54. Our Mates

Konstantin

"So as long as the Teardrop stays in the vault, no one will be able to get to it, right?” I ask, and Marle

nods.

“As long as that happens, then all is well,” Marle says, then turns to Kai. “You and Caterina cannot

allow anyone to sway you to enter with bad intentions, or the spell on the vault will banish you from

it. Xamnir had me put that powerful spell on that vault when we first came to the States, and I'll

have you know that my spells pack a punch.”

We were standing in the living room waiting for Dimitri while speaking about what to do next. So

Alpha Azura's predecessors stole the fake Obsidian Teardrop for some reason, but the real one is

still in the vaults.

"Why would the Nightshade Maidens steal the Teardrop? Not just that, but how did they even know

about it?" I voice my thoughts out loud, but Marle chuckles.

“Because their Alpha took offence to Dmitry’s rejection and refusal to be a sperm donor. Remember,

all the Nightshade Maiden Alphas were females; they're technically an Amazonian pack and only

take men once every five years for mating purposes, even if they're not fated mates. The Alpha

didn't know that wolves in the BloodCrest pack could only bear children with their destined mate.”

She says.

"So she got salty and stole a gem she had no idea held a massive purpose?” I ask, then scoff. “Dumb

bitch. Anyway, what are we going to do about-" I point upstairs just as Dimitri walks down.

He walks toward us and comes to a stop. “The scars on her face won't heal,” he says with wide eyes.

“I hurt her, and it will always show.”

I can't help but feel sorry for my little brother and the absolute sorrow in his voice. It was shitty what

our Father did as a punishment, but we'll get him when he decides to stop being a coward and face

us.

Kai walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder. “We'll take care of you and her, don't

worry, brother. For now, I think Marle needs to stay here for the evening and see if there are any

other surprises left behind in you and your mate.”

"Okay, what the fuck do we know about this?” I ask when I sit down on the sofa and pull Lily onto

my lap.

“I saw nothing when I touched them; as soon as they reach a specific point of their duties this

evening, their vision goes blank until I see myself and Lily killing them.” Caterina starts.

“They snuck in here and tried to get Caterina to open the vault,” Lily says and chuckles. “But I've

been teaching her Krav Maga, so jokes on them.”

There it is; I can feel that pride I always see in Kai's eyes when I look at my mate, and I draw her

closer to me. “I fucking love you,” I whisper in her ear and kiss the side of her head.

Kai clears his throat and starts filling them in on what's been happening, including Dimitri meeting

his mate this evening.

“Do you want us to go to him tomorrow?” Caterina, ever the mother, asks Kai with worry in her eyes.

I remember a time when she was close to Dimitri, but I think that trust has faded, and it's to be

expected.

I mean, he fucking kidnapped her newborn baby.

Kai shakes his head. “Not until Marle has done a thorough check on them for any other surprising

hexes. Once she gives the all-clear, I'm letting him back into the pack, and we can take it from

there.” He says.

Lily and Cat nod, and I see our Luna cock her head towards Lily. “We'll go back upstairs while you

men sort this out.” She gestures to the dead bodies and stands up, holding her hand out for Lily to

take. The two walk upstairs, and my eyes fall on Kai, who has a joyful smile on his face - one I

haven't seen since the day of the Claiming Ritual.

“I'm not risking it to eat their hearts; Caterina saw nothing of importance while touching them

anyway.” He says and easily picks up three dead bodies. “Bring the rest as well as the hearts.”

“I'm not a fucking Alpha, you know. These assholes are huge; the fuck am I going to carry three and

a plate of hearts?” I grumble as I pick up two deadweights. These were warriors in the pack as well,

who obviously had their minds twisted like Dimitri and his mate.

“Excuses,” he rolls his eyes and throws the bodies outside before returning for the last one and the

hearts. While he’s doing this, I run back inside to grab lighter fluid and a box of matches.

We burn the bodies, and Kai says a guidance prayer to the Gods before going back inside. It's not

their fault this happened, unfortunately.

“I have to ask Marle to check the entire pack for these parasites or spells.” He says when we walk

upstairs to our respective rooms.

I sigh and shake my head. “Yeah, but that shit will be hectic on her unless there's an easier way.

Don't wanna kill the powerful witch while we still need her, you know.”

“I know. We are meeting tomorrow, and you're more than welcome to join us since you're my Beta,

and I need your advice.” He says and places a hand on my shoulder. “I would be lying if I didn't say

that I need you right now, Kon.”

This stuns me more than I care to let on. Kai has never admitted that he’s needed anyone in his

entire life as an Alpha, so to hear him say this really means a lot.

“I'll be there,” I say, and he gives me one final nod before walking off to his bedroom.

My Alpha and big brother needs me; the thought alone makes me feel like I am indeed playing an

essential role in this pack. So that night, when I go back into the bedroom I share with Lily, I fall

asleep with a full heart and renewed purpose.