Chapter 238

Almara’s Pov

Though it’s dark in the dungeon, nighttime has fallen. I can tell by the heightened energy pulsating throughout the castle above us from the vampires who are their most active, meanwhile, my internal clock is slowed down and with a belly full of steak, I’m ready for bed.

“You’ll have to sleep down here, for now,” Delfino says noticing the heaviness of all our eyes.

“Can you bring Grace to us?” I ask.

“I’m afraid not yet,” Delfino says, but doesn’t bother with an explanation as to why not. “She’s safe.” Delfino adds though it’s hardly a consolation. His idea of safe is far-fetched from what I know is safe.

“I’m going to get her tomorrow, weather it’s time yet or not,” Arthur says and leaves no room for debate. Delfino ignores Arthur’s comment and adjusts his cape so the collar comes up high against his face.

“I must get going, I’ll come in the morning with food and if Arthur here is correct, about your wolves already being on their way, then we begin fighting tomorrow.” He heads toward the door, his back hunched and his black cape dragging on the floor. “Get as much rest as you can, you’’’ need it.”

Arthur, Cathy, and I put ourselves in the cell, should anyone find us we look as though we’re being held captive. As much as I hate being in a cage, it’ll give us an advantage if anyone comes in and is led to believe we’re unable to open the doors.

I’m so tired. I think as I lower myself to the ground, my bones cracking beneath my weight.

Arthur turns his head sharply at me. “I heard that,” he says with joyful surprise. It takes me a second to figure out what he means.

“My thought?” I ask, hopeful.

“Yes!” Arthur says and Cathy looks at us both like we’re crazy.

“But how?” I ask. Arthur sweeps me in his arms and rests his forehead against mine.

I don’t know Little Wolf, but I can. Tears well up in my eyes. Our fated-mate abilities are back.

“Maybe the spell was temporary,” I suggest.

“What are you guys talking about?” Cathy asks, stifling a yawn. I explain how when we were walking here the path we took had these weird symbols on it that apparently casted a spell on us. Cathy looked over at Zayne’s body, still rolled up in a tarp and slumped awkwardly against the wall.

“Maybe once the familiar dies, the bond they put on their subjects also ceases,” Cathy says. I look at her in shock.

“How are you so brilliant?” I ask. Cathy gives a weary smile,

“Call it delusion from lack of sleep.”

Not too much longer, we all lay down and sleep. Cathy is on one side of the wall and Arthur and I cuddled up on the opposite side. Cathy is the first to start snoring.

I thought sleep would be hard to come by, being so pregnant it’s hard to get comfortable and the anticipation that we have yet another deadly fight looming around the corner, but being nestled next to Arthur provides me with an overwhelming sense of peace.

I’m awoken by the sound of metal rattling. I sit up suddenly and can make out a shape hovering over us in the dark, luckily my sense of smell kicks in before my blurry vision has a chance to clear and I can sense it’s only Delfino.

“It’s time,” I hear him say and a second later I feel something small land in my lap. A protein bar.

I push down the resistance that rises from deep within my bones and bring Grace to the forefront of my mind. Arthur does a few warm up stretches and his face locks into place, a look of determination and vengeance.

Cathy does a few breathing techniques and she and I give one another a look of companionship. We’re in this together.

As we near the door that leaves this dungeon, I can hear, no feel the walls shaking. “I was right, wasn’t I?” Arthur asks giving Delfino a sideways glance.

Delfino ignores him, and Arthur takes that as a yes. He smirks. My hear gives a little flutter. The wolves back home did come, even after they’ve been through they’re still here to fight. Only then I realize, they’re probably fighting the vampires, too. I open my mouth to speak, but Delfino cuts in.

“I’ve already announced the treaty, of course many of the wolves are stubborn and unbelieving,” he looks down at us. “Perhaps, you can convince them,”

“We will,” Arthur says and I give a nod in agreement.

“It’s chaos out there now, luckily most of the fighting happening is towards the familiars as they’re the most violent,”

“So, what’s the plan?” Arthur asks and we all stop by the door that leads out of here.

“To kill them all,” Delfino says and pushes the door open.

Screams and war cries flood our senses. As of now, no one is down this low in the castle yet, but they sound close. It’s hard to distinguish the growls of the wolves from the screeches of the vampires. One estranged sound stands out and that’s the screams and laughter of the familiars.

Out in the hallway, Delfino shouts to us over the noise. “Fulfil your duties, we will fulfill ours.” He doesn’t give us a chance to answer and he turns to a bat and flaps his way out of here.

“You two go find Grace. I’ll look for your parents,” Cathy says. I’m stunned into silence as I think about departing from her, realizing it’s very possible I could never see her again. Cathy must read my expression because she pulls me in for a tight hug.

“You two are better as a team, I’m better as a lone wolf. You know this,” Cathy whispers into my ear and I squeeze my eyes shit and hug her back tighter.

“Be safe,” I tell her.

“You too,” She says and she runs off the same direction Delfino went. Arthur and I look at each other.

“How are you feeling?” He asks and his eyes flash down to my belly. I put my hand over my stomach and nod.

“I’m good, really,” I tell him and I mean it. The food and the sleep go a long way, not to mention the thought of being with Grace always fuels me with strength. That’s our only goal, besides Cathy is right. Arthur and I are near unstoppable as a team.

“Stay close to me,” Arthur says and takes my hand in his. He leads the way and I keep up as best I can.

As we climb out of the ground and near the first floor of the castle, my sense come alive. Lily begins to take control and I let her. I become aware of movements far off in the distance, of sounds from floors high above us.

A window reveals a velvety blue sky indicating that it’s still very early in the morning. The sun will shine through and the vampires will be forced to retreat inside and fight within the walls. It’s going to get very crowded.

“Ready?” Arthur asks and I nod.

We both fully transform and in synch let out a howl to tell our fellow wolves that we’re here and we’re fighting to the death.