Page 14 of Damian

The glow in her eyes for her husband is unmistakable to all. I’ve never seen a senior citizen blush before now. Julian winks at his wife despite his obvious embarrassment.

“Willow has a covenant with our herd. One of her own freewill,” I reiterate.

Willow approaches the invisible barrier, and her brows narrow in concentration. “There’s definitely magic here,” she murmurs. Her fingers trace the air, feeling for hidden threads. Willow’s eyes glow with a faint, otherworldly light as she focuses on the barrier.

“And what of your herd?” Isaak presses Emjay.

“Former herd. They used the magic of the captured witch for their selfish gain. If your mate is on the other side of that portal, I need to tell you my story. All of you.”

Charis’ forehead narrows at Emjay. “And what makes you think we can trust you?”

I rein my bull in over his harsh tone with my mate.

“Charis,” Isaak interrupts, his tone more conciliatory. “We’re all here for the same reason. Let’s hear her out.”

Emjay nods appreciatively.

“Thank you, Isaak. I understand your hesitation, Charis. Trust is hard to give, especially in these circumstances. But I assure you, I have no ill intentions. I’m here to help save those trapped inside.”

She waits as the men gather around. Some sit, others lean against the mountain or a tree, while the rest stand, giving her their full attention.

“I changed my name to Emjay when I escaped this place…”

I take my mate’s hand when she reaches for me. She may be the strongest person I know, but my heart skips at her instinct to pull on my added strength while she relives her trauma once again.

She’s no longer alone, and she never will be again.

Her grip on my hand tightens as she shares her story. A look filled with determination and pain, scans the faces of the men around us.

She takes a deep breath, the memories of her past weigh heavily on her shoulders. “I changed my name to Emjay when I escaped this place...” Her words remain steady, although laced with emotion.

“My former herd was a place of torment and control. It’s not just witches they enslaved. The women and children are the bulls’ slaves as well. I was one of those trapped, but I escaped. I've lived in fear ever since, constantly looking over my shoulder…”

Chapter 10

Charis

“In the middle of nowhere, despite the barriers keeping me from her, I’ve found my future waiting to be claimed.” ~ Charis

I arrived outside the labyrinth, holding my mate prisoner. Eleven days. Eleven long, agonizing days since I heard my mate’s call.

I left my herd and rushed to claim her with the first tick. When I approached the labyrinth, my mind raced with optimism for the future. Until I ran into a barrier, I couldn’t cross.

Each moment without her feels like an eternity. The longing for my mate grows more unbearable.

Countless times, I’ve beaten my fists against the invisible wall until my knuckles bled. I’d shift to heal each time and start again. The pain from pounding the hidden barrier mirrors the ache in my heart. Each failed attempt to reach her is a reminder of my helplessness. At least until Isaak arrived two days later.

Isaak’s arrival brought a glimmer of hope, but even his strength couldn’t break the barrier. I grow weary, wondering if this torment will ever end.

When Isaak first arrived, his frustration hung heavy in the air. He hurled boulders at the barrier, his muscles straining with effort.

Despite our mutual goal, we barely spoke, each lost in our own desperation.

The arrival of others brought a sense of solidarity, but also tension. Our need to reach our mates united us, yet each of us dealt with the situation differently. Some were calm, others angry, but all of us were determined.

What manner of Minotaur built this labyrinth in the heart of the mountains without access to the outside world? The portal looms before us, a dark and foreboding structure hidden within the forest.

The moonlight barely penetrates the dense canopy of trees and mountains.

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