfect."

Sebastian's voice echoed in my head.

What! Could he read my mind?

He chuckled.

"Strong emotions send your thoughts to me. It's my job as alpha to know how members of my pack are feeling and why."

He gently helped me to stand, then he snapped his fingers.

Another servant came running over with a box.

He opened it, to reveal a necklace.

Sebastian took it out and placed it around my neck. My fingers touched it. It was beautiful. It looked like silver, but it wasn't. If it had been it would have burned.

It was set with many diamonds, which graduated in size. The largest being at the front.

"Do you like it?" Sebastian asked.

I nodded.

"It's beautiful... but it must have cost a small fortune," I gasped.

Sebastian looked at me and smiled.

"I already told you, you're beautiful, and you deserve beautiful things."

He trailed his fingertips across my shoulders and down my arms.

"Perfect," he whispered.

Then he turned me to face the crowd, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

They started to cheer and applaud.

I was baffled. Their joy didn't make sense to me.

His voice echoed in my mind once more.

"You've just committed yourself to me in front of the pack. They're thrilled for me... for us." Sebastian grinned, then lifted his hand to quiet the crowd.

"Now, let's kick off the festivities. Let's show our two new pack members how we party in the Tenebris pack."

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest.

His pack believed we were an item! What had I gotten myself into?

Chapter 14

Sebastian

I knew I should've felt guilty, but I didn't. Skylar was meant to be with me. The Moon Goddess wouldn't have made us second chance mates if her first mate wasn't a total jerk.

After everything her family had done to her, I wasn't about to let anyone else do the same, or worse.

I held her hip firmly as I guided her into the ballroom.

There was a table at the front where I usually sat with my brother and the other senior wolves.

But today, I'd sit with Skylar on my left and my brother on my right. She was the alpha's consort now.

A fancy term for my unmarked mate, and hopefully, my future luna.

I hoped that soon she'd let me mark her. I was sure she was starting to feel some kind of pull.

Maybe it was the mate bond, or maybe she was starting to see that me taking her was a blessing in disguise.

She had to know now what her family really thought of her.

If I hadn't taken her, her father would've surely given her to some other alpha in some kind of trade. I might have my flaws, but I'd never hurt her.

When she saw the stage and the table, I felt her tense up.

"You tricked me," she murmured angrily.

Just loud enough for me to hear.

I gritted my teeth.

"And how long do you think you would've survived outside my territory as a rogue, hmm?"

She blushed and looked down.

She knew the answer as well as I did.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"All I want is to take care of you, protect you, treat you like a princess. I want to make up for how your family treated you. Is that so wrong?"

She sighed softly. She knew I was telling the truth.

I felt her body relax a bit, so I stopped and turned to face her.

With one hand still gently holding her hip, I cupped her cheek with my other hand and looked into her eyes.

"Let's not fight, okay? It's done now. Let's just enjoy the celebration?"

She forced a smile and nodded.

I kissed her forehead. Then we continued to the large table.

Once we got to the table, I pulled out the chair for Skylar, so she could sit down.

I had to suppress a chuckle when I noticed she wasn't wearing any shoes. Then I took my seat next to her.

The rest of the pack, including William, had entered the hall and were seated at the other tables.

I leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"What happened to your shoes, little wolf?"

Her face turned slightly red. "I don't like shoes..." she paused and looked up at me. "Are you going to make me wear them?" She bit her bottom lip.

Damn, she had me wrapped around her little finger every time she did that.

I chuckled.

"I wouldn't dream of it. Plus, it's one less thing to take off later."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she stared at her plate.

I smirked.

"Well, you wouldn't want to ruin your dress when you shift, would you?"

She looked at me and pouted.

She was about to say something, probably scold me, but I put my finger to my lip and shushed her.

"Look," I whispered, pointing toward the main door.

She looked in the direction I was pointing, and she gasped.

A procession of omegas walked into the room carrying plates piled high with every kind of food you could imagine.

Roast boar, whole salmon, sides of beef... You name it, it was there.

"I hope you're hungry, little wolf," I chuckled.

She stared at the plates and licked her lips.

"There's so much," she whispered in awe.

I took her hand in mine and gently kissed her knuckles.

"You'll never want for anything again, I promise," I whispered.

I chuckled as I heard her stomach growl. I wanted to feed her like an alpha fed his mate when they were introduced to the pack. I was so tempted, but I didn't.

She was already mad at me for tricking her into pledging herself to me. It was a cheap trick, but I didn't want to take any chances. She should've been my first mate, not my second chance mate. We were made for each other.

She was perfect. There was no way I was going to let her slip through my fingers.

In time, I would feed her in front of my pack, but today wasn't the day. I would mark her first.

Then we would mate, then I would announce her as my luna before the pack.

Once that was done, I would reclaim my title of king of the wolves. I could've done it months ago, but I didn't.

As much as I despised Lila, her prophecies always seemed to come true. If she said that I wouldn't be able to claim my birthright without a luna at my side, then I would wait.

When the time was right, no one would stop me from claiming what was rightfully mine. I would make my grandfather proud. I already had a fearsome reputation. The other alphas just didn't know why.

They would soon, and I would rule over all the packs with Skylar at my side, as my queen.

My trickery was soon forgotten, as my little Skylar dug into a large plate of food.

I knew she hadn't eaten while she had been in my dungeon, but I wouldn't have been surprised if she hadn't been fed well by the Moonstone Pack. Once the celebration was over, I would talk more with William.

I was sure there were things that he hadn't told me. Things that Skylar hadn't told me. If I was going to convince her to be my mate, I would need to know everything.

She only managed to finish half the plate, and she looked at me nervously.

"I don't think I can eat it all," she whispered. I chuckled softly.

"Then don't, little wolf."

I nodded to one of the omegas who took away the plate.

Most of the other wolves, including myself, had finished eating, so the rest of the omegas cleared away the remaining food. It wouldn't go to waste.

They would also eat their fill.

I stood up and offered Skylar my hand. She took it, without hesitation.

I guided her away from the table, her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion. That was until the other men in the room began to shift the tables to the sides, clearing the center of the room.

"Would you like to dance with me, little one?" I murmured into her ear, my breath causing the tiny hairs on her neck to stand on end.

She let out a soft gasp, her wide, doe-like eyes looking up at me.

"I've never danced before."

I watched as she swallowed nervously, her throat moving subtly.

"Well, there's no time like the present to learn."

I gestured toward the far end of the room where a curtain was being lifted, revealing a group of musicians ready to play at my signal. I gave them a nod and they began to play.

I guided Skylar into the center of the room, my hand gently resting on her waist, the other holding her hand. I could feel the softness of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress.

"Place your hand on my shoulder and follow my lead, little wolf," I whispered into her ear.

Once she got the rhythm of the music, she moved with me, her movements graceful and fluid.

"Your father never hosted parties?" I asked.

She nodded.

"But I was never allowed to attend," she added.

She didn't seem upset by it. She was so accustomed to being treated poorly that it probably felt normal to her.

"I won't ever stop you from enjoying yourself," I whispered, pulling her closer to me.

Her cheeks turned a soft pink. She was so pure, so innocent.

As the music wound down, I led her off the dance floor. The other men in the room took their turns, leading their partners onto the floor.

I noticed her gaze drift to William, who was standing at the edge of the room, watching.

"Can I go see Uncle William?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Of course, but don't stray too far from me."

She flashed me one of her heart-melting smiles and skipped over to where William was standing.

When he embraced her, I felt a pang of jealousy. Once I had marked her, I wouldn't let another man touch her. She was mine.

Chapter 15

Skylar

I left Sebastian behind and hurried over to Uncle William.

"Uncle William!" I called out, my voice filled with excitement.

He turned around, his face lighting up into a warm smile. He opened his arms wide, and I rushed into them, feeling his strong arms wrap around me.

"Skylar!" he greeted me, his voice filled with affection.

I hugged him back, feeling safe and loved in his arms.

He wasn't my real uncle, but he was always there for me, and for my mom when she was alive. He was the one who found me when I discovered my mom covered in blood, unable to wake up.

He gently pulled away, his hands resting on my shoulders. His smile was comforting.

"You look good, Skylar. Has the alpha been treating you well?" he asked.

I nodded, remembering the time Sebastian had thrown me into the dungeons. But aside from that, he had been decent.

"Well, he tricked me..." I started to explain.

Uncle William tilted his head, waiting for me to continue.

"He made me pledge myself to him... Like a mate."

I looked around, then lowered my voice.

"Everyone in the pack thinks we're mates, but he's not. He's not my true mate." Uncle William put his arm around me.

"Walk with me, Skylar?" he suggested.

I nodded, and we left the ballroom, stepping out onto a terrace.

Uncle William stopped and turned to face me.

"Skylar, the world is a big place. You might never find your fated mate. Sebastian might be a bit rough, but he's a good man. He'll take care of you."

He sighed deeply.

"Alpha James was your mother's fated mate; he didn't treat your mother right. I wouldn't want you to end up with a mate like that."

I frowned.

"Did he know? About the luna killing my mom?"

Uncle William looked surprised. Maybe he thought I didn't know. I wouldn't have if I hadn't overheard Sebastian's conversation.

"Let's sit, Skylar."

He pointed to a bench. We walked over and sat down. He turned to face me, taking my hands in his.

"Your father wasn't a good man. When he found out your mother was his mate, he should have either chosen to be with her or rejected her. He did neither."

He sighed again.

"Your mother was heartbroken. She wanted to leave, but I convinced her to stay. I thought he would change his mind, but he didn't. I regret not letting her leave.

"And the times after that when she wanted to."

I frowned.

"But if she'd left, I wouldn't be here! Do you wish that?" I asked, my voice shaky.

I knew my father didn't want me, but I thought Uncle William cared about me.

He shook his head.

"No, Skylar. You're the only good thing that came from your father's actions."

I furrowed my brow.

"What do you mean? What did he do?"

Uncle William looked at me, torn. He was debating whether to tell me the secret he was keeping.

"I know he tried to make my mom get rid of me before I was born," I said.

Uncle William sighed deeply.

"Do you know why, Skylar?"

I shook my head.

"No... please, Uncle William, tell me..."

He swallowed hard.

"Your father wanted it all. He wanted his brother's mate as luna, but he also wanted your mother. One night he went to her cottage. He told her he wanted her. She refused him.

"She wouldn't sleep with a man who wouldn't claim her as his mate."

Uncle William shook his head.

"He forced her..."

I stood up, stepping back.

"He... he raped her?" I stuttered, feeling sick.

"Why... why would he do that?" I screamed.

Uncle William shook his head.

"I'm sorry Skylar, I don't know."

I shook my head. It couldn't be true.

I couldn't be the result of such a terrible act.

I had to find out the truth.

I ran down the terrace steps, away from the pack house.

"Skylar! Where are you going?" Uncle William called out.

I stopped and turned around. I started walking backward.

"I need to know why. I'm going to ask him," I said, before turning away.

"No, Skylar, come back. You can't leave the territory. Alpha Sebastian won't allow it," he shouted. I ignored him and started running. I was tired of secrets. I had to confront my father. I had to know the truth.

Tears streamed down my face as I ran away from the pack house.

"He won't be happy... if we run."

I ignored my wolf. I didn't care. All I could think about was what William had said.

Then it hit me. When they tried to end my life before I was born, it wasn't just my father. Maybe my mother didn't want me either. Not after what he had done to her. I would always be a reminder.

Even though I had only left my father's territory once, I ran back as if on autopilot.

I remembered every branch, every rock, and every stone that had cut my skin on the way to Sebastian's pack.

This time they cut my arms, legs, and feet again, but I had my wolf to heal me. I was numb anyway. The only thing that hurt was the ache in my heart, knowing I was unwanted.

If my parents didn't want me, why would a strong alpha like Sebastian? He would use me and discard me, just like everyone else.

"He's worried about us. We should turn back."

"Just zip it," I snapped.

She had picked up on the fact that we were nearing the boundary. Now he'd likely kill us regardless. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

I sprinted along the trail leading to the pack house. My run was abruptly halted when two massive wolves appeared, blocking my way.

I retreated a step as they lowered their heads, growling menacingly.

I swallowed hard.

"I need to see my dad, Alpha James." They exchanged a glance. I could tell they were communicating telepathically.

Or maybe they were mind-linking with my dad.

They held my gaze for a moment, then vanished back into the forest.

I let out a sigh of relief. But something felt off.

They must have recognized me, and my dad had a peace agreement with Sebastian.

I shook my head, dismissing the thought.

As I neared the pack house, my wolf began to stir with excitement. Then I caught a whiff of it.

The most intoxicating scent. Could this be my true mate's scent? Had they been here all this time?

I dashed toward the steps of my childhood pack house. The scent was strongest there.

My mate was inside.

Before I could even set foot on the first step, the door flew open.

"What the fuck do you want?" Emmeline spat. "Has the mighty alpha gotten tired of you already?"

I swallowed hard and shook my head.

"I came to see dad, but..." I hesitated. "But I can smell my mate...where is he?"

Emmeline sneered at me, then burst into laughter.

"Oh, this is going to be good." She smirked.

Chapter 16

Skylar

I frowned, feeling a sense of unease. The warriors who had threatened to attack, Emmeline's unexpected appearance, and the absence of my father, all felt wrong. And why could I smell my mate?

Suddenly, the door swung open.

The scent I'd noticed earlier now hit me full force. A man, probably in his thirties, stood in the doorway.

He was tall, muscular, with black hair tied back in a ponytail. His handsome face was marked by a scar.

"~Mate!" my wolf growled inside my head.

I echoed the word out loud, locking eyes with him.

His eyes were cold, his lips curled in a sneer. This wasn't the look of a mate. A mate should look at you with love, with adoration.

Instead, he walked straight to my sister, wrapping an arm around her waist. My heart clenched, and I fought back the

"Well, well," he started, looking at Emmeline with the adoring gaze I'd expected for myself.

"Your Moon Goddess really fucked up this time!"

His gaze shifted back to me.

"Did you really think I'd want a half-breed runt as a mate?"

I stumbled back.

"I...I'm not a half-breed."

Emmeline rolled her eyes.

"Pathetic. You don't even know what you are," she sneered.

I shook my head, fighting back tears.

"How could you, Emmeline? You're my sister, and you stole my mate," I whimpered.

The man, my mate, whose name I didn't even know, let go of Emmeline and stepped toward me.

"You really think a pathetic wannabe alpha could be Emmeline's father?"

He glanced back at Emmeline.

"Go ahead, sweetheart. Tell her," he urged.

Emmeline smirked at me, crossing her arms over her chest.

"He wasn't my father.

"My mother stayed with him after my father died to keep her position and secure mine. She tricked your idiot father into thinking I was his daughter. She was already pregnant when my father died.

"Everything was perfect until your mother came along," she spat. "He didn't even have the strength to reject her."

I swallowed hard.

"Where is my father?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

My mate laughed sarcastically.

"He's gone to join your mother. He didn't beg like she did, at least."

My face drained of color, and my mouth fell open in shock. Had he really killed my mother?

"Y…you killed my mother?"

He smirked at me.

"I would have killed you too if your mother hadn't sent you on an errand. That was the deal I made with the luna.

"Kill the half-breed and her runt then, and when her daughter turned twenty-one, I could claim her as my mate and become alpha of this pack."

He tilted his head, studying me.

"Your whole family is cursed, runt.

"History seems to repeat itself with your family. Your mother was the result of an alpha who couldn't bear to reject his druid mate, even though he didn't want her.

"The difference is that she lived a normal life until she was eighteen, then she ran. Only to run into another pathetic alpha."

He looked me up and down, sneering.

"You look just like her, even down to your shoeless feet. Typical druid."

I swallowed hard. Was he going to do the same? Or was he going to finish what he couldn't do all those years ago? I doubted Emmeline would stop him.

I glanced toward the path, considering running

I quickly dismissed the idea when I saw the two wolves that had approached me earlier. They must be his warriors.

Unless my father's warriors had switched sides that quickly.

"Don't even think about running, runt. I'm not weak like your father or your grandfather. I won't hesitate to do what I must."

I turned to face him. He was either going to kill me or reject me, I realized.

My wolf had been silent since he'd admitted to killing both my parents. I could still feel her. Still feel the bond between his wolf and mine. Could a wolf kill his mate? Or did they have to reject them first?

Either way, I began to think he was right. I was cursed.

I took another step back, wincing as my back hit a tree.

"P-please don't do this..." I pleaded.

Emmeline rolled her eyes at me.

"Just get on with it, Damien. I'm bored now," she huffed.

He glanced back at her and smiled, then turned his attention back to me.

"I, Damien, alpha of the hollow moon pack, reject you, Skylar of the Tenebris pack as my mate and my luna."

A crushing sensation hit my chest, as if someone was squeezing my heart.

My wolf whimpered and retreated. I couldn't even feel her.

I collapsed to the ground, hugging myself. How could this hurt so much? Even after knowing what he had done.

Tears streamed down my face, and I sobbed uncontrollably. How could this be easier than not rejecting me?

I looked up when I heard his voice growl at me.

"Accept it, runt. Accept my rejection."

I shook my head at him.

He strode toward me, grabbing my throat and slamming my head against the tree.

I felt the sparks as his fingers touched my skin. The bond was still there.

He let go of me as if he'd been burned.

"Accept it, you little whore," he growled.

I touched my throat where his hand had been. What choice did I have?

"I...I accept your rejection," I whimpered.

He crossed his arms over his chest.

"You've got one hour to get out of my territory. If you're still hanging around, my warriors will tear you apart."

I watched him turn and head back to Emmeline.

She shot me a smug grin. When he got to her, he gently held her face and planted a kiss on her lips.

I shut my eyes, a wave of pain washing over me.

I crumpled to the ground, curling up into a ball. Pain was all I could feel.

I wished for death. I should've never set foot here.

The sound of the pack house door slamming shut echoed as they both disappeared inside.

I'd just wait for the end that was sure to come. I'd welcome it.

Chapter 17

Sebastian

I'd been reluctant to let Skylar out of my sight, but when she dashed off to see William, I got caught up with some of my pack members.

Everyone, including Skylar, was taken aback when I declared her as my consort. It was common knowledge that my first destined mate was no more. I'd killed her myself. So, me choosing another mate was a shocker for all.

my brminkey was was yaof aria d one there simply pace was in a en mated and marked yer only

I couldn't risk Skylar discovering the truth before I was ready to reveal it or before she was prepared to hear it.

I sensed it when she left my territory. One moment I was engaged in a conversation with some pack members.

The next moment, I let out a fierce growl that had everyone in the ballroom trembling in fear. My wolf was on the brink of taking over, causing claws to sprout from my fingers and my fangs to elongate.

How dare she deceive me.

How dare she leave my territory without my consent.

I somehow managed to suppress my wolf before we fully transformed. I stormed out onto the terrace, where I'd last seen her with William.

He was still there on the terrace, gazing into the distance. When he saw me with my fangs exposed and claws extended, he turned pale.

As I marched towards him, he retreated in fear. He had every reason to be scared.

Why didn't he inform me when she ran off, or was this their scheme? Him and that cowardly alpha. To snatch her away from me.

I seized him by the throat and slammed his back against the wall.

My eyes narrowed.

"Where is she? Where did she go?" I growled, my wolf surfacing.

He struggled for breath, so I loosened my grip slightly to let him speak.

"I...I'm sorry. I told her about her father...what he did...I tried to stop her but she..."

I glared at him.

"What did you tell her?" I hissed through clenched teeth, "What did he do?"

William swallowed nervously. I knew her father was a scumbag, but maybe he had done something even worse.

"Her father...he raped her mother," he blurted out.

My hand let go of William's throat as if it was on fire. He collapsed onto the floor, shaking with fear.

I shook my head.

What must she have been thinking when he told her.

I narrowed my eyes and looked down at him.

"The attempted abortion potion. Whose idea was it?"

He looked at me and swallowed nervously, but he didn't respond.

"WHO?" I yelled.

His eyes were fixed on the ground.

"Both of them," he mumbled. "Her mother. didn't want history to repeat itself."

I grabbed his hair and jerked his head back.

"Explain," I demanded.

"Her mother was the illegitimate daughter of Alpha Oberon. He did the same as Alpha James, refusing to accept or reject his mate. His mate didn't resist his advances though.

"When Avery, Skylar's mother, came of age, her mother feared for her safety, so she ran..."

I let go of his hair and glared at him.

"What else?" I questioned; I sensed he was holding back.

"Avery's mother wasn't a wolf, she was a witch... a druid. Avery was a half-breed, so Skylar isn't pure either."

I wrapped my hand around his throat. My claws had now retracted but I was still seething.

"You didn't think to tell me this? Is that why the abortion failed?"

"N... no," he stuttered. "I thought you might hurt her. She's innocent, she didn't deserve any of this."

He sighed heavily.

"The abortion failed because I swapped out the potion. All life is precious. Every pup deserves a chance to live."

I removed my hand from his throat.

"How long ago did she leave?" I huffed.

He brought his hand to his throat, trying to soothe the soreness.

"About an hour... What are you going to do?" he asked, his voice trembling.

I walked towards the edge of the terrace.

"She's my mate, I intend to bring her back," I snarled.

I broke into a run. My clothes tore as I leaped off the edge of the terrace, and I let my wolf take over.

I had no clue what her father or that vile sister of hers would do to her when she returned. I had no intention of letting anyone harm her, not anymore.

I couldn't believe that William had thought I would hurt her, just because she wasn't a pure wolf. He was comparing me to those worthless alphas Oberon and James.

A strong alpha only needs his mate to accept the bond and be loyal.

It shouldn't matter if they were pure wolf, half-breed, witch, or human. Although I would draw the line at vampires.

No wonder she seemed so innocent. Druids had a natural magic of the earth.

I wondered if Lila had known this all along.

Not that little Skylar had much druid in her. I couldn't help but smile to myself thinking of her running around barefoot. Now I knew why.

I let my wolf run at full speed as we left the territory and headed back towards Skylar's old pack. If they had harmed a single hair on her head, I would tear their heads off. All of them.

I tried to imagine what was going through her mind. She'd been so hurt when she overheard me talking about her father trying to abort her mother's pregnancy. She'd looked so lost and shattered.

She'd be even more devastated if she thought that her mother hadn't wanted her either.

If these were the best warriors this sorry excuse for an alpha could muster, then wiping out his pack would be a breeze. But first, I needed to check on my mate.

I scanned the area for any other threats.

Seeing none, I shifted back into my human form and sprinted across the compound to my mate.

Her dress was torn and filthy, but that wasn't what set my blood boiling.

Bruises were starting to form around her throat.

I growled in fury.

She whimpered. Did she think I would harm her? Couldn't she recognize my scent? The scent of her mate.

"Skylar," I murmured softly, pulling her into my arms.

Her eyes fluttered open.

"P-please just kill me...make it quick," she pleaded, her voice trembling.

I cradled her face in my hand, a jolt running through me at the contact.

She gasped, and I knew she felt it too.

"No one's going to kill you, sweetheart. Not while I'm here."

I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Why? No one wants me, not even my mate," she sobbed.

I wanted to tell her that I was her mate. I couldn't understand why she couldn't pick up my scent. Why she couldn't feel the bond.

"Can you shift, Skylar? Your wolf can help you heal," I urged.

She shook her head, fresh tears streaming down her face.

"She's gone. She left me. Everyone leaves me. I wasn't good enough. I'll never be good enough."

I gently lifted her up.

Now it made sense why she couldn't sense the bond. Her first chance mate was somewhere nearby, and he'd rejected her. He was probably the one who'd left those marks on her neck.

These bastards would have to wait.

She needed me now.

I pulled her close to my chest and softly kissed her hair.

"You'll always be good enough for me, baby girl. I'll never leave you," I whispered, turning away from the pack house and heading for home.

Chapter 18

Sebastian

Holding Skylar close, I felt tiny jolts of electricity each time our skin touched. I yearned to tear away the remnants of her dress, to feel her skin against mine without any barriers. But I knew she wasn't ready for that, not yet. So, I settled for the small patches of skin that were exposed.

She had slipped into sleep or some kind of unconscious state. Yet, tears still streamed down her cheeks, even in her sleep.

That jerk wasn't worth her tears. None of his family were.

My wolf was agitated.

Part of him wanted to turn back and tear that pack apart, another part yearned to sink his teeth into Skylar's soft flesh. To mark her, to claim her as ours. She was already ours, but he wanted the world to know it.

But it was too soon. We couldn't sense her wolf. It had likely retreated into the dark corners of Skylar's mind to recover.

Rejection always hit our wolves harder than our human side.

It still hurt us; our wolves were a part of us, after all. But our pain was often more physical. Sometimes the wolf would retreat into the subconscious to heal. Other times they would take control and become wild.

Then all their humanity would be lost. In a way, Skylar was lucky. Her wolf had retreated.

I gritted my teeth as a realization hit me. Damn Lila.

She'd told me I would have to woo Skylar.

I thought it was because her mate was still out there somewhere, not because the jerk would reject her and she would lose her wolf.

Lila must have known. Witches. They could never give you a straight answer.

I couldn't force my mark on her. I might be a jerk in some ways, but I would never do that. It would be almost like forcing her.

I had promised her that wouldn't happen, and I wasn't about to break that promise.

Maybe I should tell her the truth, tell her about Lila. Tell her we were second chance mates. If I marked her, it might awaken her wolf.

As I neared the border, I saw my brother standing there with a group of wolves.

He knew better than to follow me. He wouldn't have been worried for my safety; he knew how weak that pack was.

He held some clothes in his hand, which he immediately offered me. I shook my head.

I didn't want any more barriers between me and my mate. I only hoped she could feel the sensations I was feeling where our skin touched. Maybe it would comfort her.

Kyrian looked at Skylar.

He frowned immediately when he saw the bruises on her throat.

"What happened?" he gasped.

I narrowed my eyes, struggling to keep my wolf in check.

"She found her mate, he rejected her, now she's mine," I growled.

Kyrian stared at me, then at Skylar.

"What if she goes wild?" he warned.

I gritted my teeth.

"She won't."

"But..." Kyrian began.

A growl escaped my throat.

"I. Said. She. Won't."

Kyrian took a step back as my eyes flashed black. He knew better than to provoke my wolf.

He bowed his head and showed me his neck. A gesture of submission. He knew my wolf was close to the surface.

I grunted in response.

"If there's anything you need, Alpha," Kyrian whispered.

I held Skylar a little tighter.

"Prepare for war," I commanded.

Kyrian nodded.

I turned on my heel and continued our journey to the pack house.

Kyrian would likely warn everyone to stay out of my way. Now wasn't the time to cross me, in any way.

I made it to my room without any further interruption.

Once inside, I kicked the door shut with my foot and headed toward the bed.

I laid Skylar on the bed, gently brushing the hair from her face with the tips of my fingers. She was so beautiful, and she was mine.

I was surprised when her eyes opened. I was expecting her to sleep for a while.

Her blue eyes glistened with tears.

I immediately cupped her tiny face in my hand, gently caressing her cheeks with my thumb.

"Ssshh, angel," I whispered softly, "no more tears, you're safe now."

She blinked a couple of times trying to contain her tears, but it didn't work.

"I...I'm sorry." She whimpered as the tears trickled down her cheek.

I sighed, I hated seeing her like this. All wounded and broken. If she hadn't gone there, none of this would have happened. But then her mate wouldn't have rejected her.

It was selfish, I know, but I was glad he had.

Because now she was mine. I would heal her hurt, then I would never let her go.

My wolf emerged at the thought of anyone hurting her, and a growl escaped my lips.

Skylar let out a muffled sob.

"I'm sorry...please don't be angry...I didn't mean to run...I just had to know."

I sat down on the bed and scooped her into my arms. Holding her tight and gently rubbing her back.

I pressed my nose to her neck, taking in her scent to calm my wolf.

"I'm not angry with you, Skylar. I could never be angry with you. I'm angry with the people that hurt you," I mumbled, my nose still pressed to her soft skin.

I ran my fingers gently through her hair. Everything about her was so perfect. I had thought so before, but it felt even more so now.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" I questioned softly.

She gently shook her head.

"Please Sebastian, just hold me," she whispered.

A shiver of pleasure went through me when she whispered my name. Was it that, or was it the way she pressed her cheek to my bare chest?

Whatever it was, sparks of pleasure erupted through my skin.

I cupped the back of her head, holding her in place until her breathing evened out.

She was totally relaxed; she must be feeling the mate bond too.

There was no resistance, not even verbally.

I only had an experience of the mate bond between pure wolves, but perhaps humans or half-wolves must feel something too.

As Skylar's wolf had retreated, she wouldn't be able to scent me, but she would feel it too, although to a lesser extent.

I eased her onto the bed, beginning to peel off her tattered dress.

She gasped, her eyes wide as saucers, her hands instinctively crossing over her chest.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

I couldn't help but smirk.

"I've seen you naked before, little wolf. It's time to get you out of these dirty clothes."

Suddenly, she squeezed her eyes shut, covering them with her hands.

"Oh my God, you're naked," she squealed.

I chuckled. She was just now noticing.

"Well, it's only fair that you should be too. Besides, you're my mate. I can see you naked whenever I want."

I continued to unfasten her dress until she placed a hand on my chest.

"Wait.I can't be your mate.." she faltered, and I saw the tears welling up in her eyes again.

"I found my mate. He rejected me."

She brought a hand to her mouth, trying to muffle a sob.

"He killed my mom."

I growled, feeling my wolf pushing forward.

"Where is he?"

Skylar whimpered. She'd never seen me when my wolf was in control. I forced him back down.

I gently brushed her cheek with the back of my hand.

"My wolf is angry," I started. "Not with you, but with what your... with what he did."

I took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. I had to tell her the truth.

"You're my mate, Skylar. My second chance mate. I felt it the moment I saw you in your bedroom window."

Skylar opened her eyes, staring at me.

"But... You threw me in your dungeon?"

I met her gaze and nodded.

"I know. I was hoping you'd submit to me and choose me over your mate. Or that your mate would choose someone else."

Skylar let out a heavy sigh.

"He did... He chose my sister, only she isn't my sister."

I frowned at her.

"What do you mean?"

"My dad wasn't her dad, his brother was. The luna knew that but wanted to protect her birthright. She arranged for my mate to kill us both; in return, she promised Emmeline to him as his mate.

"They killed my dad, and now he's the alpha."

I narrowed my eyes, looking at the bruises on her neck.

"He did that?" I growled.

She nodded, her eyes filled with fear.

"I'm not even a full wolf. My family is cursed. All the females have alpha mates who've refused to either mark or reject them."

She met my gaze, then quickly looked away.

"I expect you'll do the same. No alpha wants a druid as a mate."

I took her chin in my hand, tilting her head up to look at me.

"No Skylar, I won't. I fully intend to mark you and make you my luna, but only when you're ready."

She blinked at me.

"Will it hurt?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Her scent was tinged with fear, enough for me to know she wasn't ready yet. But I wasn't going to lie to her.

I nodded.

"A little, yes. But then it will feel good."

She swallowed hard.

"Do it. Do it now."

I shook my head.

"No, my brave little mate, you've been through a lot today. We can wait a little longer. I'll mark you when you're truly ready."

Skylar furrowed her brow.

"How will you know?"

I smirked.

"Don't worry, little one, I'll know."

Chapter 19

Skylar

I'd never been at ease in my own skin. Not like the other wolves. But then again, I wasn't like the other wolves.

They could shift between human and wolf forms with ease, so clothes were just an inconvenience. I'd never shifted, so I'd always been clothed. I'd also never been around other wolves when they shifted, not until Sebastian.

Even when he'd bathed me before, I'd kept my eyes mostly shut. Except when he was wrapped in a towel.

Seeing him fully naked now was a jolt, even though I tried to look away.

Even more shocking was when he began to undress me. Sure, he'd seen me naked before, but it had been awkward then, too.

Without my wolf, I was just a human. I couldn't sense things the way I used to.

Couldn't sense that he was my second chance mate, except for the tingles that vibrated through me when he touched me.

He could sense me though. Was that why he hadn't killed me for running away?

He knew that I was his mate, even though I didn't.

I should have been mad at him for not telling me. For locking me in the dungeon, but I couldn't be. I couldn't feel any anger toward him... was that the mate pull?

Was that how my mama felt toward my father, even after all he had done.

I swallowed nervously as Sebastian continued to remove the remnants of my dress. It was torn and dirty.

I hadn't really noticed before, with everything that had happened. This had been the best dress I'd ever been given, and I had ruined it. I wanted so much for it to stay nice.

That's why I asked the beta to give me a cushion when I knelt. I didn't want it to get dirty, and now look at it.

I blinked back a tear.

It was silly to cry over a dress after everything else that had happened, but I couldn't help it. "Hey," Sebastian's deep voice said.

His thumb gently wiped away the tear that had trickled down my cheek.

"My dress...I never had anything so pretty before, and I ruined it." I whimpered.

I looked up at Sebastian as I felt both hands gently cup my face.

His hands were so large he could crush a person's head without even thinking, but the way he held my face was so gentle, almost like he thought I was made of glass.

I let out a small gasp when our eyes met.

Something about his eyes was drawing me in, making me forget about everything else except him.

Despite the ice-blue color of his eyes, they held so much warmth, so much love. No one had ever looked at me like that before.

"I'll buy you a million dresses of the finest silk, if that's what will make you happy, Skylar. Just name it, and it's yours."

His lips gently brushed my forehead, then he released my face and continued to remove my dress, his eyes never leaving mine.

Another gasp escaped my lips as I felt one of his hands slide under my back, the other behind my knees as he scooped me into his arms.

He was still naked, and now, so was I.

Where our skin touched sent ripples of electricity through my body. He looked at me and chuckled at the shocked expression on my face.

"Will...will it ever stop?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper.

He buried his nose in my neck.

"Never," he smirked, as he inhaled my scent.

Sebastian carried me through to the bathroom. He sat on the edge of the bath, with me on his lap.

One arm wrapped around me while the other fiddled with the taps.

I tried to move from his lap, but his arm only tightened around me.

"Where do you think you're going," he growled.

His voice vibrated through my body as he buried his face in my neck, nipping them, caressing the skin with his tongue.

I seemed to have lost the ability to answer.

The only sounds coming from my lips were a moan as he attacked my neck and shoulders with his mouth.

Instead, I just relaxed into him, the reaction of my body not my own.

For once, I was relieved that my wolf was absent.

She would most likely try to take control, and if she had her way, I dreaded to think what might happen.

Letting my mind drift was just as bad, because the next thing I knew, Sebastian was lifting me into the bath.

As soon as he had lowered me into the bath, he climbed in behind me, pulling me into his chest.

I stiffened, wondering what was going to happen next.

He'd bathed me before, but that was before we were mates.

That's if we even were. Without my wolf, I couldn't be one hundred percent sure. Something had changed though. The tingles, every time our skin touched. The way he could almost hypnotize me with his eyes.

How I could barely string a sentence together when his lips touched my skin.

All this was without my wolf, so I was essentially just a human, with a sprinkling of druid.

What the hell would happen if my wolf reappeared.

One of Sebastian's arms draped over my stomach, gripping my hip. He pulled me tighter into his chest. His other hand wrapped around my throat. Not harshly, like Damien's had, but enough so I could feel it when I swallowed.

It forced me to lean back into his chest, whether I wanted to or not.

"Do you still not trust me?" he scolded.

I didn't answer immediately.

"You're mine," he growled, "and I'll never hurt what's mine."

I forced myself to relax and closed my eyes.

As soon as I did, his grip on my throat relaxed and turned into a caress.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

I gently shook my head, although I felt perhaps he should have asked the question before he wrapped his hand around it.

Sebastian slowly started to bathe me, much like he had done before. He seemed more relaxed now.

I wondered if that was the mate bond. Did I calm him? Was that why he needed me?

Perhaps the Moon Goddess had paired us so that I could calm his angry and violent nature, and so that he could protect me from those who wanted to hurt me.

That's when the thought occurred to me.

Damien and my sister were in danger. I mentally chided myself. Why did I keep thinking of her as my sister? She wasn't. Technically, she was my cousin now.

"Are you going to kill them? Damien and Emmeline?" I asked in a hushed whisper.

A low growl echoed from his chest. Their names alone were enough to ignite his fury. Was it him, or his wolf? Or maybe it was a bit of both.

"You think I should spare them?" he growled back. "He's a killer. Don't forget he's the one who murdered your mother.

And your so-called sister would have been just as guilty in your death if I hadn't found you when I did."

I let out a sigh. He was right. If Sebastian hadn't come along, I'd be dead.

"I'm sorry," I whimpered.

He paused in his actions, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close.

He planted a soft kiss on my shoulder.

"Don't apologize, Skylar. Never say sorry for your innocence, or for your kind heart," he sighed deeply. "I know it's in your nature as a druid to protect all life, but sometimes it's necessary to eradicate evil from the world.

"Damien and Emmeline are a blight on our kind. It's my duty to cleanse the world of them."

I nodded. Maybe he was right. That didn't mean I had to like it.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you," I whispered, turning my head to rest my cheek against his chest. A laugh rumbled from his chest. I loved it when he laughed.

"Don't worry about me, little one. I can take care of myself."

Chapter 20

Sebastian

Skylar was beautiful. Not just on the surface, but deep down too. I was amazed that she was willing to forgive that woman and that man.

I sure as hell wasn't.

skylar was diferent, and so is Because she wasn't full were. honestly didn't think it would have made a

Why did the Moon Goddess pair her with that jerk Damien? Why couldn't she have just paired her with me from the start? I would never have rejected her. I wouldn't have killed her mother either.

I might be violent and a bit of a jerk, but only to those who deserved it. Only to those who hurt me and mine, or those who betrayed me.

Not that I was complaining.

I realize how luckey I was, even to have Skylar as second chance mate. Maybe that was the Moon Godes plan. A gentle soul to temper a violent one. In Damina's case, it didn't work. In mine?

Well, we would just have to wait and see. As far as her so-called family was concerned, there would be no mercy.

Skylar knew that and I hoped that she'd accepted it.

I glanced down at Skylar.

She was still lying against my chest, but she had drifted off to sleep. She wasn't fighting me anymore. Maybe she could feel the bond a little.

Maybe her wolf was returning, or maybe she was feeling it the same way that a human mate would.

It didn't matter to me either way. She was mine now, and no one would take her from me.

I gently lifted her as I exited the bath, being careful not to wake her.

I glanced at the pile of towels, then down at Skylar.

I didn't want anything separating her skin from mine, but I also didn't want her to get cold.

Sighing, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my little mate as I carried her back through to the bedroom.

She let out a little moan, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

She was so sweet, so gentle and she was all mine.

"We need to mark her. Mark her now!"

My wolf nagged at me.

I rolled my eyes.

"Soon buddy, soon," I responded.

He just huffed. He wasn't a patient wolf.

Of course, he wanted to mark her. I wanted to mark her too. For him, it was different though.

I knew that Skylar would never betray us, not like Ariana had done, but losing our first mate that way had made him angry, violent, almost feral.

It was only my ability to control him that had stopped him from wreaking complete carnage. I only let him do that to our enemies. I would let him do that to Skylar's old pack. All of them.

Laying Skylar on our bed, I gently unwrapped her from the towel. I smiled to myself. Our bed. Yes, it was now. It no longer just belonged to me. Everything I owned belonged to Skylar now as well.

Anything her heart desired, she would have. I would see to it.

I swept a lock of wet blond hair from her forehead with my finger, then I gently stroked her cheek with the back of my hand.

Even the slightest touch sent tingles through my body. She moaned in her sleep. It was having the same effect upon her.

I gently brushed my lips against her forehead and pulled the cover over her. I didn't want to leave her.

I wanted to wrap my arms around her and keep her close to me, but I had a job to do.

The sooner I did it, the sooner we could get on with our life together.

I quickly grabbed a pair of sweats from the wardrobe.

No point getting dressed up because they would be discarded just before we shifted. Then tonight I would end the Moonstone Pack once and for all.

I headed across to the large meeting room, where I knew Kyrian would be.

I wasn't joking when I said we were going to war, even though I knew it wouldn't last long.

The Moonstone Pack was weak. This new alpha, Alpha Damien, I wasn't so sure about.

I knew little or nothing of him, except that he had connived with the pack's former luna to murder Skylar's mother in return for being handed the pack on a silver platter.

Was he even alpha-born? I didn't know.

What I did know was that he was a coward. Only a coward would take over a pack that way. Too scared to challenge the existing alpha, and he killed a defenseless mother.

He would have killed her child as well if it hadn't been for blind luck, or maybe foresight by the druidess.

He knew what she was, that was what made it so cowardly. Everyone knew that druids were earth witches.

Peace-loving creatures. That's why Skylar was so forgiving, so gentle.

I smiled. Her stubborn side must have come from the alpha blood which ran through her veins.

I pushed open the heavy double wooden doors.

As soon as I did, all heads in the room turned toward me. Once l'd crossed the threshold, I slammed the doors shut. All heads bowed, including my brother.

I strode purposefully toward the meeting table.

"Are we ready to go, Kyrian?"

Kyrian raised his head. And then shook it in the negative.

"I sent scouts out to the territory..." he began.

I rolled my eyes. Cautious Kyrian. That's what his nickname had been when we were growing up.

He sighed.

"There has been an increase in traffic into their pack lands. More warriors have arrived.." He hesitated. "Either to bolster their defenses or to prepare an attack."

I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"That pathetic little runt would dare to attack me?" I growled. "How many? And where from?"

Kyrian licked his lips nervously.

"Around two hundred... From the Nightshade Pack."

I narrowed my eyes. Those fuckers.

They were the ones that tried to overthrow my grandfather as king. They almost succeeded. They killed my grandparents and my parents were forced to flee.

My father spent his whole life building an army and then passed the baton to me. The council wouldn't accept the alpha of the Nightshade pack as king, nor would they accept my father. A king never ran away from a fight.

I was almost ready to reclaim the throne. The only thing stopping me had been Lila's prophecy.

"They're planning to attack then?" I questioned.

Kyrian nodded.

"Do we strike first or wait for them?"

I scrunched my eyebrows together. Skylar had been concerned about me. She was part druid —did she have some sort of premonition? Or was it just a gut feeling? Was that why she wasn't with her mother when Damien ended her life?

If I had charged in there without thinking, who knows what could have happened. Maybe I owed both Kyrian and Skylar a thank you.

"What's the connection between Damien and the Nightshade Pack?"

Kyrian paused before answering.

"He's the second son of the alpha. He won't ever lead the pack, but they'll always back him up."

I grumbled under my breath.

I should have taken that asshole out when I had the chance, but that would have probably sparked a full-blown war with the Nightshade Pack.

No matter what, war was coming.

Kyrian let out a sigh.

"Is she worth it?"

I shot him a glare.

"Hell yes, she's worth it," I snapped. "She's my mate."

Kyrian nodded.

"Have you marked her yet?" he asked.

I shook my head.

Before I could explain why, he pulled me away from the table, out of earshot from the other warriors.

"You need to mark her, brother," he cautioned. "She won't be safe until you do!"

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"She's my consort, Kyrian. I announced it to the entire pack."

Kyrian rolled his eyes.

"Do you have any idea how many single she-wolves were hoping you'd choose them as your luna and future queen? A consort can be challenged," he hissed. "A luna cannot."

I clenched my jaw.

"They wouldn't dare," I growled.

Kyrian nodded.

"Yes, Sebastian, they would. With us out of the picture, anything could happen. You need to mark her and announce her as your mate and luna. Before we're either attacked or we take the fight to them."

Chapter 21

Skylar

I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment I fell asleep, or for how long.

All I knew was that when I woke, I was alone and it stung. I missed Sebastian's touch. No, it was more than that, I yearned for it.

Without my wolf, I thought I wouldn't feel the bond.

I even questioned at first if there was a bond. How could there be when my mate had rejected me? But as Sebastian held me and carried me back here, all I could feel were tingles as our skin touched.

By the time we reached home, I knew he was my mate. The Moon Goddess had given us both a second chance.

Yes, I was calling this place home because home to me would be wherever Sebastian was.

When I heard the sound of the door clicking open, my heart started to flutter in my chest. Was it Sebastian? Had he returned?

I was lying naked on the bed, but I didn't care. I wanted him to see me naked. I wanted him to want me.

When the door opened and I realized it wasn't him, I quickly made a grab for the sheet. I didn't mind Sebastian seeing me naked, but I didn't want anyone else to. I doubted he would want anyone else seeing me either.

I was surprised to see Jade standing there. I wondered if Sebastian had asked her to come. He had before when he'd asked her to help me get ready, or when she brought food. I did get the impression she didn't like me much.

I wasn't sure why. I'd never said or done anything to her. The look she gave me now was filled with pure hatred.

I pulled the sheet around me a bit tighter as she stormed over to the bed.

"What the hell are you doing in Alpha Sebastian's bed, you little whore?" she challenged.

I gasped. Did she really hate me that much?

I swallowed nervously and cast my eyes to the floor.

"I'm... I'm his mate," I mumbled.

I glanced up when I heard her let out a laugh.

"Really? Is that what he told you? Why would he want a half-breed runt like you as a mate?"

Jade narrowed her eyes and took a step closer to the bed.

"You think I'm going to let a pathetic little gold digger like you become our luna, our queen?" she hissed.

"Do you think I have served my alpha for years, just so you can step in and take him away from me? I was always his favorite. He would have chosen me. If you're his mate, why hasn't he marked you?"

I watched as she pulled a small dagger from her belt. It was as if I was watching everything in slow motion. As though I was watching it through someone else's eyes.

That's when I heard the voice in my head. The voice that I thought I would never hear again. The voice of the one who I had thought had abandoned me.

This time though, the voice wasn't just in my head, it was speaking out loud, using me as a mouthpiece. My wolf was back, and she had taken control.

"No!" she growled. "I will not lose another mate."

Before I even knew what was happening, I had discarded the sheet and I was flying toward Jade.

She was so surprised when my hands wrapped around her throat, she stumbled backward, losing her footing.

The knife that she had been holding clattered to the floor. She tried to push me off, but my wolf wouldn't allow it. She was so strong. I would never have been able to overpower Jade, but my wolf did it effortlessly.

I didn't even feel any pain when her claws erupted from the tips of my fingers.

She was so angry. I knew she wanted to kill Jade, but I really couldn't let that happen.

If we killed her, we would be no better than her.

"Please…..don't kill her, we're better than that..."

My wolf hesitated for a second. She still had one hand wrapped around Jade's throat, as she sat astride her.

The other hand was lifted, claws ready to strike a fatal blow. I could see the look of pure terror on Jade's face. Would she have hesitated if our places had been reversed?

When the door crashed open, my gaze lifted from Jade's face to the door. Sebastian and Kyrian came running in.

They looked shocked at the scene before them. Sebastian probably didn't think I was capable of such violence.

The truth was, I wasn't. My wolf on the other hand...

We didn't know each other too well. I only really spoke to her when we first arrived here. I'd sensed her, but as I had told Sebastian, she only ever slept.

She wasn't sleeping now!

"Help me, Alpha!" Jade choked out.

I glanced back down at her, but only for a second.

"Damn it, Sebastian. I warned you, she's gone feral!"

I glared at Kyrian. Had I?

"No! We're not feral. We're just keeping what's ours. Sebastian is ours, our mate!" my wolf growled.

Sebastian took a step toward me, his hands slightly raised, palms outwards.

"It's ok, Skylar," he coaxed.

Then he glanced at the floor and saw the dagger.

His eyes narrowed.

"Why are you even here, Jade? Is that your dagger?"

I stared at Jade. There was a look of panic on her face. Sebastian didn't even know she was here.

I looked at Sebastian.

"Are you going to reject me for her? Is that why you didn't mark me?"

He stared at me, shock written all over his face.

"What? No, of course not. Skylar, you're my mate."

I narrowed my eyes and tilted my head slightly.

"Promise me."

Sebastian sighed.

"I promise, now rein in your wolf."

I felt the claws in my fingers retract as my wolf gave me back control.

I took my hand from Jade's throat, and quickly stood up, taking a step back.

Jade's hand immediately went to her throat.

"She tried to kill me," she accused, glancing between Sebastian and Kyrian.

Sebastian took a step forward.

Sebastian's hand shot out, seizing Jade by the throat and hoisting her off the ground.

"Was it before or after you tried to stab her with a silver blade?" His voice was a low, dangerous growl.

Jade's legs kicked wildly in the air as he held her suspended.

"You attempted to murder your luna, your queen. My mate. You're aware of the consequences."

I watched, my heart pounding, as claws sprouted from his fingertips, mirroring my own transformation. The only difference was that I had managed to convince my wolf not to kill.

I wasn't sure Sebastian would do the same.

"Sebastian, please," I cried out, my voice desperate. "Don't kill her. She thought you'd choose her," I pleaded.

Sebastian's hand hovered in the air, ready to deliver the lethal blow. His gaze locked onto mine.

"She tried to kill you. You really think I should spare her?"

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

"Punish her, by all means, but don't take her life. Please, Sebastian, if you have any feelings for me, let her live," I implored.

I watched, relief washing over me, as the claws withdrew and he let Jade fall to the floor.

She whimpered as she hit the ground with a thud.

"Kyrian, take her to the dungeons," Sebastian ordered, his voice a harsh rasp.

Kyrian moved toward Jade, who was sprawled on the floor.

Before he could reach her, she began to crawl toward Sebastian.

"Please, Alpha, I beg for mercy. I didn't mean it."

Sebastian looked down at her, his expression filled with contempt.

"If it were up to me, you'd be dead. You should be thanking your luna that you're still breathing," he spat, "for whatever that's worth."

I watched as Kyrian grabbed Jade by the arm, hauling her out of the room.

"Make one wrong move, bitch, and I'll gladly finish you off," he snarled.

Sebastian closed the distance between us, his hands coming up to cradle my face.

"Can't leave you alone for five minutes, can I?" he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

I looked into his eyes, my heart fluttering.

"She said..." I started, but he silenced me with a gentle finger pressed to my lips.

"I don't need to hear what she said. It just makes me realize that the sooner you bear my mark, the better. Are you ready?"

I nodded.

Sebastian was my mate, and I was his. It was time everyone knew it.

Chapter 22

Sebastian

I was captivated by the beauty before me. Skylar had always been stunning, but now, after witnessing her wolf take control, she was even more breathtaking.

She was fierce and strong, yet her gentleness shone through. It was a side of her I found myself loving more than I thought possible. Her first mate was a fool, a fool I planned to eliminate.

But first, I needed to mark her.

I let my fingers lightly trace her flawless skin. She gasped, her eyes meeting mine, her cheeks flushing. This was my Skylar, my little druid. Her wolf was taking a backseat, and I found myself grateful for that.

As much as I admired her spirited wolf, I loved Skylar's human side more. My wolf seemed to agree.

I drew Skylar closer. She must have felt the bulge in my sweatpants because I could sense her nervousness. I gently held her face in my hand.

"I want to mate with you, little wolf, but I'll wait if you want me to..." I paused. "But once I mark you, you'll likely go into heat, and only I can ease that pain."

I kissed her softly at first, but when she responded, I deepened the kiss.

The feel of her small breasts against my chest sent a rush of sensation straight to my erection.

The scent of Skylar's arousal filled the air. She wanted this as much as I did. Once I marked her, I knew she wouldn't hold back, and neither would I.

Her arms wrapped around my neck, her fingers playing with my hair. I lifted her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I explored her mouth with my tongue.

A growl escaped me when her hips moved gently against my sweatpants. They needed to come off, and soon.

My fingers traced her ribs as I carried her across the room. She moaned, her body reacting to my touch.

I didn't know how l'd managed to keep my self-control before. It was slipping away as we neared the bed.

I gently tossed her onto the mattress. She bounced lightly a few times before settling. I watched her as she lay on my bed. She looked so small, so delicate, so perfect.

I quickly stepped out of my sweatpants, and before she could react, I straddled her petite body, pinning her arms above her head.

Her eyes widened as she glanced down at my erection, now pressed against her stomach.

She swallowed nervously, even though I could already smell her arousal. I pressed my nose to her neck and inhaled.

Her scent was intoxicating.

"Mine," I growled.

I kissed and licked her neck, each touch drawing a moan from her lips.

When I reached the spot where my mark would be, her moans grew louder and she arched her back.

"Please, Sebastian," she pleaded.

Damn, I loved it when she pleaded, but I wasn't cruel.

I let my wolf come forward, my canines extending.

"Fucking finally." He moaned.

Then we bit into her tender flesh.

Her eyes widened, and she screamed, which quickly turned into a moan as I licked away the blood, sealing my mark.

She was mine now, and no one would take her away.

I didn't stop there, though, as my tongue traced a path from her collarbone down to her breasts. I gently bit down on her already hard nipple, causing another moan to escape from her sweet lips. I repeated the same with her other nipple.

This time, she arched her back, seeking friction for her wet pussy.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

She frowned.

"Please, Sebastian…. I need you," she whined.

That was all the encouragement I needed.

I wanted to take her rough, hard, and fast, but I knew this was her first time. I might have been a brute and a monster in some ways, but not with my Skylar. Never with her.

"Don't move," I growled in her ear.

I released her wrists, running my hands along her arms, trailing my fingers down her ribcage until they rested on her pelvic bones.

All the while, my eyes never left hers.

With one last glance, I pushed my tongue into her folds. As my tongue darted over her clit, she moaned and threw her head back.

"P-please...," she begged.

Oh Goddess, I loved it when she begged like that.

I sucked a little harder and let my teeth graze her clit. She tasted as sweet as honey, and the way her little body trembled was making me harder than I thought possible.

I knew that she was close, so I gently bit down on her clit.

Skylar screamed my name and arched her back as her juices flowed over my tongue.

"Fucking perfect," I growled as I watched her shatter in front of my eyes.

As she came down from her high, her eyes flashed golden. Her wolf was close to the surface; Skylar was still in control.

"Are you ready, little wolf?" I whispered.

Skylar smiled.

"Mate me, Sebastian. Make me yours," she whispered breathily.

I kissed her deeply. Her lips parted, allowing my tongue inside, allowing her to taste herself. She moaned against my mouth.

I pressed my tip against her folds and entered her slowly.

She gasped as I pushed inside her, an inch at a time.

Skylar let out a little cry as I breached her maidenhead. I was her first and would be the only one who would pleasure this perfect little body.

Once I was fully inside, I stilled, allowing her to get used to the feeling of me inside of her.

"Please, Sebastian. Move," she gasped.

So I did. Slowly at first, but then she threw her head back and moaned.

"Faster, Sebastian, faster!"

It seemed that my little Skylar liked it a little rough, so I happily obliged.

She wrapped her arms around me as I thrust inside her. The only sounds that could be heard were Skylar moaning my name and the slap of flesh on flesh.

I let out a small groan as her claws extended from her fingertips, raking my back.

Her body quivered in the throes of climax, and I followed suit, my release filling her.

But this time, it wasn't just her body surrendering to the pleasure. Her wolf took over. Her eyes flickered to a golden hue, and her canines lengthened. I gave her a nod of approval, and then her teeth found my skin.

Now, we belonged to each other. She was destined to be my queen.

The only hitch was, I had to tell her I was leaving for war.

My inner wolf grumbled.

"We've just found our mate, and now you're leaving for war."

I let out a sigh. "We've marked each other, we've mated. Isn't that enough?"

"No! You've had your time with your mate. Now, it's my turn with mine."

Chapter 23

Skylar

I couldn't stand my sister—or cousin, or whatever she was. My dislike for her was stronger now than ever before.

She had filled my childhood with lies. She had painted Sebastian as a monster. She had hoped he would kill me when I refused to submit to him.

But all of these things paled in comparison to the fact that her lies had made me resist the moment we had just shared.

If I'd known the truth about how it would feel to fully surrender myself to Sebastian, I would have done it the moment I arrived.

Now, though, I was filled with anxiety all over again. I knew that we were meant to be together, and after we had marked each other, I felt everything.

And I could hear his wolf speak to mine.

That was how I knew he was planning to leave me. He was going to fight in a war that he hadn't told me anything about. This was more than just killing my cousin and my ex-mate.

He would probably have left already if it hadn't been for his wolf insisting that he run with mine.

That was another thing that scared me. I had never shifted before. Now my wolf wanted to shift and mate with Sebastian's wolf.

She tried to take control, but somehow, I managed to stop her. Maybe it was the mate bond, now that we had marked each other. Maybe I was drawing some of my strength from Sebastian. Either way, I was going to confront him.

We'd only just marked and mated with each other. Now he was going to leave me, and for what? Some revenge killing.

I'd never forgive Damien for what he had done to my mother, and I knew full well that I was better off without him a a mate.

I had no intention of letting Sebastian run off to fight a war. What if he was killed? I didn't think I could bear to lose him, the same way I hoped he couldn't bear to lose me.

His strong arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. I could have stayed like this forever, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.

What bothered me was that I found out about his leaving from his wolf. Maybe I wasn't supposed to hear. All I knew was that he hadn't told me himself.

Was he even going to tell me?

I tried to pull away from him. I knew it was pointless, but at least it would get his attention.

His forehead furrowed as he frowned. "What's wrong, Skylar?" he asked as he tightened his arms around me.

I narrowed my eyes and pushed at his chest with my hand. When he didn't release me, I balled my hand into a fist and hit his chest.

"You're going to leave me. You're going to start a war," I huffed.

Sebastian let out a heavy sigh and gently shook his head.

"You weren't even going to tell me, were you?" I snapped as I punched him again.

"I only found out because I heard your wolf when he mind-linked mine, and now he wants her to shift. I've never shifted before!" I blurted out in panic.

Before I knew what was happening, Sebastian had flipped me over onto my back. He straddled me and held my arms above my head by the wrists.

I glared at him.

Another person might be scared at his show of dominance, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me. I expected the punches I'd rained down on his chest were barely felt. More like a slight irritation.

"Listen to me, Skylar—"

"Why? I know what you're going to do. You're going to kill my sister-or cousin or whatever she is, and..."

I hesitated. I didn't want to call him my mate, because he wasn't. He was just the wolf that had killed my mother. Sure, the rejection had hurt, but I didn't want him now.

Hell, given the choice, I would have chosen Sebastian anyway.

"And him," I continued, "but they're not worth dying over. I don't want to lose you, Sebastian."

Sebastian smiled and chuckled lightly.

"I have no intention of dying, not when I have you waiting for me."

He moved his lips close to mine, but before he could kiss me-distract me—I turned my head away.

"You don't know that," I snapped. "And what if someone decides to try and kill me again? What then?"

Sebastian huffed out another sigh.

"I'm not going to die, Skylar, and no one is going to kill you. I have to do this. It's not just about your cousin and that piece of shit she's mated to. There's a lot more at stake than revenge."

I frowned as I turned my head to face him again.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Sebastian didn't have the chance to answer as the door to the bedroom crashed open.

I gasped as I was still stark naked. It was one thing for Sebastian to see me with no clothes on, but quite another to be seen by a complete stranger.

Sebastian snapped his head around and let out a low growl before releasing his grip on me and climbing off.

He quickly tossed a sheet over my naked body.

"What the fuck do you want, and how did you get in here," he growled.

I pulled the sheet to my chest and stared at the wizened old lady that had entered the room. Her back was bent and she leaned on a gnarled old staff, which appeared to be the only thing that was keeping her upright.

She cackled at Sebastian's growl and challenge, which surprised me. Wasn't he supposed to be a dangerous alpha wolf? The little old lady should have been terrified.

"It's time, young alpha. You have marked and mated with your lovely little mate. It's time for you to claim what is rightfully yours."

Sebastian glared at the old woman.

"That's exactly what I intend to do, and I'm quite capable of doing it without your help," he hissed.

The old woman took a couple of steps toward Sebastian. She narrowed her eyes.

"That's where you're wrong, young alpha. I know you wolves of old. You run off to war at the drop of a hat. Leave your mates at home while you fight.

"You'll fail if you go down that path again. I've told you, you need your mate to reclaim your throne."

I scrambled to sit up on the bed, clutching the sheet to my body.

I stared at the woman.

"Who are you? What throne? Does this mean he can't leave me?"

The old woman cackled, completely disregarding Sebastian, and shuffled past him toward me.

"I'm Lila, little druid. I'm a seer. I know all about you."

"More like a witch," Sebastian muttered, turning to face the bed.

Lila chuckled. "Call me whatever you want, young alpha. It doesn't change the truth. Your mate is the key to your throne, so you both better get ready to travel."

Sebastian shook his head.

"She can't come. It's too dangerous. She hasn't even shifted yet. Plus, my wolf wants to claim his mate in wolf form before anything else."

Lila turned to face Sebastian. Her laughter was gone, replaced by a scowl.

She pointed her staff at Sebastian's chest.

"Foolish wolf. You don't even know who your mate really is. You're just like your father; you never listen. To defeat the usurper, you need allies. Not wolf allies, magical allies.

"Your mate is the last living heir of the Druid King. You need to find her kin so her true power can be unleashed. The druids will help you defeat your enemy."

I stared at the little old lady in shock.

Sebastian had called her a witch, but she had called herself a seer. Whatever she was, she seemed to know all about me. Was I really a princess? Was that why my father had hidden me away?

And Sebastian... He'd never told me he was a king.

As I stared at Lila, trying to process everything I had just heard, Sebastian spoke, and his words filled me with fear.

"We're not going anywhere until my wolf runs with his mate and completes the mating bond in wolf form."

Lila narrowed her eyes and looked between Sebastian and me.

"Then you better hurry up; we don't have time to waste," she snapped.

I felt all the color drain from my face. He wanted me to shift. I'd never shifted in my life. Most werewolves had their first shift around thirteen. I'd sensed my wolf, but she'd always been dormant until Sebastian took me.

I also knew the first shift was painful as bones broke and muscles realigned, as hair sprouted and fangs pushed through.

That wasn't the worst of it, though. My wolf kept trying to take control. Just like when she had wanted to kill Jade.

What would happen if she took control and didn't let me shift back?

I shook my head, pulling the sheet tighter to my body.

"N-No," I stuttered. "I can't...I don't want to."

Sebastian looked at me and frowned. He could sense my fear, I knew that.

He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his lap as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"What's wrong, Skylar? What's bothering you?"

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

"It's going to hurt, isn't it? I've never shifted before, and she keeps trying to take control. What if she won't let me shift back?" I sobbed.

Sebastian's hand cupped the back of my head as he gently teased my hair. His other hand had trailed across the bare skin of my shoulder and down my arm.

"The first time hurts, but it gets easier the more you shift," he said.

"And your wolf not letting you shift back? That will never happen. Neither me nor my wolf would allow it," he added.

Sebastian pulled my head into his chest and gently pressed his lips to my crown.

"I'll be with you the whole time. I won't leave your side. Once the shift is complete, my wolf will protect you both. We both will... Always."

I blinked the last of the tears away before I looked up at him.

"You promise?"

He nodded and smiled softly. "Yes, Skylar, you have my word."

Chapter 24

Sebastian

I shot Lila a stern look.

"Leave us alone. Skylar doesn't need an audience right now," I said, my voice rough.

Lila rolled her eyes but turned on her heel and headed for the door.

She moved slowly, taking her time to cross the room.

It was ironic, considering she could cover vast distances in a heartbeat when she wanted to. That was the thing about witches.

They were a necessary evil sometimes. Without Lila, I wouldn't have known that Skylar was my second chance mate.

I wouldn't have known that to defeat Damien and his father, I needed Skylar by my side.

Maybe it was fate that had to reject and kill my first mate. I had no clue that Skylar was a druid princess. It wouldn't have mattered to me what she was. She was my mate, and she was perfect.

I turned my attention back to Skylar. When I heard the door click shut, I gently moved her from my lap and took her hand.

"Come.let's see what your wolf looks like."

She swallowed hard, but let me guide her into the sitting area.

I pointed to a large sheepskin rug.

"Kneel on there," I suggested.

Skylar looked at me, her eyebrows furrowed.

I gave her a sad smile. "It will be easier if you are down on all fours, for when your wolf comes out."

She swallowed again, her eyes wide, and nodded as she knelt and leaned forward on her hands.

"Now let your wolf take control."

I watched as she closed her eyes, then they suddenly snapped open, revealing a deep gold color that I had only seen glimpses of before.

What I wasn't prepared for was the blood-curdling scream that escaped her lips.

She arched her back and continued to scream. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, supporting her as I gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her.

The worst part was I could feel her pain. I knew exactly how much she was hurting, now that we were fully mated.

I didn't remember my first shift being this painful, but then I was thirteen. The younger we were, the easier it was.

Our bones were more flexible. No one that I knew of had their first shift at Skylar's age.

"I hope you're satisfied!" I growled at my wolf.

All he did was whimper in response. He hated seeing her suffer. It wasn't his fault. Skylar's wolf had needed to shift too, but he had pushed the issue.

I watched as her bones snapped and reformed, her muscles tore and shifted, and hair sprouted from her skin.

Her screams turned into gargles in her throat and finally into animal whimpers as her wolf finally took shape.

I stared at her in awe. Her wolf was truly beautiful. Just as beautiful as my Skylar in human form.

Her coat was pure white, except for her paws and the tip of her tail, which were light gold.

I reached out through the mind-link. Skylar's wolf was in control, but her consciousness was still present.

"Your wolf is beautiful, Skylar. Come, take a look."

The little wolf padded over to the mirror and stared at her reflection.

It would have been the first time that her wolf had seen herself as well as Skylar.

The wolf sat and looked at her reflection.

"Is that really me?" Skylar's voice came through the mind-link.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, it really is. Now let's go outside and you can see mine."

I opened the French doors in the sitting area and led the little wolf out onto the terrace. Steps led down to the grass and forest beyond.

We walked slowly down the steps, and once we reached the grass, I reached out to my wolf.

My shift was fast and there was no pain. These days, there wasn't even a little discomfort that many wolves still felt when they shifted.

Even if there was, it would be worth it. To feel the grass beneath your feet and the breeze in your coat. Our senses were so much more acute in wolf form. From the scents in the air to the sounds in the wind.

I really hoped that Skylar would enjoy her wolf as much as I enjoyed mine. When this was all over, when I had defeated my enemies, we would run for pleasure, not for need.

I smiled to myself when I heard Skylar gasp through the mind-link. "He's so big!" she exclaimed.

It was true. He was bigger than the average wolf. The benefit of being of the royal line. It would give both of us great pleasure to rip the throat out of that little shit that dared to think he could take the throne.

As much as I hated to admit it, though, Lila was right. Their forces were larger than ours, even if their wolves were smaller.

The most I could hope for was a stalemate, and that wouldn't do. It was time to claim back my birthright and for Skylar to claim hers as well.

Two royals would rule, my kind and druids, together. Never again would a human mated to a wolf be treated the way her mother and grandmother had been. I would see to that and make it a law.

"Look after our mate, wolf, and try not to frighten her." I cautioned through the mind-link as I gave my wolf full control.

He grunted in affirmation. He had waited a long time for this. I wasn't about to ruin his moment.

He took full control. I would remember nothing of what he had done until I had control back again. I rarely let him do this. The last time I had, he had killed our rejected mate.

This time, I had no worries because he loved Skylar and her wolf just as much as I did. Besides, I didn't want to be around when he marked her wolf and completed the mate bond.

I just hoped Skylar could retreat from her wolf's consciousness the same way I had done.

***

I woke up almost as soon as my wolf relinquished his control. Thankfully, my wolf had the foresight to come back to the pack house before he let Skylar shift.

I was still in my wolf's form, but my little mate had shifted back already. My wolf had curled his body around hers to keep her warm. I could feel him almost purring with contentment.

The bond with my mate was now complete. She was likely carrying our pups. Werewolves, you see, can only conceive in their wolf form.

But with Skylar, I wasn't sure. She was part human, so there was a chance she could get pregnant in her human form.

Right now, though, she was worn out from the whole shifting and mating process. I needed to get her inside, get her warm.

The air filled with the sound of bones cracking as I shifted back into my human form. I scooped Skylar up in my arms and carried her back inside to the warmth of our room. I made a beeline for the bed. My wolf had enjoyed her company in both human and wolf form. Now it was my turn.

I pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, wrapping my arms around my little mate. I wasn't as worn out as Skylar, but I was still tired.

Our wolves had likely run for miles. The faint taste of copper in my mouth suggested they'd also hunted.

Lila's journey to find the Druid King would have to wait. We needed sleep, and Skylar needed to regain her strength.

Chapter 25

Skylar

I woke up, wrapped in Sebastian's arms. We were back in his room, in his bed.

I couldn't quite remember how we ended up here. I remembered the shift, the unbearable pain, seeing my wolf reflection in the mirror, and then stepping outside to see Sebastian's wolf.

After that, everything was a haze.

Now, morning had arrived, and the sun was streaming in through the windows.

How long had I been in wolf form? I had no idea.

All I knew was that I was sore all over. I guessed our wolves must have run together, which would explain the aching muscles.

Honestly, I was surprised I survived the shift. If that's what shifting felt like, I couldn't understand why anyone would choose to do it. No one would willingly choose to feel that way.

Oddly enough, Sebastian didn't seem to be in any pain. Maybe it was because he was an alpha. Regardless, I knew I wouldn't be shifting again anytime soon.

I just hoped that I wouldn't be expected to shift during our travels.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, there was a loud bang on the door. It sounded like someone was hitting it with something hard. It had to be Lila, banging on the door with her staff.

Sebastian groaned.

"Fuck off!" he growled.

I couldn't help but giggle, and he opened one eye, a half-scowl on his face.

"We need to go. We've wasted enough time already," Lila's voice echoed through the door.

She was probably right, but I wasn't about to admit it.

She banged on the door again. It was clear she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Sebastian let go of me and climbed out of bed. He was naked, his hair tousled. Despite his grumpiness, he still looked incredibly sexy.

If we didn't have to leave, I would have called him back to bed. I figured Sebastian wasn't a morning person. Or maybe he just didn't like Lila very much.

"I need a shower," he grumbled.

I watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. Whether it was the mate bond or just his stunning physique, I couldn't tear my eyes away from him.

The way his muscles moved as he walked. His perfect ass. He was the complete package.

I slid off the bed.

"I need a shower too!" I called out.

Sebastian stopped and slowly turned around. I couldn't take my eyes off him, even though I knew he was watching.

My gaze was fixed just below his waist.

Specifically, on his impressive erection.

"Are you checking me out, little mate?" he smirked.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"A cat can look at a queen," I retorted.

He narrowed his eyes. If I weren't his mate, I might have been worried.

"Sassy little druid," he growled, striding toward me.

When he reached me, he wrapped his arms around my waist and hoisted me over his shoulder.

"Hey," I protested. "What are you doing?"

I kicked my legs and pounded his back with my fists.

His hand came down swiftly on my butt, then he gently stroked the spot he had swatted. Who would have thought that this would turn me on? Certainly not me, but it did.

Sebastian smirked. I was sure he could smell my arousal.

"Taking my mate for a shower," he purred.

Lila's staff banged on the door again.

"Don't you two get up to any funny business. You haven't got time for that," she shouted.

I grinned, because from the look of Sebastian, a shower wasn't all he had in mind, and funny business was likely on the agenda. Lila might not be pleased, but I wasn't about to complain.

I couldn't help but giggle when Sebastian kicked open the bathroom door. Maybe he was imagining the door was Lila.

He didn't seem too fond of her, but I thought he understood that we needed her.

Why? I wasn't sure.

Sebastian didn't even put me down when he stepped into the shower.

I didn't mind. The feel of his skin against mine sent waves of electricity through me. If he held me like this all day, I wouldn't complain.

I moaned with pleasure when he turned on the hot water. I hadn't realized how much my muscles ached until the hot water started to soothe them.

Sebastian lifted me off his shoulder and set me down on the tiled shower floor.

He leaned against the wall, his hands on either side of my head, trapping me.

He smirked, then his lips crashed into mine.

I opened my mouth without him even asking, savoring his taste.

Sebastian kissed his way down my neck and sucked hard on my mark. I couldn't hold back the moan that escaped my lips.

"Please, Sebastian," I pleaded.

His eyes flashed gold. His wolf was close to the surface. I knew he wouldn't be gentle, but I didn't care. Right now, I didn't need gentleness. I just needed my mate inside of me.

Sebastian's hands gripped my thighs as he lifted me up and pinned me against the tiled wall. My legs wrapped around his waist as he thrust his cock inside of me.

He was hard and rough, but I loved it. Maybe a little too much. I loved Sebastian's softer side, but I also loved this side of him.

My climax came all too soon, and he followed shortly after.

We let the water wash over us, barely needing to breathe. We were each other's air. In that moment, I realized I couldn't survive without him.

With that realization, I knew I didn't want him to fight this war. I didn't care if he was a king or not, as long as he was with me.

I broke the kiss and looked into his eyes.

"I don't want to lose you, Sebastian," I whispered.

His eyes shut, and he leaned his forehead against mine.

"I don't want to leave you either, but we have to. It's our destiny, and the world's future is tied up with ours. You understand that, right?"

His eyes fluttered open, meeting mine.

I let out a sigh and gave a nod. Sure, it might be our destiny, but I'd be damned if I let anything touch Sebastian.

He planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Alright, let's get cleaned up. As much as I hate to say it, we can't keep Lila waiting too long."

Chapter 26

Sebastian

I'd never fully trusted Lila, not like my dad and granddad did. Especially when she told me I couldn't be a king without a mate.

I thought she was lying when my first mate betrayed me and my wolf killed her.

But now, I was starting to believe her. Not that I trusted her completely. She was still a thorn in my side.

That's the thing about witches. They always think they know best, and the annoying part is, they often do.

I was starting to believe her prophecy, and if I couldn't take the throne without my mate, that meant we both needed to survive the upcoming war.

It meant we'd either both live, or we'd both die.

If the latter happened, I knew deep down that we'd find each other again. The Moon Goddess had paired our souls, and we were meant to be together, in life or in death. In this life, or the next.

Now we had to find the Druid King. I doubted we'd get a warm welcome. Maybe Skylar would, but not me.

After what happened to his daughter and granddaughter, I doubted he trusted any werewolf. But I wasn't just any werewolf. I was Alpha Sebastian of the Tenebris pack, and Skylar, his great-granddaughter, was my mate.

I wasn't like other alphas. Most alphas valued pure bloodlines above all else. They rejected lower-ranked wolves or hybrids because they only wanted pure alpha lines.

That's exactly what happened to Skylar's mom and grandma.

I didn't give a damn about purity. I valued loyalty and courage, and my little druid mate had plenty of both.

As we left the pack house, Lila was waiting outside.

As usual, my brother had taken care of things while we were gone.

While our wolves were getting to know each other, Kyrian found some clothes for Skylar and we found them in my closet.

I wished he was coming with us, but someone needed to stay and look after the pack. If something happened to me while I was visiting the druids, I needed to know the pack was safe, and I knew it would be in Kyrian's hands.

Now we were both dressed for travel. I had no idea how far Lila would take us, but if it was too far, we could always shift and run in our wolf form.

I looked at Lila, or more specifically, at the beast she was standing next to.

"What the fuck are you doing with a mule?" I grumbled.

Lila glared at me. Most people would be scared if a witch glared at them like that. I wasn't.

She knew it was in everyone's best interest if I became king, so she wasn't about to turn me into a frog, or whatever witches do when someone pisses them off.

"He's not a mule, he's a donkey. Don't call him that. You'll hurt his feelings."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, what are you doing with it, anyway?"

She narrowed her eyes.

"I'm too old to be walking miles. So he's my ride..." she paused. "And don't even think about shifting, young alpha. I don't want you scaring Ralph."

I almost laughed. I would have if it hadn't been so ridiculous. She expected us to walk wherever we were going while she rode on a fucking donkey? I didn't think so.

Before I could say anything, Skylar stepped forward.

"But he isn't just a donkey, is he?" Skylar asked.

I frowned.

"He sure looks like a donkey to me," I scoffed.

Skylar shook her head and looked at me.

"No, he's not. He's just taken the shape of a donkey. He's her familiar."

Lila started to cackle. "How did you know?"

Skylar shrugged.

"It's just a feeling... I feel that he isn't what he seems."

Lila hummed and scratched her chin.

"Your druid powers are starting to show. This is good."

I wrapped my arm around Skylar's shoulder protectively.

"Druid powers? What kind of powers?"

Lila waved her staff in a circle, then banged it on the ground.

The air seemed to crackle for a moment, and then the donkey morphed into a human. A very muscular, good-looking human male.

He rolled his shoulders.

"Thank goodness for that." He glanced over at me and Skylar. "I don't know how you werewolves do that, all that shifting."

I raised my eyebrows. It was unusual for a witch to have a male familiar, and even more unusual for it to be a shapeshifter.

It took a lot of energy for a shapeshifter to change their shape. This time, it seemed like Lila's magic was needed to give him a boost.

Lila swatted him on the arm, but he just smirked and shrugged his shoulders.

She stepped toward us.

"We won't know what her powers are until they fully emerge, but druids are always in tune with nature. They can tell if something or someone isn't what they seem.

"Some of them can even manipulate the physical."

I raised my eyebrows as I looked at Skylar. She looked so small and delicate. I knew her wolf was strong and feisty, but maybe her human form was powerful too. Was that the reason behind Lila's prophecy?

There was a sparkle in Skylar's eyes as she looked at me. I knew what she was thinking. She was thinking that she'd be able to fight beside me when the war came, but I wouldn't let that happen.

"No," I said to her firmly. "Absolutely not."

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.

"You heard what Lila said. You need me."

I rolled my eyes. Why couldn't that damn witch have kept her mouth shut?

Lila cackled. Why she thought my discomfort was funny, I'd never know.

"Well, at least we can shift now, since your 'mule'—I made air quotes-"doesn't seem to be scared anymore!"

"No!" Lila shot back. "When we get to the druids, you have to stay in human form. If they see you as a wolf, it won't go well.

"They'll sense the druid blood in Skylar, but they won't think twice about killing a werewolf after what their kind has done."

Skylar stepped forward.

"They won't hurt him," she growled.

I turned Skylar around to face me.

I turned Skylar around to face me.

I held her face in my hand. Even now, the smallest touch sent shivers through me, and I knew she felt the same.

"They won't," I whispered, glancing at Lila. "Because if they do, we won't need the witch anymore."

For the first time since I'd met her, I saw Lila go pale.

Skylar's and my fate might be tied together, but so was Lila's.

She could have just done what Alpha James wanted without question, but she didn't.

That was probably because she knew even back then that the fate of the world would depend on a werewolf-druid baby.

Now it depended on Skylar and me winning this war. Taking back what was rightfully mine, with Skylar by my side.

Lila nodded.

"But there's no need to upset the druids by coming into their land as a wolf."

I nodded back. It was probably the first time I agreed with Lila. If we needed the druids on our side, then so be it.

Chapter 27

Skylar

Sebastian offers to carry me, but I turn him down, even though I love the feel of his skin against mine.

He grunts, clearly annoyed, but I think it's because Ralph is showing off, carrying Lila with ease.

Sebastian keeps glancing at my feet, as if he's worried they might be hurt.

If l were a regular human or even a typical druid, the rough gravel on the road would have shredded my bare feet. But my wolf heals me before I even have a chance to feel the pain.

Still, after a couple of hours of walking, I start to feel tired.

I forget that I probably spent most of the night running in my wolf form. Sebastian is used to it, but I'm not.

But I keep going.

The further we go, the more I feel the nature around us. It's like a sixth sense.

Before Lila can tell us to change direction and head for the trees, I'm already moving that way.

"Skylar!" Sebastian protests as I step off the road.

I turn to him and smirk.

"It's this way."

He frowns when Lila chuckles.

"A druid will always find their way home," she says, laughing.

She's right. As I head toward the trees, it feels like I'm heading home.

Sebastian jogs to catch up with me, then wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his body.

"Don't do that, Skylar. It could be dangerous. How can I protect you if you keep running off?" he scolds.

When I look up at his face, I see that he's deadly serious.

"They won't hurt me, Sebastian. I'm one of them," I explain.

Sebastian shakes his head.

"You're more wolf than druid, Skylar, and I know the druids around here aren't very fond of wolf-kind."

He has a point, but I still believe that the druids won't hurt me.

If Lila is right, then I'm a royal druid. I may only have a small amount of druid blood in me, but it's there.

It's why I knew that Ralph was a shapeshifter, and why I knew to choose this path through the trees.

I don't say anything to Sebastian, because his ego is already bruised enough from when Ralph shifted from his donkey form.

But it's probably going to be me protecting Sebastian and not the other way around.

That's why as we walk deeper into the woods, I stay close to him.

If the druids decide we're a threat, then any attack might be stopped if one of their own is close by.

I doubt they will see Lila or her shapeshifting familiar as a threat, but Sebastian, on the other hand...

His fearsome reputation probably precedes him, and none of the Alphas who have had druid mates have been particularly honorable, to say the least.

We hardly walk any distance before it feels like the atmosphere is changing. It's similar to the energy when Lila used her staff. But it's different, more natural somehow.

Small gusts of wind throw up leaves and twigs, as if in warning. Sebastian grips me a little tighter. He feels it, too. It's not just my druid heritage that can sense it.

We continue walking slowly and the gusts of wind become stronger. They form into tiny columns, lifting the forest debris into the air before it's thrown back down to the ground in anger.

Ralph has already put Lila down, and she holds up her staff. I've never seen her use it in anger, but she is a witch, after all.

The glowing stone makes me think that she won't be afraid to use it, either.

"Show yourselves," she demands. "We're here to see the king."

Her words seem to have no effect. Or maybe they do.

The wind gets stronger and then suddenly, without warning, roots appear from the ground.

They swirl and tighten around Sebastian's legs. He tries to kick them away, but they hold him in place.

Then they wrap around my legs, steadily spreading upward, not stopping even though they have reached my waist. If they keep going, they will probably kill us, but we have no way to stop them.

My wolf wants to shift, and when I look at Sebastian, his eyes are glowing. His wolf wants to shift, too, but something is holding him back.

Is it Sebastian, or is it the magic that surrounds the grove that we have entered?

Lila slams her staff on the ground.

"ENOUGH!" she shouts.

The vines continue to weave their way up our bodies, but they aren't touching Lila or Ralph. Just Sebastian and me.

I realize now they are only attacking us because we're werewolves. Maybe they don't realize who I am. Maybe it's our fate to die here. If we do, at least we will die together.

I hear a deep voice in the wind.

"You dare to bring werewolves into my realm? What sort of druid friends bring the enemy with them?"

The voice causes the very air to vibrate and the vines continue to rise, gripping tighter as they go. The pain is intense as their crushing pressure takes hold.

Sebastian looks down at me with sorrow.

"I'm sorry, little mate. I love you," he whispers.

It feels like the life is being crushed out of me as my vision begins to blur. I can't even get the words out to tell Sebastian I love him, too.

The last voice I hear is Lila's.

"You would kill your great-granddaughter and the mate who saved her life?"

Chapter 28

Sebastian

Damn it, Lila. She must have seen this coming. All her shouting and banging that ridiculous staff of hers isn't doing a thing.

There's got to be some druid magic at play here because I can't shift. I can't do anything while my sweet little mate is slowly being crushed to death.

I'm being crushed too, but I'm bigger and stronger than Skylar. I'll meet my end too, but I don't give a damn about myself. All I care about is Skylar.

Through our mate-bond, I can sense her losing consciousness. I can feel her pain. My own agony is nothing compared to hers.

I have to do something, so I do the one thing I've never done before. I plead with the faceless voice that holds her life in its hands.

"Please... If you want to kill someone, kill me. My life won't mean a thing without her. She's innocent. She's always been innocent."

I hold my breath as the air grows still, the vines wrapped around us both stop moving. They're no longer squeezing the life out of us, but for Skylar, it might already be too late.

"You would give your life for hers? For a hybrid? A non-pureblood wolf?" the voice thunders.

I can't keep my voice from breaking.

"I would."

The vines slowly retreat, the earth swallowing them back up. I sway a bit as blood rushes back into my limbs.

With nothing holding Skylar up, she falls. Before she can hit the ground, I scoop her into my arms.

She's as limp as a ragdoll.

I stroke her face, pressing my lips to her skin.

"Please, Skylar, don't leave me," I plead.

Three druids approach. A man and two women.

"Hand her over to my healers," the man says.

It's the same voice. The voice that almost killed my mate.

I clutch Skylar a little tighter.

"No harm will come to her. You have my word."

I look up at him. He's old. Long gray hair falls on his shoulders, and his wrinkled face is hidden by a gray beard. He's wearing a long white cassock, decorated with symbols of silver and gold.

Is this her great-grandfather? I always thought druids were peaceful, but there was nothing peaceful about what we just went through.

Can I trust him? I don't have much of a choice if I want her to live.

I take a step towards them and the two women step back. They're afraid of me.

"I'll carry her," I say.

He nods silently.

"Then we will talk."

I look around, but I only see him and his healers.

There's no sign of Lila and Ralph.

The druid king narrows his eyes. "The witch and her shapeshifter friend are gone. It would have been better for you and my great-granddaughter if you had come alone. We don't trust that witch."

I nod once. At least we agree on something. I don't trust her either.

I follow the king and his healers as they lead me deeper into the forest.

There doesn't seem to be a path, but as the druids approach, the trees bend to their will, creating a trail for us to follow.

It closes up behind me, leaving me with only one option: to follow. I have no choice but to trust that he means us no harm. If the druids change their minds, I'll be helpless.

The magic in this forest prevents me from shifting. It only adds to my unease.

If I thought werewolves were in tune with nature, it's nothing compared to these druids. They command the natural world as if it's there just for them.

As much as I hate to admit it, Lila was right about one thing. If I can get the druids on my side, this war will be over before it even starts.

The question is, can I convince this king, who seems to hate all werewolves, to help me reclaim my crown?

I can't blame him. Not after what those alphas did to his daughter and granddaughter. Not after Damien murdered his granddaughter and nearly killed his great-granddaughter.

I wonder if this druid has any affection for Skylar, or does she have too many werewolf genes for him to care?

If what Lila said is true, then the king has no other heirs but Skylar. Are the druids as biased towards pure blood as some of the Alphas in our world?

To my surprise, the magical path we're following leads to a clearing.

My eyes widen as I look around. It's like a small town, hidden from view by druid magic. No one would ever find this place.

I realize that as the trees close behind me, making the path disappear. A wall of impenetrable trees surrounds the small town.

Children run around carefree, and the people go about their business.

It reminds me a bit of home. We're safe in our territory with my wolves guarding the borders.

Not as safe as here, though. Not if Damien's army attacks.

My thoughts return to Kyrian. What will he do if Lila comes back and tells him we've been attacked?

Will he send troops? That's the last thing I want or need. If Kyrian tries to attack the druids, any chance of us becoming allies will be gone.

The druid king said that Lila and her familiar were gone. Did he mean he let them go, or something else?

Right now I can't worry about that. I look down at Skylar. I need to take care of Skylar first. She's my first priority...my only priority.

When we reach the doors of a large building, the two women stop. The look on their faces tells me this is as far as I go.

They're wrong.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you take my mate inside a strange building without knowing what's inside?" I grumble.

The king rolls his eyes.

"Are all werewolves this suspicious, or is it just you?"

I shake my head.

"She's my mate. I swore to protect her. I wouldn't be doing a very good job if I let strangers take her into a strange building, would I?"

He nods to the women, and they open the double doors and usher me inside.

I can't quite wrap my head around it, but the inside of this place is just like any other hospital. Yet, we're smack dab in the middle of the forest, surrounded by nothing but trees. How can a hospital even function out here in the boonies?

A man approaches, motioning me towards a bed. He's got that doctor look about him. I carefully lay Skylar down on the bed, brushing her hair away from her face.

I can't stick around here. I need to have a word with the druid king. If there's anyone who can save her, it's his medical team. Her life is literally in his hands now.

I lean down and press a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Hold on, little wolf. 'll be back before you know it," I whisper to her.

As I pull away from the bed, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see it's the king.

"She's in good hands here, son. You have my word."

I nod, following the king out of the hospital.

Maybe he cares about her just as much as I do.

-----------------------------------------

Due to the size, the book will continue on another page:

Stealing His Mate - part 3