Enmity [noun] - a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility.

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Santiago's words echoed around the hall.

I looked up at Kane, and his arms tightened around me.

"Someone doesn't want us to be together?" he asked, slowly. "How would they even know that we're mates?"

Santiago glanced back at the water bowl. The full moon was still there. "This is personal, either towards you or Rina. It's not unheard of to use dark magic to separate mates, but the good news is the bond between mates is stronger."

I could only focus on one thing. "Are you saying everything that has happened is because the bond is fighting against it?"

Santiago nodded with a budding smile. "I believe so. Claiming each other, and those brands ensuring that you are rarely apart—it may seem like it's weakening you, but it's pushing you to strengthen the bond. And we know that once mates complete the mating process, their bond is unbreakable."

Even death couldn't separate mates for long.

"And what about the person who's causing all of this? How do we find out who it is?"

Santiago sighed and shook his head. "Now that isn't an exact science. It's a guessing game, I'm afraid. The best I can do for you is more research on similar situations and if they had any way of finding out."

I tried to rack my brain for anyone who could wish me harm. I had no idea who would want to. Kane, on the other hand, was a widely feared alpha with many enemies.

"I didn't get anything on my twenty-first birthday," I spoke. "It's been two years. How could they know to do it before my twenty-first?"

Santiago rubbed his face. "The only thing that makes sense is that it's against—"

"Me," Kane finished. "This is happening because of me."

Santiago nodded apologetically and gestured to the stone bowl. "Ire burns. I believe this is a personal vendetta. You're older than your mate too. Did you ever have her words on your wrist?"

Kane frowned and slowly shook his head. "No. My wrist was bare before I met her."

"Then that possibly confirms my theory," Santiago replied. "It was done against you in the past, and because Rina is your mate, it affected her too."

Kane slowly deflated against me. His shoulders sank and his hold on me loosened. The guilt rolled off him in waves and I leaned back to look him in the eye. "Whatever you're thinking—stop. Don't blame yourself."

He stared into my eyes for a long moment, a light frown on his face. "I can't help it, Rina," he quietly said.

Santiago interrupted before I could say anything further. "I assure you both this is an issue that will resolve itself—spells like this aim to change fate, to make it so that the mates never cross paths. Why would you assume you have a mate if you don't have words on your wrist?" he said, stepping towards us. "The fact that you two met, and have a connection means you're already getting through it. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that the sooner you complete the mate process, the better—then the spell will have no effect."

I forced the embarrassment down. The key to stopping our pain was exactly what I thought it was. We needed to mark each other and mate to make it all go away.

"How sure are you that that's the case?" Kane asked measuredly.

Santiago placed a hand on his heart earnestly. "I had my suspicions that this was the case so I asked the elder council members if they had ever heard of such a spell being successful. They all said no. Granted, I can't promise that it won't affect you further before you consummate your bond."

The pit of my stomach felt hollow.

Kane tightened his jaw and nodded. "Thank you for your diligence." His arm closed around me firmly. "It's getting late. Will you be staying with Carmen and Finn tonight?"

He nodded. "I figured I could stay for two days—make the most of seeing you two in person. I brought some books with me to do more research here."

Kane smiled graciously. "You're always welcome here, you know that." He led the way out of the great hall, and Santiago followed in line with us.

We made it out to the front and Santiago bid us goodbye. We watched him drive away and it was silent until Kane squeezed my shoulder.

I glanced up at him and mustered up a smile.

"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" he huffed a laugh through his nose.

"Yeah." I turned towards him and winced. "Kane...I don't think I'm ready for that yet." I knew that I wanted Kane, but I had always wanted things to develop slowly between me and my mate. I wanted to know everything about him, to have a strong foundation before we completed the process, so that I knew it was more than just physical desire.

His hands caged my face and he tipped my head back slightly to meet my gaze. Honesty shone in his amber eyes. "I would face anything for you. We'll take this at our own pace, consequences be damned."

"But what about the full moon? What if we can prevent ourselves from ever feeling that pain again?"

His hands tightened around my face. "We don't know if that will happen again, and there's no rush. One day at a time, okay?"

I scanned his face and took in his reassuring words. "Okay."

His thumb gently caressed my cheek. "And besides." A small smile came onto his face. "When it happens, I want it to be because you want me and you're ready to take that step with me."

I stared up at him, feeling my heart race. I felt safe with him. It was hard not to feel that way when he would meet me where I was and stay there with me. Driven by emotion, I stepped onto my tiptoes and brought him into a kiss. His left hand wedged into my hair, and he moved his lips against mine, pushing back.

He was intoxicating.

His forehead touched mine and he reluctantly pulled back. "I'm a madman at your mercy, Rina. I hope you know that."

My lips brushed against his and I sighed. I thought back to what Santiago had said. There is something deeper between you two. I felt it, and I knew Kane did too. Whatever I thought having a mate would feel like was intensified by a hundred. The connection between us was strengthened by fighting against whatever spell was cast against us. It felt like a constant surge of energy within me pulling me towards him.

"I'm scared, Kane," I whispered, curling my fingers around his wrists. "If you have a target on your back, you're in danger."

"It comes with the title, but we'll get through this. We'll find out who it is." His voice was level and calm. He believed we would.

"We have to," I responded. "It has to be our priority."

He nodded and pressed a firm kiss to my forehead. "It is. If it did happen before your twenty-first, then it has to be during or before the war. I can only think of one person who hates me enough to do it."

Leander. "Surely that breaks the treaty," I gasped.

Kane laughed humourlessly and stepped back, rubbing his face with his hand. "Of course it does. But we need proof to bring to the other alphas. And when we do, he can undo the spell."

"But," I huffed and shook my head. "He isn't a warlock. Why would he make a pact with a coven?"

"You don't know what it was like before the treaty." Anger was creeping onto his face like vines, tightening his muscles as he remembered. "Leander liked having the pack under his thumb. My return threatened his power and I know he'd do anything to keep it, including ruining my life."

The frown weighed heavily on my face. "We have to stop him. If there's anyone who would know anything, it'd be Alpha Eryx."

Kane's eyes narrowed. "He was always Leander's ally first. What if they're both in on it?"

I felt like I was grasping at straws. "My parents are our best bet. If they know something, they'll tell us." I could see him about to counter my point, so I quickly continued. "This spell was cast to harm you and your mate. No one could've known that I would be your mate. My parents' loyalties would be with me now if they know anything. They would never harm me."

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Then we go back to your old pack." His jaw was tight as I nodded. "But not tonight. Let's get some rest." He held his hand out to me. I took it and followed him out of the castle.

—————

We had stayed long enough to spend some more time with Santiago until he left, then made our way back to my old pack.

The drive back seemed shorter, maybe because we had left in the early hours of the morning, but I knew it was because it was no longer tense and awkward between me and Kane. When we entered Alpha Eryx's territory, things felt different. Since leaving, I had sworn my allegiance to another alpha, to Kane, which meant I was no longer a part of my old pack.

This felt weird when we parked in front of my parents' house, my old house. I had called ahead and said that we were coming back because I missed them. It wasn't untrue, but we didn't want to draw any suspicion.

They came out of the house, and my spirits were instantly lifted. I quickly opened the door and rushed into their arms. I relaxed and held them close. "It's so good to see you."

My dad's hand rubbed my upper back. "We missed you, sweetheart." He leaned back to look me in the eye. "You look well. Have you been sleeping?"

My mum caressed my face, brushing her thumb under my eye. I used to have bags, indicative of my tiredness, but now, my face was radiant. Thanks to Kane.

I nodded. "Every night like a baby." I stepped back and turned to look at Kane who approached us. He was tense, no doubt because of what had happened the last time he saw my parents. I tried to diffuse the tension by wrapping an arm around him.

My dad was staring him down with his arms folded across his chest. He briefly glanced at Kane's blue cast. "How did that happen?"

I sighed and answered before Kane. "I climbed a tree to take some pictures. I fell and he broke my fall." I frowned as I looked at the cast too. "And his arm."

"I think we all got off on the wrong foot," Kane spoke, gently pulling me closer against him. "Rina and I have worked through it. I hope we'll do the same since her happiness is all that matters to me."

My mum softened slightly and nudged my dad. He glanced at her before unfolding his arms. "Then we're all on the same page," he replied. "Thank you for taking care of our daughter."

Kane smiled graciously. "Always."

"Time for breakfast then," my mum smiled, turning back to the front door.

We followed behind my parents and I reached for Kane's hand, squeezing it in an act of comfort. My mum had made a full spread, and I had missed her cooking more than I realised. It was nice to sit down with my parents again, and with Kane by my side.

We kept the conversation light. I knew I had to approach things carefully. My parents didn't know the full extent of how much pain Kane and I had endured. All they had witnessed was the brands first appearing on our wrists. I had a gut feeling that they weren't involved, but I was sure they would know something.

When we finished breakfast, it was time for us to greet Alpha Eryx and Luna Melia. Once we had said hi to everyone we needed to, then we could start what we had come for.

"Thank you for breakfast," Kane said, standing up. "I hope I can return the favour soon."

I grinned. "I think you two would love the Highlands. Our territory is beautiful."

"I'm sure we will," my mum responded. She always warmed up to people more quickly than my father did. He just mustered up a small smile.

They saw us out, and we got back into the car. We were going to stay in the same cabin Kane had stayed in just over two weeks ago. They were behind Alpha Eryx's house.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" I asked as Kane began driving.

He shook his head with a small smile on his face. "I half expected your dad to lunge for me over the table again."

I tried not to smile. "You were both angry that day. I think you'll get along once you warm up to each other."

Kane glanced at me and briefly took his hand off the wheel to squeeze mine. "There are no hard feelings. I understand why he was. We'll work on it. After all, I need him to want to walk you down the aisle to me."

My lips parted in shock, and I took a moment to take in what he said. "You've already thought about our wedding?"

The blush crept up his face and ears. "I looked at your face almost every day for three years. I've had time to think about the kind of life I want with you."

My eyebrows raised slightly and I released a shaky breath. Wow. I had thought about my wedding day more times than I had cared to admit. But being able to put a face to the person I never thought I would meet felt surreal. He had had more time than I did.

Kane filled the silence. "I know we're not quite there yet, but I want you to know that I see a future with you—a bright one."

If the spell doesn't harm us further.

I shook my head of the thought, trying to focus on the positive. Kane wanted me and the life that I knew we could build. "Tell me what you see."

We were just around the corner from Alpha Eryx's house, and he pulled up to the side of the road, stopping the car. He turned slightly in his seat to face me. "I see you," he started, curving his hand around my shoulder. He slid his hand up and slowly stroked the base of my throat with his thumb. "With my mark on your neck. You're my luna and we're happy. You're pregnant with my pups—twins, a boy and a girl. We're a family and the future of our pack is bright."

His touch set my skin alight. His words ignited a primal urge in me. Ever since Santiago had mentioned it, I had thought about Kane marking me every day—to feel his canines deep in my neck. I shivered as he pressed his thumb against my skin. He watched my reaction closely and leaned forward. He brushed the tip of his nose against my jaw and down my neck. He inhaled deeply, and I curved a hand around his head.

"I need my scent on you," he murmured against my skin. His arm curved around my waist and he helped me over the gear stick onto his lap. He pulled my head down, brushing his cheek against mine before he trailed kisses across my ear and down my neck.

I could feel the steering wheel against my back, so he leaned forward to push his seat backwards. His canines lightly scratched against my neck, and I gripped the short strands of his hair in between my fingers. "Kane," I sighed.

His breath fanned against my skin. "I won't. Not yet, I promise." His already deep voice deepened an octave, and I knew if I didn't put distance between us soon, we would have tunnel vision.

I tugged on his hair, pulling his head back. His amber eyes were darker, like burnt honey. The longing was burning in his eyes. I felt my canines elongating in response. The brand on my wrist thrummed to life. Pushing us to strengthen the bond. Our mouths clashed together, and I distracted myself from the enticing idea of marking him with a kiss. It wasn't our gentlest kiss, and I slightly drew blood when I bit his lip.

My back pressed against the horn, and the loud sound pulled us from our haze. My hands flattened against his shoulders and I looked up at the ceiling. I tried to slow my breaths and took a moment before I climbed back to my seat.

Kane gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles whitened. If he squeezed any harder, it would break. His breaths were harsh. "We can't do that again," his voice sounded more like a growl. He was trying to quell his burning need to mark me. "Not unless you want me to do it."

I couldn't speak, so I nodded. I pressed the button to roll down the window so we could get some cold air into the car. It was silent for a long while, and Kane only started the car again when he had gained composure. He was more affected by me than I thought he would be.

When we stopped in front of the house, I broke the silence. "I'm sure Alpha Eryx—"

"Drop the title, Rina," his voice was back to normal, but it still sent a shiver down my spine. God, being around him was maddening. "I'm your alpha now, and as my luna, you're no longer in submission to him."

My abdomen tightened. "Okay. I'm sure Eryx and Melia didn't expect us to be back so soon."

He finally looked at me. "It's not easy to leave your pack for a new one. I'm sure you'll have more to talk about with Melia now." He got out of the car and came on my side to open the door.

Eryx and Melia met us at their door since they heard us coming. They looked like they were fighting smiles, and I glanced at Kane before we realised. I fixed my clothes and he flattened his hand against his hair.

"Kane, Rina. Glad to see you've been getting along better since the last time we saw you," Eryx spoke, his grey eyes full of amusement.

My face felt hot, and I let Kane answer.

"I'm sure you can remember what the early days were like," Kane chuckled, reaching out to shake his hand.

Their grips were firm and they held each other's hands until they let go at the same time.

"And every day since," Eryx replied then looked at me. "It's good to see you both."

Melia stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. "Hi, Rina."

Her embrace was warm. "Hi, Melia." Her name felt foreign on my tongue.

She kept her face against mine for a moment before she pulled back. Her eyes scanned mine, and she lightly touched my face. "You've had to prove yourself already. I sense a change in you—in your wolf."

I nodded. "I was challenged for my title." I huffed out a laugh. "I won."

A grin broke out on her face. "You're fierce too. I knew you would."

I remembered back to her parting words to me. Kane is a fierce alpha. It hadn't been long since we first met, but I was already changing into someone worthy of the title bestowed upon me. A luna.

"Why don't you go drop your stuff off in the cabin? And then we can all take a walk around the grounds," Eryx spoke.

Kane nodded and reached for my hand. The electricity surged through me. "I'll move the car too."

We walked back to the car, and he drove around the back to park in front of the cabin. To my surprise, Tiana walked out of it with a big grin. I screamed in excitement and flung the door open. I knew it hadn't been long, but we had always been attached by the hip, and it had felt like a lifetime since I had last seen her.

When I rushed to hug her, she squeezed me tightly. "We've missed you, Rina!" she squealed.

I looked behind her and saw familiar green eyes.

He smiled softly. "Hey, Ri."

Levi.