Chapter 315: _Take Back Control
"You think you’ll win against Kaelos?" I tried stalling for time with that question, sending it out like bait.
Meanwhile, I was communicating with Sirena mentally. ’It’s time.’
’Girl...’ she rasped with uncertainty. ’Our mate has been trying to train us for months, but all we’ve been able to accomplish is you using wolf claws, fangs, and then gaining control of the sonic howl ability.’
’If we want any chance of getting out of here and being helped by Kaelos... It’s the only way.’ I responded with a heavy breath.
What were we talking about? Well, me shifting into Sirena.
It was a long time coming at this point and the only thing stopping me was a mental block which I couldn’t seem to bypass.
Kaelos once told me that intense emotions could trigger a wolf transformation, especially if it’s a first-time shift.
And right here, right now, as I glared at Ryker’s face while he calmly sent orders to his minions, all I could feel was the intense urge to sink my fangs into his throat.
"Secure the perimeter but don’t send any of my artificial hybrids," Ryker said calmly, placing his arms behind his back and facing Regina. "You stay here and keep watch of the Luna Queen."
He paused, and even though I couldn’t see his face from here, I could almost see the smug smirk, which came along with his smug voice.
"It’s time my baby brother and I saw eye to eye." He added with a snigger, walking away from me and heading out with the guards who had walked in earlier.
Regina sighed, wiggling her fingers, causing the door to close behind her.
Just when she folded her arms in front of her chest and fixed her gaze on me, I drew in a ragged breath before speaking.
"You don’t seem all too enthusiastic to be following his command."
She arched an eyebrow, a smirk curling up her lips. "Well, I’m not too keen on babysitting grown ass women."
I smirked as well, but mine was humourless. "So we’re calling kidnapping babysitting now?"
As I spoke, I used the opportunity to scan my gaze on her. I could pick up the sound of fighting outside, blasts and howls echoing alongside heavy footsteps.
I need to get out there.
’She’s an artificial hybrid.’ Sirena noted in my head. ’Probably one of the most powerful under Ryker’s control.’
’Yes, but outside that... She’s also a person.’ I whispered in return, my jaw tightening. ’I’ll gladly use that to my advantage here.’
’Someone’s in her master manipulator era...’
"It’s not exactly kidnapping when you’re the one who walked through the portal." Regina scoffed, brushing her right hand through her hair. "I don’t know what she saw in you, really. I mean, other than the fact that you’re... Kinda hot."
I furrowed my eyebrows, confusion hitting me in the gut.
"What are you talking about?" I queried, slowly getting off the bed and taking a single step.
But she raised her right hand, pointing it at me while shaking her head. "Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn’t do that if I were you."
’Any luck reaching out to Kaelos through the mate bond?’ I asked Sirena just then, trying my best to multitask.
My fists curled beside me. My wolf was silent for a couple seconds and then...
’He’s definitely here. But your little stunt back in Blood Oak before we left messed up the connection. Badly.’ she revealed, causing a shiver to crawl up my spine.
I’ve noticed how the mate bond always seems to weaken or fluctuate anytime I tap too deeply into my magic or whenever Ryker breaches my mind.
This further confirmed it.
"Anyway, I’m surprised she didn’t tell you anything about me at least." Regina continued after the silence drew out between us, her hand lowering. "Your maid."
My eyes widened, my heart skipping a beat.
Caroline?
"Again... What the fuck are you talking about?" I asked coldly, feeling my magic pulse in my veins. The temperature in the room dropped as well, but the necklace around my neck stung like an annoying reminder of my current inhibition.
"Hey, no need to get riled up." Regina chuckled, raising her hands in mock defeat. "I toyed with her for a bit. Was hoping to get some idea of what she truly is."
The more she spoke, the more confused I was getting.
My fingers twitched beside me as I tilted my head. "You get a raise for being in control. From manipulating people. From using them."
She smiled with pure sarcasm. "Yeah, and the sky is blue. Your point?"
My voice dropped low as I took another step forward. "But that’s because that’s the only thing you’ve known all your life. Being under someone’s control. Being under Ryker’s control."
Her face remained smug but I saw the twitch in her eyes. That told me that I was right and struck a nerve.
’Odessa...’ before I could say anything else, a familiar deep voice echoed in my mind, sending warmth through me.
My heart fluttered, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I felt the mate bond pulsed stronger than ever, like it was fed new life.
’Kaelos.’ I spoke through the mind link, placing my left hand on my chest. ’K–Kaelos, you’re here. You came for me.’
’You scared the shit out of me, Mon ami.’ His voice was cheerful, like someone who struck gold after years of searching.
My eyes stung with tears, my vision blurring at the edges. My jaw clenched as I glared at Regina, my eyes narrowing.
’I’m currently occupied with Ryker’s goons, but I’ll find you soon,’ he said with reassurance, but I didn’t mind waiting a little.
’I’ll find my way to you...’
"You know nothing about me." Regina sneered coldly, suddenly drawing out a dagger from her side pocket. She took a few steps closer, causing me to stiffen.
She saw this and smirked. "You think you’re so smart, huh? Ryker offered me power beyond anything I could possibly imagine at first. He gave me control over my life."
I chuckled dryly, gesturing at her even though my pulse quickened with every step she took.
"You call this control? You being his lap dog? You can lie to me, but come on..." My voice was firm, my eyes never leaving her or that damn dagger in her hand. "... Don’t lie to yourself."
Suddenly, she stretched her right hand forward, clenching it into a fist. An invisible force coiled around me like a giant hand, causing me to gasp as air left my lungs.
I tried fighting back, taking a single step forward but it was no use. I fell to my knees, my head lowering while her voice echoed around the room:
"I am my own person beyond Ryker’s shadow. Don’t think you can come here and—"
"Then prove it." I managed to raise my head, looking her dead in the eyes. "Prove it now. Do something outside of what Ryker would want. Kill me."
She frowned, shaking her head. "You must be out of your—"
"Come on, you want to, right?" I asked, squinting my eyes defiantly even though my lips trembled. "Do it. I have nothing more to lose."
As I spoke, something primal twisted in me, coiling hot in my blood. It wasn’t magic. This felt more... Predatory.
The bond pulsed stronger between Kaelos and me, pushing my werewolf blood beyond what it was formerly capable of.
’Time to end this charade.’ Sirena’s voice boomed in my mind all of a sudden.
I acted in sync with her, embracing the transformation. Silver white fur began sprouting from my arms, my snout elongating and my bones snapping.
I grunted, gritting my teeth through the pain as I slowly rose to my feet, pushing through Regina’s telekinetic hold on me.
Her eyes widened with disbelief as she gawked at me, shaking her head. "Impossible. You... You couldn’t shift all this while."
I locked my gaze on her, clutching the necklace around my neck as it tried restraining my wolf side.
My lips parted, my fangs elongating as well as my claws.
"You’re about to learn what it feels like to take back control." My voice was a mix of mine and Sirena’s, echoing through the room like a divine declaration.
And then, just when the necklace around my neck burned with a searing heat that coiled deep into my skin... I yanked it off with the strength of my wolf, a guttural howl escaping my lips as my body mass enlarged.