“That’s not true,” he whispers.
“What was that? Because you had no issues leaving me with Zeke!” I growl at him, turning my glare on Zeke.
“And what have you got to say for yourself?” I snarl at Zeke.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs.
“That’s it?” I ask.
“No, that is not it, Zirah. We fucked up, and you can rub that in our faces all you want, but you are our mate!”
“If I choose for you to be mine!” I scream.
“Tables have turned, Zeke, and after what you’ve done, there is no way I’d choose you…. Any of you!”
“Z…”
“Don’t call me that,”
“And you wouldn’t choose me. You said you would once,”
“Because you were the lesser of three evils!” I scream at him.
“You’re lying… don’t give me that shit, Z. I know you love me,” Regan growls, stepping toward me. Hunter growls, and he backs up.
“Hunter!” Zeke snarls.
“He doesn’t answer to you no more, and you’re about to learn. Neither do I,” Zeke looks away and nods once.
“Zirah, please…. At least give us another chance. We can fix this. Make it up to you,” Lyon pleads. Does this fucker not realize I just burned for him!
I scoff, shaking my head. "No, you just all need to back off. I've lost everything because of you!" I scream, and lightning cracks across the sky.
"I've lost everything!" I repeat, my voice breaking.
“You haven't lost me,” Regan murmurs, and I look at him.
“No… but you’ve lost me,” I tell him.
The sky opens up, and torrential rain starts to fall. The kings look up at the stormy sky, but I turn on my heel and continue walking when Zeke calls out.
Before my grandmother could answer, a gasp echoed through the air, and we turned to see a man stumbling into our camp. His eyes were wide with terror, and his voice shook as he pointed a trembling finger at me.
"She's a witch," he stammered, his fear palpable.
My grandmother shot him with her bow and arrow without hesitation, killing him instantly. She then dragged me back to the safety of the caves, her eyes filled with determination and concern.
There, she branded me with runes, the searing pain causing me to cry out as she chanted a protection spell to obscure my powers from the world until I eventually passed out. It is now clear to me why she had to keep rebranding me; each time was a milestone of when I manifested more, the stronger I got, the quicker my magic wore off, and the weaker hers got trying to mask mine. This is why she aged so drastically; it wasn’t the elements but me. Her magic camouflaged mine, trying to contain it while constantly stealing those memories from me so I wouldn’t be tempted to use my power, tempted to unleash it.
As my tears mix with the cold stone beneath me, I can't help but think about my dreams, the visions of a kingdom that haunted me throughout my life. The dreams were filled with battles, love, and betrayal, pieces of a past life that seemed just out of reach. And now, I am faced with the reality that my grandmother gave everything to protect me, just as she had done so many times before.
I curl into myself, the weight of my grief threatening to crush me. The world outside my room seems distant and unimportant, and I can't help but wonder how I could possibly face it without my grandmother by my side. As the rain continues to pour outside, I cling to the memories of my past, seeking solace in the love that my grandmother so selflessly gave me.
After my self-pity party, I eventually gather the strength to stand, feeling the need to wash away the grief that clings to me. My wolves follow me into the bathroom, their presence comforting.
The warm water begins to soothe my aching body and mind as I step into the shower. Halfway through my shower, Gnash suddenly jumps to his feet and stares intently at the bathroom door.
"What is it, boy?" I ask, hastily washing the shampoo from my hair and eyes.
As I turn to see what has caught his attention, I spot Regan standing in the doorway of the bathroom; his eyes fixed on me. "Hate me all you want, but I'm not leaving," he tells me, peeling off his soaking wet shirt.
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