Eternal Fire: Hound Series, #3

By Layla J. Omorose

STEP INTO THE FLAMES

Living a life surrounded by danger, Jaden-Trinity Hound of Fire- has been burned more times than he can count. A man of smoldering intensity, he craves vengeance against those that dared to cross him. The selfish decisions he's made have cost him everything, including the love of his fated mate—a fiery beauty that ignites his soul with passion. Jaden will stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even if that means stealing her freedom.

HELL, HATH NO FURY

Courtesy of one steamy night with a man she thought she knew, Aaron Sonders landed herself in a glamorous prison. Thrust into a world of monsters and petty gods, she's slowly losing control of her powers as her world crumbles around her. At the center of her turmoil-Jaden. Her body yearns for his touch, yet the flames of her rage demands retribution.

SCORCH THE EARTH

Fate has tipped the scales of balance and the resurrection of a primal evil is at hand. Secrets Jaden had kept long buried are rising from the ashes. To keep his mate by his side, he will have to find a way to unite the fire in their blood or watch as the world burns in the flames of his deception.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla J. Omorose
• Release date: Mar 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393002666

Book preview

Prologue

1250 B.C

Betrayal. The putrid stench of it lingered in the air, mixing with the smell of rotten corpses. Around him, he heard rats as they gnawed at what remained of the decaying flesh attached to old bones. Unexpectedly, the air was hot, humid, and as stale as the blood he smelled. Different from the cold darkness he expected from an underground dungeon. A small part of him wished he was in the cold. That would keep the horrid aroma from filling his nose. An even bigger part of him was grateful because it allowed him to focus on something other than his pain.

His captors had done a thorough job of restraining him. The slightest movement was out of the question. Heavy chains rested around his waist, wrist, and ankles. Purposely locked too tight, they painfully cut into his flesh. Kept on his knees for far too long, the hard and uneven surface of the ground bore into his kneecaps.

A pained groan escaped him.

Opening the one eye that remained functioning, Jaden found himself shrouded in darkness. After a few moments, his vision adjusted to his surroundings, and he could make out the shadows of his furry and disease-infested cellmates.

How long had he been here?

His memories were jumbled and hazy. What little he could remember came to him in fragmented bits and pieces. Battle cries and the sound of steel hitting steel echoed in his ears. The smell of fire seemed to rise from beneath him, followed by terrified shrieks of the dying. Roars of victorious warriors joined in the remembered sounds and then . . . pain as the images of battle slammed into him.

Godly arrows with the heat of the sun had pierced his body, deliberately missing his vital organs but still hitting spots on his body that left him immobilized. He recounted them, groaning as if they were tearing into him all over again. He was a fighter, a powerful creature by birth, hunted from the moment of his conception. Pain he was used to. But this . . . This had been a different kind of pain. Excruciating agony that effortless put him on his ass.

His neck was stiff, and he tried to move his head, just a slight adjustment, and immediately wished he hadn’t. New pain radiated up his neck and into his skull. With a low grunt, his head fell back into place. He knew better than to trust a god, and his stupidity in doing so had finally come full circle. If he’d stuck with his original plan, then none of this would have happened, and the lives of those he cared about most would have been spared.

I am truly sorry, brother.

Because of him, they’d been captured. Feeding right into their enemy’s hands without so much as a moment’s hesitation. Greed and envy were indeed great motivators. A lesson he’d seemed to constantly be taught throughout his long life.

It would be better if I ended this now. Simply let his enemies end his life and spare the world from a future thrown into chaos for his actions. It would be the easiest recourse, yet he couldn’t. There was something nagging him, a pricking sensation that fed into the feeling that there was something more out there for him. Relentless in its pursuit, it left him no other option but to fight. Focusing, he reached deep inside himself, to the center of his being. What he found both pissed him off and worried him. The inferno that resided in him had dwindled to a barely burning flame.

Was he that close to death?

As the sudden awareness of the situation triggered his body’s reaction, lethargy spread through him. The pain he felt from broken bones and infested wounds began to fade, slowly replaced by a creeping numbness that would be accompanied by the cold embrace of nothingness.

No. This will not be my ending.

Latching on to the decreasing flicker of the flame, he focused his powers. Strength and rejuvenation were his goals, enough to keep him alive and kick his body into gear.

Come on. He drew harder on his powers. The flame flickered faster as it slowly began to grow. A low hum of energy traveled through his veins and supplied his body with the source of power it so desperately needed. Bits and pieces of the lethargic numbness he’d felt were pushed back, allowing him to draw in steadier breaths. Unfortunately, his reprieve was short lived. Starting at his neck, sharp surges of pain traveled along his spine, going both up and down at the same time.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room increased, creating a suffocating environment that had him struggling to drag air into his lungs. As if that wasn’t enough, his skin felt like it was being flayed over an open fire. Thanks to a broken jaw, he was only capable of making tormented grunts as his agony reached new levels and began to overtake him, forcing him to release his powers. Instantly his body went limp, unable to fall to the ground thanks to the chains that held him in place. The pain that radiated through him gradually faded, offering a small chance to steady his breathing and conserve energy enough so he could once again pry open his functioning eye.

A subtle golden glow emanated from around him. The source was the collar around his neck. Thick, yet its weight unnoticeable, it was a godly weapon he’d seen used on others before.

Damn it. He cursed himself. He wasn’t the one who was supposed to end up in chains.

Yet, here he found himself, the collar firmly fitted around his neck, outsmarted by his adversaries. Anger boiled under the surface of his skin, triggering a flare of his powers. The collar reacted instantly. An unholy searing sensation made its way through his body. What little power he conserved was turned against him and amplified, cutting his chance of escape down to almost impossible.

A special type of key was needed to unlock the collar, and without it, he was shit out of luck. He needed a miracle, a helping hand from whatever supreme being was watching his misery unfold.

As if the Universe heard his pleas, the air around him stirred. A cool breeze flowed through the chamber, soothing his heated flesh and pushing some of the staleness out of the air. Next was an electric buzz of energy that sent a shiver down his spine, followed by a blue and green glow that illuminated the darkness. And then it was gone, and he was left peering into the darkness; only he was no longer alone.

His Who are you? came in the form of grunts.

Shh, a soft voice told him as a figure took form.

His mysterious visitor kneeled in front of him, and the scent of fresh air filled his nose, creating a calmness in him as he felt a cool touch against his face. He flinched as the visitor gently cupped his face.

I am here to help you.

Help him? Dare he hope?

He doubted it. Fate was a fickle thing and loved to witness the suffering of those around it.

It seems your opponent has outwitted you, she spoke, her thumbs rubbing under his jaw. The touch, that moments ago made him run from pain, no longer hurt. With each stroke of her fingers, a soothing sensation washed over him, pulling pain from him and offering him the solace he needed. Who would have thought I’d ever see one of the Light’s children in such a state. Had you heeded the warnings around you, you would not have ended up as you are. She paused.

That voice. He knew that voice.

This one time I will grant you a chance at redemption. In return, you will owe me a debt that I will collect upon when the time is right. Do we have a deal?

Did they have a deal? What other choice did he have? Either remain trapped at the mercy of those he hated or be freed and owe a favor. The choice was simple to make.

Nod your head if you agree. I have healed you enough for you to do that.

He did as he was told, and sure enough, he was able to move his head without pain.

Well done. The sound of her fingers snapping echoed through the room.

The next instant, the chains holding him fell. Without their support, his weakened body swayed forward. There was a firm hand pressed against his chest that prevented him from hitting the ground.

Do not forget our bargain, she whispered into his ear. From her hand radiated more of that cooling energy. It spread across his body, seeping into his wounds and healing the tissue. While his body healed, he felt her other hand reach behind his neck.

Click.

The lock on the collar was undone, and the godly weapon fell to the ground.

Now. She pushed him back. His energy returning, he made his way to his feet as did she.

With both eyes healed, he could see her perfectly in the darkness. Why? was all he asked.

Her answer was one he’d remember for the rest of his days. The depths of love are deep, and I do this to protect the one I hold dear, as you will do when your world begins to go up in flames. She paused. The future holds the weight of the choices made this night. When Fate is at your door, demanding repayment, there will be no place to hide.

Chapter 1

In the quiet of the night, as she stood on her balcony with her gaze fixed on the glow of the new moon above her, Aaron Sonders could almost pretend her life was normal. That she lived in a beautiful home on a gorgeous beach, far away from the filth of the city. Where crystal-blue waters greeted her every morning. Here, during the twilight hours, where her world rested, she could imagine a peaceful, carefree life—if only that was her reality.

Staring out at the ocean that stretched until it blended with the horizon, Aaron couldn’t help but feel as if she was peering out at a black void. Immense and bottomless, it resembled the hole where her heart should have been, where her hopes and dreams should have lived... where her future should have shined the brightest.

Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve. It meant nothing, nor did it change the fact that she was trapped. Taken away and locked in a prison, a luxurious prison but one nonetheless, that was created by the man she thought she knew and loved. The night air wrapped around her—violent at first, as if it could feel the flickering flames of her anger—before turning into a gentle caress that normally soothed the sting of her heart. In fleeting moments, when she was at her weakest, she’d allow herself to imagine that it was the hands of her old lover, the joys of the past touching her, reminding her of moments in time that no longer existed.

Times like those would offer her momentary comfort. That night was not one of those nights. Pleasant memories were just reminders of a time out of her reach.

How long would it be before she regained her freedom?

It was a question Aaron asked herself repeatedly, and the answer was always the same. If she wanted her freedom, she would have to take it, which was something much easier said than done.

Absently, Aaron brushed the tips of her fingers across the collar around her neck—the cool metal another reminder of the mistakes she’d made.

Aaron took a deep breath.

The sudden urge to run, to feel the night air against her skin, consumed her. With her thoughts turned towards a moment of peace, Aaron leapt over the railing. Her body spun in her free fall until her feet touched the ground. A smile on her face, Aaron buried her toes deep in the sand, enjoying the brief escape the beach offered her. Again, she turned her head to the night sky. This time her attention focused on the countless stars above her. They twinkled with the brightness of thousands of possibilities while Aaron was firmly planted in her nightmares.

Raising her hand to the air, Aaron pretended she could capture one of those moments.

One day, I will be free of this torment, Aaron thought as her hand fell to her side and her gaze went to the forest behind her. The rainforest trees stretched far into the sky. Their branches covered with leaves casted a dark shadow over Aaron, smothering her in a darkness she knew all too well. Images of memories she wished stayed buried deep in the recesses of her mind slammed into her.

Forgive me.

Those had been the last words Aaron had heard before the world around her erupted in flames.

I should have left that day, Aaron whispered into the night air.

Even more memories consumed Aaron. With each image, more and more regret filled her. Blood, death, and the scent of her burning flesh haunted Aaron.

How she wished she could turn back the hands of time. Too bad life didn’t work that way. The sting of her regret lured her towards the darkness of the forest. The more she drowned in her sorrow, the harder it became to look at the bright light of the stars. Darkness was what she needed. Just as the thought to immerse herself in the shadows formed in her mind, Aaron paused.

A shiver went down her spine, a split second before desire quickened her pulse. Her breath caught. The flames of the fire in the pit of her stomach flared. Yet, desire wasn’t all she felt. Anger radiated through her veins, and there was only one reason for that—her prison keeper had found her.

Aaron didn’t have to turn around to know he was standing behind her. She would always know where he was. Because of one mistake, a single night of uncontrolled passion and a vow she couldn’t take back, every part of Aaron was acutely aware of his presence.

Jaden.

It’s the middle of the night. What do you think you’re are going? he asked.

Aaron couldn’t pretend that his voice wasn’t a decadence she secretly relished. For that, she resented herself.

She was supposed to hate him for what he’d done, and she did, truly. However, the animal he’d awakened inside her said different. Primal and uncontrollable, it demanded his touch even when Aaron’s consciousness did not.

I needed some fresh air, Aaron told him as she turned to him. The dark side of her beginning to stir from his close proximity.

Hmm, was his response.

He took a step forward, and instantly the hairs on the back of Aaron’s neck rose. Inside her, the base desires that constantly simmered at the core of her body began a slow smolder. He wore his usual black sweats that hung loosely from his hips. His tank was tight and showed off the defined cuts of his body through the fabric while those beautiful amber eyes watched her with heat and curiosity.

But it was the complex tribal birthmark stretching across his chest and down his arm to his wrist that held Aaron’s attention.

Mine. The thought consumed her as his scent began to invade her senses with each breath she took. He smelled like dark spices and embers, temptation and damnation all wrapped in one. In the back of her mind, a voice demanded she give into the heat rising inside her.

Aaron gave a hard shake of her head. She refused to be a slave to her desires.

Why don’t you come back to bed? It’s lonely without you next to me, he told her.

Bullshit. Such complete and worthless bullshit. Despite the connection between them telling her that his words were the truth, she wouldn’t, couldn’t trust him. His sweet words meant nothing to her, not when she had intimate knowledge of the monster that lurked beneath that handsome mask he wore. The liar, the murderer. No matter how her body yearned for his touch, she could never forgive him for what he’d done.

Aaron gritted her teeth. Her control over her emotions was rapidly deteriorating. Hate, lust, anger, need . . . all of it brewed inside her until they cast a red haze over her mind. Before Aaron knew it, she had turned on him. Her intent had been to lash out at him, to make him feel an inkling of what she did. Instead, for a moment as she locked gazes with him, her mind went blank. His amber gaze sparkled in the moonlight, pulling her into their colorful depths, then burrowing past the broken pieces of her heart, and calling to the creature that called the darkest parts of her soul home.

Mine. No, Aaron countered, refusing to give in to the hands of Fate she had been dealt.

Aaron, Jaden called to her. His tone, soft, almost convinced Aaron he truly cared for her wellbeing.

Aaron. He called to her again. His expression shifted from one of curiosity to mischievous amusement as he said, You’re looking at me like you can’t decide if you want to kill me or fuck me. He gave her a lopsided grin, a gesture that still caused the junction between her legs to tingle. You’re more than welcome to try both, although I’d be much more willing to corporate with the latter of the two choices if you ask nicely.

His arrogant attitude and the fact that he was right pissed Aaron off. Inside her, the power that constantly brewed just under the surface of her skin stirred. As her power continued to grow inside her, the collar that had become a permanent piece of her body heated. Aaron had lived with the cursed piece of jewelry long enough to recognize the warning she was receiving.

Even so, Aaron didn’t care. What little control she had slipped away from her.

Nicely? Aaron growled between clenched teeth. Hands balled into fists, her palms heated as chained power clawed for freedom. Her power slammed against the barrier created by the collar. Each time the two forces collided; pain shot through Aaron.

Stop, the voice inside her head warned.

She didn’t heed the saner part of herself.

Opening her hand, Aaron raised her arm and blocked out her pain. Instead, she focused on the heat of her anger and forced it down her arm. Sparks of fire emanated from her fingertips as the collar around her neck continued to dampen her power. Suddenly, it felt as if knives were cutting into her flesh, and Aaron bit back a cry of pain.

Aaron, Jaden growled her name. I’m warning you. Don’t do it.

Warning me? Aaron managed to speak, although it felt like she was being slowly strangled. Just think of this as repayment for taking such good care of us.

Larger sparks came from her fingers as did more pain. Blinking tears away, Aaron forced her shaking arm to steady as he took several steps away from her.

Don’t d—

A blast of fire erupted from her, a powerful stream of flames that shot him into the air before engulfing him. Aaron watched his body sail through the air, like a shooting star. Just like a shooting star, he hit the Earth full force, landing a few yards away from her, a smoky heap of male flesh.

A smile spread across Aaron’s face.

More. He deserved more.

Despite the ringing in her ears and the cutting pain around her neck, Aaron summoned more power. She realized her mistake as her world spun out of control. The wave of pain that hit her was like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from her lungs.

Aaron staggered backwards as black spots clouded her vision. She struggled to drag air into her lungs, which proved a useless effort as her legs gave out from under her and Aaron crumbled to the ground.

There was no reprieve. Another round of pain consumed her. Changing its form, it crept across her skin, feeling like an intense and slow burning flame had been placed against her skin. Biting down hard on her bottom lip until she drew blood, Aaron kept her agonized scream to herself. Yet, she couldn’t stop the tears freely falling from her face.

Unable to do anything but curl into the fetal position and cry until either the pain subsided or she lost consciousness, Aaron wished for someone . . . anyone . . . to save her, to wake her from her continuous nightmare before it consumed her and there was nothing left.

Chapter 2

Suffering, darkness , rage, and hopelessness. That was all his world consisted of in that moment. The crippling emotions flooded their connection, strangling him until he was sure he would pass out.

Groaning as he slowly came to, Jaden—the Trinity Hound of Fire—couldn’t figure out if he was coming or going. His body felt as if it had been trampled over before being flayed over an open fire. Jaden cursed as he slowly made his way to his feet. The world spun around him and the need to vomit assaulted him. The oncoming pain of a headache traveled up his spine and into his skull. Jaden let out another agonized groan as he rubbed his temples, sure that at any moment his head was going to split open. Dragging air into his burning lungs, Jaden willed himself to remain on his feet while his body demanded he collapse and take comfort in the hardness of the ground beneath him.

He couldn’t. Not when his mate was on the ground withering in agony. His pain no longer a concern, Jaden rushed over to the small form curled into a tight ball in the sand.

Shit. He gave the harsh curse as he hurried to her side.

Jaden wasted little time as he scooped Aaron into his arms. Her labored and heavy breathing echoed in his ears.

Shh, he whispered, holding his woman tighter against him. He carried her back into their home; the fragile connection they shared continued to light him up with pain—even as her cries faded into heavy silence. By the time he’d reached the bottom steps that led to the second floor, her breathing had returned to a steady pattern, and the pressure had finally begun to fade from their connection.

Cradling her, Jaden ignored the steady racing of his heart as he ascended the steps two at a time. Although he hated himself for it, he couldn’t help but relish the feel of her in his arms. Rarely did she let him hold her and care for her the way he wanted; so in times like these, he would take what he could get.

With the light load in his arms, Jaden reached the top of the stairs. Pausing before he headed down the hall to their bedroom, he extended his senses to make sure his and Aaron’s little spat hadn’t drawn unnecessary attention.

Everything seemed as it should be, and Jaden headed towards his room. Reaching the bedroom door, he shifted Aaron in his arms and opened the door. He walked into the room and over to their bed. Gently, Jaden laid Aaron down. As he pulled back, her mumbled, I hate you, pierced his ears. The havoc those three little words did to him every time they spilled from her mouth was indescribable. They did more than just break his heart; they shattered his spirit.

I know, Jaden whispered. Trust me. I know.

After all he’d done, he didn’t fault her. However, as Jaden lightly touched the side of her face, he would do it all over again. So long as their enemies were free, the safest place for her to be was with him.

When Fate comes knocking on your door, there will be nowhere for you to hide. The words spoken to him that fateful night haunted him. Fate had indeed come knocking on his door, and he’d done exactly what he had to do to protect his family.

Sitting beside her on the edge of the bed, Jaden’s gaze took her in. He noted the soft golden glow emitting from her collar and frowned.

Were her powers still out of control?

It didn’t feel like it. So, then why was the collar still reacting?

Her brows were drawn tightly together and sweat left strands of her hair stuck to her forehead. Checking her temperature, Jaden placed his hand against Aaron’s forehead only to quickly snatch it back. He touched her arm, and sure enough, it was just as hot as her head. Confusion had Jaden’s scowl deepening. She’d been fine when he brought her into the house.

Why had it spiked so suddenly?

Jaden had no clue. All he knew was that he needed to get her back to normal. Moving from the bed, he made his way to the bathroom located across the room. He flicked on the lights and then grabbed a hand towel from its holder. Turning on the cold water, he soaked the towel and then wrung it out before rushing back to Aaron’s side. He pushed her hair away and placed the cold towel on her head. Instantly, her expression softened, although not by much. He touched her arm again.

Still hot.

Urgency began to consume Jaden. Something was wrong, and the fact that Jaden had no clue what it was threatened to send him into a panic. While it wasn’t the first time she’d lashed out at him, her flames had never been that intense. More questions bombarded Jaden. All of which he had no answer to.

Aaron’s whimpers returned and rapidly turned into pain-filled groans. Exposed skin from under the oversized shirt she wore flushed a deep and angry red. It was obvious the hand towel wasn’t enough. Something more drastic was needed. With that thought in mind, Jaden was on his feet and back in the bathroom in a matter of moments. His focus was the tub. There was only one way to break her fever. A cold bath. Turning on the water, he ran his hand under the water several times. Content that the water was cold enough, Jaden shut the water off and rushed back to Aaron.

He picked her up and was hit with another wave of panic. Her fever had increased to a dangerous level, to the point he felt like he was holding live fire.

Too . . . tight. Her words were barely audible to Jaden as he rushed to the bathroom.

Hold on, he told he as he reached the tub.

Her groans continued. The shirt . . . She clawed at the t-shirt she wore. Too tight.

I got it, Jaden said. He spared a glance at the edge of the tub. There wasn’t enough space to sit her on the edge without her falling into the tub as he undressed her. Opting for the counter where he had more space, Jaden turned and sat his mate next to the sink. Her body propped against his, he made quick work of her clothing. As he did, a small sigh of relief echoed lowly in his ear.

Thank you. She sighed just before she went limp against him.

Shit. The harsh curse echoed repeatedly in Jaden’s head as he lifted Aaron off the counter and carried her back to the bath. Jaden was careful not to slip on the small puddle of water outside the tub. The last thing he needed was to fall and crack both their skulls against the tiled floor.

Slowly, he lowered her into the water. The second the cold water touched her skin, it sizzled and steamed. The more the water covered her, the more the room filled with fog. Only when her body was fully submerged did the water calm. However, the water had turned lukewarm. That wouldn’t do.

Reaching for the faucet, he turned the handle. It wasn’t long before the water chilled again. Fearful that the water would warm back up again, Jaden left the water running. He’d deal with cleaning it up later. Ignoring the water that cascaded over the edge of the tub, Jaden supported Aaron’s body with one hand while he reached for her washcloth that had slid into the tub. Squeezing the excess water out, Jaden wiped her face. Gentle brushes across her skin earned him a contented moan.

Finally, her face relaxed. Her head followed the cloth, turning towards Jaden as he desperately fought to get her temperature back to normal. With each pass he did, she relaxed a little more. He continued until the glow of her collar disappeared and soft snores echoed from her.

Jaden smiled, relief filling him, as his gaze traveled over her face. He indulged in the sight before him. He thought he’d known beauty from the time he spent in the presence of the gods. Until he met Aaron. His mate, with her curvy silhouette and defiant gaze, held a beauty that eclipsed the most mesmerizing goddess. A spirt that was fiery and confident while at the same time vulnerable.

Jaden stroked her hair, the wet strands feeling like silk against the tips of his fingers. Absently, he toyed with her hair, unfazed by his soaked sweatpants as he lost himself to his thoughts. He noted how much her dark hair had grown despite the fact she cut it several days ago. He let go of her hair in favor of caressing her cheek. With her head still turned towards him, Jaden caught the small smile she gave him in her sleep.

A bitter chuckle escaped him. If Aaron knew how honest her reactions were when she was in a deep sleep, there was no doubt in Jaden’s mind she would attempt to kill him. Again, the fact that he was the reason she was so guarded and unhappy weighed heavily on him and threatened to sink him into the ground.

She was the center of his world. If only she would believe him. Over and over, he wondered what he could do to gain back her love, and the answer was always the same: Give her the one thing she craved above all else, freedom.

Just a little longer, Jaden whispered.

He had no clue how long he sat beside the tub, lost in his own world. Too long given the way Aaron shivered. On his feet in an instant, his joints sore from sitting to long, he got a large towel. Slinging it over his shoulder, Jaden gripped Aaron under her arms and lifted her out of the water. It took some creative maneuvering on his part to get her wrapped in the towel without dropping it. Nestled safely in his arms, Jaden carried Aaron back to the bed. Placing her on top the covers, Jaden made quick work of finding dry clothes. After a quick towel dry, he dressed her in one of his shirts and then comfortably settled her under the covers.

Sitting beside her, Jaden let out the breath he’d been holding. Keeping his gaze from feasting on her body was one of the hardest things he’d had to do. Especially, since each time his hand had grazed her trinity mark, desire shot straight to his groin. By the time Jaden had finished, his erection strained painfully despite the fact he wore loose sweatpants.

Their trinity marks, birthmarks that marked them as fated mates, were both a blessing and a curse for Jaden. A blessing because it allowed them to feel pleasure a hundred times more than others. A curse because they were Fate’s way of branding them and reminding them that although they may run, they couldn’t hide from their futures. Their choices were taken from them before they had a chance to recognize them.

Ah, but she did have a choice, the voice in his head chimed in. You took that away from her.

I don’t need a reminder, he thought.

When will you ever forgive me? he asked, but he knew the answer.

Once again, Jaden lost himself to his troublesome thoughts as he trailed his fingers along the curve of her neck until the tips of his fingers touched the cool metal of the collar around her neck. A parting gift from a past he’d rather forget. When he’d taken the enchanted trinket, he’d never thought he’d use it. The moment he’d put it around her neck, regret and guilt had become his best friend.

Leaning in, he made sure he pushed his feelings for her through their connection. He needed to make sure she felt the truth of his love, the sincerity of his heart.

Liar, she mumbled in her sleep, and Jaden couldn’t help but crack a smile as he pressed his lips to her forehead. Even as drained and worn out as she was, she was just as feisty as ever.

I may be a liar, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you, he whispered in her ear.

A lone tear that fell from her eye. With his thumb, Jaden wiped it away and gave a quick kiss to her lips.

Having said his goodbye for the moment, Jaden changed his focus to removing his damp clothes. Walking over to the dresser on the other side of the room, Jaden contemplated staying home. He was in no mood to deal with his brothers or witness their happy lives with their mates while his world was caught in a blazing inferno.

Let’s make this quick. He grumbled as he quickly changed clothes.

Before he left, he spared one more look at his woman. His heart did a little flutter in his chest, and the hound in him stirred.

I’ll be back as quick as I can, he told her.

As he dematerialized, his destination his father’s home in Oblivion, Jaden vowed that he would find some way to win her love back if it was the last thing he did.

Chapter 3

Oblivion

Jaden materialized in his father’s home—one of the last places he wanted to be. He’d made it a point to materialize in his old bedroom instead of the main hall or near the throne room. Before his family bombarded him, Jaden needed a moment to gather his thoughts. Neither his siblings or his father knew about Aaron and the double life he’d been leading. Although he knew sooner rather than later, he’d be found out, Jaden preferred it to be after he figured out what was happening with Aaron and her powers. That surge in her energy was not normal and not supposed to happen so long as she wore that collar.

Let’s get this over with. With a snap of his fingers, the lights lining the wall flickered on, and he was greeted to a sight that dug up old and bitter memories of the childhood he tried so desperately to forget.

I never wanted to come back here, Jaden thought as he looked around the familiar yet foreign room. The things he’d left behind when he left home were still where he left them. Old clothes were scattered across the floor, crumpled and dingy from neglect. Dust and debris had ruined the antique furniture.

His gaze went across the room to where the remains of his dresser lay. Bitterness swelled inside Jaden as he made his way over to the destroyed piece of furniture. Untouched and uncared for, the broken pieces of wood were scattered here and there, stained with blood. He ran his tongue across his teeth, recalling the taste of wood as it mixed with the metallic taste of his blood. Crouching down, Jaden brushed his fingers across a splintered plank. A tic worked in his jaw as unwanted memories slammed into him. Despite his best efforts to block out the images, they assaulted him. Anger stirred inside him, causing Jaden’s eyes to narrow into tiny slits as that fateful day replayed.

HIS BROTHERS WERE MORONS. If he had any doubt about it before, it had been extinguished as he watched Adien and Radien fight over a goddess, who was obviously using both of them to satisfy her whims in her boredom.

Persephone, the Goddess of the Spring, pure and innocent. The thought was laughable.

Ividian was right, Jaden thought as he walked into his bedroom. His long time and unlikely friend had warned him about the goddess countless times. Although Jaden usually wasn’t one to believe the hearsay of others, it seemed the tales spewed from his friend’s mouth were true. Power hungry and insatiable, her reputation proceeded her. However, Jaden supposed, given her family lineage, it wasn’t surprising that she inherited many of her father’s traits.

Walking to the bathroom, he made his way over to the vanity and picked up the brush that used to belong to his mother. His mind wandered as he began comb out the tangles. A parting gift he’d received thanks to some tavern whore he’d spent the night with. Looking at his reflection, his thoughts drifted from his brothers’ bickering to his mother. Over and over, he’d been told how much he resembled her, right down to his full lips and amber eyes. At first, he enjoyed the compliments. His mother had been one of the most beautiful women in his life. Her hair had been the same reddish-brown color as his, with a few golden highlights that had framed her regal-looking face perfectly. Every time she looked at him, her eyes sparked with love and life. The warmth of her presence had the ability to melt the coldest hearts. In fact, Jaden had seen her do it on several occasions where diplomacy was needed... before they were hunted.

Mother. Thinking of her broke his heart. Each time he was reminded of her, it made him want to crawl to the nearest corner and lose himself in his misery.

Tears burned the back of Jaden’s eyes. He hated the way he looked in the mirror. Weak, and useless, that was what he saw alongside the face of his mother. Too weak to protect the ones he loved the most. Too weak to save his mother from...

Jaden gave a shake of his head and pushed the memory to the back of his mind and then even deeper still until it was buried into the deepest parts of his soul that not even he could touch. His hair half combed, he sat the brush back on the counter and made his way back into his bedroom. He returned his thoughts to his brothers’ stupidity. A much more entertaining topic than the one he’d just been on.

No matter how much Jaden thought about it, he just couldn’t understand what Radien and Adien saw in Persephone. He’d met the goddess once, maybe twice, during his outing with Ividian, and he’d been repulsed by her nature. Sure, her face was beautiful, but that was to be expected of a goddess. And while his brothers went crazy for her long limbs and silky hair, Jaden had preferred the untamable curls of the curvy tavern whores he often visited.

To each their own, I guess, Jaden told himself. Besides, he knew his brothers well enough to know that once they set their sights on something, they had to have it. Any advice he gave would go in one ear and out the other.

Adien’s stupidity knows no bounds. The fact that his baby brother had listened to Radien and paid Jaden’s sound advice no attention still pissed Jaden off.

It was only a matter of time before things came to a head in their little love triangle.

Whatever, Jaden huffed as he made his way over to the dresser. Looks like Ividian won this bet, he muttered as he rummaged through the dresser drawers, searching for a change of clothes. The scent of sex clung to him like a second skin. It was time he showered and changed.

I told you so. Ividian’s mocking tone echoed in Jaden’s head. His friend had bet him that Adien would choose a woman over Jaden.

No way. After all they had been through, there was no way Adien would choose some loose woman over his brother. Seemed he was wrong, and he only had a half hour to meet his gloating friend. Jaden quickly showered and changed. Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, he raked his hand through his damp hair