Free Desires of the Otherworld 2: Darkest Hunger by Aline Hunter Page B

Norvallen pack would try to kill the vampire king at any given opportunity. The rumors had circulated for years regarding the death of Bridon’s Fated, the prophecy of her return in their pack, and the tragedy that would befall them as consequence. The Norvallen alpha and Lycae king would do anything to circumvent fate.
    “Save it.” Trace lifted a hand, narrowing his eyes. “I’m dealing with personal shit. I’m not here for comedy hour.” Grasping his mug, he started to stand when the Lycae stopped him cold.
    “She’ll cause the death of your friend.”
    He sat back in his chair. “Is that so?”
    “You have no idea of the tragedy that is about to take place.”
    “Enlighten me.”
    “Willow has been instructed to kill herself.”
    Trace broke into a grin. He couldn’t believe he was actually listening to this shit. “Oh, really?”
    “I’m glad this is so amusing for you.” The Lycae’s jaw clenched, and he cracked his neck, as if trying to control his temper.
    “She wouldn’t do such a thing. It means damnation of the soul.”
    “Willow has been taught that her sacrifice will make her a martyr to our kind. She doesn’t have a full understanding of the will of the gods. Her purpose has always been to bring the downfall of the one man who had the power to destroy the pack.”
    Although an inner warning caused the hair on his nape to rise, Trace steeled himself to remain indifferent. “Her father would never allow it. She is the last in his line to inherit the throne.”
    Dominic snorted. “Who do you think molded her from birth to perform her duty?”
    “Her father?” He glanced at his drink. Not so long ago, he’d lost his parents and a sibling. It was difficult to believe a man would kill his own child. He returned his attention to the Lycae seated just feet from him, attempting to read any dishonesty in his face. “Why wouldn’t he just instruct her to kill Bridon?”
    “You’re not mated, are you?’
    “What does that have to do with anything?”
    “Willow would be no more capable of harming Bridon than she would an innocent. Even without the words or their physical union, if she tried to kill him, the bond they share would prevent it.”
    “So you would have me believe her father would tell his child to end her life?”
    “I don’t expect you to believe anything. I can only tell you what’s going to happen if you don’t do something.”
    “The full moon is in two days. Bridon will have claimed her as his Chosen by then. By your own word, she’ll do anything to keep him safe, even if it means going against her own. That’s the way it is between Fated mates.”
    “That’s why she’s been ordered to end her life on the dawn that precedes the full moon.”
    The werewolf didn’t look away, staring Trace in the eye, allowing the ramifications of his statement to sink in. “Willow has known for years that this would be her end if she ever crossed Bridon Walkyr’s path. The only way she could ever truly deny him is in death.”
    “Why would you come to me with this?” Trace asked warily. “If she died it would mean the end to all your problems.”
    “I was her brother’s second in command before he mated. He didn’t want to leave Willow behind when he started hearing the rumors that his pack wouldn’t stand for a vampire queen, but Willow would have tried to fight him if he pushed the issue. He and Savannah had to slip away quietly. I made a vow to him that I would see that she came to no harm.”
    “She would have fought her own brother?” The thought added to the alarm he was beginning to experience.
    Pounding a fist on the table, the Lycae leaned forward. “From the moment she was born, Willow was told what penalties her choices would bring. There has never been a time when she hasn’t heard what will occur if she allows a pairing between her and Bridon to take place. She has carried the weight of the entire pack on her shoulders since before she could even walk. She