Page 46 of Masked Fate

“How many men?” Rave asks, tilting his head to the side in consideration. He doesn’t look worried. He looks almost excited at the thought of finally getting to destroy the incubus who wants his mate.

“About a thousand,” Sage replies, putting his glass down. “And that information is our apology to you for Salem’s actions.”

They both finish their wine and stand. “We must head back now, but until next time.”

One last bow, and they disappear.

“What do you think?” I ask Rave, crossing my arms over my chest. “We going after them or letting them come here?”

“I think we let them come here. We are ready for anything they try to throw at us,” he replies, scrubbing his hand across his jaw.

“I have a hundred witches and warlocks if you need them,” Pandora offers.

Rave smirks. “We already have the strongest one.”

Her cheeks redden, and I wonder what the hell they are talking about. I’m about to ask when my day goes from shit to worse, and the last person in the realm I want to see right now shows up.

August.

That mate-fucking-traitor.

I’ve been nothing but good to the male, and he went and took what wasmine.

I try to control myself, but I seered.

Before anyone can stop me, I get out of my chair, rush at him, and throw him across the room. Caught unaware, he hits the wall with a thud but quickly stands, confusion in his brown eyes. He rakes his hand through his curls and has the nerve to look likeI’mthe one being a bastard.

“Just when I thought tonight was going to be boring,” I hear Rave say.

And is that amusement in his tone?

“What the fuck, Soren?” August growls, looking at Astrid. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“Soren, he didn’t know,” Pandora snaps, her chair scraping as she stands. Before she can move toward us, I punch him right in the nose once before Rave grabs me from behind while the women rush toward August. Pandora lifts her hand to touch his cheek, and I lose it.

“Pandora, step away from him,” Rave snarls as I try to charge at him again.

She looks over at us, her violet eyes rounding. Astrid grabs her arm and pulls her away from August. When she’s a safe distance away, I stop struggling and take deep breaths. I don’t remember when, if ever, I’ve been out of control like this. I’ll kill someone for touching her.

“Is it always like this?” I ask Rave, and he laughs under his breath.

“It won’t always be this bad once you complete the bond, but yes.”

“Fuck. I want to kill him,” I mutter, shifting on my feet. “Can I just mess him up a little?”

“I can’t let you do that. Astrid would kill me,” he grumbles, loosening his hold on me.

Astrid is speaking to August in a low tone, so we can’t hear. August raises his head, eyes locking with mine. “Soren, I didn’t know she was your mate. I’m sorry, brother. I won’t touch her again.”

“You willnevertouch her again,” I command, magic pulsing through the air. Yeah, I’m not above using my magic. I told her I’d never use it on her again, but I said nothing about everyone else.

August nods, the force behind my words holding him hostage.

Satisfied, I turn to Pandora, who is watching me closely, herarms wrapped around herself.

“Are we good?” August asks me, crossing his arms. Now a part of the Royal Guard in Chaos, the capital of the Incubus Kingdom, he’s put on even more muscle than the last time I saw him. There’s a hardness in his eyes that’s new too.

Pandora lifts her brows at me.

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