QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD: Earthbound series Lucien and Scarlett (Book 2)

THREE DAYS LATER

The moon shines through my open window, lighting up the room. Rolling over I gazed out the window to the moon glistering in the night sky like a great golden orb.

I was still in shock, trying to take in so many things at once. I still hadn’t mentioned what I had seen when I joined with my witch and omega and why the spell hadn’t worked. The way I felt for Lucien was back in full force as if they had never changed. Lucien had frequently demanded to see me. I had refused. Since the shocking announcement of their bonding, I hadn’t slept. My family had admitted that they knew, and reluctantly agreed with Pamela to hide it from me. Had Pamela honestly thought I wouldn’t find out? If Fate had not arrived, would I have still been none the wiser? Pamela and the others had tried to explain why they had done what they did, but I had shut them down. I didn’t want to listen to their excuses. I should have been told the minute I had awoken. I knew I would have to speak to them at some point, but the pain and hurt I felt were too deeply rooted.

Melissa had left to see Astrid and was due back anytime. Hopefully, she will help us. We need all the help we can get.

A noise came from outside my door, then muttered voices. I rolled over, facing the entrance to the room. I couldn’t quite make out what was being said, but I was sure it was Jaden and Damien’s voices. Throwing back the covers of my bed, I walked over to the door and pulled it open. Damien, Jaden, Adam, and Logan stood there. At the sound of the door being opened, their heads swung towards me. Jaden and Damien paused in mid-sentence, leaving them temporarily speechless.

The atmosphere was tense. Something’s wrong.

Cocking my head to one side, drawing my brows together I asked. “What’s going on?”

Turning his head towards me Jaden replied. “Everything is fine, Scarlett. Go back into your room.”

Folding my arms across my chest, with a scoff I said. “The way you were muttering right outside my door doesn’t sound like nothing to me, and I can tell you’re hiding something.”

They glanced at each other before Jaden stepped towards me. “It’s Alex. He’s been attacked.” Concern for the young shifter was apparent.

A flash of pain pinched at my heart. Alex, no, we only spoke this morning, and he was fine. He’s due back tomorrow. Hurt, that’s the word that rolled around my head. “Hurt? how badly?” I replied.

“They attacked him on his way back here,” Logan replied, the sound of regret rang in his voice. “There’s nothing they can do.”

I couldn’t accept what I was hearing; he’s a shifter, for Christ’s sake, so how can he be dying,  I knew that’s what I was being told. Shaking my head as tears beaded on my thick lashes my voice quivered as I said. “No, that’s impossible; he’s a shifter. You can’t easily injure or kill a shifter. Even I know that!”

Damien drew his brows together and replied through stiff lips in an agonized expression. “The injuries are so severe he can’t shift or heal himself. Our medical team tried everything, to no avail.”

I need to see him. “Take me to him; he’s my friend; please let me say goodbye.” I felt the stirring of my witch and omega. Curiosity made my omega come forward, lingering closer to the surface than she usually would. She moved slightly until she was just under my skin. I felt her reach out until she was looking through my eyes.

Turning his head so he was looking at Damien Jaden said. “I think we should take her to see him. It won’t do any harm.

“I don’t know,” Damien replied, shooting me a less than a sympathetic glance, “he was only following Lucien’s orders; it doesn’t make them friends.”

Nothing would dissuade me from my decision; I would see Alex if it was the last thing I did. “You’re talking out your ass, and you know it,” I was barely holding onto my temper. Damien was just an idiot. For whatever reason, he was trying to make things complicated. “Either take me there, or I will make my own way.” I’d have trouble getting there. It wasn’t as if I knew this building like I had the club.

“Come on,” Jaden sighed as he stood there and stared at Damien, “stop being an idiot. We all know that they have become firm friends.”

“Fine, you want to take her, then you can deal with Lucien on your own,” Damien replied, his body vibrating in anger. He indicates to me to hurry.

I closed the door behind me and hurried to the infirmary with relief. It takes us longer to get there than I expected. Are we too late?

We stood out in the hallway, a white door standing before us.

Opening the door “Wait here,” Damien said, before stepping in and closing it with a click.

What’s taking him so long? It felt like it’s been hours that we have been standing here. If he takes any longer, I’m going to go in.

The sound of the door reopening grabbed my attention. It was about damn time. “The Doc’s not happy about it, but come on in,” Damien said as he pushed the door further open and stood to one side.

As I stepped over the threshold. The stench of decaying flesh hit my nose. Oh my god, can’t anyone smell that? I tried to resist the urge to gag and failed.

“Sorry,” my face burned in embarrassment. I didn’t need to look in a mirror to know what the four of them saw. A bright tide of color would be covering my cheeks.

“You have nothing to be sorry about,” Jaden replied, his words held a hint of pity.

I didn’t need to look for Alex; he lay on a medical bed. I stood and watched as a team of medical staff ran around as they tried to deal with his injuries. One female doctor seemed in charge of the others, throwing orders out.

It didn’t look good. Alex’s clothes had been cut off, leaving only his underwear. I could see various slashes over his body; some were to the bone, others were more superficial. I could feel my omega taking everything in. I felt her gaze on the injured shifter before us slowly walking over to Alex, I ignored everyone around me, concentrating on the male before me.

Hearing a commotion behind me. I know without even turning who had entered the room and I knew it was more than likely I’d see him here. I couldn’t resist the temptation. I turned my head; my eyes briefly met his. I saw the flare of possession. My heart turned over in response as his eyes raked boldly over my body. The double meaning of his gaze was blatantly obvious.

The female doctor walked over to him upon seeing Lucien enter the room. I hated feeling the sexual magnetism he possessed; it made him self-confident. It was one thing that drew women to him.

“Update,” Lucien demanded as he stopped in the middle of the room, looked over at Alex, and then turned his attention to the women in front of him.

I watched as she shook her head, sadness and regret in her eyes as she addressed him. She had ignored me as if I wasn’t even there. It didn’t matter; Alex needed my attention. “It doesn’t look good; he’s lost a lot of blood. We can’t do much more for him. He can’t shift to heal himself. We can only do so much; his wounds are just too deep to heal,” she replied, placing her hand on Lucien’s arm. “You need to get his family here and anyone else that wants to say their goodbyes.”

“His family is on their way, as is Jacob,” Lucien replied before dismissing the doctor and turning his attention to Damien, Jaden, Adam, and Logan.

Taking Alex’s hand into my own, I looked down at my friend. Fuck, he’s a damn mess. His belly was a raw wound; blood poured from the wound, down his skin, and onto the table underneath him; I know from the injuries he’d sustained that he wouldn’t survive without my help. To a certain extent, I could heal him. The rest he’d have to do for himself. If I helped him, I’d be not only revealing myself but my family. Could I put them in that position? I couldn’t let him die. I would never forgive myself and I’d carry that guilt till the day I died. It would mean that everyone would know that we were part omega, and it could go one of two ways.

The moan startled me; his face was still, his eyes fluttered under his pale eyelids. Tongue-tied, I stared. Was he coming to? Why hadn’t they given him something to make him sleep or provide him with something for the pain? I saw the flicker of movement just before his eyes opened, then closed.

“Alex,” I whispered; the burst of joy I felt faded as I got no response.

Jaden unexpectedly appeared beside me. I knew what he was going to ask me. After all, hadn’t I helped heal his own injuries? Jaden now knew what secret my family and I held. I should have guessed when I had seen him standing outside my room door with the others what he would ask me to do.

“I know what you’re going to say, and the thought has already crossed my mind. Even my omega is trying to take over. My witch isn’t far behind her.”

“Are you willing to do it?” Jaden replied.

“Look at him, Jaden,” I said, as I looked down at Alex. Every fiber of my body is taut with uncontrollable grief. “How can I not?”

“It will put yourself and your family in danger.”

“I know, but If I don’t help him. He will die,” I replied, the thought tore at my insides.

“When you helped me, your omega and witch didn’t come forth completely. Couldn’t you do the same with Alex?”

Shaking my head I said. “I wish it were that easy. Alex’s injuries are so severe that I couldn’t even heal him on my own if I wanted to. I need the three of us to perform the healing. Especially my omegas help. Without our combined healing, he will die.”

“The minute my omega and witch step forth, everyone will notice.” I know what everyone was going to witness would shock their very foundation. I don’t think Jaden knew what was in store. “Just keep them from interfering in the progress; otherwise, it will be disastrous not only for myself, witch, and omega, but Alex as well,” I replied as I let go of Alex’s hand.

He turned his head and looked over at the others before turning his head back to look down at Alex. “I will try my best to keep their attention away from you as long as I am able.” Before stepping away and walking back to Lucien, Damien, Logan, and Adam.

I turned my attention to Alex and closed my eyes. I reached out, down our mental link. It’s just out of reach, flickering on the edge. I felt the fight in him as he tried to heal himself. He wanted to live. I was glad; he would need every bit of strength he had to get him through this.

‘Alex, can you hear me?’ His mind was like an early smoggy morning; though he was having trouble seeing, I felt his mind shifting as he recognized my voice, trying desperately to reach me. ‘Alex, it’s Scarlett. I need you to accept the bonding process. Come to me.’ I encouraged him as I let my mind push until our minds were in sync.

‘Scarlett, is that you?’ Alex said.

‘Yes,’ I replied. Thank heavens he’s responding, for how long is another matter. Now I need him to understand that I was here to help him.

‘Scarlett, I think something’s wrong. Make the pain stop,’ he begged me.

‘That’s what I’m going to do. You have to trust me; you must trust us.’ I walked around until I was standing at his head.

‘If it’s going to stop this torture, then I will do anything you ask of me,’ Alex replied.

‘Alex, the pain won’t completely disappear. I don’t know what you remember and what you don’t. You are gravely injured, and you’re not able to heal yourself. So, I’m going to give you a helping hand, what you will feel is normal, so please try to keep calm, and in no time, you’ll be back to your old self,’ I told him, hoping that it will reassure him. I placed both of my hands on either side of his head. I just hope that Jaden keeps the others occupied until I’ve finished. His entire body stilled, as if he was waiting in anticipation.

I called forth my omega, and then my witch; I stood there until I felt them hovering just under my flesh. I softly chanted under my breath, trying my hardest not to bring any unwanted attention to myself and Alex. I heard my omega and witch begin the chant with me. This was the dangerous part.

They would have to detach themselves from my body until we stand as three separate beings to do such intense healing. I felt the power surging through our bodies; the chanting got louder inside my head. I felt the full force between us. The white electrical discharge traveled through my body, down my arms, and into my fingers. As the power left by the tips of my fingers, it entered Alex’s head. He had to heal from the inside before healing the outside. In the distance, I heard the voices; I paid no heed. My attention and focus must stay on Alex. Whatever was being said, Jaden would have to deal with it.

PAMELA

I don’t know what woke me. First, all I knew was that I was instantly awake and fully aware of my surroundings. Hastily throwing on some clothes, I pulled open the door. Havoc stood in front of me. My sisters and cousins stood as they talked in the hallway.

“Something’s wrong,” Ava said as I walked up and joined them.

“I felt it too,” Evelyn said. We soon realized we had all felt the same dread.

Looking around the hallway, Melissa said, “Where’s Scarlett?”

I was glad to see that she got back safely. I knew that she’d inform us what had happened with Astrid at a later date.

Scarlett had been giving us the cold shoulder after she had learned what we had hidden from her. It wouldn’t last long. So Scarlett not standing here didn’t bode well. “Has anyone checked her room?” I replied. Heads shook ‘no’. Damn.

“Abigail, check to see if she is in her room,” I said as I tried to stop a worried expression from appearing on my face. I had a bad feeling about this.

Abigail nodded. We watched as she ran down the hall to Scarlett’s room. Knocking on the door, we watched as she opened it and quickly went in; we all stood there with bated breath.

She stepped out of the room. “She not here,” Abigail shouted out, shut the door, and ran back to us. “Where the hell could she have gone?”

“I don’t know, but I got a nasty inkling that the feeling I have deep inside my soul has to do with Scarlett,” I replied, turning my attention to Emma I said. “Emma, I need you to reach out and see if you can sense her.”

Nodding her head, Emma closed her eyes; we watched her body sway, her head moved from side to side. We all heard the gasp that came from her lips as her eyes flew wide open. The sclera and the color of her eyes have turned entirely black. We refrained from touching her. It could be disastrous not only for herself but for her witch and omega. We will have to wait it out until she comes out of the trance.

I moved closer. “Emma, what do you see?”

“Scarlett,” Emma croaked out, “she… she…she-s-s. Her omega and witch are detaching themselves from her.” She gasped; her whole body shuddered as she slumped forward. Melissa, who stood the closest, caught her as she fell forward. “I’m fine,” she wheezed as Melissa helped her stand.

Eyes wide with worry, Mia said, “Why would she do such a thing?”

“We all know how dangerous it is. Somebody must be seriously injured for Scarlett to even consider doing it,” Evelyn replied.

We had to get to her. It was too dangerous to do it with no support, what she had been thinking. “Emma, did you see anything else? Smell anything?” I replied. I hoped there was a clue to where she was.

“There was a smell, like disinfectant. It must be a medical room. This place is enormous.” raising her hands in defeat. “How are we going to find her?”

“We will find someone and ask,” Melissa said, looking around the hallway as if someone was going to magically appear and tell us what we needed to know.

“Melissa is right, we have to find her, and I don’t care if that means knocking or grabbing someone in this forsaken place,” I replied. “Someone around here must know if there’s a medical room.”

I dashed down the hall as if the hounds of hell were biting at my heels; it didn’t take long for the others to catch up. We knew the consequences if Scarlett lost control of her witch and omega. We could put up some sort of shield if we were there until she was done. It seemed forever until we saw another soul; it was a young woman. I had the feeling that she was human, and I hoped she was one of Lucien’s loyal humans.

I forced a smile on my face; I didn’t want to frighten her to death, “Hi,” I called out as we approached her, “we are trying to find the medical room,” I said as we came to a standstill, “We were given directions, but somehow we have gotten lost.”

Large brown eyes stared at us as a nervous laugh left her mouth as she pushed her long brown hair behind one ear. “It’s on the other side of the building. At the end of the hallway, turn right, left, and right again, and at the end of the same hallway, it will be on the left-hand side. You can’t miss it; it’s the blue door,”

I smiled our thanks and heard the muttered thank you as we left her standing there as we carried on down the hall, following the directions she had given us. It didn’t take us long to reach the door. It was as she described. There was a faint smell of disinfectant coming from inside the room. We all knew this was definitely the place we were looking for. I was shocked to find that no one stood on guard outside. I turned my head and said to the others. “Do you think it’s strange no one’s here outside the door?” I said. I heard the mutterings of agreement.

“I know that’s the room I saw her standing in,” Emma replied with certainty.

Abigail said, with hands on her hips. “Are we just going to stand here like a bunch of idiots, or are we going to head inside?”

“We are going to go inside,” I replied as I reached out for the door handle.

SCARLETT

I needed every bit of power I wielded to heal Alex. The more force and energy I had within me, the more I, my omega and witch, could rapidly help Alex.

I felt Alex’s body jerk as the surge of electrical energy entered his head. It would travel throughout his body, searching for any injuries he might have internally sustained when he had been attacked. I felt it advance down from his head to his neck, onto his shoulders, arms, and chest before it proceeded through the rest of his body. Any trauma it would come across it would instantly heal. Once completed, my witch and omega would help with any wounds you could visibly see.

In the distance, I heard some sort of commotion. I was sure I recognized my family’s voices, mixed with Lucien’s, Damien’s, Jaden’s, Adam’s, Logan’s, and the Doctor who had greeted Lucien when he had entered the infirmary. Part of me felt relieved that my family was here; the other was alarmed. I knew that my family would want to protect me, and I know some of Lucien’s people would try to put a stop to them in doing so. If Mia and Abigail got close enough, they would put up a shield around Alex and me. I reached out to Alex through our link; it wasn’t as strong as I shared with my family or the one I had had with Lucien. If I ever let him fully back in, it was still there.

His body twitched under my hands ‘Alex, can you hear me?’ I just hoped that he didn’t have any type of fit. It would be harder to heal him.

‘Scarlett, it hurts.’

‘Hold on, the worst is nearly over,’ I lied.

‘Thank fuck,’ came back down our link before complete silence. He’d passed out; I was thankful because the pain would worsen as we separated and temporarily became three separate beings.

I felt the power growing as it increased in strength. It would escalate until the forms of my omega and witch could appear. It had to be built to the extent that it would be possible for us to separate but still be connected through a thin strand that would keep us tied together. If that was broken, it would be disastrous. My witch and omega could be lost forever, two lost souls wandering the Earth. I would be a shell of my former self. I felt them rise, the force building up deep inside the three of us, getting us ready for the separation that needed to take place. They were tearing themselves from my body, wrenching themselves away from me and from each other. I felt the violent jerking as they struggled to separate. I could feel my face pulled in all directions, my facial features distorted. My body oscillates, swinging back and forth from the pull as they both seem to materialize on either side of me.

Three separate beings stand beside each other, three sets of hands touching Alex’s body. Our powers will heal him from the outside while our shared essence heals and sanitizes from within. Through my own eyes, I can see my omega and witch on either side of me.

My witch is standing to the left of me. Her long hair was the black of a starless night and hung down her slender back; a pure white streak of hair runs through, a Celtic marking is tattooed on her forehead. Her yellow eyes are circled with black pigmentation, which rises to her eyebrows and forms onto her cheekbones; her lips are a deep red. Her skin was pale white as if someone had chucked baby power over her; her clothing was a long flowing black and red gown. It reminded me of someone who had been alive centuries ago.

My omega is to my right and utterly different in appearance from my witch. Her dark auburn hair fans out as if it’s an illumination causing her to light up like a beacon. Her dark green eyes seemed to change colors. Her lips were pale pink, her skin a creamy white, her long pale blue dress reached her feet.

We watched as each jagged tear, rip, cut, gash, and laceration slowly weaved together. Binding the flesh tight where possible. Healing the deeper lethal wounds would enable Alex to heal the other superficial wounds himself. I hoped he would be able to shift once it completed the healing.

I felt my witch and omega weaken. Their strength would soon be gone. Every minute counted. They would quickly give in to exhaustion, and their powers would be temporarily spent. We needed to hurry; otherwise, it would be challenging to join.

We could not do much more. Most of Alex’s wounds had closed. Now the rest was up to him.

My witch removed her hands from Alex’s body, stepped away, and stood beside me. Our bodies touched from shoulder to hip. It was easier for them to combine and knit their souls back to mine than separating. The Omega would be the last to integrate and incorporate her soul into my own. As a healer, she was the more powerful. I felt the shift as my witch merged herself back fully within me. I took my hands away from Alex’s head. Next would be my omega.

As my omega bonded with me, I realized they had placed a shield around us. Melissa and Evelyn stood inside the shield. A heated discussion was going on between the ones outside that ring of protection. We didn’t have time for this.

I felt Lucien’s wild stare; I met his gaze. Anger swooped over his face, veins bulged in his temples, white-knuckled fists at his sides. His lips flattened with rage. I lifted my chin; he had no right to judge my family or me. I dared him to do his worst. We were not the only ones who had been keeping secrets.

Sensing my distress, my omega turned her head and looked at him. A flash of red appeared in his eyes. His demon was close to the surface. It wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. My omega must have sensed his intentions because the next thing I knew, she was standing in front of me.

‘No! What the hell are you doing?’ I yelled. She was too weak, and she wasn’t the one who could protect me.

Whatever she had detected from Lucien’s demon, she needed to disregard. I know he wouldn’t hurt me. The only thing I could think of was that the demon inside Lucien knew she was an omega and what that meant. I felt my witch sit and take notice. She knew something had happened. I couldn’t afford either of them to protect me. My witch was just about holding her own, and I was ready to collapse in a heap. I saw the ripple of Lucien’s skin and the slight change of color. It was so brief I doubted if anyone else noticed the difference unless they were paying close attention. Then the strangest thing happened: it was as if Lucien’s demon and my omega had communicated with each other. I felt the shift in my body as she reattached her own soul to mine. I felt my body sway. Any strength I had was gone in an instant.

I heard Lucien’s and Pamela’s voices simultaneously as I collapsed.

I groaned. I knew I wasn’t on a cold, hard floor; I was lying on something soft.

Static filled my mind as I slowly came to. My entire body ached, my head throbbed. What happened? I could remember helping Alex and collapsing; the rest is a blank. I blinked as I forced my eyes open. I continuously blink until my eyes get accustomed to the light shining through the window. I’m in the same room, and I’m alone.

Where is everyone? And how did I get here?

I would have thought one of my sisters or cousins would have been in the room with me waiting for me to wake up, so where the hell were they all? I’m not hanging around to find out!

I sat up and threw back the covers; the movement caused my head to spin. Shit, I thought, putting my hand on my head. Healing Alex had taken more out of me than I thought possible. I sat still, waiting for my head to stop spinning. I reached out to my witch and omega. They were both still recovering from the energy they had used. It would take them longer to build up their power. Through our link, I tried to connect to my family. I felt them; they seemed to be having some sort of heated argument with someone. My first thought was Lucien. I swung my legs off of the bed and tried to stand.

Shit, my legs wobbled as I walked towards the door. I felt Abigail down the link as if sensing that I had awoken.

Pulling the door open and stepping into the hall. ‘Abigail, where are you?’

Adam stood opposite the entrance.

‘Scarlett, thank god you’re awake,’ she replied.

‘Where are you?’ I asked her again as Adam stood there staring at me, his mouth opening and closing as if he were a goldfish.

‘We are in Lucien’s office; things are agitated; he knows we are omega and witch.’

‘I will be there in a few mins. Don’t tell anyone else I’m on my way,’ I replied before breaking the link.

“I need to see Lucien,” I tell the shifter standing before me, “and don’t give me any crap. Just take me to him. Now.” I can see the questions running through his mind. Adam had been there when I had healed Alex. I needed to know what was happening with my family and if Alex had healed or not.

As if gathering himself together, he replied. “I will not try to stop you from going to see Lucien. My orders are to take you straight to Lucien the minute you wake up.”

Ok. That was unexpected but a relief. At least I don’t have to argue my case.

“How is Alex?” I asked as Adam showed me which direction to go.

I didn’t notice the look he sent me.

“Amazingly on the road to recovery. The Doc told Lucien he should be able to return to his duties in another few days, ‘ clearing his throat, “and what you did for him. I just want to say thank you if you hadn’t done what you did. He wouldn’t be here,”

“He’s, my friend. Why wouldn’t I help him?” I replied and turned my head towards the short-haired blonde shifter.

Dipping his head slightly, he replied, “Before we get to Lucien’s office, I want you to know many of us are thankful that you did what you did and whatever is taking place in that room, not all of us think like that. That includes Alex.”

“Thank you,” I placed my hand on his forearm with a small smile. “you haven’t asked how I healed him. Aren’t you curious?”

“Thanks to you. He is recovering well. I think seeing what I did with my own two eyes tells me who and what you are or gives me some sort of indication. You’re not only a witch; you’re an omega. I don’t understand how it happened. I remember the omegas of old, and it looked like them, and they didn’t live in someone else’s body… How does it work? I mean, you’re human, right? As with everyone else, I thought you were part witch. I don’t think any of us expected to see the other two emerge from your body. The two others… what are they? Souls, entities that live inside your body?” The words just came pouring from his mouth until I felt like my head was going to explode. I had no intention of going into details. It was way too personal, not only that, it was hard to get my head around it, let alone someone else’s. I wouldn’t be going into graphic detail.

Though I was grateful, he had told me that Alex was recovering. I needed him to shut the hell up and keep quiet. My head was hurting enough as it was. I didn’t need someone asking me insane questions and making the pain worse. I knew he would not stop until I replied to his endless questions.

“That’s good. I was worried the healing might not have worked. Adam, please stop with the questions. You’re making me feel overwhelmed. Please, just hush; I will answer as much as I’m allowed.” Placing my fingertips onto my temple and rubbing the aching that had formed. “Yes, I’m human. We all are, but we are also witches, and now you know we are also part omega. To put it simply, we have three souls that live in one body. I have complete control over both.”

“So are they here … now,” his eyebrows shot up in surprise; he looked over at me, staring; it felt like he was trying to see into the depths of my soul.

Did he think I left them in a jar somewhere until I needed them? “Yes, they are always with me.”

He nodded his head, a frown on his face as if deep in thought. It was hard to understand, let alone accept. “You know what this will mean, don’t you?” Gazing at me as we carried on walking down the hall.

Finding out that we were part omega. It was going to raise a lot of questions.

I carried on walking and nodded my head. I know we had a lot of trouble coming our way; it was bad enough when they thought we were just basically witches, but to find out we were omega as well. I know Lucien kept that he knew I and the rest of us weren’t typical witches, that we had more power than anyone realized, to himself, which I was thankful for, but that had passed. Many of Lucien’s people now know we were more than mere witches. It gave the damn council members a reason to take us, and if she didn’t know already, I would have more trouble on my hands having to deal with Aria.

I couldn’t let anything happen to that spark I had felt deep inside me.

A massive oak door loomed in front of us. “We’re here. Just remember, a lot of Lucien’s people are on your side, and if it hadn’t been for you, Alex would no longer be with us,” Adam said as he knocked.

Adam went in first. I followed behind.

The room was large and had a massive window overlooking a vast garden. A long wooden desk stood to one side, with Lucien sitting behind it. Aria once again sat like his queen by his side, the tattoo of their mated bonding on full display. Damien and Jaden stood on either side of them.

Reflected in the mirror, I could see the defiant expressions on my family’s faces.

I could see who was in the room from behind Adams’s back. Lucien and Aria seemed to be in some sort of heated conversation. My family seemed utterly bored with whatever was said, as did Damien and Jaden.

The look of disgust and anger shifted across Aria’s face as I stepped around Adam. I didn’t catch what she muttered and in honesty I didn’t give two hoots.

I know whatever was going to come out of the bitch’s mouth wouldn’t be pleasant. I didn’t care. It was apparent to anyone who had half a brain that she loathed the very sight of me. The feeling’s mutual. The first chance she got, she would try to hurt me and continue until she killed me. That’s something I would not allow.

Hearing the commotion, Lucien turned his head away from what he had been saying to Aria.

Our eyes met. He openly stared at me; his facial features were expressionless. A look of anger flickered, his jaw clenched, his eyes slightly narrowed, glowing with savage inner fire. He had no right to be angry.

Realizing I was in the room, Pamela stood and rushed over to my side, “You’re awake.” Placing both of her hands around my head, she cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead. Ok… that was new, “How are you feeling?”

“Yes, and I’m fine.” I gave her a small smile and met the worried expressions on my family’s faces. I would not show weakness in front of the others. I know my family knew I was lying. I heard every word down our link. We would have a tough conversation at some point.

I felt a slight flicker; My witch and omega stirred. Someone was trying to speak to me through our mental link. I knew it wasn’t any of my family; this felt… different. This is a connection I hadn’t felt in a while. What the hell did he think he was doing? He had made his choice. He is bonded with the woman sitting beside him. How dare he try to mess with my mind!

I felt so angry I wanted to turn and ask, no demand. What the fuck did Lucien think he was doing? He had no right to try to fully join our link again. He had bonded with another, making our so-called bond cease to exist. Who am I kidding? No one but me. He had never asked me to bond with him. All I had heard from him was continuous lies.

Aria swung her head towards Lucien. “Lucien, you cannot be serious about this. It’s bad enough that you’re allowing them to stay, but I put my foot down. It’s an insult to our mating bond.” Aria spat out before Lucien could even acknowledge me, “And once the council knows who these so-called witches really are, they will fight you tooth and nail until you agree to their wishes, and as I am your mate, I, for one, think we should let the council deal with them.”

“You seem to forget,” Melissa replied, as she turned her head and stared down the woman who sat next to Lucien, “if it wasn’t for Scarlett, then Alex would no longer be alive, and no one is taking anybody anywhere.”

I saw a slight flicker of anger in Aria’s eyes at the mention of Alex being saved. Could it be that the bitch had something to do with Alex getting injured? It wouldn’t shock me in the least if that was the case.

“Everyone settle down. No one is taking anyone,” Lucien replied, his lips flattened in anger as a tightness settled around his eyes. “Aria, I promised these women my protection, and that still stands…”

Interrupting him, Aria replied, “You cannot be serious! Lucien, you know as well as I do what kind of trouble this information will cause. I disagree with this decision. They need to be handed over and taken care of as the council deems fit and as your bonded mate. I demand this. They have lied at every turn. You were told that they are witches; they are more than just witches; they are omega. You know what that means,” Aria said, glaring towards my family and me. “The council will demand that you release them under your care, and I will agree with whatever they demand, and so will anyone who follows me.”

Sitting back down on the chair she’d been occupying and pulling me to the one beside her. Mouth tightening, irritation in her words softly spoken, the words might as well as be roared, “Do you honestly think we would let that happen. Even if Lucien agreed to your or the council’s insane idea, do you think we would allow it?” Pamela asked, “Do you think we would let ourselves be taken against our will?” she asked with a raised voice.

At her words Aria scoffed with a chuckle of disbelief. “Please, you don’t have that kind of power!”

I could feel the laughter through our link. I heard Ava, ‘Is she that stupid?’

‘Don’t be fooled.’ I warn them through our link, ‘Don’t forget she attacked me for no reason, and she will do it again the first chance she gets.’

‘Scarlett’s right. More than once, she has tried to convince the leaders and Lucien to let the council take us. She’s dangerous, and we have to watch our backs while she’s around,’ Melissa reminded us through our link.

I could feel Lucien’s burning stare as he watched my every move. It wouldn’t take much to rejoin our link. I wanted to give in to the burning passion that captured me the moment I met him. A tremor inside me tightened my thighs and groin, causing my body to ache for his touch. My heart hammered foolishly; his closeness sent shivers of delight through my entire body. The burning of his gaze as he watched my every movement, as if willing me to look at him or let our link reconnect. If I did, what would he say? I couldn’t help but be curious. What excuses would I hear? Did I even really want to?

His voice calm and collected Jaden turned his head with a raised eyebrow. “What are you afraid of, Aria? Many once cherished omegas.”

“And feared by many more,” Aria snapped back with rage, “that’s why they were hunted down and killed.”

Jaden looked at her with a curl of his lip like she was something he had just stepped in. “Don’t you mean murdered?” He corrected her. “I’m glad that somehow some of them escaped. We all know many naturals cannot conceive, and if a miracle happens, the female could lose the child, or the child dies shortly after birth. Even humans have been having trouble.”

With a lift of her head Aria said. “If any of us have offspring, then it will happen and the humans are still giving birth. So, I don’t see what the problem is.”

Looking over at her with an expression of disbelief on his face, Damien said. “The problem is that there aren’t enough naturals and humans being born or surviving. Don’t you see that being a problem for everyone around this table and the humans out there? And now we have this additional problem of naturals and humans going missing, and our people being attacked. Aren’t you concerned about that fact, Aria? Doesn’t it bother you? Take you and Lucien, for instance. It hasn’t happened. So tell us when you expect to have any offspring?”

Dismissing his question with a wave of her hand. “It is early days yet,” Aria replied with a huff.

“Early days,” Damien laughed with skepticism. “That’s your answer? He’s been fucking you for years. Are you hiding them?”

Spinning her head to look at Lucien, “Are you going to let him speak to me like that?” Aria spat out.

Slapping his fist onto the table, Lucien turned his black eyes towards Damien. “Stop,” Lucien barked out. “Damien, this is not the time or place.”

“It never will be,” Damien bit back, “we know as well as she does the chances of that ever happening with her are zero.”

I squirmed in my seat. All this talk of babies and children made me uncomfortable.

“We are getting off-topic. You now know we are not just like the average witch slash human. You all know we’re more. You know what I want to know? Who the hell attacked Alex, and why?” I told the room as they looked across from my family and me. “Has it ever crossed your minds who would even want Alex so badly harmed that they would go to the extent to want to kill him? The only thing he ever did was guard me, along with Adam and Logan. Are they next?”

“I hate to say it, Lucien,” Damien replied, nodding his head towards me. “I agree with Scarlett. Why target Alex, of all people? There was no reason to do so. It makes little sense, and I think we all had better watch our backs. So far, we don’t have a clue who the hell attacked Alex, and until we do, we have to be cautious.”

“I agree with Damien; it’s highly suspicious. Hasn’t it crossed your mind that maybe someone you trust has turned against you for whatever reason?” Jaden asked, fleetingly flickering his eyes to the woman sitting at Lucien’s side. “When is Jacob expected to arrive?” Jaden asked, looking over at the door as if he was watching Jacob open the door and enter like he owned the place. I felt the shift in Melissa at the mention of his name.

Aria’s displeasure is plain to see for anybody watching her. In my heart, I know she had something to do with Alex’s attack; I just had to prove it.

“Of course it fucking has. Do you think I’m a moron?” Lucien demanded, “When I find out who the fuck it is, their life will not be worth living. Your answer to when is Jacob arriving, anytime now, he’s bringing Alex’s parents with him.”

Alex had spoken of them frequently, and he had given me the impression that they were close.

Bang, bang, the door swung open.

It was as if we had conjured him up by mentioning his name.

“Lucien,” Jacob acknowledged as he walked into the room. He took in everyone who was seated. Five other shifters closely followed him. Two women and three men.

“You know Carson and Kilian,” Lucien said, his focus going onto the other man and two women, “these are Alex’s parents and one of his sisters,” bringing three of the five forward.

“How is our son?” the male stepped forward; he stood slightly in front of Jacob, who seemed to let any disrespect go. His resemblance to Alex is uncanny. This shifter could be nothing else but Alex’s father.

Lucien stood up and walked towards the group; they stopped until they were directly standing face to face. Reaching out, they shook hands with Lucien. “He is resting and will soon be back to his old self.”

“What happened? How did it happen?” a soft voice said from behind Alex’s father, the older female coming forward, “When can we see our son?” I didn’t need to ask who this woman was; her question said it all.

With a surprised expression written across his face Lucien said to Jacob “You didn’t take them there first?”

“No,” Jacob replied in a deep rough voice, pulled out the empty chairs before them, and indicated to sit to the other three. “I thought it would be best if questions they might want to be answered was done now. Plus, I have a few of my own.”

Turning Lucien walked back to his seat as he admitted. “As of yet, I don’t know who or why Alex was attacked. Alex can’t remember a thing. I’m hoping he will get his memory back at some point and tell us. Now it’s just a black void.”

As she sat in between her parents, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, the younger of the women lifted her head and leveled him a look and in a polite voice said, “Is it true? A witch saved him. That if she hadn’t, he wouldn’t be with us now?”

Dead silence filled the room. No one wanted to acknowledge the elephant in the room. How would they react to hearing it confirmed?

Her voice was husky with tears. The smaller of the two women said, “As his parents, we have a right to know who saved our son. Is it true that a witch or an omega saved him? Is it one of these ladies?” Alex’s mother asks, her penetrating green eyes taking in our reactions. Turning her gaze to Jacob, then Lucien, she said, “We have a right to know who it was that saved our boy from death.”

I honestly felt for Alex’s family, but no one could tell them the truth without our permission. It could open a can of worms. The pain his mother felt was reflected in her eyes; I hated this. They had the right to know who saved him.

“All I’m willing to say is the person who healed Alex is under my protection, and without their permission, I am not willing to reveal their identity. If she comes forward, then that is her decision and nobody else’s.” Lucien replied.

You couldn’t miss the expression of rage that flickered on Aria’s face. She was pissed at his statement.

Alex’s mother’s brows arched above deep brown eyes, as her eyes darted from face to face taking in our expression, her eyes glazing over with pain, “We only want to thank her.” Alex’s mother said, “Alex doesn’t tell us much about his job. He’s very loyal and only tells us what he thinks we should know. A few weeks ago, Alex said Lucien had put him in charge of guarding someone important. Before he left that night, he told us he classed her as a friend. We had heard a rumor that Alex had been guarding a witch. It shocked us; who wouldn’t be? We, along with many others, thought they had been killed years ago. Of course, we questioned him, but he had brushed it off, but secrets always get out. Is it true? Has he been guarding a witch? Was it her who saved our son?”

Revealing who and what we were was dangerous. Alex’s family seemed genuine enough, but looks could be deserving. If I came forward and told them it was me, then we could all be in danger. Then again, once they saw Alex, they would realize that an ordinary witch wouldn’t have been able to save him. To heal someone as I had Alex, it wasn’t only the work of a witch; it would show that an omega had been involved. It was like we were stuck in a hole that none of us could get out of. At some point, they would know that one of us had saved him, which would lead to me. Alex would tell them at some point; I couldn’t see the point of withholding that information from them. If I told my family what I intended to do, they’d try to talk me out of it. Lucien, I hadn’t a clue about his reaction. I just knew he wouldn’t be pleased. After all, I’d be going against his rules.

I didn’t care.

My stomach churned with fear of the unknown and what I was about to do. Clearing my throat. “It was me.”

Heads swung towards me at my announcement. Silence. Not a word was uttered. If a pin dropped, you would have heard it hit the floor. The silence was still. I swore I could hear my own heartbeat.

The color drained from my family’s faces. Panic rippled down our link.

‘Scarlett, you don’t know what you’ve done,’ Melissa hissed. I blocked them all out. I had made my decision, and it would be my mistake.

I felt a flicker of anger from another’s mind. I turned my head; Lucien’s stare drilled into me. I couldn’t miss the layered black look he gave me.

Damien and Jaden were staring as if they could not believe what they had just heard me confess to. Aria sat with her nose up in the air as if she’d shit herself. Jacobs’s stormy expression revealed nothing of his thoughts.

Alex’s family sat there in shock, as if they couldn’t believe their ears. I prayed I hadn’t made a colossal mistake.

Jacob’s stormy expression revealed nothing of his thoughts; he just stared intently at Melissa.

Alex’s family, I couldn’t read their reactions. It shocked them that someone had the balls to declare that they had saved their son. I hope so. I prayed I hadn’t made an awful mistake in coming forward.

I could feel the panic coming from my family as our links joined. Their voices filled my mind. I watched my family as they watched the reactions of the others in the room. I knew if even one of them looked at me the wrong way, they would be at my side.

Sitting forwards in her seat. “It was you? You’re the one that Alex has been guarding?” said Alex’s sister.

I had never felt so nervous about answering such a simple question. “Yes,” I admitted, raising my head as I met their gazes head-on. I had nothing to be ashamed of.

“And you’re the one who helped him?” demanded his father as he stood up. I saw Jacob grip the shifter’s arm as he stood, as if he was warning him to stay back.

“I am,” I replied, “and I’d do it again.”

“Why would you even attempt to help him, let alone save him? He’s not a witch. He’s not one of you. He’s a shifter… you’re … from what we have been told a witch, and we remember the witches of old.”

Raising an eyebrow, I met his intense stare. “Alex is my friend. Exactly, you remember the witches of old; we are not them,” I replied.

Nostrils flaring as her eyelids twitched, her lips thinned, waving her hand in mine and my family’s direction, “Witches? Don’t be a foolish old man; they are omegas,” Aria sneers, “And you know what that means. They are more powerful than just being mere witches, and they need to be put down like the vermin they are.”

As his cold black eyes flashed red, “Aria,” Lucien warned, his voice was cold and lashing, “I won’t tell you again. Remember your place,” I watched as Aria’s fingers curled into the palm of her hands; her lips thinned in anger as her skin flushed as if she were trying to hide her displeasure as she turned her head away from him.

“Is it true?” Jacob said to Lucien before he turned his head to stare at Melissa. His eyes ran over her face and upper body. I noticed the way she looked back at him. Raising her head as if to say ‘fuck you’. I knew what would run through his head. If he knew anything about omegas, he would see that we could carry any natural or human young.

With a shrug of her shoulders Melissa answered. “Yes, it’s true,” looking at him directly in the eyes as if she were revealing something he should already know. Leaning forward and placing her arms onto the table in front of herself, she declares, “sitting before you are some of the most powerful females you will ever see. We’re not just witches. We are omega.”

I know what would run through everyone’s minds if we were like the omegas of old? Could it be possible we could carry a child to term? The answer would be yes.

“Lucien, why wasn’t I informed?” Jacob demanded.

I heard the ‘dumbass’ muttered under Melissa’s breath as she rolled her eyes at his demand. I saw the burning look Jacob threw her away at her words. She showed everyone that she didn’t respect the shifter sitting in the room with us. I could see the fear in the other shifters’ eyes when they heard the growl that fell from Jacob’s mouth.

“Show me respect, female,” Jacob snarled at Melissa, his expression thunderous as his eyes flashed yellow.

Shooting him a distant look, “Why? YOU. ARE. NOT. MY. ALPHA. OR. MY. MATE,” she seethed as her lips thinned in anger. I saw the look of satisfaction on Melissa’s face. I was sure she was baiting him even if she was doing it unconsciously. If Jacob put two and two together and came up with three, shit would hit the fan. I just pray he doesn’t find out about the children.

Banging his hand flat on the wooden table, his voice rang with command, Lucien yelled. “All this sexual tension that seems to be building up between you is a sight to be seen, but we have more serious issues to deal with. So, I suggest both of you keep your feelings about each other to yourself.”

Voice calm, gaze steady, Jacob spoke with cool authority, “This might be your domain, but do not forget who you are speaking to, Lucien.”

Lucien gave him a curt nod without showing an ounce of weakness. “I have only found out myself. You know, Alex was seriously injured; he wasn’t expected to live.” He turned his head towards my family and me. “Little did I realize I’ve had a group of omega living under my roof. Women who are completely different from what we had always thought omegas and witches to be.”

A perplexed look came upon Alex’s father’s face, stood there looking at us, his head tilted to one side. “How does that work? I can, as I’m sure other naturals in this room can sense that you’re human. Did your ancestors breed with witches and omegas?”

I felt like banging my head off the table in front of me. I could see this conversation going on, and the same questions were asked. How do you explain our existence without dumbing it down? You always get that baffled look in their eyes. Trying to explain would just take too long, and I honestly couldn’t be bothered in repeating myself. I hoped Pamela, or the others, had explained to Lucien in as much detail as possible before I had arrived with Adam.

“No, we didn’t mate or breed with any witch or omega,” Evelyn replied.

Though some of our ancestors had mated. We hadn’t. That is how Astrid came about. I couldn’t see Evelyn revealing anything about herself. To announce she was part phoenix would raise other questions, “I have already explained this to the others, so for the last time. Yes, we are basically human. The witch and omega share our bodies. We have total control. If our witch feels we are being threatened, she will come forth. The omega is the healer; the witch is the protector.”

Looking at her daughter with hope in her eyes “The omegas of old could carry our young,” Alex’s mother reminded everyone in the room, “Are there full-blooded omega out there? Are there any males?”

“The male omegas were more cherished than the females. The omegas of old could heal not only our bodies and minds but our souls. They helped soothe the beast in many.” She turned an excited face towards Jacob and her husband. “Do you know what this could mean? What hope it could give our people?”

None of us would reveal our secrets confirming her question about the full-blooded omegas still living, it would put too many at-risk to mention that there were male omegas out there. That would let the cat out of the bag. They were rarer than female omegas, and if they mated, it was likely that the female could have as many children as they wanted. That would be completely different if they came out of the shadows independently. It wasn’t up to any of us to let the world know.

“Quiet. That is personal amongst our own kind. If our Alpha seems fit to share, he will do so,” Alex’s father growled at her as he bared his teeth with displeasure.

She sunk into herself as she realized she’d almost revealed a secret in her excitement.

“Alpha, I’m sorry that she spoke out of turn,” he told Jacob with a bow of his head, showing his deep respect for the shifter. “I will deal with her once we return home.”

“Jacob?” Lucien said. “Is there something you want to say?”

JACOB

I calmed the rage as it tried to overwhelm me.

The female had meant no harm, but she had nearly revealed something private. I will leave her punishment to her mate.

They had shown their loyalty many times over the years, and I knew that she, her mate and pup, were going through enough pain. I would overlook her outspokenness; I could understand her excitement and hope, but to make something so significant and the private, public was forbidden. How do you explain that the shifters you have leadership over, who trust you to guide them, who follow you without question are seriously ill? Some had to be kept away from the others for their own safety. That the very Earth beneath their mere feet was turning against them.

How could I ask for help? It would make me seem weak. How could I reveal that none of the females, my mate included, were falling pregnant and that if they happened to get pregnant, they were losing the pup in the early stages of pregnancy, or the pups were dying not long after birth? The last pups born and survived were the young female sitting at the table with her parents and my sibling. I knew how important this information could be to my people, but to give false hope was something I wasn’t willing to do. Not yet.

“It’s personal,” I replied.

Lucien nodded his head with respect, “If you need my help.”

I nodded my head, accepting the offer.

I didn’t know that I would take him up on that offer sooner rather than later. That I would seek the help of the woman sitting around this table, and one would be the silver-haired witch before me.

My soul mate, the woman I had told I loved beyond reason. The woman I had turned my back on for the female she had classed as a friend. I had told her I was doing it for my people.

I had lied.