Kane POV "Are you coming? Or are you leaving your brother to do everything?" The demon mocked as Knox strode through the portal without hesitation. I swallowed hard, my heart thudding in my chest. Narrowing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I followed suit, stepping into the abyss beyond. "I am going to barf!" I heard Knox scream, a small smile toying at the edge of my lips, although I got it; the transition was jarring, to say the least. One moment, you're in the familiar world; the next, you're surrounded by the oppressive aura of hell. "Hold it together!" I uttered, more to myself than my brother, as I landed on unsteady feet and looked up at the cathedral, if one could call it that. "What is this place?" I gasped, seeing death, decay, and flames lick at the walls, casting eerie shadows that danced across the warped architecture. It was a grotesque mockery of the sacred god mortals worshipped. I scanned the desolate interior, a shiver running down my spine, seeing the flames of
Kane POV "You insulted the Moon goddess, and there will be consequences for that." Astaraoth announced, making my jaw clench, because I knew he was most likely right. She would have to make an example of us. "I imagine the second Lottie here rejects you," he declared, stepping toward us, as I instinctively stepped back. "The second she is out of the picture, your second-chance mates will suddenly pop up, and you will be powerless to fight that bond.""You dare suggest such a thing?" Knox's voice ripped through the room, with a low and dangerous edge to his tone that made me more than a little nervous. "No one could ever replace her!" he spat, and I felt Charlotte tighten her grip on my chest. I agreed, of course."Personally, I would force you two to watch as Lottie here, found her second chance mate. Fell in love and raised those pups without you." Astaroth announced, setting a fire under the simmering pot of Rage I was trying to control. "There is no one else for me, just Kane and
Lottie POV As Astaroth's words hung in the air, a chill swept through me, freezing my thoughts in place. 'I want your daughter.' The very idea seemed absurd, impossible even. Yet, there he sat atop the altar, the picture of innocence, as if he hadn't just demanded my firstborn. His crimson eyes burned with an unsettling intensity, his offer dangling before us like a forbidden fruit. I glanced over at Knox and Kane, my mates, never needing the reassurance of the mate bond more than I did at this moment. Their faces mirrored my shock, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and rage- something I understood. How could we possibly trust a demon? Even if he claimed to be on our side! But then, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Astaroth's next words sliced through my turmoil like a knife. "I will be her mate!" he murmured, his voice a sinister whisper in the depths of this hell-like world, "So, you see... I ask that you promise her to me when the time comes." "Not a chance!" Kane s
Kane POV "No!" My girl announced with a firmness that made my heart soar with pride, only for it to sink in the next breath seeing the scumbag approach her, and the turmoil he was putting her through. I couldn't help but smile through the pain, noting how Charlotte's resolve remained unwavering in the face of pure evil. Evil she shouldn't even be in a room with, let alone facing, while I remained pinned like a butterfly to a board by some sick and twisted psychopath. I clenched my jaw as I fought against the malevolent powers that choked me. But it was pointless, despite our earlier triumph. He was too strong- and I was smart enough to know that I needed to preserve my energy for when I got free from his invisible chains. "What's so bad about little old me grinding on your daughter? I am handsome, I am sexy! I am powerful! She will love it!" Astaroth chortled with malice into my mind, his crassness enough to make my blood boil painfully with rage. I knew he was trying to bait me!
Knox POV "Because it matters! Everything happens for a reason! That is how fate.. Or Destiny! Whatever, it's how that shit works. You think I want your daughter for my ends? No. She is meant to be my mate, like I am meant to be hers. Now ask yourself why! Why would a demon like me be a fit consort for her?" "You wouldn't!" Lottie barked instinctively, her voice tinged with sadness, but the unmistakable edge of defeat wasn't lost on anyone. My lips pulled into a frown, hating seeing her so hurt. "I am not arguing with you. I am telling you simple facts. It's up to you if you believe me or not!" He laughed with a lazy shrug that infuriated me. "But what you need to believe is that I am the only one who can help you out of this sticky situation- of your own making, I may add." "Our own making?" Lottie seethed as she crouched in front of Chase. "We never asked for this!" She counted her hand pressing Chase's cheek with affection that I knew made her uncomfortable."Didn't you?" "NO!
Knox POV"That's enough from you!" Astaroth grunted, flicking his wrist in my direction, my body slamming into the wall with such force I felt a trickle of blood seep from my nose. Maybe I wasn't invisible after all, he was just censoring my actions from them. Crafty, but smart!"Knox!" Lottie screamed as she rose to her feet, but Astaroth was quicker stepping in front of her to block her path. "No! He is fine, but we need to have this conversation because time is running out! And I will be damned if I don't get what is owed to me." Astaroth bellowed around the walls of the cathedral, rubble crumbled from the ceiling from the force of his anger.Sucking down my defeat, I watched through pained eyes as he continued his speech, he was definitely comfortable being the centre of attention and enjoyed having all eyes on him."Now.. back to the question. Ask yourself why would I be interested in Havoc's offspring? A wolf that has been hidden? That is as chaotic and ravenous as...""SHUT U
Mike POV "I will be watching!" Astaroth’s last words shattered through my mind as he left in a whirlwind of magic and chaos, the lights had exploded with the force of his magic, leaving us in a dimly lit room. I could feel the tension thickening with every passing moment. Astaroth's warning echoed in my mind like a constant refrain: 'Keep silent or face the consequences.'And so, I remained still and silent, observing the chaos unfolding before me."No!" Alpha Leigh screamed the second Astaroth's evil grip released us from our frozen hold. Alphas' anguish was palpable as he grappled with the loss of his sons, daughter-in-law and grand-pups."We need to get them back!" His voice trembled with emotion as he struggled to contain his grief. "NOW!" "We will, but you need to calm down!" Luna Laura, ever the supportive wife, reached out to him, offering solace in the face of despair. "We will find them!" Their attempts were pointless, there would be no bringing them back until Astaroth was
Lottie POV "You are wrong." I heard Knox scream, somehow breaking the dark magic hold that had been his gag. My heart hammered in my chest hearing the desperation in his voice, but as Astaroth's words echoed through the cathedral, each syllable distracted me, striking like a dagger aimed at my soul. Could it be true? Could Knox, the man I loved more than life itself, be tainted by the darkness of his bloodline?"Angel?" Knox choked out in a plea to get my attention, but I couldn't bear to look at him, I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze as the weight of uncertainty pressed down on me. "It can't be true," I whispered discreetly. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaos unravelling before me, but all I could see were fragments of doubt and fear that Astaroth was installing in us."Please, baby girl!""She hates that you call her that. Did you know that?" Astaroth smugly laughed. "Fuck off." Knox barked, but I could hear the pain in his tone, and not just because his th