[Fineon’s POV]Hissing, I follow Andria out of the room while Heather laughs out loud due to her mother’s manhandling of me. Irritation flares, but I continue to let Andria lead me down a hall and into Elleric’s office.Once we’re inside, she releases me and locks the door before pulling down a metal sheet that will keep any potential eavesdroppers from hearing what is going on."Now," she announces, making her way around Elleric’s desk and plopping down in his chair. "Have a seat.""And what if I want to stand?""Quit being stubborn."Remaining in place, I narrow my gaze. If she thought I was going to get close enough for her to possibly hit me again now that we were alone, she was wrong."Funny," Andria smirks, leaning back in her chair. "When did you develop this sudden fear of women?""When one tried to destroy my perfect face.""Perfect?" She scoffs. "Not hardly. Anyway, if you wish to stand there, then so be it."Nodding, I raise a brow, urging her to say whatever the hell it is
[Fallon’s POV]With that, I knew that it was my time to escape.Not bothering to respond, I quickly turned and made my way into the bathroom. Quickly stripping off my clothes, I hopped into the bath and let my whole aching body submerge.Looking down, I once again took in the hickies that covered my skin along with the bruises from where Fineon’s fingers and teeth dug into me. Shit, how did I not notice any of these earlier on, and why weren’t they healing?Because your wolf is gone, a small voice in the back of my head murmurs.Feeling my heart constrict painfully, I reach out for Artemis, but she isn’t there."What happened to you?"Trying to ignore the shooting pain that I feel deep within my heart, I begin to wash myself.Once I’m finished, I get out and quickly change, then throw my hair up in a towel and make my way back into the room where I know Heather and possibly even Denise are waiting for me."Alright," I announce, pushing the bathroom door open. "Be gentle on..."No othe
[Fineon’s POV] "You let him do quite the number." Alice, Elleric’s personal medic, murmurs while dabbing my face with cotton swabs. "What exactly were you thinking?" After being asked this same question by Fallon, I was brought here to be treated while Fallon went to deal with Cyrus. Even though I didn’t want her to have to face him alone, she insisted that she needed to speak to him privately anyway. After that, I just couldn’t argue. "Reasons." I shrug, not bothering to answer Alice’s question. Letting out a huff of annoyance, she remains silent and continues with her work. Once she is finished, I get up and begin to extend my senses, looking for Fallon. After locating her, I start to move but am stopped by Elleric, who is standing outside the room waiting for me. "Have you come to scold me as well?" I ask. "If so, could you..." "No," Elleric responds. "I actually wanted to speak with you and Fallon, but it seems that she isn’t here." "She is with Cyrus," I explain. "That’s
[Fineon’s POV]Later, I sat alone in the room that I always used to stay in when I came to visit Elleric and Andria. From the other side of the wall, I could hear giggling and felt a tinge of annoyance towards it, knowing that the person I wanted beside me the most right now was there with my irritating nieces.After Elleric was finished announcing his discoveries, everyone was allowed to go their separate ways for the evening. Although Fallon and I had tried to be in the same room together, in the end we were separated to keep the peace, even if keeping that peace meant that I had to share my room with the one person that wanted to kill me the most right now.Letting out a huff, I examine the small balcony attached to my room and considered whether or not I could scale it and kidnap Fallon in the night."Whatever you’re thinking, forget it."Flinching, I turn my attention towards Cyrus as he exits the shower in nothing but a towel."Why are you half naked?" I demand, "I gave you thin
[Fallon’s POV]"Well?" Fineon asks from beside me. I can feel his eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. "What do you think?"What did I think? I wasn’t quite sure! Of all the things I expected to be shown, this most certainly wasn’t one of them."What is this?"It’s the only thing I can truly think as my eyes scan the iridescent pool in front of me that is surrounded by glowing rocks and flowers. How was it possible a place like this existed here and I never knew?"Crystal lake." Fineon responds. "Instead of just standing here staring at it, will you take a dip with me?"Frowning, I look over just in time to see Fineon pulling off his shirt so that I could get an eyeful of his toned chest and lean build. However, he didn’t stop there. Letting out a rumble, he threw the shirt aside and hooked his fingers in his pants."Are you just going to stare?" He asks, drawing my gaze up to his quickly darkening one. "Or are you going to undress too?"Feeling my core throb with excitement, I let my
[Fallon’s POV] "Who are you?" Confusion laced with an odd sense of recognition begins to flow through me as the figure continues to take form. Soon, a beautiful woman with flowing silver hair and almost translucent skin stands before me. Her eyes, which examine me closely, are the same color as the galaxy and seem to draw me into their depths. "Do you not recognize me, Anika?" She asks, seeming genuinely confused. "I’m not," I begin, trying to make sense of what is going on. "I’m not her." "Of course you are." The woman insists. "I have been feeling your energy for quite some time and have waited for you to come and visit me again." As I try to make sense of what is happening, Fineon appears, pulling me against him protectively. "What the hell were you thinking?" He growls, shaking me slightly. "Why would you just run headfirst into possible danger?" "Fineon?" I manage, keeping my gaze on the woman who is watching us with a confused look. "Why don’t you actually take everything
[Anika’s POV]I keep my eyes on the strange man, whose body is half submerged in the pool of tranquility. Who was he, and why was he even here?"Who are you?" I ask, raising a brow. "Are you a spy?"Immediately, I go on defense as Titiana lets out a laugh."He isn’t your enemy." She announces. "If anything, he is the key to making sure you complete what you couldn’t back then."The confusion that crosses the man’s face at Titiana’s words mimics my own. It’s clear that he is just as oblivious to what is happening as I am."What the hell are you talking about?" He growls, beginning to make his way towards us. "And where is Fallon?""Fallon?" I repeat, turning to meet Titiana’s gaze. "Who is that?""Your host." Titiana explains. "If the both of you will please just try to calm down, I will explain everything as I’m sure all of this is quite overwhelming for both of you."That was an understatement.The last thing I remembered was Mateo’s disappointed gaze that met mine before he walked o
[Fineon’s POV]Pain rips through me as I take in the words that Titiana is saying. However, before I get the opportunity to let myself drown in them, Fallon collapses."Hey!" I gasp, catching her before she hit the ground. "What the hell?""Anika is out of energy and unable to keep control," Titiana responds. "And I’ve spent all my energy as well and must go."Even though I still have many questions in regards to what was said and what happened, I don’t argue. Instead, I simply nod and watch as Titiana disappears entirely.Once she is gone, I drop to my knees and cradle Fallon’s unmoving form against me.Staring down into her face, I feel my heart squeeze as Titiana’s words replay in my mind.This was my fault... I was the one who put all of this into motion because of my childish obsession with Gale. How was I supposed to look her in the eyes anymore? I was sure she heard everything and would most likely blame me once she woke up.‘Good job, dumb ass,’ Franz huffs in frustration. ‘I
[Idris’ POV] "Are you sure you’re going back?" Mom’s eyes begin to fill with tears as she waits for a response. I don’t know exactly what she expects me to say. "Yes, I am. It’s been a month since Mateo and his underlings were killed, and the academy is finally reopening. As a student, I am required to go back." She knew that I still had a year left before I graduated. I couldn’t just never go back, no matter what had happened since the school shut down. "But…" "Don’t give him a hard time," Dad warns, cutting her off while wrapping a comforting arm around her. "The academy is one of the safest places on the continent, and the threat is gone. I’m sure the next year will simply fly by." "That’s right," I add, taking advantage of dad’s opening for me to leave. "I promise to keep in touch, and before you know it, I’ll be back to irritate the hell out of you." "You heard him," Dad beams, squeezing her closer. "Now, you should allow him to head out; otherwise, he won’t make it there
[Hindrick’s POV]"Welcome back!"Uncle Elleric doesn’t wait before he pulls me into a hug, crushing me against him and making me extremely uncomfortable.Growling, I work to break free, and once I manage to achieve my goal, I take a few steps back."Ever the stoic," he chuckles, taking me in. "Can’t you drop the act just for a day? You’ve been gone for a month, and you didn’t even bother to send word.""Because I was busy cleaning up the mess that was left behind," I point out. "Anyway, I didn’t come here for a heartfelt family reunion."At my words, Uncle Elleric’s face grows serious, and I get the feeling that he is expecting me to deliver a killing blow."Don’t worry," I sigh before his head can come up with some ridiculous scenarios, "it isn’t anything like that. I was actually asked a favor by an idiot.""Fineon?" Uncle Elleric asks, knowing perfectly well who I would be referring to. I didn’t know if I was that obvious or if he also saw Fineon as a fool. "Or is it Chance?"I bit
[Fallon’s POV]A month passed in a blur before things were finally beginning to become normal once again. With things being so hectic, I didn’t get to see much of Fineon since he seemed to always be busy, but this time when we met, I wasn’t going to let him go until he told me what it was that he was up to.I manage to find Fineon heading out of dad's office with a look of frustration on his face."What’s wrong?" I ask, startling him."F-Fallon!" he gasps, taking me in. "Why are you...""Here?" I offer for him, moving forward. "Because if I wasn't, you would find some way to evade me like you have been doing for the past month."At my words, his expression shifts from shock to guilt. So he was intentionally avoiding me, which is interesting."Anyway, I was hoping you’d come somewhere with me today," I continue, wrapping my arms around his and squeezing. "Saying no is not an option.""But…""No buts!" I snap. "Come on."Giving a tug, I begin to move, dragging Fineon until we arrive at
[Fineon’s POV]Returning home was a bittersweet thing, given the circumstances we were returning under. Whether it should have been a time of celebration, it was instead a moment of saying welcome back and saying goodbye.As we made landfall and began to unload, Fallon rushed off to see her parents and allowed herself to get lost in their embrace.Deciding that the moment should be strictly for family, I stay back as the tears begin to fall."You want to help us with this?" Ramone asks, coming up behind me. "He’s a bit heavy."Nodding, I turn and follow him back onto the boat to collect Cyrus’ body, allowing Fallon and her parents to be alone with each other.Inside the cabin, I can feel the chill of death pressing against my skin, and it makes the fact that Cyrus and Gavin are gone that much more real. Now all that was left to do to say goodbye was give them the proper send-off that they deserved.Sighing, I move forward and help Ramone collect Cyrus first so that his parents could s
[Fallon’s POV]I don’t know how long I stayed in place, staring at the slowly disappearing door that Cyrus took to his final resting place. It was only when Titiana gently touched my shoulder that I finally snapped out of my daze."You need to get back now," she murmurs, giving me a smile filled with sympathy and sorrow. "Although your brother is no longer on earth, there are still many waiting on you.""Right," I sigh, getting to my feet. "I’m sure Fineon and Hindrick are at their wits end.""When you go back, you should really think about yourself more," Titiana chuckles."What do you mean?""You’ve worked so hard to gain everyone’s approval that you have lost yourself," she explains, touching my cheek."That’s what being a leader means," I counter. "I can’t think of myself. I can only think of my pack.""That’s not true," Titiana says, shaking her head. "You must also think of yourself, otherwise, you’ll end up regretting it one day. Now, go back to them."Before I can respond, I’m
[Fallon’s POV]"You had something you needed to speak with me about?" I ask hesitantly as Titiana examines me.After all the bombs that had been dropped on me earlier on, I wasn’t quite sure I was ready for another, but since this was the goddess’ request, there was no way that I could deny her."Not so much me," she responds, giving me a sad look.My stomach starts to roll as a bad feeling begins to creep up in me. Why was she looking at me like that, and why did it make my heart hurt?"Who is it?" I ask quietly, realizing that whoever it was must be someone close to me, and if they were here instead of on earth, then that meant that they were dead."It’s me."The world comes crashing down around me as I turn and find Cyrus making his way toward me.No, this couldn’t be real; there was no way it could. Was he like me, on the edge of life and death? If so, that meant he could be saved. Why was he here, and why did it feel like whatever was going to be said was goodbye?"Cy-cyrus," I w
[Anika’s POV]I continue to stare down at the lava where Mateo disappeared while Fineon and Hindrick remain silent, allowing me the space to process my emotions.Mateo was gone, for real this time. He would never come back to this world in this lifetime, and I wasn’t even sure if we would be able to find each other when we reincarnated like we promised. So that meant this was it, right?That thought alone left an immense loneliness in me that I thought I would never have to feel again. However, I had to admit, the second time around was so much more painful."Sorry to disturb," Fineon murmurs after a bit more time passes. "But how will we be sure that doing what Mateo said really did the trick?""I don’t know," I admitted, frowning."You don’t think that this was another trick of his, do you?" Hindrick growls. "What if...""He wasn’t lying," I say, cutting him off. "The one that was there in the end was Mateo, not Parker.""I understand that, but nothing seems to have happened," Hindr
[Anika’s POV]I wait as Fineon and Hindrick examine me as if trying to determine if they could convince me to stay. It is only when Mount Malum lets out another ominous roar that they seem to concede and begin to move again."Stay close," Hindrick orders when I scramble to catch up. "If you cause anything to happen to Fallon’s body, I’ll destroy you, understood?""Of course," I respond, not taking offense to his threat. "I know my limits.""Then let’s go," Hindrick sighs, though he still doesn’t seem fully convinced.Nodding, I begin to follow, staying close behind the two men who insisted on keeping me safe from any possible rockslides or attacks that may happen."It’ll take at least a day to get to the top of this," Hindrick mutters when we reach Mount Malum’s side. "Do we have that much time?"Looking up, I take in the lava that bubbles up and then explodes and the smoke that is quickly surrounding the mountain, blocking the rest of the world from view."I don’t know," I admit. "Bu
[Anika’s POV]Pain rips through my chest with every inch the anima sword makes through Mateo’s body. Even if I managed to destroy the mark he left on me, our bond was still there, and I wasn’t too surprised I was feeling what he was. This was how strong our bond had always been, and in a way, I was happy he wasn't alone."An…ika…" Mateo rasps, his eyes finding mine. "Why?""Because this must be done."Everything in me screamed to stop, to help him, and to save him from the painful death that he was currently experiencing, but I knew this had to be done. And I was the one who had to do it. Not Hindrick, not Fallon, but me. I had to end this once and for all.Closing my eyes, I allow all the beautiful memories that we shared to begin to flash across my mind. This would be the last time I allowed them to overtake me. Once this was finished, I would fully let go. I had to; there was no holding onto something that would never be again.SIghing, I let my tears flow as Mateo’s love-filled ey