Lachlan POV “That was brutal,” Killian mumbled. “That’s better than I expected her to be.” At least she didn’t slit my throat. I think if she tried to physically hurt me it might hurt less than seeing how badly my mistreatment of her in our first lives affected her. She was never open about it before. There were signs, but she never told me. Now that everything's out in the open, she doesn’t have to hide her pain. I lean against the wall across from our room for a few minutes, gathering my thoughts and settling my heart before I go and knock on Niomi’s door. “Mimi?” I yelled to her after knocking, not hearing her moving around. All of us have taken to calling her Mimi when addressing her, since it was the nickname she loves given to her by my wife. She asked us to do it herself. I knock again, but there is still no answer. I’m about to mind link her, but then I hear her voice along with Cherum’s drifting down the hall. When I looked up, they were rounding the corner, Cherum c

Just then, the door to the great hall opened, and there stood Nilo with a solemn expression. Cherum must have mind linked him or Lachlan to let them know we were here. This is my first time seeing him since I left, and as he looks at me, I can tell he is wary of how I will react. He knows now, about my first life. It seems everyone does. He is Lachlan’s Beta, and his best friend. I wonder if he knows even more than Cherum and the others. The apologetic expression on his face, like he feels so guilty it hurts him, causes me to take pity on the man. I smiled warmly. “Hello again, Beta Nilo.” His lips quiver a bit, but then he bites them, swallowing a lump in his throat. “Luna,” he nods his head respectfully. “Welcome home.” His voice as he says ‘welcome home’ is so full of hope that I hide the conflicting thoughts the sentiment brings. Is this still my home? I’m not sure. I don’t even know how welcome I should feel. “Thank you,” I bowed my head back, not voicing my inner conflict a

Elelira POVThe three of us wandered down to the beach, since it seemed like the natural place to speak together. Everyone else stayed with Nilo to start discussing the upcoming attack from the North, and the new threat that my uncle now posed to the pack now that everyone knew of his involvement. Jack had information going back years on my uncle’s dealings, and how he would take over other packs. I felt guilty for taking Lachlan away from a meeting with new vital information, but he insisted that he wanted to be with me. I tried not to let it show how much I really wanted him here with me and my father. I tried not to let it show how much it meant to me that he chose to support me and left the meeting to Nilo. That is something he never would have done before. Is it knowing that I am his mate that is causing him to act this way, or does he genuinely love me, even without the bond?That is my biggest hang up. That is what is causing me to not be able to move past this. I understand

Lachlan POVI’m staring at King Brennus as he hugs his daughter. My mind is racing as I try to piece everything together. One thing is getting to me, and I just can’t seem to figure it out.Who did he use as the sacrifice? Why was he vague on that part?The longer I stare at him and the expression he is making as he hugs Lira tight, I can see the grief mixed with his happiness and I think I know. You need a sacrifice with the same blood as the one you are trying to save. That is what he told me when he had me kill Wayne. If he used Wayne to bring back his wife, was he somehow able to use Wayne again in the next attempt?No. I don’t think he did. King Brennus looked up at me, feeling my stare on him. Is he going to tell her? If he did what I think he did, would he ever let Lira know? “He didn’t want to hurt her. That’s why he was reluctant to meet her himself. She won’t miss a man she never knew.”Killian’s words ring in my head. I need to talk to him about this. Not now, though.

Elelira POV Cherum walks me down to a part of the castle I had never been before. I didn’t even know this part of the castle existed. The hallways look so new, the stone still bright and polished like it has been freshly cut. The sconces on the walls are different from the rest of the castle. They are all shaped like siren tails, the details of the fin scales so intricate. The floors are polished sandstone, looking a bit like real sand. Everything about this wing of the castle reminds me of the ocean. I love it. “Where are we?” I asked Cherum, still looking around in awe. Cherum chuckles deeply. “You look impressed.” “I am,” I admitted. “I never knew a place like this existed in the castle.” “It didn’t before. This is a new addition. We’ve been hard at work getting this ready.” “Ready for what?” I asked. He just laughs, shaking his head. “I’m going to let your mate explain that, Ela. This was all planned by him.” Val was pressed forward, eager to hear more. Cherum won’t sh