[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
[Fineon’s POV] Why am I here? Why did I even bother coming? Was I a glutton for punishment or something? Feeling my heart squeeze painfully, I stare up at the mansion where my first and only love lives. Inside I’m sure she is somewhere smiling and laughing, but that smile and that laughter aren’t meant for me. No, they’re meant for someone else. Feeling a knot form in my throat, I lift a finger and hook it under the tie that has been fastened too damn tightly. Giving a tug, I hope to find some relief, but find that I still feel like I’m suffocating. "Fineon?" My older sister, Andira, calls out, drawing my attention away from Fire Rose's pack house. "Are you okay? I’ve called your name three times now." "Yeah," I respond, forcing a smile. "I’m alright, just a little tired." For a moment, Andria doesn’t speak as she takes me in. "Could you stop?" I ask, beginning to feel uncomfortable. "Shouldn’t we be heading in instead of standing around out here?" "You’re right!" Andria gasps
[Fineon’s POV]The world around me sways as I chug the burning liquid that still rests in my cup. This is drink number eight, maybe nine? I don’t know and frankly I don’t give a damn. As long as they keep doing the job of numbing my emotions they could keep coming!"Another," I announce, fixing my bleary gaze on Jim’s. “Make it a double.”"Don’t ya think you’ve had enough Fineon?" He asks, giving me a look of concern. "Don't ya know drinking your problems away ain't the answer?""No, I haven’t."Frowning, I try to push images of the dinner I had to attend earlier aside, but they come unbidden along with her beautiful face. The same beautiful face that has haunted my mind since I was young.Why the hell did Andria and Elleric force me to come along?‘Because it was to celebrate a return.’ Franz tries.A return? HA! No one returned and I had to spend the whole night watching her be cozy with him!Gale… Why did my heart give painful squeezes every time I saw her?How was it possible that
[Fallon’s POV]My heart hammers in my chest as I stare down into Fineon’s blazing blue eyes, which are staring up at me through his shaggy brown hair.The pain I find there leaves me at a loss for words, especially because I know that the pain he is feeling is due to his unrequited love for my mother and has nothing to do with me."You’re too drunk to think straight." I whisper, trying to diffuse the situation. "Come on, get up. You need some food and water to sober up.""I’m not!" He snaps, reaching out and grabbing my arms. "I’ve never been thinking more clearly.""You’re not." I repeat, attempting to shake myself free. "This was a mistake."Using as much strength as I can muster, I stand and yank my arms free as he just stares at me as if I just hit him.Shaking off the sudden desire to comfort him, I begin to move.I shouldn’t have let my guard down. I shouldn’t have come into this room with him. Hell, I shouldn’t have even approached him to begin with, but the minute I saw him st
[Fallon’s POV]I stare up at the large mansion that I haven't seen in years and prepare myself for what is to come when I walk through those doors.Even though I was coming to terms with the fact that I would forever be stuck with the beginnings of a mark that was forced upon me, that didn't mean that my family would.I was sure the minute my father saw it, he would go berserk and demand to know who was the one that did it. And despite the anger and betrayal I felt towards Fineon for what he tried to do, I couldn’t find it in me to give him away.‘Weak.’ Artemis huffs, not bothering to hide her disgust. ‘You don’t owe him a thing, yet you’re still willing to lie to your family on his behalf.’‘Yeah, I’m a weak fool.’ I respond, shoving her aside. ‘We’ve determined that.’Squaring my shoulders, I head inside, where I can sense my family waiting for me. There was no point in lolligagging outside; it was only prolonging the inevitable.Inside, I find mom and dad flirting.Gagging, I forc
[Fallon’s POV]Later that evening, I slowly make my way downstairs, where I can already hear the sound of people gathering for my welcome back party. As much as I wish that I could just spend a quiet evening with my family, this is necessary to properly begin my transition from alpha heir to actual alpha of the pack.As the sudden realization of just how important this night is hits me, I stop mid-step and slowly look over the banister to find members of my pack making their way through the main alcove of the packhouse towards the banquet hall, which I’m sure is decked out for this event.‘Getting cold feet?’ Artemis smirks, sending waves of annoyance through me. ‘How do you plan to lead when you’re too nervous to even face them.’‘Who says I’m nervous?’ I challenge.Sure, I am nervous, but that doesn’t mean that I have to admit it.Taking a few calming breaths, I begin to move again, this time with more purpose. When I hit the final step, my brothers pop out from either side, startl
[Fineon's POV]I pace in front of the large mansion that is brightly lit for the night's event. Again, I find myself wondering why exactly I even came here.'To beg forgiveness.' Franz growls, not bothering to hide his disgust. 'Like you should have done before she walked out that door!'Cursing under my breath, I run a hand through my hair in frustration. He's right; I should have chased after her, but I was too much of a damn coward.Closing my eyes, I see her face again, filled with so much hurt and betrayal that it causes an odd emotion to roll through me. What the hell was it that I was feeling? Guilt? Regret, or something deeper? I didn't know!'Stop acting like a fucking bitch and go in there!' Franz snaps, attempting to take control so he can move for me. 'The sooner, the better.'Letting out a frustrated growl, I do as he says while everything in me yells to turn and run away.Slinking inside, I fall into step with a couple who appear to be traveling in the same direction as
[Fallon’s POV]My eyes grow wide as I stare up into Idris’ crazed eyes. Gone is the little brother that I knew, and in his place is a creature that is only interested in taking my life.‘Idris?’ I whisper, unable to quite believe what is happening. ‘Why?’Instead of responding, Idris bares his teeth and lets out a snarl of warning.Unable to fully process what is going on, I begin to take in the energy that is radiating from his wolf and realize that something about it is terribly wrong.‘Idris?’ I try again, but find that I’m only meeting an impenetrable wall instead of getting through to my brother.‘It isn’t him.’ Fineon’s voice hisses. ‘Get out of there!’Before I can process what is being said, Idris is being tackled off of me. Scrambling up, I watch as he and Fineon hit the ground and begin to fight for dominance. ‘Don’t just stand there!’ Artemis hisses. ‘Go help him!’Him… Which him is she even referring to right now? Am I supposed to be helping my little brother, who seems