Chapter 139: Soul Trials part 2
**Avery**
I cup his face with my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears threatening to spill over. "You don't have to say anything, just feel. Let us be your anchor, your safe harbor. We love you. I love you…all of you." I pull him into a tight embrace, his broad shoulders trembling against me as he finally allows himself to release the emotions he's been holding back.
“Avery,” he silently sobs. “I fear not being strong enough for you. I fear being a horrible father to our egg. I fear losing you. I fear losing everything.”
I cup take his head into my hands and look into is pained eyes. “Conner, just admitting that shows how strong you are. I feared everything, until I gave myself to you. I still fear not being good enough, but I am learning just how irrational that fear is.” I looked at my other mates. “All of you are showing me my worth daily. I love you all.”
The void seems to pulsate with our shared vulnerability, its darkness intensifying as if feeding on our exposed fears. But possessing fear isn’t a weakness. It is a strength because we know it is there and we will overcome it. Being vulnerable isn’t a weakness either. If the Ancient One thinks fear is a weakness, then he isn’t as wise as he assumes.
"Avery," the Ancient One's voice echoes, cold and demanding, "your crown weighs heavily upon you. To lead is not just about strength, but about wisdom, about sacrifice. Are you truly worthy of the title you bear?"
I look at my mates, at the love and trust shining in their eyes, and know that my worth is not measured by a crown, but by the love I hold in her heart, the strength I draw from our bond.
“Before my Grand Ceremony, I was not worthy to be queen, but I was worthy of love. I loved myself enough to keep living despite the torture I endured daily. Since I have accepted my mates, I have accepted another part of myself. I lead when others run. I am worthy," I declare, my voice ringing with conviction, "Because I have earned it and earned the trust of my mates. Together, we are stronger than any trial, any darkness. We are stronger than you! I have learned to not fear the darkness because I provide the light.” I smirk. “To me, Ancient One, it looks like you have forgotten to provide your own light.”
The void shudders, its darkness fracturing as our love, our unity, becomes a beacon of light, pushing back the shadows. The Ancient One's laughter echoes, cold and mocking. "Arrogance will be your downfall, little queen. But for now, you have proven...something. The trials continue. Prepare yourselves." I giggle to myself at my temporary victory. I am not arrogant. I am stating the truth, and for an ancient being to relent so easily, I must have been onto something. Perhaps, I can use it to free my mates and myself of the Ancient One for good.
The void shifts, the darkness swirling and reforming into a new landscape. I feel a jolt of fear, but it's quickly replaced by determination. I take Cassius's hand, Clint's, Conner's, our fingers intertwining in a silent promise of solidarity.
James says, "We face this together," he declares, his voice a rumble of power. "As one." I feel a surge of gratitude for his unwavering support, his belief in me. I know that with him by my side, with my mates, we can overcome anything…even the Ancient One.
The new trial unfolds before us, a labyrinth of mirrors, each reflecting distorted images of ourselves, our fears, our desires. I know this is a test of our minds, our hearts, our ability to see beyond the illusions and find the truth within. If my mates can’t see this, I will make them. Darkness will not steal them from me!
James speaks, “We know that none of this is real. We have gone through your trials, and yet you add more. There must be an end. So I propose this; you allow us a respite and then one final group trial. All or nothing?” I squeezed his hand in support. I am growing tired of this game as well. I could keep playing, but I am unsure about the Trio. They aren’t used to the mental abuse that I am, and it appears that James has gone through similar too.
The Ancient One materializes. His eyes bore into ours. He stands in front of me in half-human/half-wolf form. “Since Avery has shown me something, I will allow you all a short reprieve. But be warned, what is to come will be harder than what I had planned before.” After that veiled threat, he disappeared. Fucking arrogant asshole!
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