Page 42 of A Crown of Fates

Oh, gods. This is bad. So, so bad.

“I’m Orix.”

He doesn’t need to say the words. I already know and I want to punch him in the face, but I can’t even form words, let alone lift my arm.

He’s closer now, his breath warm on my cheek. “Don’t panic, my pet. At least not yet. I’m still undecided about your future. You see, I thought about keeping you as my prize, but you’ve not done as I hoped since summoning you here. If you quit causing me so much trouble, that’s still a possibility.”

It’s probably a good thing I can’t physically vomit right now. I’ll never willingly be hisprize.

He squeezes my shoulder, sending unwelcome shivers down my spine. “I’ve decided you being in Theo’s life isn’t the motivation he needs to please me. Until I say otherwise, you won’t be able to move or speak. You are mine to wield now. Just like Theo is.” He chuckles darkly. “He might think you’ve saved him from me, but that’s the furthest thing from the truth. He’ll see that once he realizes you’re gone. Hmm, yes, this is going to work out quite nicely. Now, let’s get you somewhere safe.”

“Isla?”I call for my sister, but she’s already too far away. Our connection is gone, and I’m left defenseless against this bastard.

Orix’s fingers dig deeper into my flesh, forcing me to move with what feels like chains around my body, each step moving me further from freedom. I can’t see him, can’t see anything, but his presence wraps around me, suffocating me. His power slides through my mind, rooting itself in every corner of my being, controlling my movements with effortless precision. I’m his puppet now, blind, mute, and defenseless.

I never imagined things could get worse. I thought we’d seen the darkest depths of this nightmare. But now, as I’m dragged into the unknown, I realize how wrong I was. Each step echoes in my mind, pounding with the fear that no one will ever find me, that I’ll remain trapped under Orix’s control, hidden from those I love, for as long as he allows me to live.

My heart pounds, and the dread coils tighter, sharper, with every silent scream. This isn’t just fear. This is a hollow, consuming terror—a fate that chills me to my core.

A fate worse than death.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THEO

It’s been hours since I last saw Estee. Hours of restless pacing, of my wolf clawing at me from the inside, of an itch beneath my skin that refuses to settle. I’ve asked Jerome about her more times than I can count, but she’s remained locked in my office since Isla and Asher left. I hate that she’s working on this alone, but I hate it even more knowing that I can’t help her myself.

Still, every time I try to leave the new and temporary workspace I’ve set up, someone else appears, needing something from me. Repairs to housing, trade disputes, complaints from vendors—it’s endless. I’ve ignored this kingdom for too long. There are months of work ahead of me to undo the damage, and I can’t even begin to touch the surface without confronting my mistakes. But I’m grateful the pack is allowing me to try to redeem myself, just as she is. I’m not sure I deserve this chance to prove I’m worthy, but I’m accepting it anyway.

As dusk begins to swallow the bright sky, and there’s no one else waiting to speak with me, I escape and make my way back to where I assume Estee is—in my office.

After the time I’ve already spent apart from my mate and the whispers of our kiss still lingering on my lips, I’m desperate tohave eyes on her. She’s the only one who can lessen the unease currently stuck in my throat.

My wolf rumbles in agreement from within, and my stride lengthens. Each step echoes in the castle halls, and I take the stairs three at a time, my heart pounding faster with each foot forward. A pressure surrounds my chest, tightening with a suffocating grip.

This is insane. I shouldn’t be losing myself so completely after an afternoon away from my mate. Yet, I am, and I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a reason for my increasing distress.

That thought sends another wave of dread through me that doesn’t ease even as I get closer to my office. In fact, it only gets worse when I realize her scent isn’t getting stronger, like she hasn’t been here for quite some time.

Somethingiswrong.

I start to run.

It’s as if poison seeps into my lungs with each breath, filling me with a cold, acidic fury. I break into a sprint, my vision narrowing, blood roaring in my ears. My mind races through possibilities I can barely stomach, each one twisting the knife deeper.

Where is my mate?

The door to my office looms ahead, locked. I don’t waste time fumbling for keys; I kick it open with a force that splinters the wood, the shards biting into my skin, but I barely feel the sting. My gaze sweeps the room, wild and desperate, but she’s not here. The faint traces of her linger, but they’re stale, hours old. My wolf howls within my mind, a primal cry for our mate, as I call for Jerome.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”he replies immediately.

“Lock down the castle,”I demand.“Hell, lock down the whole damned island. Estee is missing.”

“Sire, might I suggest we don’t alarm the pack and?—”

“I don’t give a damn about the pack right now!”My fury lashes through the link like a whip, blazing.“I need to know where my mate is. Something’s happened to her, and I will tear this place apart stone by stone if I have to.”

There’s a short pause, followed by a determined,“Yes, my king. I will initiate the lockdown.”

---