Asteria POV.Walking along the path to the settlement. I stop and turn to look at the glistening waters across from me. The sun is high in the sky. I lower my head in defeat and turn to continue my journey towards the settlement.I follow the path around and the cabins come into view. The only sounds are the birds in the surrounding trees, no sound of the children playing or the residents chatting or doing their daily routines. The place is abandoned.I walk into the middle of the settlement and it looks how it always has, yet I know I’m here on my own. I sigh and walk towards the cabin of the chief. My feet ache as I walk up the wooden steps and open the door.I step inside and look around and everything is in its place; I walk to the windows and open them. Dust lines the surfaces. I run my finger over the window-sill and fight the need to cry. The sting in my nose tells me I am fighting a losing battle.I blink rapidly and take a few breaths to stop the tears from falling as I move

Asteria POV.It has been a few weeks since I moved to the settlement, and it has been what I needed. Being out in nature has helped me to stay calm. Gaia has been training me. I’m happy to know that I still have some of my strength and I never lost the ability to fight. It just had to be slightly modified. Considering I don’t have talons and fangs, so I have adapted like all humans do.As far as the people in the company are aware, I am nothing to Carter, just another worker who is helping make more profits and so far it is working. I get the stares of the workers and I don’t flinch when they say hurtful comments that try to rile me up. I just take it.They know who I am and make no attempts to hide their hatred towards me. In a way, they are playing at their own game. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I can handle them and they know it. One look from me has them cowering until they realise I am just like them in a sense, but so far, no one has tried to openly attack me. I know i

Asteria POV.The sound of beeping wakes me up. But it’s the warmth against my face that relaxes me further. I open my eyes and look around the dimly lit room. This isn’t my bedroom. I move to sit up and wince in pain, clutching my ribs. I can see out of one eye and my face hurts.I look around when hands move up my arms, and I jump slightly.“Asteria, you are ok. You’re in the hospital.” I look down and see Carter beneath me and I look at the wall a head of me and try to remember what happened. When I shake my head slowly.“They attacked me.” I say, and he shifts and pulls me gently back down onto his chest. His arms wrap around me as he kisses my head.“I’m sorry my love. Yes, they did. Lacey has been arrested, but the others got away. Are you sore anywhere?” he asks me and I nod my head. There is no point in lying because if he can feel the bond, then he will know I’m in pain.“Ok, I will call the nurse to get you some pain meds. Are you hungry? Thirsty?” he asks, and my stomach gru

Carter POV.After leaving Asteria, I can’t focus on anything as I sit wide awake in my bed. I get out and move to the balcony and look out over the water, then shift my gaze to the forest. Knowing that is where she is. She doesn’t want us. But I know somewhere deep down she does. She is just being stubborn. I will give her more time and space if she needs it.“Mate will come around. You’re right, she needs time and space. But I don’t like it. She should be here with us,” Lykos grumbles. He has been a major pain in my ass since she kicked us out of her hospital room that night. Even yesterday, she seemed more determined to let us go.I’m shocked the rejection didn’t work, but it is another reminder of the mate bond that she doesn’t feel. Maybe she is right that this is my punishment for marking her by force. Either way, we will give her space and when she is ready, she will come to us. I don’t care how long it takes. I will be ready and waiting for her. I will welcome her back with ope

Asteria POV.Gaia and Fenrir have both come to check in with me and I know they have spoken to Carter, but I don’t ask how he is. I know he isn’t ok, and that kills me further, but it is for the best.“Any news on Bethany?” I ask and Gaia looks at Fenrir and they both shake their heads in a no!“She has to be somewhere. No-one can just disappear like that, especially a human. What do we know so far?” I ask as my kitchen has become HQ for operation find and kill Bethany Patterson.“Nothing. She hasn’t made herself known since that day. Which is really strange. Why did she make herself known and then disappear on the beach?” Gaia says and I try to rack my brain as to why.“She isn’t alone in this little revenge mission. She isn’t strong enough to take me down on her own. The military has no need for her. So she must have someone who is willing to help her, otherwise she wouldn’t have had the balls to go to find Carter in the first place.” I say as I look at both Gaia and Fenrir.Fenrir