Page 66 of The Alpha's Bullied Mate

“The only chance we have at this is a surprise. We have to lure the demon into a trap and have something ready to shove it into. Does anyone have an idea? We don’t have the time to get another giant rock!”

“The mountain?” Tess suggested.

Echo shook her head. “Mountains face erosion every day. We don’t know how much it needs to degrade to release the demon. For all we know, a single landslide might make the mountain unsuitable.”

Elin chewed her lip. “What about a stainless steel water bottle?”

“That won’t last,” Tess said.

“But it will last long enough,” Mica said. “Years. We can use that time to figure something else out. The first priority is to get that fucking demon out of my mate.”

Three pairs of uncertain eyes met hers.

Mica got to her feet. “If I can do this as a human, then you can as wolf shifters. Let’s do this. Before it’s too late.”

Chapter 34 - Hayden

Hayden stood at the edge of his mind, a spectator of his own body. The sensations around him filtered red through Zealuv’s perceptions. That feeling of cold pervaded every inch of Hayden’s body, but when he tried to actually feel his body, there was nothing. It was enough to drive him mad. Losing his wolf was one thing, but this?

It had only been a single day since Mica told him she’d leave. She hadn’t, even though he utterly ignored her every time he saw her.

Now? Now Zealuv had his body and was slowly cutting him off from even knowing what was going around them.

You should be proud of yourself,Zealuv hissed at him as he paced around the open pit behind the Alpha’s house.Most men would have gone mad by this time.

Hayden had no response. Even Zealuv’s thoughts seemed louder and more complete than his own. Was this how the rest of his life would play out? Being caught in this hellish limbo, unable to do anything but watch through a demon’s eyes?

If you think this is bad, wait until you get to hell itself. This is a vacation compared to what you’ll be faced with there.

Am I going to hell?Hayden wondered.Has all the good I tried to do not enough to wipe out the bad?

For once, Zealuv didn’t give him a mocking reply. Hayden pushed through the haze invading his mind and saw Maverick standing in front of him through Zealuv's eyes. Maverick’s forehead was creased as he spoke.

“I don’t know what it is. Some giant rock,” Maverick was saying. “It’s got pictographs or some sort of old writing systemcarved into it? I don’t know. It looks badly degraded. I think it might have something to do with the demons in the area.”

Excitement buzzed through Zealuv, but he kept his expression neutral. “I’ll come take a look at it. The last update I had about Finn is that he’s still in a coma. If this stone is connected to the demons, we don’t have his abilities to show us.”

Understanding trickled into Hayden’s mind. He could almost see what happened over five thousand years ago.

Standing in a circle of salt with dozens of wolf shifters at every side as the Alpha of the pack read out the words of the ritual. Zealuv had been locked in the stele, hoping that a strong stone would stand the test of time and keep the archdemon locked forever.

And now it was unearthed, and Zealuv had a physical form he could use. He was still blocked from the majority of his powers, but when he broke the stele, he’d be free.

Hayden growled.You can’t do this. You don’t know what the effects will be. It’s better to give me back my body and—

Are you trying to bargain with me? It’s too late for that.

The haze closed in around Hayden again. He struggled against it, pushing back with his mind. It cleared for him to find himself on the outskirts of the Alpha’s house. Maverick was still there… but so was Ryder. His throat was still bandaged, but he was standing on his own strength. His hands balled into fists as he glared at Zealuv.

“What the hell, Hayden?”

What does he want?Zealuv asked, annoyed.

Maybe you should ask?Hayden snarked back.

“Ryder. I’m glad to see you’re on your feet again,” Zealuv said. His tone was flat. “The last report I got was that you were still in rough shape. But the doctors discharged you, did they?”’

“Never mind the bullshit, Hayden. What the hell are you doing to Mica? I went to see her, and she was packing her things and sobbing. She said you’re kicking her out of the pack!” Ryder’s hands clenched into fists. “So I ask again. What the hell? She’s your mate!”

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