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She'd grown into a woman of power. A woman who used her magic to her advantage to enter a man's world and finally got to reveal the truth to her rise in strength. It wasn't because she was a "male". It was because she strived for justice that she became unbreakable. Her desire to be seen, heard, and to let all those who mocked her see her glorious stance for domination was enough to let her reach this moment in time, and though there were hiccups, challenges, and close calls, she was here.
She was here...wishing to give back to the man that helped her in a time of hopelessness.
"What if I do something?" I offered.
She looked at me. "I'll pay you back."
"You’ll pay me back with a kiss," I offered.
She smiled slightly at the gesture. "Okay."
"Start eating. I won't be long," I assured her and leaned in to kiss her forehead. Rising up, I walked over to the man as he finished putting the last bits of his cart away for dispatch.
"Closing up?" I pondered.
"Yes." He smiled and looked up to the air. "It's getting pretty late. Plus, the air seems off."
I could tell he was warning me, and I nodded slightly so he understood.
"Once we're done, we're heading home."
"Good." He smiled and looked over to his left to the park forest that thickened the deeper one went. "After this time, no one really comes around here."
"You come down here a lot?"
"I do," he admitted with a smile that didn't seem very happy. "Did you know they call this place Suicide Forest?"
I was caught off guard by the name, and I looked at him as he returned his gaze to Willow. She was concentrating on eating, her eyes closed as she bobbed her head from side to side. She seemed to be deep in thought, maybe talking with her wolf to keep her company. She was far better now in comparison to before, but not up to her usual, sober self.
"No. I didn't."
"They call it that not simply because many come here to end their lives, but because there is a small clearing of blood roses."
The revelation made me arch an eyebrow as the man smirked.
"Blood roses are extremely rare because they are normally only found in the realms of the fae. However, deep in that forest is a clearing that is tricky to find, and those roses are collected, grounded up, and steamed into a rich red liquid that resembles the color of wine. Do you know what it's normally used for?"
I shook my head. "No."
"It’s used in churches," he replied, and clearly noticed my shock. "The wine is given at private communion. It's reserved for the pastors and priests around the world, but this batch is owned by the Vatican."
I couldn't understand why he was telling me this, but then again, he could have seen the news and how I donated a lot to the Vatican and other charitable institutions.
"Are you implying..."
"Those who are called to this forest due to their internal misery normally never come back. They get lost in the forest until their hopelessness is at its peak, and they end their lives in the clearing. Their blood feeds the roses and they bleed again during collections."
Now it made sense, and his eyes softened while mine hardened at the truth.
"I come in the evenings to try to help as many individuals as I can. Humans are harder than our own kind, but regardless of race, I aim to prevent as many deaths as possible."
His eyes returned to Willow, and I noticed she'd fallen asleep holding her bottle of juice.
"I knew the moment I saw her that the Vatican lured her here on purpose. The blood roses love shifter blood, but even better is royal blood," he whispered. I looked at him as his knowledgeable eyes sparkled with pride. "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm sharing this? I guess now that I've seen for my own eyes how powerful this little girl has become, it motivates me to keep doing this. I was thinking of quitting since I'm not sure how much longer I can be protected from the Vatican's clutches, but I've lived a long life as an Omega, so if death comes for me, I'll be ready to meet Mother Moon."
"What's your name?" I whispered.
"Haku Park," he replied.
