“For now,” Nanshe started, clearing her throat, “there is something else we need to speak about.”
“What is it?” Arturo questioned.
Carlo sighed deeply when Nanshe looked at him with a pointed stare, urging him to spill the beans. “It has to do with me. The Chaos seems to react to me, or at least it did in the Chaos Realm.”
Romano cleared his throat. “Yes, Lennox explained that to Kalinda when he came back. It seems it was spot on with your emotions.”
“Yeah, we don't exactly understand why. Nanshe believes if I have protection and people around me I trust, I may be able to accept some Chaos and find out what the connection is. Having the Council nearby would be helpful too.”
“No,” Arturo growled. “The last time you touched it in such a way, we saw what happened. I will not lose my cousin again to the Chaos.”
“It seems like we may have no choice, Alpha. When I was in the Chaos Realm, I was told the Chaos was important for the battle. We know this from Nanshe and Verdandi.”
“Who's fucking Verdandi?” Romano interrupted. “Why the hell do we keep getting these new characters at this point? I'm getting kind of tired of the ‘Price Is Right, Come on Down’. They need to just stay in their own damn lanes.”
“Unfortunately, this is war and we don't have a choice. Verdandi is Norn of the Present. She was the one who actually saved and protected Asherah. Don't even ask me how because you couldn't get a straight answer out of that woman if you tried. Just trust me on this. But she did explain in moments of lucidity that my acceptance of the Chaos would be paramount to us winning this war.”
“How safe will it be for Carlo, Nanshe? I'm not losing one of my wolves to the Chaos.”
“Arturo, I'm not exactly sure how to answer that question, but I will say he is my mate and I know the Chaos is important. I cannot explain his connection to the Chaos, but I agree with the Norn of the Present. It is important, and he must. This is the reason I came. Once he has linked with it, the fight will turn in our favor.”
Arturo sighed on the line. “If it's necessary, I will allow it, but we will do it within the Moretti Pack lands. Romano, have Kalinda bring whatever mages she can. And if any of you other Alphas can spare your power, I need you there. I want him protected at all costs. Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” the other wolves answered in unison. Although Arturo wasn't the lead Alpha out of all of them, it seemed the group had come to a silent consensus to allow him to run point for now.
Although the Moonstone Pack mainly kept to themselves, they were definitely the dominant pack out of all the families. They were quiet most of the time, but Adonis and his packalwaysknew what was going on in Encantadoandwithin each family. They always had, the crafty bastards.
Carlo wasn't sure how long Adonis would allow Arturo to hold this current position, but right now, they were in agreement.
“Fine. Nanshe, you can portal me directly to the pack lands? We’ll wait there until everyone arrives.”
“Oh?Nowyou're fine with going into the Chaos?”
Carlo rolled his eyes. His sassy mate was going to be the death of him, even before Skuld got her hands on him. “It seems I'm going to have to. Just make it quick as possible. Once there, we'll see what we have to do about allowing the Chaos inside me.”
“I win.”
Win what? I said portal me, not that I enjoyed it. Do it, woman.
“Stubborn male.”
THEY’D CHOSEN THE ARENAas the location where Carlo would accept the Chaos. The mages under Kalinda’s control had created a protective field around the space so nothing could spill out.
Carlo and Nanshe stood in the center of the dirt circle, surrounded by Arturo, Dominic, Romano, Silva, Lennox, Zahara, Asherah, Heath, Eiravel, Cynes, Kallan, and Teague. Isadora and Zoey had been left behind, with Giuliana standing guard over them and the home. Pasquale entered last, racing from the elevator.
“I've got all the protective details sorted. Zoey and Isadora are within range of the arena but outside of the protective force. That way they aren't affected by anything that may come in, but they're close enough we can get to them.”
Dominic nodded. “Thank you. Where's Adonis?”
Pasquale finally slowed his breathing. “Adonis has decided to stay outside. His men are also protecting our women. He is close enough to the barrier and connected by earpiece to add his Alpha call, but he assumed you may want him on detail with Giuliana to make sure no one can attack your mate.”
“I'll have to thank him later. I appreciate his assistance, and I'm sure Eiravel and Cynes do as well.”
The two Fae males nodded, and Eiravel took one step forward. “We would not have left Isadora otherwise, Alpha.”
Knowing Torin and the Guardians were securing the Scorched Earth borders, and Alexi and the rest of the Renegades were also there, things were safe. They had the most powerful people in this room to assist.
“How do I open myself to the Chaos?” Carlo looked to Nanshe for answers.
