Chapter 123

I stood there, blinking as Drusilla happily collected all her stuff lying around, the candles, herbs, and

such.

She had been too nervous earlier, but now there was a certain confidence in her body posture and she

was humming to herself as Callahan observed his hand. The small incision I had made with the knife

disappeared and there was no sign of the wisp either.

Even I checked my hand, but there was no visible mark of the anchor bond taking effect.

“Are you sure it worked?” Callahan asked while rolling down his sleeves.

She nodded her head, “Well, the wisp did show up, and I chanted all the spells to the best of my ability.

I think it should have worked.”

Her gaze switched to me. “Do you feel anything yet?”

I tried to sense if there were any internal changes in my body or mind, but it came back as nothing.

I shook my head, but she came towards me and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t worry. You should notice the changes in some time. Maybe a few hours.”

Callahan decided to jump into the conversation. “What type of changes?”

Drusilla turned to look at him. “Can’t say for sure. But the wrist nerve, the one you cut, connects to the

heart. Since she is not your mate, she cannot feel your emotions through the mate bond. This is the

closest substitute I could find.”

“So?” He asked blankly, and I tried not to show my disappointment at the fact that I was not his mate.

Why did I even think I would be? Or that he would want me as his mate?

“So, the next time you throw a fit and rage tries to take hold of you, she should be the first to sense it.

And through the bond, she can also channel her own calmness into you. That should help you keep

your uncontrolled transition at bay.”

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“And if it doesn’t?” He asked, his eyes narrowing on his best friend.

“You don’t have to be so pessimistic all the time, Cal. It is like you just want to die and I am trying hard

not to let you take the jump.” She grew irritated all over again.

Callahan only shrugged, “You mean I am being rational, not pessimistic.”

Drusilla shook her head and threw her hands up in the air. “Look, I am tired. The spell was hard to

perform, and I did not pass out in fear that I might do something wrong, but now I need to get some

rest.

“”

Callahan pushed his hands in his pockets to retrieve his keys. “Let me drop you home.”

But she shook her head. “I can’t deal with you right now.” She flicked her gaze at me. “He is all yours

now.”

Saying so, she turned away and went towards her car, stomping her foot as loudly as she could on the

stones amid the muddy path.

“She was just trying to help you. Do you always have to drive those who care about you away?” I

asked, but he only gave me a pointed look before marching towards his car.

Both went their separate directions, and I stood in front of the statue and the waterfall, shaking my

head.

“Goddess, have mercy on me,” I said and went towards Callahan’s car. The sooner I tested out if the

bond was working, the better.

And it did not take a lot to anger him.

Letting out a breath, I opened the car door and sat beside him as he turned the ignition on. As usual,

he drove the car silently.

Having nothing to do, I stared at my wrist, caressing the spot where he had nicked me. The wound had

healed and there was a faint white scar in its place.

My index finger kept brushing on it as Callahan drove the car through the forest before we hit the

tarmac.

I thought Drusilla was coming with us, but true to her word, she left for home. It must have been really

taxing on her, months and months of trying to convince Callahan and then performing the ritual despite

not being a witch.

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I figured she needed some rest. The moonlight fell onto the trees lining the road and followed us all the

way home.

Callahan parked the car in the garage wordlessly and we both got out.

Not knowing what to say to him, I too began walking in the direction of

my room.

But then a voice called out to Callahan.

“King Callahan, are you alright?” Elijah’s voice broke the silence.

Callahan turned to look at him and gave him a small smile. He did not answer him but simply walked

towards him and hugged him.

Even Elijah was surprised by the act. Callahan seldom displayed affection openly.

Callahan embraced his gamma, who hugged him back.

I only watched with a smile as Callahan pulled away.

“Thank you”

It made Elijah’s brows furrow. “For what, King?”

Callahan shook his head, “You are like my brother and a friend I don’t deserve. I am sorry for

yesterday.”

But Elijah added, “No King. I am the one who should be sorry.”

“For saving me?” Callahan chuckled.

“No King. I was supposed to keep you away from harm. But I had to go and get Drusilla while Zee

handled it all alone.”

Callahan gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You mean she handled me in my berserk state?”

Elijah pressed his lips into a thin line. “I should have arrived sooner. Plus, in the fight….I…I think I hit

you.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Callahan asked him in a shocked voice.

“As your gamma, I am only supposed to hurt your enemies, not you. I failed in my duties yesterday and

also jeopardized Zenovia’s safety. I…I wanted to ask for forgiveness from both of you, but I could not

muster the courage to meet you.”

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He said, lowering his gaze.

Callahan scoffed, “Are you hearing yourself?”

He then turned to look at me. “Please tell him he has lost his mind.”

I only folded my hands on my chest. “He loves you.”

Callahan shook his head and pulled Elijah into a hug again. “Don’t you dare come to me again with

your speech on duty and honor! If I ever go berserk again and lose control and if you are the one

standing between innocent people and me, you HAVE to stop me.”

Elijah hesitated. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Callahan grabbed his face and added fiercely, “Look at me, El. Look into my eyes.

Elijah did as Callahan continued, “When I turn into a beast, you do everything you can to stop me from

hurting others. Even if it means you have to hurt me or kill me. Do you understand?”

Elijah shook his head. “The…the ritual…was it successful?”

Callahan’s smile disappeared. “Don’t try to wriggle out of this, El. I demand an answer.”

Elijah looked at me like a kicked puppy and I went near both of them. “Stop being so harsh on him.

Can’t you see he got injured, too?”

Callahan pulled his hands away from Elijah and smoothed down his shirt, after which he placed a hand

on his shoulders.

“Fine, you want to do this the hard way? I have no issues. If I hurt the innocent, you hurt me or kill me,

if things start to go out of control. It is an order from your King. Do you understand?”

Elijah fell silent and studied the floor.

“Do you understand?” Callahan repeated, his temper rising.

“Y-yes King.”

Callahan let out a breath. “Good, now go and take a rest. And get yourself checked for injuries or

infections.”

Elijah knew the more he stayed around, the more displeasing orders he would have to obey, so with a

quick nod to both Callahan and me, he

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disappeared.

“What are you waiting for? Go to your room and sleep.” Callahan looked at me and the smile that had

appeared on my face to see him embrace Elijah got wiped away.

Rolling my eyes at him, I went to my room and plotted ways to figure out more about the anchor bond.

B

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ping194 121

enoviavia

CIChapt

The next day alabinkock on the door woke me up.

Are you up yet, elenlerle sweet voice of Maria reached my ears.

leah. i answered half-aslop, tangled in sheets. I was rolling on the bed, illows tacked at derlernty belly

and one under my head while I had uried myself in the shobiects.

laria slowly entered anandoboked at me. “Oh, I see you haven’t yet. But I as asked to check with

toyotybyou are hungry yet.”

Hungry at 5?” I asked, notounding the drool on my face. A stray lock of air tickled my check so

opushetedit back and pulled the sheets further pmy head.

laria chuckled. Hungry at 5pinvestes

No. I want to sleep. I groaned odiditeted my head to the other side as e light flowing in through the

windodowawas doo bright for me.

Ok dear, perhaps you will be up by dinienettaMave a good rest.

e said and began closing the door butehenlifthiteme. She had said ‘pm’

dinner.

forced my eyes open and iny gaze traveled to thehawall clock. It really

asp

lad simpt the entire day since I fell into the bed gestesterday.

lot at i minded it this time. I was still feeling weak ab and a little under weather. Probably after last night.

be anemories of last night came flooding to me. The ritual, the way kahaan held my hand, the golden

crimson wisps, andntichehale drive arkoitune

at 11, my mind began playing the memory of the way aydingngers felt i mined dahe way he caressed

my skin on a loop, countidotalithe Meinold dat me with exceptional defail.

sosini in mot getting any more sleep I mumbled to myselfeinand

aciest a oranid the batiroom