Page 144 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

DAMON

“Is that the last of the ingredients?” Sasha asked her warriors.

They nodded.

“Good. Mash them into fine particles.”

The moonlight bathed the warriors’ faces in silver as they set about using a pommel to mash the ingredients Rick said he’d used to enter the realm. I stood by Sasha’s side. My warriors and sentinels behind me, awaiting my orders.

“Are you sure this will work?” Alpha Ryan asked me.

The male werewolf had brought with him his pack’s best warriors and sentinels to join in the fight. Tonight we would wage war on the Dark Fae, to end the evil persuasion used against Werekind and to stop the murdering of the humans.

“Yes,” I replied. “Our rogues informed us of this method used during interrogation.”

“How are we to know that your rogue was telling the truth?” a wolf sentinel asked. “What if the rogue bear had said such to lead us into a trap?”

The Silverfang pack murmured in an undulating manner. They exchanged concerned looks.

I squared my shoulders. “You’ll just have to trust us.”

“All of us.” Sasha pressed closer into my side. “For my pack and I, we believe in Alpha Damon.”

Alpha Ryan met Sasha’s bright gaze for several heartbeats. Then he turned to his warriors that held various ingredients. “You heard Alpha Damon. Start grinding up those ingredients.”

The wolves bowed their heads in unison. “Yes, Alpha.”

I nudged Sasha in the side. She looked up at me.

“Stay close to me.” I stared down into her eyes.

A scowl creased her face. “I’m not a pup. I can take care of myself.”

The image of Rick in bear form lunging for Sasha, pinning her to the earth after he’d shattered her shield, sprang to mind like a dark fog. My bear roared in protest, protective instinct was riding us hard. I opened my mouth, intent on reminding her of her need for help, when I paused.

Shit…

Sasha was a capable female. One who had had her inner wolf robbed since birth by someone in league with the Dark Fae. Of course, she’d need to fight—need to stand on her own during this battle. This was her chance for vengeance. And I would not rob her of it.

I bit my tongue and gave a jerky nod.

Sasha smiled. She pushed onto her tiptoes and gave me a kiss. Drawing away, she said, “I know how much this is costing you and your bear. I love you more for letting me be my own woman.”

I swept a hand down her hip, closed my eyes, stooping down and kissed her brow for a long moment. “Be careful.”

Sasha nodded, nuzzling into my neck. “I will. I’ll always come back to you.”

“Okay, we’ve completed grinding the ingredients,” one of the latent warriors said.

Sasha and I broke apart after a reluctant pause. I glanced at the warrior. If I recalled, his name was Bruno. A male built like a tank and an expert sharpshooter—his sniper’s rifle was slung over his back, a handgun at his side.

“Spread all the ingredients on the ground.” I allowed my gaze to rove over the packs. “Pour them into a pile. Here…” I pointed at a spot in front of me. One by one, warriors came up and placed the ingredients on the ground. Once we finished, they created a small pile about ankle-high on the hard ground. I glanced at my mate. She stood nearby, whispering to her siblings. Perhaps urging them to be safe in battle. After squeezing their shoulders one last time, she drew by my side once more. We stood, waiting, watching the pile. Seconds passed, yet nothing happened. By the time a full minute passed, a knot of concern twisted my insides. Sasha gnawed on her lower lip, and an expression of uncertainty pooled off the weres in waves.

A brilliant light flared in the air before us. I threw up my hand against the harsh glare. I observed the weres and latents around me hissing in protest against the light. Then it faded to reveal a swirling vortex. The whirlwind rippled and dissipated to reveal a portal—a barren wasteland visible on the other side.

Murmurs of surprise rose from our battle party.

“That’s it,” Sasha whispered. “That’s the Fae Realm.”

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