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There are stories in history books that never felt quite real to me. Modern Cinema turned them into legends, and I accepted all of it because of the lead’s pretty face or romantic reasoning, but reality is a lot different.
Hundreds of thousands of mortal lives have changed in the past couple of months. I felt like I was free–falling without a parachute when I learned my twins were werewolves, and then again when I turned out to be worse than them. I can’t imagine the fear they must feel to know that the world isn’t as black and white as they think.
The news reports everything, and something called the Hunters‘ Association is taking the lead in helping the mortals throughout California. The packs try to reassure them that they don’t have to leave, but fear is getting the best of them, and just as Knight predicted, the vampires are taking advantage of the situation. They’re starting to go
missing.
Ashley, the new lead Alpha of Knightly Inc., has brought in a huge militia of wolves to try to push them back, but she has made it clear that her wolves come first and that they’re only trying to help.
“Turn this off,” Knight says, pulling me to him and taking my phone out of my hands. “I can feel the stress you’re under, Angel.”
“Knight, people are dying. I was one of them six months ago. This is messed up. Is there anything we can do to help?” I try to take my phone back, but he tosses it onto the other couch. Midnight seems to agree with me.
“No,” he shakes his head, and she lets out a crazy sound that only serves to worry Knight more. He cups my face and presses his lips to mine. “I know things are messed up and your guardian instincts are kicking in, but there’s not much we can do for them. We have our own problems as rogues.”
Tears fill my eyes as desperation suffocates me. I’ve been restless since the news hit. Mr. Knightly told me I’d get like this because of what I am and that I should mentally prepare myself, but what the fuck is that supposed to mean? People are dying, and they’re terrified the same way I had been in that basement. My nightmares are back, and they’re starting to sync up with some of Midnight’s memories.
“Sometimes, I can’t tell what’s real or not,” I say, standing up to get away from the violent way he makes me feel. “Midnight’s memories are starting to blend with mine, and I can’t-”
“Hey,” he says, approaching me. I put my hands up to keep him from touching me.” Deep breaths,” he instructs. “Just take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Your eyes are pitch black, Baby. The twins are here, and letting Midnight out like this can be dangerous.”
“I don’t feel good.” I shake my head. “What do I do? Please, help me.”
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“Fuck,” he blinks away unshed tears. “Okay, come here.”
He offers me his hand, and I hesitate to take it, but I really have no choice. He leads me to the study where the latch Mr. Knightly had hidden me in when I first shifted is. I understand what he wants me to do. I nod, taking one of the blankets I made off the drafting table. He opens it up and jumps down first. He stands at the bottom and holds his hands out for me. I sit on the ledge and scoot forward until I slide off the end into his arms. A buzzing starts in my ears, and Midnight immediately shows her disapproval.
“Go.” I pull away from him, covering my shoulders with the blanket.
“I’m not leaving you alone down here,” he rubs my arms.
“I need you to. You’re making it worse.” I can tell it hurt his feelings, but he nods.
“I’m right here, Angel. Tell me if you need me.” he kisses my forehead and looks back at me before pulling himself back up. One of my bean bag chairs drops before the
latch is shut.
I take a couple of deep breaths and pick up the bean bag chair to bring over to the sunny area. What the hell am I supposed to do with no,phone and in the basement of our beach house? Does this even count as a basement?
“Okay, Midnight. What now? How do I make this ugly feeling go away?”
I sit on the bean bag, not expecting her to reply. I remember Maria saying something about the steel being reinforced with silver. Which means if I were to touch it, it would hurt. It’s probably why Midnight immediately hated it. I can’t imagine having to make the twins come down here alone. What if they have to come down here together and fight without knowing any better?
-It never goes away.- she says after a while. -This is what I am. I protect those who can‘ t protect themselves.-
“Is it going to be like this for them?”
-Every guardian is different. I wouldn’t know what it will be like for them. They’re new. Born from our mating. There aren’t many silvers left.-
“I’ve seen your memories. Your deaths meant the deaths of a shit ton of people. Why did they hate you so much?”
-Bad people don’t like it when the truth about them is revealed. Like Alpha Blake and the former Queen Luna. We have a history of bringing injustice to the light, which isn’t good for business.-
“What about Mr. Knightly?”
-Have you ever felt threatened by him?–
“Just the first time we met. He kind of held my family hostage. But never after that.”
-You saw him for what he truly was. You must remember that history is always written.
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to fit the victor’s triumph. Heroism and crime walk hand in hand for a reason. You have to make your own assessment of every situation. Picking sides is dangerous for those of us who hold more power than the masses. Always be true to what you believe in.-
“I want to help those people,” I say quietly.
-How? You have no real sense of the established government. Your fighting skills aren‘ t as sharp as mine. I guide you. It’s worked for us because you’re a quick study, but there are things you can’t stomach, Phoebe. Our mate is right, you shouldn’t be watching the news. We have more to lose trying to help a race that never tried to help you. We’re not heroes.-
“Why does it feel like we could fix this?”
“We can.” I sit up to see Mr. Knightly standing on the other side of the gate. “You know, it’s not okay for you to speak to her out loud. It makes you seem unstable.”
“I feel unstable.” I sit back and tighten my hold on my blanket.
“Yes, well, now you look it.” he smirks.
“Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon with Maria?”
“She has much to deal with considering her pack’s current predicament.”
“She told you to fuck off because you were being controlling,” I laugh.
“That she did,” he says, sitting down. “Why are you in here?”
“I almost had a panic attack in the house. I feel like I’m suffocating.”
“Still?”
“Yes,” I nod.
“Would you like to spar with me? I brought the bamboo staffs.”
“I don’t want to hurt you like last time.” I shake my head.
“I underestimated you the last time. I know now that I should be taking you very
seriously,”
“Come in here.”
“I am not getting in an inescapable cage with you. Are you crazy?” he laughs.
“Scardy cat,” I smirk.
“I’ll let you out. I still have the tranquilizer I was going to use on Mari,” he says stands up. “Does that help?”
“Okay,” I agree. “Yes, it does.“.
and
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