Elder Richardson pov "Thank you, gentlemen, for gathering here again on such short notice. As many of you might have noticed, some of the Council members aren't present, and I must point out that they won't join us for the first part of this meeting. Depending on the votes, we shall decide if the second part of the meeting will carry on with or without the Council members in question. Since we will discuss rather delicate topics today, the last thing we want to encounter is a conflict of interest. Do I have everyone's agreement?" As I address the Council and the only reaction I see are nods from everyone present, I let out a breath of relief. Meetings as such aren't the easiest part of our day, especially if something happens out of the blue. I, for one, didn't expect this turn of events. We had to hold this meeting days ago, but certain someone created such a fuss about the traitorous behaviour of his relative, we had to deal with the disagreement within the Council first. "I'm g
Luka pov Is it weird to say that I never thought of the direction my life is moving? I mean, I've thought of many different scenarios, but none was even close to this. And yet, as I stand leaning against the doorframe of my brother's bathroom, I can't help but feel pure happiness. For us, coming together as brothers should, and for the woman who's more than happy to accept all of us the way we are. Regardless of the negative or positive aspects of our personalities and life choices, she still accepts us all. Sarah is a gift from above, and I'll do anything in my power to treat her as such and appreciate every moment we can spend together. The joyful smiles on their lips make me feel more complete than I ever had, which is yet another proof of how right this decision is. As if on cue, my mobile phone goes off in my pocket, and though I attempt to ignore it, soon enough, the caller proves how persistent they can be, so I excuse myself and let my brothers enjoy time with Sarah.
Lazarus povSomeone must really need to get a hold of Luka, well, judging by how persistently this someone is calling my brother. After a few missed calls, he breaks and excuses himself. I try to show him the most supportive smile I can muster. Technically, all three of us had a go at Sarah, and we're equally responsible for the aftercare part, but I understand that sometimes it can't be helped when one of us would have to skip the step. Sarah has Lenox and me, and Luka might face some issues back home. The pack will always come first, regardless of how we feel about someone; packs rely on us and our decisions, so we must live up to their expectations. For some reason, I keep track of time, and once the first fifteen minutes pass by, I become uneasy. What if something did happen in his district? Does Luka need my or our help? He knows that we would help no matter what, right? That's what family is for: to protect and support each other. The more I think about what's happening beh
TW: DISTURBING THEMES MENTIONED.Lenox povIf it were up to me, this day wouldn't come or happen. It just wouldn't.I never wanted to gain a certain attitude from someone just because of the things I've done. Alright, that's a lie, but a little white lie doesn't hurt anyone. When it comes to torture, killing, and walking through the forest, those are the things I do because I enjoy them, and I love the reputation that follows. People and shifters are generally disgusting: the more they have heard of the terrible things I've done, the more they'll try to avoid me. So, the bad part of my personality is something I have and always will display with pride. The good things, however, are something I rather bury deep and forget. Just like this one. Everything I did for Luka, I did it because he's my brother, and I must protect my family. I never intended to wave that shit in his face and make him grant me respect or any of that shit. I wanted, and still want to, earn his respect, trust,
Sarah pov I stir in the bed, and though the temptation to sleep more is there, I can't seem to fall asleep again. There's this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, the same feeling I get whenever someone's watching me. Without thinking too much, I sit up in the bed and gasp once I come face to face with the man watching me. I stare into blazing eyes that seem both unknown and oddly familiar. His face looks like a part of it has burned off, leaving skin dripping down but never quite falling on the sheets. My senses scream I should back off, but those hunted eyes. They're so full of pain, so captivating that I can't move. Forcing down the lump forming in my throat, I hold my breath and bring my hand to the creature's cheek. He closes his eyes and relishes the touch while my eyes take in every detail of his face. I know who he is, I'm sure I know it, and I have his name on the tip of my tongue, but why won't it leave my lips? Why is he here? As a slight, pained smile spreads
Luciano povLeaving my family behind, even when I know I must, sucks. Over the years, I had to learn how to trust the men next to Seth, and as soon as the triplets were born, I felt like the worst father alive each time I had to travel somewhere without them. It's always easier to go anywhere if I have all of them around me and I protect them. But now, that's not the case. Sure, a part of me misses them so badly I want to turn the car around and speed back to my son's district, but the other part, the one still capable of thinking, knows how badly the temptation could turn around and bite my ass. On the bright side, the sooner I deal with DeAmes, the sooner I can return to my family, so that's sort of an amazing fucking motivation to stop overthinking and find the bastard before he takes the first step. As I add more force to the gas pedal, my phone starts ringing, and I reach for the car console screen to accept the incoming call. There's no need to pry my gaze away from the road
Sarah povSlowly, I take his hand in mine and slide out of bed. The moment Lenox notices I'm still nude, he pulls his shirt over his head and offers it to me. Honestly, I'd rather walk around completely naked and let the air heal my skin, but since I understand there are many shifters everywhere- from Lazaru's pack and his parents, I accept the shirt. Lenox looks at me a little funny, so I raise an eyebrow, to which he just chuckles and shakes his head. "Don't mind me; I just find our size difference a little funny. I'm the smallest of us three, and you still wear my shirt like a dress, so I wonder if you would drown in Lazarus shirts." "You little shit," I hiss and slap his shoulder, making him laugh even louder. Maybe he's irritating me a little, but I can't stay mad at him. Especially after I witnessed how broken he is and barely managed to make him smile. Alright, he made himself smile, but I'm a little responsible for the positive change too. I slide my hand back in his and
Luciano pov I turn around faster than I can register the action happens, but I'm met with nothing. Nothing but the field I just crossed. My eyes scan the surroundings, and my senses are on high alert. I can't see anything out of the ordinary, but I feel a presence. Like the black hole, it lures me closer, but my survival instincts are stronger, so I stay glued on the spot. The longer I look around and fight against every fibre in my body that screams for me to run, the more frustrated I grow. Why the fuck can I sense someone is near, someone who followed me around, but I can't see whoever this someone is? "Show yourself," I say as calmly as I can, even though my heart pounds against my ribcage with such force I can hear the thumping louder than the wind blowing. Whatever is this trick, I feel it closer; it walks around me and takes in every detail of my appearance; I feel the fucking eyes on me. Just to prove my point, I extend my claws slower than I usually do and stand taller.
Sarah pov I gulp as I scan the faces of the men in my room. A part of me wants to have Seth by my side, but she’s too good to stick around now. The thing I mentioned earlier, the possibility of terminating the pregnancy- it was my idea. I spoke about it and Seth just held my hand and said she would support me regardless of what I do. I saw the tears and pain in her eyes, I saw how much against the idea she was, but being the amazing woman she is, Seth stood by my side. And she would now too, but this time, I need to listen to the men who love me and make the decision with them. Only them. My mind races, thousands of thoughts run through the deepest parts, and each scream something new. Should we know what’s hiding inside our baby? Sure, the possibility of it being evil is small, but even a good being wouldn’t take over a body that isn’t born yet without a reason. Than said it himself, the holy beings come here to stop the evil deeds and this situation is too grand for him t
Sarah pov It’s not so much that Than makes me nervous, because he sure as hell does, it’s more his words that leave me speechless. He’s implying that whatever is living inside my body must be someone who’s sent for a greater good. There’s no saying if he could be right or if he’s tricking me, but the look on his face doesn’t resemble someone who’s coming here to play games. Besides, technically, he has no reason to fool me. His daughter lives inside Lenox, he has an obvious attraction toward Seth, and so far, he has proven himself to be worthy. Maybe he’s the one person I should listen to? “Okay, so what do we do next?” I ask, probably sounding a bit too uneasy. Not that he could blame me given that the past events keep piling up and the entire family seems to lack time to deal with the issues. “Nothing. We wait,” Than leans back in his seat as the tension finally leaves his features. At this point, as confused as I am, maybe he is right. Perhaps sitting back and waiti
Luka pov Lazarus stares at dad with the same confused, shocked, and wide-eyed expression as I do, but as it seems, it’ll take a while for my brother to come back to his senses. Possibly even too long, so this time, I have to step up and give him a break. Turning my full attention to dad, I clear my throat and slightly tilt my head as I speak, “Whatever is your idea about this situation, you can’t blame us. The last time we were with Lenox, he promised to follow us in a bit. We talked to Sarah and just left the room, and as you might have noticed, both of us kept glancing around. We were looking out for Lenox and decided to wait for him here.” Now, dad’s facial expression mimics ours, and all of us look like a bunch of very confused idiots. “That means you didn’t give Lenox a damn blessing to go there?” Dad turns his attention back to Lazarus. My brother shakes his head, still somewhat shocked, yet slowly regaining his senses. I have no idea what dad is thinking right now, but no
Sarah pov“You have to be kidding me,” I groan as I close my eyes and try to grab control over my emotions and senses. In all honesty, I’m a bit over everyone telling me what I’m supposed to do. No, perhaps not even just a bit- a lot, damn it. One person comes in here to tell me it’s better to do this, and the other arrives to tell me the complete opposite. How am I to make the right decision if everyone seems so indulged in my life that they need to make the decisions for me, or even try to shift my judgement?Isn’t this the one matter that I should discuss with my partners and come up with the best thing to do for our future? Yes, I already made the mistake of thinking that I had all the right to make this choice on my own, but thank God, Lazarus opened my eyes and reminded me it’s as much my decision as it is his brother’s. But now, there’s a demon sitting next to my bed and claiming I can’t even think about the termination. Does he have any idea who resides in my baby? What if
Lenox pov“Holy fucking sticks and bricks, let me shit myself while you’re acting all mysterious and dangerous, why don’t you? Come on, tell me and I promise I won’t steal shit here,” I grin at the blob and hide my hand behind my back to cross my fingers. For as long as I keep them crossed, no one can claim I lied. Alright, I’m lying, I still fully intend to steal something, but the creature doesn’t need to know. “Follow me, but for those answers, keep in mind that everyone pays a price,” she whispers as if she’s trying to make a fucking deal with me now. What the hell is even happening? I promised mom I wouldn’t make a deal with the devil and this thing before me looks like I imagine a devil would. I want the heart, but the price? Yeah, for as long as I don’t know what it is, I’m not that keen to exchange my left nut for the heart. I need my left nut. Panic seizes me as images of this, whatever it really is, ehem, woman, grabbing my nut, runs through my mind. I quickly lift the
Sarah pov “He’s right,” I let out a long, shaky breath as I admit the one thing I wish I wouldn’t have to admit out loud. Lazarus might have reacted to my words in a way I didn’t expect him to, but at least, he didn’t shy away from telling me everything he thinks of the decision I’m trying to make. Regardless of the circumstances and setting, I can’t make the choice on my own because Lenox is present. Often, women have to carry the burden of life-changing choices on their own simply because they are alone. But I’m not. And I know that I won’t be even if I pressure the matter and the choice, I thought was the right one. But what if it’s not? What if Lazarus is right in more ways than I can think of? What if the next time Lenox and I try for a baby, we have to face the same situation as now? I know, we don’t have much time to make the decision, but we also don’t know how dangerous the thing is that’s taking over my baby. “What do you mean?” Seth asks, concern crossing her fea
Lenox pov~If you do this, I will never forgive you,~ As snarls at me as I hop through the shadowy, eerie-looking forest. Shit, this place feels like home. I could totally see myself living here, building a small cabin and all that nonsense. While As keeps fuming, I stop to take in the scenery and enjoy the silence surrounding me. The tree branches look like they’re ready to grab my body and gut me on the spot. How hot is that? I can almost imagine how I could take one of those fucking vile-looking branches and make myself a new, exclusive spoon. Maybe that thing could have a mind of its own and attack people on my commands?Once I’m done with my task, I might grab a souvenir on my way out of here. While my mind wanders to beautiful possibilities, As can’t seem to shut the fuck up, so I snap at her. “Because I should forgive you for nearly killing my brother, huh? Real smooth, Miss As, real fucking fantastic ants farm smooth.” She scoffs. ~You forgot who keeps you alive.~ Yeah,
Lazarus pov“Kill the baby?” The question leaves my lips before I can stop it. I didn’t intend to be so straightforward or come across as a complete asshole, but sometimes, even if I try my darndest, I can’t stop myself from saying some things. All eyes in the room focus on me. I guess saying something in the lines as Sarah did, the fancy wording of termination and all, seems more humane than the actual truth. All things aside, that’s exactly what she’s saying. She is planning to kill the baby. I raise my hands and shake my head. “We need to discuss this. All of us. Just think of the possible consequences and the reaction Lenox will have to these news. Like it or not, he’s the biological father of that child, and he has a say too. Yes, it’s your body and your choice, but thus far, I haven’t heard anything from you that implied that you didn’t want this baby. In fact, you appear to be rather happy about the possibility of becoming a mother.”Everyone in the room sits silent. Sarah
Luka povWhen Laz and I step into Sarah’s hospital room, she’s already wide awake, grinning at our mom. My heart skips a beat at the sight before us. Not only the adoration in the eyes of the women I love the most but I’m taken aback by how much at ease Sarah appears. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, so I assume they were sharing some secrets or spent the time laughing at their weird jokes. However, despite the cheerful energy that surrounds them, I can’t help but feel a little suspicious. As they smile at us, I notice how the smiles don’t reach their eyes and it’s all the confirmation I need to accept that something’s wrong. Not only wrong but they’re also trying to hide it from us. Whatever it is, I’ll figure it out sooner or later, because just like Sarah said- if we want this to work, we must remember how important communication is. Sucking in a deep breath, I brace myself for the possible backlash but still go with the initial plan and dive right in, “What’s wrong?”Sarah a