Arthur’s Pov“Smile, Arthur. It’s not a grimace, it’s a smile.” My father hisses into my ear, even though his teeth are clenched some spit still manages to get through. Any of the paparazzi witnessing this interaction would think it was just a friendly fatherly comment to a beloved son.I take a deep breath and try to heed my father’s advice. It took a lot of strings to be pulled and a lot of promises made in order for us to secure a spot at the Shining Coat event.
Almara’s PovI’m worried. I tried calling Arthur last night as soon as I got home. I wanted to explain myself before he sees the picture. It’s now morning and I’ve already tried calling three more times and he hasn’t answered.I know that he has some big red-carpet event and maybe that ran late, but still he hasn’t missed a phone call once this week which leaves my head spinning was the different possibilities.Either Arthur got into a horrible accident and i
Almara’s PovThe ride back is tense. Before we left, I told my parents that something came up and I had to go home early, but that I would be back. They weren’t thrilled, I fact I think they have more disdain towards Arthur than they did before. I keep replaying our conversation in my head.They asked if this has anything to do with Graces teacher and I getting dinner, and I wanted to tell them no, but my face already gave it all away. “Do you really have to leave because of this?” They asked, not caring that Arthur’s feelings are sincerely hurt.
Almara’s Pov“You want to what?” I let the towel I was using to dry my hair drop from my hands.“Couple’s counseling.” Arthur repeats like it’s the most normal thing in the world. I guess the stigma has gone down surrounding mental health, sure, but do we really need that?I think back on all what we’ve gone through and any one of those events would constitute a good enough reason for therapy. Still, we were laughing about our trials one the ride
Almara’s PovAuthor and I have been seeing Maurice for just over a month now and I got to hand it to her, she’s good. I think what I love most about Maurice is that I don’t know anything about her personally.I don’t know her opinions, much about her hobbies or interests, her political stance, or even much about her own family.I know that might sound strange, but the less I know about her the more Author and I are illuminated through the conversation. No matter what I s
Almara’s PovThe meeting with Maurice and Grace didn’t go so great. It was so odd, Grace never behaves the way she did in front of Maurice which I exhaustively tried explaining, but I don’t think Maurice believed me.Grace was fussier than she ever has been. She didn’t like when I held her, she didn’t want to be put down. At one point she even slapped Arthur which stunned us all. I can only hope that because of our genuine surprise to Graces outbursts that Maurice could see this behavior is not the norm.
Almara’s PovIt’s been forty-eight hours since Grace was taken away, but it feels like years. As soon as I composed myself that day leaving the park, I called Arthur and explained everything that happened. We haven’t stopped investigating since.Reluctantly we had to inform Roman and Elenor of our therapy sessions who did a poor job of keeping their snickering to themselves. Still, when even only after a few hours passed and they haven’t seen Grace they asked where she was. There was no point in lying and we need their help anyways.
Almara’s PovIt’s been a grueling week without Grace. Instead of her precious laughter and innocent soul, Arthur and I have been back and forth with lawyers all week, trying to get any information about exactly where Grace is.I know the meetings are supposed to be drawing us closer to finding our daughter, but instead all I feel is that I’m slipping in a black hole.All of the lawyers words begin to sound like gibberish against my ears and it’s like I’m looking at
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&