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My horror at the way he’d been taken was nothing compared to the relief I felt being free of him and his influence. Did I truly never have to worry about him hurting me or anyone I cared about again?
Wyatt pulled me close, and his presence was like a blanket of warmth. He calmed and steadied me and my inner wolf. That was good, because things looked like they were gonna get worse before they got better.
Lucina and Heline glared at each other. Across the room, August had taken the camera from Chelsey and positioned it toget a better view. The bright red light on the viewfinder said it was still broadcasting.
“You know the rules, sister,” Lucina said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “You’ve pushed your little game too far. The mortals are at war because you became bored. I didn’t realize you were so childish as to break one of the laws of our kind for simple pleasures.”
Heline grinned maliciously. “You know, dear Lucina, I thought I sensed you nearby. Clever trick.Fantasticdisguise. I couldn’t even tell you were there under that pathetic face. You’ve not left your little island for centuries. I didn’t really think you had it in you.”
“Yes, I’m sure you didn’t,” Lucina said. “Is that why you chose to flaunt the rules? You know we are not to change the course of mortal history.Nothingchanges things more than love and war, and you’ve meddled with both.”
Heline’s grin vanished, and she pouted like a petulant child. “Rules and laws are beneath me. But…” She stood straight, her face stoic, all other emotions bleeding away. “I’ll put things right. It’s no longer fun, anyway. You’ll need to ensure they never know it was me who did this, of course. If the mortals knew, I’d lose their respect and worship. I would weaken, and I cannot have that. We’ll place the blame, as I originally intended, on my acolytes. The rabble will love me even more forfixingthe issue. After that, you can tuck your tail and run back to your island of misfit creatures.”
Shrugging out of Wyatt’s grip, I stood, clearing my throat. Both goddesses turned their eyes on me. The intimidation rushing through me made my knees shake and almost buckle.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I said to Heline.
Hot indignation flared through Heline’s eyes. “Youwouldn’t dothat? Why is that, you silly little wolf?”
“It’s just that, uh….” I pointed toward August and the live camera trained on her. “That’s not really gonna fly anymore.”
Heline turned and registered the camera. A mix of emotions flashed across her face--confusion, understanding, shock, anger, fear, rage. Her face was even paler than before as she took in the truth. Millions had seen and listened to her admit to all she’d done.
Behind me, Wyatt chuckled. “After all this, I can’t believe I’m happy to see a camera.”
Heline’s eyes widened, and I thought she was going to unleash a tirade on us. But instead, she grinned and laughed along with Wyatt.
“Yes, yes, yes, so funny,” she chuckled. “OfcourseI knew that camera was there. Do you really think the great Heline would let anything happen to her acolytes? I care deeply for them. I would never allow harm to come to them for something I allegedly did.”
“Really?” I asked dryly.
“I fully intended to make the fated mate pairings right again. I always did, my dear girl,” Heline added.
The way she called medear girlmade my guts go watery and cold. The smile on her lips was no longer jovial. It looked like the kind of smile a predator gave a small creature before devouring them.
“I will make those connections right,” Heline said. “In fact, I’ll do it at this very minute…as long as you and Wyatt make the right choice.”
“Excuse me?” I asked. Wyatt’s hand found mine.
“Yes, of course. I’ll make you a deal,” Heline said. “Since you two were always meant to be fated mates, you can either keep the connection you’ve established, or I can remove that connection and end the war.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Your choice. Love, or the deaths of thousands. I’ll give you a hint…I know what the right option is.”
Lucin sighed behind her. “Sister, you truly are growing tiresome.”
Heline spun and leveled a finger at the other goddess. “Due to your interference, I am going to lose everything,” she hissed. “My influence is already waning. I can feel it already. If I’m to be relegated, then Iwillhave one last bit of fun.”
I had no clue what to do. How could I give up Wyatt, give up this wonderful connection we’d established? Yet, there were hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions fighting and dying. I could end it all.
Turning toward him, I looked into Wyatt’s eyes. He gave me a sad smile.
I understood the truth. Even without a fated mate connection, I would love him. I had always loved him, even without some magical connection binding me to him. Ending the war was the most important thing we could do.
“I know your answer, Kira,” Heline said. “I can see it written all over your face. What of your beloved? This concerns him as well. What does he say?”
Chapter 26
Wyatt
All eyes in the room turned toward me. Heline was right. I could see Kira’s answer in her eyes. She was a protector. She would sacrifice anything and everything to save the innocent. That was one of the main things that made her good at her job, and drove me crazy. Always jumping into danger, always stepping over the line to help someone, save someone, rescue someone.
