Chapter 12: Bittersweet miseryCassiaIt has been days since Mathias has brought me to his house. For the most part, he has ignored me. I guess if I had to label it, I would say we co-exist. Sometimes I look at him and wish that he would take me in his arms and kiss me. Other times, I wish he would just let me go and let me get over him. It hurts to be around him. To know that he does not feel the same way. To anyone, this would be odd, but when it comes to Supernaturals, mating is a beautiful fated bond that develops before mates meet. It’s love in its truest form. Well, for everyone except me, apparently.  When the dreams revealing my mate began, I was so happy. I had finally discovered that someone out there was fated for me. I built up a dream around a man that I thought would love me. You’d find this odd, but mating dreams are rare. Not everyone finds a mate right away. Some have to wait centuries or don’t get one at all. Oh, how bitter real

Chapter 14: Not fated?CassiaI run my brush over the canvas as the music plays in the background. Today, I’m in the school’s art building working on a new art piece in hopes of forgetting my reality. Mathias had to drop me off earlier because he had to go to a Council meeting. To be honest, I think he needed some distance from me. He has pretty much avoided my presence since the other night. A part of me is relieved to be away from me, while another is angry that he needs to be away from me.Whenever I come to the art building, I close and lock the doors behind me. There’s plenty of sunlight coming from the building’s ceiling. The ceiling is made of beautiful stained glass flowers with rich, vibrant colors. Needing to distract my thoughts, I sift through my playlist, extend my easel and place my blank canvas on it. My second bag has my paints on it. I like to play music while I paint. It enhances my feelings and helps me focus on my pain

Chapter 16: DecisionCassiaIt has been the worst night of my life. All I want to do is go to my mother’s house and bury my head in my pillow. After pulling me close and letting me cry, my uncle Draco drops me off at home with the promise that things will get better. He must have called ahead because my mother meets me at the door. “Baby, your uncle told me what happened. I was so worried.” She wraps her arms around me, holding me tight like she used to do when I was a child. There’s nothing like the comforting touch of my mother’s embrace.“I’m okay, mom. Can we talk about this later?” My mother releases me and inspects my rumpled dress. “Okay, how about you go upstairs, take a hot bath, and relax. But don’t think that you can avoid this conversation. We will talk tomorrow. Now, I placed a fresh sketchbook on your bed, and the bath is stocked with your favorite salts and oils. Go ahead, baby.” I

Chapter 18: Sad endings?CassiaI burst through the rooftop door with Nevaeh following behind me. “Cassia, wait!” Nevaeh calls out. I turn to her as my tears pour down my face. “I’m sorry, Nevaeh, I need to go. I…I can’t do this right now.” I croak out. Nevaeh’s face pales with sadness.“Please, Cassia, you can’t do this. I know Mathias loves you.” “No, Nevaeh, he doesn't love me. If he did, he wouldn’t have stood in front of the woman he really loved without giving me a second thought. I’m done with this. He has hurt me for the last time.”Nevaeh moves back with tears gleaming in her eyes and enfolds me in her embrace. Tightening my arms around her, I nod to Mikhail. “I know you mean well, Nevaeh, but Mathias and I are over.”I’m about to leap from the roof’s edge when a large form rams my body and tackles me to the groun

Chapter 20: Happily Ever AfterEpilogueCassiaThe stars look so beautiful at this time of night. Mathias and I fly side-by-side, letting the wind take us. We had just come from visiting Nevaeh and Mikhail. They now live in a loft near the school, along with his brothers. After I was brought back, we found out that Nevaeh was not really pregnant. That bastard, Lukan, had actually given her a potion that made it look like she was pregnant. Another surprise that came was Nevaeh’s mother. She and Nevaeh had a talk. Sadly, her mother is dying of cancer.She was also shocked to see Mathias after so many years. Especially considering that he still looks like he’s in his twenties. She was amazed when we explained why he was still so young. They made their peace, which made it a happy reunion. Unfortunately, Marael disappeared without a trace during the battle. Mathias isn’t too worried. But from what Nevaeh and Mikhail told me about her plans f