“I know they will…”Offering Isis and Bjørn a small smile, I nodded. “Okay. See you later.”
“Bye, dearie.” Winking at me again, Bjørn left the screen.
“See you soon, baby girl. I promise.”
I didn’t have the heart to correct her. I wasn’t her baby girl, it was Natasha, but whatever.
Sighing, I returned the phone to Dante and turned, pinning Hannes with my gaze. “This whole act was a test, wasn’t it?” Iasked in a calm yet menacing voice. “You wanted to see what my reaction would be to you leaving?”
Hannes’s expression became troubled, and though he didn’t answer me directly, the sentiment in his eyes said it all.
“Next time, just ask me how I feel.” Taking my box, I crossed the space to the only other empty chair in Dante’s helicopter. I didn’t particularly feel like being tested today.
“Don’t be mad at Hannes,”Star pleaded. “His wolf just needs to know we need him too. You haven’t exactly come up for air from André and Dante in the past two days. Not long enough for the two of you to share anything…”
I became silent because, surprisingly, she was right. I understood what Star meant. Also, because regret still captured my being for what I did to Hannes that night when all he’d wanted was to protect Natasha, console her, be there for her…
Still, I remained isolated in my chair.
What they did wasn’t nice, and they could sweat for all I cared.
As we left Rosu Castle behind, my gaze focused on the horizon. I wasn’t exactly sure where we were going, but I would die before I gave them the satisfaction of asking.
The sun beamed high in the morning sky as I made a silent vow to return to this place soon with Anastasia, so she, Dresden, and Natasha could finally be a family in the home they had built for her daughter.
I owed Natasha that much.
During the ride, my mind wandered through Natasha’s memories. I didn’t pay attention to how long we were in the air, but I made sure to access everything available to me and was not encumbered by the fog so we could all be on the same page.
Feeling like something was missing was tiring. I wanted to remember it all—good, or bad.
Before I knew it, we were landing at what looked like a private airport. A jet was waiting for us.
Silently, Vanessa and Alyce stood, exiting the helicopter first. I swiftly slipped out behind them, not waiting for any of the guys to try to help me. I wanted to be mad at them a little longer.
The wind from the helicopter blades slapped our hair in every direction as we walked, so I held it back with one hand, seeing a beautiful brunette step down from the plane.
Her arms opened wide the moment Alyce reached her, and she gave her the biggest hug, one that said they were family.
“So, you are the infamous Natasha, Natalia, and Starlight?” The woman asked, eliciting a smirk from me with her odd greeting.
“Aww, she named me too.”Star stirred inside my chest with emotion, making my skin prickle and surprising me with how physically present she was.“They are the reason,” she answered before I could ask.“I can feel the Wolf Shifters surrounding us… their energy empowers mine.”
“It’s Natalia right now,” I clarified to the woman, who grinned.
“This is our aunt, Zelin,” Alyce offered. “She’s an Eisen Ritter. It means?—"
“Iron Knight,” I replied.
Alyce’s brow furrowed. “How do you know?”
“I learned German the other day.”
Zelin laughed, placing an arm around my shoulders while Vanessa, Alyce, André, and Dante climbed the steps and got into the plane.
“I like you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Natalia. Hannes won’t shut up about you… Please call me Z.”
“It’s an Iron Knight the same as an Iron Prince?” I asked, seeing her start up the steps after the others.
