Page 17 of Wrong Mate

“I’mplanning to sever our mating bond,” Killian said. “That is not a great sacrifice.”

Each vampire winced and hissed in turn. He clearly had pissed them off. They turned to one another, and then glared at him.

Something shot through his medallion, blasting his mind, and he didn’t get chance to fight it off. It wasn’t scary or dangerous. Instead, it was a vision, of a future—his and Leah’s future.

“Many creatures go through this world, lost and alone, never finding their partner, their life, their reason for breathing. To be granted such a person is a true gift and a blessing. Many would sacrifice everything to find the one that would bring them peace, love, a life worth living. By severing the bond that was given to you, by fate itself, is a great sacrifice. You must feel the true pain of what you’re doing.”

The vision evaporated, but Killian had seen it. He and Leah, living together, making love, fucking, having children. Him running in the forest while Leah waited for him, using her magic to track him, knowing when he was going to strike. She loved to be chased, and he loved to run after her.

“Is this … is this a future?” Killian asked. “Because this is cruelty. I have read the prophecy that will be my undoing and my pack’s. It is a witch.”

The vampires tut.

“We show you what might come to pass. Nothing is ever foretold. There is always a chance of change. You areso determined to remove your bond, but the future is always changing. As for prophecy, they are never certain.” The vampires hissed as they spoke together. “Our part here is done. The rest is up to you. Keep going until you see the silver star.”

Just likethat, they vanished.

What the fuck? The sky was filled with silver stars. How was he going to figure that one?

“Killian?”

He looked up to see Leah wandering around the forest. She held a giant light within her palm. The moment she saw him, she extinguished it.

“I was starting to worry.”

“Why? I was coming back to you. I told you that,” he said, more annoyed with being distracted by the vampires.

He didn’t like the cost they were forcing upon him.

You’re forcing it upon yourself. No one else is asking you to do this.

He couldn’t get that vision out of his head. How could that be possible if Leah was going to be his undoing? They had a family in the vision. Children. He always wanted a family.

No, even the vampires had said nothing was certain. He and Leah were not going to remain as mates.They were going to end. He had to do this for the sake of the pack.

“You were gone for nearly an hour,” Leah said. “I’m sorry. I was worried.”

“What? How long?”

“An hour.” She held her wrist up, showing him the time. “Forgive me for worrying. I didn’t know if something had happened. Did it?”

“No,” he said.

“So, the vampires were not following us?”

“No, we were following them.” He walked toward her, cupped her face and tilted her head back to stare into her eyes.

“That makes no sense.”

“I know.” He pressed his lips to hers. “Come on, we’ve got to keep moving.”

Chapter Five

Okay.

Okay. Okay.

Okay.

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