Chapter 72
CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
When you talk about something long enough, it just seems like something in the future.
You understand it but become numb to it.
Until that moment when you’re hit by the reality of it.
Suddenly, time was up, and the reality of what had to happen hit everyone.
They glanced around the room at their dear friends and family.
Brody and Chasen came down as soon as they heard the news.
Dex and Ciana also made their way inside, as well as their other close pack members.
In a battle as intense and fierce as this would be, would they all make it out alive?
Which one of them might not be here afterward?
Hunter pulled Freja deep into his chest and held her tightly as he lifted his gaze to Reiya.
Everyone was quiet and deep in thought. Most of them stared at the ground, but not Reiya.
She was looking at Hunter. She smiled at him, and he smiled back.
The demon war was only the first part of their battle.
“We’re going to discipline some demons and then have a quadruple wedding afterward, right? This should give you all ample time to come up with some killer wedding gifts, so no excuses,” Brody finally said, drawing the attention to him and breaking the tension.
“We don’t know how this battle will change things for us in the future. We don’t know how many casualties we’ll have. This is your opportunity to decide to fight or not. We’re giving you the chance now, if you want to back out,” Reiya said as she looked around the room.
“Reiya and I would like to also give you all one more option to think about.” Hunter looked up at Reiya, who nodded her head for him to continue.
“There is a way that we can guarantee no one is injured or killed on our side. Reiya and I can take out the demon horde ourselves. We can exchange our lives for everyone else’s. ”
“Sit down, pup. Not an option,” Levi said in agitation as he pulled Reiya into his side.
“It’s actually quite selfish of you,” Freja said in irritation. “You know how much I like killing demons, and you want to hog it all for yourselves.”
“Talk about being glory hogs.” Xander smirked as he looked at Reiya.
“I get what you’re saying, but it wouldn’t be worth it. I would rather die fighting than have you die while we’re all safe.” Chasen looked up and saw others nodding in agreement.
“I at least had to bring it up. I wanted you all to know there was another option,” Hunter said with a small smile.
“Except it isn’t one,” Sam said firmly. “You would be killing off the demons but also the Werewolf King and the future Queen of the Fairies. What future is there in that?”
“Yeah, plus I’d get left out. I have some pent-up frustration with those demons anyway for taking Sues.” Adam smiled and shrugged. “This is our chance for payback.”
“We’ll stop in Elysia and let mom and dad know.” Reiya wrapped her arm around Lee and leaned into him.
“I’ll go and let the vampires know—” Ciana started, but Dex grabbed her arm.
“WE will go and let the vampires know.” Dex smiled at her, and she nodded her head giving him a shy smile back. “Then you’ll come back to the North Dragon Kingdom with me.”
“But Jin—”
“Ciana, I’m fine. I think you should probably spend as much time as you can with your mate. I’ll see you after the war.” Jin hated that she couldn’t be there. She would have to tell everyone goodbye and hope for the best.
“Chelsie will be joining you here, Jin. She’ll stay with you until after the war.
” Brody put his hand on Chelsie’s shoulder.
She could instantly travel through water, and he would feel better having her and Jin together.
He knew it would be hard on both of them, though.
“But no one better come around claiming my unborn child as their mate.” He chuckled, and everyone followed suit, breaking the tension slightly.
Everyone's child was already getting promised away before they were even born. He hoped that trend didn’t continue.
“We’ll meet you at Elysia in a couple days,” Hunter said as the group made their way outside.
Reiya reached out and hugged her brother tightly. “It’s almost done, Hunter. Everything will be over soon.”
“Stay safe, Reiya. I’ll see you soon.” Hunter closed his eyes as he squeezed her tight. He then reached out to Brody while she went to Chasen.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep her safe,” Brody said at the same time Chasen told Reiya he would keep Hunter safe.
“Keep yourself safe, too.” Reiya stepped back and walked up to Freja. She wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tight. She then noticed something interesting, something sleeping inside Freja. Her fairy gifts were waiting to be awakened. Reiya leaned in and kissed Freja’s forehead.
“Now you’re ready for the upcoming battle.” Reiya winked at her as she stepped back.
Freja felt something burst inside of her. “What did you do?” She looked at Reiya curiously as Hunter walked to her side.
Reiya giggled. “I woke up the fairy magic that Hunter gifted you. I don’t know what it does yet … it’ll be a surprise.” That was how fairy magic worked—it developed over time. But Reiya decided to help speed up the process for Freja.
“Reiya,” Freja said quietly. “I … I wanted to tell you that you’re one of the best people I’ve ever met. And … thank you for what you did for me.”
Reiya shook her head. “No, Freja. You’re the one who’s amazing.
After everything you’ve been through, you’re still a great person.
The werewolves are lucky they have you as their queen.
And on another note … I think in addition to everything we’ve planned, we need a beach vacation for all of us. What do you think?”
Freja giggled and nodded her head. “That is something I’ve never done, and it sounds amazing. It’s a plan.”
“I could go for a beach vacation!” Hunter said.
“Who said boys were invited?” Reiya said with a smirk.
Lee chuckled and leaned his head down to Reiya’s ear. “It’s cute that you think you have a choice to go without me.”
“Yeah, what he said.” Hunter smirked and nodded at Levi.
“Like she can go anywhere without her guardian anyway,” Brody said, folding his arms over his chest.
“What do you call Chelsie?” Reiya grinned, and Brody shook his head.
“You’re not taking my pregnant mate anywhere without me. I don’t care who you are.” Brody looked over at Chasen, who nodded his head in agreement.
“I agree. It ain't happening, little sis.”
“That’s okay. We need someone to do the heavy lifting and cooking anyway,” Reiya said as she waved her hand dismissively at her brothers.
“Oh? Is that all we are to you, YOUR HIGHNESS?” Brody said, his voice mocking every word.
“Pretty much.”
“It would also be nice to have our mates around for when the mood hits us. That is the only other time we need them around,” Freja said in a sultry tone.
Hunter chuckled. “Is that right?”
Lee shrugged and looked at Reiya. “Sweetheart, if you want to use my body for your own satisfaction, I am completely on board with that idea.”
Reiya giggled. “Like we would plan a trip without you guys anyway.” She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. Lee bent down and lowered his lips to her forehead.
“We need to get going. We still need to get a hold of Mason and Weston and mobilize our armies,” Lee said, his thumb playing with Reiya’s lips, a promise to her for later that evening.
“I need to mobilize the werewolves, and the witches are joining in as well. Safe travels, and we’ll see you in a couple of days.” Hunter looked at his sister and nodded. It was finally time to seize their moment.
“You’ll need to run in your wolf forms to get to Elysia in time. We can always send some hippogryphs and dragons to transport those who can’t make it in time,” Reiya said, glancing back at Xander, who nodded in agreement.
Jin hugged Ciana tightly and then looked at Dex. “Please take good care of her.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to her,” Dex said, pulling Ciana back to his side. “We’ll come back to visit you afterward so you can see that for yourself.”
“Thank you.” Jin smiled as she stepped backward and into Chasen’s arms.
There was a lot that needed to be planned and mobilized. Luckily, most of the werewolves were already on standby.
Hunter waved as his sister and brother left.
The next time he saw them, it would be on the battlefield.
They had prepared as much as they could for this moment.
Now, they had to hope it was enough. He was worried about losing the important people in his life.
He hoped that their strength would be enough … it had to be enough.
The cold wind swirled in the air, beating against the pale skin of a young girl. Her brown hair swirled behind her, the pleated leather skirt she wore flapping in the wind. She stood there holding a javelin as she looked down into the valley.
“What have you decided to do?”
The girl turned her head to see the flowing golden strands of the Moon Goddess beside her. She looked Selene over for a moment before returning her gaze downward. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“Time is running out,” Selene said quietly.
“Yes, I can see that.” Her long brown strands spilled over her shoulder as the wind whipped in a different direction. “If I go, I’ll be revealing his secret.”
“He doesn’t remember anymore. He gave up his memories of the past in order to have happiness now. Whatever you do now is your decision.” Selene turned to the girl with a small smile. She reached out and smoothed the brown hair behind the girl’s ear.
The girl’s amber eyes closed for a moment as she breathed in the cool air. “I don’t think I can simply just watch everything unfold. Not when I can help. I guess I’ll just have to deal with what happens afterward.”
“Your mother has made you overthink this. I know this group, and I know you’ll be welcomed.”
“Really? I’ll be welcomed? My own mother didn’t welcome me.” The girl scoffed and shook her head.
“She couldn’t risk keeping you. You know that, right? That’s why I hid you,” Selene said quietly.
The girl flashed her amber eyes toward the goddess. “No, you hid me for this day. You wanted me around to fight for this day. And you knew that by involving him, I would have to get involved.”
Selene only shrugged. “It’s still your choice.” She smiled as she looked at her and whispered, “Jade, just so you know … it wasn’t just because of that.”
Jade glanced at her through the corner of her eye and then back down at the grassy field, which was slowly being infiltrated by demons who had begun their slow march.
The drums sounded muffled by how far away they were from her, but she could still hear them.
Her eyes wandered farther ahead to a heavily pined area that she could barely see.
Elysia. The kingdom of the fairies. The demons were marching to claim what was magic and good in the world.
She squeezed her fingers together and inhaled the cool, fresh air once more.
The time had finally come when she was going to have to reveal a secret, one that was never supposed to be uncovered.
She hoped Selene was right. She hoped she would be welcomed.
But even if she wasn’t, she would at least help them fight.
She couldn’t stand idly by, not when she had the power to help.
She set her gaze firmly on the demon horde that began to darken the grassy valley. She wasn’t sure if she’d just decided or if she’d already made up her mind, but she knew what decision she was going to make. And that was to fight.