Page 134 of A Drop of Anguish
“Listen to me very closely,” he says.
Another roar shakes the ground. He’s coming. He’s almost here. I don’t know what will happen when he gets here.
“He’s coming afteryou, and anyone in his way will die. Do you agree with that?”
I swallow and force a nod. Problem is, he isn’t coming to cuddle with me. I’m prey to him. Even if he doesn’t want to hurt me, he will.
“I’m willing to carry you, and I will if that’s what you decide. I swear. But I believe it will end with my death. And Janet’s. Maybe Lola can outfly him; I don’t know.”
My stomach clenches.
“I can’t climb that fast, and even on flat ground he’s faster. So, if we run, we die.”
I’m utterly terrified. So scared it’s hard to think straight.
“We will die, but you won’t. I honestly, truly believe that, Candice. He. Will. Not. Hurt. You.”
“But he’s—”
“He’s in his demon form, with his brain scrambled. Yeah, I get it. But demons will not harm their mates.”
Shock like ice pours through me. “What?”
How does he even… Most supernaturals don’t know how the chosen thing works. It’s not common knowledge.
“Candice.” He swallows. “I have to explain this fast, but I came to Shadow Hills with one intention: make an alliance with Jarron. Make an alliance with him or my pack is wiped out for good. The packs surrounding us don’t just want our territory. Not anymore. They want the witch-wolf hybrids gone forever. They will kill us all. And I didn’t know what else to do, except find another supernatural to help us.”
My heart clenches at this new information.
He’s talking so fast; I’m trying to keep up with it. “It’s the only way to stop it. At this point, it’s just a matter of when they break through our defenses. So, I came here to befriend the young demon prince with so much power and influence he wouldn’t know what to do with it. The demon prince who famously has no particular alliances and very few friends. When I learned he was gone, I thought I’d have to leave immediately and find a new target, but then I learned about you. I’d already done a lot of research on demons before coming here, before choosing who I’d seek out. I wanted to know their motives and what it would take to put me on their good side. I was willing to do anything. Preferably nothing that hurt anyone else, but I will be honest—I was desperate. Still am.
“But I learned about demons’ mates. I learned they choose their mates young, and they are desperately and violently defensive of them. I learned they will stalk their mates for years before earning them. The information is scattered and little, but I put enough pieces together to decide that you were his mate. So, yes, that was why I sought you out. Because I knew he’d be back. I believed you were the key to getting to him. And I’m sorry if you think that means I manipulated you. Again, I was desperate. I never would have hurt you. I just wanted into his inner circle.”
“I don’t understand,” I stutter. Lola and Janet’s eyes are wide, shocked at this new information.
Thompson believes I’m Jarron’s chosen.Shit.
“Thompson, I’m not his chosen mate.”
He blinks, taking in my words. “What?”
“I’m not. He—” My wrist burns. “I’m not.”
He glances to Lola and Janet, confusion on his face. “What do you mean? How could you know for sure?”
“Because I know who is.” Pain shoots through my chest. “And it’s not me.” I wince as the burning travels up my arm into my heart.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know what—you’re wrong.” He says it definitively, certain he is right and I am wrong. “I’ve seen it, Candice. I’ve seen how he is with you. The soul splitting—it’s because of you. His demon is desperate for you, not anyone else.”
My stomach sinks. “What?”
“When a demon’s chosen rejects them, it splits their souls in half. It’s not complete yet with Jarron, but it’s enough to cause that volatile magic as his demon fights for control.”
I stumble back. No. That’s—
Do you deny me?
I wince.I did reject him, sort of, but—wait, no. “There’s another explanation. Janet, Lola, I need you to let me share the secret.”
