Finn leaned down, capturing her lips in another searing kiss as his hands moved to the waistband of her jeans. He made quick work of the button and zipper, and Lizzy shivered as the cool night air kissed her skin when he slid them down her legs. She stepped out of them, standing before him in nothing but her underthings, her heart pounding as she met his gaze.
“You’re stunning.” His voice was reverent as he reached for her, his hands trailing up her sides. “And you’re mine.”
Lizzy’s cheeks flushed, but she couldn’t look away from him. “Andyouare mine,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. Lizzy had never had anything that was truly hers. But this male was. And she’d gladly keep him.
Finn’s lips curved into a soft smile, and he bent down to kiss her again, slower this time, savoring the moment. Once he was fully undressed, he guided her gently down onto the soft moss, his body covering hers as he braced himself on his forearms. The forest seemed to come alive around them, the rustling of leaves and the distant call of an owl creating a symphony that seemed meant for them.
As their bodies moved together, the bond between them flared brighter than ever—a living, breathing thing that wrapped around them and pulled them closer. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word was a promise, a vow that went beyond words. They were two souls intertwined, two halves of a whole finally made complete.
The world faded away, leaving only the two of them, bathed in moonlight and wrapped in each other’s arms. And as they gave themselves to each other, the last of Lizzy’s walls crumbled, leaving her bare and vulnerable but unafraid. Later she’d have to return to reality and continue the search for their pack. But sometimes reality had to be put on hold in order to nurture that which made them capable of enduring the trials of life. And she and Finn needed to nurturethis. Because she was his, and he was hers, and in this moment, nothing else mattered.
Chapter 5
“Humans cling to their technology like it is their savior. Anytime there is even a blip in the power, an hour without running water, or fifteen minutes without the precious world wide web, they simply fall apart. Like a toddler left with an empty cone when her ice cream has fallen to the ground, they wail and whine. Now that I’m thinking about it, perhaps I should kill the humans first, then take out the technology. There would be so much less wailing then. Decisions, decisions.” ~ Celise
The portal shimmered behind her as Celise stepped into the heart of London, her dark eyes scanning the sprawling city of lights, steel, and concrete. She inhaled deeply, savoring the biting chill of the night air, though her lips curled in disdain. Beneath the glittering skyline and the mechanical hum of the city, she could feel it—a parasitic energy radiating from the human technology that dominated this world. It wasn’t just noise or light; it was a leech, choking the magic that once flowed freely through the earth, leaving the supernatural realms starved and withered.
Her sisters followed one by one, stepping from the portal with varying degrees of hesitation. Crestia was the first, her sharp-green eyes narrowing as she surveyed the city with a smirk. “Humans and their steel jungles.” Her voice dripped with derision. “They’re so proud of this mess, aren’t they?”
Limaria came next, her luminous presence dimmed by the oppressive weight of the city’s energy. Her pale-silver hair shimmered faintly under the streetlights as she folded her arms, her gaze calm but thoughtful. “I don’t like it,” she murmured softly. “The Balance feels … off.”
Thraya stepped through after her, her golden hair framing her cautious expression. She paused just beyond the portal, her light-brown eyes scanning their surroundings with quiet wariness. “Are you sure about this, Celise?” Thraya’s voice was steady but tinged with unease. “Humans may be fragile, but they’re clever. They’ll fight back.”
Celise didn’t bother to turn around as she spoke. “Let them try,” she said coldly. “It won’t make a difference.”
Finally, Hishta emerged, her dark curls falling over her shoulders as she stepped lightly onto the pavement. She stayed close to Thraya, her amber eyes darting from shadow to shadow. Quiet as ever, Hishta said nothing, but the tension in her posture betrayed her unease. She clutched her hands together, her fingers twisting nervously as she followed her sisters.
Celise gestured toward the glowing city ahead of them, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Behold, the pinnacle of human arrogance. Steel towers, endless lights, machines that hum with stolen energy. They’ve drained magic from the earth and replaced it with this … blight. And they think it makes them invincible.”
Crestia snorted, her lip curling in a grin. “They’re not invincible. They’re just ants pretending to be giants. Let’s see how they fare without their toys.”
Limaria frowned, and her brow furrowed slightly. “Destroying one power plant won’t undo the damage they’ve done, Celise. It won’t bring the magic back.”
“No. But it’s a start. And more importantly, it will send a message.”
Thraya hesitated and narrowed her eyes. “A message to whom? The humans? Or the supernaturals that oppose what you plan?”
Celise’s smile faltered for half a second before she recovered, her tone sharp. “To everyone. Now, if you’re done questioning me, we have work to do.”
Apparently she wasn’t done asking her questions. “What about Shade?” Thraya’s brow rose. “Do you really think we should write him off so easily? You honestly think whatever agenda he has isn’t going to interfere with yours?”
Celise’s ire rose as she glared at her sister. Perhaps she should have left this one in the afterlife. “I’ll deal with Shade when it’s necessary. For now, whatever he’s planning, it’s not affecting what we’re doing. And who knows, maybe it will be us who screws up his plans.”
Thraya fell silent, though the tension in her jaw didn’t go unnoticed. Hishta remained quiet, her gaze flicking toward Thraya as if seeking reassurance. But it was Crestia who stepped forward, her grin widening as she cracked her knuckles. “I say we get started. The humans have had their time. Now it’s ours.”
Celise smirked, pleased by her sister’s enthusiasm. “Exactly.”
The power plant, a hulking mass of steel and concrete belching smoke into the night sky, loomed ahead. Its chimneys rose like skeletal fingers clawing at the heavens, and the air around it buzzed with the raw, unnatural energy it generated. The machinery hummed beneath Celise’s feet—a constant, grating reminder of humanity’s parasitic existence. She wanted it gone. All of it.
They slipped inside through a side door, the low rumbling of the plant filling the air. The acrid scent of oil and metal clung to the walls, and the heat was stifling. Celise led the way, her steps confident and deliberate, while her sisters followed in uneasy silence. Crestia walked closest to her, and her sharp, green eyes scanned the machinery with a mixture of disdain and anticipation. Limaria trailed behind her, calm but watchful, while Thraya and Hishta lingered at the back, their unease palpable and annoying as hell to Celise.
As they moved deeper into the plant, Celise spotted two engineers standing near a control panel, their backs turned as they studied the glowing screens in front of them. A slow, predatory smile spread across her lips.
“Well, isn’t this quaint.” Her voice cut through the hum of machinery.
The men spun around, their eyes widening as they took in the sight of the five women. The younger of the two, wiry and pale, stepped forward, his hand hovering near the radio clipped to his belt. “Who are you?” he demanded, his voice trembling slightly.
Celise tilted her head. “Oh, just a concerned citizen.” Her tone mocked him. “You see, I couldn’t help but notice how much energy this little operation of yours consumes. It’s … offensive.”
