Chapter: 59 ****** TALON: I swallowed hard and stepped aside, allowing him to enter. He was accompanied by two unfamiliar wolves, while his Betas lingered by the cars, waiting. Only the two unknown wolves followed him into my home. A flicker of instinct urged me to leave my doors ajar, ready for a quick escape if necessary. In the end, I settled for cracking one open, then followed them inside, my bag slipping from my shoulders as I trailed behind. My uncle didn't stop until he reached the piano. His fingers swept lazily across the keys, producing tones that resonated deep within my trembling soul. He knew exactly what he was doing; he played with purpose. I watched as his eyes scanned the sheets I had been composing, and he played a few familiar notes. My breath caught, but I remained rooted in my spot. “You bought a piano? I didn’t know you played,” he said, settling onto the sofa beside the instrument. My heart sank at his words. It hadn’t been him who had gifted me
Chapter: 60 ****** ALTAIR: I drifted into sleep after throwing a raucous party to celebrate my high school graduation. I had waited so long for this day, eager to welcome my wolf into my life. Usually, my fathers would have prepared me for this moment, but none of them had broached the subject. They acted as if I wouldn’t be receiving my wolf at all. I tried not to take it personally; they had always been busy, and I rationalized their silence as a mere oversight regarding my coming of age and the prospect of finding my mate. Everyone knew that reaching this milestone meant discovering our other halves. Yet, I already knew who held my heart. If I got my wolf and he chose someone else, I would reject them outright. I couldn't imagine having any other mate but my vampire. A sharp knock on my door jolted me awake, and I groaned, reluctant to leave the warmth of my bed. “Come in!” I called, hoping it was Bernie. I hadn’t seen her since she moved away to be with her mate, but she ha
Chapter: 61 ****** TALON: I hadn’t felt well the entire day; my mind was restless. Was it because, by this time tomorrow, I would be forced into a marriage of my uncle’s making? Confusion swirled within me, evident in the way I instructed my students. They pointed out my mistakes, and in the end, I decided to call it a day. Handing the session to Murray, I returned home earlier than I should have. I sat at my piano, but an invisible weight pressed down on me, robbing me of the will to play. Instead, I stared at the sheet music spread out before me. *I seek the warmth of your embrace, The comfort of your familiar face, But now I’m just a shadow in the night, Longing for you to return, to make it right.* My eyes skimmed the lyrics I had penned, and my breath caught in my throat. How was it possible that, at this age, I still hadn’t found my answers? Helplessness washed over me, a familiar sensation I thought I had outgrown. The thoughts gnawed at me as I read and
Chapter: 62 ****** ALTAIR: I lay asleep on my bed, the moonlight spilling through the open window and casting a silver glow across my shirtless form. The gentle breeze swept through the room, making the curtains flutter like the wings of a restless bird. In my dreams, I was lost in a haze of longing, the remnants of desire swirling around me like a soft fog. But then restlessness took hold. I tossed and turned, my body stirred by an electric current I couldn’t quite shake off. Finally, I opened my eyes, blinking against the bright light that filled the room, and that’s when I saw him. At the foot of my bed, his silhouette framed by the moonlight. The sight took my breath away. He looked ethereal, his skin glowing like polished marble, every contour and angle sharp and breathtakingly beautiful. My heart raced as I took in the way his tousled hair caught the light, each strand shimmering like spun silver. The way he stood there, almost as if he were a vision summoned from my deep
Chapter: 63 ****** ALTAIR: “Our mate,” Vale proclaimed as he emerged. “Hello, Altair,” he called, and a laugh bubbled up from within me, contagious enough to draw Vale into the joy as well. “Shh, they’ll hear,” he whispered, but I couldn’t stop laughing. It felt exhilarating and liberating. Vale was magnificent, his fur a pristine white, unmarred by any spot. I knew we would be beautiful together. (“Hello, Vale. You’re finally awake,”) I said, my voice echoing in my mind. “I would have been sooner if they hadn’t severed me from you,” he replied, a hint of frustration lacing his tone. (“What do you mean?”) I asked, curiosity piquing. “Our Birth Omega lied. Talon is not only our mate but the one we have returned to find in this lifetime. He is our life and soul. We marked him when he was a boy, long before we were even born.” (“No way,”) I breathed, a sense of elation washing over me. (“That explains the mark on his wrist. I bet he doesn’t even understand.”) “
Chapter: 64 ****** ALTAIR: Talon was to be married off, bound by an oath to my Birth Omega. A fire ignited within me, a volatile mix of anger and desperation. How could they do this to him? I clenched my fists, the raw emotion coursing through me, demanding action. Why would he enter into an oath? Even worse, why would my Birth Omega force him into such a fate? Talon may have hurt me as a child, but that didn't make him a pawn to be manipulated by those who wielded power over him. All these years, who knew what he had endured? Like a caged animal, a slave to fate, and a piece on my Birth Omega’s chessboard of cruelty. He didn’t deserve any of this, and none of it was his fault. He needed me. He needed us. “Vale?” I called to my wolf, feeling his stirrings within me, but sensing the weakness that seeped through our bond. “Are you alright, my half?” Vale didn’t respond right away. When he finally did, his voice cracked. (“I’m alright. Let us take care of our mate.”) I d
Chapter: 65 ****** ALTAIR: I pushed open my bedroom door, the familiar scent of my sanctuary enveloping me. I stumbled toward the bed, collapsing face-first into its soft embrace. Tears flowed freely, blurring my vision as they fell like an unrelenting river. After a few moments, I heard the gentle creak of the door. Bernie appeared, her eyes scanning the room for me. She wouldn’t be able to remain happy knowing I was in pain. “Al?” she called softly, carefully approaching my bed. “What’s going on?” She settled beside me, her warmth a comforting presence. “You know you can tell me anything.” I sat up, leaning into her as my tears soaked into the fabric of her beautiful dress. I felt her breath hitch, a sign that she was holding back her own emotions. “They severed me from my wolf,” I finally whispered, my voice trembling. “It was my Birth Omega, my fathers, and my grandparents who agreed to have my wolf ripped from within me. They stole the memories of Talon, so I wouldn’t
Chapter: 66 ****** ALTAIR: As we descended the staircase, the sounds of laughter and music grew louder, wrapping around us like a warm embrace. The flickering glow of candles illuminated the lively scene below, casting playful shadows against the walls. I could see friends and family mingling, their faces bright with joy, but my heart felt heavy with the absence of my half, and Talon. Bernie squeezed my hand, pulling me back to the moment. “You ready?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. I nodded, though uncertainty still lingered in my chest. As we stepped into the vibrant atmosphere, a chorus of voices rose to greet me. “Happy Birthday, Altair!” they shouted in unison, their cheerful faces beaming up at me. I managed a smile, the energy of the crowd washing over me like a wave. My parents stood by the buffet table, my Birth Omega’s eyes alight with pride, while my father Seth clapped me on the shoulder, his hearty laugh echoing in my ears. “Eighteen! Can you beli