[Arissa’s POV]"Can you take care of the old man?" I asked, clenching my fists. "I’ve got a date with an old friend.""Are you sure you’ll be okay alone, Luna?" Hans asked, seeming unsure."I’m positive." I insisted. "But if you’re really concerned, I can bring Stefan and Nazhoni with me."At my words, the weirdo duo seemed to perk up. Of course, they would be interested in coming along."We’ve got her." Nazhoni beamed, "You don’t have to worry.""That’s right, lover." Stefan agreed, causing a ferocious blush to spread across Hans’ face. "We’ll make sure no harm comes to her."Biting back the laugh that wanted to escape, I watched Hans while he tried to recollect himself. If I had more time, I would definitely pick on him about what Stefan just said, but I just didn’t right now. My children were waiting for me."Enough standing around." I said, "Time to move. Hans, Igor, and the rest of you take care of Elder Theodore. Nazhoni and Stefan, come with me to get Apollo and Conall back. "
[Arissa’s POV]"Come on, beta’s daughter."Keeping my smile in place, I began to move towards Giselle as she remained unmoving. Would she attack or would she give in? I guess we were going to find out right here and now.Surging forward, I attempted to attack, causing Giselle to move to the side, but not quickly enough to avoid my claws grazing her arm. A hiss of shock escaped her and her eyes flashed with anger."Oh, looks like you’re angry.""You won’t be so cocky much longer."Letting a growl escape her, Giselle moved to attack as I dodged and twisted, slamming my elbow into her so that she stumbled forward."Uh oh." I laughed, attacking again. "Seems daddy didn’t teach you well enough. Such a shame.""You talk too much!"Excitement flared through me as Giselle attempted to attack once more. However, despite her using all her abilities, she was still no match for me. Easily dodging, I began to deal blow after blow, tearing away at her porcelain skin.With each blow, I could feel he
[Ivan’s POV]Time continued to pass after Arissa’s departure. There was too much time and it was damn near exhausting having to wait day in and out for the day to come when I would actually be able to finally make my way back to my mate and pups."How long has it been?" I sighed, scratching the beard that was growing freely by this point. "Too long.""Time is irrelevant here." The damn voice that continued to haunt me chuckled."No shit."Slowly getting to my feet, I looked for the celestial being that had just spoken. Why was it here now? Was it to taunt, or was it to actually deliver something useful?The need to beat the shit out of something began to consume me as I continued to search."Why are you here now?" I asked, narrowing my gaze. "If it isn’t to announce that the trials have begun, I’m not...""Ivy."The voice drifted towards me like sweet honey, and I found my frustration suddenly turning to confusion. Why was she here again? Did that mean something else happened on earth
[Arissa’s POV]I stood aside and listened as Giselle recounted what she had told me to the others. With each new detail, elder Theodore’s face grew redder and redder. It seemed that the ridiculous elder didn’t expect her to not hold anything back."And that’s why." I announced once she was finished. "We need to go pay the Rose Woods pack in the north a visit. It seems that they don’t think much of the Fulgur or Tonitru packs. It is our responsibility to remind them. ""Here, here!" Nazhoni announced."Sounds like fun." Stefan added."Ivan would really love this." Igor grumbled.Flinching, I tried to ignore the pain that was shooting through me at the mention of my mate. Even if I knew he was okay, that didn’t make it any less painful to not have him here beside me. However, right now I needed to fix things so that when he returned, we could begin where we left off."You sure about that?"My eyes grew wide as Ivan’s voice drifted through the air. Whirling around, I found him, but not h
[Ivan’s POV]A loud roar escaped the creature before its body lifted and began to convulse. Jumping out of the way, I managed to avoid being hit as it attempted to attack me out of instinct. Once again, it lifted and dove towards me as I rolled out of the way.The space around me rumbled from the force of the creature's attack, but instead of getting up like the previous time, it didn’t move."Overdramatic bastard." I grumbled, slowly getting to my feet. "Should have just stayed down the first time."Taking a few steps forward, I used my foot to nudge the beast. When it didn’t flinch or move, I knew that our battle was over.Loud clapping filled the face before fire erupted around the creature, completely dessimating it right before my eyes."Congratulations. You’ve managed to pass another trial. ""Are you enjoying the show?" I demanded, turning to find the celestial being’s light shining brightly behind me. "You could at least give me some warning beforehand.""Why should I?" It ask
[Ivan’s POV] "Then will you do something about it?" The being asked. Stumbling, I found myself realizing that something didn’t quite feel right. I was used to being angry. So used to it that I was pretty damn good at controlling it, but this was different. It felt almost as if something was attempting to take over within me, something dark and almost sinister. Tilting back my head back, I let a roar of frustration escape me as I stumbled away from the being even more. What the hell was happening exactly? Lifting my hands, I took in the long black claws that were beginning to spring from my fingers and the gray hairs coming from my skin. A metallic taste filled my mouth as I doubled-over and began to heave while pain shot through me. "What…" I gasped, lifting my blurry gaze to the being. "What is this?" "Haven’t you figured it out by now?" The being chuckled. "This is the real you, Ivan. The you deep within. It is the beast that slowly grew more and more due to the anger you’ve su
[Arissa’s POV] "Uh... Luna," Hans murmured, flicking his gaze from Gretchen to the large creatures that were now standing behind her. "Who exactly is this?" Feeling my eyes grow wide, I remembered that only Ivan knew about Gretchen being here with her... creatures. Of course, after I agreed to become his luna, having her here was my only request, and of course, my man granted me anything I wanted. "I’m so sorry," I gasped, quickly stepping beside Gretchen and snaking my arms around her. "This is Gretchen and she is..." "My ex-wife," Elder Theodore grumbled, cutting me off. "I’m shocked to see you’re still alive and well." "Disappointed?" Gretchen countered. "Sorry to disappoint you, dear." At her words, the area around us grew deadly silent, aside from the rumbles of the obakes. "Wait, wait, wait." Igor announced first, breaking the silence. "Did you just say... grandma?" "That’s right." I confirmed, biting back the laugh that wanted to escape me due to the look of disbelief t
Author’s NOTE: Hello readers! No this is not a repeat chapter, I made an error in the chapter title name. This chapter is in fact violence, while the previous is Heresy and has been edited to the proper title. However until the review to allow the change goes through it will continue to show as Violence. Sorry for the mix up and I hope you enjoy the chapter. :)[Ivan’s POV]"Is that how you solve everything?"Flinching, I looked up into the face of the fiery skeleton. Right before my eyes, it began to shift and shrink until standing in front of me was no longer a horrible monster, but a woman with long white hair and an ethereal beauty that was not meant to exist in the real world."Is violence truly the only solution?" The woman continued, frowning.Unable to speak, I simply stared, trying to make sense of exactly what was happening. Why did the fiery creature that the celestial being was so afraid of suddenly turn into such a beautiful and calm woman?"Well?" She continued to push.
[Ivan’s POV]Two weeks have passed by in a blur since Rose Woods was taken down and Arissa’s curse was lifted. Two weeks filled with court hearings and punishment issuing, not to mention making deals with the nomads in regards to Catori’s part in Arissa’s torture.In the end, we agreed to allow him to go back with Nazhoni and Rome to be tried for his treachery.Despite my hesitance to let him out of my sight after everything Theodore and Giselle did after I spared them, Arissa convinced me to let them take him.Now, I sat in the front of the execution chamber, watching as Theodore was strapped down to a wooden chair. His dark gaze bore into me, as if his hatred towards me would end up killing me before he was killed."Ready, alpha." Igor announced once he was secured. "Shall we get started?"Nodding, I lifted a hand, and motioned for him to proceed.Leaning back, I crossed my arms across my chest while Igor filled a syringe with a strong dose of poison that was sure to kill even the s
[Arissa’s POV]"Watch your step." Ivan murmured, reaching out and taking my hand. "Are you sure you don’t want me to take one of them?"Shaking my head, I pulled Apollo and Conal closer to myself as I stepped out of the carriage we were in and let the familiar scent of Tonitru territory hit my nose.After rescuing our children and packmates, Ivan and I decided to head straight for Tonitru since our packmates and friends could handle the rest of Rose Woods. Despite still feeling on edge about something going wrong, I allowed Ivan to convince me to come here so that we could finally end all of this."Where is it?" I asked, beginning to make my way towards the pack house. "Are you sure that it is here?""Where is your family burial grounds located?" Ivan asked instead."This way." I responded, motioning towards the back of the building. "It is just back there, a little ways into the woods."Nodding, Ivan wrapped an arm around my waist and began to lead us in the direction I pointed out.
[Ivan’s POV]I surged forward, making my way towards the compound in front of me. All around me, everyone was beginning to shift, but I didn’t feel like using my wolf to fight. Instead, I felt like using the new abilities that I recently acquired thanks to finishing the trials.‘Congratuatlions.’ The being murmured as I moved. ‘You’ve done well.’‘No shit.’ I huffed in response. ‘I am me after all.’‘I wish you the best, alpha god.’ the being announced.‘God?’ I repeated, but I was only met with silence. What the hell?Turning back to the situation at hand, I had just enough time to spot a large white wolf shooting across the grounds and diving through a window."Arissa."Breaking off from my group, I headed in the direction that she went. When I arrived, I could hear chaos breaking out from within."Just couldn’t wait on me." I sighed, diving through the window she had managed to break to find Arissa ripping out the throat of a large man with beady eyes. All around her were bodies t
[Arissa’s POV]"What’s your plan?" I asked, trying to hide the shock that was racing through me.I don’t know exactly what I expected when Ivan pinpointed the traitor, but I still couldn’t quite believe that it was the silent giant Catori. "He needs to be locked up for now." Ivan responded slowly.Nodding, I looked towards where Stefan stood, dumbfounded. At least everyone here was reflecting the same emotions I felt."Take him to join Giselle and Theodore." I continued, "After that, we need someone to take care of the bodies in the engine room.""That’s my luna," Ivan beamed, causing my cheeks to flush. "Taking control just like the leader you are.""Now isn’t the time." I warned, trying to keep my embarrassment over being praised under control. "We should be arriving at our destination soon and need to handle matters here."Chuckling, Ivan simply nodded while giving me an approving smile. Shit, the man was dangerous, especially when he flashed those pearly whites."Here, he’s all y
[Ivan’s POV]"Let’s go."Grabbing Arissa’s hand, I began to move. I needed Stefan to let me into whatever room that was so that I could see if the person responsible’s essence was still lingering."Are we mole hunting?" Arissa asked, seeming to perk up."Something like that."Since she wasn’t aware that determining who the killer was would break her curse, I wanted to keep it a surprise. Especially if I wasn’t able to find them. ‘Don’t think like that.’ Bastian warned. ‘This determines whether or not we get to stay with our mate.’‘I know.’ I snapped.I promised many times that I would rip apart heaven and hell to be with her, but there was always that what if deep in my heart. Of course, I refused to listen to that what if, but it didn’t mean the bastard wasn’t there.Shaking off any doubts, I hurried down the stairs that led to the bunk areas to find Stefan slouched on the floor, guarding Hans, who was fast asleep."Ssssshhhhh." He hissed as I opened my mouth to speak. "He just fel
[Ivan’s POV]I bit back the laugh that wanted to escape as Arissa’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. Goddess, she was beautiful, and when she flushed it made her so damn sexy, as it reminded me of when we were alone and..."You have quite the smooth tongue." She murmured, trying to regain her composure. "How do you stay so serious when spouting such bullshit?""Bullshit?" I repeated."That’s right."If she wanted to claim what I said was bullshit, I would show her true bullshit. However, as I prepared to speak, I felt a slight tap on my consciousness. Frowning, I allowed whoever it was to enter and immediately regretted it.‘Sorry to disturb.’ The being chuckled, even though it was clear that it wasn’t sorry. ‘But I have to remind you that there is still one more trial.’Right… If I wanted to stay here with Arissa, I needed to complete the final trial, but what the hell was it?"What’s wrong?"Letting out a long breath, I fixed my gaze on Arissa’s and gave an apologetic smile. It
[Arissa’s POV]My heart raced and I wondered if I was hallucinating or if this was another fucking jinn. How was it possible that when all hell was beginning to break loose, the person I needed the most would appear?"I-Ivan," I whispered, "You’re back?"At my words, a broad smile replaced his worn-out expression."That’s right, my love." He responded, getting to his feet. "Didn’t I tell you that not even heaven or hell could keep me from you?"Unable to contain my emotions, I surged forward, slamming my body against his while his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I buried my face against his chest and breathed in deeply, letting myself get lost in his smell. It really was him."Does this mean you passed all the trials?" I asked, pulling away enough to look at him. "You’re back for good, right?"Before he could respond, a roar ripped through the room, followed by Nazhoni’s curses.Whirling around, I watched Hans race towards us with his teeth bared and his claws extended. Fuck, I
[Ivan’s POV]"Now," the being announced. "Are you ready for your next trial?""So soon?"I just finished fighting a pretty strong opponent and would be lying if I said that I wasn’t feeling it. Though I managed to tap into a new source of power, I didn’t know how to control it yet and therefore was wiped out."Is that a no?""No."Standing up, I did my best to push away the exhaustion that I was feeling. If I let myself stop now, all the struggle prior to this would be worthless."What is it?"I watched as the being began to use its hands to make circular motions in the air. Where its fingers passed created tiny glowing orbs. Frowning, I tried to determine exactly what was going on here, but came up short."What are you doing?""Creating two paths." The being explained."Paths?"Furrowing my brows, I continued to watch as the glowing spheres that were being created started to grow bigger and bigger until they were the perfect size for someone to pass through."What?" I hissed when wha
[Arissa’s POV]I stumbled backwards once Hans was finished feeding and wiped the sweat that was beginning to form on my brow. Blinking away the black spots that were beginning to appear in front of my eyes, I looked at his injury and found that it was beginning to close. However, where the skin healed remained raised and a purplish color, but it was healing and that was all that mattered."You should try to get some rest." Lindsey murmured, placing a hand on my shoulder."Yeah, what she said!" Pixie agreed, popping out from my other side. "You’ve been through a lot.""I’m okay." I assured the duo, forcing a smile. "There might be more of those creatures lurking. We need to stay on alert.""We can handle them." Nazhoni chimed, narrowing her gaze at me. "I agree with them. You need to rest after everything. ""By the way," Pixie murmured, lifting her curious gaze to me. "Why did you give him your blood?"Busted… I forgot that some of those present didn’t know my secret."Pixie," Lindsey