Page 29 of Beyond Fate

“And there you go shoving that branch up your ass again,” Aldrin countered coolly before he turned to Panahasi. “Trust me, I understand the urge to play with his entrails, but first, you have to eat your veggies. Second, killing Fate means no more mated couples, because dickhead wouldn’t be around to pick who should be together based off of their cutesy smile or how tortured their soul is.”

Panahasi was too enraged to care. Even if Casimir and Damon continued to hate him for the rest of their lives, he was going to make this right.

“One snap of my fingers…” Fate narrowed his eyes at Aldrin.

The darkness shattered with a relentless barrage of blinding lightning strikes, filling the sky with a million electric veins. The eerie moon seemed to pulsate in response.

Panahasi swayed unsteadily as the ground quaked violently beneath their feet, sending shockwaves through his body as the distant castle crumbled into a heap of jagged rocks.

Fate was a dumbass. Even Panahasi was careful not to piss off the Primal Source. He’d never seen the keeper this angry before.

Aldrin took a step toward Fate, his face twisted in a terrifying display of fury, his eyes transforming into swirling galaxies. “You dare threaten me?” he snarled menacingly. “I brought you into existence, and I will wipe you from it, boy. Now unlock their bond. They have a purpose, and I will not allow you or anyone else to stand in their way.”

As he continued to glare at Aldrin, Fate snapped his fingers. But Panahasi had seen a flash of fear in Fate’s green eyes, as well as pain and humiliation. Fuck him. He’d allowed Damon, Casimir, and the innocent wolf to unnecessarily suffer. Fate could go to hell.

The lightning ceased and the moon stilled as Panahasi growled, “Release me from this illusion.”

Fate looked at him with utter contempt. “Have Daddy Aldrin take you home, pet.” He transformed back into mist then shot into the sky, spiraling around the clouds before disappearing completely.

“He’s a pain in the ass, but you have to admit, he exits with style.” Aldrin chuckled.

“Wait.” Panahasi held up a hand. “Did you know all along that Fate could fix this?”

If Aldrin had known, Panahasi would feel the greatest level of betrayal. He’d known the Primal Source for billions of years, and although they hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye, he’d never once screwed Panahasi over.

“No.” Aldrin shook his head. “I saw the truth in Fate’s eyes. He was out to teach you a lesson, but he knew how to let the wolf in.”

“He better pray we never cross paths again,” Panahasi snarled.

Aldrin grinned and patted his arm. “Let’s go home, junior.”

He scowled. “Call me that again and I’ll hunt Jaden down and gut him.”

Because Life could not exist without Death. If one died, so did the other. Balance always had to be maintained.

Chapter Nine

Casimir walked to the kitchen, his gaze sweeping over Damon as his mate stood at the stove cooking something that smelled delicious. He leaned his shoulder against the wall at the entrance, taking a moment to appreciate the sight before him.

Damn if the wolf didn’t make a pair of boxer briefs and a simple T-shirt look sexier than any lingerie Casimir had ever seen. He even found the hair on his mate’s muscular legs arousing.

“I can feel your perverted eyes all over my body,” Damon said with a smirk in his voice. “Unless my culinary skills drew you into my lair.”

A grin spread across Casimir’s face. After the life he’d lived, he never thought he would find himself in a domestic situation. His heart squeezed with warmth as he watched his mate stir whatever was in the cast-iron skillet.

“Depends on whether that delicious smell is coming from you or the food.” Pushing off the wall, he crossed the kitchen to stand behind Damon, loving the fact he was taller than his mate. He also loved getting to know the softer side of Damon. The side of him that existed before the sleep.

Casimir slid his arms around Damon’s waist and glanced over his shoulder. “Let me guess.” He inhaled the fragrances filling the kitchen. “Potatoes.”

“You’re cheating since you can see them.” Damon chuckled, leaning back against Casimir’s chest. “Now impress me.”

“What if someone walks into the kitchen?” Casimir grunted when his mate playfully elbowed him.

“You know exactly what I mean, horndog.”

“Okay.” Casimir grinned. “Let me try again.” He closed his eyes and drew in a breath. “Sundried tomatoes.”

He loved adding them to his dishes, when he’d been able to cook and not have to rely on processed food. Staying on the constant move was not a great way to live.

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