Page 93 of The Dark War

“Baby, it’s over. The war is over.” Suddenly my body felt tired, my arms going slack. Kane’s hungry eyes turned to concern, pulling me closer. “What’s wrong?” he mumbled. “We need to get back.”

“I think my adrenaline is wearing off. You’re here. That’s all that matters. You didn’t leave me. I saw the Grims. They were going to take you.”

“But you saved me, baby. You did.” He brushed my dirty, matted hair away from my face. “You saved me. I am forever in your debt. I can be your sex slave if you wish.” I chuckled softly, my eyes shutting slowly.

“Sleep, love. I’m taking care of you now.” His arms engulfed me, and the warmth he radiated had my eyes shut until I finally received the most perfect sleep in ages.

Chapter Fifty

Kane

Igroaned,feelingtheradiating heat from my chest. My skin cracked, breaking away the dirt and grime that tried to engulf my body. Clara lay on top of me, her lengthy hair spread over my bare chest. Her legs wrapped around my torso, and her slow breathing was steady.

Osirus’s cloak had covered Clara’s bare body that was attached to mine. “Holy shit!” Wesley, Charlotte, and Osirus came over, kneeling at each of my sides. Their soiled hands tried to lift Clara away from me. I growled. “Mine!” I pushed them away, sitting up straight and holding my mate to my chest.

“Oh, he’s fine then.” Osirus smirked, standing from his kneeling position. His eyes softened, and he put his hands on his hips. “You both gave us a scare. Clara stopped breathing. I was afraid she took her power too far to save you.” I frowned, knowing Clara had done something so foolish to save my life, but I couldn’t help but feel proud that she did.

To be in the afterlife—without my mate for at least eighteen years—would have been terrible. The separation of souls, even if the living mate was alive to take care of a child, would be brutal. Clara was mine, and I was hers. There was no way she would let me go. I would crawl through the bowels of the Underworld to hunt for her soul, to take her back from the grasps of the Reapers.

“You all right, man?” Wesley was still kneeling, daring not to touch me. My fangs had lengthened, my body shaking as I held my limp mate in my arms.

“Fine,” I snapped, coming to a standing position. Nodding to Osirus for covering my mate, I wrapped her tightly into a cocoon and rested her head on my chest. “She will be weak,” I muttered. Charlotte approached, her hand grazing my mate’s cheek with the back of her knuckles.

Charlotte had been a good friend to Clara. She reminded me a lot of my mate. Both were wolfless before this all started, and now they both better understood saving those lesser than themselves. Charlotte gave a small smile, her hand dropping as Wesley pulled her away.

Wesley and I discussed making him King of the Shifters in the Earth realm, but his modesty was well too attuned for that. He said he didn’t need a title. He and his family would serve the crown that ultimately ruled them all. There would be no ‘King of Earth’, just the ultimate loyalty of his family in the Black Claws pack and making sure the rules of Bergarian were upheld.

‘Earth’s Head of Security,’ Wesley called it. He would continue to form alliances with all the packs and ensure there would be an eye and ear around each pack to abide by the rules. An enormous task he and Charlotte were ready to take on along with the technology craving she had.

“Your scars haven’t healed well,” Charlotte pointed out. Clara’s head rested right above where I was stabbed in the chest. It was once a large gaping hole, now healed with raised scar tissue that would ultimately be covered by some tattoo. I didn’t mind the new skin. It was easy to cover with ink.

“Where is the The Reckoning?” I grunted. They all looked around where my body lay, but no sword could be seen.

“Clara was talking into the nothing before she ultimately healed you. I feel the gods played a role in disposing of those weapons,” Osirus muttered. “It’s for the best. Having god-like weapons in this realm isn’t safe.” Shuffling Clara in my arms, I began to walk away to head down the mountain. I was through talking, ready to get my mate to a medical tent, when Osirus cleared his throat.

“Um, Alpha Kane?” He snickered. Turning, he looked down at my dick, and I scowled. “When did you do that?” Now Wesley was staring and had his large hand covering Charlotte’s eyes.

“It’s a piercing.” I smirked at him. His eyes grew wide at my show of fangs. “For her pleasure. Only a real man can take that kinda hit.” Turning my back to him, I shifted into my half-beast form, scaling down the mountain faster before anyone could make a comment.

The large canyon that once sprouted out the fires of the Underworld had mostly closed. Only three meters of the soil remained apart, and new bridges would have to be constructed for carriages. It would be a constant reminder of the war that took place here.

The world was brighter than it once was. The light sources that curved to the west were bringing nightfall. Shifters were finishing off their killings of the leftover rogues. The black magic ruined them because their heightened smell, fast speed, and quick healing had now faded. I smiled, watching Marcus ripping one bastard to pieces. His eyes concentrated on the warlock who begged for his life.

His own wolf was rabid with determination, but something was missing. The war has done something to him, something I’m not sure he would ever speak of. Marcus had his secrets and his way of dealing with loneliness, similar to what I did for a few years. He just continued, trying to fill the void inside him.

Osirus’s medical tents were closer. I wanted my mate to be resting before I had to attend to our kingdom’s mess. Opening the flap to the royal tent, I saw Melina sitting in bed, unable to move her legs. “When will I be able to use them again?” she countered the physician. The fae doctor shook his head, running his hand over a vile of medicine.

“I’m not sure. We’ve never countered black magic like this, Your Majesty. It could be days, weeks, months, or—” Osirus stepped into the tent, his wings flapping uncontrollably.

“She will walk again,” he said sternly. “You will, Melina. It will take time.” His voice softened, and he cupped her cheek. “What is the update on her health?”

Osirus’s voice faded as I led my mate to the back of the tent, away from prying eyes. Dr. Talbert from our pack had already stepped in, seeing me carrying my mate.

“She used her power?” he questioned, pulling out instruments. I would have thought by now he would have realized he wasn’t allowed to touch her. “Yes.” I growled. “Where is my sister?”

“She’s on her way. I know you won’t let me touch my luna—”

“Queen,” I interrupted. Dr. Talbert’s eyes widened, looking down at my mate. “Yes, we were both crowned and kept it a secret until it was absolutely necessary. You will address her as a queen now.” Dr. Talbert got on his knees, bowing his head.

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