MasukTwo days later, Levantus guides Rowena and I out into the gardens. He takes us into a cluster of trees that opens up into a wide clearing. “This spot is completely hidden and no one knows about but myself and my beta.”I walk around the clearing, taking in the space we have and look to Rowena. “What do you think? Is this going to work?”I have no idea how much space we are going to need, so I lean on her insights. She smiles, puts her hands on her hips, and nods. “Yes, this will work just fine. If we need more, we can figure something else out. After we get a little deeper into training, we will need you, your Majesty, but for now, you’ll just be a little distracting. Before we go out separate ways, I have something for both of you.”She reaches into a pocket in her dress and pulls out two pendants. One is on a thick titanium chain, the pendant is in the shape of claw, obsidian stone in the center of the paw, tigers eye claws.
Rowena smiles as she watches the love blooming and warming between Odessa and Levantus. “Child, I can give you some training, but a lot of what you have in you will be triggered along the way. Also, due to your bond, Levantus may end up receiving some gifts himself through you. It’s part of the balance between you. You are facing powerful enemies, that cursed wolf had a lot of powers he stole and a witch or two in his pocket. You’ll need to become stronger to be able to stand against them.”Levantus growls as he curls an arm around Odessa. He rubs his nose against her head and breathes her in. “We can do it, together we can face whatever is to come. I know it…”Rowena laughs and shakes her head. “Unfortunately you can’t do much for her training. But yes, you’re both going to need each other to face things ahead. However, her training is going to be a little more difficult now that her sight is back.”Levantus looks thrown and
I walk with Levantus down hallways within the castle, aiming toward the room given to the witch. As expected, there are guards outside of her doors, but they are for her protection. I’ve noticed how every guard and worker in the castle have taken to bowing to me. It makes me feel incredibly self conscious. As the king’s mate, it means a lot even before becoming official. I steer my mind away from things that don’t need to be faced right this second. Right now, I need to know more about this witch and what has happened. I knock on the door and a voice answers. “Come in, dears.”We walk in to find her propped up in bed. She has a tray of some food and water nearby, but she’s hardly touched it. She gives me a kind smile and it makes my heart clench. She reminds me a lot of the woman who helped ground me when I was lost and gave Arius and me so much before she passed. “Hello, how are you feeling?” I ask while Levantus
After such a heavy battle, there is a reprieve. Most of the dead are rogues, about 23 altogether with 10 warrior deaths. Despite who died on what side, the loss is devastating. Buildings and grounds have been damaged as well. The only blessing is that the kingdom did not fall and Odessa now stands. With her wolf restored, her vision has returned as well. Her eyes are now their natural amethyst color. Whatever energy she emitted when she awakened that healed and rejuvenated, caused wolves close to death to heal enough for help to arrive while smaller wounds healed. Levantus was able to completely heal because of his direct mate bond to her. His worst wounds still require some healing, but he was able to stand again. ~~~~~~~~ Odessa POV ~~~~~~~~~Sego. I’ve known for years that he is a despicable man, but it still hurt. I can’t help but carry some blame on my own shoulders. It feels like I keep failing and people keep getting hurt.
Deep within the castle, the witch continues her work with Connor’s aid. The two different magics working continuing to clash. The power struggle is immense and the dark energy is trying to seek a way to reconnect to the dark energy outside the circle. The witch closes her eyes and amps up her focus while she chants. Mixed within her chanting are prayers to the Moon Goddess, seeking to undo wrongs that have been done. Right as everything seems to crescendo, Odessa suddenly goes limp, her eyes partially open and empty. Her lifeless body lay in the center with the dark energy writhing within it as well. Connor goes to move, panic strickens him for a moment. The witch’s voice lashes out to him. “No! Don’t break the circle, trust the process! Trust your lady and her wolf!”Her words stop him cold, though he can’t understand how she could be so calm about the situation. He tries to reel himself back in, though he can feel the loss of Odessa
I howl loudly as I rush into another group of rogues. There are bodies all over the place. Thankfully, they mostly look like rogues, but we won’t know the count until it’s over. My heart is absolutely hammering my chest. I’m torn between feeling my mate’s pain and fighting the good fight. Connor does his best to ensure I know what’s happening when he can. He warned me she would be in pain, but we have to trust it’s part of her fight to break through. I’m growing tired of Sego’s cowardly actions. Sending wolves in to do his fight, but not stepping in himself. I can’t help my frustration because I want to rip him apart for everything he has done. I find myself focusing on four wolves, rogues that are pushing at overwhelming two of my people. I kill the first I plow into instantly before turning on the second, slashing his jaw and throat out with my claws. Right as I take the third down, I sense it. The power shift in the air, the storm grows eve
I stare at her face, this woman who has met pieces of my heart. All of dinner, I watched her interact warmly. None of it was an act, none of it was her trying to win me. It was just her, her true self and her love of children, even if she didn’t know the situation. She didn’t leak her concerns and
Levantus spends the rest of the afternoon sitting with the ladies and me. At first, the women were nervous, but I’d eased them back into our comradery. We talk and laugh, Levantus chimes in every once in a while. Mostly, he remains silent, keeping me rested back against him. The ladies are fascina
We hold hands as I walk at her side. She’s calm, but she isn’t smiling anymore and that’s my fault. Dirk said I hurt her, she cried. That stabs my heart and causes my thumb to rub her knuckles. “Odessa, first, let me say I’m sorry. Not for what we shared and share, but for disappearing.”By now I’
Goddess, what had I done? I both loved and hated giving in to what was there. I’d not given Odessa enough of a chance to get to know me first. Maybe I was wrong? Maybe she will doubt me now?Since the night we shared, I’ve been called into countless meetings, questioned about numerous things. I’ve







