Lilac’s P.O.V. The path was still visible inside the forest, though the ground was no longer level. Rocks jutted out left and right, some surrounded by blankets of thick moss. Our group slowed as an all-encompassing silence took over the forest. Birds ceased their chirping, scattering from the tre
Left and right rogues appeared from between the trees, trying to knock me off the path. Some I stopped to take down, while others I left badly wounded. I spared a glance behind me and nearly sagged with relief. The contestants had followed. Close behind was what had to be over one hundred rogues, al
I landed on the grass, my head spinning wildly. The threads were cool between my fingers, but it wasn’t dew that moistened the grass. It was fresh blood. My body screamed in agony as I tried to get up. The ground tipped sideways, my vision blurring even further. Screams melted into one, and I swor
Nox’s P.O.V. I made it halfway across the battlefield, so close that I could see wisps of Lilac’s dark hair in between the halo of rogues that surrounded her, when I felt it. A force more agonizing than that of steel carved open my chest, slashing through muscle and bone. I looked down and saw no
Lilac turned towards them as though she were debating on following with her undead army. There was no way I could let her go. Her pain was overwhelming her. She needed someone to pull her back before she drowned in it, before she dragged others into its depths. I reached down the bond, a quiet sob
Betrayal bubbled beneath my skin. I shoved my anger to the side. “Thank you for letting me know.” “Anytime.” He stepped in front of Lilac, preventing her from walking any further. I stiffened, not knowing how she’d react when he held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I can’t let you come any
Lilac’s P.O.V. “You are so special, sweet girl. So very special.” Dad said with that patient smile of his. I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at him or the poor creature I cradled in my hands. He had no choice but to love me. That’s why he was saying that. Anyone else would think I was a monst
At first, I thought that Nox didn’t deserve me, but now I wondered if it were the opposite. He’d taken care of everything these past few days, shouldered the loss of all those who had died in battle. Not only that, but he had Will clean out my father’s cabin. Everything he owned was now in a storage
Kalix froze. In fact, I was pretty sure we all froze. “My wife is pregnant?” “Yes.” Natasha nodded. “With my baby?” “No, the mailman’s.” She snorted, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Who else would it be?” “I’m going to be a father?” A giggle bubbled past her lips. “That’s typically what happe
I recognized the look on Kalix’s face whenever his sister and Shayla were in the same room. The mixture of awe, terror, and bliss was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. We had everything we could’ve ever wanted and would do anything to keep it that away. “Where’s Natasha and Hakeem?” Shayla aske
Nox’s P.O.V. Six Years Later “You no good cheater!” I heard my mate belt from across the backyard. Her father’s boisterous laugh followed, drawing my eyes. The two of them stood in the stand pit off to the side of the pool and were currently hitting a volleyball back and forth. Jada and Brinley w
I threaded my arm through his and patted his hand. “Well, now you can focus on other things.” A gleam of nervousness filled his eyes. “So, is everything ready for tonight?” Shayla often mentioned how flustered she’d get by Kalix’s smooth charm, but she was the only one who failed to see how nervou
Mom beamed, tears blossoming in her eyes as she threw her arms around our shoulders. We clung to her side chuckling when Jada raced forward to blot her make-up with a microfiber cloth. “I’m sorry, I’m just so happy. I never thought I’d get to see this moment. Goddess, I’m so grateful. I’ve got both
Lilac’s P.O.V. Three Years Later “This itches.” I grunted, picking at the lace clinging to my rear. “Mark my words, I’m going to have a rash on my ass by the end of the night.” “No scratching!” Shayla smacked my hand away, a playful grin curling at her lips. Since disappearing on a little trip w
“Your aura has never been brighter.” She murmured quietly in my ear, a bright smile warming her face. A few minutes later, Diego called our names and invited us onto the stage. I laced my arm through Nox’s and followed his lead. No less than six cameras were stationed on us, each one set at a diff
The tension faded from her shoulders as she nodded. “Thank you for being there for me. I never meant to put you in a spot. Anyway, you came here for a reason, right? Don’t let my tears chase you off.” “You sure?” I paused, “It’s not exactly a light topic.” “None of our conversations this past wee
Lilac’s P.O.V. One Week Later “How have you been?” Natasha turned from where she sat on the balcony and smiled softly. Pain lingered behind the action. I should know considering I’d made that same expression a time or two. She motioned me forward, gesturing to the chair beside her. I sat down fo