Chapter Three

Himera

It takes us about an hour to fly from Ibiza to Barcelona. I ignore Elliot for most of the flight, too busy fighting my restless wolf that wants nothing but to get closer to him and have him mark me.

I expected the jet to land at a public airport, but instead it touches down on an airstrip inside the gated community I saw from above–the one Elliot said is his pack.

“Alright,” he says, extending his hand. “Here we are.”

“I don't need your hand,” I say, standing up. “I'm good.”

He just shrugs, picks up the untouched glass of liquor he poured for me, and downs it in one gulp before standing up. He leads the way out of the jet, offering his hand again as we climb down the airstairs, but I turn him down once more, pretending I don't need his help–even though I do.

I follow him to a parked Porsche and slide into the backseat when he opens the door. The driver starts the car the moment Elliot gets in, and my heart skips as I wonder what lies ahead.

Noticing my nerves, he grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Somehow, it calms me.

As we drive past carefully constructed bungalows, however, my wolf becomes even more restless than before, pushing closer and closer to the edge.

“Are you okay?” Elliot asks.

I ignore him.

I'm not okay.

I'm not okay because I'm starting to realize that he was right.

I have another mate.

I can already smell him.

Eucalyptus.

Unlike Elliot, who smells like butter and honey, my other mate smells like eucalyptus.

Undefiled.

We stop in the small driveway of a bungalow that is beside a tall building–eight storeys, maybe more.

“That's the Pack house,” Elliot says, nodding his head toward it. “But my brother prefers to stay alone in this bungalow.”

He steps out just as the driver opens my door, and I slide out.

We walk side by side toward the entrance, Elliot’s hand resting at the small of my back and doing things to me.

“You'll be okay,” he assures. “You'll see.”

He knocks twice, then pushes the door open without waiting.

“Derrick!” He calls.

“In the kitchen,” a deep voice responds, and Elliot guides me there.

The combined scents of the two men do something to me I can't explain. They calm me and unsettle me at the same time.

The butterflies in my stomach morph into dragons when I see the shirtless man in the kitchen. I’ve only seen his back, and already I'm staring. It's well-defined, powerful–his arms even more so. He's taller than Elliot, stronger-looking too. And just like him, dangerously attractive. Literally sex on legs.

I swallow, eager to see his face as he turns.

But the moment he does, everything inside me snaps.

My smile dies. The dragons in my stomach turn violent, breathing fire, sending fury through my veins.

“You!” I snap, frowning.

“Delulu Luna?” He replies, raising a brow.

Right. He had to use that name. The one that made me hate him with every fiber of my being.

“Elliot,” I say, shaking my head. “That's your brother? Oh, Fates.”

“You two know each other?” Elliot asks, looking between us, but we both ignore him.

This can't be happening.

Derrick Leonard cannot be my mate. Not after what he did to me seven years ago. Not after the humiliation.

“You know what?” I say, locking eyes with him. “Fuck this. I'm leaving.”

“Yeah, you should,” he says coldly. “If anything, you should’ve stayed gone.”

That hits hard. Harder than I expect. It only makes me hate him more.

On the plane, I actually considered it–being mated to two males, just to keep my wolf calm. But now? Now that I know who Elliot’s brother is?

No.

Staying here is not an option.

“What are you talking about, brother?” Elliot says, anger creeping into his voice. “We've waited years for our mate and you're chasing her away?”

“I don't care how long we've waited,” Derrick says. “I'd rather remain unmated than take her. Get her out of my house.”

I storm out of the kitchen, heading to the door without any real plan. I just need to get out.

But my wolf won't let me.

The farther I move away, the more aggressive she becomes, clawing and biting at me, demanding I turn back. The last time I pushed her this hard, I collapsed and ended up bedridden for two days.

Outside, the Porsche is gone.

I was hoping the driver would help me get to the nearest airport, but he's nowhere in sight.

I stand there, hands on my waist, sweating like a fountain. Something is wrong.

Very wrong.

I glance over my shoulder just as Elliot steps out of the bungalow, heading toward me.

That's the last thing I see before everything goes black.

I wake up in a gray-walled room, the memories crashing back instantly.

I pushed my wolf too far.

Sitting up slowly, I notice Elliot in a recliner in the corner, watching me.

“How long was I out?” I ask.

“An hour and a half,” he says.

It could have been worse.

“So,” he adds. “You know my brother.”

“Clearly,” I shrug. “Enough to know I can't have him as a mate.”

“What happened?” He asks. “What did he do to you?”

“Talking about him is a waste of my time,” I reply.

Surprisingly, I don't feel weak. Not even a little.

I push the white comforter off and slide out of bed, pacing the room to test my strength.

I'm strong enough to leave.

“I think I'm ready to go,” I say.

“Hey,” Elliot stands up and walks over. “Stay for two days. Just two days. Whatever my brother did, put it aside and give us that time. Let us show you that we're meant for you.”

“As long as Derrick fucking Leonard is in that equation,” I say, meeting his gaze, “count me out.”

“You don't get it, Himera,” he says, tension lining his face. “It's either we both have you or we don't. And I can't accept the second option. So for my sake, stay.”

“For your sake?” I scoff. “I barely know you.”

He exhales, frustration breaking through.

“I'm trying to be gentle,” he says. “But it's not working. You're not leaving. You wouldn't make it out of the pack even if you tried. Whatever issues you have with my brother, deal with them. You're staying here for two days.”

He steps closer, voice firm.

“And by the end of those two days… you won't want to leave. I promise.”

I shake my head and fall back onto the bed just as there's knocks at the door.

Elliot answers it, and a man walks in with my travel bag.

I thought it was left at the airport. Thank Fates–It has things I can't afford to lose.

“There's a bathroom over there,” Elliot says, pointing. “Freshen up. I'll come get you in a few minutes to show you around.”

Fuck.

Looks like I'm trapped here for two days.

Two days.

That's all they need to ruin me.