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“Then…” I needed a second to think. “What about Momo?”
“Momo would work,” Lauren approved. “All I need is the bargain, and we can set things into motion.”
“I’ve got that covered.” Colton winked and turned to face me.
I glanced at Colton with worry but he seemed so confident in what he was going to bargain as he turned to face me specifically.
He placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them lightly while staring into my eyes with determination.
“We’re leaving everything in your hands, Lexiboo,” he stressed. “I hate that we have to, but we have enough confidence in your desire to save Alpha Malifer, our demon pack, and all of Demon Valley to risk it all so we can achieve the future Alpha Malifer wished for us all. Remember that all you have to do is reach Malifer. Once you do, together you can find the heart of the valley that glimmers in the form of a crown of domination.”
“Colton…” I whispered.
“And don’t forget,” he said with a wink as he leaned in to whisper, “my blanket will keep you both nice and warm.”
I smiled and blinked away tears before I quickly hugged him tightly.
We barely knew each other, and yet the mere instances we’d shared were enough to validate our friendship. I knew with him in my life as a partner in the pack, I’d have someone to lean on when all of this was over and we returned to the rejuvenated pack life of Demon Valley.
I was fighting for a future that would bring me the happiness I’d always dreamed of enjoying during those long torturous nights.
I was mere steps away from it becoming a reality I could be proud of igniting thanks to my perseverance.
As he said, all I had to focus on was getting to Alpha.
Once I’m in his arms, we’ll be able to tackle the final hurdle toward ours and the valley’s freedom together.
"Please don’t bargain your life,” I muttered against him before I pulled back to look into his eyes.
“Never.” He laughed and shook his head for added measure. “I love life far too much to sacrifice myself on my own accord. I’ve gotta travel the world and knit blankets for everyone in the valley.”
“I can’t believe you made that a goal,” I muttered as I let him go so he could prepare to do what Lauren asked.
“It sounded like a smart idea at the time, only I didn’t consider that there would be so many new pack members surviving the valley,” he noted with a sly grin before he turned to face Lauren. “I know what to bargain. Should I tell you once I make our little hanging spot?”
“Sure,” Lauren encouraged.
With one last look my way matched with a wink, he pushed off the ground and began to summon a magnitude of threads that worked their way across the room at a height high enough over the lagoon waters that it would be the safe to remain and potentially drop from.
That left me to look back at Lauren before she walked up to me.
"Remember the challenges you’ve overcome to obtain the freedom you carry now,” she encouraged. “As long as you remember that, you’ll be victorious.”
“I appreciate the advice,” I whispered before my voice dipped further so my next words would be between us. “Thank you for contributing to my survival for all these years.”
She looked conflicted at my words as she muttered, “It’s my fault your king has lost his way in exchange for restoring what you lost.”
“That may be true,” I began as I took a second to think before I spoke. “However, every action becomes a lesson for us to learn from. Despite the trials we’ve already endured and the ones ahead, I know when all of this is over, Malifer and I will grow even more as we come to embrace our lives and the various titles of power we carry upon our shoulders. We will no longer be dependent on these levels of rank and authority and allow ourselves to be defined by their worth. This is the end of an era, and once we follow through with this final challenge, we’ll have a new world and life for all of us.”
“I knew there was always something special about you,” she voiced more to herself before she reached out to tap my shoulders.
“I’ll do my part to still the valley so you can bring back your destined mate.”
“Thank you.” I couldn’t help but lean in to hug her. “I’ll return as fast as I can.”
“I know,” she replied and gave me a gentle squeeze back before letting me go. “Head into the lagoon. You already know what you need to do to get to the other side.”
I slowly nodded before I took a single step and watched as thick ropes of string created a sort of staircase for Lauren to step upon.
