Stephen’s POV
I have been here for days, three days to be exact, and I am starving. I have prayed, meditated, and cried myself to sleep. I am begging for the Moon Goddess to speak to me and show me what I need. I am more confused now than I ever was. My feelings for April have indeed changed into something that I didn’t want. Part of me loved her, and not in a brotherly way. She excited me in a way she never should have. I know I am the worst mate there has ever been, but I have to know what to do.
I feel myself begin to fall asleep and I am startled to find myself standing in the temple and in front of a woman. She is beautiful and I can tell that I am finally in the presence of the Goddess. I bow my head and submit to her. She smiles and tells me to lift my head.
“Your son has caused me more trouble than you know. I have spoken with your mate many times, but I am afrai
Alexia’s POVAfter talking to Mason and Diego I felt incredibly tired. I decided I needed to go on to bed early and rest. The decay has begun to take a toll on me and I get tired quickly. I had been asleep for a while when I felt sparks and tingles going up my hand into my arm. I knew that the only way I would get these was Stephen. He was here, but I’m not sure how he knew where I was.“What are you doing here?” I don’t bother to open my eyes because I don’t want him to see me cry. My emotions are all over the place since my decay is taking over and my heat is supposed to come in the next few days. I feel him stop the circles he has been rubbing in my hand.“Do you not want me here?” I can hear the strain in his voice. He is fighting a battle with himself right now. I slowly open my eyes and what I see breaks my heart. He looks haggard, thi
Stephen’s POVI have been here for days, three days to be exact, and I am starving. I have prayed, meditated, and cried myself to sleep. I am begging for the Moon Goddess to speak to me and show me what I need. I am more confused now than I ever was. My feelings for April have indeed changed into something that I didn’t want. Part of me loved her, and not in a brotherly way. She excited me in a way she never should have. I know I am the worst mate there has ever been, but I have to know what to do.I feel myself begin to fall asleep and I am startled to find myself standing in the temple and in front of a woman. She is beautiful and I can tell that I am finally in the presence of the Goddess. I bow my head and submit to her. She smiles and tells me to lift my head.“Your son has caused me more trouble than you know. I have spoken with your mate many times, but I am afrai
Stephen’s POVAt some point, I passed out in the ruins that are mine and Alexia’s apartments. My father had the guards at the door so that no one could come in and disturb me. I heard a commotion out there late last night and I know it was April trying to get in here with me. I thought about what my father had said to me about April and I really didn’t see it. He has never really liked her, but to accuse her of such things really pisses me off. What has she ever done to him, or anyone for that matter?I just do not see her as being manipulative. She is just sweet and kind to everyone. She is like Alexia in that way. April would never hurt a fly unless it was to protect someone she cares about. She was just worried yesterday and was not thinking clearly. She wouldn’t hurt Alexia knowing she is my mate and not a threat to me. The kiss was just a mistake, nothing more. She doesn’t think
Stephen’s POVAfter spending hours trying to get April calm, she finally falls asleep. I carry her back to the guest wing and place her in the room she always stays in. As long as I can remember, she has been coming and staying here. Her parents were killed in a rogue attack when we were young and my father felt responsible because he didn’t send help in time. So that leads to April staying at the palace a lot in between training.I quickly make my way to the hospital ward to check in on Alexia. On the way, I notice I am getting strange looks. No one is openly glaring or anything like that, but I know that something is going on from the lack of smiles and hellos I would normally get. I’m hoping this has nothing to do with what happened with April in the hall. Surely people would realize that I love my mate and that it was just a silly mistake. I get to the door of the royal room
Alexia’s POVAfter hours of driving, we finally reach the only place I have ever considered my home, Blue Moon. As we pull up to the pack house, my mother runs out to meet me. Tears stream down her face and automatically know that she knows what happened. She and the queen have grown close since the ball and I know that my father and the king have as well. Of course, they called my parents. They may be the king and queen, but they have become a second set of parents for me.“Oh, sweetheart, I am so sorry. I hoped that all your problems would be over and that you would finally be happy.” She hugged me tighter, and then my dad joined in. They knew I wasn’t ready to talk yet, and that was one of the things I loved about my parents. They let me talk when I was ready and until then, they were just there for me. As we break apart, I look up to see a very stern-loo
Stephen’s POVOnce we reach the fort, I sit on the floor and point to the seat across from me, letting April know that is where she is to sit. I can’t risk another mistake like earlier. My conscience is eating me alive and I know that I have ruined all that I worked so hard for. A few seconds erased weeks of work earning trust. I look at April and she is staring at me with those puppy eyes she uses to try to get her way.“April, what happened back there will never happen again. What were you thinking? I just told you I had a mate.” She looks at me and cries. I feel myself move to hold her, trying to comfort her. I’ve always had a weak spot for her and I hate to see her cry.“I guess I just thought I was going to lose you. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just don’t want to lose my only friend.” She sobs out her answer and