Spell Bound

Lucian

"Your mate is plotting to kill us and you are smiling about it?"

I look up to see Archer's disapproving gaze settled in on me.

I know that it is nothing to he proud of, but the fact that my mate is strong enough to take down all of us if she truly wanted to is nothing short of remarkable.

"She would never actually follow through with her words." I lean back in my chair, throwing my ankle over my knee. "I am slowly winning her over."

Artemis scoffs. "Yeah right! That must be the reason why her friend was attempting to infiltrate your pack."

Marisol covers her mouth with her hand as she lets out a fit of giggles. Those two have grown close. Unfortunately for all of us some of Artemis' behavior is rubbing off on Marisol. I am sure all of us in the pack lands wish it was the other way around.

I smirk at Artemis. "Speaking of mates how is it going with yours Artemis?"

Artemis glares at me.

Marisol sighs. "We can sit and be mean to each other all day, but it won't do us any good." She turns to face me. "What are you going to do with Arabella's friend?" She asks.

I smile at her. The way she has taken control of this situation shows that she is doing fantastic as Luna Queen. There are not a lot of people out there brave enough to scold three alphas. Maybe Artemis' behavior rubbing off on her isn't that bad.

"I am having her brought here. I am sure that my Bella is lonely when I am not around, her having her friend will solve that."

Archer's palm connects with his forehead. "Are you saying that you are going to have the female that just tried to attack your pack meet up with your mate, who is also trying to kill us? You are a mad man when it comes to her."

"I agree." Artemis chimes in. "The best thing that you can do is hold her friend's life over her head. If she continues to refuse to help us save our Queen, torture her friend in front of her."

If it was anyone other than my little spitfire, I would have listened to Artemis' plans. It does make the most sense, and it will most likely will work. Yet in the end it would damage the already fragile relationship that I am attempting to form with my mate.

I shake my head in response. "You don't know their dynamic. Arabella is a hot head, and she is very impulsive. Valentina is her voice of reason, she is the key to Bell and I finishing the ritual. I am not willing to sacrifice that."

Artemis' eyes narrow. "You are not willing to sacrifice that to save your Queen?"

Marisol places her hand on Artemis' arm. "He is still in the process of completing the mating ritual with his mate. Valentina is going to be the one to convince her to complete it, especially once she finds out about the pain it brings her friend. Like Lucian said, Valentina is her voice of reason."

I nod. "Yes, ever since she abducted me she has slowly began to develop feelings for me. Every time she realizes it, she masks it with the hatred she has for our kind. I am slowly weakening the hatred that she has for our kind, but it will take time. She was raised hating us, it will not change over night. When her and I complete the ritual she will no longer be able to hide the feelings that she has for me."

"You don't have much time left." Archer stated with a sigh. "The moon cycle is almost complete, it is in its last quarter. You know what will happen if you do not complete the ritual before then."

"Careful Archer, it almost sounds like you care for me." I chuckle at my response.

Just like Valentina is Arabella's voice of reason, Archer is mine. I am sure the two of them would be able to bond over trading stories of Arabella and I acting reckless.

Archer scoffs at me. "I am simply looking out for the best interest for the pack lands. You dying would complicate things for all of us."

Artemis smirked. "I would glady take leadership for the North pack. It would be convient since it is so close to my terrirtory."

"This conversation has once again gone off the rails." Marisol huffs out. "You need to make sure that you and your mate complete the ritual before the moon cycle is complete."

The Queen taking charge of the conversation once again, and she thought that she wouldn't be able to lead us.

I nod. "I will make sure that it happens. She is trying to fight it, but she is slowly starting to bend. Her friend will convince her to complete the ritual and then they will flee. Once the bond becomes solidified she won't be required to stay near me, but I will always know where she is." I smirk at the thought. If I had to spend the rest of my life chasing after her I would.

There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for Arabella. Which is exactly why I need to find out why she is so adamant on getting revenge against her former coven.

Marisol starts to fidget with her hair. "Has she told you anything that might possibly help?" She asks.

I frown at her. Even though she is trying her best to hide how much damage the blood magic is causing her, her appearance is a dead giveaway. Aside from the obvious her hair color, skin shade, and eye color I can see the dark circles under her eyes. This magic is depleting the life out of her.

"She has said a few things, but right now she doesn't even know how to fix it. She is intelligent and resourceful. I know that if she puts her mind to it and really look for the answer she will find it. I just need to sway her into finding the answer." I respond.

Artemis scoffs. "I know exactly how to sway her. Hang her friend upside down and start to slowly bleed her to death. If she really cares for her friend she will do anything to save her."

I narrow my eyes at Artemis. "I am not going to cause my mate emotional damage by threatening her with her only friend. I will deal with my mate my own way. Why don't you go deal with your mate yours."

She takes a deep breath before crossing her arms.

Marisol places her hand on Artemis' arm. "He is right, he will deal with his mate his own way." Marisol turns her head sharply towards me. "And you will stop going for low blows. Artemis is not ready to accept her mate you don't get to throw that in her face."

I nod. "You are right." I agree with her.

Artemis grumbles under he breath about never accepting who she is mated too, causing us to silently smile at one another.

Archer clears his throat. "You have to convince her to help us soon." He states. "If she doesn't it could be the end for all of us."

I nod at his words. "I will do everything in my power. I know that she will help us, I just need a little time."

When I step into the room I see that they haven't given Valentina the same amount of grace that I have shown my mate.

Her blonde hair was matted, and covered in dirt. She sat on the ground, her arms were lifted above her head, bound together by a chain that extends all the way to the roof.

Her eyes widen with fear when they see me. The chain that is restraining her starts to hit the wall making a clanging sound due to her body's shaking.

I can smell her fear. The same way that I smelled it when she first saw me chained up in the hotel. It is nice to see that it has not changed.

Not wanting to amply her fear, I keep my distance from her. "Hello, Valentina." I speak softly.

Her eyes dart around the room, before they settle back on me. "Hello." She whispers back.

I don't see how she was bold enough to infiltrate my pack, in an attempt to extract her friend from me. I know that Bella told me that her friend would claim revenge on her behalf, but I saw them as empty threats. Even though she sits before me, shaking due to her fear I am nothing short of elated to know that my mate has a friend that will go through these lengths in order to save her.

I am just glad that I brought Arabella her instead of back to my territory. Her friend infiltrating would light a fire under her to not only save herself, but her friend. I am sure that with her friend in danger she would succeed.

"I am sure you are aware that Arabella and I have started a mating ritual."

“You tricked her!” Her soft whispers have turned into hysterical yelling, and her frightened expression has turned into a glare. All in defense of her friend.

I shrug off her disrespect, I am certain that I will be receiving it from her as well in the future. “I wouldn’t say that I tricked her per se, but we are all allowed to have different opinions. I cannot change the past, but as you may know her and I have not completed the ritual and this moon cycle is coming to an end.”

“If the two of you don’t complete the ritual by the end of the moon cycle both of you will die.” She sighs before closing her eyes. “She would die before she would mate with you. I am sure that you know that.”

A small smile forms on my face. Her friend is unaware that Bella has whispered to me in her weakened state that she doesn’t want to die. She would choose me over her death any day, I am certain of it. I just don’t want to be the one to tell her to complete the ritual with me or die. That’s why Valentina showing up at my pack this morning has been very convenient for me. “Try to sway your friend anyways, I would like for her to live.”

“Why would you trick her into starting a mating ritual with you? Doesn’t the moon goddess already have a mate picked out for you?” Valentina asks, ignoring my request.

I once again ignore her disrespect, her being friends with Arabella seems to have given her special privileges. “Yes, the moon goddess has picked out my mate for me. She is perfect for me, she will make the perfect Luna for my pack.”

Valentina’s face contorted with rage before she began to yanking on the chains that are holding her. The glare she has trained on me now makes the one she had given me earlier seem like a nice smile. “All of the witch’s are right about you wolves. Just disgusting and take whatever you want, not caring about how your actions might affect those around you!” She spits out.

A smirk forms on my face. Valentina isn’t aware of the fact that Arabella and I are a fated pair. I should probably tell her, just as I should tell Arabella, but I want to keep it to myself a little while longer. I want to savor the jealousy that she feels. It lets me know no matter how much hatred she spews my way, she still wants me all to herself.

I take a step towards Valentina, and her anger melts away and is replaced by fear. "I am going to let you out of these chains so you can see your friend. As you probably already have noticed your magic is blocked here, so trying to escape is pointless. Also, due to your friend refusing to complete the ritual she cannot be very far from me. She attempted to escape and almost died, I am sure she will tell you all about that. The best thing that you can do is cooperate with me, that way we all get what we want in the end."

“And what is it that you want?” She asks softly, her body still trembling from my gaze.

I take a few more steps towards her until I am standing directly in front of her. I crouch down in front of her, placing my arms on my knees.

Tears gather in her eyes. Her fear of me is unfortunate, especially since I am not foolish enough to think that Arabella would leave behind her friend. Yet, in this moment it might be the only thing that helps me get the answers that I need. “Why does Arabella want revenge against her former coven? She is willing to risk her life for it. That’s what I want to know.”

She squeezes her eyes shut, and a single tear rolls down her cheek. “That isn’t-“ She cuts herself off, taking a deep breath before speaking against. “That isn’t my story to tell.” She drops her head down, facing the floor.

I have to admire her. Even though she is fearful of the situation that she is in, she still is loyal to Arabella. She will be a good asset to my pack as well. “Very well.” I state before reaching in my pocket and grabbing the key that will set her free.

The sound of the key unlocking the lock made Valentina’s eye quickly connect with mine. A puzzled look crossing her face. I can tell that she wants to ask questions, but her fear is overriding her curiosity.

“You will go and see your friend. You will not attempt to set her free, any magic that you attempt to use will backfire on you and cause you pain. I don’t want that. Show that you can be trusted and your accommodations won’t be so bad.” I offer what I think is a friendly smile, but it only causes her to flinch.

She slowly nods, watching me carefully as I stand up and hold my hand out to help her.

More tears spill down her face as she takes my hand, and lifts her body off of the ground.

“You and your friend are not in any kind of danger. However I will go through great lengths to ensure that Arabella remains by my side. If you attempt to help her escape you will make an enemy out of me, and I assure you that you only want me as your ally.” I warn her.

I hear her heart rate increase, the frantic beats are the only response that I get from her. I begin to lead her out of the room, keeping an eye on her just incase she decides to make a run for it.

As we walk through the endless hallways her eyes dart around, taking everything in. I am sure Arabella did the same as she was running from me. She'd shrink away whenever a member of the pack walked by, probably nervous about what they may do to her.

She would have to work on her fear of my kind. There are a few witches at my pack that I am sure she will get along with, but the overwhelming majority of my pack are wolves.

They will be interested in getting to know the friend of my mate. I am sure her waryness of them will only cause conflict.

I smirk at the thought. I know that my little spitfire would have no problem putting my pack members in their place and asserting her dominance over them.

We reach the door to the room that Arabella is being confined in. I turn to Valentina and smile at her once again. "Do not try to help Arabella escape, it will only hurt her in the end."

She swallows thickly before she slowly nods. Turning her head back down to the floor.

The sound of footsteps catches my attention and I turn away from Valentina to see Marisol walking towards us.

I silently curse myself, hoping that Arabella doesn't hear the woman she is jealous of speaking to me. Even though she is chained to the bed, I don't doubt the strength that will run through her if she overhears me speaking to Marisol. Imagining how she would react in a fit of jealousy is appealing, but her actually acting it out would be a nightmare.

I smile and nod politely at her, and she smiles brightly back at me. Her steps towards us quicken, and when she notices Valentina behind me she perks up. "Valentina! It's so nice to meet you!"

Valentina takes two staggering steps back, almost crashing into the wall after Marisol called her name. Her eyes widened and her fear quickly returned.

I speak up before Marisol can ask any questions. "She is very fearful of wolves, you know how some witches can be." I say quickly. In any other situation, seeing someone be in fear of tiny Marisol would be amusing. Yet, I know that fear that Valentina has for her can manifest into a violent reaction quickly.

Marisol eyes widened, an awkward smile forming on her face. "Oh." She stated before nodding. "I'll just go." She stated before scurrying away.

I let out a sigh before grasping the door handle. Valentina and I make eye contact. "I will not allow anyone to eavesdrop on your conversatjon. You will have two hours to discuss what needs to be discussed, then I will escort you back to your room."

Valentina stiffly nods. "I understand."

I take a step back and watch her slowly open and walk through the door. From the little that I have seen I am confident that Valentina is the level-headed one in their friendship. I can only pray to the moon goddess that Arabella will listen to her friend this time around.