Chapter 56

I closed my eyes and let the spring breeze run across my face. We'd spent the last two weeks planning and arguing over this plan. It had to work. If it didn't then things would get bad quickly.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me back into my mate's body. Erik's scent hit me. A ripple of anger flowed through me as I turned to face him.

"Don't. We aren't going to argue over this anymore. It's decided." He murmured in my ear, stopping me midturn.

A growl grew in my chest, but I swallowed it. I didn't like the plan, but I couldn't find a better alternative. I know the others felt the same way. Erik would be out bait to lure the hunters onto the territory.

"I still don't like it." I hummed and relaxed into his arms.

"I know, kitten, but it needs to be done. I'll be careful." He kissed the back of my head.

I sensed Frode before I felt his presence. He was keeping his distance, allowing Erik and me this moment before the plan was acted on. I sighed and pulled back. We were running out of time.

"Come back to me." I pleaded as I kissed him.

"Always." He kissed me harder. "See you in a few hours." He grinned and turned, nodding to Frode before he crossed over the border of the territory with one last look over his shoulder.

I heard Frode's footsteps as he moved to stand behind me.

"He'll be fine. He's the best warrior we have, and he's smart. He can take care of himself, besides we have every reason to live-you." Frode pulled me into his chest.

I turned and wrapped my arms around his waist, taking comfort in his warmth.

"Okay, let's do this." I sighed and pulled away.

I took a deep breath, pulled myself to my full height, and looked Frode in his eyes. Pride and love shone threw them. He grinned and took my hand, leading me over to the back of the SUV.

"Erik's left, we have about thirty minutes before we expect him to run into the hunters. After that, he'll do what he needs to get them to us. Remember, this is just to see if we can stop the war before it gets started. Of if that fails, a show of force."

A sudden sharp pain coursed through me. My eyes widened as I looked to Frode. His eyes were wide, but his brow was furrowed. He felt it too.

Erik.

A scout came running up, shouting for Frode.

"Hunters we're waiting for us. They took Erik, told me to have Astrid meet them at the border. Alone." He panted, coming to a stop before us.



I looked at my mates. Our trap for them had turned into a trap for us. Confusion and anger filled me. someone had betrayed us but that was something to deal with later.

"We have to get him," I said, looking to the Borden. "I have to go."

I turned to head to the border.

"Astrid, stop. You can't just rush over." Frode said stepping towards me.

I stepped out of his reach and continued on my way.

"Astrid, stop. Astrid." His words only made me move faster.

"ASTRID STOP!" Frode commanded.

I felt the pull of his command. My body slowed, despite my urging it forward.

"Let me go, Frode." I seethed.

"No, not without talking about this. Do you think I'm going to just let them have him? He's part of us, he's my brother. I'm not leaving him behind, we are not leaving him behind." He spat, as he stood beside me.

"Fine." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"If I release you will you run?" He questioned.

"Despite my better judgment, I'll hear you out. Be quick." I met his glare.

"They want you, or power over you." Frode stepped closer, tucking a stray hair that had fallen out of my braid behind my ear.

"What do you mean?" I demanded.

"Your vision. They don't kill us or hurt you. They take us. They want to use us against you." He explained.

I considered his explanation. It made sense. But why me?

The prophecy. Breaking me would guarantee that they won. Taking my mates would break me harder and faster than anything else. Not killing them would keep me under their power. He was right.

"So we go calmly. Sten will go with you. Rune and I will stay back." Frode said, cupping my cheek.

He looked over my shoulder, meeting Sten's eyes. Almost like he was carrying out a conversation with him. I sighed and nodded.

"Ok, go. Follow Sten's lead, little one." He pressed his lips to my forehead. "Don't be too brave." He muttered as he pulled away.

Sten pulled me over to an SUV and helped me into the passenger seat, before walking around the hood to the driver's seat. It would only be a few minutes before we were at the border. I took a steadying breath.

"It'll work out, princess. You aren't losing us." He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.

I tried to focus on his words, but I felt like that was exactly what was happening. I was losing them. Then I felt it, the terror that followed the dark magic.

He was here.

I swallowed heavily. I glanced at Sten, his stern expression told me he felt it too.

"Looks like we get to meet the boss, huh?" I muttered.

"Yep." He put the SUV in park.

A group of hunters stood behind a tall man with dark hair and eyes. Erik was nowhere to be seen. Panic surged through me.

"Follow my lead." Sten reminded me under his breath.

Frode and Sten had made a plan. My gut told me it was a plan I wouldn't like, but I nodded and followed him out of the car. Goosebumps rose on my skin as we drew near the hunters.

"You were supposed to come alone." The tall man up front tutted as he looked at me.

"And face all of you alone?" I scoffed.

"We all know you could handle us with a single thought." He stepped closer.

I held my ground and schooled my face. How did he know that? We'd tried to keep my powers quiet.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? I'm always getting ahead of myself. I'm Heris, descendent of Vanheimal, better known as the god of chaos. And you, my pretty, I already know you. Astrid, descendent of Manilena, the moon goddess." He smirked and held my gaze.