Chapter 25
Ashrian was suddenly in the doorway, arms crossed, fangs peeking slightly through his smirk. “Easy there, Alpha. I left you some room.”
Daxon snarled, still licking over the mark like he was scaling it into the stars.
“Yeah? Try leaving her scent alone next time.”
Ash raised a single brow. “Can’t help it if she tastes like destiny.”
I groaned, smacking both of them lightly. “Enough. You two can have a dick measuring contest later. I’m starving.”
Daxon pulled me closer. “After I finish making sure every vampire and wolf in a hundred mile radius knows she’s claimed.”
Ashrian chuckled darkly behind me. “We’ll see how long that mark stays on top.”
Oh Moon Goddess, I sighed internally, this is my life now.
And Lyssira? She was delighted.
Ash looked at me with a smirk and said calmly, “So, I need to make a stop at my home and grab a few things.”
“No. No way. You can’t go alone.” I whimpered. “They’re looking for you!”
Ashrian gave me that infuriatingly calm vampire look, all stormy eyes and ancient patience as he adjusted the dark cloak over his shoulders. “I must. There are relics, records, blood seals, things I can’t risk falling into Aegis hands. They know I turned. They’ll purge my sanctum the second they trace my scent.”
“But what if they’re already there?” I stepped forward, gripping the edge of his cloak like that would anchor him here. “What if this is a
trap?”
Ash leaned down and kissed my forehead, hands cupping my cheeks like I was made of starlight and glass. “Then I’ll make them regret it.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, blinking fast. “I just found you. I can’t lose you already.”
A growl rumbled behind me, low and steady.
‘I’ll go with him,” Daxon said, arms crossed, eyes blazing with Alpha protectiveness. “He’s not going through that portal without backup.”
Ash didn’t argue. Just nodded once in gratitude, the unspoken agreement between warriors passing in a heartbeat.
Daxon turned to me, pulling me against his chest. “We’ll be back before sunset, baby, Stay with Aelira. Don’t shift, don’t leave the castle walls.‘
“You make it sound like I’m a fragile porcelain doll,” I muttered into his shirt.
He tipped my chin up with a crooked grin. “You’re not. But you’re mine, Ours. So yeah… I’m gonna act like a territorial psycho until I know you’re safe.”
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Chapter 25
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I should’ve rolled my eyes. Instead, I kissed him hard and fast before I lost my nerve, then watched like my soul was being ripped in two as the portal flared and swallowed both of them whole.
The moment the room stilled, I felt… hollow.
“Come,” Queen Aelira’s voice drifted in like moonlight. “Let’s eat. You need strength, and distraction.”
I followed her into the castle’s sunlit dining room where a massive spread had been laid out. Fresh berries, warm bread, spiced meats, roasted veggies drizzled in some kind of honeyed glaze. My stomach growled like it had a demon of its own.
“Goddess, this looks incredible,” I breathed, sitting beside her as she handed me a goblet of something fruity and laced with sparkle.
“It’s enchanted peach wine. Only lightly intoxicating,” she winked, sipping hers like a goddess on vacation.
We ate in peace for a few minutes before she broke the silence.
“You care deeply for them both already,” she said softly. Not a question.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “And it’s a mess. I didn’t ask for any of this, you know? The prophecy, the mates, the vampire, the fangs and growls, and the shirtless pissing contests… It’s a lot.”
Aelira chuckled. “Sounds like every Luna’s courtship story ever.”
I laughed with her, feeling the edge of panic ease off just a little.
“What do you know about Scotland?” I asked, nibbling on a honey–dripped fig.
She raised a brow. “You mean besides the fact that it rains every five seconds and the witches there are all batshit and powerful as hell?”
“Exactly that.”
“Well,‘ she leaned in conspiratorially, “You’re going to need charm, courage, and some kind of gift. The Crone you’re going to see, Morrigan Lairch, is ancient. She doesn’t help anyone unless she sees the worth in their soul.”
“Cool, cool,” I said dryly. “No pressure. I’ll just have to be impressive to a potentially immortal swamp witch.”
“You’ll do fine,‘ Aelira smiled. “She’ll sense what I sense. You’re more than a hybrid, Elowen. You were made for something bigger than
this world.”
I blinked, caught between the warm buzz of wine and the weight of her words.
“Thanks,‘ I said, voice barely above a whisper. “That means
more than you know.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” she said with a sly grin. “You’ve got more mates out there. And you know I’ll be watching how they behave.”
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Hunted Hybrid – Aegis War Saga 1
Chapter 26
