Page 65 of Hunted By Her Demon Wolves

Refusing to delay another second, Eilea smoothed her hands down her pajama pants. Pajama pants. She was still wearing pajama pants in hell. She didn’t allow herself to think on it too long. Her sons needed her. She strode for the door. “We leave now,” she called over her shoulder, not bothering to see if they followed.

* * *

“WE DID IT. IT’S TIMEto get my sons,” Eilea whispered as she leaned against Tan’yi’nug’s snout, rubbing his leathery hide while he purred like a giant kitten. She stiffened when she felt Horatiu approach. She knew it was him, for she recognized his scent, a unique blend of sulfur and wild sage, and the sound of his heavy footsteps. She suspected Hecate had sent him alone, no doubt to make peace when she couldn’t.

When Tan’yi’nug lifted his snout, snarling at Horatiu, she patted his scales. “It’s okay,” she reassured him, kissing the side of his face. He purred again, this time loud enough to vibrate her bones.

Horatiu cleared his throat, and she could practically taste the unease that radiated off him. “I understand the pain and anger, Aunt, of having your family betray you.”

Bitter laughter erupted from her throat as she turned on him with a snarl. “What could you possibly understand?”

“Have you forgotten I was once an Amaroki gamma?” His shoulders fell, pain flashing in his features, and for a moment, she saw the timid wolf, Beniamin Albescu, beaten down by his cruel brothers.

But that was another life. He was a powerful alpha now, just as he was so many years ago when he chose to lock her away in a curse chamber. Working hard to unclench her jaw, she pushed out the words. “No, I haven’t forgotten.”

“I’m not trying to make excuses for my mother.” His voice faltered before he looked directly into her eyes with laser-sharp focus. “But you should know, she’d been cursed by the Vindictus before we locked you up.”

Tan’yi’nug blew steam at her back.Told you.

Ignoring her dragon, she crossed her arms, glaring at her nephew. “How?”

“It was the emerald crown the gargoyles gave her,” he said. “It was cursed with a paranoia spell.”

“I told her not to trust them.” She recalled the day the gargoyles had given them those crowns. It had all seemed so suspicious, and Eilea had been right. She gave her nephew an accusatory look. “That still doesn’t explain why you followed her orders to lock me away.”

He scratched the back of his head, his silver cheeks flushing. “We suspected she was cursed. Our mother had become so paranoid that we locked you away for your own safety. Our plan was to get the crown off our mother and convince her to see reason.”

“How can I believe you?” She stared into his eyes, looking for any sign of deceit.

“Look into my heart, Aunt.” He splayed a clawed hand across his chest. “Remember the love our family shared when you reigned beside your sister.”

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes as she looked away. “I remember.” They had all been so close, the cousins, the sisters, the sister mates. Eilea had been so happy then to rule at her sister’s side while having the love and adoration of her sons and her people.

“That’s why we’re here now.” He visibly swallowed. “We’ll do anything to restore our family, even risk our eternal souls.”

“You’re not coming with me,” she snapped, the words coming out punctured with fear. As if she’d risk trapping her nephews in the same hostile dimension as her sons.

“Lucian and I are.” He thumbed toward his beta brother, Lucian, who’d silently crept up behind him with the dexterity of a black panther creeping through the night. “Lucian for his tracking ability and wind power, and me for my strength and healing magic.”

“I don’t know what will happen down there.” Tension coiled around her spine as she balled her trembling hands into fists by her sides. “I don’t want my sister’s sons suffering the same fate as my sons.”

Horatiu’s other brothers and mate, along with Tor, Jezebeth, and Hecate emerged from the alcove’s shadow.

Hecate nodded toward Jezebeth with a grimace. “You two can’t go alone.”

Tor puffed up his chest. “You forget, I’m going, too.”

“Tor, no offense”—Horatiu patted Tor’s back, his movements stiff—“but the Amaroki aren’t trained in fighting demons and mages like we are. Lucian and I are better equipped to fight them.”

He did have a point. Horatiu with his healing and ground-shaking abilities, and Lucian who could summon a gale from his fingertips, would prove useful in fighting demons. What she needed were allies like her nephews who had experience fighting demons and mages.

Daeva cleared her throat while linking arms with Horatiu and Lucian. “I can go, too.”

“No, Daeva.” Hecate reached her in a few long strides, her gaze fixed on Daeva’s stomach. “You must stay.”

Eilea’s nostrils flared as she inhaled the sweet, pure smell of new life. It was stronger out here than in the spell chamber.

“I have to go.” Daeva’s lip hung down in a pout, her eyes misting over. “Phoenix is my sister.” She swiped at her wet eyes. “She probably hates me already for not helping her enough.”

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