Ahead of Schedule

LAKE

“Love, come to bed.” Lucas smiles gently and pats the bed beside him. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts.

Once upon a time, I would’ve jumped at the opportunity to just share this bed with him.

The blue knit blanket and silk sheets look very comfortable, but I refuse to share a bed with any other male than Derrick.

Instead, I ignore the spoiled alpha and focus on my crystal. It’s been getting lighter every passing hour since dinner ended.

My heart still aches at my mate’s absence. I can’t help but feel agony at the thought of not ever seeing him again.

“Lake.” Snapped from my thoughts, I look up to see Lucas looming over me. His demeanor is that of anger.

“Come. To. Bed,” Lucas growls.

“Listen here, Alpha,” I scoff. “There’s nothing you can say or do to make me want to be your mate rather than Derrick’s. Therefore, no. I’m good here in my little corner.”

Lucas laughs, then pulls me up to stand by gripping my scalp. I growl and try to pry his hands away from my head.

“You are to do what I say when I say it,” Lucas whispers in my ear. “You’re mine, love. You always have been.”

Lynne gives me enough strength in order to fend off the mutt. I can feel her presence coming back in waves.

Lucas stumbles back and looks at me bewildered. His hands turn to fists as he strikes my cheek and causes me to fall to my bottom on the floor.

The pulsing of my bone lets me know Lucas broke it. Lynne is quick to send her healing to the site. It won’t be enough to keep a bruise from forming, though.

“Bed. Now,” Lucas growls and grabs my forearm. I hiss in pain as he basically drags me across the room and throws me on the bed.

I bounce on the soft mattress before Lucas pins me to it. His large form weighs down on my waist and arms. I can feel a bulge forming against my thigh. I almost gag.

“I was going to wait for the Prophecy to form our bond, but I’m sure that witch wouldn’t mind performing the ritual ahead of schedule,” Lucas says into my neck. “Yes, I think tomorrow will finally be the day of our mating.”

DERRICK

“Halt!” a guard from the front gate exclaims. “Who are you?”

Drax lets out a small growl at the disrespect. He doesn’t take kindly to this mutt.

~I’ve finally made it back to the group Lucy and I made so strong, yet I’m treated like this?~

~

“The name is Derrick Harte, pup,” I growl. “Let me through.”

He and the other guard refuse to budge as I try to move past them. My frustration is growing to the size of a watermelon as of now.

“It’s okay, boys,” Lucy orders. “He’s allowed to pass.”

My sister smiles up at me and brings me into a hug. Her hair is in its usual sleek ponytail, and she’s wearing a tank top with army shorts.

“Why are you here?” Lucy asks. “Where’s Lake?”

“Actually, that’s why I’m here.” I rub my face and fold my arms together.

We stand in the middle of camp. Everyone has turned in for the night. Torches at the sides of each path are our only source of light.

“Dark Shadow took her,” I admit, obviously disappointed in myself. “Their alpha wants her.”

“Dark Shadow is one of the strongest packs on this continent,” Lucy groans. “What happened?”

“They offered a bounty for Lake’s return,” I reply. “We were jumped at a diner south of Oliver’s realm. They outnumbered me and separated us.”

Lucy blinks a few times when I mention Oliver. She and the Celestials don’t have the best of relationships, as my sister’s mate is a Fate. She pinches her nose.

“Derrick, this is bad,” Lucy says. “I don’t have enough men to help you attack and save her from the territory.”

“I know.” I nod. “I just came to see you and Henry before I do this. I might not make it out.”

Lucy seems to freeze when I mention Henry. Her eyes grow wide, and her whole body becomes tense.

“Lucy, Henry is here, right?”

“Morana took him when you left…,” Lucy mutters. “She was angry that you chose another female and basically bolted out of here the day after you were gone.”

Drax growls in anger. ~How dare that woman take my son out of the safety of this group? Does she not know what the consequences of being rogue are?~

~

“That bitch,” I curse under my breath. I know Morana, and she wouldn’t leave without protection.

“What?” Lucy asks as I turn. Her face is plastered with worry.

“I think I know where to find her and Henry.”