Chapter 55

Luka’s POV

I caught something moving toward the building and stopped mid-spin. The mate bond was consumed with rage. Shit, Caleb. He was upset. When I peered over the railing, I spotted a gray wolf with a black face, Logan.

He was leaping and climbing up the balconies. “Inside, Noah. Now.”

Noah looked over the railing. He didn’t hesitate. He shifted to an enormous black wolf. He was taller than Logan by at least two feet.

“Noah, don’t hurt him. It is the bond. He must have seen us. It isn’t his fault.”

To my utter shock. I heard Noah in my mind, as my wrist burned. I will do my best not to hurt him, but my job is to protect you, my Queen.

Hearing that felt odd. When he stopped speaking, the burning in my wrist ceased.

“How are you talking to me?”

The bloodline to your people. We are all connected.

Before I knew what was happening, Noah pushed me back into the apartment with his paw.

Stay back.

Nela stirred. What is happening? she asked.

I think Caleb saw me dancing with Noah, and Logan took over.

Of course he did. Males. Growled Nela. I will watch. We will see what happens. This could be fun.

“Excuse me.”

Haven’t you ever wanted to be fought over?

I wrinkled my nose… “Maybe.”

As Caleb’s wolf leaped for the balcony, Noah lunged toward him. Knocking Logan from mid-air. I ran to the edge of the balcony. Logan fell to the ground with a yelp, but sprang quickly to his feet.

Noah leapt gracefully to all fours and stood strong, fangs showing. A low, dangerous growl reverberated off the building.

Logan chomped his jaws at Noah aggressively. Noah didn’t move. Logan charged, and I shrieked.

Pounding came from the door, then it swung open. Jordyn and Devin rushed in. “Are you okay? What’s happening?” The two of them peered over the edge.

“Shit, that wolf is huge. We need to go help our King.” They turned to run out.

“No,” I cried. Within a few seconds, Jordyn and Devin had shifted and were closing in on Noah. He was a mighty wolf, but he was outnumbered.

Let’s go, Nela said.

“Yes.”

I shifted. Nela leapt off the balcony with the same grace as Noah. His Black wolf next to my glowing white wolf, I sure was something to see.

Now in wolf form, Nela could speak to Logan.

“Stop being an ass and go home,” Nela yelled at Logan.

“Woman, you are mine. You should not be with another wolf,” he demanded.

“Maybe if your human weren’t such a jerk, my human wouldn’t be talking to another male.”

Logan stepped toward me. Noah matched it, growling. Jordyn and Devin flanked Logan, also growling.

“We are leaving,” said Nela.

“No, you're not,” said Logan. “You're my mate. You stay here.”

Nela stomped her foot. “You don’t own us.”

Nela turned and trotted away.

Logan howled, then dashed around the building, comrades at his side.

Nela took off toward the forest. Noah was right behind her.

Logan plowed into Nela's side, knocking her over and causing her to roll several times. That was it. Noah locked his jaws around Logan’s right hind leg and tore.

Logan cried out. Jordyn and Devin came from opposite directions, attacking Noah. He was a good fighter and held them off, blocking Logan from getting to Nela.

Nela rose, shook her head, and howled. Charging for Logan.

“Some mate. I will rip your throat out.”

“Nela, you can’t go,” Logan pleaded. “I was just trying to stop you.”

“No mate will ever control us again,” Nela bit Logan’s back and slashed at his side. Tearing the fur over his ribs. “You do not deserve us.”

When Devin leapt onto Noah’s back, Nela charged and rammed into them. Noah straightened. In the distance, a horn sounded. Then the sound of paws against the ground sent a thunder through the air.

Nela glanced at Noah, and they took off as fast as they could toward the gateway. Bigger and quicker than the other wolves. They reached the gateway. Noah walked through, seeming unhurt. Nela looked back over her shoulder and spotted Logan running with all he had to get to her.

“Mate,” cried Logan.

Nela walked through the gateway and was gone.

Caleb’s POV

I shifted so fast that I was in a run. I brushed the tail fur of Luka’s wolf. My fingers were wet with sweat, and I couldn’t get hold of her.

I reached for the mate bond, pouring regret through it. I needed to apologize. There was nothing there, no mate bond. Fear like I had never experienced stole my breath, and the world felt small, too small.

I ran my hands through my hair. Did I hurt her? Would she come back? Why would she after the way I doubted her? I was easily persuaded by others. I shouldn’t be King. I was out of control.

I paced back and forth, unable to stop. Dozens of wolves stood on the path behind me.

None shifted or made a sound. It was Mia who approached me first in the shadow of night.

“Brother, are you okay?” She touched my shoulder and I pushed it away. “What is wrong?”

“She was with that rogue wolf from the conference dinner.” I continued to pace, feeling like a live wire. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. “I…Logan charged her.”

I locked eyes. “Mia, I think I hurt Luka.” My voice broke, and a knot clogged my throat. “I don’t know what is wrong with me. I feel like I’m going crazy. I can’t feel the bond…I can’t feel her.”

“Calm down. Where did she go?”

I pointed at the space in front of me. “She went through there. She’s the White Wolf from the prophecy.”

Mia gasped. She had been in town when Luka and her friend came to the mansion. She didn’t know anything about earlier.

With my hands behind my head, I tried to tap down the chaos storming inside of me. “Why does this feel this bad. I think I’m dying.”

My sister’s concerned face softened. “You love her.” Her tone was gentle and calmed the smallest part of me.

My face went ugly with pain, and I fell to my knees. “What do I do?” I pleaded, hands fisting.

She dropped to her knee beside me. “Nothing. There is nothing you can do until she comes back.”

“What if she doesn’t?” Tears stung my eyes. “I don’t think I can do this.”

She took my hand. “You can and will make it through this challenge. Pray she does come back, and tell her you love her when she does.”

I nodded, the overwhelming emotions abiding to a degree, and I stood. I pulled in a deep breath. Luka was strong. If I did hurt her, she would heal. I only hoped she didn’t hate me.

“Please tell the pack everything is fine. I need time to myself.” I ran as fast as I could, pushing this body hard and then shifting in the darkness. I ran all night deep into the witches’ territory.