Chapter <b>72 </b><b>– </b>Loved Ones
“I miss you in ways that not even words can understand. – Gemma Troy
NeronUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Nightfall brought its silvery partner, the moon, to dazzle the world with its luminescence acting as a guiding light through the dark. The stars twinkled in their silent symphony as the celestial diamond stole the show. But I didn’t <b>have </b>the energy to admire the spectacle. It has officially been one day since the devastating attack <b>and </b>the anxiety from the pack members soured the air.
Sleeping wasn’t an option, not with imminent danger uging our hearts. I checked up on families that lost their loved <b>ones</b><b>, </b>members recovering in the hospital, and assisting with repairing minor damages to the pack house and the smaller homes. Many expressed their <b>fears </b>of another attack and began arranging temporary shelter elsewhere until the danger <b>passes</b>, if at all. It hurt to see many saddened and frightened faces as Zircon <b>Moon </b>lost its medal of safety and security.
But there <b>was </b>amon theme when I checked on the members of the older generation.
Is there a n in <b>ce </b>to rescue Dad, Ashley, and Steven?
No, there wasn’t. At least, not yet.
Osiris’ location was a growing mystery irking my soul. The bastard was proficient in covering his tracks. I caught a lucky break when Anthony phoned me earlier to say that he and his team believes the snake is in Oregon. That small bit of information filled me with hope. Where Osiris is, Lady Sanguine is there. While the information came at a great time, it leaves us both at a lost-the state is huge with endless amounts of forestry. If we deploy our soldiers to search the entire state, we’ll waste time, and by the time we reach our destination, Dad, Ashley, and Steven will be dead. The information isn’t sufficient to move forward with a rescue <b>mission</b><b>.</b>
Kiya’s ne rested in my palm as my thumb caressed the cracked full moon pendant. Despite the damage, the image glowed under the moonlight in the darkness. I haven’t found the time to get it fixed, but the chill of the silver is redolent of my mate’s missing presence. Everything is colder without her around, but she’s spreading the mes of hatred as she holds Dad and the Betas prisoner.
But the question is, do I want my father back? Time and time again, he’s proven that he isn’t trustworthy. I can take him assassinating my character, but my respect for himbusted into mes when he admitted to the car crash. He almost killed Kiya and her family because of his anger.
However, that is not the reason he needs to be rescued. It is because of what Lady Sanguine will do. During the aftermath, patrols discovered Odessa’s body, along with the <b>guards </b>I assigned to take her back to the dungeons in the open field. Someone sliced her throat to where the wound exposed the muscles to the elements. Her hollow, lifeless eyes stared ahead at nothing, void of the life they once had. Odessa was killed shortly after Ariel separated from her. Kiya’s scent, once aromatic, turned sour, drenched the area.
I’m certain that this hell won’t <b>end </b>with anything other than my father’s and the Beta’s deaths.
I’m terrified. Has Kiya-<b><i>Lady </i></b>Sanguine killed him? A part of <b>me </b><b>doesn’t </b>think so, but even gut intuition can be
wrong. With every kill, part of the soul dies. Before the person knows it, they <b>are </b>but a hollow shell.
programmed for murder. Kiya, naturally, has a benevolent<b>, </b>bright soul. She is a good person, through and through. However, if Lady Sanguine kills my dad, I’m scared that Kiya will never return to the path of light. Osiris’ hold over her will be absolute.
Onyx and I will lose our mate for good.
I <b>have </b>to rescue them; not for their sake, but Kiya’s.
<b>“</b><b>But </b>that begs the question.” Onyx’s strong, rumbling voice spoke. <b>“</b><b>If </b>Kiya doesn’t kill him, would you be the one to <b>do </b><b>so</b>?”
“I’m not a god, Onyx. I can’t choose who lives and who dies.”
“No, but we don’t have <b>a </b>choice in this matter.” My wolf paced around in my mind. “I’m not telling you to y <b>god</b><b>, </b>but you need to weigh the pros and the <b>cons </b>of keeping him alive. I’m not waiting for old age to kill the man. That <b>kind </b>of death is too merciful.”
A heavy sigh left my <b>lips </b><b>as </b>I rubbed my face<b>, </b>taking <b>a </b>seat in my chair. I press my back against the backrest, staring at the moon peeking through the window in my office. My heart stung like a ho’s sting. The conflicting images of my father yed side by side in my mind, disying moments where he was aplete monster and others where he was a loving father. The father I needed.
I’ve lied awake at night thinking of solutions about my father. Exile, banishment, hoping the bastard somehow repents-everything. Peaceful resolutions won’t work this time and I know it, deep down. My father is guiltless, just <b>as </b>Odessa was. Both made the life of my mate <b>a </b>living hell and kept secrets from <b>me </b>that didn’te to light until after I lost Kiya for the second time.
It both angers and saddens me at the same time.
<i>“</i>He’s the only family I have left.”
“What the hell am I, chopped liver? You have me, dumbass!”
“You live in my head, Onyx.”
<b>“</b><b>I </b>still count.” I <b>know </b>he’s rolling his eyes. “You also have family in Norway. Your mom’s family.”
“They haven’t spoken to us since Mom and Nuria died, and <i>I </i>don’t me them. They were in just as much pain as we were, and what do I say to them, Onyx? But back to Dad. If I kill him, wouldn’t that make me as bad as the men before me? Wouldn’t I be on par with those monsters?”
I can’t be like them.
“No, because you have <b>a </b>heart. Think about it this way; would leaving your father alive do more harm or <b>good</b><b>?</b>”
“Harm. No doubt.”
<b>“</b><b>Neron</b>, you literally have your answer, but I know this isn’t <b>a </b>simple decision to make. Me? I clearly <b>d</b>
wrong. With every kill, part of the soul dies, Before the person knows it, they are but a hollow shell
programmed for murder. Kiya, naturally, has a benevolent, bright soul. She is a <b>good </b>person, through and through. However, if Lady Sanguine kills my dad, I’m scared that Kiya will never return to the path of light. Osiris’ hold over her will be absolute.
Onyx and I will lose our mate for good.
I have to <b>rescue </b>them; not for their sake, but Kiya’s.
“But that begs the question.” Onyx’s strong, rumbling voice spoke. “If Kiya doesn’t kill him, would you be the one to do <b>so</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
<i>“</i>I’m not a god, Onyx. I can’t <b>choose </b>who lives and who dies.”
“No, but we don’t have a choice in this matter.” My wolf paced around in my mind. “I’m not telling you to y <b>god</b>, but you need <b>to </b>weigh the pros <b>and </b>the cons of <b>keeping </b>him alive. I’m not waiting for old age <b>to </b>kill the man<b>. </b><b>That </b>kind of death is <b>too </b>merciful.”
A heavy sigh left my lips as I rubbed my face, taking <b>a </b>seat <b>in </b>my chair. I press my back against the backrest, staring at the moon peeking through the window in my office. My heart stung like a ho’s sting. The conflicting images of my father yed side by side in my mind, disying moments where he was aplete monster and others where he was a loving father. The father I needed.
I’ve <b>lied </b>awake at night thinking of solutions about my father. Exile, banishment, hoping the bastard somehow repents-everything. Peaceful resolutions won’t work this time and I know it, deep down. My father is guiltless<b>, </b>just <b>as </b>Odessa was. Both made the life of my mate a living hell and kept secrets from me that didn’te to light until after I <b>lost </b>Kiya for the second time.
It both angers and saddens me at the same time.
<i>“</i><i>He’s </i>the only family I have left.”
“What the <b>hell </b>am I, chopped liver? You have me, dumbass!”
“You live in my head, Onyx.”
“I still count.” I know he’s rolling his <b>eyes</b>. “<b>You </b>also have family in Norway. Your mom’s family.”
“They haven’t spoken to us since Mom and Nuria died, and I don’t me them. They were in just as much pain as we were, <b>and </b>what do I say to them, Onyx? But back to Dad. <i>If </i>I kill him, wouldn’t that make me as bad as the men before me? Wouldn’t <i>I </i>be on par with those monsters?”
I can’t be like them<b>.</b>
“No, because you <b>have </b><b>a </b>heart. Think about it this way<b>; </b>would leaving <b>your </b>father <b>alive </b>do more harm
or <b>good</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
“Harm. No doubt.”
“Neron, you literally <b>have </b>your answer, but I know this isn’t <b>a </b>simple decision to make. Me? I clearly d
<b>26</b>
<b>on’t </b>give a fuck about <b>your </b>Dad or Raina’s parents. But we can’t let Klyn fall further into the darkness. You-no, we have to end your Dad before she does.”
“Kiya isn’t lost yet, Onyx. She’s still in there, in whatever Lady Sanguine Is.” I felt her, smelled her, and saw her. All before Osiris ruined everything. Kiya is fighting to get out, I know it!
“We saw her light in her eyes! We can’t let that disappear forever because I will tear this world <b>apart </b>if I lose Artemis!”
“Were you able to get a hold of her at all?” I asked.
Onyx’s mood deted<b>, </b>his cars lowering in sadness. “No…I couldn’t, even with how close we got.”
“We must kill
Osiris too.”
<b>“</b>Oh, that’s <b>a </b>given. I’ll use his fucking face as my chew <b>toy</b><b>.</b>”
Speaking of the walking enigma, during our fight, his taunts had a certain level of malice in them. He had referenced my great-grandfather several times, not to mention ending my bloodline before Dad showed up. Along with the news about Oregon, Anthony also informed me of his spections about Osiris’ fixation on Zircon Moon’s movements long before the attack. He could’ve been stalking my <b>pack </b>and the attacks on other packs were simply target practice.
But that’s all they were. Spections. The only person who can tell about Osiris’ motivations is Osiris himself. This attack was personal. My great-grandfather <b>did </b>something to him. He has his motives for revenge<b>, </b>and Lady Sanguine is his weapon of destruction.
What aren’t you telling me, Osiris? How many secrets do you hold?
As I sat, my <b>eyes </b>drooped. Lack of sleep consumed me in my failed <b>efforts </b><b>of </b>squeezing my eyes shut and opening them to stay awake. Sadly, this made everything <b>worse</b>. I haven’t slept since the attack, <b>and </b>it is catching
up to me quicker than a cheetah.
“Shit.” I grumbled, opening the window slightly ajar. The night air billowed in and cooled my furnace-<b>like</b><b>. </b>body down, but instead of waking <b>me </b>up, it did the exact opposite. Sleep rushed in and demanded my surrender. Unable to fight it off, I rested the back of my head on the spine of my chair and dozed off.
A couple minutes of sleep wouldn’t hurt, right?
Dream
I need to stop listening to myself.
White weed me in a world flowing with serenity and joy. Light hovered over the heaven-like domain, guiding and helpful as it led me further into the realm. Without a doubt, I felt out of ce, but there wasn’t much <b>I </b>could do about it. Onyx was silent in my head <b>as </b><b>he </b>is in all of my dreams. Huffing in a sharp <b>breath</b>, I traversed down further into a continuous flower field with their <b>petals </b>tickling my toes. Every petal shone <b>a </b><b>lustrous </b>glow, revealing the hidden rainbows bathing the field with magic<b>, </b><b>a </b>wondend. Clouds fluttered <b>past</b>
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me, dissipating on contact with my fingers. The air carried a gentle, but pleasant scent simr to <b>freesia </b>flowers, enticing a smile on my face. I walked until I reached a temperate pond waiting for ripples on its surface.
The same iridescent flowers decorated the exterior of the pool, but their glow was more notable than its fellow florae. The familiar chill I’m used to is non-existent, Instead reced by a joyous warmth that encircled me from head to toe. This ce is in harsh contrast to the dreams and nightmares that pick which night to torment me. Here I felt weed and <b>protected</b>.
Almost as if something was waiting for me here.
Walking to the pond, I kneeled on the ground and dipped my hand into the water, watching the surface dance in ripples and waves. My eyebrows arched in both curiosity and confusion. Huh. Ponds aren’t usually warm, but this one is. It wasn’t an awful warmth, but a pleasant one, like if you wanted to rx in a bath after a long <b>day</b>.
How strange.
Then again, this entire realm is strange underneath the veil of light and silver. Why this type of dream? Why
now<b>?</b>
“Neron?”
The entire world froze when <b>the </b><b>sharine</b>, yet gut-wrenching voice spoke. Nostalgia engulfed me like a violent tsunami with powerful shock riding the waves, clouding my <b>senses</b>. My eyes widened and my breath hitched in my throat. Sweat perspired though my pores and I couldn’t <b>move </b>nor speak. That voice ensnared the <b>Alpha </b>faster than anything I’vee across.
“Neron, I know you can hear me. Don’t act <b>as </b>if you don’t, <b>please</b>.”
Chills nestled in their favorite ce in the middle of <b>my </b>back. So many reasons festered in my <b>mind </b>as an answer to <b>the </b>owner of the voice, deftly avoiding the one correct answer I’m afraid to acknowledge. My mind is ying tricks on me from all the stress. Yes, that’s it! It is <b>a </b>trick; a hopeless trick toying with the heart of
<b>man</b>!
Surely, it can’t be-!
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Neron!” The voice groaned, annoyed. “Turn around so I can finally see my big brother after thirteen goddamn years!”
My body twisted around so fast that I thought I got whish, but the pain didn’t hold a candle to the beautiful woman standing before me in a silver dress. “It’s about time! I thought you were deaf for a second there.”
Her smile aged but held that same star-striking shine, holding a level of warmth and glee I thought I’d never seen again. Her ebony tresses matched mine, longer and silkier, scarcely brushing against her elbows. The twin admiral orbs overflowed with an abundance of excitement as she did a small dance, waiting for my <b>reaction</b>. I couldn’t match her dance! I wanted to scream, cry, rip my hair out, but I couldn’t. I was a robot waiting for amand that never came. Instead, I summoned the fleeting power in my muscles and reached out with my shaky palms, cupping her tanned cheeks to relish the supple flesh.
<b>R </b>A
Tears fell, and they didn’t stop falling. One tear turned to two, and two turned into a pair of raging rivers. My heart throbbed to the beat of a drum, hitting my ribcage so hard that my lungs didn’t bother to work after the initial shock. How could this be? This is a dream, but why does she feel so real? A painful gasp erupted from my throat when the woman pressed her smaller palms on top of mine, her <b>eyes </b>filling with unshed tears.
“N-N-Nuria? Is that really you?”
“Yeah, it’s <b>me</b>. Metaphorically, in the flesh!” Her smile turned into a smirk. “The one and only, <b>unless </b>I’m cloned-whoa!”
“Nuria!!!” My sister! My sweet, trouble-making little sister! I buried my face in the <b>crook </b>of her neck when I yanked her body into the tightest bear hug I could give. Pomegranates! <b>She </b>still smelled like pomegranates! My sobs turned to wailing, and it thus <b>turned </b>into screaming. I’ve made peace with the fact I’ll never <b>see </b><b>Nuria </b><b>again</b>. Death takes and <b>never </b>returns. But she’s here; real, tangible-1 can touch her!
Thirteen years of suppressed pain; missing her<b>, </b>wishing she’de back, the loneliness of being an only child, growing ustomed to seeing her tombstone versus her face crushed the dam and opened the floodgates. I drowned in unspoken emotions I’ve long forgotten were a part of me, but Nuria’s light pulled me out of the chaos <b>and </b>into her arms. Her arms wrapped around my broad back, rubbing soothing circles as her head rested on <b>my </b>shoulder<b>.</b>
“I missed you so much.” She murmured, nuzzling her nose against my hair. “It’s been so long…”
I didn’t speak. I just tightened my hold like someone was going to take her from me again.
Suddenly, my wailing got much louder when another presence joined us. A strong, tender, and loving presence. There is a reason mandarins are my favorite fruit because they reminded me of her. My legs buckled, and I dropped to my knees, taking the women with me, but they never broke out of their embrace. Another pair of arms wrapped around my body, humming a sweet melody in my ear that calmed my beating heart; a sweet nighttime melody that lost its luster after her death.
This is…<b>too </b>much.
“M-Mommy?”
“I’m <b>here</b>, skatten min.” Her whispers tugged at my heartstrings. “Shhh, it’s okay. It’ll all be okay.”
My tears distorted Mom’s image, but I didn’t care. Her warmth and touch were all I needed. I missed <b>her </b>heavenly presence in my life. There is something about a mother’s hugs that turns fear on itself. Everything is going to be okay because Mom said it will be. And I believe her<b>. </b>My cries didn’t settle, but I was more than ted to have Mom and Nuria <b>around </b>me.
My family.