JAYDEN
I froze in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of my wolf’s words hung heavily in the air, leaving me speechless. Breaking the mate bond was an unthinkable act, a betrayal of the deepest kind. It was a bond meant to be eternal, unbreakable.
That is the best thing we can do for Catriona. She’ll be free. And safe from being hurt by the man she loves.
Even though my wolf said this, I can feel the sadness in his tone and feel the beating of his heart, which tells me that he doesn’t mean it. I know he’s trying to punish me for everything I did to him, especially to Catriona. Fuck me I wasn’t in my right damn mind. However, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love Catriona. I genuinely love and care about her to the extent of giving my life for her.
Despite my wolf’s warning, I disregarded him and headed into the house.
“Did you hear what I said?” His voice echoed loudly in my head making it hard for me to think straight.
“I heard you loud and clear, beast.” We need to concentrate on the pack. The tension is overwhelming. We must ready ourselves for whatever that bloodsucker has in store for us. I’m willing to do whatever you tell me, but let’s temporarily set this conversation aside. I snapped back. “I could feel his frustration emanating from within but I brushed it off. The urgency of the situation with my pack is weighing heavily on my mind to get into a fight with my wolf. I don’t want to add on to his anger.
I entered the elevator and went to Vannesa’s wing. I stepped out, heading straight to Vanessa’s room. Without knocking, I entered and found her sprawled on her bed. I quickly checked on Jerome. Thankfully, he seemed more alive. Thank God Vanessa was there to help him; otherwise, it would have been hell for me and the pack. Returning to Vanessa, I gently shook her awake. She quickly sat up and asked, “Are the vampires here already?” I felt sorry for waking her, as she appeared tired.
She stood haggardly, walked past me, and examined Jerome while murmuring to herself. After that, she walked past me again and headed towards the door. I quickly reached her and grabbed her hand stopping her from going any further.
Vanessa, you need to relax. The vampires aren’t here yet. I apologise for waking you from your rest, but this couldn’t wait.
She gave me a questioning stare. I continued… You set a boundary, but some of the pack members were out and cannot pass through.
Jayden, son, I remember telling you that no one would be able to get in if it got set.
Is there a solution?” I asked urgently, my tone reflecting my concern. She ran her fingers through her long wavy grey hair. “The only solution is to break the boundary, but it will take me some time and energy to create a new one. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be finished before the vampires return.” I really need some good time to get my energy in motion. I’m all drained up by some kind of power I can’t get my thoughts on.
Do you think it happened because it’s been a long time since you did magic spells? I asked, and she shook her head. Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out once I’m settled. What about you? How are you feeling? She asked.
I’m okay, thanks for whatever magic you used back there, I replied.
I don’t mean your legs, Jayden. All this time, I thought you had forgotten about Luciana. But from what I’ve seen, you haven’t. It made me wonder if you brought Catriona here just to make your people believe you’ve moved on when you haven’t. First and foremost, your wolf was the one that wanted her and chose her as his mate, and you, Jayden Evers, never accepted her as your mate. Am I right?
Vanessa’s words sent a wave of fiery pain to my heart. I squeezed my chest in agony. It felt like my heart was burning out. Vanessa seemed to notice but I quickly masked the pain. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the intense ache that radiated through my body.
The fiery pain ignited within me seemed to consume every ounce of my being, leaving me feeling hollow and utterly defeated.
I clutched at my chest, hoping to alleviate the burning sensation that felt as if my heart was being consumed by flames. But no amount of physical pressure could ease the emotional torment that had taken hold of my chest.
At this moment, my mind raced back to the time I met the grey-haired man who questioned the authenticity of my feelings for Catriona. I remember the scepticism in his eyes as he questioned the authenticity of my feelings for Catriona. It was not just his words that cut deep, but the physical touch that followed. As his hand grazed my chest, a surge of pain coursed through my veins. It was as if he had reached into my very soul, exposing the rawness of my emotions to a cruel world. In that brief moment, I felt the weight of his doubt settle heavily upon my heart. And now, in this moment of anguish, the pain I felt then mirrors the pain I am feeling now. It is a pain born out of uncertainty and a longing for validation.
“Jayden! Jayden!” Vanessa’s voice calling my name snapped me back to reality. I found myself on the ground, curled up like a child. Before she could bombard me with questions, there was a sudden blast accompanied by lightning. Bloodsuckers. That was my first thought. I suppressed the pain in my chest and pushed myself up to leave.
Those aren’t vampires. It’s magic that l’m familiar with. And that sound… the boundary has been broken. Vanessa tried to speak, but I was already out of her room.
I sprinted down the hallway and into the elevator, my heart pounding in my chest. As I stepped out of the elevator, I could hear the chaos outside. Screams, snarls and growls, and the unmistakable sound of a battle raging.
With each step, my mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening. The boundary being broken as Vanessa had claimed meant that something, or someone powerful, had crossed over from the other realm. Ghost-like. I’d say. And if it wasn’t vampires, then it had to be something worse.
As I reached the ground floor, I could see the devastation of angry wolves unfolding through the windows.
I pushed open the front door and stepped out into the chaos. Scanning the area, I searched for any sign of the source of the disturbance. Then, I spotted them: a group of witches standing just a few inches away from the growling wolves, poised to unleash their hidden magic. I was so focused on these mysterious figures, wondering who they were and why they had come that I failed to notice Gabriel. My heart skipped a beat as I also saw Catriona, held tightly by Gabriel’s hand and completely naked.
I scanned Catriona for any signs of a bleeding wound, but she appeared to be fine. Thank God. When our eyes met, my heart twinged with a sharp pain. I observed Gabriel speaking with the witches before he walked with Catriona towards the spot where I was stuck.
Each step Catriona took towards me intensified the ache in my chest, causing me to groan. I tried my best to hide the discomfort, but the pain radiating through my chest made it nearly impossible.
With each step she took, the intensity of the ache grew stronger, causing me to involuntarily groan in discomfort. I desperately tried to maintain a composed facade, not wanting to draw attention to myself. But Catriona, being ever observant, couldn’t help but notice my struggle. Her brows furrowed, and she quickened her pace by letting her hand free from Gabriel’s.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. “You don’t look well” she added, closing the gap between us and extending her hand to touch me, but a sudden surge of energy passed through her, causing me to be knocked apart.