“Oh.” She glanced around. Everyone was looking at them, and she blushed.
“I really wanted to make it official before we went through with it, so,” he got down on one knee and then took something out of his pocket. “Sofia Selinofoto, will you marry me?”
She didn’t know what to say so she let out a loud gasp. The beautiful solitaire diamond winked up at her. “I … yes!” He slipped it on her finger.
Lucas whooped happily, then got up. Everyone was clapping and cheering as he took Sofia by the hand and pulled her up to the dais with him.
She watched by his side as he went through the ceremony, her chest bursting with pride. She did feel squeamish about him gripping the dagger with his hand and cutting himself so he could seal the vows with blood, but she expected it and understood it was part of tradition. When he said the final words and was declared Alpha, he turned to her immediately and mouthed the words, I love you. She mouthed them back as she beamed at him, feeling pride surge in her.
Everyone was still cheering and clapping, but a loud crack of thunder stunned them into silence. The atmosphere instantly changed, and she felt something dark and foreboding in the air.
“Lucas?”
His eyes glowed. “Danger.”
There was a gasp and someone said, “Up there!”
Sofia looked up, and she too let out a gasp. A glass dome-like structure appeared right above them, glowing with a strange yellow light.
“The protection spell,” Lucas whispered.
Another crack of thunder struck, this one so strong that the ground shook. There was a loud crash, and the dome shimmered, then began to fade away.
“Fuck!” Grant cursed. “Get everyone to safety.” He stopped, then turned to Lucas. “Alpha …”
Lucas nodded with understanding. He was Alpha now. “Into the basement shelters.” His hand sought Sofia’s. “You need to go with my mother. She’ll keep you safe.”
“I won’t leave you! I—”
A strange ripple in the air made the hairs on her arms raise. She blinked, not sure if she was seeing things, because two figures appeared in front of them.
“No one move or she dies.”
A tall, thin man wearing a dark red robe held a young woman against him, his deathly-pale fingers wrapped around her neck. Her electric blue eyes were frozen in fear and her face was drained of color.
A mage.
“Elise!” someone shouted. When Sofia looked to the source, she realized it was Lara Henney. She rushed forward, her hands raised. Her eyes burned with determination as wind swirled around her body, whipping her skirt and hair.
Sofia inhaled a sharp breath. Lucas had told her about a witch who could control air currents, but she didn’t realize it was Lara.
“I said don’t move!” he tightened his grip and the woman—Elise—choked and sputtered. Lara dropped her hands to her side, her face twisted in agony.
With the mage distracted, two figures dashed onto the dais—Cross Jonasson and Julianna—putting themselves between the mage and Lucas and Sofia.
“Don’t hurt her,” Lucas said in a calm voice. “What do you want, mage?”
The mage laughed. “I want that.” His gaze was directed on the ceremonial dagger Lucas still held, his blood flowing down the blade.
“You can have it.” Slowly, he held it up in his hands. “Just let her go.”
“You!” the mage sneered at Julianna. “Bring it here.”
Lucas nodded at his sister, who took the bloody dagger and then held it up toward the mage.
The mage snatched it up with glee. “You stupid dogs! Using the dagger in your idiotic rituals. You have no idea what you’ve had all this time.”
“Elise,” Cross said in a calm voice. “Elise, do it.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “No. Please, Cross, don’t make me.”
The mage’s demeanor suddenly shifted, and his attention turned to the young woman he held.
“Do it,” Cross shouted. “Elise, NOW.”
A scream ripped from the mage’s mouth as what seemed like white hot currents of electricity burst across his body. He let go of Elise, the threads of current still crackling between them and keeping them connected. Julianna and Cross leapt toward them at the same time, then all of a sudden, a bright, blinding light flashed. Lucas immediately pulled Sofia behind him, shielding her with his body.
She shut her eyes, and she heard a loud, deafening ringing sound. When it went silent all around her, she opened her eyes slowly. “Lucas?”
They both turned together, and Lucas let out a growl as she felt his wolf come to the surface, ready to go to battle. But there was no one there. The mage, Elise, Julianna, and Cross were gone. Like they’d disappeared into thin air.
Her logical detective’s mind tried to grasp for an explanation but couldn’t find one. “Where did they go?”
Lucas’s jaw tensed. “The mage must have taken them.” He looked behind her, his mouth settling into a firm line. Turning her head, she saw Daric, his wife Meredith, and Grant approaching them. Grant looked like he wanted to destroy something with his bare hands. She shivered, though she could feel that Lucas probably wanted to as well knowing Julianna was in the hands of their enemy.
“Alpha,” Daric bowed his head deeply in respect. “Are you all right?” He seemed oddly calm for a man whose son just disappear into thin air. Beside him, his wife looked like she was fighting tears threatening to spill while trying to keep her anger in check.
“We’re fine,” he said. “But Julianna, Elise, and Cross … did the mage take them away?”
“I don’t believe he meant to take them.” The warlock’s expression turned pensive. “I think it’s time we tell you about Cross’s missions and what he has uncovered. He did not want to reveal everything until he was sure his research was accurate, but now, I am more convinced he is right.”
“What did he uncover?” Lucas asked in an impatient voice. “As your Alpha, I demand you tell me.”
“He found out that the three artifacts of Magus Aurelius really do exist.”
“The three artifacts of—”
Before Lucas could continue, they were once again surrounded by a bright light and the same ringing sound from earlier pierced the air. She shut her eyes, but the dazzling glow was so bright, it penetrated behind her lids, so she covered them with her hands. When the ringing sound stopped, she dropped her hands to her sides.
“Elise!”
Sofia blinked, still not quite sure what was happening. Cross, Julianna, and Elise had materialized in the same spot where they’d disappeared minutes before. Lara, who was being comforted by Frankie, cried in relief and immediately ran to her daughter.
“Cross!” Meredith threw herself at her son, her body wracking with sobs. “What are you wearing? Wait, what are you all wearing? And Julianna—your hair!”
“What happened?” Lucas’s voice was calm, but the power in his tone was unmistakable. He really, truly was Alpha now. Sofia stepped up beside him and took his hand in hers. Though his gaze remained in front of him, he squeezed her hand. In that moment, she knew, this was her fight now too. She was his Lupa, and these were her people to protect. She may be human, but she would fight for Lucas, their child, and every single one of the Lycans under their protection.
“It’s a long story,” Julianna said with a sigh. “A very long story.” She glanced over at Elise; her expression sympathetic.
“But you were only gone a minute or two,” Grant said as he pulled his daughter to him in a hug.
Cross’s blue-green eyes turned stormy, like a tempest brewing over the ocean. “Like she said. It’s a very long story.”
Dear Reader,
What a ride!
Lucas’s and Sofia’s story was an epic one.
I hope you enjoyed it!
While this arc has concluded, the True Mates Generations has only just begun.
Where did Elise, Cross, and Julianna go?
(Or is it
really a question of where?)
Find out by reading the next book!
A Witch in Time - Available now for pre-order!
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It helps me out a lot and ensures I can keep writing more books.
All the best,
Alicia
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Alpha Ascending Page 26
