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“Now, you can all see why I came back so heartbroken,” my dad continued, “my only daughter, my flesh and blood, ran away to be with another pack. When this sorry excuse for an alpha refused to return her to me, I fought him, but alas, I’m an old man and my fighting days are behind me.”
Grumbling and awkward laughter sounded from around us. The pack wasn’t sure how to respond to this. They were used to going along with my dad, but I could tell that this felt different. They knew how terrible my life was and they had to be wondering why he would care that I took off.
At least I had to hope some of them did. I had to hope at least a few of these shifters could see through his bullshit.
“As my daughter is unmarried, she belongs to me,” my dad explained. “So I requested that she be returned, so her betrothed can fight for her as it should be.” He gestured to Owen, who puffed out his chest a bit at the acknowledgement.
The mummers grew louder and my face heated. “He is not my betrothed.”
“He is because I say he is,” my dad snapped, his loud voice booming around us.
I shuddered, hating that I suddenly wanted to retreat into myself and make myself small. He had a way of setting off all my insecurities and making me feel like I was powerless. I glanced to Luke, wondering why he was letting my dad monologue instead of taking action. What was he waiting for?
“Morgan, if you please.” My dad gestured to the space next to him and the priest moved forward. “I’d like to have you here next to me while I transfer my alpha powers to your future husband, our next alpha, as my wedding gift to you.”
I glared at him, but he smiled maniacally. He was enjoying every second of this.
“Go on,” Luke said. “I got you.”
Swallowing over a lump in my throat, I approached the stage. I really hoped the witch who was hovering in the background was who they were after, so Scarlett could take her out and we could be done with this.
As soon as I stepped into the space my father was gesturing to, I felt my feet lock into place. My eyes widened in terror. I tried to move, but I wasn’t going anywhere. I looked to Luke, but his expression was impassive, bored even. Do something. I couldn’t be trapped here. Something was very wrong. “Luke.” My tone was pleading, desperate.
I’m sorry, he mouthed.
My brow furrowed. Sorry? What was he sorry for?
Luke leaped onto the stage and the crowd gasped in unison. A glint of sunlight shone from a knife in his hands. My heart raced. This was it, he was going to take out my dad and end our bond.
“What do you think you’re doing?” my dad challenged.
Luke grabbed my hand and sliced the knife down my palm. I grunted from the pain, but the betrayal was stronger than anything physical. “What are you doing?”
He squeezed my fingers together, dripping blood on the stage. I pulled my hand away. “What the fuck, Luke?”
“Get off her,” Owen hollered. He charged forward, hands balled into fists, ready to attack. Luke jumped from the stage.
I tried to follow him, but my feet were still glued to the floor. “Don’t just leave me here. Someone help me.” The crowd had backed away, watching the odd performance.
“That’s right.Stay away, you psycho.” Owen turned to me. “Are you okay?” He tore a piece of his shirt and began to bandage my hand.
My mind was a mess. What was happening? Owen was helping me and Luke was being insane. I scanned the crowd, only half-aware of Owen’s presence.
Shifters parted, with mummers and hushed whispers. Scarlett and Zoe strolled up through the gap, then stopped in front of the stage. They looked focused and tense, their gazes locked on my father. Suddenly a bright white light exploded around us, blinding me. I was surrounded by magic. Intense and powerful, burning white hot. I cried out, but there was so much chaos and noise, nobody would have heard me anyway.
As the light faded, I caught sight of the crowd, running and screaming. Chaos erupted and terror hung in the air like a tangible source of terrifying energy.
“He’s there! Get him!” Zoe screamed.
I turned away from the crowd and back to the stage. My father was in a heap on the ground, his chest split in two, his organs spilling out of him. I screamed and tried to run, but I was still stuck, glued in place with some kind of magic I couldn’t fight. “Help me! Please help me!”
Owen tugged at my arms, then tried to grab me by the waist, but even he couldn’t get me free. He stood in front of me, as if he could shield me from the chaos, but I could still see my father’s fallen form.
A dark shadow emerged from the gaping slash down my father’s body. It slithered and twisted as it expanded. The larger it grew, the more corporeal it became, until I was staring at a monster made of what looked like charred wood.
The body was humanoid but was twice the height of a normal man, with long fingers ending in claws. Twisting horns protruded from his head and empty, black hollows took the place of eyes. His mouth was too large, going from one side of his face to the other. As the creature locked those dead, empty eyes on me, the mouth parted, revealing row after row of razor-sharp teeth.
The witch standing on the stage screamed, and the monster lunged, slashing her across the middle. She fell to the floor in two pieces.
