[Arissa’s POV]"Luna," Christine murmured, gently shaking me awake. "Sorry to disturb, but it is time to feed the twins.""Huh?" I groaned, feeling like I had been thrown off a cliff. "Feeding?"As if my body was trying to remind me of exactly what that entailed, liquid began to drip from my nipples and travel down my still swollen stomach."Oh... right." I whispered, cautiously sitting up. "Bring them here, please.""Yes, luna."Forcing a smile, I watched as Christine made her way out of the room. When I was alone, it immediately fell, and the pain I was becoming accustomed to began to rush through me once again."Ivan," I whimpered, pulling a pillow to myself. "You were supposed to be here for this too. Why did you leave?"‘Because anyone that gets close to you dies.’Gasping, I felt my eyes grow wide as I frantically looked around the room until I found myself staring at Ivan, only it wasn’t Ivan. Just like the undead children and my parents, his face was sunken and skeletal, while
[Arissa’s POV]"Hans!" I gasped. "It isn’t what you think!"Instead of responding, Hans continued to take everything in with a blank expression. It was fucking maddening not being able to tell exactly what he was thinking, but would Ivan’s most trusted men be any less?Snapping my gaze from Hans, I found ghostly Ivan standing in his corner again, watching everything unfold in amusement. Snarling, I bared my teeth in warning."What is it?" Hans asked, snapping my attention back to him. "You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Luna.""Something like that." I growled."Pardon?""Hans, what happened?" Igor called, suddenly appearing.Fuck, was everyone going to show up and see this?"Uh..." Igor gasped, immediately locating Christine. "Why?""The jinns." I responded quickly. However, I didn’t expect either of them to believe me. Hell, if I didn’t watch it happen, I wouldn't have either. "They’re not gone.""But you killed the caster of the curse." Hans countered, frowning.I prepared to respon
[Ivan’s POV]I watched as the bitch standing in front of me looked around in confusion. Only when her eyes came to rest on mine did fear truly begin to register. Good, that meant she understood what was about to happen. If she thought I was going to let her off for her deeds, she was sadly mistaken."Where is..." she tried, but stopped as her eyes took the area in again."Figured it out?" I asked, beginning to make my way towards her. "If not, I can help you understand."Channelling all my rage, I surged forward, grabbing the woman by her throat and lifting her. As her fear filled her eyes, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. She was the reason I was stuck in this fucking place for at least a month, and I was going to make sure that she paid."P-please," the woman rasped. "I-I’m sorry.""Sorry," I repeated, letting a slow smile spread across my lips. "Do you think a simple apology will take back everything you’ve done?"For a moment, the woman didn’t speak as her terrified eyes seeme
[Arissa’s POV]"Repeat that." I said, trying to remain calm. "I think I misheard you."I watched as Nazhoni froze, causing a look of panic to cross Igor’s face. By the way Nazhoni’s expression was growing more and more tense, I knew that I didn’t. Those bastards were clearly conspiring against us this whole fucking time, and now that Ivan wasn’t around, they were taking action."Now, Luna," Igor tried as I began to shake with rage. "Try to remain calm. We’ll figure this out.""Figure it out." I growled, narrowing my gaze. "They are not only trying to take over what belongs to Ivan, but now they’re trying to have anyone who could vouch for him or me killed." Even though I knew that Igor and the others weren’t my enemies, I couldn’t control the anger that was finally boiling over after months of trying to hold it all in. "Not to mention they currently have my children hidden somewhere! I don’t even know if they’re okay and you’re telling me to try to remain calm?"Feeling a sudden burst
[Arissa’s POV]I felt myself being yanked back deep into my consciousness, allowing my vampiric side to begin to take over. From where I remained, I could only watch as if it wasn’t my own body doing the fighting as she faced off with a shocked looking elder Gregory.‘Serves him right.’ I growled, spurring her on. ‘Kill him.’At my words, a feeling of pure bloodlust began to take over, spurring her forward at superhuman speed while the bastard elder attempted to evade her.‘How?’ He growled in my head, sending waves of disgust through me. ‘How are you so fast?’‘Surprised?’ I purred. ‘You weren’t the only one with a secret.’"Say good bye now, bastard elder." My vampiric self purred, leaping into the air and landing on his back.A loud roar escaped elder Gregory as she bit the side of his neck, filling his veins with venom that would soon paralyze him so she could make his death a slow one.Letting out a giggle of excitement, she jumped off his back, landing on her feet while his body
[Ivan’s POV]Was she dead? That was a damn good question. If she was here, then that was the most obvious answer. However, it was the one answer I absolutely refused to believe. There was no way in hell that she was dead. I wouldn’t fucking allow it."Ivan," Arissa whispered, "please answer my question."Something about how her voice shook as her pleading eyes met mine broke my heart. Seeing her this vulnerable was still rare and unnerved me to the very core. Especially since there was no one to kill to make her feel better. This time, it was due to a situation that neither she nor I knew how to get out of.Sucking in a breath, I prepared myself for what I was about to say. Even if she was considered dead at this point, she wouldn’t remain this way. If there was a way for me to escape, then there was a way for her to do the same."Do you trust me?" I asked, wanting to calm her before I answered."Unconditionally." She responded instantly."Then despite what I’m about to say, know that
[Arissa’s POV]"About damn time." I beamed, extending my claws. "You’re in luck, old man. I’ve been meaning to file these. "A look of confusion crossed Ivan’s face as he took in my claws. Something about the expression made it seem like he hadn’t seen me do this before. What the hell?"You can shift?" He asked, grabbing my wrist and lifting my hand to eye level."Uh, yeah?" What the hell was wrong with him? "You’ve known this for how long now?""Interesting." "What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped, pressing a hand against his forehead. "Have you lost your mine in the two months you’ve been here?""Two?" Ivan gasped, his eyes growing wide. "What do you mean, two? It has been maybe a week at most. "Now it was my turn to be confused. Did this mean that time in this realm was different from time in the human world? Shit, how much time had already passed since I arrived here?"Ivan," I said slowly, bracing myself for his reaction when I told him that not only was he already gone f
[Arissa’s POV]"Come along." I growled, motioning for Stefan and Catori to bring the bastard elder along. "This isn’t the proper place for this."Nodding, the two men followed. Neither bothered asking me what I was up to as we made our way down the hall. Granted, I was pretty sure that they knew what I was up to anyway.Feeling my blood begin to pump, I beelined for the torture chamber that Ivan had reserved for the war criminals. In my opinion elder Theodore was no better than them."Do you know what you’re doing?" Elder Theodore demanded when I began to clamp cuffs around his wrists and ankles. "I’m an elder!""You could be the fucking moon goddess herself and I wouldn’t care." I smirked. "It won’t save you from receiving your retribution.""Close the door!" I called over my shoulder. "I don’t want anyone to overhear what is about to happen here.""No, you can’t!""I can," I countered, pulling a pair of clamps out of the tool drawer Ivan had set up. "And I will." I beamed. "You, eld
[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