Sandro growled loudly, slamming into an undead, grabbing it by the neck, and snapping it completely. He leaped onto another, heading for Arabella, who seemed momentarily stunned, and tore out its heart."Would you stare all day or get down to business?" Sandro snapped."Sorry!" Arabella squealed, patting the jeans she wore and fumbling for her knife. Blaze had given her this small knife back at the Phoenix cave, an alternative to using her powers in a fight.She had rarely used it since Alessia, as battling Alessia with a knife could have been risky."Astralys!" Arabella snarled, deflecting an attack and driving her blade into an undead jugular. It sizzled, and he screeched, vibrating nonstop. Arabella eyed the knife; it had never sizzled before. It was strange that it was happening now."That is a silver blade coated with wolfsbane," Sandro commented, eyeing her. "Blaze gave it to you, I presume," he added dryly.Blaze never explained the knife's usefulness; he only told her never t

Arabella wiped away the tears sliding down her cheeks, hissing as pain shot through her side.Her chest tightened, and she gulped in two deep breaths, blinking back tears."Blaze," she muttered, shaking him in her hands, though he remained stiff. "Please wake up, please."Her shoulder trembled, her lips quivering, her head pounding, and her eyes aching. She wanted him to stir, to tease and laugh, but nothing happened.Now, more than ever, she longed to hear his voice and the reassurance he always provided, promising that everything would be fine.'He's dead, Bella. He's dead,' The words she didn't want to say aloud echoed in her head. Arabella shook her head, unwilling to accept the truth. In her mind, he would rise, and they would return to the villa, her tending to his injuries.He had to be okay; her tears held healing properties, just like the first time she had saved him. She believed she could do it again.Even as more tears fell, he stayed motionless in her arms."What's happen

They stood outside in the De Luca's graveyard. It marked Arabella's first visit, and she wished it would also be the last.Despite the daytime, mournful howls echoed before the funeral commenced. She guessed it was traditions.Brianna and her sisters took charge of the ceremony, as Sandro had handed it over to them."Today, we lay to rest Nicholas Armstrong, a fierce Beta, and guardian of our pack. Let's remember the beautiful things he did for us. He died a hero, sacrificing his life for his friends. He'll be forever missed."Blaze was truly gone, Arabella pondered. She had spent the whole previous day waiting for him or someone to reveal that it was all a joke. To assure her he would wake up, hug her, kiss her, and tell her everything would be fine.But no one came. She had seen him give up, and not even her tears, which had awakened him the first time, worked this time. Brianna had mentioned something about him running out of luck. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and though she vo

That witch!How ungrateful could she be? Despite all the warnings about their lives being connected, she still wanted to end hers—not just hers, but the lives of their children within her.Of course, Sandro understood her pain, feeling a similar, if not greater, agony.He and Blaze had shared a deep bond; Blaze was more than a friend and Beta; he was a brother and a relied-upon family.Blaze was everything to him, and his death was still surreal. He didn't want to believe he had died, but he had seen him lifeless, cold, and not smiling.If Arabella were to die, how could he seek the revenge he so much desired? As their life was intertwined, he was going to fuking die as well.Sandro's fists pounded the punching bag even harder, growls escaping him as he noticed blood on his hands. Yet, he didn't relent. Since leaving the room, he relentlessly struck the bag, channeling his frustration away from Arabella.He didn't want to get mad at her, but with the way she was acting, he doubted he

Arabella left the room a while later after taking a few bites from the food Sandro brought to her again. He had wanted to stuff her with it, but Annalise had come to her rescue, testifying to bringing her food. Now, in Thalia's room, the latter wasn't present, but her scent lingered. Arabella sat for a few minutes, and when Thalia didn't surface, she stepped outside, heading towards the garden at the back of the villa.It was a large space dedicated specifically to gardening, situated near the infirmary. Since Arabella's arrival at the villa, it was her first time exploring the garden. Sandro had often confined her, not allowing her freedom, but she guessed Mrs. Mabel's words earlier had influenced him.However, Arabella doubted that strolling along the garden could restore the iron in her blood. She rubbed her stomach, sighing. Her ears perked up, and she halted, glancing around as she heard sobbing. Tracing the sound, she arrived at a small pond filled with ducks, and Thalia was hu