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“See? Don’t you feel better now that we’ve gone through the gateway?” Slater stands beside Ravi, stroking his fingers along my arm.
Ravi remains stiff and silent, almost nervous, but I don’t point it out. Instead, I look toward the others to check on them. I’m not used to how quiet they are. How they keep their thoughts to themselves. I know that everyone on this yacht is on edge. Being summoned to whoever controls everything it’s probably fucking intimidating. But I’m not. I’m more scared over the fact that I’ve been called out. It means they’ve been watching me.
“Not in the way you think, my love. And if you want me to talk to you, I will. I’m just keeping to myself to stay unnoticed.” Kellan’s voice swirls through my mind as he answers my thoughts. “On Starrise Island, we’re not the ones in charge. I have never been invited here, but I know that we are all infrabornes in the eyes of those who rule. They have power beyond what we know.”
I shift in Ravi’s arms and meet Kellan’s gaze. He seems more open now that he’s no longer under the influence of Rocco, and I crave to have more time alone with him. He doesn’t have the same needs and responsibilities as the alphas. I know that Ravi and Slater keep me to themselves right now because of it. How they handle me is what is expected. They don’t say it, but I know they’re concerned.
“I’ll tell you more about everything when we return to Shadow Moon. Now is not the time to be open to anyone, including each other. Try your best to silence your thoughts. Build a wall around your emotions. Be brave, okay?” Kellan doesn’t look at me as he thinks the words, turning his attention toward the looming dock ahead.
Silence falls over the yacht, far heavier than it was on the ride here, and I take a moment to drink in the sight of all the men and Sloan. I realize that she and I are the only women aboard. It makes me feel even more awkward.
She remains straight-backed and confident, though, even taking a moment to wink at me as she strides past with a couple guys trailing behind her. If they were in their wolf forms, they would probably have their tails tucked between their legs. They look far worse than she does, and I’m nearly certain that they challenged her for the alpha spot, and she beat their asses.
I wish I could’ve seen it. I wish I could embody even a morsel of what she is. But I’m not strong enough yet. I know that it’s going to take time for me to build up to be an alpha. Right now, it’s just not the time. Not with my pregnancy. I’ll be strong when I have to be, but I need others to help me.
“That’s why you are an omega, princess. Now make sure to play the part. I know you want to resist, and you want to feel in control, but let us handle this. The council does not look kindly to those who resist. They need to know that we can handle our people. It keeps them from coming in.” Ravi adjusts me in his arms, holding me on his hip like a small child instead of the blushing bride he has been treating me as.
Slater nods at him in agreement but doesn’t comment on his words. He motions to Tristan and the rest of the pack that has come with him and gets them to lead the way behind Sloan’s pack. Ravi and I exit the yacht next, and Adam, Chase, and Kellan trail behind. I spot Evander with his alpha finishing off the group, but neither of them looks at me.
No one speaks. I’m not even sure if anyone is breathing. We stroll along the dock in absolute silence, heading toward the rainbow-like sand, glittering with incomparable magic. The beauty of this beach shocks my soul. I’ve never seen anything like it, but I know beyond the breathtaking view lies something darker. Deadlier. I can feel it deep in my bones.
“Ravi, something’s wrong. We need to go back to the yacht.” I whisper the words instead of thinking them. I’m afraid that if I try, I’ll open my mind to the predators hiding somewhere deeper in the island. Monsters worse than the alpha.
“We can’t. Just take a few breaths. Breathe with me and feel my strength. I will—” Ravi howls, his words gurgling as electric light shocks through his body, sending static through the air.
His hold on me loosens, and he drops me. I screech as I fall and land in the sand, my mind whirling as the strange energy hums through the air.
My body betrays me, and my skin ripples and shifts. I screech, pain radiating through me. Others yell out. I’m not the only one being forced to transform. It’s as if the full moon rises, but the sun still shines. What the fuck?
“Don’t resist, pups. Let the power course through you. You are your strongest in your true form.” Slater’s voice resonates through me. He’s not only talking to me but to the guys as well.
I heave a breath from my nostrils, my snout pressed into the sand. “What’s happening?”
“We must arrive as wolves before being granted the capability to shift back. Don’t be scared, Eliana. Nothing bad will happen. It’s all part of the process.” Ravi pads up beside me and shoves his big head under my belly, forcing me to my paws.
He does the same for Chase and Adam while Kellan helps Davian and Slater helps Tristan. I wobble on my paws, the ground feels different. The sparkly sand is softer, fluffier. It feels like snow but warmer.
A thunderous boom startles me, and I whip my head up to a cloaked figure standing about twenty feet away. Opening their arms, the figure tips its head back allowing its hood to fall. Shimmery white hair cascades down the young woman’s back and she chants something unfamiliar. It triggers my skin to crawl, and I transform back into my mortal form, my clothes shredded and tattered, leaving me exposed.
More cloaked figures materialize from the shadows of the strange trees, the twisted branches climbing toward the sky. The beings spread out and tread through the sand, handing out robes with metallic designs embroidered into the fabric. Ravi takes two and wraps one around me, tying the robe closed. I appreciate that he takes care of me first, hiding my body from everyone. His selfless gesture doesn’t go unnoticed by me, and I meet his gaze and offer him a soft, appreciative smile.
“We can’t give everyone the pleasure of seeing your stunning body now, can we?” Ravi grins wider, his words knocking some sense into me. And here I thought he was being kind and considerate. He was just being an asshole, wanting to keep me to himself.
He doesn’t hear my thoughts, because if he did, I’m sure he would’ve remarked about them. I’m thankful for that. I’m afraid I won’t be able to remain closed off. I’m still learning. Things don’t come easy to me.
“I call upon the pack alphas to join us in Darkridge. Please leave your packs behind. It is not necessary for them to join.” The woman with white hair turns her attention to me. “Except for you, Eliana. Please come forward. I’ll escort you.”
“No, you won’t. I’m her alpha.” Ravi tightens his arms around me protectively.
The woman smirks in amusement, unfazed by his sudden dominance. Slater growls deep in his throat beside us, taking my hand. Shit. I have a feeling they might break out in a fight over me.
“He is not. I will escort her.” Slater tries to pull me to him, his alpha nature threatening Ravi. I haven’t seen him like this yet, and it’s hot as hell. A part of me wants them to fight for my attention. How screwed up is that?
Flinging out her hands, the woman casts some sort of spell. I shouldn’t be surprised that she wields magic. I already know she’s responsible for the energy that forced me into my wolf form, but my human rationale can’t stop screaming that magic isn’t real.
Ravi and Slater drop to their knees with grunts of pain, and the world flies around me, my feet falling away from the ground. The world silences as shadows engulf me, stealing my breath. I arch and buck my body, fear clenching my heart. Darkness consumes me, dragging me from the beach and my guys.
The world fades away, leaving me alone in a pitch-black realm.
