Page 22 of Her Destined Alpha
No, that definitely was not the reason why I was nervous… I was scared to know what she had been through, but I wanted to know so I could understand her better.
“No, I want to know.”
She didn’t reply and finally stood up. I wondered what made her agree to open up, even if it was just a little. Was she opening up to me?
“Can I ask why you’re sharing this with me? I mean, you want me to understand why you hate my kind, but-”
“Don’t go getting the wrong idea,” she interrupted. “I see the way you look at me. You say I’m your mate… and I know you’re not lying. Maybe this is some sick form of punishment from the gods for some past crime I must have committed, that or they are simply enjoying the show.”
“You’re not a believer,” I said. Her eyes dulled as she got lost in her memories.
“Tell me, Alpha, can you believe in the gods when all they have done is watch you suffer? My birth was a curse, my life was torture... they didn’t even let me die. So why should I place my faith and believe in them?” I could feel her pain, and I wished I could take it all away.
“Maybe we were paired to show the world we are not enemies. Maybe we were mated so I could heal you, to always protect you.”
I reached out and took her hand, pulling her close. For a moment, I thought she’d pull away, but it seemed she was having a hard time struggling with her emotions. Our eyes met, and the feelings swirled around us.
Two opposites that were trying to understand what this was.
Her heart was thundering as she looked down at me, and although I wanted to wrap my arms around her, I didn’t want to push her away. Settling for taking both her hands, I ran my thumb in circular motions on the back of her palms.
“I will always take care of you, Kitten. I’d never let anyone hurt you.”
“False promises,” she whispered, “I cannot accept you.” She pulled away, taking a deep breath. Her hands were pressed against her thighs. “Okay, let’s do this.”
“Why do you need all of that? Strong witches can cast spells without it, right?” I asked.
“Yes, but like I said, my powers are sealed. Right now, I am weak. Step into the circle and make sure your big feet don’t touch anything.” I stood up. It was pretty small…
“I’m a big guy.” I winked suggestively at her, but she simply rolled her eyes. “You could have made it bigger…”
“Do you see space in here?”
Fair point. She picked up a knife and then, to my surprise, stepped into the circle too. She moved closer. Both of us were aware of the other’s proximity. Her chest was only an inch from mine, if that. She looked at the knife and then at me, hesitation clear in her eyes. She wanted to ask me something. That was clear.
“What is it?”
“Umm… hold me.”
I was surprised at that, not missing her cheeks tinging pink.Now that I could do, any time, any day. I gripped her tiny waist, not missing the way her heart raced as she leaned back, trying to bring the knife between us. I held her weight, her leg between mine, as we stood in the tiny circle.
She closed her eyes, whispering a quick spell. The powder she had sprinkled began to move ever so slightly, the candles flickering in a wind that was not present. She sliced her palm, reaching out and letting the drops of blood fall into the circle. Whispering filled the room, and I felt a sudden chill.
Suddenly I was in a room full of smoke. Lights hung on low beams. The smell of sweat and alcohol was strong. The sound of men jeering and joking as they sat around with beer.
What was this? Even the direction of my gaze wasn’t my own, my eyes darting around the room.Wait… this is Delsanra’s memory…which meant I was looking at it through her eyes.
“So, who’s up next?”
Her heart was thundering as she looked down, and my blood ran cold. She was naked and covered in blood. My stomach twisted as I saw the small knives that were lodged in her thighs, stomach, and shoulder. She tugged at her wrists, which were bound, fruitlessly. She was tied up against a wall, her arms spread wide.
Blistering anger surged through me.
“Aww, look at little witchy trying to escape. Allow me…” one of the men said, standing up. He was a werewolf, I knew that much. He picked up two knives and threw one at her. She flinched as the knife hit her shoulder, right next to the other one.
I felt useless. My head was pounding with the uncontrollable rage I was feeling as I watched her suffering through her eyes.
“This is pretty fun. Let’s carve her up a little more…” another said. Two more knives. Her eyes blurred with tears, and her heart was thundering.
