A Break-Up & Some News
Heaven
Holden shuts the door, and I take a seat on one of the desks, crossing my legs, smoothing my plaid skirt. I look across at him and something inside of me just… sinks.
I’m not sad, but realising that the excitement I used to feel when he was in front of me, that happiness to see him, to kiss him, it’s… gone.
I see a very handsome boy, but he’s just that. One of many.
“I’m glad you made it back safely,” he says quietly. “You didn’t say goodbye before you left.”
I smile, that perfect smile that doesn’t betray how I feel. Do you recall our final conversation where you found me too emotionless? I ask lightly, writing the words in an extra-cursive font.
He looks down and nods. “I’ve regretted it ever since you left. I really like you, Heaven. Let’s not do this. You-You’re amazing, you went to the Gods’ Realm. You know everyone’s talking about it?”
News travels fast… The thing is, Holden, I just don’t think we’re the right fit, I write.
His eyes widen slightly, and he frowns. “What? No, how can you say that? Heaven, baby. Look, I even got you a birthday gift. I know we missed it. I never thought you’d be gone for so long-”
Don’t. I hold up my hand and shake my head. This trip has been eye-opening. I’m not the right girl for you.
“How can you say that? I fucking waited for you; do you know how hard it has been not to have sex?”
I’m sorry, and thank you for waiting for me in this relationship, because I am also glad I waited. I wanted to be certain before I gave my first to anyone.
“It’s not some bloody treasure that you need to be so fixated over not getting intimate. Yet, I still waited!”
And that’s exactly why we won’t work. We don’t see eye-to-eye, I write. He’s so immature.
Maybe my feelings for Theo have made me stop liking Holden, but I’m glad, because we aren’t a fit – not when he doesn’t like who I am. He finds faults in me, and I don’t need a person like that in my life.
“This is about Theo Westwood, isn’t it?”
I roll my eyes, masking my surprise that he’d even ask that. No, it isn’t.
“I don’t know, he seemed a bit too close to you, if you ask me,” he scoffs, his eyes full of anger.
Well, think what you like. We’re through, Holden. Goodbye. I slide off the table and walk towards the door.
“Fucking hell, Heaven! What the fuck, you’re so full of yourself?!” he snaps. I pause when I’m level with him, and turn my head to look him in the eye.
Oh, and one more thing, about my body? It’s a shrine, one that only those I deem worthy can worship, and you didn’t make the cut. Don’t ever insult me again, I warn, my eyes cold as I hold his gaze.
He frowns, forced to look away first, and I continue to the door, pull it open and exit the room.
Done with Holden, done with what I tolerated before this journey.
My phone beeps, and I take it out. It’s Sienna in our group chat, and just seeing that makes me smile. I exhale as I read it. She’s back; she’s here. Things are normal again.
SIENNA: Hey, how are you doing today? I really miss you both. Can’t wait to see you both tomorrow.
HEAVEN: I miss you too, and I can’t wait to be there tomorrow so we can just talk. There’s so much to catch up on.
ALLIE: Me three. We have way too much to catch up on. Heaven, where are you? The briefing is beginning, and Matherson doesn’t look impressed.
ALLIE: And what happened with Holden?
HEAVEN: On my way. I’ll tell you two later. Speak to you then, bye Si. Xx
I put my phone away and whisper a spell, opening a portal. I focus on the door to the room I need to be in and step through, knocking into someone.
“Easy there.” Theo’s voice comes, and I feel a strong arm wrap around my waist. My heart skips a beat, his scent hits my nose, and I hate how my stomach reacts. He smirks when he sees it’s me. “Really, Blondie, it seems to me you’re always looking for a way back into my arms.”
I stare into his blue eyes for a second before I blink, roll my eyes and push away from him.
Stop getting in my way, I write haughtily with a flick of my hair before reaching for the door.
“You’re the one getting in my space, Blondie,” he answers as he beats me to it and pushes it open. I frown at him before stepping inside.
“Take a seat,” Alpha Matherson says, motioning to two empty seats.
Allie cocks a brow questioningly. “Where did you go?” she asks Theo, who simply raises his eyebrows at her.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he answers condescendingly.
“Right, let’s get down to business,” Alpha Matherson says as he hands us all a file, which is pretty thick. Jayce is the first to flip it open.
“There’s some disturbing content in there, but it’s vital you all know.
Head Commander Maria has already made it clear that going forward, all years will be filled in regarding what is happening out there.
As those who are actively training to be on that battlefield, it’s best for you know exactly what you will face. ”
There’s silence, save the sound of shuffling paper as we all open to the first page.
“This first mission was led by the Queen Luna. Reports of an attack on the Elixir Pack by the Indomitable were reported, and three squadrons of 10 men each were sent. However, upon arrival, they were faced by something we weren’t expecting.
” Matherson is speaking as if he’s repeated this report several times, but my eyes are on the photos that he has included in the file.
“They arrived at the pack to find it teeming with wraiths. It’s been confirmed that the wraiths are working alongside the Indomitable and have killed many humans, taking on their identities.
The witches are working on increasing supplies of ephedra, nightshade, and harpagophytum so we can kill them.
The Elixir Pack was almost wiped out, and from the three squadrons, seven men were killed while trying to get the survivors to safety.
The Queen Luna herself suffered severe injuries. ”
Azura…
“We’re on the defence. We need to move to the offence,” Jayce says, now looking at Alpha Matherson. “We need to find them and take out their numbers. We barely know anything about them, and yet they are weeding us out pack by pack.”
“There are many who are trying to do just that, but so far, we have found nothing, despite all the efforts made,” Alpha Matherson says gravely.
The room is silent, but everyone is lost in thought.
I look down at the file. Infiltration might be the best way, but it’s a risk…
The one we send in would have to do things they won’t be able to live with.
And they may not even make it; they could be discovered.
It would take years to build trust, years that we don’t have.
“Moving on, there’s been activity in the force shield in the Siberian Wastelands. Something finally came out of that shield.”
“What was it?” Carter asks sharply.
“At the moment, we do not know. Crown Prince Mikhail Petrov of the vampires managed to kill it, but it killed at least twenty-seven men before he succeeded in destroying it. Turn to the next page.” Alpha Matherson’s face has darkened.
We all do as he says. The atmosphere in the room is grim and heavy. I turn the page over, and it’s a scripted message that was most likely transcribed from a voice message.
They’re moved in. The Indomitable want to take control of the Siberian Wastelands. After seven skirmishes and 64 dead, we can confirm that we are officially at war here. I repeat, we are at war. Enemies’ numbers are estimated in the thousands…
I look up. So much has happened, I write. Alpha Matherson nods gravely, not fazed by me writing what I want to say. I guess he’s been informed.
“I think it’s time to share the majority of the tomes we got from Egypt. We are at war; there’s no point in gatekeeping knowledge. Even if the enemy gets some of this information, it’s fine if it means we save a few lives by sharing it,” Jayce says.
“I don’t know how Leo will feel about that,” Renji says, with a concerned expression on his face.
“The tomes are mine, and I get to choose what I decide to do with them,” Jayce counters, his eyes cold.
“This says that…” Allie looks up, pointing at the next page. “Alpha… Alejandro is going to go to Russia?” Her voice is level, but I don’t miss the glimmer of red in her eyes as her lycan surfaces.
“Yes, he leaves in a few weeks. He has some things he needs to wrap up with his pack before he leaves.”
Allie’s heart is hammering hard as she stares down at the paper, unblinking.
“Fuck, this is worse than I thought,” Ares mutters. “Especially if Uncle Al is being stationed there.”
In all of this, Theo remains silent, and I look up at him, but I can’t read what he’s thinking. His eyes are fixed on the first page of the file. He hasn’t bothered to turn it over. There’s a frown on his face as he listens, arms crossed.
“We also have a new professor joining.” Alpha Matherson looks grim. “To teach a new subject to 5th and 6th years.”
“What subject?” Carter asks.
“Ethics of Power,” Alpha Matherson replies.
“It will look at unorthodox strategies, such as diving into the minds of the enemy and observing their thought processes. It will be taught by a man twisted enough to understand it. And due to the nature of the subject, it will not be for all students, only the seniors.”
“Now, who the fuck is teaching that?” Theo asks, finally.
“Kenneth Henry Arden, father of the Solaris King, Alpha Royce Jonathan Arden.”
The moment we’re free to leave for lunch break, I move over to Allie, who is looking close to exploding. Irritation is clear on her face.
“That’s fucked up,” Allie hisses, shoving the door open with her shoulder and allowing me to pass before letting it swing in Carter’s face.
I cast a silencing spell.
I know it’s messed up, I write as we walk side by side. He is a sick, twisted person, but I do think that’s something that is good to explore. I’m sure they’ll have security on his whereabouts at all times.’
“Yeah, maybe, and Dad was all for sharing ‘everything’, and apparently, he’s going to Russia and didn’t tell me?” she mutters.
I look at her sympathetically. There’s a lot we all need to share with one another.
What about the pack? I ask, Do you think Dante will take over?
“I don’t know… and does this mean Mama will go, too?” Allie asks.
She’ll feel it if she does…
She’s a healer, but I don’t think they both would go, I write sympathetically.
“I don’t know, but the way they said it, Dad’s wrapping stuff up; it means he’s going to be gone for a while… right?”
I reach for her gloved hand and give it a squeeze. Our eyes meet before she looks away. I know the feeling. Every time a parent has to go on a mission, the worry is always there. Mama goes on loads of missions, and every time since Dad passed, I worry that she might not come back.
I feel Endora tapping on my walls, and I lower them.
What do you want? I ask icily.
How dare you speak to me like that? I am your great-grandmother, and the one who can help you gain great power. How can I help when you refuse to let me see anything of your world?
I can speak to you however I want. And I do not trust you enough to allow you to have free access to my mind, I reply. Even though I’ve lowered my walls to speak to her, she can’t probe into my mind; everything is locked away in vaults that can only be accessed by magic and with my permission.
I will say you are stronger than your mother, which is for certain. Are my sons still alive?
My grandfather isn’t, I answer quietly.
She’s silent for a moment and then scoffs. So, Alejandro is alive. He had true power.
I shut her out; talking to her is meaningless.
“I’m going to skip out on lunch. I think I’m going to go for a run around the fields,” Allie says.
I nod; she needs to get all those emotions out as well. Go, I’ll grab you a sandwich before we continue with the briefing, I write.
“Thanks,” she says, giving me a small smile.
I watch her jog off, knowing she’ll feel better after a run and turn to head to the dinner hall. A few of the students whisper something as I pass, but I ignore them. They really need to get over that. It’s getting old, and they think simply because I can’t speak that I can’t hear as well.
Fools.
Getting my food and something for Allie, I take a seat at an empty table.
“I heard she got dumped by Holden,” someone whispers from behind me. I ignore them as I begin eating.
“Look. Holden, man, she’s here,” someone snickers.
“Leave it, man,” Holden mutters.
“I heard him telling his mates he dumped her because she wouldn’t give it up,” one of the girls in our year giggles. “He’s so hot.”
“And she’s a mute, imagine fucking a mute; no moans to tell you if you’re doing it right. Might as well just fuck an inflatable doll!” I stiffen as Terrance, Holden’s best friend, snickers.
“Terri man,” Holden mutters. “Don’t.”
So, he’s telling people he dumped me? I’m about to turn around, ready to set the record straight, when someone speaks.
“Well, if he needs reassurance that he’s doing it right, then he’d better stick to an inflatable doll,” Theo’s drawl comes.
My cheeks burn with mortification, knowing he heard all of that.
There’s a sharp edge in his voice as he continues.
“Maybe buy a dildo, practice it on this cunt here. I’m sure he’ll moan like a fucking bitch in heat.
” I hear something smash, followed by yells.
I turn just in time to see that Theo has slammed both boys’ heads into their food, and their noses are bloody.
I gasp, clamping a hand over my mouth. His fingers are roughly tangled in their hair as he yanks them both back and looks down at them.
“And for the record, wanna tell them who dumped who, or shall I?” Theo hisses, his eyes icy as he glares at Holden, releasing Terrance as he slams his foot on the table beside their plates.
Holden looks towards me, potato, pudding, and blood splattered on his face.
Humiliation and anger burn in his eyes. “She dumped me.”
“Ah, there we have it. Now, you fucking wankers can get back to your lunches, and stop gossiping like dickheads, alright? Fucking hell, ruining my lunch break,” Theo scoffs before he walks over to the counter and grins at the server as he places his order, as if nothing just happened.
My heart thunders as I focus on calming down. No one dares say anything after that, and I force myself to eat. I stare at his back as he grabs a drink, not knowing how to feel. These emotions inside of me are so… confusing.
I want to tell him I didn’t need him to defend me. I want to tell him I didn’t need him to get into my business. But I also want to thank him despite it all.
He takes a seat opposite me and flashes me a sexy smirk, those plump lips of his distracting me as they move to form words. He says something that doesn’t register in my mind because, more than that, I want something else, something more.
I want to kiss Theo Westwood, and there’s no denying it.