Page 43 of Beyond Fate

Damon couldn’t believe his mate was there, especially with the way he’d acted before using the portal to leave.

“Do you think that matters to me?” Christian’s lips twisted into a snarl, and that was when Damon noticed the vampire’s fangs had grown a hell of a lot longer. “He entered my sanctuary uninvited with vengeance in his heart.”

Casimir’s swords materialized in his hands as he took up a battle stance. “I do not wish to engage in combat with you, prince. But I will use any means necessary to protect my pregnant mate.”

Christian raised two fingers, and his brothers stopped advancing. “I do not harm mates, especially those with child. We protect and defend all mates, even if they are not our own.” Christian glared at Damon.

“But make no mistake, I will eliminate any and all threats to myself and my coven.” Christian turned his menacing gaze toward Casimir. “Your wolf entered my club through a portal while my own mates are present.”

As angry as Damon was, he hadn’t thought about the possibility that Christian’s mates would be there. He lived by the same code. Protect and defend any mate, whether yours or not.

Damon felt Casimir tense beside him. Now, because of his reckless actions, Casimir stood ready to battle the prince of vampires and his brothers, in order to protect him.

If he thought it would do any good, Damon would honestly apologize.

“I cannot let this slide,” Christian said, as if he’d read Damon’s thoughts. “My mates are as precious to me as yours is to you, Casimir.”

Damon’s claws slid free as Ceri and Rhys came at them, nothing but the promise of death in their eyes. He glanced up at Casimir, but his mate refused to look at him. Nobody in the room had a clue just how sorry Damon truly was.

That being said, if they were going to die, then Damon would embrace the dark monster that lurked within him—the very one Christian had helped create.

Right before the ancient vampires reached them, all of their bodies became stiff and motionless except Damon’s. He furrowed his brows as he wondered if he’d caused this. The vampires and Casimir stood frozen in mid-action, trapped like statues.

Now that he could study Christian and his brothers, Damon realized just how truly terrifying they were. Their razor-sharp fangs were bared, and Christian’s deadly claws had extended. Jeez. He really did have a purplish hue to his skin. What exactly was he?

And god, the red in the prince’s eyes gave Damon chills. Christian was the embodiment of what nightmares were made of when he looked like this.

“Consider yourself lucky you have a greater purpose in life.”

“Jesus!” Damon grabbed his chest as Aldrin popped into the empty club. What was with everyone popping in?

“Otherwise, not even my friendship with your father would have convinced me to save your dumb ass,” he continued as if he hadn’t just scared the living daylights out of Damon. “Care to explain to me what your master plan was, besides dying? Why did you do it, pup?”

As Damon turned to face the vampires, he could feel Aldrin’s immense power pulsing in the room. He walked toward Casimir and gazed up at his mate. He was so tall, breathtakingly handsome, and looked every bit the warrior—from his honed muscles to the fierce expression on his face. His swords were crossed in front of him, ready to strike.

So much love radiated inside of him for Casimir. Even though Damon had made a mess of things, had crushed his mate’s feelings, his warrior had come for him, ready to kill to protect him.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered to his mate.

Damon had screwed this up every which way he could. From his initial reaction to finding out he was pregnant, to storming into Christian’s club and putting the lives of the prince’s mates in danger, to dragging his own mate into this deadly situation.

All of it was Damon’s fault, and he felt deep guilt and regret for what he’d done. So many lives could have been lost tonight, including Ceri and Rhys who had their own families to care for. What was wrong with him? He pressed a hand over his rigid stomach, feeling sick at what he’d just done.

“First, tell me if any of them are in pain right now.

“They’re not in pain,” Aldrin assured him. “Their minds are sleeping right now, unaware of what’s going on around them.”

Damon shoved a hand through his hair and sighed. “It just feels like I can’t seem to get this right,” he admitted. “I have a good life, a loving family, and a wonderful mate. So why am I still consumed with so much anger?”

“Because you are still holding on to your hatred for what they did to you,” Aldrin replied calmly. “Mainly Panahasi.”

His words rang true in the silent room. Just hearing the demon leader’s name pissed Damon off to no end.

“We all make mistakes, Damon,” Aldrin continued. “Especially those of us with great responsibilities.”

Damon glanced over at Christian.

“He has given you the greatest gift of all. One that will bring you immeasurable joy,” Aldrin said. “Embrace it. Your child carries within them the essence of seven powerful beings.” He gestured toward Casimir. “You have a mate who loves you more than anything in this world. But instead of being happy about creating a new life together, you’re upset. Why is that, Damon?”

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