Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Kaeleigh’s POV
I thought back to the last six weeks or so, and now, with Ana’s help, I could see when the spell started to penetrate my system, way back when I was kidnapped. Asher’s sorcerer, who I have no doubt now was the same one my mum and Elaina had mentioned, had been weaving in the spell from when Asher knew who I was. But he had really stepped up the power when I had become a member of his pack. Being my Alpha, whether I liked it or not, gave him a certain command over me. Although not much, my own Alpha is too strong for that. But the spell that Asher had used, plus the pain of the rejection, had been clouding my mind almost completely for at least the last month.
After my initial excitement at hearing Ana again, she had told me I had to play along and to trust her. To not let Asher know that I knew what he had been doing. I had to keep up appearances that I was still under control. This meant allowing the spell to course through my bloodstream but deny access to my head or my heart so that it clouded my actual decisions.
So I still felt the effects but didn’t get lost in them. The sparks still played along my skin, sending shivers through my body when Asher touched me. Like when he kissed down my neck and nibbled along my marking spot and his hands would graze my hips before slipping in to my-
Oh Shit! This was harder than I liked. I closed my eyes and imagined the black energy of the spell pulling it back from its battle to consume me. Obviously, there was still an attraction to Asher. I mean, why wouldn’t there be, with his sun kissed rock hard abs that had that small line of hair that disappeared into his pants and that mess of hair that I could wrap my hands in as he-
“Kaeleigh!” Ana scolded. “Geez girl. Get it together, it’s like you are in heat or something.” Fear washed over me, snapping me out of my deliciously dirty thoughts.
“No, please, I can’t have a heat, not now.” I had never experienced a heat cycle. They only started once you had set the intention to mate, to help the process along. Which Chase and I set our intentions, but no heat had appeared. But what if it was happening now? Heat was painful for a she-wolf to go through if she didn’t relieve it with pleasure, and the heat ensured that she, and any unmated wolf around her, would be fully aware of her sexual needs and be more than willing to help a girl out. Even though it was triggered by the intention, mother nature was still a bitch, and if the she-wolf was unmated still, then she would attract plenty of prospective partners.
“Relax, you can’t go into heat, not with me still in this damn cage,” she huffed “It must be the spell, there’s no other reason as to why your control is slipping you got-” She stopped suddenly and then sighed happily.
“Oh!” I could feel her excitement.
“What!” I exclaimed “What is it?”
And then I heard the electronic lock on the door and the sound of the alarm increase as the door opened, and the most amazing scent of fresh rainfall and oak trees filled the room. I closed my eyes as I breathed in the scent and smiled. I opened my eyes, knowing exactly who I would see.
“Kaeleigh,” his deep rough whisper was music to my ears.
“Chase,” I breathed as tears streamed down my face. Just seeing him standing there, his scent careering my senses, left me breathless.
He crossed the room to me, pulling me into his body, before the door had even slammed shut. His lips hit mine with an intense urgency as his arms wrapped around me and I responded, melting into him and returning his kiss with equal passion. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him as close as I could while his tongue slipped against mine. The feel of him against me, even through the clothes, made me realise that the sparks that I had felt with Asher were never anything more than a poor imitation of the real thing.
Chase broke the kiss first, and we stood there, our foreheads together, just being in each other’s spaces. He pulled away and looked at me and smiled. He lifted his hand and wiped away the tears that were streaming down my face.
“Hey baby,” he said, briefly kissing me again. “Goddess, you smell amazing.” I giggled as he buried his head into my hair and rubbed his nose up and down my neck. The sensation of it sent electricity through my body and I felt an eager urge awaken in my stomach.
“I don’t even care that I can smell that mutt on you,” he mumbled. “Well, I do care, but what I mean is-”
“Chase, shut up,” I stopped him from rambling on. He growled playfully and nipped at my neck and I gasped as it tugged at that growing fire inside me. He pulled away again and smirked at me with a lopsided grin. I couldn’t help but smile back, but it was tainted with sadness.
“Chase, what are you doing here?” I asked, pulling myself away from him fully. The grin drops from his face. My heart aches at the hurt that crosses his face.
“Baby, I’m here to take you home.” He reached out to me and I stepped back, shaking my head.
“Is the curse broken?” I could tell the answer by the look on his face.
“No baby, but-”
“But nothing Chase,” I cried. “I can’t leave, not while I can get the curse removed. I just can’t, I’m sorry.” He tried to reach out to me again, and I moved towards the door.
“Kaeleigh, wait, they know,” he called, following me.
“What?”
“The pack, they know about the curse,” he shrugged. “I gave them a choice. Most left the pack. But the ones who stayed, they know that getting you back is worth risking their wolves for,” he grabbed my hand. “Please Kaeleigh, come home. We need our Luna back.” He pulled me back into him and his warmth and scent felt like home. “Baby, please, there’s still time.”
I wanted nothing more than to go home back to Dark Moon, to my friends and to my mate. Everything in me knew I wanted to be with Chase, and I was on the verge of saying yes when Ana shouted.
“Kaeleigh! No!” she started pacing in my mind. “Please Kaeleigh, if you go with Chase now, he will die.”
“What? Ana, what are you talking about?”
“I told you, puzzle pieces, you need to trust me. If you don’t complete the bond with Asher, Chase will die.” I closed my eyes and tears well up again.
“Are you talking to your wolf?” I opened my eyes again, and Chase was looking at me with a curious expression.
“How’d you know?” I was shocked that he could tell, but nodded in confirmation.
“Your eyes keep flashing between gold and green,” he smiled. “What is she saying?” I grimaced.
“She said that I need to stay and go through with completing the bond with Asher.” Chase growled. “She said that if I go with you now, you will die.”
I closed my eyes against the tears, and I pulled away from Chase. Ana was right. I came to Crimson Shadow and agreed to Asher’s offer to save Chase.
“She’s right,” I whispered. “You need to go now before someone finds you.” I stepped back and took a breath. “I Kaeleigh Buckley hereby reject-”
“NO!” he snarled and grabbed me and then smashed his mouth against mine and swallowed my words into the kiss. I tried to pull away, but he growled and pulled me closer. He backed me against the wall and pressed his whole body against mine. I grabbed his hair, pulling him in deeper, knowing this could be the last time I saw him. Knowing right in this moment that I would do anything and everything to ensure that he and his wolf live beyond this month, anything including giving up my chance of happiness with him.
Chase pulled away, allowing the oxygen to fill my lungs again.
“You are mine,” he leaned his forehead against mine again.
“Always,” I whispered, “but we have to trust that we are on the right path, and this is where our paths split.” Ana told me to repeat something. She said that it is important for Chase to hear.
“A specific combination of events at the exact right time.” Chase lifted his head and I could see that there was something like recognition in his eyes. He shook his head.
“I can’t leave you when you are in danger right now.”
“I can look after myself. I’m stronger than I look.” I smiled at him. “Trust me, I have control right now.” He went to say something else when I heard the electronic lock on the door go. Crap, someone was here, and I stepped forward in front of Chase just as Adam walked in the door. He looked around and his eyes fell on us and I growled a warning, ready to fight to get Chase out.
To my surprise, he rolled his eyes at me and hissed.
“Come on guys, if we are gonna go, we have to go now,” I looked at him openmouthed and the shock continued when Chase stepped out from behind me.
“Change of plans,” he said. “You are staying.” he turned and pulled me into a kiss again, before breaking away and looking in my eyes.
“I am trusting you to bring her back to me. You hear me, wolf?” I knew he wasn’t talking to me, but to Ana. She yipped in response, and I nodded.
“She understands.” He then gave me another brief kiss.
“Goddess, I love you more than I can ever even put into words.” And I closed my eyes against the tears again.
“I love you too,” I choked out as he pulled away from me. Chase headed to the door and pointed at Adam.
“Do not let anything happen to her,” he said in a fierce tone. Adam nodded.
“I will protect her with my life,” he said. Chase nodded in response.
“Still doesn’t mean I like you, dick.”
“Feelings mutual, asswipe,” Adam smirked.
Chase turned one more time and smiled at me and I smiled back, hoping that this really wasn’t the last time I was going to see him.
My smile fell as he disappeared through the door. Everything I was holding in, all the guards I had up against the pain of seeing him walk away, crash down and I collapsed to the floor in floods of tears and pain and despair. I begged the moon goddess and anyone who would listen to make sure we are on that right path, and that path will someday cross Chases again.