LOGINCalla's POV Lucien and I stood in the middle of his chamber. I could tell how he felt through the bond when he asked me the questions about what his daughter said about him. Lucien had proven countless times he was a changed person and that was all I needed. Now, he needed me and all I could do was make him feel loved. I was still locked in his embrace as he held me tight. But I could feel the heat coming off his body and it was strong… It was a kind of heat that made me feel safe.I smiled while my head rested on his chest and looked up to see his face.Lucien pulled back just a little bit. He did not let go of my waist. He stayed close enough that our chests were still touching. He stared at me with his eyes. They were dark and seductive and I felt those eyes could see into my soul.They were full of a deep hunger and I could not look away. I did not want to look away. I felt like I was trapped in a beautiful spell.“You are so beautiful, Calla.” Lucien whispered, his voice low a
Lucien's POV The engine of the SUV was the only sound that made noise as I had drifted into silence and decided not to speak.“Lucien?” Calla's voice was a soft whisper, cutting through the hum of the car engines. But I didn't turn to look at her but I could feel her gaze on the side of my face. “You haven't responded to my question. What is it, Lucien? Why are you silent?” I swallowed hard and clenched my jaw. I didn't have an answer that wouldn't scare her or make her feel like I was scared too and didn't want to go on with the plan. I coughed, probably about to speak even though I wasn't going to speak directly, but before I could, Fenric grunted and spoke without looking over his shoulder.“He's silent because he knows the geography of that mountain as well as I do, Calla,” Fenric said, his voice flat. “The western slope you mentioned… if it's really the one with the dead oak and the weeping face rock. That isn't just a path, it's a vertical climb. To be honest, if we are to go
Lucien's POV The transition from the witch’s lair back into the Craglands was within seconds.One moment, I and Calla were submerged into the air like we had passed through a portal. And the next second we were back on our feet on the Craglands ground.Calla's feet buckled beneath her but I caught her immediately, pulling her against myself. “I have you,” I pressed a kiss on her forehead. We had barely taken a step when Fenric rushed toward us, holding Fenris by his arm and dragging him so he followed him.“Lucien! Calla!” Fenric called out, his voice laced with relief. He stopped a few paces away, his eyes darting between us. “You were gone for hours. What happened there? Did you see her? Were you able to reach Willow?”I looked at my Beta, seeing he sweat on his brow and the genuine fear in his eyes. “Yes. We found her, Fenric,” I said, my voice deep. “But it seems the situation is more complicated than we imagined.”Fenris, who had been huddled in his rage, straightened himself
Calla's POV “Willow!” I called out, though my voice didn't make a sound, yet it echoed through the space of connection Elara had built. “Willow, baby, can you hear me? It's Mama.”Willow looked over her shoulder at first, then she turned her head fully and looked straight at me. It had been a long time since I saw the smile that played on her face. It had been a long time since I saw that look. “What are you looking at?” The old man asked.Willow immediately looked away from me and tilted her head. “Nothing. I just felt a rush of cold.” “You are cold? Let me go get you your coat,” the man said, stood up and was coming my way. I instinctively moved away, stood still until he was gone out of the garden.“Mama.” Willow whispered. The word didn't come through my ears, it bloomed inside my heart. “You came. I felt you. I just didn't know where you were.”She rushed and almost touched me but I immediately moved back.“Don't Willow. You can't touch me. If you do, I will be trapped.”She
Calla's POV Elara's fire danced in my eyes and my heart hammered against my ribs. I looked at Lucien, his face was a mask of hard resolve but I could feel the tremor in his hand where it gripped mine. I was bracing myself, ready to drift into the unknown for the sake of our daughter.“Are you certain you want to do this?” Elara asked again, her ancient eyes searching mine. “Remember what I told you, once the bridge is built, your soul will be adrift. If you lose your way in the Ironwood's mental maze, you may never return to your body.”She should have just gotten on with what we had come for. Instead of warning me about what I could face and what could happen. I was starting to feel more fear clung up my chest but with Lucien’s grip on my hand, I felt a little safe, knowing he would be there to pull me out in whatever way he could. “My daughter is there. That is the only thing that matters.” I said with a firm voice and Lucien nodded once at me.Lucien squeezed my hand. “I will b
Lucien's POV Stepping into the ball of clouds, Lucien found himself on the ground in a different place entirely. He looked around, trying to grasp hold of where he was but could not tell either. He looked up and then he saw her.Calla stood ten paces away. She looked a little fragile from afar, her hair wild and her eyes bright with the remnant of her own private hell. For a heartbeat, neither of them moved as the fear of what they saw had not yet shaken off. “Lucien!” Calla's voice trembled.“Calla.”The name was like an answered prayer for the both of them. It was like the name they both called woke them up from a deep slumber.In an instant, they both ran toward each other and the distance between them closed up. Calla lunged forward and Lucien caught her, his arms wrapping around her waist with a desperate force. She buried her face in chest, her hands clutching the leather of his jacket as if she were trying to anchor herself to his very soul.The mate bond which had been se







