Chapter 70

*The morning after*

**Randall POV**

My head was pounding the moment I opened my eyes.
The blinding light made me close my eyes harshly. The loud arguing coming from the other side of the wall made me groan as I forced my eyes to open once again.
‘What the hell happened?’ I asked myself, sitting up and holding my head.
Shaking off the dizziness, I looked around and noticed I was in an unfamiliar room.
It was not big as mine but still large enough and decorated with luxurious furniture in golden and red color.
I saw my clothes set on the bench underneath the bed I was sleeping in, so I slowly stood up, ignoring the voices as I grabbed my clothes and searched for the bathroom.
Luckily there was one that was joined to the room I was using, so I walked inside and went straight to shower.
Closing my eyes under the stream of water, I saw beautiful hazel eyes making my heart race. I snapped, opened my eyes, and shook my head, trying to get rid of strange images that I couldn’t understand where from or why I was seeing them.
Deciding I had enough shower, I closed the water and took a dry towel, and dried myself off. Picking up my clothes, I dressed and walked up to the mirror that was above the sink.
Looking up at my reflection, I searched to find anything that might explain to me why I was suddenly feeling different.
But in what way different was another question.
Walking out of the bathroom, I stood by the door of the room I slept in and heard voices of Hilda and Reynard coming from outside.
Slowly, I opened the door and walked soundlessly into the hallway. I followed the voices as they led me towards the room down the hall, and I stood near the open door and listened to their talk.
“Are you sure it will work?” Reynard asked, sounding unsure.
“Have faith, it will. It is already done.” I heard Hilda say in a cheery voice.
‘What were they talking about?’ I wondered.
“When will we strike?” Reynard asked with a voice that showed urgency in his tone.
“You need to learn patience. It will not take long, you will see.” Chuckling, Hilda told him.
My eyebrows narrowed, feeling something was wrong, but I couldn’t put a finger to what.
“What about Randall? Why did you bring him here? It is not like he is of any use in anything now!” Reynard growled as he spoke.
‘That a-hole!’ I cursed him silently.
“He is important…” I heard Hilda say with a purr.
“Important to who and why?” Feeling annoyed and angry, Reynard asked.
I would’ve chuckled, finding it funny how he was so riled up.
“To me, to my plan, to the success!” Hilda said with triumph and something I have never heard or rather give attention to in her voice.
Deciding I’ve had enough of eavesdropping, I made a move and walked slowly inside the room that seemed to be a living room.
Their conversation stopped, making them both look over at me, and I saw Hilda raising up to her feet as she was sitting on the couch and smiling widely as she said, “Randall! You’re finally awake!”
I watched her in silence as she rushed towards me, wrapping her arms around my neck, taking me by surprise as I felt her press her lips onto mine.
The feeling that washed over me was unfamiliar, making me feel repulsive as I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away from me.
‘Probably due to my head injury.’ I said to myself, an explanation for my feelings and state of mind.
“Is everything ok?” I heard Hilda’s question making me look down at her.
I noticed she was trying to figure out my sudden strange reaction, so I forced myself to smile and say, “Yeah, just tired a little.”
I heard Reynard snort at my answer, making me glare at him as he said, “Didn’t you have enough rest. Sleeping beauty?”
My eyes narrowed into slits, wanting nothing more but to rip him a new one when I felt Hilda’s palm press onto my chest, trying to calm me down.
She looked at Reynard and said, “Stop being a useless ass. The magic was too strong and he could have died so we are lucky that he woke up when he did or he could have been forever trapped in the darkness.”
The flashes of the ritual rushed into my mind, making me feel dizzy.
I grabbed Hilda’s shoulders once again, forcing her to look at me as I asked, “The ritual… did it work?”
I heard her exhale a deep breath, shaking her head away as she answered, “No, it was never completed… I’m sorry, but we will try again.”
I searched her face with my eyes, trying to see if she was telling me the truth and I could see she was, so I relaxed a little, removing my grip off of her shoulders, saying, “Are you sure?”
“Positive, to that part of the ritual we didn’t manage to get to.” She said.
“What are you two talking about?” Reynard asked, looking at us with narrowed eyes.
Ignoring him, I walked towards the liquor table and poured myself a drink, gulping it down greedily.
“Um… Randall was just wondering if I’ve managed to create the mating bond between you and Nerissa.” Hilda said, looking at me as I walked towards the window with my second fill in my hand.
“It better work this time, Hilda, or else…” Raynard growled.
Hilda walked towards him, looking fearless and scary as I stood there silently, watching their exchange. She said with a voice filled with a warning, “Or else what? Do I need to remind you who you’re speaking with and what I’m more than capable of doing to you? Don’t test me Reynard or else it will not be a pleasant journey ahead for you.”
She walked away, leaving Reynard speechless as he stormed out of the room.
I looked away, looking through the window into the distance, seeing mountains all around, and dark clouds slowly approaching towards us.
I felt her hands wrap around my waist. Her palms caressing my chest, dragging lower towards my pants as she purred and spoke in a seductive voice, “I’ve missed you.”
Feeling her hands reach my belt, I grabbed them successfully stopping her attempt as I turned around and faced her, saying, “I’m not in the mood.”
Her eyebrow raised as she asked, “Since when are you not in the mood? You never before rejected me.”
Pushing away from her, I walked towards the door, saying, “There is always the first time for everything.”
Not waiting for her answer, I walked out and went to the room I was occupying before, cursing myself as I wondered what the hell was wrong with me?

***

**Nerissa POV**

The morning came, and I woke up with a huge smile on my face, feeling the warmth coming from my sides.
I looked to my right and saw Alex sleeping peacefully, having his arm wrapped over my stomach.
Turning my head to the left, I saw Allister sleeping as he had his arm under my head.
Deciding I wanted to surprise them by making them breakfast, I gently, with a little struggle, pushed myself out of the bed, walking towards the bathroom.
After I showered, I walked back inside the room and searched for my clothes, finding the pieces and putting them on.
Reaching the kitchen, I turned the stove and placed a pan, cracking a few eggs and adding cheese with them.
The bacon was already done as I placed it on three plates, adding the eggs with cheese together, finishing my cooking.
I felt them before I saw them entering the kitchen. They were too sexy for their own good, even if they just got out of bed with their disheveled hair and subtle stubble covering their face, I watched them enter into the kitchen, wearing nothing but their boxers.
Slowly they approached me, giving me a sweet smile as Alex reached first and pecked my lips, saying, “Good morning, love.”
My cheeks flushed, “Good morning.”
Winking, he walked towards the counter and sat down while Allister approached me second, doing the same by kissing my lips and saying with a slight smirk playing on his lips, “Good morning, little one.”
“Good morning,” I said.
He turned around and joined Alex by the counter, sitting down while I grabbed the dishes filled with food and placed them in front of them.
Feeling my cheeks still burning, I shyly said, “I wanted to surprise you both with breakfast.”
They both gave me a smile, tasting the eggs, nodding their heads as they approved of my cooking.
“This is great, love,” Alex said, stuffing his mouth with bacon.
“Delicious… but not more than you.” Winking, Allister said, making my face turn fully red.
Alex snickered at him, making Allister turn his head to him, asking, “What? You're thinking the same as I am, just admit it.”
“Of course I am, but I don’t want to overwhelm her,” Alex said, giving me a sweet smile.
I took my plate and sat down in between them as they kept a space for me, and we all ate, laughing and teasing each other.
It was a perfect morning.
The Guys went to shower and dress while I stayed to clean up the dishes.
As I was drying the last plate, I felt a pang inside my chest, making me stop for a moment, wondering what is wrong.
The dizziness took over me, making me grab onto the counter with one hand, still holding the plate in the other.
Taking deep breaths, I decided I should better call Alex and Allister because I was not feeling ok.
Just as I opened my mouth, saying, “A…” a sharp pain cut me in my attempt, making me scream out in pain as I clutched onto my chest, releasing the plate from my hands to fall down and break into pieces on the floor near my feet.

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*Author's note:

Hello everyone.
Thank you so much for following me through this journey for so long. I hope you’re enjoying the story and you're excited about what’s more to come.
We have one more chapter left after this one and then book 1 will be completed.
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Love, Amanda***