QUICK NOTE: Sorry for the super long chapter; I'm trying to listen to complaints and avoid things readers don't like, so there's one instead of two super-detailed chapters. MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who read the book so far, voted, left a review and gave it gems. This means THE WORLD to me, and I'm beyond words happy to see someone enjoying my work.
Lazarus pov I close the door behind me, lock it and press my back against the cold wood. There's no way I could explain how the fuck I could remain that calm. Just now, Lenox and Sarah passed me while she was wearing nothing but that damn towel. It took everything in me to smile and hold back from pouncing at her right there, in the hall. The way my brother held her so damn close only proved that I'm jealous as hell. I may claim that her relationship with my brothers doesn't bother me, but damn it, it does. It's only a matter of time before I snap, especially knowing where they're heading. That damn playroom. Why did I allow Lenox to turn one of my guest bedrooms into a playroom? Why? It seemed like a good idea at the time since he often hooked up with women from my district or Luka's so as not to complicate relationships with the people he leads. But today, that decision seems like the worst mistake I have ever made. I try the breathing exercises our mother taught us when we
Luka pov"Don't look for me." My brother's words echo in my head as Lenox disappears from our sight. When I regain my senses and try to follow him, even run out of the building, he's gone for good. How could I? How the hell could I say all those things, especially after finding out he's the reason I'm alive?Am I really that heartless to act like this? I've never treated Lenox so badly. Sure, we've never been as close as he and Laz were, but I never stooped so low as to drive him away. And now, I feel like I have lost something important- a part of me that I'll never get back. I stand at the main entrance, scanning the surroundings, probably hoping Lenox will turn up and tell me it's just a joke- he's not going to leave, and the argument is nothing. But even I understand how unrealistic this hope is because it's my own fault. Shaking my head, I turn around and walk back into the house right as Lazarus' pack doctor rushes past me. He runs up the stairs and heads for the stupid play
Seth pov "You did what?" My voice trembles as I take a step back. I wish I could scream and shout, raise my hand at this little shit, or do anything close to that, but I can't. My own son... How could he? I know anyone can say something hurtful, especially if they are guided by emotion, but to say something like that to his brother. All this, even though Luka knows the nightmare we had to go through to keep Lenox with us. And all this, even though Luka knows how much these words would shatter his brother. I've failed as a mother. I've failed my sons, and, most importantly, my family. How did I fail to notice the monster hiding within Luka? I put a hand over my mouth to stifle the sob that escapes me. Pregnancy hormones and confessions like this don't mix well. I look at my son and wonder where I went wrong with him. Growing up, Luka's always been a charming young man, and he didn't change over the years. He always thought about how others might feel and never failed to show co
Sarah pov Pain. Nothing but pain, a thousand times worse than one from the heat. My body burns; the muscles tense and relax in violent, rapid jerks, and my head feels like a bucket overflowing with lava. What on earth has happened to me? Hissing, I open my eyes and immediately close them- the bright light stings and makes the unbearable feeling even worse. I have to take a deep breath until my heartbeat slows down and I can try again. If I don't find a way to calm down, my heart might burst through my ribcage. I try to lift my arms and legs; they seem to be working perfectly; apart from the physical pain, I'm fine. What happened? I furrow my brows and concentrate on the remnants of the memories. The playroom. Lenox. The half-shifted beast. "Oh, God, no," I whisper, fighting the pain coursing through my body as I raise my hand to my neck. I know, for a fact, that he bit the right side of my neck, but no matter how hard I try to find the scar- there isn't one. It can't be tha
Lazarus povLuka's been on my back since yesterday. I refuse to speak to him, look at him, or even acknowledge his presence. He is as much of a brother to me as Lenox, but Luka has taken it too far.I understand the brotherly rivalry and even the jealousy. What I don't understand is the display of pure, deep hatred for someone who has done everything to deserve his love. Lenox is crazy. He's messed up so deep in his roots that there's no way to fix him, but beyond that, he's an amazing, trustworthy and hard-working man who deserves the best in life. But despite our brother's good qualities, Luka pushes them aside and focuses on the bad ones. God, if only this idiot knew what happened to Lenox when he set out to avenge the attack. If only someone besides Lenox could tell the story. Lenox never shared the full details about what happened then. We know that the experience was horrifying, so much so that we lost the Lenox we knew and gained a new person instead of the one we had.But
Sarah pov *Don't tell me you were expecting the baby Jesus because if you did, I have to disappoint you. It's only me, you know, the lost cat you used to miss. But it's okay if you don't miss me anymore. I can hide and come back in like ten years or so.* Oh, God, it's her. It's Talia. I'm so happy I don't notice my heartbeat speeding up and myself hyperventilating until my cat points it out. I can't believe she's here, with me, in my head! But how? How could she break through these shields that we couldn't move for years? How could she break out and speak so freely now that I barely remember the sound of her voice? And the feeling, God, the feeling inside me. I feel complete, without flaws or worries. She's the other half that I was missing, and now that she's back- there are no mountains too high for us to climb. Together, we can do anything. "Talia," I whisper, savouring the feeling. Saying her name out loud has always been sort of a taboo thing for me. The thought of her abs
Luka pov My brother's words hit me. They struck me so hard that I finally understood my mistakes, and now, I better figure out how to fix everything. It's clear that Lazarus doesn't want me near him now. So, once he's done with explaining and shows me the door, I nod and leave his office. I won't leave his district just yet; there's a stop I have to make before I get to Lenox's district. God, I hope he's there and will agree to talk to me. I know he doesn't have to listen to me; after all, this mess is my fault, but I can only hope he'll let me in and listen. Lenox must hate me, fuck it, even I hate myself at this point. Luka: the worst fucking brother known to mankind and the entire shifter species. I stay near my brother's office door for a few more minutes to calm down. A pissed-off Alpha is a dangerous Alpha, and I don't want to go after members of the Lazarus pack just because I'm a first-class moron. After a few deep breaths, my heartbeat slows, and sweat no longer b
Lazarus povI groan at the frantic knocking on my office door. I hate it when someone decides to disturb me when I'm busy, but more than that, I hate when that someone is the same man I told to leave my district. Luka must have a fucking death wish if he decides to come back here and try to talk about his shitty behaviour ever again. "Didn't I tell you to leave my packhouse and district, Luka?" I growl as he still stands on the other side of the door. I don't understand what's so hard about following my words? I never told him that I needed five minutes to calm down and that he could come back. All I wanted was some peace and time for myself. "You did, and that's why I'm not storming into your office now. I'm trying to respect your wishes and boundaries, Laz, but this is a big deal; believe me, it's so big you need to hear about it. Besides, you're about to switch to the Alpha mindset, not brother, so may I come in?" Luka's voice is strangely stern. If it were anything about the