Chapter 42
Clay’s P.O.V
The gateway to Lindersay was a secret that only a select few knew about. Most people who were taken to Lindersay were rendered unconscious while travelling the pathway to the sacred world of the wolves. It was located in another dimension and everything about it was a secret.
Like most of the populace, I didn’t know how this place came into being or when it was formed, but the one thing I did know was the portal that would lead me to Lindersay. It was situated in the middle of a road that only a few travelled through and it lead to a dead-end. But right at that dead end was located the portal to Lindersay. Any car could pass through it…if it was travelling at exactly 102 miles per hour.
I knew this because all Alphas were given the secret just in case it was needed. Even Riley or any other beta had no idea how to get here.
Just as I saw the dead end approaching, I switched gears and kept the speed at exactly 102 mph. The dead end resulted in a cliff so if I failed to get to the portal, I would plunge straight to my death. But thankfully, I saw a blue light right in the middle of the road, just before it ended and drove straight through it.
The scenery changed in front of me immediately as I found the road that stretched for miles before it led to the Lindersay castle. Instead of automatic street lights, the road was bordered with gas lamps that needed to be operated manually. The woods that surrounded the road were denser and filled with wild animals and rogue wolves. They usually stayed out of everyone’s way, but sometimes they attacked in large numbers, trying to take over the guards at Lindersay.
I don’t know how so many rogue wolves came into being but Lindersay was very tight lipped about their existence. Soldiers were only there to train and prepare themselves for the future, nothing else. We were never allowed to ask unnecessary questions and neither were we given proper explanations for anything.
But today, I had questions and I wasn’t going to be leaving without answers or my Flora.
The sun was about to set when I saw the castle towers in the horizon and there were still a few miles to go. I stepped on the gas and drove like a madman. Time was running out and I needed to reach Flora before I was too late.
Everyone who went to Lindersay knew about the Lunar Maidens but we were never allowed to talk about them. There was a rumour that those who spoke of them turned rogue, but no one knew about the validity of that rumour. However, the Lunar Maidens were like puppets for the Moon Goddess, her little pets. And their most absolute rule was to remain celibate till they found their mates.
Flora and I weren’t mates.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the gates of Lindersay and as soon as my car stopped in front of the gates, I was surrounded by their best soldiers.
“Who are you? State your purpose.” One of the soldiers called out and I got out of the car with my hands raised to show them that I didn’t have any hostile intentions towards them.
“Clay?” Someone called from behind me and I turned to find Axel, one of the soldiers who had trained with me but had decided to stay behind at Lindersay rather than returning to his pack.
“Axel.” I sighed in relief. “I need your help.”
“It’s alright men.” Axel told the other guards to lower their weapons. “He’s a friend. I’ll take him to the Alpha.”
“I’m not here to see Malachi.” I told him once we were alone. “I’m searching for a woman who came here last night.”
“Flora Argentine?” Axel frowned, making my heart slam against my ribcage. “You know her?”
“How do you know her?” I asked him instead.
“I was the one who brought her here.” His frown deepened. “Why? Is everything alright?”
“Where is she?” I asked him with my hands on his shoulders. “I need to get to her, Axel. Right now!”
“She’s probably in the ceremonial hall.” Axel told me, his expression turning serious. “I’m not going to ask what you need right now because I understand it’s an emergency. But I will need an explanation.”
“And I will give you one, after.” I promised. “Please, take me to the hall.”
“This way.”
*
*
The moment I descended down the stairs, two guards stopped me with their daggers pointed at my throat. “You cannot enter the ceremonial halls!” One of them warned.
“Sorry, but I don’t have time for this.”
I grabbed one of the daggers by the blade and kicked the other soldier in the guts, sending him backwards. Once the guard was distracted, I ripped the dagger out of his hand, slicing my palm with the blade, but the superficial wound didn’t count. Still holding the blade, I used the hilt to bash it into his head, hearing a sickening crack, rendering him unconscious. The second guard came at me, but I threw the blade at him, hitting him in his right shoulder. It wasn’t a lethal wound, but it would keep him from using his dominant hand.
Pulling out the blade once he was down, I hit his head hard enough to render him unconscious as well. I had been one of Lindersay’s best soldiers when I had trained here, these soldiers were no match for me. But I didn’t have time to think about the guards either. Gripping the iron rings with my hands, I pulled the doors open, to find the ceremony about to start.
Ezra, the Shrine Maiden was at the altar, handing Flora an urn. I didn’t know what it was but I knew I had to stop her from drinking it. I looked around at what I could use to distract them, but I could only find the blade in my hand.
My aim had always been good, but it was Flora on the other end, so I hesitated only for a split second before making a decision. Raising the dagger in my hand, I aimed a little lower than the urn and threw the dagger.
“Flora, stop!”
It sliced through the urn, causing it to drop on the ground and shatter into a million pieces and the dagger embedded itself into the wall behind Flora, successfully avoiding her.
And then I met eyes of beautiful blue.
“Clay…” her voice was a whisper, but I heard it loud and clear as I began running towards her. Flora turned to me with her arms spread and then…finally, I was reunited with my eternity.
“Flora!”
Holding her in my arms, I felt like I could breathe again. My heart was pounding so fast that I momentarily felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. But nothing else mattered as I held Flora. She was my eternity, the reason for my living and I finally had her back.
“What are you doing!” spoke a voice that I was well accustomed with. “You cannot interfere with the initiation ceremony!”
“Alpha Malachi.” I turned to face him, holding Flora close to my chest. “There will be no initiation ceremony. I’ve come to take my woman with me.”
“How are you here?” Alpha Malachi narrowed his eyes at me. “Weren’t you supposed to be mated?”
“I’ve broken the mating bond.” I told him to several gasps. “It had no effect on me. All I care about is my Flora. She’s the only woman in my heart.”
“That’s not possible.” I heard Flora whisper. “How can you break the mating bond?”
Looking down into her eyes, I cupped her cheeks with my hands. “I told you, didn’t I? I would reject my mate to be with you. I love you, Flora…only you. You’re the mate I choose.”
“This is blasphemy!” Ezra spoke from behind us, her voice trembling. “You must not say such thing inside the temple…the Goddess will hear you.”
“Then let her hear me.” I told the Shrine Maiden. “I’m ready to face any consequences to be with the woman I love.”
And that was when the room began to glow with a blinding light.
