Untamed - Book 2
Chapter 5

Alpha Jordan

“Coralie, look at me, child.” She doesn’t move so he steps around in front of her and his red eyes become large and he grabs her shoulders, giving her a firm shake.

“What have you done?!” I rush to stand in front of her and feel my blood run cold as I stare at her once green eyes, now completely black. Darius grabs her wrist, using one of his long, sharp nails, he cuts it open and begins spilling her blood onto the ground. Even in the dark, I can see that the liquid that should be crimson is as black as her eyes and hair. After a few minutes, the black in her eyes fades and she drops to her knees.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” Her voice is weak and trembling.

“Why would you do that, Coralie? What were you thinking?” She looks up at him and my heart breaks at the look of desperation in her eyes.

“I couldn’t let it end this way. I had to save them.” He pulls her into his arms and I wish with everything in me that I were the one holding her.

“Alpha, let your men know that we need to get everyone back to the pack house. We need to make sure the women and children are kept safe.” I quickly link Danny and instruct him to take everyone, including the rogues, to the pack house while Darius works on calming my mate.

“Everyone is headed back to the pack house. We should head back.” Darius gives a stiff nod, but keeps his eyes focused on Cora.

“Coralie, how are you feeling?” I watch her shoulders rise and fall as she takes a deep breath.

“How am I feeling? I’m pissed the fuck off. I’m hurt. I’m scared.” I can’t hold back anymore. I walk up and throw my arms around her, pulling her tightly to my chest and I feel relieved when she doesn’t pull away. I sweep my arm under her legs, lifting her bridal style as Darius and I begin the journey back to our people with Cora in my arms. I can feel all of her emotions flooding our bond and thankfully it slowly settles as she gives in to her exhaustion, falling asleep before we even reach the border. By the time we reach the pack house, word has spread of the events in the forest, but no one seems angry or fearful of what Cora did, if anything, the witches seemed impressed. My people are helping the rogues and their families get settled in while I carry Cora to my room on the third floor. She remained asleep the entire walk back, but as I am trying to lay her down gently, her beautiful green eyes shoot open and stare into mine as her emotions begin to overflow. So many emotions push through at once, but it is the feeling of rejection that hits me like a dagger to the heart. She feels rejected and it is my fault.

“Cora, I am so sorry. I had no right to react to things the way I did. You didn’t do anything wrong. You saved me and you saved all those wolves.” I can feel the slight warmth through our bond, but it is being drowned out by the feeling of fear, doubt, regret. What is she regretting? Is she doubting us, or our chances of winning the upcoming war?

“He was so weak.” She wraps her arms around her waist protectively, slowly curling into herself.

“Who was?” I have a feeling this has nothing to do with Laurent.

“Luca.” She chokes his name out on a sob and the pain in her voice breaks me. I climb into the bed beside her and pull her against me, hoping to offer her any comfort I can, but knowing deep down that her pain is something that not even the strongest mate bond can heal.

“I wake to the feeling of the mattress shifting beneath me and turn to see Cora climbing out of bed. I watch her with intense fascination as she quietly walks to the ensuite and I hear the shower turn on. All of the emotions she had been suffocating in last night seem to have mostly vanished and in their place, I can feel her determination. When she finally emerges from the ensuite, her hair is wrapped in a towel and she gives me a faint smile.

“You should get dressed. The sun is about to rise and everyone is waiting for us.” I stretch out my tired muscles and sit up, looking back at her just in time to see her wave her hand over her clothes, conjuring a pair of tight black leather pants, a tight black t-shirt and black hiking boots. I smirk at her, earning a strangely curious look from her.

“What?” I shake my head at her and point a finger at her while trying not to laugh.

“Cheater!” We both burst out laughing, the pleasant moment, a welcome change from the tension of last night.

“Get dressed. I am going to go make sure the others are ready.” I nod as she walks out of the room, closing the door behind her. I quickly get ready before heading down to replace the others, feeling more prepared for the war ahead than I had thought possible. I nearly stumble when I see all of the people gathered in the great hall, so many that they are pouring out into the foyer due to lack of space. I knew the others would call for reinforcements from their people, but this is more than I could ever have expected. I spot Alpha Michaels and take large strides to reach him before he can be swallowed by the growing crowd.

“Alpha Michaels, you all really came through!” He turns to me with a raise brow and a smirk on his face.

“While we did call in reinforcements, many of these people are from other covens and packs that wanted to aid in our plans. Your Luna is making waves and everyone wants to be a part of the changes.” His praise brings a smile to my face. My mate truly is amazing.

“Speaking of, do you know where Cora is?” He gives me a wide, toothy smile and nods.

“She is in the prison with Darius and his men. She has found a way to remove their sensitivity to the sunlight, which will be helpful since our battle will be fought in the daylight.” I thank him and rush out of the pack house, not stopping until I reach the stairs to the lower level of the prison. There are easily forty vampires here and at the center of them stands Cora and Darius.

“You have all been my family for the last 21 years and it is my privilege to fight at your side. These rings will neutralize the sunlight’s effects on you.” Darius places a hand on her shoulder his eyes scan the group of his men with a look of pride.

“Today, we fight alongside those who had once been our enemies. We fight for the freedom of all races. We fight for our family. Queen Cora will lead us into battle and we will not let her fall!” The men shout and cheer, clearly ready for the difficult task ahead of us all. Cora whispers something to Darius and he nods before instructing his men to head to the field in front of the pack house.