Unrelenting Destiny

14. Into the Unknown

*Warning: This chapter contains graphic scenes of violence.*

Jasper Orion Deveraux

Jasper had opted to spend the night in the basement with Ivan. The witch Diana had been concocting a mess of magical properties to help her access his mind and Jasper reasoned he would need to supervise. But in truth, he didn't know where to go. He had gone upstairs to shower and change, fending off Orianna's questions and glares about Luciana. She was relented as soon as he dispatched her to help Embry with calming the pack - though he wondered how long it would be until her newfound Luna responsibilities no longer distracted her. But regardless of his mate's whereabouts, he hadn't been able to see his true mate.

He could smell her in the hallways, his wolf begging to go to her at every chance. Jasper craved her body but more importantly, needed her soul to steady him. There was so much going on, so much that he didn't know how to handle, but knew that just being around Luciana would help. A groan escaped his lips as he turned over on the cot they had placed in the basement for him, his large stature folded like an accordion to fit.

"What's bothering you, man?" Ivan's voice rang through the basement, "And don't say what's going on with me. I know you better than that."

It was true; Jasper had known Ivan since they were kids, they had grown up together, were groomed for royalty together. There was little he was able to hide from him, even in his current state.

Diana was busy with her potions and reading grimoires of magic, her back to them and seeming to ignore them. So Jasper turned, sitting up on the cot and putting his head in his hands, "Something's come up, Ivan."

"Something that has to do with that deserter you brought back, I'm sure."

Jasper looked up, eyes narrowed slightly, "Why do you say that?"

"I heard her when she first saw you, Jas." Ivan moved to sit by the cell's bars, "She said, 'Mine.' And the way you looked at her was like you saw a ghost. I've never seen you so unnerved by someone."

Jasper scratched at the back of his head, glancing between Ivan and Diana. He sucked in a breath, hesitating before finally confiding, "She's my mate, Ivan... My real mate. My destiny." It felt cheesy to say it out loud and he almost felt embarrassed to admit something like that. But it did feel nice to talk to a friend. Even with Luci and Elder Marion, he hadn't been able to talk about it freely.

Ivan paused, processing the information, "Your destined mate? But...Orianna?"

"I know, Orianna." The new Alpha groaned before lowering his voice again, "You see why I've been struggling with all of this? Beyond all of this with Luna Saravie and..."

"Right." Ivan's voice faltered a bit at the mention of his mate. Silence stretched between them for a long while, "Does she know?"

Jasper shook his head, "No, I told her that Luci had been banished from Sunset Waters. That I was going to take her in to the pack."

"But that's not true."

"No," Jasper sighed, "we didn't even tell her pack. That's why I stayed an extra day, just trying to figure out what I was going to do when I got here. But then everything happened and I lied to Orianna. I just didn't know how to handle-"

"You two are terrible at whispering." Diana suddenly appeared next to them, looking down at the two with a slightly disgusted expression, "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear it, Alpha Jasper, but we should focus on the more pressing task at hand."

Jasper clenched his jaw, getting to his feet, "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Diana lifted two identical bottles of a clear liquid, "Ivan and I will both drink this elixir. It will link us and I will be able to access his memories."

Ivan got to his feet, nodding, "Alright, let's go."

"Bottoms up." Diana practically sneered as she lifted it towards Ivan, who swallowed its contents with a grimace, "Into the unknown."

Diana Masterson

The elixir went down her throat like a shot of alcohol, smooth and warming her insides. She took a seat on the floor, Ivan mimicking her movements. Closing her eyes, Diana murmured her incantations, a soft glow emanating from their throats and moving to light their entire bodies.

Memories were a funny thing. They are never perfectly clear, never giving clarity, but felt more like a dream that you remembered in pieces. Ivan stood over his newborn daughter, watching her eyes close in sleep before laying her down in a bassinet. The male rubbed at his eyes and turned towards his bed, where Saravie lay sleeping. As his head hit the pillow, the memory went dark as if in sleep, only to light once more. The room was still dark, the sound of Ilyana crying drawing him out of bed. But when he arrived at her bassinet, she still lay sleeping. Returning to bed, a tall glass of water sat at the nightstand, the feeling of overwhelming thirst compelling him to drink the entirety of its contents.

The next came in flashes, the sounds of screams and high-pitched wailing piercing the air.

The sting of a slap as the back of his hand collided with his younger son's face, the child stumbling and falling. A loud thud as his head struck the edge of a dresser.

The elder son throwing himself at his father, feebly throwing punches before being thrown to the floor.

Large hands pressing a pillow over a small, screaming bundle.

Saravie screaming in pain as she cradled her bloodied children, her face swollen and bruised.

A shadow looming over her before lunging forward.

"Stop!" Ivan screamed, snapping them out of her spell. His face was contorted and red, tears streaming as he pounded the stone floor until they were stained with blood, "Stop..." He fell over, shaking and convulsing as he banged his head against the metal cell bars with dull clangs.

Diana gulped, tears staining her cheeks as she got to her feet with Jasper's help. She stumbled to sit on the cot, steadying her breaths. He looked at her with a grave but expectant expression, "What happened?"

"He drank something right before killing them." Diana clicked her tongue as if she could still taste it, "It looked like water but it tasted off. Kind of acidic, kind of sweet. Like lemon water maybe."

"What does that mean?" Jasper glanced worriedly to Ivan, whose forehead began to swell as the bars cut into skin.

The witch pursed her lips, "It means it was natural magic, something only one of our witches specializes in."

Jasper nodded, "Bring her to me."

"Yes, Alpha."