SARA POV "Mom, why are you crying," I ask as I touch my mother's trembling back. She is leaning against the counter in the kitchen like she usually does when she is sad. Her long black hair is covering her face from view, but I know she has tears on her cheeks.She doesn't answer me, so I try again. "Mom," I ask as I grab her green blouse? Her sobs only get louder, and sadness fills me. Dad must have hurt her feelings again. He is such a jerk. He never keeps his promises, and he always breaks mom's heart. I wish he were a better husband. Mom deserves love. "Can you hear me? I'm right here, mom. Please don't cry. It will be okay," I say, but she still doesn't respond. As I start to grow desperate, the scene changes. The walls around me shift from cream to white, and the hardwood floors transform into tile. A man in bloody scrubs takes mom's spot in front of me. He stares at me with sad eyes, and my heart feels as if it is ripping as he goes to open his mouth. "I'm sorr
SARA POV "Are you feeling okay," Jannah asks as she pins a chunk of my hair. I glance at her in the mirror, and she offers me a sad smile. "I'm fine. I'm still processing it. I feel almost numb now," I admit, and I see Jannah nod. I drop my gaze back down to my hands and hold back my sigh. I want to scream and cry, but I am holding myself together. Jannah worked hard on my makeup, and I want to look put together for my mother's side of the family. "Thank you for the makeover," I whisper, and Jannah drops a hand to my shoulder. I keep my eyes down, and she gives me a gentle squeeze. "Don't mention it," she whispers back, and the room falls quiet again. My mind wanders back to what I chose for my mother's funeral, and my stomach twists. Octavius paid for everything, and I did not spare any expense. I chose the best of the best due to guilt from how I left things with my mom, and now I feel guilty about spending my mate's money. Octavius made the process as e
SARA POV Death isn't something I have pondered often in my life. My grandparents passed before I was old enough to remember them, and my parents never allowed me to have a pet. I have never experienced death. I haven't even thought about what it would be like to die. But as I watch the machine lower my mother's coffin, my mind tries to imagine my life ending. Does your brain activity stop? Is it like falling into a deep sleep and never waking up? Is there a heaven? The werewolves have a Goddess, but who do humans have? Would anyone remember me after if I died tomorrow? "Sara," Octavius says softly, and my puffy eyes flicker to his concerned face. He stares at me for a second before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the waiting car. My feet act on their own as they follow Octavius's lead, and my mind wanders back to the past few hours of my life. The ceremony was beautiful, and the pastor said all the right words. I cried through most of the service, but somehow I m
OCTAVIUS POV "Millie, I am sure she will enjoy the ice cream," I repeat as calmly as I can. My nerves are shot, and all I want to do is comfort my mate. But Millie just won't stop. It's getting ridiculous, but I know the old Omega is only trying to please. If it were any other day, I would have more patience, but not today, not after watching Sara mourn. I have never seen anyone cry as much as she did today. With each tear, my heart broke more and more for her. Every second of the service felt like hell. "Good. I want our Luna to be as comfortable as possible during this time, Alpha. I remember how I felt when I lost my mother. The grief never really disappears," Millie says as she hands me a water bottle. I look at the bottle curiously, and Millie gives me a sad smile. "I imagine she cried quite a bit. She is probably dehydrated," Millie explains, and a wave of gratefulness erases my irritation. "Fuck. Thank you, Millie. I didn't even consider that. She probabl
SARA POV"Sara. Sara, you need to wake up. He is almost here," a soft voice says, and I groan. I don't remember falling asleep, but I was exhausted after all that crying. Octavius must have taken a while to get my requested snacks. Jannah is so sweet, waking me up before he comes in. I bet I look crazy. My neck and back feel tight as I slowly wake up. I stretch, and my skin scratches against rough earth instead of soft fabric. Confusion sweeps across my mind until I suddenly remember seeing Marina coming at me. My eyes snap open to see the red-headed siren less than an inch from my face. I gasp, and she jumps back. "What is going on? What did you do," I demand as she takes another step back? She bites her bottom lip and looks toward the sky before refocusing on me. "I had no choice. You didn't go to the Goddesses like I thought you would. You didn't fear me enough. I made you too sympathetic with me. That was my first mistake...But it doesn't matter now. You are here,
MARINA POV I wince as my burnt leg rubs against the bark of the tree supporting my weight, but I don't look down. My eyes are locked on the waterway that will take me to safety. I just need to gather my strength before I can move again. My adrenaline is no longer pumping from my almost death, and the pain from my leg is starting to consume me. I was extremely lucky Sara took pity on me back there. If she hadn't yelled my name, I would be ashes right now. I still don't understand why she did it, but I will repay her. My life debt to her is the only reason I am moving right now. I push off from the tree and clench my teeth to keep from crying out in pain. The majority of my right leg is badly burned, but I have no time to sit and rest. I need to turn myself in to the werewolves. It's the only chance Sara has at living. The only hope I have in saving a genuinely kind soul is going to the one person who wants to kill me more than Dagahra. The evil snake! I was a fool to believe
SARA POV Dagahra grabs my shoulder, and his claws dig into my back, making me scream. "That's it. Call to him. Let him feel your pain," Dagahra sneers before dragging his claws down my back a little. I scream again, and he hisses out a laugh as he withdraws his claws that are now covered in my blood. "I am sure he felt that, and when he convinces his mother to lift the barrier so he can rush in here to save you, my flock will be ready. Hundreds are stationed along the border already. Our time is now! The fairies were always too smart for their own good, especially the young Queen. But I am more practical. I don't need tricks. I like the straightforward approach," he hisses as I sink to the floor in pain. "I kill anyone and everyone who gets in my way," he finishes, and I look up to see him watching the cave's entrance. "You can't kill Tav. He will defeat you," I whisper, and his yellow eyes flash. He turns his head in my direction before unfolding his wing. The scale
OCTAVIUS POV Pain is shooting up my back, relentlessly as I take off with my pack on my heels. I never imagined what it would truly be like to feel her pain and not be able to do anything about it. It is terrifying. Beerus and I are going crazy. I am so angry at Marina. I want to shred her, but the blinding fear in my gut is too much to see past. Anything that gets me to Sara faster can live. At least for a little while longer. Garrett- Do you think she is being truthful? This could be a trap. You have the majority of the pack's warriors running into this, and we are blind. We don't know their numbers or their strategy. Octavius- It doesn't matter. I will kill them all. You can turn around for all I care. My mate is being hurt! Garrett-...Are you feeling something? Octavius- Yes. All over my back. Garrett- Fuck. Octavius- It's the only reason the siren is still breathing. Garrett- Got it. Beerus growls as Garrett's voice fades. He doesn't like our beta acting as if runni