Page 107 of Challenged Mate
Thirty-Four
I could only starein silence, begging and pleading with the Mother for the sight before me not to be real.
But the image of Hunter lying there, bound and gagged, did not clear. He managed to draw himself to his knees. He stared at me with resignation and determination. I knew what it meant. He didn’t want me to sacrifice anything for him.
But that wasn’t his choice to make.
“Release him,” I demanded. “Right now.”
“I will release him the moment you meet me at the forest’s edge. Until then, he will be my guest.”
My wolf growled, and I knew my eyes flared with her presence.
“Now, now. None of that,” Hugh tsked. He moved to stand beside Hunter, placing a hand on the top of his head. My friend jerked away and glared at the sorcerer with violent promise.
Unbothered by the defiance, Hugh said, “This one was so desperate to help you out of your situation, Blair. He moseyed into my coven with zero regard for his own safety. Fortunately for him, he will not be harmed by me or any other coven member. As long as you do what I say.”
Blood trickled into my mouth. I released the inside of my cheek and ground out, “You will regret this.”
“No, Blair.” He flicked an imaginary piece of lint from his shoulder. “It is you who will have regret, but only if you aren’t at the forest’s edge this afternoon. Let’s say, three o’clock. See you there.” Once again, his hand landed on Hunter’s head. Light grew around them.
“No! Wait!”
Hugh dragged Hunter back through the portal. They blinked out of sight with my protests still on my lips.
“Agh!” I cried out.
Then, in a swirl of light and an intense pull of gravity, I was ripped away from the dark surroundings and thrown back into my own body and mind.
I came to in an unfamiliar bed, staring at a ceiling with ornate crown molding. A sandalwood and woodsy scent hit me, alerting me to Asher’s presence even before he said, “Blair? Can you hear me?”
My neck turned. With my cheek pressed against the soft pillow beneath me, I met Asher’s worried stare. He sat in a wicker chair at the side of the bed. His elbows were propped on his knees as he leaned forward.
“Blair?” he repeated.
“Yes, I can hear you.” I licked my dry lips and put my hands by my sides and pressed up, lifting myself into a sitting position. Asher grabbed my shoulders, helping to hold me up until I scooted back to lean against the headboard. “How long was I out?”
“An hour.”
I exhaled, relieved. Thick shades covered the windows, making it impossible to tell the time of day. I was worried I’d missed the meeting at the forest’s edge.
“Where’s my father?” Despite the weird magic Hugh had used to speak with me, my mind was sharp.
My thoughts were clear, and I remembered my father had been with me when Hugh’s spell had taken hold.
“He stepped out to call Beta Nathan, but he will be back shortly.” Asher rose to sit on the edge of the bed. His hands rested on his thighs. “What happened, Blair? You clearly didn’t faint.”
“How could you tell?”
“Because my wolf could sense yours. She was agitated, not subdued by unconsciousness.”
Right.
I’d forgotten about that.
I contemplated how to say what I needed to say, but then I realized there was no sugarcoating it. Besides, I’d resented Asher for keeping secrets from me. I refused to do the same.
"Hugh Graystone summoned me to talk with him."
