Pursued: Silver Falls University 4, page 3
In some ways, out of everything she said, that motivated me the most. It shouldn’t have because there was clearly a larger problem at hand, but I wanted my mates safe, and I didn’t want anyone being able to break us apart.
Mona’s gaze turned soft as she leaned forward, looking at me. “I understand I have no right to ask any of this, and I want nothing more than to explain everything about what happened and how you ended up here, how we lost you…but even at this moment, it’s not safe enough for that.”
“And where is it safe enough to tell me?” I asked.
“In the divine realm—back home,” she whispered.
Back home? I didn’t think the divine realm was my home… No, my home was with my mates.
Biting down on my lip, I exhaled shakily. “Let’s say I wanted to open the gate—how would I do that?”
“You would need to awaken your magic—your divine magic, your true magic, and the elements associated with it. Only then can you open the gate from the outside.”
“And how does she awaken it?” Julian’s voice was rough, and when I looked at him, I found that Coffin had completely taken over. Mona noticed as well, staring at him in confusion before letting out an amused laugh.
“You are not supposed to be here, let alone in the body of a college student, Coffin,” Mona mused, shaking her head. “No matter—better protection for my daughter, I suppose. To answer your question, the way you awaken your divine magic is by channeling true magic through your pendant and into you. You can use it to unlock all elements of your magic, through the Homura Stone and the Fengari Stone. I believe Ryder is intimately aware of where the first stone resides—it’s the same place where the magic was first truly lost.”
Ryder made a concerned noise but didn’t deny it.
Before I could ask him what she was referring to, the ceiling flickered like a projection, and Mona’s image faded slightly before returning in full vibrancy. Frowning, she stood, her chair disappearing.
“It’s nearly time for me to leave. I will quickly remove the memories from others, but then I must go. When you unlock both parts of your pendant, it will show you where the gate is. I promise I wouldn’t lead you astray, Effie, and I hope you can trust in the connection you feel between us. If nothing else, I would want you and your mates as safe as possible.”
Her gaze moved to my mates. “I would suggest leaving after you confirm their memories that Hastain was about to attack you. Don’t over complicate it.”
“I don’t know if we’re going to do this,” I admitted, getting the words out there. I felt bad about what I was saying, but I also wanted to be honest.
“I understand.” She nodded sharply. “I hope you consider it, though. There are so many women in danger right now. So many. If you don’t do it because of what I’ve told you, do it for them. Get your divine magic back, if only so you can stand up to Hastain by helping those women.”
I knew at that moment that I was going to do it. Not because she was claiming to be my mom, but because Hastain was capable of so much darkness. A darkness that continued to try to hurt my mates—my true family—and I wouldn’t stand for that. I wouldn’t allow for there to be any chance of him being able to break us apart. More so, if there were even more people like him out there, then there were women who needed help.
I couldn’t look away from that.
As she stepped back, she spoke softly, meeting my gaze. “Goodbye, little moon. I hope to see you soon.”
At that moment, the entire room warped and waved with power. I felt a momentary fog, like I couldn’t properly remember what had happened, but then my magic fought against it, reminding me of everything we now knew.
Mona was gone, though…and everyone in the room unfroze.
3
EFFIE HARLOW
The moment everyone unfroze, the room devolved into utter chaos. Voices exploded in low, harsh tones and panicked accusatory calls—all centered around Hastain. He stumbled back in surprise before realization struck his face, looking around in fury and narrowing his gaze at me. I could see he planned on saying something—I could see he planned on explaining to everyone what happened.
Dakota must have seen it as well because he was across the room in a second flat, knocking him out with one hit. I blinked in surprise, relieved that he’d known what to do. Mona had wanted us to handle it as if he were attacking us…and that was exactly how Dakota would have handled it, I think.
Before I could say anything, Tore swept me up and into his arms and pinned me against the wall, his energy vibrating around me dangerously. My other mates stepped in front of us and Dakota’s voice echoed through the room, but I could barely hear what he was saying. I knew it’d be something about what Hastain had done, or at least the story Mona had placed in their heads.
But my attention was captured by Tore.
“We’re getting out of here, lil bit. Give us just a minute,” he murmured, his voice warm and rough. I nodded, completely trusting him.
I knew my mates would keep me safe, and I ran my hand up his chest, resting it over his heart. One of his hands came off the wall, pressing my palm into his chest as if worried I would move it away.
As always, my fenrir mate towered over me, but where I used to find it intimidating, I now found it comforting. It was such a basic need, wanting to feel safe and protected—that was exactly how he made me feel, and so much more.
I loved Tore. I more than loved him—I was completely enamored by him. How could I not be? He had captured my attention from the start, even when I had been scared, and his mix of sweet protectiveness and dominant personality made me feel high on his affection and attention.
It didn’t help that the man was so incredibly captivating to look at. His rich vanilla and fresh-cut wood scent reminded me of the holidays, and his icy blue eyes were a direct, cool contrast to his dark blond hair with warm caramel undertones. His hair was pushed back out of his face tonight, bringing my attention to the gorgeous tattoos that ran down his neck, tattoos that I now knew covered his body…like, all of his body.
A flash of heat washed over me with the thought of what we had done, of what we’d shared and how he had marked me from the inside out. Literally.
“Effie.” His voice was rough and pained, and my cheeks flushed because he totally knew where my thoughts had gone.
“What?” I whispered, embarrassed at being caught.
“I can tell where your thoughts are,” he rumbled, pressing his forehead to my own.
“And as good as you smell turned on,” Ryder appeared at our side, talking almost in a whisper, “Coffin is all of two seconds away from killing half the room. As it is right now—”
A cold chill ran over me as Tore let out a frustrated noise, clearly not liking my reaction to his words and the violent imagery it provoked. It wasn’t Ryder’s fault, though, and I knew in his own way he was attempting to protect our group from any consequences that Coffin’s rage could bring. I went up on my toes and tried to look around my mate, but Tore stilled my frame, his hold on my hip firm, and spoke quietly. “We’re trying to get everyone to leave; I don’t want them trying to talk to you.”
“Our families won’t leave that easily,” Ryder said. Tore sighed and turned to see the room, keeping me hidden behind him.
Before, I would have questioned Tore’s urge to hide me from his family, but I knew it wasn’t about anything but him being protective. He didn’t trust his family after what happened with his sister, so I didn’t blame him.
“How are you feeling?” Ryder asked. His attempt at keeping his tone light went away completely as he tilted my chin up with his thumb, his touch causing my skin to roll with heat.
“More than overwhelmed,” I admitted, his tobacco and citrus scent calming me in its familiarity. “But I also think it’s pretty clear what we have to do.”
“Kitten, you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to,” Ryder said, his burnt-orange gaze flashing with determination. I nodded even though I didn’t completely agree with him—if there were women in danger, in a position like I was but without amazing mates to help, I needed to help them.
More so, Mona’s words about cementing our bond continued to ring in my ears, solidifying my reasoning on why we needed to do this.
I looked over Ryder’s expensive tailored suit and how it framed his 6’6” muscular body, making my mouth almost feel dry. It was a far better distraction than overthinking everything else going on or trying to meet his intense gaze.
“Ryder.”
My mate’s gaze snapped away from me, and I fought the urge to reach up and run my fingers through his thick dark hair. Well, until footsteps drew closer and I realized it wasn’t one of my mates who’d called him, but instead his grandfather. Tore let out a rumble but shifted slightly, as if he could pull me away from the situation at any moment, which allowed me to see the room. I was surprised to find that it was nearly cleared, except for Hastain on the floor and some family members.
Noticeably absent was Caedmon’s father, though that didn’t surprise me. I didn’t know the man, but he didn’t strike me as someone who’d to stay in a place where he wasn’t at the top of the dominance chain.
In fact, he was the type who liked to victimize smaller shifters that couldn’t defend themselves.
“Grandfather.”
Ryder’s grandfather drew closer, but his uncle kept his distance. I got the distinct feeling that while he’d been presented as being ‘second in charge,’ he was far from that. I fought to keep my eyes on Ryder’s grandfather as he grew closer, a magic radiating off of him that was almost blinding. Ryder’s description of kitsune forms occurred to me, and I wondered just how bright their forms really were.
“You didn’t inform the family that you found your mate.”
Ryder’s throat produced a low, defensive noise but his expression remained calm. His grandfather stopped a foot or so away from us, looking over me with a clinical gaze, evaluative and uncomfortable.
“Because it’s not the family’s business.”
His response seemed to surprise his grandfather, who narrowed his eyes. “You will be returning home. It’s been a long time coming, and now is the most opportune time. This isn’t the type of place you should be.”
Ryder chuckled softly, but not in a nice way—more in the way that sent chills scattering across my skin. “I’m not bringing her home.”
“You will, because if you don’t, Aanya will be the one brought back home.” The threat rolled out easily, like it had been practiced and prepared—as if his grandfather knew exactly what to say to affect my mate.
Ryder went stock still as a defensive noise left my throat, suddenly worried about my friend. His grandfather’s expression flashed with victory before he turned on his heel and left, his uncle following him.
It was such an uncomfortable and formal conversation that I felt stunned at the end of it, staring at their departing forms through the now open doors.
“Bastard,” Ryder spit out, his eyes flashing with anger.
Pain squeezed my chest. I was putting Aanya in danger…we both were. I didn’t know what it would mean for Ryder’s sister if she was brought back there, at least not fully, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.
“Effie?” Speaking of my mates’ sisters, Catori’s voice had me stepping away from Ryder, who was now trapped in thought, and Tore, who was talking to his father quietly. That conversation, at least, seemed slightly less tense than most that had taken place.
I made my way over to Dakota and Catori, who were standing near the older man who’d been staring at us during our previous conversation—the one who was a near replica of Dakota.
“Hey,” I offered politely, feeling a bit awkward. Dakota wrapped his arm around me, pulling me against his side and burying his nose in my hair. I swear I heard him inhale, but instead of finding it weird, I flushed, finding it oddly flattering that he wanted to smell me.
“Since Dakota is grumpy and my dad is awkward,” she drew out, her dark gaze sparkling with amusement, “I thought I would make the introduction.”
My attention moved to Dakota’s father, his obsidian eyes an exact match to my totemic wolf mate’s. He offered me a polite smile, although it was tense.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Effie,” I said softly.
“Alpha Claymore,” he said, shaking my hand.
Dakota let out a low rumble as our hands met, on edge because of his father’s presence. While I didn’t understand the full nature of their relationship, it was clear that their mother’s death had a very large impact on the two of them and the relationship Dakota had with his father. And then there was the story that Catori had brought up that Dakota would have to tell me about later.
Instinct told me that it would be another piece to the confusing puzzle that was slowly building a picture of what each of my mates’ lives were like before me.
“You wanted to meet her, and now you have,” Dakota said.. “You can leave now. Catori, I’ll call you like normal.”
“Dakota,” I whispered, seeing the hurt on his father’s face, even if he tried to hide it.
“Yes, little wolf?” He offered me an innocent expression while peering down at me.
I nearly smiled at the attempt before I looked at both of them, trying to change the direction of the conversation. “Sorry if that dinner was a bit intense, but I’m glad I got the chance to meet both of you.”
“Wolves are always so intense, we should have expected it, especially from a fenrir wolf. As for my brother, Dakota is always grumpy like this—it doesn’t surprise us.” Catori smiled warmly.
“Although he is a bit less of a grump than normal,” his father appraised before looking at me. “I have you to thank for that.”
Oh.
I swallowed awkwardly. “I’m not sure—”
“He’s right.” Dakota mused, his nose brushing my hair once again. “Still don’t like talking to him though.”
Dakota’s father sighed but offered me a barely there smile. “Hopefully we’ll see you again soon, Effie. Maybe my son will have come to his senses by then and will plan to return to his pack.”
“Don’t count on it,” Dakota growled sharply.
“Call me!” Catori grabbed her dad’s arm and nearly dragged him out.
The instant they were gone, Dakota whisked me into his arms and pressed his forehead against mine, holding me there. Our connection surged under my skin, and I couldn’t help but run my fingers up to my mark on him, grazing over the bite mark. I couldn’t express the relief I experienced at biting all of them, and I knew he loved the reminder as well by the growl that left his throat.
“I need to explain about my family,” he said, “but let’s get out of here first and decide what we’re going to do.”
“Quickly,” Caedmon added from nearby. I shifted back from Dakota to see Caedmon standing in front of Julian—or maybe more Coffin than Julian—as he tried to calm him down.
I didn’t know for sure what the catalyst for Coffin’s rage was, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was Hastain considering it was his body Caedmon was blocking.
“By the way, how did you get everyone out of here?” I asked Dakota as we neared them. My mate chuckled softly with a dark edge but didn’t answer, which made me assume it included some level of threats. It didn’t bother me, though, especially knowing so many of them would have sided with Hastain.
“Julian,” I called softly as we neared, and immediately the man turned to look at me. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just Coffin that was vibrating with anger. No, it was Julian as well, and his warm, golden brown eyes swirled with black that contrasted his natural warmth. It made sense, in a confusing way, similar to how he was looking at me with affection but was obviously angry.
“Preciosa,” he rumbled, and I nearly curled up against his chest, the tension in his body releasing. From the day I met Julian on the train, his raw earth scent had called to me in a way I’d never experienced before, and now it made so much sense—not only was he my mate, but we’d met before. He was the one who’d disguised me as a bitten wolf, before Coffin had joined him.
Finding him had been like coming home.
Looking up into his warm gaze, I couldn’t help but appreciate his chiseled jaw and the way his dimples accented the golden warmth of his skin. Julian was so captivating, and I didn’t hesitate to run my hands up his neck, across his bite, and softly touch the ends of his navy hair. I let out a surprised moan as he sealed his lips to mine in a heated kiss, his cold tongue piercing swiping against my lips.
“Julian.” Caedmon’s sharp tone had the man pulling back and offering a low rumble that sounded much more like Coffin than Julian—more animal than man. It did draw my attention to my lycan mate, who despite looking frustrated seemed far less tense than he had during the dinner. Largely, no doubt, because his father was gone.
Which reminded me—I nearly flew into Caedmon’s arms and hugged him tightly, burying my head against his chest. I didn’t need to explain why, at least I didn’t think so, and after a single surprised second he wrapped his arms around me and tucked me under his chin. Dakota said something that had Julian responding, but I was far more focused on comforting the cinnamon-and-spice scented man that was holding me.
Caedmon was so many wonderful things, most of which he didn’t see in himself because of how he had been raised, but I wanted to show him. My confidence in our relationship had grown so much recently, especially after I’d marked him, and I was no longer holding back when it came to him. Even if my own insecurities got the best of me sometimes.
When his hand slid under my jaw and tipped it up, his dark green eyes flashed with gold that had me nearly melting. Despite the man viewing so much of life in a cold and clinical light, he was so warm, like something out of a fantasy novel. He was beautiful, from his dark hair and olive skin tone, his only imperfection a single scar on his upper lip. Though I could hardly call it that because it only made me want to kiss it more. Kiss him more. As if knowing, he brushed his lips against mine.
