Compelled (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 5)

When we finally made it out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to leave, we found Mera and Shadow downstairs. Shadowshine Jr. was on her belly on the rug, waving her arms and legs and making sounds that were almost words. Because the kid was all of a week old and that made sense.

In this world, it probably did make sense.

Mera jumped to her feet, and the moment she saw my face she shrieked. She knew something big had happened because she knew me that well.

“Ahhhh,” she shrieked again, uncaring that she’d scared the shit out of her baby, who was now wearing cry-face. “Finally. You two have finally sorted your shit out and realize that you’re perfect for each other.”

She hurried forward and threw her arms around us, her godlike strength squishing us all together. Shadow let out a low laugh as he lifted his daughter into his arms and patted her back a few times, settling her with ease. “I approve of this mating,” he said as he stepped forward. “Our pack and family were destined to join. I’m starting to understand the reason I bonded with my brothers, and now I believe that Mera’s friends are the catalysts for the other mates.”

Mera’s eyes went super wide, and she pressed a hand against her throat as she turned to Shadow. “You’ve never told me that! How long have you been thinking that this is all part of a larger design?”

He shrugged, still patting the baby gently on the back. “For some time. I’ve been following the tapestry woven from all our energies, and your friend Sam is connected as well. I just haven’t figured out how or why.”

Mera’s face fell. “Sam isn’t much of a friend these days. She never talks to me. I just wish I could help her, but I’ve had to learn that at the end of the day, if people want my help, they’ll ask for it. Forcing them is not always the answer.”

Mera was a steamroller when she wanted to help someone, so that had been a painful lesson for her to learn.

“I haven’t really spoken with Sam either,” I said. “I mean, I talk to her occasionally, but she always cuts it off after about five sentences.”

I’d been worried because I could tell she was unhappy, but I also always heard the resolve in her tone. She was in for the long haul, ready to do her duty for her pack. I just wished she’d trust us enough to help her.

“We should try again,” I decided. “One last time. I know what it’s like to feel hopeless and stuck in a shitty situation.” My eyes caught Lucien’s. “But I also know what it’s like to find your path. Sam deserves a chance to have that as well.”

“Yes!” Mera fist-pumped, and when I laughed, she shrugged. “What? Just because I’ve learned to step back doesn’t mean I’ve stopped worrying.”

I patted her shoulder. “That’s what makes you an amazing friend.”

“But before we deal with Sam, we need to get Simone through this selection,” Lucien said. “The Stone of Katu blessing is soon, and then I’m hoping she can refuse her time at Carter’s home on the grounds that she’s already taken. Either way, it will end tonight.”

“Let’s get to the Master Chambers,” I said, bouncing on the spot in an attempt to pep myself up. “I probably owe Carter a nice gift since his stupid selection gave me a literal true mate.”

Lucien wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back against his chest. “You owe that vampire nothing. He’s just lucky I don’t rip his fucking head off like I did Hattie’s. That’s the only gift he’s got coming.”

I snorted but didn’t argue, more than a little content to be hugged against his body like this while he plotted more deaths.

Mera was grinning hard, and I loved to see happiness spreading through the pack. “We should go now,” Lucien finally said.

“Mera and I will wait here,” Shadow told him. “I don’t want to interfere and start a war. But my”—his gaze flicked across to Mera—“gorgeous mate is refusing to leave Valdor until Simone is free from her selection duties.”

Mera nodded. “Yep, no leaving until we’re all safe in the library. We can ensure there’s room for Lucien in Simone’s new digs.”

Lucien didn’t react except to tighten his hold on me. Tilting my head back, I looked up and smiled. “We can have two homes. Valdor feels like it only has half your heart and energy anyway.”

When he kissed me, I lost all train of thought for a beat, but no one could miss Mera’s loud and happy sigh. “I’ll get my carpenter on the expansion as soon as we get back,” she choked out.

Shadow growled something about being a fucking god and not a carpenter, but no one bothered to comment.

I hugged Mera goodbye, patted Shadow and the baby on their shoulders, since neither of them were big on personal contact from anyone other than Mera, and left with Lucien to enter the maze of Crimson City. We didn’t speak as we walked, and I kept up with his vampire speed easily.

For the first time, I was walking into the Master Chambers prepared to claim my mate and move on with my life. There were no more doubts. No more worries that this would all be torn away from me in a heartbeat. Finally, my wolves were in a row, and I could start dreaming of a true future and pack.

As we made it through the security, I looked around for Galco, but he wasn’t there. Taking a second look, I didn’t recognize any of the guards, which was odd since the rotation was usually pretty solid.

Lucien didn’t say anything as he also took in all the faces staring at us. No one stopped or approached us, opening gates and doors before we even got to them.

Lucien pulled me closer as we stepped inside, and I wondered if maybe we should have brought Shadow and Mera with us after all. War or not, they were both gods and could probably snap their damn fingers and dissolve a vampire into goo.

Maybe Lucien could do that too… I’d never thought to ask.

Hopefully, all of these worries were just last-minute nerves and once I touched the stone that’d started this all and rejected Carter, all would be okay.

The chambers were quiet, and I held my breath almost all the way up the stairs until we entered the long hall. When we arrived, there were only a few masters lingering around, and it seemed that for once, I was early to a selection event.

“Lucien,” a female called. “Take your seat while we wait for the others to arrive. She waved her hand to his usual spot, and there continued to be no reason for suspicion or apprehension… and yet I felt both. My wolf stirred, pushing forward with the swirling vampire blood.

Deciding to ignore the worry, I embraced the other parts of myself. This day I felt strong and confident, and the fact that Lucien hadn’t left my side for his chair, our hands still firmly entwined, only added to this feeling.

No matter what bullshit they might have planned, we were strong enough to overcome it. Together.