Wolf Mated, page 5
Nina shivered slightly; while she was born a mage and had some understanding of magic, this particular energy was foreign and powerful.
Viv seemed even more attuned to it. She stood rooted, her gaze intense, her body rigid. It looked as though she was struggling against the force pulling her toward the gate.
"Don't open the gate, Damien. Something's wrong." Nina's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, aware of the gravity of the situation.
Nina scrambled out the backyard. As she approached, Viv's fury suddenly boiled over.
“He doesn’t have the right!” she bellowed.
“Viv, what right doesn't he have? Tell me.”
Viv raised her hands, casting a spell toward the gate. A streak of blinding blue light shot out, igniting the surroundings.
The pets, already on edge, went into a frenzy.
The atmosphere in the yard was thick with tension, and Nina could feel the push and pull of energies, clashing and merging.
"Viv!" she screamed, but her voice was swallowed by the chaos.
Damien's voice, urgent and panicked, called from inside the house. "Nina! I need you here now! Lachlan's at the gate and he's threatening Eamon!"
Nina was torn. Viv was obviously in distress, but Damien needed her support at the gate. Taking a deep breath, she tried to center herself, focusing on the magical energy within her. "Lachlan can wait! Handle him, Damien!" she shot back.
Turning her full attention to Viv, she approached cautiously, trying to calm the frantic energy around them. But Viv, sensing her approach, whirled around. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and fear. Without uttering a word, she dashed towards the fence line.
Nina's heart raced. The lands beyond the fence weren't just treacherous, but also fraught with magical dangers. And with the chaotic energy that Viv had just released, there was no telling what they might encounter.
She sprinted after Viv, but was stopped in her tracks as she felt another surge of mage magic.
This one was different, more controlled and yet equally potent. It was coming from the direction of the gate – from Eamon.
As she approached the edge of the fence, the surrounding environment shifted. The ambient noises faded, replaced by an eerie silence, and she could see the faint silhouette of Viv entering the ominous Cursed Wood.
She was heading straight into its depths, and Nina knew the dangers that lurked within.
Standing at the edge of the Sanctuary, she took a moment to gather her strength, preparing to dive into the thick of both magical and emotional turmoil.
***
The heavy, rhythmic beat of her heart was all Viv could hear as she sprinted through the woods. The light filtering through the dense canopy dappled her path, making it hard to discern the trail ahead. Every shadow and every rustle felt ominous, but she pushed onwards. She had been in worse situations, faced darker woods, and faced more menacing predators.
Though she had a vague recollection about warnings of the Cursed Wood, at this moment, its foreboding history was a distant memory. All she could focus on was the urge to distance herself from Eamon and the past he represented. Her feet pounded against the ground, each step taking her further from the Sanctuary and the life she had come to cherish there.
Without realizing, a tear slid down her cheek. Viv didn't cry. She had navigated through the treacherous terrains of the magical world, outsmarted the sharpest of hunters, and survived years on the run without shedding a single tear. But now, thoughts of Ciaran, Killian, and the pack she'd grown to love began to blur her vision. She remembered the warmth of the Sanctuary, the laughter, and the security she felt in Ciaran's presence. It was the only place that had felt like home in years.
She thought of her mother's last words, urging her to stay away from attachments. And yet here she was, running from one of her deepest fears, but also yearning for the pack that had become her family.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely registered the figure that stepped out from behind a thick tree trunk. Her heart, already pounding from her run, now threatened to burst out of her chest.
It was Eamon. Somehow, he was here, amidst the Cursed Wood, looking as if he had been waiting for her. Years had passed, yet he looked almost unchanged. His intense gaze bore into her, and in that split second, all the memories of her time with the clan, of her time with him, flooded back.
"Where did you think you could go, Vivian?" His voice was soft but held an edge that made her skin crawl.
She took a shaky breath, trying to muster the courage she always prided herself on. "Anywhere but back to you and the clan," she shot back defiantly.
Eamon stepped closer, the distance between them now just a few feet. The weight of his presence, the energy of the woods, and her own tumultuous emotions combined to create a suffocating atmosphere.
"There's nowhere for you to run," he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers. "You may have evaded me for years, but now, we finish what was started."
Viv's chest heaved as if it was going to explode.
She was unsure of what the future might hold but she wouldn't go down without a fight.
Chapter
Seven
The moist, stagnant air carried a sickly-sweet scent of rotting foliage, mingling with an underlying musk of age-old decay made Ciaran's skin crawl.
The silence was thick, broken only by the distant whispers of trees whose bark felt like the cold, clammy touch of the long-dead.
He was never one to be frightened easily, but the sense of not being in control of the situation was overwhelming.
"Viv!" he called out, but the dense canopy absorbed his voice.
Killian ran beside him, his wolf senses heightened, nostrils flaring with each inhalation. While Ciaran had many strengths, tracking someone purely by scent wasn't one of them.
He depended heavily on Killian's wolf senses.
"She went this way," Killian whispered, darting to the left.
Ciaran tried to focus on the path ahead, but his mind replayed the situation at the sanctuary.
Damien and Nina told them that an unknown visitor had terrified Viv causing her to run into these treacherous woods.
Ciaran tightened his grip on the silver bullet gun. Silver bullets could kill supernaturals if used correctly; as for humans, any bullet placed in the right places could kill. And for thugs who scared a fourteen-year-old enough to run into the dark woods, he wouldn't hesitate to donate any bullets he had at his disposal.
They continued their frantic pace, the ground a blur beneath their feet.
Suddenly, Killian halted. Ciaran followed his gaze to a clearing ahead. There, silhouetted against the faint moonlight filtering through the trees, stood Viv and the visitor, Eamon.
Without wasting a second, Ciaran sprang into action, moving silently but swiftly toward the clearing.
He felt as if an invisible fence barred him from getting any closer.
Eamon's voice, though soft, held an unmistakable edge. "Where did you think you could go, Vivian?"
Ciaran was oblivious to magic, yet this seemed like some kind of defensive spell. Having Ivy join them might have been helpful, but she needed to remain at the house in case this pursuit was a distraction and their home came under attack.
Killian began pacing the outskirts, scouring for an entryway. His bond with Ivy had bestowed him with some supernatural forces, and he was tapping into that energy now.
Ciaran watched as Viv's eyes blazed with defiance, her hands tightened into fists, and her body tensed. The air between them seemed to spark with energy as anger surged from both sides of the confrontation in the clearing.
Ciaran glanced at Killian, their eyes locking in silent understanding.
They needed to act, and fast.
Utilizing the element of surprise, Ciaran decided to create a diversion. He picked up a rock and threw it at a nearby tree. The loud crash and subsequent rustling distracted Eamon momentarily. Seizing the moment, Viv released a brilliant pulse of energy, temporarily weakening the barrier.
That split-second break was all Killian needed. He lunged at Eamon, tackling him to the ground, while Ciaran pulled Viv away, shielding her.
The fight was brutal and swift. Ciaran and Killian, using their combined strengths, managed to overpower Eamon, but not before the druid unleashed a final spell, sending them sprawling in different directions.
This druid underestimates his skill, Ciaran thought. He pivoted and rolled in one swift motion.
Eamon was suddenly at gunpoint.
The atmosphere in the clearing grew tenser as Ciaran leveled his gun at Eamon.
The weight of the weapon felt cold and heavy in his grasp, and every fiber of his being urged him to pull the trigger, to end the threat Eamon posed.
The druid’s defiant eyes met his, showing no fear, just a burning determination.
But just as Ciaran’s finger twitched against the trigger, a soft whimper reached his ears. Turning slightly, he saw Viv, her eyes filled with tears, suppressing a cry.
It wasn't fear and anger that Ciaran saw; something else he couldn't explain. But whatever it was, pulling the trigger on the man in front of him could be a mistake that Ciaran could not undo.
“Do you want me to end him?” Ciaran asked, keeping his gaze locked onto Viv's.
Though the question was directed at her, internally he was battling with himself. He was certain she wouldn’t want more blood on their hands, especially not in such a personal manner.
Viv hesitated, her gaze darting between Ciaran and Eamon. “No,” she finally breathed, her voice breaking.
Lowering his gun, but keeping it ready, Ciaran addressed Eamon. “Go. Leave this place and never return.”
“I won’t leave without Vivian,” Eamon said.
Ciaran's hand tightened around the gun, his patience quickly waning. "She's made her choice. I won't ask her again. This time, I'll put a bullet in your head."
Eamon shot a final, lingering look at Viv before slowly retreating into the depths of the Cursed Wood. The danger he posed wasn’t entirely gone, but for now, they had a momentary reprieve. Ciaran turned to Viv, pulling her into a protective embrace.
“Are you all right?”
She wiped away the tear from her cheek before giving a slight nod.
Killian wrapped his arm protectively around her diminutive shoulders. “Let’s get you home safe.”
As the door to Ciaran's room at the sanctuary shut behind him, the dim glow from the lamps provided just enough light to reveal the rustic decor – exposed wooden beams, ancient tapestries, and a roaring fireplace. It felt both safe and isolated, a quiet chamber in the heart of a fortress.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts, allowing himself the brief luxury of letting his guard down. But that peace lasted for two seconds before his thoughts circled back to Killian.
He had witnessed the effects of the demon’s blood coursing through his cousin.
Killian had shown remarkable agility in the woods, his movements almost otherworldly. Yet, with that power came an aggression, a lurking danger.
Ivy was right, it was a double-edged sword. A slight push in the wrong direction, and the demon could take over.
Killian's struggle with that balance was palpable.
Lost in thought, a soft tapping sound pulled Ciaran from his reverie.
He moved to the window, cautious, only to find Eamon's piercing eyes staring back at him.
Eamon raised a hand, signaling peace. "I just need a minute of your time."
"If you can get in here whenever you want, what was the point of showing up at the gate to ask for Vivian before?"
"I tracked her, I know of her general whereabouts, but I wasn't sure where the boundaries of your land were and what supernatural capabilities you may have on this property," Ciaran nodded. "Fair enough. Now that you know, and are confident enough to get in here. What do you want? Anything except taking Vivian with you, because she doesn't wish to go with you."
Eamon inhaled deeply. "I am her father," he declared.
Ciaran snickered. "Why don't you say you're the king of England and she's a princess?"
"How can I prove that to you?"
Ciaran leaned back in his chair and took a second to contemplate. He could see the potential connection between Viv and Eamon, and he figured it wouldn't be too difficult for him to help out if their biological bond proved true.
But why would he hesitate to assist in father and daughter reuniting?
Jealousy as a father? That was absurd!
Ciaran took off his wristwatch, sliding out the small panel beneath with his thumb. He set it on the table. "If you press your thumb on this panel, the device will extract a sample of your DNA. This is the LeBlanc latest technology—we only use it for research and development."
"All I have to do is press my thumb on this, and it can tell?"
"You're not listening, Eamon. The data is your DNA, that which makes you...you."
"And?"
"It's the most private data one can have. Aren't you concerned I'm going to use it against you?"
The man shrugged. "I need to convince you I'm Vivian's father and I mean no harm to her. I'll do whatever it takes—use the D and A thing all you like."
"It's DNA, as in the three alphabetical letters."
"All right, DNA then." His thumb hovered above the panel. "Wait, I assume you'll compare my DNA and Viv's DNA to see if they match—like in the ancient times when we used blood mixing?"
"You could say so. Though what was done in the old times was mostly myth. What we do now is science."
"I assume you asked Viv before taking her DNA sample?"
Ciaran laughed. "Now we're talking. No, she asked to go with us to the underworld and I took the sample to make the suit for her so she wouldn't get hurt when we cross realms."
Eamon nodded and pressed his thumb on the metal panel. The watch hummed for a few seconds, then the test results appeared on the screen. Ciaran glanced at it and put his watch back on.
"So? What did it say?"
"It seems you are telling the truth about your biological connection with Vivian. Still, that doesn't give you the right to force her into living a life she doesn't want."
In the dim light, Eamon's face looked wearier, aged by years of searching and heartache. "You misunderstand," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I don't wish to force Vivian into anything. But our clan's heritage runs deep in her veins. With her connection to the magical world and the druid legacy, she's far more powerful than she realizes."
Ciaran regarded Eamon suspiciously. "And what do you intend to do? Train her? Use her for your purposes?"
Eamon looked pained. "All I want is to protect her, guide her. The power she possesses can be volatile, and without proper guidance it could consume her. Our clan has a responsibility to safeguard such powers."
"You abandoned her once," Ciaran said pointedly. "Why should she trust you now?"
Eamon's eyes glistened. "I didn't abandon her. I had to leave to protect her. The clan was in turmoil, many sought to misuse Viv's powers, so I hid her away until I could cleanse the clan. Now that it's safe, I want to bring her back."
Ciaran took a step back, mulling over Eamon's words. "It's not your decision to make, nor mine. It's Viv's."
"I know," Eamon admitted, "But she deserves to know the truth, all of it. About her mother, about our clan, about the magic within her."
Ciaran locked eyes with Eamon. "What kind of magic? Is she magical or human? And if she is magical, how could she not know?"
"Ciaran, I'll tell her everything, with you in attendance, of course. So, you see, you and her will have the information at the same time."
"No, I respect your privacy and Viv's. I'm not her family ..."
"So you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"She has been in hiding for a long time. I wouldn't be able to track her now if she hadn't cast that spell."
Ciaran nodded. "The gateway opening spell to the underworld."
"No, not that one. The one she traded a life privilege for you as her father."
"She did what?"
Eamon sighed. "So you really didn't know."
"Do I need to fucking ask if I knew what went on down there? I was out for most of it!"
He nodded. "You must have suffered some major injury. Viv received a life reverse spell from a dark magic druid a long time ago. She can only use it to save her family, and it comes with a price."
"What's the price?"
Footsteps sounded down the corridor. Killian appeared at the door. Before Killian could leap at Eamon, Ciaran said: "He's Viv's biological father. I've verified. What do you need, Killian?"
Killian eyed Eamon up and down, then returned to Ciaran. "The pre-event of the alpha challenge is closing now, and we need to officially close it and welcome people to the main event."
"You don't have to engage in any activities there, right?"
Killian locked eyes with him, conveying understanding. He was in no shape to control the demon if he got involved in a fight right now.
"No, I won't get into any physical activity at the event. But if I don't turn up today, there will be turmoil."
"Lachlan caused trouble?"
Killian nodded.
"Was that the one who threatened me at the gate?" Eamon asked.
Killian nodded again.
"He wants to create frictions in the pack. What do you need me to do?" Ciaran asked.
"I'll have to close the event; Ivy has to be with me as my mate, Damien has to be there as deputy, and Nina as his partner."
"So I'll stay here to watch over the sanctuary? That's the plan, right?"
Killian shook his head. "My mother and Fiona are supposed to be here now. But Damien can't get a hold of them. Our calls won't go through and their vehicle isn't traceable. They're staying at a resort in Mornington Peninsula. I sent the address to your cell phone."
Ciaran quickly tapped away on his phone. "It'll be over two hours drive, so driving isn't an option. I'll take the chopper."
"Thanks, Ciaran." He shot a look at Eamon and returned his attention to Ciaran. "I'm assuming you'll take Viv with you, right? She can't stay here by herself."
Viv seemed even more attuned to it. She stood rooted, her gaze intense, her body rigid. It looked as though she was struggling against the force pulling her toward the gate.
"Don't open the gate, Damien. Something's wrong." Nina's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, aware of the gravity of the situation.
Nina scrambled out the backyard. As she approached, Viv's fury suddenly boiled over.
“He doesn’t have the right!” she bellowed.
“Viv, what right doesn't he have? Tell me.”
Viv raised her hands, casting a spell toward the gate. A streak of blinding blue light shot out, igniting the surroundings.
The pets, already on edge, went into a frenzy.
The atmosphere in the yard was thick with tension, and Nina could feel the push and pull of energies, clashing and merging.
"Viv!" she screamed, but her voice was swallowed by the chaos.
Damien's voice, urgent and panicked, called from inside the house. "Nina! I need you here now! Lachlan's at the gate and he's threatening Eamon!"
Nina was torn. Viv was obviously in distress, but Damien needed her support at the gate. Taking a deep breath, she tried to center herself, focusing on the magical energy within her. "Lachlan can wait! Handle him, Damien!" she shot back.
Turning her full attention to Viv, she approached cautiously, trying to calm the frantic energy around them. But Viv, sensing her approach, whirled around. Her eyes flashed with a mix of anger and fear. Without uttering a word, she dashed towards the fence line.
Nina's heart raced. The lands beyond the fence weren't just treacherous, but also fraught with magical dangers. And with the chaotic energy that Viv had just released, there was no telling what they might encounter.
She sprinted after Viv, but was stopped in her tracks as she felt another surge of mage magic.
This one was different, more controlled and yet equally potent. It was coming from the direction of the gate – from Eamon.
As she approached the edge of the fence, the surrounding environment shifted. The ambient noises faded, replaced by an eerie silence, and she could see the faint silhouette of Viv entering the ominous Cursed Wood.
She was heading straight into its depths, and Nina knew the dangers that lurked within.
Standing at the edge of the Sanctuary, she took a moment to gather her strength, preparing to dive into the thick of both magical and emotional turmoil.
***
The heavy, rhythmic beat of her heart was all Viv could hear as she sprinted through the woods. The light filtering through the dense canopy dappled her path, making it hard to discern the trail ahead. Every shadow and every rustle felt ominous, but she pushed onwards. She had been in worse situations, faced darker woods, and faced more menacing predators.
Though she had a vague recollection about warnings of the Cursed Wood, at this moment, its foreboding history was a distant memory. All she could focus on was the urge to distance herself from Eamon and the past he represented. Her feet pounded against the ground, each step taking her further from the Sanctuary and the life she had come to cherish there.
Without realizing, a tear slid down her cheek. Viv didn't cry. She had navigated through the treacherous terrains of the magical world, outsmarted the sharpest of hunters, and survived years on the run without shedding a single tear. But now, thoughts of Ciaran, Killian, and the pack she'd grown to love began to blur her vision. She remembered the warmth of the Sanctuary, the laughter, and the security she felt in Ciaran's presence. It was the only place that had felt like home in years.
She thought of her mother's last words, urging her to stay away from attachments. And yet here she was, running from one of her deepest fears, but also yearning for the pack that had become her family.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely registered the figure that stepped out from behind a thick tree trunk. Her heart, already pounding from her run, now threatened to burst out of her chest.
It was Eamon. Somehow, he was here, amidst the Cursed Wood, looking as if he had been waiting for her. Years had passed, yet he looked almost unchanged. His intense gaze bore into her, and in that split second, all the memories of her time with the clan, of her time with him, flooded back.
"Where did you think you could go, Vivian?" His voice was soft but held an edge that made her skin crawl.
She took a shaky breath, trying to muster the courage she always prided herself on. "Anywhere but back to you and the clan," she shot back defiantly.
Eamon stepped closer, the distance between them now just a few feet. The weight of his presence, the energy of the woods, and her own tumultuous emotions combined to create a suffocating atmosphere.
"There's nowhere for you to run," he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers. "You may have evaded me for years, but now, we finish what was started."
Viv's chest heaved as if it was going to explode.
She was unsure of what the future might hold but she wouldn't go down without a fight.
Chapter
Seven
The moist, stagnant air carried a sickly-sweet scent of rotting foliage, mingling with an underlying musk of age-old decay made Ciaran's skin crawl.
The silence was thick, broken only by the distant whispers of trees whose bark felt like the cold, clammy touch of the long-dead.
He was never one to be frightened easily, but the sense of not being in control of the situation was overwhelming.
"Viv!" he called out, but the dense canopy absorbed his voice.
Killian ran beside him, his wolf senses heightened, nostrils flaring with each inhalation. While Ciaran had many strengths, tracking someone purely by scent wasn't one of them.
He depended heavily on Killian's wolf senses.
"She went this way," Killian whispered, darting to the left.
Ciaran tried to focus on the path ahead, but his mind replayed the situation at the sanctuary.
Damien and Nina told them that an unknown visitor had terrified Viv causing her to run into these treacherous woods.
Ciaran tightened his grip on the silver bullet gun. Silver bullets could kill supernaturals if used correctly; as for humans, any bullet placed in the right places could kill. And for thugs who scared a fourteen-year-old enough to run into the dark woods, he wouldn't hesitate to donate any bullets he had at his disposal.
They continued their frantic pace, the ground a blur beneath their feet.
Suddenly, Killian halted. Ciaran followed his gaze to a clearing ahead. There, silhouetted against the faint moonlight filtering through the trees, stood Viv and the visitor, Eamon.
Without wasting a second, Ciaran sprang into action, moving silently but swiftly toward the clearing.
He felt as if an invisible fence barred him from getting any closer.
Eamon's voice, though soft, held an unmistakable edge. "Where did you think you could go, Vivian?"
Ciaran was oblivious to magic, yet this seemed like some kind of defensive spell. Having Ivy join them might have been helpful, but she needed to remain at the house in case this pursuit was a distraction and their home came under attack.
Killian began pacing the outskirts, scouring for an entryway. His bond with Ivy had bestowed him with some supernatural forces, and he was tapping into that energy now.
Ciaran watched as Viv's eyes blazed with defiance, her hands tightened into fists, and her body tensed. The air between them seemed to spark with energy as anger surged from both sides of the confrontation in the clearing.
Ciaran glanced at Killian, their eyes locking in silent understanding.
They needed to act, and fast.
Utilizing the element of surprise, Ciaran decided to create a diversion. He picked up a rock and threw it at a nearby tree. The loud crash and subsequent rustling distracted Eamon momentarily. Seizing the moment, Viv released a brilliant pulse of energy, temporarily weakening the barrier.
That split-second break was all Killian needed. He lunged at Eamon, tackling him to the ground, while Ciaran pulled Viv away, shielding her.
The fight was brutal and swift. Ciaran and Killian, using their combined strengths, managed to overpower Eamon, but not before the druid unleashed a final spell, sending them sprawling in different directions.
This druid underestimates his skill, Ciaran thought. He pivoted and rolled in one swift motion.
Eamon was suddenly at gunpoint.
The atmosphere in the clearing grew tenser as Ciaran leveled his gun at Eamon.
The weight of the weapon felt cold and heavy in his grasp, and every fiber of his being urged him to pull the trigger, to end the threat Eamon posed.
The druid’s defiant eyes met his, showing no fear, just a burning determination.
But just as Ciaran’s finger twitched against the trigger, a soft whimper reached his ears. Turning slightly, he saw Viv, her eyes filled with tears, suppressing a cry.
It wasn't fear and anger that Ciaran saw; something else he couldn't explain. But whatever it was, pulling the trigger on the man in front of him could be a mistake that Ciaran could not undo.
“Do you want me to end him?” Ciaran asked, keeping his gaze locked onto Viv's.
Though the question was directed at her, internally he was battling with himself. He was certain she wouldn’t want more blood on their hands, especially not in such a personal manner.
Viv hesitated, her gaze darting between Ciaran and Eamon. “No,” she finally breathed, her voice breaking.
Lowering his gun, but keeping it ready, Ciaran addressed Eamon. “Go. Leave this place and never return.”
“I won’t leave without Vivian,” Eamon said.
Ciaran's hand tightened around the gun, his patience quickly waning. "She's made her choice. I won't ask her again. This time, I'll put a bullet in your head."
Eamon shot a final, lingering look at Viv before slowly retreating into the depths of the Cursed Wood. The danger he posed wasn’t entirely gone, but for now, they had a momentary reprieve. Ciaran turned to Viv, pulling her into a protective embrace.
“Are you all right?”
She wiped away the tear from her cheek before giving a slight nod.
Killian wrapped his arm protectively around her diminutive shoulders. “Let’s get you home safe.”
As the door to Ciaran's room at the sanctuary shut behind him, the dim glow from the lamps provided just enough light to reveal the rustic decor – exposed wooden beams, ancient tapestries, and a roaring fireplace. It felt both safe and isolated, a quiet chamber in the heart of a fortress.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts, allowing himself the brief luxury of letting his guard down. But that peace lasted for two seconds before his thoughts circled back to Killian.
He had witnessed the effects of the demon’s blood coursing through his cousin.
Killian had shown remarkable agility in the woods, his movements almost otherworldly. Yet, with that power came an aggression, a lurking danger.
Ivy was right, it was a double-edged sword. A slight push in the wrong direction, and the demon could take over.
Killian's struggle with that balance was palpable.
Lost in thought, a soft tapping sound pulled Ciaran from his reverie.
He moved to the window, cautious, only to find Eamon's piercing eyes staring back at him.
Eamon raised a hand, signaling peace. "I just need a minute of your time."
"If you can get in here whenever you want, what was the point of showing up at the gate to ask for Vivian before?"
"I tracked her, I know of her general whereabouts, but I wasn't sure where the boundaries of your land were and what supernatural capabilities you may have on this property," Ciaran nodded. "Fair enough. Now that you know, and are confident enough to get in here. What do you want? Anything except taking Vivian with you, because she doesn't wish to go with you."
Eamon inhaled deeply. "I am her father," he declared.
Ciaran snickered. "Why don't you say you're the king of England and she's a princess?"
"How can I prove that to you?"
Ciaran leaned back in his chair and took a second to contemplate. He could see the potential connection between Viv and Eamon, and he figured it wouldn't be too difficult for him to help out if their biological bond proved true.
But why would he hesitate to assist in father and daughter reuniting?
Jealousy as a father? That was absurd!
Ciaran took off his wristwatch, sliding out the small panel beneath with his thumb. He set it on the table. "If you press your thumb on this panel, the device will extract a sample of your DNA. This is the LeBlanc latest technology—we only use it for research and development."
"All I have to do is press my thumb on this, and it can tell?"
"You're not listening, Eamon. The data is your DNA, that which makes you...you."
"And?"
"It's the most private data one can have. Aren't you concerned I'm going to use it against you?"
The man shrugged. "I need to convince you I'm Vivian's father and I mean no harm to her. I'll do whatever it takes—use the D and A thing all you like."
"It's DNA, as in the three alphabetical letters."
"All right, DNA then." His thumb hovered above the panel. "Wait, I assume you'll compare my DNA and Viv's DNA to see if they match—like in the ancient times when we used blood mixing?"
"You could say so. Though what was done in the old times was mostly myth. What we do now is science."
"I assume you asked Viv before taking her DNA sample?"
Ciaran laughed. "Now we're talking. No, she asked to go with us to the underworld and I took the sample to make the suit for her so she wouldn't get hurt when we cross realms."
Eamon nodded and pressed his thumb on the metal panel. The watch hummed for a few seconds, then the test results appeared on the screen. Ciaran glanced at it and put his watch back on.
"So? What did it say?"
"It seems you are telling the truth about your biological connection with Vivian. Still, that doesn't give you the right to force her into living a life she doesn't want."
In the dim light, Eamon's face looked wearier, aged by years of searching and heartache. "You misunderstand," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I don't wish to force Vivian into anything. But our clan's heritage runs deep in her veins. With her connection to the magical world and the druid legacy, she's far more powerful than she realizes."
Ciaran regarded Eamon suspiciously. "And what do you intend to do? Train her? Use her for your purposes?"
Eamon looked pained. "All I want is to protect her, guide her. The power she possesses can be volatile, and without proper guidance it could consume her. Our clan has a responsibility to safeguard such powers."
"You abandoned her once," Ciaran said pointedly. "Why should she trust you now?"
Eamon's eyes glistened. "I didn't abandon her. I had to leave to protect her. The clan was in turmoil, many sought to misuse Viv's powers, so I hid her away until I could cleanse the clan. Now that it's safe, I want to bring her back."
Ciaran took a step back, mulling over Eamon's words. "It's not your decision to make, nor mine. It's Viv's."
"I know," Eamon admitted, "But she deserves to know the truth, all of it. About her mother, about our clan, about the magic within her."
Ciaran locked eyes with Eamon. "What kind of magic? Is she magical or human? And if she is magical, how could she not know?"
"Ciaran, I'll tell her everything, with you in attendance, of course. So, you see, you and her will have the information at the same time."
"No, I respect your privacy and Viv's. I'm not her family ..."
"So you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"She has been in hiding for a long time. I wouldn't be able to track her now if she hadn't cast that spell."
Ciaran nodded. "The gateway opening spell to the underworld."
"No, not that one. The one she traded a life privilege for you as her father."
"She did what?"
Eamon sighed. "So you really didn't know."
"Do I need to fucking ask if I knew what went on down there? I was out for most of it!"
He nodded. "You must have suffered some major injury. Viv received a life reverse spell from a dark magic druid a long time ago. She can only use it to save her family, and it comes with a price."
"What's the price?"
Footsteps sounded down the corridor. Killian appeared at the door. Before Killian could leap at Eamon, Ciaran said: "He's Viv's biological father. I've verified. What do you need, Killian?"
Killian eyed Eamon up and down, then returned to Ciaran. "The pre-event of the alpha challenge is closing now, and we need to officially close it and welcome people to the main event."
"You don't have to engage in any activities there, right?"
Killian locked eyes with him, conveying understanding. He was in no shape to control the demon if he got involved in a fight right now.
"No, I won't get into any physical activity at the event. But if I don't turn up today, there will be turmoil."
"Lachlan caused trouble?"
Killian nodded.
"Was that the one who threatened me at the gate?" Eamon asked.
Killian nodded again.
"He wants to create frictions in the pack. What do you need me to do?" Ciaran asked.
"I'll have to close the event; Ivy has to be with me as my mate, Damien has to be there as deputy, and Nina as his partner."
"So I'll stay here to watch over the sanctuary? That's the plan, right?"
Killian shook his head. "My mother and Fiona are supposed to be here now. But Damien can't get a hold of them. Our calls won't go through and their vehicle isn't traceable. They're staying at a resort in Mornington Peninsula. I sent the address to your cell phone."
Ciaran quickly tapped away on his phone. "It'll be over two hours drive, so driving isn't an option. I'll take the chopper."
"Thanks, Ciaran." He shot a look at Eamon and returned his attention to Ciaran. "I'm assuming you'll take Viv with you, right? She can't stay here by herself."
