Chapter 53

“NO! You can’t do that! You can’t kill him” Claire started to panic.

“I’m sorry, Claire. I have to do what’s right for my people. Duke’s plans are deadly and have perilous consequences. After everything he's done to my life, letting him live will be stupidity.”

Before Claire could protest, Duke snorted and started laughing.

“Find something funny, fuckface?” Matt growled.

“You think you can kill me?? I’m pure cursed blood. You can’t kill me. Getting my blood on your hands means your death, not mine” Duke laughed.

I knelt in front of him again.

“You are so coćky. What makes you think I don’t know how to kill you?” I tilted my head to the side.

“Because the curse your precious Moon Goddess put on us explicitly states our bloodline will live forever as a reminder to every one of the shame we brought.” You could hear the bitterness in Duke’s voice.

“So you think that just because she’s “stated” that, she didn’t create a way to kill you if you fucked up? You think she’s that stupid?”

Duke shrugged and looked up at Claire.

“You don’t have to beg her for anything. I’m not going anywhere. As for rejecting me, you can’t; I made sure of it.”

What the hell was this boy talking about?! Made sure she couldn’t reject him?

“Claire, tell me about yourself. Where are you from?” I didn’t look up at her but stared at Duke. His reactions usually gave me a hint of his plans.

“Wh-... what?” Claire stuttered.

“She’s not from the South. Haven't seen her around before,” Matt spoke.

“I’m from the Nor-... North.” She looked pretty flustered and nervous.

“Shut up, Claire. Don’t tell her anything. She’s not your Alpha or Queen.” Duke barked.

“Now, I definitely want to know.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Don’t say another word, Claire! You hear me! Don’t say anything!” Duke was getting aggressive.

*What was he trying to hide?*

I got up and turned towards Claire. Taking her hands into mine, I squeezed it gently.

“I know he is your mate, and every nerve in your body right now is screaming for you to listen to him. However, this man doesn’t deserve your loyalty, your love, and your support. I can guarantee you, whatever his plan is, whatever he's trying to get you to hide, it’s got evil intentions. Your pack could be in danger, and the only way to help them is for you to tell us.” I tried to be as calm and sincere as possible. She needed to trust me.

Claire looked down at Duke. He growled at her and struggled against Nicholas’s hold.

“My name is Claire Harper. I’m King Joel Harpers daughter.”

Oh, Goddess. This was bad. *Very bad*.

“Does your father know about your mating?!” I could hear my heart trying to beat out of my chest.

Claire shook her head. “No. Duke said we could tell everyone after he came back” She looked down at her fingers.

King Joel was going to lose his shït once he found out. Out of all the royalties, he was the most feared. It was after I stepped in as Queen of the South that we had managed to bring alliance between the territories. King Joel was stuck in his ways and hated change. His hate for change was so intense that he wouldn’t give the title to his 25-year-old son, Caleb. Joel said he didn’t want the “new generation” ruining our world. Someone had to stick around to make sure the old values were followed.

“You mated with a King’s daughter and didn’t tell him? What are you trying to do exactly? Piss off all the royalties one after another?”

He had already fucked over Nicholas and me. Now King Joel. King Nathanial Cooper, King of the East, was the only one left. His daughter, Caroline, was a year away from taking the crown.

Duke looked up at me and smirked. His smirk sent a shiver down my spine.

That’s exactly what he was doing.

“You’re trying to wage war, aren’t you? Claire coming here wasn’t an accident. You wanted her to come here.”

“I always have a Plan B.” Duke bragged.

“What’s Plan B?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?!” Duke started laughing.

Without a second thought, I punched him again. I was in no mood to play games.

“Noah, take Claire and show her the consequences of her mate's actions” I didn’t take my eyes off of Duke.

“How many times will you use the same trick? It’s not going to work anymore. Now that you know who she is, she’s of no use to me. Do what you want,” Duke snorted.

****Noah, take her to my room. Make it look like you’re still going to mess with her**** I mindlinked.

Before Noah could grab Claire, a growl ripped through the air, surprising as all.

I turned to find Claire shaking. She had a murderous look on her face. She was the daughter of royalty. Even though she wasn’t next in line, she still had a strong wolf.

“A minute ago, you were upset about Noah trying to force me into sleeping with him, and now you don’t care?! I’m your mate. How can you treat me like this?!” She yelled at Duke.

“I don’t care about anyone Claire. I only pretend to care so that I can get what I need. The Moon Goddess hates my family and me so much that she’s cursed us. If she’s decided to be generous and give me a mate, I’m going to use that in whatever way I deem beneficial.”

Tears formed in Claire’s eyes as her shaking got more vigorous. I felt terrible for her. She didn’t deserve this.

“Matt, get them both out of here. Find out what his Plan B is,” I quickly ordered, hoping Claire would calm down once they were out of sight.

“Alex, I want you to break our bond,” Claire demanded.

“Claire-...” I started.

“Please do it. I don’t want to be mated to such an ungrateful man,” she cut me off.

There was no remorse or pain on Duke’s face. Did he honestly not care?

Tears streamed down Claire’s cheeks as she stared at the man she was meant to nurture. I thought back to when I had broken my bond with Clark. The bond was imaginary, and so was Clark, but the pain I felt was real. The betrayal that hurt me was real and in front of me stood another girl channeling all those emotions.

I closed my eyes and let Kona take over so we could summon the Moon Goddess. The inside of my eyelids filled up with mist, and as always, beyond the fog, our beautiful Goddess appeared. Her long white hair was swaying behind her as she approached us on her tiptoes.

“Tell me, have you found the stake?” She quizzed as she twirled a little and smiled at me.

“Always eager to know everything. Why do you want to ruin the fun? You have the best seat in the house, sit back and enjoy the show. For now, help me give Claire justice.”

“When I made her Duke’s mate, I thought she would be able to change him. Her love would make him want to be a better man and forget about the whole revenge nonsense. I didn’t expect him to use her as a stepping stone.” The smile on her face disappeared, and the Moon Goddess looked a little sad.

“I know you had good intentions, but some people just can’t be helped. They have evil in their blood, and there’s only one way of getting rid of it.” Kona spoke.

“You are right. You know what to do, my child, I’m with you” The Moon Goddess smiled at me.

The darkness suddenly filled with a bright white light. My body went numb before it filled up with a warmth that was the Moon Goddess’s spirit. I opened my eyes, and everyone that could see me gasped. I knew my eyes were glowing white.

“Forgive me, Claire. I have failed you. My objective wasn’t to see you hurting like this. I had other plans, and you have been caught in the crossfire. Please forgive me,” Moon Goddess spoke, guiding my body towards Claire. She reached out and cupped Claire’s face with one hand.

“You are very special, Claire, and I promise you, something very special coming your way.”

She squeezed Claire’s face and let my hand drop before turning towards Duke.

****Nick, stand Duke up**** I mindlinked Nicholas. He just stared at my face, gobsmacked.

****Nicholas!**** I yelled through the mind link, snapping him out of his trance.

“Shit! Sorry!” He muttered, bending down and pulling Duke to his feet.

The Moon Goddess stood there staring at Duke.

“I tried to help you be better than your forefathers, but you used your opportunity for redemption as a way to get revenge. I am now sure you are just as bad as your forefathers, and I do not regret my decision to curse your lineage. I will take care of it in the spirit world. I’ll be waiting very eagerly. Right now, I’m here to give Claire her life back.” She raised my arm and placed it on the mark Duke had on his neck.

Duke tried to protest, but no sound came out of his mouth.

“Claire, place your hand on your mark and repeat with me.” Moon Goddess looked over my shoulder to see Claire place her hand on her neck.

“I, Claire Kelly Harper, reject you, Duke Clark Johnson. The mark you bear shall no longer exist and will no longer be a symbol of our commitment. Do you accept it?”

Claire sighed and closed her eyes. Fresh tears streamed down her face.

I noticed Noah move. He stood behind Claire and gently squeezed her shoulders, encouraging her.

Claire opened her eyes and nodded. She cleared her throat and repeated the sentence.

“Duke, do you accept?” The Moon Goddess looked at Duke.

“She can’t reject me. I’m her mate. Roy said she would never be able too” Duke exclaimed.

The Moon Goddess grabbed Duke’s neck and squeezed.

“You forget I’m much stronger than your stupid mage. I’m a Goddess Duke. I can overwrite any spell. Now, do you accept?” I could feel the Moon Goddess’s anger vibrating through me.

“Do you accept, or do I have to overwrite your decision?” She pushed.

Duke’s eyes flickered towards Claire. He stared at her for a moment before turning his gaze back to us.

“I accept,” He finally muttered.

The Moon Goddess let him go.

“With the power of the Spirits bestowed on me, I claim, the mark that connects you two be erased. I claim the bond between the two be broken.”

Both Claire and Duke started wailing in pain. The pain was excruciating since they had finished their mating.

Claire held her neck and fell on the ground screaming in agony. Noah knelt next to Claire, holding her tightly.

Nicholas let go of Duke as he wilted in pain. Matt cut off his restraints and let him suffer.

I felt the warmth leave my body, and I could control my body again. I blinked a few times as my eyes changed back to their usual color. Kona whimpered, wanting control.

****Finish him**** The Moon Goddess whispered before disappearing.

“Noah, hold on to her. The pain will subside soon,” I ordered.

Noah looked conflicted but nodded and pulled Claire into his arms

“You bïtch! You will pay for all this,” hissed Duke as he tried getting up. The pain was evident on his face.

“How do you even have the energy to threaten me? Your plans have failed.” I snorted.

Duke growled and looked up at Erik. Erik had been watching quietly as the drama unfolded.

A slight smirk appeared on Erik’s face as his eyes connected to Duke.

Before I could blink, Erik pushed himself off the ground and yanked off the restraints. Duke used that distraction as an opportunity to burst into his wolf, hitting Nicholas. The impact sends Nicholas flying across the yard.

“Bye, bïtch.” Erik snarled and grabbed onto Duke’s neck to climb onto his back.

“Shiloh!” I called out.

Shiloh put her hands out and chanted a spell. Within seconds, we had bones cracking, and just as fast as he had become a wolf, he shifted into his human form, crashing on the ground with Erik landing on top of him.

“Did you forget I have a mage standing right here?!” I yelled, trying to process what just happened.

Duke growled loudly and pushed Erik off. He got up on his feet and bolted towards the forest. Erik was right behind him.

Nicholas was one step ahead and grabbed Duke just before he could disappear into the darkness of the trees. Matt tackled Erik, and the warriors helped pin him down.

I looked over at Noah.

****Did you bring what I asked for?**** I mindlinked.

Noah nodded and reached down to his socks, pulling out the maple tree stake I had requested.

Noah threw the stake at me. I quickly caught it and ran towards Nicholas. Duke and Nicholas were having an intense fistfight. Nicholas grabbed Duke’s neck and threw a punch smashing Duke’s nose. Blood gushed out of his nose, flowing down his face and his neck. Nicholas pushed Duke away, trying to avoid touching his blood. Duke stumbled back, holding his nose.

As I ran towards him, Kona growled, and I let her share this moment with me.

Duke stood in the middle of the yard, examining his nose.

“Hey, asshöle,” I called out as I got closer.

As he turned around, I plunged the stake into his chest, pushing it towards his heart.

Duke’s eyes widened as a sea of emotions flashed through his face before he looked down at the stake wedged into his chest.

“Just thought I’d let you in on a little secret. The Moon Goddess did make something to kill you, and since you don’t want to be better than your forefathers, you can go join them in hell.” I pushed the stake further into his chest, piercing his heart.

Duke gasped and froze into place. The fear in his eyes was replaced with pain and shock. A wave of satisfaction passed through me as I watched his reaction. Duke obviously hadn’t done his research and overlooked the part where the legend mentioned a stake that could kill him.

I watched as his breathing became labored. Duke started to choke on the blood his body was rejecting. He reached up and tried to pull the stake out, but I had jammed the stake in so far that there was nothing to hold on to.

“Now, we’re even,” I muttered and pushed him back.

Duke whimpered in pain and stumbled over his feet, falling to the ground. His body starts to convulse as blood cascades out of his mouth. I looked over my shoulder to find Claire clinging on to Noah as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Nicholas walked around Duke’s body and pulled me into his arms.

“It’s over now, baby. It’s all over,” he whispered, placing soft kisses on the side of my head.

“fuck,” Erik’s voice interrupted.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re next jackaśs,” I muttered. My eyes were still glued to Duke’s twitching body.

“No! No! You can’t kill me. My sister will never forgive you.” Erik protested.

“She could care less what we do to you,” Matt chuckled.

“You can’t speak for her. She cares about me and will care if you have my blood on your hands.” Erik tried to push Matt away.

Matt grabbed the back of Erik’s neck and slammed him to the ground.

“Finish him off. He can burn in the same fire as his boss” I surprised myself with how cold my words were.

“Gladly!” Matt snickered.

“No! You can’t do thi-...” before Erik could finish, Matt grabbed his face and twisted it hard, snapping his neck.

Erik’s body went limb instantly.

“That was for all the pain and suffering you caused Natalie,” Matt growled and spat at Erik’s face.

In front of me, Duke’s body had stopped convulsing. His breathing had stopped, and I couldn’t hear his heart beating anymore.

I took a deep breath in and turned towards Matt.

“Light them up. All of them. It’s time to end this nightmare”...