Chapter 46: Chapter Forty-five

***Ajax POV***

Arabella’s always been dramatic but I’d appreciate it if she wouldn’t scare my mate half to death.

“And she’s the one who threw the sword,” Arabella continued.

I got up from the couch and blocked Delanie from Arabella.

“Okay, enough. I’m not dying.”

Arabella nodded and strolled to her kitchen. She didn’t roll like Cheryl. Arabella came back with a bottle of whiskey. She took a swing and handed me the rest. For a sixty-year-old woman she could out drink me.

“You’re dying, Ajax,” she repeated.

“Isn’t there anything you can do? He can’t die,” Delanie pleaded.

I didn’t want her to be scared that’s why I wouldn’t tell her my arm hurt like hell. I didn’t sleep last night. It feels like my arms on an eternal fire.

“Nope. He’s on a ticking clock too,” Arabella added.

“You know you’d make a shit doctor, Arabella.”

She took the bottle from me and dragged a good portion. “I tell it as it is.”

Coming here wasn’t a good idea. We should have taken it as Cheryl said. I took Delanie in my arms and pushes small doses of Alpha power into her. I wanted her to relax. She frowned at me but her muscles eased.

“Okay, you know the drill Ajax. I need blood,” Arabella said.

If I pushed more Alpha power into Delanie she’d pass out.

“I’ve done this before, babe, just relax.”

I took off my shirt as Delanie settled on the leather couch. I winced, the black mark covering my left chest and forearm looked like I’d been thrown into the bonfire Delanie saved me from. Arabella came back with a bottle of vodka for me. I took it. I should come by more often.

I didn’t notice the knife she came with until she stuck it into my skin.

“Ugh! Arabella!” I growled.

“Don’t be such a baby,” she mumbled.

She set the knife on the coffee table and picked up a bowl before my blood stained her black and white carpet. It wasn’t thick red liquid though it was a black substance that oozed out of me. Delanie looked like she would jump out of her skin or freeze in place.

“Not good, buddy,” Arabella said.

“Give me hope here,” I growled.

She slapped a towel on my chest. I pressed it on the spot she stabbed me. I settled beside Delanie and gripped her tiny hand. She looked at me with concern. I leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“Don’t listen to her,” I said.

She looked at me with wide eyes.

Arabella sat across from us. She added a bunch of twigs and dirt into a bowl and stirred. Arabella could see things buy touching objects, looking at pictures but she saw more when she used blood. She sighed heavily and pushed the bowl aside.

“Destruction magic,” she said.

“Damn it,” I said. I was hoping for a different diagnosis. “Well just make a deal with the goddess and change things.”

Arabella frowned. “Why would she make a deal with you? You’ve plundered dozens of her packs.”

I rolled my eyes. There’s a lot worse I could do.

“Lucky for you I know a remedy for destruction magic, but it will cost you.”

I leaned forward. “How much?”

Arabella looked me dead in the eye. “You can swap one curse for another or accept death like sleep.”

“Why the hell would I accept death like sleep? The point is for me not to be away from my mate.”

Arabella raised her shoulders. “You’ll wake up after a while. If I were you I’d get my affairs in order and choose that one.”

“Doesn’t sound like a bad idea, baby,” Delanie said softly.

I frowned. “You’re trying to get rid of me now?”

Delanie shook her head. “The other curses are worse. We could be getting into something worse. If you sleep you’ll wake up fine, right?” Delanie turns to Arabella.

Arabella nodded. “You don’t have much time too.”

“We need to think about this. Come on babe,” I said.

Arabella caught me by the door while Delanie went ahead to the car.

“She’s a cure, you know that don’t you?” Arabella whispered.

“Of course I do, but I’m not going to kill her.”

“Wouldn’t expect you to. There are others who might. Keep her safe before your deadly sleep.”

***

Delanie sat quietly in the backyard stroking her chicken. I leaned on the window frame and growled with agony.

Damn this shoulder!

Delanie looked up. She put the chicken down and hurried over to me.

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Goby’s a runner, you shouldn’t leave him alone.”

“You’re more important, idiot.”

She was more important. I’d been around a long time and I knew there were loopholes everywhere and enemies on every corner. If I go into hibernation this pack is fucked, my mate is in danger and so are my men. Arabella might be powerful but that didn’t mean I trusted her.

“Have you… thought about what we’re going to do?”

“Of course. There’s a coven in Star City. Black magic but strong and we’re going to pay them a visit.”

“That’s worse! Black magic’s been banned for years.”

“I know that but hibernation isn’t an option and another curse might fuck us up. So if the goddess wants a fight then she’ll get one.”

“If you’re sure this’ll work then fine.”

I held her to my side and massaged her ass. She turned to me kissed my cheek.

I couldn’t let an arm injury keep me from being with my mate.

“I love you,” she said softly.

“I’m obsessed with you. Really this might be a problem, Delanie.”

I pinned her against the doorframe. I stared into those eyes that subdued me with a glance. I inched closer and brushed my nose against hers. I breathed her in. I grew harder as her rosewater and spice scent filled my nostrils. Her sweet perfume and lotion blended to mess with my mind.

I traced my lips down her neck. Delanie leaned forward and moaned softly. I dug her nails into her hips and pulled her forward to my throbbing erection.

“Ajax… “

I sunk my teeth into her neck. My wolf’s primitive side spurred me on. The urge to pick her up and carry her to our room was strong but the burning sensation in my left shoulder was stronger.

She took my hand and slipped under me. “I’ll take care of you,” she smirked.

“Promise?” I arched a brow.

She smiled seductively and dragged me out of the kitchen. We stopped when a fist pounded on the front door.

“What now?” I groaned.

I marched to the front door and yanked it open. Ross strolled in before I could wring his neck. It had to be important if he didn’t bother to call.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Your brother’s a dick head isn’t he? The Diamond pack’s sent a letter of intent to invade and Oscar invites them over for a night of sex and booze.”

“Why would a pack send a letter? Why not just invade?” Delanie asked.

“It’s more like a piece of wood with blood but it’s supposed to be taken seriously. This isn’t our problem. Delanie and I are going to Star City.”

Ross raked his hands through his hair. “They’re going to do some serious damage Ajax.”

“I know but I’m useless right now. Destruction magic’s coursing through my veins right now. I could drop dead at any moment.”

“Shit!”

“No kidding. How much time do we have?”

“Not long. Two days max.”

“I guess we have to leave for Star City now.” As much as I wanted this to blow up in my brother’s face I couldn’t let the people I loved in this pack pay the price for my Father’s mistakes and my brother’s impotence.