Knox’s POV

Rafe was hanging on by a thread…he wanted his mate…needed his mate.

Sophia disappeared only a few minutes ago, but it seemed like eternity. When the bond between two mates, the pain is excruciating. I tore around the office destroying anything in my path. Even though Raine told me that Sophia was fine, I could not sense her, she was gone from my mind. That alone sent me on a rampage.

Vlad stood off to the side protectively in front of Raine. She was trying to calm me down, but nothing was working. I wanted me mate and I wanted her now. Frustrated I chucked the chair through the window.

“Okay my love that is enough. I was only gone for a few minutes, no need to destroy the office.”

Turning around, there stood my mate. Completely unharmed. Jumping over the desk I reached for her, encompassing her in my arms and inhaling her scent. Rafe calmed down immediately as our bond reconnected.

“Baby, don’t you EVER do that to me again. I was going ballistic not being able to feel you. I never want to experience that again, promise me you will never leave me.”

“I am sorry Knox, truly I am. But it wasn’t like I had a choice in the matter. I think when the fates summons you, you really don’t have a choice to but to listen.”

Raine stepped out of the shadows, around Vlad. “The fates. Of Course. That makes perfect sense now.”

My mate stepped back from me, but growling she stayed in my arms just turning around so she could face the others. My arms wounded around her stomach pulling her back into me. Having her there calmed me and my wolf immensely. This whole situation was testing my patience.

“Explain. Are the fates known for kidnapping people? And why the hell did they cut off my connection to Sophia?”

“Alpha, I have never known anyone who has had the privilege of meeting with the fates. Of course there are stories that are told over time, but nothing proven. There are several consistencies though. First all connection to this world is temporarily frozen, that way no one is able to track the location of the fates. Since the beginning of time they have successfully remained hidden for that reason alone.

The second is I felt no stress or danger, otherwise I would have followed her. Fairies possess a gift given by the fates that allow us to always have an unbreakable link with our royals that is why I could feel her. No magic can break our link, not even the fates themselves. I just didn’t think about that so I am sorry for failing you Alpha. I should have known.”

The fairy bowed in front of us begging my forgiveness. On one hand I was extremely pissed that this small woman shared a bond stronger than mine to my OWN mate, but on the other hand it was very reassuring that Sophia could always depend on her. Being the possessive Alpha that I am, I was still fuming from their special bond, call me petty but it still hurt.

My silence caused Sophia to jab her elbow into my stomach. Her face showed anger from my lack of response. Well shit.

“Raine, this is all new to us and you are learning as well as us. You have nothing to apologize for.”

I was still pissed and was trying to control my anger, so my words probably didn’t come off as forgiving as my mate wanted them to. Hey I was trying give a guy some credit.

“Alpha, if I may speak freely, I wanted to clear up any confusion. My bond with the Queen is nothing like your mate bond, so please do not feel threaten. I do not feel any feelings or emotions the way you do. The only feeling I get it like a warning signal when she is in danger. That is our only connection.”

Well now I just felt like an immature ass. Talk about being put in your place. This day was not turning out like I wanted it to. I was not used to apologizing ever and now I am finding the need to do it twice in 10 minutes.

“Thank you for the explanation Raine. That has settled my wolf down. Now mate can you please explain to us why the fates suddenly plucked you for this world?”

We all listened as my mate relayed everything that transpired on her journey to the fates. She was still trying to process all that happened so it took her a while to finish. My beautiful mate whom I love with everything I am is the Queen of the shifters, not just were-shifters, but all shifters. On top of that she was also the mother Goddess of all…basically my mate was one powerful bad-ass.

The fates were correct in their assumption. It would take a great power to take down the Council. After the discussions that Vlad and I have had, I never realized that things were this bad. Like most, if the Council left you alone well you left them alone. Since the start of this pack in my grandfather’s time we have never had to deal with the Council. Something I am now coming to understand was a blessing. Over the centuries, the Council have ruled with an iron fist, obliterating anyone that stood as a threat or in their way.

Frankly it scared the shit out of me that my mate was now at the forefront of danger. Once her secret was revealed a giant target would be printed on her back and the Council will come for her. Apart of me was terrified in keeping her and Ella safe. The other half was extremely proud to have such a strong woman for my mate.

“Baby, the fates referenced your grandmother. Do you know if she is still alive as she could shed some more light on all of this or at least help with controlling your powers?”

“No, my mother told me that my grandmother died when I was still a baby.”

“My Queen, is there any chance you remember her name?”

“Yes I do as Ella is named after her. Her name was Isabella Mae Winters.”

Vlad and Raine both gasped as they started at my mate.

“Sophia are you positive that that was your grandmother’s name? 100% positive?”

“Yes Vlad, I am sure, 100%. Like I said, I named Ella after her, my mother and she were very close and I listened to stories about her my whole life. Why have you heard of her before her death?”

Vlad and Raine shared a look before Vlad jumped up and walked behind the couch.

“Yes, I have heard of her. The thing is Sophia you were lied to…your grandmother is very much alive.”

My mate became really excited asking what he knew and where to find her and did he know why she was lied to. The questions were rattled one after another. Vlad just stared at her waiting for her to finish.

“Vlad what aren’t you telling us?” Some thing was off. Vlad wasn’t responding to my mate’s questions.

Looking over at Raine one more time, his shoulders relaxed as he let out a sigh. “Sophia I don’t know how to tell you this. Your grandmother is indeed alive…but you do not want to meet with her.”

“What! Vlad why would you say that. She protected me by binding my powers, giving me the chance to grow. Why would I not want to meet my grandmother? She is the only family I have left.”

“Because, if you ever do come face to face with her, it will not be the family reunion you are looking for. If she shows up here it will be…to kill you…”