Soul Trials Begin Chapter 139
**Avery**
The void shudders around us, its oppressive darkness seeming to pulse with a malevolent life of its own. The Ancient One's voice, cold and resonant, fills the emptiness, sending shivers down my spine. "The trials are not yet complete, little queen. You and your mates have proven your strength, but true power lies not in muscle or magic, but in the depths of your souls."
My hand tightens around Cassius's, his solid presence a grounding force against the void's disorienting pull. I feel the tension in his body, the clench of his jaw, and know his insecurities are rising to the surface. He fears he's not enough for me, I think, my heart aching for him. That he's just a shadow of the man I deserve.
I squeezed his hand, willing him to feel my unwavering faith in him. "We'll face this together, Cassius," I murmured, my voice steady despite the storm brewing within me. "We always do."
Cassius's gaze meets mine, his piercing blue eyes filled with a turmoil I rarely see. "I'm not the hero you need, Avery," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "I'm just a dumb jock, a kid who dreamed of being king. I can't give you the life you deserve."
My heart constricts at the pain in his voice. I step closer, my body brushing against his, and tilts my head up to meet his gaze. "You are my hero, Cassius," I said firmly, my voice laced with conviction. “You had a different life than me, and it shaped you. Since you have let me in, you have grown so much. You are my mate, my king, my future husband, and the father to one of my eggs. But you’re also my strength, my shield, my everything. Don't ever doubt that." I press my lips to his, a fierce, desperate kiss that speaks of love and need and the unbreakable bond we share. Cassius responds with a hunger that mirrors mine, his hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer until there's no space between us.
The void seems to recoil from our passion, its darkness momentarily receding as our kisses deepen, our bodies moving in a primal dance of desire and reassurance. Hmm, is the Ancient One not seeing the cracks like he assumed? I have forgiven my mates for our pasts and I love them for who they are and how they treat me now. Everything is forgiven…everything!
However the Ancient One's voice cuts through the our moment of bliss, cold and relentless. "Clint, your pride is a fortress, but even the strongest walls can crumble. Will you let it isolate you from those who love you?"
Clint's body stiffens beside Conner, his jaw tightening into a stubborn line. I know his pride is a shield he wears like armor, protecting himself from vulnerability, from the fear of being hurt. It kept his heart safe from women like Lenore, but I broke down that wall. I got in.
Conner, ever the observer, steps closer to Clint, his hand resting briefly on his shoulder. "We're in this together, Clint," he says quietly, his voice a calming presence. "You don't have to face this alone."
Clint's gaze flickers to Conner, then to me, his eyes filled with a conflict I can't quite decipher. "I don't need anyone's pity," he snaps, his voice sharp. "I can handle myself."
I shake my head as my heart aches for him, understanding the pain behind his words. I remember the tragic loss that shaped him, the walls he built to protect himself from feeling that kind of pain again. But he won’t lose me like he did his parents. He needs to realize that. I will fight to the death to stay with him. "We're not offering pity, Clint," I say gently. "We're offering love, support, and a chance to be vulnerable without fear of judgment." Clint's eyes meet mine, his gaze flickering with a mix of emotions: defiance, fear, and a hint of longing. He doesn't pull away from my touch, and for a moment, I allow myself to hope. The void seems to sense our fragile connection, its darkness swirling around us, testing our resolve.
"Conner," the Ancient One's voice booms, "your emotions are a tangled mess, a labyrinth even you cannot navigate. Will you continue to hide behind your walls, or will you finally let your heart speak?"
Conner's chest rises and falls with a deep breath, his bright blue eyes clouded with internal conflict. I know his struggle to express his emotions, the fear of being vulnerable, of being hurt.
I step closer to him, my hand resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Conner," she whispers, her voice soft and reassuring. "We're here for you, always. Remember, I chose you as my first for a reason."
Conner's gaze meets mine, his eyes filled with a pain I rarely see. "I don't know how to..." he begins, his voice trailing off, the words catching in his throat.
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