CASVAN
It had been a week since I was moved from the hospital to the dungeon. I had only been taken out of my cell a couple of times for interrogation.
Reyna had kept me company during those long, dark, and lonely nights. All the torture and blood loss were nothing of consequence as long as I could set my eyes on her.
I found myself smiling despite my situation. For the first time in a long time, I was happy.
We had grown closer during these times. My Kitten was strong and smart, and she was also very kind and considerate.
She was such a nurturer at heart, always bringing me food, whichâunknowingly to herâwas something a female did for her mate back on our planet. When a female brought you food, it meant she was inviting you to her bed.
It pleased me immensely when she came to see me. I was impatient for her, wanting to touch her, kiss her, and stroke her soft, beautiful hair to find out if it was as silky as it looked.
My Kitten was fighting the attraction, but she couldnât stop herself from coming to me. I could have told her fighting the bond was futile.
She never said anything about the connection. But she knew we shared a special bond that was growing stronger every day.
Though it was not as strong as it could be. But I was going to give it time.
The more time we spent together, the stronger it would get. I knew the moment I finally claimed her as mine, the bond would be complete. ~Bonded forever.~
She must have been happy, amused, or something just nowâher amusement slid through the bond, a flicker of light, warm and soft. I hoped it wasnât another male.
I hated the thought of any male going near my Kitten, and when she came here with the scent of another male stuck and diluted with her delicious scentâI felt such a powerful rage, unlike any Iâd ever felt before.
It took all of my control to contain that rage. ~Sheâs mine.~
~My Darâsen.~ She should only get her pleasure from me.
I would scent mark her the second she came into my arms. It pleased me that I hadnât smelled any male scent diluted with hers recently.
I knew it was because of the bond. I never thought sheâd react the same way as our people did after theyâd found their mate.
The fact she was repulsed by other men soothed and pleased me. I didnât fucking care for the training she was doing.
From the little Iâd gleaned from our conversations, it seemed like Reyna and other girls like her were learning how to please a male. I didnât need my Reyna to learn anything from anyone.
Iâd teach her all that she wanted or needed to know.
***
My thoughts went back to Kayak and what I had seen through my dreams. It was great that things were finally going according to plan.
I had had this horrible feeling for days. Jakos hadnât been brought into the dungeon, while Iâd lied to Reyna and showed her I didnât care about him.
It wasnât true. I was worried about Jakos.
It would be a tragedy if he died before he could find his mate. Heâd been excited when Iâd chosen him as my second on this trip.
All he ever wanted was to have a mate before he could succumb to his violent nature. And I hoped he got to meet her, and she was everything he hoped for.
The loud, agonizing growl I heard cut through my thoughts sharply. Instantly, I knew it was Jakos.
The growl was differentâanguished and not at all like him. Then I felt it: the severed connection from a sworn warrior who had given his oath to his king.
I reached out with my senses, trying to get a feel of his essence, but there was nothing. Jakos had been killed.
I tried to filter through all the noise from outside that my inner musing had distracted me from earlier. There were so many voices, so many emotions.
Hate, pity, anger, and sadnessâbut most of all, I smelled blood. So much blood. Jakosâs blood.
And it was my fault he was dead. Grief and anger made me growl loudly.
My fangs slid free, and I yanked at the chains that imprisoned and restricted my movement. My wrists and ankles fucking hurt like hell, but my rage didnât care.
I growled and snarled, yanking at the chains, and in the end, all it did was exhaust me. For the first time, I doubted my plans. I wondered if I should have just attacked and stolen the women.
I felt so fucking weak! Inhaling, I tried to control my emotions.
I needed to save my strength. I pulled harder on the chains, and it hurt.
Hunger, blood loss, and the cuts on my body had weakened me. But pain was good. It cut through the grief and violent rage I was feeling, grounding me.
Suddenly, my head swirled. My sight turned completely white as everything disappearedâthe chains, the walls, and the barred iron rods were swallowed by the pull of my vision.
War cries, fire burning, beasts and women clashing. So much blood, so much pain⦠Reyna!
I tried to see more, but instantly, all the images were gone as easily as the vision had come. I realized I was lying on the cold stone of my cell on my back, my breath labored.
~Well fuck!~ I was running out of time. I needed to calm down before I frightened my Kitten when she came to me tonight.
My choice to win her over and gain her trust had cost me Jakoâs life. I didnât regret my decision or the wonderful time Iâd spent with her, but I felt guilty for Jakoâs death.
Iâd thought they wouldnât kill him. Iâd underestimated their hatred.
Now I was done waiting. I reached out to Kayak.
Due to my numerous injuries and blood loss, combined with the distance, the connection was stretched thin. Kayakâs voice sounded faint.
~âBrother, what happened? Why is the connection weak?â~ Kayak asked worriedly.
~âNever mind that, Kayak. Jako is dead, and I donât think I have much time to waste. The vision has changed. The others are coming, and I think soon. I canât see the exact time. Get the warriors ready. It is time,â~ I said.
~âWeâll be there soon, brother. Stay safe,â~ Kayak replied.
~âStay safe.â~
By the aether, Iâd make sure Jakoâs sacrifices werenât in vain.