Page 137 of Mage Massacres

Now that I had my mates, I couldn’t begin to imagine not having them. Much less having any of them snatched away, dangling just out of my grasp.

Not again.

We’d planned on Briggs, Palmer, and Murphy going to the Cambrian Mountains in Wales with Miller and me. But, of course, that didn’t stick. The rest of my guys weren’t eager to be separated. My anxiety eased the slightest bit, knowing they would be within reach.

My parents were right. Tensions were high, and we were all feeling it.

I rolled my shoulders back, linking my arms with Palmer and Briggs as I envisioned the destination Millie had shown me. The frigid winds of the Void whipped around us, cooling my skin as I pep-talked myself.

Nothing survived when it stood between me and mine. I was a bad person with good intentions for those around me. I’d been groomed to rule the Underworld, dominate the shifters, master the vampires, and regulate the mages.

The universe was my domain.

One lycan wasn’t going to stop me.

We stepped out of the Void. The rest of my guys and the twins popped in right behind us.

Two beasts stood sentinel at the cave entrance, pulling up to their full height as we drew closer. Their front legs were longer than their hind legs. Their shoulders were broad and stacked with muscle, while the lower half of their bodies were trimmed and built for speed. Narrowed snouts opened in a warning, sharp canines dripping saliva.

The lycan on the left snarled when my stride toward them didn’t halt. My upper lip curled as I released a sliver of power, gluing them to their positions. They could bark, but they couldn’t move to bite until I allowed it.

“Take us to Caddell Page or forfeit your life,” I commanded.

A man appeared from the shadows of the cave, his hands held loosely at his sides. I couldn’t be sure whether he was a passerby, a hidden guard, or the lycans had sensed our arrival.

“Who requests the presence of our Alpha?” he respectfully inquired.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Briggs snapped in my mind.

I smiled at the stranger, baring my teeth as I forced my wolf to the surface of my skin. “His Alpha.”

His head jerked back as if I’d slapped him, but he motioned for us to follow. The two guards continued to growl until Briggs returned the welcoming gesture, his gruff tone shutting them up.

We heeded the unknown lycan’s directions through the dimly lit tunnels, twisting and turning at random. He was leading us in circles, attempting to confuse us if we ran. We all knew this game.

That was the problem with their off-the-grid lifestyle, though.

They didn’t hear any of the fun rumors floating around.

There were nine of us and three hellacious butterflies haloing my head. I wasn’t worried, nor would I be running.

We entered a cavernous room carved into the mountain’s center, and our guide so graciously announced our arrival.

“Alpha. This woman claims rights over you.” He dipped his head low, backing away and out of the room as slowly as he came in.

Caddell Page stood from his chair at a fucking snail’s pace, and I cocked my head in aggravation.

“Nice to meet you, Cady. Charlie thinks we’ll become the best of friends.”

One side of his mouth tilted up as he goaded, “Why would the Supreme Alpha send such a large party to speak with me?”

“He knows who you are,” Novak informed me, uncaring of personal boundaries.

“I know.”

I shrugged my left shoulder. “We were told you knew how to throw an ostentatious event. Should we have brought party favors?”

“You must be Charlie’s daughter, the new Alpha to keep us all in line.”