Destined (War of the Covens 2)

“Caia, you can’t leave yet without considering a proposition I have for you.”

“Proposition?” Lucien asked, as did Marion and Caia.

The witch nodded. “I wasn’t going to mention it until after the defense of the MacLachlans, but since that’s not happening … I wish to sit down and discuss the possibility of you staying at the Center.”

Caia narrowed her eyes. “For what reason?”

Relief washed over Lucien. It was good she was just as suspicious of the magik as he was. He didn’t want her rushing into anything that might take her away from the pack. And these days, who knew what was going on in her head. He hadn’t been able to get a hold of her for one second to discuss anything. Caia was constantly bombarded by magiks, lykans and vampyres alike, all eager to befriend her. Not to mention the fact that she’d been avoiding him.

Something more than just Rose was plaguing Caia, and the fact that she wouldn’t talk to him, confide in him, trust him … it killed him. That she might be running to her precious pretty boy, Mordecai, with all her troubles made Lucien want to go for the jugular, but he was holding back until he had hard evidence that his mate was really slipping from his grasp.

“I would prefer if we discussed this is in private.”

“Surely we can all be trusted here.”

The witch pinched her lips but didn’t dispute it. Instead, she nodded. “Very well. I want you to stay and help me train an elite force of lykans I’m working with.”

Lucien felt his gut twist.

“Elite force?” Caia raised an eyebrow.

“An elite force. I won’t go into specifics until you agree to aid me.”

“How can I agree to help if I don’t know the specifics?”

Lucien growled. “Exactly.”

“The special training these lykans will undertake is highly classified. All Caia needs to know is that I think she has the abilities needed to not only train them but to lead them into battle.”

Red washed over his eyes. “I won’t allow it,” he ripped out, his chest heaving with anger. For the first time in what felt like forever, Caia’s soft touch wrapped around his wrist, squeezing it reassuringly, asking him silently to calm down.

Vanne had taken up beside Marita, glaring at him. Marita herself was not impressed. “May I remind you to whom you are talking, Mr Líder, and that this decision will be Caia’s alone. You are not her mate in actuality after all.”

“You want me to head up an elite combat force?”

No, no, no, no, no, no! His mind screamed and he knew Marita must be feeling everything he was. He couldn’t seem to block or conceal his panic at the thought.

Marita nodded. “You would be instrumental in bringing this war to a close.”

“I have to think about this.”

Had he heard her right?

“What?” he gaped.

Caia set her shoulders as she met his gaze. He was shuddering with the need to change, to either run as fast as his wolf legs could take him or turn and rip apart anyone who dared take her from him.

“Lucien, calm down,” she pleaded quietly. “This is my decision.”

His wolf rumbled through clenched teeth, “I can’t believe you would even consider it.”

“It’s important.”

“Maybe take a few days. Stay a few days more, think about it. Both of you.” Marita nodded at him, her eyes demanding that he fall in line.

Fall in line, my ass!

Caia seemed to brighten at the suggestion. “That’s a good idea.”

His gut flipped with a nervous, sick feeling at that smile. He realized the truth—the truth he hadn’t wanted to face. Caia liked it at the Center because she was useful here, worthy, important. She was probably one of the most powerful beings in the Daylight Coven. Did he really think the pack would be enough for her?

Shutting her out in anguish, Lucien marched from the room, away from Caia and her master puppeteers.

14

Cryptic Much?

The three trees directly in front of her were severely injured, their middles pierced with knives, thick branches, and her own little ax. She stood satisfied, her hands braced on her hips, looking over her handiwork. Then her attention drifted downward and swept her surroundings.

“Oops.”

“You know, when I let Caia practice out here, she had the luxury of being able to clean it up in seconds.”

Jaeden turned toward the speaker to find Ella leaning against her back porch, drinking in the mess Jae had made with her telekinesis.

She threw her a sheepish look. “Caia will be home soon, right? She can fix it?”

Ella gave her a smile so she knew she wasn’t that upset. “Yeah, she can fix it.”

“Thanks for letting me practice out here.”

“You’re welcome, hon.” She was suddenly distracted by the stabbed trees at the edge of the yard. “Wow, you did that?”

Nervously, Jae followed her and walked toward the trees, pulling each implement out one by one. When she got to her ax, she placed the small weapon into the belt on her dark jeans. She spun around, knowing she would find Ella right behind her. Holding out a bucket, she gestured for Jae to dump the knives into it for now. Her eyes drifted down to the ax snuggled against her hip.