Destiny Concealed, page 26
What was the worst that could happen? What he’d done was not generally treated as a crime punishable by death. He could be forced to break the mate bond, but Saskia would be the one to suffer the most from that. Maybe Rhett was going to make him apologize to Saskia and that would be it? Could a slap on the wrist and a stern talking to really be too much to ask for?
Probably.
Ezekiel must have been deep in thought because when he looked up, Vaile was just pulling into the pack house drive. The new pack house had been built after the other had burned down the previous year. It was around the same size as the original one, just more modern inside with better security and a better equipped gym for the enforcers who lived on site to use. As soon as the car rolled to a stop, Sabel was out of the car, pulling open the passenger door. Sabel followed at Zeke’s back as he moved toward the pack house while Vaile walked ahead of him.
The house still smelled of breakfast—sausage and bacon still hinted at on the air. Zeke was led down the hall to the office. Rhett was behind his desk, his expression tight. As Zeke turned around, he saw Saskia and her brother sitting on the couch. His mate glanced at him quickly, offering him a weak smile before dropping her eyes to the tightly twisted fingers in her lap. Her unease unsettled both him and his wolf.
“Take a seat, Ezekiel,” Rhett said, leaning back further into his chair. Zeke took the only remaining spot—a dining room chair placed strategically in the center of the room—and tried to ignore the tension all around him.
Rhett cleared his throat. “I’m sure you know why you’re here,” he began, pausing for a moment. Zeke’s gaze drifted up to his alpha’s face for a moment before dropping again. “Do you deny striking your mate last night?”
“No,” he croaked. There was no point lying about it. Both Rhett and Sabel had seen the mark on Saskia’s face when they’d rescued her from his wolf. They had both been witness to the destruction he had left in his wake.
Rhett leaned forward in his chair, forcing both Vaile and Sabel to subtly shift their stance. “Striking your mate is a serious offence in this pack, an offence which deserves punishment.”
“I understand,” Zeke said, hoping to be and sound as repentant as possible.
“The extent of that punishment also relies heavily on the will of the effected party—in this case, Saskia.” Rhett tilted his head in the direction of Zeke’s mate. “I’ve thought long and hard about this, and have thought up two possible options.”
Zeke heard Saskia shifting uneasily behind him. His shoulders tightened instinctively, his mind reeling. Would he be whipped? Forced to break the mate bond? Killed?
“I cannot break the blooded mate bond between you two. However, I can make your mating null and void if that is what Saskia wants.”
Silence filled the room before Saskia asked, “But we’ll still sense one another, right? We’ll still share some sensations?”
Rhett nodded. “That’s right. I cannot reverse the magic that binds you together, but in the eyes of pack law, I can make it so you are no longer connected.”
“What’s the alternative?” Saskia asked quietly.
“Expulsion from the pack,” Rhett replied steadily, his eyes on her face.
Both options were just as bad as each other. Breaking the mating would ruin them both. Expulsion from the pack would mean he would have to start all over again. He’d already left his old pack behind, but maybe he could return there.
“Like I said before, the decision, ultimately, comes down to Saskia. She can choose to sever your connection, or she could choose to send you away. In either case, you will no longer be mated, but whether you remain as a Helheim wolf is a different story.”
Saskia cleared her throat delicately. “Can I have a moment to think about this?” she asked. Zeke took a deep breath in, already knowing what her choice would be. She never wanted to be mated to him, and when she eventually mated with that other male, she wouldn’t want Ezekiel hanging around.
“Of course,” Rhett replied. Zeke stood up and followed Rhett, Vaile and Sabel out the door. When Zeke glanced over his shoulder at Saskia, she was gripping her brother’s hand, silently begging him to stay.
Ezekiel sat in the living room in a daze as Rhett, Vaile and Sabel milled between their mates and children. Larissa came down from the second floor with a little girl in each arm. Vaile glanced up when he heard her, rushing to take one of the kids from her.
He kissed her gently on the cheek, before kissing each one of his daughters. “You should have called me,” he murmured.
“I can handle them both,” Larissa replied.
Vaile grunted. “For now.”
Ezekiel tuned out at that point. He didn’t need to see the happy family scene. He would never have that with Saskia. Ever.
Just then the office door opened. Everyone’s gaze swung around to find Saxon standing in the doorway.
“She’s ready,” he said. Vaile gave his squirming daughter back to Larissa and followed them back into the study.
Saskia was pacing in front of the couch as they filed in, her eyes focused on the ground.
“Have you reached your decision,” Rhett asked, taking a seat behind the desk.
Saskia stopped and faced her alpha. “I have.”
“And what have you decided to do?”
She took in a shallow breath and raised her eyes. “Expulsion,” she replied in a small voice. “Expulsion.”
Rhett nodded. “If that’s your decision.” Clearing his throat, he said, “As Alpha of the Helheim pack, I hereby break your mating. You are to split your estate equally—”
“She can have it all,” Ezekiel interrupted.
“What?”
“Saskia can have it all—the house, the car, everything.”
“Zeke—” Saskia said, finally looking at him.
“I’ll pack my bags as soon as we’re done here and leave.”
“But where will you go?” she asked. “What will you do?”
“Does it matter? This is what you wanted. Our association is over, and I’ll be gone from your life.”
He wanted her to tell him no. He wanted her to beg him to stay. But she didn’t. She just fell onto the couch beside her brother, her eyes lowered.
THIRTY-SIX
Saskia kept her eyes down as Ezekiel said his goodbyes to Rhett and the others, leaving the room and her life. Her fingers, wrapped tightly around Saxon’s, were squeezed gently, lending her the support she needed. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or sad or guilty or any other feeling about what had just happened. She’d got what she wanted—to not be mated to Zeke anymore. But at what cost?
Ezekiel was tainted by her, and Saskia’s reputation was ruined. Resigned to her fate, she sighed and finally lifted her eyes to find Rhett watching her carefully.
“You did the right thing,” he said softly. Saskia dropped her gaze to his chin and she nodded.
“I just feel…” She struggled for the words. She didn’t know how she felt, and trying to justify her reasons for not wanting to be mated to Zeke anymore just made her sound like a petulant little girl.
“Don’t feel as if you owe him anything,” Rhett replied. “He hit you. I won’t stand for that in our pack. Females are too precious to be treated that way.”
Saskia nodded, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. She wasn’t defending Zeke and what he did, but she did feel as if she was partly responsible for how he’d reacted. She’d cheated on her mate and, granted she’d never expected Ezekiel to find out, she couldn’t help but feel like his punishment should also be hers somehow.
“Saxon, how about you take her home and let her get some rest?”
Saxon squeezed Saskia’s hand gently and motioned for them to stand up. After thanking Rhett, she followed her brother out to the car. The ride home was a blur. All Saskia could think about was how easily Ezekiel had given up. He’d said she could have everything—that he would be leaving straight away. Those feelings of confusion bombarded her once more. She was glad their mating was effectively broken, but she couldn’t help but feel guilty for being happy. She’d ruined his life. She’d selfishly wanted to have one solid memory with Alex before he disappeared again, but she’d never considered the cost.
“Hey, are you all right?” Saxon asked, breaking through her thoughts. Looking around, she saw they were already at the apartment. Squeezing the bridge of her nose, she tried to clear her head. She had to stop thinking about it. It was done. Zeke was moving on and so would she.
“Yeah. I’m good.” She followed Saxon up the stairs. Once they were inside the apartment, Saskia shut the door and leaned back against it.
This was real.
This was all real.
“Are you hungry?”
Saskia focused on Saxon, focused on the faint lines on his face as he stared at her with concern. She smiled. “I’m fine. I just have to get used to the idea that I’m no longer mated.”
He nodded. “Do you want something to eat?” he asked gently.
“No, I think I’m just going to go have a long hot soak in the tub.”
Saxon started rummaging through the fridge. “Damn it,” he muttered.
“What?” she asked, turning back.
“I need to go to the store to get some supplies. Will you be all right on you own?”
The look of pity and concern on his face didn’t sit well with her. She didn’t need to be wrapped up in cotton wool just because she’d sent her mate away and willingly ruined her standing.
“Saskia?” Saxon asked, taking a step toward her.
A bubble of hysterical laughter suddenly burst out of her mouth, startling them both.
He frowned. “What’s so funny?”
The laughter died on her lips. “All this time, you’ve been trying to protect me from getting a bad reputation, but I’ve managed to get one all on my own.” She looked down at her feet. God, what a sobering thought. She’d ruined her life, and Ezekiel’s. She jerked when Saxon’s arms wound around her, holding her shaking body to his chest.
With his lips to her ear, he murmured, “You did the right thing. I shouldn’t have pushed you the way I did. Zeke struck you, though, and that is unforgiveable.”
Tears stung her eyes, burning the back of her throat. “I cheated on him.”
“That’s doesn’t mean what he did was right. He struck his mate.”
“And I cheated on him,” she repeated. “I chose to do that. He didn’t choose to strike me. He was under the influence of his wolf.”
Saxon pulled back, his eyes hard. “That doesn’t make it right.”
No matter how many times she heard it, she couldn’t help but feel guilty. Ruining her life was one thing, but to ruin someone else’s, too?
Stepping from her brother’s embrace, she kept her eyes on her feet and said, “I’m going to take that bath.”
Saxon tilted her head up and studied her in silence for a moment. “I won’t be long at the store.”
“Don’t rush,” she replied, trying on a smile, but finding it didn’t quite fit yet. “I’ll probably still be in the tub when you get back.”
Saxon continued to study her, trying to figure out whether she was telling him how she really felt or what she thought he needed to hear. Before he could ask, she turned toward the bathroom. Pressing the plug into the hole, she started to run the hot water, barely hearing the jangle of keys being picked up and pocketed before the front door closed quietly after Saxon.
She sighed, undressing slowly. What would she do now? Would she live in her and Zeke’s house, or would she sell it and move back in with Saxon? She didn’t like the idea of living alone. She’d become too accustomed to having someone else around. Maybe she could get a roommate? Maybe even a human? She also supposed she could start dating humans since she would never get an offer to mate again.
But that’s not true. Alex said he’d have you, a little voice whispered.
She shook her head. Saskia couldn’t think that way. Alex didn’t know what he was asking for.
The bath was almost ready, the level having crept up to near the lip while she’d been daydreaming about a future that couldn’t possibly be. Shutting off the water, she lowered herself into the bath and let the hot water cocoon her body. With a bath pillow propped up behind her head, Saskia let her mind go slack. The quiet didn’t last too long, though. There was a sudden insistent knocking on the front door of the apartment. Saxon must have forgotten to pick up his apartment keys when he picked up his car keys.
Hauling herself from the bath, she wrapped a towel around herself and headed toward the door.
“I’m coming,” she groused when the knocking became more frantic. “Geez, Saxon,” she said, flipping the lock and pulling open the door. “Didn’t you… Alex?”
She wasn’t prepared to see him again. Mentally and emotionally, she’d said her goodbyes. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d already left.”
“Is it true?” he fired back in response. Saskia stepped back from the door and let him in. The neighbors didn’t need to hear all the details.
“Alex,” she began, shutting the door. She didn’t want him to torture himself like this. She turned to face him.
His warm palm slid against her cheek. “Tell me. Is it true? Did Rhett break the mate bond? Are you free of him?”
“Yes,” she whispered, watching all the light come back into Alex’s eyes.
Pressing his forehead against hers, he whispered, “Thank god. Thank god you’re free of him.”
She wrapped her fingers around his. “I’m free of him,” she repeated, “but at what cost?”
He pulled away, his brows drawn down. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m ruined, Alex.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true,” she replied, hugging the towel to her chest. His eyes slid down, his eyelids lowering as he realized she was naked under all the terry cloth. A blush crept up her cheeks when she smelled his arousal.
She had to put some distance between them before they both did something stupid. Saskia backed away from him, but Alex followed, stalking her.
“I’d mate with you, Saskia. You know this. I’ve told you this already.”
“I know, but I can’t let you do that.”
“Why?” he spat back. “Because you’re tainted?”
She didn’t like the way he’d said that—like she was dirty and spoiled. Lifting her chin, she defiantly stared at the wolf she loved.
“You love me,” he stated.
“It doesn’t change anything.”
“Of course it does. I love you. We belong together. Wait, let me finish,” he said when she opened her mouth to argue. “My wolf has not shut up since we found out about Rhett’s decision. I want you. I don’t care what people think. I never have.” He approached her in two long strides. “I. Want. You. I don’t know how many more times or ways you want me to say it, but they’ll always be true. I want you.”
Tears scalded her eyes, but she couldn’t bring herself to turn him away. This was her chance at happiness. Alex was staring at her intently, his wolf pushing forward. What could she say to him? How could she apologize for acting the way she had?
There was only one thing to say.
Loosening the towel from around her body, she let the fabric fall to the floor between them. “Mark me as yours then, Alex. Claim me as your mate, and I’ll go wherever you want me to go. As long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.”
Desire.
Need.
Lust.
All these things coursed through Alex as he watched the towel drop from Saskia’s body. She was accepting him. She wanted him, and damn it he would follow through on his promises. He would protect her with his life.
He had no idea what he had to do now, but remembering Vaile’s words to listen to his wolf’s instincts, he loosened his grip on the animal inside his body and let the bastard come to the forefront of his mind.
Bite, his wolf urged. He took a step toward Saskia. Her eyes were fixed on his face as he moved, watching him. Without having to ask, Saskia tilted her head back, exposing her throat to him. Alex’s mouth opened over her carotid, his tongue darting out to taste her skin. She moaned, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin.
Bite.
Alex could feel his teeth getting longer, starting to become his wolf’s. He grazed them along the delicate, paper-thin skin on Saskia’s neck, feeling her shudder but not pull away. The scent of her filled his nostrils, imprinting on his brain.
One of Saskia’s hands on the back of his head drew him in closer, urging him to do what his wolf was already demanding. His jaws opened on her throat, his teeth pressing into her skin, breaking it open. Warm, sweet blood flooded his mouth, his lips sealing over her neck, his throat working down one solid mouthful of her blood.
Saskia pushed him off her gently. Alex licked his lips, rolling her flavor around on the back of his tongue. Blood ran slowly from the shallow bite, pooling in the depression of her collarbones. He leaned forward to lap it up when she stopped him with a hand on his chest.
Her eyes flashed aqua. “My turn,” she whispered, her voice a few octaves lower than normal. Tipping his head back, Saskia brought her mouth to his throat.
A sharp sting.
A groan of pleasure.
Alex drew her closer, letting her take all she wanted from him. When she pulled away, a trickle of blood hung delicately from the side of her mouth.
“To seal this, repeat these words after me, okay?” she whispered, her eyes still bright blue. He nodded.
“I take this wolf to be my mate,” Saskia said. “No other shall come between us.” She leaned toward his still weeping throat. “With blood we bind ourselves,” she added, placing her lips to him and taking him into her body. Alex’s head was swimming with sensation. His whole body felt like it was wound far too tightly. Still, he repeated back to Saskia the words she had said.
