CHAPTER 294: _DARKNESS WATCHES FROM OUTSIDE

Around three in the afternoon, Odessa finally woke up, her eyelids fluttering weakly.

I was still sitting beside her and quickly leaned closer when I saw her waking up. At this point, Althea, Caroline, Layla and Marcellus were all in the room as well, standing around the bed.

"You’re okay... You’re okay..." I whispered to her when she tried raising her head, confusion clear on her face.

She squinted, scanning her gaze around before blurting cluelessly. "Is this an intervention or something...?"

I glanced at the other side of the bed where Althea and Caroline stood. The former held a cup of tea, the same one she said would help Odessa, handing it over to her.

"Drink this, child." She muttered with a warm smile.

Marcellus, who stood by the foot of the bed with his arms folded in front of his chest, spoke up with a wry smile. "You passed out like three hours ago. But before that..."

He trailed off intentionally, waiting for her to connect the dots herself. I fixed my gaze on her and saw her eyes widen with remembrance.

"R–Ryker..." She turned to me, ignoring the tea from her aunt who still stood patiently regardless.

I held Odessa’s right hand, caressing it tenderly. "So you did see him. Can you remember anything? Did you have any dreams during your unconsciousness?"

She seemed like she had been dreaming earlier but the way she blinked with confusion now was as if her mind was foggy.

"She’s struggling to remember." Caroline pointed out the obvious.

I ignored, leaning closer to Odessa as she stuttered. "I... I know I had a dream. But I can’t remember anything from it. It’s all... Blank."

She shook her head, covering her face with her hands. "And Ryker, that bastard. He appeared to me through the mirrors in the room..."

I turned my gaze to the shattered mirror at the other side of the room. Shards of glass littered the vanity like snow, a hairbrush lying crooked beneath them—silent evidence of her panic.

I didn’t need any explanations to paint a mental image of how that mirror broke.

"You can recount all that he said some other time, dear." Althea cleared her throat, placing the cup of tea in front of her face. "Just drink your tea right now."

Odessa seemed like she wanted to still say something but when I nodded at her reassuringly, she let out a sigh and grabbed the cup of tea.

.

.

"Okay, why do I feel like something is going on that I’m not aware of?" Marcellus queried, placing his hands on his waist in my office.

It was just me, Layla, Althea and him here. Caroline had stayed back with Odessa.

I leaned against my desk, facing the three of them with hands clasped in front of my body.

"Something like what, Marcellus?" I queried and he let out a breath, his expression serious.

"How did the true Lord of the North get into Dessa’s mind? What am I missing?" He persisted, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Layla. "I feel like I’m the only one out of the loop here."

Layla blinked at him, her gaze empty at first. But then she shrugged like her mind rebooted. "Wait, don’t look at me, Beta. I’m just as clueless here."

I flicked my gaze to Althea. Her eyes seemed distant, like she was still actively thinking about Odessa’s situation.

Well, I know I am.

"Odessa’s tied to something ancient and chaotic under the continent. The Vein." I let the cat out of the bag, clenching my jaw. "After the trip to Mexico, these... Dark sigils began appearing in her blood. The more she uses her magic, the closer she is to unlocking something we aren’t even sure of and possibly unleashing the magic of the Vein."

Althea, who was more knowledgeable in this, added. "Ryker managed to get into her head through a dark spell from the raven witch in Mexico. Appearing in her dreams and tampering with the mate bond between her and the Alpha King in ways I’ve never seen."

Marcellus’ lips parted, his shoulders dropping for a bit. But then...

"Goddess, have mercy..." He muttered, glancing at Layla who seemed surprised... But less than I expected.

I thought I’d see more shock from her.

"K–Kaelos, it has been four months." Marcellus suddenly said with disappointment. "Why did no one fill me in on this? This is... This is a LOT."

’Ugh, brother... Can we go straight to the point in this meeting and head back to our mate?’ Damon growled in my mind and I couldn’t agree more.

I straightened my back, raising my chin as I addressed Marcellus. "She’s my wife and my mate... Making her my responsibility. Besides, I didn’t exactly want this news to get out. I’m only informing you two now so you’ll be aware of the stakes at hand."

Marcellus pressed his lips into a thin line. He seemed like he had a lot to say but just didn’t want to.

Well, I didn’t want to hear it...

"It’s clear Lord Ryker plans to do something during the Blood Moon festival," Althea uttered solemnly. "The magic wards on the event building should be enough to hold off any huge attacks but we need to be prepared beyond that."

Marcellus seemed to be catching on now and nodded. "I’ll meet with the Gamma and Delta and look over the security details for that day again."

Layla also spoke up. "I’ll contact the Alphas of the packs attending that night, as well as the Alpha kings then inform them to bring extra—"

"No, leave the Alpha Kings out of this." I shook my head, keeping my tone even. "They’ll get suspicious if we tell them to bring extra security from their respective continents. Just contact the Alphas of North America who’re attending to bring extra security along with them. Be vague... Don’t say anything about Odessa."

Layla nodded with understanding, bowing slightly. "Of course, my lord."

With that, the meeting was dismissed and I stepped out of my office. The only thing I could think of now was seeing Odessa.

I got to her door and knocked gently before opening. My eyes landed on the bed and to my surprise, she was already sitting up and seemed lively, chatting and giggling with Caroline.

But their gazes turned to me and Caroline cleared her throat, smiling one last time at Odessa.

"Scream if you need anything."

"Have mercy on my vocal cords, would you?" Odessa snapped back with a smirk.

Caroline gave me a bow before walking out of the room and closing the door behind her. I stood for a few seconds before I stepped forward slowly.

"I was worried sick," I muttered when I finally got beside her bed, placing my hand on her shoulder. "How do you feel?"

She smiled wryly but nodded. "Better actually. I think Althea’s tea is working... I guess. My mind seems so clear and peaceful."

I subconsciously tightened my hold on her shoulder, my gaze lingering on her violet eyes.

"The... Mate bond." I muttered, about to talk about how I couldn’t feel it before she fainted but she clasped my hand on her shoulder, smiling warmly.

"I know. I couldn’t feel it either. But... I could hear you screaming my name and could’ve sworn I saw your figure before I passed out." She revealed.

I frowned slightly. "You were on the ground when I got in. I’m... Still pleasantly surprised the baby didn’t get any harm." I brought my other hand to her stomach, caressing her baby bump with relief.

She suddenly grinned teasingly. "Well, he has his father’s stone head."

I parted my lips, chuckling softly. "Wow. Low blow, Odessa."

She joined me in laughing and in that moment, it was like we had nothing to worry about. Just me, her and our little bundle of joy.

But I’d be foolish to even dream that.

"We’ll be fine, Kaelos," Odessa whispered, brushing her fingers gently on my hand. I could feel her warmth and hope like it was mine again... And couldn’t help but believe in it.

"I know, mi amor," I said under my breath, my gaze going from her eyes to her lips.

When we leaned in and kissed, I momentarily let go of my worries.

But I knew, with all the warmth surrounding us... Darkness still watched from outside.