“I belong to no-one”I snap as I slam my shields back up.
I'm so done with men. As soon as my powers return I'm taking my mum and we are getting out of here. I ignore the waymy gut twists at the thought of leaving Alistair, but I won't let him take us to the underworld.
My mum has lost her mate, her pack and her home. Even though the ranch still stands I know we are not welcome here. It's just a house and we will leave here and go back to how things were before. Just me and her. We can help nature together and live a quiet life away from all of this. Leave the gods to their schemes and any Nymphs we find we will help them. Given how quickly the pack turned on my mum when dad died and their view on how Nymphs should live, I think there may be a few that want to leave for the sake of freedom. Women who are trapped like we are now. Expected to be happy in a gilded cage and provide heirs for their Alpha. Maybe we'll find nymphs just as powerful as me? We could create a safe haven for them and commune with Gaia as her loyal protectors of her planet.
I find myself smiling slightly at what that future could look like. To live to help one another, to heal the planet and to care for all the innocent lives here. We have been forced by the werewolves to be kept away from one another but what if we combined our strength? Would climate change stop? Could we heal fatal disease? Bring balance and peace to Gaia's world that she created out of love. Would Zeus allow such a thing? Surely Gaia could stop him? And what of the other gods? Hera, Goddess of women and family. Demeter, Goddess of harvest and nature. Apollo, God of light, healing and prophecy. Artemis, Goddess of the wilderness and wild animals. Wouldn't they help? Could we ask them for their protection? Are they on Olympus with Zeus?
There is so much I don't know and I can't help but think something so much bigger is going on. Hades asked Zeus to free someone. Is it Persephone? Didn't Hades steal her away to the underworld? She's Zeus's daughter so did he rescue her and Hades wants her back?
Questions upon questions fly through my mind as I try to put together the pieces until I get a head ache. No not a head ache. Alistair is forcing his way through my mental shield.
“What?”I snarl down the bond.
“Your plotting and brooding.”
“And you're an asshole. What do you want?”
He chuckles down the bond and I shake my head up at the Strix as she ruffles her feathers. Her white eyes narrowing on Alistair.
“See. Even she is fed up with you.”
He shakes his head almost an unnoticeable amount.
“She's always pissed with me lately.”
The Strixclicks her beak in agreement and I notice Jason turn his head in her direction. I watch as she dissolves her body into shadow and then solidify again once he looks back towards Alistair then to the trees around him. She winks at me. Winks! I hide my smile as I watch the campfire.
She's incredible.
“I wanted to tell you that as Lukas is a new Alpha his wolf is more in control than usual. The 'wolf' side of him is influenced by Zeus's will and power. He wants to claim you as his mate. You can't let him.”His voice is full of warning.
“Maybe I want to be his mate? Better than being a blood bag in the underworld.”I reply sarcastically.“Jealous?”
He replies with the same sarcasm.
“You know when he bites you during the mating ceremony that he will steal most of your power right? Then through that fake Moira bond, Zeus has entry to your mind like he has to theirs?”
A coldness floods my veins.
“You cannot let him bite you and you cannot tell Gwen. We are unsure whether your parents bond was genuine. If Carter never bit her then her mind and power is her own. I'mhopeful though, but right now we can't risk it.”His voice is heavy with apology. His emotions coming through the bond like a gentle river.
“What else aren't you telling me?”I whisper as I glance around the camp. At Izzy, Penny, Jason and Lukas. Suddenly feeling more alone than ever. Do they know about this? About the oppression on Nymphs that they cause? After learning about what they expect of us I'm almost certain I know the answer.
“This is so much bigger than you think Krista. So much hangs in the balance and I can't risk telling you all of it yet. But I will. Once you're safe. You are more powerful than you think. We need you.”He pauses and his eyes meet mine through the light of the fire.“I need you.”
A warmth fills our bond. It flows through me touching every nerve and consumes my chest. I catch my breath and manage to somehow hide it with a cough as Lukas lifts his head. Mum gives me a small side glance and I stare intently at the fire. I hide my trembling fingers as I lift the bottle of cider to my lips and swallow.
“What do you need me to do?”
*
Later that night, the moon is high in the sky when Lukas finally gives us permission to rest. My mum and I rise from our seats and head into the house. I turn to speak to her but she shakes her head pointing to her ears then to the pack outside. Without our powers we can't create an air shield to stop them eavesdropping on our conversation. Instead I hug her tightly then go straight to my room. I pick up my phone to check the time. 12:30am. I look out the window to the moon. It's a waxing gibbous. The full moon is tomorrow.
There’s a single knock on my door. Lukas enters before I respond. Claiming the space as he strides in.
“No need for me to sleep along the hall now.” Lukas smiles. “I'll have Gwen's' things moved here in the morning to free up the master suite for us.”
I give him a small smile as I grab my shorts and cami from the wardrobe and head to the bathroom. I lock the door behind me then cross the room and lock the other to Lukas's room. I turn on the shower and take my time washing my hair. I let tears fall with the water down my face as I mentally prepare for what's next.
