Bound By Legend

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: DUMB WAYS TO LIE

REVERIE

My heart thundered in my chest as something came over me when I stared at Leoric.

“Leo?” I asked, his normally sunny face was ashen. I placed a palm on his cheek. My gaze lifted to Delilah’s back, and I was immediately locked into it.

The minute I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. Kieran and Delilah bickered in the doorway.

“Leo…” I whispered, and before I knew it, my nails were dug into his arm. He snapped back to attention.

“Rev–”

Every time she moved, her dress moved, the mark was burned into my skull.

“Why…why do I know that symbol…?”

His voice suddenly felt far away, all I could feel was the pressure as it built in my heart and pounded in my ears as Kamari grew agitated inside my mind.

What is this..? What’s happening? A panic attack? Me?

My breaths came in ragged, my eyes blurred as I clung to Leoric for dear life, my body trembled.

“Blood….there’s so much blood… the smoke..?”

“Reverie…”

“The temple…” I stumbled.

“What’s wrong?” Leoric tried to steady me.

“….The screams…Oh Goddesss…the shadows on the wall…Mother!”

“Reverie! Snap out of it!”

“The smell…”

The smell of burning flesh and fur infiltrated my senses. My surroundings blurred to a completely different place and back. What is this..?

Kamari howled in my mind, a piercing, saddened howl.

My head was turned to look into the panicked eyes of Leoric Vaelthorne before I ever even felt his fingers in my hair. Tears streamed down my cheeks as he cradled me.

“Rev. It's okay, I'm here. You are the doctor. I don't know what to do, tell me!” he whispered. He ran his hands through my hair. “Koda! Get through to Kamari.”

“I’m trying!!” Koda’s mind burst through my mind link somehow. “Kami, Kam listen! It’s not real, Reverie needs you. Kamari wake up!”

A pulse of energy flooded through me and I could see Kamari in my mind as she shook awake.

Everything shifted around me, the Solvane ballroom turned into a beautiful moon crystal temple and back periodically. I gripped my head to gather my thoughts, but everything was screaming inside my head.

Kamari paced inside of our mental sanctuary as she threw herself against whatever blocks concealed my memories from me. Then something bigger, darker, shrouded behind her as it pulsed. Frozen in panic, I couldn’t even ask what it was as her voice cut through while she took over and began to glow through our connection.

“I got you Reverie, come on. Come on.” Kamari began to weave inside of my mind. I felt locked in a mental prison, separated from everything.

Suddenly, a roar from Hanz echoed around us, the frayed mate bond appeared inside my mind, but Kamari kicked it out of her way. She used my voice to growl. “No. Go back to your w***e Hanz.”

“She isn’t my w***e Kamari!” He growled back. His Alpha aura attempted to reach out and send us both asunder, but Kamari was stronger as she kicked back with her own energy. He looked just as surprised as I felt. “Let me help Reverie!” He’d almost slipped and admitted we were mates, which enraged Kamari further and brought my panicked state higher.

“You made your choice Hanz. You chose that vile floral citrus-scented cow. Go back to her.”

“No I didn’t! Don’t blame me for my human’s transgressions. I am your Alpha.

“I will help my human. You go get yours under control. You are NOT our Alpha. You are unworthy. ” Kamari bit back.

Hanz’ ears flattened and shock shone in his eyes. Leoric growled in warning before a roar, followed by a hiss and shadowy mist surrounded us.

I stared into the black mist as I hoped for something to focus on and calm down. Two neon green glowing eyes appeared in the mist and stared into my soul for a moment. Inch by inch, the shadowy mist separated from itself to form a massive shape of a panther,

The impossible height of his body shocked even the most fearsome wolves in the room. I watched his lanky length slink over to me as he touched his head to my pulse and tapped his foot to track the beats per minute.

“Devoe?” Kamari whispered, her voice full of relief. The scent of the outdoors, hope, and moon flowers enveloped me.

“Dr. Dawne. Your heart is racing. You are sweating. You are gasping for air. We need to get you under control. Breathe with me.”

He nodded to Leoric, who still held me protectively. Koda instantly convinced him to release me.

Devoe’s eyes bore into me. “Just you and me, GIRL. One, two, three. In through the nose, out the mouth. Again. Eyes on me only.”

After a few rounds, he had me calmed down and I nearly collapsed in exhaustion. He caught me and Leoric helped me drape over his back. The fur was soft, silky, and warm under my flesh.

The ballroom stared at all of us in confusion and concern.

“Resume the festivities everyone.” Leoric smiled as he waved around the room. “Plenty of food and drink to go around, help yourself!” The room erupted in music and wine once more, the drama at the event quickly forgotten–or hidden to be gossiped about later.

“She’s afraid. Check on her…tell her it's all okay now, ” I muttered as my eyes closed.

Leoric looked down at me, I could feel his eyes on me. “Rev?”

We emerged into a side corridor to discover the soundproof sitting room covered in bright yellows, oranges, and browns. Leoric helped lay me onto the couch, Devoe rubbed against me and purred for a few minutes.

“Soon, Rev, I will get you out of this cold hell.” He whispered as he held my hand tightly.

“You aren’t taking my pack doctor anywhere.” Kieran’s voice came from the corridor.

Leoric sighed. “Leave. Reverie needs her rest.”

“You have no power here. This is my territory,” Kieran attempted to argue. “In fact, you have well overstayed your welcome.”

“Stonehaven can wait. Reverie can’t. I am not leaving here without Reverie. My beta is perfectly capable of handling things while I am gone. ”

I sensed the strong Lycan Alpha aura as it pressed down on the room and smirked.

The door opened and Seth entered. “My apologies for my grandson’s rudeness, Alpha Leoric. I am not sure what has gotten into him.”

“Grandfather, this is Alpha business. You are no longer the Alpha of this pack, remember?” Kieran reminded him.

“Former Alpha Seth. It is so good to see you. I never had these issues with your pack when you were running things.”

“I understand. I am truly appalled by everything that has transpired this evening. It seems to get worse every time I turn around.”

“My apologies for any part I played in that,” Leoric teased.

“Nonsense. You are an honored guest. As for you Kieran. There is nothing here for Reverie anymore. Why hold her prisoner here? Stonehaven has much better options for her career.”

“You are not taking her anywhere.” Kieran’s voice rippled.

“And why not? What if we are mates? Why can’t I take my mate with me?” Leoric asked.

“That’s impossible!” Kieran clenched his fists.

“Why’s that Alpha Kieran?” Leoric asked. I could almost see his smile in my mind as I imagined him standing there with his arms crossed.

Leoric knew every secret Kieran thought he had.

Kieran had no idea.

It was time to make a choice.

Would he tell Leoric I was his mate? Or keep acting suspiciously?

He could either…

Admit I was his mate. We’d been married for years. That he’d never claimed me. Nor crowned me. All the while parading his mistress in front of me.

Or…

He would deny a Lycan his mate.

Either way? The optics were devastating. Especially when you wanted Lycan allies.

Which truth would Alpha Kieran Solvane decide to tell?