"Please."Snapping out of my daze, I open my eyes and look down at Mateo, only to find that the eyes I’m staring into are no longer the ones of the monster he had been."Mateo," I whisper, kneeling down and placing a hand on his cheek. "Is it really you?"Giving a sad smile, he nods and lifts a hand
[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 an
"I can…""Get on," he repeats. "You’re wasting valuable time."Deciding it was better to not argue, I do as he instructed, so that I’m now being carried piggyback up the side of Mount Malum.I keep my gaze fixed ahead as the lava continues to make its way toward us. I didn’t know what it was that Hi
[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
"But you said…""Let me finish," she smiles. "The only way that she will survive is for her to claim her wolf.""Then please, let her claim me!" I gasp. "I was always meant to be her wolf!"At my words, Fallon’s eyes grow wide, and a look of both shock and confusion flashes across her face."Did you
[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."No
He found his mate at such a young age, and because of this war, he would never be able to spend his life with her. How could fate be so fucking cruel?"Titiana!" I scream, turning around to find her standing at a distance watching mine and Cyrus’ exchange. "How could you do this? How could you take
[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 wit
"Life doesn’t work that way, sis," I sigh, forcing a smile. "And once I graduate from the academy, I plan on joining Uncle Elleric’s forces, so I won’t have time to think about things like love." "So you’re going to follow behind her," Fallon murmurs, not seeming pleased at all. "You’re going to fo
[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 requi
"Hindrick," Heather growls, coming to Utica’s defense. "I’m sure there was a reason that she did it. Why do you always have to be so nasty with anyone who isn’t Fallon?"Flinching, I keep my expression neutral while Heather’s glare burns daggers into me."Did you know?" I ask. "Or are you going to c
[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
"He…" Fineon sighs, his frustration returning. "Gave me an earful about going off like this during such an important time for you."So dad was thinking about the upcoming alpha ceremony that I would be completing. That was kind of him, but I didn’t want him to guilt Fineon into thinking that he need
[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 wa
"Dad." For the second time that day, everyone was left in shock as a voice that we weren’t sure we would ever hear again reached our ears. "Leave Callie alone," Idris continues, joining Fallon to protect her. "Think of what Cyrus would want and get your shit together!" "Idris," Gale sobs, attacki
[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 parent
Growing quiet, Fineon lifts his gaze in time for the light to explode out of Mount Malum, erasing the dark clouds that remained in the sky above and allowing a brilliant blue to peek through."It’s magic," I murmur, feeling the warmth of it pressing against my skin. "Do you think it is Mateo’s final