***Adrian's POV***I drove us to town. Last night had been an eye-opener for both Bea and me. As she walked into Omar's empty bedroom, her disheartened face this morning revealed upsetting feelings within me I wasn't ready to admit. The possibility she was crushing on my lifelong rival triggered a sense of urgency. My prince charming status did not phase Bea like other girls. She doesn't care for status or money, she praises knowledge and honorable deeds, and honestly, I hadn't provided any. When she approached me in the cafeteria with a fresh start, I was over the moon. It was as if she could read my thoughts. However, I couldn't bring myself to be just friends when I wanted to make her be so much more.The town is all decked out for the human’s seasonal festivities. Stores put up their vitrine displays in red and green, while others opt for a more winter wonderland tone of whites and blues. Maya and I drive through town every year just to conte

*** Bea's POV*** Adrian gave me five minutes to get dressed. It would be reckless to face the unknown circumstances just the two of us, but we couldn't all leave either. Someone had to stay behind to defend the castle. While Adrian woke up Connor, I dashed through the corridors down to the staff quarters with a pair of snickers and a dark blue hoodie in hand. Clothes were the least of my worries. I rather take Amaya, one of the best warriors around here, than find another t-shirt to wear. The current grey sweatpants and white tank top will have to do. My gut feeling tells me we would need all the help we could get with the less disruption possible and taking her would be like taking ten warriors. I climb her bunk bed to get slapped in the face. Shaking the pain off while trying not to fall, I notice she is having a nightmare. Her loose brown hair sticks to her sweaty face while she tosses and turns breathlessly. "Amaya." I shake her,

The rented SUV tires dug through the gravel road leading out of the aerodrome. Three days had passed since we experienced the chaos of darkness. On a brief call with Caroline, we realized Alpha Xavier's condition did not permit him to travel, but we couldn't just get up and leave the castle either. Caution is the word of the day, not to say of the century. There were no guarantees the darklings weren't going to attack us next. Adrian had to strategize a defense plan before leaving Connor in charge while he was gone. Evelina remained unconscious, and Jonas feared they would lose her if they didn't reunite with their Alpha soon. I clutch my hand to my chest, feeling the anxiety building up as my gaze recognizes the blue pine plateau from behind the front passenger's window. I'm happy to be back, but at the same time, it's clear why I wanted to leave in the first place. Calling it home feels incongruous. Yes, I was born and raised here, but I never belonged. Carl's men emerge from th

***Bea's POV***"Remind me why we have to stay with you again?" I shove the stack of blankets on the dark grey armchair sofa before sliding the matching ottoman closer. This wasn't the first time Adrian and I slept in the same room. However, tonight felt different. I couldn't look him in the eyes without setting my heart into a frenzy after the recent events. Our friendship that we built over the last two weeks shattered at a freighting speed under a touch of his soft lips and ardent grip. That hadn't been the only earthquake. What was he thinking when he praised me for controlling my abilities? If he aimed for the bull's eye, he got it alright. My poor heart skipped a beat right then and there. "We don't want you to turn the place into a winter wonderland. Do we? In the past few nights, your powers have been fluctuating, your emotions bungee jumping, and I can't afford another bad impression on unfamiliar land." Adrian drops his winter coat on the end-of-bed cream bench, tugging hi

***Bea's POV*** Reality had shifted completely. Was I still fast asleep next to Adrian, unable to wake up from this anarchic picture-moving conception? Had I been the Dark Phoenix all along? Is this why I could cure the curse? And the reason the Darklings let us go when we fought at Alpha's Xavier territory? These questions are the turmoil flooding my mind as I fail to grasp the truth. It must be a dream, and I will soon wake up to a world where Blizzard prompts me to believe in myself, and Raul blurts flirtatious comments hoping for another dance with intoxicated Beatrice. "That's right; I am just dreaming. I will wake up soon." I verbalize aloud. "Hate to be the party pooper, but you are wide awake." The guard outside my cell remarks as he slides the lunch tray through the bottom of the door. For a dungeon, everything is kept exceptionally clean. All light bulbs were accounted for and in good working order, the metal bars did not exhibit rust, and the gleam from the black lava-lik