Chapter 37

Thalia wasn't sure what roused her from her sleep but the moment her eyes opened she knew something wasn't right.

It was still dark outside. An inky blackness consumed everything without there being any moonlight to fight away the shadows. Silence surrounded the caravan except for the sound of Kade's steady breathing and the faint tick of the clock in the living room. It wasn't abnormal. It had to be two or three so still an hour to go before any hint of sunlight would begin to dilute the darkness outside and yet Thalia couldn't shake the feeling that this was the calm before the storm.

But what storm?

Try as she might, Thalia couldn’t get back to sleep. Every nerve thrummed with nervous energy as if she was about to react to a threat. Even Maeve let out occasional bursts of threatened energy and stirred restlessly. In the end, all Thalia could do was get up, carefully slipping from Kade’s arms and padding out into the living area. They had left the curtains open so she had a clear view of their surroundings. Nothing appeared out of place, not at first anyway. But eventually her eyes settled on the table where she had sat with Kade and his friends hours earlier and her heart leapt into her throat with panic.

“Hello Thalia.” Dante smiled, his blue eyes eerily dark now as if they had absorbed all the light near them.

He was sat in the very seat Kade had been in and Thalia couldn’t help but wonder if that was a deliberate move on the demon’s part. It didn’t matter though, not when the one being she had been trying to avoid was now right in front of her. He still looked handsome with his godly features but Thalia knew that it was all a facade and that something much darker lurked beneath the surface.

“How did you find me?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Dante replied as she stood, hands disappearing into the pockets of his back slacks. “And even if it did, it would only hurt you to know and I won’t hurt you, Thalia. I just want what belongs to me.”

Her hand instinctively went to her stomach protectively and she narrowed her eyes slightly, forcing herself to stand her ground.

“No,” Thalia let her voice drop to a dangerous tone. “I won’t let you take them. I know what you intend to do and I will not let you use our children as weapons. Now go away Dante. There is nothing for you here.”

“I wasn’t asking little wolf.” Dante’s features darkened and for a moment Thalia thought she saw his wickedness pushing to the surface. “You’re coming with me to fulfil the task I gave you.”

“Thalia?”

The sound of Kade’s voice, muffled by the confines of the caravan, had Thalia freezing, her eyes widening. She couldn’t let Kade get caught up in this anymore than he was and yet it seemed that fate had other plans. She could only watch as the male stepped out of the door, his silver eyes focusing first on Thalia and then on Their unwanted guest. Even in the darkness she could see Kade’s gaze harden and for a moment, Legion flickered to the surface. A feral rage oozed from Kade, bolstered with possessiveness. It crashed through the bond in waves and Thalia had to resist the urge to flinch back. She had almost forgotten how impressive Kade’s beta aura was.

“Ah look, the pretend baby-daddy.” Dante smirked but it might as well have been a sneer. “I was wondering when he might turn up. I’m afraid that Thalia won’t be staying. She’s already committed herself to me so this whole happy family charade is just that, a charade.”

“Thalia isn’t going anywhere with you,” Kade growled, eyes darkening further as he stalked forward. “So I suggest you fuck off before I tear that smug look off your face.”

“Threats of aggression from a dog?” Dante raised an eyebrow. “Why am I not surprised? No matter, I came prepared.”

The snap of a dead twig announced the arrival of the men that had been creeping in slowly. Now within range, the scent of humans and something Thalia was coming to associate with those who worked with demons bled into the night air, making both wolves growl a warning. None of the figures donned in black seemed fazed, slowly eating up the space between them and the pair. They moved like shadows and with each step Thalia felt her wolf pushing for control. Maeve would not stand for her mate and pups being threatened.

*Not yet, they aren't close enough*

A laugh broke the tense silence. The sound instantly sent goosebumps dancing across Thalia's skin and a chill down her spine. For a moment she thought it was Dante but his expression remained neutral and eyes empty. It took Thalia a moment to realise that it was Kade that had let out the amused chuckle that held a hint of danger in it. He was angry and now his wolf began to seep into his movements and words.

"Do you honestly think they can stop me?" Kade raised an eyebrow.

The pregnant silence hung in the twilight for only a beat before all hell broke loose.

One of the shadows had crept within reach and Kade was on him in a second, grabbing the rifle with such force that the man jerked forward, Kade's fist meeting with the masked face with enough force that there was an audible crack. The hit wasn't enough to take the faceless man down but the butt of the rifle to the temple was.

The rest of the men swarmed then, gloved hands reaching for Thalia who snarled, a half-shifted hand swiping at the closest body. Her elongated nails slashed through the body like it was butter, blood spraying across the she-wolf and the earth as her victim clutched his mangled shoulder. Thalia didn't hesitate, shoving the man hard so he toppled into his colleagues like a bowling ball into pins. It was crude but effective and gave Thalia a chance to dash away, ducking away from another figure as they dove at her.

Only feet from her, Kade had dispatched three other men much more effectively and now turned his attention to the demon who had appeared unmoved by the easy defeat of his men. By now lights in other caravans have begun to turn on and silhouettes of people appeared in windows or at doors to see what the commotion was about. However the lack of sunlight or moonlight gave little away so no one was willing to risk approaching and offering help.

"Enough." Dante's voice boomed through the night.

Kade disagreed and lunged for the demon, intending to rip the bastard to shreds. However some invisible force hit him like the aftershock of a nuclear bomb. It lifted him off his feet and sent him hurtling through one of the windows of the caravan.

Thalia screamed. "Kade!"

"I said I wouldn't hurt you, Thalia and I mean it but I don't extend the same courtesy to your mate." Dante spoke up over the groan and screech of metal and pvc.

Thalia could only watch in horror as the caravan was ripped from its foundations as if by some invisible giant hand. It hovered for a moment before the walls and ceilings seemed to start collapsing in on themselves, glass bursting into shards under the pressure.

"No!" Thalia screamed frozen to the spot as the caravan was suddenly thrown towards the forest, smashing into the trees.

She was still screaming when hands grabbed her, pulling her. She fought back, straining against the forces trying to tug her away. She couldn't feel anything on the bond. It was quiet, like the line had been blocked. She was banging against a wall of soundproof glass. Kade had to be alive still. He couldn't be gone. She had just got him back. They were going to join up with the pack.

"I'm sorry, Thalia but you gave me no choice." Dante spoke calmly, ignoring Thalia's wailing and sobbing. "You should have come quietly but I see we will have to do things the hard way."

"I hate you." Thalia hissed at the man.

"I know," Dante smiled sadly, lifting a hand to cup Thalia's cheek. He didn't flinch when Thalia tried to pull asleep. "But eventually you won't and who knows? Maybe you will even start to fall for me again. Now sleep little wolf. This will all be over soon."

Thalia wanted to tell Dante to go back to hell where he belonged but before she could open her mouth, a wave of exhaustion hit her, pushing her down until all she saw was nothing but the thick darkness of unconsciousness.

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