I clutched my head with both hands, attempting to connect all the dots. Carter couldn’t possibly be both leading the rebels and overseeing supplies for the Western King, right? But that’s exactly what our intelligence told us was happening on these islands.
I took a deep breath, rubbing my jaw as I contemplated the entire situation.
Yes, he could be doing both. Overseeing weapons and supplies for the Western King while simultaneously providing those supplies to the rebels.
He was clearly willing to do whatever it took to defeat the East
Watching him leave, one thing was certain–my half–brother–Carter was indeed the target.
Rage seeped through every pore of my body. I wanted to lunge at Carter, tear him apart even without shifting into wolf form.
The thought that he could do this to my people, that he was responsible for so many senseless deaths, so many innocent lives ended–for what? Because he hated me?
My fury turned my vision blood–red. What the hell was Carter doing? The Eastern continent was his home too. How could he do this?
Not to mention, he had stolen my woman and child from me–my own flesh and blood.
I was certain I would kill Carter. But I realized that if I acted in that moment, I would be acting out of control–my attack would likely fail.
I needed to wait until the time was right, when I could think instead of act from anger. Otherwise…
Through the window, I saw her return to the piano, her fingertips lightly tapping the keys before she sighed, stood up, and walked toward the window.
Could she still play the piano?
With each step she took closer, my heartbeat accelerated.
The window creaked open.
I frantically shifted left into the bushes, and in that moment, I held my breath–otherwise, the cross–draft would have made me stumble right there.
Exhaling to calm myself, I quietly raised my head, moving carefully until I finally saw her face clearly.
Starlight traced her silhouette, her copper–red hair shimmering with a soft glow. I couldn’t help wondering what she was looking out for in the window at this late hour.
Was she looking for me? Or waiting for him?
The mere thought of Rachel with Carter made anger surge through me again. The image of them in bed together…
1/3
I almost burst out of the bushes shouting “No,” but bit my tongue hard instead.
I needed to think, and right how, my mind wasn’t clear enough to know what I needed to do. I was just glad to see her–to know she was alive.
How many times had I died knowing she was gone? How many times had I watched her die in my mind and died with her, only to resurrect and experience it all again? Over and over…
And here she was–alive and well.
And living on an island with the last person I would have imagined.
She had no idea what she had gotten herself into. Carter might appear handsome and charming, but he…
As painful as the thought was, Rachel had fallen for Carter…
Rachel closed the window and disappeared.
I found myself completely frozen in shock. My brain was a jumbled mess at that moment, and I took several deep breaths, trying to make sense of everything that had happened that evening.
Then, from inside the house, I heard that familiar voice, the one I thought I’d never hear again.
It immediately soothed my frayed nerves.
I closed my eyes, allowing myself to be immersed in the angelic melody.
It was a lullaby. Though the lyrics were sweet, the melody came to me like a dirge on the island breeze, and from the depths of my soul, I missed them both–Rachel and our child.
It was as if my essence was filled with a magnetism, searching for the other part of its whole. The only way I could feel complete again was to reconnect what had been taken from me.
Now everything made sense.
It was my child, our child, pulling me closer, summoning me near.
The closer I got to the child, the bigger and stronger it grew, the more powerful the pull became.
A sense of calm spread throughout my body, and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me.
For now, I simply stood there, staring at the darkened window, imagining her singing in the room.
of my soul, I missed them both–Rachel and our child.
It was as if my essence was filled with a magnetism, searching for the other part of its whole. The only way I could feel complete again was to reconnect what had been taken from me.
Now everything made sense.
It was my child, our child, pulling me closer, summoning me near.
The closer I got to the child, the bigger and stronger it grew, the more powerful the pull became.
A sense of calm spread throughout my body, and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me.
For now, I simply stood there, staring at the darkened window, imagining her singing in the room.
Was there any way she could forgive me? And if not… what would I do?
