The cold dank room appears to be a dungeon of sorts. My only light is from some object in the hallway. It illuminates the room through the cracks in the door. The stone feels coarse and frigid against my bare body. Silver chains hold my wrists, ankles, and neck. My wolf whines as he's being weakened by its touch.
*Gin? Come in Gin, can you hear me?*
Radio silence.
My tongue feels heavy in my mouth. A bitter taste lingers after I swallow the nonexistent saliva. My cracked lips beg for water that my mouth can't provide.
"What do you want?" I yell for the hundredth time.
No response. I'm not surprised but I sure as hell am annoyed.
"When I'm found, you all will be no more than a forgotten name on unmarked grave."
I hear footsteps and someone fumbling with the door handle.
In enters three hags. Okay, they're actually beautiful, but definitely not wolf. I can smell their putrid odor and I gag.
"Tsk tsk."
"The man child can't handle..."
"The presence of powerful witches."
The three witches took turns finishing one sentence. Their voice was eerie and sent a chill down my spine. I shook the feeling of dread away.
"What do you want with me?"
"With you?"
"We don't want..."
"You, silly."
"We want..."
"Your mate..."
"Regina Nox."
A growl escaped my throat before I could get a handle on my emotions. I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Why?" I snarled.
"She'll be the one..."
"To bring them together..."
"And unleash their unstoppable..."
"Elemental magic."
"Come again? I swear I'm not slow, but elemental magic? What's that?"
"Oh dear..."
"Pretty boy..."
"We've run out of..."
"Time!" The three disappeared in thin air.
The door slammed shut and I could feel my eyes grow heavy. Weariness consumed me and I fell on the ground in a deep sleep.
"Your fate is changing strong one." Her voice caresses my broken body.
I can tell I'm dreaming. I'm in a clearing in the woods and the Goddess is talking to me. Her voice is melodic and I find myself drawn to her.
"The future you saw may not stay the same. Your choices and actions determine whether or not you will have your happy ending."
"What can I do?"
"Do what must be done."
"How will I know?"
"Think of her and believe."
I woke up in a cold sweat. The Goddess was right. I need to get out of here before I'm the bait, luring Regina into the trap.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Babe, come on."
"Don't you babe me!" I snap. "Aqua, I trust you to win this challenge."
"Gladly." She smirked. "I'll be famous as the tenth female warrior to enter the Dome."
That's one reason I loved Aqua, she was one sarcastic badass.
"Yeah, yeah." Rex pouts, his hand rubbing my stomach softly.
"Quit it, I'm not a dog." I playfully push his hand away. "Besides the baby is so new it's not like you can feel it move yet."
"Well, you're like 12 days pregnant and she-wolves have their babies in about 90 days, so your basically a month pregnant right now."
"I don't follow your math, but I believe you." I laugh.
"That means our pup is going to be born around my birthday!"
"That means your birthday present is taken care of then."
"Ha ha very funny."
"I'm not joking..."
"I'd hate to break up this seriously uncomfortable banter, but I've got a challenge in like an hour."
"Then go get ready!"
"Thank the Goddess!" She left but not before pretending to throw up at us.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My eyes peak open and I catch a whiff of the most intoxicating smell.
"Regina?"
"No, I'm Carmen."
I open my eyes fully to see a petite brown eyed babe standing before me. Her dyed blonde pixie would've been threatening if she wasn't cuffed at the ankles and wrists.
Instantly I feel a pull and my wolf stirs for the first time since I've been kidnapped.
*Mate!* Lychinus, my wolf croaks as though he hasn't spoken in ages. Technically he hasn't.
"I'm Ignis." I reply, my heart racing in my chest.
The chains marring her beautiful medium brown skin infuriate me.
"Here's your food. Can you eat?"
"Well, I can't feed myself." I motion to the chains pulling my arms in opposite directions.
She smirks, "What do you think I'm here for?"
Walking closer, she sits cross legged on the floor before me with a tray. I catch her warm and comforting scent again.
*Holy crap, she's human!* I think to Lychinus and he's more anxious than before.
*We have to protect her!* He growls in my mind.
She raises the spoon to my mouth and I sip slowly. My brain is swirling with the comfort of her being close to me. I just want to touch her. Maybe hold her and feel her skin pressed against mine.
"Can I trouble you for a back scratch? It's been killing me since I got here." I say with an apologetic shrug.
"Su-re." She stammers and stands quickly.
I turn as far away from her as I can so she can reach my back easily. When her hands touch my skin I feel fire snake through my veins.
*How can she be our mate? Regina is our mate!*
*She is our mate.* Lychinus says firmly, no room for argument.
For the second time in my life, my body and my mind are at odds. The first was when I found out about Regina and I. How could we be mates and have children together, when she is mated to another.
"Carmen?"
She pulled away and went back to her spot on the ground.
"Yes?"
"Why are you here?"
"Why are you?"