Page 7 of Unsanctioned
Fury filled glowing yellow eyes focused on him. “You dare sink your fangs into someone else.”
Audor blinked. It hit him. He was enraged too. Waylon had a lot of nerve. “My fangs are mine. You didn’t want them. I was wasting your time, and I remedied that for you. You have no right to do this shit.”
He found Waylon in his space and hovering over him, looking ready to tear him apart. “You chose that. I didn’t. You know I’m bad with words and you wouldn’t hear me. Those fangs belong to me, and I will kill that vampire if you touch him.”
Frustration welled inside Audor. Waylon said the things Audor had wanted to hear before it had been too late, but it was now. He had already broken Audor.
“You want them? Fine.” He grabbed two handfuls of Waylon’s shirt and lifted him from the ground. Audor spun, slamming Waylon against the wall. Waylon’s lust hit him. He enjoyed the rough treatment. Audor was furious. He wanted Waylon to hurt the way he had been hurting Audor for months, but he knew Waylon would have to feel the same about him for that to happen, and he didn’t. He didn’t love Audor the way Audor loved him.
Waylon’s eyes widened, as if he heard his thoughts.
Audor didn’t give a shit about anything any longer. He was done. Without warning or easing the pain with his mind, Audor tore into Waylon’s throat and drank. As blood filled his mouth and he swallowed, Audor experienced an odd tug in his chest. His muscles relaxed. His motions became more loving than angry. When Waylon moaned, Audor hated himself for that. He retracted his fangs and licked the wound, sealing it, before pulling away. Audor took a step back. He opened his mouth to let Waylon know this would be the last time. His gaze locked on the scar forming on Waylon’s neck. Shock rendered him mute before pain sliced through him. It couldn’t be. Waylon couldn’t be his mate.
Audor’s gaze snapped to Waylon’s.
Waylon panted like he had run a marathon.
He didn’t want this. Waylon hadn’t loved him without that scar. Now, if he said the words, it would only be because of it. Plus, this shouldn’t even be possible. There had to be a mistake. Hecouldn’t live with that. Audor would walk into the fire. His heart couldn’t take this. Without a single thought, he dissipated, leaving the other half of his soul behind.
Chapter Four
Sixweeksearlier…
Celeste picked her way through the halls of Valhalla, stepping over drunken men with her head held high. It wasn’t in her to beg, and she wouldn’t, but she knew in her gut when something should be. Her glimpses into the future with Audor had always been hazy, and she had never been sure why. She had suspected it had something to do with her brother, since Audor had been destined to end up in Wulfe. Now she saw it. Audor was meant to love a wolf.
Only once since the beginning of time had Celeste found a loophole to bring a wolf and vampire together. A human had been fated to end up with either, so he had gotten both. Odin had been furious with the loss of an alpha. Now here she was again with another alpha on the hook. Odin might very well go to warover this one. She had no idea how this conversation would end. But, as always, she had a plan.
Odin huffed at the sight of her. “No. Whatever it is, no. You never come here unless you want something, and I never like it.”
Celeste laughed. Despite all their differences, Celeste liked him better than other gods. They had never fought. Their creations had always banded together. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t see how much stronger they could be as a team.
“Don’t worry. I haven’t come to ask for anything.” She held up the dice she carried. “I’ve come to wager you for it.”
The eye Odin still possessed sparkled with laughter. “You’ve come to lose, eh?” He motioned toward the chair across from him and waved for everyone to leave them. “Sit and say what it is you’re after, then.”
If Odin didn’t already know, it showed how little attention he paid to his packs. “Waylon Black’s soul.”
A roar of obnoxious and obviously faked laughter echoed from the walls of the great hall. “You must be joking. What is it you plan to lose, then? You’ve already stolen one alpha from me.”
“I didn’t steal Raff. You were handsomely rewarded.”
“Recompense, not reward. I think that’s what you meant.”
Celeste waved away his words. She sat and tucked a strand of her shining blond hair behind her ear. Celeste eyed him, sizing him up. Odin was a massive guy with scars and muscles for days. He had seen some things. Odin was a warrior through and through. Celeste wasn’t sure she had much to offer he would accept, but this was too important not to try.
She dumped the dice on the table. “Best of three. If I win, I get Waylon. You win, and you can have a night with me.”
Odin’s eyebrows shot up. It was obvious she had shocked him speechless. No one got a night with her.
Celeste couldn’t hold his stare. She humbled herself for no one, but she was in love with falling in love. Celeste couldn’t break Waylon or Audor by pairing them with anyone else. She picked up the dice, ready to toss them if he was ready to deal.
Odin’s giant hand covered hers, stopping the motion.
Celeste lifted her gaze.
Odin stared at her in a kind way she had never experienced from him. “Say you want one night with me for real, and not on some lost wager. If that’s true, I’ll give you more than Waylon. We can discuss joining our clans.”
Her pride pricked, making her want to deny any type of true desire. Celeste’s mouth didn’t give a fuck about her pride. It beat her good sense to the punch. “I want you for real.” That was saying a lot, considering how muted emotions were here.
