She gazed at me as I tried to calm down, my hand was still on her throat and my eyes darted around as if confused."But why, didn't you like it?" "It's too much." I reply, letting go of her neck."But we can…" "Stop sage I can't!" I yelled and she flinched."This is the reason why I asked you to wait, wait!" My hands ran through my hair as sweat dripped from every part of my body."Is there something you aren't telling me?" She moved closer to me, her eyes holding pained emotions.I knew she had prepared for this day but maybe I wasn't."Tell me what's wrong." She demanded, trying to hold back tears."You said you love me and…" "I do sage, trust me. I can't breathe or think without you." "Then tell me what's fucking wrong!" Her eyes had become red and I could see she was holding the urge to just burst into tears."Sage, I…" Seeing her this way made me so sad. I hadn't expected things to turn out this way. I didn't want her to get hurt."Is it so much of a crime that I want you, th
Scar's POV Sitting in the sterile clinic was proving to be torture. One minute a bleeding patient would be rushed in, the next someone was crying out in agony for attention. I stationed myself close to Len's bedside, positioning my head near her hand resting atop the sheets. My eyes grew heavy, but I resisted sleep's pull. I needed to stay near her."Scar..." Len's soft voice roused me as her fingers tenderly combed through my hair. "Scar?" she mumbled again. I looked up to see she was still fast asleep.Gently clasping her hand in mine, I whispered "Don't worry Len, I'll always be here for you." I rubbed soothing circles into her skin.She let out a faint groan, slowly blinking open her eyes. "Scar?" Confusion clouded her face at the sight of me."I'm right here, Len. Do you need anything?" I asked dutifully. "No...why are you still awake?" She tried sitting up, only to cry out in pain from the sudden movement.My heart clenched with worry. "What's wrong? Are you alright? Do you
Hermes POVThe sharp buzzing of my phone stirred me from sleep. Groaning, I blindly felt around the nightstand for the offensive device. "Shit!" I jolted awake, blinking against the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. What time was it anyway?"Sage?" I called out groggily, but was met with silence. That's when I noticed the notification lighting up my phone screen. *1 Missed Call*My gut twisted anxiously as my foggy mind raced over who could've called. "Was it Grandma?" If so, I was in deep trouble. She'd explicitly asked me to come home last night. But then things got heated with Sage and..."Damn it," I muttered, smacking my palm to my forehead. Last night had been a complete disaster. Pushing those thoughts aside for now, I checked to see who the missed call was from. My shoulders sagged in relief seeing it was just Scar. I quickly hit redial as I got up to search for my clothes.After several rings, Scar answered gruffly. "Where the hell have you been? I called ho
Lena's POV The journey back home had put Scar in high spirits. He'd pestered me so relentlessly about admitting my true feelings, I finally snapped."Fine, yes I'm in love with you! Is that some huge revelation?" I'd blurted out angrily, my cheeks burning. Scar just grinned, encircling me in a tender embrace. "Lena loves me, Lena loves me," he sang, lifting me from the passenger seat.I squirmed in protest. "I can walk myself, you know." But Scar was too elated to listen, carrying me inside.I suppose my resistance had worn him down over the weeks. Now that I'd opened up, Scar acted like a giddy child on Christmas morning.In the days that followed, Scar and I grew ever closer. He even told Hermes not to visit at first, giving me time to warm up to our new dynamic.Cuddling after lunch one afternoon, I pouted up at Scar. "When do I get to see Hermes again?" Though I cherished our intimacy, I missed my friend too.Scar's eyes flashed with fleeting jealousy. "This evening, my darling.
Sage's POV After tearing open the portal, I sprinted blindly away from the source of my anguish. Hermes' betrayal cut me to the core. I needed time alone to process the heartbreak.How could he claim an emergency, only to embrace another woman right in front of me? It made no sense unless he'd been dishonest all along. The very thought made bile rise in my throat.Lost in my rumination, I was startled by shouting up ahead. Squinting against the setting sun, I could make out figures approaching. Men decked out in tactical gear, accompanied by a woman."You, stop right there!" one barked, breaking into a run.My eyes widened in alarm and I veered off the path, scrambling for cover in the thick underbrush. The woman's voice rang out sharply. "After her! Don't let her escape, or the boss will have your heads!" Judging from their numbers and weapons, fighting would be unwise. I curled into a ball within the concealing bushes, heart pounding against my ribs.The group fanned out, searchi
Lena's POVI sat alone in the quiet living room after coming back from another unsuccessful search for Sage. It had been two agonizing days since she went missing and despite all of our efforts combing the city, we still hadn't found a single trace of her.I buried my face in my hands, consumed by guilt. This was all my fault. If I hadn't hugged Hermes that night, none of this would have happened. No matter how many times Hermes and Scar tried to console me these past few days, telling me it wasn't my fault, I still blamed myself completely."Oh Sage, please come back home. Everyone is so worried about you, especially Hermes. He's devastated," I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks. The immense guilt was eating away at me.Just then, I heard the front door open and glanced up to see Scar entering the house. He paused when he noticed me crying on the floor."Baby, what's wrong?" he asked with concern as he rushed over and pulled me into a comforting embrace.I melted into
Lena's POVI sat alone in the quiet living room after coming back from another unsuccessful search for Sage. It had been two agonizing days since she went missing and despite all of our efforts combing the city, we still hadn't found a single trace of her.I buried my face in my hands, consumed by guilt. This was all my fault. If I hadn't hugged Hermes that night, none of this would have happened. No matter how many times Hermes and Scar tried to console me these past few days, telling me it wasn't my fault, I still blamed myself completely."Oh Sage, please come back home. Everyone is so worried about you, especially Hermes. He's devastated," I whispered to myself as tears rolled down my cheeks. The immense guilt was eating away at me.Just then, I heard the front door open and glanced up to see Scar entering the house. He paused when he noticed me crying on the floor."Baby, what's wrong?" he asked with concern as he rushed over and pulled me into a comforting embrace.I melted into
Hermes' POVI trudged wearily up the front steps after another long, fruitless day of searching for Sage. As I unlocked the front door, defeat weighed heavily on my shoulders. It had been over 48 hours since she mysteriously vanished, and despite scouring every corner of the city, we hadn't unearthed a single useful clue to her whereabouts."You're back, dear. Any luck today?" My grandmother's hopeful voice greeted me as I entered the living room. But her smile faded when she registered the grim look on my face.I just slowly shook my head, collapsing onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. "Nothing. It's like she just disappeared into thin air."Grandma sat beside me, clasping my hand in her wrinkled, comforting grip. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon, Hermes. We have to keep faith."Despite her encouraging tone, I could hear the doubt creeping in. As more time passed with no sign of Sage, the outlook grew bleaker."I'm certain she was abducted, Grandma," I said bitterly, anger welling inside m
I woke slowly, languidly, enveloped in warmth. Soft lips pressed against mine even as fingers trailed down my body, igniting smoldering embers inside me. I yielded to the kiss, the caress, feeling wanted, desired.Until an angry snarl shattered the moment. The lips disappeared and a solid weight pinned me down. My eyes flew open to see Hunter sprawled on the floor, Scar looming over him, fists clenched."Scar!" I exclaimed. "What the hell?" His magenta eyes blazed as they fixed on me. "What the hell? You're seriously asking me that?" He stabbed an accusing finger at Hunter. "I can feel everything you feel, remember? So imagine getting woken up by you getting all hot and bothered over some bastard pawing at you.""Hey!" Hunter launched himself at Scar, both crashing to the floor in a tangle of limbs. I scrambled back as they rolled, grappling furiously. "Enough!" I shouted, but they ignored me. With a cry of frustration, I flung myself between them, shoving them apart with all my str
Lena The dull roar of the crowd gathered outside the hall was audible even from within my dressing room. I stared at my reflection as Sage zipped up the back of my knee-length black dress, her skilled hands working quickly. "There," she said. "You look beautiful, Lena."I sighed, brushing a strand of hair from my eyes. "I don't feel beautiful. I feel like I'm being served up for auction."Sage squeezed my shoulder, meeting my eyes in the mirror. "Today marks the beginning of real change. No more hiding, no more fear. You're bringing peace, Lena."Footsteps at the door made us both turn. Scar loomed in the doorway, striking in his black suit, silver hair glinting. Hermes hovered behind him, looking slick in navy blue. "It's time," Scar rumbled. I lifted my chin, striding forward. Hermes offered his arm and I took it, letting him guide me down the plushly carpeted hall. The clamor outside crescendoed as we approached the doors to the hall itself, camera flashes visible even from her
A feeling of bittersweet joy hung in the air as our ragtag group celebrated my unexpected reunion with my son. Jackson gazed at me with such awe and longing, as though unable to believe I was real. I found myself overwhelmed trying to reconcile Jackson to his grandson.In the midst of the emotional upheaval, I noticed Hunter slip quietly from the room, a shadow dimming his usual vibrancy. My joy dimmed, realizing how difficult this reunion must be for him. With care not to jostle the sleeping babe in my arms, I slipped out to follow Hunter's brooding silhouette."You deserve time to process all this change," I offered gently once we were alone outside the battered walls.Hunter exhaled harshly, avoiding my searching look. "I just need...space, to adjust to everything." He attempted a strained half-smile. "Don't mind my sulking."My heart clenched hearing the hurt poorly masked beneath his gravel tones. Impulsively I laid one hand on his slumped shoulder. "I haven't decided anything ye
I drifted gradually up through velvety shadows toward waking, feeling almost reborn. Every muscle ached fiercely, but my spirit felt cleansed by recent trials. We had walked through fire and fury both literal and figurative, somehow emerging intact on redemption's far shore.With effort I pushed upright, taking in familiar features gathered anxiously around the modest pallet where I had slept. Concern furrowed Sage's brow until she noted my returning gaze. "Lena! Thank the ancestors." She gripped both my hands urgently. "We feared you might never rouse after expending so much strength against the darkness."I managed a wan smile, ribs protesting even that small motion. "I yet breathe thanks to your steady watchcare, my friend." My searching look found May and Freya curled together nearby, worry softening into relief. But foreboding still weighted the strained atmosphere. I hesitated before voicing the question that haunted me most. "And Scar? Has there been any change while I drifted
LenaScar's smoldering draconic shape halted its ruthless assault mid-dive, wheeling with fury towards my brazen challenge. Behind my defiant stance, Hermes and Sage stood with weapons drawn, prepared to defend unto death. Their unwavering courage fortified my quailing spirit. If these were destined as my final moments, I would face fate proudly surrounded by such selfless love.The dusk sky tore violently as the dragon folded its terrible wings, plummeting straight for me with jaws gaping hungrily. I glimpsed no flicker of familiar azure gaze nor glimmer of recognition, only endless ravenous void racing to consume me. Despair's chill fingers scraped my fragile hope. Had scintilla of Scar's psyche already been devoured beyond all reclaiming?Mere body lengths from certain obliteration, a piercing mental lance speared my psyche. I gasped, driving to one knee beneath the assault. Then chaotic fractured awareness crashed over me. Insanity! The maelstrom threatened to drown rational mind
Lena "You need rest." Hermes' firm tone brooked no argument as he helped me climb into the van's rear seat. I scowled, but couldn't deny sheer exhaustion once adrenaline drained away. "The Fortress lies over a day's journey north," Hunter remarked, sliding behind the wheel beside Hermes. "Best try recovering strength before we arrive."I nodded reluctantly, too spent to argue logistics. Food and sleep called seductively. Sage draped a scratchy blanket over me before everything faded into dreamless void.I came to as the van jostled over rough terrain, weak sun glinting through cracked windows. Groaning, I shifted gingerly upright. Every bone and muscle throbbed fiery complaint, but my mind felt oddly clear for once.Hermes twisted around with a grin. "About time. We're less than an hour out." His expression sobered. "Scar's still assaulting the fortress walls relentlessly."Memory crashed back. The bond! I frantically grasped for our mating link, nearly sagging relief finding that e
Lena Sage stomped Zoya's neck, finally finishing her for good. "Don't mind her words. You need only focus on your bond with Scar like Natalia taught you. You'll be able to reach him again." Sage's comfort grounded me amidst the chaos as I nodded gratefully. Hermes and Hunter supported us outside to the vans parked at the valley's edge. "Rest here. We need to regroup and plan." Hermes opened the van's back door, helping me climb inside. I sank onto the bench seat, adrenaline crash leaving me numb and dizzy. We were miraculously alive, but at such cost."Hermes?" I called as he lowered himself down beside me with a tired groan. "What really happened while I was captive?" He scrubbed both hands over his face, lines of strain showing clearly. "Over a month ago, Scar said he suddenly sensed your bond and left to find you alone. He never returned." Hermes' fists clenched helplessly. "Zoya claimed he was unfit to lead, insisting we waste no time tracking one rogue dragon. I should have kn
Lena The heavy ebony doors groaned open beneath our combined strength. Beyond should lie sanctuary however temporary - a chance to rest battered bodies and souls...and forge strength for the next leg in reclaiming freedom. Instead, a nightmare awaited us across that carved threshold.Zoya herself stood imperiously flanked by a score of armed guardsgrinning in feral anticipation. At their feet sprawled a cruelly familiar frail form - Natalia! My heart dropped through the floor recognizing the terrible stillness to her flesh, the mocking angle of broken limbs. Our protector and guide, ruthlessaly dismembered and discarded by her own blood."No!"The grief-stricken howl that ripped from my chest scarcely sounded human or sane. But the rage flooding my veins in its wake burned far hotter than mere anguish as I took in the mutilation of that innocent wise woman. Blinded by fury and vengeance, I flung myself straight for Zoya's sneering throat heedless of the death bristling eagerly around
LenaI floated, cradled in peaceful oblivion. Bonded bliss enveloped me, sheltering my battered spirit. Scar's beloved presence intertwined so tightly with mine now I could no longer distinguish where one ended and the other began. We were finally, utterly one.Distantly, a familiar voice called my name, pulling me reluctantly towards wakefulness. I struggled against the intruding summons, craving more time to bask in the oasis my mate's restored mind and soul created within me. But the speaker persisted until I identified Sage's worried tone. With deep reluctance I allowed our cherished haven to dissolve."Lena! Can you hear me?" Sage's concerned face hovered over me as my vision slowly focused once more. I blinked sluggishly up at her from my supine position, still caught halfway between planes. Wait...if I was awake how could I still feel Scar's arms cradling my limp form?I turned seeking my mate's smiling visage, only for my spirits to crash finding empty space beside me. Thick w