:D Work ran late yesterday. I'll post another chapter when I'm off later today!
SETH:I was originally curious as to why no one could leave or visit Lucy during this process.No one questioned it, of course, but after three days, that felt like twice as much. It was clear why this process required her mates and why visitors weren't allowed.The first night, the master bedroom was wrecked within hours.The only things that were not broken, smashed, or damaged were the bed itself and other large furniture.Lucy switched from her Fae form to her human form on and off for an entire day.There weren't any warning signs when it happened, leaving all of us on edge.I can still hear her screaming bloody murder through the first night she held her human form. The three of us speculated what was causing the screams, whether it be nightmares, visions, or reliving experiences I couldn't imagine.There was no soothing her. Her stare was void of emotion or presence.The way her eyes glazed over haunts me to my core still. Dax was itching to go for a run. He's struggling to wa
Lucy:Leon helped me get into the bath.My body feels like it's been run over, put back together, and run over again. Every muscle aches with the burning of a thousand suns.For now, I'm okay. For now, the mental pain has stopped.I wanted to rest, but my mind and soul were racing on a track that felt endless.I need it to end."Lucy, how can we help you?" Leon asks.He grabs the edge of the bathtub, lowering himself down to sit by the side of the tub.I relived every death of every Silver Throne Fae Queen before me. My neck still felt the remnants of my throat being crushed.'It hurts. Especially after eating,' I mind link Leon.He perks up in his position. He's satisfied by the way that I'm finally speaking to him.Even if it's through a mind link.It's been difficult to find any words to say in the past few days. I don't want to answer questions. I don't want to explain what I know. Bits and pieces are still sorting themselves in my brain.I know half-truths. One side to each story
Leon:The moment Lucy relaxed, I left the bathroom. I didn't feel uncomfortable being there; I just knew they needed to seal their bond.It was the one connection Lucy had that she hadn't gained confidence in.I found Seth eating some of the leftovers from Jason's buffet."She ate?" he asks, not looking back to even see who had entered the room.We have all become very intuned with each other over the last several days."We're on the up," I say, piling food onto my plate."What research were you doing in the library with Lucy?" Seth asks, not looking up from his plate.I hadn't realized he had noticed. He was always far more observant than anyone gave him credit for."Other supernatural beings. Lucy thinks Rosie is a siren." I knew Lucy wouldn't mind me sharing the information.She only wanted to do it privately with me because she knew I took those studies seriously, and it would go by faster and smoother without too many people asking questions.I hear Seth's fork clinking against th
Lucy:Liam and I didn't get nearly the rest that the other two had, but I don't think either of us minded.We lost track of time and count after I decided to put Seth and Leon to sleep for the night.There was no sense in all of us being awake and marking Liam had turned something on in me I couldn't deny and needed to explore.He didn't complain.I had to mark Liam twice to get the rest of my magic from him. Yet another thing neither of us was bothered by.That time was more than pleasant. Liam had awakened my soul in a way I didn't know was possible.It created a hunger for the remainder of my magic, and for the last mark, I needed to bear.Just like Nadia had said, it just took a little push from Liam to get me started.Liam and I had maybe a few hours of sleep before getting up, showering, and sharing another tub of ice cream while watching a movie and waiting for my other mates to wake up from their forced slumber.I was excited to be this way with Leon. He was my patient mate—the
Lucy:The next several days were spent doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and exploring our connection and dynamic.The more intimate I was with my mates, the more the magic settled and relieved the pain of what I had experienced.We knew that once this time came to an end, things wouldn't be the same. So many variables were hanging in the balance, weighing heavily on our shoulders.My mates were still sleeping, but the stress of it all made me restless.I zip into my Fae form and zoom into the study down the hall, ensuring that my mates stay resting in bed.This would likely be the last time for a while that they get to rest that peacefully.'You're getting good at that. It makes me dizzy when you do it, though,' Nia whines.'It makes me dizzy still, too,' I sigh.Sitting at the desk, Liam had picked out for me, I rummaged through the drawers, finding a paper and pen to jot down my list of things to do.1. Visit Savina and ZeakThere was nothing similar between their situations. I kn
Lucy:Seth looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.The idea of how and why the pack is blessed seemed to have suddenly confused him as well."I never thought about that. I assumed it had to do with our strength and wealth. This pack has had minimal rogue attacks, has always done well financially, and hasn't suffered in many different ways that other packs have," Seth suggests.He's right, though. They have seemed to have good luck OR make the right choices."Hecate wiped the history for a good reason. She doesn't want anyone to know she's been looking over this pack. She gave the line of Alphas the ability to find their mates and their families' mates. You understand better than I do how much strength that gives a pack alone," I say, tapping my toes on the ground excitedly as we piece together the mystery that's been driving me mad."Wait. Hecate gave them that gift? The Moon Goddess grants the Alpha lineage their special strength," Seth argues, his voice slightly irritated at me for gi
Lucy:Leon snapped his bond shut, but I felt the anger seep through before he could."You don't understand. I had to," I rush out, trying to defend myself for some reason.Liam's grip on me tightens. "Why the hell would you do that?" Leon growls."Woah, Leon, chill. Let her explain," Seth remarks, looking from me to Leon.A knock comes at the front door, just in time. Saved by the bell, so to speak."We're not done having this conversation!" Leon hisses, pointing his finger at me.'He'll get over it,' Liam links me, likely to avoid pissing Leon off any further, but it doesn't make me feel any better."What crawled up your butt?" I hear Trish before she pushes past Leon and trots into the kitchen.She stops and looks around the room for a second."This doesn't look like the best time for bad news, but I've been waiting almost a week to tell you guys," she says, squinting one eye.Great.Leon's large presence comes from behind Trish. He's refusing to open his bond up with me."Well, spi
Lucy:Leon got the brunt end of the deal when it came to my affection.He had to see the way I flinched at any sudden touch or movement toward me.The way my mind wrapped up in anxiety the moment I started to let myself go, and the way my body revolted at any bit of love he tried to give me at first.While Seth had spent so much time showing me friendship and the slow burn of a connection only that type of relationship could provide, Leon had gone head-first into committing to me and showing me safety in love and intimacy.He never second-guessed me or our bond.He never judged or looked at me differently.He put work into helping me get comfortable enough to approach intimacy.Of course, he was upset.I didn't want it to be this way, either."Leon... please talk to me," I murmur, entering our bedroom alone.He looks over at me, clearly still angry, but looks at me anyway."It's hard for me to explain things when I'm not really sure of them myself," I start.I'm nervous about how he w
Lucy:"The stronger the magic within a person, the harder it was to control myself," Zeak admits.I watch as he sits down on the cot in the corner of the cell now.I hadn't felt my magic back then but I guess he could.I wanted a better answer but I guess it could be that simple."Rosie would do something. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but for a moment, I would see clarity. I started having her be there all of the time, and I saw clearly the more she was around. Kragen said she was an abomination and needed to be killed. I sold her instead," he admits."You're going to go back to your pack. Tell them you escaped somehow. I don't care what lies you have to come up with; it needs to be believable," I state.I feel Leon's grip around me tighten, and a growl elicits from each of my mates.'We didn't talk about this, Lucy. You can't make that decision without Dad,' Liam links me.He's right. I need to talk with Leander, but my mates will soon be taking over the pack, and we also need t
LEON:'Don't mess this up,' B warns me.Lucy's trust meant everything to me. B and I have been getting restless because she runs off on her own all the time.It had to stop now.I put my arm out, stopping Seth and Liam from proceeding toward Zeak's cell.'Just give her a minute first,' I suggest through our link.It was interesting how being marked with Lucy now gave us the ability to link with Seth, too.Neither of them responds, but they don't try to move forward either.We watch as Lucy approaches the cell and stops to face Zeak's.She stands there for several moments, not saying a word, and Zeak doesn't say anything either. My heart thunders in my chest.Simply knowing that she is in his presence and that he gets to look at her makes me sick to my stomach, but I push my feelings aside for the sake of Lucy's trust in us."When did you notice the change?" These were Lucy's first words, or rather, a question for Zeak.I can now hear sobbing coming from Zeak's cell. It doesn't sound
Lucy:Leon got the brunt end of the deal when it came to my affection.He had to see the way I flinched at any sudden touch or movement toward me.The way my mind wrapped up in anxiety the moment I started to let myself go, and the way my body revolted at any bit of love he tried to give me at first.While Seth had spent so much time showing me friendship and the slow burn of a connection only that type of relationship could provide, Leon had gone head-first into committing to me and showing me safety in love and intimacy.He never second-guessed me or our bond.He never judged or looked at me differently.He put work into helping me get comfortable enough to approach intimacy.Of course, he was upset.I didn't want it to be this way, either."Leon... please talk to me," I murmur, entering our bedroom alone.He looks over at me, clearly still angry, but looks at me anyway."It's hard for me to explain things when I'm not really sure of them myself," I start.I'm nervous about how he w
Lucy:Leon snapped his bond shut, but I felt the anger seep through before he could."You don't understand. I had to," I rush out, trying to defend myself for some reason.Liam's grip on me tightens. "Why the hell would you do that?" Leon growls."Woah, Leon, chill. Let her explain," Seth remarks, looking from me to Leon.A knock comes at the front door, just in time. Saved by the bell, so to speak."We're not done having this conversation!" Leon hisses, pointing his finger at me.'He'll get over it,' Liam links me, likely to avoid pissing Leon off any further, but it doesn't make me feel any better."What crawled up your butt?" I hear Trish before she pushes past Leon and trots into the kitchen.She stops and looks around the room for a second."This doesn't look like the best time for bad news, but I've been waiting almost a week to tell you guys," she says, squinting one eye.Great.Leon's large presence comes from behind Trish. He's refusing to open his bond up with me."Well, spi
Lucy:Seth looks at me thoughtfully for a moment.The idea of how and why the pack is blessed seemed to have suddenly confused him as well."I never thought about that. I assumed it had to do with our strength and wealth. This pack has had minimal rogue attacks, has always done well financially, and hasn't suffered in many different ways that other packs have," Seth suggests.He's right, though. They have seemed to have good luck OR make the right choices."Hecate wiped the history for a good reason. She doesn't want anyone to know she's been looking over this pack. She gave the line of Alphas the ability to find their mates and their families' mates. You understand better than I do how much strength that gives a pack alone," I say, tapping my toes on the ground excitedly as we piece together the mystery that's been driving me mad."Wait. Hecate gave them that gift? The Moon Goddess grants the Alpha lineage their special strength," Seth argues, his voice slightly irritated at me for gi
Lucy:The next several days were spent doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and exploring our connection and dynamic.The more intimate I was with my mates, the more the magic settled and relieved the pain of what I had experienced.We knew that once this time came to an end, things wouldn't be the same. So many variables were hanging in the balance, weighing heavily on our shoulders.My mates were still sleeping, but the stress of it all made me restless.I zip into my Fae form and zoom into the study down the hall, ensuring that my mates stay resting in bed.This would likely be the last time for a while that they get to rest that peacefully.'You're getting good at that. It makes me dizzy when you do it, though,' Nia whines.'It makes me dizzy still, too,' I sigh.Sitting at the desk, Liam had picked out for me, I rummaged through the drawers, finding a paper and pen to jot down my list of things to do.1. Visit Savina and ZeakThere was nothing similar between their situations. I kn
Lucy:Liam and I didn't get nearly the rest that the other two had, but I don't think either of us minded.We lost track of time and count after I decided to put Seth and Leon to sleep for the night.There was no sense in all of us being awake and marking Liam had turned something on in me I couldn't deny and needed to explore.He didn't complain.I had to mark Liam twice to get the rest of my magic from him. Yet another thing neither of us was bothered by.That time was more than pleasant. Liam had awakened my soul in a way I didn't know was possible.It created a hunger for the remainder of my magic, and for the last mark, I needed to bear.Just like Nadia had said, it just took a little push from Liam to get me started.Liam and I had maybe a few hours of sleep before getting up, showering, and sharing another tub of ice cream while watching a movie and waiting for my other mates to wake up from their forced slumber.I was excited to be this way with Leon. He was my patient mate—the
Leon:The moment Lucy relaxed, I left the bathroom. I didn't feel uncomfortable being there; I just knew they needed to seal their bond.It was the one connection Lucy had that she hadn't gained confidence in.I found Seth eating some of the leftovers from Jason's buffet."She ate?" he asks, not looking back to even see who had entered the room.We have all become very intuned with each other over the last several days."We're on the up," I say, piling food onto my plate."What research were you doing in the library with Lucy?" Seth asks, not looking up from his plate.I hadn't realized he had noticed. He was always far more observant than anyone gave him credit for."Other supernatural beings. Lucy thinks Rosie is a siren." I knew Lucy wouldn't mind me sharing the information.She only wanted to do it privately with me because she knew I took those studies seriously, and it would go by faster and smoother without too many people asking questions.I hear Seth's fork clinking against th
Lucy:Leon helped me get into the bath.My body feels like it's been run over, put back together, and run over again. Every muscle aches with the burning of a thousand suns.For now, I'm okay. For now, the mental pain has stopped.I wanted to rest, but my mind and soul were racing on a track that felt endless.I need it to end."Lucy, how can we help you?" Leon asks.He grabs the edge of the bathtub, lowering himself down to sit by the side of the tub.I relived every death of every Silver Throne Fae Queen before me. My neck still felt the remnants of my throat being crushed.'It hurts. Especially after eating,' I mind link Leon.He perks up in his position. He's satisfied by the way that I'm finally speaking to him.Even if it's through a mind link.It's been difficult to find any words to say in the past few days. I don't want to answer questions. I don't want to explain what I know. Bits and pieces are still sorting themselves in my brain.I know half-truths. One side to each story