– Chapter 123

Drake

“What’s going on, Bastien.” I inquire urgently, eyeing Sophie where she huddles in the shower. Lowering the phone for a moment, I lean over and press a kiss to her cheek, “We’ll finish this later.” I promise, hoping she knows I’m not cutting our conversation short because of any lingering feelings for Selene.

Sophie nods, looking far too serious and gnawing her plump lip.

“I love you.” I remind her, relaxing slightly when a wide smile stretches across her lovely countenance, “And no more playing without me.” I order huskily.

Leaving my blushing mate, I stride out into my bedroom. “Go ahead.” I say into the phone.

The other man’s low voice sounds in my ear. “I’m on my way to the Calypso territory,” he explains, “I’ve left Selene and Lila behind, but things are far from resolved in Elysium.”

“Then why are you going?” I challenge.

“I don’t have a choice.” He exhales heavily, sounding both ecstatic and overwhelmed with concern all at once. “Selene is with pup.”

Happiness for my friend washes over me, “Congratulations!” I tell him, truly meaning it.“I can’t say I’m surprised the way you two were going at it, but I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Bastien rumbles, “I don’t like leaving her at all, but especially not in this condition.”

“And especially not when you haven’t yet identified your enemies at home.” I reason aloud.

“Exactly.” He grumbles.

“What can I do to help?” I ask, amazed at how easy it can be to work together with my former adversary now that we’re both happily mated.

“I was wondering if you might be willing to visit Elysium while I’m away. Help keep an eye on things.” There’s a pregnant pause, and I can almost hear the grim gears turning in Bastien’s mind, “And if anything happens to me…”

“Is it that serious?” I press, the horrible image of Selene and Lila mourning the Alpha’s death forcing its way into my unwilling mind.

“I’m afraid it is.” Bastien admits.

“Of course I’ll visit.” I offer immediately, “And of course, I’ll take care of them if the worst happens, you needn’t even ask.”

“Thank you, Drake.” The relief in his voice is evident. “They should be okay for a couple of weeks. And don’t get me wrong, I trust my Betas’, I just can’t stand the idea of leaving them this way. Having another Alpha around who loves them will set my mind at ease.”

“I understand completely.” I confess. If I were in his shoes and Sophie was alone, pregnant and vulnerable, I’d be going out of my mind. I’m actually incredibly impressed he has the strength to take his eyes off of them at all, given all the threats they face. Only the most powerful of Alpha’s could deny their instincts this way, even if it is the best thing he can do for his family.

“And please, don’t tell Selene I’ve asked this of you.” Bastien continues, “she’s upset enough as it is.”

“You have my word.” I agree, “Sophie and I will make the trip at the end of next week. We’ll keep them safe for you.

“Thank you, my friend.” Bastien replies sincerely. “I owe you one.”

After I hang up, I turn to find Sophie approaching, her dripping body wrapped in a fluffy towel. She has a wary expression on her pretty face, and I have a bad feeling she overheard at least part of my call. “What’s going on?” She asks quietly.

“How would you like to visit Elysium in a few weeks?” I counter, not truly answering her question.

My mate stiffens, Why?

“Bastien has gone to confront Blaise Denizen, but there are still threats in the Nova pack.” I explain. Reading her persisting unease, I add. “I agreed only as a favor to him. He… well, he doesn’t want Selene to be alone if the worst happens.”

Sophie’s entire bearing changes, going from tense and suspicious to soft and supple in seconds. “Of course I’ll go.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Offering her a tender smile, I say, “You know I only have eyes for you, don’t you?”

Her lip twitches, and suddenly she’s seeming to find it very difficult to look me in the eye. “So you’ve said.”

“Oh-ho,” I grin, “Have I not proven it well enough, little lamb?”

“That isn’t what I meant.” She flushes, looking like she wants to say more.

“Yes?”I coax, closing the distance between us.

“I’m curious.” She admits, peeking up at me from beneath her lashes, “what I was doing in the shower…”

“Go on.” I encourage, pulling her towel away before she can stop me and sliding my hands over her body.

“What would have happened if you hadn’t interrupted me?” Sophie wonders, her rising heat clearly getting her more worked up with every moment that passes.

“You’ve never tried that before?” I clarify, her innocence making my wolf rise to the surface so suddenly I have to use all my strength to reign the beast in.

“You’ve never touched yourself just to feel good?”

Shyly shaking her head, Sophie confides, “I’ve never felt this way before, it’s like my entire body is on fire.”

“Poor little lamb.” I croon, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. “Let me help you with that.”

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Blaise

“You’re telling me Durand is that strong?” I snap fiercely.

The insufferable blonde she-wolf in front of me is batting her lashes like a mindless leming. She’s a pretty enough piece of ass, but I prefer my woman with more spirit. After all, what’s the fun of forcing a bitch to submit if she’s not going to fight back?

“He’s not nearly as strong as you, my lord.” Arabella fawns, “But Bastien is not to be underestimated. His cousin and I spent years trying to bring him down, and every time he found a way to thwart us.”

Annoyance thrums in my veins. The woman’s nasal voice grates at my nerves and I swear, her shameless flirtation is so over the top I’d like to throw her out like yesterday’s garbage. Still, she has useful information to offer.

I’ve been so busy with my vital quest these last few years that I’ve been too lax watching my own back. I’ve dominated the continent so long that I now fear I’ve become complacent. If there truly is another Alpha capable of challenging me for power, I cannot afford to lower my guard for one moment.

Arabella is busy arguing that Bastien Durand’s preoccupation with his personal life is creating an opening for me to expand my power. “He’s distracted, too busy chasing his pitiful little mate around the country to actually give the pack the attention it deserves.” She informs me, overflowing with smugness.

However while she seems to delight in tearing him down, trying to convince me his reputation has been wildly overblown, all I’m hearing is the opposite. If the man is powerful enough to fend off years of sabotage from Frederic and Odile Durand – two of the most cunning wolves I’ve ever encountered, as well as govern his pack from afar while members of his own elder council work to undermine him, he is an undeniable threat.

Not just anyone could do what Arabella is suggesting, and the fact that he’s now back in Elysium ruling alongside his mate bodes nothing but trouble. He’s in control and growing his family, how long will it take before he decides to grow his territory as well? What ambitious young Alpha wouldn’t seek to grow as powerful as possible?

Arabella may be too stupid to realize it, but I’m not – it’s only a matter of time before Durand sets his sights on me.

I need to start preparing, and now more than ever, I need to find Corinne’s daughter.I may be strong enough to oust someone like Durand now, but I won’t always be.The only true insurance I can obtain to stay in power forever is the blood of a Volana.

When I first learned about the magic of their lineage, I was blessed enough to have one such she-wolf living in my own pack. And when she got away, I didn’t stress overly much about finding another. I assumed there were still plenty of wolves bearing the hallowed bloodline to meet my needs.

I know better now.

I’ve been searching for almost a quarter of a century, suffering dozens of false reports and mistaken sightings, putting down countless money-hungry shifters desperate to garner the reward through deceit. My experience has convinced me that Corinne was among the last of her kind.

I gave up hope of finding Corinne herself long ago. I doubt she survived long after I killed her mate and even if she didn’t, the blood of an old, heartbroken woman is nothing compared to the lifeforce of a young she-wolf at the height of her power. I don’t want Corinne. I want the child she carried, the one her doctor assured me was a girl.

Whoever and wherever she is, she’s the last Volana on earth.

I’ll do whatever it takes to find her. I’ll drain her body of every last drop of the crimson gold running through her veins, I’ll kill Bastien Druand before he can come for my empire, and then there will be no one left to stand in my way.

I will rule this continent for the rest of time.

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