Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Chapter 54

He squeezed his fist, no indication of pain on his face as his blood dripped from his hand and mixed into the water. Ever so slightly, he turned to face Hestia and silently told her with his eyes to do the same. As I watched the exchange, his eyes shifted to meet mine. I felt instant heat the moment our gazes locked. Every fiber in my body felt the caress of his gaze. The heat trailed down my face, my collarbone, my chest, my waist, every dip and curve he had the chance to see, he took. Goosebumps rose from my skin. Attempting to stop myself from the slight shaking. I crossed my arms.

It felt intoxicating.

Like I was being held captive by his gaze.

For the sake of my sanity, I tore my gaze away and watched Hestia slowly make her way up. Taking hesitant steps forward, she kept turning back for reassurance. She looked beyond nervous. Her eyes darted to everyone when she finally looked at me. I stoned myself, face neutral and blank as she dropped her gaze to the floor.

Landon had walked up to her. He handed her his own pocketknife to which she took almost unwillingly.

The reluctance was easy to spot.

Just as Locksworth did, she sliced her palm, flinching at the sting before letting drops of her blood mix into the pool.

Everyone watched in interest. At first, the blood just mixed in until it became clear. Then as quick as it had disappeared, the water started bubbling. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Hestia watching with a tight expression on her face. Her hand flew to her slightly pertruding stomach.

As we all waited impatiently for the result, I almost let out a small gasp when the water turned a bright red.

They weren’t mates.

I knew, somehow, deep down they weren’t mates but knowing that she lied about it was still a shock.

Why would she claim to find her mate when she didn’t and she already has Landon? My eyes flew to Hestia whose face was tinged red. She kept her eyes downcast to the floor as my father stood gaping at the Pool. Landon himself looked furious, his eyebrows scrunched together as he glared at his wife.

He balled his fists, his wolf surfacing as his eyes menacingly switched to black.

“Hestia! How dare you lie?”

He bellowed, his fists shaking at his sides. Hestia winced, cowering away as she trembled from Landon’s raised voice. I tried to find it in myself to feel bad but I couldn’t. She brought this upon herself.

Whatever reason she may have, declaring an Alpha as her mate when he wasn’t was not only damaging to her reputation but to Locksworth’s as well. If she had told anyone outside the pack that he was her mate, a punishment would surely be in order for deception and malice.

I simply looked away and focused my gaze on Benicio. He too was shellshocked. He just stared at the red water slowly dispersing back to its original state like it was a lie he couldn’t believe. When he regained his composure, he immediately sought after Locksworth. The unmistakable embarrassment strained his expression. He swallowed, instantly going over to him.

“Alpha Locksworth, I I am so terribly sorry. My daughter, she 1 cannot ”

He stumbled on his words, still unable to accept that his daughter was lying. His wolf submitted, head low and snout touching the ground in the utmost belittling position but Locksworth didn’t seem to care Which, in all honesty, I found odd. I expected him to smugly respond or demand punishment but he didn’t. He remained silent, staring at the pool with mild interest when suddenly…

his gaze fell back onto me

“My apologies, Alpha Locksworth… I’m sincerely.”

“Alpha Crestfield.”

Locksworth interrupted, completely disregarding my father. I looked at him with my arms still folded across my chest. Ignoring the slight butterflies I felt, I waited for him to continue. At this point everyone had stopped talking and watched us in confusion. Locksworth stared, drilling his penetrating gaze into my eyes and lifted his hand. Extending his palm toward me, his gaze softened by a fraction.

“The test. I’d like to try it with you.”

My arms fell loosely to my sides as I stared at him.

Was he serious?

“That won’t be necessary,”

I say, surprised to find my voice. Landon, Hestia, Benicio- everyone watched in stunned silence. They were rooted to their spots as I was, momentarily forgetting Hestia’s deceit. We were all too focused on Locksworth’s startling request. A request that shamelessly tugged at my heartstrings. “I’m certain we aren’t mates, Alpha Locksworth.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I already had one, as much as I wish I didn’t, standing right across from me. Landon looked dumbfounded, green eyes wide open and mouth gaping as he looked between Locksworth and I. Then slowly, once realization of what Locksworth’s request implied, his expression morphed into anger.

Anger to which, I ignored.

Locksworth’s expression didn’t change. Not even with the growing hostility standing behind him. Waves of Landon’s anger coursed through the very thin line of a bond we had. His wolf snarling in his mind at Locksworth indirectly making a claim on me. His possessiveness was spiraling out of control. His wolf demanded to show everyone I was his, and Landon did nothing to try and hold him back. I knew that a few seconds from now, we’d have a shifted Alpha attempting to murder another Alpha.