Filed to story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
“Let’s go.” He pulled her in the opposite direction, and she followed
Joran was before them in seconds, standing in their way.
“You’ve got some nerve!” Astrea snarled at him, her eyes glowing with fury. “Mark my words! One day, my powers will return, and I will make you regret everything you did to me and others, too!”
He searched her eyes for remorse or any emotions for him, but she was indifferent to him. This was a promise she intended to keep, and an unfamiliar pain appeared in his chest. It was something new to him. New and heart-breaking.
“I will
personally ensure you know the exact pain we suffered thanks to you!” Astrea promised and flinched when he placed his hand on her shoulder. It was as if his touch revolted her whole body, and he couldn’t bear it any longer.
“I know,” Joran breathed out, the ink from her neck slowly returning to where it originally came from his skin.
Her lips parted when she realised what he was doing as the serpent tattoo finally disappeared from her neck. She touched it when he was done, as if she couldn’t believe he would actually go through with this
“Thanks for keeping your word, Jor.” Fenir waved his hand and opened another portal. “I am glad you are still capable of that.”
He had nothing to respond with because he was starting to feel a void forming inside. The familiar sense of emptiness was finally back.
***
Vidar stood in the empty Alpha Convocation room, observing the city through the wide glass wall and processing the news he had just gotten from his trusted people.
Not everything went perfect, but at least now he finally knew why the divine realm was dying and who was behind it.
This changed his plans drastically as he had to ensure Astraea’s fast return to where she belonged. Not only did he desperately desire to see her by his side, but he also knew he needed her powers to restore what was stolen from the gods. There was no time to play games anymore, as he had to stop the process. No matter what the cost was.
Luckily, he had just the perfect plan…
Fenir walked out of the portal with Astrea in his arms, Joran following them into his penthouse, not surprised to find everyone already there. Years had passed, but no one had acquired manners.
“Finally!” Kara ran towards them, eyes on Astrea. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Then, she awarded the Serpent with a withering glare, which he ignored. He did not question how and why they were here. Nothing mattered anymore.
“I’ll live,” Astrea replied as a smile curled onto her lips. It was nice to know her new friends were worried about her.
Warg and Bash exchanged glances with her and Fenrir, not saying much as usual, but she noticed relief on their faces, which warmed her chest. When she said goodbye to them last time, she wasn’t sure they’d ever see each other again.
However, reuniting with these people now made her happy.
“Astrea!” Nikki pushed through the men and got to her mentor, grasping and squeezing her hand so tight she almost broke the bones in her wrist. “I was so worried! Who was it? How-“
“Let her get some rest!” Joran grunted, and the woman froze.
“Your tattoo-” Nikki noticed her empty neck, and Astrea smiled at her.
“I am free now,” she whispered.
Her ward gave her an awkward smile, not knowing if it was appropriate to congratulate her in front of their teacher.
Luckily, she was saved by the elevator doors opening, and Forrest, who seemed confused to see this kind of crowd here, walked out.
He did not look lost for long, though, finding the man he came looking for.
“Jordan, what the hell? I couldn’t reach you! Where were you again?” He furrowed his brows, glaring at the Serpent.
“None of your business,” the dragon muttered, but the Southerner grasped his shoulder to make him face his annoyed expression.
“Do you have any idea what is going on lately?” he demanded.
“No, but you are about to tell me!” Joran rolled his eyes, and Forrest exhaled sharply, running his hand through his rich brown hair..
“Vincent wanted to gather the Alpha Convocation while you were gone!” the man announced, expecting a loud reaction that did not follow, stunning him.
Joran felt empty. Just a few hours ago, that would have made him furious. Vidar probably wanted to push his own agenda and ruin his plans, but now Now all his plans had been already ruined, and he felt so empty inside he could barely shrug his shoulders in response
“Let him,” he said, and Forrest’s lips parted as he let go of his old frenemy.
“Let him?” The Alpha seethed. “Let him?! Nathair, we are lucky that this Southern clown entered the scene and distracted everyone with the help of the Western royal-couple. But I don’t know how long they can go on like this.
Not to mention they probably have their own agenda.”
“Devoss?” Fenrir arched a questioning brow, and Bash nodded
“We have only one man for the job,” his son smirked.
“And the army?”
“Ready when needed on the border,” Bash whispered, but Forrest still heard him.
“I hope you are talking about the Eastern border! And whatever you call an army better stay there!” he warned them, making Fenrir chuckle.
“That would solely depend on the actions of the South,” the King replied.
“Is that a threat?” The Alpha clenched his fists.
“Not at all,” Fenrir shook his head. “It’s a fact that I hope you take into account while making decisions.”
“Enough,” Joran stepped between them. “Believe me or not, but you two are not the problem here. Only Vi-Vincent is.
So why don’t we go there and listen to what he has to say?”
They quietly agreed
“Astrea, go and get some rest. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Fenrir turned his attention to the woman next to him, and she was slightly disappointed they were separating so soon after their reunion. But she knew him. Now she really knew him and was aware that he wouldn’t leave her if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.
So, she nodded and watched the men walk out of the room, leaving her alone with Nikki and Bjorn.
The white bear shifter stood right by the window again. As if he could see what was outside
“Come.” Nikki touched her gently and smiled. “I will help you take a bath. You are hurt.”
“It’s fine.” She shrugged, not knowing what that feeling inside her was. Something was off, something important.
They were almost to her bedroom when she heard that damn bear saying.
“Free my a.ss.”
She froze, and Nikki glared at the man on her behalf.
“Don’t be mean,” her ward hissed, fingers clenching tighter around her. They were always this defensive of each other.
“How is stating the facts mean?” He didn’t turn to them.”
She said she was free, yet she had just taken an order without so much as questioning it.”
“He wasn’t exactly ordering,” Nikki argued, and Astrea realised what that odd feeling inside her was.
She was furious.
Furious to get left behind
. Her Firstborn upbringing taught her not to question such things, not to take the lead. She rebelled against that, of course, but only in extreme situations. And right now, she was confident Fenrir could handle everything without her.
But it was Vidar who was waiting for him in that Alpha Convocation conference hall right now. It was Vidar who was clearly plotting against them.
Vidar was the current ruler of Asgard, and he was the man who broke them apart time after time. She had to be there.