Page 16 of His Spellbound Mate

But for now, he would focus on keeping her safe. They could deal with the rest later.

As Garrett retreated, Tamzyn turned to face him; her expression still conflicted but more settled than before. She didn’t say anything, but the look in her eyes told him that she understood, that she was coming to terms with what they were.

Neville crossed the room, stopping just a few feet away from her. He wanted to reach out, to touch her, to reassure her, but he held back. Instead, he met her gaze and spoke softly, his voice full of the certainty that only an alpha could command.

"There’s been another disappearance. I need to know I can count on you and that you understand we’re in this together. Whatever happens…"

She held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Whatever happens," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper.

And as the moonlight streamed through the window, casting their shadows on the floor, Neville knew they were ready for whatever came next.

They had to be.

Chapter Nine

Neville

The following morning the sky promised that the day would dawn dark and dreary—the sun barely penetrating the darkness that surrounded Silver Ridge. It felt heavier than usual, a palpable weight that pressed down on Neville as he and Tamzyn made their way through the dense forest. The chill in the air was sharp, biting at the skin even through their layers of clothing, and the quiet of the dawn was unnerving. There was no rustle of leaves, no sound of animals in the underbrush—only an eerie stillness that set Neville’s instincts on edge.

He glanced at Tamzyn beside him, her face set in focused concentration. They had been walking in silence for the past hour; each lost in their own thoughts, the tension between them still thick despite their newfound understanding. Neville could feel the bond between them, the invisible thread that tied their fates together, but it was a bond that neither of them fully understood nor welcomed.

The alliance was uneasy, built on necessity rather than trust. Still, Neville couldn’t deny the way his wolf responded to her presence, the way it stirred beneath his skin whenever she was near. It was a distraction he could ill afford but one he had no choice but to navigate.

“Cedric Blackthorn lives deeper in the mountains,” Tamzyn said, breaking the silence. Her voice was steady, but Neville could hear the underlying tension. “We’re getting close.”

Neville nodded, his senses sharpening as they ventured further away from his territory and into one known to be home to a nest of vampires. Cedric Blackthorn was an enigma, a vampire elder who had been around since the founding of Silver Ridge. Rumors swirled around him—stories of ancient power and dark secrets—but few had ever dared to seek him out. The fact that Tamzyn knew how to find him only added to the mystery that surrounded her.

“Are you sure he’ll help us?” Neville asked, his voice low.

Tamzyn hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m not sure of anything when it comes to Cedric. But if anyone knows about the prophecy or the dark forces at work, it’s him.”

Neville didn’t like the sound of that. Trusting a vampire, especially one as old and powerful as Cedric, went against every instinct he had. But they were running out of options. The disappearances, the weakening veil between the worlds, the dark magic—it was all connected, and Cedric might hold the key to understanding what they were up against. Whether or not they could trust him was still a question.

The path grew narrower as they climbed higher into the mountains, the trees closing in around them. The air was thin, colder, and the scent of pine was mingled with something else—something ancient and otherworldly. Neville’s muscles tensed, his wolf on high alert as they approached what could only be the entrance to Cedric’s lair.

A massive cave loomed before them; the entrance guarded by jagged rocks that seemed to glow faintly in the early morning light. Massive iron gates creaked open seemingly of their own accord. The air around the cave was thick with magic, a heavy, oppressive force that made the hairs on the back of Neville’s neck stand on end. He exchanged a glance with Tamzyn, who gave him a brief nod before stepping forward.

“Stay close,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Neville didn’t need to be told twice. He followed her into the cave, his senses on high alert as they descended into the darkness. The cave was silent, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots, but Neville could feel the presence of something—someone—watching them from the shadows.

As they moved deeper into the cave, the air grew colder, the darkness more oppressive. The walls seemed to close in around them, the path narrowing until they were forced to walk single file. Neville’s wolf bristled, every instinct screaming at him to turn back, to get Tamzyn out of there, but he pushed the urge down. They needed answers, and according to Tamzyn, this was their best lead.

Finally, the tunnel opened up into a large chamber, the walls lined with ancient carvings that glowed faintly with a blue light. At the center of the chamber, seated on a throne of stone, was Cedric Blackthorn.

The vampire elder was as imposing as the legends had described. Tall and gaunt, with skin as pale as marble and eyes that glowed with an unnatural light, Cedric exuded an aura of power that made Neville’s wolf growl in the back of his mind. The vampire’s gaze was sharp and assessing as he watched them approach.

“Cedric Blackthorn,” Tamzyn said, her voice steady but respectful. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.”

“He knew we were coming?” asked Neville.

“I arranged it before you decided to charge in and save me,” she replied sarcastically.

Cedric inclined his head slightly, his gaze flicking between them with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. “Tamzyn March. And Neville Lawless, alpha of the Silver Ridge Pack. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Neville stepped forward, his posture tense but controlled. “We’re here for answers, Cedric. There’s a prophecy—one that speaks of a great darkness rising in Silver Ridge. We believe it’s connected to the disappearances around the area and the weakening of the Veil between worlds.”

Cedric’s expression didn’t change, but there was a gleam of interest in his eyes. “Ah, the prophecy. I was wondering when someone would come to me about that.”

---