Chapter 44

**Hilda POV**

“That little wrench!” I shouted loudly the moment we appeared in the dark palace I call my home.
I looked down on the floor, seeing Randall still unconscious so I crunched down to make sure he was still alive.
Checking on his breathing, I could notice he was breathing, though his heart was beating at a calm, slow pace.
This shouldn’t have happened this way! I said to no one but more to myself, feeling outraged by the turn of events.
I grabbed Randall under his armpits, trying to drag him towards the couch, but he was too heavy so I sighed and raised my hand towards him, using my magic to place him there.
Soon as he was settled, I went to make myself a drink, thinking of the ritual and what to expect out of it.
“Damn it!” I cursed, chugging down the Scotch I just poured myself in a glass.
Everything was going well, but since the ritual got interrupted, it was never completed.
I couldn’t stop the thoughts, did it work or not, but I was also wondering why did Randall pass out? 
I walked towards him, trying to understand what had actually happened that it affected him this way? 
Taking some cloth, I wiped away the markings on his skin, searching for any wrong sign that might occur because of the magic, but I couldn’t find any.
There was no black marking, nothing even to prove he was affected by the magic so this was so strange and I couldn’t find an explanation for it.
Taking a blanket, I placed it over Randall and went straight to my office to get my book.
Opening the door to my office, immediately I found the book I needed and went to my desk to get the crystals.
Placing the crystals into the bronze bowl, I opened the book and found the page I was looking for, starting my chant as the crystals started to shine.
Watching my magic coming to life, showing me the happenings when that is when I noticed them.
Breaking away the magic, using just a piece to hold the image up, I looked down at it, thinking how to make my new plan possible.
Then I realized I need to speak with her. So I searched for the talisman, placing it on my neck as I sat down and lit the fragrance and candles, closing my eyes, calling out her name, “Ivette.”
The candles blew off as the fragrance stopped burning, I opened my eyes and could see the two red eyes appearing in the mirror, making the blood inside of me turn to ice, but I knew she would not hurt me as she said, “What do you want?”
Bowing down my head, I submitted to her power as I spoke to her, “I am in a need of your guidance and your help, o great Ivette.”
“Let me see…” as she spoke the words the next moment I could feel the strong, invisible grip, holding me tightly as the dark claws of shadow, probed my mind, giving her all the answers she needed as my unspoken question was running through my mind.
A moment later, her hold of power on me loosened as a dark, cold laugh sounded from her, making me swallow thickly as I patiently waited for her to speak.
“The answer you seek will soon enough appear again on your door. Your desire will be fulfilled at the right time as you will do, just as I am about to show you, word by word, step by step. Be warn…if you will fail me again, I will make you suffer for eternity.” Her dark words echoed through the room as she disappeared a moment after she showed me what will happen and what I must do.

*****

**Nerissa POV**

The days passed by since the day I was brought back to the Draconis land.
Every day, Alex would tend to me and spend time with me. 
He was showing me around his lands, introducing me to his pack members, and even one time when he had to leave me for a moment, the few members came inside the living room I was in and started to call me rude names and threatened.
I was about to fight them off as I was held by one girl from behind as the other wanted to kick me in my stomach, but right before her fist could do any damage to me, it was stopped by a large male hand, making us all look up into the stormy green eyes, that were narrowed at the two females as he reprimanded them.
To say that, that day I was speechless would be too weak to describe, because what Alex did, I never thought he would be so kind.
He asked the female to let me go and asked them both to sit down and openly tell him everything, as to why they are bullying me. The two females were hesitant at first but started to speak, saying it’s a habit as they are thought to hate the Phoenix shifters.
They even went so far as to say that they thought he would not mind, like in the past and I could see him flinch to the memory of the past as it was still haunting him how he was not protecting me back then, nor a true mate.
Alex was quietly listening to the females and soon as they were done he said, “I believe this is modern times, times of forgiveness and we should grow all together as a family and learn to accept the ones we were told to hate.”
The two of the females were surprised by his words and looked over at me, but actually, looked at me for the first time. I could see their shame shining through their eyes as they both lowered their heads and apologized, making me silently accept it with a nod of my head.
Alex announced a few moments after our talk that the whole pack will gather and have a celebration to bond and to turn a new, better page in all our lives.
Soon after, when everyone learned of the upcoming party, their excitement and joy could be heard and felt everywhere we would go.
The whole preparations were in full swing since that day when finally, the weekend came.
BBQ was lightened up, giving a tasty aroma to fly through the air as other delicacies were made and prepared two days before and now placed outside on a large buffet table.
That is what was happening today.
I am in my room, in the large packhouse, sharing the same floor with Alexander whose room was right across from mine.
I liked the days that passed by and for the first time ever; I enjoyed being here, in Draconis lands, and most of all I loved each day I spent together with Alex, getting more and more to know him and about him.
More of his pack members got to see me with him, and he made me interact with them, surprising me as I came along and gained so many new wonderful friends.
I still missed Emily so much and I couldn’t wonder where she was and if she was ok.
Ryder was not looking well,  I could see his eyes were sad even though he tried to hide it, but I could still see the sadness inside of him.
The sound of a knock on my door made my thoughts stop wandering around as I turned towards it just in time to see it slowly open, showing me Alex who was searching the room for me, not stopping until he spotted me as he opened the door.
A beautiful smile appeared on his face, making my heart jump from the sight as we slowly walked towards each other, meeting each other, halfway.
His palm gently pressed on my cheek, making me lean into it as slowly he reached down and placed his lips on my own, kissing them sweet and gentle as he broke the kiss, making me frown to which he chuckled.
“There will be time for that, my love, don’t worry, but unfortunately the time is not now.” He said gently as his thumb caressed my cheek, making me take a deep breath and exhale it slowly.
“Also, we cannot leave these two to wait outside any longer now, can we?” He said, winking at me as my eyes looked at him in confusion.
“What do you mean? Who?” I asked him as he smiled and said, “Well, let’s find out.”
“Jannet, Tonia…you may come now.” His strong voice echoed inside my room as I looked together with him towards the door just to see there were the same two females that once tried to hurt me.
Bothe females carried bags and had smiles showing on their faces as they looked at me.
One of them, the blond female, stepped closer, saying to me, “My name is Jannet, and that is Tonia, and we both wanted to properly apologize to you and hoping we can start over?” She said as her eyes pleaded with me, waiting for my answer.
Alex took my hand and silently waited for my decision when Tonia, the brown-haired female took a step, raising her hands, showing the bags she was carrying, and saying, “We thought that some girls time would be fun, plus we brought everything you might need to get ready for the party tonight and we would love to help you get ready.”
I looked at both of them and even Bellania showed me no signs that I should be warned about, so I looked up at Alex who was silently watching me as his voice sounded inside my head, saying, “Whatever you decide, my love, I am supporting you with.”
A smile showed up on my face as I turned towards the females and said, “Ok, let’s have some girl’s time.”