Page 84 of Bubblegum Pop

“Arrow, be a dear and return Mr Roberts to his rooms. I would like to have a small…” he hummed, “conversation with him before we wrap up the entire charade.”

“What are you saying?” Candy growled, clinging to me as shock shuddered through us all. “You did this?”

“You can’t be serious,” Zeus snapped as I trembled in his arms.

“This…This was you?” My voice cracked, awareness of the pain in my arm and knuckles flaring in me.

“Well, yes, of course.” Michael tilted his head to the side, his eyes bright and clear. “I believe I told you there was a cost for breaking your contract. Though this is rather mild compared to my usual fare.” He smiled again, stroking his chin. “But, I must confess, I do like four of you rather more than most, and it’s always such a pleasure when we put on a performance, isn’t it?”

He looked down at Arrow, who rose quickly, the alpha slumped over his shoulder.

“Yes, sir,” he replied with a hard stare, completely avoiding us, looking straight ahead as he carried Mr Roberts away.

I barely registered him picking the alpha up. His face was like raw meat, and he deserved it. Even if it was some kind of act, he still hurt Candy.

I glared at Michael, the ringing in my ears fading as reality slapped back into place. The roaring need of my alpha instincts to destroy everything in sight was barely under control, especially now I knew this was all Michael’s doing.

“Then,” Candy said, “even when he went into rut at my show?”

“Oh, gosh, no.” Michael chuckled. “Of course not. I would never do anything to ruin your night. It was simply that Mr Roberts was in a perfect position to serve you.”

Zeus’s grip was too strong, my good arm growing numb, and the sheer fury pounding off Odin was scrambling my concentration.

Candy’s fear rippled through the bond along with us, connected to me through the bite that was so beautiful only moments ago.

Michael looked up at me and smiled. “I suppose I can forgive your lapse in judgement.” His gaze roamed over us, landing on my bite mark. “Given the situation.” He sighed.

My breaths churned deep into my stomach, fear of what I’d done crashing through me. The alpha had just been following orders, yet Michael let me beat him to a pulp.

He walked towards us. “It might be best if you rested for a while. You all need time to heal.” He nodded at my knuckles.

“There’s a car at the front of the mansion you may use. To give you some privacy in these trying times.”

He dropped us a nod before turning and trailing off towards the door, leaving us to watch him go in shock.

“Oh, I forgot to add.” Our heads shot to the left. He looked so small and unassuming in the doorway, despite everything he’d orchestrated. “I’ve reserved a slot for you tomorrow so we can have a little chat about your… hmm…” he twisted his lips before his eyes flashed in amusement, “transgression.” He smirked to himself. “Ten a.m. Don’t be late.” Michael gave us one more soft smile before he lifted his hat, bidding us goodbye as he left. The tap of his cane bounced off the wooden floor as he strolled away.

The four of us were left holding on to each other, shaking through the horror of what had just happened.

We’d stressed so many times about what could happen if we broke our contract, but I couldn’t imagine it would be something like that.

“Zeus.” Odin’s voice rumbled through my chest. Sandwiched between Zeus and Candy, I couldn’t move, and I didn’t know if I should. The madness was biting at the edges of my mind like a hunting dog, and I couldn’t tell what would happen if they let me free. Both Candy and I were hurt, bleeding, and we couldn’t ignore the wounds, but I still couldn’t let her go. I had to know she was safe.

“Apollo,” Zeus murmured low in my ear. “Come on, we have to get you to the car.”

I gasped as he stepped away from me. I needed his heat, his scent; I needed my mates pressed up against me. Odin slid in behind Candy, gently peeling my fingers from her.

Everything was bright, screaming around me at the loss of my mates. Until Zeus fed an arm around my back, the other on my shoulder.

I only had seconds to see Candy’s worried face before Zeus carefully pulled me to his side, and Odin swept her up into his arms.

Candy

“Don’t let me go,” I whispered to Odin as he held me close, one arm under my back, the other under my knees. The raw ache of my wounds were killing me, though it was nothing compared to the blood dripping from Apollo’s knuckles and the desperate wheezing in his chest.

Gordon’s blood was still on my skin, and I managed to catch Apollo’s eyes before they closed slowly. Pain travelled over his face before Zeus wrapped his arms around him, kissing his head.

Apollo clung to his mate, and Zeus kept his hand firmly braced around him as they walked towards me.