Page 131 of Red's Beast

Oh, how I wish she would just go away.

She looks down at me. "Is someone a pitiful puppy? Well, never fear. I come bearing news of your mate. Today, Corbin was this close to claiming her as his. Now, isn't that something? It almost looked like she wasn't going to resist, but someone knocked him out cold. It ruined the show."

I sit up, turning my head slightly toward her.What did you say?

"Oh, you heard me, Lucian. The call to mate is driving her insane. It won't be long now and she won't be able to resist. That means she won't get to you in time and you might as well accept your fate. She is the alpha of Dark Moon after all and what is an alpha without their mate? Corbin is the only one who can handle her.”

I swallow the lump forming in my throat as I realize how dire the situation is. If it has gone that far, then she may never come for me.

Emmeline drops the basket off on the table and frolics out the door, her skirts swishing back and forth right as she leaves.

My mouth hangs open as I look through the open door. Everything hits at once and I'm dazed. I knew Lillian was analpha and would claim the pack eventually, but for her to claim the pack and now suffer the drive to take a mate sends me into a fit of rage.

I need to get home quick before her wolf completely takes over, and she does something she regrets. She needs me.

Ma's hand strokes down my back out of nowhere. "Are you okay? I know that must have been shocking news." She leans down, so she's at face level with me. "Lucian, any mate of yours will be stronger and she'll resist the call to take a mate. It's going to be fine. An alpha mate for you is going to match you. Fate doesn’t make mistakes.”

Fine? You call this fine? I'm stuck in another realm and my mate is about to take the lunatic who tormented her all her life as a mate. This couldn't be further from fine.

Her eyes widen as she hears a series of growls come out of me. "I don't know what you are saying, but I can assume it isn't pleasant. We have to stay positive. Please watch your words, too."

My ears snap back against the top of my head as another snarl comes out. It's not directed at her, but I can't help myself. All I want to do is tear something apart, preferably that witch.

Oh, the thought of her entrails hanging from her open stomach as I claw at her, tearing her apart, and her dying gasp coming from her lips is a beautiful thought. Yes, that thought sends chills down my spine.

Logan clears his throat and scoots his chair back from the table. "Well, we're sitting ducks. I know you said we can't plan anything, but do you think we should have some kind of contingency plan in place? Surely, it won't hurt. What are we going to do if they come back or use magic against us?"

Pa shakes his head. "Whatever we plan, they will expect it. You know how Emmeline always seems to know everything we talk about or think. I swear they can hear us."

"So, basically, you're telling me we're screwed? That's all I hear. Unless Lucian's alpha mate shows up and rectifies everything. It's going to take a miracle to save us all." Logan bangs his hand against the table. "Maybe it would be best if I offered myself to Emmeline. If I did, she could stop Natalia and maybe she'd let Lucian return to his human form."

My head swivels in his direction so fast that my head spins. He did not just say that.

Ma gasps. "No, we're not going down that road. You are not offering yourself as a mate to Emmeline. Not happening. No. We will figure out another way."

Pa jumps up from the table in a fit of rage. "I told you already that we will do something, but we have to be careful. There is too much at stake."

I finally stand slowly and head toward the door. They all glance over at me.

"Lucian, where are you going?" Ma calls out, her hand outstretched as if to stop me.

I shake my head as I look at them one last time. There is no need to tell them where I am going. They will just try to stop me and it's not like they can hear me, anyway.

Today, this ends. I'll do whatever Natalia asks, so they can be free, and we can leave this realm. I bolt out the door without looking behind me. They call after me, but I just keep moving forward.

My heart thudded in my chest as I went over the plan one last time.

As I find Natalia, she's not at Emmeline's house. She's standing in the middle of the woods close to Ma's and Pa's place. It's unsettling to know how close she's been without us noticing.

"Ah, you came. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. You are finally ready to accept a deal with me.”

How do you know that?

"I can hear your thoughts, just like Emmeline can. Now, tell me Lucian. Have you come to make a deal? I don't have all day and soon there will be things that take my focus from this." She glances in my direction and laughs. "Your mind is made up, so why not tell me what this grand plan of yours is? Save your family? Return to the realm we once lived in? Just spit it out."

Fine, I wish for all of us to return home. Let my family go and I'll do what you ask.

"Oh, is that so? Are you giving up on your fated mate?" She stalks closer, magic swirling between her fingers in black tendrils. "I can send them back easily, but it will require something more from you."

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