Stepping out after the traitorous bastard, he advanced. Ralston was gasping for breath and scrambling away.
Alister caught him and snatched the warlock up by the throat and studied him like a gnat.
“Please,” Ralston begged.
“You tried to kill what’s mine.”
“Alister?”
Ian’s voice came softly from behind him.
“Stay back, Ian. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Think for a moment. He needs to go in front of Pethious. You can’t take the law into your own hands.”
He slowly turned his head to study Ian.
“I can’t?”
Turning back to Ralston, he tore the man’s throat out.
Ralston’s body toppled to the side and his head landed at Alister’s feet. A swift kick sent the head rolling into the woods.
Turning, he stepped back through the hole he’d made in the cabin, leaving a stunned Ian and Holden behind.
Reaching Jonas, he moved his hands over the alpha’s body. That same power that he’d used to annihilate the forest came to him again.
“Valdadum tressquior, malicoradosess,” he called out, his voice booming through the room.
Jonas convulsed on the bed, his back bowed, and a black, bee-like substance poured from his mouth, eyes, and ears. The mass raced, screeching around the room, lifting the wind with it.
Once the mass left Jonas, his love collapsed on the bed and Alister bent over to brush the hair from his brow. Seeing Jonas’ unlabored breathing, he gave a sigh of relief.
“Alister!” Ian shouted.
He spun. Ian and Holden were at the doorway dodging the black mass.
Lifting his hands, he scooped the mass in between cups of air and squeezed. Much like he’d squeezed Ralston’s head from his body, he clenched the mass with his magic.
Snapping and hissing, the bee-like substance fought for a moment before the air came together.
The black disintegrated. The air stopped and the room grew still.
Cautiously, Ian and Holden stepped through the hole in the cabin wall and approached.
He paid them no mind and sank to the edge of the bed.
“Is it done?” Jonas rasped.
“Yes. Once the poison leaves your body, you’ll start healing yourself.”
“How long does it take?”
“I don’t know,” he whispered and leaned his forehead down against Jonas’. Had the mage killed Jonas’ wolf? “Tell me, can you feel your wolf?”
Jonas cupped his face and then slipped his fingers through his hair and Alister closed his eyes.
Already, the alpha was growing stronger.
“Not yet,” Jonas murmured.
Alister
Easing back from Jonas, he held the alpha’s gaze.
The air surrounding the cabin grew heavy and wild, signaling the arrival of his father. How the hell had Percy found Pethious so quickly?
“I love you. I need you to know that,” he whispered around the lump in his throat.
“I love you too. What’s going on?” A furrow creased between Jonas’ eyes.
“Consequences.”
“For?” Jonas gripped his hand tightly.
“My actions.” He brushed the tumble of hair from Jonas’ forehead and a sudden thought occurred to him. Escape! It might not be possible, but it was worth a try.
“Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” The wolf’s eyes glittered in the dimly lit room.
The wind picked up and slammed into the cabin, sending the boards shaking.
Ian clutched the open door as it swung on its hinges. Holden dove for cover and grabbed onto the leg of the cast iron stove.
“Shit!” Ian shouted, catching his gaze across the distance.
Leaves, rocks, and dirt swirled just outside the open door and a portal appeared. The edges of his father’s cloak billowed through the swirling mist.
“Tell him I’m not sorry!” Alister shouted at Ian.
Lifting his palms upward, Alister drew on his new-found power. This time, it sang easily through his veins and the air snapped and swirled. The bed beneath him and Jonas fell away. He clutched Jonas hard against his chest and cupped the back of the wolf’s head. Jonas wrapped his arms around him tightly as he stared up at the large portal he’d created.
Holy fuck, he’d done it.
“Alister!” His father’s shout was loud, booming, and held a command.
A command that he ignored. He leaped upward and through the portal and snapped it closed behind him.
The soft sound of birds was a startling contrast to the loudness of the cabin.
He drew in a sigh of relief as the grass of a meadow settled beneath their feet and he steadied Jonas when his wobbled.
“Holy hell, warn a guy.” Jonas gripped his arm.
“Sorry, we had to make a quick exit.”
His father would be hellbent on punishment and Alister couldn’t take the chance he’d be separated from Jonas.
“You…made a portal,” Jonas gaped at him.
“I did.”
“And you cured me.”
“Maybe.” He drew in a deep breath and wrapped an arm tightly around Jonas’ waist. “Come on, let’s get settled.”
Gently, he guided Jonas from the meadow and through the trees until they reached a small clearing. The rush of water from a nearby stream and bird songs filled the silence. Alister came to a stop to let the alpha catch his breath.
“Oh wow.” Jonas stared at his surroundings.
Alister smiled. The cottage was a beautiful sight to see with its white stone walls and brightly-colored brick pathway that lead to the front door. Ivy grew up the sides of the stones and every few inches, brightly-colored blossoms gave the house a multicolored look right out of a fantasy.
“Wait until you see the inside.”
“Who lives here?”
“It’s mine. I’m the only one who knows its location.”
Jonas gazed at him curiously, and he couldn’t say exactly why he’d kept this place a secret, but now he was glad he had.
When they reached the door, he opened it and guided Jonas inside.
“You’re right. It’s gorgeous.”
The front door opened into a large living room with a lightly colored tiled floor. An open bar separated the kitchen from the room and a small hallway led to the bedroom and his office. The best part was the massive bathroom in the back of the house. Not only the facilities, but a door opened to show the room contained a large swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
“I’ll be sitting in that,” Jonas said with a tired smile.
“First, you need rest.”
That Jonas didn’t argue told him how tired the alpha was. Guiding Jonas to the bed, he stripped them both and then climbed in to nuzzle against the alpha’s side.
Jonas gave a tired sigh and tossed an arm around his waist.
Alister smiled and closed his eyes.
The sun was rising and he awoke when Jonas rolled away from him. The alpha settled quickly and resumed snoring lightly.
Easing from the bed, Alister pulled on his pants and headed out to make coffee.
Other than use the restroom and drink a few sips of water, Jonas hadn’t moved.
Burying himself in a book, the sun rose and then started dipping toward the horizon before the alpha stirred.