Lily POV The skies were darkening, and the stars were coming out when Mateo pulled up to our Malibu property. A cool wind was blowing but there was tension in the air. I knew Kal was coming to see me. I sensed a great disturbance in him, a pain that had opened within him as a chasm. He will come looking for answers, and I will tell him. I need to tell him everything, although it may not be what he wants to hear. The Malibu house, or as the family called it The Beach House was strategically designed and placed for various reasons. I selected this location centuries ago when the Earth first formed. In one way or another, this little rock overlooking oceans was always a home to us. I remember many family gatherings here. Sadly, the world has come between us, the lies have come between us, and we do not do that as much lately, at least not with the whole family. Some still come visit. When we started building here, it was important to have an easy access to Thalia’s Kingdom through south

Cassius POVIt felt like walking forever to Mother’s chamber. Our houses were identical on the outside. However, opulence, tackiness and extravagance could be felt the moment one steps foot inside Mother’s house. The long crystal chandeliers, gold-leaf imprint ceilings, crown moldings and marble were everywhere. Literally everywhere and too much! Priceless art was hanging on the wall, some of the best human and supernatural artists. Love of art was one thing we genuinely shared and enjoyed and this I understood. But mother was an extreme case. Nothing was never enough, she always had to have MORE of everything!Halfway through, Milena, my mother’s guardian and closest confidant, appeared. For a centuries-old Lycan, she still looked no older than 35 and had developed some unique and extraordinary talents. Nobody could see her movement – she would literally appear before you, like an apparition. Unlike my mother, Milena did not care for aging spells or anything that she called “unnatural

Cassius POV “My MATE”, I said, putting emphasis on the word “is MY MATE. And it is not a “she” – my MATE is a HE!” I retorted, my jaw clenching from stress. Marcus was fighting me for control. Agitated and upset, he wanted to fight. He wanted to scream and trash the place. The faces of those children still haunted us both, Marcus always having a soft spot protecting young ones. The person I called a mother has become even more depraved than I assumed, and it shook me to my core. I now understood why Milena did not want me to enter, alas it had to be done. Time was of the essence. Her manicured, long nail fingers were tapping on the table in a weird rhythm, her eyes not betraying any sign of emotion. However, I knew she was not pleased to put it mildly. “A he??? Is he now your mate????” she said mocking me. “Yes, my MATE is a male! Is that a problem for you???” I raised my voice. “Well, ok, which Lycan family does he come from? Do I know his parents???” I was afraid of this line of q

Leo POV Smoke and fire were engulfing the car.. I woke up coughing, barely catching my breath. Emma was out… I had to get her out of here before the car exploded!!! The door on my side was jammed. Shaking her, she did not wake up… “Please, Ems, come on princess, wake up .. c’mon Emma!!!” I kept saying. She was dead to the world. Shallow breathing told me that she was still alive, but I did see the knock on her head that was bleeding profusely now. “Come on, come on….Emms, wake up!!!” I was still shaking her, but she was not moving. Our house was engulfed in darkness, and the car was on fire. I have to get her out of here, she is in danger, I have to get her out..I keep thinking to myself… Focus Leo, focus.. I tried to push the door with my feet, banging on it, putting all my strength into it, straining every muscle, trying to make it loosen up. However, it appeared that the fire melted the door from the outside, somehow fusing the metal of the car so that way was not possible. The on

Emma POV I held her hand as if she was my lifeline. She walked with purpose and took me back into the green river waters. Leading me deeper towards the center of the river, I was getting nervous as the water was becoming deeper and deeper. “Mom??? Are you sure this is the way???”, I asked, fear evident in my voice. “Do not worry Princess, waters are your friend. In fact, you can breathe under water too!” I did not know what to make of that, but I decided to trust her. She was my mother after all. We walked slowly few more steps and at that point the waters of the river enveloped me, as we were now submerged. Mother finally stopped walking and we just stood there, the gentle river around us. It was a strange sensation as I stood there. Apprehensive at first, I now found great comfort in the water. She was right, being submerged did not bother me, in fact, it felt completely natural. Water felt like my second skin, although it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to seeing. This deep, wa