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Chapter twenty-three
Eliana
Moonborne
THEBRILLIANTSUNSETignitesthe sky aglow with fiery colors. Ravi motions for me to join him on the ground, looking over a cliff where ocean stretches out endlessly. With the bright sun, the usual turquoise water appears gray, but it isn’t any less beautiful.
“Tonight will be the hardest one for you. The full moon forces the change on everyone. It’s the only time we don’t have control to shift between wolf and human.” Ravi stares at the side of my face, but I don’t look at him.
I keep my gaze trained on the horizon, trying to figure out if what I see toward the east is land. Another island maybe.
“What you’re looking at is Starrise Island. It doesn’t belong to us.” Ravi touches my leg, getting me to look at him. It’s easy to forget that he can hear my thoughts as if they’re his own. “But that is information for another time, princess. What’s important is that you know what to prepare for tonight.”
A dozen thoughts swirl through my mind. If it doesn’t belong to the wolfpacks, then who does it belong to? I hate this. I hate not knowing. Fuck me. I don’t even want to think about it.
“It’s better if you do. You don’t need to think about all of the other bullshit right now. Let’s focus on you. On us and what to expect. The change will begin in a couple of hours when the moon rises high in the sky.” Ravi traces his finger over my knee and works his way down until he reaches for my hand, my palm flat on the ground. I let him take my hand in his, the heat of his palm keeping the chill away.
“It’s going to hurt, right?” I swallow with my question. Of course, It’s going to hurt. I’m already hurting.
“I wish it didn’t, but it won’t last forever. The first forced change next month will be easier. You’ll get used to it and perhaps even look forward to it.” Ravi laces our fingers together, moving to get a better look at me since I keep staring at the horizon. I should feel better that he gives me answers without having to beg, but a part of me still hurts, feeling betrayed because Kellan made it sound far more complicated.
“Fucking great. I just don’t understand why. Why did the packs kidnap us? I know you claim that you need more power or whatever, but I can guarantee that if you just asked people, I bet you could get a bunch of volunteers for this bullshit. Don’t you think it’d be easier if they were willing?” Anger rushes through me at the thought, and I wonder what it would be like if I had been given the choice.
“The willing often fail. They are not as...creative. They don’t know how to work together. They have too many weaknesses. We need those who are willing to fight to survive.” Ravi tightens his jaw. “You can tell the difference. Look at those who survived your original group. There is one female left. The others perished. Those who took the easy way died.”
I lift my eyebrows. “So Tiffany is alive?”
“You know she had originally made a deal with Windshore. I wanted to offer as much to you, but you made things rather difficult, princess.” Ravi smirks with his words, not answering my question. “But I suppose it was proof enough, seeing as I still managed to claim you as mine.”
He keeps stating that—that I’m his—as if I’m a piece of property to be owned. It reminds me of one client from my past. The one who thought that because he paid for many of my things that he could do what he wanted. It doesn’t work like that though. Not for me, at least.
“There is a difference, Eliana. My claim on you lies on a different level. You’re not my property, nor are you my slave. You’re my mate. There is a difference.” His voice deepens with his words, his response feeling more intimate.
I tilt my head and look at him. How can he be so certain? He feels a bond. I know it. I sense it myself. But I refuse to believe that one bite could just tie us together as mates. My brain would never allow such a thing. Relationships must be cultivated. They must be equal. And honestly, with how things are on this island, they must be earned.
“That is true in a sense. At least for the young pups you’ve seemed to collect. Originally, the packs had agreed to bring humans here and allow them to form their own alliances. But things are now complicated. There are many hungry for power and control. Our numbers are dwindling too quickly. Females stopped being born. Now it seems as if they only can be blessed by the moon if they’re bitten. Except for you. Your lineage with Eleanor changes everything. You might not be able to shift yet, because Eleanor didn’t mate with a lykoswulf, but it’s in your blood. You were meant for this. You are meant for great things as my mate.” Ravi leans closer to me, his eyes flicking toward my lips. The thought of kissing me crosses his mind. It awakens desire inside of me, but I try to ignore it. Now is not the time to let these unbidden emotions control me. I will not give him the satisfaction of seducing me. Not here. Not now.
I put space between us, shifting my body until I use his arm to rest against. He wraps it around my shoulder and pulls me closer, unfazed by my silent rejection.
“I think you have too many expectations for me. I don’t want anything to do with your pack or you for that matter. I’m only here because you seem to be the lesser of all the evil on this island. I just want to make that clear.” I shudder with my words.
“That might be the case now, but we will see where your ideas fall after the moon claims you. You need someone strong. You need someone who knows the ways of the lykoswulf. Because once the change happens, you’re going to need me to not only protect you but teach you. You’re going to need me to help those pups. You do realize that those who are not bitten by our pack cannot join us easily. They will be called upon by the alphas. And once they’re in their wolf forms, they won’t be able to resist.” Ravi’s words shock my heart, stealing my breath away. I never thought about how he offers refuge from the other packs control. If it’s on a mental level, and strong enough to fuck with them already in their human forms, I’m afraid to find out what happens next.
“What are your expectations from me? I can’t let that happen. I made them a promise I intend to keep.” My heart raps in my chest, knocking against my ribcage and threatening to crack my bones in an attempt to throw itself free. Desperation makes my mind spin, and I blink my eyes, trying to stay calm.
“That’s the thing. Sean has his ways, and he commands I follow through. Only Adam will be able to fight for a spot. But if you submit, I can challenge him. It will give me the strength to claim my rightful place. Your decision to be my omega and mate by choice will change everything. No other female can. Not with the impurities of being human-born.” Ravi remains expressionless, turning his gaze to the horizon.
“That sounds weird. Why hasn’t Sean kidnapped me and forced me to be...his omega?” It sounds so twisted, the idea churning my stomach. I can’t help thinking about what the hell all of it even means.
“Lykoswulf alphas can’t force an omega into submission. Such an act is a gift from the goddess, and you, as a chosen, can reject such a bond. Sean thought giving you to me would help him in the end. Me as your captor and he as your savior...because he wants to ensure you have no one left.” Ravi grazes his thumb over the side of my hand. “He doesn’t understand your connection to the pups. They’re not worthy of you in his eyes and only worthy to serve.”
I don’t respond, letting the information sink in.
“If you agree to my terms, I’ll ensure you never regret it. Those pups will have a place where other packs couldn’t annihilate them. As your true and rightful mate, I will ensure they survive the night,” he continues.
Again, I can’t get my mouth to work to respond.
“Everything you do moving forward will be with me in mind first. And when it’s time to mate, you will allow me the honor.” Ravi groans in his throat, his stipulations exciting him. “We will bear strong children. You will have protectors in the pups. But you have to agree and submit. Accept your place and embrace this offering.”
