Chapter 17

**Alexander**


This place is interesting. It looks old and there is a feeling of history in every inch of this place, but there is a dark energy here that unsettles me. There are several pedestals placed around the odd room, but the one in the center is filled with some sort of liquid. Slowly, we all instinctively create a circle around it.

“What in bloody hell is that?” I ask before anyone else does.

“This is an enchantment used by many of our leaders before they take on positions of power. Every elder travels here to face their final challenge to be sure they are prepared for the task of a leader.” The old man says before focusing on Amelia. “Now it is your turn.”

Amelia looks up at him and down at the bowl a couple of times. “What do I do?” She asks.

“Place your hand inside the bowl and clear your mind.” The old man instructs her.

Now I’ve lived a long time and seen a lot of things. What I know as a certainty is that you don’t go putting your hand into anything when you don’t know what’s inside. I would think that would be common sense even for cocky wolf shifters.

“Maybe we should put a pin in that for a minute and discuss what will happen once she puts her hand in that black sludge.” I say.

Owen, who’s standing on the other side of Amelia, glares at me in warning, but I scoff. He doesn’t scare me and if his little wolf decides to come for me, I won’t hesitate to show him just how weak of a species they are.

“The liquid itself is harmless to her, but it will help her access the part of her mind that is locked away. Most are already connected to their wolves naturally, but leaders and a special few have part of their full power suppressed until they are strong enough to accept the power.” The old man sure makes it sound important and safe, but I feel like there’s something he’s not saying.

“Amelia, I don’t like this,” I whisper to her.

She turns her head to look at me and then smiles before turning fully to face me. I look down at her and admire her beauty. In my entire life, I have never seen anyone as uniquely beautiful as her, and I am happy to claim her as mine.

“Alex, I promise I’ll be okay. This is important if I’m going to help my people. Wouldn’t you do the same?” She asks, blinking up at me with soft eyes.

“I don’t care about my life. I care about yours.” I move and rest my hands on her hips just because I want to be close to her.

She reaches up and wraps her arms around me.

“We’ll give you three a minute.” The woman, I forget her name, says before leading the old man and younger guy with her.

Owen moves to stand behind Amelia and rests his hands on her waist, just an inch above mine.

“I wish I could do this for you.” He whispers and brushes her hair over her shoulder so that he can rub his nose along her neck.

I’ve never been a guy to watch two other people together, but I admit seeing these two together can be hot.

Amelia closes her eyes and leans back so that her head is resting on his shoulder. Her neck exposed like that has me drooling, so I lean in to the other side of her neck and nip at it. She gasps and lifts her hips against me slightly without meaning to.

“We can’t do this now, guys.” She whispers, but she doesn’t push us away either.

“I can sense them, and they’ve moved far enough away.” Owen tells her. “Just be quiet, little mate, and we’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, don’t make a sound.” I say before covering her mouth and sinking my teeth into her neck.

She cries out behind my hand but is holding my head against her like she doesn’t want me to stop. I wonder how much of her I can taste before it’s too much.

‘I am not so very weak.’ A voice says in my head.

Hold crap, what was that?

‘I am Anaya, Amelia’s wolf.’ The voice says.

‘Oh, well…how are you talking to me like this?’ I ask.

‘We are mated. Mated pairs, even vampire and wolf mates can communicate telepathically.’ She explains.

‘Can Amelia hear us talking then?’

‘No. I can cut myself off from her. Which is what I am doing now because I must warn you.’ Her voice sounds anxious.

‘Warn me about what?’

‘She is in danger. There are many enemies seeking to hurt her, but the worst ones are the ones she trusts the most. They have lied to her, and she is falling into their trap. I have been silenced by an enchantment never to speak to her of it, but I can tell you. The elder made sure she had mated for this very reason. He sensed the danger and knew she would need help. You and Owen are bonded not only to her, but to me, so I can tell you that she is not safe. She-‘

“Alex…please.” Amelia says breaking the conversation off.

I release her and stumble back. She opens her eyes and lifts her head off of Owen’s shoulder to look at me, confused.

“What? What is it?” She asks.

Owen looks up at me as well and mirrors her confused expression.

“Alex?” Amelia steps closer, but I’m too much in my head to say a word.

I mumble something and step away from her. “Uh, I just need a second.”

When I march out of the cave, I can feel her watching me, but I need a minute to make sense of her wolf talking to me. What did she mean that someone closest to her was lying to her? Wouldn’t me and Owen be the closest people to her and even if I’m not thrilled about sharing my mate with that wolf boy, I don’t get the sense that he would hurt her? I could never hurt her either, because that would mean death for me. She is quite literally a part of me now, and her death would suck me into the afterlife with her. Blood is one of the strongest bonds, after all.

So who could be the enemy closest to her?

Before I can think it through, a bright light comes from the cave and a powerful force throws me off my feet. I groan and curse as every part of my body aches from the impact of being thrown so hard. When I can breathe again, I sit up on my hands and look around. Not too far away is the old man and the other two. They’re groaning in pain too and sitting up.

“What’s happened?” The girl asks.

“It’s begun.” The old man says. “Quick.”

He gets helped up and the three of them head for the cave again. The light inside has dimmed, but it’s still bright enough that I have to shield my eyes. I climb to my feet and walk slowly toward the cave. When I step inside, I stop when I see Amelia standing by the pedestal with the bowl and her whole body is glowing. She looks like how humans have depicted angels throughout history. It’s as if she’s a whole new person. Her hair is even white now and her skin has an almost glittery quality to it, making her look almost iridescent.

I’ve never seen a person look like this before.

“What the hell?” I call out with my attention focused on Owen.

“I don’t know. She was watching you leave and then walked over to it and put her hand inside. Then boom! I got thrown back.” Owen says. “Amelia!”

“She can not hear you. She is on the other side.” The old man says.

“Other side of what?” I ask him impatiently.

Why do old people like him talk in riddles or dramatics?

“She is letting her wolves take control and meld with her. She is giving herself over to the goddess's power and letting them all merge.” He says.

Well, that makes more sense than I expected.

“Why does it look like she’s sleeping?” Is my next question?

“Her mind must be open. She is in a hypnotic state, so no outside forces can penetrate her mind.”

Right…

We all watch in silence for several minutes, but Amelia’s body suddenly jerks hard. Then again, and again.

“What’s going on?” One yells.

The old man looks troubled, which can not be good.

“I do not know. This does not normally happen.” He steps closer but is thrown back like a force is wrapped around Amelia and the pedestal.

“What has she done?” The girl asks.

“She has met something troubling. We must get her out!”

“How?” Owen asks, sounding as desperate as I feel.

“Shift!” the old man says and in unison, they do.