Chapter 96

“He hasn’t changed a bit,” Serena remarked the moment they were on the other side of the portal.

Garrett exhaled sharply, jaw tight. “No. He didn’t waste a second pulling threats p>

He poured her a glass of whiskey, and handed it over. “Welcome to Darkhowler p>

“Garrett,” she said. “How are you alive? I watched you die p>

Garrett stared at her for half a second. Then he burst out laughing. “Good to see you too, Serena p>

He crossed the space and pulled her into a hug.

He pulled back just enough to look at her. “I’m sorry, Serena. I was supposed to protect you.” He shook his head, voice cracking. “If I’d known you were alive, I would have found you p>

“How did you know I was Serena started. Her voice trailed off, not wanting to say it.

Garrett took a sip of his whiskey and sat down in a leather armchair and Serena sat in one across from him. The fire warmed her soaked combat suit and damp hair.

“You are taking Darkhowler’s house name and throne,” Serena said, breaking the silence. It wasn’t a question.

He took a sip of his whiskey before responding. “Yes. Darkhowler took me in and has been a second father to me. I never was after a throne, but he gave it and I will do right by him p>

“Dramatic,” Serena teased.

“Coming from the girl who screamed through the mindlink for everyone wearing one of these to hear.” Garrett held up his gold bracelet.

Serena shoved him playfully, and he, on cue, ruffled her hair. “Garrett! You can’t do that p>

He held up his hands. “Your rainwater updo looked ugly. It looks better now,” he said, completely serious.

“Why are we in Darkhowler?” Serena asked. It just now dawned on her that was strange.

“Because He exhaled. “The person in question is on house arrest p>

Serena’s brows furrowed.

“There’s something you need to know,” he continued.

Her stomach dropped.

“Agnes is my fated mate p>

The glass in Serena’s hand shattered.

Whiskey splashed across the floor as pure, incandescent rage tore through her, sudden and violent. Something she never had before. Not to this degree.

She looked down at her hand, blinking once, then back up at Garrett.

“She begged me for a chance,” he explained quietly. “Said she wanted to make things right. She admitted to poisoning you. Admitted to giving Dexmon Viper’s Kiss and False Mate Tincture p>

Serena’s jaw clenched.

“I haven’t broken the matebond yet,” Garrett continued. “But I won’t hesitate to p>

He moved without ceremony, and handed her a clean glass of whiskey. Then a white towel.

“Here,” he offered. “You’re bleeding p>

She took them numbly, wiping the gold blood from her hands.

“I’m sorry, Garrett,” Serena whispered after a moment. Her voice cracked despite her effort to steady it. “I’ve had a rough few days. I’m… not myself p>

“I’ve heard,” he replied. He traced the rim of his glass absently. “Agnes asked if she could apologize to you p>

Serena stiffened.

“If you agree to it,” he went on, “and you don’t feel it’s genuine, I’ll break the matebond with her. And if you don’t agree to it at all, I’ll break it anyway p>

Her heart sank.

“Garrett,” she said softly. “I… could we have Elara instead? I don’t know if I can p>

“Elara isn’t here,” he cut in, not unkindly but firmly. “And I’m not dragging this out. I break the matebond tonight, or not at all p>

Tears burned before she could stop them. She wiped at her eyes, frustrated.

“You have to understand,” she added, voice shaking now, “the last time I saw her… I p>

The words failed her.

Garrett didn’t make her finish. Seeing Serena like this didn’t sit right with him at all.

“Okay, we’ll have Elara come too p>

He mindlinked immediately.

“Serena, don’t cry,” he said gently, already pulling her up from the chair and into his arms. “You never cry p>

That did it.

She broke.

“I’m s-s-s-sorry,” she choked, the words catching no matter how hard she tried to stop them.

“And you’re stuttering again,” Garrett observed softly, not teasing. Concerned.

She pressed her face into his shoulder, breath shaking.

“Does Dexmon know you have Agnes?” Serena asked suddenly, the question tumbling out before she could stop it. “They seemed… it looked real to me p>

Every time she tried to convince herself Viper’s Kiss was real, her mind betrayed her. Flashes. Dexmon with Agnes. Too intimate. Too vivid.

Garrett stiffened.

“S-s-sorry,” Serena whispered again, already regretting it.

“It’s the damn matebond,” Garrett replied flatly. “That’s why I need to break it as soon as possible p>

He held her a little tighter.

Before either of them could say anything else, the air split.

A portal bloomed open in the middle of Garrett’s study.

Elara stepped through first. Hale and Dexmon followed.

Garrett blinked, genuinely surprised to see both of them.

Serena’s stomach dropped.

She very much did not want to see Dexmon right now.

“Serena,” Elara called, instantly zeroing in on her. She crossed the room in three strides. “What happened p>

Then she rounded on Garrett. “What did you say to her p>

Garrett scrubbed a hand through his hair, clearly not thrilled about this lineup. “Nothing I shouldn’t have p>

He exhaled. “Agnes wants to apologize. If Serena doesn’t think it’s genuine, I’ll break the matebond p>

The room went still.

“And if she doesn’t want to see her at all tonight,” he added, “I’ll break it anyway p>

Elara looked at Serena. “So you’re hot-potatoing this to me p>

“Yes,” Serena answered without hesitation, eyes red. “I don’t feel well p>

She felt like absolute garbage. Shaky. Nauseous. Like she needed to lie down immediately. Silver first thing in the morning had done her no favors.

Elara rolled her eyes, knowing that this was avoidance even if she was sick.

“Fine, but I have no problem being a bitch. As long as we’re clear,” Elara declared. “And Serena also isn’t a little bitch p>

Serena laughed, shaking her head. Knowing full well what pep talk she was referring to with that comment.

“If she’s anywhere near those two,” Hale stated flatly, “I’m staying in the room p>

Dexmon hadn’t taken his eyes off Garrett, his expression hard enough to cut.

He was touching Serena. Like she was his to touch. And he didn’t want Serena anywhere near this. If Agnes was going to apologize to anyone, it should have been him.

He could feel her emotions, and she was at her limit. A rash had crept up her neck, layered over the bruises already there.

His face darkened. That was it. He didn’t care anymore.

Dex closed the distance and pulled Serena into his arms cleanly out of Elara’s grasp.