Julian’s POV The voices still echoed in my head, the sounds I was sure I’d never forget. They weren’t just memories anymore; they had become a rhythm that haunted me, pounding in the back of my skull whenever silence stretched too long. While everyone else seemed to have found peace, even in the shadow of grief, I stayed trapped in that moment. No matter how easily I smiled at Rex and the others, no matter how normal I tried to look, the memory clung to me like a second skin. I’d known the moment I saw them back at the Blue Crescent Pack that they had finally come to cash in their promise. I told myself I’d been expecting it, that I’d always known it would come. I’d even convinced myself I had no regrets about making that deal. After all, it had protected everyone else—protected the pack. But the image kept coming back. Me standing outside that cell, the lights dim. My hands dripping with a crimson no one else would ever see. The elders lying motionless on the dungeon floor,
Rex’s POV Waking up to an empty bed and an even emptier room had me on my feet almost instantly. My hand flew to the side stool, where Aries always left notes whenever he slipped out early. But the space was bare. I took a deep breath, forcing down the prickle of panic rising in my chest. Don’t jump to conclusions, I told myself. He could have gone out to clear his head. After all, the outburst with Julian yesterday was a lot, and coupled with the afterfeelings from the fight… it made sense he’d want time alone. Still, the silence of the room pressed down on me. I collapsed back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The link. I muttered it aloud as I reached for him through the bond. Aries, I called softly, trying to break through the obvious block sitting heavy in his mind. Nothing. Not even the faintest flicker of acknowledgment. My heartbeat quickened, sharp and restless. I got up again. I’ll just go check myself, I thought, walking out of the room while still attempting th
Aries’ POV Sitting in my office now, my thoughts wandered back to Julian and how he must have felt to lash out that way. I’d known him forever, and the only times I’d ever seen him that mad were over simple things, like food or outfit choices. So naturally, last night had taken me aback. I had managed to get Rex in bed before sneaking out. I told her not to worry, but truthfully, I was the one carrying the weight of worry. I hadn’t thought about what impact Lilly’s death would have on Julian. I blamed everything on the men of the shadows, selfishly thinking only of my own pain, not that of others, not even my best friend’s. My gaze fixed on the window, still waiting, still hoping to see him come back. Robin had returned a while ago, but he was alone. I was tempted to ask him, but I held it in, thinking it’d be better to talk to Julian myself. I don’t know how long I sat there, but Julian never came. The night stretched on, filled with thoughts of the battle we’d just fought, how
Rex POV Tears streamed silently down my cheeks as I watched them lower Lilly into the ground. The pack stood together while the sun sank behind us, casting long shadows across the field. Grief hung heavy in the air, suffocating, pressing down on all of us. I didn’t fight it. I let it engulf me… engulf us. Aries’ hand slipped into mine, his grip gentle but firm. I squeezed back, reminding myself I wasn’t the only one who needed comfort—he did too. My eyes found Rose, crumpled in Zane’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Even Robin, always the steady one, had tears glistening in his eyes. The only one missing was Julian. He would take this hard. I knew it. And though it pained me that he wasn’t here, at least he wouldn't be alone, he had Robin by his side through everything. We stood long after the grave was closed, my gaze fixed on that raw patch of earth. I didn’t notice the crowd had thinned until I turned to find only Robin and Aries still with me. “When did everyone leave?”
Rex POVCalmness, peace, belonging, all the things I once assumed, believed to be illusions were the same feelings that embraced me right now. I slept too well for someone who had fought and ended a war, and someone who had lost a friend. But I guess I couldn’t stop the universe from granting me the well-deserved rest it craved.My dreams were empty for once, but even that space wrapped me in familiar warmth, one I didn’t want to let go of. I was scared… scared that I would come back to reality and it wouldn’t be as peaceful as this empty sanctuary felt. But after one glance at a hollow image that looked eerily similar to my mother, Lyra, my eyes snapped open at once.Reality didn’t hit me as hard as I thought it would. Probably because of the man who still lay fast asleep beside me. Aries looked so peaceful, his face slightly scrunched up. But even with that, I didn’t miss how light his heartbeat was—steady, calm, peaceful. Like the same calm flowing through me had reached him as wel
Rex’s POVThe walk back home was quiet. Not the kind of silence that came because the storm was finally over, but the quiet, reflective kind.I walked side by side with Aries while Robin trailed behind us with the rest of the warriors. I almost asked him to go with Julian, but I could tell something was wrong by the way Julian had left with just one glance. So, I stayed quiet. We could talk when he returned.Instead, my head kept replaying everything that had gone down today, my heart clenching every time Lilly’s face came to mind. I wanted to sit and cry, cry everything out, blame someone, anyone, for all that was lost. But even that couldn’t take the pain away.The fight was over. Ron was dead, and the Elders were taken care of. But the hope, the rage, the determination that had once carried me were now drained, leaving nothing but a hollow ache.Was this how the end of a battle was supposed to feel? Was this the end of the prophecy, the purpose of the Elegida’s existence?Those que