Elara POV
I wake up before dawn. Kane and Axel are still sleeping on either side of . My body and soul are well-rested and satisfied after an emotional night with Kane and Axel.
Last night’s lovemaking was different. More passionate, more tender, more intimate. I do not know if they felt it, but I did, and I know it is because I know I must give them up.
I turn on my side and look at a sleeping Kane. I trace the lines of his face with my eyes. His full, soft lips, which can kiss until my knees go weak. His strong jawline where a muscle jerks when he is really pissed off.
I look at Axel. They are so much alike, and still so different. Axel’s eyelashes are longer, and his mouth is wider. He has a softer side, and sotis I think he is Kane’s voice of reason.
After I take the potion, I will pass them on the street, and admire their beauty, but I will not recognise them as sobody I know. I will forget how it feels to be touched by them, to argue with them.
No! I sit up straight. I cannot go through with this. I cannot give them up without knowing everything. And the only person who has not lied to is Braden.
I slide out of bed, cautious not to wake them. I do not have the luxury of ti to fabricate a believable story as to why I must see Braden.
I run to my quarters and dress. I cannot risk taking the ti to shower. I must get out of the mansion before everyone wakes up.
I sigh in relief when I reach our spot in record ti. At least this round, the Goddess was on my side, and I got away undetected.
“Braden!” I call loudly, listening intensely for any footsteps, but there is nothing but the early morning birds singing. I sniff the air but cannot detect his scent.
“Bra ...”
“Right here, gorgeous,” he cuts off, smirking as he erges from the trees.
I am once again struck by how gorgeous he is. I have no intention of sleeping with him, but I regard him as a trustworthy friend. Soone I must also sacrifice if I take the potion.
“Why couldn’t I hear or see you?” I eye him suspiciously.
“Because I’m a vampire,” he shrugs nonchalantly. “We’re stealthy like that.”
“Speaking of vampires,” I exhale deeply. “We must talk.”
“Before you bombard with questions,” he looks at , concerned. “How are you after your Anton thing?”
“Oh, please,” I wave it off, sitting on our rock. “That’s the least of my troubles. But I’m not traumatised or anything if that’s what you’re asking.”
“That covers all the bases,” he chuckles, sitting beside . “So, what brings you here? Have your mates fucked up again?”
“No,” I smile sadly. “But Alice is pregnant.”
“Good goddess,” Braden whistles. “It’s a good thing you set them straight; otherwise, your babysitting days were around the corner.”
“Yeah, right,” I snort, rolling my eyes. “I’d rather die than raise Alice’s evil spawn.”
Braden chuckles softly, and I allow his lodious laugh to wash over . Now that I am at a crossroads, I notice the smallest details, reminding of what I will give up.
“I’m here to learn about myself,” I look him in the eye. “Why am I such a threat to the council? What’s wrong with being a hybrid?”
“That’s easy,” he shrugs. “You’re too strong.”
“I’m not,” I scoff. “I got my ass kicked in training everyday.”
“You’ve been eighteen for what ... five minutes?” He asks.
“More like a week,” I mumble. “But it feels like an eternity since the ceremony.”
“Your powers are still awakening,” he rubs my shoulder sympathetically.
“So, I’m strong,” I frown. “That’s not a reason to be killed by the council.”
“You were raised as an Oga, right?” Braden raises his eyebrows, and I nod in confirmation. “Well, you have the power to kill an Alpha. Sothing most wolves claim to be impossible. I’m talking hand-to-hand combat. Not poisoning or shooting him.”
“Really?” I look at him wide-eyed. “I am that strong?”
“You’re stronger and faster than any other wolf,” he explains. “You’ll age slower than a wolf, but you’re not immortal like a vampire. Most hybrids don’t drink blood, but you can survive on it. And then, finally, the biggest reason, your power.”
“What’s my power?” I ask eagerly. It is exciting to learn you are special if you were raised ordinary.
“I don’t know,” he shrugs. “It will erge with ti.”
“Oh,” I pout, disappointed. It would have been nice to know what I am willing to give up if I choose to take the potion.
“And zoning in on other people’s aura is yours,” I say. I hope my power is better than that. Feeling others’ emotions will suck. I have my own feelings to deal with; I do not want to bother with other people’s sadness and shit.
“That’s not my power,” he laughs heartily. “It was a line to start a conversation with you.”
“Right,” I nod, laughing sheepishly. It is so obvious, and I fell for it. “So, what is it?”
“Look at ,” he commands, and I obey.
He looks at smiling, and my jaw hits the ground when he slowly disappears right in front of my eyes. Holy shit! He can teleport.
“Braden?” I shout. “Where did you teleport to?”
“Nowhere,” he replies, and I feel his hand on my knee, but when I look, there is nothing.
“Oh, fuck,” I jump up, looking around frantically. “How did you do that?”
“Easy,” he replies, and I watch him reappear at the exact sa spot where he disappeared. “My power is concealnt.”
“That’s not fair,” I gape at him. “You’re already stealthy. Why do you need concealnt?”
“Well, for starters, to enter the Alphas’ mansion to warn them that you were kidnapped,” he grins. “How else was I supposed to get in there without an army of wolves tearing apart?”
“I guess that could co in handy,” I shrug, sitting beside him again.
“Anything else you need to know?” He asks.
“Yeah,” I look at him. “If I take a potion to conceal my vampire blood, will it take away my power?”
“I don’t know,” he frowns. “But if you retain it, you won’t know and won’t use it.”
“Makes sense,” I smile weakly. Maybe it is better not to know my power. It is harder to know what I will be giving up than not knowing.
“Are you seriously considering it?” He asks sadly.
“Yes,” I exhale deeply. “Luna Gabriela and Mother think it’s my best option.”
“I’ll miss you if you do,” he places a hand on my shoulder. “But if it’s any consolation, I will never forget you.”
“Just reintroduce yourself,” I grin. “It would be fun getting to know you again.”
“Deal,” he says, shaking my hand.
“I must go,” I stand up. “Thanks for being my friend.”
“Always,” he hugs tightly before I pull away and return ho.
I have answers, but I do not have a decision.
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