Dark Lies (Magic Side: Wolf Bound 3)

He tightened his grip. “It’s me, Savy. You can tell me anything.”

Could I tell him that his mate was the one responsible for releasing the Dark God? That she was the one who would destroy his pack? The pack meant more to Jaxson than anything, even me.

I went limp in his grasp, despair taking my will to fight.

Jaxson’s eyes were dark with concern. “Tell me what the hell’s going on.”

With no courage left in my soul, I whispered, “He’s free.”

I had to warn him, after all.

Jaxson’s brow furrowed, but the way his body tensed indicated he knew who I was referring to.

Tears flooded my eyes, and my trembles became quakes. “The Dark Wolf God is free. And I released him.”

Jaxson froze, and I struggled out of his arms, taking several steps back. “Dragan completed the ritual, but I gave the final sacrifice by destroying the talisman. The Dark Wolf God just told me that my sacrifice has been accepted.”

“I don’t—”

“Dragan was the sacrifice! The prophecy was never about him. It was about me. I’m the twin-soul, Jaxson. I’m the harbinger of destruction. Because of me, he’ll return.”

Jaxson didn’t move, but his emotions bombarded me, one after the other. Fear. Anger. Disappointment. And rage.

I felt my heart cracking. I had to protect him. Protect the pack.

“No.” He looked up at me with a piercing gaze that made my knees quake. “We’ll stop it.”

“Jaxson. The prophecy says that I will steal your pack’s wolves and leave them weak when he returns. I have the fucking Soul Knife, for God’s sake. It’s me.”

“Not my pack, our pack,” he growled. “And you would never—”

“Of course I wouldn’t. But he’s a god—what if he takes control of me? Dragan nearly possessed me. It won’t be a problem for a god. What happens if he makes me cut everybody’s souls out? If it comes down to me or the pack, who will you choose?”

He didn’t speak, and I saw the agony in his eyes.

“That’s right. You’ll choose the pack, and you should. I’m a LaSalle, Jaxson, not one of you anymore. You have to let me go before I destroy us all.” Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes, but I fought them back as I inched away from him.

He was on me so fast, my heart didn’t have a chance to beat. While he’d held me firmly before, he was ruthless now, and he sank his claws into my wrists. When he spoke, however, it wasn’t with a savage growl, but with quiet, calm strength. “No. You’re mine. You are not leaving.”

My magic coursed through me, frigid like melting snow. Shadows coalesced at my feet, waiting for my command. How had it all come to this?

Run! Wolfie said, sorrow and anguish in her voice.

Tears spilling down my cheeks, I raised my palms toward Jaxson and released a clap of magic. He flew backward, landing hard on the sidewalk.

He was on his feet in a heartbeat and striding toward me, anger and worry on his face. I drew the shadows around him, blocking his vision.

“Savannah, what are you doing?” Fear tinged his voice as he searched for me.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep from sobbing. “Leaving. I’ll find a way to stop this, but I won’t risk the lives of you and the pack. I’m sorry. Goodbye, Jaxson.”

A cry tore from my throat as I turned and ran.

Yet it was Jaxson’s roar that demolished the remaining pieces of my heart. My feet pounded against the pavement, and though every fiber of my being screamed to turn back, I couldn’t.

I had to leave, to buy Wolfie and me some time, while I figured out a way to stop the Dark Wolf God from returning.