Chapter 146

Chapter 146
Lincoln 

She chose him. She fucking chose him. I’d heard just how much she had chosen him. How much she had always loved him just like everyone else in the neighbourhood had.

Hope had chosen Justin. 

And now she was standing by the weird bead statue looking everywhere but at me. She looked embarrassed. When in reality it should have been me who was embarrassed. Humiliated because I thought she loved me. I knew she had said she had to give him what he wanted but to give him herself when I was right there was sickening.

I began to pace , acutely aware that both Blake and Hope were looking at me. I didn’t care. I didn’t even know why I was still here. Hope had chosen and it wasn’t me. I should leave her to it. Let her live her life but something deep inside of me told me to stay put.

“Stop letting your emotions control-“ Blake said and shut his mouth with a snap when Hope shook her head.

Great, I rolled my eyes. She even seemed to have a better relationship with the rogue.

Did Hope prefer everyone but me? 

“Do you know where Justin has gone?” Blake asked instead and out of the corner of my eye I saw Hope shake her head. 

“That’s surprising.” I snapped. “ I thought he would have told you seeing as you have such a close and loving relationship.”

Hope paled and turned away. Her movements were jerky as she walked away. “All he said was that he had surprises for us.”

“Us?” Blake came to stand next to me. Hope shrugged. “Lincoln?” Blake whispered.

“What?” I snapped.

“Do you see what I’m seeing?” He jerked his chin towards Hope's tiny frame.

I frowned, she looked tiny. Had she always been so small and slight? So broken? 

No, not broken. That wasn’t the right word. She looked shattered but there was a stiffness in her shoulders that said she was fighting it.

And fuck was she beautiful, even though the clothes she was wearing were strange to me. Hugging her curves, the material of the trousers especially were skin tight on her. A weird pale blue. 

I tore my eyes away from her round ass. “She looks like Hope.”

Oh boy did that sentence have two meanings. How had I not noticed it before?

“She’s bleeding.”

My eyes snapped back towards her. At first I couldn’t see it but one sniff and I could smell it. “He hurt her?” I asked. What I had heard from that room didn’t sound like pain. It sounded like pleasure.

“On her inner thigh.” Blake whispered. “It’s just a drop but it’s -“

“He fed on her.” My voice was loud and Hope turned in shock. Her eyes wide in her pale face before she looked away again.

“That would be my guess.” Blake said. “She didn’t betray you Lincoln. Look at her. Do you see how much misery she is in?”

Now I was looking at her properly I could see it and I felt like a complete asshole. “He used some mind games on her. She didn’t-“ I took a step towards her when the door opened again and in came the bane of my life .

Justin swept in. Dressed strangely like Hope. There was a bundle of rags in his arms that seemed to be moving jerkily. 

“Is that-“ 

Ignoring me completely. He stopped straight in front of Hope. “I keep my promises Hope.” He said and passed the squirming bundle into her arms.

She sobbed loudly. “Oh my god.” Crying Hope began kissing the bundle. Small fists lashed out and latched on to her hair tugging on it.

I couldn’t help it, I smiled. My mate and my daughter.

“Go to them.” Blake elbowed me in the ribs hard. “Go and meet your daughter.”

And that’s when the second biggest pain in my ass walked into the room. Nells head was held high, her clothes rich. She looked around like she belonged here, with a sly smile of ownership.

“Justin I didn’t think-“ she froze when she caught sight of me, her smile disappeared completely when she saw Hope. “What is all of this Justin? You invited me here for

Personal reasons. But now I see what company you keep and I think-“

“And you came so easily. Giving over a previous jewel.” Justin moved around her. A predator stalking a tight circle around its prey.

“This is going to get messy.” Blake hissed. “Go to them now.”

Keeping my eyes on the ancient vampire , I skirted around the room. Coming to stand at Hopes side. “I’m

Sorry I doubted you.” I said out of the corner of my mouth. 

“You said to bring the child. That we would feast.” Nell’s voice shook with fear. She was a powerful alpha and a massive bitch but she would know deep down that Justin was more powerful than her. 

Hell he was probably more powerful than every alpha in the city combined.

“And we are going to feast.” Justin reached out and ran his hand down her cheek. “You know this woman don’t you?” Gripping her around her throat, he forced Nell to look at Hope. “You touched her, used her and tried to kill her.”

Nell’s throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “She’s an omega and a traitor.”

“She is mine and you hurt her.” Justin’s grip tightened, cutting off her air as he lifted her slowly off the floor. Nell's boots kicked uselessly in the air.

“You took her child from her. So yes alpha Nell. We are going to feast. I have alphas here. Ancient alphas who have many needs. You will be their meal. Their release-“

A wild howling screaming went up from somewhere below us. Hunger and need. They had heard his words and were baying for fresh blood.

“No.” Clawing at her throat, Nell screamed and began to struggle in his arms. “You can’t do that. I’m an alpha not an omega.”

Justin continued to drag her away. “And she is your queen. Your punishment will be what happened to her. Everything that has happened to her.” Pausing Justin looked at me directly. “You have one hour with them. That is it before we leave. Meet your child, and say goodbye to Hope. One hour.” 

He disappeared and an uneasy silence fell. No one spoke. Hope looked like she was in a daze as she stared down at the baby in her arms.

“Hope?”

From somewhere deep in the sprawling ancient building a scream sounded and Hope jumped. “What?” She shook her head. “What is he doing to her? What is he doing to Nell?”

“He is hunting.” Blake said softly from his place by the door. “They are all hunting.”

Hope paled even more. “They will rip her apart. I know I should be happy she is being punished but no woman,” Hope trailed off and I caught her chin between my fingers and tilted her face up to mine.

“You can’t help her, Hope,” I whispered.

“I know, but-“

“ no buts. Will you two just communicate? You’ve been given an hour, that's it. Don’t waste it on the fate of a woman who tried to kill both of you. Nell doesn’t deserve your sympathy.” He turned his back on us.

He was right of course. Taking a deep breath I finally let my eyes drift downwards. “Hope, may I meet our daughter?”