"Your sister predicted this, then again who would not." The witch that filled me with rage announced.

I tried to remember she was not here. What was worse, though, was that she did not seem like the monster I pictured her to be. Neither was she a hag that looked like could croak any time.

No, she was gorgeous. Probably the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.

Holy... fuck!

If she were not the malevolent force that destroyed my family, I would have thought she was a goddess. One of those angelic messengers. Her black hair matched her fair skin and her delicate figure. Though... What stood out, the most were her eyes. It was almost as if I were gazing into a galaxy.

Can eyes hold that many colors? Shit snap out of it Rem! She… killed Vera!

"Oh, yeah? Then how about you have that same conversation with me." I tried to snap out of my awe.

This was no time to admire this bitch. Edna smiled, chuckling gently, taking a few steps towards me before stopping. She was not worried about the danger I posed to her.

"That my dear is impossible. You aren’t as open-minded as your sister. But either way, you’ll bend your knee to me one way or another." She snickered, gazing at me with no ill intent.

It annoyed me because she had taken someone precious away from me.

"I’ll kill you!" I growled, angered by the way she was gazing at me.

She shook her head slightly, seemingly pleased with my answer. Something that surprised me.

What the fuck? Since when does someone seem relieved to be threatened?

"Of that, I have no doubt, my dear," Edna announced.

It dumbfounded me.

Is she full of herself, or does she want to die?

"What?" I mumbled.

She shrugged, smiling once again. Behind all, that beauty was a tortured soul.

"You heard me. You’ll kill me one day." Edna assured.

I did not know what to even say to her anymore.

Is she inviting me to kill her?

For a moment I stood there bewildered, triggering her to smirk.

"Did I steal your tongue, girl?" Edna enticed, triggering me to growl in response.

I hated her with a passion. I wanted to sink my fangs into her, eliminating her even if that was what she wanted. But... in this space... I...

"Why did you kill Vera?!?" I snapped, demanding to know why my sister had to die.

Edna simpered at the hatred in my voice. To her, it was beautiful to hear. In those eyes of hers, I could only see agony too.

"I gave her a choice. One that could save the world that is coming to an end." Edna suddenly announced.

I could not believe what I had just heard.

Is she insane? Has the book led her to this?

"Save the world?" I mumbled, feeling pure rage.

Something snapped inside of me, causing me to launch at Edna.

"Don't give me that shit!" I snarled only for my desperate attack to phase right through her.

Right... She isn’t here. Shit!

"Yes... show me more of that hatred." Edna chuckled.

I slowly turned towards her. The fury that was coursing through my veins was uncontrollable.

"It’s funny. You’ll just breed more of it. Just beautiful. Perhaps Vera was wrong. The world deserves to be drowned in chaos. Well, if I didn’t have one reason left to hope for its survival." She turned towards me.

Tears fell down my cheeks. Even though she was right in front of me, there was no killing her in this space. The frustration was getting to me too. It triggered me to slam my hands into the ground, cursing loudly.

The witch chuckled again before going silent.

"Foolish child, you’re yet to realize we’re on the same side," Edna added.

I stood up faster than lightning itself.

"You and I will never be on the same side!" I screamed.

She smirked, pointing towards me. Her expression showed no ill intent again, something that aggravated me. This witch was... something else.

"If you want to blame someone, blame yourself. This all happened because you came to save Alijah.” She declared.

“Shut up!” I snapped, but she did not fear me.

This witch spoke without a care of the world.

“You took my easy route away from me, so I had to make another. I did not expect a god to reincarnate to come to get their long-lost lover.” She sighed, crossing her arms.

“Pity, I should have predicted it knowing Fenrir loved Valdios. I guess I hoped you would have waited until another life.” She shrugged, shaking her hands.

“Well, I guess this way it works better. She will have an actual shot at life. But it’ll be out of my hands. I pray she never finds out about this since she’s this world's only hope and its damnation." Edna confessed, chuckling like she had lost her mind.

I could not help but feel the shift in blame.

Did my actions sentence Vera to death? Impossible! This is just one of many futures to come! It could have been different if she didn’t take Vera away from me!

However, in my anger, I neglected to realize she knew about the gods. Before all of this, I wanted to be able to understand the woman that stood in front of me. But now it was too late, all I wanted was to kill her and be done with it.

No matter of guilt would quell my desire for revenge.

"What the fuck are you going on about?" I clenched my hands into a fist.

My face warped in anger.

Oh, if she were in front of me right now…

I would have eaten her whole, enjoying the crunch of her bones.

"We’ll meet soon, dear. Don’t worry, my blood will fill that thirst for revenge that you have. I just hope it is enough." Edna reassured.

I could not help myself but stare at her with scorn. For a moment she widened her eyes before placing her hands on her belly. A soft whimper left her lips.

"Can’t wait..." I muttered, noticing something weird about her the moment she did that.

Why did she have tender eyes while touching her... Oh, gods…

"I’m pregnant that’s why I reacted like that," Edna answered a question I had not voiced.

She probably knew it from how I gazed at her, but to be honest I did not notice her baby bump until she pointed it out.

This bitch is pregnant? What the fuck? Isn’t this an ancient being? How the fuck is she pregnant?

"What?" I mumbled unable to understand how a relic like her could hold a baby.

After all, I knew very little of biology. But I knew that most human women go through menopause after the age of fifty. Mom was going through something similar although she was only in her late forties.

Though her womb could not bear a baby since the day she gave birth to us. But Edna was ancient, way past seven thousand years old.

So how...

"Don’t worry, by the time you get to me, the baby will be out of me." Edna patted her belly lovingly.

I again was lost. How can something like her bring life into this world? Without a doubt whatever she was carrying... had to be destroyed. Nothing good was going to come out of her bloodline. That much I knew, yet could I kill a child?

I had before, but this time, I was whole.

No… I can’t think of it as a child. It’s a monster nothing more.

"Disgusting…” I muttered, feeling hate for something that had not even had a choice in life.

Why... did I feel like this? Why did every fiber of my being want to destroy that thing in her?

A soft smile rose on the witch’s lips.

"You see, my eyes that mystified you the moment you came in are a side effect of this pregnancy. It has been much more difficult than I thought." Edna continued, patting her belly gently.

That thing… was a monster. All I felt was the need to rip whatever was inside her stomach. This was a new feeling. I thought children were untouchable for me, yet here I found myself wanting nothing more than to destroy it.

Even though I felt bad for all the ones I killed unwillingly, this one was an exception. It came from my core. I knew it needed to be destroyed.

Can it be...

Edna would not keep me in suspense for long. No, all my doubts would be erased by her.

"Sadly, it’s the reason I had to advance your sister's pregnancy earlier. Even though mine was supposed to be a month later, it seems I can’t carry it anymore." She informed.

Ah... So, that thing caused my sister's death. It was why Vera was sacrificed so suddenly...

Yet I still could not figure out why she had to in the first place.

"Pity, I hoped she would be able to at least spend a few weeks with her twins. Though she understood I was having complications. I also kept my end of the bargain." Edna tried to sympathize with me.

I did not let her. That would be a card she would never play with me.

“What the fuck are—” I snapped only to stop the moment a smirk rose on Edna's lips.

For a moment I had forgotten why I had come here.

The baby boys...

I was an airhead... but eventually, I would catch up.

Vera... she... said she need assurances... Why?

"Seems you realized something. Loki and Oswald, the brothers had to be born before my baby for the spell to take effect." Edna informed.

I scowled triggering her to giggle before feeling a contraction. A small groan left her lips. She was probably in labor too.

"And no, you can’t break what we did to them. Vera made sure of it as did I. The bond was made with the book's power. Only it can break the spell if it wants to which it can’t if it wants to live." The witch continued as if she read the thought that was crossing my mind.

"Watch me try. If not. I’ll kill whatever you hold in your stomach. I have no doubt it’s a monster just like you." I threatened.

In an instant, her earlier demeanor changed. For the first time since we began this tango. All I felt from her was a killing intent that would surely consume me if we were facing each other.

What... changed? Did she care for what she had in her womb? I mean what mother would not, but she had no heart. Right?

This woman was... nothing more than a monster.

"Pity, you’re a hybrid, who has been judged from the moment you were born. Yet you judge others before their first breath is taken. Perhaps you should go live in Celestelia. They would welcome your ideology there. Self-hating hybrids." Edna's expression changed to one of hostility instantly.

I flinched a bit because of it. She was terrifying.

Just what were eternal witches? Surely... not what they hunted in today's day and age. She did not resemble any human I had met before today. And if Vera was right, we were part of them, yet we did not resemble them.

"With that said, you won’t touch this child, because the moment you do Vera's children will die along with the world itself." Edna declared.

At that moment, I realized what they had done. Yet I still did not understand why my sister had to die. After all, I did not need a life to be taken for the bond I forced onto Alijah.

Why didn’t she come to me? No...

There was something else at play. Edna... must have tricked Vera into something.

"What..." I mumbled, not wanting to accept my new reality.

To protect the boys... I would have to... protect whatever was in her belly.

No! I hated it. I wanted it gone!

"It’s just as you suspect. They’re bonded with what I’m holding inside of my belly. It’s very different from how you and Alijah were before. It’s closer to what that goddess did to both of you.” She chuckled noticing my dismay.

“What was it? Oh yes… Until death do you apart no?” She pointed out, triggering me to shake my head.

“In this relationship, this goes both ways. If my child dies they die and so will the other way around. Either way, my child can’t live without the bond. And neither will this world." Edna declared, softening her expression somewhat.

She knew full well that I would not hurt the monster growing in her belly as long as they were connected, but the moment they were not. I would...

"They’re just babies!" I tried to sway her intentions away from the twins.

She smirked in response. There was no reasoning with her.

"You really are stupid, aren't you? Why do you think Vera agreed to my proposal? Think about that foolish girl." Edna suddenly announce.

That was something I was not ready to accept. Vera had to be tricked into it.

"You should have died back when I cursed you! Then it would have made everything much simpler! Now I have to work with you, a stupid beast who hates what I love!" She snarled, wincing a bit because of her labor.

If I had died... Vera would have been alive?

"If we hadn’t done this one of those babies would have died too. Loki to be specific was going to be killed by his brother in a lust for the crown.” She continued.

My eyes shifted onto her.

Loki will die.

“Now if he dies my child will also perish. And in turn, dooming the world because of it." Edna huffed, leaving me shocked at the turn of events.

"That was Vera's bargain to help me do this, and I accepted it! We both placed our kids' lives in play. All because that fucking goddess you serve messed with my plans!” She ranted.

In her hands, a sharp glow occurred.

“Because of you! I have to work with the race I hate them most! I wouldn’t have given an utter shit of a dead vampire! But I refuse to bend to the gods. No, instead they’ll bend to my desires!" she declared, reaching her hand up towards the sky before clenching it into a fist.

The pain that rushed her eyes was real. Even so, this woman was utterly bat shit crazy. She closed them, shaking her head.

"So many sacrifices done all for this day to come. Ah... Was all of this worth it to save this wretched world? I still wonder.” She sighed, bringing her hand down.

“If this child within my womb will save the world is another question. One I’ll never get to see the answer to." Her expression seemed one of exhaustion.

Vera's words replayed in my head. She needed assurance of Loki's wellbeing.

Why not just tell me to protect him? Vera, why not trust me?

"Vera..." I mumbled.

Why not give me the chance to save them both? I... surely would have... Right?

My entire existence defied the gods.

Why not give me the chance to defy fate again? And even so why believe this witch?

She could have been lying. Yet I felt no deceit in her words.

"This child will either be a new hope or disaster to this world. Either way, this was the only thing left to do. The book even though it didn’t want to. Its chaos was warping my desires towards an end.” She sounded like a maniac.

“But I would never go back on my promise. And for that, I’ll bring all the chaos down onto this world if need be!" Edna snapped.

This witch was insane. The book surely did a number on her. Yet I did not know how to feel. I was stuck.

Did Vera have such little faith in me? Or did she know something else?

She was always the smarter one.

Why Vera? Why did you leave me alone in this crazy world?

Before I could be swallowed by my thoughts, Edna would not let me fall.

"In a week, you’ll hear from me," she declared.

I snapped out of my sorrow, growling at her. This was not the time to allow my feelings to hinder me. I was not done; this was not enough.

"Don't you dare walk away from me!" I snarled.

She suddenly appeared in front of me, grabbing onto my face.

How... did she... I thought we couldn’t touch each other in this space or... Is this her true power? Fuck!

"You won’t tell a soul of my pregnancy or the fate of Vera's children until I draw my last breath. I can’t allow them to mess with my plans anymore." Edna ordered.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

It was almost as if she thought I was part of her cult or pact. She could not control me.

"Tough luck..." I growled.

Something I instantly regretted when I felt a pulse run through me. It was followed by excruciating pain overwhelming me. It felt like my whole body burned. The words would not leave my mouth even though I wanted to.

"I already entered a pact with you thanks to Vera's reunion. She did not know, but then again I need my assurances too." Edna clarified any confusion.

Rabid with anger, I growl louder than I ever had.

This bitch!

Everything she had planned; I would surely destroy it. No matter what stood in my way. I would find a way to free the boys and destroy Edna's offspring if needed.

Something she did not take kindly to.

“Goodbye hybrid, I hope you don’t fuck this one up too. Know that there are scarier things in this world, and that’s our true enemy.” She huffed, smirking.

“Something your tiny brain surely will struggle to understand.”

In an instant, I found myself back in the room. The hand that I had used to reach for the twins had been snatched by them. Their tiny little hands held two of my fingers hostage. Alijah grabbed onto my shoulder when tears rolled down my cheeks.

To them, I had been there the whole time. It was like time had stopped for them. All I could say was that I met Edna and that she was going to come for us in a week. Everything else refused to leave my lips thanks to the pact she forced on me.

That was the moment I realized eternal witches were something that should never have existed. Even if I was half one I should never have existed. These things were monsters. And we were not to be trifled with. Yet again... why did we become this?

What was the cause that made Edna the way she was? Surely, it was not because of a lack of adoration. It was obvious her followers worshiped her. This would be something that always escaped me.

Sadly, understanding one another was taken from the table the moment she took Vera from us. I could not help but feel pure hatred for her. I did not want to understand her.

Ah... I’ve become like everyone else, but what’s wrong with that? I’m tired. This world is darker than I thought.

In my hatred, I forgot what I wanted to do most. Before all this, I wanted to make a world where the children would not have to hide. One that it did not matter who they were or what they were.

Can I kill a child if it comes down to it? What the fuck am I saying? Of course, I can. I mean, I have done it before. Back when I had no control over myself. And if I know they’re an abomination waiting to destroy our world. There is no other choice. But…

Can I do this?

I surely said so to Edna. But to kill a child that had yet to be born.

Would I judge it for the parents' past deeds? How cruel would that be? Rem... snap out of it.

The warmth of the two babies, who held my bloody hand said to me.

What a fucking failure I am. A true failure. Vera I can’t protect anyone like this. Why did you have to go? Why?! I came back, but you’ll never come back to me!

My emotions were in disarray, triggering me to gently pull away from the two babies. From there I headed towards an unknown. Even though people called me stupid, I knew Edna did that to entice me into killing her.

And by the gods did I want to, but was that the proper way to go about things? A week to figure everything out. I walked over towards where everyone was. We only had a week to get everything ready to place my beloved sister to rest. Though by the time I came back into the room where everyone was.

All the color from Vera’s face had faded. All that was left was a husk of what she used to be. Mom still wept in Dad's arms too. They were feeling an agony that parents should never feel. To lay a child before one's own time should be forbidden. Yet in this world was done on the daily.

This reality was an ugly one. It made me hold my tongue and wait until the next day to let everyone else know I had a conversation with Edna. And the deadline we had. I told them everything I could say, without mentioning the things that were out of my reach.

Even then I was not sure if I should have said anything. Though, that same morning a weird marking appeared on the boy's body. An infinity symbol with vein-like things branching out of it. The sigil covered the whole left pecs of the babies' bodies.

Undoubtedly everyone was surprised by its sudden appearance. Even though Mom was in mourning, she went straight to work to see what was wrong with the babies. Though everything she tried yielded no results.

It was almost as if the magic that was used had been shattered the moment those markings appeared. This made them permanent according to Mom. Not even Alijah’s destructive power could eliminate them.

Sadly, I could not inform them that the book’s power was used to make those. They slowly concluded that the babies had a type of curse inflicted on them upon birth, similar to mine. But it was nothing like mine. It did not have the stench of death, but life.

Unable to correct or help them figure it out, I left them to it. Instead, I headed into Vera's room before breaking down in it once again. I still could not figure out what I wanted to do or what I was going to do.

I mean, it had been around twenty-four hours since my sister died. Alijah, who had been following me the entire time held me tightly. Ruzgard also tried to comfort me as well. He was the only one who knew what happened between Edna and me. Even so, I could not speak to him about it either.

Is this how Vera felt in her final days? How awful…

We had not slept at all since the attack because of everything that had to be done. Aiden and Caden were helping in the city. The parts that had been destroyed were being rebuilt. Though I suspected they would have done anything to get away from our home.

It felt lonelier than usual. Dad had to go back to work too. Leonard had been busy with the babies. Mom and Aunties were helping him with them too. They also were doing the preparations for Vera's resting place. All while I whimpered from my room into hers.

Her scent still lingered in the room too. Closing my eyes, I tried to get a hold of myself while in Alijah's arms, but I could not. The hatred and anger that raged within were consuming me. Something I knew I had to stop. I had to get stronger for her children.

After all, I was the one she asked to care for them. I…

You’re so useless without me. Vera's words played in my head.

I tried to shake off this hopelessness that was eating me. Instinctively I turned towards Alijah, the only one who could fill me with some sense of self. His hands wiped my tears, expressing worry. Unlike me, he was used to losing important people.

Though I had seen him cry for Vera. He loved her too. Not like he cared for me. To him, she was becoming part of his family, but right now I was his priority. To my wolf, the living was more important. Something I should follow but struggled to do so. We were at war, not peace yet I could not stand up.

Everyone was working to keep moving yet here I was sobbing. To me, nothing else mattered. Slowly I pushed myself on him, brushing my lips lightly against his. He was the only one who could make me happy.

Especially now that she was gone. I… really was looking forward to raising those kids with her.

"Rem..." Alijah pulled away slightly, watching for my reaction to his separation from me.

I knew this was wrong, yet I could not think of another what to move forward. His warmth always made me feel like I could do anything.

"I feel so empty, Alijah. Please fill me until there’s nothing but you in my mind." I whimpered.

His eyes glowed because of it. He probably was angered by the pain I was feeling. Yet he could do little about it. All he could do was hold me, which was something he would do. But not in the room we were in.

"Here?" he asked, causing me to gaze down onto his chest.

It should have been shameful, but at this point, I did not care anymore. Nothing mattered. I felt betrayed by Vera who had not trusted me to save her and the kids.

Why did she have to betray me and go away? Ah... Is this how she felt when I suddenly left with Alijah? No... This is different. She is gone forever!

Maybe this was my way to get back at her. Silly of me… The dead could not care for what the living did. They were dead. Though, the lost souls did bicker among themselves. They were never able to reach the living until I came along.

And my sister was not among them. She had moved on. Probably had no regrets in her life. And that angered me even more.

"I don't care!" I growled.

Alijah sighed, scooping me up in his arms.

"You can use me all you want, but not here." He chided.

I grabbed onto his shirt, snuggling myself into it. Tears still ran down my cheeks too. He exited the room followed by Ruzgard, who would not leave my side. Ever since Vera merged him with me, he stuck to me like glue.

This hound would keep his promise to Vera to keep me safe no matter what. I gazed up to my wolf’s face, to notice him, bothered by everything that was happening. He had no idea how to help me. So instead, he was going along with my every whim.

Idle chatter was better than the silence.

"Hey... Alijah... I never asked. Why did you cut your hair?" I mumbled, grabbing onto one strand that hung past his neck.

A soft sigh left his lips, walking to my room that was down the hall. Vera's had always been close to mine. We even used to sleep in the same room until she declared independence from me. That was when she was ten.

Even then she did not move too far away. She had always been just down the hall. Within reach... Yet now... She was...

"To liberate me of my past. It felt so heavy after you fell asleep.” He began, opening the door of my room.

“I also did it for you. You had this crazy conception that I had it long to use that cloth," my wolf added, throwing me onto the soft bed.

I allowed myself to sink into it feeling nothing but despair.

Liberate from the past? Will I ever be able to do that?

We had already showered the night before, freeing us of our blood and dirt. Though, this was the first time I had left the babies since we cleaned ourselves. Laying on the bed I watched Alijah take off his shirt and undo his pants.

I felt empty doing so. It used to be something that filled me with ecstasy but now. All that filled my mind was Vera. And why... was she gone? If… I…

"Alijah... do you think if you would have met Vera first. Would you have loved her?" I rambled when he climbed into bed with me, towering over me.

Ruzgard laid beside us on the ground. My wolf seemed utterly confused by my question.

"What?" he scoffed.

I clenched my hands into fists. Why was I fishing for pain? Why could I not just let it go? Edna's words made me like this.

Why...

Perhaps if I died Vera would have been able to be with Alijah. Or maybe she would have defeated him. Part of Fenrir was in her too. Yet again... it did not change her soul.

"Would you have grown to love her if you got the chance to know her?" I asked Alijah straight on.

He seemed unsure of how to answer my question, but it quickly sunk in what I meant, and that angered him somewhat.

"Not the way I love you," Alijah growled.

He gazed at me with a pained expression that made me want to eat my words. Yet I could not. My insecurities and sorrow were rubbing him the wrong way, but I was too much into my agony to even realize it. Instead, my wolf swallowed his pride and answered me honestly like he always had.

"I probably would have found her interesting for a while, but that would be where it ended. You are just... different. I love you in a way I never thought possible." Alijah simpered, reaching to my cheeks.

I grabbed onto his hand instead. That was not the answer I wanted. Then again, no answer would have satisfied me.

"Then... What makes me better than her?" I continued on my downward spiral.

Alijah did not want me to fall into that hole, but I was already sinking. Tumbling down like an idiot, who was unable to accept any of this was happening.

"Rem..." Alijah mumbled, noticing I was breaking.

Even though I had asked for sex, my body trembled with all the thoughts that were invading it. I knew Vera was dead, but at the same time, I could not believe she was gone. It was like my realities mixed, desperately trying to find a reason for her death.

One that was more than she did not trust me. I knew it was for me and her babies. But why did she not tell me? Why could it not have been different? It was unreasonable how I survived death multiple times for her to succumb to only one.

"Why did she have to die while I’m alive?" I wept.

Alijah did not know what to do other than lower his ears, listening to me rant.

"Why did I have to come back to life when she only got one life? This is so unfair! If this is what it would’ve been then I... should have died too!" I cried loudly.

At that moment my wolf had enough the moment he heard me talk about death. In an instant, he pinned me between his arms, glaring at me directly. It was intimidating, but he had to reach me somehow. The sweetness was not working… And we were not safe.

"Life isn’t fair, Rem! We don’t all get what we want! We rarely do!" Alijah scolded me, causing me to flinch at his raised voice.

It had been a while since he yelled at me. He was right. Yet... I... Instinctively I tried to shift my gaze away from him only for my wolf to growl.

"Oi! If you fucking die I really will destroy this world!" He announced, grabbing me by my chin, forcing me to face him.

Though the wall seemed more appealing to me. His expression was one I did not want to see. We were all hurting. Yet Alijah, who had lost more than anyone else was determined to not lose me too. And if he did, then he would...

Sadly, he could not just blow this world up anymore. Not while they were here.

What the fuck am I doing?

"You can’t destroy this world. You would take them too," I mumbled trying to get a hold of myself.

I had to stop being selfish. To start I had to stop crying too. They needed me. In response, my wolf let go of my chin, grabbing onto one of my hands.

"I don’t care. If you want them to stay alive, then your heart better beat until the day we both croak." Alijah declared.

I tilted my head a bit.

"But won't we both croak at the same time because of the bond either way?" I questioned a bit confused by what he meant by that.

He narrowed his eyes at my question.

"No... The bond will activate in minutes after you expire. So, I’ll watch you go first before I die. In that time if you die of anything other than old age. I’ll destroy this fucking world. You’re my everything, Rem." My wolf promised, causing me to shake my head.

"But what if we have kids? Will you destroy them too?" I confronted Alijah straight on realizing something so very important that was being drowned by the emotions of losing my sister.

I had to harden my heart and move past this. Not for me, but for them. They were innocent. And I was the only one who could protect them from the world Vera wanted to hide them from.

"We don’t have any." Alijah pointed.

I gazed at him, touching his cheek with my free hand. He was wrong. We were all wrong. If Edna was right about Loki, then I could not afford to lay around crying. After Edna died... We... I had a promise to keep.

One I would not fail at for as long as I could.

"But we do. Vera's babies are as good as ours. She didn’t want them to go into the vampire royal selections. And that’s a wish I have to accomplish." I simpered finally finding my footing.

Something I would not have done if this wolf had not placed me in our reality. Sadly, he seemed caught off guard. I had to get stronger and push aside all these emotions that were threatening to destroy me. She was gone, but what she left behind was still here.

They needed their aunt to be stronger than this. Edna might be a monster, but I felt no deceit in her words. Loki would be killed by his brother because of the royal selection. That left me to wonder which one. Was it the half-brother or his fraternal twin?

There was only one answer that made sense as Oswald had nothing to do with the selection. His dominant human traits disqualified him, while Loki seemed to be more of a pure vampire than a dhampir. At least from what Amara informed during her assessment of the babies.

"But Leonard..." Alijah mumbled.

I closed my eyes upon hearing his name. Leon was a good man, but he also knew that Vera did not want them in the mess of the royal selection. He did not want them involved either. I was sure he would understand where I was coming from.

Even though I could tell no one about Loki's fate until Edna's death. If only I could save this baby boy, perhaps this world would not get any crueler. Sadly, this meant Leonard would not only lose his love but his kids too.

For a while at least, until they were strong enough to defend themselves. Then and only then... They would choose their paths. One that seemed to be intertwined with whatever Edna was giving birth to. If I did not find a way to free them.

Though, finding that monster and caging it was something I seemed destined to do.

"Leon knows it too. He can’t take them back with him to Night city. Not when the royal crown is in the air. So, who do you think will take care of them until then?" I simpered, knowing that I had no time to mourn like I was doing.

I was being stupid. There was no time for this, and I had to move forward. For the kids and my future with Alijah. Vera's wish was something I would accomplish. I could already hear her calling me an idiot. That I had to move. And that time was short.

"That’s..." Alijah mumbled.

From the expression on his face, I knew he had a bad feeling in his stomach. But it was true. Even though I could not say it straight on, he knew I was not delusional on this part at least.

"It isn’t the ideal situation for anyone, but they can’t stay here in Silverant either." I declared, triggering Alijah to bite onto his lip.

In this reality, there was no other way to keep them safe. The vampires would figure everything out otherwise. Especially if Loki ended up being a strong vampire-like Vera predicted. If he was stronger than his half-brother then chaos would break.

Vera had been so careful until the end. If any of the maids heard her confession to Leonard, then it was only a matter of time until Asher or worse his queen came knocking. There were rumors she was a cold heartless bitch.

Though she seemed to match any other royal. Something Leonard did not seem to have in common with the rest of them. Sadly, even though our staff swore loyalty to us. That did not stop gossip from getting around.

"Then... after Edna dies. We’ll have to go far away from here. Somewhere they can’t reach us to raise the boys" Alijah concluded.

I nodded.

"We’ll be in the run. You get that, right?" he added.

I nodded again. We would be rogues unless we figured out a way for us to stay out of Silverant.

"Well, just until they are old enough to decide what they want to do with their lives. That’s what parents do. And I promised her I would give everything for her boys. I’ll probably stalk them even after they decide what to do." I clarified, sitting up slightly.

My wolf did so as well. My legs were on his hips. He gazed in awe of me. All I needed was a push to get over the hill. And he did just that. Well, it was more like a shove. But hardened my heart.

I needed something to step on before I crumbled, and this was it. My promise to my sister would be my saving grace. The thing that would keep me on the side of sanity while this crazy world tried to crush me.

"And what if you have a kid too? Your period’s late you know. It should have started this week." Alijah announced, surprising me that he was keeping count.

A test of my found resolve. He did not let me catch a breath. Or perhaps it was payback for what I had asked. My cheeks turned redder than ever before too. He was right I was late. But I had also been stressed.

Simple things could change a girl’s cycle. I had no idea if my period changed because of it. Even so, that would not change my position. I desired to make sure Loki lived. He needed to live longer than me.

No, longer than anyone here along with his brother, Oz. They were her legacy, and I was their protector.

"T-then they’ll be siblings even though they’re cousins!" I yelped, grabbing onto my lower abdomen nervous about what was to come.

In the moment of it all, I had forgotten how I was planning on asking Vera to check if I was…

Now... Shit...

My stomach felt like it was turning into knots with the simple thought of it. She was gone and that would never happen now.

"And what about the soul cairn duties?" Alijah continued to grill me.

Silly of him to think I would change my mind after it was made up. No more crying, no more bad thoughts, I would try to keep this promise I made to her at any cost. This would be my legacy. No, our legacy.

"I’ll do what I can. After all, I’m one person. And it isn’t like we would be cut off from my family, just away from here. We’ll still receive their support or at least I hope we do." I mumbled, gazing down, knowing that my parents were about to lose another child for who knows how long.

This was all too much to handle. I would wait until we placed Vera to rest before telling them what I was planning on doing too. Though this was also an opportunity. If I had their support then…

Perhaps all of this could work.

"You said we have a week until Edna came for us." My wolf analyzed our situation.

I nodded, feeling determined to change everything. Yet so many obstacles were on our way.

"Yes... we have a week to prepare everything." I mumbled.

My parents could oppose my plan. If that happened everything could fall flat. But this time I could not go behind their back. I had to earnestly tell them, and then perhaps everything would work out.

It was the only thing I could do to avoid the vampires from causing an all-out war. One I would fight for her boys. But this was something Vera wanted to avoid. And even though keeping her wish was becoming a hassle, I would try.

"And you’ll wait until they bury Vera to tell your parents and siblings?" my wolf asked.

I nodded in agreement.

"Yes... But I have to talk to Leonard soon." I sighed, not wanting to do so.

Sadly, it was something that needed to be done. He was the twins only surviving parent and had all the right to argue with me if he wanted to.

"I’m sure he’ll agree. That man is too soft for his good." Alijah shook his head, pulling my hand onto his chest.

The warmth that flushed from his skin into my hand sped up my heart.

"With that said, you asked for it earlier. So, let me melt myself within you one last time before everything becomes hectic." Alijah simpered cheeks somewhat pink.

My beloved wolf, we’ll protect all those we love. Until the end of time. I won’t fail again.

I trailed my hand down his chest, causing him to shiver a bit. It was a cute reaction to my touch.

"This will never change. Although we’ll have to be careful where we do it once the babies are old enough to sneak up on us." I chuckled, thinking of a brighter future.

He pushed me down onto the bed again.

"Pity... I look forward to sneaking around with you." Alijah murmured, kissing me on my lips.

I returned by sticking my tongue into his mouth. A soft moan left his lips. My hands traveled up his chest, using his to lift my blouse to reveal my bare breast. I never wore bras; My breasts were not big enough for me to worry about enticing other men.

Plus, those things were annoying to wear. A soft growl left Alijah's lips, triggering a soft mewl to leave mine. He gently pinched my right nob, kneading the other breast tender. Our tongues intertwined with each other's, fighting for dominance.

Sadly, I found defeat by my wolf, who did not back down. Not quite accepting the loss I placed one of my hands on his shoulder, My other traveled down his features, ending up on the bulge that formed in his pants. Freeing it from its clothes I grabbed onto it, causing Alijah to release a soft groan.

Feeling the heat sink into my palm, I pumped his member. In response to my action, Alijah deepened the kiss we shared. This time more forcefully than before. His fangs gently brushed against my lips while his tongue explored every inch of my mouth.

Pulling away from our kiss, Alijah licked his lips before humping my hand teasingly. In an instant, my face flushed red. However, I would not back down. Suddenly I sat myself up, pushing him to sit back too.

A second later, I seized his member within my mouth.

A surprise moan left his mouth, “Oh fuck, Rem.”

Though he did not stay down for long. He repositioned us, so I was on top of him with my bum facing him. There he pulled off my shorts and underwear, spreading me open before placing his head in between my thighs.

For a moment I felt my wolf's breath on my vulva before he kissed me down. It was not long until his tongue lapped my slits, ending by my bell. There he sucked on it. Even though my mouth was full of him, soft muffled whines left me.

He held on to my hips and tail in place with one hand, using his free one to penetrate me. My legs felt like jelly, ready to crumble at his touch. The sudden rush of pleasure triggered me to tug his member out of my mouth. I mewled his name unable to keep up with him.

He really was not...

"Unfair," I complained, feeling overwhelmed, trying to hold my voice in check.

With this position... Where he touched, it was too much for my little heart. I was getting too excited, and this was not the time to feel this way. Even so, I could not help it. Though the pleasure melted with the sorrow that was in my heart, making it a bit more bearable.

"Unfair? There is nothing unreasonable about this. Now don’t stop. I liked it." Alijah panted.

I felt star-struck by the lust in his voice.

Fuck! Why’s my heart fluttering like this is my first time doing this?

It had to be because it was him. No matter how many times...

"You’re unfair!" I growled flustered by my wolf.

I would not admit defeat though. Taking him back into my mouth, triggered him to release a low moan.

“Adorable,” he chuckled at my reaction, continuing to pleasure me too.

Doing this barely a day after my sister lost her life, made me feel guilty, but some people dealt with grief differently. I passed the last twenty-four hours crying. I could not afford to let it drown me anymore.

We were not normal either but fuck it. After a few moments of pleasuring each other like this, Alijah suddenly pulled away from me. Flipping me over, he was on top of me, pressing his heat against the entrance to my walls, holding my legs separated from each other.

"I want to finish in you," Alijah huffed in a husky tone, struggling to find air somewhat.

His crimson orbs shined brightly too. I softly touched his cheek.

"Do it... I’m yours." I simpered, permitting him to do whatever he wanted to me.

My wolf wasted no time shoving himself into me, clashing his lips with mine. The feeling that our bare skins left when they slapped against each other left me in bliss. Our kiss turned bitterly sweet while our taste melted with one another.

The mewls that left me were muffled because of Alijah's seal on my lips. Either way, I clung to him. Especially when he thrust himself into me. It felt like he kissed the entrance to my womb with his tip.

His name left my lips the moment he pulled away from them, slamming himself into me roughly. It dulled every one of my senses. The knot had reached its tipping point. Before I knew it, my body responded to his love. I released a sharp yelp loudly before trembling under him.

He chuckled, enjoying the reaction he caused in me. Utter bliss.

"You... Naughty girl. How could you finish before me?" Alijah teased me grinding himself into me.

I rode my high. I could not handle my body's reaction to his love. Though I wished I could. My mind was white and in bliss. Yet tears still streamed down my cheeks at times. The pain was still there.

"I-I couldn’t h-hold i-it back." I stuttered embarrassed.

He smirked, whipping my tears off my cheeks. My body was still responding to the previous stimulation. He did not let me finish my high before he thrust himself into me again. A sharp mewl left me.

"Don’t get me wrong, I am not mad at you for finishing before me," Alijah assured, licking his lips, plunging into my depths once again.

His expression was warped in pleasure. I reached to touch his face only to be met with his hands pinning me onto the bed.

"W-wait... I c-can't!" I pleaded for him to give me a moment to recompose myself, but he would not do so.

No, Alijah was going to do what I had asked when I went in my downward spiral. Well, before I caught myself thanks to him.

"You’re adorable, Rem. Cum all you want as long as it’s me doing it." Alijah purred into my ear before kissing me down my neck.

My mewls echoed in the room. Before I knew it, my body again trembled. This time though he also unloaded into me too. The groan that left his lips, triggered me to kiss him only for him to respond with the same passion.

However, this time he did not knot me like he usual. Instead, he focused on the kiss, releasing his seeds into my depths. The moment he pulled away from my lips, I reached for his face, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs.

The warmth that radiated from his cheeks into me comforted me in ways that I never knew possible. Air came in luxury when he made love to me. And he did not stop until morning turned into night. I even lost my consciousness with our last release.

When I woke the next morning, I found him holding me tightly against his body. A bliss filled my heart, realizing that I at least had someone who would be with me no matter what. However, my life was about to become complicated.

I would face everyone soon and I did not know if they would agree with my crazy plans. Either way, what awaited me this morning was pure sorrow. I would have to face a broken man soon.