Page 10 of Ruthless Reign

Lex lets out a sigh, a pained expression crossing his face. "I should have gone with her. Or convinced her to stay inside. But she just looked so heartbroken—I couldn't say no."

My brows furrow at his words. It's clear he's hurting greatly, but I realize that I'm not the only one he's blaming.

He's blaming himself too.

As much as I'm filled with guilt… Fuck's sake, this is all Nyx's fault. She should have just listened to me. That damn stubborn woman never does as she's told. It'sourjob to protecther—notthe other way around. When we get her back—which we will—she's going to have to deal with all of us.

Daxton is correct though. She seems to have a protective nature. At first, I didn't see it. I was so blinded by my misplaced hatred for her that I focused on every little thing that I disliked. Her immaturity, her attitude, lack of filter and control. The way she always manages to push my buttons and start an argument. But slowly, I came to realize that I didn't hate those things—I just wasn't used to them.

I'm constantly surrounded by my pack family, who never question anything I do. They trust me—as they should. I was so frustrated at the situation of vanishing packs and having to leave my own pack to deal with someone else's mess, that she infuriated me when I arrived. No one had ever pushed me like that—treated me like I was on their level.

But she was. She is.

The moment I felt that bond snap into place, I was angry. I tried to do Daxton a favor by coming here to help since they had been attacked and targeted, and what did I get in return? The one thing I didn't want.

A mate.

Not only that… a mate whoalready had a mate.

It felt like the ultimate revenge. I didn't want one, and now the universe was trying to force me to share.

I should have just stayed home.

But then I wouldn't have met her.

That thought does nothing to ease me. I'm now well and truly in this mess, whether I like it or not. And I'm completely infatuated with her. The way she challenges me, her defiance—she's the perfect counterpart.

I never wanted a Luna. I didn't want to be distracted or have to worry about someone on a deeper level. Everyone around me is sosubmissive.Compelled to listen and act upon my wordwithout question. At least they did what I asked. And here, I had the polar opposite in a mate. It was very ironic and fitting.

As much as it pained me, I was ready to walk away. The thought of getting even more attached to her was terrifying. And even more so, the idea that she would be away from me at times with Lex and his pack. The distraction would be too much. It was better this way, to cut ties now before I fell in too deep.

But that night changed everything. It was as if the dangerforcedthe connection. Her voice in my head—there's no way the mind link would be established if the mutual bond didn't exist. It pushed us together… just for her to be ripped away seconds later.

Recalling it, I can almost hear her voice again. Her calling out, fearful. Except, it's quieter now.

There's a loud crack in the room and my head snaps toward Lex, watching as the armrest on his chair breaks off under his grip. His face is tight, pained, but he's not looking at us—lost in his thoughts.

Daxton and I share a quick look, before turning back to him, trying to decipher what's happening here. But then I hear it again—her voice.

"I could hear Nyx," Lex quickly says, an urgency to his tone. "I heard her voice. It was faint, but there."

When he looks at me, I can't believe the words falling out of my mouth.

"I heard her too."

Chapter Five

Nyx

The weird glow that emanates from me grows brighter, evaporating the crusty brown and black colors. Then, as quickly as it starts, there's a bright flash of white light and it bursts into nothingness.

Crash.

It takes me a hot minute to realize that the chains have snapped, landing in a pile around me. My muscles and body ache from the releasing pressure, but I'm too overwhelmed by the fact that I'm free to care.

Quickly, I stand, letting out a groan and hiss as my legs shake. They feel numb, and I have to lean against the wall for a second to steady myself until the feeling comes back.

What the fuck was that?

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