The Lunar Destiny Series

Chapter 7

I sat in the back seat of their white impala. Kyra sat up front on the passenger side while Githinji drove. The impala was a 2009 model with cream leather seats. It was very clean inside and out. My admiration of the car stopped when we left the city limits. I stared out of the window as we passed the 'Welcome to Delwyn' sign.

"They took him out of the city?" I asked.

"To the outskirts. Their territory is up in the mountains outside of Delwyn. They have houses built into the surrounding lands at the base of the Abhora Mountains, but they do their clan business inside of the mountain caves." Githinji said.

At some point someone had to question why groups of people were living in such secluded areas far away from civilized society, but I was sure those nosey people conveniently went missing.

When we got to the Abhora Mountains, Githinji turned onto a narrow, gravel road that led to the back of a mountain side. I'd never been out here so I wasn't sure if this road has always been here or if it was new. There was a small parking area at the end of the road and I recognized one of the cars. Lio's red Kia Sportage. We got out of the car and I noticed a flight of stone steps leading up into what appeared to be a corridor inside of the mountain.

Kyra and Githinji leaned against the hood of the car and I stood next to them with my hands in the pockets of my khaki shorts.

"Why aren't we going in?" I asked.

Kyra looked over at me with a smile. "You sure do ask a lot of questions, Astraia."

I raised my eyebrow at her. "I wouldn't have to if you all weren't so damned secretive all of the time."

Githinji looked over at me then. "Do you have to know everything all of the time?"

"I'd rather know everything than nothing."

He nodded. "Touché."

The two of them directed their attention to the stairway, in turn making me look. Lio came down the stairs. His curly black locks framed his face gently while the rest laid on his shoulders. He was wearing a black, button up shirt that was open at the top showing the nice swell of his chest. It didn’t help that he had the top two buttons undone to tease me even further. His jeans were dark blue and loose but not baggy. I looked down to his feet briefly to see that he was wearing black mid-top Jordans. He matched from head to toe.

I found myself watching him faithfully as he walked towards us; not even a car crash would get my attention at this point. Kyra greeted him, nuzzling her nose into his jet black hair and then against the nape of his neck. She slowly traced every inch of his neck with the tip of her nose and then she stepped back a little. Githinji’s greeting was less intimate. He knelt down in front of Vasilios with his head lowered. Vasilios bent down slightly and gave a firm grip to his shoulder that made Githinji slightly wince. I assumed it was some reminder of rank going on. Githinji rose from the ground again and remained standing next to Kyra. Lio’s silver eyes caught my light gray ones and I froze up. He came towards me appearing to almost glide the way he walked up to me. It was like he was using every muscle and tendon in his body to perfect his form.

When he stood in front of me he raised his right hand up to my chin, his hand was so warm.

“I’m sorry about all of this. I was trying to keep you out of pack business.”

He whispered to me in a very sympathetic tone of voice. I opened my mouth to speak and then closed it again; I had no clue what to say to his apology. Lio closed the small distance between us and the front of our bodies pressed together in a perfect line. I had to close my eyes. If I looked at him while he was pressed against me like this, I wasn’t sure that I would be capable of holding myself back from what I really wanted to do to him at that moment.

“Astraia, look at me. What are you so afraid of?” He said as he lowered his head towards my face.

The tip of his nose lightly brushed against mine; that made me open my eyes. He slid his hand from my chin, to my cheek, then into my hair. A small sigh escaped my lips and he smiled, seemingly amused.

“That’s not funny.” I said embarrassed.

“Who’s laughing?”

Lio kissed my forehead tenderly before sliding his arm around my waist and turning to face Kyra & Githinji.

“Teris will not tell me why he has taken Priam, but he wants to see Astraia. I explained to him the situation but it’s like he isn’t hearing me at all.”

I looked up at Lio curiously. “Who is Teris?” I asked with a little hesitation.

“The leader of the Wereleopards.” Lio answered, looking down at me. He looked back to Kyra and Githinji with a neutral expression.

“When we go inside I want you to let me do all of the talking. I’m not sure what’s going on in Teris’s head but we must be cautious. He’s looking for any reason to hurt someone.”

With those last daunting words from Lio we proceeded inside of the mountain cave. The inside looked nothing like the dark, damp bat cave I had imagined. The room was large and dimly lit with candles and oil lamps. There was a bohemian-like theme to the place. Large bean bags lined the walls of the room with unique bohemian designs on them. I also noticed some very expensive looking Persian rugs that covered the cold stone floors in their entirety. I looked up to the ceiling to see colorful sheer fabrics covering it, giving the appearance of multicolored spirits hanging above our heads. Piles of decorative throw pillows were in various places near the bean bags on the floor. Women wearing colorful two piece chiffon dresses laid on the pillows and bean bags around the room. Their taste in décor was…Interesting. The men stood along the walls forming a circle around the room wearing only baggy cotton pants. It was obvious they were serving as a wall to enclose us all.

Against the far wall ahead of us sat a high stone throne with whom I assumed was Teris sitting on it. This man had a very Celtic look about him. He had a large fox fur and leather cape draped over his shoulders with a brown, leather sleeveless shirt under it. I stared for a moment at the gold and brown leather tunic that came down past his knees. The boots he wore were brown leather as well, possibly steel toed. His hair was a sandy brown color, a little darker than mine though.

I couldn’t be sure from where I stood but his hair looked like it came down to his knees in wavy masses; it was extremely long. The shape of his eyes were very round, and were the color of chili powder. His square chin and beard stubble gave him a mature, yet masculine appearance.

Off to the left side of his throne I noticed a burgundy curtain covering a doorway. I was betting they were keeping Priam back there. Vasilios’s people were here too, standing around us and near the exit. Probably not a bad idea.

“Ah, there she is. Not bad for a human girl. If a human is what she really is.”

Teris said in a deep, eerie voice. I looked up at Teris deeply confused; His slightly Scottish accent was a surprise coming from him. I wasn’t expecting it at all.

“I told you that she isn’t one of us Teris, yet you still refuse to believe me. I know you can smell her human scent strongly.” Lio said.

I watched Teris tilt his head to the side before he spoke.

“I do, but I find myself confused about something. If she is not pack, why are you going to such great lengths to protect her?”

Lio looked at Teris sternly and I could feel his hold on me become a little tighter.

“I hope she will be my mate someday. How can that be if your Leopards are trying to kill her?” Vasilios had the beginnings of anger in his voice now.

Teris had a lazy smirk on his face like he’d had too much to drink.

“My Leopards meant her no harm. They only did what I told them to do; I have my own reasons for wanting her.”

Vasilios frowned hard at him.

“What reasons would those be?” He asked.

“None that I can share. Sorry. However, I would like to get a closer look at her to be sure she is a mere human. Surely that isn’t asking too much?”

Vasilios stepped in front of me and shook his head no.

“What are you going to do?” he asked, sounding increasingly defensive.

“I only want to smell her, I won’t hurt her.”

Teris still kept that creepy smirk on his face; the mood in here was very unsettling. I was waiting for a fight to break out at any minute. Instead of a fight, Lisette decided she would intervene.

“To hell with her! Priam should be our main focus!” She suddenly shouted.

Everyone turned their attention to her, surprised by her outburst. I wasn’t happy about her insulting me, but I did agree with her about the rescue mission being more important. Lio glared daggers at her.

“Shut your mouth or I’ll shut it for you Lisette!” Lio shouted at her.

She started to say something else but her lips pressed together firmly as she lowered her gaze to the floor. Her right hand was clenched into a tight fist, she was clearly angry about being shut down like that.

Lio and I turned our attention back to Teris who seemed to be amused by the outburst. I know Lisette is one of many females in Lio’s pack who despised me, so I tried not to let it bother me.

“Come human; let me take in your scent.”

Teris said in a very come-hither tone. I looked up at Lio unsure if I should. He looked down at me and took my right hand into his left.

We walked up to the throne, but I stepped a little closer to Teris so he wouldn’t need to stand. I felt that we would be better off showing respect rather than tempting him to be violent in any way. I stood very still as I looked down at him, I wasn’t trying to hide the fact that he scared me. Teris held out his hand to me and I placed my left one into his.

He leaned forward; his nose hovered just above the surface of my skin. I could feel the heat of his breath matching the abnormal warmth of his hand. He took a slow, deep breath in then exhaled before rolling his eyes up to look at me. Suddenly, he licked a long wet line across my hand. Lio snatched me back so quickly I would have fallen had he not caught me. Teris laughed and the sound echoed throughout the room.

“That was unnecessary, Teris.” Lio said with a slight growl in his voice.

“You’re no fun at all Vasilios. Well it would seem she is without a doubt, human. There’s also something else in her that I can’t quite understand…I can also smell a hint of your scent on her. You haven’t f****d her yet though, have you?”

I averted my gaze from Teris to the floor embarrassed, making him laugh again.

“My my! The mere mention of s*x makes her uncomfortable. I think you are going to have a long road ahead of you with this one.”

He sat up straight and placed his hands on the arms of his throne.

“I digress. I’ve kept my guest waiting long enough. Come and join us won’t you, my dear?” Teris said, glancing over at the doorway to his left with the curtain over it.

Lolita and a dozen others flowed out behind her. A young, red headed boy that I’d seen once before was being held by the arms. His wrists were bound with metal chains and his face was so swollen, even his eyes were swollen shut. I gasped at the sight of him.

“s**t…” I said softly to myself.

Lolita’s eyes were all for Teris as she strode over to stand beside his throne. She was wearing an emerald green, sequined ensemble that consisted of a tube top with a very low dipping v and mini skirt with splits from hip to thigh. I wasn’t sure if her outfit even qualified as clothes. Her high heels laced up to her calves and were the same emerald green. I wondered if she always had the habit of dressing like a showgirl. If you got it, flaunt it I guess.

Vasilios’s pack was standing behind us in the center of the room now. I felt Vasilios trembling with anger now. He let go of my hand and I let him. I looked up at him and he was grinding his teeth.

“What the hell is this?” Lio asked Lolita directly.

Lolita grinned. “Hello to you too Lio, It’s been too long…” She said as she leaned against the side of Teris’s throne. He looked up at her with adoration before his dark gaze fell on us again.

“Let Priam free, he’s done nothing to deserve this.” Lio said.

Lolita pouted. “No, he hasn’t. But you have something that I want, or should I say ‘someone’?” She slowly looked over at me then.

“I want Astraia. In return I’ll give you your little wolf pup back. We’re bored of him now anyway.” She said as she flicked some of her golden blonde hair away from her shoulders.

“The answer is no, not a chance. I’ll take him back by force if I have to.”

Lio’s body temperature had risen so much that just by standing next to him I could feel the heat coming off of him in waves. I was worried he might shift before we could get Priam back safely.

“You’re outnumbered sweetheart. You would be a fool to challenge us.” Lolita said as she moved Teris’s arm and sat down on the arm of the throne, one leg crossed over the other.

“Why are you doing this Lolita? What do you gain?” Lio asked.

“I saw your human wench long before you met her. The moment I saw her eyes, I remembered the words your grandmother spoke back then. She was one of us and she had the true gift of foresight. She was never wrong about who our mates would be. I tried to put the possibility out of my mind, but then I saw her. Her human scent has a strange energy mixed within it that I’ve only been close to once in my life. I knew if you laid eyes on her you would realize this and stop at nothing until she was yours. So, I told Teris to send his Leopards to capture her. Somehow she escaped. What are the odds of her running into your territory Lio?” She said, becoming enraged with each word.

I frowned, shaking my head.

“That’s what all of this is about? Kidnapping and beating an innocent man because of me? This is beyond insane! I am not his mate and I’m damn sure not destined to be. Let him go so we can all go home, there’s no need for a senseless fight.”

It was the bravest thing I’d ever done, but I quickly learned that it was a very stupid thing. Lolita raised an eyebrow at me before she rose up from the arm of the throne and started walking towards us with a seductive sway of her shapely hips. I’d pissed her off, sweet.

“If he chooses a mate, the opportunity to bind our packs would no longer exist. He needs a mate as do I. Once two pack leaders become mates for life, our packs are bound as one and we grow up to ten times stronger. I’ll be damned if I let some human w***e jeopardize that!”

She nearly spit on me when she shouted, but I didn’t flinch because I knew Lio wouldn’t let her hurt me. Lio walked up to her to defend my honor but she reached out and grabbed the front of his jeans, groping him. Lio’s eyes went wide with shock and Lolita smiled wickedly. I watched her arm move in a slow motion as she was caressing the growing bulge. He reached his arm up and grabbed her by the throat in a very swift movement that only they could achieve.

Someone started pulling me back from the tension filled scene and I looked over my shoulder to see Naremi. She looked at me, being very cautious.

“Don’t interfere, he can handle himself.” She whispered to me.

“I think Lolita’s doing all of the handling at the moment…” I said rolling my eyes; I didn’t hide the bitterness in my voice either.

“Let go of me Lolita and I’ll let go of you.”

Lio said, tightening his grip on her throat.

“Are you sure? By the feel of things I’d say you’ve never let me go in the first place.”

She said, still smiling.

Teris rose from his throne and he looked taller than I had originally thought he was. Well over six feet tall.

“Let her go or your wolf dies!” He shouted at Lio.

“No problem…” Lio said nonchalantly.

The next thing I knew, I heard Lolita gasping for air before Lio slammed her into the stone floor. A deep hole cradled her body. He snatched a bloody hand away from her throat, still holding what looked like a clump of flesh. He’d partially torn her throat out. Teris’s eyes filled with rage.

“NO! All of you! Kill him! Kill all of them!”

And just like that, it turned into an all out brawl. The wereleopards and the wolves began shifting all around me and lunging at each other. Lio and Teris had shifted so quickly I had missed it in all of the chaos. Teris leaped towards Lio as a large golden furred, black spotted Leopard. Lio’s large gray form lunged forward with open jaws and bit into Teris’s shoulder. I had to cover my ears at the sound of Teris’s screeching growl.

“Naremi! Catch!” Githinji shouted from somewhere in the masses of fighting giants.

He threw his car keys to her and she jumped up to catch them. The keys made a slight jingle when they met her hands. She grabbed my hand and we headed towards the stairway leading outside.

“We can’t leave them! We have to go back!” I said, panicking.

“If I go back in there without seeing that you’re safe first, Vasilios would never forgive me. We’ll go to our house for now, you’ll be safer.” She said as we rushed to get into the car.