DAKOTA "I believe we've met before. I didn't quite catch your name," Vera begins, flashing a smile at me."Let's go. Ignore her," West tells me, taking hold of my hand. "Now that's just rude, West. I was just trying to be friendly."The smile on her face is sickeningly sweet. I know exactly who she is behind that smile. I am not just disgusted. I truly despise her. "Excuse me, ma'am. I'm in a bit of a hurry," I say, and she narrows her eyes at me. "Did you just say 'ma'am'? I'm not some old woman. Why would you ---""Come on, West. Let's go," I tell my companion. Glancing at Vera, I beam at her despite how irritated I am. "See you soon, ma'am. Take care of yourself," I say, walking away with West. "Is it just me? I can sense that you have some sort of animosity directed at her" He tells me when we've moved a good distance from her. "I knew her as Melanie Knoxx. She was my best friend, the one who betrayed me by having an affair with my boyfriend," I respond. West scoffs.

DAKOTA Tears blur my vision as panic claws at my senses. Dashiell's pain is evident all over his face. Coupled with the fact that he seems to be unable to heal himself while he coughs up blood, the situation is a crippling one. My breathing quickens, my heavy heart feeling like it's going to explode right out of my chest.While I struggle to pinpoint the source of this escalating problem, I feel him hold my hand. I stare down at his trembling, bloodied fingers, which hold on to me. It isn't a cry for help. It is an assurance. Despite his pain, he is more concerned about me. "Don't panic," I hear him croak. Wide-eyed, I look up to meet his gaze. Despite the pain in his eyes and the blood staining his mouth and jaw, there is warmth in his dual coloured eyes. One that assures me that everything is going to be alright. Despite myself, I believe him. Right in this moment, it's all I can do. He coughs again, wincing in pain. He's panting hard, his chest heaving. Yet, he's trying so h

DASHIELL Dakota's eyes darken with hate as she slowly pulls away from me, her gaze resting on the spot on my shirt, which is now stained with my blood. "I'm going home," she mutters, and turns away from me. I grab at her wrist to stop her from leaving, and when her gaze meets mine once more, she narrows her eyes at me."Let go," she hisses, directing a death glare at me. "We still need to talk about The Six. I don't think you should trust them. If they want the seal as well, it can't be for a good reason. There's a chance that they're only using you," I tell her. Yanking her hand out of my grip, she lets out an exhale."You're the last person I want to talk to right now."I watch her as she storms towards the door and walks right out of it. Sinking into my chair, I bury my face in my hands. I am convinced now. I do not deserve to be happy. I do not deserve a mate. A monster like me deserves to die a lonely death. I've been unable to forgive myself for bringing so much mise

DAKOTA Right after I'd left Dashiell's property, I'd headed home and curled up in bed, my emotions running high. I'd been determined to keep my distance from my mate. However, everything changed when I fell asleep and dreamt of my past life as Alyssa. I'd dreamt of the exact moment when Violet betrayed Dashiell and delivered him into the hands of the Guild. I'd awoken with an overwhelming feeling of yearning. Refusing to give in, I'd spent the rest of the day in my room. Consequently, this yearning only worsened, and Ocean wouldn't stop whining in my head. So, I decided to swallow my pride, slip on my coat, and leave the house. I've just arrived at Dashiell's house when I sense the distinct smell of a female right from the entrance. My stomach churns as I unlock the door and walk in. The feminine scent grows stronger as I approach Dashiell's study, hoping he will be there. Has he moved on already? Do I really mean so little to him? When I get to the door, I raise my fist to

DAKOTA When the quake ends, I lower myself onto a bench, letting out an exasperated sigh."She's definitely his mother," I mumble, and West chuckles."Trust me, she's fun to be with when you actually get to know her," he states, joining me on the bench."Right. She's pretty intimidating," I comment. A few minutes later, two officers usher Dashiell out of the restraining cell. He walks up to us almost robotically. I embrace him, and he sinks into my arms. "Are you alright?" I ask, and he blinks. He seems dazed. "What happened? Who got me out?" He asks."That would be me," Dashiell's mother responds as she approaches us. She's no longer wearing her sunglasses."Mum?" He whispers with a crease in his brows. "That's right. You only ever get yourself in trouble. My goodness," she says as she pulls him into her embrace. Dashiell glances at West and glares at him. "They didn't hurt you, did they?" Mrs. Gryphon asks her son. He shakes his head, and she beams.When they pull apa