The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate novel Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Interesting Group, The Temple Said (Shade)

The stone seized Serena and spat her into a chamber at the same time as Dex.

They hit the ground hard enough to steal breath, the world spinning violently as they rolled across hot stone. Heat washed over her in waves.

"Serena." Dex was already moving, boots skidding as he crossed the stone towards her. He dropped beside her, hands gentle but urgent. "Hey. Look at me."

She sucked in a breath that burned all the way down.

"You’re dehydrated," he observed. His fingers brushed her forehead, grounding himself in the feel of her skin.

"I’m fine."

"You’re a terrible liar and the matebond proves it." He gave her a crooked grin, even as his pulse hammered. "Let’s agree you’re temporarily functional and revisit later."

That earned a faint, breathless huff from her. He helped her to her feet. She braced her hands on her knees for a moment, shoulders heaving.

The air tore open around them.

Hyran and Gav were thrown into existence to their right, landing in a staggered tangle of limbs. On the left, Aeron and Fin hit the ground almost in sync, Fin already pushing to his feet, eyes snapping to Serena.

"Serena," Fin said sharply, taking a step towards her.

Gav moved at the same time.

The floor cracked.

The sound was deep and violent, stone screaming as fissures split outward in jagged lines. Before anyone could reach anyone else, the ground lurched.

Stone surged upward, separating them. Three massive slabs of rock rose on unseen force, each carrying a pair: Serena and Dex on one, Fin and Aeron on the second, Hyran and Gav on the third. Maelor materialized on a fourth slab, alone, launched from a wall with the disoriented fury of a man who had been mid-sentence when the temple interrupted him.

Below them, molten fire rolled and churned. Thick and alive, breathing heat that licked up their legs in brutal waves.

Their slabs rotated abruptly, each pair facing outward, backs turned inward towards one another, cut off from sight. Some unseen force settled into their bodies, pinning their posture. Serena couldn’t turn her head far enough to see anyone except Dex.

She moved her fingers, interlocking with Dex’s. That was the most she was allowed to move.

The three platforms locked into a perfect circle suspended over the lava, each pair isolated on their own floating rock.

A voice rolled through the chamber as if the stone itself had learned to speak.

"Each soul must answer. Each answer must be true. Fail once, and the stone shall fracture. Fail twice, and both shall return to fire. Only one soul may answer at a time. Once a soul has answered, their voice returns. Their voice may call a name. Their voice may guide. Their voice may never speak an answer meant for another."

Heat surged beneath them.

The lava below churned in quiet agreement.

From somewhere to the left, Aeron laughed, sharp and delighted. "Oh, this is beautiful. Paired isolation with collective stakes. Every answer risks your partner’s life. I’m genuinely impressed."

Hyran actually clapped his hands once, the sound crisp and unmistakably pleased. "Well-designed. Very well-designed."

Maelor, on his solo platform, called out, "Am I being punished for something? Why am I alone?"

"You have yourself," Hyran offered. "That should be more than sufficient, given your self-regard."

Dex and Serena glanced at each other, both wearing the exact same expression. Equal parts disbelief and resignation.

"Mages," Serena said, as if that explained everything. It did.

"That’s lava," Gav said to Hyran. "Actual lava. You realize that, right?"

"What assumption ensures collapse regardless of intent? Choose the name of who shall answer."

Serena Drakenfell.

The voice spoke again. "Your time is up. Only one listened to the instructions and provided a name. Their name. Interesting group. The chosen may answer."

"Correct."

"What is the only fortification in Skardos that has withstood three consecutive sieges by three separate armies in the same decade without structural reinforcement, and what architectural principle made this possible?"

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