[Arissa’s POV]The next morning, Ivan and I woke up before the sun. After what happened the night before, neither of us had been able to sleep very well, and when it was clear that we wouldn’t be getting any rest, I decided it was time to take action.When we found our way to the common room, Stefan and Nazhoni were sitting together staring into the fire. I wasn’t exactly sure of what it was they were trying to do, but I had a feeling it involved the face from the night before."No matter how hard you stare, nothing is going to appear." I announced, causing Stefan to fall over from shock.Bursting into laughter, I watched as he attempted to right himself while looking nonchalant. Man, I had almost forgotten just how skittish he was. It seemed that even if he wasn’t that little boy anymore, he was still the same."Are you trying to scare me to death?" Stefan demanded once he was on his feet. "You almost gave me a heart attack.""As a wolf, shouldn’t you be able to use your senses to no

[Ivan’s POV]"Come along?" I sputtered, unsure of what I was hearing. "Are you out of your mind?""No," Stefan responded, seeming completely unphased by my annoyance with his suggestion. "I’m pretty sane actually.""Depends on who is asking." Arissa chirped."Anyway, as an alpha, don’t you have to oversee your pack?" I continued."Like you?" Stefan challenged.Before I could respond, laughter erupted from Arissa due to Stefan’s one-upping me. Though it annoyed the hell out of me to be laughed at, I found myself feeling relieved. It was nice to see Arissa smile, especially with everything that happened recently.Letting out a frustrated huff, I shook my head in surrender. If the crazy alpha wanted to come along, then fine, he could come. However, I knew that I would get an earful from Hans about my decision."I think he is agreeing." Arissa announced, filling the silence that had fallen around us."Oh, goodie!" Stefan clapped. "I’ve never been off the island before.""Really?" Arissa a

[Arissa’s POV]The journey back to the mainland was a smooth one, as was the one from our pack grounds to mine. It had been a while since I came back to this place, and I found it hard to believe that it was now under mine and Ivan’s rule."Alpha, welcome!" Arnando, my stand-in, called when he spotted us making our way up the trail leading to the large mansion that the heads of the pack stayed in. "Why the sudden visit?"On the way back home, I had sent him a quick mindlink announcing our visit. I knew that I didn’t give them much time to prepare, but that was the point. I had meant to come and inspect things to make sure that all of Isaac and my mother’s corrupt followers were taken care of."I only came to visit my father’s grave." I responded, giving a small smile. "Sorry to catch all of you off guard.""Of course you didn’t!" Arnando gasped, his eyes growing wide. "We are always awaiting your arrival.""That’s enough." Ivan sighed, clearly growing tired of the ass kissing. "Please

[Arissa’s POV]Darkness surrounded me, squeezing me with all its might. Something about this felt off, but no matter how much I tried to wake up, I couldn’t. When had I even fallen asleep?As I considered exactly what was going on, small needles began to stab into my skin, tearing it slowly and painfully. Letting out a hiss of pain, I strengthened my efforts to get loose, only to help the needles rip my skin further.Soon, the smell of blood began to swirl around me, filling my senses and causing an odd burning to start building in my throat. This feeling was nothing like I had ever felt before, even when my vampire half was awakened."What’s going on here?" I growled, beginning to take in my surroundings.The darkness was beginning to let up, allowing me to see that it wasn’t the darkness that held me, but the ghost children. The needles weren’t actually needles either. Instead, they were the bony claws of the children, ripping at my skin in an attempt to punish me for taking their l

[Arissa’s POV]I didn’t bother waiting for my mother to respond before grabbing her by the hair and pulling her along. Sure, I could have grabbed her wrist and led her, but why would I bother being nice to such a witch?"Arissa, you’re being watched." Ivan pointed out.Looking around, I took in the eyes of the workers as they watched me lead my mother towards the pack house."Frankly," I began, still moving. "I don’t give a damn what they think."Ignoring all the watchful eyes, I drug my mother into the pack house, slamming the door behind us."Where are you taking me?" My mother yelped as I turned a corner and made my way towards the interrogation room. "This isn’t the way to my cell.""That’s too good for you, mother." I purred, pulling her into the small room that Ivan and I used to torture criminals. "This place is much better."As I shoved my mother to the ground and began to cuff her wrists and ankles, Ivan blocked the exit. No one was getting in or out while I got to the bottom