Page 8 of Unsanctioned
Odin sat back hard, as if shock took the wind from his sails. “Then you should stay.”
Celeste felt the way those words shifted everything for the future. She practically felt history reshape. “Okay.”
Like that, her fate was sealed.
Present day…
Waylon couldn’t stop staring at himself in the mirror. The scar on his neck was an even bigger miracle than he ever dreamed, except it was also a nightmare. Audor had disappeared again. There was a hole in the center of Waylon’s chest, and he had no idea who to ask if this was real. Maybe he had just gotten so old,his scars finally showed. He had no clue. All he knew was this shouldn’t be possible. Yet he felt Audor missing from him like a limb and he realized now he had since the first night Audor ended things.
I can feel you missing from me. Please come back.
He kept making the silent plea, only to be met with more emptiness. Waylon had no idea where Audor had gone, but it was as if he was dead. He couldn’t feel Audor at all. It was suffocating.
I’m the alpha here. I can’t leave to find you. Please.
Waylon begged no one, but he couldn’t stop. There was no way Audor understood the place he was in. When Waylon had accepted his position to lead this pack, he had known it meant he had to stay with them. The only way he could chase Audor was if he stepped down. The temptation was massive. He had given enough. When would it be his turn? Waylon mentally flipped through the list of possible replacements. They were all too young. Too hot headed. Fuck. He hated this.
“You didn’t show up for work. People are worried after your fight last night.”
Waylon met Riku’s stare in the mirror. “You just popping into people’s homes now?”
Riku flashed a smile. “Godling. I do what I want. Plus, I was genuinely concerned. Audor marked your skin and took yourblood, but you haven’t taken his. That’s a dark place to be in. You belong to him, but he doesn’t yet belong to you. I had to make sure you weren’t planning something stupid. The pain is massive.”
Waylon moved away from the mirror and grabbed a shirt. He angrily pulled it on. It seemed he had to go to fucking work or this whole goddamn town would be at his door—like he wasn’t allowed one damn night of losing his temper. “What would you know about it?”
Riku followed him from the bathroom into the bedroom. He sat on the bed. “A lot, actually. I have an unclaimed mate.”
That froze Waylon in his tracks. “I hadn’t heard that.”
A soft chuckle rumbled from Riku. “This gossipy town doesn’t know everything.”
Finding out Riku had an unclaimed mate had shocked him for half a second, but he landed on enraged in the end. “You have a mate and they’re just out there hurting because… why? That’s a shitty thing to do to a person.” He knew he was projecting, but damn. Waylon didn’t understand why people were handed blessings straight from Celeste and turned their backs. How could Riku do that? It was cruel. Just like what Audor did to him now. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Vampires and Weres weren’t supposed to be possible, but they were. Defying all odds, Audor belonged to him. This was massive. It was beautiful history-making. This was the most hateful thinganyone had ever done to him, denying him love. How fucking dare Riku so casually speak of doing the same?
“It’s Lucifer.”
Waylon sat. Thankfully, the bed was there to catch him. One second, he stood. The next, he was on his ass. His gaze locked on Riku and wouldn’t budge. He was serious. It was in his eyes. “Holy shit.”
A sad smile touched Riku’s lips. He looked away. His throat moved on what looked to be a painful swallow. “Yeah. That was pretty much my reaction too.”
Waylon’s problems were all the way forgotten. “What do you plan to do?”
Riku’s hands rose and fell, landing on his lap. “I’ve been round and round in my head and I don’t know. But I know I won’t make it much longer one way or the other. I’m old and strong, but this is beating me. Every day is like setting myself on fire. But what am I supposed to do?”
Waylon had no idea. What would happen if Riku claimed Lucifer? The prospects were endless and horrific. Another thought sneaked in. Riku was the best person he knew. Maybe he had just projected his anger on the guy, but Riku watched out for this town every bit as much as Waylon. He certainly prayed for them more than anyone. With an open line to the gods, that meant a lot. No one with that much heart would be given a challenge he couldn’t handle.
“You should claim him.”
Riku’s gaze shot his way. “You realize that could mean the end of everything. I’m a descendant of Jörmungandr. Lucifer’s future is shrouded in darkness, hidden from even Celeste. Jörmungandr has always been predicted to end the world. This could be the catalyst. Do you think Jörmungandr would approve of this match?”
Waylon shrugged. “I don’t know anything about the guy, but Celeste wouldn’t have chosen you if she didn’t believe in you. She’s obviously still seeing a future—no matter what you choose. So, obviously, the world isn’t nearing its end.” That seemed pretty cut and dry to Waylon. If Celeste saw all except her brother, things obviously worked out. Surely Riku would know if she saw the end of the rest of them.
Riku looked away again. “Maybe everything works out because I choose death.”
Waylon’s shoulders fell. He hadn’t considered that, but obviously, Riku had. Without thinking, he took Riku’s hand and squeezed, bringing Riku’s gaze his way. Waylon waited until he had Riku’s attention. “What do you think Lucifer would do if you chose that path?” Waylon was genuinely curious. It was obvious this was the true reason Lucifer kept showing up in his town. There was no way Lucifer didn’t know Riku was his. Lucifer was known for his greed. Waylon couldn’t imagine what would happen if a gift from his sister slipped through his fingers. Truly, he couldn’t picture it. He had no idea how someone evil like Lucifer would view this.
Riku held his stare. “I can’t say for sure, but I have a bad feeling I know. That’s why I haven’t done it.”
The weight of the situation fully fell on Waylon’s shoulders. If Riku chose death, Lucifer would raze this town to the ground, but likely the rest of the world would be saved. Sometimes, there were no good choices. Only choices. One day very soon, Riku would have to decide, and it would affect them all.
