Page 134 of The Wolf and the Chimera
She looked at Kieran, who shook with emotion.
"Lyall threatened that if I left," she explained, "even to visit my own son, he would hurt Kieran."
Kalli squeezed my hand. Tears swam in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Ryder." Her voice was raw. "I should've tried harder. I should've found a way out."
I shook my head and tried to speak, but guilt and sorrow tied my tongue.
"Gods, Mom," Kieran said, "how did Inotknow?"
"All those stupid things I said," I whispered.
"No," Kalli snapped. "Neither of you get to harbor guilt for his mistakes."
She hugged us, and I clutched my family like they were lifelines. When Kalli pulled away, her expression was resolute.
“This wound is nothing more than a ruse,” Kalli said, “for Lyall to convince our pack that what he’s doingto Elle is okay.”
My mate's name pulled me back into the present.
“What exactly is he doing?” I asked. Neither Kieran nor Kalli spoke. “What is he doing to her?”
“He made a deal with the High Witch,” Kalli explained in a rush, “to keep you and Elle under his watch until Cordelia secured the warlock and was ready to entomb Elle.”
Panic rose in me like a tidal wave, but with the strength of my wolf, I shoved it down and called on the cool, careful instincts of a predator.
“How long do we have?” I asked.
“The Handmaidens are coming tonight,” Kieran said and took a steadying breath. “We’re not sure what time, but we know they’ll be here tonight.”
When everything had gone to shit, dusk had been approaching.
The Handmaidens would be here any moment.
I leaped to my feet and shook off the lingering dizziness. When I turned toward the door, Kieran clasped my arm, and I couldn’t stop the snarl that tumbled from my lips.
“Let go,” I ordered.
Gulping, my brother did as I told, but Kalli spoke in a rush.
“Every hall has cameras,” she explained. “If you charge for Elle, they will incapacitate you before you’re within twenty feet of her.”
My wolf had little care for cameras or threats. He welcomed any challengers who would dare cross his path. As I stared at Kalli, my dominance rose to the surface. Kieran sucked in a breath, but my mother didn’t balk.
“That won’t free her,” she reminded me. “Your power will not free her from the slumber Lyall has forced her into or the bed she’s currently restrained in. You lack the control to target individuals with your dominance or to complete other actions while enforcing your will.”
As I recognized the truth in her words, my rage turned inward. I had wasted so much time—so much precious time—in Circe’s realm. Elle had used every moment she’d had, but I…
Gentle hands grasped mine. As I realized my claws had descended, I went still under my mother’s touch.
“You can still save her,” she whispered. “Wecan still save her.”
I let my dominance fade back into me, and Kieran cleared his throat. I couldn’t stop staring at my mother. The iron in her gaze and the steel in her spine were so familiar. It was like glimpsing a ghost.
“Okay,” I relented. “What’s your plan?”
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