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“Do you blame me?” I had to ask. “I was the only son of Alpha Shade. My father’s reputation was known far and wide, and no matter where I went, the eyes of envy and power looked at me with all the hope I’d be just like my father, a replica of his image. Only, it was my born duty to be stronger than him. To display a sense of power and ruthless leadership because that was what an heir was supposed to do. Be better than the last.”
“Yet you’ve never believed in that philosophy,” she noted as if she could read me like an open book.
We reached the borders of the lagoon—the two of us coming to a stop while our eyes admired the tranquil beauty the sacred water illuminated. The waters glowed in an alluring way that drew you in, the colors of baby pink, teal, lavender, and twinkling sparkles of black contributed to the mesmerizing sight.
We took a minute just to appreciate the view, the sight deserving of a moment of awe while the protective energies around the sacred lands analyzed our auras to determine our intentions in visiting these parts.
“I’ve always wished to be a hero.” I was surprised by how easy it was to speak to a woman who’s worked with good and evil individuals. As a Tainted Time Keeper, it wasn't her duty to choose which side she worked on. She followed the path destined for her and bargained with those who were willing to face the consequences if they failed to meet their end of the deal.
“Then what changed?”
I had to smile. “That’s the problem,” I confessed and side-glanced over to meet her intrigued gaze. “Nothing did.”
My admission only confused her more before she took the lead in heading towards the edge of the lagoon. Each step ignited more of her power until the very essence whiplashed out of her like threads of wind, their spiraling force wrapping around her body as the fabric of her clothes disintegrated in seconds.
She was wearing fabrics of silk that hugged her frame and levitated around her arms, while her feet were bare against the desolate lands. Her skin held a white glow to it, like a descending angel ready to take those chosen for salvation back home to paradise.
Her hair extended in length, the blonde strands now white as snow and layered with black streaks of tinsel. Her face was bare of makeup but projected flawlessness while her lips were light pink. Her eyes were purely white, and her ears displayed gold earrings that replicated a clock.
In her left hand was a crystal ball, one that fit in the palm of her hand, while the other held a golden pocket watch—the intricate artifact opened and showed the spinning hand of the clock. Incantations of gold wrapped around her fingers and moved around her flesh— parts of her hands becoming black like a demon, while others were so pure, you’d mistake her for an archangel.
I’d allowed my human form to shed away, my flesh shifting to charcoal while my height returned to its 8’0” form. My crown sat nobly on my head as my white locks levitated with the shadowed magic thrumming through my frame.
I felt my red wings sprout from the back, their protectiveness showing as they immediately wrapped around my body as if to shield Lexianne from the heavy force of power surrounding us. She looked like a tiny human in my grasp at this size and height, but the sight of her didn’t make me feel as if she were weak.
So far from it.
Being in this raw form of power forced me to acknowledge how cunningly strong my Lex was. How she could easily manipulate everyone around her just to protect those she truly loved. Despite all that happened, Travis had been right, and that’s what hurt me more than physical wounds and the heavy weight of responsibility on my broad shoulders.
“My whole life, I yearned to be an Alpha that invoked change in our dark world. I may have ignored all the signs of despair and uncertainty that occurred on our lands, but I assumed as a child that by ignoring what was happening, I’d be able to set a different example to those who would one day be under my ruling,” I confessed. “When someone bullies you, they say the best thing to do is ignore them and they’ll lose interest. In my mind, I thought if I ignored what was happening and acted like the man I wished to become, others would not only notice but strive to do the same. If I was against raping women and treating them like garbage, I’d treat my mate with the respect and dignity I knew she deserved. When Lex entered our lives, it was no different even as a child. Others thought of her as a tool to use when they needed healing, but to me… she was a friend I could rely on, no matter if it was me as a whole or as a split entity with Nathan in tow. My circumstance made me forget many things, which molded me into the perfect victim for the world to continue to use and abuse, but even then… I thought I could still do something differently. That revenge wouldn’t be the path I’d have to take to create the world I’ve craved for all these years.”
“After all they did to you, the strings of deceit and mayhem, you never did want to get even, did you?” She could see the truth that screamed to be seen.
“My vengeance would only solve one part of a massive problem. It would be acknowledged, spoken about, and then… things would go back to normal. Was the way I was treated fair? Obviously not, but life is unfair, and at the end of the day, it moves on. I’ve craved revenge knowing I earned the right to get payback, but why does it feel selfish of me to pursue it? I can go above and beyond for anyone else who dealt with the same fate as I, but when it comes time for me to do what this world deems manly and powerful, I shy away from it all.”
She began to walk into the waters, her magic amplifying the healing properties of the lagoon that acknowledged her presence. With a deep inhale, she let it out and raised her hands—a humming hymn escaping her parted lips.
“I seek healing and rejuvenation for one of your own. Bring peace and harmony within her being of light. Ignite balance and restoration so she can awaken anew. Heal your Luna of these lands. I ask this of you.”The laced words of authority ignited the shift of temperature in the lagoon.
The once cold waters now exhibited a sparkling flow of steam that levitated upward into the chilled sky. It reminded me of a mystical hot spring. Walls that replicated the northern lights surrounded the area to ensure nothing entered the occupied space, which encouraged me to walk forward until I was deep enough to slowly invite the waters to soak Lexianne’s body.
Her magic had stolen the clothes I’d created for her earlier, her naked frame slowly submerging and triggering what she hid beneath with her magic.
Scars. So many lines of red and purple that were hidden from my sight.
It shocked me into stillness, and deep down, I was glad my demon and wolf were slumbering to give me more energy to aid our fated mate, or their outrage would make me do something I probably would regret.
“When you look at her, you wish you weren’t the man you hide in the shadows,” Lauren whispered as she moved to take Lexianne from my gasp. She guided her floating frame further into the lagoon until she was right in the center and her body was wrapped in the healing liquid like a healing tube.
I remained in place, watching as Lauren went right into her element. I’d never witnessed a Tainted Time Keeper at work, but it became very apparent that Lauren had to be sought by many—good and evil.
The ritual involved different things: moments of song that were spoken in a language I couldn’t quite decipher and complete silence which encouraged the effortless movement of light magic that danced with the threads of shadows that seeped into the warm waters to aid my pretty little monster.
It felt like thirty minutes had gone by in a blink of an eye, but I knew her role was complete when Lauren placed her hands together and lifted her head up as if she were in deep prayer.
“I thank the valley for your cooperation. May your Luna hear your needs and invite blessings and opportunities that will protect all who are invited to seek haven in these lands.”She raised her hands as the silk cloth that covered her flesh transitioned into a dark purple, confirming her work of healing was done.
She then retreated back, as if to give Lexianne moments of space, until she was standing next to me.
