Bastian

“Zayne?” I call his name as I pull against my restraints.

“Yeah?”

I turn my head to look at him standing beside my bed. “I need you to take me to Lilly.” Zayne sighs as though he were about to protest, but I won’t let him. “As your Alpha, I am ordering you to take me to my mate. I can’t do this as much as I thought I could, Zayne. Look at me,” I yank on my restraints, anger falling from me. “I’m a goddamn mess, and the only way for me not to be a fucking mess is to be with Lilly.”

“I thought you hated her?”

I growl at the smirk on Zayne’s face. “I don’t hate her; I thought she was a rogue. Why the fuck am I explaining myself to you? I need her, okay? She’s my mate, and only if I’m with Lilly can either of us survive this.” It shouldn’t have taken me this long to figure it out. “Now, get me the fuck out of here, and . . .”

I’m cut off by my door slamming open and crashing against the wall. Something powerful, super-fast, and possibly evil comes screeching to a halt in the middle of the floor.

My eyes widen when I see either Luther or Leander standing there - I never could tell them apart - smirking at me. It’s not until his eyes flash grey do I know it’s Leander. They both have that whole black eye, grey eye thing going on. They’re utterly identical apart from that.

“Leander,”

“I might have known it would be you.” He rolls his eyes in annoyance. “For Goddess sake, Bastian fucking Ashworth of all people,” Leander growls while looking at Zayne. “Why the fuck is your Alpha strapped down like a dog?”

“It was for his own safety. He was almost rabid and trying to kill himself.”

“Funny, my sister is doing the same thing.”

“Sister?” Zayne asks in shock while looking from Leander to me and back again.

“That’s right. Lillian Dalgaard is my sister, and my brother and I are here to take her home. First, your Alpha here is coming with me.” Leander looks at me. “Before Luther and I free your head from your body,” Fuck! I knew this was coming. “You’re going to save my sister. If you refuse, Luther and I’ll slaughter your pack in front of your eyes, one by one.”

“My army general here, Zayne, was just about to take me to Lilly.”

“You think that will save you?” Leander raises his eyebrow at me.

I sigh while shaking my head as Zayne releases me from my restraints. “None of this was supposed to happen, Leander.” I stand from the bed and stretch out my aching muscles. Zayne hands me jeans, a t-shirt, and my boots. I pull them on quickly.

“You’re going to fix what you broke. Then, you’re going to tell Luther and me exactly how the hell Lillian ended up here and just why you rejected your mate!”

I wouldn’t say as I’m scared of Luther and Leander exactly, but I can’t say that I’m stupid enough not to realise that they could end me should they wish to. If the look on Leander’s face is anything to go by, I’m not going to live through the night. Regardless of that, I have to do something to help Lillian.

‘Fix the bond, and they won’t do anything, Bastian. Lilly won’t let them kill you. She won’t because the mate bond will be strong, and she’ll need you as much as you need her,’

‘And if she rejects me?’ I ask Bane.

‘Then I guess we’re fucked, old friend.’

Great!

“It wasn’t...”

“I don’t care!” Leander snaps at Zayne, who bows his head in apology. “The only thing I give a damn about right now is Lilly. Help my sister through whatever this is, Bastian, then she’ll accept your rejection, and we can leave.”

That’s not going to happen! I made a mistake, but I’ll take it back. Lilly belongs with me, and I belong with her, and there is no longer a doubt in my mind.

I fight the ache in my limbs as I follow Leander to the infirmary. I’m following him as if he owns the place. I refrain from rolling my eyes behind his back.

Zayne walks beside me. ‘Find Chris,’ I tell Zayne through mind-link.

“You’re blond Beta?”

I narrow my eyes at Leander as he looks back and smirks. Zayne looks at me with wide eyes, and I realise that Leander can hear everything just as Lilly can. I’m not sure if that ability is a gift or a curse.

“Last, I saw of him; he was sporting a sore neck.” Leander laughs. “Sorry about that, but at least I didn’t kill him. He should be near the front doors; that’s where I left him, anyway.”

My Beta isn’t dead, I’d feel it, but that doesn’t mean Chris isn’t hurt. I know if he were okay, he’d have come to my room and told me that Leander and Luther were here. He didn’t, and that means he’s hurt.

I tip my head to Zayne, who then rushes away from me to find Chris. I’m not worried about Chris; I know he’s alright. What I am concerned about is what state I’m going to find Lilly in.

‘You really didn’t think things through, Bastian. It shouldn’t have mattered that you believed Lillian to be a rogue. You shouldn’t have listened to your father; you are not Jethro, Bastian! You are the Alpha of Greenrock, and you should have gone with your heart. Sure, you’ve never met an Omerian, and you knew only the stories you were told as a child. But did you not understand when you were told about the mate bond?’

‘I don’t need this right now, Bane. I’m struggling to stay on my feet, and I have to get to Lilly.’

‘I just hope you’re not too late to bring her back from wherever she went inside herself.’

Screams split the air, and it’s so loud that it almost knocks me off my feet.

“We’re too late,”

“For what?” I ask.

“You’ll see,” Leander pushes open the doors to the infirmary in time for us to see Lilly break the restraints that were holding her down. She’s floating in the air on her back, eyes wide and violet.

The strangest thing I have ever seen happens. I’ve seen people shift many, many times, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Lilly’s body bends backwards, and in less than a second, her body seems to turn inside out. What’s left is the most beautiful and terrifyingly big, snow-white wolf I have ever seen.

Oh my, Goddess, she has to be a least eight feet tall!

The hospital bed shatters as Lilly’s wolf lands on its enormous paws. Its violet eyes stare at each person individually, but they don’t look at me. I stumble back against the wall when Leander shoves me out of the way. He stands beside Luther, looking at the wolf with worry in their now grey and black eyes.

Micha, Mel, and their medical technicians are all huddled in a corner against the far wall. Fear flows through each of their eyes, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s no secret that the Royal wolves of Zidiah are much larger than the average wolf. Mine isn’t small, but shit, I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.

“Vasara,” I look to Luther when he calls Lilly’s wolf’s name. Luther rolls his shoulders in his leather jacket as Vasara looks at him. “These people are innocent.”

Something flashes across the wolf’s eyes before she looks directly at me. I swallow hard. I’m not a man who scares easily, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t halfway to shitting myself right now.

I slide down the wall, landing on my arse when she walks closer. I don’t want to look weak in front of my pack members, but an eight-foot wolf on all four paws is coming at me!

‘You fucked up,’ I hear her voice inside my head.

“I know,” I answer Vasara honestly.

‘I hear your wolf calling to me. Bane wants to be my mate, but you’re keeping us apart. Why did you reject Lilly? I know she’s stubborn, mouthy, and could make a saint roll their eyes. But you could do worse, you know?’

“Because I’m an idiot,” I shrug, and the wolf chuckles, literally chuckles!

“Wait,” I slide my eyes to Luther. “You can hear Vasara while you’re in human form?” I nod my head and look back to Vasara when she lowers her head and sniffs me.

“That’s impossible!” Leander snaps.

Vasara turns her head and snaps her jaws at Leander and Luther. They close their mouths, and she turns to me again.

I’m guessing Leander and Luther have never known anyone who could hear a wolf talking while in human form. I know I haven’t, but I can’t deny that I hear Vasara loud and clear inside my head.

‘Ignore them; their bark is worse than their bite.’ I try not to laugh, but I’ve got to admit that tickled me a little. ‘How’s the pain?’

“Painful,” I chuckle. “I’m sorry that I hurt you,”

‘You didn’t hurt me; you hurt Lilly. She’s stubborn, incredibly strong-minded, and I can see that you are too. However, the fact remains that you are mates, and rejection hurts. But Lilly is an Omerian, and the pain is almost ten times what a regular Alpha feels, which is five times that of an ordinary wolf. Everything you felt is nothing to what Lilly was going through. You should have come five minutes sooner; you would have seen the mess she’d made of her chest. Of course, as soon as I decided to take over fully, the wound healed.’

“Will she be all right?”

Vasara shakes her head, and my heart sinks. ‘Lilly doesn’t realise it, but your rejection broke something inside of her. I took over because she was losing the fight to live. This has never happened to Lilly; she was always the strong one. Only a man as strong could ever claim her heart. Mates come, some accept, some reject, but everything is always as it should be. The Moon Goddess makes no mistakes. You being chosen as Lilly’s mate was not a mistake, Bastian.’

“Is there no way for me to save her?” I hear Leander and Luther mumbling, but I try to ignore them. I have to know if there’s a way I can keep Lilly and take back my rejection. I never wanted a mate, but I can’t deny that I feel everything my mother always told me I would.

‘Why would you want to save Lilly? Isn’t this what you wanted? Reject your mate and hope it kills her?’

“I never wanted that,”

Vasara laughs, causing my stomach to knot. I can feel the pain of my rut kicking up again. I don’t know if I can fight it long enough to fix things, but I know that I have to try.

‘You’re a terrible lie, Bastian. Lilly wanted the same for you, but look where both your stubborn pride had brought us. The only way for you to save Lilly is to show us that you really want her, and not just because Luther and Leander have threatened you,’

“This is getting us nowhere, Luther. We have to get Vasara out of here before she loses control and people get hurt.” Leander hisses.

Luther sighs. “I guess we have no choice. You four,” He points to Micha and the others. “Whatever you do, don’t move a muscle; this could get ugly.”

I watch with wide eyes as two giant wolves appear before my eyes, one black and the other charcoal grey. They’re gigantic, but not quite as big a Vasara.

The three giant wolves snap their jaws at each other viciously. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t rejected my mate, she wouldn’t have lost it, and I wouldn’t be witnessing what could be a blood bath.

Leander and Luther may be Lilly’s brother’s, but that means nothing to Vasara. She feels wronged, and her anger is about to boil over.

I don’t need to ask why her brothers have allowed their wolves to take over. It’s clear that they believe they can convince Vasara to retreat and allow Lilly back. But the wolf is not listening to anyone but herself.

The three of them snap louder, Vasara howling towards the sky. She’s going to attack her brother’s, and I doubt it will end with them defeating Vasara.

‘Vasara,’ I hear Luther’s wolf inside my head. I narrow my eyes because surely that can’t be possible? I’m not part of his pack, and he’s not part of mine; I shouldn’t be hearing him. ‘Don’t do this. I know you’re angry,’

‘You know nothing, Valerian. Both you and Valerius need to understand that you have to stay out of this.’

‘We can’t do that,’ Leander’s wolf says.

Vasara’s eyes widen, and she swipes a massive claw towards her brothers, knocking them both across the room. Mel screams and turns in Micha’s arms, and my mouth hangs open in shock.

Vasara turns to me, jaws snapping angrily. Before I can blink, those massive jaws have grabbed me and lifted me in the air. I don’t even have time to scream when she throws me two feet over her head. I land on Vasara’s back, and without warning, she runs from the room. I grab hold of her neck fur and hold on for dear life.

“Vasara!” I yell over the wind. “Slow down!” She doesn’t answer me; she keeps on running into the forest.

It isn’t until we reach the lake on the border does Vasara stop. We’re both breathing hard; the wind took my breath away.

Vasara doesn’t stop me when I climb off her back, glad to have my two feet on the ground. Fuck, my thighs are shaking! “What was that all about, Vasara?”

I watch as she drinks from the lake before laying down in front of me. ‘I didn’t want to fight with my brothers. It doesn’t happen often, but it never ends well for them. They never learn,’ Vasara sighs. ‘They think I’m going to keep this form,’

“And are you?” I swallow hard. I don’t believe Vasara would permanently take over Lilly’s body, but I don’t know for sure.

Vasara shakes her head against her paws. ‘I never have yet. I’ll be honest, I sometimes get the urge to stay, but my brothers are always there to give me a reality check. Don’t worry; they’ll be along any moment,’ Vasara chuckles to herself. She’s right; I can hear them through my wolf hearing gaining on us. ‘Before they get here, and before my strength gives out,’

“What do you mean?” I move a little closer, and her violet eyes watch me.

‘You rejected us, and it’s weakening both of us, Bastian. Before it kills us, let me see Bane just once. Please, Bastian, please let me see Bane, and I’ll give Lilly back to you. I promise.’

I press my hand to her neck. “Neither of you are leaving us, Vasara. I, Bastian Armond Ashworth, Alpha of Greenrock pack, take back my rejection. I accept you, Lillian Anja Dalgaard, future Queen of Zidiah as my mate. I was wrong, and we need you. I’m so sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused you, but I won’t let either of you leave us.”

I take a step back, removing my clothes as I go. I’m not going to lose my mate, but I will allow Vasara to meet Bane. She needs this, and then she’ll let Lilly come back to me.

I crouch down, pressing my hand to the ground and shift into wolf form. Vasara’s eyes widen, and I see a smile forming. Then Bane takes over completely, just as Valerian and Valerius break through the trees. Vasara stands and growls loudly in their direction, telling them not to come any closer.

Bane is a black coloured wolf with snow-white ears. I chuckle inside because the white ears serve to tell me that the snow-white she-wolf in front of me is ours. Bane is also five feet tall on all fours, not a small wolf by any means. Quite large for one not of Royal blood, the biggest Greenrock has ever seen. Before his wolf eyes, Vasara shrinks to his size. I didn’t even know that was possible!

‘Vasara,’ Bane gasps her name as she comes closer and nuzzles her head into his neck.

‘Bane, I never thought I’d see this day.’

Bane holds Vasara against him with his head against hers. She whimpers, and I can feel her pain as much as Bane can. I did this to Lilly and Vasara against my wolf’s wishes.

‘Don’t cry, Vasara. I will never let anything bad happen to you. I know you’re hurting because Lilly is also, but Bastian will make things right. He’s a stubborn arsehole, and he did the wrong thing. But he’s taken back the rejection. All we need do now is allow him to take Lilly back to Zidiah and formally accept her as his mate.’

‘I fear it may be too late,’ With that, Vasara drops to the floor with her eyes closed.

Bane howls to the sky in pain, and I shift back. I don’t care that I’m naked; I crawl towards the shrinking wolf. Vasara disappears, and Lilly lies on the embankment of the lake out cold.

Luther and Leander rush to my side as I grab my mate and hold her against my body. “We have to get her out of here,” Luther shakes my shoulder. “We need to get her home and to our healers.”

“If we don’t,” Leander picks up. “Then we could lose her,”

“No,” I shake my head as Chris comes running through the trees.

“My Alpha,” He throws Leander and Luther’s clothes at them, and they catch them with ease. He then hands me the clothes I removed before shifting. I take them, lying Lilly down long enough to pull on jeans and boots. The shirt, I pull over Lilly’s head and cover her body. “I’m sorry, Bastian, I couldn’t find anything for Lilly, but I brought a blanket.”

“Thanks,” I mumble while wrapping Lilly in the blanket. I then scoop her up bridal style and start walking. “Chris, are you okay?” He looks at Leander before nodding his head at me. “Who did you leave in charge?”

“Zayne. He’s capable enough to hold down the fort while I help you.”

I don’t say anything; I follow Luther and Leander through the dense forest towards Zidiha’s capital. Lilly’s head rests against my shoulder, but she doesn’t stir once. The only way I know she’s still breathing is due to the fact, so am I.

I kiss Lilly’s head and pull her closer to my body. Still, she makes no noise or movement, and I feel my heart breaking. I’m scared, scared because my stubbornness has led us here. If I’d just swallowed my pride and gone to Lilly even an hour after the heat started, this wouldn’t be happening. No, Lilly would be in my room, in my arms, and we’d be fixing the mate bond. Instead, it’s slowly breaking, and I don’t know if I can fix this.

‘You shouldn’t be here,’ I mind-link with Chris. I don’t want Luther or Leander knowing Chris was the one who took Lilly, so I’ll make sure not to mention anything.

‘I’m not leaving you. The Dalgaard’s aren’t exactly known for their compassion when it comes to someone hurting their children. Luther and Leander can take care of themselves. Lilly can also, but she’s Mummy and Daddy’s little princess, literally.’ Chris scoffs, but he’s not wrong.

‘Be that as it may, if they find out what you did, they’ll kill you. I at least have a chance if Lilly wakes up. They won’t kill their daughter’s mate, but they won’t hesitate when it comes to... We can’t say much; they can hear us.’ I tip my head to the two men walking in front of us. Chris’s eyes widen, and I nod my head. ‘Go home, Chris, and take care of the pack. I’ll be in touch soon.’

My Beta sighs but nods his head. Chris knows this is the only way, and I can’t lose one of my own, even if he does deserve it.

I watch as Chris shifts and runs back into the forest. Leander raises his eyebrow at me, but I say nothing. I keep walking with Lilly safely in my arms.

‘Whatever happens,’ I hear Bane say. ‘Remember to fight. Lilly and Vasara are all that matter to us. Keep our mate safe, and fight for her, Bastian.’

‘I intend to,’

Now, if only I can make it inside the Dalgaard Mansion without passing out. I’m finding it increasingly hard to put one foot in front of the other. I’m weak, and having Lilly in my arms isn’t helping.

‘Imagine if she wasn’t in your arms, Bastian. You’d be in a damn coma by now, and you know it!’

Bane is right again.

“You okay?”

I nod slightly at Leander.

“You don’t look okay,” Luther comments while opening the front door to the Dalgaard home. I manage to make it up the six stone steps to the door, but not easily. “Let me take her,”

“No,” I shake my head, and sweat drips down my hairline. “She’s my mate; I’ll carry her.”

“Oh, so now she’s your mate?” I growl at Leander, who growls back in response.

“That’s enough!” Luther snaps.

“Where the hell have you two been?” Orrin Dalgaard snaps as soon as Luther and Leander are through the door. I follow them, trying as hard as I can not to give up where I stand.

“We...”

“Lillian!” Anja Dalgaard screams while running towards her daughter. The wolf I am, growls before she can get too close. Anja’s eyes widen in anger. “How dare you growl at me, Bastian Ashworth?”

“I’m sorry,” I mumble.

“You will be if you ever do that again! Now, hand Lillian to her father.”

“No!” My heart is pounding. If I hand Lilly over, I’ll crumble.

“Mum, we don’t have time for this. We need to get Lilly to Toby; she’s in a bad way.” Luther marches forwards, and I follow, still with Lilly in my arms. Anja and Orrin are demanding that Luther and Leander tell them what the hell is going on. I don’t know if they do or not because I’ve lost my sense of hearing, something that should not be happening to a wolf shifter.

I’m led down a long hallway and out the back of the mansion. There we come to a large building that I assume is a hospital of some sort.

As soon as we’re through the doors, I have no option but to let go of Lilly. Orrin takes my mate from me and lays her down on a bed. Me? I slide down the nearest wall. I can no longer fight the fatigue plaguing me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever see the light of day again.

‘Lilly? If you can hear me somewhere in your subconscious, know that I’m sorry.

I’m sorry that I said the words I said. I never meant to hurt you, but my stubborn pride got in the way of what I should have said.

I’m proud that you’re my mate, and I would have been so proud to love you.

I want you to know that I took back my rejection for all the good it will do now. I take it back, and should the Goddess allow me to live; I’ll do it by your side, Lilly.

I’ll be devoted to you, and nothing and no one will ever make me feel wrong for loving you. Please come through this. I pray the Goddess spares you, and also me if she has it in her heart to do so.’