[Anika’s POV]I look around at the familiar room that I was raised in by the elders. Why was I here, and what happened before I got here? Everything was foggy aside from the feel of Mateo all around me.Standing, I slowly begin to make my way out of the room, stopping long enough to peek out at the hall, which is currently empty. Deciding it was safe, I continued on.As I moved, I could hear hints of commotion just below me. Instantly, I remembered exactly what was happening. This was when Mateo first came to visit to discuss a peace treaty between the Felix pack, my old pack, and Tonitrum.Feeling my heart rate kick up, I started to move, taking the stairs two at a time until my eyes found Mateo standing with Elder Andrews.As they heard my approach, they both turned and took me in as I grew closer."Anika?" Elder Andrews gasps. "Why are you..."Anything else he may have said disappears as mine and Mateo’s eyes meet and that electric shock from our bond zips through my skin. It was
[Fineon’s POV]I watch Fallon’s sleeping form beside me and find myself wishing that I could keep her feeling this safe beside me for forever, but first there were things that needed to be done. Only once everything was settled could I have my promised future with my mate.Leaning down, I give her cheek a quick kiss before quietly getting out of bed. After finding my clothes and pulling them on, I make my way out of the room and head toward the big brute’s office.Even though I really don’t want to have to face him again knowing that he wasn’t thrilled with me for demanding to have his daughter, there was something that was still bugging me.If Mateo’s current condition was due to the fact that he thought that his mate had killed herself along with his child, maybe if we proved to him that wasn’t true, it would make a difference. Maybe it was a long shot, but by this point, I would go with whatever hunch I had.Sucking in a breath, I knock on the big brute’s office door, where he seem
[Fineon’s POV]I watch in horror as blood begins to pool around Fallon from the spot on her stomach and her lips. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I knew it had something to do with Mateo."Hey!" I yell, getting the big brute’s attention. "We’ve got a problem!"Immediately, the big brute appears and kneels down beside his daughter. Reaching out, he flips her and yanks her shirt up so we can take in her bleeding wound."What the fuck happened here?" the big brute growls."I’m not sure," I admit.When I left her, she was fine and sound asleep. I couldn’t even begin to try to fathom how she ended up in this condition. Did Mateo infiltrate Fire Rose and attack her? Or was there something more that I was missing?"Why are you just standing there?" the big brute growls, snapping me out of my head. "We need to get her to a medic NOW!"Nodding, I step back as he pulls Fallon into his arms and begins to move.As we quickly make our way toward the medical wing of the pack house, we leave a
[Hindrick’s POV]I sit alone, staring out into the distance, while letting the sounds of crickets and cicadas comfort my whirling emotions. Even though I had thought that leaving Langley and Fallon would help me sort out my feelings and calm my mind, I was finding that it was leaving me more on edge than ever before.Despite knowing that Fallon was safe with that bastard Fineon and her father, I still found myself wanting to be the one beside her, protecting her. It was a ridiculous hope, but one that I just couldn’t seem to shake.‘Weak,’ Apollo huffs, not bothering to hide his disgust. ‘You’re always going to be too weak.’‘Maybe,’ I chuckle, letting out a sigh and shifting my position. ‘But at least I won’t be a burden to anyone ever again.’After leaving Langley, I made up my mind to never look back. It was something that no one else who was currently joining me on my mission knew, but it was a decision I made myself.Once things were settled, I would become a mercenary and travel
[Hindrick’s POV]Continuing to let the images come, I watch as Anika lets out a laugh while Mateo watches her."That’s right," Mateo chuckles. "Let that hatred take over and consume you."Cursing, I immediately realized what was going on. Just like me, Anika must have had a dark side that was constantly attempting to overpower her light. However, I couldn’t quite understand why, of all times, this was happening, but I had a feeling it was important.Turning my focus back to the scene in front of me, I watch as Anika throws an orb of black light at Mateo, who easily dodges it."Missed," Mateo chuckles. "Don’t let your emotions overpower your judgment.""You’re letting him manipulate you," I hiss, knowing damn well they couldn’t hear me. "You need to get it together."Biting back the urge to give in, I move, trying to reach Anika, though with each step I take, it's almost like I’m taking two steps back.‘This is just an illusion,’ Apollo reminds me. ‘The true inner struggle is in Fallon
[Fineon’s POV]I stare down at Fallon’s pain-filled face and find myself doubting whether or not what Tyson suggested would work. Wouldn’t it be better to remove that other mark on her skin?"Are you just going to stand there and look dumb?" The big brute snaps, drawing my attention toward himself. "She’s suffering, and as Tyson has said, you’re the only one who can do something about it.""But…" I stammer. "I still haven’t...""Does that matter?" The big brute growls, cutting me off. "I thought you were serious about my daughter and willing to do whatever it took to be with her.""I…"That was right. I had promised her and everyone around us that I would do whatever it took to show my sincerity, but when I thought of marking her without her permission, my heart hurt."Don’t attack him."Jerking, I snapped my gaze back to Fallon and took in her crimson gaze. Deep within in it I could see understanding, but I could also see a deep-rooted pain that left me feeling like the biggest piece
[Hindrick’s POV]I wait as Utica continues to stare me down with those damned eyes that seem to see deep into the very depths of my soul. Something about them is so unnerving, but I refuse to break our stare down."Well?" I repeat in frustration. "Are you afraid that I’m going to bite?""Maybe," Utica responds, causing Andria to break into a fit of giggles. "Could you not encourage her?""Don’t take your frustration out on Andria," Elleric warns. "Don’t you think if you were less harsh, the girl would be more willing to oblige your request?"Less harsh? I wasn’t being harsh to begin with, now was I? This was my usual way of speaking."It’s fine," Utica finally says, beginning to come forward. "I’ll do as you say since I’m feeling thankful for your helping me."Nodding, I watch until she is standing right beside me. Only when she stops moving entirely do I reach out and grab her hand.Immediately, a wave of warmth and comfort crashed into me, pushing aside the darkness that was threate
[Anika’s POV]I stare into Mateo’s dark eyes and find that I don’t feel an ounce of love for him. Instead, all I can feel is a deep-rooted hatred that leaves me wanting to kill the man in front of me."Go on then," he taunts when I don’t move. "Are you really going to hesitate to attack?"‘Kill him,’ the voice growls. ‘He was the one that allowed Alton to kill you and your baby.’That was right. He allowed Alton to take our lives and then tried to play it off as if he was devastated. From the start, he was never the kind Mateo that I thought I knew.Letting out a snarl of rage, I let all the darkness that is growing within me erupt, slamming into Mateo and sending him stumbling backwards."So this was the power you were always capable of," he laughs. "You’re still too weak."Surging forward, he lets his own energy erupt. Dodging the first blow, I attack with my own.Together, we dance around the space, fighting blow for blow and trying to gain dominance over each other. However, it be