Chapter 32 #2
This was no longer just about revenge for my mother or freeing myself from Hayden. This was about protecting the very fabric of our existence. My role as Queen was clearly more significant than ever before.
As the car raced through the night, the werewolf kingdom drawing nearer with each passing mile, I knew that I embarked on a mission requiring all my strength and courage.
But I was ready—as a Queen, witch, wolf, and a woman in love.
The car finally stopped before the royal manor, and my heart pounded as we stepped out into the crisp night air. Torin's hand found mine, his touch steadying me as we entered the familiar foyer of the werewolf manor.
"Honey." My mother's voice rang out as she rushed towards me, her arms open wide.
Relief washed over me as I embraced her tightly, silently thanking the witches and our other allies for their timely intervention. My father stood nearby, his eyes bright, and embraced me after Mom released me.
Robert appeared behind my parents, a half smile on his face. He mouthed, “Willa” and shook his head. I interpreted his signal to mean that he’d told my parents about the fairy realm but hadn’t told them about Willa’s death.
Before we discussed our next plans, I took a deep breath for the bad news I was about to deliver. "I have news."
Dad’s expression tightened, and his shoulders tensed. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Tell me."
"We were able to free Willa, but she… My birth mother is dead."
I swallowed at the gloomy thought that I hadn’t even had the chance to know her better.
A pained breath escaped Dad, and he staggered slightly. My mother rushed to his side, supporting him as he processed the devastating news. She tugged on his arm, and he uncrossed them, wrapping one arm around her shoulder.
"Even though my bond with her wasn't forged, I've been feeling an ache in my heart for the past day," he said, his voice cracking.
My mother pressed her side to his, her presence visibly able to relax my father. Watching them, I marveled at the strength of their chosen bond—so different from the darkness that had tainted my connection with Hayden.
I loved my parents and was grateful they were still with me, alive and well. They had me and each other, and that was enough.
Something shifted in me, in my emotions—the weight of resentment lifted, replaced by gentle understanding. I forgave them for the secrets they'd kept and the pain they'd inadvertently caused. It no longer burdened my shoulders. I breathed easier now.
"Torin has been by my side through it all," I told them, gesturing to him beside me. "He's my mate, and I love him."
They looked at him kindly before my father nodded in approval.
"You have our gratitude for protecting our daughter."
"Thank you," Torin replied, his voice strong and steady.
I hoped Dad and Torin’s mutual trust would rebuild their relationship to what it was before Cordelia stole my wolf spirit when I was a child.
"We don’t have much time,” Robert interrupted, stepping forward. "I've informed the Alphas of the situation in the fairy realm and our need to stop Hayden. They're ready to help, as are Lucy, Greyson, and the witch coven."
We gathered in the shadows of the tall letters of the Hollywood sign under the silvery glow of the moon. The cool night air prickled against my skin, and I shivered slightly as I glanced around at our allies' faces—werewolves, vampires, witches, and humans.
"All right," Robert whispered, scanning the group before settling on me. "We need to move quietly through the portal. We don't know how many demon dogs wait for us on the other side."
I nodded, gripping Torin's hand tightly. His warm fingers intertwined with mine. Stepping forward, I led our group towards the shimmering portal. One by one, we trickled through, swallowed by the swirling gateway to the fairy realm.
A tingling against my skin raised the fine hairs on my arms. As soon as I stepped into the corrupted landscape, my heart raced, fueled by the knowledge that we were now in enemy territory. I inhaled deeply while waiting for the sense of disorientation to fade.
"Breanna," Seraphina called softly.
I blinked as she and Niall strolled towards us. Behind them, more of the Uprising Guardians had scattered around the burned forest.
“How in the world did you find the portal? Did you know we were coming?”
The fairy woman smiled. “We followed Hayden and his men when they crossed over to the human realm,” she said. “And they are already back. With the book in that”—she clenched her jaw—“that monster’s hands.”
I briefly explained how I gave the book to Hayden, and Seraphina only nodded.
"We've gathered the remaining guardian fairies ready to join the fight against Hayden."
"Thank you, Seraphina," I said, grateful for their loyalty and courage.
As I looked around, I noticed Ashton standing off to the side, his gaze solemn. I thought he would have taken cover in the hidden City of Water rather than join the guardians.
I stepped closer to him. "Do you have any more seeds of an oak tree?"
He nodded, reaching into a pouch hanging from his belt. "I have two more," he said, presenting them in his rough hand.
"Could we go back to where Willa's body was buried?" I asked, my voice wavering slightly. "I want to plant one of the oak trees there."
"Of course," he replied softly. “Let’s talk to Seraphina.”
No one protested at my request to return to the place where I’d buried my witch mother.
The athame that Cordelia wanted was attached to my mother’s belt. I shook my head slightly as I thought about the dark witch showing up to steal my wolf. She was the least of my worries now.
We altered our course and soon found ourselves standing on the very spot where Hayden had stabbed her. I ground my teeth and willed my bracelet, extending it into a whip and lashing it at the ground.
The soil trembled, and a hole a few feet long and deep opened. I dropped the seed close to the spot where I remembered the ground had swallowed Willa’s body, and cracking my whip again, I closed the hole.
I crouched, placed my hand over the earth, and sent my energy into the ground. Closing my eyes, I focused on the warmth within me, my love for my biological mother, allowing it to surge through my veins and into the ground below.
Reopening my eyes, I watched a magnificent tiny plant emerge from the earth—a tall young sapling with a slender trunk reaching toward the gray sky. The leaves shimmered with a sparkling glow as if infused with the power of my light magic.
I stayed a minute longer, unmoving, and promised my mother I would avenge her and recover the powerful book from the wicked King.
"Let's make our way to the City of Fire," I said, steeling myself for a battle.
My friends’ eyes widened at the fields marred by patches of scorched earth. We all knew that if Hayden became immortal and powerful, the human realm would soon resemble our surroundings.
I had to consider the possibility that he had already read the book, potentially turning himself into an unbeatable enemy.
That night, we set up camp in a small clearing, taking turns to fend off spiders and other creatures’ attacks. I snuggled against Torin's chest, his warmth and steady heartbeat lulling me into sleep.
A soft rustling sound woke me sometime later. I blinked my eyes open, feeling a sudden urgency to relieve myself.
Disentangling myself from Torin's embrace, I whispered, "I'll be right back."
"Be careful," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.
Passing by the two fairy men who guarded us, I approached the nearby tree. After taking care of my business, I turned my head back when movement caught my eye. Ashton lurked behind a tree a few feet away, partially hidden in shadows.
"Ashton," I called out cautiously, stepping toward him. "What are you doing out here?"
The man hesitated for a moment before emerging from his hiding spot. His gaze darted away, unable to meet my eyes.
Something felt off.
"I couldn't sleep."
His hands fidgeted at his sides.
"Is something bothering you?" I asked gently but cautiously.
He couldn’t be trusted, but it seemed that Seraphina and Niall had made the decision to take him along with us.
But Ashton wasn’t combat-ready, and I worried about his safety. Perhaps he was too anxious to face the dark fairies or the new King.
Still…something didn’t add up. Why would he want to come along instead of staying safe in the hidden city?
He faltered, wringing his hands together.
"Hayden… The King promised to cure my curse if I helped him.” His voice broke in a way that sounded desperate.
My heart skipped a beat, alarm bells ringing in my head.
I stepped back. "You didn't—"
Two men swooped in from the shadows, their hands clamping over my mouth with a damp cloth. Ashton opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. The corners of his lips drooped, altering his face into a mask of regret.
I flailed my hands, trying to touch my bracelet, but the world went dark, and I knew I'd fallen into a trap.
I awoke with a gasp, the soft silk sheets clinging to my fevered skin.
The last thing I remembered was Ashton’s solemn face and his apology before I was kidnapped. I’d made a mistake in giving him a second chance after he led us astray to the wrong city.
The darkness began to dissipate, replaced by a hazy, muted light. My head throbbed, and a wave of nausea washed over me. As the fog in my mind lifted, panic surged through my veins, and I tried to sit up, only to find that my hands were bound.
I darted my gaze around the room. Ancient fairy symbols were carved on the heavy wooden door, which I was sure was locked.
The bedchambers looked extravagant. A plush red carpet woven with patterns of intertwining green vines and flowers covered the marble floor. Tapestries depicting twisted, grotesque scenes adorned the walls. An unsettling chill crept down my spine.
The large bed took up most of the room's space, featuring an intricately carved wooden frame. My heart raced at the thought of being in this bed.
Everything in this bedchamber looked grand and reminded me of the imbalance of power and wealth with the fairy people who’d lost their homes, cities, and loved ones.
My blood rushed to my head, and I groaned. Only one jerk would hold me captive in a bedroom. My best guess was that I was in Hayden’s bedroom in his fairy castle. The rest of the fairy realm lay in ruins, but the fairies in the castle reveled in luxurious surroundings.
The air stifled me. Suddenly, goose bumps pricked my neck, and a cold chill ran down my spine.
"Ah, you're awake," a voice drawled from somewhere nearby.
I squinted toward the sound and found Hayden smirking at me, his eyes cold and calculating.
I took a deep breath. Ashton had betrayed us.
"Where am I?" I said, my voice shaky.
"Make yourself at home," Hayden sneered, gesturing around the dimly lit chamber.
"Let me go," I growled, struggling against my restraints.
"Sorry, can't do that," he said, feigning regret. "You see, I need you."
"Is this about the book?" I spat, rage bubbling up inside me. "You have it already. What more do you want?" My blood boiled, and extra adrenaline exploded in my veins. “You’re a monster. You killed my mother.”
His face seemed to twist and turn more sinister. His scruff of stubble accentuated his sharp jawline. His eyes darkened, and their piercing intensity caused me to shudder.
No remorse showed in his expression. His fixation on me had become an all-consuming, dominating force.
He crooked his head and watched me carefully, studying me.
I squinted at him, and then I felt it. A sense of dread washed over me as an intense energy emanated from him, his aura of power crackling in the air.
My witch senses picked up on his supernatural aura, its strength immense.
He radiated unnatural energy—a thrumming power that felt boundless and eternal.
Hayden had become immortal.