Chapter 86: And So It Continues
Chapter 86: And So It Continues
Georgia used to wrestle with the thought of having a mate. Werewolves were guaranteed to have one, but assistants and humans were not. She had hoped that since she lived in this world, she would be blessed with a fated mate…until Stark. She fell for him and hoped he would choose her. She wanted more than anything the love she witnessed between the king and queen. No love, she believed, could ever be as deep or true as theirs. As a child, when she was lucky enough to be in attendance, during special events she would study them. The way they looked at each other, and laughed together… She knew their love was real.
She had believed Stark would eventually become that man to her. But once she realized and understood what he was doing and what he was manipulating her to do, she was afraid that she was damned to spend the rest of her life alone. She was afraid that she would find a mate and he would die… or she would never find anyone at all after Stark… if there even was an after for her. She already died at his command once. What could he possibly want with her now?
She felt her body moving then swinging up and land onto a soft surface. It must have been the bed in the room. Then she felt him sit next to her and he began to stroke her hair lovingly. In the past, she would have given anything for this attention. He leaned closer to her, and she could feel his warm breath on her forehead… then a kiss. He sat up and continued to stroke her hair as she laid there lifeless. She knew she was breathing and she could feel her heart beating, but she couldn’t move.
“Georgia, my dear, I doubt you can hear me…” Starks deep voice spoke soothingly. She heard his words swirl around her ears like echoes. “I knew you were strong. I knew you were intelligent. I didn’t realize how strong or intelligent you were until I found all your notes. Interestingly enough they were all in a panel under your bed… And the toads… aren’t you sneaky…” he guffawed his words. “I was quite impressed at how quickly you moved everything. But you knew, didn’t you? You knew that eventually I’d figure it all out. So I realized that either you had a way to stop me, or you wanted me to take you back. Either way, you’re much better off here with me. Really, what do I need Rosemary for when I have you?”
His words were slowly registering in her mind. She couldn’t move or respond. It was like every muscle in her body had gone to sleep. Stark moved his hand down her cheek then to her neck and traced along her shoulder and down her arm until he got to her hand, which he held onto.
“Every good strong couple learns to compromise. We are no different. When you wake up, I’ll let you know that if you agree to become my mate, then Alexander will not be harmed. If you choose not to, well, they’ll all die. And speaking of death, does Alexanders wolf look familiar to you? He should. He’s the one that killed you that night, years into the future. I knew you two were mates. But he wasn’t worthy of you. You’re far too great for him. And lucky for me you wanted me so badly that you listened to everything I told you to do. You were always such a good girl. Even when you betrayed me, you left me clues. Here I am rambling when you need to rest. Get a good night’s sleep, and we’ll talk about everything when you wake up. I’ll be back soon.”
He leaned down and gave her another kiss on her forehead then got up and left the room.
The deafening silence was all around her and all she could do was lay there and think of all that Stark just said to her.
“What the fuck just happened? Where’s Georgia? Pierce! Why’d you knock me over the head and throw me in a closet?” Alexander was yelling. Once he came to, he realized he was locked in a broom closet. He banged on the door until Pierce, and a maid came to unlock the door.
“I’ve been in my room, man.”
“Where’s Georgia?” Frankie yelled frantically. “Her room is gone!”
“What?” They all looked up to see Frankie running down the hall.
“I opened the door and their room is completely gone.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“I’ve tried to mind link her. She’s not responding to anything. It’s like she’s nowhere.” Frankie was catching her breath.
They all went down to Georgia and Alexanders room to find walls and a large opening to the outdoors as if the entire suite was simply removed.
“That wasn’t you? Fuck! I was so worried that we were being attacked again and Georgia was trying to warn me and I didn’t listen to her. You told her to stay in the room and not to leave.”
“That wasn’t me!”
“Well it sure as shit looked like you.”
“Stark.” Charles stated as he walked up the hall towards everyone. “It had to be Stark.”
“That means he found all of Georgia’s notes.” Frankie added. “And if he chipped her…”
“Where did he take her?” Alexander asked.
“My guess is back to his packhouse. But I’m also guessing he’s counting on us to find her.”
“Yes! We have to go get her.”
“What if this was the plan all along?” Lexy asked. “What if she was always working for him and this is a trap?”
“She wasn’t. Don’t ever say that again. But Pierce is right. We can’t just go there because that’s what he’s expecting us to do.” Frankie tried hard not to deck Lexy for even considering.
“Georgia isn’t working for Stark, Lexy. Not anymore. But he’s got all he needs now and she’s alone. We have to figure this out quickly.” Charles reassured his mate.
Rosemary, who stood quietly while watching the exchange, finally spoke up. “There are a lot of what ifs. And yes, we need to figure this out fast. But we do need a plan. My guess is there could be something in Georgia’s notes that Stark doesn’t see. Also, she’s been writing. We need to find her notes. She seems to always have a solution before these things happen. From what we know, everything is at his packhouse so that’s the only logical place he would have taken her. Also, Frankie, find out if we’re in a loop. He might have created one to stall. Honestly, I’m beginning to feel like we’ve done this before. The good news is, if he did, we can learn from it too.”
“On it. I’ll make the elixir so we can remember.”
“Babe, that shit tastes awful. Can you put some cranberry juice in it or something?”
“Not if you want it to work.”
Max shook his head in disgust not looking forward to drinking the elixir and getting that headache… again.