25| Blood Bound 2

CEDAR BLAKE 

I hate him.

I hate everything about him… the way he talks like he owns the world, the way his eyes follow me as if I’m nothing more than a prize he has already claimed.

Dominus Maruto.

The name used to mean something different to me. At the very beginning, when I still believed he was the one who saved me, I actually liked him. I’m ashamed to admit it now, but it’s the truth. Back then, I didn’t see the monster. I only saw the charm, the strength, the confidence that made everyone else shrink in his presence. I thought I was safe with him. I thought he could protect me.

But I was wrong. And now, every time I look at him, I wonder how I could have been so blind.

It’s almost funny that the manipulative, sly, always-careful Dominus is getting played in his own game. He must be so sure of himself that it never even crossed his mind that someone might outsmart him. That a player could be played.

Right now, though, I can’t let him see that I am awake, alert, and thinking.

I kept my breathing slow and even, pretending to be lost in deep, helpless sleep. I’ve been shielding my mind from his prying presence all night, keeping my thoughts locked tight so he can’t hear them. If he knew I was aware, he’d have me chained down tighter than steel and with guards pinning me to the floor.

The last thing I remember before waking up here was my bed, Kayla and Damira in my room... Now… we’re back on the hill. My body ached all over, but my back especially felt like it had been lying on something rough for hours. I shifted just enough to feel the wooden platform beneath me, hard, uneven, and cold even through the thin blanket they’ve thrown over me.

“This is the blade, Alpha King.”

Cena’s voice cut through the swirling wind to my ears. His tone was steady, controlled, but it carried that sharp edge of loyalty I’ve always hated about him.

Dominus answered him, his voice distant under the growing roar of the wind. “Keep your eyes around the perimeter. You know how important it is that this goes successfully. Let the guards secure the woods. I don’t want a bird chirping or a tree moving until I am done.”

The wind got thicker, heavier, like it’s trying to crawl inside my lungs. I know I can’t keep pretending much longer. My body betrayed me with a sudden cough, then a sneeze. Slowly, I raised one shaky hand to rub at my nose. My eyes fluttered open just enough to look weak and disoriented, then turned toward him.

“Dominus…” I mumbled, letting my voice tremble as though every word was too much effort.

I needed him to believe I’m too weak to resist, too broken to fight back. The truth was, I felt weak right then, but weakness and helplessness aren’t the same thing. My only chance is to buy time. If I could just stretch this out, maybe…just maybe…the twin alphas would show up like they promised.

I still don’t know why Dominus was in Crystal Moon last night, or if something went wrong with our agreement. Maybe the twins changed their minds. Maybe Dominus found a way to keep them away. Either way, I couldn’t risk making a move too soon.

One wrong step, and I'd lose everything.

And if I fail here, I’m stuck with one of two fates: becoming the twin alphas’ trophy… or losing myself entirely to Dominus if he spared my miserable life afterwards.

“My sweet girl,” he said, stepping closer. His voice was sickeningly soft. “Relax. This will be over before you know it.”

He took my hand so gently it almost felt like affection. But I knew better. His other hand held the small blade, and my heart stuttered when I saw it glint in the sunlight.

I didn't fight. I kept my breathing slow, my expression blank. When the blade touched my palm, the sting made my eyes water, but I didn't flinch. He pressed just deep enough to draw blood, and I felt the warm trickle rise before he brought my hand to his mouth.

He licked the blood from my skin with a slow, deliberate swipe of his tongue. My stomach twisted in disgust. A shiver ran through me that had nothing to do with the cold.

At that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if this was really going to be the end for me.

“Cedar!”

The voice in my head was sudden, sharp, and loud enough to jolt me. For a heartbeat, I thought it was someone calling from outside. But no. It’s inside me.

It’s her.

My wolf is awake, again.

“You can’t let him do this to you, Cedar!”

Of course. She always wakes up at the last second, when the danger is at its peak. I should get used to that.

“I know, Charlene,” I answered in my head, watching Dominus slice his own palm open. “But I can’t win if I start fighting him alone without backup.”

He couldn't hear the conversation in my mind, at least, I don’t think he did. He’s too busy smiling now, his eyes locked on me with a look that made my skin crawl.

“There, Cedar. That’s it,” he whispered like I’m the one making this happen. He tilted his bleeding hand over my mouth, letting the drops fall onto my tongue.

I licked the blood because I had no choice, but I didn't swallow. I held it there, bitter and heavy, while his attention shifted upward to the sun.

He knew the ritual was almost done. I could feel the joy radiating off him like heat. He truly believed nothing could stop him today.

He raised his hands to the glowing sun and began speaking the completion incantations.

The wind around us sharpened, circling my face like invisible claws. My hair whipped against my skin, stinging like lashes. The force tugged at my clothes until I’m sure they might be torn away.

Then, without warning, a bolt of lightning shot straight from the sun. It struck the space right in front of my face, and a searing heat burned into my eyes. The light is so bright it’s blinding, and no matter how I tried, I couldn't close my eyes. My eyelids felt frozen open. All I saw was endless yellow.

Panic rose in my chest. My thoughts spiraled, searching desperately for a way to stop this. Maybe no one’s coming. Maybe the twin alphas forgot. Or maybe Dominus made sure they’d never get here in time.

I coughed violently, spitting out the blood I’d been holding in my mouth. The coppery taste lingered, but at least I didn’t swallow.

“Charlene,” I called to my wolf. “We need to wake up. Now.”

If I could shift, even just partway, it might break the hold of whatever spell he’s casting.

“I’m trying!” she growled, her voice raw and urgent.

Dominus didn’t stop. Not even when a distant howling of wolves came near. The sound grew louder, joined by clashing steel and the shouts of men.

But he ignored it all. His focus was locked on the ritual, on me. He’s so close to finishing, so close to binding me to him forever. 

I tried to shift, but the weakness was like a chain wrapped around my spine. Every muscle trembled, my bones ached as though they knew what was coming.

The howls got closer. The sound of battle blades striking, voices roaring, were right at the edge of the clearing now.

Still, he didn’t stop.

I have always known that this was a trap. The blood ritual isn’t just about power. It’s draining me, whether I drank his blood or not. My strength bled out of me faster the more I resisted.

And then… everything froze.

The wind halted mid-gust, and the air became thick and unmoving. Even the sound of battle faded from my ears, replaced by a heavy silence that felt wrong in my bones. The sunlight vanished, replaced by a dull grey that turned the whole hill gloomy.

I could see everything now. My vision was clear, and I’m no longer pinned to my back, I’m sitting upright.

A wild cry burst from my throat before I knew it. I tipped my head back and howled with my remaining strength. The sound echoed over the hill, fierce and desperate. Making my ears ring.

As if a repetition of what happened at the execution grounds, darkness closed in, swallowing me whole and dragging me into a slumber so deep, I didn’t know if I’d ever wake again…