Chapter Twenty-Three

**One Month Later**

Ethar’s pov

The pack was flourishing. A month had passed and we hadn’t heard a peep from the goddess or the Legion.

Seb gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, despite our predictions of the baby being a boy. My niece Royal was the light of the pack. She gave everyone hope that through the darkness there was light to shine after. Her hybrid blood sped up her growth, she was 2 years old. She was already giving us sass she no doubt got from her father.

My own mate went into heat weeks ago. After an eventful mating session me and Iliam had high hopes we would soon have a pup of our own.

“What are you dreaming about my love.” My mate’s voice floated in my ears as I laid in the bed with my eyes shut lost in my thoughts.

She ran her fingers tracing my brows, then the bridge of my nose before placing a gentle kiss on my lips.

I smiled and opened my eyes as she straddled me. “Only you darling.” I whispered. I squinted as my eyes tried to focus and peer into hers. When my eyes finally focused her eyes were not her own. Instead her eyes glowed bright red before flickering black.

Fear washed over me as I watched her fangs protrude before I felt her them tear in to my neck. I shut my eyes as the pain radiated through my body. She pulled back smiling my blood trickling from her mouth. She wiped it with her thumb before sucking her fingers clean, she let out a deranged laugh as I laid beneath her. I was unable to move no matter how hard I tried. I mustered the strength to turn my head. I wanted to scream as I saw Iliam laying on the bed covered in blood, his skin pale as a ghost , his eyes soulless. “Save us” his lips moved but no sound came out.

I jolted awake from the nightmare drenched in sweat. I was barely able to catch my breath. When I did I rushed to the bathroom to take a cold shower to get the images out my head.

I let the water run down my body, and my temperature immediately cooled. I haven’t really been afraid of much in my life, but the constant night terrors had me on edge.

My relaxing shower was soon interrupted by Zion bursting threw the bathroom door, expelling her insides in the toilet. She glanced at me in annoyed that I had just watched the horrific display.

“I’ll have Seb come over and check on you.” I said trying to make her less embarrassed.

She rinsed her mouth out before leaning against the sink.

“No need, the constant tiny thump in my head is more than enough to let me know what’s going on.” She said and for a second I thought I had heard wrong. Until I turned my head to look at her. Her hand caressed her belly confirming my suspicions.

“Your serious!” I blurted out in excitement.

She put a finger to her lips motioning towards the bedroom as my outburst woke up the sleeping wolf in the next room.

“What’s all the racket.” He yawned out.

Zion rolled her eyes at me as she watched me unable to contain myself any longer.

“We’re having a baby.” I sung out.

Iliam’s head snapped to Zion as I watched his eyes grow wide in disbelief. I continued washing as Iliam forgot how to breath as he stared in shock.

“Breath dammit!” I yelled snapping him from the trance.

“Stop yelling it’s not good for the baby.” Zion teased as she grabbed Iliam’s hand and placed it on her belly.

I watched as his ears perked up as he listened to the tiny thump. His smile was the biggest I had ever seen it before.

“I’m going to be a dad.” Iliam choked out.

“ Yes you are.” Zion reassured the gawking fool.

I stepped out the shower wrapping a towel around my waist before grabbing Zion and pulling her close. I kissed her forehead as my hand held her stomach, listening to my child’s heartbeat.

I tilted her head up to me as I looked into to her eyes. Her bright green eyes calmed my soul pushing the nightmares in the furthest corner of my mind. Iliam moved in and hugged us both.

We were alright. We all would be alright. For once I didn’t think about tomorrow, I wanted to stay right here in this moment.

“Uncle Ethar.” Royal questioned as we walked to the dining hall for breakfast.

“Yes dear.” I answered

“When the new baby comes will you still love me.” She asked. I snapped my head down to her, I was a taken aback by her question.

I scooped her up and placed her on my shoulders high up.

“Of course I will, and when the new baby gets here , you two will be the best of friends, I have no doubt about it.” I told her, I heard her giggle and clap her hands in approval of the idea.

I swung her around before placing her in her high chair at the dinning table.

“Uncle Alpha!” She called out as she saw Iliam walk in.

“Why is he Uncle Alpha , and I’m Uncle Ethar?” I asked her as she opened wide for her mashed peas.

“I can’t say his name good yet.” She responded with her mouth full. I nodded my head letting her know I understood her dilemma.

Iliam came and placed a raspberry kiss on her cheek, and she let out a huge giggle nearly splashing me with her breakfast.

“Alright Seb your up. Royal, Uncle Ethar and I have work to do. We will see you later sweetheart.” He said. She nodded and put on her serious face as her mom walked over taking my place.

Iliam and I sat down in the office. He eyed me closely. I could feel his suspicious mood through the bond.

“Are we going to talk about it.” He asked boldly.

“There is nothing to talk about.” I responded.

“By it, I meant the visions that keep you at night. And jolt you awake in panic in morning .” He explained.

I shook my head. “They are not visions Iliam, just dreams. With everything being so quiet , I’ve been on edge just waiting for my happiness to be torn from me.” I admitted to my brother. I ran my hands in my hair in frustration that he had noticed.

“Whatever happens brother we will face it together like always.” He attempted to assure me. It wasn’t him I was afraid of.

“We need to draw her out, we can’t keep waiting for something to happen. We need to locate the strong holds and destroy them. force her hand.” I told him.

“You sure you wanna do that, I mean we have a kid on the way now. should we really be taking a risk like that right now.” He retorted.

“That’s precisely why we need to do it Iliam. We need to make a move while we have the advantage.” I explained further.

He walked over and sat in front of me, staring at me worried.

“What are you not telling me Ethar. I will have your back whatever you choose as long as I know it’s actually you making the decision.” He said.

He doubted I was in full control of the darkness. The past few weeks had me lashing out in anger lately. I hadn’t hurt anyone or anything, but it made the pack uneasy. The plan I was proposing however was all mine, it made sense to me. I rolled my eyes at his insinuation.

“Bring your proposal to the treaty, if they agree, I will back you.” He said before walking out.

His words stung my ears. As if I needed their approval. Our enemies moved in silence around us and he wouldn’t listen. I wasn’t going to bother bringing it to the treaty. I was looking to protect us why can’t he see that. If he wanted us to wait then that’s what we will do. If Iliam didn’t have my back no one else would, and he knew that.

Zion’s pov

**Two Months Later**

The whole courtyard was full of beautiful white blossoms. Everyone was preparing for the mating games. The excitement in the pack was music to my ears.

My bump seemed to grow nightly as the strong little bundle of joy was eager to meet us all. My white maternity gown and flower crown matched the theme. Iliam came walking up in his white linen two piece. Ethar wore the same only instead of pants he had linen shorts. I spun around letting them take in the sight of their round Luna.

The pack followed us as we made our way to clearing in the woods. Leo was also dressed in all white linen. His fated mate Cassandra and him had been joined at the hip since they met.

The past few weeks had been nothing but pure bliss. I was relishing in my journey to motherhood.

“On my signal.” I yelled out to the crowed as the males got ready to take off in search of the scarves the ladies planted all over the woods. All the females scents were masked except for the scarves they hid around the woods. The males had to find the scented scarves and track it back to their fated mates.

I held a long silence and heard the men groan as I took my time.

“Go!” I howled for the whole pack to hear. We laughed and watched the males stumble over there feet as they took off.

The howling commenced as the males picked up the scents of there mates.

A single gun shot echoed through the air whipping straight pass my face, the silver sliced my cheek as quick as I heard it.

I turned around with inhuman speed as soon as I realized the intended target was Ethar standing to my left. I gasped as I saw Iliam’s back to me holding Ethar’s shoulders.

I watched my mate lose his balance, but Ethar caught him before he hit the ground. I starred at the horrific scene as Blood protruded from his mouth as he coughed.

“No, no, no, no.” I whined as I couched down holding my husbands head in my lap. His eyes peered into mine.

“I’m sorry, baby.” He coughed out reaching for my cheek. I grabbed his hand holding it to my face.

I rubbed my hand over the hair that stuck to his forehead.

“Your okay baby. Ethar tell him! Say something!” I yelled at my mate as he began to crawl backwards away from us , tears streaming down his face. Before he got away I grabbed his wrist in a vice.

I focused my energy, draining all that was inside myself and Ethar.
I felt the shadows erupt from Ethar as he tried to help me bring Iliam from the brink of death.

“Arghhh!” Iliam screamed as he continued to bleed out. I let go of Ethar’s hand and dug my fingers inside his wound. I could barley see through my eyes as they filled with tears.

“Help!!! Help!! I screamed and pleaded for anyone to help me.

I clung to his body for dear life. His hands fell to his sides as I felt him draw his last breath.

“No, no, no,” I sobbed , my white grown now drenched in my lovers blood. I hugged him tightly, waiting for his hands to wrap around me.

Ethar’s pov

My mate screamed and cried rocking Iliam back and forth in her arms. As soon as anyone came close she hissed and protruded her fangs protecting his body.

I sat there my head in my hands covered in his blood.

I heard the sobs stop and my eyes darted up hopefully. When my head rose I was met with my mates glowing red eyes. She stood up dragging his body behind her. Everyone stood and watched as she dragged him to the mansion in a murderous haze.

Who ever approached her as she walked by was thrown away with a flick of her wrist.

I watched them disappear into the foyer before the mansion doors slammed on their own.

Whatever she planned to do I wasn’t going to stop her.
Leo crouched down beside me wrapping his arms around me

“IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED!!!” I screamed facing the heavens.

The next day I mustered the strength to walk to the mansion. I spent the previous night stuck in the clearing staring at the fresh blood that covered the dirt floor.

Instead going to her room, I went to my own. I found myself just going through the motions as I washed in the shower. In the blink of an eye I was pulled to reality. Not even recollecting how I got to the chair that sat across from my bed fully clothed.

I made my way to Zions room. I couldn’t find the will to enter.

Instead I sat on the ground my back to her door. I felt like I had only blinked, But with the new dawn brimming I could tell it was the next day.

The lost time felt like it went on for days before I decided to knock.

I crept in the door and the sight of her was breaking my heart all over again.

She had lost a tremendous amount of weight. Dark circles formed beneath her eyes that were burning bright red. Her shine faded from her hair causing it to look a dusty orange. She sat staring out the window. And never acknowledged my existence.

“My love,” I choked out through my tears. She didn’t even flinch.

I placed the vase of flowers I got for her on her bedside. And sat on the bed near her feet.

“How’s the baby?” I questioned not expecting an answer. And I wasn’t surprised when I didn’t get one.

She continued to ignore my presence. I wanted to reach out and hold her. I needed to feel her hold me back and let me know she was still there.

I sat and cried for a few minutes, as she continued staring out the window. I got up looking down at her one last time.

“What did you do with his body.” I questioned and her eyes finally met mine as they flickered black before settling back red.

“You did this to us. It should’ve been you. The abomination, The Filthy Tribrid.” She whispered. And with that went my last heartstring.

Her words were poisonous. I stared down at her until her eyes left mine.

I began to leave before the vase of flowers crashed into the door just as I grabbed the knob. The shards blew back against the skin on my face. I looked down at the once white blossoms that wilted and withered in the matter of minutes.

“I will send someone to clean that up. But I won’t be back here again.” I choked out as sternly as I could before walking out the door.

I had no hope left, my brother was gone, never to rest in peace because she did goddess knows what with his body. My mate was gone and turned into a hollow shell that I still yearned for. And I had no hope our child would survive my mates heartbreak.

She was killing me and didn’t give a single fuck!