Claimed By Vengeance

Chapter Five

Okay, I was certain the man before me had certainly lost his marbles. Why would I leave everything I’ve worked hard for, my life and pack just to be with him?

“This is a joke, right Mason?”

His smile faded. “I don’t joke with what belongs to me, Luna.”

If disbelief wore a human attire, it would be me. “f**k you and the stupid mate bond, Mason.”

I slid out of the bed, and stormed out of the room butt naked into the darkness. I shifted back to my wolf form and run as far away from the cabin as I could.

Thankfully, my clothes still lay on the ground from when I morphed. I changed back to human form and into my clothes as fast as I could.

“You abandoned your pack for pleasure?”, Kol’s voice seeped into the eerie silence, startling me.

“Oh! My God, Kol. You freaking scared the s**t out of me”, I clutched my chest.

Kol stepped away from the darkness; I felt the anger radiating off his body when he got closer.

“You betrayed the pack with him!”, Kol roared.

“Kol, listen…”

“This moment remains the first and last you ever raise your voice at my mate”, Mason interrupted. “Are am I clear enough?” I noticed he was in a different set of clothes.

“Mate?”, Kol looked between me and Mason. “Phoenix what is he…”

Kol trailed off when his eyes fell on my neck. My hand involuntarily moved to my neck to cover the mark.

“Phoenix”, Kol stepped even closer, gently taking my hand off. “You finally mated.”

I sighed, defeated. “I didn’t mean for it to happen Kol. I just…”

Kol placed a finger on my lips to silence me and pulled me against his chest. “You don’t need to explain to me Phoenix, I’m happy you found him.”

For what seemed like forever, I felt at peace listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart. Knowing that I would always have Kol soothed me.

“That is enough, Luna”, Mason stated in a dangerously calm voice. “Step away from him, I do not appreciate you getting too close to him.”

Kol chuckled but still held me close. “You may be her mate but Phoenix answers to no one so you watch your tone with her. Am I clear?”

Mason cracked his head and knuckles, “Step aside Phoenix.”

A growl vibrated through Kol’s chest. He disentangled himself and gently moved me to the side.

“Both of you stop!”, I rushed to the middle with palms raised when I realized what they both were about to do. “There’s no need to display any dominance.”

“Good”, Mason stated, his eyes focused on me. “You’re coming with me, Phoenix.”

“She’s going nowhere”, Kol challenged.

“For the love of God can you both stop already?”, I threw my hands exasperated. “I’m going nowhere with you, Mason. Let’s go Kol.”

“Last I recall, this land belonged to the Alpha of the North and he owes me a huge favour. Do not push me to the wall, Phoenix,” Mason threatened.

“Are you manipulating me?”, I questioned shocked at how low he was stooping.

“I would set the entire town on fire if that’s what it takes. So you choose, Phoenix,” Mason declared. “The life of your pack or you follow me to where you rightfully belong. Three days is all you have, Luna. You know where to find me.”

Mason’s shoulders brushed mine as he walked past me. Both Kol and I were stupefied.

“He’s bluffing”, Kol paced up and down the room. It was daybreak, Mason and his men had moved away but he was close enough to lay emphasis on his threat.

“We both know he’s not”, I rubbed the mark on my neck, from where Mason had sunk his canines.

Kol’s eyes darted to the mark. “So you’re just going to give up everything you love and worked hard for?”

“Yes,” I swallowed.

“Listen to me”, Kol held me by the shoulders. “We will find another way out, you don’t have to go with him if you don’t want to.”

“I have to”, I almost yelled. “I have to. I eventually will. As his Luna, my presence is required next to him. That’s the way things go, Kol.”

I reached for his hand and smiled at him. “If anyone deserves to be Alpha of this pack, it’s you. I would sleep peacefully at night knowing the welfare of the pack is in your hands. So give me your word, Kol. Promise me you’ll do this.”

Kol looked away, refusing to speak.

“You’d rather one of those greedy elders took the position? Your father would smile down at you for fulfilling his wish, Kol. Think about it. Please.”

I left Kol to consider my offer and headed to my room to pack. I had my mind made up already. I would leave with Mason to the South and find a way to return back to my pack one day. For now, I’d just play Mason’s game.

“Members of The Shadowfang Pack, what an honour it has been to serve you. The years I’ve spent would forever be etched in memory but now, as Luna of the Moonstone Pack I step down as the leader of this pack.” Gasps flew around within the crowd at my revelation.

“I leave in charge of the pack Alpha Kol Nitebane!”, my voice rang. Kol stepped up and embraced me briefly; the people clapped and cheered.

I moved a step down and watched Kol address the people as their new Alpha with pride. I couldn’t think of anyone else who deserved this role. We said our goodbyes after and then I got unto my horse with my stuff.

“Till we meet again, Kol”, I blinked back the tears threatening to spill.

“Our doors would always be opened to you, Phoenix”, Kol gave me a fond smile. I rode away to where I anticipated Mason to be.

“Hello, Luna”, Mason smirked at me.