The chase

Chapter Thirty -Nine

SHANE BLACKTHORN

"Stay still" Leon's voice breaks through as he sticks another pin, fitting me into this Kurrin garb. He's still murmuring about the old, dull fabric, saying it's a waste of his genius. But I insisted on using my dad's old garb-it was my way of feeling connected to him.

Leah's parents would be arriving today, and for the next two weeks, we'd be performing ritual after ritual, receiving blessings from elders and the Moon Goddess herself, all leading up to the banquet.

Leah would be formally introduced to Lupinmere as its future Luna and, hopefully, of the Halcyon Domain as well, if I managed to unite us. During the banquet, an auspicious date would be chosen for the final ritual-the marking and consummation of our mating bond. Once completed, we'd become one in body and spirit. Our souls would merge, drawing life force from each other, strengthening both of us.

I'd dreamt of this day for years. Mum and Dad used to talk about it constantly, describing it as exhilarating and consuming. They'd say the joy of finding your mate was indescribable. I wonder what they'd think if they were alive now, if they knew l'd fallen in love with someone outside my mate bond. That I was one of the heretics they used to warn me about.

I'd imagined my mating ceremony again and again, fantasizing about sinking my teeth into her neck, marking her as mine, and then consummating our bond under the moon. Letting every dark, forbidden desire loose... They'd be thrilled, until they learned that the one I imagined was not my mate.

Even now, the thought of her aroused me. I shifted uncomfortably - these pants were too tight, constricting against my growing need.

"Stay still," Leon says, pulling me back to reality.

"Sorry," I murmur, trying to focus, looking into the mirror.

In the reflection, I see Leon kneeling in front of me, his cushion band with pins strapped to his wrist, eyes focused on folding and pinning the fabric.

When I glance down at him, Millie's face flashes before me, kneeling in front of me, her hands trailing up my thighs, fingers curling around my waistband.

"What the—" I jerk back, and Leon's face snaps back into focus.

"Seriously? Do you want to look your best for the Sahrena feast or not?" he grumbles, frowning.

"Let's take a short break," I say, shaken, needing to clear my head.

I step outside for some fresh air, pull a cigarette from my pocket, and light it, exhaling smoke into the cool air.

Frustrated, I rake my fingers through my hair, struggling to calm myself. I needed to forget her - she was Caelum's problem now. All that mattered to me was her helping me find 'The Seven.'

Yes, that's all I cared about. What do I care if she's crying in his arms again, or if she's in my house with him, acting like a newly wed couple?

I take another long drag and exhale, annoyed at how that thought gnaws at me.

"Verran," I call out, then stop myself. Right-he was now under compulsion, bound to follow only Millie's orders. The only known way to break the spell was death, but Caelum insisted he'd find another solution. Neither of us would even consider the alternative.

If I had to choose between her life and Verran's, l'd rip him to shreds without a second thought.

A presence reaches me before her hands wrap around my waist. It's Leah, smiling, her excitement shining through her eyes. I wished I could match her joy, but a miserable expression clouded my face.

"You could've waited for me" she teases, looking up, her eyes still gleaming. "Since we're both headed here anyway." I couldn't understand it - how could she be so thrilled, even knowing the truth? That I'd rather be with someone else right now?

"You're right," I say, freeing myself from her grip, but she slides back in, wrapping her arms around my waist again.

"I should head back in. Just came out for a smoke break. Leon still needs to finish fitting my garb before I go to the border to meet your parents."

"Can't we just stay here a bit longer?" she says, and though I want to pull away, l let her hug me. My arms wrap around her waist, her head resting on my chest. I pull her closer, noticing a sweet, curious fragrance coming from her. Her scent is intoxicating, her essence strangely reminiscent of Millie's.

I pull back, looking into her eyes. It was Leah, no doubt-but her magical aura felt odd. I could sense two warring energies radiating from her.

"What's wrong?" she asks, noticing my hesitation.

"You... Your..." I trail off, reluctant to bring up Millie, knowing it'll upset her.

"My what?" she says, raising an eyebrow.

"Forget it." I say, and she smiles, standing on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to mine. I try to lean into it, but her magical energy throws me off. Something wasn't right. I pull back, gently pushing her aside.

Why could I feel Millie's essence radiating from her? It was exactly like the energy l'd felt in the forest that day, when she'd tried to save Caelum.

Now that I think about it, l'd felt that energy before. I'd been too focused on the chaos at the time to notice. But yes, it was the same aura l'd sensed from Leah that night we felt our mate bond. So why did Millie have Leah's essence that day?

Could it be because of Esme's spell? Did she somehow make Millie radiate Leah's essence to trick me into feeling the mate pull? But something still didn't add up-before that day, Millie had never shown any signs of magical energy. I'd always sensed her presence, but never her essence, that's why I concluded she was human.

"Shane?" Leah's voice snaps me back, concern shadowing her face.

"I'm sorry. I really should head back in," I tell her, forcing a smile. I take a few steps toward the shop, but her voice stops me cold.

"You haven't forgotten your promise, right?" she says, her tone turning dark.

"About that... I can't keep that promise anymore, at least not right now," I say, deciding to rip the band-aid off.

"What do you mean 'not now'? Why drag it out? I told you if you couldn't do it, then I will-"

"She's a Celtic with ancestral magic," | cut her off, unwilling to hear her finish. "Caelum thinks if he trains her, her magic could be a beacon to find the Seven."

"That's impossible. Her core was damaged beyond repair; she shouldn't have magic," Leah says, and my eyes widen. How did she know about Millie's damaged core?

"What do you mean, her core was damaged beyond repair?" I question, stepping closer.

"I just guessed. She never showed any affinity for magic over the years, so l assumed that's what happened," Leah says, but it sounds unconvincing.

That's a hell of a leap to make.

"Leah..." I start, but she cuts me off, taking my hand and bringing it to her lips.

"You should go finish getting fitted. My parents will be here soon," she says, and walks off. Just before she passes me, l catch a glimpse of something on her face I'd never seen before—a look that terrifies me. Her eyes are hooded, focused, reflecting a fury and darkness that sends chills through me. There's no way I imagined it.

She climbs the steps, and at the door, she looks back, her smile returned. "I'd like to see Millie soon. After all, we are best friends."

"Sure," I say, watching her walk off, leaving me wondering what in the hell just happened.

Had the Leah I thought I knew always been real, or was it all a facade?

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Yay, new chapter uploaded. Who's excited? Me, I am. Sadly, The chase, book 1 now has more chapters that I had originally anticipated which means, we still have a little while to go before the book concludes. Thank you all, please don't forget to vote, comment and follow......... you can also check out my other book too while we wait for updates. Love y'all ❤️