Page 27 of Upon Shattered Bonds

He didn’t disappoint.

The vengeful request to enter her territory pinged into her mind without the conventional telepathic salutation. Not wanting a lengthy conversation, Nina confirmed.

Only seconds later, Demetrios stood before her. His face, uniquely distasteful in light of past events, struck a remorseful chord within her. The snarling sovereign locked eyes with Nina, his startlingly tinged with red.

“You’ve killed him!”

Demetrios’ outrage shrieked into the night as he stared down at what was left of his clansman. It’d been unavoidable, and Nina said nothing.

Not long ago, she’d considered Demetrios family. Theirs had been an easy camaraderie, and one she had cherished at the time. They’d shared stories, drinks, and watched out for each other in battle. It had all changed in the span of one night, and the years since had been marred with aggression and building animosity.

“What do you have to say for yourself? Rhonnen was little more than four centuries—you didn’t have to kill him!”

Livid eyes, wild with manic anger, caught hers as Nina straightened. There’d be no sating the man’s hostility, so there was no need to attempt it. “Need I remind you that it is my prerogative how I dispose of challengers? I am under no obligation to spare the life of those who contest my rule.”

Nina needed this to end quickly.

Strength leached from her marrow, rapidly depleting as her heart pumped chaotically in her chest. She fought to remain standing as her knees threatened the buckle.

Show no weakness.

Desperation licked through her, but even as she steeled herself against the drought, an unfamiliar sensation bloomed in her gut. A blaze of heat ignited along their mating bond, instantly reinforcing the negligible pulse, and flooding her with a potent energy that was distinctly Zeke.

The taste of it inundated her weakening body. A whisper of sandalwood and the rush of his psychic signature flowed through her, allowing her to stand tall and focus. For a moment, she was lost in his selfless gesture, the way he fulfilled her needs without her voicing them.

“Rhonnen knew the consequences of his actions.” Nina’s tone left no room for contradiction. “As do you, Demetrios. Leave my territory, or I’ll claim his body as penance.”

The warning required action on Demetrios’ part. An unidentifiable emotion welled in the depths of his gaze before he vanished, taking with him the body of his deceased clan member.

Relief poured through her.

Turning, Nina strode back toward the house that promised a respite. Aidan and Kaien studied her as she breezed past them without a word.

Zeke was still feeding her energy, and she detested the way the bond kept reinforcing through it. What initially seemed like a selfless act now merely served as a reminder that he’d denied her centuries of the support a mate could provide.

She was on borrowed time either way. With every step, her muscles screamed, and her joints shrieked their weakness. Her heart pounded to the beat of a staccato song, misery punctuating every pulse beneath her breastbone.

Through the haze of pain, she tried to make it to the chaise lounge only feet within the door. Strong arms caught her, the heat of Zeke’s presence shadowed against her senses. When she normally would’ve snapped her teeth at him, she could only drum up the energy to drowsily rest her head against his chest and content in the security of his arms. Despite the tainted history of their bond, she knew without a doubt that Zeke would never take advantage of her.

A day would pass before another challenger could protest her rule—the only guarantee that Raeth society dictated. After the moon rose the following night, it’d be open season once more, and the wolves had begun to circle.

Breathing deeply, she let his Zeke’s steady pace lull her towards sleep.

Chapter Twelve

Jasmine, rich and exotic, invaded his senses, igniting traitorous desire in his veins. His jaw clenched. The woman in his arms was quiet, and it was all he could do to remain the calming influence she needed him to be.

Zeke merely savored the scent as he clutched Nina close to his chest, inhaling deeply.

He reinvigorated the push of psychic energy through the mating bond between them, the pulse of his strength feeding into his shivering mate.

Because she was his.

Regardless of her continuing hostility toward him, he would never stop trying to renew their relationship and complete their bond. The many years of antagonism between them aside, he counted himself lucky to have been privileged enough to witness her growth as a leader and as a person.

His eyes dipped down to study her face, nestled into the crook of his shoulder, delicate brunette waves framing her face and twisting as he walked. He could count on one hand the number of times she’d allowed him this close, but he couldn’t truly appreciate this moment, not when Nina’s life hung in the balance.

Once as vibrant as Nina’s, Izzy’s hair had changed near the end. The wispy, frizzled grey locks were set apart against her wrinkled face; it had been only one of the signs. Her irises had grown soft and milky as if with age, staring at him as she desperately tried to remember who Zeke was to her.

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