Josie had no idea how long the dance lasted. She could have watched her mate dance all night, but with one last shout, the men stopped moving and the drums were silent. Josie’s face hurt from smiling, and her hands hurt from clapping along to the beat. When Kai strode toward her, she froze. His face was serious. His gaze heated. Shit! What was he going to do to her? Throw her over his shoulder and stomp off into the woods?
Kai stopped several feet away and knelt with his head bowed, one strong arm resting on his thigh with his hand fisted. Ariki rose and helped Josie to her feet. He led Josie to where Kai waited and stood between them. With their backs to the water, Josie faced the group gathered to witness the ceremony.
With one hand on Malakai’s shoulder and the other holding Josie’s, Ariki spoke.
“Legend tells of a mighty male. The seventh son of a seventh son. A male blessed by the gods. Strengthened by the elements. One who has the voices of the Sevens who have passed on from this realm to the next guiding him through his journey. A male who is strong. Kind of heart. True to his word. Yet one who is imperfect until he is united with the other half of his soul. When he left the island nearly a century ago, Manaia was that male. He has returned to us with his soul complete. He is no longer Manaia the male. Now, he is Manaia the warrior. Rise, my son. Rise and join your mate as we welcome Josie to our family.”
Gracefully, Kai stood and faced Josie. Ariki took their hands and joined them, placing his on top and below theirs. “Manaia and Joselynn, may the gods bless this union. May the elements never forsake you. May the voices of the Sevens guide you in your journey together, through this life and the next.” Ariki released their hands and pumped his fist into the air with a roar. The other males responded in unison with their own shout. Kai snagged Josie around the waist and kissed her deeply. Hoots and whistles went up all around them. When Kai finally broke the kiss, Ariki called out, “Now we feast.”
Lachlan couldn’t believe what was happening. How…? Shit. He had to fix this, but first… “Carter, would you please give us the room? I’d like to speak to Hunter alone.” Lachlan had one shot to convince Hunter to give them a chance at being together.
“We’re in the middle of watching out for Unholy.”
“There’s been no movement in over two hours. I think you can give me five minutes to talk with my mate.”
“He’s not your mate,” Carter seethed.
“It’s okay, Carter. Lachlan and I do need to talk.” Hunter stared at his brother, and something passed between them.
Carter scrubbed a hand down his face. “Fine. Five minutes.”
Lachlan changed the monitor in front of him to another camera. One which showed the area Carter had been watching. When he turned to his mate, the cold gaze looking back at him didn’t bode well.
“How have you been?” Lachlan asked.
“About as well as one can be whose mate is a traitor sitting behind bars.”
“And I’ve paid for my crimes. Why haven’t you visited? Have you given up on us?” Lachlan hated the neediness in his voice.
“Why would I visit you? The moment I found out who you really are, you became dead to me.”
Lachlan’ heart was breaking. Again. “Then why are you here?”
“Rafael called.”
Of course. Hunter was there to babysit him.
“Please, Hec– Hunter. I’m trying to make amends. I won’t always be stuck in this prison. Then you and I can—”
“Stop. There is no you and I.”
“But we’re mates,” Lachlan whispered.
“No, we aren’t. Not really. We never completed the bond, and too much has happened.”
“But I didn’t do this! I swear on all that’s holy, I swear on our mate bond I had nothing to do with the plane going down.”
Hunter stared at Lachlan. Stared into his eyes for the truth. He shook his head. “I can’t. Lachlan Rokesby, I…” Hunter let out a deep sigh. “I release you.”
“No. No!” Lachlan’s vision blurred. His stomach twisted, and his beast howled. “No, no, no,” he muttered, rocking back and forth. He had to get out of there. Had to get away so he could prove his innocence. If he ever wanted things to be right with Hunter, Lachlan had a lot of work to do. Hunter had his back to Lachlan, and as he grabbed Hunter’s head, he whispered, “Please forgive me.”
His father’s words resonated within Kai. He had been incomplete until he met Josie on the side of the road. When she denied him, his soul had shattered, but when she accepted the bond, she put him back together. Now, he was whole. They were one entity in two bodies, stronger than any couple with the exception of his parents. When Kai was young, his
