Page 98 of The Reaper's Vow
Saloma stumbles back, her composure cracking. “It’s a true mates bond,” she gasps, as if speaking it aloud makes it more real.
Lockhart's roar of rage shatters the night, sending birds scattering from the surrounding trees.
“You see?” I laugh, even as the sound tears at my raw throat. “I'm already mated. You can't have me.”
His hand connects with my face again, harder this time. I taste fresh blood, but I don't give him the satisfaction of crying out. My wolf howls in triumph inside me—let him see that I'm not his to break.
“This changes nothing,” Lockhart snarls, turning to the masked observers whose murmurs have grown louder, more uncertain.
“You can’t break a true mate bond. Not without killing them both.”
Lockhart's face contorts with fury as he looms over me. “We'll see about that.”
He grabs my face, fingers digging into my cheeks as he forces me to look at him. His eyes have already begun to change, amber bleeding into the irises as his wolf pushes forward.
“The ceremony continues,” he announces to his followers, though I notice several shifting uncomfortably. “True mate or not, I will have what is mine.”
“Thomas, stop. You don't understand what you're dealing with. A true mate bond can't be overwritten. If you try to force a bond over a true mate bond, you'll kill her, taking her bloodline with her.” Saloma insists.
“Bleed her, Saloma. Fucking do it.”
Saloma hesitates, the knife trembling in her hand. “This isn't what we agreed to. You promised me power, not a bloodbath.”
“Do it!” Lockhart roars, his face contorting as his wolf pushes closer to the surface. The moonlight catches his features, highlighting the inhuman rage that transforms them.
“He'll come for me. Damien’s already hunting you. And when he finds you there won't be enough left of you to bury.”
Lockhart backhands me again, his ring catching my cheekbone. Pain explodes across my face, but I laugh through it, tasting blood and victory.
“Hit me all you want,” I taunt, feeling reckless power surge through me as the moon climbs higher. “It won't change what Damien and I have. It won't make me yours.”
“Shut up!” he roars, grabbing me by the throat. His fingers press against my windpipe, cutting off my air. “Stop saying his name.”
Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as I struggle for breath. My wolf howls in panic, throwing herself against the cage of my ribs. The moon calls to her—to us—stronger than ever before. I feel her clawing for control, desperate to save us both.
“Thomas, stop!” Saloma grabs his arm, trying to pull him away. “You’re killing her.”
His fingers tighten around my throat, the pressure building until stars explode in my vision. Through the encroaching darkness, I see several of the masked figures shifting uncomfortably, backing away from what's unfolding.
“I'll take what's mine!” Lockhart roars, his face contorted with rage. “One way or another!”
The world blurs at the edges, oxygen-starved and fading, when his grip suddenly loosens. I gasp desperately, dragging air into my burning lungs as Lockhart's face swims back into focus.
“No,” he says, his voice eerily calm. “That's too quick.” He turns to Saloma, who's watching with barely concealed horror. “Change of plans.”
“Thomas—” she starts, but he cuts her off with a raised hand.
“I want the Reaper to see what becomes of those who take what’s mine.”
My blood runs cold as the meaning sinks in. He drags me off the altar, his fist tangled cruelly in my hair.
“Find him,” he commands one of the masked followers. His grip wrenches my head back, exposing my throat to the moonlight. “I want him to watch as I open her up. I want him to see her blood stain sacred ground.”
I fight against him with renewed frenzy, twisting, clawing, anything to break free. His hold only tightens, sharp pain lancing across my scalp and forcing tears to my lashes. My gaze flicks toward the tree line, hunting for the shadow of Damien. Is he there? Has he found me?
“You’re making a mistake,” Saloma hisses, striding forward, the sharp edge of panic breaking through her usual composure. “Killing her will bring the wrath of every pack down on us. They'll hunt us to extinction.”
“Let them try.” Lockhart's laugh has a manic edge that makes my skin crawl. “When I'm done, they'll know better than to challenge me.”
