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LUCY'S POV: 'Something still feels off,' Nia says.'No shit. I think Leon and Seth got into a fight,' I say back.'Of course, they did, but this is something else,' she responds, making me want to crawl into a hole and never come out.After stripping the wet clothes from my body, I moved to the dresser and pulled out the dry ones.'What do you mean "of course they did"?' I ask. She sighs in response.I set my t-shirt down on the bed before slipping on a pair of new sweatpants when a knock comes on my door.Before I can say anything, the knob twists and turns, and the door opens. My foot catches on the waistband of the sweatpants as a result of me whipping my head up to look at the doorway.I fall back, smacking my head on the wall beside the bed. Thankfully, it was not hard enough to knock me out.Leon runs over to the side of the bed where my half-naked, crumpled body is on the ground once again."Get away! Haven't you heard of knocking and waiting for permission to enter before you
SETH'S POV:I feel ashamed of letting things get this far. I really didn't mean to feel this way but my connection with her in palpable.Her connection with Dax makes me question everything. He hasn't felt a connection with another in so long. It has only fueled my feelings.Her laugh and smile make me feel weak.She is definitely Luna material. She isn't afraid to put anyone in their place but only when it's necessary. She is strong, thoughtful, and kind.Even at her younger age it's easy to see she was made for the position.She is staring into me and I can't even figure out how to start the conversation."Is it true?" she asks breaking the ice in the most obvious way.I look up and meet her eyes. The perfect blue orbs that have been captivating me for weeks.I swallow hard before answering."Yes. I'm sorry Luna," I say trying to be as formal as I can.I don't refer to Leon or Liam as Alpha because we grew up together. It's almsot less formal to address them this was.She scoffs. I k
LUCY'S POV:The walk up the stairs felt like I had aged at least thirty years.Emotionally and physically exhausted on every level.'Stop being a baby,' Nia says, making me laugh.'Fair,' I respond making her snicker.'You like Seth, you know you can't lie to me, right?' she says, making my stomach sink.'He's not our mate, Nia, plus we already have one other mate out there and we don't even know who it is,' I say in a more irritated tone than I had intended.'The more the merrier if you ask me,' she says, making me blush."NIA!" I hiss back out loud this time."I've never seen someone talk to their wolf out loud like that," Leon's voice comes from behind me.I had been pacing back and forth down the hallway while talking to Nia. Trying to gain some strength to go inside Leon's bedroom.He stood in the doorway, nearly taking up the entire space with his broad shoulders and height. His wet hair looked slightly more blonde than white, combed perfectly in place. I could tell he had just g
LEON'S POV:It took everything I had to hold Bandit back. He was pushing so hard to shift and murder everything in sight.The only thing that kept me strong was her scent. I have no idea how I lived this long without her.I felt complete. I can't explain how grateful I felt that she was willing to look past how I acted and give me a chance to be better.She felt like the missing piece to a puzzle I had been trying to solve for so many years. The Moon Goddess couldn't have possibly gotten things more right with her.It nearly broke my heart into pieces when I realized she was more concerned about me still wanting her rather than what she had been through.Bandit immediately backed off after we realized she needed validation not redemption in that moment.His temper was nothing to be messed with but he was a softy for our mate. He howled in pain as Lucy asked us if we still wanted her.I'm still blown away at her focusing more on whether I was put off by it than raging over the way she
LUCY'S POV:'Lucy!' Nia whispers sharply.I can't help it, the tears fly out of my eyes almost instantly. I sit up in bed watching him retreating to the bathrooom.'Lucy, it doesn't have-' I shove her down before she can finish.She led me into the lustful feelings and I wasn't having her explanations now.I quickly wipe my tears from my cheeks and pull myself off Leons bed. I want to disappear but all I have is myself and I can't do that magically so I pull myself down to my room. I toss his hoodie down the stairs before entering my room and having my complete meltdown.I was right.I knew that he couldn't actually see me the same after what I told him. I guess he gets a good pat on the back for trying. I can feel Nia wanting to come forward but right now, I don't want any of her stupid horny insight.I wish Seth was here at this very moment. He would let me spar out my feelings until I felt better.I take a quick shower, blow dry my hair and braid it, put on a sports bra and yoga p
LUCY'S POV:"Do you know already?" Leon asks Jason as he settles onto the couch and places me exactly where he wants me: on his lap.I notice how Jason tends to follow; even if it's from a distance, he is always watching out for me. I wondered if this is what having a dad was like, but I had no real experience to compare it to.I look up at Leon, grateful for the man I have been given.The one who didn't give up on me when I acted like a crazy person. It wasn't like me to jump to conclusions or act out of pure emotion. This mate thing was new to me.I wondered what the Moon Goddess knew and how exactly she paired people.Not everyone had a fated mate. Most of us did, but occasionally some didn't.Why was I given two mates, and how did she know that Leon would be so good with my trauma outbursts?I didn't think too much more before I rested my head on his shoulder.He had me straddled on his lap, tickling my back like he did the first time.He was doing what he knew worked. He was smart
LEON'S POV:This woman had no idea the power she had.Why the Goddess blessed me this way is beyond me.My wrist was tingling from her bite. The mark she left was the same as the one on chest but it felt different. I felt connected to so many things I couldn't begin to explain it.'I will be good, I promise,' Bandit says.He is amazed by her. She instantly healed the silver in our blood which was unheard of.He feels calmer now. More at ease. I never thought I could say those words but here we are."Are you sure?" she says in her angelic voice.I nod yes, knowing this time I have the abililty and strength to maintain myself.My dick was hard the instant I helped her up. She was laying in cold, bloody water. It wouldn't do.'I swear I'll be good,' Bandit continues to reassure me but I'm nervous as hell.She is standing now. I lean down to remove the plug from the tub.I swallow before I turn on the water quickly pulling her out of the shower as I realize I haven't adjusted the water te
LUCY'S POV:We felt different. Maybe this is how having a mate was supposed to feel from the start.Even if he is a total shit head."Really Leon?" I say tilting my head acting unamused. He kisses me softly, just one small kiss that spoke volumes.After rinsing out his hair I didn't want him to stop holding me this way.I wrapped my arms around his neck pressing my forehead to his when he pushed my back up against the shower wall.My eyes flash open, reminding myself it's just Leon."Breathe," he whispers dipping his head into my neck.Kissing me so softly it feels like a feather gliding over my skin.I tilt my head giving him more access. I can feel his lips curl into a smile against my skin at this gesture before he bites down softly on my neck, sending goosebumps down my entire body."Mmm," I hum as he presses me harder against the wall. Pinning me with his body. He moves his hands from the grip he has on my ass and slides them up my sides.He makes a trail of kisses up to my ear b
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 w
Lucy:The bag lay on its side in the middle of the table like a centerpiece.Flowers would look nice there, I think to myself as I walk across the kitchen to the dining room table to sit down.Seth grabs me by the waist and pulls me into his lap as I walk by."Sorry about earlier," he says, kissing my cheek.He's wearing a plain black shirt and blue jeans, his hair still wet from a shower."It's been a long day for everyone. It's okay not to be perfect," I remind him."I do appreciate the apology, though. Are you caught up on your work duties?" I ask, running my fingers through his damp, silky hair."No. I brought what's left here, and now that we have phones, it will be easier to do what I need to," he smiles.His smile isn't as bright as usual. I haven't asked who didn't make it. I'm not sure I can handle it if it's someone I know and they aren't offering the information.Liam impatiently slides the leather bag across the dark oak tabletop.The metal from the strap glistens under t
Lucy:Saul and I get to the City Building shortly after Leon's fit."Oh, thank the heavens. My spell lasts another hour, and Leon has been banging at the door for at least ten minutes!" Trish whines before running over to Saul and jumping in his arms.She doesn't ask what happened or if everything is okay. She's just happy to see us and to have her mate.It was simple. I wanted simple.I rush the flames out of my palm, melting the handle and eliciting a hiss and bang before the door bursts open.Leon glares at me for a split second before grabbing me and squeezing me. My feet lift off the ground, dangling in his grip as he holds me.I relax my cheek on his shoulder, inhaling his calming scent."You don't have to do everything alone, little mate," he whispers in my ear.He doesn't understand. Some things I would need to do alone. How do I tell him this?Leon got the worst of me—the wall, the part of me that wanted to refuse a fated mate altogether.Yet, he was the first one to accept my
Lucy:My shoes are hitting the ground with force, and dirt is swirling up into the air with each step I take forward.My skin crawls and shudders as if the very flesh clinging to my bones wants nothing more than to flee from the mere thought of being near that man again."Lucy! Wait!" I hear Saul shouting behind me.My body moves like a machine. Driving forward at a will that only intuition could force.The smell of metal filled my nostrils. Blood.Whirls of color fly past me like an abstract painting portraying the heart of vexation and despair.Nia is still in shock from biting and marking Zeak's wrist. I did what I had to.I can hear Saul's feet hitting the ground behind me. I turn my head to look back at him, and my foot clips a divet in the ground, causing me to crash to my knees and palms."Shhhh," I hear Saul's voice soften behind me as he kneels next to me.He grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him—my lip trembles.My cheeks are still stained from the tears I shed earlier. I'
Lucy:The air around us was thick with tension. No, it wasn't tension. It was a simmer of rage and pervasive darkness.And yet, somewhere in all the haze of emotion was a faint glimmer of compassion. It lingered like a distant lighthouse, reaching toward me, begging to guide me to shore.Somewhere deep down inside of me, I felt it. I didn't want to, but it was there. Clutching my heart like a vice that wouldn't budge.An understanding of something I didn't fully recognize yet, but parts of me sensed it a long time ago.Is this why he wants me so badly? He could feel my unrecognized understanding."Your father lied to me," Zeak says, taking short, slow strides toward me."Make them stop. You wanted me, and I'm right here. There doesn't need to be any more bloodshed!" I say calmly.I don't step back or flinch as he makes his way toward me.'What did you do, Lucy? Where are you?' I hear Leander push through my closed link with his Alpha command.He must have sensed his sons not being able
Lucy:The moment the sirens go off, a flood of emotions and thoughts start swirling within the room. I can hear everything at once.Leander pushes forward, and Liam is trying to pull me to safety, but something surges within me.I won't let this moment pass. This wasn't the need for revenge.The strength surges within me again. Stronger this time.'Use it wisely,' her voice whispers in my soul. I now understand why she gave me this gift and what it really means."Lucy, we need to get you to the shelter!" I hear Seth behind me before his hand grabs my arm. I push him off, taking in the look of bewilderment spread across his face."Sorry!" I squeak before turning and brushing my hand across Liam's forehead before he drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes."Lucy! What was that about?" Leon says, running up to Liam.I don't give him a chance to react before knocking him out as well in the same smooth fashion.I look back at Seth, who puts his hands out in front of his body with his p
Liam:She knows I need her attention. Of course, she does; she was made for me.'Just don't be too overbearing,' Bo chuckles even though he's feeling it too.I had forced myself to get over her connection with Seth. It helped knowing he was her mate, too, for some reason, but I needed my mark on her to feel the security of our bond."Oh, Mom, can you plan our mating ceremony? How long will it take for all of Lucy's magic to settle so we can mark each other, too?" I ask, grabbing Lucy's hand and pulling her back into my chest.We had all gotten up to leave, but I needed to make sure we could set a date to look forward to."That won't be necessary. Lucy won't leave your quarters without your mark or, rather, without marking the two of you," Nadia speaks up.I raise an eyebrow, my interest piqued as everyone now focuses on Nadia as well."It's tradition," Mom says, her tone flashes with irritation."I can wait. I really wanted a ceremony. I even have a dress and everything," Lucy pouts.I
Lucy:We finally sit down around the table. It's clear that Jason is fond of Nadia.I expected Trish to react more to this, but she doesn't. She seems content in her bubble with Saul.Nadia set down several things on the table, but I felt my magic the moment that she walked into the room."That's mine," I say, pointing at the leather bag."Yes Lucy, it's yours, but you cannot have it yet," she responds."But it's mine?" I say, yet it comes out as a question instead.Nadia laughs and grabs the bag. She reaches her arms out, extending the bag to me before pulling it back slightly."You cannot open the bag yet. You can hold the bag, but you can't take what's inside. It's important that you listen to me. Lucy, having all of your magic, now that your mother is gone, is going to be very overwhelming," she explains.Finally, she sets the bag down, and I grab it quickly. Fear grips my heart at the thought of having it taken away. I rip it from its spot and hold it securely in my arms.My heart
Lucy:I expected more anger. Yelling. Maybe even a fight. Nothing."Of course they did, idiot," Leon says, pulling Liam off of me entirely now."You didn't....?" Liam asks his unfinished question, looking at Seth."No. No, knot, which was really hard to hold back, by the way," Seth sighs and looks at my now bright red face."I thought that was an Alpha thing? Plus, I have a birth control implant," I say, sitting back up on the bed."Seth's mom is an Alpha, and what did you just say?" Leon says, pulling me by my ankles to sit me on the edge of the bed in front of him.Was he mad about this?All three of them walk to the bed, where I sit on the edge, looking up at them. My eyes dart back and forth, feeling like a child who's done something terrible."I'm not ready for a baby. We don't even know what this whole thing is that's going about. We're supposed to save the world or something or another," I ramble out. My hands flail this way and that as I talk because I always feel the need to