Matthew sat alone in the dimly lit corner of a shady bar, nursing his drink. His mind was in turmoil, and the bitter taste of jealousy gnawed at his heart. He knew what he felt was wrong, but he couldn't help it.
The weak mate bond he shared with Lily had been causing him unbearable pain since the day he felt the unmistakable pull of Garrett's mark on her. It should have been him, and the realization that Lily was now Garrett's mate fueled a rage he could hardly contain.
'Yes, all of this is your fault. I hate that the Moon Goddess bonded us together. I wish for, I pray that I would just die,' Baldur growled within him. His voice had become fainter and fainter.
Maintaining the mate bond was killing him, and Matthew knew that was what Baldur was trying to do, but his wolf's death would make Matthew less than a human. He couldn't allow it. He had to get Lily back.
He had tried to accept it and reason with himself that this was fate, but every fiber of his being rebelled against the idea. Garrett had won Lily's heart, and Matthew couldn't bear to see them together. He longed for a way to change this, to make Lily his mate as destiny had intended.
In this dark state of mind, Matthew received a message from an unexpected source that sent a shiver down his spine. It was a message from Kenneth, the very Alpha who had orchestrated the events that led to Lily's rejection of him and her eventual bonding with Garrett. Matthew knew that Kenneth was a dangerous man, but he also saw an opportunity to rid himself of his unbearable torment.
He agreed to meet Kenneth at the bar, a place where neither of them would be easily recognized. As he sat waiting, his thoughts raced. He needed to find a way to convince Kenneth to help him, undo the bond between Lily and Garrett, and allow Lily to be his mate again. He had no idea what Kenneth would want in return, but he was willing to offer whatever it took to make his desires a reality.
Kenneth entered the bar, commanding attention even in the dimly lit establishment. He approached Matthew with a calculating gleam in his eyes, acknowledging him with a nod before taking a seat across from him. It was clear that Kenneth frequented this bar, as everyone made sure to ignore him.
"Matthew," Kenneth said with a predatory smile. "I must admit, I'm surprised you agreed to meet me. I have told you everything that I know about Brandy. She is alive and unharmed. We will have to wait for the trial to make sure that she is released."
Matthew met Kenneth's gaze, his eyes burning with desperation. "I didn't ask you here about Brandy. I know that Brandy lied. She was never pregnant with my son. However, I do not harbor any hard feelings toward her."
"It is an unfortunate situation. She deceived us all. I offer my sincerest apologies," Kenneth responded. "If you did not call me here about Brandy, what was your reason?"
"I need your help with something only you can provide," Matthew answered.
Kenneth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Go on."
Taking a deep breath, Matthew explained, "I've been suffering, Alpha Kenneth. Lily, my mate, is now mated to Garrett. I can feel it through the mate bond. It is not a complete bond, but it's tearing me apart. I need you to help me break their bond and allow Lily to be mine again."
Kenneth leaned back in his chair, a wicked grin forming on his lips as he took a sip from his drink. "I take some offense that you want to toss Brandy aside, but I do understand that the mate bond is one helluva pull. But what's in it for me, Matthew? Your parents have caused me a lot of problems, and I am sure helping you would just add to the growing list. So, why should I help you with this?"
Matthew hesitated for a moment, knowing that striking a deal with Kenneth was akin to making a pact and was not the smartest move, but his parents wouldn't help him. Baldur wasn't listening; his agony was unbearable, and he was willing to pay any price to end it.
"I will help you with whatever you desire, Alpha Kenneth, but you must promise to release Lily from her bond with Garrett and allow her to be my mate," Matthew offered.
Kenneth's smile widened. "You are willing to make a blood pact with me? A pact that binds your life to mine until you fulfill this deal, ensuring your loyalty?"
Matthew didn't hesitate. "Yes, I will do whatever it takes."
Without another word, Kenneth signaled the bartender and ordered two glasses of a potent, crimson-hued drink. The glasses were filled, and he slid one across the table to Matthew. "Drink, and the pact will be sealed."
"We drink at the same time," Matthew demanded. "You will be bound to me as I am to you."
Kenneth picked up his glass, and Matthew picked up the other glass. They looped their arms and maintained eye contact with Kenneth. "On the count of three, then," Kenneth said.
"1"
"2"
"3"
With a determined nod, they raised their glasses to their lips and drank deeply. The liquid burned like fire as it coursed down Matthew's throat, and he felt an immediate connection forming between him and Kenneth. It was not like a pack bond or a mate bond, but something powerful but sinister was being forged.
'What have you done? Why couldn't you just let me die? Baldur screamed in his mind. 'You have no idea what this man is capable of. You don't know what Dina has told me!' Matthew shut Baldur out. There would be no turning back. His life would be entwined with Kenneth's, and the consequences of such a pact could be dire. But the pain of longing for Lily and knowing that she was mated to another outweighed his fear.
Kenneth released Matthew's arm, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You've made a wise choice, Matthew. Together, we will achieve what you desire. Lily will be your mate."
"And what do you want? Matthew questioned.
"That is for another time. Think of it as a surprise. I will fulfill my end of the bargain, and then I will tell you what I want, and only then," Kenneth answered.