Page 88 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“Elle shouldn’t be pushed to bind her soul to Ryder’s for the sake of survival,” Lee agreed.
I nodded in agreement, but Lee didn’t meet my gaze. Circe rolled her eyes and waved her hand in a dismissive gesture.
“We’ll continue that conversation later,” she conceded. “Though the two of you feed off each other’s strength, the bond between Elle and her chimera must first be addressed.”
“What do you mean?” Kieran asked. His brow furrowed. “Elle’s chimeraisElle.”
Circe shook her head. “The beast has been locked away for too long. It’s…feral.”
Silence stretched between us.
“But,” Melanie finally countered, “feral wolves are always trapped in their animal form.”
“True,” Circe admitted, “but Elle’s circumstance has driven the beast inward. I’m not even sure her animal side knows how to come out without the sorceress’s guidance.”
“Going feral isn’t something wolves come back from,” Bo said.
“If she is to fulfill her destiny,” Circe said, “Elle must.”
My irritation swelled. I didn’t like meeting in secret to discuss Elle’s problems, nor did I like to consider a world in which she didn’t overcome them. I cut to the chase.
“What are you asking us to do?” I demanded.
“Elle’s survival isn’t enough motivation for her chimera,” Circe explained. “Something else must be put on the line to bridge the gap between them.”
“Us,” I realized.
“So,” Melanie said, “you’re going to threaten our lives, and if Elle’s chimera doesn’t come out to play, you’ll kill us?”
Circe opened her mouth to reply, but Bo beat her to it.
“No,” he said quietly. “Elle’s beast didn’t appreciate being challenged by the minotaur. Circe’s going to challenge Elle to save us from something, and she’ll do it in a way that Elle can’t beat the challenge without using her powers.”
Circe nodded.
“It won’t be comfortable for any of you,” Circe said and focused on me, “but especially not for you. You’re her greatest motivation. The challenge of saving you must be the greatest as well.”
“Does Imogen know about this?” Lee cut in.
Circe nodded. “We discussed it early this morning.”
Lee cursed under his breath.
“What if we don’t agree to this challenge?” Kieran asked.
“I have no use for a feral chimera and her friends,” Circe said. “I’ll take you to the ripple and let it spit you out wherever it pleases. You won’t get my aid again.”
I hated the witch’s cool, callous tone as much as I hated the corner she had backed us into. Though I wanted to curse Circe and her training methods, we were screwed without her help.
We were even more screwed if Elle didn’t sort things out with her chimera.
Besides, my heart hurt for my mate. I couldn’t imagine such a rift coming between me and my wolf. We were one.
She deserved to experience the same.
“I’ll do it,” I said. I turned to my brother and his loyal friends. “If you guys don’t want to, I understand, but I think Elle deserves to be united with her chimera.”
Kieran punched my shoulder, and Melanie frowned.
